Point of Interest Display System

• US 20070203642A1
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Arnold-Huyser, Nisa
• Granted Patent: US 7,899,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence

Abstract

A point-of-interest display system includes an updateable database which interfaces with a microprocessor which receives data from a GPS receiver providing the system with current vehicle location and direction of travel information. A display provides the operator textural and elemental graphic display information, and easily accessible control switches allow the operator to select upcoming highway exits, categories of points of interest, and points of interest and display directions to a selected entry.

Claims

1. A point-of-interest display system for a vehicle comprising:

a current location detector for providing data representing the vehicle'"'"'s current position;

a database of information including points of interest and road network information including highway exits and local roadway street names and addresses;

a microprocessor coupled to said detector and to said database for providing display output signals representing upcoming highway exit information as the vehicle proceeds along a highway to provide point-of-interest information related to an exit and to provide display output signals for displaying points of interest within a predetermined range from the current vehicle location;

a display coupled to said microprocessor for displaying a predetermined number of points of interests within said predetermined range of the vehicle; and

at least one operator-actuated switch coupled to said microprocessor to permit the operator to select a point of interest from a menu of available points of interest when on a highway or after exiting a highway to obtain detailed information regarding a selected point of interest.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said detector is a GPS receiver.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said predetermined range comprises a range of less than about four miles.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein the number of points of interest displayed is at least two.

5. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said point-of-interest information includes the categories of gas, food, and lodging and individual establishments within each category when available.

6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein each establishment is identified by name.

7. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein each establishment is further identified by its address.

8. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein a phone number of a selected establishment is displayed.

9. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said database has data sets layered thereon according to road network information and point-of-interest information such that said memory can be updated separately at different time intervals for separately updating the road network information and point-of-interest information.

10. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said database includes points of interest and wherein said operator-actuated switches permit the operator to selectively display the exits on a highway on which the vehicle is traveling, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to respond to operator input signals from said switches to provide a scroll-forward display of upcoming highway exits and for displaying points of interest accessible at such highway exits

11. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said operator-actuated switch permits the operator to select a point of interest from a menu of available points of interest when on a highway and said display displays the distance and direction to said selected point of interest.

12. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said operator-actuated switch permits the operator to select a point of interest from a menu of available points of interest and said display selectively displays detailed information regarding a selected point of interest.

13. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said microprocessor allows the operator to select for individual display one of said addresses on a street on which the vehicle is traveling and cross-streets ahead and behind the vehicle.

14. The system as defined in claim 1 and further including an electronic compass coupled to said display.

15. The system as defined in claim 1 and further including an outside temperature sensor coupled to said display.

16. The system as defined in claim 1 and further including a trip computer coupled to said display.

17. A point-of-interest display system for a vehicle comprising:

a current location detector for providing data representing the vehicle'"'"'s current position;

a database of information including points of interest and road network information including highway exits and local roadway street names and addresses;

a microprocessor coupled to said detector and to said database for providing display output signals representing upcoming highway exit information as the vehicle proceeds along a highway to automatically provide point-of-interest information related to an exit, and when the vehicle exits a highway provide display output signals for displaying points of interest within a predetermined range from the current vehicle location;

a display coupled to said microprocessor for displaying a predetermined number of points of interests within said predetermined range of the vehicle; and

at least one operator-actuated switch coupled to said microprocessor to permit the operator to select a point of interest from a menu of available points of interest when on a highway or after exiting a highway to obtain detailed information regarding a selected point of interest.

18. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said detector is a GPS receiver.

19. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said point-of-interest information includes the categories of gas, food, and lodging and individual establishments within each category when available.

20. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said database has data sets layered thereon according to road network information and point-of-interest information such that said memory can be updated separately at different time intervals for separately updating the road network information and point-of-interest information.

21. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said database includes points of interest and wherein said operator-actuated switches permit the operator to selectively display the exits on a highway on which the vehicle is traveling, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to respond to operator input signals from said switches to provide a scroll-forward display of upcoming highway exits and for displaying points of interest accessible at such highway exits

22. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said operator-actuated switch permits the operator to select a point of interest from a menu of available points of interest when on a highway and said display displays the distance and direction to said selected point of interest.

23. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said operator-actuated switch permits the operator to select a point of interest from a menu of available points of interest after exiting a highway said display selectively displays detailed information regarding a selected point of interest.

24. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said microprocessor allows the operator to select for individual display one of said addresses on a street on which the vehicle is traveling and cross-streets ahead and behind the vehicle.