U.S. patent application number 11/907234 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for navigation device and method for fuel pricing display.
Invention is credited to Pieter Geelen.
Application Number | 20080167812 11/907234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39594993 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080167812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geelen; Pieter |
July 10, 2008 |
Navigation device and method for fuel pricing display
Abstract
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least
one embodiment, the method includes determining a designated fuel
type; and displaying selectable fuel pricing information on a
display of a navigation device, based upon the designated fuel type
and in consideration of a location of the navigation device. In at
least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to
determine a designated fuel type; and an integrated input and
display device to display selectable fuel pricing information based
upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of
the navigation device.
Inventors: |
Geelen; Pieter; (Amsterdam,
NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOMTOM INTERNATIONAL B.V.
REMBRANDTPLEIN 35
AMSTERDAM
1017CT
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39594993 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907234 |
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: |
701/469 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/26 20130101;
G01C 21/3673 20130101; G01C 21/3641 20130101; G01C 21/34
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/213 ;
701/200 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/00 20060101
G01C021/00 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: determining a designated fuel type; and
displaying selectable fuel pricing information on a display of a
navigation device, based upon the designated fuel type and in
consideration of a location of the navigation device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the location is of the navigation
device is determined by receipt of a GPS signal.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of selectable fuel
pricing information includes displaying a plurality of selectable
icons.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of selectable icons
includes at least two icons displayed in connection with a fuel
price.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of selectable icons
includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing
information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of icons includes
at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing
information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of icons includes
at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest
fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current
location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying
a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of icons includes
at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest
fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current
location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying
a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of icons includes
at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest
fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current
location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying
a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device.
10. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receiving an
indication of a selection of at least one of the selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and
the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon
relative pricing; and at least one of displaying, upon receiving an
indication of the selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location, a listing of fuel
providing stations in an order determined based upon relative
location to the navigation device and displaying, upon receipt of
an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative pricing, a listing of fuel
providing stations in an order determined based upon fuel pricing
information.
11. The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving an
indication of a selection of at least one of the selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and
the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon
relative pricing; and at least one of displaying, upon receiving an
indication of the selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location, a listing of fuel
providing stations in an order determined based upon relative
location to the navigation device and displaying, upon receipt of
an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative pricing, a listing of fuel
providing stations in an order determined based upon fuel pricing
information.
12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving at least
one of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively
cheapest fuel price along a travel route, an indication of
selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price
based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation
device, and an indication of selection of the icon to provide a
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device; and displaying at least one of detailed information, upon
receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
along a travel route, detailed information, upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of
the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing
the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a
current location of the navigation device, and detailed
information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon
to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location
within a designated distance from a current location of the
navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving at least
one of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively
cheapest fuel price along a travel route, an indication of
selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price
based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation
device, and an indication of selection of the icon to provide a
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device; and displaying at least one of detailed information, upon
receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
along a travel route, detailed information, upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of
the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing
the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a
current location of the navigation device, and detailed
information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon
to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location
within a designated distance from a current location of the
navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving at least
one of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively
cheapest fuel price along a travel route, an indication of
selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price
based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation
device, and an indication of selection of the icon to provide a
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device; and displaying at least one of detailed information, upon
receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
along a travel route, detailed information, upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of
the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing
the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a
current location of the navigation device, and detailed
information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon
to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location
within a designated distance from a current location of the
navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the
relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying an icon
for updating pricing information; and receiving, upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing
information, updated pricing information.
16. The method of claim 3, further comprising: displaying an icon
for updating pricing information; and receiving, upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing
information, updated pricing information.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the updated pricing information
is received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of
the navigation device and a connection via a mobile phone link.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the updated pricing information
is received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of
the navigation device and a connection via a mobile phone link.
19. The method of claim 3, further comprising storing pricing
information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing
stations.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing the updated
pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel
providing stations.
21. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the updated
pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel
providing stations.
22. 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.
