Abstract: A method of operating a navigation apparatus is provided. A calculated route is shown on a map display of the apparatus together with a current position indication. In one embodiment, a maximum map scale is determined which will result in a representation of the entire remainder of the route being shown within a visible map display area during travel along the route. In another embodiment, a map scale is set, and the map display is then controlled to maximize the amount of the remainder of the route which is shown within a visible map display area for the given map scale during travel along the route.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of determining a route using map data comprising a plurality of navigable paths, the map data divided into a plurality of regions. The method comprises using at least one processing apparatus to: receive an origin and a destination on the map data and a travel time, determine a route from the origin to the destination using the map data and minimum cost data that identifies minimum cost paths between regions of the map data. The minimum cost data identifies more than one minimum cost path between a pair of the regions if different minimum cost paths exist between the pair of regions at different times and determining a route comprises identifying from the minimum cost paths for the pair of regions comprising the origin and destination, the minimum cost path having a lowest cost at the travel time.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a display image including a map view and a road, the map view being a three dimensional perspective elevation view of a portion of a digital map as viewed from a viewing position. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining, from information associated with the distance of the road that is to be displayed in the display image from the viewing position, whether a map object obscures a line of sight from said viewing position to the road in the three dimensional perspective elevation; and displaying an element of the road in a format that is dependent on whether the map object is determined to obscure said line of sight. An apparatus and a computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation apparatus is provided. A calculated route is shown on a map display of the apparatus together with a current position indication. In one embodiment, a maximum map scale is determined which will result in a representation of the entire remainder of the route being shown within a visible map display area during travel along the route. In another embodiment, a map scale is set, and the map display is then controlled to maximise the amount of the remainder of the route which is shown within a visible map display area for the given map scale during travel along the route.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for providing map information to a user via a portable navigation device. The method may include displaying map information including at least one icon and a route to a desired destination, producing audible information related to the route, and altering the at least one icon for display when the audible information relates to the at least one icon. The portable navigation device includes a display device to display map information including at least one icon and a route to a desired destination, an output device to produce audible information related to the route, and a processor to alter the at least one icon for display when the audible information relates to the at least one icon.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of determining a route using map data comprising a plurality of navigable paths, the map data divided into a plurality of regions. The method comprises using at least one processing apparatus to: receive an origin and a destination on the map data and a travel time, determine a route from the origin to the destination using the map data and minimum cost data that identifies minimum cost paths between regions of the map data. The minimum cost data identifies more than one minimum cost path between a pair of the regions if different minimum cost paths exist between the pair of regions at different times and determining a route comprises identifying from the minimum cost paths for the pair of regions comprising the origin and destination, the minimum cost path having a lowest cost at the travel time.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a display image including a map view and a road, the map view being a three dimensional perspective elevation view of a portion of a digital map as viewed from a viewing position. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining, from information associated with the distance of the road that is to be displayed in the display image from the viewing position, whether a map object obscures a line of sight from said viewing position to the road in the three dimensional perspective elevation; and displaying an element of the road in a format that is dependent on whether the map object is determined to obscure said line of sight. An apparatus and a computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for providing map information to a user via a portable navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the method includes displaying map information including at least one icon and a route to a desired destination, producing audible information related to the route, and altering the at least one icon for display when the audible information relates to the at least one icon. In at least one embodiment, a navigation device is disclosed for providing map information to a user. The navigation device includes a display device to display map information including at least one icon and a route to a desired destination, an output device to produce audible information related to the route, and a processor to alter the at least one icon for display when the audible information relates to the at least one icon.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for providing regional travel information in a navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the method includes storing regional travel information in the navigation device; providing at least one travel information category in response to receipt of a request for information from a user of the navigation device; accessing stored regional travel information in response to receipt of an indication of a selection of at least one of the provided travel information categories by the user; and providing the accessed regional travel information to the user. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes an output device to provide information; an input device to receive an input; memory to store regional travel information; and a processor to access the regional information stored in memory and to provide accessed regional travel information through the output device in response to receipt of the input.

Abstract: A method and a navigation device are disclosed for displaying a rich content document. The navigation device includes a display device to display a point of interest browser including multiple point of interest entries and an input device to receive an input from a user for selecting at least one of the multiple point of interest entries. The display device displays map information including a first icon associated with the selected point of interest entry. Rich content associated with the selected at least one of point of interest entry is available to the user via the display device. The method includes displaying a point of interest browser including multiple point of interest entries, receiving an input from a user for selecting at least one of the multiple point of interest entries, and displaying map information including a first icon associated with the selected point of interest entry.

Abstract: A portable navigation device or navigation system along with a method of operating it and a computer program for controlling it are described. The device or system includes a display, memory, processor, wireless signal receptors, and a user interface. The memory includes one or more map data files having digitized map data and descriptive data identifying features represented within the digitized map data, and the device or system includes software capable of performing navigation between a current location determined from the wireless signals received, and a destination at least partially identified by the user input. The software also includes an address finding facility which when selected, causes display of at least one address portion identifier together with a first sorted list of alphanumeric characters.

Abstract: A method of displaying navigation information and a navigation device programmed with a map database and software operable to assign a name to a country or a city or a road and display said name on a road navigation map, operable to assign a language to a displayed text using a user interface, and operable to simultaneously display said name on said road navigation map as a first text in at least one of a local language and a local character system and as a second text in at least one of said assigned language and a assigned character system corresponding to said assigned language.