Accessing navigation information via a global positioning group support server

A client device transmits a GNSS address to gain navigation information such as map data from a global positioning group support server. The global positioning group support server may provide navigation information of global positioning groups in the vicinity of the client device based on the received GNSS address. The GNSS address of the client device may be an inherent GNSS address or a GNSS address of a neighboring client device. Client devices are registered and divided into global positioning groups at a global positioning group support server based on corresponding GNSS addresses. A particular client device may be added or removed to or from a given global positioning group. Uni- and bi-directional association tracking within a determined time window is enabled based on corresponding GNSS addresses. Phantom GNSS moving is enabled via the association tracking.

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to signal processing for communication systems. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for accessing navigation information via a global positioning group support server.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, various navigation systems for location based services (LBS) has spread wherein positional information of a client device such as a cell phone is acquired, for example, from global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as global positioning satellites (GPS), Galileo and GLONASS, or from a remote navigation server coupled to the Internet. The client device communicates with the navigation server via a communication system. Based on the acquired positional information, for example, map data, the current position of the client device, and a recommendation route to a destination is displayed.

The client devices comprise wired and/or wireless capabilities that enable communication with wired and/or wireless communication systems. The wired communication systems comprise the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), and other networks that use wired or optical media for the transmission of data. The wireless communication systems comprise cellular telephone systems, satellite communication systems, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), and other networks that employ a wireless link between a client device and a network infrastructure. Many client devices such as customer premise equipment (CPE) in hot spot are serviced by using a combination of wireless communication systems and wired communication systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and/or system for accessing navigation information via a global positioning group support server, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for accessing navigation information via a global positioning group support server. Various aspects of the invention enable a client device to gain navigation information via a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) group support server, regardless of whether or not the client device comprises GNSS capability. The client device is operable to transmit a signal comprising an associated GNSS address to the global positioning group support server. The global positioning group support server is operable to generate navigation information of one or more global positioning groups in the vicinity of the client device based on the received GNSS address. The generated navigation information is transmitted to the client device via a supporting network such as the Internet and/or a wireless network. Upon the receipt of the navigation information, the client device is operable to display or present received navigation information to users via a user interface, for example, a graphical user interface displayed on the client device. The displaying or the presentation comprises visual and/or audio information. A global positioning group comprises a plurality of client devices which may or may not possess GNSS capability. For client devices that comprise GNSS capability, an associated GNSS address of the client device comprises an inherent GNSS address reflecting a true geographic location of the client device, for example, various GNSS capable client devices. For a client device without GNSS capability, in order to determine or acquire location information, the client device is operable to communicate with a neighboring GNSS capable client device through an independent pathway such as via the wireless network to share the GNSS address of the neighboring GNSS capable client device. The client device without GNSS capability is operable to use the GNSS address of the neighboring client device to access the global positioning group support server to gain navigation information such as map data. The map data comprises a base map or an incremental map view.

In the global positioning group support server, the client devices are registered based on corresponding GNSS addresses. The global positioning group support server is operable to group various client devices with associated icons in the serving area into one or more global positioning groups based on corresponding GNSS addresses. The global positioning group support server is enabled to add or remove a client device to or from a given global positioning group. Various features such as association tracking are supported by the global positioning group support server. For example, a client device is enabled to track another client device in use based on corresponding GNSS addresses. The association tracking feature comprises a mutual association tracking among the client devices. A particular time window is set to activate corresponding association tracking. Various applications are enabled via the association tracking feature, for example, phantom GNSS moving.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system that enables a client device to gain navigation information via a global positioning group support server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown the system ofFIG. 1comprises a plurality of global positioning group support servers110, of which a global positioning group support server110aand a global positioning group support server110bare illustrated, Internet120, a wireless network130, a GNSS satellite infrastructure140, and a plurality of global positioning groups150-190. Each of the plurality of global positioning groups comprises one or more client devices that are operable to communicate with the plurality of global positioning group support servers110via the Internet120and/or the wireless network130.