23. A method, comprising: displaying an icon for updating fuel
pricing information; updating, upon receipt of an indication of
selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel
pricing information; and displaying a plurality of selectable
icons, useable to access the updated fuel pricing information in
consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a display
of the navigation device.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the updated fuel pricing
information is received in a wireless manner via at least one of an
antenna of the navigation device and a connection via a mobile
phone link.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising storing the updated
fuel pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel
providing stations.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising: determining a
designated fuel type prior to receipt of the updated fuel pricing
information, wherein the updating includes updating fuel pricing
information for the designated fuel type.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein the location is of the
navigation device is determined by receipt of a GPS signal.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of selectable
icons includes at least two icons displayed in connection with a
fuel price.
29. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of selectable
icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable
icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative
pricing.
30. 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 23.
31. A navigation device, comprising: a processor to determine a
designated fuel type; and an integrated input and display device to
display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the
designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the
navigation device.
32. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the device is a
portable navigation device.
33. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the displayed
selectable fuel pricing information includes display of a plurality
of selectable icons.
34. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein the plurality of
icons include at least two icons displayed in connection with a
fuel price.
35. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein the plurality of
icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable
icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative
pricing.
36. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein the plurality of
icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable
icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative
pricing.
37. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein the plurality of
icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable
icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon
proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a
selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based
upon location within a designated distance from a current location
of the navigation device.
38. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein the plurality of
icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable
icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon
proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a
selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based
upon location within a designated distance from a current location
of the navigation device.
39. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein the plurality of
icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable
icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon
proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a
selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based
upon location within a designated distance from a current location
of the navigation device.
40. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated
input and display device is further used to display a listing of
fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor,
based upon relative location to the navigation device, and upon
receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display a
listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the
processor, based upon fuel pricing information.
41. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated
input and display device is further used to display a listing of
fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor,
based upon relative location to the navigation device, and upon
receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display a
listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the
processor, based upon fuel pricing information.
42. The navigation device of claim 37, wherein upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest
fuel price along a travel route, the integrated input and display
device is further used to display detailed information regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
along a travel route; upon receipt of an indication of selection of
the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon
proximity to a current location of the navigation device, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display
detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing
the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a
current location of the navigation device; and upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest
fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a
current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and
display device is further used to display detailed information
regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated
distance from a current location of the navigation device.
43. The navigation device of claim 38, wherein upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated
input and display device is further used to display a listing of
fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor,
based upon relative location to the navigation device; upon receipt
of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide
fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display a
listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the
processor, based upon fuel pricing information; upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest
fuel price along a travel route, the integrated input and display
device is further used to display detailed information regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
along a travel route; upon receipt of an indication of selection of
the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon
proximity to a current location of the navigation device, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display
detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing
the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a
current location of the navigation device; and upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest
fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a
current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and
display device is further used to display detailed information
regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated
distance from a current location of the navigation device.
44. The navigation device of claim 39, wherein upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel
pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated
input and display device is further used to display a listing of
fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor,
based upon relative location to the navigation device, and upon
receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display a
listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the
processor, based upon fuel pricing information; upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest
fuel price along a travel route, the integrated input and display
device is further used to display detailed information regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
along a travel route; upon receipt of an indication of selection of
the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon
proximity to a current location of the navigation device, the
integrated input and display device is further used to display
detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing
the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a
current location of the navigation device; and upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest
fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a
current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and
display device is further used to display detailed information
regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated
distance from a current location of the navigation device.
45. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the integrated input
and display device is further used to display an icon for updating
pricing information, and wherein, upon receipt of an indication of
selection of the icon for updating pricing information, the
navigation device is adapted to receive updated pricing
information.
46. The navigation device of claim 33, wherein the integrated input
and display device is further used to display an icon for updating
pricing information, and wherein, upon receipt of an indication of
selection of the icon for updating pricing information, the
navigation device is adapted to receive updated pricing
information.
47. The navigation device of claim 45, wherein the navigation
device includes at least one of an antenna and a connection via a
mobile phone link to receive the updated pricing information in a
wireless manner.
48. The navigation device of claim 46, wherein the navigation
device includes at least one of an antenna and a connection via a
mobile phone link to receive the updated pricing information in a
wireless manner.
49. The navigation device of claim 31, further comprising a memory
to store pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel
providing stations.
50. The navigation device of claim 45, further comprising a memory
to store the updated pricing information and a location for a
plurality of fuel providing stations.
