U.S. patent application number 11/907230 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for navigation device and method for establishing and using profiles.
Invention is credited to Pieter Geelen, Mark Ghetton.
Application Number | 20080167801 11/907230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39594993 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080167801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geelen; Pieter ; et
al. |
July 10, 2008 |
Navigation device and method for establishing and using
profiles
Abstract
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least
one embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of
profiles, each including a plurality of operational settings, to a
user of a navigation device for selection; and configuring the
navigation device, upon receipt of an indication of a selection of
a profile, to operate in accordance with the plurality of
operational settings of the selected profile. In at least one
embodiment, the navigation device includes an integrated input and
display device to display a plurality of profiles, each including a
plurality of operational settings, for selection by a user of the
navigation device; and a processor to configure the navigation
device, upon receipt of an indication of a selection of a profile,
to operate in accordance with the plurality of operational settings
of the selected profile.
Inventors: |
Geelen; Pieter; (Amsterdam,
NL) ; Ghetton; Mark; (London, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOMTOM INTERNATIONAL B.V.
REMBRANDTPLEIN 35,
AMSTERDAM
1017CT
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39594993 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907230 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60879523 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879549 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879553 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879577 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879599 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879529 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
701/533 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/26 20130101;
G01C 21/34 20130101; G01C 21/3641 20130101; G01C 21/3673
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/201 ;
701/200 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/00 20060101
G01C021/00 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: providing a plurality of profiles, each
including a plurality of operational settings, to a user of a
navigation device for selection; and configuring the navigation
device, upon receipt of an indication of a selection of a profile,
to operate in accordance with the plurality of operational settings
of the selected profile.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing includes displaying
the plurality of profiles for selection on an integrated input and
display of the navigation device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the profiles
includes operational settings to enhance access to entertainment
options on the navigation device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the profiles
includes operational settings to enhance access to basic navigation
options on the navigation device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the profiles
includes operational settings to enhance access to at least one of
areas and points of interest proximate to a route of travel.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user
with an option to create a selectable profile of customizable
operational settings.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the navigation device is
automatically configured to operate in accordance with a created
selectable profile of customizable operational settings upon a
profile of customizable operational settings being created and upon
failing to receive an indication of selection of another
profile.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user
with an option to modify a selectable profile.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the operational settings include
at least one of a color scheme setting, a sound setting, a power
usage setting, and a display setting.
10. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when
executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the
navigation device to implement the method of claim 1.
11. A method, comprising: determining whether or not received
information triggers implementation of a profile on the navigation
device; and implementing the profile, upon determining that the
received information triggers implementation of a profile, by
configuring the navigation device based upon a plurality of
operational settings of the profile.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein received information includes
information input to determine a route of travel, and wherein the
received information is determined to trigger implementation of the
profile upon the determined route of travel exceeding a threshold
distance.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the information is received
from a source other than the user.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the received information
includes information useable to determine a speed of travel of the
navigation device, the navigation device subsequently implementing
a profile selected in dependence of the determined speed.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the profile is selected from at
least one of a walking profile, a biking profile and a driving
profile.
16. The method of claim 14, displaying an indication of the profile
selected to the user.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the displaying includes
displaying an icon representative of the profile selected.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the icon is displayed with map
information during use of the navigation device in a navigation
mode.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein a plurality of profiles are
stored and implementable.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the profiles
includes operational settings to enhance access to power saving
options on the navigation device.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the profiles
includes operational settings to enhance access to basic navigation
options on the navigation device.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the profiles
includes operational settings to enhance access to at least one of
areas and points of interest proximate to a route of travel.
23. The method of claim 11, wherein the operational settings
include at least one of a color scheme setting, a sound setting, a
power usage setting, and a display setting.
24. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when
executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the
navigation device to implement the method of claim 11.
25. A navigation device, comprising: an integrated input and
display device to display a plurality of profiles, each including a
plurality of operational settings, for selection by a user of the
navigation device; and a processor to configure the navigation
device, upon receipt of an indication of a selection of a profile,
to operate in accordance with the plurality of operational settings
of the selected profile.
26. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein at least one of the
profiles includes operational settings to enhance access to
entertainment options on the navigation device.
27. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein at least one of the
profiles includes operational settings to enhance access to basic
navigation options on the navigation device.
28. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein at least one of the
profiles includes operational settings to enhance access to at
least one of areas and points of interest proximate to a route of
travel.
29. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein the integrated input
and display device is further useable to display an option to
create a selectable profile of customizable operational
settings.
30. The navigation device of claim 29, wherein the processor is
further useable to automatically configure the navigation device to
operate in accordance with a created selectable profile of
customizable operational settings, upon a profile of customizable
operational settings being created and upon failing to receive an
indication of selection of another profile.
31. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein the integrated input
and display is further useable to display an option to modify a
selectable profile.
32. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein the operational
settings include at least one of a color scheme setting, a sound
setting, a power usage setting, and a display setting.
33. A navigation device, comprising: a processor to determine
whether or not received information triggers implementation of a
profile on the navigation device, and to implement the profile,
upon the processor determining that the received information
triggers implementation of a profile, by configuring the navigation
device based upon a plurality of operational settings of the
profile.
34. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein received information
includes information input, via an input device of the navigation
device, to determine a route of travel, and wherein the processor
determines that the received information triggers the profile upon
the determined route of travel exceeding a threshold distance.
35. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein the information is
received from a source other than the user.
36. navigation device of claim 33, wherein the received information
includes information useable to determine a speed of travel of the
navigation device, the processor subsequently implementing a
profile selected in dependence of the determined speed.
37. navigation device of claim 36, wherein the profile is selected
from at least one of a walking profile, a biking profile and a
driving profile.
38. The navigation device of claim 36, further comprising a display
to display an indication of the profile selected to the user.
39. The navigation device of claim 38, wherein the display includes
displaying an icon representative of the profile selected.
40. The navigation device of claim 39, wherein the icon is
displayed with map information during use of the navigation device
in a navigation mode.
