Alpine Electronics, Inc.

Andrew De Silva

Mike Iao

Kenny Chen

Hikaru P Wako

Linh Doan

Jianning Zhuang

Hirofumi Onishi

Raymond Linn

Peachawat Peachavanish

A navigation method and apparatus is designed to efficiently retrieve the information on the scenic byways and to visit such scenic byways through calculated routes. The navigation method and system performs a scenic byway mode in which operations and screen displays are specially designed for efficiently retrieving and selecting a desired scenic byway and scenic places to visit. The navigation method and system allows the user to efficiently search the information and select the scenic byway and scenic places to visit. The navigation method and system stores the information on the scenic byways in the map database and facilitates retrieval thereof in response to the request by the user. Alternatively, the information on the scenic byways and scenic places can be retrieved from the remote data server through wireless communication.

Navigation method and system for selecting and visiting scenic places on selected scenic byway

A method and apparatus for entering an address for a navigation system allows a user to easily and quickly select a key indicating the next character of the address. At the start of operation, the navigation system shows a full alpha-numeric keyboard. Once the next candidate characters are narrowed down to a certain degree, the navigation system shows a simplified keyboard with a limited number of keys on the monitor screen and highlights the next candidate characters on the simplified keyboard. The navigation system displays both the simplified keyboard and a street name list on the same screen. Since the keys of the limited number are arranged within a small space such as in the three-by-three manner, the user can easily point a cursor or other pointing device to the desired key.

Method and apparatus for keyboard arrangement for efficient data entry for navigation system

A method and apparatus for a navigation system automatically assigns or allows a user to assign a brand icon to a particular location. The navigation system displays the assigned brand icon as well as generic icons on a map image. Thus, the navigation system enables the user to quickly distinguish a particular place such as a point of interest (POI) from other similar type of POIs on a map image. The user can identify a particular chain restaurant from other restaurant by the brand icon unique to the particular chain restaurant on the map image so that the user can easily specify the favorite restaurant as a destination.

Method and apparatus for associating brand icon with POI location for navigation system

A method and apparatus for selecting a desired point of interest ('POI') for a navigation system displays matching brand icons associated with POIs to assist the user in finding an intended POI. When the user inputs characters indicating a POI name or a POI type, or selecting a POI type from a list, the navigation system displays brand icons of the POI name or POI type. When the user selects one of the brand icons, the navigation system lists the POIs associated with the brand icons in the predetermined order such as distance from the current vehicle position. Since the number of brand icons are limited, and each brand icon has a readily recognizable image, the user can quickly find a desired POI by selecting a brand icon.

Method and apparatus for selecting POI by brand icon

A method and apparatus of displaying a three-dimensional arrival screen allows the user to more easily and accurately identify the actual location of the destination by displaying the three-dimensional arrival screen which shows the relationship among the location of the destination, the locations of the neighboring addresses, and the current vehicle position. The method includes the steps of receiving a street address number of a destination, retrieving data indicating a road segment which includes the specified street address number, estimating positions of the destination and neighboring addresses based on street numbers of the destination, neighboring addresses, and position data of the road segment, and displaying a three-dimensional arrival screen when the user comes within the predetermined distance range from the destination.

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Torrance, CA, United States of America

Andrew De Silva