U.S. patent application number 09/229882 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for method and system for providing end-user preferences with a navigation system.
Invention is credited to FEIGEN, JERRY S..
Application Number | 20010041961 09/229882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22863043 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010041961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FEIGEN, JERRY S. |
November 15, 2001 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING END-USER PREFERENCES WITH A
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed that make a navigation system
easier to use. According to one aspect of the disclosed system and
method, an end-user is permitted to define at least one preferred
cities list. The cities included on the preferred cities list are
selected by the end-user from all the available cities that are
represented in the geographic database used by the navigation
system. Thereafter, when the preferred cities list is in use and
the end-user operates the navigation system to provide a function
that requires that the end-user make a selection of a city, the
end-user is presented with a list of the cities from the preferred
cities list instead of all the available cities represented in the
geographic database used by the navigation system. The preferred
cities list is not restricted to cities, but may also include any
kinds of places or administrative areas. According to another
aspect of the disclosed system and method, the end-user can define
a preferred cities list using a graphical image representation of a
geographic area. The end-user defines the boundaries of a shape
overlaid on the graphical image representation of a geographic
area. Each city or administrative area any part of which is
encompassed within the geographic boundaries corresponding to the
shape drawn on the graphical image representation is included in a
preferred cities list. According to yet another aspect of the
disclosed system and method, the end-user defines a preferred area
that is not restricted to city boundaries. The end-user defines the
boundaries of a shape overlaid on the graphical image
representation of a geographic area. Thereafter, when the preferred
area is used and the end-user operates the navigation system to
provide a function, the function is limited to only those places,
locations, and so on, that are within the geographic area
corresponding to the defined shape.
Inventors: |
FEIGEN, JERRY S.; (CHICAGO,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Navigation Technologies Corporation
Attention: Patent Department
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Merchandise Mart, Suite 900
Chicago
IL
60654
US
|
Family ID: |
22863043 |
Appl. No.: |
09/229882 |
Filed: |
January 14, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 29/102 20130101;
G01C 21/3617 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/209 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/26 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of operation for a navigation system, comprising: on a
display of said navigation system, presenting an end-user with
names of a first plurality of cities, wherein said first plurality
of cities include all the cities represented in a geographic
database used by said navigation system; during said step of
presenting, accepting selections by the end-user, wherein said
selections define a first preferred cities list that represents a
second plurality of cities, wherein said second plurality of cities
are a subset of said first plurality of cities; storing data in a
non-volatile memory of said navigation system that indicates the
second plurality of cities selected by the end-user; and
thereafter, when the end-user is required to make a selection of a
city for a navigation function, presenting the end-user with said
first preferred cities list on said display of said navigation
system.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: during the step of
presenting the end-user with said first preferred cities list on
said display of said navigation system, also presenting a message
on said display indicating that said first plurality of cities can
be displayed.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of presenting,
accepting, and storing are performed for storing a third plurality
of cities for a second preferred cities list.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of: presenting
the end-user with a display screen from which the end-user can
select either said first preferred cities list or said second
preferred cities list.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: assigning
a first name to said first preferred cities list and a second name
to said second preferred cities list; presenting the end-user with
a display screen showing said first name and said second name;
during said step of presenting the end-user with a display screen
showing said first name and said second name, accepting input from
the end-user by which either said first preferred cities list or
said second preferred cities list is selected; and thereafter,
using the preferred cities list selected by the end-user during
performance of certain functions by the navigation system.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein said first preferred cities list
is for business use and said second preferred cities list is for
personal use.
7. The method of claim 1 farther comprising the steps of: accepting
input from the end-user by which said first preferred cities list
is assigned a name; and storing said name in said non-volatile
memory of said navigation system.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of cities comprise
places including towns and villages as well as cities.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said first preferred cities list
is in alphabetical order when being presented to the end-user on
said display of said navigation system.
10. A method of operation for a navigation system, comprising: in
connection with performing a navigation function that requires an
end-user to make a selection of at least one place from a list of
places, presenting the end-user with a display screen showing a
subset of all of places represented in a geographic database used
by the navigation system, wherein said subset is based upon
selections by the end-user of places to include in a preferred
places list; accepting input from the end-user selecting at least
one of the places from said subset; and using said selection by
said end-user when performing the navigation function.
11. An improved method for operation of a navigation system
comprising: providing a map image of a first geographic area on a
display of the navigation system; identifying cities located within
a second geographic area, wherein said second geographic area is
located within said first geographic area and wherein said second
geographic area corresponds to an area encompassed within a shape
defined by an end-user on said map image; forming a first preferred
cities list that includes the cities located within said second
geographic area; and thereafter, when the end-user is required to
make a selection of a city for a navigation function, presenting
the end-user with at least a part of said first preferred cities
list on said display of said navigation system.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said shape is a rectangular
shape.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein said shape is a circular
shape.