41. The navigation device of claim 33, further comprising a memory
to store a plurality of implementable profiles.
42. The navigation device of claim 41, wherein at least one of the
profiles includes operational settings to enhance access to power
saving options on the navigation device.
43. The navigation device of claim 41, wherein at least one of the
profiles includes operational settings to enhance access to basic
navigation options on the navigation device.
44. The navigation device of claim 41, wherein at least one of the
profiles includes operational settings to enhance access to at
least one of areas and points of interest proximate to a route of
travel.
45. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein the operational
settings include at least one of a color scheme setting, a sound
setting, a power usage setting, and a display setting.
Description
CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] The following applications are being filed concurrently with
the present application. The entire contents of each of the
following applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference:
A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EARLY INSTRUCTION OUTPUT
(Attorney docket number 06P207US01) filed on even date herewith; A
NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED MAP DISPLAY (Attorney
docket number 06P207US03) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD RELATING TO AN AUDIBLE RECOGNITION MODE (Attorney
docket number 06P207US04) filed on even date herewith; NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING POINTS OF INTEREST (Attorney docket
number 06P207US05) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE
AND METHOD FOR FUEL PRICING DISPLAY (Attorney docket number
06P057US06) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR INFORMATIONAL SCREEN DISPLAY (Attorney docket number
06P207US06) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR DEALING WITH LIMITED ACCESS ROADS (Attorney docket
number 06P057US07) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE
AND METHOD FOR TRAVEL WARNINGS (Attorney docket number 06P057US07)
filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR
DRIVING BREAK WARNING (Attorney docket number 06P057US07) filed on
even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ISSUING
WARNINGS (Attorney docket number 06P207US07) filed on even date
herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAY OF POSITION IN
TEXT READABLE FORM (Attorney docket number 06P207US08) filed on
even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY
SERVICE ACCESS (Attorney docket number 06P057US08) filed on even
date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
REGIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorney docket
number 06P207US09) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE
AND METHOD FOR USING SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE
(Attorney docket number 06P207US09) filed on even date herewith; A
NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING A PERSONAL AREA NETWORK
(Attorney docket number 06P207US10) filed on even date herewith; A
NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING A LOCATION MESSAGE (Attorney
docket number 06P207US10) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONSERVING POWER (Attorney docket number
06P207US11) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR USING A TRAFFIC MESSAGE CHANNEL (Attorney docket number
06P207US13) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR USING A TRAFFIC MESSAGE CHANNEL RESOURCE (Attorney
docket number 06P207US13) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR QUICK OPTION ACCESS (Attorney docket number
06P207US15) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A RICH CONTENT DOCUMENT (Attorney docket
number 06P207US27) filed on even date herewith.
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0002] The present application hereby claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) on each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Nos. 60/879,523 filed Jan. 10, 2007, 60/879,549 filed Jan. 10,
2007, 60/879,553 filed Jan. 10, 2007, 60/879,577 filed Jan. 10,
2007, 60/879,599 filed Jan. 10, 2007, and 60/879,529 filed Jan. 10,
2007, the entire contents of each of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[0003] The present application generally relates to navigation
methods and devices.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Navigation devices were traditionally utilized mainly in the
areas of vehicle use, such as on cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats,
etc. Alternatively, if such navigation devices were portable, they
were further transferable between vehicles and/or useable outside
the vehicle, for foot travel for example.
[0005] These devices are typically tailored to produce a route of
travel based upon an initial position of the navigation device and
a selected/input travel destination (end position), noting that the
initial position could be entered into the device, but is
traditionally calculated via GPS Positioning from a GPS receiver
within the navigation device.
SUMMARY
[0006] The inventors discovered that navigation devices of today
include many features and functions that are often difficult to
find and use because so many functions are becoming available. The
inventors discovered that a need exists to make it easier to use
and find features they desire. Furthermore, the inventors
discovered that it is difficult to adapt the settings of a device
to a different situation or user needs (which may change from time
to time) in an efficient and easy way. Thus, the inventors of the
present application developed a method and implementation on a
navigation device, to allow users to select, activate, or adjust
profiles to vary settings and enable features in a user friendly
manner.
[0007] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes providing a plurality of profiles, each including a
plurality of operational settings, to a user of a navigation device
for selection; and configuring the navigation device, upon receipt
of an indication of a selection of a profile, to operate in
accordance with the plurality of operational settings of the
selected profile.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device includes an integrated input and display device
to display a plurality of profiles, each including a plurality of
operational settings, for selection by a user of the navigation
device; and a processor to configure the navigation device, upon
receipt of an indication of a selection of a profile, to operate in
accordance with the plurality of operational settings of the
selected profile.
[0009] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a method includes determining whether or not received information
triggers implementation of a profile on the navigation device; and
implementing the profile, upon determining that the received
information triggers implementation of a profile, by configuring
the navigation device based upon a plurality of operational
settings of the profile.
[0010] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a device includes a processor to determine whether or not received
information triggers implementation of a profile on the navigation
device, and to implement the profile, upon the processor
determining that the received information triggers implementation
of a profile, by configuring the navigation device based upon a
plurality of operational settings of the profile.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present application will be described in more detail
below by using example embodiments, which will be explained with
the aid of the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning
System (GPS);
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic
components of a navigation device of an embodiment of the present
application;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server,
navigation device and connection therebetween of an embodiment of
the present application;
[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an implementation
of an embodiment of the navigation device;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of an example embodiment of
the present application;
[0017] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9A, 9B, and 10-12 illustrate example display
screens of an embodiment of the present application;
[0018] FIG. 13 illustrates another example embodiment of the
present application; and
[0019] FIGS. 14A-C illustrate an example embodiment for conveying
an active profile to a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "includes" and/or "including", when used
in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0021] In describing example embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity.
However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.
[0022] Referencing the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views, example embodiments of the present patent application are
hereafter described. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of Global Positioning
System (GPS), usable by navigation devices, including the
navigation device of embodiments of the present application. Such
systems are known and are used for a variety of purposes. In
general, GPS is a satellite-radio based navigation system capable
of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in some
instances direction information for an unlimited number of
users.