Each of the plurality of global positioning group support servers110such as the global positioning group support server110acomprises suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that are operable to communicate navigation information such as map data to client devices in the plurality of the global positioning groups150-190. As is shown, a global positioning group is formed in various ways determined by the global positioning group support server110a.For example, the global positioning groups150and180comprise a plurality of mobiles and each of the global positioning groups comprises client devices with GNSS capability such as a car navigator150aor180a,or client devices without GNSS capability such as a cell phone150bor180b. The global positioning group160comprises customer premise equipment (CPE) such as a computer with GNSS160aand a network computer printer160bwithout GNSS. The global positioning group170comprises various CPE such as a computer without GNSS170aand a laptop without GNSS170b.The CPE in the global positioning group160and170communicate with the Internet120via the access point (AP)160cand/or the AP170c,respectively. The global positioning group190comprises client devices with a direct Internet connection, for example, a computer190aand a camera190b, both without GNSS.

The global positioning group support server110ais operable to register various client devices with associated addresses such as IP address and/or GNSS address. The GNSS address is a fixed-location address for a GNSS capable client device, for example, the computer160a.However, the GNSS address may be a shared GNSS address for a client device without GNSS. For example, for the cell phone150bin the global positioning150, the GNSS address of the car navigator150amay be shared to register the cell phone150bwith the global positioning support server110a.In this regard, a client device without GNSS may gain GNSS via its global positioning neighbor in vicinity.

The global positioning support server110aand/or110bis configurable to support one or more global positioning groups. For example, the global positioning150-180may be supported by the global positioning support server110a,while the global positioning support server110bmay support only the global positioning190. In this case, the global positioning support server110bmay be running on a client device such as the computer190a. The communications between the global positioning support server110aand the global positioning support server110bmay be supported via the Internet120.

In a global positioning support server such as the global positioning support server110a, various exemplary functions comprising global positioning update may be triggered based on client device GNSS condition. For example, a client device such as the cell phone150benters into a regional restricted area such as child phone safe zone perimeter exceeded. A premises device such as the laptop170bmoves out of perimeter. The global positioning support server110ais operable to enable tracking associations in either uni-direction or bi-direction. The global positioning support server110aallows a client device being registered in one or more global positioning support servers. A global positioning support server such as110aprovides navigation information such as geographic map data relating to roads, highways, intersections or points of interest, for example. The navigation information also comprises routes or directions between a starting point and a destination. The global positioning support server110acommunicates the navigation information in streaming form or as data elements through the Internet120and/or a wireless network130, to a client device such as the cell phone150b.

The Internet120may comprise suitable logic, devices and/or code that enables data communication via various network wired and/or wireless technologies using IP protocols.

The wireless network130may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that are enabled to provide various wireless data services on a large-scale basis by using a particular technology such as GSM, UMTS, WiFi, or WiMAX.

In operation, a plurality of navigation servers such as the global positioning support server110aand110bcoupled to the Internet120may provide navigation information to various client devices. The various client devices are registered with one or more global positioning groups formed by a global positioning support server such as the group support server110a. The global positioning support server110ais operable to register client devices by using associated IP address and/or GNSS addresses. In instances where a client device without GNSS such as the cell phone180b,the cell phone180bis operable to share the GNSS address of its global positioning neighbor such as the car navigator180a, and register itself with associated IP address and/or the shared GNSS address at the global positioning support server110a. The global positioning support server110ais operable to provide navigation information through the Internet1120and/or the wireless network130to the cell phone180b.

One or more global positioning groups are formed and supported by a single global positioning group support server such as the global positioning group support server110a.A single client device is operable to associate with one or more global positioning group support servers depending on system configuration. Icons are selected for each of registered client devices upon associated global positioning group setup. The global positioning group support servers110is operable to provide navigation information such as map data via data traffic over the Internet120and/or the wireless network130, onto corresponding client devices such as the cell phone150band180b.Peer-to-Peer client device tracking is supported via the global positioning group support server110via uni-directional and bi-directional communication. Various exemplary functions such as global positioning group update are triggered based on GNSS conditions in serving areas.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary terminal device that is operable to gain navigation information via a global positioning group support server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a global positioning group support server200comprising a server processor202, a server map database204, and a server memory.

