U.S. patent application number 11/907257 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for navigation device and method for displaying a rich content document.
Invention is credited to Olaf Achthoven, Pieter Geelen, Erik Thomassen.
Application Number | 20080168398 11/907257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38753565 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080168398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geelen; Pieter ; et
al. |
July 10, 2008 |
Navigation device and method for displaying a rich content
document
Abstract
A method and a navigation device are disclosed for displaying a
rich content document. The navigation device includes an input
device to receive an input for selecting a rich content document
and a display device to display the rich content document. The rich
content document is at least one of a document stored in memory
associated with the navigation device and a document acquired via a
network connection. The method includes receiving an input for
selecting a rich content document and displaying the rich content
document on a navigation device display. The rich content document
is at least one of a document stored in memory associated with the
navigation device and a document acquired via a network
connection.
Inventors: |
Geelen; Pieter; (Amsterdam,
NL) ; Thomassen; Erik; (Delft, NL) ;
Achthoven; Olaf; (Amsterdam, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOMTOM INTERNATIONAL B.V.
REMBRANDTPLEIN 35
AMSTERDAM
1017CT
omitted
|
Family ID: |
38753565 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907257 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60879549 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879533 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879577 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879523 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879529 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879599 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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60879601 |
Jan 10, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/854 ;
707/E17.121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3697 20130101;
G08G 1/096741 20130101; G01C 21/3655 20130101; G08G 1/096791
20130101; G08G 1/096716 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/854 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A navigation device for displaying a rich content document, the
navigation device comprising an input device to receive an input
for selecting a rich content document and a display device to
display the rich content document, the rich content document being
at least one of a document stored in memory associated with the
navigation device and a document acquired via a network
connection.
2. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document includes formatted text.
3. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document includes a link to one or more other documents.
4. The navigation device of claim 3 wherein the other documents
include one or more of a movie document, an image document, an
audio document and a video document.
5. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document includes hypertext markup language (HTML).
6. The navigational device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document is selected from a document browser.
7. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the input device and
the display device are included in an integrated input and display
device.
8. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document includes a combination of text and at least one image.
9. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document includes at least one hyperlink.
10. The navigation device of claim 1 wherein the rich content
document includes a webpage.
11. A method of displaying a rich content document, the method
comprising receiving an input for selecting a rich content
document, and displaying the rich content document on a navigation
device display, the rich content document being at least one of a
document stored in memory associated with the navigation device and
a document acquired via a network connection.
12. The method of claim 11 where in the rich content document
includes hypertext markup language (HTML).
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the rich content document
includes a link to one or more other documents.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the other documents include one
or more of a movie document, an image document, an audio document
and a video document.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the rich content document
includes a webpage.
16. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving a input
from a user of the navigation device, the input for selecting the
rich content document from a plurality of rich content documents
selectable from a document browser.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein displaying the rich content
document includes displaying one or more control buttons such that
a user of the navigation device can control the view of the rich
content document.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein one or more control buttons
includes a find button.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein one or more of the control
buttons is gray when the control associated with the button is
disabled.
20. A navigation device for displaying a rich content document, the
navigation device comprising means for receiving an input for
selecting a rich content document, and means for displaying the
rich content document, the rich content document being at least one
of a document stored in memory associated with the navigation
device and a document acquired via a network connection.
21. The navigation device of claim 20 further comprising means for
receiving an input from a user of the navigation device, the input
for selecting the displayed rich content document from a document
browser.
22. The navigation device of claim 20 wherein in the means for
displaying includes a means for receiving a user input to control
the view of the rich content document.
23. The navigation device of claim 20 wherein the rich content
document includes a hyperlink.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] 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.
CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[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 06P057US07) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE
AND METHOD FOR TRAVEL WARNINGS (Attorney docket number 06P057US07)
filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR
DRIVING BREAK WARNING (Attorney docket number 06P057US07) filed on
even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ISSUING
WARNINGS (Attorney docket number 06P207US07) filed on even date
herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAY OF POSITION IN
TEXT READABLE FORM (Attorney docket number 06P207US08) filed on
even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY
SERVICE ACCESS (Attorney docket number 06P057US08) filed on even
date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
REGIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorney docket
number 06P207US09) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE
AND METHOD FOR USING SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE
(Attorney docket number 06P207US09) filed on even date herewith; A
NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING A PERSONAL AREA NETWORK
(Attorney docket number 06P207US10) filed on even date herewith; A
NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING A LOCATION MESSAGE (Attorney
docket number 06P207US10) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONSERVING POWER (Attorney docket number
06P207US11) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR USING A TRAFFIC MESSAGE CHANNEL (Attorney docket number
06P207US13) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR USING A TRAFFIC MESSAGE CHANNEL RESOURCE (Attorney
docket number 06P207US13) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR QUICK OPTION ACCESS (Attorney docket number
06P207US15) filed on even date herewith.
