Robert Boschgmbh

Volker Skwarek

Gerd Draeger

Arne Friedrichs

Andreas Kynast

Michael Laedke

Andreas Buecher

Claus Brenner

In an electronic device, in particular a navigation device, having operator-input devices and communications devices for exchanging data with an external, central computer, at least one operator-input device is assigned a function for sending a specific input-identification code uniquely assigned to the electronic device and to the respective operator-input device, or for sending function data assigned to the input-identification code, to the external, central computer for executing the at least one function defined by the input-identification code and the function data.

Electronic device and method for executing functions

A method for making destination guidance instructions available to a user, wherein at least two direction indications, from a current position to waypoints and to a destination, respectively, are prepared and are outputted for the user. At least one distance indication is also prepared. Output of these indications may be accomplished simultaneously on a display. Output of these indications may be used in a region where no known map data or route data are available to the user.

Method for providing navigation instructions

A method for transferring at least one navigation element from a vehicle navigation unit to a master station. The vehicle navigation unit does not include a database sufficient for a route calculation, including an input device via which a user is able to input navigation element data concerning at least one navigation element, the vehicle navigation unit including communications devices, or cooperating with separate communications devices, to exchange data with a master station in which routes are calculated. The vehicle navigation unit includes an arrangement to select at least one navigation element database entry, of a plurality of navigation element database entries, which are transmitted by the master station as response to the navigation element data transmitted to the master station, when the master station is not able uniquely to assign a plurality of navigation element database entries to at least one navigation element.

Method for transferring destination guidance elements, vehicle navigation device and control center

A method of exchanging navigation information between a terminal, an offboard vehicle navigation device in particular, and a control center is described, the navigation information including route information for at least one route between a starting point and a destination. The method involves the following steps: a) verifying a starting point reference ID and/or starting coordinates and verifying a destination reference ID and/or destination coordinates and b) calculating route data and transmitting to the terminal a route response containing at least parts of the route data, the route data corresponding to at least one complete route from the starting point to the destination or at least one partial route from the starting point to an intermediate point located between the starting point and the destination at least as a function of the length of the route from the starting point to the destination.

Method of exchanging navigation information

For the purpose of making available route data for a navigational device, an overall route is divided up into route segments which each include a part of the overall route. A first route segment is transmitted to the navigational device, upon its request, which around the starting point includes a starting field including a plurality of possible routes, as well as a main route to an intermediate destination. Before the intermediate destination is reached, a further route segment is transmitted to the navigational device, which includes a plurality of possible routes around the intermediate destination as its starting field, as well as a main route to an additional intermediate destination or to the destination itself. The latter step is repeated for route segments for further intermediate destinations until the destination is reached.

Method for making available route data for a navigational device

A method for operating a navigation system and a navigation system for a vehicle, in which data regarding geographic positions of the vehicle are ascertained by a positioning system and transmitted to an electronic data processing device having access to a database and a digital road map, on the basis of this data the location of the vehicle on the digital road map is determined and destination guidance instructions are output visually and/or acoustically to the driver of the vehicle, wherein additional information can be stored in the navigation system and can be retrieved as necessary by the driver and/or other passengers in the vehicle and output via the navigation system, this additional information being loaded into the navigation system in the form of program 'navlets' which are usable by the driver and/or other passengers in the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany

Volker Skwarek