Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 1 of 25 PageID #: 7591
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 1 of 25 PageID #: 7591
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`EXHIBIT 19
`
`EXHIBIT 19
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 2 of 25 PageID #: 7592
`III III D IIDI DID IID IID IID III DID III ID lIDI ID IIID II DI II
`Us 20040148090A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (lo) Pub. No. : US 2004/0148090 Al
`Meten
`Jul. 29, 2004
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) GROUP INTERACTION SYSTEM FOR
`INTERACTION WITH OTHER VEHICLES
`OF A GROUP
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Roger D. Melen, Los Altos Hills, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FENWICK & WEST LLP
`SILICON VALLEY CENTER
`801 CALIFORNIA STREET
`MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94041 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No. :
`
`10/346,503
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 15, 2003
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7
`
`GO1C 21/26
`
`(52) U.S. Cl ....................................... 701/200; 340/995.18
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The group interaction system comprises a plurality of
`vehicle navigation systems that are capable of communicat-
`ing with one another, displaying the location of other vehicle
`navigation systems in a group, and receiving selection of
`certain vehicle navigation systems in the group and selection
`of an application for interaction among the selected vehicle
`navigation systems. A group of vehicle navigation systems
`to interact with is established. One or more of other vehicle
`navigation systems to interact with the vehicle navigation
`system. An application is also selected on the vehicle
`navigation system for interaction with the selected other
`vehicle navigation systems. In response, the vehicle navi-
`gation system runs the selected application with respect to
`the selected other navigation systems.
`
`Internet
`
`i-'ci
`, .
`
`:
`
`_4
`
`.
`
`112
`(-)
`
`106a
`
`300a
`
`103a
`
`o
`
`4
`
`lOOa
`
`Carl
`
`12L2
`deNeor}(
`
`i 04a
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`i 02
`
`128
`
`130
`
`I
`
`300b
`
`Car2
`
`i 08a
`
`Car 3
`
`300c
`
`llOa
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 3 of 25 PageID #: 7593
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Internet
`
`112
`
`106a
`
`300a
`
`i OOa
`
`Car i
`
`103a
`
`Service Operator
`
`26
`
`I 04a
`
`120
`
`122
`
`124
`
`Vehicle Network
`Sewer
`
`Communications
`Provider
`
`102
`
`128
`
`130
`
`300e
`
`hUa
`
`300b
`
`i 08a
`
`Car3
`
`FIG. lA
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 4 of 25 PageID #: 7594
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`140
`
`i 03b
`
`106b
`
`300d
`
`I
`
`i OOb
`
`Car i
`
`146
`
`i 50
`
`FIG. lB
`
`)b
`
`ar s
`
`48
`
`i 44
`
`Service Operator
`
`52
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`i 04b
`
`108b
`
`i 42
`
`300e
`
`,,.
`
`L
`
`L__
`
`Car2
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 5 of 25 PageID #: 7595
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`P
`
`102
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`i
`
`Processor
`
`206
`
`Display Device
`
`210
`
`Data
`Communication
`Module
`
`ii 4
`
`Input Keys
`
`204
`
`Memory Device
`r-:
`Data
`Mod u le
`
`220
`-----1
`Establishment
`
`Module
`
`422
`
`cions
`Module
`
`,A;j
`
`208
`
`H-
`y
`Bus
`
`Wireless
`Communications
`Module
`A
`
`f216
`124
`
`i 04a
`
`Communications
`covider
`
`i i 2
`
`-
`
`,/
`
`Internet
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 6 of 25 PageID #: 7596
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`GPS Information
`
`300a
`
`GPS Module
`
`302
`
`Touch Sensitive
`Screen
`
`301
`
`Processor
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`put Device
`
`¿304
`
`Recognition/
`Synthesis Module
`
`05
`
`r-1Data
`
`Module
`¿320
`
`-
`
`Group
`Establishment
`Mod u le
`
`Module
`
`22
`
`Module
`
`Display Device
`
`¿
`324 Memory Device
`
`26
`
`3
`
`308
`
`PWeless
`Communications
`Module
`Bus__________________
`
`316
`
`y
`
`i 26
`
`i 04a
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 7 of 25 PageID #: 7597
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`_ll
`
`GPS Information
`
`300d
`
`_-_
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`GPSM
`
`odule
`
`L
`
`-1
`
`¿
`302
`Touch Sensitl
`Screen
`
`I.*-)I.