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 provide a user with directions and map
information to direct the user from one location to another
location. The information relayed to the user in directing the user
from the one location to the other location is displayed a plain
text or announced audibly from the device.
SUMMARY
[0006] The inventors of the present application developed a method
and implementation on a navigation device, to allow users of the
navigation device to display one or more rich content
documents.
[0007] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device includes an input device to receive an input for
selecting a rich content document and a display device to display
the rich content document. The rich content document is at least
one of a document stored in memory associated with the navigation
device and a document acquired via a network connection.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes receiving an input for selecting a rich content
document and displaying the rich content document on a navigation
device display. The rich content document is at least one of a
document stored in memory associated with the navigation device and
a document acquired via a network connection.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device includes means for receiving an input for
selecting a rich content document and means for displaying the rich
content document. The rich content document is at least one of a
document stored in memory associated with the navigation device and
a document acquired via a network connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] 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:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning
System (GPS);
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic
components of a navigation device of an embodiment of the present
application;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server,
navigation device and connection therebetween of an embodiment of
the present application;
[0014] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a navigation
device separated from an arm of a docking station;
[0015] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a navigation
device connected to the arm of the docking station;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an example rich content document with
bolded, italicized and underlined text for display;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an example rich content document with
strikethroughs for display;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates an example rich content document with
mixed text and images for display;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates an example rich content document with a
hyperlink for display;
[0020] FIG. 9A illustrates an example rich content document for
display;
[0021] FIG. 9B illustrates the rich content document of FIG. 9A
with text size increased for display;
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates an example document browser for
display;
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates an example map information including a
first icon for display;
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates an example POI menu for display;
[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates an example POI category select menu for
display;
[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates an example POI category search menu for
display; and
[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates an example map information with a dial
function for display;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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
connectable 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.
[0040] The navigation device 200, in at least one embodiment, may
establish a "mobile" network connection with the server 302 via a
mobile device (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
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.
[0041] The establishing of the network connection between the
mobile device (via a service provider) and another device such as
the server 302, using the internet for example, can be done in a
known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for
example. The mobile device can utilize any number of communication
standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.
[0042] 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.
[0043] The navigation device 200 can further complete a data
connection with the mobile device, and eventually with the internet
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.
[0044] 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 for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile
device.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.).
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.).
[0065] 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. 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).
[0066] According to embodiments of the present application, a
navigation device 200 includes a display device 240 to display a
point of interest browser including multiple point of interest
entries and an input device 220 to receive an input from a user for
selecting at least one of the multiple point of interest entries.
The display device 240 displays map information including a first
icon associated with the selected point of interest entry. Rich
content associated with the selected at least one of point of
interest entry is available to the user via the display device.
[0067] According to embodiments of the present application, a
navigation device 200 includes an input device 220 to receive an
input from a user for selecting at least one point of interest
entry and a display device 240 to display rich content associated
with the selected at least one of point of interest entry.
[0068] According to embodiments of the present application, a
method includes displaying a point of interest browser including
multiple point of interest entries, receiving an input from a user
for selecting at least one of the multiple point of interest
entries, and displaying map information including a first icon
associated with the selected point of interest entry. Rich content
associated with the selected at least one of point of interest
entry is available to the user via the display device.
[0069] According to embodiments of the present application, a
method includes receiving an input from a user for selecting at
least one point of interest entry and displaying rich content
associated with the selected at least one of point of interest
entry.
[0070] According to embodiments of the present application, a
navigation device 200 includes means for displaying a point of
interest browser including multiple point of interest entries,
means for receiving an input from a user for selecting at least one
of the multiple point of interest entries, and wherein the means
for displaying displays map information including a first icon
associated with the selected point of interest entry. Rich content
associated with the selected at least one of point of interest
entry is available to the user via the display device.
