NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ENHANCED SEARCH RESULTS

• US 20100168996A1
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Hansen, Mark, Bourque, Francis, Gupta, Sanjay
• Granted Patent: US 9,043,148 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: G01C 21/3611 using character input or menus, e.g. menus of POIs character input methods in general G06F3/0233
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3617 using user history, behaviour, conditions or preferences, e.g. predicted or inferred from previous use or current movement
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A navigation system and various methods of using the system are described herein. Search query results are refined by the system and are prioritized based at least in part upon sub-search categories selected during the searching process. Sub-searches can be represented by graphical icons displayed on the user interface.

Claims

1. A navigation system comprising:

a graphical user interface configured for receiving and displaying travel related data;

a database containing travel related data;

a search engine configured to perform a process for providing search query results, the process comprising the steps of;

initiating a search query, generating a list of results based upon the search query;

prioritizing the results, displaying the list in the interface based at least in part upon the prioritizing and providing sub-search categories for focusing the prioritized results.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the travel related data includes information selected from the group comprising frequency of destination visits, search query time, time-of-day associated with previous search queries, current directional travel, weather conditions, traffic conditions, current time of day and frequency of current route.

3. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface includes a plurality of sub-search icons.

4. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein search results are prioritized and listed based at least in part upon previous travel and query selections.

5. The navigation system according to claim 3, wherein the sub-search icons represent pre-determined categories.

6. The navigation system according to claim 3, wherein the pre-determined categories are selected from the group comprising fuel filling station, restaurant, parking, arts and entertainment, lodging, religious worship structure, educational structure, medical services business, keywords and meta-categories.

7. The navigation system according to claim 5, wherein the pre-determined categories, when selected, narrow the prioritized search results based at least in part upon a desired destination.

8. The navigation system according to claim 6, wherein the sub-search icons graphically represent the category for which they are associated.

9. For use in conjunction with a navigation system, a method for conveying enhanced search query results comprising the steps of:

initiating a search query based at least in part upon a final destination;

accessing a database configured for storing geographic related information;

generating a list of destination results based at least in part upon the search query;

prioritizing the list based at least in part upon travel related information;

displaying the prioritized results on a navigation system graphical interface; and

providing pre-determined sub-searching categories for narrowing the prioritized list of results based at least in part upon one or more predetermined categories.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the prioritizing is determined at least in part upon the frequency of visits associated with each of the search results.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the prioritizing is determined at least in part by the distance associated with a predetermined final destination.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the geographic information includes roadway information.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein pre-determined sub-searching categories are selected from the group comprising fuel filling station, restaurant, parking, arts and entertainment, lodging, religious worship structure, educational structure and medical services business.

14. A navigation system that facilitates conveying enhanced query results, comprising:

an interface component that receives a query corresponding to geographical destination; and

a visual component that displays a search result based at least in part upon the query, wherein search results are prioritized based upon travel related data and at least one sub-search category.

15. A method of conveying search query results comprising the steps of:

initiating a search query based at least in part upon a final destination;

accessing a database;

generating a list of intermediary destination results based at least in part upon the search query;

displaying the list on a graphical interface;

initiating a sub-search based at least in part upon a selection of at least one sub-search category icons displayed on the graphical interface; and

displaying a list of destination results based at least in part upon the sub-search category icon selected.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the graphical interface is a navigation system.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein a sub-search category is selected before the search query initiating step.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the sub search categories are selected from the group comprising fuel filling station, restaurant, parking, arts and entertainment, lodging, religious worship structure, educational structure and medical services business.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of selecting a second sub-category.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein a default set of sub-search categories and/or meta-categories are displayed on the graphical interface.