VEHICLE NAVIGATION USER INTERFACE CUSTOMIZATION METHODS

• US 20080275632A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAMA Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Ian Cummings
• Inventors: Cummings, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 9,423,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are directed to the use and customization of user interfaces associated with vehicle navigation systems. Aspects of this customizability may include selection of interface “skins,” selection of context for clarification, and autocompletion functions. The navigator may be a wireless client server navigation system comprising mobile clients used for requesting and receiving guidance from a central server that houses databases of geographical information. The options to be customized may include images, icons, controls, menus, colors, symbols, or shapes that are added, removed, or moved on the display. The options may be selected using equipment external to the navigation system; for example, the options may be selected using a computer connected to the Internet. The options may also be entered by way of a spoken command. If a letter, word, or phrase received by the navigator is not understood, the method proceeds with the steps of: searching a database for potential matching letters, words, or phrases; querying the user with the potential matching letters, words, or phrases; and, if the user selects one of the potential matching letters, words, or phrases: performing an operating associated with the potential matching letters, words, or phrases.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a vehicle navigation system, comprising the steps of:

displaying options to a user relating to the appearance, control or use of the navigator;

selecting, by the user, one or more of the options; and

storing the selections for later use.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the options include images, icons, controls or menus that are added, removed, or moved on the display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the options include colors, symbols, or shapes that are added, removed, or moved on the display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the options are selected using equipment external to the navigation system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the options are selected using a computer connected to the Internet.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the options are entered by way of a spoken command.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein, if a letter, word, or phrase received by the navigator is not understood, the method proceeds with the steps of:

searching a database for potential matching letters, words, or phrases;

querying the user with the potential matching letters, words, or phrases; and

, if the user selects one of the potential matching letters, words, or phrases;

performing an operating associated with the potential matching letters, words, or phrases.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigator is a wireless client server navigation system comprising mobile clients used for requesting and receiving guidance from a central server that houses databases of geographical information.

9. A method controlling a vehicle navigation system, comprising the steps of:

receiving a verbal input;

determining possible text meanings of the verbal input;

presenting the possible meanings to a user; and

user-selecting at least one of the possible meanings presented.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the possible meanings are ranked.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the most highly ranked possibilities are given prominence in presentation.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein prominence is differentiated through color.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the user-selection is made via a touchscreen.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the user-selection is made verbally.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the navigation system is a wireless client server navigation system comprising mobile clients used for requesting and receiving guidance from a central server that houses databases of geographical information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a database on the server is consulted for the possible meanings.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein heuristics are applied to ranking possible meanings.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the context of the user input is considered in determining and/or ranking possible meanings.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the user specifies the context of the user input.