EP1264295B1 - Method for transmitting location-related information between a control centre and a mobile terminal, a mobile terminal and a control centre - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a method for the transmission of location-related data information between a head office and a mobile device, a mobile device and a center according to the genre of independent claims out.

Process for the transmission of location-based Data information between a central and a mobile Terminal devices are already known and can be found, for example, at the localization of mobile devices in a cellular Cellular network their application.

With the help of GPS technology (Global Positioning System) a location determination up to an accuracy of 10m possible. This system is used e.g. in the Location of ships and motor vehicles, e.g. the "Travel Pilot" from Blaupunkt. Here is always the Location information in a locally existing map material, which is on a data carrier, e.g. a compact disc located, registered and visually presented to the user. The location information serves e.g. the route calculation and the Guiding the user to a desired destination.

The ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) standardized H.32x procedures are used for the transmission of Audio, video and data information on fixed and mobile Networks. The main area of application is video telephony between two or more terminals. For the transfer of multimedia information, such as of live camera images or in TV broadcasting, these standards come in have recently been increasingly used, for example via the T-View Infoserver of the German Telekom.

Currently available mobile phones, e.g. the Nokia 9000 Mobile phone, and PDA's (Personal Digital Assistant), such as e.g. the Apple Message Pad, are sufficiently large Displays for displaying map material. Because of the limited space in the mobile End devices are currently only considered mobile phones Voice terminal, as an access interface to the Internet and for sending text messages, for example electronic mail on the Internet or short messages used according to the SMS standard (Short Message Service).

A system for the transmission of a route proposal and / or a location-related geographical map between a control center and a GPS-equipped one Mobile telecommunication terminal has already been disclosed in EP-A-0875878. In this system, the map section by means of the playback device of the Device is displayed.

Advantages of the invention

The inventive method for the transmission of location-related data information, the inventive mobile terminal and the control center according to the invention with the In contrast, features of the independent claims have the Advantage that in a first step a position of the mobile terminal determined and transmitted to the headquarters will do that in a second step at headquarters Dependence of the determined position of the mobile device location-related data information for the mobile device that in a third step the location-related data information from the headquarters to the mobile device are transmitted and that in a fourth Step on the received location-related data information a playback device of the mobile terminal Playback be brought up, in the first step from the mobile terminal to the control center provides information about the Size of what can be displayed on the display device Map section is transmitted. In this way, the Size of the transmitted from the control center to the mobile device Map section, the size of the difference image or the Size of the to be played back for the update of the Additional map section to be transmitted Map areas already in the headquarters to the size of the the display device reproducible map section be adjusted. This way, the transfer becomes too a lot of image data and therefore the excessive use of Bandwidth and transmission time prevented. This way location-related data information, such as a Location of the mobile device by means of a geographical map or a suggested route for a Navigation application independent of in the mobile device Available storage space and computing capacity realize so that the functionality and utility of mobile terminal, especially when training as Mobile phone or PDA, is significantly enlarged.

By the measures listed in the subclaims advantageous further developments and improvements of Process for the transmission of location-based Data information, the mobile device and the headquarters possible according to the independent claims.

It is particularly advantageous that in the second step in the Central part of a geographical map is selected, the determined position of the mobile Terminal includes that in a third step selected map section from the headquarters to the mobile Terminal is transmitted and that in a fourth step the transferred map section with the determined Position on a playback device of the mobile Terminal is brought to play.

In this way, the map material in the headquarters, for example in a navigation server, held centrally and be updated there quickly and easily, with one Many of the updates carried out at the headquarters Users of corresponding mobile devices will benefit. The central storage will save storage space in the End devices saved and multiple storage of Map material prevented.

It is particularly advantageous that on the mobile device Destination is specified and transferred to the head office that in the head office a route proposal between the determined Position of the mobile device and the specified destination it is calculated that the route proposal from the headquarters is transmitted as additional information to the mobile terminal and that the route suggestion on the playback device of the mobile device is played. In this way can use the mobile device for navigation and route guidance be used so that its functionality is increased. This results in the design of the mobile device as Mobile phone or as a PDA a navigation device that also from Pedestrians and cyclists can be used.

Another advantage is that the selected one Map section through a compression process, especially using one of the Image compression method H.261 and H.263 according to ITU-T Standard H.32x (International Telecommunication Union), coded is transmitted to the mobile device. To this Way can be in the transfer of the map section save bandwidth from the central office to the mobile device, so that the transfer of the map material from the headquarters to the mobile device even with limited bandwidth Cellular network used as transmission medium is feasible.

Another advantage is that in a fifth Step determined a new position of the mobile device and transmitted to headquarters that in a sixth Step in the head office a new map section is selected, the new position of the mobile Terminal includes that in a seventh step image data depending on differences between the selected one new map section and the previous map section are transmitted from the control center to the mobile device and that in an eighth step the previous one Map section depending on the transmitted image data updated on the playback device of the mobile Terminal is brought to play. This way when updating the on the playback device the mobile device brought to play Map section not a completely new one every time Map section from the control center to the mobile device transferred, but only changes between the previous map section and the new map section specifying image data. Especially when the new one Map section a part of the previous map section involves, this method leads to a little bandwidth Required transfer of the to update the previous map section required image data. A such an update can then also be particularly quick be performed.