`
`Input Device
`
`- ___
`
`3O4
`
`Speech
`Recognition/
`Synthesis Module
`
`¿3Q5
`
`-
`
`¿
`301
`
`Processor
`
`rGrou1
`Data
`LM0d
`
`j
`
`f
`
`-*
`
`2O
`
`Establishment
`
`L Module
`24 Memory
`
`L
`
`18
`
`PS1
`
`Module
`
`422
`
`pllcatio1
`Module
`
`26
`
`Device
`
`3O8
`
`Wireless
`Communications
`Module
`
`I
`
`316
`
`¿
`306
`
`-- - ____
`
`Display Dece
`
`¿
`310
`
`rPeer-to-Peer'
`
`Communication I
`Module
`
`317
`
`L
`
`J
`
`Bus
`
`L40
`
`L48-
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 8 of 25 PageID #: 7598
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`FIG. 4
`
`310
`
`402
`
`En
`
`404
`
`CeIIuI
`Telephc
`
`r Applicai
`
`LN0
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 9 of 25 PageID #: 7599
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`502
`
`j
`
`No
`
`504
`
`506H
`
`508-H
`
`Establish group of members
`
`Receive location information
`for each member in group
`
`Show location of each member
`ori display
`
`509
`
`-___
`
`User I nput?
`
`Yes
`
`510--j
`
`Receive selection of member
`corresponding to selection of the indicator
`
`51 1
`
`Receive selection of application
`(e.g., make a cellulartelephone call)
`
`512
`
`-.--1
`
`I
`
`Run selected application with respect to
`selected members within group
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 10 of 25 PageID #: 7600
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`502
`
`604
`
`Begin
`
`Receive selection of
`members for group by
`identification information
`
`Transmit selection of
`group members to
`vehicle network server
`
`.1.
`
`504a
`
`Vehicle Network Server »
`
`Establish communication
`with selected group
`members by using
`identification information
`
`L608
`
`Request each selected
`member for permission h-610
`toadd membertogroup
`
`Trasmit result of request I
`to vehicle navigation
`system
`
`I
`
`-- 612
`
`Add members giving
`permission to group
`
`'K-:
`
`Trasmit group
`information to vehicle
`navigation system
`
`614
`
`616
`
`I
`
`Transmit group
`information to members
`ofgroup
`
`H618
`
`Continue
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 11 of 25 PageID #: 7601
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`504b
`
`502 -'--(
`
`Begin
`
`632
`
`I
`
`Receive list of members
`from external source
`
`634
`
`Establish group of members
`using received list of members
`
`Download group information to vehicle
`navigation system(s) of group
`
`636 -H
`
`5O6---<
`
`Continue
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 12 of 25 PageID #: 7602
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`51 2a
`
`51
`
`Continue
`
`Vehicle navigation
`system establishes
`communication with
`vehicle network server
`
`7o4--1
`
`I
`
`Vehicle navigation
`system transmits
`7O6l selected member and
`selected application
`information
`to network server
`(e.g, make a cellular
`telephone call to Car 2
`and Car 3)
`
`506
`
`Continue
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`Vehicle network server
`launches selected
`application with respect
`to vehicle navigation
`system and selected
`members
`(eg., vehicle network
`server establishes a
`cellular telephone call
`between the vehicle
`navigation system and all
`the selected members)
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 13 of 25 PageID #: 7603
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Vehicle Navigatton System
`
`511'
`
`Continue
`
`51 2b
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`J estab!ishes communication with
`selected members
`
`722
`
`I
`
`I
`
`i
`
`I
`
`__._.j
`
`724
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`launches selected application
`with respect to vehicle
`navigation system and selected
`members
`(e.g, vehicle network server
`establishes a ceIIuar telephone
`call between the vehicle
`navgaton system and all the
`selected members)
`
`---ç
`
`506
`
`Continue
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 14 of 25 PageID #: 7604
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`51 iContinue
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`5 1 2c
`
`)
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`establishes communication
`744 -1
`I with vehicle network server
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`transmits selected member and
`selected application nformation
`to network server
`(e.g., play interactive game with
`Car 2 and Car 3)
`
`.
