HK1136866A - A navigation device and method for quick option access - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes prompting selection of at least one of a plurality of options on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device; storing, upon receipt of an indication of selection of at least one of the plurality of options, an indication of selection of the at least one option; and displaying, on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device, at least one icon to enable the at least one selected option. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of at least one of a plurality of options; and a memory to store, upon receipt of an indication of selection of at least one of the plurality of options, an indication of selection of the at least one option, wherein the integrated input and display device is useable to display at least one icon to enable the at least one selected option.

Description

Navigation device and method for quick option access

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to navigation methods and devices.

Background

Navigation devices have traditionally been used primarily in the field of vehicle use, such as on automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, boats, and the like. Alternatively, if the navigation device is portable, it may be further transferred between vehicles and/or may be used outside a vehicle, such as for hiking.

These devices are typically tailored to generate a route of travel based on an initial position of the navigation device, which may be entered into the device, but is traditionally calculated via GPS positioning from a GPS receiver within the navigation device, and a selected/input travel destination (end position). More recently, however, navigation devices include more and more additional features or options.

Disclosure of Invention

The inventors have found that access to certain options may be difficult, slow or cumbersome, since the main purpose of the navigation device is vehicle navigation. Thus, the inventors of the present application developed a method for a user to mark or select their most commonly used options and then allow the user to easily access these marked or selected options even during use of the navigation device in a navigation mode.

In at least one embodiment of the present application, a method comprises: prompting selection of at least one of a plurality of options on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device; storing an indication of selection of at least one of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of selection of the at least one option; and displaying at least one icon on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device to enable the at least one selected option.

In at least one embodiment of the present application, a navigation device comprises: an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of at least one of a plurality of options; and a memory to store an indication of a selection of at least one of the plurality of options upon receiving an indication of a selection of the at least one option, wherein the integrated input and display device is operable to display at least one icon to enable the at least one selected option.

In at least one other embodiment of the present application, a method comprises: receiving an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options on a navigation device; storing an indication of enablement of the enabled option upon receiving an indication of enablement of one of the plurality of options; and displaying an icon for subsequent enablement of the one enabled option on an integrated input and display device of the navigation device.

In at least one other embodiment of the present application, a navigation device comprises: a processor to receive an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options on a navigation device; a memory to store an indication of enablement of an enabled option of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of enablement; and an integrated input and display device to display icons for subsequent enablement of the one enabled option.

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary 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, navigation device, and connections therebetween of an embodiment of the present application;

figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of an implementation of an embodiment of a navigation device 200;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary flow of an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate examples of displayed option selection menus of embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a displayed representative quick access icon in a navigation mode of an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate examples of displayed option selection menus of embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a displayed generic quick access icon in a navigation mode of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 illustrates a displayed quick access menu of an example embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example flow of another embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary flow of another 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 specification, 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 the exemplary 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.

Example embodiments of the present patent application are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 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) usable by a navigation device, including a navigation device of an embodiment 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 capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and (in some examples) direction information for an unlimited number of users.

The GPS, previously known as NAVSTAR, incorporates a plurality of satellites that operate 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. In most cases, the device will continue to scan for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (note that other triangulation techniques are not typically (but can be) used to determine position with only two signals). 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. In addition, obtaining a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner by the same geometric calculation. The position and velocity data can be continuously updated in real time by an unlimited number of users.

As shown in fig. 1, the GPS system is generally indicated 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 is in fact likely to be out of synchronization. The GPS receiver 140, which may be used 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 highly accurate frequency standard implemented using an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120 transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite 120 as part of its data signal transmission 160. As is understood by those skilled in the relevant art, the GPS receiver device 140 typically obtains 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. The acquisition of additional signals, which 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.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components of a navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the present application in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 does not include all of the 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 includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240. Input device 220 may include a keyboard device, a voice input device, a touch panel, and/or any other known input device for inputting information; and display screen 240 may comprise 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 that includes a touchpad or touchscreen input, wherein a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of display options or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.

In addition, other types of output devices 251 may also include (including but not limited to) audio output devices. Because the output device 251 can generate audible information to a user of the navigation device 200, it should also be understood that the input device 240 can also include a microphone as well as software for receiving input voice commands.

