Method of operating a navigation system using images

• US 8,301,372 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2010
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navteq North America LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Herbst, James M., McGrath, Suzanne M., Borak, Jason M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Application Number:
  US12/879,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20100332299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211, 705/14, 705/49, 345/530, 340/995.1
• US Class Current: 701/433
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3638 including 3D objects and buildings three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects G06T17/00; geographic models G06T17/05
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3647 Guidance involving output of stored or live camera images or video streams
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00

Abstract

A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight includes a symbol indicating at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.

Claims

1. A method of operating a navigation system comprising:

determining a route between an origin and a destination;

providing a photographic image showing a geographic area through which said route passes, wherein said photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint; and

overlaying, using a processor, a route highlight on said photographic image identifying a path corresponding to the route, wherein the route highlight includes a symbol graphically representing on the photographic image at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a label on said photographic image.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said photographic image is associated with road segment data in the geographic database.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said photographic image is associated with location information in the geographic database.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said route highlight comprises a series of icons extending along the path containing the symbol indicating the feature of the route.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said photographic image provides an angle of view greater than 180 degrees.

7. The method of claim 1 further including:

determining an alternative route from the origin to the destination; and

providing an alternate route highlight on said photographic image identifying a path corresponding to the alternative route, wherein the alternate route highlight includes a different symbol.

8. A navigation system comprising:

a processor;

a display; and

a guidance application executable on said processor to obtain a photographic image and to overlay a route highlight on said photographic image, wherein said photographic image provides a land-based view, wherein the route highlight graphically illustrates a path corresponding to the route and a direction of travel for the route and includes a symbol graphically depicting a feature of the route or the destination.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said guidance application displays said photographic image with said route highlight on the display of the navigation system.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said guidance application places a text label on said photographic image to identify a point of interest visible is the photographic image.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the feature of the route is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the feature of the destination is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible entrance, toilets available and refreshments available.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the photographic image includes a label.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the photographic image includes an advertisement.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein said photographic image provides an angle of view greater than 180 degrees.

16. A method of operating a navigation system comprising:

determining, using a processor, a route between an origin and a destination;

providing, using the processor, a photographic image showing a geographic area through which said route passes, wherein said photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint; and

overlaying, using the processor, a route highlight on said photographic image identifying the route, wherein the route highlight includes a symbol providing visual information representing at least one feature of the route or the destination.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the feature is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the feature is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible entrance, refreshments available and toilets available.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

providing a label on said photographic image.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the photographic image includes advertising.