51. The navigation device of claim 46, further comprising a memory
to store the updated pricing information and a location for a
plurality of fuel providing stations.
52. A navigation device, comprising: an integrated input and
display device to display an icon for updating fuel pricing
information; and a processor to update, upon receipt of an
indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing
information, fuel pricing information, the integrated input and
display device being useable to display a plurality of selectable
icons, useable to access the updated fuel pricing information in
consideration of a location of the navigation device.
53. The navigation device of claim 52, wherein the navigation
device includes at least one of an antenna and a connection via a
mobile phone link to receive the updated pricing information in a
wireless manner.
54. The navigation device of claim 53, further comprising a memory
to store the updated fuel pricing information and a location for a
plurality of fuel providing stations.
55. The navigation device of claim 53, wherein the processor is
used to determine a designated fuel type prior to receipt of the
updated fuel pricing information, wherein the updating includes
updating fuel pricing information for the designated fuel type.
56. The navigation device of claim 53, wherein the location is of
the navigation device is determined by receipt of a GPS signal.
57. The navigation device of claim 52, wherein the plurality of
selectable icons includes at least two icons displayed in
connection with a fuel price.
58. The navigation device of claim 52, wherein the plurality of
selectable icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to
provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a
selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon
relative pricing.
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 ESTABLISHING AND USING PROFILES
(Attorney docket number 06P207US02) 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 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 READIBLE 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 j
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.
[0006] In known navigation systems, menus are used to display
various travel destinations, desired locations, and desired points
of interest. A user, for example, can select a category of
restaurants as a point of interest, and can find a plurality of
selections available. The user can then select a particular
restaurant and then determine a route to that restaurant using the
navigation system.
SUMMARY
[0007] The inventors discovered that although a plurality of
selectable points of interest were displayed in known navigation
systems, listing a plurality of entries for example in various
selectable categories, only limited information was conveyed to the
user, especially initially. The inventors developed a system
regarding points of interest, and especially fuel stations, to
convey information to the user in an efficient manner so that the
user can make an informed choice.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes determining a designated fuel type; and displaying
selectable fuel pricing information on a display of a navigation
device, based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of
a location of the navigation device.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device includes a processor to determine a designated
fuel type; and an integrated input and display device to display
selectable fuel pricing information based upon the designated fuel
type and in consideration of a location of the navigation
device.
[0010] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes displaying an icon for updating fuel pricing
information; updating, upon receipt of an indication of selection
of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing
information; and displaying a plurality of selectable icons,
useable to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information
in consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a
display of a navigation device.
[0011] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a navigation device includes an integrated input and display device
to display an icon for updating fuel pricing information; and a
processor to update, upon receipt of an indication of selection of
the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing
information, the integrated input and display device being useable
to display a plurality of selectable icons, useable to access the
updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of a
location of the navigation device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] 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:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning
System (GPS);
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic
components of a navigation device of an embodiment of the present
application;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server,
navigation device and connection therebetween of an embodiment of
the present application;
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an implementation
of an embodiment of the navigation device 200.
[0017] FIG. 5A illustrates an example of an embodiment of the
present application;
[0018] FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a modified embodiment of
the present application;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen display of selectable icons of
an embodiment of the present application;
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a display screen for fuel
type of an embodiment of the present application;
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a display screen for
downloading fuel pricing information of an embodiment of the
present application;
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a display screen for fuel
pricing of an embodiment of the present application;
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a screen display of selectable icons of
an embodiment of the present application;
[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the
present application; and
[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the
present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.).
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] As indicated above, 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.
[0062] 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.).
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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).
[0065] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes determining a designated fuel type; and displaying
selectable fuel pricing information on a display 240 of a
navigation device 200, based upon the designated fuel type and in
consideration of a location of the navigation device 200.
[0066] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 to determine a
designated fuel type; and an integrated input and display device
290 to display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the
designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the
navigation device 200.