14. An improved method for operation of a navigation system
comprising: providing a map image of a first geographic area on a
display of the navigation system; forming a first preferred area
located within said first geographic area, wherein said first
preferred area corresponds to an area encompassed within a shape
defined by an end-user on said map image of the first preferred
area; and thereafter, when the end-user is required to make a
selection for a navigation function, presenting the end-user with a
list on said display of the navigation system, wherein said list is
restricted to the first preferred area.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:
accepting input from the end-user by which said first preferred
area is assigned a name; and storing said name in said non-volatile
memory of said navigation system.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein said shape is a rectangular
shape.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein said shape is a circular
shape.
18. An improved method for operation of a navigation system
comprising: displaying a list of a plurality of cities represented
in a geographic database used by said navigation system; accepting
an end-user's selection of a subset of said plurality of cities for
a preferred cities list; storing said preferred cities list; and
when presenting the end-user with a list of cities from which to
make a selection for performing a navigation function, presenting
said end-user with said preferred cities list.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said step of displaying is
performed on a display of said navigation system and said step of
storing is performed in a non-volatile memory of said navigation
system.
20. A navigation program stored on a computer-readable medium,
wherein said navigation program uses a geographic database to
provide navigation functions to an end-user, the navigation program
comprising: first programming that accepts input from the end-user
identifying a subset of all cities represented by the geographic
database for a preferred cities list; second programming that
stores data identifying the cities in said preferred cities list;
and in connection with the performance of a navigation function
that requires the end-user to select a city from a list, third
programming that presents the end-user with a display showing only
the cities on said preferred cities list.
21. A method of operation for a navigation system that uses a
geographic database that represents geographic features including
places in a geographic area, the method comprising the steps of:
presenting an end-user of the navigation system with a means to
define a first preferred places list that includes a first subset
of all the places represented in said geographic database used by
said navigation system so that when said first preferred places
list is in use certain navigation functions performed by said
navigation system are limited to using those data records in the
geographic database that represent the first subset of places
instead of those data records in the geographic database that
represent all the places in the geographic database; and presenting
the end-user with a means to define a second preferred places list
that includes a second subset of all the places represented in the
geographic database and that also includes said first preferred
places list so that when said second preferred places list is in
use said certain navigation functions performed by said navigation
system are limited to using those data records in the geographic
database that represent the second subset of places and the first
subset of places instead of those data records in the geographic
database that represent all the places represented by the
geographic database.
22. A method of operation for a navigation system that uses a
database that includes data records that represent geographic
features including places in an entire geographic area, comprising
the steps of: presenting an end-user with a means to define a
preferred area, wherein said preferred area is a sub-portion of the
entire geographic area represented by the database so that when
said preferred area is in use certain navigation functions
performed by the navigation system are limited to using those data
records in the database that represent the geographic features
located within said sub-portion of the entire geographic area
instead of those data records in the database that represent the
entire geographic area; and presenting the end-user with a means to
define a hierarchically higher list that includes a subset of all
the places represented in the database and that also includes the
preferred area so that when said hierarchically higher list is in
use said certain navigation functions performed by said navigation
system are limited to using those data records in the database that
represent the subset of all the places and the geographic features
located within said sub-portion of the entire geographic area
instead of those data records in the database that represent the
entire geographic region.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to computer-based navigation
systems and navigation programming, and more particularly the
present invention relates to an improved and novel navigation
system feature that allows an end-user to define personalized lists
that are then used when operating the navigation system.
[0002] In-vehicle navigation systems provide a variety of useful
navigation functions and features to end-users (i.e., the drivers
and/or passengers of the motor vehicles in which the navigation
systems are installed). Included among the functions that are
provided by some navigation systems are route calculation and route
guidance. The route calculation function determines a route to a
desired destination location from a given starting location. The
route guidance function provides maneuvering instructions for the
end-user to follow to drive his/her vehicle to the desired
destination location along the route calculated by the route
calculation function. When using these functions, the end-user may
be required to indicate a desired destination to the navigation
system.
[0003] In-vehicle navigation systems provide various ways by which
an end-user can indicate a desired destination. One way that the
end-user can indicate a desired destination is to specify a street
address. When used in this manner, the end-user may be required to
identify the city in which the destination is located. To
facilitate identification of a city by the end-user, some
navigation systems present a list of available cities that are
located in the geographic area represented by the database used by
the navigation system. This list of cities may be presented on a
display screen of the navigation system.
[0004] Operation of a conventional navigation system is described
in connection with FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a display 100 of a
conventional navigation system 110 showing a list 112 of cities. A
message 120 on the display 100 requests the end-user to make a
selection of one of the cities. One of the cities on the display
screen 100 is highlighted to indicate a potential selection. In the
example of FIG. 1, the highlighting is provided by a rectangular
box 122, although in alternative embodiments the highlighting may
be provided by any other suitable means. The cities listed on the
display screen 100 in FIG. 1 are in alphabetical order.
Alternatively, the city names listed on the display screen 100 may
be in some other order, such as those cities that had been most
recently selected as destinations.
