Method and apparatus for generation of real-time graphical descriptions in navigational systems
First Claim
1. A method of generating a symbolic description of a navigational element, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a radial grid, the radial grid comprising at least one group of subdivisions, the at least one group of subdivisions comprising a set of partitions extending outward from a center of the radial grid;
b. providing a plurality of geographic coordinates;
c. transforming the plurality of geographic coordinates to a plurality of planar coordinates;
d. mapping the plurality of planar coordinates with the radial grid;
e. allocating the plurality of planar coordinates to the at least one group of subdivisions;
f. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an entry;
g. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an exit; and
h. generating the symbolic description of the navigational element based upon the entry and the exit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating real-time, symbolic descriptions for a navigational system is provided. The method may be employed within a variety of devices, including in-vehicle navigation systems, cellular telephones and PDAs. The method takes geographical coordinates corresponding to an oncoming maneuver, like a right-hand turn at a four-way intersection for example, and transforms them into a set of two-dimensional, planar coordinates. The method then maps these planar coordinates atop a pie-shaped, radial grid, and allocates points to subdivisions of the grid by counting the number of points that fall within the grid. The method then generates a symbolic description of the maneuver to be performed by drawing an arrow running from the beginning of the maneuver to the end of the maneuver atop a predetermined, generic description of the intersection. This real-time, graphical maneuver description is then displayed on a screen to a user. The use of the radial grid eliminates the need of performing complex, angular calculations with a local processor, and further eliminates the need of storing large image files in local memory.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of generating a symbolic description of a navigational element, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a radial grid, the radial grid comprising at least one group of subdivisions, the at least one group of subdivisions comprising a set of partitions extending outward from a center of the radial grid; b. providing a plurality of geographic coordinates; c. transforming the plurality of geographic coordinates to a plurality of planar coordinates; d. mapping the plurality of planar coordinates with the radial grid; e. allocating the plurality of planar coordinates to the at least one group of subdivisions; f. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an entry; g. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an exit; and h. generating the symbolic description of the navigational element based upon the entry and the exit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for generating a symbolic description of a navigational element, comprising:
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a. at least one wireless communication device; b. a microcomputer coupled to the at least one wireless communication device; c. an output device coupled to the microcomputer; and d. a memory for storing data, the memory being coupled to the microcomputer; wherein the memory comprises; i. a plurality of registers containing data corresponding to a radial grid, the radial grid comprising at least one group of subdivisions; ii. a plurality of registers containing data corresponding to a plurality of geographic coordinates; and iii. a plurality of registers containing data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined symbolic intersection descriptions, wherein the microcomputer executes a program comprising the steps of; i. transforming the plurality of geographic coordinates to a plurality of planar coordinates; ii. mapping the plurality of planar coordinates with the radial grid; iii. allocating the plurality of planar coordinates to the at least one group of subdivisions; iv. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an entry; v. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an exit; and vi. generating the symbolic description of the navigational element based upon the entry and the exit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of generating a symbolic description of a route maneuver, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a radial grid, the radial grid comprising at least one groups of subdivisions, the at least one group of subdivisions comprising a set of partitions extending outward from a center of the radial grid; b. providing a plurality of two-dimensional coordinates, the two dimensional coordinates corresponding to a route through an intersection; c. mapping the plurality of two-dimensional coordinates with the radial grid; d. allocating the plurality of two-dimensional coordinates to the at least one group of subdivisions; e. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an entry into the intersection; f. selecting at least one subdivision from the at least one group of subdivisions as an exit from the intersection; and g. generating a symbolic description of the entry and exit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification