HK1126545A - A method and device for utilizing a selectable location marker for relational display of point of interest entries - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for utilizing a selectable location marker for relational display of point of interest entries. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting selection of a point of interest location marker on a navigation device, and displaying selectable point of interest entries on the navigation device in an order based upon a location related to a selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

Description

Method and device for performing relational display on point of interest items by using selectable position markers

Priority declaration

The present application claims priority herein according to 35 u.s.c. § 119 to each of the following british patent applications: 0604709.6, filed on 8/3/2006; 0604708.8, filed on 8/3/2006; 0604710.4, filed on 8/3/2006; 0604704.7, filed on 8/3/2006; and 0604706.2 filed on 8.3.2006, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to navigation methods and devices.

Background

In known navigation systems, menus are used to display various travel destinations, desired locations, or desired points of interest. For example, a user may select a category of restaurants and may find multiple selections available. The user may then select a particular restaurant and then use the navigation system to determine a route to reach that restaurant.

Disclosure of Invention

The inventors have found that although a number of alternative various travel destinations or locations are displayed in known navigation systems, such as listing a number of items in various alternative categories, the relative proximity of the items is not displayed to the user. For example, in at least one embodiment, a method includes prompting selection of a point of interest location marker on a navigation device, and displaying selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a location related to the selected point of interest location marker (e.g., a current GPS location navigation device, a user's home, a travel destination, etc.) and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

In another embodiment, a navigation device includes an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of a point of interest location marker on the navigation device and display selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a location related to the selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

Drawings

The application will be described in more detail below using example embodiments, which will be explained with the aid of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS);

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components of a navigation device of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server, a navigation device, and connections therebetween of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a display screen of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of another display screen of an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of another display screen of an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this application, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

In describing example embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views, example embodiments of the present patent application are described below. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that may be used by navigation devices, including navigation devices of embodiments of the present application. Such systems are known and used for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite radio-based navigation system that is capable of determining the continuous location, velocity, time, and in some instances, direction information for an unlimited number of users.

The formal name of GPS is NAVSTAR, which incorporates a plurality of satellites that cooperate with the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their position to any number of receiving units. The GPS system is implemented when a device specially equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving radio signals from GPS satellites, the device determines the precise location of the satellites via one of a number of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning for signals in most instances until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (noting that the position can be determined with only two signals using other triangulation techniques, although this is not uncommon). By implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Furthermore, obtaining a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner by the same geometrical calculation. The location and rate data may be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users.

As shown in fig. 1, the GPS system is indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronized with the orbits of the other satellites 120 and may, in fact, not be synchronized. A GPS receiver 140 useful in embodiments of the navigation device of the present application is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from various satellites 120.

The spread spectrum signals 160 continuously transmitted from each satellite 120 utilize a very accurate frequency standard implemented using an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120 transmits a data stream indicative of the particular satellite 120 as part of its data signal transmission 160. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the GPS receiver device 140 generally requires spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Obtaining additional signals results in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120 permits the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.

Figure 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components of a navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the present application, represented in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 does not include all components of the navigation device, but is merely representative of many example components.

The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown). The housing contains a processor 210, the processor 210 being connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240. Input device 220 may include a keyboard device, a voice input device, and/or any other known input device for inputting information; and display screen 240 may comprise, for example, any type of display screen, such as an LCD display. In at least one embodiment of the present application, the input device 220 and the display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a keypad or touch screen input, wherein the user need only touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of display selections or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.

Further, other types of output devices 250 may also include, including but not limited to, audible output devices. While the output device 250 may produce audible information to a user of the navigation device 200, it should likewise be understood that the input device 240 may also include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands.

In the navigation device 200, the processor 210 is operably connected and arranged to receive input information from the input device 240 via connection 225 and operably connected to at least one of the display screen 240 and the output device 250 via output connection 245 so as to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is operatively connected to the memory 230 via a connection 235 and is further adapted to receive information from and send information to an input/output (I/O) port 270 via a connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is connectable to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 200. External I/O device 270 may include, but is not limited to, an external listening device such as, for example, a headset. The connection with the I/O device 280 may further be a wired or wireless connection with any other external device, such as a car stereo unit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation, for example for connecting to an earphone or headset and/or for connecting to a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a TCP/IP connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network, for example, and/or to establish a connection with a server via the internet or some other network, for example.