[0005] The geographic database used by an in-vehicle navigation
system may relate to an entire metropolitan area, such as the
Chicago metropolitan area, the Los Angeles metropolitan area, and
so on. Alternatively, the geographic database may relate to an
entire state or even an entire country. Thus, the area covered by
the geographic database used by a navigation system may include
hundreds of cities. Accordingly, the cities shown in the display
screen 100 in FIG. 1 are only a partial list of all the cities
included in the geographic database used by the navigation system
110. In order to view additional cities on the display screen 100,
the end-user operates controls on an input panel 116 of the
navigation system 110. It may be necessary for the end-user to
scroll through several screens of information to get to the city to
include in the address of the desired destination.
[0006] In addition to selecting a city, the end-user may also be
prompted to select a street and enter a street address. A menu
screen similar to the screen shown on the display 100 of FIG. 1 may
be provided to the end-user for selection of a street.
[0007] Some navigation system allow an end-user to select a desired
destination city by prompting the end-user to spell the name of the
city using keys on the input panel 116. Some of these navigation
systems facilitate this process by prompting the end-user to enter
the first few characters of the name of the desired destination
city, displaying an alphabetical listing of all the city names that
match the characters entered, and then, as each additional
character is entered by the end-user, redisplaying an alphabetical
listing of all the city names that match the characters entered
until the end-user selects a name of a city from the displayed
list.
[0008] Using navigation systems in the ways described above to
select destinations is convenient for many situations. However,
there may be occasions when the end-user does not know the street
address of the destination. Also, there may be occasions when the
end-user does not know the spelling of the name of the destination
city. Accordingly, some navigation systems provide other ways to
indicate desired destinations.
[0009] In some navigation systems, another way that an end-user can
indicate a desired destination is to first use the navigation
system to search for destinations of a particular type, and then
after obtaining the results of this initial search, selecting one
of the locations included in the search results and requesting that
a route be calculated to the selected location. When using a
navigation system to search for destinations of a particular type,
a search area can be defined geographically (e.g., within 3 miles
of a present vehicle position), or alternatively, the search area
can be defined by city (e.g., Chicago, Oak Park, Evanston, and so
on). When the search area is defined by city, a menu screen like
the one shown in FIG. 1 may be presented to the end-user.
[0010] Using a navigation system in this manner is also convenient
for many situations. However, there may be occasions when still
other ways of using the navigation system may be desired. For
example, the end-user may not know the name of the city or cities
in which to search. Also, a covered geographic area may include
many cities thereby requiring scrolling through several screens
like the one shown in FIG. 1 to find the desired city. Also, when
the navigation system is used to search for destinations of a
specified type in a large city, there may be so many matches to the
search request that the search results are difficult to use.
[0011] Accordingly, a need exists to provide additional ways to use
a navigation system for searching. Moreover, this need may become
greater as the amount of information included in geographic
databases used by navigation systems continues to increase in scope
and detail.
[0012] Another consideration relates to making navigation systems
easy to use. Navigation systems, in particular systems installed in
vehicles, make useful information and services available to the
end-user in a manner that is not distracting to a person while
driving a vehicle. Therefore, improved programming capabilities
that can make a navigation system easier to use can be particularly
useful.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] To address these and other objectives, the present invention
comprises a system and method that make a navigation system easier
to use. According to one aspect of the disclosed system and method,
an end-user is permitted to define at least one preferred cities
list. The names of cities included on the preferred cities list are
selected by the end-user from all the available cities that are
represented in the geographic database used by the navigation
system. Thereafter, when the preferred cities list is in use and
the end-user operates the navigation system to provide a function
that requires that the end-user make a selection of a city, the
end-user is presented with a list of the cities from the preferred
cities list instead of all the available cities represented in the
geographic database used by the navigation system. The preferred
cities list is not restricted to cities, but may also include any
kinds of places or administrative areas.
[0014] According to another aspect of the disclosed system and
method, the end-user can define a preferred cities list using a
graphical image representation of a geographic area. The end-user
defines the boundaries of a shape overlaid on the graphical image
representation of a geographic area. Each city or administrative
area any part of which is encompassed within the geographic
boundaries corresponding to the shape drawn on the graphical image
representation is included in a preferred cities list.
[0015] According to yet another aspect of the disclosed system and
method, the end-user defines a preferred area that is not
restricted to city boundaries. The end-user defines the boundaries
of a shape overlaid on the graphical image representation of a
geographic area. Thereafter, when the preferred area is used and
the end-user operates the navigation system to provide a function,
the function is limited to only those places, locations, and so on,
that are within the geographic area corresponding to the defined
shape.
