Navigation method and apparatus to define favorite spot and extract information concerning the favorite spot

• US 7,171,304 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wako, Hikaru
• Primary Examiner(s): BEAULIEU, YONEL
• Application Number:
  US10/847,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20050261822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-202, 701208-209, 701/23, 701/25, 701/26, 701/117, 340/995.1, 340/988
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use with a navigation system allows a user to define and edits a favorite spot and retrieves points of interest (POI) information or other information associated with the favorite spot. The method includes the steps of creating a favorite spot by selecting a location on a map image displayed on the navigation system and setting a size of the favorite spot, selecting one of the favorite spots created in the navigation system, and retrieving information associated with the selected favorite spot. The navigation is able to inform the user that the user has entered a favorite spot or has left a favorite spot.

Claims

1. A method of defining a favorite spot and retrieving information concerning the favorite spot for use with a navigation system, comprising the following steps of:

creating one or more favorite spots by selecting a location on a map image displayed on the navigation system and setting a size of the favorite spot;

selecting one of the favorite spots created in the navigation system;

retrieving information associated with the selected favorite spot; and

notifying a user that the user enters the favorite spot when the user reaches any part of the location of one of the favorite spots.

2. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of creating the favorite spot includes a step of setting a shape of the favorite spot, and a step of assigning a name of the favorite spot.

3. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of creating the favorite spot includes a step of registering the favorite spot in a list of favorite spot names.

4. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of selecting one of the favorite spots created in the navigation system includes a step of displaying a list of favorite spot names.

5. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of retrieving the information associated with the selected favorite spot includes a step of specifying a category of information to be searched for said favorite spot, a step of retrieving the information of the selected category within the favorite spot, and a step of displaying a list of retrieved information.

6. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 5, wherein said category of information within said favorite spot is point of interest information.

7. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 5, wherein said category of information within said favorite spot is event information.

8. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 5, wherein said category of information within said favorite spot is traffic incident information.

9. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a step of editing the data on the favorite spot by changing a size, location, or name of the favorite spot or deleting the favorite spot.

10. A method for a navigation system as defined in claim 9, wherein said step of editing the data on the favorite spot includes a step of selecting a favorite spot to be edited, a step of selecting an item of the favorite spot to be edited, and a step of changing values of the selected item.

11. An apparatus for defining a favorite spot and retrieving information concerning the favorite spot for use with a navigation system, comprising:

means for creating one or more favorite spots by selecting a location on a map image displayed on the navigation system and setting a size of the favorite spot;

means for selecting one of the favorite spots created in the navigation system;

means for retrieving information associated with the selected favorite spot; and

means for notifying a user that the user enters the favorite snot when the user reaches any part of the location of one of the favorite spots.

12. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for creating the favorite spot includes means for setting a shape of the favorite spot, and means for assigning a name of the favorite spot.

13. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for creating the favorite spot includes means for registering the favorite spot in a list of favorite spot names.

14. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for selecting one of the favorite spots created in the navigation system includes means for displaying a list of favorite spot names.

15. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for retrieving the information associated with the selected favorite spot includes means for specifying a category of information to be searched for said favorite spot, means for retrieving the information of the selected category within the favorite spot, and means for displaying a list of retrieved information.

16. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 15, wherein said category of information within said favorite spot is point of interest information.

17. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 15, wherein said category of information within said favorite spot is event information.

18. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 15, wherein said category of information within said favorite spot is traffic incident information.

19. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 11, further comprising a step of editing the data on the favorite spot by changing a size, location, or name of the favorite spot or deleting the favorite spot.

20. An apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 19, wherein said means for editing the data on the favorite spot includes means for selecting a favorite spot to be edited, means for selecting an item of the favorite spot to be edited, and means for changing values of the selected item.