Such a bandwidth-saving method of transmission of image data from the control center to the mobile device, which the Update of the on the playback device of the mobile Serve device reproduced map section, lets realize that when choosing the new one Map section in the sixth step, especially under Use one of the image compression methods H.261 and H.263, the previous map section in individual image blocks that is decomposed depending on each of the image blocks the change of position from the previous position to the new one Position of the mobile terminal a motion vector is calculated based on the previous Map section and the motion vectors the new Map section is estimated to be the estimated one Map section with the new map section Difference formation is compared, so that a difference image arises that with the image data in the seventh step the Difference image is transmitted to the mobile device that in seventh step also the motion vectors from the Central are transferred to the mobile device and that in the eighth step of the on the playback device Map section to be reproduced from the previous one Map section is calculated by the previous one Map section block by block using the motion vectors shifted and the shifted thus formed Map section is overlaid with the difference image. The Transfer of the difference image and the motion vectors requires less bandwidth and is faster than that Transfer of the complete new map section from the Central to the mobile device. In addition, for the Transfer of image data already for video telephony used method, for example the standardized H.32x method, so that the Scope of such a method is enlarged and no new method for transferring the Map material is required.

Another advantage is that at predetermined Times in the seventh step with the image data the new one Map section from the control center to the mobile device is transferred and that in the eighth step the new one Map section with the new position at the Playback device is brought to play. On this way it is possible to periodically remove the Play the map material on the mobile device to the adapt original map material and thus a Accumulation of transmission errors in the transmission of the Difference image and the motion vectors that lead to a Falsify the map material to be reproduced can restrict.

It is particularly advantageous that when choosing the new one Map section in the sixth step map areas can only be determined in the new map section and not included in the previous map section that in seventh step with the image data the determined Map areas from the headquarters to the mobile device be transferred and that in the eighth step of at the Playback device to be reproduced map section the map section shown so far is calculated, by using the map section shown so far one due to the change in position from the previous one Position to the new position of the mobile device calculated total motion vector shifted and the on thus shifted map section formed by the transferred map areas is supplemented. In this way bandwidth is also used in the transmission of data to Update the previously on the playback device reproduced map section required image data saved from the control center to the mobile device, since only the changing map areas from headquarters to mobile Terminal must be transferred. Map areas that both in the previous and in the new map section are not required to be transferred. The Transfer of the to update the previously at the Playback device reproduced map section necessary image data can therefore also be special done quickly and the faster the less the new one Map section differs from the previous map section, because then the less additional map areas of the Control center must be transferred to the mobile device. By transferring original map areas from the There is also no central to the mobile device Accumulation of transmission errors, such as it in the successive transmission of difference images Case can be. A regular transfer of a complete new map section to restrict such accumulating transmission error is therefore not required. Furthermore, no calculation of a Difference image and no estimate of the new one Map section required at the headquarters so that compared to the previously described method, computing effort and Computing time can be saved in the headquarters. A Update of the on the playback device of the mobile Terminal section to be reproduced is therefore the faster possible.

Also for updating the at the Playback device of the mobile terminal reproduced map sections to be transferred Image data can be bandwidth and Saving transmission time through a compression process, especially using one of the Image compression method H.261 and H.263 according to ITU-T Standard H.32x, coded to be transmitted to the terminal.

Another advantage is that the position of the mobile terminal on an input device of the mobile Terminal is specified. In this way, the Users of the mobile device any position enter and in this way any map sections of request from the head office for playback.

drawing

Embodiments of the invention are in the drawing shown and in the description below explained. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a Central according to the invention and one according to the invention mobile terminal for performing an inventive Process for the transmission of location-based Data information, Figure 2 is a flow chart Description of the general process of the invention Method, Figure 3 is a flow chart for describing a Part of the general process according to a first Embodiment and Figure 4 is a flow chart Description of part of the general schedule according to a second embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

In Figure 1, 5 denotes a mobile terminal that for example as a cell phone or as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can be trained. The mobile Terminal 5 comprises a first transmit / receive antenna 70 which is connected to a first antenna unit 60. The first transmit / receive antenna 70 is used for transmitting and Receive data over a cellular network 85. The first Antenna unit 60 is in the receiving direction via a first Receiving unit 30 to a first evaluation unit 35 connected. The first evaluation unit 35 is shown in FIG Direction of transmission via a first transmission unit 25 to the first Antenna unit 60 connected. With the first Evaluation unit 35 is also a locating receiver 15 connected, for example as a GPS receiver (Global Positioning System) can be formed, and to the one Receive antenna 80 for receiving location data connected. This receiving antenna 80 for location data can for example be designed as a GPS patch antenna. The first evaluation unit 35 is also in this Example an input device 20 and one Playback device 10 connected. The Playback device 10 includes one Display device, for example in the form of a Liquid crystal displays, and can optionally have one or more speakers for acoustic reproduction include.

The mobile terminal 5 exchanges via the mobile radio network 85 location-related data information with a central 1, the one connected to a second antenna unit 65 second transmitting / receiving antenna 75. Here is the second antenna unit 65 in the reception path via a second Receiver unit 40 with a second evaluation unit 50 connected. The second evaluation unit 50 is in the transmission path via a second transmission unit 55 with the second Antenna unit 65 connected. The control center 1 also includes a memory 45 which is connected to the second evaluation unit 50 connected.

