NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING MAP INFORMATION

• US 20100280747A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Achthoven, Olaf
• Granted Patent: US 8,775,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3638 including 3D objects and buildings three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects G06T17/00; geographic models G06T17/05

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for providing map information to a user. The map information corresponds to a field of view. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes an input device to receive an input for selecting a desired destination and a display device to display map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level. The at least one icon represents an object within the field of view. In at least one embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing map information to a user via a navigation device and corresponding to a field of view is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving at least one of an input and selection representing a desired destination and displaying map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level. The at least one icon represents an object within the field of view.

Claims

1. A navigation device for providing map information to a user, the map information corresponding to a field of view, the navigation device comprising:

an input device to receive at least one of an input and a selection representing a desired destination; and

a display device to display map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level, and at least one icon elevated above the ground level, the at least one icon representing an object within the field of view.

2. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon is displayed as positioned at an end of a pole which extends to the ground level.

3. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon is displayed such that the icon is visible to the user regardless of an orientation of an object represented by the at least one icon.

4. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon represents at least one of a start point and the desired destination for the route.

5. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon represents at least one of a point of interest, a user designated location, a home location, and an itinerary waypoint.

6. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon represents a traffic device along the route.

7. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon becomes transparent based at least one of screen coverage of the at least one icon and distance of the at least one icon from the route.

8. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon is displayed as a three-dimensional icon.

9. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein a size of the at least one icon is based on a distance of the at least one icon from the route.

10. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon is an animated model of an object represented by the at least one icon.

11. The navigation device of claim 10, wherein the navigation device is a portable navigation device.

12. The navigation device of claim 10, wherein the navigation device is integrated into a vehicle.

13. A method of providing map information to user via a navigation device, the map information corresponding to a field of view, the method comprising:

receiving at least one of an input and a selection representing a desired destination; and

displaying map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level, the at least one icon representing an object within the field of view.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one icon represents at least one of a start point, the desired destination for the route, a point of interest, a user designated location, a home location, and an itinerary waypoint.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one icon is displayed as positioned at an end of a pole which extends to the ground level.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one icon represents a traffic device along the route.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising limiting a number of icons in the map information to a threshold number.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the map information includes a shadow associated with the at least one icon.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising making the at least one icon transparent based on at least one of screen coverage of the at least one icon and distance of the at least one icon from the route.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the size of the at least one icon is based on a distance of the at least icon from the route.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one icon is at least one of three-dimensional and animated.

22. A navigation device for providing map information to a user, the map information corresponding to a field of view, the navigation device comprising:

means for receiving at least one of an input and a selection representing a desired destination; and

means for displaying map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level, the at least one icon representing an object within the field of view.

23. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the map information includes a pole between the at least one icon and a ground level location of an object represented by the at least one icon within the map information.

24. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the at least one icon includes a plurality of icons limited to a threshold number.

25. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the at least one icon represents a point of interest.

26. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the at least one icon becomes transparent based on at least one of screen coverage of the at least one icon and distance of the at least one icon from the route.

27. The navigation device of claim 22, further comprising means for processing the map information to elevate the at least one icon above the ground level.

28. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the navigation device is a portable navigation device.

29. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the navigation device is integrated into a vehicle.