Navigation system with all character support

• US 6,256,029 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Didi (HK) Science and Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Magellan DIS, Inc.
• Inventors: Millington, Jeffrey Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US09/470,438
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 345/353, 345/354, 345/352, 345/356, 345/357
• US Class Current: 715/841
• 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: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

A graphical user interface includes a display having several groups of symbols with each group arranged in a unique pre-determined direction relative to a start position. A user manipulatable directional input device permits a user to select any one of the groups with a single keystroke. Once a group has been selected, the directional input device permits a user to activate any one of the symbols within a group with a single keystroke. If a group does not contains the symbol desired by the user, the user sends a selection signal from the directional input device so that group displays a second plurality of symbols. Preferably, a sequence of the plurality of symbols are shown at a first group, each transmission of the selection signal displaying the next plurality of symbols until the originally displayed first plurality of symbols are again displayed in the first group. Any number of symbols can thus be displayed in a limited viewable area of the first group while maintaining the same selection methodology.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle navigation system comprising:

a database including a plurality of roads, said plurality of roads including a first road;

a position determining system, said position determining system determining a position of the vehicle relative to said first road;

a graphical user interface for selecting a destination from said database, said interface including a display device and an input device;

said display device displaying a plurality of groups including a first group, each group in a unique pre-determined direction relative to a start position, said first group displaying a first plurality of symbols including a first symbol;

an input device connected to said display device, said input device having a selection signal and a plurality of directional output signals, each of said plurality of output signals associated with one of said plurality of pre-determined directions;

each group activatable in response to one of said plurality of output signals, each symbol within an activated group of said plurality of groups activatable in response to one of said plurality of output signals, an activated symbol selectable in response to said selection signal;

said first symbol activatable in response to one of said plurality of output signals, said display device displaying a second plurality of symbols at said first group in response to said selection signal at said first symbol; and

a route determination system, said system determining a route from said position of said vehicle to said destination, said route on said plurality of roads.

2. An in-vehicle navigation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said input device comprises an eight way button.

3. An in-vehicle navigation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said position determining system includes a Global Positioning System receiver.

4. An in-vehicle navigation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said position determining system includes an accelerometer.

5. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said first plurality of symbols includes a “

More”

symbol.

6. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said first symbol is located at a central position relative to said first plurality of symbols.

7. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said first symbol is said “

More”

symbol.