[0024] Formerly known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality
of satellites which work with the earth in extremely precise
orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay
their location to any number of receiving units.
[0025] The GPS system is implemented when a device, specially
equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for
GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS
satellite, the device determines the precise location of that
satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods.
The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals
until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals
(noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with
only two signals using other triangulation techniques).
Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the
three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position
relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner.
Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the
receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the
same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and
velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by
an unlimited number of users.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the GPS system is denoted generally by
reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit
about the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not
necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites 120
and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. A GPS receiver 140, usable in
embodiments of navigation devices of the present application, is
shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the
various satellites 120.
[0027] The spread spectrum signals 160, continuously transmitted
from each satellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency
standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each
satellite 120, as part of its data signal transmission 160,
transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite
120. It is appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that
the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS
satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the
GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position
by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting in
signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permits the GPS
receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in
a known manner.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic
components of a navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the
present application, in block component format. It should be noted
that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 is not
inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only
representative of many example components.
[0029] The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not
shown). The housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input
device 220 and a display screen 240. The input device 220 can
include a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or
any other known input device utilized to input information; and the
display screen 240 can include any type of display screen such as
an LCD display, for example. In at least one embodiment of the
present application, the input device 220 and display screen 240
are integrated into an integrated input and display device,
including a touchpad or touchscreen input wherein a user need only
touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a
plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of
virtual buttons.
[0030] In addition, other types of output devices 250 can also
include, including but not limited to, an audible output device. As
output device 250 can produce audible information to a user of the
navigation device 200, it is equally understood that input device
240 can also include a microphone and software for receiving input
voice commands as well.
[0031] In the navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively
connected to and set to receive input information from input device
240 via a connection 225, and operatively connected to at least one
of display screen 240 and output device 250, via output connections
245, to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is
operatively connected to memory 230 via connection 235 and is
further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output
(I/O) ports 270 via connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is
connectible to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device
200. The external I/O device 270 may include, but is not limited to
an external listening device such as an earpiece for example. The
connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired or wireless
connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit
for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation for
example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for
connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone
connection may be used to establish a data connection between the
navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for
example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the
internet or some other network for example.
[0032] The navigation device 200, in at least one embodiment, may
establish a "mobile" network connection with the server 302 via a
mobile device 400 (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device
with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection
(such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for
example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the
mobile device 400 can establish a network connection (through the
internet for example) with a server 302. As such, a "mobile"
network connection is established between the navigation device 200
(which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or
in a vehicle) and the server 302 to provide a "real-time" or at
least very "up to date" gateway for information.
[0033] The establishing of the network connection between the
mobile device 400 (via a service provider) and another device such
as the server 302, using the internet 410 for example, can be done
in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol
for example. The mobile device 400 can utilize any number of
communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.
[0034] As such, an internet connection may be utilized which is
achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone
technology within the navigation device 200 for example. For this
connection, an internet connection between the server 302 and the
navigation device 200 is established. This can be done, for
example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS
(General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is a
high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom
operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet.
[0035] The navigation device 200 can further complete a data
connection with the mobile device 400, and eventually with the
internet 410 and server 302, via existing Bluetooth technology for
example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize
any number of standards, such as the GSRM, the Data Protocol
Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
[0036] The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone
technology within the navigation device 200 itself (including an
antenna for example, wherein the internal antenna of the navigation
device 200 can further alternatively be used). The mobile phone
technology within the navigation device 200 can include internal
components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable
card, complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an
antenna for example. As such, mobile phone technology within the
navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection
between the navigation device 200 and the server 302, via the
internet 410 for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile
device 400.
[0037] For GRPS phone settings, the Bluetooth enabled device may be
used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile
phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific
settings may be stored on the navigation device 200 for example.
The data stored for this information can be updated in a manner
discussed in any of the embodiments, previous and subsequent.
[0038] FIG. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between
the processor 210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255,
wherein the antenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for
example. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver
designated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for
illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately
located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna
or helical antenna for example.
[0039] Further, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art that the electronic components shown in FIG. 2 are powered
by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different
configurations of the components shown in FIG. 2 are considered
within the scope of the present application. For example, in one
embodiment, the components shown in FIG. 2 may be in communication
with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the
like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present
application includes a portable or handheld navigation device
200.
[0040] In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200
of FIG. 2 can be connected or "docked" in a known manner to a
motorized vehicle such as a car or boat for example. Such a
navigation device 200 is then removable from the docked location
for portable or handheld navigation use.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server 302
and a navigation device 200 of the present application, via a
generic communications channel 318, of an embodiment of the present
application. The server 302 and a navigation device 200 of the
present application can communicate when a connection via
communications channel 318 is established between the server 302
and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection can be
a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via
personal computer via the internet, etc.).
[0042] The server 302 includes, in addition to other components
which may not be illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected
to a memory 306 and further operatively connected, via a wired or
wireless connection 314, to a mass data storage device 312. The
processor 304 is further operatively connected to transmitter 308
and receiver 310, to transmit and send information to and from
navigation device 200 via communications channel 318. The signals
sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other
propagated signals. The transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be
selected or designed according to the communications requirement
and communication technology used in the communication design for
the navigation system 200. Further, it should be noted that the
functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into
a signal transceiver.
[0043] Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass
storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be
coupled to the server 302 via communication link 314. The mass
storage device 312 contains a store of navigation data and map
information, and can again be a separate device from the server 302
or can be incorporated into the server 302.
[0044] The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the
server 302 through communications channel 318, and includes
processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard to FIG.
2, as well as transmitter 320 and receiver 322 to send and receive
signals and/or data through the communications channel 318, noting
that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices
other than server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver
322 are selected or designed according to communication
requirements and communication technology used in the communication
design for the navigation device 200 and the functions of the
transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single
transceiver.
