US5537323A — Navigation device vehicle comprising the device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 382 words

A navigation device for navigating a user from a starting point along a selected route to a destination point, comprising: a memory for storing cartographic data relating to the selected route; a position sensing unit for supplying the memory with data indicative of the user's present position at any time; an input unit for supplying the memory unit with data indicative of the user's destination; a display unit for producing from the data in the memory a display only of a map section relevant to the user's present position and the selected route, said relevant map section showing a plurality of intersections but being only a small part of the selected route from starting to destination point and including only the most recent route segment actually followed by the user up to the present position and the next immediate route segment for the user to follow to reach eventually the user's destination point and the immediate surrounding territory of the present position, said next immediate route segment including at least the next two successive intersections requiring a decision by the user; and a control unit for controlling the data supplied from the memory to the display unit so that the relevant map section is repeatedly up-dated in accordance with actual changes in the user's position; said control unit comprising picture processing means for further controlling the data supplied from the memory to the display unit such that in the relevant map section displayed the most recent route segment which has already actually been travelled is depicted in a first manner and the next immediate route segment which is next to be travelled including at least through said two successive intersections to reach eventually the user's destination point is depicted in a second manner different from said first manner, the remaining routes of the relevant map section, other than the most recent segment actually travelled and the next immediate route segment which is next to be travelled, being depicted in a third manner different from both the first and second manners and less apparent to a user than the first and second manners, such that the most recent route segment that has actually been travelled and the next immediate route segment that is next to be travelled are more apparent to the user.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 382 words

A navigation device for navigating a user from a starting point along a selected route to a destination point, comprising: a memory for storing cartographic data relating to the selected route; a position sensing unit for supplying the memory with data indicative of the user's present position at any time; an input unit for supplying the memory unit with data indicative of the user's destination; a display unit for producing from the data in the memory a display only of a map section relevant to the user's present position and the selected route, said relevant map section showing a plurality of intersections but being only a small part of the selected route from starting to destination point and including only the most recent route segment actually followed by the user up to the present position and the next immediate route segment for the user to follow to reach eventually the user's destination point and the immediate surrounding territory of the present position, said next immediate route segment including at least the next two successive intersections requiring a decision by the user; and a control unit for controlling the data supplied from the memory to the display unit so that the relevant map section is repeatedly up-dated in accordance with actual changes in the user's position; said control unit comprising picture processing means for further controlling the data supplied from the memory to the display unit such that in the relevant map section displayed the most recent route segment which has already actually been travelled is depicted in a first manner and the next immediate route segment which is next to be travelled including at least through said two successive intersections to reach eventually the user's destination point is depicted in a second manner different from said first manner, the remaining routes of the relevant map section, other than the most recent segment actually travelled and the next immediate route segment which is next to be travelled, being depicted in a third manner different from both the first and second manners and less apparent to a user than the first and second manners, such that the most recent route segment that has actually been travelled and the next immediate route segment that is next to be travelled are more apparent to the user.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 41 words

A navigation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said picture processing means controls the data supplied from the memory to the display unit so that in the relevant map section the user's current position is depicted in a flashing manner.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

A navigation device as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein in the relevant map section an already travelled route segment is depicted in a first distinct color and a route segment which is still to be travelled is depicted in a second distinct color.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 56 words

A navigation device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said picture processing means controls the data supplied from the memory to the display unit so that in the relevant map section an arrow is produced extending substantially parallel to or coincident with the selected route and pointing in the direction to be followed along said route.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 44 words

A navigation device as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the relevant map section the selected route is displayed as a double line between which said first and second distinct colors are included for already travelled and still to be travelled route segments, respectively.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 67 words

A navigation device as claimed in claim 3, wherein in the relevant map section the selected route is displayed as a double line between which said first and second distinct colors are included for already travelled and still to be travelled route segments, respectively, said remaining routes being displayed as a single line or as a double line that is narrower than that of the selected route.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

A navigation device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the double line is in one of the first and second distinct colors.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 60 words

A navigation device as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said picture processing means controls the data supplied from the memory to the display unit so that in the relevant map section an arrow is produced extending substantially parallel to or coincident with the selected route and pointing in the direction to be followed along said route.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