In the navigation device 200, the processor 210 is operatively connected to the input device 240 via connection 225 and is arranged to receive input information from the input device 240 via connection 225 and to operatively connect to at least one of the display screen 240 and the output device 251 via output connection 245 to output information thereto. In addition, the processor 210 is operatively connected to the memory 230 via a connection 235, and is further adapted to receive/send information from/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 a headset. The connection to the I/O device 280 may further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device, such as a car stereo unit, for hands-free operation and/or for voice-activated operation, for example, for connection to a headset or headphones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone, for example, where the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network, for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network, for example.

In at least one embodiment, the navigation device 200 can establish a "mobile" network connection with the server 302 via a mobile device 400, such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device having mobile phone technology, establishing a digital connection, such as a digital connection via known bluetooth technology, for example. 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 typically is mobile when 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.

Establishing a network connection between the mobile device 400 (via a service provider) and another device, such as the server 302, using, for example, the internet 410, may be accomplished in a known manner. This may include, for example, the use of 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 enabled via a data connection (e.g., via mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200) may be utilized. For this connection, an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 is established. This may be done, for example, by a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (general packet radio service) connection (a GPRS connection is a high speed data connection for mobile devices provided by a telecommunications carrier; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet).

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

The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 itself (e.g. including 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 internal components as specified above, and/or may include a pluggable card, along with, for example, 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, for example, the internet 410 in a manner similar to that of any mobile device 400.

For GRPS phone settings, a bluetooth enabled device may be used to work correctly with the changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., for example model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on the navigation device 200. The data stored for this information may be updated in the manner discussed in either of the previous or subsequent embodiments.

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 represented by reference numeral 250 are schematically combined for illustration, but may be separately located components, and the antenna may be, for example, a GPS patch antenna or a helical antenna.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the electronic components shown in FIG. 2 are powered by a power supply (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, different configurations of the components shown in fig. 2 are considered to be 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.

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

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

The server 302 includes, among other components that may not be illustrated, a processor 304, the processor 304 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 to transmit information to and send information from the navigation device 200 via the communication channel 318. The signals sent and received may comprise data, communication, 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. Additionally, it should be noted that the functionality of the transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a signal 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 the communication channel 318, and includes a processor, memory, etc. as previously described with respect to fig. 2, as well as a transmitter 320 and 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. In addition, the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design of the navigation device 200, and the functions of the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 can 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 comprises processing 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 the propagation medium or path connecting the navigation device 200 with the server 302. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, both the server 302 and the navigation device 200 comprise a transmitter for transmitting data over the 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. Additionally, the communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel 318 may include several communication links using a variety of techniques. For example, according to 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: electrical circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, transducers, radio frequency (rf) waves, the atmosphere, vacuum, and the like. Further, according to at least one various embodiment, the communication channel 318 may include 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. In addition, according to at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318 may accommodate satellite communications.

The communication signals transmitted over the communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required or desired for a given communication technology. For example, the signals may be adapted for use in 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. According to at least one embodiment, these signals may be modulated, encrypted, and/or compressed signals as may be required by the communication technology.

The mass data storage 312 includes sufficient storage for the desired navigation application. Examples of mass data storage 312 may include magnetic data storage media (e.g., hard drives), optical storage media (e.g., CD-roms), charged data storage media (e.g., flash memory), molecular memory, and so forth.

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 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 to 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 periodically updated upon a user connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 via, for example, a wireless mobile connection device and a TCP/IP connection. For many dynamic calculations, the processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the large amount of processing needs, however, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 may also handle many processes and calculations, oftentimes independent of a connection to the server 302.

The mass storage device 312 connected to the server 302 may include a greater amount of mapping and route data, including maps and the like, than can be maintained on the navigation device 200 itself. For example, the server 302 may use a set of processing algorithms to process a majority of the devices of the navigation device 200 that travel along the route. In addition, mapping and route data stored in the memory 312 may operate on signals originally received by the navigation device 200 (e.g., GPS signals).

As indicated above, the navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the present application includes a processor 210, an input device 220, and a display screen 240. In at least one embodiment, the input device 220 and the display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both information input (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and information display (such as through a touch panel screen). This screen may be, for example, a touch input LCD screen, as is well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the navigation device 200 can also include any additional input devices 220 and/or any additional output devices 240, such as audio input/output devices.

Fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an implementation of an embodiment of a navigation device 200. As shown in fig. 4A, the navigation device 200 may be a unit that includes an integrated input and display device 290 (e.g., a touch panel screen) and the other components of fig. 2, including but not limited to an internal GPS receiver 250, a microprocessor 210, a power supply, a memory system 220, etc.

The navigation device 200 may rest on an arm 292, which arm 292 itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/or the like using a large suction cup 294. This arm 292 is one example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can dock.

As shown in fig. 4B, the navigation device 200 may be docked or otherwise connected to the arm 292 of the docking station by, for example, snapping the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 of the docking station (this is just one example, as other known alternatives for connecting to a docking station are within the scope of the present application). The navigation device 200 can then be rotated on the arm 292, as shown by the arrow of fig. 4B. To release the connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking station, a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed, for example (this is just one example as other known alternatives for disconnecting from the docking station are within the scope of the present application).

In at least one embodiment of the present application, a method comprises: prompting selection of at least one of a plurality of options on an integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200; storing an indication of selection of at least one of a plurality of options upon receiving the indication of selection of the at least one option; and displaying at least one icon on the integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200 to enable the at least one selected option.

In at least one embodiment of the present application, a navigation device 200 comprises: an integrated input and display device 290 to prompt selection of at least one of a plurality of options; and a memory 230 to store an indication of a selection of at least one of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of the selection, wherein the integrated input and display device 290 is operable to display at least one icon to enable the at least one selected option.

An example embodiment of the present application is shown in figure 5. Initially, after the navigation device 200 is initiated, the user may be prompted to select at least one of a plurality of options in step S2, for example via a display on the integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200. Such a prompt may include, for example, the display of a plurality of options and features of the navigation device 200, some of which may be related to non-navigation power such as music functions. For example, the plurality of options may be displayed to permit selection of one or more of the options for subsequent quick and/or easy access to the options.

Thereafter, in step S4, an indication of the selection of the at least one option may be stored, for example, in the memory 230 of the navigation device 200. Thus, a user may select multiple options for subsequent quick and/or easy access, or may select a single option. If no option is selected, the navigation device 200 will operate normally without any ability for quick or otherwise immediate access to any particular option based on these actions (although such quick and easy access may have been established or options for subsequent quick and easy access may be enabled later, as will be explained with respect to another embodiment of the present application).

Once the selected option is stored in step S4, the integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200 may then display at least one icon to enable the at least one selected option. The icons may be displayed during use of the navigation device 200 in the navigation mode, such as when navigation and/or map information is displayed, for example, to allow the user quick access to particular selected options.

Optionally, the method may further be used to determine whether one or more options have been selected, and the display of the icon may be altered by the processor 210 of the navigation device 200, for example, depending on whether one or more options have been selected. For example, in step S6, it may be determined whether a single option has been selected. If so, the display of the icon in step S8 may include display of an icon representing the selected option. Thus, by displaying a single icon on the integrated input and display device 290, for example, during use of the navigation device 200 in a navigation mode, and by having the icon displayed in a manner representative of the selected option, the user can quickly know that the option is readily accessible and enabled, and by subsequent selection thereof, the user can readily enable the desired option.

In step S6, if, for example, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 determines that a single option is not selected, but multiple options are selected, for example, icons may be displayed in step S10, which may be used to enable the display of multiple option icons. Thus, the single icon may represent a selected icon upon receiving an indication of selection of a single option from the plurality of options, or the single icon may be an icon that may be used to enable display of a plurality of selectable icons upon receiving an indication of selection of at least two options from the plurality of options. Thus, upon receiving an indication of such a displayed single icon representing one selected option, the selected option may be enabled, for example, by the processor 210 of the navigation device 200. Furthermore, if the single icon can be used to enable further display of multiple icons, when such an icon is selected, then multiple additional icons are displayed, for example by the processor 210 of the navigation device 200, which when selected enable the option corresponding to the selected icon. In any of the foregoing cases, the display of the single icon may be maintained during use of the navigation device 200 in the navigation mode, and the single icon may be displayed with the map information during use of the navigation device 200 in the navigation mode.

Fig. 6 provides another example of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, in step S20, a preference mode may initially be displayed to the user, for example, on the integrated input and display device 290, including options for selecting options or "quick menu preferences". Upon selection of the "quick menu preference" virtual button displayed in step S20, a plurality of selectable options or "quick menu preferences" may be displayed in step S22, noting that if the displayable quick menu preference options will not fit on the entire display screen, arrow keys may be utilized (e.g., to enable the user to scroll through the selectable options). Accordingly, in step S22, the user is prompted to select at least one of the plurality of options.