[0045] Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions
for the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services
to the navigation device 200. One service provided by the server
302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and
transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the
navigation device 200. According to at least one embodiment of the
present application, another service provided by the server 302
includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms
for a desired application and sending the results of these
calculations to the navigation device 200.
[0046] The communication channel 318 generically represents the
propagating medium or path that connects the navigation device 200
and the server 302. According to at least one embodiment of the
present application, both the server 302 and navigation device 200
include a transmitter for transmitting data through the
communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has
been transmitted through the communication channel.
[0047] The communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular
communication technology. Additionally, the communication channel
318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is,
the channel 318 may include several communication links that use a
variety of technology. For example, according to at least one
embodiment, the communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide
a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic
communications, etc. As such, the communication channel 318
includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the
following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires
and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio-frequency
(rf) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc. Furthermore,
according to at least one various embodiment, the communication
channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers,
repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.
[0048] In at least one embodiment of the present application, for
example, the communication channel 318 includes telephone and
computer networks. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the
communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless
communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency,
infrared communication, etc. Additionally, according to at least
one embodiment, the communication channel 318 can accommodate
satellite communication.
[0049] The communication signals transmitted through the
communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals
as may be required or desired for given communication technology.
For example, the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular
communication technology such as Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can be transmitted
through the communication channel 318. According to at least one
embodiment, these signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or
compressed signals as may be desirable for the communication
technology.
[0050] The mass data storage 312 includes sufficient memory for the
desired navigation applications. Examples of the mass data storage
312 may include magnetic data storage media such as hard drives for
example, optical storage media such as CD-Roms for example, charged
data storage media such as flash memory for example, molecular
memory, etc.
[0051] According to at least one embodiment of the present
application, the server 302 includes a remote server accessible by
the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. According to at
least one other embodiment of the application, the server 302 may
include a network server located on a local area network (LAN),
wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.
[0052] According to at least one embodiment of the present
application, the server 302 may include a personal computer such as
a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may
be a cable connected between the personal computer and the
navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal computer may be
connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to
establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the
navigation device 200. Alternatively, a mobile telephone or other
handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the
internet, for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server
302 via the internet.
[0053] The navigation device 200 may be provided with information
from the server 302 via information downloads which may be
periodically updated upon a user connecting navigation device 200
to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant
or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and
navigation device 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and
TCP/IP connection for example. For many dynamic calculations, the
processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of
the processing needs, however, processor 210 of navigation device
200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes
independent of a connection to a server 302.
[0054] The mass storage device 312 connected to the server 302 can
include volumes more cartographic and route data than that which is
able to be maintained on the navigation device 200 itself,
including maps, etc. The server 302 may process, for example, the
majority of the devices of a navigation device 200 which travel
along the route using a set of processing algorithms. Further, the
cartographic and route data stored in memory 312 can operate on
signals (e.g. GPS signals), originally received by the navigation
device 200.
[0055] As indicated above in FIG. 2 of the application, a
navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the present application
includes a processor 210, an input device 220, and a display screen
240. In at least one embodiment, the input device 220 and display
screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display
device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu
selection, etc.) and display of information through a touch panel
screen, for example. Such a screen may be a touch input LCD screen,
for example, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Further, the navigation device 200 can also include any
additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device
240, such as audio input/output devices for example.
[0056] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an actual
implementation of an embodiment of the navigation device 200. As
shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 200 may be a unit that
includes an integrated input and display device 290 (a touch panel
screen for example) and the other components of FIG. 2 (including
but not limited to internal GPS receiver 250, microprocessor 210, a
power supply, memory systems 220, etc.).
[0057] The navigation device 200 may sit on an arm 292, which
itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using a
large suction cup 294. This arm 292 is one example of a docking
station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 4B, the navigation device 200 can be docked
or otherwise connected to an arm 292 of the docking station by snap
connecting the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 for example
(this is only one example, as other known alternatives for
connection to a docking station are within the scope of the present
application). The navigation device 200 may then be rotatable on
the arm 292, as shown by the arrow of FIG. 4B. To release the
connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking
station, a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed, for
example (this is only one example, as other known alternatives for
disconnection to a docking station are within the scope of the
present application).
[0059] The inventors discovered that navigation devices of today
include many features and functions that are often difficult to
find and use because so many functions are becoming available. The
inventors discovered that a need exists to make it easier to use
and find features they desire. Furthermore, the inventors
discovered that it is difficult to adapt the settings of a device
to a different situation or user needs (which may change from time
to time) in an efficient and easy way. Thus, the inventors of the
present application developed embodiments of methods and
implementations on a navigation device 200, to allow users to
select, activate, and/or adjust profiles to vary operational
settings and enable features in a user friendly manner. As such,
instead of changing all settings one by one, the use of profiles
make it possible to change a multitude of different operational
settings, associated with a profile, in an efficient and easy
way.
[0060] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes providing a plurality of profiles, each including a
plurality of operational settings, to a user of a navigation device
200 for selection; and configuring the navigation device 200, upon
receipt of an indication of a selection of a profile, to operate in
accordance with the plurality of operational settings of the
selected profile.
[0061] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device 200 includes an integrated input and display to
display a plurality of profiles, each including a plurality of
operational settings, for selection by a user of the navigation
device 200; and a processor 210 to configure the navigation device
200, upon receipt of an indication of a selection of a profile, to
operate in accordance with the plurality of operational settings of
the selected profile.
[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates a first example embodiment of a process
of the present application. Initially, as shown in FIG. 5, in step
S2 a plurality of profiles are provided for selection. These
profiles can be provided to a user upon initially turning on a
navigation device 200 for example, or can be provided upon a user
selecting an icon 600 as shown in FIG. 6 of the present application
for example. Upon processor 210 of the navigation device 200
receiving an indication of selection of such an icon 600, a
plurality of profiles 610, 620, and 630 as shown in FIG. 7 for
example, can be provided to a user for selection. It should be
noted that the displays of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be achieved via an
integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device
200 for example, noting that the profiles 610, 620, and 630 can
include labels of and/or descriptions displayed therewith.