`
`---
`746
`
`752
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`transmits control signals for
`selected application to vehicle
`network server
`(e.u., control signals for interactive
`game with Car 2 and Car 3)
`
`Terminate Application?
`
`No
`
`748
`
`Vehicle network server launches
`selected application with respect
`to vehicle navigation system and
`selected members
`(e.g., vehicle network server
`launches the interactive garne
`application between the vehicle
`navigation system and
`Cars 2 and 3)
`
`I
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`receives control signals in
`interactive game application
`from other members of group
`(e.g., control signals for
`interactive game from Car 2 and
`Car3)
`
`:
`
`.
`
`750
`
`752
`
`506
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 15 of 25 PageID #: 7605
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`GROUP INTERACTION SYSTEM FOR
`INTERACTION WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF A
`GROUP
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to group
`interaction systems enabling interaction with people in other
`vehicles, and more specifically, to a group interaction system
`in a networked vehicle environment in which a user may
`interact with people in other vehicles of an enabled group by
`using their networked vehicle navigation systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Recently, vehicles have been equipped with navi-
`gation systems using global positioning systems (GPS).
`Conventional navigation systems using GPS pinpoint the
`current location of a vehicle by triangulation of GPS signals
`received from three satellites. Such conventional navigation
`systems typically read digital maps from a CD-ROM, DVD-
`ROM, or hard disk storing such digital maps, an are capable
`of indicating the current location of the vehicle on the digital
`map and guiding the user to a particular destination. How-
`ever, conventional navigation systems are incapable of
`tracking the current location of vehicles other than the
`vehicle in which the navigation system resides.
`[0003] Vehicles are also equipped with wireless commu-
`nication systems such as cellular telephones or satellite
`telephones. Vehicle users may communicate with people in
`other vehicles by using such wireless communication sys-
`tems. However, conventional wireless communication sys-
`tems are incapable of providing a convenient way of com-
`municating or interacting with a specific group of people or
`selected members of the group. In order to communicate
`with selected members of the group, the user of conventional
`wireless communication systems needs to places a call
`manually to the selected members of the group, while the
`user is driving on the road. Such primitive way of commu-
`nicating or interacting with other members of the group is
`inconvenient and interruptive.
`E0004] Conventional vehicle navigation systems cannot
`track the current location of other vehicles besides the
`vehicle in which the navigation system resides either, since
`they are not capable of communicating with other navigation
`systems residing in other vehicles. For example, a group of
`people may drive in separate vehicles to a common desti-
`nation. In such situation, members of the group would like
`to track the current location of other members in each of the
`vehicles in the group so that they can stay together and do
`not get separated too far apart. Members of the group may
`also want to be able to communicate with other members in
`the group while they are driving to the destination in a
`convenient manner. However, conventional navigation sys-
`tems fail to provide a way of tracking the location of other
`vehicles and interacting with them.
`systems
`conventional
`two-way
`Some
`radio
`E0005]
`("walkie-talkie") are equipped with GPS functionality and
`have the ability to send its position to the other walkie-talkie
`using radio signals, so that one user of the walkie-talkie may
`determine the position of another walkie-talkie. Here, the
`GPS information of one user of the walkie-talkie is trans-
`mitted to the other walkie-talkie by radio frequency com-
`munication. However, these two-way radio systems fail to
`
`provide maintain a group of members, and location of the
`members may not be tracked in real-time because the GPS
`information is only manually transmitted and not updated
`continuously. Furthermore, anyone with such walkie-talkie
`may intercept the position information, so these walkie-
`talkies fail to provide privacy within a group.
