`
`Exhibit 5
`
`
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0148090 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 29, 2004
`Melen
`
`US 20040148090A1
`
`(54) GROUP INTERACTION SYSTEM FOR
`INTERACTION WITH OTHER WEHICLES
`OF A GROUP
`(76) Inventor: Roger D. Melen, Los Altos Hills, CA
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`FENWCK & WEST LLP
`SILICON VALLEY CENTER
`801 CALFORNIA STREET
`MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94041 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/346,503
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 15, 2003
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... GO1C 21126
`
`(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
`
`
`
`
`
`Service Operator
`
`106a
`
`
`
`as
`
`C ar
`
`126
`
`12O
`
`
`
`Vehicle Network
`Server
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 2 of 25 PageID #: 2351
`
`110a
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`Internet
`
`Service Operator
`
`
`
`
`
`Vehicle NetWork
`Server
`
`
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`110a
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 3 of 25 PageID #: 2352
`
`F.G. 1A
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`-9
`
`140
`
`106b
`
`3OOd
`
`Service Operator
`
`
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`100b
`
`-
`
`146
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 4 of 25 PageID #: 2353
`
`F.G. 1B
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004. Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`A
`
`t
`
`102
`
`2
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`Input Keys
`
`204
`
`Memory Device
`
`-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O/S
`Module
`
`Processor
`
`206
`
`
`
`Display Device
`
`a
`-b-
`
`b-
`
`
`
`210
`
`220
`
`222
`
`Group
`Establishment
`Module
`
`Applications
`Module
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Data
`Communication
`Module
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 5 of 25 PageID #: 2354
`
`
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`FIG 2
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`GPS information
`
`GPS Module
`
`302
`
`Touch Sensitive
`Screen
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`301
`
`Processor
`
`306
`
`300a
`2.
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Input Device
`
`3O4
`Speech
`Recognition/
`Synthesis Module
`
`305
`
`
`
`
`
`O/S
`Module
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`322
`
`Applications
`Module
`
`Group
`Establishment
`Module
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Display Device
`
`
`
`
`
`324 Memory Device
`
`
`
`
`
`31 O
`
`Wireless
`Communications
`--
`Module
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 6 of 25 PageID #: 2355
`
`
`
`FG. 3A
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`300d
`2
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`input Device
`
`
`
`304
`Speech
`--> Recognition/
`Synthesis Module
`
`
`
`GPS information
`
`GPS Module
`
`302
`
`Touch Sensitive
`Screen
`
`301
`
`Processor
`
`306
`
`
`
`Display Device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Group
`Establishment
`
`Applications
`Module
`
`324 Memory Device
`308
`
`\318
`
`Peer-to-Peer
`Communication
`Module
`
`317
`
`---
`y
`BuS
`
`Wireless
`Communications
`Module
`
`316
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 7 of 25 PageID #: 2356
`
`140
`
`
`
`148
`
`104b.
`
`FG. 3B
`
`Communications
`Service Provider
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`402
`
`
`
`406
`
`404
`
`
`
`Cellular
`Telephone
`
`Game
`
`---
`
`Application
`No. 3
`
`---
`
`Application
`No. 4
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 8 of 25 PageID #: 2357
`
`FIG. 4
`
`310
`
`Display
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`502
`
`504
`
`506
`
`508
`
`Establish group of members
`
`Receive location information
`for each member in group
`
`ShoW location of each member
`on display
`
`-
`509 1Y--
`
`- No
`
`510
`
`
`
`
`
`511
`
`
`
`512
`
`Receive selection of member
`corresponding to selection of the indicator
`
`Receive selection of application
`(e.g., make a cellular telephone call)
`
`
`
`Run selected application with respect to
`selected members within group
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 9 of 25 PageID #: 2358
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`504a
`
`
`
`604
`
`Receive Selection of
`members for group by
`identification information
`
`Transmit selection of
`group members to
`vehicle network server
`
`-
`
`606
`
`
`
`614
`
`Add members giving
`permission to group
`
`Trasmit group
`information to vehicle
`navigation system
`
`616
`
`Establish communication - so
`with selected group
`members by using
`identification information
`
`
`
`Request each selected
`member for permission
`to add member to group
`
`610
`
`Trasmit result of request
`to vehicle navigation
`system
`
`612
`
`:
`
`|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:
`
`Transmit group
`information to members
`of group
`
`618
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 10 of 25 PageID #:
`2359
`
`--
`
`506
`
`Continue
`
`F.G. 6A
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`504b.