[0063] Thereafter, in step S4, upon receiving an indication of a
selection of a profile, the processor 210 may then configure the
navigation device 200 to operate in accordance with a plurality of
operational settings of the selected profiles. Examples of profiles
and operational settings contained therein, will be explained as
follows.
[0064] Operational settings within a profile can include settings
for configuring a type or style of information displayed, the type
or style of a display itself and/or a display of information, a
color scheme of a display, sound settings of the navigation device
200, power usage of the navigation device 200, etc. In essence,
operational settings linked to a particular profile enable many
different parameters (functional, stylistic, etc.) of a navigation
device 200 to be configurable together to operate in a certain
manner. Through the use of preset selectable profiles and/or
through the use of customizable profiles, a navigation device 200
can be more easily suited to fit stylistic, functional and other
requirements of a user; noting that a default profile may be set
for a user for regular use.
[0065] Operational settings affected may basically include anything
that has a setting. These can include, but are not limited to:
music settings, settings related to instructions (e.g. full enable
all verbal and or visual instruction which may be practical when
the user is unfamiliar in a certain area, and simple instructions
where the user is in a familiar area), traffic information
settings, safety related settings, communication related settings
(e.g. bluetooth etc., e.g. for a flight profile, this may be
disabled when in an airplane for example), settings related to kind
of information displayed on the map, sound settings, perspective
settings, settings that effect the menu's and the number of
functions available (e.g. hide some functions to make it
easier/safer), settings related to phone, route planning
preferences, voice settings (which kind of voice, e.g. computer
voice, male human voice, etc.), etc.
[0066] Further, if a plurality of users share a navigation device
200, each of the users can easily customize the navigation device
200 to their liking by either establishing a profile and/or
selecting any one of a plurality of profiles. Further, operational
settings within a profile are also customizable. The navigation
device 200 can store, in memory 230 for example, a plurality of
different preconfigured profiles, at least some of which may
include operational parameters which are variable. In addition,
profiles may be downloaded from a server 302 and/or even from
another navigation device 200 of another user via a Bluetooth
connection, for example.
[0067] Thus, in step S2 of FIG. 5 for example, the processor 210
can provide a plurality of profiles to the user for selection via a
display of the plurality of profiles on an integrated input and
display device 290 of the navigation device 200. At least one of
the profiles can include operational settings to enhance access,
increase functionality, increase display style, etc. for
entertainment options on the navigation device 200. This can be
entitled, for example, a "music profile", which can focus on
configuring the navigation device 200 in accordance with a
plurality of operational settings, to permit, for example, easy
access to entertainment options within the navigation device 200.
Further, another one of the profiles can include operational
settings to enhance access to, display of, etc. basic navigation
options on the navigation device 200. Such a profile can be an
initial profile automatically selected for the user, for example,
such as a "getting started" profile. Again, such a profile could
focus on basic navigation options.
[0068] Further, at least one of the profiles can include
operational settings to enhance an access to at least one of areas
and Points of Interest proximate to a route of travel. Such a
"touring/sightseeing" profile can focus on easily accessing Points
of Interest via the navigation device 200 and can focus on an area
around a route of travel of the navigation device 200. Such a route
of travel can be easily established in a known manner by the
processor 210 receiving indication of a selected or input travel
destination, using a received GPS signal to determine a current
location of the navigation device 200, and utilizing stored map
information, stored in memory 230, to calculate a route of
travel.
[0069] As previously indicated, each of the profiles can include a
plurality of operational settings usable by the processor 210 to
configure the navigation device 200 to fit the particular profile.
For example, a "dashboard" profile, a "racing" profile can focus on
designing the display to a user to include characteristics of an
airplane cockpit for example. The display information and color
scheme can be adjusted, based upon operational settings of the
selected profile, to achieve such a display. In addition, sound
settings can be adjusted to again enhance this racing or dashboard
profile objective. Again, such profiles can be loaded upon the
navigation device 200 when initially purchased and/or can be
downloaded from a server 302 via a connection to the Internet for
example, in either a wired or wireless manner described above. Such
profiles can be received from server 302 in a manner somewhat
similar to that previously described above. Further, for example,
an XML plain text file may be used for the profile format stored in
memory 230, or a comma separated file can be used to avoid XML.
Further, the files may be stored in an appropriate folder in the
memory 230, for example.
[0070] Profiles essentially offer to the user a combination of
operational settings, to improve or even optimize a user experience
to fit his specific user and or usage situation. Initially, the
profiles provided for selection may, for example, cover the most
common use cases and usage situations for which improvement and
even optimization of settings is relevant. The idea behind the use
of a profile is to make it easy for a user to choose and or change
profiles in a limited number of steps, such as via selection of one
of a plurality of present displayed profiles 610, 620, and 630 of
FIG. 7 for example. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, an option to
access profiles, for subsequent change of operational setting of
the navigation device 200 for example, can be displayed as an icon
640, during a navigational view or in a navigational mode of the
navigation device 200. Through the use of such a shortcut icon 640,
a new profile can be easily selected.
[0071] In at least one embodiment of the present application, the
user may be provided with an option to create a selectable profile
of customizable operational settings 9or customize an existing
profile by at least one of adding/deleting operational settings.
For example, these can include the type of information displayed,
and/or the way information is displayed on the navigation device
200; displayed menu options; sound settings; other settings such as
color schemes, navigation information to be provided on a
navigation bar 650 as shown in FIG. 8 of the present application,
etc. These options to customize a user profile can be provided, by
the processor 210, based upon information stored therein and once
selected, the processor 210 can then configure the navigation
device 200 to operate in accordance with the plurality of
operational settings of the customized user profile.
[0072] Further, once customized, the navigation device 200 may be
automatically configured to operate in accordance with the created
profile and the operational settings thereof, upon a profile of
customizable operational settings being created and upon the
processor 210 failing to receive an indication of selection of
another profile. Such profiles can be named by the user and/or can
be created for each of a plurality of users of the navigation
device 200, such that they are easily selectable in a manner
previously shown and described with regard to FIG. 7 of the present
application for example, depending upon which user desires to
utilize the navigation device 200.