[0016] In another aspect of the disclosed system and method, an
end-user can define hierarchical preferred cities lists. According
to this alternative embodiment, a first preferred cities list can
include one or more other preferred cities lists or preferred areas
as well as individually named cities. A first preferred cities list
formed in this manner includes all the cities on the included
preferred cities lists and in the included preferred areas as well
as all the individually named cities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a navigation system display
showing a menu for selection of a destination city according to the
prior art.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a navigation system display
showing a menu that provides for selection of cities for a
preferred cities list according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is another illustration of the navigation system
display of FIG. 2 showing another screen of names of cities
presented for selection for the preferred cities list according to
the first embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 4 is another illustration of the navigation system
display of FIG. 2 showing a screen prompt for a step in the
selection of cities for a preferred cities list according to the
first embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 is another illustration of the navigation system
display of FIG. 2 showing an input screen for naming the list of
preferred cities according to the first embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the navigation system display
of FIG. 2 showing a screen menu for selection of a preferred cities
list according to the first embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the navigation system display
of FIG. 2 showing a screen for selection of a destination city
using a preferred cities list according to the first
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the navigation system display
of FIG. 2 showing a screen presented to the end-user at start up
for selection of a preferred cities list to use during operation of
the navigation system according to the first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 9 is an illustration of the navigation system display
of FIG. 2 showing an input screen for selection of cities for a
preferred city list according to a second embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 10 is an illustration similar to FIG. 10 showing an
alternative way to select cities for a preferred cities list
according to the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] A. First Embodiment
[0028] Overview. A first embodiment of the disclosed subject matter
is described with reference to FIGS. 2-8. FIG. 2 shows a display
200 of a navigation system 202. The navigation system 202 is a
combination of hardware and software components. The navigation
system hardware may include one or more processors, memory, data
storage, a user interface, and so on. The navigation system
software includes the programming that provides for the functions
and/or features performed by the navigation system 202. The
navigation system programming may be stored in a non-volatile
storage medium in the navigation system 202. Alternatively, some or
all of the navigation programming may be located at a remote
location and provided to or accessed by the navigation system 202
over a wireless communications system. In one embodiment, the
navigation programming is written in the C programming language
although in alternative embodiments other programming languages may
be used, such as C++, Java, Visual Basic, and so on.
[0029] In order to provide navigation features to an end-user, the
navigation system 202 uses geographic data. The geographic data may
be organized into one or more geographic databases. The geographic
data includes information about one or more geographic regions or
coverage areas. The geographic data may be stored in the vehicle in
which the navigation system is installed or alternatively, the
geographic data may be stored remotely and made available to the
navigation system 202 in the vehicle through a wireless
communication system which may be part of the navigation system
202. In another alternative, a portion of the geographic data may
be stored in the vehicle and a portion of the geographic data may
be stored in a remote location and made available to the navigation
system 202 in the vehicle over a wireless communication system from
the remote location.
[0030] The navigation programming uses the geographic data in
conjunction with input from the end-user via a user interface of
the navigation system, and possibly in conjunction with outputs
from a positioning system if available, to provide various features
and/or functions. The screen displays shown in FIGS. 2-8 are
rendered using appropriate routines included in the navigation
programming. Likewise, the handling of user input in response to
these screen displays is provided by appropriate routines included
in the navigation programming.
[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-8, the navigation system
202 is installed in a vehicle, although in alternative embodiments,
the navigation system 202 may be a portable (e.g., hand-held) unit.
Alternatively, navigation systems may be implemented on other kinds
of devices and platforms including devices and platforms that
provide other kinds of functions. For example, a navigation system
can be implemented by appropriate programming and hardware on a
personal computer (e.g., notebook or desktop), a network (including
wireless networks and the Internet), PalmPilot.RTM.-type devices,
personal digital assistants, telephones, and so on. Navigation
systems implemented on any of these other kinds of devices and
platforms are understood to be encompassed within the scope of the
disclosed subject matter.
[0032] Setting up a preferred list. Referring to FIG. 2, the
display 200 shows a screen which is used by the end-user to make
selections for a preferred cities list. The end-user operates
appropriate controls to cause the navigation system to show the
screen depicted in FIG. 2. On the display screen 200 is a message
206 requesting the end-user to select one or more cities for a
preferred cities list. Also included on the display 200 is a list
210 of cities. The list 210 on the display 200 is only a partial
list of all the cities about which information is included in the
geographic database used by the navigation system 202. The display
200 also includes a message 214 indicating how the end-user can
view lists of more cities from the geographic database from which
selections of cities for the preferred cities can be made. In this
example, the message 214 indicates that the end-user can operate a
button 220 on an input panel 222 of the navigation system 202 in
order to view screens with lists of more cities. (In the
embodiments disclosed herein, the terms "city" or "cities" are used
to refer to any kind of place or municipality, including but not
limited to cities, towns, villages, hamlets, boroughs, states,
counties, provinces, countries, townships, postal zones, area
codes, neighborhoods, subdivisions, administrative areas, and so
on.)
[0033] (The input panel 222 disclosed herein represents only one
type of means of accepting end-user input. The present subject
matter is not limited to any specific means by which end-user input
can be accepted. Various kinds and combinations of buttons,
toggles, switches, keys, keyboards, pointing devices, and so on,
may be used. Also, the navigation system may use a touch screen as
a means of accepting end-user input. Also, the means for accepting
user end-input may be implemented wholly or partially with
voice-activation or speech recognition hardware and/or
software.)
