Methods and systems to interface navigation operations

• US 7,062,374 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2004
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Pemble, Cliff A., Walters, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/822,331
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-213, 701/24, 701/117, 701/23, 701/119, 342/357.06, 342/357.09, 342/357.1, 709222-225
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

Methods and Systems are provided for interfacing to navigation operations. An application programming interface (API) library is provided having navigation modules, guidance modules, routing modules, and mapping modules. The API is accessible to customized modules operating on a portable electronic device. The customized modules are operable to selectively access and process a number of the modules using the API library while the customized modules are processing on the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A navigation application programming interface (API) library, comprising:

a positioning module associated with determining a geographic position of a portable electronic device;

a guidance module associated with providing guidance information;

a routing module associated with providing route information; and

wherein the modules are accessible to one or more customized applications operating on the device, and wherein the modules are assembled in user-defined and custom arrangements within each of the one or more customized applications.

2. The API library of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a mapping module associated with providing mapping information;

a compass module associated with providing magnetic information;

a barometer module associated with providing pressure and temperature information; and

gyro module associated with providing direction and bearing information.

3. The API library of claim 1, wherein the positioning module interfaces with a global positioning satellite receiver in communication with the device.

4. The API library of claim 1, wherein the API library is at least one of a dynamic linked library and a shared library.

5. The API library of claim 1, wherein the guidance module is interfaced to an audio device in communication with the device to provide audible navigation guidance.

6. The API library of claim 1, wherein a number of the modules reside on a removable computer readable medium in communication with the device.