The server processor202comprises suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that are operable to control and/or handle data processing operations for the global positioning group support server200. The server processor202enables processing and/or handling of IP/GNSS address registration when client devices are online. The server processor202is operable to support global positioning group setup and/or update. The server processor202determines whether to add or remove a client device to or from a given global positioning group based on various criteria stored in the server memory206. An icon for each registered client device may be selected upon a global positioning group setup/update and is provided to client devices together with the navigation information required.

Various location based services may be supported by the global positioning group support server200. For example, the global positioning group support server200is operable to utilize various algorithms stored in the memory206to acquire positional information for a given client device, to catalog one or more destinations, to search for IP/GNSS address-based routing pathways, and to authenticate the given client device for tracking associations, for example. A particular navigation-based service such as map viewing/tracking, temporary tracking associations, and phantom GNSS functionality is enabled or disabled via the server processor202for a given client device. The server processor202is operable to support communications with other independent global positioning group support servers via the Internet120. The server processor202comprises various types of processor such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a combination of processing type devices. The server processor202is operable to execute a plurality of software instructions, which are stored in the server memory206and downloaded for execution. The server processor202also comprises specialized hardware required to implement particular aspects of the present invention.

The server map database204comprises suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that enable storage of user's positional information together with associated icons, inherent labels, and user's address comprising IP address and/or GNSS address. The associated icons, inherent labels, and user's address may overlay some kind of characteristics of the corresponding client devices such as, for example, a restaurant icon comprises restaurant related addresses, restaurant names, and restaurant phone numbers. The GNSS address may be a GNSS address of a client device with GNSS or a shared GNSS address of a client device without GNSS.

The server memory206comprises suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that are operable to enable storage of data and/or other information utilized by the global positioning group server200. For example, the server memory206may be utilized to store processed data generated by the server processor202. The server memory206is also utilized to store information, such as device configuration information, that may be utilized to control various operations of the global positioning group support server200. The server memory206is operable to store information necessary to enable or disable a particular service for a given client device. The server memory206is also operable to store some executable instructions for a global positioning group setup and phantom GNSS resync, for example. One or more software to communicate via Internet for access to the global positioning group support server200is also stored in the memory206. The server memory206comprises RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

In operation, the global positioning group support server200is communicatively coupled to the Internet120. The server processor202is operable to handle IP/GNSS address registration when client devices are online. The server processor202is operable to group registered client devices into various global positioning groups. The server processor202is operable to provide navigation information stored in the server map database204to users of various client devices periodically or aperiodically. For example, when IP/GNSS address information is received from a given client device such as the cell phone180b, the server processor202may record or store the received address information and access the server map database204to grasp the current position of the cell phone180band its global positioning group neighbors such as the cell phone150b. Depending on implementation, the server processor202enables various functionalities such as map viewing, phantom GNSS, and tracking associations, on a given client device.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary navigation server that enables a client device to gain navigation information, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a client device300comprising an optional GNSS receiver302, a network interface304, a processor306, a memory308, and a user interface310comprising various components, of which a microphone (Mic)3108a, a key input310b, a speaker310c, and a display310dare illustrated.

The GNSS receiver302comprises suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that are enabled to receive GNSS satellite broadcast signals and convert them to GNSS baseband signals. The GNSS baseband signals are further processing by the processor306so as to determine positional information of the client device300.

The network interface304comprises suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that are enabled to transmit and/or receive radio signals over a network. The network may be wired or wireless. The communicated radio signals comprise navigational information from various global positioning group support servers110.

The processor306comprises suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that are enabled to process received satellite signals as well as signals received from a supporting communication network. In instances where the GNSS receiver302is enabled, the processor306is configured to communicate associated GNSS address with the global positioning group support server110a, for example, to acquire navigation information such as map data. In instances where the GNSS receiver302is unavailable, the processor306is enabled to share a GNSS address of an associated global positioning group neighbor with GNSS to gain GNSS from the global positioning group support server110a, for instance, through the network interface304and/or the wireless network130. The received navigation information may be stored in the memory308and/or and may be retrieved and presented to users via the user interface310such as the speaker310cand/or the display310d. The shared GNSS address may be entered through the key input310bof the user interface310.

