TW201104218A - Navigation device & method - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a navigation device (200) comprising: a processor (210) for generating, from map data, a digital map for display to a user; a store (230) for said map data and data defining the location of points of interest on said digital map; and a display (240) for displaying said digital map to said user; characterised in that the navigation device (200) further comprises: a short-range radio transceiver (265) for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to computer systems that are each associated with a respective point of interest; and a wireless network control module (490) that is configured to energise said short-range radio transceiver (265) for the exchange of signals if a determined current location of said navigation device (200) is within wireless communications range of a point of interest. A method is also disclosed.

Description

201104218 VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field to Which the Invention Is Ascribed] The present invention relates to a navigation device. Illustrative embodiments of the present invention relate to portable navigation devices (so-called PNDs), and more particularly, Pnds including Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality. Other embodiments relate to navigation devices built into transportation vehicles, and still further embodiments relate to any type of processing that is configured to execute navigation software to provide route planning functionality and preferably also for navigation functionality. Device. [Prior Art] A portable navigation device (PND) including GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiving and processing functionality is well known and widely used as an in-vehicle or other transportation tool navigation system. In general, a modern PND includes a processor, a memory (at least one of a volatile (eg, RAM) and a non-volatile (eg, R〇M), and typically both) and stored in the memory. Map information in the middle. The processor cooperates with & memory to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system can be built 'and additionally, often provided — or multiple additional software programs to: enable the functionality of the PND to be controlled, and A variety of other features are available. Typically, these devices include steps that allow the user to interact with the device and control the device or multiple input interfaces, and one or more output interfaces through which the information can be relayed. To the user. Illustrative examples of the 'outlet interface' include visual displays and speakers for audio output. Illustrative examples of input interfaces include one or more physical buttons and a microphone for the user's utterance. The buttons may be configured, for example, to turn the PND power on or off at 141718.doc 201104218, or configured to control the operation or other features of the device, and built into the vehicle within the device. In this case, the buttons are not necessarily on the PND itself, but may be on the steering wheel or another part of the wheel tool. In a particularly preferred configuration, the output interface display can be configured as a touch-sensitive display (by touch-sensitive overlay or other) to additionally provide an input interface through which the user can touch Operate the device. Devices of this type will also typically include one or more physical connector interfaces through which power signals and conditional data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device. And depending on the situation, and, where appropriate, one or more wireless transmitters/receivers that allow communication over cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks. This type of PND device also typically includes a Gps antenna with which satellite broadcast signals including positional data can be received and subsequently processed to determine the current position of the device. The PND device can also include an electronic gyroscope (gyr〇sc〇pe) that generates signals and an accelerometer that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in conjunction with location information derived from the GPS signal to determine the The device and thus the speed and relative displacement of the vehicle in which the device is worn. Typically, these features are most commonly provided in the navigation system within the vehicle, but may also be provided in a PND device (if this is advantageous). The utility of such PNDs is primarily manifested in their ability to determine the route between the first location (typically, the departure or current location) and the second location (usually the destination). Such locations may be entered by the user of the device by any of a wide variety of different methods 141718.doc 201104218, for example, by postal code, street name and house number, previously stored "well known" destinations (such as , famous location, municipal location (such as 'body jg field or ice pool) or other points of interest) and favorite destinations or destinations that have recently been visited. Usually, the 'PDD has a function for calculating the "best" or "best" route between the departure address location and the destination address location based on the map data. The "best" and "best fit" routes are based on predetermined criteria and are not necessarily the fastest or shortest route. The choice of route to guide the driver can be very complicated, and the line can take into account existing, forecasted and dynamic and/or wireless ground (4) traffic and material information, historical information about road speed and driver's Determining the own preferences of the factors of the road alternative (for example, 5 可 可 指定 ( ( 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 四 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( The rest of the route will be carried out: an instant traffic monitoring system based on various technologies (eg, mobile phone data exchange, fixed camera, GPS fleet tracking) is being used to identify traffic delays and feed information into the notification system. Type 2 of the Qing can usually be installed in the transport dashboard or the wind-powered glass navigation device. The functionality of 7 can be embodied in the Qiu and Er'' built in the transport, as reflected in the radio of the transport vehicle. The computer-mounted 2 or the part of the control system of the vehicle itself is embodied as a navigation device. The navigation device can also be a handheld assistant. , PDA (portable type of mobile power or similar, and in the case of 141718.doc 201104218, the conventional functionality of the supra type system is performed by installing the software on the device to perform route calculation and Expanded along the calculated route navigation. 