[0034] The display 200 provides highlighting 226 associated with
one of the cities in the partial list 210. If the end-user wishes
to add the highlighted city to the list of preferred cities, the
highlighted city can be selected by appropriate operation of the
input panel 222. For example, in order to add the highlighted city
to the list of preferred cities, the end-user may press the key 230
labeled "SELECT." After the SELECT key 230 has been pressed, the
city is indicated on the display 200 as being selected. A city may
be indicated as being selected by another type of highlighting. For
example, the name of the city may be in a different color or an
asterisk 234 may appear next to the selected city. Then, the
end-user may add another city from the partial list 210 to the list
of preferred cities. To add another city from the partial list 210
to the list of preferred cities, the end-user uses the button 220
to scroll the highlighting 226 up or down through the partial list
210. When the highlighting 226 is on the next city that the
end-user wants to add to the list of preferred cities, the end-user
presses the SELECT key 230 again.
[0035] If the end-user want to cancel a selection, he/she operates
the input panel 222 to highlight the selection again. The selection
can be canceled by pressing the SELECT key 230 again.
[0036] When the end-user does not want to add any more cities from
the partial list 210 to the list of preferred cities (or if the
end-user does not want to add any of the cities on the partial list
210), the end-user operates the input panel 222 to view screens
with additional cities. As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2, the display 200 includes a message 214 indicating to the
end-user how to operate the input panel 222 to view screens with
additional cities. Referring to FIG. 3, when the input panel 222 is
operated in the appropriate manner, another list 250 of cities
appears on the display 200. The list 250 is also a partial list of
all the available cities from the geographic database used by the
navigation system. This second list 250 is preferably also in
alphabetical order and follows alphabetically after the first list
210 shown on the previous screen. Also on the display 200 with the
second list 250 is the message 206 requesting selection of cities
for the preferred cities list. One of the cities in the second list
250 has the highlighting 226. The screen shown in FIG. 3 includes
messages 254 and 256 indicating to the end-user how to view the
next partial list of cities and how to go back to the previous
partial list of cities (shown in FIG. 2). The selection of one or
more cities from the partial list 250 shown in FIG. 3 is similar to
the process for selection of cities described above in connection
with FIG. 2. The end-user may select one or more cities from the
partial list 250 shown in FIG. 3 for the list of preferred cities,
or may select none of the cities in the partial list 250. After the
end-user is finished with the partial list 250 in FIG. 3, he/she
operates the input panel 222 to view the next screen with the next
partial list of cities or to go back to the previous screen with
the previous partial list 210 of cities.
[0037] When the end-user is finished making selections of cities
for the preferred cities list, he/she operates the input panel 222
to indicate that he/she is finished. Referring to FIG. 4, when the
end-user has indicated that selection of cities is complete, the
display 200 presents a listing 266 of the cities selected by the
end-user for inclusion in the list of preferred cities. (If the
number of cities selected by the end-user for a preferred cities
list exceeds the number of cities that can be shown on the display
at one time, a message similar to the message 214 in FIG. 2 may be
included.) At this stage, the end-user can delete any of the cities
in the list 266. The end-user can also add additional cities to the
list 266 by going back to the screens shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, in addition to presenting the end-user
with the list 266 of selected cities, the navigation system 202
also presents the end-user with a message 260 on the display 200.
The message 260 requests the end-user to confirm that the list of
preferred cities should be saved. If the end-user provides an
affirmative response to the message 260 in FIG. 4, the end-user is
presented with a screen like the one shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, a
message 270 is presented to the end-user that requests the end-user
to assign a name to the list of preferred cities. The message 270
may be accompanied by a listing 274 of all the preferred cities
lists that have previously been defined and saved. This listing 274
of the previously defined preferred cities lists identifies these
lists by the names that had been assigned to them. The input panel
222 may be operated to define alphanumeric characters for naming
the new list of preferred cities which had just been defined. The
alphanumeric characters entered by the end-user when naming the
preferred cities list are shown in a panel 276 on the display. For
the convenience of the end-user, the navigation system may provide
the end-user with default names (e.g., "PREF LIST 1", "PREF LIST
2", and so on). The end-user may rename these default named
preferred lists at a later time, if desired. Any of the other
preferred cities lists can also be renamed, if desired.
[0039] After the preferred cities list is named, the navigation
system saves it in a non-volatile memory. Referring to FIG. 6, the
navigation system presents a message 280 on the display 200. This
message 280 asks whether the end-user wishes to make the new
preferred cities list the default list. The new preferred cities
list may be included in a list 282 that includes the other
preferred cities lists. The new preferred cities list may be
highlighted (e.g., with a box 284) so that the end-user can select
either the new preferred cities list or one of the other previously
defined preferred cities lists as the default, if desired. If the
end-user replies affirmatively to the selection of the new
preferred cities list as the default, the navigation system then
automatically uses the new preferred cities list when performing
certain functions, as explained further below. If a preferred
cities list is not selected as a default, the navigation system
does not automatically use any of the preferred cities lists.
However, the preferred cities lists are still available and the
end-user can have the navigation system use any of the preferred
cities lists when performing a navigation function by appropriate
operation of the input panel 222.