[0067] FIG. 5A illustrates a process flow of an example embodiment
of the present application, for displaying selectable fuel pricing
information. Initially, in Step S2, a processor 210 of the
navigation device 200 determines a designated fuel type, and
subsequently in Step S4, selectable fuel pricing information is
displayed on the display 240 of the navigation device 200, based
upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of
the navigation device 200.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 5B, an embodiment of the aforementioned
method can include Steps S2 and S4 of FIG. 5A, and can further
include additional steps. For example, relating to the selectable
icons, it can be determined in Step S6, by the processor 210 for
example, whether or not a selectable icon was selected. If not, the
icons remain displayed, and if so, the category of a selected icon
can be determined, by the processor 210 for example, in Step S8.
Thereafter, in Step S10, a listing of fuel providing stations can
be displayed on display 240 for example, noting that the display
240 can be part of an integrated input and display device 290.
[0069] FIG. 6 provides an illustration of an example display of a
navigation device 200, which can be displayed on an integrated
input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200 itself
for example. As shown in FIG. 6, selectable fuel pricing
information is displayed, wherein the display includes a plurality
of selectable icons 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, and 550. The plurality
of selectable icons include at least one selectable icon to provide
fuel pricing information based upon relative location (the "find by
proximity" icon 500 for example), and at least one selectable icon
to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing
(the "find by price" icon 510 for example).
[0070] Further, FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the plurality of
selectable icons further including at least one selectable icon 530
displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a
selectable icon 540 displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price
based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation
device; and a selectable icon 550 displaying a relatively cheapest
fuel price based upon location within a designated threshold
distance from a current location of the navigation device 200. As
shown with regard to selectable icon 540, the proximity may be that
within a certain threshold distance range such as within fifty
kilometers for example, noting that this distance is variable and a
relatively nearest and cheapest fuel price may be any number of
distances, wherein the processor 210 may determine, from fuel
pricing information stored in memory 230 for example, a relatively
cheapest fuel price within a designated proximity threshold, the
designated proximity threshold being variable. The same applies to
the 47 kilometer display of icon 550, noting that this number may
or may not be displayed and the designated distance may be a
variable threshold established by the processor 210, to search for
location and fuel pricing information from information stored in
the memory 230 of the navigation device 200.
[0071] When the user desires to include a feature relating to
display of fuel pricing information, the user may download a list
of fuel points of interest or POIs (fuel or gas stations and their
locations), and an associated list of prices. This can be done by
connecting the navigation device 200 to a network to download
information from a server 302 of FIG. 3 for example, wherein the
network connection may be a wireless connection, a mobile wireless
connection made through a Bluetooth connection for example in a
manner described previously, or a wired connection, through an
Internet service provider. Preferably, a user can also designate
which type of fuel information they want to download, based upon
fuel type for example. The fuel type can be those of regular,
mid-grade, premium, or diesel for example. Once a fuel type is
designated, the aforementioned fuel pricing information for the
selected fuel type can be downloaded.
[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates one example of a fuel type selection
screen that can be displayed to a user, on a display 240 or
integrated input and display device 290 for example, wherein the
user may select a desired fuel type for which pricing information
is desired. It should be noted that this selection can be made to
receive fuel pricing information via wired or wireless connection
and can further be made to access updated fuel pricing information
as will be discussed with regard to an additional embodiment of the
present application.
[0073] The obtaining of the aforementioned fuel pricing information
may be done on a subscription basis, wherein a user can subscribe
to receive fuel pricing information from the server 302, in at
least one of a wired or wireless manner, wherein the pricing
information can first include initial pricing information and can
later include updated pricing information. Once the connection is
made, fuel pricing information can be downloaded to the navigation
device 200 and a display screen 240 of an integrated input and
display device 290 for example, such as that of FIG. 8 can be
displayed to the user to indicate that fuel pricing information is
being downloaded. Again, this can occur in a wired or wireless
manner, can occur for only fuel of a selected type, and/or can
occur for receiving initial price information and/or updating
information.
[0074] The fuel pricing information can include current prices of
various types of gasoline, and/or for a selected type of gasoline,
sold at gas stations throughout the country in which the navigation
device 200 is being operated. For example, the fuel pricing
information can include prices sold at approximately 80,000 gas
stations in the United States. Price data may be derived from
credit card transactions, direct feeds, and other survey methods
for storage at a server 302 and for subsequent downloading to the
navigation device 200. Therefore, the pricing information sent to a
user of the navigation device 200 will vary based on traffic flow
to particular gas stations and can be out of date (especially in a
fluctuating fuel pricing market). Thus, the information is
updatable as will be described later with regard to another
embodiment of the present application.
