Personal navigation device which provides portable electronic map and related navigating method

• US 8,694,252 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2011
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiTAC International Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: MiTAC International Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Hu, Wei-Han, Yeh, Yao-Tsung
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALLACE, DONALD JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US13/011,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20110301836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 701408-410, 701/454, 701/483, 701/487, 701/491, 701/526, 701/538, 701/540, 701/541, 34099511- 16, 340/18, 340/24, 340/26, 340/27
• US Class Current: 701/516
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens

Abstract

A personal navigation device includes a navigation console and a peripheral device. The navigation console is configured to acquire a navigation instruction from a start point to a destination and a detailed map which depicts a predetermined area around the destination. The peripheral device is connected to the navigation console in a detachable manner for displaying the detailed map.

Claims

1. A personal navigation device which provides a portable electronic map, comprising:

a navigation console comprising;

a verification module;

a receiver module for receiving a location signal associated with a current location of the personal navigation device;

a processor configured to provide a navigation instruction according to the location signal and a destination inputted by a user and configured to acquire a detailed map which depicts a predetermined area around the destination after receiving a print command; and

a display module for displaying the navigation instruction; and

a peripheral device connected to the navigation console and comprising;

a storage unit for storing a chip code;

a connecting module; and

a screen for displaying the detailed map without external power supply when the peripheral device is disconnected from the navigation console;

wherein the verification module is configured to access the chip code when the peripheral device is attached to the navigation console, verify the accessed chip code with a built-in identification code of the navigation console, and allow the navigation console to be enabled if the accessed chip code matches the built-in identification code.

2. The personal navigation device of claim 1, wherein the connecting module of the navigation console comprises:

a socket disposed on a surface of the navigation console for holding the peripheral device.

3. The personal navigation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a control button disposed on a surface of the navigation console for issuing the print command.

4. The personal navigation device of claim 3, wherein the control button is presented as a software icon shown on the display module.

5. The personal navigation device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is configured to communicate with the navigation console.

6. The personal navigation device of claim 1, wherein the navigation console further comprises an activation control module configured to detect whether the peripheral device is attached to the navigation console and disable the navigation console when detecting that the peripheral device is not attached to the navigation console.

7. The personal navigation device of claim 6, wherein the peripheral device is configured to serve as a smart key of a vehicle where the personal navigation device is installed.

8. The personal navigation device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is configured to display the detailed map which depicts a navigation instruction from a parking lot located within the predetermined area to the destination.

9. The personal navigation device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is an E-paper or a flexible E-paper.

10. A navigation method which provides a portable electronic map, comprising:

providing a navigation instruction on a navigation console of a personal navigation device according to coordinates of a start point and a destination;

after entering a predetermined area around the destination, downloading a detailed map related to the predetermined area to a peripheral device of the personal navigation device which is connected to the navigation console in a detachable manner;

after arriving at a predetermined location in the predetermined area, providing the peripheral device as the portable electronic map by removing the peripheral device from the navigation console;

determining whether the peripheral device is attached to the navigation console; and

disabling the navigation console when detecting that the peripheral device is not attached to the navigation console.

11. The navigation method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing keyless operations on a vehicle where the personal navigation device is installed using the peripheral device.

12. The navigation method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining whether the peripheral device corresponds to the navigation console after detecting that the peripheral device is attached to the navigation console; and

enabling the navigation console after detecting that the peripheral device corresponds to the navigation console.