[0040] Operation. When a preferred cities list is in use (either
because it has been selected as the default or because the end-user
has indicated to the navigation system to use the preferred cities
list for performing a specific function), the navigation system
operates differently when performing certain functions compared to
the navigation system described in connection with FIG. 1. When a
preferred cities list is in use, the navigation system
automatically uses the cities on the preferred cities list when
performing certain functions. Operation of the navigation system
when a preferred cities list is in use is explained in connection
with the following examples.
[0041] Example 1. According to a first example, when a preferred
cities list is in use, the navigation system automatically
initially displays only the cities from the preferred cities list
when searching for a destination city. FIG. 7 shows an example of
the display 200 of the navigation system 202 when a preferred
cities list is being used. When a preferred cities list is in use,
the display 200 may include a message 294 indicating the name of
the list that is in use. Also, the end-user is presented with a
message 290 requesting selection of a city. The message 290 may be
similar or identical to the message 120 in FIG. 1. A list 292 of
cities is presented to the end-user. The cities on the list 292 are
the cities from the preferred cities list that is in use. The
preferred cities list may be used for any of the kinds of searches
that can be performed with the navigation system, including
searches for cities for address destinations and searches for
destinations of a specific type. When the preferred cities list is
in use the navigation system automatically initially presents only
the cities on the preferred cities list.
[0042] When a preferred cities list is in use, even though only the
cities on the preferred cities list are displayed initially, the
end-user is provided with the option of expanding the search to
include all the available cities. As shown in FIG. 7, a message 296
is presented on the display 200 to provide this option. If the
end-user chooses to expand the search to include all available
cities, the navigation system reverts to a conventional mode of
operation and a screen like the one in FIG. 1 is presented to the
end-user. After the option of searching all available cities is
used, subsequent uses of the navigation system for new functions
will default back to using the preferred cities list again.
[0043] Example 2. According to another example, when a preferred
cities list is in use, the navigation system operates differently
when the end-user spells the name of a desired destination city
using keys on the input panel. As mentioned above, some navigation
system facilitate the process of spelling the name of a city by
displaying a listing of all the matching city names as each
character is entered by the end-user. When a preferred cities list
is in use, the names of cities that are displayed when characters
are entered are restricted initially to only those on the preferred
cities list. This reduces the number of possible matches thereby
potentially causing the desired city to be displayed more quickly,
i.e., with the end-user having to enter fewer characters. If the
desired city is not on the preferred cities list in use, the
end-user is provided with the option to search the entire database
for the desired city.
[0044] Example 3. In another alternative method of operation, the
navigation system automatically selects a destination from the
preferred cities list in use as soon as the end-user has entered
sufficient information to resolve any ambiguities regarding the
desired destination. For example, if a preferred cities list is in
use and the end-user wants a route calculated to a given address
along a street, the navigation system provides an input screen
prompting the end-user to enter an address number, a street name,
and city name. The end-user uses the input panel to enter the
address number and the street name. After the end-user has entered
the address number and the street name, the navigation system
searches the names of the cities on the preferred cities list to
determine which, if any, of the cities has a street with the name
entered by the end-user and with an address range that encompasses
the address number entered by the end-user. If only one of the
cities on the preferred cities list has a street with the street
name and address number entered by the end-user, the navigation
system automatically selects the city and begins calculating a
route to the destination. The navigation system displays the
selected city name in order to allow the end user to cancel the
selection if the city is not the one desired by the end-user. If
the end-user cancels the selection, the navigation system allows
the end-user to select a city name from outside the preferred
cities list. If more than one city on the preferred cities list
includes a street with the name and address entered by the
end-user, the navigation system displays the names of all the
possible cities from the preferred cities list that include the
street name and address number entered by the end-user. The
navigation system then prompts the end-user to select one of the
cities, or to select a city from outside the preferred cities
list.
[0045] Using a preferred cities list in the manner described above
facilitates certain types of searches for end-users. For example,
using a navigation system to search for some addresses, e.g. "100
MAIN STREET", might be difficult because many cities represented in
a geographic database have streets named "MAIN" and therefore the
search results might be relatively large. However, by restricting
the cities being searched to only those on a preferred cities list,
a more manageable set of search results is produced, thereby
facilitating use of the navigation system.
[0046] This feature can be used with other kinds of searches that
can be performed by the navigation system. For example, some
navigation systems allow an end-user to search for a destination by
point-of-interest name and city name, or by point-of-interest name,
street name, and city name. Again, when a preferred cities list is
in use and the end-user enters sufficient information, such as the
point-of-interest name or the point-of-interest name and the street
name, the navigation system automatically displays a list of the
one or more cities from the preferred cities list in which the
point-of-interest is located. If only one city on the preferred
cities list includes the named point of interest or the named point
of interest on the named street, the navigation system
automatically selects the city and begins calculating a route to
the point of interest in the selected city while providing the
end-user with the option to cancel the selection. Similarly, some
navigation systems allow an end-user to search for a destination by
a street intersection and city. When the end-user has entered the
names of the intersecting streets, the navigation system
automatically displays a list of the one or more cities from the
preferred cities list that include intersecting streets having
those names. If only one city on the preferred cities list includes
the named intersecting streets, the navigation system automatically
selects the city and begins calculating a route to the intersecting
streets in the selected city while providing the end-user with the
option to cancel the selection.