0 Route planning and navigation functionality can also be provided by desktop or impressed computing resources that operate on appropriate software. For example, Royal Car Club is at huP://www.rac. Co.uk provides online route planning and navigation facilities that allow users to type in the starting point and destination, so that the server connected to the user's PC calculates the route (the way it can be specified by the user), generating a map 'and generate-group detailed navigation instructions for directing the user from the selected starting point to the selected destination. The facility also provides pseudo-three-dimensional rendering of the calculated route and (4) functionality, the route (4) functional (four) use The person travels along the route, and thereby gives the (four) person a preview of the calculated route. In the case of the PND, once the route is calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to take the situation as appropriate. The list of routes selects the desired calculations. Depending on the situation, the user may intervene or direct the route selection process, for example, to specify that for certain journeys, certain routes, roads, locations or guidelines should be avoided or must be followed. Route calculations form the main function, and navigation along this route is another major function. During navigation along the calculated route, such deletions often provide visual and/or audio commands to - The selected route directs the user to the end of the route', which is the desired destination. Qing also often displays map information on the screen during navigation. This information is regularly updated on the screen to make the displayed map information Indicates the current location of the device and therefore

I S 141718.doc 201104218 Indicates the current location of the user or user's vehicle (if the device is being used for navigation within the vehicle). The icon displayed on the screen usually indicates the current device location on the map, and the icon is typically centered on the map to provide a good view of the road near the current device location. An icon indicating the location of other points of interest (such as gas stations, airports, entertainment facilities, and similar types of points of interest) on the map may also be displayed. In addition, 'as appropriate' can display navigation information in the state bar above, below or on the side of the displayed map information. The example of the navigation information includes the distance from the bottom-manipulation, which is required by the user to calculate along the calculation. The route continues, and the maneuverability f may be represented by another icon indicating a particular type of manipulation (eg, left turn f or right turn). The navigation function also determines the content, duration, and timing of the voice commands that can be used to guide the user along the route. As you can see, simple instructions such as "; 〇〇: turn left" require a lot of processing and analysis. As previously mentioned, the interaction of the user with the device can be by touch screen, or (otherwise or by pot) by a joystick mounted remote control, by voice activation or by any other suitable method. Another important function provided by the split is automatic route recalculation in the following cases: the user may deviate from the previously calculated route u during navigation or deliberately prompt traffic condition indication - the alternative route will be more advantageous and The device can automatically recognize such conditions as appropriate, or when the user actively causes the device to perform route recalculation for any reason. It is also known to allow users to calculate routes based on user-defined criteria; for example, users may prefer scenic routes calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid 141718.doc 201104218 avoiding traffic jams that may occur, are expected to occur, or are currently positive Any road that occurs. The device software will then calculate the various routes and prefer to include along the route a final number of routes marked as, for example, points of interest with a view (called ρ〇ι), or with traffic indicating that a particular road is occurring The conditional missed information 'sort the calculated route by the degree of possible blockage or delay due to blockage. Other route calculation and navigation criteria based on p〇I and traffic information are also possible. Although the route calculation and navigation functions are important for the overall utility of the PND, it is possible to use the device purely for information display or "free driving", in which only the map information related to the current device location is displayed, and the route has not been calculated. And the device does not currently perform navigation. This mode of operation is often applicable when the user knows the route to travel along and does not require navigation assistance. A navigation device (such as T〇mT〇m 72 〇丁娜 manufactured and supplied by T〇mT〇m Ιη - 1 B v, and Carminat T〇mT〇 which can be used as a built-in component of the Re-Beer tool Each of the m systems provides a reliable means for the user to: navigate from one location to another, but the accuracy of any given route will depend to some extent on the device being stored in the device. The accuracy of the data is based on the data. Generally speaking, 'with new roads being built' map data tends to change relatively slowly over time, and as a result, newly acquired map data will still be reasonably possible in the current data system. However, because other types of data are included in the route calculation process, the effectiveness of the calculated route to the 变得 becomes more dependent on the accuracy of the data stored in the device. For example, one such navigation device permits the use of information about traffic jams currently occurring to calculate a route' but as this information changes rapidly, the accuracy and/or efficacy of a given calculated route will lapse over time. And significant changes. As a description, it is immediately obvious that the route through the city center based on the traffic jam at 9.