NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100305847A1
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• 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 9,726,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635

Abstract

A non-scaled, linearly compressed pictographic mapping system is provided for the visual display of information in a navigational aid. Unlike today'"'"'s road maps which use a point-arc-polygon paradigm, the new mapping uses a non-scaled, linearly-compressed pictographic design that shows roads as linear pictograms. The display has a columnar layout, whereby the descriptive elements are grouped together by type, and displayed one above the other in columns. The maps may also contain icons representing points of interest. 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;

a storage device configured and arranged to store road map data therein;

a display generator configured and arranged to read said stored road map data and to generate a non-scaled, linearly compressed, pictographic view of roads on said display device based on said road map data,

said display generator providing said generated views to said display device; and

an input device configured and arranged to provide input to said display generator, wherein said input 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 in a non-scaled relative order of encounter.

5. 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.

6. The road map display device of claim 2, wherein said pictographic view includes a current travel road and intersecting roads perpendicular to said current travel road.

7. The road map display device of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of icons representing points of interest, said icons being positioned on said current travel road and said intersecting roads in a non-scaled relative order of encounter.

8. The road map display device of claim 2, wherein said pictographic view includes a central map area including a current travel road and intersecting roads perpendicular to said current travel road, and a plurality of icons representing a points of interest on said current travel road and said intersecting roads in a non-scaled relative order of encounter, said pictographic view further including a peripheral information area outside said central map area, said peripheral information area including a plurality of icons representing points of interest within a predetermined distance of the central map but not located on roads depicted within said central map area.

9. The road map display of claim 8, wherein said icons in said peripheral information area are grouped into icon clouds based on their general geographic direction from the central map area.

10. A navigation system comprising:

a position sensing receiver configured and arranged to receive position information signals, and to determine a current position;

a display device;

a storage device configured and arranged to store road map data therein;

an input device; and

a display generator coupled to said position sensing receiver, said storage device, said input device and said display device,

said display generator being configured and arranged to selectively receive input from said input device, selectively receive input from said position sensing receiver, selectively read said stored road map data and to generate a non-scaled, linearly compressed, pictographic view of roads around said current position based in part on said current position, said road map data, and said input,

said display generator providing said generated views to said display device for viewing by an operator.

11. The road map display device of claim 10, wherein said pictographic view of said roads depicts representations of said roads as straight lines with no landmass features or scaling.

12. The road map display device of claim 11, 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.

13. The road map display device of claim 11, wherein said pictographic view includes icons representing points of interest, said icons being positioned along said representation of said road and positioned in a non-scaled relative order of encounter.

14. The road map display device of claim 11, wherein said pictographic view includes a current travel road and intersecting roads perpendicular to said current travel road.

16. The road map display device of claim 11, wherein said pictographic view includes a central map area including a current travel road and intersecting roads perpendicular to said current travel road, and a plurality of icons representing a points of interest on said current travel road and said intersecting roads in a non-scaled relative order of encounter, said pictographic view further including a peripheral information area outside said central map area, said peripheral information area including a plurality of icons representing points of interest within a predetermined distance of the central map but not located on roads depicted within said central map area.

17. The road map display of claim 16, wherein said icons in said peripheral information area are grouped into icon clouds based on their general geographic direction from the central map area.

15. The road map display device of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of icons representing points of interest, said icons being positioned on said current travel road and said intersecting roads in a non-scaled relative order of encounter.