Magellan Dis, Inc.

Harman International Industries, Inc.

Harman Becker Automotive Systems Gmbh

Mitac International Corporation

Magellan Navigation, Inc.

Magellan Driver Information Systems, Inc.

Magelan Dts, Inc.

Beacon Navigation Gmbh

Jeffrey Alan Millington

Anthony Albert Slominski

Larry E Spencer

Roger Stevens

Mike Mouser

Chandiran Palanisamy

Donald Joe Long

Kenneth Glenn Maxwell

David Marvin Gersabeck

Steven Edward Montealegre

Yongle Lou

Angelo A Giannotti

Michael G Lambie

Christopher P Hook

Richard Eklund

William F Hook, Legal Representative

Christopher J Hook, Deceased

Jeffrey Janus

Michael Mouser

Rhonda Marie Paprocki

Donald J Long

Larry E Ii Spencer

Christopher Di Hook

Roger A Stevens

Methods for inputting a destination in a navigation system by manually controlling an actuating device are provided. In an example method, at least the following menu items can be selected when the actuating device is actuated using a first motion type: a CHARACTER menu item provides a list of characters when selected, and a DIGIT menu item that provides a list of digits when selected. The first motion type may be used to actuate the actuating device to select one of the other non-selected menu items.

Methods for controlling a navigation system

A vehicle audio system having handlebar mounted controls that permit an operator to control the audio system utilizing finger controls mounted on the handlebars.

Handlebar audio controls

A database system includes a processor configured to receive broadcasts according to a plurality of broadcast formats. The processor determines broadcast information associated with each received broadcast. The processor stores a database entry for each received broadcast within a database stored in the memory. Each database entry is indicative of the broadcast information associated the received broadcast. The processor continuously populates the database with broadcast information associated with received broadcasts. The database is user-accessible, allowing database entries to be viewed and altered. Ratings for various broadcast information are user-provided allowing preferred broadcast content to be user-designated based on the broadcast information. The ratings are used to notify a user of preferred broadcast content being broadcast according to at least one of the broadcast formats allowing the user to select receipt of the preferred broadcast content while available.

System for broadcast information database

An apparatus may generate a text entry with a user interface. The apparatus may include a display, a user input device, a memory and a processor. The apparatus may display single character user input controls and multi-character user input controls on the display. Each of the single character user input controls and the multi-character user input controls may be buttons selectable with the user input device. A single character user input control may correspond to a single character and a multi-character user input control may correspond to a group of characters. The apparatus may display one of the multi-character user input controls in a display region and other user input controls outside of the display region. If the multi-character user input control is selected, the apparatus may replace the multi-character user input control with a second set of single character user input controls in an expanded display region.

System for a text speller

A navigation system includes an operator interface module (OIM) including a display and keypad. A computer module (computer module) includes a CPU, map database and the motion and position sensors. A docking station is fixedly mounted in each of a plurality of vehicles. The docking station includes an electrical connector connected to the vehicle power supply and an electrical connector connected to a GPS antenna and an electrical connector connected to a display extension harness. The computer module and OIM are transportable among each of the vehicles. The computer module slides into the docking station and simultaneously makes electrical contact with the vehicle power supply, GPS antenna and display extension harness. The OIM is connected to the display extension harness, thereby connecting the OIM to the computer module. The OIM and computer module are thus transportable among multiple vehicles having the appropriate docking station.

Portable vehicle navigation system

A method of selectively providing cartographic features on a video display of a navigation system for improved rendering is provided. The method includes the steps of determining an operational mode of the navigation system, selecting a desired cartographic entity for a cartographic feature based upon the operational mode, and displaying the desired cartographic entity on the video display. For example, less detailed cartographic entities are selected for display when the navigation system is in an operational mode that requires the video display to be updated frequently ore a mode in which it is desirable to focus the user's attention on a different cartographic entity. The less detailed cartographic entity may have a lower intensity than or contrast less with surrounding cartographic entities. In this manner, the user may be provided the desired level of map details with the video display regenerated rapidly.

