Navigation system for a vehicle

• US 7,711,472 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Williams, Carly, Finn, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tan Q.
• Application Number:
  US11/323,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20060235606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211, 340/995.19, 707/3, 707/4, 705/37
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3611 using character input or menus, e.g. menus of POIs character input methods in general G06F3/0233
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3614 through interaction with a road map, e.g. selecting a POI icon on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence

Abstract

A navigation system for a vehicle includes a man-machine interface to enter at least one key word for characterization of a point of interest and to enter a geometric figure and a search module to search for at least one of the points of interest assigned to the key word within a geographic area defined by the geometric figure.

Claims

1. A navigation system for a vehicle, the navigation system comprising:

a database including an allocation of a plurality of points of interest to a plurality of different predefined geographical areas, at least one predefined geographical area divided into a plurality of predefined geographical partial areas;

a man-machine interface for entry of at least one key word for characterization of a point of interest and for entry of a geometric figure, and

a search module for searching for at least one point of interest assigned to the key word within a geographic area defined or determined by the geometric figure, the search module configured to;

identify a particular predefined geographical area corresponding to the geographic area defined or determined by the geometric figure;

determine whether the identified particular predefined geographical area is divided into a plurality of predefined geographical partial areas; and

if so, identify a particular predefined geographical partial area corresponding to the geographic area defined or determined by the geometric figure.

2. A navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the geometric figure is essentially round.

3. A navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the geometric figure is essentially a circle.

4. A navigation system according to claim 3, wherein the circle can be established by entering its radius.

5. A navigation system according to claim 4, wherein the position of the vehicle or a destination position is the center of the circle.