Navigation system and method

• US 20060287815A1
• Filed: 01/04/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Longhorn Automotive Group LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mappick Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Gluck, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map

Abstract

A novel mapping paradigm is provided for the visual display of information in the form of an improved navigational aid. Unlike today'"'"'s road maps which use a point-arc-polygon paradigm, the new mapping paradigm uses a compressed linear-pictographic-topological design that typically depicts roads as vertical linear pictograms. Further, the display has a columnar layout, whereby the descriptive elements are grouped together by type, and displayed one above the other in columns. In this manner, the mapping paradigm also serves to increase traveler safety, provide navigation assistance during address-less trips, create valuable advertising space and new promotional opportunities, and dramatically increases the travelers'"'"' communications and entertainment options.

Claims

1. A road map display apparatus comprising:

a display device;

means for storing road map data therein;

means for generating and displaying a pictographic view of roads on said display device based on said road map data; and

an input device coupled to said means for generating and displaying a pictographic view of said roads, said input device configured to provide input that is used to determine in part what road map data is used in generating said pictographic view.

2. The road map display device of claim 1, wherein said pictographic view of said roads depicts representations of said roads as straight lines with no landmass features or scaling.

3. The road map display device of claim 2, wherein said pictographic view includes information related to features adjacent said roads and information related to actual distance and estimated time required to travel to various locations along said road, said information displayed in columnar format adjacent said representation of said road.

4. The road map display device of claim 2, wherein said pictographic view includes icons representing points of interest, said icons being positioned along said representation of said road and positioned relative to the actual location of said point of interest.

5. The road map display device of claim 2, wherein said pictographic view is generated by utilizing a fixed template to create said representation of said roads.

6. The road map display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display device, said storage means and said means for generating and displaying a pictographic view are all maintained locally in a single housing.

7. The road map display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said storage means and said means for generating and displaying a pictographic view are maintained at a remote location and said display device is maintained locally, wherein said pictographic view is transmitted to said display device via an electronic network.

8. The road map display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for generating and displaying a pictographic view is a display generator coupled to said storage means, said input device and said display, said display generator generating a pictographic view of said road map data on said display in response to input from said input device.

9. The road map display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a position-sensing receiver for receiving signals containing position information and determining a current position of said road map display apparatus.

10. The road map display apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for generating and displaying a pictographic view is a display generator coupled to said storage means, said input device, said position receiving sensor and said display, said display generator generating a pictographic view of said road map data on said display in response to input from said input device and said position receiving sensor.

11. The road map display apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display device is visual display provided on an electronic device selected from the group consisting of:

permanently installed GPS, hand-held GPS, personal computer, personal digital assistant, cellular telephone and personal computer.

12. A navigation system comprising:

a display device;

means for storing road map and navigational data therein;

a display generator coupled to said means for storing and said display device;

a position sensing receiver for receiving signals containing position information and determining a current position of said navigation system; and

an input device coupled to said display generator, said input device configured to provide user input to said display generator,

wherein said display generator using said user input received from said input device an said current position information generates a pictographic view of a portion of said road map and navigational information on said display.

13. The navigational system of claim 12, wherein said pictographic view of said roads depicts representations of said roads as straight lines with no landmass features or scaling.

14. The road map display device of claim 13, wherein said pictographic view is generated by utilizing a fixed template to create said representation of said roads.

15. The navigational system of claim 13, wherein said pictographic view includes information related to features adjacent said roads, and information related to actual distance and estimated time required to travel to various locations along said road, said information displayed in columnar format adjacent said representation of said road.

16. The navigational system of claim 13, wherein said pictographic view includes icons representing points of interest, said icons being positioned along said representation of said road and positioned relative to the actual location of said point of interest.

17. The navigational system of claim 13, wherein said display device, said storage means and said display generator are all maintained locally in a single housing.

18. The navigational system of claim 13, wherein said storage means and said display generator are maintained at a remote location and said display device is maintained locally, wherein said pictographic view is transmitted to said display device via an electronic network.

19. The navigational system of claim 13, wherein said display device is visual display provided on an electronic device selected from the group consisting of:

permanently installed GPS, hand-held GPS, personal computer, personal digital assistant, cellular telephone and personal computer.

20. A method of displaying a sequential set of road segments, said sequential set of road segments forming navigational directions to a destination, said method comprising:

providing a storage means containing a plurality of road segments;

providing a user interface coupled to said storage means, said user interface including an input device, a display generator coupled to said storage means and said input device, and a position sensing receiver for receiving signals containing position information and determining a current position of said user interface

obtaining input from said input device;

generating a sequential set of road segments selected from said plurality of road segments, said set of road segments being selected based on said input from said input device and said current position of said user interface; and

sequentially displaying a pictographic view of said set of road segments in the form of navigational directions.

21. The method of displaying a sequential set of road segments of claim 20, wherein said pictographic view of said roads depicts representations of said roads as straight lines with no landmass features or scaling.

22. The method of displaying a sequential set of road segments of claim 21, wherein said pictographic view is generated by utilizing a fixed template to create said representation of said roads.

23. The method of displaying a sequential set of road segments of claim 21, wherein said display device, said storage means and said display generator are all maintained locally in a single housing.

24. The method of displaying a sequential set of road segments of claim 21, wherein said storage means and said display generator are maintained at a remote location and said display device is maintained locally, wherein said pictographic view is transmitted to said display device via an electronic network.