Navigation method using needle indicating display

• US 6,571,175 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E-Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: E Lead Electronic Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/987,072
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 701/211, 701/200, 731/78.R, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

A needle indicating navigation method, particularly relates to one using a monitor type display in combination with navigation equipment to transform navigational information into readable traveling routes messages on a screen of a display indicated by clock-like pointing needles for vehicle drivers. It mainly integrates into line connection the navigation equipment, wireless communication devices, navigation service centers or other information devices which can offer calculated traveling routes information whereby traveling route messages can be transmitted from a navigation service center or a self provided navigation program in a piece of navigation equipment to drivers on vehicles equipped with a display monitor, or by way of the connection of the information device and the navigation equipment to offer calculated traveling routes information. The message is illustrated on a screen of the display monitor by clock-like pointing needles which respectively provide the various navigation messages, such as the locations of next turns, and the directions of the next turns, the directions toward the destination, the distances, the orientations, and etc respectively. Thus, detailed navigational information can be simply displayed on a limited space of a display monitor for driver to read with speed and ease.

Claims

1. A navigation system comprising needle pointing indicators on a main navigation display screen wherein all navigational information on a traveling route for a vehicle are indicated by at least:

a first pointing needle on the display screen indicating a turning direction at a next turn; and

a second pointing needle indicating an instant direction toward a selected or target destination, providing easy reading of navigational guidance for vehicle drivers.

2. The navigation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a device converting driving navigation information into messages displayed on the display screen of s aid monitor by way of said pointing needles.

3. The navigation system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a third pointing needle on said display screen to indicate a specific orientation.

4. The navigation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display screen includes blocked areas providing information on distances to a next turn and to a destination respectively in cooperation with said first pointing needle and said second pointing needle.

5. The navigation system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said blocked area is adjacent to said first pointing needle and provides information on a name of a road at a next turn and a turning direction at said next turn.

6. The navigation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main navigation display screen displays letters E, W, S and N indicating east, west, south and north directions, respectively.

7. The navigation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein an end of said first pointing needle has a diagram to indicate a pattern of a next turn and a turning direction at said next turn.

8. The navigation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main navigation display screen displays words indicating an orientation toward a destination.

9. The navigation system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a third pointing needle on said display screen to indicate a specific orientation.

10. The navigation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said display screen includes blocked areas providing information on distances to a next turn and to a destination respectively in cooperation with said first pointing needle and said second pointing needle.

11. The navigation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said main navigational display screen displays letters E, W, S and N indicating east, west, south and north directions, respectively.

12. The navigation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein an end of said first pointing needle has a diagram to indicate a pattern of a next turn and a turning direction at said next turn.

13. The navigation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said main navigational display screen displays words indicating an orientation toward a destination.