The user interface310comprises suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may service the client device300via entering user inputs and/or presenting various services to users. The user interface310comprises the microphone (Mic)310a, the key input310b, the speaker310c, and the display310d, and/or any other type of interface that is employed by the client device300.

The memory308comprises suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that enable storage of data and/or other information utilized by the processor306. For example, the memory308is utilized to store processed data generated by the processor302. The memory308is operable to store information, such as client device configuration information, that is utilized to control various operations of the client device300. The memory308is also operable to store some executable instructions for running various services on the client device300. Various navigation information received from the global positioning group support servers110are stored in the memory308.

In operation, the client device300is enabled to register with one or more global positioning group support servers via associated IP/GNSS address. For the client device300without GNSS, the GNSS address indicates a shared GNSS address. The client device300participates in one or more global positioning groups such as110aand110b. The client device300is operable to receive or acquire navigation information such as a map from a global positioning group support server110a. The navigation information is communicated via the Internet120and/or the wireless network130to the client device300. The processor306is operable to coordinate with the memory308and the user interface310to display via the display310dor otherwise present the received navigation information to a user via the user interface310. The processor306is also operable to enable storage of the received navigation information in the memory308. A user of the client device300triggers various services via the user interface310such as the microphone (Mic)310aand the key input310b. For instance, when the client device300is authorized for GNSS phantom moving, a user of the client device300enters the selection of one or more fake destinations via the key input310bof the user interface310. The processor306is operable to process the user interface commands and send selected destinations to the global positioning group support server110a. The client device300is operable to start phantom moving from, for example, a particular place to a fake destination, which was entered by the user via the user interface310. The user is capable of ending phantom moving by, for example, pressing a button on the user interface310, followed by sending the actual GNSS of the client device300to the global positioning group support server for phantom GNSS resync.

FIG. 4is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary client device registration procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4, the exemplary steps start with the step402, where a client device such as the cell phone150bis online and wants to access the global positioning group support server110ato gain navigation information such as map data. The cell phone150bwould typically send a register request comprising an associated IP address and/or a GNSS address. However, since the cell phone150bhas no GNSS capability, it is operable to share a GNSS address of its global positioning group neighbor, such as the car navigator150aand utilize this shared GNSS address for the resister request. In one embodiment of the invention, the shared GNSS address is entered by the user of the cell phone150bvia the user interface310.

In step404, the global positioning group support server110ais operable to receive the registration request from the cell phone150bvia the wireless network130and the Internet120. The global positioning group support server110arecords the received IP/GNSS address. The server processor202applies various security protocols for device security check such as device identity check for intrusion detection. The global positioning group support server110ainforms the cell phone150bwhether the cell phone is authorized to be registered at the global positioning group support server110a.In step408, in instances where the registration request is rejected, the cell phone150bis operable to try to register with another global positioning group support server such as the global positioning group support server110b.In instances where the global positioning group support server110bauthorizes the access from the cell phone150b, then the cell phone150bstores the global positioning group support server110binformation to be used for gaining navigation information from the global positioning group support server110bin the future.

FIG. 5is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary global positioning group setup procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 5, the exemplary global positioning group setup procedure starts with the step502, where a global positioning group support server such as the global positioning group support server110areceive requests for the start of various navigation services to registered client devices via the Internet120and/or the wireless network130. In the step504, the global positioning group support server110categorizes the registered client devices based on characteristics of the registered client devices, for example, registered IP/GNSS addresses indicates a restaurant or a park. In step506, an icon is selected from the server memory206for each registered client device based on the associated category.

In step508, the registered client devices are grouped into various global positioning groups based on registered IP/GNSS addresses and the category of the registered client device. In step510, the global positioning groups are setup and then stored at the global positioning group support server110a. The exemplary global positioning group setup procedure stops in step512.