Fig. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 210 and the antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, wherein the antenna/receiver 250 may be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver. It will be appreciated that the antenna and receiver indicated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and the antenna may be, for example, a GPS patch antenna or a helical antenna.

Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the electronic components shown in FIG. 2 are powered by a power source (not shown) in a conventional manner. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different configurations of the components shown in FIG. 2 are contemplated within the scope of the present application. For example, in one embodiment, the components shown in FIG. 2 may communicate with each other via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present application includes portable or handheld navigation devices 200.

Further, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of fig. 2 may be connected or "docked" to a motor vehicle, such as a car or boat, for example, in a known manner. This navigation device 200 can then be removed from the docked location for portable or handheld navigation use.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server 302 and navigation device 200 of the present application via a generic communication channel 318 of an embodiment of the present application. The server 302 and navigation device 200 of the present application may communicate when a connection over the communication channel 318 is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection may be a data connection over a mobile device, a direct connection over the internet over a personal computer, etc.).

In at least one embodiment, the navigation device 200 can establish a "mobile" network connection with the server 302 via a mobile device 400 (e.g., a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection (e.g., such as a digital connection via known bluetooth technology). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device 400 can establish a network connection (e.g., through the Internet) with the server 302. As such, a "mobile" network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which may be, and often is, mobile when it is traveling alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 in order to provide a "real-time" or at least very "up-to-date" gateway for information. A network connection may be established in a known manner between the mobile device 400 (via a service provider) and another device, such as the server 302, for example using the internet 410. This may include, for example, using a TCP/IP layered protocol. The mobile device 400 may utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc. As such, an internet connection may be utilized, such as via a data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200. For this connection, an internet connection is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200. This can be done, for example, by a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (general packet radio service) connection (GPRS connection is a high speed data connection for mobile devices provided by a telecommunications carrier; GPRS is a method of connecting to the internet).

The navigation device 200 may further complete a data connection with the mobile device 400, and eventually with the internet 410 and server 302, for example via existing bluetooth technology in a known manner, wherein the data protocol may utilize any number of standards, for example data protocol standards such as GSRM, GSM standards.

The navigation device 200 may comprise its own mobile phone technology located within the navigation device 200 itself, including for example an antenna, wherein the internal antenna of the navigation device 200 may further be used instead. The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 may include the internal components specified above and/or may include an insertable card, for example completed with the necessary mobile phone technology and/or antenna. As such, mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 via the internet 410, such as in a manner similar to that of any mobile device 400.

For GPRS phone settings, a bluetooth enabled device may be used to properly coordinate with a varying range of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on the navigation device 200, for example. The data stored for this information may be updated in the manner discussed in any of the embodiments before and after.

The server 302 includes, among other components that may not be illustrated, a processor 304, the processor 304 being operatively connected to a memory 306, and further operatively connected to a mass data storage 312 via a wired or wireless connection 314. The processor 304 is further operatively connected to the transmitter 308 and the receiver 310 for transmitting and sending data to and from the navigation device 200 via the communication channel 318. The transmitted and received signals may include data, communications, and/or other propagated signals. The transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation system 200. Further, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a single transceiver.

The server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 can be coupled to the server 302 via a communication link 314. The mass storage device 312 contains a large amount of navigation data and map information, and may likewise be a separate device from the server 302, or may be incorporated into the server 302.

The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 through a communication channel 318, and includes a processor, memory, etc. as previously described with respect to fig. 2, and also includes a transmitter 320 and a receiver 322 to send and receive signals and/or data through the communication channel 318, noting that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices other than the server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation device 200, and the functions of the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single transceiver.

Software stored in the server memory 306 provides instructions to the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services to the navigation device 200. One service provided by the server 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device 200. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, another service provided by the server 302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for the desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.

The communication channel 318 generally represents a propagation medium or path connecting the navigation device 200 with the server 302. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, the server 302 and the navigation device 200 both include a transmitter for transmitting data over a communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted over the communication channel.

The communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Further, the communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel 318 may include several communication links using various techniques. For example, in accordance with at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318 may be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communication, among others. As such, the communication channel 318 includes (but is not limited to) one or a combination of the following: electrical circuits, electrical conductors (such as wire and coaxial cable), fiber optic cable, transducers, radio frequency (rf) waves, atmosphere, vacuum, and the like. Further, in accordance with at least one various embodiment, the communication channel 318 may include, for example, intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers.