The method according to the invention is now based on a Flow chart according to Figure 2 explained in more detail. At a Program point 100 determines first evaluation unit 35 a position of the mobile terminal 5. The Position determination can, for example, on two different types are done. According to a first type, the Position of the mobile terminal 5 by receiving Location data via the reception antenna 80 for location data and the location receiver 15 in the first evaluation unit 35 determined. According to a second type, it can be optional it should be provided that the user of the mobile terminal 5 any position on the input device 20 pretends to get any map section to watch. Then the first evaluation unit initiates 35 the first transmission unit 25 for emitting the on of the two types determined position of the mobile Terminal 5 by means of a corresponding location data signal from the first transmit / receive antenna 70 via the Cellular network 85 to the center 1. This can Location data signal designed as a text or short message be, for example, in a GSM cellular network (Global System for Mobile Communications) as SMS message (Short Message Service) is transmitted. With the text or Short message can also be a mobile number Terminal 5 are transmitted to the control center 1 to one Call back to control center 1 for sending card data and / or route suggestions to the mobile terminal 5 enable. In the center 1, this location signal with the information about the position of the mobile terminal 5 received by the second transmitting / receiving antenna 75 and via the second receiving unit 40 to the second evaluation unit 50 forwarded. It then becomes a program item 105 branches.

The second evaluation unit determines at program point 105 50 shows a section of a file stored in memory 45 geographical map, this section being the determined one Position of the mobile terminal 5 includes. The size of the selected section can depend on the size of the Display device of the mobile terminal 5 may be adapted. To do this, however, the control center 1 must have the size of Know display device of the mobile terminal 5. Corresponding data on the size of the display device of the mobile terminal 5 can in advance or with the first determined position from the mobile terminal 5 to Control center 1 can be transmitted at program point 100. The second evaluation unit 50 can cut the map additionally select so that the determined position of the mobile terminal 5 in the middle or in one Center area of the selected map section lies. It can of course also be provided that the second Evaluation unit 50 selects the map section such that the determined position of the mobile terminal 5 in one Edge area of the selected map section lies. This can be useful for a navigation application if as much map material as possible in the direction of the planned one Movement of the mobile terminal 5 for display on the Display device should come, but as little as possible Map material in the area of the mobile device 5 distance traveled.

The second fades into the selected map section Evaluation unit 50 also the determined position of the mobile terminal 5 at the appropriate point.

After program point 105 becomes a program point 110 branched. At program point 110 the second causes Evaluation unit 50, the second transmission unit 55, for example by means of a callback based on the received number of the mobile terminal 5 for transmission of the selected Map section with the displayed position of the mobile terminal 5 by means of a suitable image signal from the second transmitting / receiving antenna 75 via the Mobile network 85 to the mobile terminal 5. This image signal is then received by the first transmit / receive antenna 70 and via the first receiving unit 30 of the first Evaluation unit 35 supplied. Then becomes one Program item 115 branches.

At program point 115, the first evaluation unit 35 a representation of the map section received with the faded in position of the mobile terminal 5 at the Display device of the reproduction device 10.

For the transmission of the selected map section from the center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 can be the second Evaluation unit 50 encodes the selected one Map section through a compression process cause bandwidth and time when transmitting the selected map section from headquarters 1 to save mobile device 5. The transfer of the selected map section can for example according to the ITU-T standard (International Telecommunication Union) H.32x, using a compression method the image compression methods H.261 and H.263 for Application can come. After program point 115 becomes a Program item 120 branches.

At program point 120, the first evaluation unit 35 checks whether the user of the mobile terminal 5 at the Input device 20 entered a navigation request Has. If this is the case, then a program point becomes 125 branches, otherwise program point 145 branched.

At program point 125, the first evaluation unit 35 requests the user via the playback device 10 optically and / or acoustically to enter a destination. To Entry of the destination is prompted on the input device 20 the first evaluation unit 35 the first transmission unit 25 Transfer this destination using a suitable one Location data signal from the first transmit / receive antenna 70 via the mobile radio network 85 to the head office 1. This Location data information is then on the second transmit / receive antenna 75 received at headquarters 1 and via the second receiving unit 40 to second evaluation unit 50 forwarded. It then becomes a program item 130 branched.

The second evaluation unit calculates at program point 130 50 a route proposal between the determined position of the mobile terminal 5 and the predetermined destination. This suggested route can contain current traffic data consider, such as traffic jams, closures and Changes to the traffic network or the like. The program then branches to a program point 135.

The second evaluation unit initiates at program point 135 50 the second transmission unit 55 for transmitting the calculated route suggestion using a corresponding Navigation data signal from the second transmitting / receiving antenna 75 over the mobile network 85 to mobile Terminal 5. The navigation data signal can also be as Text or short message can be formed and for example transmitted in a GSM cellular network as an SMS message become. Also a transmission of the navigation data signal in Speech form when calling the mobile terminal 5 from the Central 1 is possible. This navigation data signal will received by the first transmitting / receiving antenna 70 and via the first transmission unit 30 of the first evaluation unit 35 fed. It then becomes a program item 140 branched.

