Navigation method and apparatus for mobile terminal

• US 20110125397A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Hyung Suk
• Granted Patent: US 9,285,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/365 Guidance using head up displays or projectors, e.g. virtual vehicles or arrows projected on the windscreen or on the road itself

Abstract

A navigation method, apparatus, and a computer readable medium for a mobile terminal support a display mode that provides a good field of view and enhanced readability. An input signal for enabling a route guidance function is received. Map data for route guidance is outputted when the route guidance function is enabled. Whether to activate a heads-up display (HUD) mode is determined. When the HUD mode is activated, only preset guidance information items that are extracted from the map data are displayed. Hence, the driver does not have to look away from the road to view the map on the screen, significantly reducing the risk of traffic accidents. Simplified route guidance information is provided to solve poor map readability due to screen size limitations of a mobile terminal.

Claims

1. A navigation method for a mobile terminal supporting a route guidance service, comprising:

receiving an input signal for enabling a route guidance function;

outputting map data for route guidance when an input signal for enabling the route guidance function is received;

determining whether to activate a heads-up display (HUD) mode, in which only preset guidance information is output; and

outputting, when the HUD mode is activated, the preset guidance information items that are extracted from the map data.

2. The navigation method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to activate the HUD mode comprises at least one of:

detecting a signal generated by a preset shortcut key; and

comparing a sensing value from a sensor unit measuring a slope of the mobile terminal with a preset reference sensing value.

3. The navigation method of claim 1, wherein outputting the preset guidance information items further comprises outputting the guidance information items in a reversed form.

4. The navigation method of claim 3, wherein outputting the preset guidance information items further comprises outputting the guidance information items to a display in a color that is visually contrasting with that of the background of the display.

5. The navigation method of claim 1, further comprising outputting a menu screen to permit a user to select guidance information items to be extracted from map data.

6. The navigation method of claim 1, wherein the guidance information items comprise information regarding at least one of a current location, a travel speed, a turn direction, a distance to next turn, and a traffic lane.

7. A navigation apparatus for a mobile terminal supporting a route guidance service, comprising:

a display unit configured to output map data for route guidance, and to output, when a heads-up display (HUD) mode in which only preset guidance information is output is activated, preset guidance information items that are extracted from the map data;

an input unit configured to generate an input signal for activating or deactivating the HUD mode; and

a control unit configured to activate the HUD mode when the input signal for activating the HUD mode is generated after a route guidance function is enabled.

8. The navigation apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a sensor unit configured to measure a slope of the mobile terminal; and

a storage unit configured to store a reference sensing value corresponding to placement of the mobile terminal in a cradle.

9. The navigation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control unit activates the HUD mode when a sensing value from the sensor unit is below or above the reference sensing value.

10. The navigation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit comprises a map data converter configured to extract preset guidance information items from the map data and to output the extracted guidance information items in a reversed form to the display unit.

11. The navigation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the map data converter processes the guidance information items such that the guidance information items have a color that is visually contrasting with that of the background of the display unit.

12. The navigation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the storage unit stores a menu that permits a user to select guidance information items to be extracted from map data in the HUD mode.

13. The navigation apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reference sensing value is a threshold range.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing software instructions operable when executed for supporting a route guidance function in a mobile terminal, the software instructions when executed perform a method comprising:

providing map data for route guidance when the route guidance function is enabled;

determining whether to activate a heads-up display (HUD) mode, in which only preset guidance information is output; and

outputting the preset guidance information items that are extracted from the map data when the HUD mode is activated.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein determining whether to activate the HUD mode comprises at least one of:

detecting a signal generated by a preset shortcut key; and

comparing a sensing value received from a sensor function measuring a slope of the mobile terminal with a preset reference sensing value.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein outputting the preset guidance information items further comprises outputting the guidance information items in a reversed form.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein outputting the preset guidance information items further comprises outputting the guidance information items to a display in a color that is visually contrasting with that of the background of the display.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, further comprising software instructions for providing an interface to permit a user to select guidance information items to be extracted from map data.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the guidance information items comprise information regarding at least one of a current location, a travel speed, a turn direction, a distance to next turn, and a traffic lane.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the preset reference sensing value is a threshold range.