Navigation device and method for display of position in text readable form

• US 9,194,708 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• 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: Geelen, Pieter, Ribbink, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US14/068,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20140129134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 701/440, 701/454, 701/213
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3641 Personalized guidance, e.g. limited guidance on previously travelled routes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3673 Labelling using text of road map data items, e.g. road names, POI names

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for display of a location of a navigation device; determining at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device; comparing the determined GPS location to stored map information and converting the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and displaying the text readable form of the determined GPS location on an integrated input and display of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to receive a request for display of a location of a navigation device, to determine at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device, to compare the determined GPS location to stored map information and to convert the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and an integrated input and display device to display the text readable form of the determined GPS location.

Claims

1. A method performed by a navigation device, comprising:

receiving a request for display of a location of the navigation device;

determining at least one of a last known and a current location of the navigation device;

determining the location of at least one element of stored map information associated with the determined location of the navigation device;

comparing the determined location of the navigation device to the location of said at least one element and converting the determined location of the navigation device into a text readable form; and

displaying the text readable form of the determined location of the navigation device on a display of the navigation device;

wherein the text readable form indicates the location of the navigation device relative to the location of said at least one element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one element is at least one of:

at least a roadway on which the navigation device is located;

at least two roadways proximate to the navigation device; and

at least two roadways proximate to the navigation device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the location of at least one element includes determining at least a roadway on which the navigation device is located and then determining at least one relatively nearest roadways crossing the determined roadway.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the location of at least one element includes determining at least a roadway on which the navigation device is located and then determining at least two relatively nearest roadways crossing the determined roadway.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least one selectable icon on the display device, wherein subsequent to receipt of an indication of selection thereof, the request is received.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement a method, comprising:

receiving a request for display of a location of the navigation device;

determining at least one of a last known and a current location of the navigation device;

determining the location of at least one element of stored map information associated with the determined location of the navigation device;

comparing the determined location of the navigation device to the location of said at least one element and converting the determined location of the navigation device into a text readable form; and

displaying the text readable form of the determined location of the navigation device on a display of the navigation device;

wherein the text readable form indicates the location of the navigation device relative to the location of said at least one element.

7. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor to receive a request for display of a location of the navigation device, to determine at least one of a last known and a current location of the navigation device, to determine the location of at least one element of stored map information associated with the determined location of the navigation device, to compare the determined location of the navigation device to the location of said at least one element and to convert the determined location of the navigation device into a text readable form, wherein the text readable form indicates the location of the navigation device relative to the location of said at least one element; and

a display device to display the text readable form of the determined location.

8. The navigation device of claim 7, wherein the at least one element is at least one of:

at least a roadway on which the navigation device is located;

at least two roadways proximate to the navigation device; and

at least two roadways proximate to the navigation device.

9. The navigation device of claim 7, wherein the determining the location of at least one element includes the processor being further used to determine at least a roadway on which the navigation device is located and then to determine at least one relatively nearest roadways crossing the determined roadway.

10. The navigation device of claim 7, wherein the determining the location of at least one element includes the processor being further used to determine at least a roadway on which the navigation device is located and then to determine at least two relatively nearest roadways crossing the determined roadway.

11. The navigation device of claim 7, wherein the display device is further useable to display at least one selectable icon on the display device, wherein subsequent to receipt of an indication of selection thereof using an input device, the request is received.