Abstract: A personal navigation device is set out including a display, memory, a processor, a wireless signal receptor and a user input receiver. The memory includes several destination identifiers indicative of a number of recently visited destinations. A database is also included, the database itself including digitized map data and descriptive data identifying features represented within the digitized map data. The personal navigation device also includes software capable of performing navigation between a current location determined from the wireless signals received and a destination at least partially identified by said user input. The software further includes a facility for displaying one or more categories of destination which when selected causes the display of one or more destination identifiers of the recently visited destinations of that category in list format, and for performing a search within the descriptive data representative of the particular destination category in response to the user input.

Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.

Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes correction.

Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.

Abstract: A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed.

Abstract: A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed.

Abstract: A buddy system for navigation systems is disclosed. Further to the buddy system, a user of a navigation device can locate other navigation device users within a select vicinity. The buddy system further includes buddy lists compiled from a number of navigation devices grouped according to a common characteristic. The characteristic may be a relationship among the users of the navigation devices, the location of the navigations, and the like. The navigation systems are listed within buddy lists according to identification and geographical location. The navigation systems, with buddy lists stored therein, may be made to navigate towards a select buddy. In addition, further to the buddy system, one navigation system can communicate with another via text and voice messages.

Abstract: A method and a navigation device to display a multiple page menu comprising configuration options for activation of a first or a second operational mode depending on various parameters including speed, usage of menu items, and usage of navigation device in either of the first and second operational modes, and means for determining whether the first or second operational mode is activated.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for storing and utilizing a location at which a navigation device was last connected to a vehicle and/or was disconnected from a vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes storing a positional location at which a navigation device was last connected to a vehicle; and determining a route to the vehicle based upon a current location of the navigation device and the stored positional location at which the navigation device was last connected to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the method includes storing a positional location of a navigation device upon disconnection from a vehicle; and determining a route to the vehicle based upon a current location of the navigation device and the stored positional location at which the navigation device was disconnected from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and navigation device are disclosed for map switching. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information of a current position and displaying map information including the current position on a navigation device; determining relative map information coverage for the current position; and switching the displayed map information to display map information of relatively more detailed coverage of the current position, upon determining that map information of relatively more detailed coverage of the current position is displayable.

Abstract: A method of discovering connection specific settings from a mobile unit for a telecommunications connection at a navigation device is disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the method may include establishing a wireless connection between the mobile unit and the navigation device to retrieve preliminary information from the mobile device, querying of a plurality of entries in a database within the navigation device based on the preliminary information, attempting to establish the telecommunications connection using the queried entries, and storing the entry resulting in a successful establishment of the telecommunications connection as the connection specific settings for the mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for conveying information relationships. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting, in a navigation device, at least one of input and selection of a travel destination and a desired arrival time at the travel destination; calculating an arrival time during travel to the travel destination; and outputting via the navigation device, during travel to the travel destination, an indication of a relationship between the desired arrival time and the calculated arrival time. In another embodiment, the method includes inputting a travel destination on a navigation device; determining a travel route to the input travel destination; calculating a speed in a navigation device during travel to the travel destination along the determined route; and outputting, via the navigation device, an indication of a relationship between a permitted speed and the calculated speed.

Abstract: A portable GPS navigation device displays map information and navigation instructions; the device (a) includes a two-way wireless transceiver operable to connect to a mobile telephone; (b) is operable to enable a user to control one or more functions of the mobile telephone and (c) includes an audio output and a microphone to enable a voice call to be made using the mobile telephone.

Abstract: A personal GPS navigation device capable of simultaneously displaying a map, an indication of the current position of the device on the map and a GPS signal strength indicator. The device differs from the prior art in displaying a GPS signal strength indicator at the same time as the navigation map and hence does not require a user to leave the navigation mode to call up a separate GPS information screen in order to see the GPS signal strength. The GPS navigation device of this invention is further capable of displaying icons indication Points of Interest, whose display may be prioritised by type or by density of occurrence. The GPS of this invention is further able to calculate a speed of the device and use that speed to change the zoom of the map. The device is also able to change map zoom as the device approaches route situations requiring complex decisions.

Abstract: A personal GPS navigation device capable of simultaneously displaying a map, an indication of the current position of the device on the map and a GPS signal strength indicator. The device differs from the prior art in displaying a GPS signal strength indicator at the same time as the navigation map and hence does not require a user to leave the navigation mode to call up a separate GPS information screen in order to see the GPS signal strength. The GPS navigation device of this invention is further capable of displaying icons indication Points of Interest, whose display may be prioritised by type or by density of occurrence. The GPS of this invention is further able to calculate a speed of the device and use that speed to change the zoom of the map. The device is also able to change map zoom as the device approaches route situations requiring complex decisions.