At program point 140, the first evaluation unit 35 an optical and / or acoustic reproduction of the in the ntrale 1 calculated route proposal on the Playback device 10. Acoustic playback can for example, by voice playback. This will use of the mobile terminal 5 in a vehicle facilitated. Was the navigation data signal as text or Transmitting a short message in the mobile terminal 5 by means of a not shown in Figure 1 Speech synthesis building block a speech output of this text or Short message can be realized. Such a text or Short message that includes the suggested route however, can also be shown on the display device. The program then branches to program point 145.

At program point 145, the first evaluation unit 35 checks whether a new position of the mobile terminal 5 either via the location receiver 15 or by user input on the input device 20 is present, which is different from the previous position of the mobile Terminal 5 differs. If this is the case, then becomes a program point 150 branches, otherwise it will Leave the program.

At program point 150, the first evaluation unit 35 the first transmission unit 25 for transmitting the new position of the mobile terminal 5 by means of a corresponding one Location data signal from the first transmit / receive antenna 70 via the mobile radio network 85 to the head office 1. This Location data signal with the new position of the mobile The terminal 5 is operated by the second transmitting / receiving antenna 75 received and via the second receiving unit 40 of the second Evaluation unit 50 supplied. Then becomes one Program item 155 branches.

At program point 155, the second evaluation unit 50 selects a new one from the map material stored in the memory 45 Map section from which the new position of the mobile Terminal 5 comprises, this new map section again in a corresponding manner to the size of the Display device of the mobile terminal 5 may be adapted can. The new map section can be from the second Evaluation unit 50 should be selected so that the new position of the mobile terminal 5 in the middle or in one Center area of the selected new map section lies. However, as described, it can also be provided that that the new position of the mobile terminal 5 in one Border area of the selected new map section lies.

The second evaluation unit 50 then compares the in front of the new map section for the mobile device 5 selected previous map section with the selected new map section and created in Dependence on differences between the two Map sections of image data. Then becomes one Program item 160 branches.

The second evaluation unit initiates at program point 160 50 the second transmission unit 55 for transmitting the generated ones Image data from the second transmission / reception antenna 75 via the Mobile network 85 to the mobile terminal 5. The generated Image data is then sent from the first transmit / receive antenna 70 received and via the first transmission unit 30 to the first Evaluation unit 35 forwarded.

As already described, the image data can be obtained from the Central 1 to the mobile terminal 5 through a Compression method encodes the mobile terminal 5 be transmitted. The transfer of the image data from the Central 1 to the mobile terminal 5 can be as described for example according to a video telephony standard, for example according to the ITU-T standard H.32x, being one of the compression methods Image compression method H.261 and H.263 use Can be found.

After program point 160 becomes a program point 165 branched. At program point 165 the first one updates Evaluation unit 35 previously on the display device of Playback device 10 shown map section in Dependency of the transmitted image data and brings it that way updated map section on the display device for illustration.

The program then branches to a program point 170. at Program point 170 checks first evaluation unit 35 whether a navigation application from the user of the mobile Terminal 5 was activated on the input device 20 or is still running. If this is the case, it becomes one Program point 175 branches, otherwise it becomes Program point 145 branched back. At program point 175 the first evaluation unit 35 checks whether at the Input device 20 already a destination for the Navigation application entered and to the control center 1 was transferred. If this is the case, then becomes Program point 130 branched back and the route calculation based on the new position and the already known destination updated accordingly. Otherwise it becomes a program item 125 branches back and the input of a corresponding Requested destination as described.

In the event that the mobile terminal 5 is running Navigation application reached the specified destination, i.e. that the second evaluation unit 50 the identity between the position of the mobile terminal 5 and the destination the navigation application is terminated, after appropriate information about this termination transmitted from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 and was reproduced there on the playback device 10. For a pure navigation application without the transfer of Map sections from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 it can also be provided that the schedule according to Figure 2 begins after program item 120 and without the Program items 150, 155, 160, 165 are run through so that from program point 145 if the decision is yes Program item 170 is branched. This alternative Embodiment is e.g. makes sense when the mobile Terminal 5 to a computer, e.g. a laptop, over a Data interface is connected, being in one Memory of the computer with a navigation software Maps are stored. One to the mobile terminal 5 The route suggestion transmitted by the control center 1 can then via the data interface to the connected computer to get redirected. Using the navigation software dials the computer then excerpts from the map Maps that are assigned to the suggested route and brings the route suggestion to a display device, for example a display of the computer together with the selected matching map section for display. The mobile terminal 5 uses the in this way Display device of the computer, which thus also as external part of the reproducing device 10 can be considered can.

For updating the on the display device of the Playback device 10 presented Map section at a changing position of the mobile terminal 5 are two different below Embodiments given by way of example.

According to Figure 3 is a flow chart for the process according to first of the two embodiments shown. This The procedure relates to program items 155, 160 and 165 according to Figure 2, which is therefore in Figure 2 each as Subroutines are shown with double bars. Program point 155 is according to the first embodiment structured as follows:

At one program point 200, the second determines Evaluation unit 50 from that stored in memory 45 Maps the new map section for the new one Position of the mobile terminal 5 as described. The program then branches to a program point 205.

