Method of representing a location in a database for a vehicle navigation system

• US 6,622,086 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2002
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: Horizon Navigation, Inc.
• Inventors: Polidi, Ari Israel
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/074,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20030154020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 701/201, 701/208, 701/211, 701/212, 701/25, 340/995, 340/995.19
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3811 Point data, e.g. Point of Interest [POI]
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3867 Geometry of map features, e.g. shape points, polygons or for simplified maps
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A method of representing a point of interest, a destination, or an address in a database for a navigation system for a vehicle by a plurality of points to militate against a driver not being notified upon arrival at the point of interest, the destination, or the address.

Claims

1. A method for representing a single location in a database of a navigation system for a vehicle comprising the steps of:

storing the single location within the database of the navigation system for the vehicle;

representing the single location within the database using a plurality of points;

determining arrival at the single location by sensing an intersection between the vehicle and at least one of the plurality of points; and

generating a notification of arrival at the single location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said points are within a peripheral boundary of the single location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said notification is a visual signal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said notification is an audible signal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said points form a polygon.

6. A method for representing a single location in a database of a navigation system for a vehicle comprising the steps of:

storing the single location within the database of the navigation system for the vehicle;

representing the single location within the database using a plurality of areas;

determining arrival at the single location by sensing an intersection between the vehicle and at least one of the plurality of areas; and

generating a notification of arrival at the single location.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said areas are within a peripheral boundary of the single location.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said notification is a visual signal.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said notification is an audible signal.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said areas have a circular shape.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said areas form a polygon.

12. A method for representing a location in a database of a navigation system for a vehicle comprising the steps of:

storing the location within the database of the navigation system for the vehicle;

representing the location within the database using a plurality of points, each of the plurality of points having an associated area surrounding each of the plurality of points;

determining arrival at the location by sensing an intersection between the vehicle and at least one of the areas associated with the plurality of points; and

generating a notification of arrival at the location.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said points and said associated areas are within a peripheral boundary of the location.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said notification is a visual signal.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said notification is an audible signal.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein said points and said associated areas form a polygon.