Thereafter, in step S24, for example, the processor 210 may determine whether any option was selected. If no options are selected, the quick menu may be removed in step S26 such that no quick menu access will be permitted until or unless an option is later selected and/or enabled.

If the answer to step S24 is yes, then, for example, the processor 210 may determine in step S28 that only one option was selected. Thus, upon receiving an indication of selection of at least one of the plurality of options, the indication of selection of the at least one option may be stored, for example, in memory 230, and processor 210 may determine whether only one option is selected. If so, in step S30, an icon representing the selected option (e.g., along with a map and other navigation information) may be displayed during use of the navigation device 200 (e.g., on the integrated input and display device 290), such as in a navigation mode or navigation view, wherein the display includes display of a representative icon that may be used to enable the one selected option. For example, a flag may be set and stored in memory 230 indicating to the processor 210 that, upon display in the navigation mode, an icon representing the selected option should be displayed.

If the answer to step S28 is no, the method moves to step S32, where icons (e.g., green arrow shortcut icons) that may be used to enable display of a plurality of selectable icons may be displayed on, for example, the integrated input and display device 290 in a navigational view or navigational mode. For example, a flag may be set and stored in memory 230 indicating to the processor 210 that, upon display in the navigation mode or navigation view, an icon should be displayed that may be used to enable display of a plurality of selectable icons to subsequently enable the selected option.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate examples of displays displayed on an integrated input and display device 290, such as the navigation device 200, that may be used to prompt selection of at least one of a plurality of options. A first fixed number of selectable options may be displayed on the integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200, for example, as shown in fig. 7A, wherein the arrow keys may be used to scroll to the next screen of the fixed number of selectable options, such as the screen shown in fig. 7B, wherein additional ones of the fixed number of selectable options may be displayed. The options may include any fixed number of options set by the navigation system 200 and are not limited in kind or number to the options shown in the two display screens shown in fig. 7A and 7B. Furthermore, the display of fig. 7A (which displays only six of the 12 selectable options) should not be construed as being limited, as any number of options may be displayed at a single time.

It should be noted that the various options may include options for accessing any of many different types of preferences, options, features of the navigation device 200, in a form that permits easier quick access to the preferences, options, features that are most needed by a particular user. For example, if a user of the navigation device 200 likes music, the user may wish to select a "tom jukebox" option as shown in fig. 7A to allow quick access to use the navigation device 200 as, for example, an MP3 player or other music player, even when the navigation device 200 is currently in a navigation mode. If the user needs quick access to, for example, weather, the user may wish to select, for example, "weather option" as shown in FIG. 7B.

It is preferred that a set number of options, such as the 12 options shown in fig. 7A and 7B, be displayed to the user for selection, and it is further preferred that a limited number of options be set for selection at any one time, such as six options (or some fixed number of options that may be displayed at any one time on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device 200). Thus, although the present application is not so limited, in one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of prompted options includes a set number of options. Further, in at least one embodiment of the present application, another set number of options (less than the plurality of prompted options) may be selected as the at least one selectable option.

Fig. 8 provides an illustration of an exemplary display of the navigation device 200 on, for example, an integrated input and display device 290 when used in a navigation mode or shown in a navigation view. The display includes substantially two display areas, a navigation or status bar 810 and a map display area 820. The map display area 820 includes map information, generally designated 830, and an indication of a route of travel 840, with the status bar 810 area including time, distance, speed, etc.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 8, the icon representing the selected "tom jukebox" option has been selected because the only option (e.g., in step S6 of fig. 5) is displayed, for example, as music symbol 850, i.e., a single icon representing the selected "tom jukebox" option (note that music symbol icon 850 has been circled for emphasis purposes only, as this circle is not intended to be part of the display of fig. 8, although it may be included).