[0071] According to embodiments of the present application, a
navigation device 200 includes means for receiving an input from a
user for selecting at least one point of interest entry and means
for displaying rich content associated with the selected at least
one of point of interest entry.
[0072] According to another aspect of the present application, a
rich content document is a document which includes something more
than plain text. Rich content can include one or more of
formatting, mixed text and images, a link to a local document, a
link to a document via a network connection. The rich content can
be included or embedded in a document or introduced to the document
from a different location through a mark-up or a description
language.
[0073] An example display of a rich content document is shown in
FIG. 4. The rich content document shown in FIG. 4 includes
formatted text. As shown, the document includes different sized
text. The text has been bolded, italicized, and/or underlined.
Also, the text is shown in different colors (only gray scale
visible). Text is shown to be left justified and centered in the
display. Text can also be right justified in other rich content
documents. In other displays of the present disclosure, different
types of fonts can also be used. As illustrated in FIG. 5, text can
be a superscript or a subscript. The text is also shown with
strikethroughs. In other embodiments of the present application,
text included in a document can be considered rich content by
formatting the text according to the formats listed above and other
known to those skilled in the art.
[0074] In addition to formatted text, rich content can include
mixed text and images, as shown in FIG. 6. Mixed text and images
can be described as placement of images in the body of a text
document such that the text is ordered around the image without
covering and/or changing the substance of the text. The document
displayed in FIG. 6 is a document in which the images are embedded
in the document. When the rich content document is displayed on a
display device, the document does not call another document. In
other words, the entire rich content of the document lives or is
stored in the document.
[0075] Alternatively, an image or another document can be included
in a rich content document via a link included in the document. In
such a case, the link in the document is rich content. The link can
call a document stored in a memory 230 associated with a navigation
device 200. When the rich content document is displayed on a
display device of the navigation device 200, the link calls the
document from memory 230 and displays the document as defined by
the link. The link allows a single stored image document, audio
document, and/or video document to be included in a number of
different rich content documents without being stored in more than
one location. Such a link is often referred to as a hyperlink. In
addition to documents stored in memory 230 associated with a
navigation device 200, a link can also call documents via a network
connection.
[0076] For a document called through a network connection, a
hyperlink defines a location of a document being called by the
link. In such a case, a navigation device communicates with the
network and retrieves a document specified by the link. The network
can be one of several different types of networks. For example, a
network can be one of a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan
area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private
network (VPN) etc. A network can be one of several different sizes
depending of the implementation of a navigation device 200. The
network can be a private network, such that it accessibility is
limited to a group of users. As an example, a service provider of a
navigation device 200 can setup a private network for its
subscribers. Each of the subscribers (a navigation device user) is
able to access documents stored on one or more servers hosted by
the service provider, such as the mass storage device 312. The
navigation device 200 is able to access a rich content document or
a document linked by other documents in the navigation device via
the connection to the hosted server(s).
[0077] Alternatively, the network can be connected through an
internet service provider (ISP) using a TCP/IP connection. In such
a case, a rich content document can be a webpage or a document
including a link to a webpage. As illustrated in FIG. 7, an example
display of a rich content document includes a hyperlink to a
webpage for "Victor Hugo." By selecting the hyperlink, a user of
the navigation device 200 opens a webpage defined by the link. In
this case, the link is a webpage related to Victor Hugo.
[0078] As referenced above, a link can call an image document, an
audio document, a video document, and other types of documents. In
one implementation, a video document can be a live video link
acquired through a network connection provided through an ISP to a
navigation device. For example, a live video document can be a
webpage including a web camera view on an intersection at
Washington Street and Main Street. When the rich content document
is displayed on the display device, the link calls the web camera
video document through the network connection and displays the
virtually live video document of the intersection on a display
device 240 of the navigation device 200.
[0079] Rich content documents can include rich content embedded in
a document or be written such that rich content is described in a
document. A link to another document is one example of description
language. As understood by one skilled in the art, description
language can be used to provide rich content as described above.
For example, a document can be written in a mark-up language such
as HTML to include specific formats and/or links to other document.
When the display device 240 of the navigation device 200 displays
the rich content document, the instruction provided in the document
dictate how rich content is to be displayed. In addition to HTML,
another language in which tags specify the appearance of a document
can be used. For example, XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup
Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), or a different
structure type language may provide rich content to a document.
