Vehicle navigation system

• US 20040158400A1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Kouchiyama, Satoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,225,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3644 Landmark guidance, e.g. using POIs or conspicuous other objects
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence

Abstract

In a vehicle navigation system, a data storage device stores data on categories of points of interest indicated on sign boards provided at freeway exits and facilities and services available at the points of interest. The navigation system performs a search for a point of interest that provides facilities or services specified by an input from a user in a category specified by an input from the user based on the stored data. The navigation system displays an exit at which a sign board including the searched point is provided in a manner that the searched exit is distinguishable from other exit on the display device. Furthermore, the navigation system displays a route to the searched point of interest on the display device.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigation system that obtains a current position of a vehicle and displays a map including the current position and vicinity thereof on a display means comprising:

a data storage means; and

a control means, wherein the data storage means stores data on names and categories of points of interest indicated on sign boards provided at freeway exits and supplemental items regarding facilities and services available at the points of interest,

the control means performs a search for a point of interest that provides a supplemental item specified by an input from a user based on the data stored in the data storage means, and

the control means searches for an exit at which a sign board indicating the searched point of interest is provided and displays the searched exit on the display means.

2. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means searches for the point of interest in a category specified by an input from the user.

3. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means only displays the searched exit on the display means.

4. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the searched exit on the display means in a manner that the searched exit is distinguishable from other exits.

5. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays information regarding the supplemental item on the display means.

6. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the searched exit on the display means when the searched exit is located ahead of the current position of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, wherein the control means displays the searched exit on the display means in a manner that the searched exit is distinguishable from other exits.

8. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the searched exit on the display means when the point of interest is located within a predetermined distance from the searched exit.

9. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 8, wherein the control means displays the searched exit on the display in a manner that the searched exit is distinguishable from other exits.

10. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means searches a route to the searched point of interest and displays the route on the display means.

11. A vehicle navigation system that obtains a current position of a vehicle and displays a map including the current position and vicinity thereof on a display means comprising:

a data storage means; and

a control means, wherein

the data storage means stores data on categories of points of interest and supplemental item regarding facilities and services available at the points of interest, and

the control means performs a search for a point of interest that provides a supplemental item specified by an input from a user in a category specified by an input from a user based on the data stored in the data storage means and displays the searched point of interest on the display means.

12. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 11, wherein the control means displays the point of interest on the display means when the point of interest is located within a predetermined distance from the current position.

13. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 11, wherein the control means searches a route to the searched point of interest and displays the route on the display means.

14. A vehicle navigation system that obtains a current position of a vehicle and displays a map including the current position and vicinity thereof on a display means comprising:

a data storage means for storing data on categories of points of interest and supplemental item regarding facilities and services available at the points of interest; and

the control means performs a search for a point of interest that provides a supplemental item specified by an input from a user based on the data stored in the data storage means.

15. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein the control means displays the point of interest on the display means when the point of interest is located within a predetermined distance from the current position.

16. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein the control means searches a route to the searched point of interest and displays the route on the display means.