Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method for dialing a telephone number using a vehicle navigation system in the following manner. A destination is retrieved in response to selection of the destination by the user. A determination is then made if there is a phone number associated with the destination. Where there is a phone number associated with the destination, a phone number is transmitted to a wireless communications device for dialing.

Abstract: A method of representing a point of interest, a destination, or an address in a database for a navigation system for a vehicle by a plurality of points to militate against a driver not being notified upon arrival at the point of interest, the destination, or the address.

Abstract: An automobile navigation system which allows quick selection of destinations by users is described herein. The system maintains a record of destinations selected by each of multiple users of the system. For each user, the system determines a set of destinations most-commonly selected by the user, based on the record of selected destinations. The system determines which of the users is the current user, and in response to receiving a predetermined input, displays a list of destinations corresponding to the most-commonly selected destinations for the current user. When an input selecting one of the displayed destinations is received, the system computes a route to the selected destination.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided to generate notification about condition changes behind a vehicle. Information about a first set of conditions behind a vehicle is gathered at a first point in time. Information can be gathered using imaging devices, infrared detectors, distance meters, light intensity sensors, and timing devices. At a later point in time, information about a second set of conditions behind the vehicle is gathered. The information gathered at a first point in time is compared to the information gathered at the later point in time to determine differences between the conditions behind the vehicle. If the differences meet a notification criterion, a notification is generated conveying information about the changed conditions behind the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus for providing a display of points of interest in conjunction with a vehicle navigation system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle navigation system is provided and includes a processor configured to identify and display a plurality of points of interest with reference to a vehicle's location, and to repeat the display to reflect changes in the vehicle's location. In another embodiment, the vehicle navigation system includes a processor configured so that the plurality of points of interest identified is within a radius of the current position when the current location is within a densely digitized area. When the vehicle is not within a densely digitized area, the plurality of points of interest lie ahead along the current road within a second distance.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and storing location information and providing navigational information to facilitate travel to a desired location is disclosed. Geographic location information is entered into the system, and a two dimensional representation of information, or glyph, is output that contains navigational information. For example, longitude and latitude information for a delivery address can be translated into a bar code. The bar code can be scanned by a portable bar code reader by a delivery person for the secure transfer of delivery address information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for providing route guidance to a user of a vehicle navigation system. A route is generated which corresponds to a plurality of maneuvers. Each of the maneuvers includes a plurality of voice fragments. Each of the voice fragments may have more than one associated audio file. Multiple audio files for the same voice fragment contain different audio output for the voice fragment. A maneuver instruction corresponding to a particular maneuver is generated by selecting audio files for each of the voice fragments in the maneuver. By providing multiple audio files for the same voice fragment and flexible selection of the multiple audio files for a maneuver instruction, route guidance communication may be improved.