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 5-8, each example display includes control
buttons along the right and bottom edges of the display. The
buttons are control inputs for a user of the navigation device 200
on which the display is displayed. The control buttons allow the
user to adjust the view of the display by scrolling up and down
(arrows), paging up and down, going to home, and going to the end
of a rich content document. The appearance of a control button can
be changed to indicate a control button is disabled. For example,
when the end of a rich content document is already being displayed,
the appearance of the scroll down button can be grayed to indicate
the scroll down button is disabled, i.e. the document cannot be
scrolled down further.
[0081] Along the bottom of the example displays in FIG. 5-8, three
buttons are displayed, which can receive a user input. The find
button allows a user of a navigation device to find a word, a part
of a word, or phrase in the rich content document. When the user
selects the find button, a find display prompts the user to enter a
search term. After entering the search term, the navigation device
200 sequentially finds each inclusion of the search term in the
rich content document in response to a user input. Along with the
find button, the bottom of the display also includes a back button
and a done button. The back button allows a user to view the
previous display. The done button allows the user to exit the rich
content document and return to a menu or prior task, such as some
displayed map information.
[0082] As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a user of a navigation device
can increase or decrease the size of text displayed on the
navigation device. Increasing the text of the document allows the
user of the navigation device to see text clearly while possibly
distracted by other activities, such as driving or walking. Unlike
text displayed on a display device, an image and/or video document
is shown as large as the image is provided to the display device
when possible. The image or video document is only shrunk when the
document includes a format larger that a display device in a
navigation device.
[0083] Control of the rich content document also includes the
ability to select or highlight text and/or links. As shown in FIG.
8, a user has highlighted "uitzicht" within the text of the rich
content document. A user can highlight text and/or other rich
content within a document for several purposes. For example, a user
can highlight a word, as shown in FIG. 8, and utilize the find
function to find other occurrences of the highlighted word in the
rich content document. Also, a user can select a link to another
document. In the example display of FIG. 8, the hyperlink to
"Victor Hugo" can be selected by a user to display the webpage
related to Victor Hugo. Additionally, a user can select content of
a document and request map information related to the selected
content. For example, a user can select a restaurant link within a
rich content document and request a navigation device 200 to plan a
route between a current location of the user and the location of
the restaurant. Once the route is planned, it is displayed on a
display device of the navigation device 200 such that the use can
navigate to the restaurant.
[0084] Rich content document can be displayed on navigation device
200 as part of a number of different features. A rich content
document can be viewed in response to a user request for the
specific document. In such a case, a user can select a rich content
document from a document browser. An exemplary display of a
document browser is illustrated in FIG. 10. The document browser
can be selected from a menu by a user of a navigation device. The
document browser allows the user to search and select a document to
be displayed on a display device of the navigation device. The
document browser can list available documents and folders or
display the available documents and folders as thumbnails
(illustrated in FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 10, a user can select a
folder in the document browser. By selecting a folder, the
documents and/or folders contained in the folder are displayed in
the display device. The user is able to provide a further input to
select one of the documents and/or folders displayed, and so on. As
shown, a title bar is displayed to indicate which older or document
in the document browser is being displayed.
[0085] A user of the navigation device 200 can create a folder and
organize documents and/or folders by dragging and dropping the
documents and/or folder into/out of a folder. The use can also
delete documents and folders. The document browser also includes a
search function such that a user can search for a document. As
described above with respect rich content documents, a document
browser can include control button, such as scroll up and down.
[0086] Apart from the document browser, a rich content document can
be displayed according another feature of a navigation device 200.
For example, a rich content document can be displayed in the Help,
Third Party Document, and/or Tourist Information features of the
navigation device. Rich content documents are viewed in response to
features described in corresponding applications [include reference
to other applications here]. In one other feature of a navigation
device 200, a rich content document associated with a point of
interest can be displayed.
[0087] According to one implementation of at least one embodiment,
a method 1100 includes step 1102 for receiving an input from a user
for selecting at least one point of interest entry. A point of
interest can generally be understood to be a location, place or
event that someone may find useful or interesting. The method 1100
also includes the step 1104 for displaying rich content associated
with the selected at least one of point of interest entry. An
example display of rich content associated with a selected point of
interest entry is illustrated in FIG. 7, above. The point of
interest is the Notre Dame Cathedral.