[0075] The fuel pricing information may be provided to the server
302 through any number of providers, such as for example, a
provider of petroleum pricing, that receives fuel information
through fleet credit card transactions from 75,000 to 80,000
stations in the United States. This information can be integrated
in any number of ways, such as for example, a traffic provider who
aggregates the information and who can output price file
information in XML formatting, including, but not limited to, a
unique station ID for each fuel providing or gas station, a product
code ID for a fuel type (regular, mid-grade, premium, diesel), a
transaction date, and a fuel price. This pricing information can
then be stored at the server 302 and downloaded to be stored in
memory 230 of each navigation device 200 when requested.
[0076] FIG. 9 provides an example of a display screen 240 on a
navigation device 200, including an icon 800 for accessing fuel
pricing information, such as the fuel pricing screen of FIG. 6 or
10 for example. Such a screen can be displayed to a user, for
example, as one initial screen for selecting options prior to
navigation use of the navigation device 200. When selected, the
icon 800 can then be used to access the screen shown in FIG. 10 of
the present application, including a plurality of selectable icons
500, 510, 520, 530, 540, and 550 as previously described with
regard to FIG. 5 of the present application for example. Further
discussion of these selectable icons will now be provided.
[0077] Upon receiving an indication of selection of the "Find by
proximity" icon 500, the processor 210 can search through the
memory 230 for fuel pricing information of the locations close in
distance to a current location of the navigation device 200. The
current location of the navigation device 200 is typically
determined by receipt of a GPS signal for example, wherein the
processor 210 can merely compare this received location with
locations of various fuel stations stored in memory 203 and located
near the navigation device 200. Thus, in response to receiving an
indication of a selection of the "Find by proximity" icon 500 to
provide fuel information based upon relative location, the
processor 210 can determine and then can instruct integrated input
and display device 290 of the navigation device 200 to display a
listing of the fuel providing stations in an order determined by
relative location to the navigation device (such a display can
further include relative distance from the current location as
well), calculated by the processor 210 from the current GPS
location of the navigation device 200 and the stored locations of
the fuel providing stations. Such a display can be in an order of
closest to furthest from a current location of the navigation
device 200 for example.
[0078] The "Find by price" icon 510 can be selected to provide
lists of fuel providing stations ranked by the processor 210 in an
order determined by fuel price (preferably within a threshold
distance from the current location of the navigation device 200 for
example), cheapest to most expensive for example. Thus, upon the
processor 210 receiving indication of selection of the "Find by
price" icon 510 to provide pricing information based upon relative
pricing, the processor 210 can determine and then instruct the
integrated input and display device 290 to display a listing of
fuel providing stations in an order determined based upon fuel
pricing information, such as cheapest to most expensive for example
(noting that the order can also be displayed from most expensive to
cheapest for example)
[0079] Somewhat similarly, the processor 210 can utilize the stored
pricing information, stored in memory 230 for example, in other
different ways, depending upon a particular icon of FIG. 10 which
is selected. Regarding the "cheapest on route" icon 530, when an
indication of selection of the icon 530 is received by the
processor 210, the processor 210 can determine and then direct the
integrated input and display device 290 to display detailed
information regarding at least one fuel station providing the
relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route of the user
(again, preferably within a threshold distance from the current
location of the navigation device 200 for example). It should be
noted that this can include a single gas station which is the
relatively cheapest along the route of travel, and/or a selectable
list of gas stations found on the users path of travel, ranked in
order of cheapness of price information. Further, as shown by
element 530 of FIG. 10, the display can include display of the
actual price of the relatively cheapest fuel price along the travel
route. Thus, the selectable icon 530 can be reconfigured for
display by processor 210 to display an icon displaying both a
relatively cheapest price and the phrase "cheapest on route.
[0080] Again, upon the processor 210 receiving an indication of
selection of the icon 530, the display can include a listing of gas
stations or a single gas station ranked according to cheapest gas
stations along the route of travel, including detailed information
of price, distance to gas station, etc., and then subsequent to
selection of one of the listed gas stations, detailed information
can be accessed by the processor 210 from memory 230 and displayed
on the integrated input and display device 290 and thus provided to
the user. Alternatively, upon selection of the icon 530, the
processor 210 can access information on the a single relatively
cheapest gas station on the route of travel from memory 230 and
then the accessed information for the single relatively cheapest
gas station on the travel route can be displayed on the integrated
input and display device 290.