FIG. 6is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary procedure for adding a client device to a global positioning group, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 6, the exemplary steps start with the step602, where a global positioning group support server such as110acompletes the global positioning group set up as described with respect toFIG. 5. In step604, the global positioning group support server110determines whether a given client device, which currently is not associated with global positioning groups supported by the global positioning group support server110a, is already been registered at the global positioning group support server110a. In instances where the given client device is registered at the global positioning group support server110a, then in step606, the global positioning group support server110acategorizes the client device such as, for example, sports and park, based on characteristics of the client device. In step608, an icon is selected from the server memory206for the client device based on the determined category for the client device. In step610, one or more global positioning groups are chosen based on the registered IP/GNSS address and the category of the client device. In step612, the client device with the selected icon is added to the one or more global positioning groups. In step614, the one or more global positioning groups may be stored. The exemplary steps return to the step604.

In step604, in instances where the given client device is not registered at the global positioning group support server110a, then in step616, the global positioning group support server110adetermines whether the IP/GNSS address of the given client device has changed since last global positioning group update. In instances where the IP/GNSS address of the given client device has changed since last global positioning group update, the in step618, it is determined whether the latest IP/GNSS address of the given client device. In step620, one or more global positioning groups are determined or identified based on the latest IP/GNSS address and the category of the given client device. The exemplary steps continue with step612.

FIG. 7is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary procedure for removing a client device from a global positioning group, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7, the exemplary steps start with the step702, where a global positioning group support server such as110acompletes global positioning group set up as described with respect toFIG. 5. In step704, in a given global positioning group, the global positioning group support server110adetermines whether an associated client device of the given global positioning group is active within a determined time window. The determined time window may be implementation dependent. In instances where the associated client device is not active within the determined time window in the given global positioning group, then in step706, the associated client device is removed from the given global positioning group and the exemplary steps return to the step704. In step704, in instances where the associated client device is active within the determined time window, then in step708, the associated client device is kept in the given global positioning group. The exemplary steps return to the step704.

FIG. 8is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary procedure for creating and updating map viewing via a global positioning group support server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 8, the exemplary steps start with the step802, where a global positioning group support server such as110amay complete global positioning group set up as described inFIG. 5. In step804, the global positioning group support server110amay receive a global positioning group-based map download request from an associated client device via a supporting network such as the Internet120and/or the wireless network130. The global positioning group-based map download request comprises the IP/GNSS address of the associated client device. The global positioning group-based map download request is used to acquire various map data comprising navigation information such as, for example, directions in a graphical and/or textual format, a map segment of varying detail, or other navigation information. In step806, the global positioning group support server110adetermines whether the received global positioning group-based map download request is for acquiring a new map view. In instances where a new map view is requested from the associated client device, then the exemplary steps continues in step808, where the GNSS support group server110agenerates map data with complete navigation information associated with the IP/GNSS address indicated in the received global positioning group-based map download request. In step810, the global positioning group support server110asends the generated map data via a supporting network such as the Internet120and/or the wireless network130onto the associated client device. The exemplary steps then returns to the step804. In step806, in instances where the received global positioning group-based map download request is for acquiring a subsequent map view (map view tracking), the in step810, the global positioning group support server generates map data comprising only navigation information updates for the associated client device based on the IP/GNSS address indicated in the received global positioning group-based map download request. The exemplary steps continue in step810.

FIG. 9is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary device uni-direction tracking procedure via a global positioning group support server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 9, the exemplary steps start with the step902, where a source client device wishes to learn the current position of a target client device currently in use. The source client device sends a target tracking request to associated global positioning group support servers such as110a.The target tracking request comprises the target client device information in a predetermined format, for example, telephone number of the target client device and/or inherent identification label of the target client device. The source client device and the target client device is associated with the same global positioning group or different global positioning groups supported by a single global positioning group support server or by multiple independent global positioning group support servers. The multiple independent global positioning group support servers communicate with each other via the Internet120.