Selective rendering of cartographic entities for a navigation system

A navigation system that includes a graphic user interface displaying a plurality of icons. An icon selectively activated by a user input device is enlarged, animated, and includes a text flag indicating what the icon represents. Some of the icons are associated with a plurality of potential destinations for the navigation system. The icons are animated by displaying a plurality of frames sequentially. The first frame is a base frame full bit map which includes information for displaying all of the pixels of the icon. The second frame is displayed by changing only the pixels which are different between the first frame and the second frame based upon a transition file which only includes information for the pixels to be changed. A second transition file indicates the pixels to be changed between the second frame and the third frame, and so on. For icons with many potential frames, more than one base frame may be provided, so that any state can be reached more quickly.

Navigation system with user interface

A method and apparatus of utilizing waypoints for a vehicle is provided. A first waypoint relating to a first vehicle position is added to a second waypoint relating to a second vehicle position. The waypoints are saved as a route. Waypoint information relating to the waypoints and route information relating to the route may be manipulated. The method also includes displaying at least a portion of the route on a display screen and indicating a desired direction of vehicle travel from a current vehicle location to one of the waypoints. According to the present invention, the drive may be alerted when the vehicle has come within a particular distance of the waypoint or if the vehicle has veered from the route by a particular distance.

Vehicle navigation system with off-road navigation

The invention relates to a method and a device for a graphical user interface for a navigation system. The graphical user interface includes a display having several groups of symbols with each group arranged in a unique pre-determined direction relative to a start position. A user manipulatable directional input device permits a user to select any one of the groups with a single keystroke. Once a group has been selected, the directional input device permits a user to activate any one of the symbols within a group with a single keystroke. An activated symbol can be selected with one keystroke by the user. Selection of a symbol then re-activates the start position.

Navigation system character input device

A navigation system switches to a different operational mode based upon a figure of merit determination of the current position solution by the navigation system relative to the map database. If the vehicle navigation system is guiding a driver along a recommended route, and the figure of merit drops below a first predetermined threshold, the navigation system disables an automatic route recalculation routine. If the figure of merit drops below a second predetermined threshold while the vehicle is in route guidance mode, the navigation system displays a textual display of the turn-by-turn instructions along the recommended route to the destination. If the vehicle navigation system is not in a route guidance mode and the figure of merit drops below a third predetermined threshold, the navigation system displays a map of the area surrounding the last current position solution, without displaying the current position of the vehicle.

Navigation system with figure of merit determination

A navigation system includes a database of a plurality of roads, a position determining system, an input device, and a route determination system. A CPU samples user inputs and a counter keeps track of the number of occurrences of those user inputs which achieve a particular user desired result. The CPU identifies the user inputs which achieve a particular result and stores such inputs within a user input database maintained in a storage device. The CPU continues to store the user inputs which achieve a desired user result until a predetermined number of &ldquo;N&rdquo; occurrences is reached. After reaching the &ldquo;N&rdquo; number of occurrences, it has become apparent that this is not an infrequent inefficient input by the user. The CPU will then display a suggestion screen which provides a predetermined suggested input tailored to the prior inefficient user inputs.

Navigation system with run-time training instruction

A navigation system includes a display which provides a 3-D perspective view. The angle of viewing in the perspective view is increased based upon the complexity of the intersection being displayed. Intersections of increased complexity are displayed at an increased viewing angle to facilitate understanding. A sky above a horizon on the display changes color based upon the time of day.

3-dimensional intersection display for vehicle navigation system

A navigation system is used to assist a user in proceeding from a current location to a desired destination. The navigation system includes a processor for storing a database of roads and a system for determining the current position of a vehicle in relation to the database. A user can select a desired destination in the database by using an input device which sends the selection to the processor. The navigation system determines a route to the selected destination. An output device displays the route and the vehicle's current position by automatically scaling the display to include the route and the current position.

Autoscaling of recommended route

A vehicle navigation system provides a zoomed maneuver instruction view which displays a magnified view of the upcoming maneuver. Display of the zoomed maneuver instruction view is preferably related to the complexity of the road segments adjacent the upcoming maneuver. In one embodiment, the zoomed maneuver instruction view is displayed if more than N numbers of shape points are within a predetermined distance along the recommended route. In another embodiment, the zoomed maneuver instruction view is displayed if the recommended route includes an upcoming complex maneuver adjacent a road segment with more than N number of shape points. Preferably, the CPU will continue to magnify the complex maneuver in the zoomed maneuver instruction view as the vehicle and associated vehicle icon progresses through the complex maneuver.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey Alan Millington