Abstract: A navigation system provides sensors and a user interface mounted in a single unit while allowing individual users to make adjustments to the user interface without affecting the functionality of the device. This is accomplished by mounting the orientation sensitive sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyros, etc) rigidly to a mounting bracket rigidly mounted to the vehicle (such as to the dashboard). The sensors are mounted within a ball rigidly mounted to the bracket and the ball is secured within a rotatable socket on the user interface enclosure. In this manner, the user interface enclosure can rotate on the ball, but the orientation of the sensors relative to the vehicle will remain the same.

Abstract: A navigation system provides sensors and a user interface mounted in a single unit while allowing individual users to make adjustments to the user interface without affecting the functionality of the device. This is accomplished by mounting the orientation sensitive sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyros, etc) rigidly to a mounting bracket rigidly mounted to the vehicle (such as to the dashboard). The sensors are mounted within a ball rigidly mounted to the bracket and the ball is secured within a rotatable socket on the user interface enclosure. In this manner, the user interface enclosure can rotate on the ball, but the orientation of the sensors relative to the vehicle will remain the same.

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 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.