Thus, after initially prompting selection of at least one of the plurality of options in fig. 7A and 7B, and after storing an indication of the selected "tomtom jukebox" option, for example, in memory 230, a single icon representing the selected "tom jukebox" option is then displayed during use of the navigation device 200, along with map information 830 and travel route 840, for example. As such, if the user is utilizing the navigation device 200 in this navigation mode or navigation view (as shown in fig. 8), the user may still quickly and easily access the "tomtom jukebox" option of the navigation device 200. Thus, upon selection of the music symbol icon 850 shown in fig. 8, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 will recognize the selection of the icon and will enable the "tomtom jukebox" option or feature of the navigation device 200. Thus, the user is provided with quick access to this "favorite" feature or option. Of course, note that music symbol icon 850 is just one example of an icon representing a selected option, and embodiments of the present application should not be so limited.

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention in which multiple options are selected upon prompting (i.e., an aspect in which five particular selections are selected). Thus, in this example, when multiple options are selected and indications of the multiple selected options are stored, for example, in memory 230, then the processor 210, for example, will direct the display of a single more generic icon to the user during use of the navigation device 200 in the navigation view or navigation mode. This is shown, for example, by icon 860 in fig. 10.

FIG. 10 includes a navigation view display during use of the navigation mode 200 in, for example, a navigation mode, which is somewhat similar to the display of FIG. 8, including a navigation or status bar 810, a map display area 820, map information 830, and a travel route 840. The displayed icon 860 does not represent any particular mode, but rather represents the fact that the user has selected multiple modes or options (thus, showing a generic icon such as arrow 860, where the arrow may further be a green arrow indicating that selection of this arrow would require further selection of options).

Accordingly, upon the processor 210 receiving an indication of a selection of a plurality of options, an icon representing a further selection, such as arrow 860 shown in fig. 10, is displayed on the integrated input and display device 290. When this icon 860 is selected, this enables further display of the icon, for example as shown in FIG. 11.

Accordingly, upon receiving an indication of the five selected options shown in fig. 9A and 9B, upon storing such an indication in memory 230, upon displaying an icon representing a further selection (e.g., arrow icon 860), and in response to the processor 210 receiving an indication of a selection of arrow icon 860 of fig. 10, a plurality of additional icons may be displayed on the integrated input and display device 290, the icons representing the selected options.

For example, as shown in fig. 10, each of the five icons 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 represents each of the five selected options of fig. 9A and 9B, noting that upon receiving an indication of selection of any of the displayed icons of fig. 10, the processor 210 will enable the corresponding selected option. Thus, if the user of the navigation device 200 has only selected one option, only a single icon representing that option (such as the music symbol icon 850 of fig. 8) will be displayed to the user in the navigation mode; and if multiple options are selected, a single generic icon (such as arrow icon 860 of FIG. 9) is displayed, wherein selection of the generic icon 860 would then enable display of further icons shown in FIG. 11, each of which represents the selected option, wherein selection thereof would enable the corresponding option.

As indicated previously, selection of a particular icon shown in FIG. 11 will enable a particular option. If an option cannot be enabled at a particular time, such as an option to report a security camera in a particular area where, for example, a security camera is not present, the icon may be distinguished from the display of other icons, such as the gray display icon 500 shown in fig. 11. As such, the icon may not be selectable to enable a particular option. It should be noted that each of the foregoing aspects of embodiments of the present application have been described with respect to methods of the present application. However, at least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a navigation device 200 comprising: an integrated input and display device 290 to prompt selection of at least one of a plurality of options; and a memory 230 to store an indication of a selection of at least one of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of the selection, wherein the integrated input and display device 290 is operable to display at least one icon to enable the at least one selected option. The navigation device 200 may further comprise: a processor 210 to enable the option and/or enable icon display upon receiving an indication of option selection. Thus, the navigation device 200 may be used to perform various aspects of the methods described with respect to fig. 5-11, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Therefore, further explanation is omitted for the sake of brevity.

In at least one other embodiment of the present application, a method comprises: receiving an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options on the navigation device 200; storing an indication of enablement of at least one of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of enablement; and displaying an icon on the integrated input and display device 290 of the navigation device 200 for subsequent enabling of the one enabled option.

In at least one other embodiment of the present application, a navigation device comprises: a processor to receive an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options on a navigation device; a memory to store an indication of enablement of one of the plurality of options upon receiving an indication of enablement of the enabled option; and an integrated input and display device to display an icon for subsequently enabling the one enabled option.

Fig. 12 illustrates a method flow for implementing at least one additional embodiment of the present application. In step S42, for example, the processor 210 receives an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options. Thereafter, in step S44, an indication of the enablement of the enabled option is stored, for example, in memory 203, and thereafter, an icon for subsequently enabling the enabled option is displayed, for example, on integrated input and display device 290. It should be noted that the display may include two different displays depending on whether other options have been previously selected for access.