[0081] Somewhat similarly, upon the processor 210 receiving an
indication of selection of the icon 540 to provide a relatively
cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of
the navigation device 200 (cheapest nearby icon 540 for example),
the processor 210 can determine, and the integrated input and
display device 290 can display detailed information regarding a
fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price
based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation
device. Thus, upon receipt of an indication of selection of icon
540 for example, a list of gas stations within a certain distance,
such as 5 miles for example, (or just a single station within the
proximity range and with the relatively cheapest price) can be
displayed (in an order ranked by closeness to the location of the
navigation device 200 for example), wherein a price of a relatively
cheapest gas station within the proximity range may be displayed
with the icon 540, as shown by the price of $1.49 for example.
Thus, the selectable icon 540 can be reconfigured for display by
processor 210 to display an icon displaying both a relatively
cheapest price of the closest fuel station (along with the distance
to this station, for example) and the phrase "cheapest on
nearby".
[0082] Again, upon the processor 210 receiving an indication of
selection of the icon 540, the display can include a listing of gas
stations or a single gas station including detailed information of
price, distance to station, etc., and then subsequent to selection
of one of the listed gas stations, detailed information can be
accessed by the processor 210 from memory 230 and displayed on the
integrated input and display device 290 and thus provided to the
user. Alternatively, upon selection of the icon, the processor 210
can access information on the a single relatively cheapest gas
station from memory 230 and then the accessed information for the
single relatively cheapest gas station can be displayed on the
integrated input and display device 290.
[0083] Finally, upon receipt of an indication of selection of an
icon 550 to provide relatively cheapest fuel price based upon a
location within a designated distance from a current location of
the navigation device 200 (icon 550 entitled "cheapest in area"), a
list of gas stations within a certain designated distance, such as
within 35 miles for example, can be displayed. Upon selection of a
gas station from the list, or directly after selecting the
"cheapest in area" icon 550, detailed information can be accessed
by the processor 210 from memory 230 and displayed on the
integrated input and display device 290 regarding a fuel providing
station providing a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon a
location within a designated distance from a current location of
the navigation device.
[0084] As previously indicated, upon selection of any of the icons
530, 540, and 550, detailed information regarding a relatively
cheapest gas station on route, cheapest gas station within a
proximity threshold, and/or cheapest gas station within a
designated distance from a current location of the navigation
device 200 may be displayed. Again, this detailed information can
be displayed directly after selection of any of the icons 530, 540,
550, or subsequent to display of a list of gas stations and then
selection thereof. In any event, the detailed information can
include a display such as that shown in FIG. 11 for example,
displaying an informational display screen to the user. The
informational display screen can include a display of the gas
station location and a display of the route of travel for example,
and can include additional information such as map information, a
phone number, icons representing whether or not the location is
along the route of travel, etc.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 10, an icon 520 can be displayed for
updating pricing information. Accordingly, upon the processor 210
receiving an indication of selection of the icon for updating
pricing information, the updated pricing information may be
received by the navigation device 200. As previously indicated, the
updated pricing information may be stored in the memory 230 of the
navigation device, after it is received in either a wired or
wireless manner. The updated pricing information can be received in
a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of the navigation
device 200 and a connection via a mobile phone link, such as a
Bluetooth link for example. As such, the updated pricing
information can also be stored in memory 230 of the navigation
device 200, along with the location of each of the plurality of
fuel stations.
[0086] Further, the receipt and gathering of updated pricing
information can further be refined. For example, when the processor
210 receives an indication of selection of the updating icon 520, a
user may be prompted (with other additional icons or suggestions,
for example) to refine the updating. For example, when the
processor 210 receives an indication of selection of the updating
icon 520, a user may be prompted to select an additional icon or
statement corresponding to a request to update an area or all data.
The area may be limited, for example, to a range extending a
defined distance from a home of a user, a current location of a
user, etc. This selection for updating only an area or range can
further be set by the user of the navigation device 200 as a user
preference (for example, before the use of the navigation device in
a current navigation mode) or can be selected in response to a
display prompt, for example.