[0047] Handling multiple preferred lists. When more than one
preferred cities list has been defined, a selection is made of how
the preferred cities lists should be used by the navigation system.
There are several ways that multiple preferred cities lists can be
used. One way to select which of the preferred cities lists to use
is illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the display 200 of the
navigation system 202 with a message 300. The navigation system is
configured to show the message 300 when the vehicle is started up.
The message 300 requests that the end-user select one of the
preferred cities lists for use. Also presented on the display is a
list 304 that includes all the preferred cities lists that have
been saved. In one embodiment, the last preferred cities list to
have been used is highlighted (e.g., with a box 306). If one of the
lists has been selected as the default list, an appropriate
indication may be displayed. The end-user selects one of the
preferred cities lists from the list 304. The navigation system
then uses the selected preferred cities list until the vehicle is
started again (at which time the message 300 and list 304 are
presented again), or until the end-user selects a different
preferred cities list by accessing the message 300 and list 304
through a menu of the navigation system.
[0048] Another way to select which preferred cities list to use is
to associate different lists with different drivers. For example,
assume a first driver (e.g., Jane) defines a preferred cities list
named "JANE'S LIST" and a second driver (e.g., John) defines
another preferred cities list named "JOHN'S LIST." Then, whenever
the first driver starts the vehicle, the navigation system
automatically selects "JANE'S LIST" and whenever the second driver
starts the vehicle, the navigation system automatically uses
"JOHN'S LIST." Which driver starts the vehicle can be determined by
various means, such as personalized ignition keys, personalized
entry or access codes, driver's seat positions, and so on.
[0049] Another way to select which preferred cities list to use is
to associate different lists with different areas. For example,
assume that a driver defines a first preferred cities list, named
"JANE'S WORK LIST," for business use and a second preferred cities
list, named "JANE'S HOME LIST," for non-business use. Then, when
the vehicle is located closer to the driver's home, the navigation
system automatically uses "JANE'S HOME LIST" and when the vehicle
is closer to the driver's place of work, the navigation system
automatically uses "JANE'S WORK LIST." The vehicle location can be
determined by a positioning system that may be part of the
navigation system. This way of using multiple preferred lists can
be extended to more than two locations.
[0050] Still another way to use the preferred cities lists is to
use two or more of the preferred cities lists consecutively when
performing a search. For example, using the preferred cities lists
named in FIG. 5, the navigation system may first present the
end-user with the cities in "JOHN'S WORK" list, then the cities in
"JANE'S WORK" list, then the cities in "JOHN'S HOME" list, and so
on. The order in which the multiple lists are used, as well which
of the available lists are used in this manner for consecutive
presentation, may be selected by the end-user using an appropriate
setup menu screen.
[0051] Alternatives. The end-user is not limited to identifying
only cities on a preferred list. Alternatively, the end-user may
identify other kinds of places, such as states, counties,
provinces, countries, townships, postal zones, area codes,
neighborhoods, subdivisions, administrative areas, and so on. In
one embodiment, the kinds of places that the end-user can identify
are those defined in the geographic database used by the navigation
system. In alternative embodiments, the kinds of places that the
end-user can identify are not limited to only those included in the
geographic database.
[0052] Any other suitable terminology may be used to refer to a
"preferred cities list." For example, the list formed by the
end-user's selections may be referred to as a "preferred places
list."
[0053] B. Second Embodiment
[0054] FIGS. 9 and 10 show another way to form a preferred list. In
FIGS. 9 and 10, the display 200 of the navigation system 202 shows
a map image 350. The map image 350 represents part of the
geographic region covered by the geographic database used with the
navigation system 202. Also shown on the display 200 is a message
354. The message 354 requests the end-user to define a preferred
area. Using the input panel 222, the end-user defines a preferred
area on the map image 350. The preferred area is defined
graphically by adjusting a shape overlaid on the map image 350. The
preferred area may be defined using any shape. In FIG. 9, a
bordered rectangular box 360 is used to define a preferred area
with a rectangular shape and in FIG. 10 a bordered circle 362 is
used to define a preferred area with a circular shape. In
alternative embodiments, other shapes can be drawn and used,
including irregular shapes. The bordered rectangular box 360 in
FIG. 9 and the bordered circle 362 in FIG. 10 are rendered by
appropriate programming in the navigation system. (Aside from the
shape, the selection of preferred cities is similar with the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The discussion below relative
to FIG. 9 applies as well to the circular embodiment of FIG.
10.)