[0073] The various profiles established/customized can include any
of user oriented profiles and usage oriented profiles, wherein
operational settings of each type of profile can be combined into
one single profile. User oriented profiles can include color
scheme, voice, hot buttons, status bar preferences, etc. and can be
used and/or selected for different users that utilize the same
navigation device 200. Usage oriented profiles can involve music,
hands-free options for use of the navigation device 200, safety
cameras, battery saving modes, etc. wherein a user can design
different preferences for use of the navigation device 200, such as
for use in vehicle and/or walking navigation and/or using a
navigation device 200 for other navigation or non-navigation
purposes.
[0074] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
profile can either be selected in a manner previously described
with regard to FIG. 6 or 7, adjusted or updated as will be
discussed with regard to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the present application,
edited as will be described with regard to FIGS. 10 to 12 of the
present application, deleted or switched. To create a new profile,
the user should first initially name the profile and can thereafter
be provided by the processor 210 with a "wizard session" of a
plurality of questions which, when answered, will define a new
profile. The "wizard session" of questions can be already
established and can be presented by the processor 210 accessing the
information stored in memory 230 of the navigation device 200, for
subsequent display on the integrated input and display device 290
for selection thereof. Alternatively, to create a profile with a
"wizard", it is also possible to save all the current selected
settings in the entire system settings (or part of the system
settings) into a new profile.
[0075] Thereafter, the user can be provided with a plurality of
selectable operational settings which the user can choose to select
and not select, which can include sound settings such as "sound on"
for example, display settings such as "3D display," usage settings
such as "Left-handed operation," etc. The operational settings can
include preferences involving desired map colors, battery saving
preferences, volume preferences, planning preferences (such as to
avoid roads like toll roads for example), etc.
[0076] Once each of the operational settings of the profile have
been selected by the user, and once each of the selection is
received by the processor 210 of the navigation device 200, such
operational settings can be saved and stored in memory 230 as a
"profile" for the user. Thereafter, a screen is preferably
displayed to the user asking if the user wants to activate the
newly established profile.
[0077] With regard to the various operational settings, these
operational settings can be logged in the memory 230 of the
navigation device 200. Thereafter, the processor 210 can couple
these settings to a particular profile and store these couplings in
memory 230 such that when the profile is selected, the navigation
device 200 will be configured to operate based upon the operational
settings of the selected profile. After a profile is saved in
memory 230, as a file for example, the profile may be retrieved
later when a displayed profile name is selected, for example. As
such, the processor 210 will load each of the various stored
settings into the system and will configure the navigation device
200 to operate based upon the operational settings of the selected
profile.
[0078] In an alternative embodiment of the present application, a
user may be presented with an option to modify a selectable
profile. For example, a user can select a profile that he wants to
modify or edit. Thereafter, the processor 210 can access the
operational settings coupled to the particular profile and can
display these operational settings to the user, in a sequential
manner for example, along with unselected but related operational
settings. For example, regarding the "dashboard" profile, upon a
user desiring to edit that particular profile, the processor 210 of
the navigation device 200 can display both the selected operational
setting of the 3D display, along with an unselected 2D display.
Similarly, regarding color scheme, the processor 210 can instruct
the display of a selected black and white display and an unselected
color display, for example. Regarding the music profile, for
example, as the music profile may typically include a power saving
mode wherein a backlight of the display screen is switched off
after a threshold number of seconds of no user interaction, for
example, upon a user selecting a desire to edit such a profile, the
processor 210 may instruct the integrated input and display device
290 to display both the selected options of power-saving mode and
the unselected option of no power-saving mode.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 9A, once a user has selected various
options for editing a profile, a "profile updated" screen can be
displayed and thereafter an indication of "profile updated" can be
displayed as shown in FIG. 9B, wherein such a notification can be
provided along with map information, a flash message can be
provided, etc., advising the user that the profile was updated
during normal navigation use of the navigation device 200.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 10, editing a profile can initially be done
by selecting an edit icon 660 in an initial preference menu, as
shown in FIG. 10, selecting one of a plurality of profiles which
the user decides to edit in FIG. 11, and then selecting a
particular option or operational setting to edit in FIG. 12 for
example. Alternatively, upon a profile being selected, the next
time the user turns the navigation device 200 on, the user may be
reminded of the profile currently selected and/or the operational
parameters thereof. Therafter, the profile may be edited, for
example.
[0081] Further, a particular profile may be deleted from the
navigation device 200, for example, in a situation where the
navigation device 200 is set to store only a limited number of
profiles. As such, the user can select an option to delete a
profile, and then the user can confirm this desire to delete the
selected profile. If the deleted profile is the one being currently
used, a screen will be preferably shown to the user to let him
select one of the other existing profiles for current use. If there
are no more profiles in the navigation device 200, a user can be
prompted to create a new profile to replace the deleted profile.
Further, the user may be provided with an option to switch a
current profile to a different profile. The user can either be
provided with an icon for selection corresponding to "switching
profiles," and can thereafter be provided with a plurality of
profiles for selection such as those shown in FIG. 7 for example;
or the user may be provided with a plurality of profiles for
immediate selection upon powering up the navigation device 200 for
example.
[0082] As previously discussed, each of a plurality of profiles can
be pre-stored in memory 230 or downloadable for use in the
navigation device 200 including different operational parameters
such as information displayed, color scheme, sound settings, power
usage, etc. For example, an XML plain text file may be used for the
profile format stored in memory 230, or a comma separated file can
be used to avoid XML. Further, the files may be stored in a route
or in an appropriate folder in the memory 230. Non-limiting
examples of some of these profiles have already been discussed
above.