〇〇 am is probably not the best route after the time of Μ(四). For this purpose, it is recommended to periodically update the information stored in the navigation device, and generally. The correct statement 疋 'The more volatile the data used to calculate the route, the more important it is to update the data stored in the device. The portable navigation device is currently updated by plugging the device into the computer and downloading the update to the device via the Internet or by wirelessly updating it over the mobile phone network. For permanent built-in transport and internal navigation, you can usually download the update to a suitable data storage device and then upload the word to the navigation device or download the data to the navigation network again. The device is updated to store the data downloaded to the PND via the internet material and will be transferred from the new to the internal device, and thus may be inconvenient for the user. Via the mobile phone network, the navigation device is relatively slow and therefore not a viable solution for a large number of loads to the guide (6). If you use the (:: non-numbered plan user, download the data on the mobile network: package tribute fee. Invited quite large 141718.doc 201104218 So 'if you can design one can be easily and cheaply In order to achieve the object, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a navigation device comprising: a processor for Generating a digital map for displaying to a user from the map data; a storage for the map material and data defining a location of the point of interest on the digit map; and a display for the use Displaying the digital map; the navigation device further comprising: a short range radio transceiver for receiving signals from the respective computer systems associated with a respective point of interest and transmitting the signals to the computer systems; And a wireless network control module configured to be within a wireless communication range of a point of interest at a determined current location of the navigation device The short-range radio transceiver is activated for signal exchange. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for downloading content to a dual-satellite device, the method comprising: determining a location of the navigation device; a location of a point of interest associated with a computer system capable of wirelessly communicating with a navigation device; and stimulating the navigation device when the one of the navigation devices is within the wireless communication range of the point of interest Navigation device $ A short-range radio transceiver for signal exchange with the computer system. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer software, which comprises a software module, the one or more software modules An execution environment is executed by the mine to operate a processor of a navigation device: determining the current position of the navigation device; determining a location of a point of interest, the point of interest and the ability to be 141718.doc -11 - 201104218 muscle - The navigation device is associated with a computer system for wireless communication; and when the current location of the navigation device is within the wireless communication range of the point of interest, the navigation device is activated a short-range radio transceiver for signal exchange with the computer system. The advantages of these embodiments are set forth below, and additional details and features of each of these embodiments are defined in the accompanying sub-items and Other aspects of the following embodiments. [Embodiment] The various aspects of the teachings of the present invention and the configuration of the teachings of the present invention are described by way of illustrative example. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in a navigation device in a vehicle such as the aforementioned "Canninat TomTom system." However, it should be borne in mind that the teachings of the present invention are not limited to such devices, but are in fact applicable to the touch group. Any other type of processing device that implements navigation software to provide route planning and navigation functionality. Thus, it can be seen that 'in the context of this application' navigation device is intended to include (but is not limited to, any type of route planning) And the navigation device, whether it is embodied as a PND, built in the wheeler and in the middle of the road, such as the guide tool in the tool In fact, the body J is a computing resource that performs route planning and navigation software (such as desktop=portable personal computer (PC), mobile phone or portable digital (PDA)). It will also be apparent hereinafter that the teachings of the present invention are effective even in the case where the user does not have a view of how to navigate from a point to another point and only wishes to have a view of a given position. In these cases, the location of the factory selected by the user 141718.doc 12 201104218 does not need to have the corresponding starting position from which the user wishes to start: and therefore 'this article makes the right to the destination The position or actual reference to the "destination" view should not be interpreted as meaning that the route is necessary, pole; 隹5 Γ a jla ϊ l 仃 to the destination" must occur, or actually the destination The existence of the need to specify the corresponding starting location. With the above conditions in mind, Figure 4 shows an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that can be used by navigation devices. These systems are known and used in a variety of ways. In general, GPS is a satellite radio based navigation system that is capable of determining continuous position 'catch' time gate and (mm) direction information for an unlimited number of users. Previously known as Navsta_g(10), there were a number of satellites that orbited the Earth in extremely precise (four) lanes. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their position to any number of receiving units. The f is specially equipped to receive the fm of the Gps data.

When the month ττ ι device starts to know the radio frequency used for the GPS phase, the real ΓϊΡ Q. ^ Besch GPS system. After receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the exact location name of the satellite via one of a number of different conventional methods. In most cases, the device will continue to scan the signal until The pot has been held by the media 2T, ^ ^ ^ has acquired at least three different satellite signals (note that 'other triangles can be used to determine the position by only two signals to determine the position' although this is a very good example). Really spread the ear, her 4 and the second angle measurement, the receiver

The three known positions are used to resolve the two-dimensional position of the target relative to the satellite. This determination can be made in a known manner. In addition, the acquisition of the fourth satellite signal outside the force will allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position by the same geometric calculation in a known manner. The position and speed data can be adjusted by the limit.