`
`-
`
`502 --
`
`Begin
`
`>
`
`
`
`632
`
`Receive list of members
`from external Source
`
`634
`
`Establish group of members
`using received list of members
`
`636
`
`Download group information to vehicle
`navigation system(s) of group
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 11 of 25 PageID #:
`2360
`
`506
`
`F.G. 6B
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`------
`
`51 r-C Continue
`
`---
`
`D
`
`512a
`-
`
`
`
`704
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Vehicle navigation
`system establishes
`Communication with
`vehicle network Server
`
`Vehicle navigation
`system transmits
`Selected member and
`selected application
`information
`to network server
`(e.g., make a cellular
`telephone call to Car 2
`and Car 3)
`
`s
`
`
`
`708
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Vehicle network server
`N launches selected
`application with respect
`to vehicle navigation
`system and selected
`members
`(e.g., vehicle network
`server establishes a
`cellular telephone call
`-
`between the vehicle
`- navigation system and all
`the selected members)
`
`506 r (
`
`---
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 12 of 25 PageID #:
`2361
`
`conne
`
`- - -
`
`-
`- - -
`
`-
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 2004/0148090 A1
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`
`-
`u -NS Continue
`
`511 -
`
`512b
`
`-
`
`
`
`
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`establishes communication with
`Selected members
`
`722
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`launches selected application
`with respect to vehicle
`navigation System and selected
`members
`(e.g., vehicle network server
`establishes a cellular telephone
`call between the vehicle
`navigation system and all the
`selected members)
`
`
`
`
`
`724
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`u
`506
`continue D
`~-C
`Continue
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 13 of 25 PageID #:
`2362
`
`FIG 7B
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 29, 2004 Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 2004/014.8090 A1
`
`Vehicle Navigation System
`u----
`---
`511-(
`Continue
`)
`
`Vehicle Network Server
`
`512C
`
`)
`
`
`
`744
`
`Vehicle navigation system
`establishes communication
`with vehicle network server
`
`
`
`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.g., control signals for interactive
`game with Car 2 and Car 3)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`748
`
`Vehicle network Server launches
`selected application with respect
`to vehicle navigation system and
`Selected members
`(e.g., vehicle network server
`launches the interactive game
`application between the vehicle
`navigation system and
`Cars 2 and 3)
`
`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
`Car 3)
`
`
`
`750
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 14 of 25 PageID #:
`2363
`
`FIG 7C
`
`
`
`US 2004/014.8090 A1
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`GROUP INTERACTION SYSTEM FOR
`INTERACTION WITH OTHER WEHICLES 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.
`0.003
`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.
`0004 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.
`0005 Some conventional two-way radio systems
`(“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
`
`Case 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 15 of 25 PageID #:
`2364
`
`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.
`0006 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.
`0008. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`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.
`
`
`
`US 2004/014.8090 A1
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`0.010 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
`0.011 The teachings of the present invention can be
`readily understood by considering the following detailed
`description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`0012 FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a group interac
`tion System according to a first embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0013 FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a group interac
`tion System according to a Second embodiment of the
`present invention.
`0.014
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle
`network Server according to one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0.015 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.
`
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`2365
`
`DETAILED 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. 1A is a diagram illustrating a networked
`group interaction System 100a according to a first embodi
`ment of the present invention. The networked group inter
`action system 100a includes a plurality of vehicles 106a,
`108a, 110a, 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, 108a, 110a include vehicle
`navigation systems 300a, 300b,300c, respectively, for use in
`the networked group interaction system 100a of the present
`invention. Although the group interaction System 100a is
`shown with three vehicles 106a, 108a, 110a, 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, 108a,
`110a, 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. 1A, the group interaction system
`100a 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, 108a, 110a, respectively,
`are capable of wireleSS communication or interaction with
`one another. In the group interaction system 100a 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 100a 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 108a. In response, the
`vehicle network server 102a establishes wireless communi
`
`
`
`US 2004/014.8090 A1
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`cation or interaction between the navigation system 300a in
`vehicle 106a and the navigation system 300b in the vehicle
`108a 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
`nication, short-range radio communication, or 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, 108a, 110a, 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 108a, 110a, 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 108a, 110a
`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, 108a, 110a,
`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.
`0.030. 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 100a 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 100a 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,
`108a, 110a, 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, 108a,
`110a 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. 1B is a diagram illustrating a networked
`group interaction System 100b according to a Second
`embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the
`group interaction system 100a shown in FIG. 1A that uses
`a vehicle network Server 102, the group interaction System
`100b in FIG. 1B 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 100b
`includes a plurality of vehicles 106b, 108b, 110b, a com
`munications Service provider 104b, and an optional Service
`operator 103b. The vehicles 106b, 108b, 110b include
`vehicle navigation systems 300d, 300e, 300f, respectively,
`for use in the networked group interaction system 100b of
`the present invention. Although the group interaction System
`100b is shown with three vehicles 106b, 108b, 110b 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, 300fare dif
`ferent from the navigation systems 300a,300b,300c in FIG.
`1A, 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 2:21-cv-00072-JRG-RSP Document 87-5 Filed 06/15/21 Page 17 of 25 PageID #:
`2366
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`
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`US 2004/014.8090 A1
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`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`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. 1B, the group interaction system
`100b 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, 108b, 110b, respectively, are capable of
`wireleSS communication or interaction with one another. In
`the group interaction system 100b of FIG. 1B, wireless
`communication or interaction among Selected members of
`the enabled group (Selected users of the vehicle navigation
`systems 300d, 300e, 300?) 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 108b 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, 108b, 110b, 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 108b,
`110b, from the vehicle navigation systems 300e, 300?,
`respectively. The GPS information is transmitted directly by
`using short-range radio communication 140, 146,150. The
`GPS information of the other vehicles 108b, 110b 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