`E0006] Therefore, there is a need for a group interaction
`system in which members of the group may track each
`other's locations, and communicate or interact with each
`other in real time and in a convenient and non-interruptive
`manner. There is also a need for a method of establishing the
`group of members to be used with the group interaction
`system in a convenient and efficient manner.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`[0007] The group interaction system of the present inven-
`tion comprises a plurality of vehicle navigation systems that
`are capable of communicating with one another in a group,
`tracking and displaying the location of each other and
`sharing an application for interaction among selected vehicle
`navigation systems. The user of the vehicle navigation
`system defines the group of vehicle navigation systems with
`which to interact using identification information corre-
`sponding to the vehicle navigation systems. The user selects
`one or more of the other vehicle navigation systems from the
`group and a software application for interaction with the
`selected vehicle navigation systems. In response, the vehicle
`navigation system of the present invention runs the selected
`application with respect to the selected vehicle navigation
`systems. The application may include a cellular telephone
`application.
`
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`[0008]
`vehicle navigation system comprises a global positioning
`system (GPS) module receiving a GPS signal for determin-
`ing the location of the vehicle navigation system, a wireless
`communications module for communicating with other
`vehicle navigation systems of a group and receiving location
`information of the other vehicle navigation systems in the
`group, a display device for displaying the location of the
`vehicle navigations systems in the group on a map and a list
`of one or more applications, and an input device such as a
`touch sensitive screen coupled to the display device for
`receiving input commands corresponding to selection of one
`or more of the other vehicle navigation systems in the group
`shown one on the map and a selection of an application. A
`processor coupled to the touch sensitive screen runs the
`selected application with respect to the other vehicle navi-
`gation systems in the selected second vehicles.
`[0009] The group interaction system also includes a
`vehicle network server facilitating the interaction among the
`vehicle navigation systems of a group. The vehicle network
`server comprises a wireless communications module for
`communicating with the vehicle navigation systems of the
`group. The wireless communications module receives from
`a vehicle navigation system a selection of one or more
`vehicle navigation systems with which to interact and a
`selection of an application for interaction among the selected
`vehicle navigation systems in the group. The vehicle net-
`work server also comprises a processor coupled to the
`wireless communications module for running the selected
`application with respect to the selected vehicle navigation
`systems.
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 16 of 25 PageID #: 7606
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`2
`
`[0010] The vehicle navigation system of the present inven-
`tion enables its user to establish a group with which to
`interact while simultaneously tracking the location of the
`vehicle navigation systems in the group. The vehicle navi-
`gation system also provides a simple and convenient way of
`selecting certain members (or vehicle navigation systems) in
`the group for interaction. An application for interaction with
`the selected members may also be conveniently selected.
`The vehicle navigation system of the present invention is
`capable of running the selected application with respect to
`the selected members (or vehicle navigation systems).
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011] The teachings of the present invention can be
`readily understood by considering the following detailed
`description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`[0012] FIG. lA is a diagram illustrating a group interac-
`tion system according to a first embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. lB is a diagram illustrating a group interac-
`tion system according to a second embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle
`network server according to one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`[0015] FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle
`navigation system according to a first embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0016] FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle
`navigation system according to a second embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0017] FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the screen of
`the display device on a vehicle navigation system according
`to one embodiment of the present invention.