For example, in at least one embodiment of the present application, the communication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks. Further, in at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communications, such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communications, and the like. Further, according to at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318 can accommodate satellite communications.

The communication signals transmitted over the communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals that may be required or desired for a given communication technology. For example, the signals may be suitable for use with cellular communication techniques such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), and so forth. Both digital and analog signals may be transmitted over the communication channel 318. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the signals may be modulated, encrypted, and/or compressed signals as may be required by the communication technology.

The mass data storage 312 contains sufficient memory for the desired navigation application. Examples of mass data storage 312 may include, for example, magnetic data storage media such as hard drives, optical storage media such as CD-roms, charged data storage media such as flash memory, molecular memory, and the like.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, the server 302 comprises a remote server accessible by the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. According to at least one other embodiment of the present application, the server 302 may comprise a network server located on a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), or the like.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, the server 302 may comprise a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 in order to establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a mobile phone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection with the internet for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the internet.

The navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the server 302 via information downloads which may be updated periodically after the user connects the navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic on the basis of more constant or frequent connections made between the server 302 and the navigation device 200, such as via wireless mobile connection devices and TCP/IP connections. For many dynamic calculations, a processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of the processing needs, however, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 may also handle a large amount of processing and calculations, often independently of the connection to the server 302.

The mass storage device 312 connected to the server 302 may include much more cartographic and route data than is able to be maintained on the navigation device 200 itself, including maps and the like. The server 302 may use a set of processing algorithms to process most devices traveling along a route, such as the navigation device 200. Further, the mapping and route data stored in the memory 312 may operate on signals initially received by the navigation device 200, such as GPS signals.

FIG. 4 provides an illustration of an example embodiment of a display screen of the present application. Fig. 4 illustrates the display of the display screen 240 of the navigation device 200. The display screen 240 includes a plurality of point of interest location markers for selection by the user. Selection of any of these markers establishes a relative position from which points of interest can be measured, relatively ranked in terms of, for example, distance, etc. As shown in fig. 4, the display screen 240 prompts selection of a point of interest location marker on the navigation device 200. The example markers shown in fig. 4 may include "POI near you" 410 (e.g., establishing a relative marker based on the current location of the navigation device 200), "POI in city" 420 (e.g., establishing a relative marker based on the location of the marker of the current city where you are located, such as in the empire building in new york city), "POI near home" 430 (e.g., establishing a relative marker based on the location of a home registered by the user of the navigation device 200), and (if a route has been selected), "POI along the way" 440 (e.g., establishing a relative marker based on points along the selected route), and "POI near destination" 450 (e.g., establishing a relative marker based on an entered travel destination). It is to be understood and appreciated that the labels shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples and do not include all possible labels, and it is noted that embodiments of the present application should not be limited by the words shown for describing the particular labels in FIG. 4.

Thus, as shown in fig. 4, selection of a point of interest location marker (e.g., a plurality of point of interest location markers) is prompted on the navigation device 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the optional point of interest location markers may include a plurality of location markers including, for example, at least two of the following markers: a selectable marker for a location of the navigation device, a selectable marker for a location of a home of a user of the navigation device, and a selectable marker for a location of an input route destination. Once a particular point of interest marker is selected, a plurality of selectable point of interest entries are then displayed on the navigation device 200 shown in fig. 5.

These selectable point of interest entries displayed on the navigation device 200 shown in fig. 5 relate to the selected point of interest location marker and are displayed in an order based on the location related to the selected point of interest location marker and the relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries (or a portion thereof is displayed, noting that other entries may be scrolled through, for example, and/or limitations may be included to limit the display to not all, such as the first ten, being displayed, for example). For example, if the label "POI near you" (410 of fig. 4) is selected, selectable point of interest entries are displayed in an order based on relative position with respect to the current position of the navigation device itself. The order may be, for example, ascending and/or descending.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the point of interest locations are pre-stored in the memory 230 of the navigation device 200, or may be downloaded and subsequently stored in the memory 230 of the navigation device 200. Furthermore, the location of the navigation device 200 is easily retrieved via a GPS positioning location, and other indicia such as the location of the home, route destination, etc. may be pre-stored or entered/selected in a known manner by the user of the navigation device and subsequently stored in the memory 230. Thus, after storing/inputting/selecting the points of interest and marker locations, the processor 200 may readily, for example, make distance or other calculations, or any other calculations for relative ranking/display, including, but not limited to, travel time to a POI, total detour time, display whether a smaller detour is required or a marker of the POI does follow a route, etc., as well as organized by processor 200 and display 420 by descending/ascending distance or/and displaying it.

