Abstract: A method of selectively providing cartographic features on a video display of a navigation system for improved rendering is provided. The method includes the steps of determining an operational mode of the navigation system, selecting a desired cartographic entity for a cartographic feature based upon the operational mode, and displaying the desired cartographic entity on the video display. For example, less detailed cartographic entities are selected for display when the navigation system is in an operational mode that requires the video display to be updated frequently ore a mode in which it is desirable to focus the user's attention on a different cartographic entity. The less detailed cartographic entity may have a lower intensity than or contrast less with surrounding cartographic entities. In this manner, the user may be provided the desired level of map details with the video display regenerated rapidly.

Abstract: A navigation system that includes a graphic user interface displaying a plurality of icons. An icon selectively activated by a user input device is enlarged, animated, and includes a text flag indicating what the icon represents. Some of the icons are associated with a plurality of potential destinations for the navigation system. The icons are animated by displaying a plurality of frames sequentially. The first frame is a base frame full bit map which includes information for displaying all of the pixels of the icon. The second frame is displayed by changing only the pixels which are different between the first frame and the second frame based upon a transition file which only includes information for the pixels to be changed. A second transition file indicates the pixels to be changed between the second frame and the third frame, and so on. For icons with many potential frames, more than one base frame may be provided, so that any state can be reached more quickly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of utilizing waypoints for a vehicle is provided. A first waypoint relating to a first vehicle position is added to a second waypoint relating to a second vehicle position. The waypoints are saved as a route. Waypoint information relating to the waypoints and route information relating to the route may be manipulated. The method also includes displaying at least a portion of the route on a display screen and indicating a desired direction of vehicle travel from a current vehicle location to one of the waypoints. According to the present invention, the drive may be alerted when the vehicle has come within a particular distance of the waypoint or if the vehicle has veered from the route by a particular distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for a graphical user interface for a navigation system. The graphical user interface includes a display having several groups of symbols with each group arranged in a unique pre-determined direction relative to a start position. A user manipulatable directional input device permits a user to select any one of the groups with a single keystroke. Once a group has been selected, the directional input device permits a user to activate any one of the symbols within a group with a single keystroke. An activated symbol can be selected with one keystroke by the user. Selection of a symbol then re-activates the start position.

Abstract: A navigation system switches to a different operational mode based upon a figure of merit determination of the current position solution by the navigation system relative to the map database. If the vehicle navigation system is guiding a driver along a recommended route, and the figure of merit drops below a first predetermined threshold, the navigation system disables an automatic route recalculation routine. If the figure of merit drops below a second predetermined threshold while the vehicle is in route guidance mode, the navigation system displays a textual display of the turn-by-turn instructions along the recommended route to the destination. If the vehicle navigation system is not in a route guidance mode and the figure of merit drops below a third predetermined threshold, the navigation system displays a map of the area surrounding the last current position solution, without displaying the current position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a database of a plurality of roads, a position determining system, an input device, and a route determination system. A CPU samples user inputs and a counter keeps track of the number of occurrences of those user inputs which achieve a particular user desired result. The CPU identifies the user inputs which achieve a particular result and stores such inputs within a user input database maintained in a storage device. The CPU continues to store the user inputs which achieve a desired user result until a predetermined number of “N” occurrences is reached. After reaching the “N” number of occurrences, it has become apparent that this is not an infrequent inefficient input by the user. The CPU will then display a suggestion screen which provides a predetermined suggested input tailored to the prior inefficient user inputs.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a display which provides a 3-D perspective view. The angle of viewing in the perspective view is increased based upon the complexity of the intersection being displayed. Intersections of increased complexity are displayed at an increased viewing angle to facilitate understanding. A sky above a horizon on the display changes color based upon the time of day.