For example, after storing the indication of enabled options in step S44, in step S46, for example, the processor 210 may determine whether any other options were previously selected for access (e.g., via a prompt for multiple options as shown, for example, in fig. 7A and 7B or fig. 9A and 9B of the present application). If not, an icon representing the enabled option is displayed in step S48. Thus, if any other option was not previously selected for access (e.g., via a prompt in fig. 7A and 7B or fig. 9A and 9B), once a particular option is enabled, processor 210 may direct integrated input and display device 290 to display an icon for subsequently enabling that option (e.g., music symbol icon 850 of fig. 8, assuming that "tomtom jukebox" has been enabled and that any other option was not previously selected for access).

In this case, the navigation device 200 assumes that if the user has enabled the option, it may require quick access to enable the option again. Such quick access may be accomplished by displaying an icon representing an enabled option on, for example, the integrated input and display device 290 upon determining that other options of the plurality of options have not been previously selected for access. This icon may be displayed with the map information 830 during use of the navigation device 200 in, for example, a navigation mode, in a manner somewhat similar to that described previously with respect to fig. 8.

In step S46, if it is determined that any other option has been previously accessed, for example, via selection from the prompted options menu shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 9A, or 9B, an icon (e.g., arrow icon 860 of FIG. 10) may be displayed in step S50, which may be used to enable display of a plurality of option icons (e.g., icons 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 of FIG. 11) for subsequent enabling of the selected option. Thus, although this icon may be displayed with the map information during use of the navigation device 200 in the navigation mode, upon determining that at least one other option of the plurality of options was previously selected for access, the icon will not represent an enabled option and will be available to enable further display of a plurality of icons, each representing the at least one enabled option and representing an option previously selected for access. For example, it would be the case where the displayed icon could be, for example, arrow icon 860 of FIG. 10, which could be used to enable further display of a plurality of previously enabled options and represent the option previously selected for access. The options may include the options shown in fig. 11, where upon receiving an indication of a subsequent selection of one of the plurality of displayed icons 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800, for example, the option corresponding to the selected icon is enabled.

It should be noted that each of the foregoing aspects of embodiments of the present application have been described with respect to methods of the present application. However, at least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a navigation device 200 comprising: a processor 210 to receive an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options on the navigation device 200; a memory 230 to store an indication of enablement of one of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of enablement; and an integrated input and display device 290 to display an icon for subsequently enabling the one enabled option. Accordingly, the navigation device 200 may be used to perform various aspects of the method described with respect to fig. 12, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Therefore, further explanation is omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example flow diagram of an additional embodiment of the present application. In step S60, outside of the quick menu preference selection of step S22 of FIG. 6, for example, the user may enable options, which may be detected by processor 210, for example. Thereafter, in step S62, the processor 210 determines whether only one option is enabled. If so, in step S64, an icon representing the selected feature and selected option, such as music symbol icon 850 of FIG. 8, is displayed in the navigation view or navigation mode of the navigation device 200.

If the answer to the question generated at step S62 is no, the method proceeds to step S66, where the processor 210 determines if the enabled option is the seventh option in the quick menu (assuming that the navigation system includes only a fixed or set number of options, e.g., six options, that can be simultaneously selected for quick access), i.e., if the maximum number of options for any other setting have been selected for access. If the processor 210 determines that the option is not the seventh option (i.e. it is not an option above the set number of options enabled by the flash menu process), the method moves to step S70 to enable the display, noting that the newly enabled option will be available in the fast menu to be easily selected again.

Thereafter, the method proceeds to step S72, where an arrow shortcut icon (such as icon 860 of FIG. 10) may be displayed in the navigation view or navigation mode of the navigation device 200. If it is determined in step S66 that the enabled option is the seventh option or an option that is higher than the set number of options accessible via the quick menu process, the process moves to step S68, where one of the enabled options is disabled so as to allow quick menu access to the newly enabled option. Thereafter, the processor 210 may enable the display to inform the user of this newly enabled option in step S70, wherein the option may be accessed in step S72 via a green arrow shortcut icon displayed in the navigation view of the navigation device 200. If the user does not want to replace a particular icon in the quick menu, the user may then return to the selection menu and select a new option preference.