`[0018] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of
`interacting with members within an enabled group using the
`vehicle navigation system according to one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`[0019] FIG. 6A is a flowchart illustrating a method of
`establishing a group of members according to a first embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0020] FIG. 6B is a flowchart illustrating a method of
`establishing a group of members according to a second
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0021] FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating a method of
`running the selected application with respect to the vehicle
`navigation system and the selected members according to
`one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating a method of
`running the selected application with respect to the vehicle
`navigation system and the selected members according to
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0023] FIG. 7C is a flowchart illustrating a method of
`running the selected application with respect to the vehicle
`navigation system and the selected members according to
`still another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAJLED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0024] The embodiments of the present invention will be
`described below with reference to the accompanying draw-
`ings. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in
`the accompanying drawings.
`[0025] FIG. IA is a diagram illustrating a networked
`group interaction system lOOa according to a first embodi-
`ment of the present invention. The networked group inter-
`action system lOOa includes a plurality of vehicles 106a,
`lOSa, llOa, a communications service provider 104, a
`vehicle network server 102, and a service operator 103a. The
`vehicle network server 102 is also shown connected to the
`Internet 112. The vehicles 106a, lOSa, llOa include vehicle
`navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c, respectively, for use in
`the networked group interaction system lOOa of the present
`invention. Although the group interaction system lOOa is
`shown with three vehicles 106a, lOSa, llOa, it should be
`clear to one skilled in the art that any plurality of vehicles
`and corresponding vehicle navigation systems may be used
`consistent with the present invention.
`[0026] The navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c are
`capable of performing the functions of conventional navi-
`gation systems and are also configured to establish a group
`of members associated with other navigation systems 300a,
`300b, 300c and communicate/interact with other navigation
`systems 300a, 300b, 300c in the group in accordance with
`the embodiment. That is, the navigation systems 300a, 300b,
`300c are capable of displaying the corresponding vehicle's
`location by using conventional Global Position Systems
`(GPS) (not shown) installed therein. In addition, the navi-
`gation systems 300a, 300b, 300c in the vehicles 106a, lOSa,
`llOa, respectively, are capable of wireless communication
`126, 128, 130, preferably cellular communication, through
`the communications service provider 104. The communica-
`tion service provider 104 communicates with the vehicle
`network server 102a via a wired communication (e.g., a
`telephone line) 124, although wireless communication may
`also be used. The communications service provider 104 may
`be any conventional cellular telephone service provider.
`
`[0027] Referring to FIG. lA, the group interaction system
`lOOa enables communication and interaction with members
`of an enabled group according to the methods described in
`FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B using the navigation systems
`300a, 300b, 300c. The vehicle navigation systems 300a,
`300b, 300c in the vehicles 106a, lOSa, llOa, respectively,
`are capable of wireless communication or interaction with
`one another. In the group interaction system lOOa of FIG. 1,
`wireless communication or interaction among selected
`members of the enabled group (selected users of the vehicle
`navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c) is accomplished via
`the communication service provider 104a and the vehicle
`network server 102. The group interaction system lOOa is a
`star topology with the vehicle network server 102 being at
`the center of the star, such that all communication or
`interaction among the selected members is accomplished
`through the vehicle network server 102. For example, the
`navigation system 300a in vehicle 106a may transmit con-
`trol signals to the vehicle network server 102a via the
`communications service provider 104a in order to establish
`wireless communication or other types of interaction with
`the navigation system 300b in vehicle lOSa. In response, the
`vehicle network server 102a establishes wireless communi-
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 17 of 25 PageID #: 7607
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`US 2004/0148090 Al
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`Jul. 29, 2004
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`3
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`cation or interaction between the navigation system 300a in
`vehicle 106a and the navigation system 300b in the vehicle
`lOSa of the enabled group. As stated above, the wireless
`communication between the navigation systems 300a, 300b,
`300c is preferably a cellular telephone communication,
`although it should be clear to one skilled in the art that other
`types of wireless communication such as satellite commu-
`short-range
`radio communication, or
`nication,
`IEEE
`802.11(b) standard communication may be used in accor-
`dance with the present invention.