In step904, upon the receipt of the target tracking request, the global positioning group support server110aidentifies the target client device based on the transmitted target client device information such as the telephone number of the target client device. Thereafter, the global positioning group support server110acommunicates with the target client device via a supporting network such as the Internet120and/or the wireless network130to determine whether or not the target client device allows tracking by the source client device. In instances where the target client device allows tracking by the source client device, then in step906, the global positioning group support server110adoes a search in the server map database204for current positional information of the target client device. In step908, the global positioning group support server110asends the current positional information of the target client device, which has been found as the result of the search, onto the source client device. In step910, upon the receipt of the current positional information of the target client device, the source client device is enabled to present the received current positional information of the target client device via the user interface310. The positional information may be presented in audio via the speaker310cand/or visual format via the display310. In step904, in instances where the target client device does not allow to be tracked by the source client device, the global positioning group support sever informs the source client device of that effect. The exemplary steps end in step912.

FIG. 10is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary client device mutual tracking procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 10, the exemplary steps start with the step1002, where a client device1100wished to interact with another client device1200currently in use. The client device1100sends a mutual tracking access request to an associated global positioning group support server1300. The mutual tracking access request comprise the client device1200specific information in a predetermined format, for example, telephone number of the client device1200and/or inherent identification label of the client device1200. The client device1100and the client device1200are associated with the same global positioning group or different global positioning groups that are supported by a single global positioning group support server such as the global positioning group support server1300or by multiple independent global positioning group support servers. The multiple independent global positioning group support servers may communicate each other via the Internet120.

In step1004, upon the receipt of the mutual tracking access request from the client device1002, the global positioning group support server1300identifies the client device1200based on the transmitted client device1200specific information. Thereafter, the global positioning group support server1300communicates with the client device1200via a supporting network such as the Internet120and/or the wireless network130to notify the intend of the mutual tracking access request from the client device1100. In step1006, the client device1200determines whether or not to authorize the mutual access request from the client device1100. In instances where the client device1200accepts the mutual tracking request from the client device1100, then in step1008, where the client device1200sends a notification to grant the requested mutual access tracking. In step1010, the global positioning group support server130forwards the notification to the client1100. In step1012, upon the receipt of the service grant notification, the client device1100sends a mutual tracking request comprising one or more global positioning group-based events.

In step1014, the global positioning group support server1300searches the server map database204based on the received global positioning group-based events and generates map data comprising navigation information associated with the global positioning group-based events in the received mutual tracking request from the client device110. The generated map data is then transmitted to the client device1200via a supporting network such as the Internet120and/or the wireless network130. In step1016, upon the receipt of the map data from the global positioning group support server130, the client device1200generates a mutual tracking response comprising the client device1200decision such as rejection, acceptation, or modification in regard to the request of the client device1100. In step1018, upon the receipt of the mutual tacking response from the client device1200, the global positioning group support server130generates map data comprising navigation information reflecting the received mutual tacking response. In step1020, the client device1100receives the map data with the navigation information associated with the response from the client device1200. The exemplary steps are then repeated.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the client device1100and/or the client device1200are operable initiate the mutual tracking request. The mutual tracking request is accepted, rejected, or modified by the peer client device of the request. For example, it is desirable for the client device1100to setup a meeting with the client device1200at a determined time window at a given place. The client device1100is configured to send a mutual tracking request regarding this meeting setup to the client device1200. Upon receipt of the request, the client device1200is operable to accept, reject, and modify the request, and inform the client device1100via a mutual tracking response. For instance, the client device1200is operable to reduce or move the determined time window and/or change the meeting date.

FIG. 11is a flow chart illustrating phantom GNSS function, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 11, the exemplary steps start with the step2002, where a client device1100is associated with a global positioning group support server1300which completes global positioning group set up as described with respect toFIG. 5. The client device1100determines whether or not to activate a phantom GNSS functionality. In instances where the client device1100wishes to activate the phantom GNSS functionality, then in step2004, where one or more destinations are selected by the user of the client device110and entered via the key input310bof the user interface310, for example.

