Navigation device and method for enhanced map display

• US 7,930,101 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2007
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Jurgens, Sven-Erik, Geelen, Pieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US11/907,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20080165182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining map information for display on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device; determining, prior to display on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device, whether or not the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern; enhancing, upon determining that the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern, the determined at least one designated pattern; and displaying the determined map information, including the enhanced at least one designated pattern, in three dimensions on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to determine map information for subsequent display, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device, the processor further being useable to determine, prior to display, whether or not the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern and to enhance, upon determining that the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern, the determined at least one designated pattern; and an integrated input and display device to display the determined map information, including the enhanced at least one designated pattern, in three dimensions.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining map information for display on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device;

determining, prior to display on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device, whether or not the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern indicating at least one edge of at least one of a body of water and a building footprint;

emphasizing, upon determining that the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge, the determined at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge; and

displaying the determined map information, including the emphasized at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge, in three dimensions on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emphasizing includes at least one of emphasizing outlines, changing a color shade and increasing a number of pixels representing at least a portion of the determined at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the emphasizing includes emphasizing an outline of the determined at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the emphasizing includes changing a color shade of at least a portion of the at least one of a body of water and a building footprint.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the emphasizing includes increasing a number of pixels representing at least a portion of the at least one of a body of water and a building footprint.

6. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement the method of claim 1.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one edge of the body of water corresponds to an upper edge of the body of water and the at least one edge of the building footprint corresponds to a lower edge of the building footprint.

8. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor to determine map information for subsequent display, the processor further being useable to determine, prior to display, whether or not the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern indicating at least one edge of at least one of a body of water and a building footprint, and to emphasize, upon determining that the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge, the determined at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge; and

an integrated input and display device to display the determined map information, including the emphasized at least one designated pattern indicating the at least one edge, in three dimensions.

9. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the emphasizing, by the processor, includes at least one of emphasizing outlines, changing a color shade and increasing a number of pixels representing at least a portion of the determined at least one designated pattern.

10. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the emphasizing, by the processor, includes emphasizing an outline of the at least one designated pattern indicating at least one edge of at least one of a body of water and a building footprint.

11. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the emphasizing, by the processor, includes changing a color shade of at least a portion of the at least one of a body of water and a building footprint.

12. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the emphasizing, by the processor, includes increasing a number of pixels representing at least a portion of the at least one of a body of water and a building footprint.

13. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the at least one edge of the body of water corresponds to an upper edge of the body of water and the at least one edge of the building footprint corresponds to a lower edge of the building footprint.