`
`[0028] The navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c may also
`transmit or receive GPS information of the corresponding
`vehicles 106a, lOSa, llOa, to other navigations systems
`300a, 300b, 300c within the group using wireless commu-
`nication through the vehicle network server 102. For
`example, navigation system 300a may receive the GPS
`information of vehicles lOSa, llOa, from the navigation
`systems 300b, 300c, respectively, through the vehicle net-
`work server 102 and the communications service provider
`104a. The GPS information of the other vehicles lOSa, llOa
`may be displayed on a display of the navigation system 300a
`along with the GPS information of its own vehicle 106a.
`
`[0029] The vehicle navigation systems 106a, lOSa, llOa,
`are capable of transmitting and receiving GPS information
`and control signals selecting groups and applications along
`with the data (e.g., voice data and control signals for cellular
`telephone calls) required for running applications among
`selected members simultaneously to and from the vehicle
`network server 102. The data required for running applica-
`tions are transmitted and received via conventional cellular
`telephone communication (such as GSM) while the GPS
`information and control signals for selecting groups and
`applications are transmitted and received using text mes-
`saging (short messaging service) in cellular telephone com-
`munication.
`
`[0030] An optional service operator 103a coupled to the
`vehicle network server 102 may also provide various ser-
`vices to the members in the group, such as providing live
`operator service, voice mail service, and the like. The
`service operator 103a may also be capable of establishing
`wireless communication among the navigation systems
`300a, 300b, 300c manually, in case the vehicle network
`server 102 becomes incapable of automatically establishing
`such wireless communication. The communication between
`the server operator 103a and the vehicle network server 102
`is preferably carried out by wired communication 122.
`
`[0031] The group interaction system lOOa establishes the
`group of members for wireless communication or other
`types of interaction using various methods such as those
`described in FIGS. 6A and 6B. For example, the group may
`be established in the navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c
`by manual input by its users. The group may also be input
`and stored on a web server (not shown) on the Internet 112
`and downloaded from the web site to the vehicle network
`server 102 via wired data communication 120. The vehicle
`network server 102 in turn provides the group information to
`the respective navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c via the
`communications service provider 104a. It should be clear to
`one skilled in the art that various methods of establishing an
`interactive group for the vehicle navigation systems 300a,
`300b, 300c may be used consistent with the present inven-
`tion.
`
`[0032] The group information for the group interaction
`system lOOa contains various information regarding the
`members in the group, such as the identification of each
`vehicle navigation system 300a, 300b, 300c and the vehicle
`identification numbers of the corresponding vehicles 106,
`108, 110 by their user names or any other type of identifi-
`cation, and a cellular telephone number corresponding to
`each of the navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c. The group
`information may also contain other information, such as the
`applications available on the respective navigation systems
`300a, 300b, 300c for interaction with other members of the
`group.
`
`[0033] The group interaction system 100 according to the
`first embodiment of the present invention may be used to
`establish a group of members for interaction, track the
`location of the members in real-time, and to communicate or
`interact with selected members of the group by wireless
`communication. For example, the user of the navigation
`system 300a in vehicle 106 may establish a group including
`the navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c in vehicles 106a,
`lOSa, llOa, respectively. Each navigation system 300a,
`300b, 300c keeps track of the location of all the vehicles in
`the group in real time using its own GPS information and the
`GPS information received from other vehicles 106a, lOSa,
`llOa via the vehicle network server 102. Each member in
`the group may select some of the members in the group
`using the navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c and com-
`municate or interact with the selected members via wireless
`communication. The manner in which members in the group
`are selected using the navigation systems and wireless
`communication or interaction among the selected members
`is accomplished will be described in detail below with
`reference to FIGS. 2-5, 6A-6B, and 7A-7B.
`[0034] FIG. lB is a diagram illustrating a networked
`group interaction system lOOb according to a second
`embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the
`group interaction system lOOa shown in FIG. lA that uses
`a vehicle network server 102, the group interaction system
`lOOb in FIG. lB is modified to be a peer-to-peer system
`enabling wireless communication without the use of a
`vehicle network server 102.