It should be noted that each of the foregoing aspects of embodiments of the present application have been described with respect to methods of the present application. However, at least one embodiment of the present application is directed to a navigation device 200 comprising: a processor 210 to receive an indication of enablement of one of a plurality of options on the navigation device 200; a memory 230 to store an indication of enablement of one of the plurality of options upon receiving the indication of enablement; and an integrated input and display device 290 to display an icon for subsequently enabling the one enabled option. Thus, the navigation device 200 may be used to perform various aspects of the method described with respect to fig. 13, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Therefore, further explanation is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The methods of at least one embodiment expressed above may be implemented as a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave or propagated signal, the computer data signal representing a sequence of instructions that, when executed by a processor, such as the processor 304 of the server 302 and/or the processor 210 of the navigation device 200, cause the processor to perform a respective method. In at least one other embodiment, at least one method provided above may be implemented above as a set of instructions contained on a computer-readable or computer-accessible medium, such as one of the previously described memory devices (e.g., memory 230), to perform the respective method when executed by a processor or other computer device. In various embodiments, the medium may be a magnetic medium, an electronic medium, an optical medium, or the like.

Still further, any of the foregoing methods may be embodied 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 (a device comprising a processor). Thus, the storage medium or computer readable medium is adapted to store information and to interact with a data processing facility or computer device 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 arranged to be detachable 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 hard disks. Examples of removable media include (but are not limited to): optical storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD; magneto-optical storage media, such as MO; magnetic storage media including, but not limited to, floppy diskettes (trademark), tape cassettes, and removable hard drives; 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 so on. Further, various information (e.g., characteristic information) about the stored image may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other manners.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure, the electronic components of the navigation device 200 and/or the components of the server 302 may be embodied 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 operating on a processor to perform at least one of the methods 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 found in the software program. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the various programming languages that may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform at least one of the methods of the present application.

The programs may be constructed in an object oriented language including, but not limited to, JAVA, Smalltalk, C + +, etc., and in a program oriented language including, but not limited to, COBAL, C, etc. The software components may communicate in any number of ways well known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, through Application Program Interfaces (APIs), interprocess 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, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art upon reading the present application disclosure, 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 by way of limitation, with respect to improving accuracy, processor speed, and user interaction simplicity, etc. for the navigation device 200.

Additionally, 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-described and other exemplary 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 embodied in the form of a system or device, including, but not limited to, any structure for performing the methods illustrated in the figures.

Having thus described the example embodiments, it will be apparent that the same may be varied 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 (9)

1. A method of operating a navigation device, characterized by the steps of:

causing display of a list of a plurality of selectable display options on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device, the display options representing configurable features of the navigation device,

receiving a selection of one or more of the display options, the selection resulting in the enabling or disabling of the one or more display options selected and the storing of an enabled status of the one or more display options,

determining the number of display options in the enabled state,

upon determining that at least one display option is enabled, displaying at least one icon on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device along with map information, and establishing a shortcut routine that can be invoked by selection of the at least one icon, the shortcut routine causing further information specific to the configurable feature represented by the at least one enabled option to be displayed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein different icons are displayed depending on whether only one display option is enabled or multiple display options are so enabled.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one icon is displayed during use of the navigation device in a navigation mode.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the event that a plurality of display options are enabled, the further information is a plurality of selectable secondary icons, each of the secondary icons relating to a different configurable feature of the device.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein if multiple options are enabled, displaying on the integrated input and display device a plurality of icons along with map information, at least one of the plurality of icons representing one of the enabled display options.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein upon selection of one of the at least one icon, the configurable feature corresponding to the selected icon is automatically enabled.

7. A computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of any of claims 1-6 when run on a computer.

8. A computer program as claimed in claim 7, embodied on or in a computer readable medium.

9. A navigation device for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, the navigation device comprising:

an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of at least one of a plurality of display options; the display options represent configurable features of the navigation device,

a memory to store an enablement status of at least one of the plurality of display options upon receiving an indication of a selection of the at least one display option,

a processor to determine whether at least one display option is enabled and, when the determination is affirmative, cause at least one icon to be displayed on the integrated input and display device along with map information, the processor further establishing a shortcut routine that is callable by selection of the at least one icon, the shortcut routine executable by the processor to cause further information specific to the configurable feature represented by the at least one enabled display option to be displayed.