In either case, the method and navigation device 200 of embodiments of the present application provide the user with the ability to: the plurality of selectable point of interest entries are viewed based on the viewable positional relationship between the selected point of interest position marker and the selectable point of interest entries themselves. Thus, if the user is looking for points of interest close to the current location of the navigation device 200, the user may find the point of interest relatively closest to the navigation device 200 and relatively farthest from the navigation device 200 upon selection of the "POI nearby" location marker. Thereafter, the selectable point of interest entries will be displayed in an order based on the current GPS location of the navigation device 200 and the relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries. In a similar manner, if the location marker "POI near home" (430 of fig. 4) is selected, the selectable items will be displayed in an order based on the location of the user's home (e.g., entered or determined at the time the navigation device 200 is registered) and the relative location of each of the selectable point of interest items.

Further, in a similar manner, if the location marker "POI near destination" (450 of fig. 4) is selected, the selectable entries will be displayed in an order based on the user's selected/input travel destination (e.g., previously input/selected for route calculation) and the relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries. It should be noted that similar operations occur based on the selection of any point of interest location marker, including but not limited to those shown in fig. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the selectable entries may also be displayed in conjunction with distance information indicating a distance between the location associated with the selected point of interest marker and the location of each of the selectable entries. Thus, assuming, for example, that the marker "POI near home" 430 is selected, a "bulldog" is displayed relatively closest to the home of the user/owner of the navigation device 200 (based on the registered home location), e.g., 45 meters from the home of the user/owner of the location of the navigation device 200, displaying distance information relative to the selected particular point of interest location marker. Similar to the display of the 45 meter distance for the bulldog of fig. 5, the selectable point of interest entries may be displayed on the display 240 of the navigation device 200 according to the distance of each of the selectable point of interest entries relative to the selected marker. This display may be in order of increasing distance, decreasing distance, etc., so that the user of the navigation device 200 is then able to view each of the plurality of point of interest entries relative to the selectable marker position.

Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the prompting may include prompting one of a plurality of point of interest location markers, and the prompting may include displaying the plurality of point of interest location markers. Upon selection of the point of interest location marker relative to the current navigation device 200 location, the selectable entries are displayed in an order based on the current GPS position location of the navigation device 200 and the relative locations of the selectable point of interest entries. Upon selection of the point of interest location marker relating to the location of the home of the user of the navigation device 200, the selectable entries are displayed in an order based on the stored location of the home of the user of the navigation device 200 and the location of at least a portion of the selectable entries. Similarly, upon selection of a point of interest location marker related to a route destination input (via input/selection/etc.) to the navigation device 200, the selectable entries are displayed in an order based on the stored location of the route destination and the location of at least a portion of the selectable entries. Similar operations occur based on the selection of any point of interest location markers, including but not limited to those shown in fig. 4.

It should be understood that embodiments of the present application may encompass implementation of the method into the navigation device itself. Further, embodiments of the present application also include a navigation device 200 including an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of a point of interest location marker on the navigation device and display selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a location related to the selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

Moreover, it is to be further appreciated and understood that embodiments of the present application can include prompting and/or displaying selection of a general point of interest category from a general menu prior to the display of FIG. 4. For example, on a general menu display, a prompt for "point of interest" 600 may be displayed on the display 240, such as shown in FIG. 6. Moreover, it is to be further appreciated and understood that embodiments of the present application can include prompting and/or displaying selection of a point of interest category upon selection of a point of interest location marker, including displaying a plurality of different categories including, but not limited to, restaurants, city locations, museums, sporting venues, etc., wherein points of interest in these categories can then be relatively displayed with respect to the selected point of interest location marker.

The methods of at least one embodiment expressed above may be embodied as a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave or propagated signal that represents a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor (such as, for example, the processor 304 of the server 302 and/or the processor 210 of the navigation device 200), causes the processor to perform a corresponding method. In at least one other embodiment, at least one of the methods provided above may be implemented above as a set of instructions contained on a computer-readable or computer-accessible medium (such as, for example, one of the aforementioned memory devices) so as to perform the respective method when executed by a processor or other computer device. In various embodiments, the media may be magnetic media, electronic media, optical media, and the like.