At program point 205, the second evaluation unit 50 disassembles the before the new map section for the mobile device 5 selected previous map section in individual Image blocks. It then becomes a program item 210 branched.

At program point 210, the second evaluation unit calculates 50 for each of the image blocks depending on the Change in position of the mobile terminal 5 from the previous position to new position Motion vector. It then becomes a program item 215 branches.

At program point 215, the second evaluation unit 50 estimates based on the previous map section and the determined motion vectors the new map section. The program then branches to a program point 220.

At program point 220, the second evaluation unit compares 50 the estimated new map section with the Program item 200 selected new map section Difference. That means the second Evaluation unit 50 of that at program point 200 selected new map section at the program point 215 estimated new map section subtracts, resulting in a Difference picture arises. Then becomes one Program item 225 branches.

At program point 225, the second evaluation unit 50 generates corresponding image data that the at program point 220 generated difference image include and causes the second Sending unit 55 for transmitting the image data with the Differential image by means of a corresponding image signal from the second transmitting / receiving antenna 75 via the mobile radio network 85 to the mobile terminal 5. The image signal is from the receive first transmission / reception antenna 70 and via the first receiving unit 30 to first evaluation unit 35 forwarded. This then becomes a program item 230 branched.

At program point 230, the second evaluation unit 50 generates a data signal that the for the individual blocks of the previous map section determined motion vectors comprises and causes the second transmission unit 55 to Transmission of this data signal from the second transmit / receive antenna 75 over the mobile network 85 to mobile Terminal 5. This data signal is then from the first Transceiver antenna 70 received and via the first Receiving unit 30 fed to the first evaluation unit 35. The program then branches to a program point 235. The Program items 225 and 230 according to FIG. 3 form the Program item 160 according to FIG. 2.

At program point 235, the first evaluation unit 35 disassembles the previous map section in the same image blocks, as is the case with the second evaluation unit 50 Program item 205 has done and postpones the educated Image blocks each by means of the associated and from the second evaluation unit 50 determined and sent to the mobile Terminal 5 transmitted motion vector. Through the Displacement of the image blocks formed using the Motion vectors result in a shifted Map section. It then becomes a program item 240 branches.

At program point 240, the first evaluation unit overlaps 35 the shifted map section with the received Difference image. The total picture formed in this way becomes then subsequently initiated at a program point 245 by the first evaluation unit 35 on which Display device of the playback device 10 for Brought representation and corresponds to error-free Determination and transfer of the difference image and the Motion vectors from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 essentially the new map section, which at Program point 200 from the second evaluation unit 50 was determined. Instead of transferring the complete new one Map section, however, is only the transmission of the Difference image and the motion vectors required, so that bandwidth and time compared to this transmission the transmission of the complete new map section was saved. The program is then exited. Form the program points 235, 240 and 245 according to FIG. 3 program point 165 according to FIG. 2.

The method described in Figure 3 is also the mentioned image compression methods H.261 and H.262 according to the ITU-T standard H.32x.

With a successive transfer of difference images and associated motion vectors it may be due to Transmission errors lead to an error accumulation that that on the display device of the reproducing device 10 map section to be displayed falsified over time and possibly considerable deviations from the original Maps can result. To prevent this, it can be provided at predetermined times, for example at regular intervals, one Transfer and presentation of the new map section to perform just as for the very first Map section according to program items 100, 105, 110 and 115. Such a so-called "image refresh" will Representation on the display device of the mobile terminal 5 always on the original map material, as it is in the Memory 45 is stored, adjusted.

Of course, every new one is at the Display device of the mobile terminal 5 shown Map section of this map section underlying position of the mobile terminal 5 appears. This position is already used by the second evaluation unit 50 in the difference image superimposed so that the difference image with this displayed position from the control center 1 to the mobile Terminal 5 is transmitted.

A second embodiment for updating the is the map section to be displayed represented with the aid of a flow chart according to FIG. 4. The Program point 155 according to FIG. 2 is in one Program item 300 and a program item 305 broken down. The second evaluation unit determines at program point 300 50 based on the new position of the mobile Terminal 5 from the new map section as described the map material stored in the memory 45. Subsequently the program branches to program point 305.

The second evaluation unit determines at program point 305 50 by comparing the new map section with the previous map section those map areas that only in the new map section and not in the previous one Map section are included. Then becomes one Program point 310 branches.

The second evaluation unit 50 forms at program point 310 an image signal with image data that the at program point 305 determined map areas include and causes the second Transmitter unit 55 for transmitting this image signal from the second transmitting / receiving antenna 75 via the mobile radio network 85 to the mobile terminal 5. This image signal is from the receive first transmission / reception antenna 70 and via the first receiving unit 30 of first evaluation unit 35 fed. This then becomes a program item 315 branched. The at program point 310 according to FIG. 4 The processes described thus run under program item 160 according to Figure 2.

At program point 315, the first evaluation unit 35 calculates from the change in position of the mobile terminal 5 from the previous position to new position Total motion vector. Then becomes one Program item 320 branches.

