Method and apparatus for displaying route guidance list for navigation system

• US 7,925,438 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lo, Eddy
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olsen; Lin B
• Application Number:
  US11/980,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 701/209, 701/211
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

A navigation system displays a route guidance list on a monitor screen in an intuitive and organized manner so that a user can easily understand information regarding the maneuvering locations and actions associated with the route to the destination. The route guidance list is structured in a layered manner so that the information regarding the maneuvering actions at the locations closer to the current user position will be prioritized. For example, in the route guidance list, the information regarding the immediate maneuvering location and action is more detailed, enlarged, and highlighted than the others. The navigation system displays the route guidance list in which the information regarding the maneuvering locations and actions will be dynamically changed in response to the changes of the current location of the user.

Claims

1. A display method for a navigation system, comprising the following steps of:

calculating a route to a destination specified by a user for performing a route guidance operation to the destination;

detecting information concerning upcoming maneuvering actions between a current position of the user to the destination on the calculated route; and

displaying a maneuver list which lists information associated with the upcoming maneuvering actions on the calculated route;

wherein the maneuver list has a layered structure having two or more entries on a display screen in which the entries associated with maneuvering actions at the locations closer to the current position of the user are prioritized; and

wherein each of the entries in the maneuver list includes a graphic representation of the maneuvering action and the prioritized entry is graphically enhanced by an increased size and more graphic indicators and icons than the other entries.

2. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a step of changing the information in the maneuver list to reflect changes of the current position of the user.

3. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a step of monitoring a distance between locations at which the maneuvering actions are required and the current position of the user and changing the information in the maneuver list to reflect changes of the distance.

4. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of displaying the maneuver list includes a step of displaying the information regarding the most immediate maneuvering action in more detail than that of other maneuvering actions.

5. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 4, wherein said information regarding the most immediate maneuvering action includes a maneuver icon that shows a type of maneuvering action, a current position indicator that shows a current position of the user which moves on the maneuver icon in response to changes of the current location of the user.

6. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of displaying the maneuver list includes a step of displaying the information regarding the most immediate maneuvering action in a size larger than that of other maneuvering actions.

7. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of displaying the maneuver list includes a step of displaying a distance countdown meter when the current position of the user is within a predetermined distance range from the location requiring a maneuvering action.

8. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 7, wherein said step of displaying the distance countdown meter includes a step of changing the distance countdown meter to reflect changes of distance between a location at which the maneuvering action is required and the current position of the user.

9. The display method for a navigation system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a step of shifting the priority to a next upcoming maneuvering action once a current maneuvering action is completed by displaying the information regarding the next upcoming maneuvering action in a detailed and enhanced manner.

10. An display apparatus for a navigation system, comprising:

means for calculating a route to a destination specified by a user for performing a route guidance operation to the destination;

means for detecting information concerning upcoming maneuvering actions between a current position of the user to the destination on the calculated route; and

means for displaying a maneuver list which lists information associated with the upcoming maneuvering actions on the calculated route;

wherein the maneuver list has a layered structure having two or more entries on a display screen in which the entries associated with maneuvering actions at the locations closer to the current position of the user are prioritized; and

wherein each of the entries in the maneuver list includes a graphic representation of the maneuvering action and the prioritized entry is graphically enhanced by an increased size and more graphic indicators and icons than the other entries.

11. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 10, further comprising means for changing the information in the maneuver list to reflect changes of the current position of the user.

12. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 10, further comprising means for monitoring a distance between locations at which the maneuvering actions are required and the current position of the user and changing the information in the maneuver list to reflect changes of the distance.

13. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for displaying the maneuver list includes means for displaying the information regarding the most immediate maneuvering action in more detail than that of other maneuvering actions.

14. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 13, wherein said information regarding the most immediate maneuvering action includes a maneuver icon that shows a type of maneuvering action, a current position indicator that shows a current position of the user which moves on the maneuver icon in response to changes of the current location of the user.

15. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for displaying the maneuver list includes means for displaying the information regarding the most immediate maneuvering action in a size larger than that of other maneuvering actions.

16. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for displaying the maneuver list includes means for displaying a distance countdown meter when the current position of the user is within a predetermined distance range from the location requiring a maneuvering action.

17. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 16, wherein said means for displaying the distance countdown meter includes means for changing the distance countdown meter to reflect changes of distance between a location at which the maneuvering action is required and the current position of the user.

18. The display apparatus for a navigation system as defined in claim 10, further comprising means for shifting the priority to a next upcoming maneuvering action once a current maneuvering action is completed by displaying the information regarding the next upcoming maneuvering action in a detailed and enhanced manner.