[0087] Again, it should be understood that regarding the method of
the present application described above, this can be embodied in
the form of a navigation device 200. For example, in at least one
embodiment, the navigation device 200 may include a processor 210
to determine a designated fuel type and an integrated input and
display device 290 to display selectable fuel pricing information
based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a
location of the navigation device. The navigation device 200 may be
portable, and may include at least one of an antenna and a wireless
link connection, to connect to a mobile phone via a Bluetooth
connection for example. It should be understood that a memory 230
of the navigation device 200 can store the received information and
a processor 210 can determine the various information to be
displayed.
[0088] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a method includes displaying an icon for updating fuel pricing
information; updating, upon receipt of an indication of selection
of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing
information; and displaying a plurality of selectable icons, usable
to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information in
consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a display
of the navigation device. In another embodiment, a navigation
device 200 includes a integrated input and display device 290 to
display an icon for updating fuel pricing information and a
processor 210 to update, upon receipt of an indication of selection
of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing
information, the integrated input and display device 290 being
usable to display a plurality of selectable icons, usable to access
the updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of
a location of the navigation device.
[0089] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a method of
the present application. In this embodiment, an icon for updating
fuel pricing information is displayed in step S20, such as the icon
520 of FIG. 10 for example. Thereafter, the processor 210, for
example, determines in step S22, whether or not an icon for
updating fuel pricing information was selected. If not, the method
returns to step S20. If so, the method proceeds to step S24.
[0090] In step S24, upon receipt of an indication of selection of
the icon for updating pricing information, by processor 210 for
example, fuel pricing information is updated (in memory 230 of the
navigation device 200, for example). Thus, by merely selecting the
icon 520 relating to "update prices," assuming that the navigation
device 200 either has an antenna to receive updated pricing
information and/or is connected or paired with a mobile telephone
to establish a wireless mobile phone link, updated fuel pricing
information can be received.
[0091] Thereafter, in step S26, the processor 210 can instruct an
integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device
200 to display a plurality of selectable icons, usable to access
the updated fuel pricing information in consideration of a location
of the navigation device, on a display of the navigation device
200. For example, upon the pricing information being updated,
displays such as that shown in FIG. 10 can be displayed to a user,
wherein the icons are usable to access updated fuel pricing
information based upon various considerations of a location of the
navigation device 200 such as a cheapest gas station along the
route of the navigation device 200 (accessible via icon 530), a
cheapest gas station proximate to a location of the navigation
device 200 (via selectable icon 540), and cheapest gas station
within an area range of a location of the navigation device 200
(via selectable icon 550). With such a method, a user can easily be
supplied with the most current updated fuel pricing information and
thereafter can make a fuel pricing decision in a number of various
ways.
[0092] Again, the updated fuel pricing information may be received
in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of the
navigation device 200 in connection via mobile phone link, and the
updated fuel pricing information may be stored in a memory 230 of
the navigation device 200 along with updated fuel pricing
information and the location for a plurality of fuel providing
stations. Somewhat similar to that described with regard to FIG. 7
for example, a designated fuel type may be determined prior to
receipt of the updated fuel pricing information, such that the
updating will include updated fuel pricing information for the
designated fuel type.
[0093] Again, the location of the navigation device 200 may be
determined by receipt of a GPS signal for example.
[0094] Again, it should be understood that regarding the method of
the present application described above, that this method can be
embodied in the form of a navigation device 200. For example, in at
least one embodiment, the navigation device 200 may include an
integrated input and display device 290 to display an icon for
updating fuel pricing information; and a processor 210 to update,
upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating
pricing information, fuel pricing information, the integrated input
and display device 290 being useable to display a plurality of
selectable icons, useable to access the updated selectable fuel
pricing information in consideration of a location of the
navigation device 200. The navigation device 200 may be portable,
and may include at least one of an antenna and a wireless link
connection, to connect to a mobile phone via a Bluetooth connection
for example. It should be understood that a memory 230 of the
navigation device 200 can store the received updated fuel pricing
information and a processor 210 can determine the various
information to be displayed.
[0095] 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.
[0096] 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.
[0097] 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.
[0098] 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.
[0099] 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.
[0100] 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 COBAL, 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.
[0101] 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.
[0102] 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.
[0103] 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.
[0104] 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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