[0055] Referring to FIG. 9, the size and location of the box 360
relative to the map image 350 can be adjusted by the end-user using
the input panel 222. Using the input panel 222, the end-user
positions and sizes the box 360 over the area on the map image from
which the end-user wishes the cities for the selected cities list
to be chosen. When the end-user has positioned the box 360 over the
area from which he/she wishes the cities for the selected cities
list to be chosen, the end-user indicates that selection is
complete. Then, the navigation system identifies all the cities any
part of which are encompassed within the boundaries of the
geographic area corresponding to the selection box 360. The
navigation system uses the geographic database for this purpose.
All of the cities that are identified as having any portion within
the geographic area corresponding to the box 360 are used to form a
preferred cities list. The preferred cities list may be named and
used by the navigation system in the same or similar manner as
described above in connection with the first embodiment. As with
the previous embodiment, the end-user has the option of accessing
the list of all cities in the database, if desired, in connection
with the performance of any function by the navigation system.
[0056] C. Third Embodiment
[0057] Another way to make a navigation system easier to use is to
define a preferred area. A preferred area is similar to the
preferred cities list described above. When a preferred area is in
use, certain navigation system functions operate differently
compared to the navigation system described in FIG. 1. For example,
when a preferred area is in use, searches performed by the
navigation system are initially limited to only the area within the
boundaries defined for the preferred area. For example, if the
end-user is prompted by the navigation system to select a city,
only those cities that are located within the preferred area--in
whole or in part--are presented to the end-user. However, if a city
is divided by a boundary of the preferred area, only the portions
of the city that are located inside the boundary of the preferred
area are used. Portions of cities that are outside the boundary of
the preferred area are excluded. As with the previous embodiments,
the end-user has the option of extending the navigation functions
to access locations outside the preferred area, if desired.
[0058] When a preferred area is in use, searches for locations by
type also operate in a modified way. For example, assume that a
preferred area is defined using a selection shape that completely
encompasses the entire community of Park Ridge, Ill., but only the
northwest side of Chicago. If this preferred area is in use when
searching for a location by type (e.g., Chinese restaurants), only
those locations that match the type and that are either in Park
Ridge or on the northwest side of Chicago appear in the search
results (e.g., only Chinese restaurants that are in Park Ridge or
that are on the northwest side of Chicago).
[0059] A preferred area can be defined using the same method
described above in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. A map image is
displayed on the display of the navigation system and the end-user
uses the input panel to draw a shape overlaid on the map image. The
navigation programming then defines a preferred area corresponding
to the area encompassed within the shape on the map image. Again,
the navigation system programming identifies the cities or places
any part of which are encompassed within the boundaries of a
geographic area corresponding to the box 360. However, when forming
a preferred area, only those portions of the cities or places that
are encompassed within the box 360 are included. If a portion of a
city or place is inside the selected area and another portion of
the same city or place is outside the selected area, only the
portion of the city or place inside the selected area forms part of
the preferred area.
[0060] The preferred area may be named by the navigation system in
the same or similar manner as described above in connection with
the first embodiment. When a preferred area is formed, a different
name may be used in order to distinguish it from a preferred cities
list. For example, when a preferred area is formed, it may be
referred to as an "area" instead of a "list." Examples include
"JOHN'S LIST" and "JOHN'S AREA."
[0061] The preferred area may be used by the navigation system in
the same or similar manner as described above in connection with
the first embodiment. For example, a preferred area may be used in
conjunction with a preferred cities list in any of the ways
described above in connection with multiple preferred lists.
[0062] D. Fourth Embodiment
[0063] In another embodiment, preferred cities lists and preferred
areas can be used to form hierarchical preferred lists. According
to this alternative, one or more preferred cities lists and/or
preferred areas are defined according to any of the embodiments
described above. Then, a hierarchically higher layer preferred list
is formed. When forming a hierarchically higher layer preferred
list, one or more of the already defined preferred cities lists
and/or preferred areas are selected for inclusion in the
hierarchically higher layer preferred list. These preferred cities
lists may be selected in the same manner as individual cities are
selected for forming preferred list according to the previously
described embodiments. A hierarchically higher layer list may also
include individual city names. Thus, a hierarchically higher layer
list may include any combination of one or more preferred cities
lists, preferred areas, or individual cities. For example, a
hierarchically higher layer preferred list called "JOHN'S MASTER"
list can include "JOHN'S WORK" list, "JOHN'S HOME" list, and
"JOHN'S AREA" as well as the individually named cities of Waukegan
and Lake Forest, Ill.
[0064] A hierarchically higher layer list formed this way is used
in the same manner as the lists formed according to the embodiments
described above. When a hierarchically higher layer list is used by
the navigation system, all the cities included in any of the
preferred cities lists included in the hierarchically higher layer
list are treated as included in the hierarchically higher layer.
Similarly, a hierarchically higher layer preferred list that
includes a preferred area is treated as including all the streets,
locations, and points of interest in the preferred area. Thus, when
a navigation system uses a hierarchically higher layer list,
certain functions, such as searches, are initially restricted to
the places individually listed on the hierarchically higher layer
list and the places and areas included in any of the hierarchically
lower layer preferred lists included in the hierarchically higher
layer list.
[0065] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be
regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is
understood that the following claims including all equivalents are
intended to define the scope of the invention.
* * * * *