Further, any of the foregoing methods may be implemented in the form of a program. The program may be stored on a computer readable medium and adapted to perform any of the aforementioned methods when run on a computer device, including a processor. Thus, the storage medium or computer readable medium is adapted to store information and to interact with a data processing facility or a computer device in order to perform the method of any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

The storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside the computer device main body or a removable medium provided so that it can be separated from the computer device main body. Examples of built-in media include, but are not limited to, rewritable non-volatile memory such as ROM and flash memory, and a hard disk. Examples of removable media include, but are not limited to, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical storage media such as MO; magnetic storage media including, but not limited to, floppy disks (trademark), tape cassettes, and removable hard disks; media with built-in rewritable non-volatile memory, including but not limited to memory cards; and media with built-in ROM including, but not limited to, ROM cartridges and the like. Further, various information (e.g., ownership information) related to the stored images may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure that the electronic components of the navigation device 200 and/or the components of the server 302 can be implemented as computer hardware circuits or as a computer readable program or as a combination of both.

The systems and methods of embodiments of the present application include software operable on a processor to perform at least one method according to the teachings of the present application. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, the manner in which a software program can be launched from a computer readable medium in a computer based system to execute the functions established in the software program. One of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate the various programming languages that may be employed to create a software program designed to implement and perform at least one of the methods of the present application.

The program may be constructed in object oriented using an object oriented language including, but not limited to, JAVA, Smalltalk, C + + or the like and may be constructed in programmatic oriented using a programmatic language including, but not limited to, COBAL, C or the like. The software components may communicate in any number of ways well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, through Application Program Interfaces (APIs), inter-process communication techniques including, but not limited to, reporter calls (RPCs), common object request broker structures (CORBA), Component Object Models (COM), Distributed Component Object Models (DCOM), Distributed System Object Models (DSOM), and remote method calls (RMI). However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present application disclosure that the teachings of the present application are not limited to a particular programming language or environment.

The above systems, devices and methods have been described by way of example and not limitation with respect to improving accuracy, processor speed, and ease of user interaction with the navigation device 200, among other things. Furthermore, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

Still further, any of the above and other example features of the invention may be embodied in the form of apparatus, methods, systems, computer programs, and computer program products. For example, the foregoing methods may be implemented in the form of a system or device, including but not limited to any structure for performing the methods illustrated in the figures.

By so describing example embodiments, it will be apparent that the same may be modified in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (43)

1. A method, comprising:

prompting selection of a point of interest location marker on a navigation device; and

the selectable point of interest entries are displayed on the navigation device in an order based on the location related to the selected point of interest location marker and the relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable point of interest entries are displayed on the navigation device in conjunction with distance information indicating a distance between the location related to the selected point of interest location marker and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

3. The method of claims 1-2, wherein the prompting includes prompting selection of one of a plurality of point of interest location markers.

4. The method of claims 1-3, wherein the prompting includes displaying a plurality of point of interest location markers.

5. The method of claims 1-4, wherein the selectable point of interest location markers includes a plurality of location markers including at least two of: a selectable marker for a location of the navigation device, a selectable marker for a location of a home of a user of the navigation device, and a selectable marker for a location of an input route destination.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of the navigation device, the selectable point of interest entries are displayed in an order based on a current GPS location of the navigation device and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of a home of a user of the navigation device, the selectable point of interest entries are displayed in an order based on a stored location of a home of the user of the navigation device and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of an input route destination, the selectable point of interest entries are displayed in an order based on the location of the input route destination and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying includes displaying the selectable point of interest entries in conjunction with distance information for each selectable point of interest entry, the distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between the current GPS location of the navigation device and a location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the displaying includes displaying the selectable point of interest entries in conjunction with distance information for each selectable point of interest entry, the distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between the stored location of a home of the user of the navigation device and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the displaying includes displaying the selectable point of interest entries in conjunction with distance information for each selectable point of interest entry, the distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between a location of the input route destination and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

12. The method of claims 1-11, further comprising, after selecting a prompted point of interest location marker, prompting selection of a point of interest category, wherein the displaying includes displaying selectable point of interest entries within a selected point of interest category.

13. The method of claims 1-12, further comprising prompting selection of a point of interest from a general menu prior to selecting a prompted point of interest location marker.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, after selecting a prompted point of interest location marker, prompting selection of a point of interest category, wherein the displaying includes displaying selectable point of interest entries within a selected point of interest category.