[0083] For example, a music profile can be established, which
includes an operational setting of a power saving mode, wherein a
screen of the navigation device 200 is switched off after a
threshold number of seconds of no user interaction (for example,
the user may get only verbal navigation instructions). Further,
this switching off can include dimming or turning off completely a
backlight power source of the integrated input and display device
290 for example. Further, when navigating with the music profile
enabled, either a shortcut icon, selectable to access a music
player or a dedicated music key may be presented to a user for
selection within the main navigation screen including the
determined route of travel and map information (similar to that of
the icon 640 of FIG. 8, for example, noting that the icon can be
representative of the profile selected, e.g. a music note icon for
the music profile). This is displayed on the integrated input and
display device 290 of the navigation device 200. Further, volume
control may be used to adjust the volume of music, or a dedicated
music volume slider may be displayed within the main navigation
screen. The navigation sound may be muted or placed in the
background, while music player or other MP3 sound is being played
as the main audio. Again, such operational settings can be
configured upon the processor 210 recognizing that the music
profile has been selected.
[0084] An example of the "dashboard" or "racer" profile can include
a focus on daily usage when driving. The focus can be not on
navigation instructions, but on other information such as real
speed, acceleration, G force, height, an economic driving
indicator, traffic, hands free functionality, incoming messages,
finding the nearest shortcut to a nearby POI, weather, etc. The
"dashboard" or "racer" profile can include a particular
configuration of the displayed information so as to be reminiscent
of an airplane cockpit style, for example. This profile can further
allow for a one-touch exit button to enter a main or normal
navigation display mode.
[0085] Other non-limiting examples of profiles can include, but are
not limited to, a "power saving" profile which offer advanced power
saving options, screen turn-off when no turns and an exit are
within a threshold of an upcoming route, associations between power
saving and accelerometer data, etc. A "getting started" profile can
include hiding menu options, settings and reducing displayed
information in a minimalistic mode, offering tips and extra
information, even on the most basic actions, etc. A "touring" or
"sightseeing" profile may include less focus on display of route of
travel from A to B and more focus on nearby Points of Interest. A
"traffic" or "business" profile can include activating rerouting
options, including trip recording controls, traffic information
settings, and signals and a display etc.
[0086] It should be noted that each of the aforementioned aspects
of an embodiment of the present application have been described
with regard to the method of the present application. However, at
least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a
navigation device 200, including an integrated input and display
device 290 to display a plurality of profiles, each including a
plurality of operational settings, for selection by a user of the
navigation device 200; and a processor 210 to configure the
navigation device 200, upon receipt of an indication of a selection
of a profile, to operate in accordance with the plurality of
operational settings of the selected profile. Thus, such a
navigation device 200 may be used to perform the various aspects of
the method described with regard to FIGS. 5-12, as would be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, further
explanation is omitted for the sake of brevity.
[0087] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a method includes determining whether or not received information
triggers implementation of a profile on the navigation device 200;
and implementing the profile, upon determining that the received
information triggers implementation of a profile, by configuring
the navigation device 200 based upon a plurality of operational
settings of the profile.
[0088] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 to determine
whether or not received information triggers implementation of a
profile on the navigation device 200, and to implement the profile,
upon the processor 210 determining that the received information
triggers implementation of a profile, by configuring the navigation
device 200 based upon a plurality of operational settings of the
profile.
[0089] FIG. 13 illustrates another example embodiment of the
present application. In this embodiment, input information is
initially received in step S12. In step S14, the processor 210
determines whether or not the received information will trigger
implementation of a profile. If not, the method proceeds to normal
operation in step S16, based upon a received input information.
However, if the answer is yes to the question posed in step S14,
the profile is implemented in step S18 by the processor 210
configuring the navigation device 200 based on operational settings
of the profile.
[0090] For example, certain profiles can be triggerable not just by
selection, but also by context. For example, if the processor 210
receives an indication of an input or a selection of a travel
destination, and then calculates a route of travel based upon the
map information stored in memory 230, input or selected travel
destination, and a current location of the navigation device 200
determined based upon a received GPS signal for example, the
processor 210 of the navigation device 200 can establish a route of
travel. Further, the route of travel can be compared, based upon
the length or estimated time of travel, to a certain threshold to
determine if the route of travel is indicative of a relatively long
trip. Mainly, the determined length of a route of travel and/or the
estimated time of travel can be compared to a threshold which can
then be used by the processor 210 to trigger implementation of a
"long trip" profile for example.
[0091] Such triggers and when to compare such triggers can be
programmed in memory 230 and implemented by the processor 210. For
example, a trigger could be a long route of travel such as a
planned route longer than a threshold, such as a time of travel
threshold (three hours for example) and/or a distance threshold.
When the route of travel is determined, the estimated travel time
is calculated and can be stored in memory 230 and can then be
compared by processor 210 to a threshold value. If the route of
travel exceeds such a time or distance threshold, a "long trip"
profile can either be suggested (via a display prompt, a flashing
message, etc.) or loaded.
[0092] Thus, simply based upon a determined route of travel, a
particular profile can have its implementation triggered, such that
the profile can thereafter be implemented by configuring the
navigation device 200 based on operational settings of the profile
in step S18. A "long trip" profile, for example, can include
periodic reminders to take a break, changes in color scheme or
various indicators to warn a user of speeding, power usage settings
to place the navigation device 200 into a power saving mode,
etc.
[0093] Thus, the received information which may or may not trigger
implementation of a profile in the navigation device 200 may
include information input to determine the route of travel, wherein
the received information may be determined to trigger the
implementation of the profile upon the determined route of travel
exceeding a threshold distance for example. Regarding the various
profiles that may be implemented, these profiles may be stored in
memory 230 along with related triggers and implementable, and at
least one of the profiles may include operational settings to
enhance access to entertainment options in the navigation device
200, access to basic navigation options in the navigation device
200, operational settings to enhance access to at least one of
areas and Points of Interest proximate to a route of travel, etc.
The operational settings may include at least one of a color scheme
setting, a sound setting, a power usage setting, and a display
setting.
[0094] A further aspect of received information triggering
implementation of a profile may be a more automatic composition of
the user's profile. Such a profile can, for example, be built by
the processor 210 from information about the user, including but
not limited to: Is the navigation device 200 of the user currently
in a home country of the user? Does the user understand the
language of the current country in which the navigation device is
located? Is the user familiar in this current area in which the
navigation device is located? Is the user speeding (or in a
hurry)?, etc. The processor 210 can also use general information:
What time of the year is it (for example, some POIs will not be
available in winter)? What time of the day is it (Are shops still
open. Is it dark)? What kind of weather is currently occurring?
