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: 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. The predetermined distance in one embodiment is determined by the vehicle speed. Filtering mechanisms are also provided wherein the displayed points of interest can be limited to user selected categories.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus for providing a directional arrow to intermediate locations to aid a user of a vehicle navigation system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle navigation system is provided and includes a processor configured to determiner the vehicle location from location data generated by a plurality of sensors. Where the location data does not correspond to map data in a map database, a directional indicator is generated on the display to indicate a first location corresponding to the map data. In one embodiment, the first location corresponds to a road segment in the map database nearest the vehicle location. In another embodiment, the processor is configured to identify an intermediate location on the route and generate a directional indicator on the display which indicates the direction to the intermediate location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus for providing a directional arrow to intermediate locations to aid a user of a vehicle navigation system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle navigation system is provided and includes a processor configured to determiner the vehicle location from location data generated by a plurality of sensors. Where the location data does not correspond to map data in a map database, a directional indicator is generated on the display to indicate a first location corresponding to the map data. In one embodiment, the first location corresponds to a road segment in the map database nearest the vehicle location. In another embodiment, the processor is configured to identify an intermediate location on the route and generate a directional indicator on the display which indicates the direction to the intermediate location.