Abstract: A method of utilizing waypoints for a vehicle is provided including the steps of adding a first waypoint relating to a first vehicle position and adding a second waypoint relating to a second vehicle position. The waypoints are saved as a route. Waypoint information relating to the waypoints and route information relating to the route may be manipulated. The method also includes displaying at least a portion of the route on a display screen and indicating a desired direction of vehicle travel from a current vehicle location to one of the waypoints. According to the present invention, the driver may be alerted when the vehicle has come within a particular distance of the waypoint or if the vehicle has veered from the route by a particular distance. An apparatus is also provided for a navigation system for providing waypoints. At least one position determining device provides a vehicle location signal. A database having a map includes a waypoint.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system provides a zoomed maneuver instruction view which displays a magnified view of the upcoming maneuver. Display of the zoomed maneuver instruction view is preferably related to the complexity of the road segments adjacent the upcoming maneuver. In one embodiment, the zoomed maneuver instruction view is displayed if more than N numbers of shape points are within a predetermined distance along the recommended route. In another embodiment, the zoomed maneuver instruction view is displayed if the recommended route includes an upcoming complex maneuver adjacent a road segment with more than N number of shape points. Preferably, the CPU will continue to magnify the complex maneuver in the zoomed maneuver instruction view as the vehicle and associated vehicle icon progresses through the complex maneuver.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes a map database and at least one inertial sensor. When the vehicle encounters a problem road condition, such as a pothole, the problem road condition induces acceleration in the inertial sensor. The navigation system identifies the occurrence of a problem road condition by monitoring the signals generated by the inertial sensor. The navigation system then stores the occurrence and location of the problem road condition. This data can be used later to identify, locate and repair problem road conditions.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a database of a plurality of roads, a position determining system, an input device, and a route determination system. A CPU samples user inputs and a counter keeps track of the number of occurrences of those user inputs which achieve a particular user desired result. The CPU identifies the user inputs which achieve a particular result and stores such inputs within a user input database maintained in a storage device. The CPU continues to store the user inputs which achieve a desired user result until a predetermined number of “N” occurrences is reached. After reaching the “N” number of occurrences, it has become apparent that this is not an infrequent inefficient input by the user. The CPU will then display a suggestion screen which provides a predetermined suggested input tailored to the prior inefficient user inputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for a graphical user interface for a navigation system. The graphical user interface includes a display having several groups of symbols with each group arranged in a unique pre-determined direction relative to a start position. A user manipulatable directional input device permits a user to select any one of the groups with a single keystroke. Once a group has been selected, the directional input device permits a user to activate any one of the symbols within a group with a single keystroke. An activated symbol can be selected with one keystroke by the user. Selection of a symbol then re-activates the start position.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system provides a complex maneuver instruction view which displays multiple maneuver instructions concatenated together. If a relative distance between two of upcoming maneuvers is less than a predetermined distance, and no intervening roads fall within the predetermined distance the complex maneuver instruction view is displayed. As the user completes the first maneuver instruction, the maneuver instruction disappears and only the second maneuver instruction is displayed. In another disclosed embodiment, the navigation system displays a maneuver sequence notation adjacent each maneuver instruction along a recommended route to provide the user with a frame of reference as the user proceeds along a recommended route.

Abstract: A navigation system includes an operator interface module (“OIM”) which includes the user input devices, such as a keypad, and output devices, such as a display and audio speaker. The navigation system further includes a computer module which includes a CPU, mass storage (such as a hard drive), accelerometers and GPS receiver. In a method according to the present invention, the OIM displays a “select user” screen during navigation system power-up. The select user screen displays a plurality of user icons, each associated with a particular set of user definable settings. Upon selection of the particular user icon, the navigation system is configured according to the user definable navigation system settings.

Abstract: A navigation system that enables a user to search for points of interest across categories is provided. The user may enter a character string of a desired destination into the navigation system using a user input device. The navigation system will search for points of interest in the database for the character string. The character string may be from the first portion of the name of the point of interest or somewhere in the middle of the name of the point of interest. In this manner, the user will be able to locate a point of interest from the database while having a partially incorrect name. Additionally, the navigation system may relate the points of interest to the vehicle location, such as by vehicle direction or proximity of the points of interest to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system provides non-voice audible maneuver instructions to a driver immediately prior to an upcoming maneuver. When the vehicle is very near the execution of the upcoming maneuver, it is preferable to provide a non-voice audible maneuver instruction that is always consistent with the upcoming maneuver. After a short familiarization period the driver will intuitively identify a particular tone or series of tones with a particular maneuver. Further, by only providing the non-voice audio maneuver instruction within a relatively short distance prior to the upcoming maneuver the driver will identify the tone(s) with the immediacy of the upcoming maneuver.

Abstract: A navigation system provides multimedia annotations based upon the present location of the vehicle. These presentations may comprise advertising or text or other information entered by the user and associated with a specific location or locations. The navigation system also provides a removable media reader which obtains additional information based upon which the navigation system operates. This additional information may include multimedia annotations which are location-based. The navigation system further includes a wireless communication system which interacts with and provides further location-based multimedia annotations.

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a display having several groups of symbols with each group arranged in a unique pre-determined direction relative to a start position. A user manipulatable directional input device permits a user to select any one of the groups with a single keystroke. Once a group has been selected, the directional input device permits a user to activate any one of the symbols within a group with a single keystroke. If a group does not contains the symbol desired by the user, the user sends a selection signal from the directional input device so that group displays a second plurality of symbols. Preferably, a sequence of the plurality of symbols are shown at a first group, each transmission of the selection signal displaying the next plurality of symbols until the originally displayed first plurality of symbols are again displayed in the first group. Any number of symbols can thus be displayed in a limited viewable area of the first group while maintaining the same selection methodology.

Abstract: A vehicle location display for a navigation or route guidance system is disclosed. The vehicle location display provides information to a user regarding the current location of the vehicle on a map even when the scale of the map is large. In a preferred embodiment, the map includes a current location field that displays a road segment name associated with the current road segment that the vehicle is located on. In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle location display displays a large scale map wherein the current road segment is highlighted by displaying it in a color and the name of the current road segment is displayed in a current location field on the map.

Abstract: The invention relates to a map panning directional indicator for a navigation system. A display device of the navigation system displays the map panning indicator, which indicates both a current heading between a map panning cursor and a current vehicle location relative to a map database and a distance between the map panning cursor and the current vehicle location. The map panning cursor is displayed in the center of a map section as a user pans over map sections of the map database, which are displayed on the display device.