141718.doc -13· 201104218 New. As shown! As shown in the figure, the GPS system is generally indicated by the reference numeral ι〇〇. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit around the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite is not necessarily synchronized with the orbits of other satellites 120, and is actually likely to be different. The GPS receiver H0 is shown to receive the spread spectrum (10) guard signal 160 from various satellites 12 。. The spread spectrum satellite signal 16 〇 continuously transmitted from each satellite to 12 〇 utilizes a highly accurate frequency standard achieved by a very accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120 is transmitted as part of its data signal transmission i 6 — - indicating the data stream for that particular satellite 120. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the GPS receiver device 140 typically acquires a spread spectrum Gps satellite signal 16 至少 from at least three satellites 12 〇 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. The acquisition of the s number, which causes the signal 160 from a total of four satellites 准许2 准许, permits the GPS receiver device 14 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner. 2 is an illustrative representation of an electronic component of a navigation device 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a 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 only a number of example components. The navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 coupled to the input device 220 and a display screen 24A. Input device 22A can include a keyboard device 'speak input device, a touch panel, and/or any other input device that can be used to input information; and display screen 24 can include any type of display, such as an LCD display. In a particularly preferred configuration, the input device 141718.doc •14· 201104218 220 and the display screen 24 are integrated into one::: type input and display device includes - touchpad or touch: =, number: The rhyme user only needs to touch the portion of the display screen 24° to select one of the revisiting options or activate a plurality of virtual persons. In another embodiment contemplated, the input device may include or include a controller of the vehicle, which may have a different function than that associated with the navigation device. For example, the input I can be included on a steering wheel of a vehicle that performs a function while the user is controlling the vehicle entertainment system (for example) and while the user is controlling the navigation device Perform another function. The navigation device can include an output device 26(), for example, an audio output device (e.g., a speaker). (4) The output device 260 can generate voice information for the user of the navigation device 2, so it should be understood that the input device can include a microphone for receiving an input voice command and for interpreting the voice command and converting it into a machine. Understand the software of the instructions. In the navigation device 200, the processor 210 is operatively coupled to the input device 220 via connection 225 and configured to receive input information from the input device 22A via connection 225 and operatively coupled to display screen 240 via output connection 245 and At least one of the output devices 260 outputs information to the at least one. In addition, processor 210 is operatively coupled to memory resource 230 via connection 23 5 and further adapted to receive information from input/output (I/O) 埠 270 via connection 275 / to send information to the input/output ( 1/〇)埠27〇, where I/O埠270 can be connected to I/O device 280 external to navigation device 200. 141718.doc .,, [ 201104218 Memory resources, including, for example, volatile memory (such as random access memory (RAM)) and non-volatile memory (for example, digital memory, such as 'flash memory body). The external 1/0 device may include, but is not limited to, an external listening device such as an earpiece ο $ τ gg. . Λ ^ The connection of the door to the 1/() device 280 may additionally be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device, such as a car stereo unit, such as for hands-free operation and/or for voice-activated operation, for a connection to an earpiece or headset and/or for example to a connection to a mobile phone, wherein a mobile phone connection can be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and, for example, the Internet or any other network. And/or use other networks to establish a connection to the server via, for example, the Internet or a connection. Figure 2 further illustrates the operative connection between the processor 21A and the antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255 where the antenna/receiver 25A can be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver, indicated by reference numeral 250, are schematically combined for purposes of illustration, but the antenna and receiver may be separately positioned components, and the antenna may be, for example, a Gps patch antenna or a helical antenna. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the electronic components shown in Figure 2 are powered by a power supply (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, it is believed that the different configurations of the components shown in Figure 2 are within the scope of this application. For example, the components shown in Figure 20 can communicate with each other via a wired and/or wireless connection and the like. In addition, the navigation device 200 of FIG. 2 can be installed or "coupled" in a known manner when it is embodied as a portable device in a vehicle such as a bicycle, a bicycle, a steam 141718.doc • 16 · 201104218: or a ship. On the tool. The navigation device 2 can then be removed from the articulated position for portable or quad-top navigation purposes. The navigation device of the present invention further includes a short-range no-electric transceiver 265 such as a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi or WIMAX compatible transceiver configured to enable the navigation device to establish and other short-range radio networks ( Wireless communication such as 'Wireless LAN 269'. Referring now to Figure 3, the navigation device 200 can establish an "action" or telecommunications network with the feeder 302 via a mobile device (not shown) such as a subscription phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology. Connecting, thereby establishing a digital connection (such as via a digital connection such as the known Bluetooth technology, the mobile device can establish a network connection with the server 302 via its network service provider (eg, via the Internet) Thus, it is possible to establish an "action" between the navigation device 200 (which can be and often acts when it is traveling on its own and/or in the manner of a vehicle) and the server 3〇2. Network connectivity to provide instant or at least "new" gateways for information. It can be used in mobile devices (via service providers) in a known manner using, for example, the Internet (such as the World Wide Web). The establishment of a network connection between another device, such as server 3〇 2. This may include, for example, the use of a Tcp/ip layered protocol. The mobile device may utilize any number of communication standards, such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc. Thus, an internet connection can be made, for example, via a data connection, via a mobile phone or a mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200. For this connection, a server 302 and navigation are established. The Internet connection between devices 2〇〇1417I8.doc 