A navigation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the user's present position deviates from the selected route said picture processing means controls the data supplied from the memory to the display unit so that the user's present position is also depicted in the relevant map section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said relevant map section produced by the display unit does not include the starting point unless the user has just started, and does not include the destination point unless the user has nearly reached the destination point.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 238 words

A navigation system for navigating a user from a starting point along a selected route to a destination point, comprising: (a) means for providing cartographic data representing a map including the selected route, (b) means for determining the user's present position, (c) means for selecting from the cartographic data specific data representing a section of the map which includes the user's present position, a first route segment corresponding to the most recent route segment actually followed by the user up to the present position, a second route segment corresponding to the next immediate route segment up to and including at least the next two successive route intersections requiring a decision by the user, and other route segments in the immediate surrounding territory of the present position, (d) means for displaying the route segments corresponding to the first route segment and the second route segment when not included within the selected route in substantially the same shape as when they are included in the selected route, (e) means for displaying the first route segment and the second route segment when they are included in the selected route with respective different identifying characteristics, other than shape, which distinguish said first and second route segments from the other route segments and which also includes in the display a prominent point of demarcation where said first and second route segments meet, said demarcation point identifying the user's present position on the display.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 238 words

A navigation system for navigating a user from a starting point along a selected route to a destination point, comprising: (a) means for providing cartographic data representing a map including the selected route, (b) means for determining the user's present position, (c) means for selecting from the cartographic data specific data representing a section of the map which includes the user's present position, a first route segment corresponding to the most recent route segment actually followed by the user up to the present position, a second route segment corresponding to the next immediate route segment up to and including at least the next two successive route intersections requiring a decision by the user, and other route segments in the immediate surrounding territory of the present position, (d) means for displaying the route segments corresponding to the first route segment and the second route segment when not included within the selected route in substantially the same shape as when they are included in the selected route, (e) means for displaying the first route segment and the second route segment when they are included in the selected route with respective different identifying characteristics, other than shape, which distinguish said first and second route segments from the other route segments and which also includes in the display a prominent point of demarcation where said first and second route segments meet, said demarcation point identifying the user's present position on the display.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 230 words

A navigation method for navigating a user from a starting point along a selected route to a destination point, comprising the steps: (a) providing cartographic data representing a map including the selected route, (b) determining the user's present position, (c) selecting from the cartographic data specific data representing a section of the map which includes the user's present position, a first route segment corresponding to the most recent route segment actually followed by the user up to the present position, a second route segment corresponding to the next immediate route segment up to and including at least the next two successive route intersections requiring a decision by the user, and other route segments in the immediate surrounding territory of the present position, (d) when not included within the selected route, displaying the route segments corresponding to the first route segment and the second route segment in substantially the same shape as when they are included in the selected route, but when they are included in the selected route displaying the first route segment and the second route segment with respective different identifying characteristics, other than shape, which distinguish said first and second route segments from the other route segments and which also includes in the display a prominent point of demarcation where said first and second route segments meet, said demarcation point identifying the user's present position on the display.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 230 words

A navigation method for navigating a user from a starting point along a selected route to a destination point, comprising the steps: (a) providing cartographic data representing a map including the selected route, (b) determining the user's present position, (c) selecting from the cartographic data specific data representing a section of the map which includes the user's present position, a first route segment corresponding to the most recent route segment actually followed by the user up to the present position, a second route segment corresponding to the next immediate route segment up to and including at least the next two successive route intersections requiring a decision by the user, and other route segments in the immediate surrounding territory of the present position, (d) when not included within the selected route, displaying the route segments corresponding to the first route segment and the second route segment in substantially the same shape as when they are included in the selected route, but when they are included in the selected route displaying the first route segment and the second route segment with respective different identifying characteristics, other than shape, which distinguish said first and second route segments from the other route segments and which also includes in the display a prominent point of demarcation where said first and second route segments meet, said demarcation point identifying the user's present position on the display.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first route segment and the second route segment have respective different identifying colors.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the route segments corresponding to the first route segment and the second route segment have larger dimensions when in the selected route than when not in the selected route.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-16	2000-01-15	2000-07-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-16	2004-01-15	2004-07-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-16	2008-01-15	2008-07-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Navigation device vehicle comprising the device

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