Driver information device

• US 20040098195A1
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Barkowski, Andre, Listle, Holger
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows

Abstract

A driver information device with a map display is designed in such a way as to make the map display clear and easy to read. This is achieved, in cases where multiple special objects are situated at one location on the map, through the use of an indicator symbol representing such special objects, with a selection menu for selecting individual special objects, instead of displaying an individual symbol for each one of them.

Claims

1. A driver information device comprising:

a map display, special objects being represented on the map display by symbols, a common indicator symbol in the map display being assigned to multiple special objects one of (a) in one location and (b) within a preselected radius of a location, a selection of the indicator symbol enabling a display of a selection menu containing information about the special objects.

2. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein the selection menu includes a list.

3. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator symbol is displayed on the map display one of (a) at the location of the special objects and (b) within the preselected radius of the location.

4. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein the selection menu is superimposed on the map display.

5. The driver information device according to claim 4, wherein the selection menu is superimposed on the map display in a semi-transparent window.

6. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein an area around the special objects to be displayed as the common indicator symbol is chosen such that the indicator symbol is displayed instead of individual symbols if symbols would overlap in the map display were they to be displayed individually.

7. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein during the display of the selection menu, the indicator symbol is displayable at the same location on the map, one of (a) with a link to the selection menu and (b) embedded in the selection menu.

8. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) symbols and (b) text information pertaining to the special objects are displayable in the selection menu.

9. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein one of the special objects in the selection menu is selectable as a destination for the purpose of calculating a route.

10. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein by selecting one of the special objects in the selection menu, further information pertaining to the special objects becomes accessible.

11. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein a color chosen for the indicator symbol depends on at least one of a type and a number of special objects.

12. The driver information device according to claim 1, wherein the special objects include at least one of parking lots, restaurants hotels and places of interest.