U.S. patent application number 11/907239 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for navigation device and method for using special characters in a navigation device.
Invention is credited to Pieter Geelen, Sinone Tertoolen.
Application Number | 20080168346 11/907239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38924440 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080168346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geelen; Pieter ; et
al. |
July 10, 2008 |
Navigation device and method for using special characters in a
navigation device
Abstract
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least
one embodiment, the method includes receiving an input including a
plurality of ordinary characters; displaying the ordinary
characters, on the display device, as the ordinary characters are
input; and replacing, on the display device, a group of ordinary
characters representing at least one special character in an
interface language with at least one special character. In at least
one embodiment, the navigation device includes a display device to
provide information in an interface language; an input device to
receive an input of ordinary characters in the interface language;
and a processor to display the input through the display device in
response to receipt of the input and replace a group of ordinary
characters with at least one special character when the group of
ordinary characters represents the at least one special character
in the interface language.
Inventors: |
Geelen; Pieter; (Amsterdam,
NL) ; Tertoolen; Sinone; (Amsterdam, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOMTOM INTERNATIONAL B.V.
REMBRANDTPLEIN 35
AMSTERDAM
1017CT
omitted
|
Family ID: |
38924440 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907239 |
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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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3691 20130101;
G01C 21/3697 20130101; G01C 21/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/271 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/22 20060101
G06F017/22 |
Claims
1. A method of using at least one special character in a navigation
device, the navigation device including an input device and a
display device, the method comprising: receiving an input including
a plurality of ordinary characters; displaying the ordinary
characters, on the display device, as the ordinary characters are
in put; and replacing, on the display device, a group of ordinary
characters representing at least one special character in an
interface language with at least one special character.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising replacing, on the
display device, the at least one special character with the group
of ordinary characters in response to receipt of an undo command
input by a user of the navigation device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the replacing, on the display
device, the group of ordinary characters may be disabled by the
user of the navigation device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface language includes
at least one special character and is selectable from at least one
of German, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish.
5. A navigation device comprising: a display device to provide
information in an interface language; an input device to receive an
input of ordinary characters in the interface language; and a
processor to display the input through the display device in
response to receipt of the input and replace a group of ordinary
characters with at least one special character when the group of
ordinary characters represents the at least one special character
in the interface language.
6. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein the processor is
further configured to replace the at least one special character
with the group of ordinary characters when an undo command is input
by the user.
7. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein replacement of
ordinary characters with special characters is a user selectable
option.
8. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein the input device
includes a touch screen input device.
9. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the touch screen input
device is part of an integrated input and display device.
10. The navigation device of claim 5, wherein the interface
language is selectable from at least one of German, Norwegian,
Danish and Swedish.
11. A navigation device comprising: a means to provide information
in an interface language; a means to receive an input of ordinary
characters in the interface language; and a means to display the
input through the display device in response to receipt of the
input and replace a group of ordinary characters with at least one
special character when the group of ordinary characters represents
the at least one special character in the interface language.
12. The navigation device of claim 11, wherein the means to display
the input is further configured to replace the at least one special
character with the group of ordinary characters when an undo
command is input by the user.
13. The navigation device of claim 11, wherein replacement of
ordinary characters with special characters is a user selectable
option.
14. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the means to receive
an input includes a touch screen input device.
15. The navigation device of claim 14, wherein the touch screen
input device is part of an integrated input and display device.
16. The navigation device of claim 11, wherein the interface
language is selectable from at least one of German, Norwegian,
Danish and Swedish.
Description
[0001] CO-PENDING APPLICATION
[0002] The following applications are being filed concurrently with
the present applications. 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 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 06P057US071 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 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
[0003] 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, and 60/879,599 filed Jan. 10, 2007, the entire contents of
each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0004] The present application generally relates to navigation
methods and devices.
BACKGROUND
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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. To aid in navigation of the route,
instructions are output along the route to a user of the navigation
device. These instructions may be a least one of audible and
visual.
SUMMARY
[0007] The inventors discovered that users may benefit from being
able to input and receive information including special characters
which exist in some interface languages.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method of using at least one special character in a navigation
device, the navigation device including an input device and a
display device, the method includes receiving an input including a
plurality of ordinary characters; displaying the ordinary
characters, on the display device, as the ordinary characters are
input; and replacing, on the display device, a group of ordinary
characters representing at least one special character in an
interface language with at least one special character.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device includes a display device to provide information
in an interface language; an input device to receive an input of
ordinary characters in the interface language; and a processor to
display the input through the display device in response to receipt
of the input and replace a group of ordinary characters with at
least one special character when the group of ordinary characters
represents the at least one special character in the interface
language.
[0010] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device includes a means to provide information in an
interface language; a means to receive an input of ordinary
characters in the interface language; and a means to display the
input through the display device in response to receipt of the
input and replace a group of ordinary characters with at least one
special character when the group of ordinary characters represents
the at least one special character in the interface language.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE 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 actual
implementation of an embodiment of the navigation device 200:
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
me 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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 signal 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] The establishing of the network connection between the
mobile device 400 (via El 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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 362 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.).
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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 apace, etc. Further-more,
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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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
(OSM), 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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 signal), originally received by the navigation
device 200.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.).
[0053] The navigation device 200 may sit on an arm 292, which
itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using a
large auction cup 294. This arm 292 is one example of a docking
station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.
[0054] 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).
[0055] According to various embodiments of the present application,
a method of using at least one special character in a navigation
device 200, the navigation device 200 including an input device 220
and a display device 240 is disclosed. The method includes
receiving an input including a plurality of ordinary characters,
displaying the ordinary characters, on the display device 240, as
the ordinary characters are input, and replacing, on the display
device 240, a group of ordinary characters representing at least
one special character in an interface language with at least one
special character.
[0056] It should be noted that aspects of an embodiment of the
present application have been, and will be, 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 display device 240 to provide information in
an interface language, an input device 220 to receive an input of
ordinary characters in the interface language, and a processor 210
to display the input through the display device 240 in response to
receipt of the input and replace a group of ordinary characters
with at least one special character when the group of ordinary
characters represents the at least one special character in the
interface language. Thus such a navigation device 200 may be used
to perform various aspects of the method described above, as would
be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Further
explanation is, thus, omitted for the sake of brevity.
[0057] Ordinary characters include the limited set of standard
characters available for direct input on a standard English
language keyboard. These generally include twenty-six letters, ten
numbers and sometimes various other commonly used symbols. Due to
space constraints, input devices generally cannot include all of
the possible characters used in all alphabet based languages. Input
devices generally do not include special characters used in certain
languages. These special characters can include accented letters,
ligatures, diacritics, or other letters or characters not available
in the limited size set of standard characters. Examples of special
characters include, but are not limited to, the o-umlaut (o) in
German, Swedish and Danish, and the esazet (.beta.) in German.
[0058] When the user of the navigation device 200 inputs a string
of standard characters, the standard characters are displayed on
the display device. If a group of the standard characters
represents a special character in the user interface language, the
group of standard characters is replaced on the screen with the
special characters. For example, when a user whose user interface
language is German inputs the string of ordinary character
"schoen", the oe group of ordinary characters is replaced on the
display device with the special character o-umlaut so the string of
characters on the display device becomes "schon". This replacement
depends on the existence of the special characters in the selected
user interface language. Thus even if the user is attempting to
enter, for example, a German word which includes the o-umlaut, the
oe group of ordinary characters will not be replaced with an
-umlaut if the user interface language, such as English, does not
contain the o-umlaut. This applies regardless of the location of
the navigation device 200 and user. Alternatively or additionally,
the special character replacement may be dependent upon the
location of the user, the user selected interface language or a
combination of the location and interface language.
[0059] In one implementation of at least one embodiment, the method
also includes replacing on the display device the special character
with the group of ordinary characters in response to receipt of an
undo command from the user of the navigation device 200. Thus, a
user can correct an erroneous special character or simply return
the group of ordinary characters for any, or no, reason by
delivering an undo command. This undo command can include a
backspace key or any other input key that is designated as the undo
command.
[0060] In an alternative implementation of at least one embodiment,
the replacing the group of ordinary characters may be disabled by
the user. If the user does not desire groups of ordinary characters
be replaced with the special characters that the groups of ordinary
characters represent, the user may prevent the replacement from
ever occurring by selecting the disabling option.
[0061] The interface languages are selectable from at least one of
German, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish. Each of these languages
includes at least one special character. Other languages also
include at least one special character and the method may be
applied to, and the user interface language may include at least
one of, any of these other languages without departing from the
scope of the present application.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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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