What kind of roads exist (sharp curves)?, etc.
[0095] For example, the processor 210 may determine (based on
average speed and acceleration, for example) whether the user is
walking, cycling or driving a car. For each type of transport, a
different profile may be selected by the processor 210 and used.
Based on the selected profile, functionalities and preferences
(operational parameters associated with the profile) are adjusted
by the processor 210. For example, the default POIs enabled on a
displayed map may be dependent upon the profile: e.g. Gas station
POIs for the `Driving profile` and public transport POIs for a
`Walking profile`, etc. Also, the calculation of a travel route and
the instructions provided may be dependent on the profile. For each
profile, the instructions may be timed differently, for example.
For the `Walking profile` the instructions may contain `pedestrian`
elements such as crosswalks for example.
[0096] FIGS. 14A-C illustrate an example embodiment for conveying
an active profile to a user. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A-C,
the display of the navigation device, in a navigation mode, may
indicate or otherwise convey the profile that the application is
currently in. For example, FIG. 14A shows "Feet" representing a
"walking" profile, FIG. 14B shows a "bike" for a "cycling" profile;
and FIG. 14C shows a "car" for a "driving" profile.
[0097] Thus, in the process of FIG. 13, the information may be
received by the processor 210 from a source other than the user.
Further, the received information may include information useable
to determine a speed of travel of the navigation device, the
navigation device subsequently implementing a profile selected in
dependence of the determined speed. Still further, the profile may
be selected from at least one of a walking profile, a biking
profile and a driving profile, and a display 240, such as
integrated input and display device 290, can display an indication
of the profile selected to the user. The display 240 can include a
display of an icon representative of the profile selected, as shown
in FIGS. 14A-C for example; and the icon may be displayed with map
information during use of the navigation device in a navigation
mode, as is also shown in FIGS. 14A-C.
[0098] It should be noted that each of the aforementioned aspects
of an embodiment of the present application have been described
with regard to the method of the present application. However, at
least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a
navigation device 200, including a processor 210 to determine
whether or not received information triggers implementation of a
profile on the navigation device 200, and to implement the profile,
upon the processor 210 determining that the received information
triggers implementation of a profile, by configuring the navigation
device 200 based upon a plurality of operational settings of the
profile. The navigation device 200 may also include a display 240,
such as integrated input and display device 290 for example, to
display an indication of the profile selected to the user, such as
the icons of FIGS. 14A-C for example (alone or with map
information). Thus, such a navigation device 200 may be used to
perform the various aspects of the method described with regard to
FIGS. 13 and 14A-C, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art. Thus, further explanation is omitted for the sake of
brevity.
[0099] The methods of at least one embodiment expressed above may
be implemented as a computer data signal embodied in the carrier
wave or propagated signal that represents a sequence of
instructions which, when executed by a processor (such as processor
304 of server 302, and/or processor 210 of navigation device 200
for example) causes the processor to perform a respective method.
In at least one other embodiment, at least one method provided
above may be implemented above as a set of instructions contained
on a computer readable or computer accessible medium, such as one
of the memory devices previously described, for example, to perform
the respective method when executed by a processor or other
computer device. In varying embodiments, the medium may be a
magnetic medium, electronic medium, optical medium, etc.
[0100] Even further, any of the aforementioned methods may be
embodied in the form of a program. The program may be stored on a
computer readable media and is adapted to perform any one of the
aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (a device
including a processor). Thus, the storage medium or computer
readable medium, is adapted to store information and is adapted to
interact with a data processing facility or computer device to
perform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.
[0101] The storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside
a computer device main body or a removable medium arranged so that
it can be separated from the computer device main body. Examples of
the built-in medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable
non-volatile memories, such as ROMs and flash memories, and hard
disks. Examples of the removable medium include, but are not
limited to, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs;
magneto-optical storage media, such as MOs; magnetism storage
media, including but not limited to floppy disks (trademark),
cassette tapes, and removable hard disks; media with a built-in
rewriteable non-volatile memory, including but not limited to
memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not
limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information
regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be
stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.
[0102] As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon
reading the disclosure, the electronic components of the navigation
device 200 and/or the components of the server 302 can be embodied
as computer hardware circuitry or as a computer readable program,
or as a combination of both.
[0103] The system and method of embodiments of the present
application include software operative on the processor to perform
at least one of the methods according to the teachings of the
present application. One of ordinary skill in the art will
understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, the
manner in which a software program can be launched from a computer
readable medium in a computer based system to execute the functions
found in the software program. One of ordinary skill in the art
will further understand the various programming languages which may
be employed to create a software program designed to implement and
perform at least one of the methods of the present application.
[0104] The programs can be structured in an object-orientation
using an object-oriented language including but not limited to
JAVA, Smalltalk, C++, etc., and the programs can be structured in a
procedural-orientation using a procedural language including but
not limited to COBOL, C, etc. The software components can
communicate in any number of ways that are well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to by
application of program interfaces (API), interprocess communication
techniques, including but not limited to report procedure call
(RPC), common object request broker architecture (CORBA), Component
Object Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM),
Distributed System Object Model (DSOM), and Remote Method
Invocation (RMI). However, as will be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present application
disclosure, the teachings of the present application are not
limited to a particular programming language or environment.
[0105] The above systems, devices, and methods have been described
by way of example and not by way of limitation with respect to
improving accuracy, processor speed, and ease of user interaction,
etc. with a navigation device 200.
[0106] Further, elements and/or features of different example
embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for
each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended
claims.
[0107] Still further, any one of the above-described and other
example features of the present invention may be embodied in the
form of an apparatus, method, system, computer program and computer
program product. For example, of the aforementioned methods may be
embodied in the form of a system or device, including, but not
limited to, any of the structure for performing the methodology
illustrated in the drawings.
[0108] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious
that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious
to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
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