Map display for a navigation system

• US 7,376,510 B1
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navteq North America LLC (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Green, Judson
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louie; Wae Lenny
• Application Number:
  US10/981,907
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 701/28, 701/36, 701/56, 701/200, 701/208, 701/302, 701/209, 340/915, 340/990, 340/995.1, 34099511-99528
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3635 Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a portable computing device. When approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided by the portable computing device, the portable computing device presents alternating images on a display screen. The alternating images include an overhead view map image and either a perspective view map image or a stylized image. The stylized image can be either a 2D image or a 3D image.

Claims

1. A method for displaying map information on a portable computing device comprising the steps of:

when the portable computing device is approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided for following a route, presenting a sequence of alternating images on a display screen of the portable computing device, wherein the alternating images include a perspective view map image and an overhead view map image, and wherein one of the alternating images is presented at a time; and

when the portable computing device is following the route but not approaching the next location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided for following the route, presenting an overhead view map image on the display screen of the portable computing device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the alternating images occupies the entire display screen of the portable computing device.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the overhead view map image includes an indicator mark superimposed thereon at a location corresponding to a current position of the portable computing device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the perspective view map image does not include an indicator mark superimposed thereon at a location corresponding to a current position of the portable computing device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the perspective view map image includes an indicator mark superimposed thereon at a location corresponding to a current position of the portable computing device.

7. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the overhead view map image includes an indication showing the route to be followed at the upcoming location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the perspective view map image includes an indication showing the route to be followed at the upcoming location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the map images include an indicator mark representing the portable computing device, wherein the indicator mark is located at a position on the map image corresponding to the current position of the portable computing device.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising:

accessing data from a map database; and

using the data accessed from the map database for presenting the images on the display screen.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the map database is installed in the portable computing device.

12. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the portable computing device is removably mounted in a vehicle.

13. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising:

prior to the step of presenting alternating images, calculating the route from an origin to a destination.

14. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising:

determining a current position of the portable computing device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the current position is determined by a GPS unit associated with the portable computing device.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

prior to the step of presenting alternating images, accessing a map database that contains data representing a geographic area that includes a road network;

selecting 2D data from the map database that represents portions of the road network along the route; and

transposing the 2D data for rendering the perspective view map image.

2. A method for displaying map information on a portable computing device comprising the steps of:

when the portable computing device is approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided for following a route, presenting a sequence of alternating images on a display screen of the portable computing device, wherein the alternating images include a stylized image of an upcoming maneuver and an overhead view map image, and wherein one of the alternating images is presented at a time; and

when the portable computing device is following the route but not approaching the next location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided for following the route, presenting an overhead view map image on the display screen of the portable computing device.

17. The method of claim 2 wherein the stylized image of the upcoming maneuver is a 2D image.

18. The method of claim 2 wherein the stylized image of the upcoming maneuver is a 3D image.