[0088] It should be noted that each of the aforementioned aspects
of an embodiment of the present application have been described
with regard to the method of the present application. However, at
least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a
navigation device 200, including an input device 220 to receive an
input from a user for selecting at least one point of interest
entry and a display device 240 to display rich content associated
with the selected at least one of point of interest entry. Thus,
such a navigation device 200 may be used to perform the various
aspects of the method described with regard to FIGS. 13-17, as
would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus,
further explanation is omitted for the sake of brevity.
[0089] Accordingly to another implementation of at least one
embodiment of the invention, a method 1200 includes step 1202 for
displaying a point of interest browser including multiple point of
interest entries and step 1204 for receiving an input from a user
for selecting at least one of the multiple point of interest
entries. The method 1200 also include step 1206 for displaying map
information including a first icon associated with the selected
point of interest entry. As shown in FIG. 13, an example display
illustrates map information including a first icon associated with
a inn, Tulip Inn.
[0090] It should be noted that each of the aforementioned aspects
of an embodiment of the present application have been described
with regard to the method of the present application. However, at
least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a
navigation device 200, including a display device 240 to display a
point of interest browser including multiple point of interest
entries and an input device 220 to receive an input from a user for
selecting at least one of the multiple point of interest entries.
The display device also displays map information including a first
icon associated with the selected point of interest entry. Rich
content associated with the selected at least one of point of
interest entry is available to the user via the display device.
Thus, such a navigation device 200 may be used to perform the
various aspects of the method described with regard to FIGS. 13-17,
as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus,
further explanation is omitted for the sake of brevity.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 13, the rich content associated with the
point of interest entry is available to the user via the display
device 240. The user provides an input a detail button. When the
user provides an input to the detail button, the navigation device
displays rich content associated with the POI entry.
[0092] A variety of points of interest can be made available to a
user of a navigation device. A point of interest can be any one of
a government office, a mountain peak, open parking, a parking
garage, a petrol station, a railway station, a rest area, an
airport, a car dealership, a casino, a church, a cinema, a city
centre, a company, a concert hall, a courthouse, a cultural centre,
a exhibition centre, a ferry terminal, a border crossing, a golf
course, a hospital/clinic, a hotel, a motel, a tourist attraction,
a mountain pass, a museum, an art gallery, an opera house, an
opera, a place of worship, a post office, a shipping company, a car
rental facility, a restaurant, a shop, a mall, a shopping centre, a
stadium, a sports arena, a theatre, a tourist information office, a
zoo, a sports centre, a police station, a firehouse, an embassy, a
college or university, a cash dispenser, a beach, a ice skating
rink, a tennis court, a water sport, a doctor, a dentist, a
veterinarian, nightlife, an amusement park, a library, a care
repair/garage, a pharmacy, a scenic view, a panoramic view, a
swimming pool, a winery, a distiller, a camping ground, a park and
recreation area, a convention center, a leisure centre, a marina, a
yacht basin, a postcode, a legislator, a lawyer, a solicitor, a
counselor, etc.
[0093] The rich content can be several different types of
information associated with the POI entry. The following examples
are presented for illustration purposes. The scope of the rich
content associated with the POI entry is not intended to be limited
to these explicitly examples of point of interest. Any type of
information associated with the POI entry can be included as rich
content.
[0094] According to at least one embodiment of the present
application, a user of a navigation device 200 may decide to find a
restaurant as the user travels along a planned route. The user can
provide an input, which is received by the navigation device to
commend the navigation device to display POI entries along the
planned route. The user can specify criteria for displaying the POI
entries as related to the planned route, e.g. within one kilometer
of the planned route. As displayed, the POI entries will include a
name of each restaurant POI entry. When the user selects a
restaurant from the POI entries displayed, the user can select a
detail button (as shown in FIG. 13). When the navigation device 200
receives an input at input device 220, the navigation device 200
displays information associated with the POI entry for the
restaurant. The rich content document can include a menu for the
restaurant, an average price per entree, a brief description of the
restaurant, and/or hours in which the restaurant is open. In some
cases, the rich content can even include reviews of the restaurant,
such as reviews by customers and/or critics. After viewing the
details associated with the POI entry, the navigation device can
receive a user input to plan a route to the point of interest or
alter the current planned route to include the point of interest.
Alternately, the user can select a different POI entry and view
associated rich content. The navigation device can continue
displaying different POI entries until the user finally selects one
of the POI entries or exits the POI browser and/or map information
including the POI entries.