】7 201104218. For example, this connection can be made via a mobile phone or other mobile device and radio service. ::=200 can be known in a way ( For example, the existing Bluetooth technology is connected to the data of the (4) device and finally completes the data connection with the Internet and the word processor 3. The data protocol can utilize any number of standards such as GSRM for the GSM standard. Data protocol standard. The navigation device 200 can include its own mobile phone technology (including, for example, an antenna or, as the case may be, a fine internal antenna of the navigation device) within the navigation device 2 itself. Mobile phone technology within the navigation device (10) May include internal components as specified above, and/or may include an insertable card (eg, a user identity module or SIM card) that is pluggable The person card is equipped with, for example, the necessary mobile phone technology and/or antenna. Thus, the mobile phone technology within the navigation device can be similarly established between the navigation device 200 and the servo benefit 302 via, for example, the Internet. The network connection is established in a manner similar to that of any mobile device. For GPRS phone settings, the Bluetooth-enabled navigation device can be used to work correctly with the ever-changing spectrum 4 of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc. And, the model/manufacturer specific settings can be stored on the navigation device 200. The data stored for this information can be updated. In Fig. 3, the navigation device 2 is depicted as communicating with the server 302 via the general communication channel 3ι8. The communication channel 318 can be implemented by any of a number of different configurations. When the connection between the word server 3〇2 and the navigation device 2〇〇 via the communication channel 318 is established (note that the connection may be a data connection via a mobile device, a direct connection via a personal computer via the Internet, etc.) 141718.doc •18·201104218, the server 302 can communicate with the navigation device 2〇〇. The server 302 includes (in addition to other components not otherwise described) a processor 304 operatively coupled to the memory and further operatively coupled to the network via a wired or wireless connection 314. Large capacity data storage device 312. Processor 3 〇4 is further operatively coupled to transmitters 3〇8 and receivers 310 to transmit information to and from the navigation device via communication channel 318. The signals transmitted and received may include f-materials, communications, and/or other dissemination money. Transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed in accordance with communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of navigation system 200. Additionally, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 can be combined into a single transceiver. The server 302 is further coupled to (or includes) a large capacity storage device 312. Note that the mass storage device 312 can be coupled to the server 302 via a communication link 3. The mass storage device 312 contains storage of navigational data and map information, and may also be a separate device from the server 3〇2 or may be incorporated into the server 302. The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 3 via the communication channel 3丨8 and includes a processor, memory, etc. as previously described with respect to FIG. 2, and to transmit and receive signals via the communication channel 3 1 8 and / / Data Transmitter 3 20 and Receiver 322 'Note' These devices may further be used to communicate with devices other than the feeder 302. In addition, the transmitter 320 and the receiver 322' are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of the navigation device 2, and the functions of the transmitter 320 and the receiver 322 can be combined into a single transceiver. . [141718.doc -19· 201104218 The software stored in the server § Remembrance 306 provides instructions to the processor 3〇4 and allows the server 302 to provide the service to the navigation device 2〇〇. One of the services provided by the server 3〇2 includes processing the request from the navigation device 2 and transmitting the navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device 2〇〇. The other services provided by the feeder 302 include using various algorithms for processing the navigation data for the desired application and transmitting the results of such calculations to the navigation device 200. The communication channel 318 generally indicates that the navigation device is connected and fed. The media or path of the server 3〇2. Both the feeder 3〇2 and the navigation device 2(8) include a transmitter for transmitting data via a communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted by the communication channel. Communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, communication channel 318 is not limited to single-communication techniques; that is, channel 318 can include several communication links using various techniques. For example, 'communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communication, and the like. Thus 'communication channel 318 includes (but is limited to) one or a combination of the following: circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio frequency waves, atmosphere, white space (four) steps, etc. . In addition, communication channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers. In an illustrative configuration, communication channel 318 includes a telephone network and a computer network. Further, the 'communication channel 318 can be adapted for wireless communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, and the like. Additionally, communication channel 318 can be adapted for satellite communications. 1417l8.doc -20- 201104218 Communication signals transmitted via 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 in cellular communication technologies such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications ( GSM), etc.). Both digital and analog signals can be transmitted via communication channel 3 1 8 . These signals may be modulated, encrypted, and/or compressed signals that may be desirable for communication techniques. The server 302 includes a remote server accessible by the navigation device 2 via a wireless channel. Server 302 can include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (vpN), and the like. The server 302 can include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer and the channel 3 1 8 can be a cable that is connected between the personal computer and the navigation device. Alternatively, a personal computer can be connected between the navigation device and the vocalizer 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 3〇2 and the navigation device 2〇〇. Alternatively, a mobile phone or other handheld device can establish a wireless connection to the inter-week network for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the Internet. The navigation device 200 can be provided with information from the server 3〇2 via the poor download. The information download can be automatically updated periodically, or after the user connects the navigation device 2 to the server 3〇2, and/or Or in a more dynamic manner after establishing a more continuous or frequent connection between the feeder 3〇2 and the navigation device fan via, for example, a wireless mobile connection device and a tcp/ip connection. The processor 304 in the plurality of dynamic computing 'feeders 302 can be used to handle a large amount of processing needs. 'However, the processor 210 of the navigation device 2 can also be used from time to time.