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

16. A navigation device, comprising:

prompt means for prompting selection of a point of interest location marker on the navigation device; and

display means for displaying selectable point of interest entries on the navigation device in an order based on a location related to a selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

17. The navigation device of claim 16, wherein the display device is further for displaying selectable point of interest entries in conjunction with distance information indicating a distance between the location related to the selected point of interest location marker and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

18. The navigation device of claims 16-17, wherein the means for prompting is further for prompting selection of one of a plurality of point of interest location markers.

19. The navigation device of claim 18, wherein the prompting device and the display device are integrated.

20. The navigation device of claims 16-19, wherein the selectable point of interest location markers includes a plurality of location markers including at least two of: a selectable marker for a location of the navigation device, a selectable marker for a location of a home of a user of the navigation device, and a selectable marker for a location of an input route destination.

21. The navigation device of claim 20, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of the navigation device, the display device displays the selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a current GPS location of the navigation device and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

22. The navigation device of claim 20, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of a home of a user of the navigation device, the display device displays the selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a stored location of a home of the user of the navigation device and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

The navigation device of claim 20, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of an input route destination, the display device displays the selectable point of interest entries in an order based on the location of the input route destination and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

24. The navigation device of claim 21, wherein the display device is further for displaying each selectable point of interest entry in conjunction with distance information for the selectable point of interest entry, the distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between the current GPS location of the navigation device and a location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

25. The navigation device of claim 22, wherein the display device is further for displaying each selectable point of interest entry in conjunction with distance information for the selectable point of interest entry, the distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between the stored location of a home of the user of the navigation device and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

26. The navigation device of claim 23, wherein the display device is further for displaying each selectable point of interest entry in conjunction with distance information for the selectable point of interest entry, the distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between a location of the input route destination and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

27. The navigation device of claims 16-26, wherein the prompting means includes prompting selection of a point of interest category upon selection of a prompted point of interest location marker, wherein the displaying means includes displaying selectable point of interest entries within a selected point of interest category.

28. The navigation device of claims 16-27, wherein the means for prompting includes prompting selection of a point of interest from a general menu prior to selection of a prompted point of interest location marker.

29. The navigation device of claim 28, wherein the prompting means includes prompting selection of a point of interest category after selection of a prompted point of interest location marker, wherein the displaying means includes displaying selectable point of interest entries within a selected point of interest category.

30. A navigation device, comprising:

an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of a point of interest location marker on a navigation device and display selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a location related to the selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

31. The navigation device of claim 30, wherein the selectable point of interest entries are displayable by the integrated input and display device in conjunction with distance information indicating a distance between the location related to the selected point of interest location marker and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

32. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the prompting includes prompting selection of one of a plurality of point of interest location markers.

33. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the prompting includes displaying a plurality of point of interest location markers.

34. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the selectable point of interest location markers includes a plurality of location markers including at least two of: a selectable marker for a location of the navigation device, a selectable marker for a location of a home of a user of the navigation device, and a selectable marker for a location of an input route destination.

35. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is used to display the selectable point of interest entries in an order based upon a current GPS location of the navigation device and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

36. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of a home of a user of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is to display the selectable point of interest entries in an order based on a stored location of a home of the user of the navigation device and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

37. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein upon selection of the selectable marker for the location of an input route destination, the integrated input and display device is to display the selectable point of interest entries in an order based on the location of the input route destination and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

38. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein the selectable point of interest entries are displayable by the integrated input and display device in conjunction with distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between the current GPS location of the navigation device and a location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

39. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein the selectable point of interest entries are displayable by the integrated input and display device in conjunction with distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between the stored location of a home of the user of the navigation device and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

40. The navigation device of claim 37, wherein the selectable point of interest entries are displayable by the integrated input and display device in conjunction with distance information for each selectable point of interest entry indicating a relative distance between a location of the input route destination and the location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.

41. The navigation device of claims 30-40, wherein the integrated input and display device is further for prompting selection of a point of interest category upon selection of a prompted point of interest location marker, and further for displaying selectable point of interest entries within a selected point of interest category.

42. The navigation device of claims 30-41, wherein the integrated input and display device is further for prompting selection of a point of interest from a general menu prior to selection of a prompted point of interest location marker.

43. The navigation device of claim 41, wherein the integrated input and display device is further for, upon selection of a prompted point of interest location marker, prompting selection of a point of interest category, and further for displaying selectable point of interest entries within a selected point of interest category.