`
`[0035] The networked group interaction system lOOb
`includes a plurality of vehicles 106b, lOSb, hOb, a com-
`munications service provider 104b, and an optional service
`operator 103b. The vehicles 106b, lOSb, hOb include
`vehicle navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f, respectively,
`for use in the networked group interaction system lOOb of
`the present invention. Although the group interaction system
`lOOb is shown with three vehicles 106b, lOSb, hOb and
`three corresponding vehicle navigation systems 300d, 300e,
`300f, it should be clear to one skilled in the art that any
`number of vehicles and corresponding vehicle navigation
`systems may be used consistent with the present invention.
`
`[0036] The navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f are dif-
`ferent from the navigation systems 300a, 300b, 300c in FIG.
`lA, in that they are capable of establishing groups of
`members and communicating wirelessly with other naviga-
`tion systems without the use of a vehicle network server.
`That is, the navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300fare capable
`peer-to-peer wireless communication 140, 146, 150 among
`selected members within the group without the use of a
`vehicle network server. The details of the operations of the
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 175-20 Filed 08/14/18 Page 18 of 25 PageID #: 7608
`
`US 2004/0148090 Al
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`EI
`
`vehicle navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f will be
`explained below with reference to FIG. 3B. The wireless
`communication is preferably cellular
`communication,
`although any other type of wireless communication may be
`used. The navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f are also
`capable of displaying the corresponding vehicle's location
`using conventional Global Position Systems (GPS) (not
`shown) installed therein.
`[0037] Referring to FIG. lB, the group interaction system
`lOOb enables communication and interaction with members
`of a group according to the methods described in FIGS. 5,
`6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B by using the navigation systems 300d,
`300e, 300f. The vehicle navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f
`in the vehicles 106b, lOSb, hOb, respectively, are capable of
`wireless communication or interaction with one another. In
`the group interaction system lOOb of FIG. lB, wireless
`communication or interaction among selected members of
`the enabled group (selected users of the vehicle navigation
`systems 300d, 300e, 300f) is accomplished without the use
`of a vehicle network server. For example, the navigation
`system 300d in vehicle 106b may establish wireless com-
`munication or other types of interaction with the navigation
`system 300e in vehicle lOSb directly via short-range radio
`communication 140 or indirectly via the communications
`service provider 104b, without the use of a vehicle network
`server. The wireless communication 140, 146, 150 between
`the navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f themselves is
`preferably short range radio communication or IEEE
`802.11b communication, but it should be clear to one skilled
`in the art that other types of wireless communication such as
`cellular communication or satellite communication may be
`used in accordance with the present invention.
`[0038] The navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f may also
`transmit or receive GPS information of the corresponding
`vehicles 106b, lOSb, hOb, respectively, to other navigations
`systems 300d, 300e, 300f within the group using wireless
`communication directly 140, 146, 150 or indirectly via the
`communications service provider 104b, but without the use
`of a vehicle network server. For example, navigation system
`300d may receive the GPS information of vehicles lOSb,
`hOb, from the vehicle navigation systems 300e, 300f,
`respectively. The GPS information is transmitted directly by
`using short-range radio communication 140, 146, 150. The
`GPS information of the other vehicles lOSb, hOb may be
`displayed on a display of the vehicle navigation system 300d
`along with the GPS information of its own vehicle 106b.
`Other control signals such as selection of group members
`and applications are also transmitted directly 140, 146, 150
`by using short range radio communication.
`[0039] On the other hand, data required for interaction
`among selected members of the group such as voice data in
`cellular telephone calls among the vehicle navigation sys-
`tems 300d, 300e, 300fis transmitted and received among the
`vehicle navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f via separate
`communication channels 142, 144, 148 though the commu-
`nications service provider 104b. The communication chan-
`nels 142, 144, 148 ar