141718.doc [ S I -21 · 201104218

A number of processes and calculations are handled by the connection to the server 302. As previously described in connection with FIG. 2, the navigation device 2 includes a processor 2 - an input device 220 and a display screen 24 . In a preferred configuration, the input device 220 and the display screen (4) can be integrated into an integrated input and display device to realize, for example, information input via a touch panel screen (via direct input menu selection, etc.) and poor display. . As is well known to those skilled in the art, this screen can be, for example, a touch-input Lc(R) screen. Additionally, navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 22 and/or any additional output device 24 such as an audio input/output device. 4A and FIG. 4A are perspective views of the navigation device 2 of the PND. As shown in FIG. 4A, the PND includes an integrated input and display device (4), for example, a touch panel screen) and other components of FIG. 2 (including but not limited to an internal GPS receiver 25G, a microprocessor 21, and a power supply). , memory system 230, etc.). The PND 200 can be located on the arm 292, and the arm 292 itself can be secured to the vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using the suction cup 294. The arm 292 is an example of a docking station to which the PND 200 can be coupled. As shown in Figure 4B, for example, the PND 2 can be coupled or otherwise coupled to the arm 292 of the docking station by a wpND attached to the buckle of the arm 292. The PND 200 can then be rotated on the arm 292 as shown by the arrow of the fairy. For example, to release the connection between the pND 200 and the docking station, the button on the navigation device 200 can be pressed. Other equally suitable configurations for coupling the navigation device to the docking station and decoupling the navigation device from the docking station are well known to those skilled in the art. 141718.doc 22· 201104218 As will be well understood, the navigation device of the aforementioned class is provided with map data, and the processor is operable to generate a digital display from the data source for display on the display of the navigation device. map. The navigational muscle device also has a database of points of interest that can be displayed on the digital map, and the care w & μ χ device can further calculate the navigation route to the selected destination (as appropriate, the skin τ4 α + can It should be updated to the status of the parental blockage and the road network that is being generated, or almost instantaneous traffic jam information and/or map data submitted by the user (for example, TGmTQm Map Share update) to calculate the best route). This functionality works very well, but it is best used by the user. The user does not need to update it regularly. Some users do not/have a data contract to enable data downloads on the mobile phone network, and other users are not prepared to spend time updating their devices. For these users, the map data stored in their navigation device can quickly become "stale". J_The calculated route may be reduced. To address this problem, the teachings of the present invention suggest another mechanism for updating data stored in the navigation device and/or for downloading new data to the navigation device, the mechanism avoiding the costs associated with the mobile network, And to save the user from having to manually download the installation updates to the device. To this end, in an envisaged implementation, the navigation device may be provided with an enhanced lean repository of points of interest to indicate points of interest with installed short-range wireless networks. Such points of interest may include, for example, a computer-equipped gas station coupled to the Internet (eg, via a simple Ethernet side I) and included to establish a regional wireless LAN ( For example, a WiFi or WIMAX network device, the navigation device can use the aforementioned short-range radio to receive the 141718.doc • 23· 201104218 transmitter 265 connected to the area wireless LAN β when the navigation device is in the range of the network and is connected to For this network, the V-Navigator can download map updates, Map Share information, current traffic jam information (such as HD Traffic information), or other information (such as sales or advertising information). There are several advantages to this configuration. In the first case, this configuration avoids the transmission of data over the telephone network and thus avoids the expense that can sometimes be incurred by such transmissions. In the second case, data transmission over a short-haul network is much faster than data transmission over a mobile telephone network, and thus more information can be transmitted in a shorter period of time. In the third case, users are reluctant to manually update their devices to avoid having to make this update because they no longer automatically download information to their navigation devices. Finally, in the fourth case, 'this configuration helps to alleviate the load on the server that provides the map data, because the user has a much larger number of locations from which the data can be downloaded' instead of just one location of the current system. characteristic. The teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a number of ways. In a first illustrative configuration, the 'navigation device can be configured (once a route has been calculated) to: identify points of interest along an established route with an installed short-range network, when the device is calculated The short-range radio transceiver 265 of the navigation device is turned on when the current location is within the range of the network of a given point of interest, and when the calculated current location of the device indicates that it has moved out of the network of the point of interest The short range radio transceiver 265 is turned off. It is particularly useful when the navigation device is used in a free-driving mode (that is, a mode in which the user displays a local area digital map 141718.doc -24·201104218 without having to select a navigation to a specific destination). In an envisaged implementation, the navigation device can be configured