At program point 320, the first evaluation unit shifts 35 those shown on the display device Map section around the one determined at program point 315 Total motion vector and hides the position of the mobile Terminal 5 at the same place on the display device a like the map section shown so far. By the shift of the previous map section by Total motion vector it can happen that individual Map areas of the map section shown so far outside the display area of the display device come to rest and are therefore no longer displayed can. On the other hand, the shift of the Map section elsewhere in the displayable area the display device blank areas where none Map data can be displayed more. By Shift of the map section shown up to now the overlaid position remains the total motion vector of the mobile terminal 5 on the display device the same. After program point 320 becomes a program point 325 branched.

At program point 325, the first evaluation unit 35 supplements the previous one shifted by the total motion vector Map section around the transferred map areas on the Places where otherwise no display of map data the display device would take place. In this way arises on the display device of the mobile terminal 5 shows a representation of the one selected at program point 300 new map section, which in the subsequent program item 330 on the display device of the playback device 10 is brought to representation. Program items 315, 320, 325 and 330 according to FIG. 4 thus form program point 165 as shown in Figure 2. The program is then exited.

1. Es erfolgt keine aufwendige Berechnung eines Differenzbildes in der zweiten Auswerteeinheit 50, sondern lediglich die Ermittlung der ergänzenden Kartenbereiche.

2. Es müssen keine Bewegungsvektoren von der Zentrale 1 zum mobilen Endgerät 5 übertragen werden. Da der gesamte bisherige Kartenausschnitt in Abhängigkeit der Positionsänderung des mobilen Endgerätes 5 gleichmäßig verschoben wird, reicht die Ermittlung des Gesamtbewegungsvektors aus, so dass keine blockweise Zerlegung des bisherigen Kartenausschnitts und die Ermittlung der zugehörigen Bewegungsvektoren erforderlich ist.

3. Ein "Bild-Refresh" ist nicht erforderlich, da mit den ergänzenden Kartenbereichen sowieso Teile des Original-Kartenmaterials von der Zentrale 1 zum mobilen Endgerät 5 übertragen werden.

The method described in FIG. 4 has several advantages over the method described in relation to FIG. 3:

1. There is no complex calculation of a difference image in the second evaluation unit 50, but only the determination of the supplementary map areas.

2. No motion vectors have to be transmitted from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5. Since the entire previous map section is shifted evenly as a function of the change in position of the mobile terminal 5, the determination of the total movement vector is sufficient, so that the previous map section does not have to be broken down in blocks and the associated motion vectors determined.

3. An "image refresh" is not necessary, since parts of the original map material are transmitted from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 anyway with the additional map areas.

Albeit that after a common one Image compression method for moving image transmission intended breakdown of the previous map section into Image blocks and the assignment of one motion vector each to the individual image blocks in the method according to FIG. 4 due to the even displacement of the Map clipping is not required, so it can be for the transmission according to the method according to FIG. 4 Additional map areas determined by the head office 1 a coding of this supplementary to the mobile terminal 5 Map areas according to a compression process be made as is the case with moving image transmission for example according to the ITU-T standard H.32x using a image compression method used there, e.g. H.261 and H.263, is common.

For the transmission of the image data from the control center 1 to mobile terminal 5 can in all cases described Video channel according to the H.323 standard from headquarters 1 to mobile terminal 5 can be set up. The image data can but also by any compression method coded from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 become.

If there is enough transmission bandwidth for the transmission of Image data from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 via the Cellular network 85 is present, so it can according to one third embodiment can also be provided, each new Map section completely from headquarters 1 to mobile Terminal 5 to transmit and there on the display device display. To do this, the program items will then be added successively Run through 100, 105, 110 and 115 according to FIG. 2, with at desired navigation application after each newly determined Position of the mobile terminal 5 a new route to specified destination according to program items 130, 135 and 140 can be performed. Returns the user of the mobile Terminal 5 on the input device 20 any Position in front, so he can the associated Map section from the control center 1 in the described Request way. A new position can then, for example by using so-called direction or arrow keys of the input device 20, each one Specify the total motion vector of a certain length. On in this way the on the display device of the mobile Terminal 5 shown map section by the user in any direction shifted and through new map areas according to any of the three described Embodiments are added.

Prerequisite for displaying map material on the mobile Terminal 5 is a sufficiently large display device. Information about the size of the display device of the Mobile terminal 5 can be as described above Transmission of the first map section to the head office 1 or are transmitted to the second evaluation unit 50. In general, the mobile terminal 5 can before the first Transmission of a map section of control information to central station 1 or to second evaluation unit 50 transfer the information about the viewing skills and possibilities of the mobile terminal 5 contain the in addition to the size of the display device Resolving power and information about the color ability of the Display device or the like may include. It can however, the information on the Abilities of the display device of the mobile terminal 5 the central 1 from a central database, in the corresponding information from multiple mobile Devices can be saved. The display device can be integrated into the mobile terminal 5, on this attachable or external via a cable connection or be connected to it wirelessly.

In the second embodiment described in FIG. 4 can from the central office 1 to the mobile terminal 5 transmitted image data can optionally be compressed. A Compression can be done using one for the Moving image transmission used Image compression method, for example according to the ITU-T standard H.32x and one of those in this standard used image compression methods H.261 and H.263, respectively. Due to the statics of the data to be transmitted Image data based on geographic map material and thus still images can include one for them Application more efficient compression of the data to be transmitted Image data can be used as this for the transfer of Moving pictures is required. Here, e.g. a so-called run length coding or a special on the Statistics of the map data adapted compression method be used.