[0095] In another example, a POI entry can be a movie theatre. When
a user selects the detail button, rich content associated with the
movie theatre can include names of movies being shown, movie times,
and ticket prices. In yet another example, a POI entry is a hotel
with rich content associated being pictures of the hotel, a
description of hotel amenities, rates and availability of rooms at
the hotel, etc. In still another example, a POI entry can be a
fuel/gasoline station with rich content being hours of operation
and current fuel prices at the station. In other implementations,
rich content associated with a point of interest entry can include
hours of operations of a POI entry, times of events at a POI entry,
pictures of a POI entry, reviews of a POI entry, costs and/or
prices at the POI entry, news related to the POI entry, smoking
permitted at the POI, or any other useful information related to a
POI entry. Rich content can also include copyright information for
some content displayed on the navigation device.
[0096] Several other options for selecting a POI entry exist. As
illustrated in the example display of FIG. 14, a user can select a
POI entry near the user's current location, a POI entry along a
route (as above), a POI entry in a city, a POI entry near a home
location, or a POI entry near a destination. The user can select a
POI entry based on these options before a route is planned, after a
route is planned, or without planning a route. In one
implementation, a user can specify one or more points of interest
to be included in a planned route. For example, if a user was
driving from northern California to southern California, the user
could search the POI entries included in a beach category. The user
can provide inputs to the navigation device such that a route
planned by the navigation device 200 includes the beach POI entries
selected by the user. Additionally, a user can plan a route on a
navigation device 200 based on the location of a point of interest.
Once the POI entry is selected, the user can direct the navigation
device 200 to display a planned route to the POI entry. As the user
proceeds to the point of interest, the navigation device 200 can
also display a distance from the point of interest on the display
device and provide an audible and/or visible warning when the user
is a distance from the point of interest entry, such as one
mile.
[0097] A point of interest can also be selected from a POI browser.
An exemplary display of a POI browser is shown in FIG. 15. The POI
browser is displayed such that a user is able to select a POI
category. As shown in the example display of FIG. 15, a user can
select from categories including beach, border crossing, camping
grounds, etc. The POI browser includes scroll up and scroll down
control buttons to scroll up/down to view additional categories. As
shown in FIG. 16, a user can also input the category through keying
the spelling or initial letters of a category in a keypad displayed
a navigation device 200. After selecting a POI category, the user
is able to select one or more POI entries within the POI category.
In one implementation of at least one embodiment, a user can select
all POI entries in a POI category displayed on a navigation device
200. The navigation device 200 then displays each of the POI
entries sequentially on a display device 240 of the navigation
device 200. The user steps through the POI entries until the user
selects one. As the user steps through the POI entries, each is
displayed along with map information and the option to view rich
content associated with the POI entry. In another implementation of
at least one embodiment, all of the selected POI entries can be
displayed in the map information at one time. Of course, only the
POI entries within the boundaries of the displayed map information
are displayed on a display device 240 of the navigation device 200.
The user is then able to individually select each POI entry to view
rich content associated with POI entry. In either implementation,
the navigation device 200 can further received a selection of a POI
entry and include processor 210 to plan a route including the point
of interest.
[0098] An advanced search for a point of interest can also be
completed on a navigation device. For example, a user may specify a
particular car service, such as an oil change. The navigation
device 200 performs a search of the POI entries, specifically the
associated rich content. The navigation device 200, then, displays
POI entries that conform with the search entered by the user, i.e.
oil change services. The user can provide an input received by the
navigation device 200 to select one or more of the POI entries
displayed. When a user selects one of the POI entries, the
navigation device can plan a route to the POI entry or include the
POI entry in an existing planned route.
[0099] In a number of implementations of at least one embodiment, a
navigation device 200 displays map information along with at least
one POI entry. The map information generally gives the user an idea
the relative location of the POI entry as compared to the current
location of the user, some other location, or a planned route. As
shown in FIG. 17, when map information is displayed along with a
POI entry, a first icon associated with the POI entry is displayed
in the map information. The first icon generally indicates the
location of the point of interest as included in the map
information displayed. As shown in FIG. 17, a name and/or a
description of the point of interest can also be included in the
map information or in a title bar displayed along with the map
information. Also, a phone device can be included in a navigation
device to connect with the point of interest. As shown in FIG. 17,
a dial button in the bottom border of the display invokes a dial
function to initiate a voice call with the point of interest based
on contact information included in the POI entry.