to: periodically determine whether the calculated current location of the navigation device is within a range of points of interest having a wireless network, the navigation device being determined to be in the network The short range radio transceiver 265 is turned on to download data and the short range radio transceiver 265 is turned off once the navigation device is determined to have moved out of the network. One of the disadvantages of such configurations is that 'if the vehicle is rapidly traveling through a wireless network of a given point of interest, the short-range radio transceiver 265' is quickly turned "on" and "off" and to avoid this, the navigation device can The short-range radio transceiver is also enabled for data downloading only when the device has been stationary for a period of time within the range of the wireless network. In another implementation, the navigation device may not include information about a given short-range network, whether it is interesting or not, and the navigation device may simply be configured to be in - <; short-range radio transceivers are turned on when there are multiple ranges of points of interest for a given type. As previously stated, during the setup, the device may need to be stationary for a given period of time and then energize the transceiver. In a preferred configuration, this functionality is implemented in software, and its illustrative components will now be described. Looking at Figure 5 in the figure, the memory resource 23 stores a bootloader program (not shown). The boot loader program is executed by the processor 210 to carry the binary resource 2 3 G. "" Operating System 4 7 g for use by the functional hardware group to execute the operating system 470 provides application software 480 operable ring I41718.doc • 25· 201104218 Operating system 470 is used to control functional hardware component 46 and reside between application software 480 and functional hardware component 460. The application software provides a working environment that includes a GUI that supports the core functions of the navigation device 200 (e.g., map view, route planning, navigation functions, and any other functionality associated therewith). In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this functional portion includes a wireless network control module 49, which will now be described in detail in conjunction with FIG. Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart illustrating the steps of a method by which the functionality of the aforementioned wireless network control module is described in detail. As shown in the '纟Step 5〇〇, the user controls the navigation device to calculate the route of one to one selected destination. The wireless network control module 490 then interrogates the point of interest database stored in the lead in step 5 (4) to identify the points of interest on the calculated path & θ + green with the installed wireless network. , 'When the user moves along the calculated route, the wireless network control module _ 4 identifies the current wheel tool position and in step 506 determines whether the front position is the wireless network 2 The location of the place. If it is in the vehicle, then the performance of the wireless network identified in step 5〇2 = ^ (four) way control module 4, start short-range wireless transceiver 265 and connect to the wireless network for data download. As mentioned above, it can be modified, μ_, a ^ in the navigation device has been reached to / rendering, so that the wireless network control module only goes to the step. In the case of a predetermined period of time, the alternative implementation in the free-driving mode is continued. The functionality provided by the 141718.doc •26·201104218 line network control module 49Q is similar to that shown in Figure 6. The master module is that the steps 500 and 502 are not required, and in step 5〇6, the wireless network control module 490 determines whether the current vehicle location is within the range of points of interest with the wireless network function. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the teachings of the present invention provide an effective means for solving the problems of the month. It should be understood that the various aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described hereinabove, but the invention is not limited to the specific configuration set forth herein, and, in fact, the scope of the invention is extended to include All configurations and modifications and changes to the scope of the patent application. For example, while the embodiment described in the foregoing detailed description refers to GPS, in the business, the navigation device may use any of the position sensing techniques as an alternative to GPS (or indeed 'in addition to Gps'). For example, navigation devices may utilize other global navigation satellite systems, such as the European Gameo system. As such, it is not limited to satellite-based, but can be readily implemented using ground-based beacons or any other system that enables the device to determine its geographic location. In another modification, the navigation device can be configured to communicate with a point of interest computer system using different types of communication, and thus the scope of the invention should not be construed as being limited to wireless LAN communication with a point of interest computer system. . It will also be well understood by those skilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment implements a certain functionality by software, the functionality may equally well be in hardware (eg, by one or more ASICs (special) The application integrated circuit)) is implemented or actually implemented by a mixture of hardware and software. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to 141718.doc -27 201104218 should be construed as being limited to implementation in software. Finally, it should be noted that although the scope of the appended claims states specific combinations of features recited herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific combinations of the following: Any combination of features or embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not the specific combination has been specifically recited in the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a global positioning system (GPS); FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an electronic component configured to provide a navigation device; FIG. 3 is a navigation device capable of receiving on a wireless communication channel. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of a navigation device; FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of software used by the navigation device; and FIG. 6 is an illustrative flow chart depicting steps of a method The teachings of the present invention can be implemented by this method. [Main component symbol description] 120 Satellite 124 Earth 140 GPS receiver device 160 Spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 200 Navigation device / Navigation system 210 Processor 220 Input device 141718.doc -28- 201104218 225 230 235 240 245 250 255 260 265 269 270 275 280 290 292 294 302 304 306 308 310 3 12 314 Connection Memory / Memory System Connection Display Screen / Display Unit Output Connection Receiver / Antenna Connection Output Device Short Range Radio Transceiver

Wireless LAN Input/Output (I/O) 埠 Connection I/O Device Integrated Input and Display Device Arm Sucker Server Processor Memory Transmitter Receiver Large Capacity Data Storage Device / Mass Storage Device / Large Capacity Data Storage Wired or wireless connection/communication link 141718.doc -29- 201104218 318 Communication channel 320 Transmitter 322 Receiver 460 Functional hardware component 470 Operating system 480 Application software 490 Wireless network control module 141718.doc -30-

Claims (1)

201104218 VII. Patent application scope: 1. A navigation device (200) 'contains a processor (21 0) for generating a digital map for displaying to a user from map data; (230) for the map material and data defining a location of the point of interest on the digital map; and, a display (24〇) for displaying the digital map to the user; The navigation device (200) further includes: a short range radio transceiver (265) for receiving signals and transmitting signals to the computer systems from respective computer systems associated with a respective point of interest; and - the wireless network A way control module (490) configured to activate the short range radio transceiver (265) for use in a wireless communication range of a point of interest of one of the navigation devices (200) for use in determining Handshake. 2. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the short range wireless transceiver (49A) is configured to be within a wireless communication range of a point of interest at a determined current location of one of the navigation devices (2) The short range radio transceiver (265) is operative to be used for the handshake, the point of interest having a computer system associated therewith. 3. The navigation device of claim 2, wherein the processor is operative to calculate a route from the current location of the navigation device to the closest point of interest associated with the received status signal. 4' The navigation device of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to generate a guide 141718.doc 201104218 voyage command for relaying to the user to direct the user to the route along the route The closest point of interest. 5. The navigation device of claim 3 or 4 wherein the wireless network control module (490) is configured to: identify a point of interest on the route and at a determined current location of one of the navigation devices (200) The short-range radio transceiver is activated for edge-to-edge exchanges with a computer system associated therewith in the context of wireless communication within a point of interest on the route. 6. The navigation device of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the wireless network control module (490) is configured to activate the short range once the navigation device has been stationary for at least a predetermined period of time Radio transceiver (265). 7. The navigation device of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the navigation device is permanently installed in the vehicle. 8. The navigation device of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the navigation device comprises a PND removable from the vehicle. 9. The navigation device of claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the handshake is for downloading information from the computer system to the navigation. The navigation device of claim 9, wherein the downloaded information is used to update information previously stored in the navigation device. A navigation device of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the short range radio transceiver is configured to enable wireless LAN communication with the computer system. 12. The navigation device of claim 11, wherein the short range radio transceiver is configured to enable WiFi or WIMAX compatible communication. 13. A method for downloading content to a navigation device, the method 141718.doc 201104218 14 comprising: determining a location of the navigation device; determining a location of a point of interest, the point of interest being capable of interacting with a navigation device A computer system for wireless communication is associated; and when one of the navigation devices is in a wireless communication range of the point of interest, a short range radio transceiver of the navigation device is activated for signal exchange with the computer system. The method of claim 13, wherein the navigation device is configured to energize the short range radio transceiver when the navigation device has been stationary for at least a predetermined period of time. 15. A computer software comprising one or more software modules operable to perform a processor (210) of a navigation device (200) when executed in an execution environment Determining the current location of the navigation device; determining a location of the plant's point of interest associated with a computer system capable of wirelessly communicating with a navigation device; and § 6 of the navigation device* .._ When the field location is within the wireless communication range of the point of interest, the navigation f is activated by one of the gamma-gamma devices; the computer system performs signal exchange. 141718.doc [S }