The procedures described after the first and most importantly according to the second embodiment allow the previous mobile networks, for example according to the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communications) or after the DCS 1800 standard (Digital Communication System) itself at a data rate of only 9.6 kbit / s Position tracking of the mobile terminal 5 in one current map section as described. New third generation mobile networks, for example after the UMTS standard (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) or according to the GPRS standard (General Paket Radio Service) will offer data rates of up to 2 Mbit / s in the future. This allows the real transmission of moving images and offers one optimal prerequisite and thus an improved quality the navigation service, e.g. the representation of a virtual world. With data rates up to 2 Mbit / s is also a complete transmission of the complete current Map section from the control center 1 to the mobile terminal 5 easily possible according to the third embodiment.

The mobile terminal 5 can be any one act mobile telecommunications terminal.

A billing of the used by the mobile terminal 5 Service of the transfer of map section data and if necessary Route suggestions can be made via the telephone bill respectively. For the transmission of location-based Data information between the control center 1 and the mobile Terminal 5 can be one or more consecutive Telecommunications connections are used, respectively by dialing the corresponding number of the control center 1 or the mobile terminal 5 can be set up.

Claims (27)

1. Method for transmitting location-related information between a control centre (1) and a mobile terminal (5), in particular a mobile telecommunications terminal, in which, in a first step, a position of the mobile terminal (5) is determined and transmitted to the control centre (1), in which, in a second step, location-related information for the mobile terminal (5) is formed in the control centre (1) as a function of the determined position of the mobile terminal (5), in which, in a third step, the location-related data information is transmitted from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5), and in which, in a fourth step, the received location-related data information is reproduced on a reproduction device (10) of the mobile terminal (5), characterized in that, in the first step, information relating to the size of the map excerpt which can be reproduced on the reproduction device (10) is transmitted from the mobile terminal (5) to the control centre (1).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the second step, in the control centre (1), an excerpt which comprises the determined position of the mobile terminal (5) is selected from a map, in that, in the third step, the selected map excerpt is transmitted from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5), and in that, in the fourth step, the transmitted map excerpt is reproduced with the determined position on a reproduction device (10) of the mobile terminal (5).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the second step a route proposal between the determined position of the mobile terminal (5) and a predetermined location is calculated in the control centre (1), in that in the third step the route proposal is transmitted from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5), and in that in the fourth step the route proposal is reproduced on the reproduction device (10) of the mobile terminal (5).
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that in the first step the location is predefined at the mobile terminal (5) and transmitted to the control centre (1).
5. Method according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the selected map excerpt is transmitted by means of a compression method, in particular using one of the H.261 and H.263 image compression methods according to the ITU-T Standard H.32x (International Telecommunication Union), to the terminal (5) in encoded form.
6. Method according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that in the second step the map excerpt is selected in such a way that the position of the mobile terminal (5) which is determined in the first step lies essentially in a central region of the selected map excerpt.
7. Method according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in a fifth step a new position of the mobile terminal (5) is determined and transmitted to the control centre (1), in that in a sixth step a new map excerpt which comprises the new position of the mobile terminal (5) is selected in the control centre (1), in that in a seventh step image data is transmitted from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5) as a function of differences between the selected new map excerpt and the previous map excerpt, and in that in an eighth step the previous map excerpt is reproduced on the reproduction device (10) of the mobile terminal (5), updated as a function of the transmitted image data.
8. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that in the sixth step the new map excerpt is selected in such a way that the new position of the mobile terminal (5) which is determined in the fifth step lies essentially in a central region of the selected new map excerpt.
9. Method according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that during the selection of the new map excerpt in the sixth step, in particular using one of the image compression methods H.261 and H.263, the previous map excerpt is decomposed into individual image blocks, in that a movement vector is calculated for each of the image blocks as a function of the change in position from the previous position to the new position of the mobile terminal (5), in that the new map excerpt is estimated on the basis of the previous map excerpt and the movement vectors, in that the estimated map excerpt is compared with the new map excerpt by forming differences in such a way that a different image is produced, in that the difference image is transmitted with the image data to the mobile terminal (5) in the seventh step, in that in the seventh step the movement vectors are also transmitted from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5), and in that in the eighth step the map excerpt which is to be reproduced on the reproduction device (10) is calculated from the previous map excerpt by shifting the previous map excerpt block by block by means of the movement vectors and superimposing the difference image on the shifted map excerpt formed in this way.
10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that in the seventh step the new map excerpt is transmitted with the image data from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5) at predefined times, and in that in the eighth step the new map excerpt is reproduced with the new position on the reproduction device (10).
11. Method according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, during the selection of the new map excerpt in the sixth step, map regions are determined which are contained only in the new map excerpt and not in the previous map excerpt, in that in the seventh step the map regions which are determined are transmitted with the image data from the control centre (1) to the mobile terminal (5), and in that in the eighth step the map excerpt which is to be reproduced on the reproduction device (10) is calculated from the previously reproduced map excerpt by shifting the previously reproduced map excerpt by means of an overall movement vector which is calculated on the basis of the change in position from the previous position to the new position of the mobile terminal (5), and supplementing the shifted map excerpt formed in this way with the transmitted map regions.
12. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the image data is transmitted by a compression method, in particular using one of the image compression methods H.261 and H.263 according to the ITU-T Standard H.32x, to the terminal (5) in encoded form.
13. Method according to one of Claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the position of the mobile terminal (5) is determined by means of a location receiver (15), in particular a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.
14. Method according to one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the position of the mobile terminal (5) is predefined on an input device (20) of the mobile terminal (5).
15. Mobile terminal (5), in particular mobile telecommunications terminal (5), for carrying out a method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, an evaluation unit (35) being provided which determines a position of the mobile terminal (5), a transmitter unit (25) being provided which transmits the determined position to a control centre (1), a receiver unit (30) being provided which receives from the control centre (1) location-related data information generated as a function of the position which is determined, and a reproduction device (10) being provided on which the location-related data information is reproduced, characterized in that the transmitter unit (25) transmits to the control centre (1) information relating to the size of the map excerpt which can be reproduced on the reproduction device (10).
16. Mobile terminal (5) according to Claim 15, characterized in that the location-related data information is embodied as an excerpt of a map and/or as a route proposal.
17. Mobile terminal (5) according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the transmitter unit (25) transmits a new position, determined by the evaluation unit (35), to the control centre (1), and in that the evaluation unit (35) updates a map excerpt, previously reproduced on the reproduction device (10), as a function of the image data received from the control centre (1) after the transmission of the new position.
18. Mobile terminal (5) according to Claim 17, characterized in that the receiver unit (30) receives, with the image data, a difference image between a new map excerpt and an estimated new map excerpt from the control centre (1), in that the receiver unit (30) also receives movement vectors from the control centre (1) which are assigned to individual blocks of the previous map excerpt, in that the evaluation unit (35) calculates the map excerpt, to be reproduced on the reproduction device (10), from the previous map excerpt by shifting the previous map excerpt block by block by means of the movement vectors and superimposing the difference image on the shifted map excerpt formed in this way.
19. Mobile terminal (5) according to Claim 17, characterized in that the receiver unit (30) receives, with the image data, map regions from the control centre (1), in that the evaluation unit (35) calculates the map excerpt, to be reproduced on the reproduction device (10), from the previously reproduced map excerpt by determining an overall movement vector from the change in position from the previous position to the new position of the mobile terminal (5), shifting the previously reproduced map excerpt by means of the calculated overall movement vector and supplementing the shifted map excerpt formed in this way with the transmitted map regions.
20. Mobile terminal (5) according to one of Claims 15 to 19, characterized in that a location receiver (15), in particular a GPS receiver, is provided which receives location data for determining positions.
21. Mobile terminal (5) according to one of Claims 15 to 20, characterized in that an input device (20) is provided on which the position of the mobile terminal (5) can be predefined.
22. Control centre (1) for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 14, a receiver unit (40) being provided which receives information relating to a position of a mobile terminal (5), in particular of a mobile telecommunications terminal, an evaluation unit (50) being provided which forms location-related information as a function of the position of the mobile terminal (5), and a transmitter unit (55) being provided which transmits the location-related information to the mobile terminal (5), characterized in that the receiver unit (40) receives information relating to the size of the map excerpt which can be reproduced on the reproduction device (10) of the mobile terminal (5), and in that the evaluation unit (50) selects the map excerpt in such a way that it can be completely reproduced on the reproduction device (10) of the mobile terminal (5).
23. Control centre (1) according to Claim 22, characterized in that a memory (45) is provided in which map material is stored, in that the evaluation unit (50) selects, from the memory (45), a map excerpt which includes the position of the mobile terminal (5), and in that the selected map excerpt at least partially forms the location-related information.
24. Control centre (1) according to Claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the evaluation unit (50) calculates a route proposal from the position of the mobile terminal (5) and a predefined location which is received by the mobile terminal (5), and in that the route proposal at least partially forms the location-related information.
25. Control centre (1) according to Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, when a new position of the mobile terminal (5) is received by the receiver unit (40), the evaluation unit (50) selects a new map excerpt which includes the new position of the mobile terminal (5), and in that the evaluation unit (50) transmits image data to the mobile terminal (5) via the transmitter unit (55) as a function of differences between the selected, new map excerpt and the previous map excerpt.
26. Control centre (1) according to Claim 25, characterized in that the evaluation unit (50) decomposes the previous map excerpt into individual image blocks, in that the evaluation unit (50) calculates a movement vector for each of the image blocks as a function of the change in position from the previous position to the new position of the mobile terminal (5), in that the evaluation unit (50) estimates the new map excerpt on the basis of the previous map excerpt and the movement vectors, in that the evaluation unit (50) compares the estimated map excerpt with the new map excerpt by forming differences so that a difference image is produced, in that the transmitter unit (55) transmits the difference image to the mobile terminal (5) with the image data, and in that the transmitter unit (55) also transmits the movement vectors to the mobile terminal (5).
27. Control centre (1) according to Claim 25, characterized in that, during the selection of the new map excerpt, the evaluation unit (50) determines map regions which are contained only in the new map excerpt and not in the previous map excerpt, and in that, with the image data, the transmitter unit (55) transmits the map regions which are determined to the mobile terminal (5).

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