[0100] POI entries are generally stored in memory 230 associate
with a navigation device 200. When the POI entries are stored in
memory 230 associated with the navigation device 200, a user of the
navigation device 200 can control the view and organization of the
POI entries as store in memory 230. Alternatively, POI entries can
be accessed via network communication. When accessed through a
network connection, the user retains some control of the view and
organization of the POI entries.
[0101] As stated above, when a selected POI entry is included with
map information, a first icon is also displayed in the map
information. As shown in FIG. 15, a second icon is displayed in the
POI browser. The first icon as shown in FIG. 13 is visibly smaller
than the second icon included in the POI browser shown in FIG. 15.
If both the first icon and second icon are displayed from a single
image document, the first icon would have to be stretched to be
included in the POI browser or the second icon would have to be
shrunk to be included in the map information. In either case,
stretching or shrinking the icon distorts the image as displayed.
In one implementation of a navigation device, a first icon and a
second icon are stored in different locations, as separate image
documents, in a memory 230 associated with the navigation device
200. The image documents are displayed on the navigation device 200
without distortion at a size determine by the user and/or
navigation device.
[0102] Also, a user can change the size of an icon. The user can
change the size of an icon as displayed in the POI browser or as
included in map information. By changing the size of the icon, a
user can differentiate the POI entry from other POI entries
displayed by a navigation device. For example, a user can change an
icon associated with a restaurant to a smaller icon in the POI
browser based on the user's experience at the restaurant. In
another implementation of at least one embodiment, a user can
change the image of an icon associated with a POI entry. An icon
related to the point of interest can be used instead of the generic
icon initially assigned to the POI entry. For example, a company
logo can be used as an icon for a gasoline station rather than the
generic gas pump icon. By allowing a user to change an image and
size associated with an icon, icon included in a single category
can be different icons, by size and/or image.
[0103] A user can also organize POI entries included in POI
categories by moving one or more POI entries from one category to
another category. Alternatively, the user can copy the POI entries
from one category to another category allowing the POI entry to
exist in multiple categories. For example, a POI entry for a hotel
can be placed in a category called "Favorite Hotels in New York."
The user can also allow the hotel to remain in the general "Hotel"
category such that the POI entry is included in more than one
category. By allowing a POI entry in multiple categories, a
navigation device 200 ensures that a POI entry is not omitted from
a routine category search of a generic category, such a Hotel in
the example above.
[0104] In addition to changing the icon of a POI entry, a user can
create a POI entry. For example, if a new hotel opens, a user can
create a POI entry for the hotel. The user can provide the name and
contact information of the hotel and specify an icon for the hotel.
The user can also associate rich content with the POI entry, such
as content from a webpage publicized by the hotel. When a webpage
is provided by a hotel or another third party, the navigation
device 200 processes the webpage. The content has to be reduced to
an organized and visible. Each subject in a webpage is aligned and
clarified with one or more icons to make the rich content
attractive and viewable on a displayed device 240 to a user of the
navigation device 200. The rich content can be any of the different
types of rich content disclosed above. The user can also associate
rich content from a different POI entry included and/or accessible
in/by the navigation device 200. Further, a user can associate rich
content with existing POI entries.
[0105] In another example, a user of a navigation device 200 can
create a point of interest entry from a received location message,
as described in copending application [SMS Location Exchange]. A
location message is a message including a location. When the point
of interest entry is created by a user, the location provides a
position for a first icon associated with the point of interest
entry to be included in the map information. The user can provide
further information and rich content to the entry create from the
location message.
[0106] In addition to changes made by a user, a navigation device
can also update point of interest entries at an interval to account
for changes in the points of interest. For example if a restaurant
closes, a user of a navigation device would prefer up-to-date
information regarding the closing of the restaurant. In one
implementation, a navigation device can update the POI entries
stored in memory 230 associated with the navigation device 200
automatically. A user of a navigation device 200 can, for example,
enroll in a program available through a service provider of the
navigation device. The enrollment provides the user of the
navigation device 200 with monthly updates sent to the navigation
device 200 by the service provider. Other intervals, such as weekly
or semi-annually, can be used.
[0107] 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.
[0108] 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.
[0109] 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.
[0110] 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.
[0111] 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.
[0112] 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.
[0113] 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.
[0114] 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.
[0115] 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.
[0116] 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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