In step2006, the client device1100sends the selected one or more destinations to the global positioning group support server1300. In step2012, upon receipt of the selected one or more destinations from the client device1100, the global positioning group support server1300applies phantom GNSS functionality by using the selected one or more destinations for the client device1100. In step2008, the client device1100may determine whether or not to end the phantom GNSS functionality. In instances where the phantom GNSS functionality of the client device1100is ended via, for example, inputs of the user interface310. In step2010, the client device1100is enabled to send its actual GNSS information to the global positioning group support server1300. The exemplary steps return to the step2002.

In step2014, upon the receipt of the actual GNSS from the client device1100, the global positioning group support server1300is operable to resynchronize the on-going phantom GNSS functionality with the received actual GNSS. The actual global positioning group-based navigation information is then applied to the client device1100. In step2002, in instances where the client device1100does not wish to be in the phantom GNSS functionality, then execution remains in the step2002. In step2008, in instances where the client device1100does not wish to end the phantom GNSS functionality, then stay in step2008.

Aspects of a method and system for accessing navigation information via a global positioning group support server are provided. In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a client device such as the cell phone150bin the system ofFIG. 1is operable to transmit a signal comprising an associated GNSS address to a navigation server such as the global positioning group support server110a, even the cell phone150bhas no GNSS capability. The global positioning group support server110ais operable to initiate a search within the server map database204to generate navigation information of one or more global positioning groups in vicinity of the cell phone150bbased on the received GNSS address. The generated navigation information is transmitted onto the cell phone150bvia a supporting network such as the Internet120and/or the wireless network130.

Upon the receipt of the navigation information, the cell phone150bis operable to present the received navigation information via the user interface310to users, accordingly. As is shown inFIG. 1, a global positioning group comprises a plurality of client devices such as, for example, the computer with GNSS160a, the network computer printer160b, and the access point160cfor the global positioning group160. The plurality of client devices may or may not have GNSS capability. An associate GNSS address of a client device may be an inherent GNSS address reflecting a true geographic location of the client device, for example, the car navigator150a. However, for many client devices without GNSS capability, for example, the cell phone150b, to gain a GNSS, the cell phone150bis operable to communicate with a neighboring GNSS capable client device through an independent pathway such as via the wireless network130to share the GNSS address of the neighboring GNSS capable client device such as the car navigator150a.

The cell phone150buses the shared GNSS address to access the global positioning group support server110a, for example, to gain navigation information such as map data. The map data is a base map or an incremental map view, as described inFIG. 8. In a global positioning group support server such as110a,the client devices are registered based on corresponding GNSS addresses, whether inherent GNSS address or shared GNSS addresses, as shown inFIG. 4. The global positioning group support server110agroups various client devices with associated icons in the serving area into one or more global positioning groups based on corresponding GNSS addresses, as described with respect toFIG. 5andFIG. 6. The global positioning group support server110ais enabled to add or remove a client device to or from a particular global positioning group as described inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, respectively. Moreover, various features such as tracking associations are supported by the global positioning group support server110a. For example, a client device in the systemFIG. 1is operable to track another client device in use based on corresponding GNSS addresses following the procedure described inFIG. 9.

The association tracking feature comprises a mutual tracking among the client devices in the system ofFIG. 1as described with respect toFIG. 10. A particular time window is set for corresponding tracking. Various applications are enabled via association tracking feature, for example, phantom GNSS moving as shown inFIG. 11. As described in the system ofFIG. 1, a client device without a GNSS such as the cell phone150bis operable to locate a neighboring client device with a GNSS such as the car navigator150avia various ways. The cell phone150bis enabled to acquire the GNSS address of the car navigator150avia, for example, the Internet120and/or the wireless network130. The acquired GNSS address of the car navigator150ais utilized by the cell phone150bto communicate with other communication devices such as the global positioning group support server110a.

The cell phone150bis operable to register itself to the global positioning group support server110aand communicates with other client devices associated with the global positioning group support server110a.The cell phone150bis operable to acquire various location information such as map data of the cell phone150bbased on its associated GNSS address. The cell phone150bis operable to associate with one or more global positioning group support servers and each global positioning group support server is enabling to manage one or more client devices.