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US6618669B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Navigation apparatus, navigation method and navigation program

Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
•
Filing: 2001-09-25
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Granted: 2003-09-09
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Expires: 2021-09-25
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Abstract

Abstract In a navigation apparatus, operating function control means of system control means infers a operation, which a user is expected to set next time on a screen of display means by operating means, from a set situation of each item selected on a map screen based on map data read from map data storage means, and when a destination has not been set, for example, presents a setting switch for the destination as a function switch, or when an en route location has not been set by route setting means, presents a setting switch for the en route location as a function switch. The operating function control means also presents a switch for retrieving surrounding establishments, which the user is expected to be desirous of looking for, based on the time of day or the duration of driving. The navigation apparatus enables the user to perform desired setting operations and retrieval of establishments without the need for complicated operations.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masako Ota
  • 👤 Tatsuya Mitsugi
  • 👤 Kazuhiro Yokouchi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 21:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 127 words
A navigation apparatus comprising: map data storage means for storing map data; current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data; operating means for performing various entries according to an operation; display control means for displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operating means; and operating function control means for predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 127 words
A navigation apparatus comprising: map data storage means for storing map data; current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data; operating means for performing various entries according to an operation; display control means for displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operating means; and operating function control means for predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a set situation of each item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a state of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a time of day.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a duration of driving.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with information on the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operating means comprises a function switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 109 words
A navigation method comprising the steps of: detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data; performing various entries according to an operation of operating means; displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on map data stored in map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operation of the operating means; and predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 109 words
A navigation method comprising the steps of: detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data; performing various entries according to an operation of operating means; displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on map data stored in map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operation of the operating means; and predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
The navigation method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a set situation of each item.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 26 words
The navigation method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a state of the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 25 words
The navigation method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a time of day.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 25 words
The navigation method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a duration of driving.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
The navigation method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with information on the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 84 words
The navigation method according to claim 8 , further comprising the steps of: setting a manual change mode or a predicted change mode in accordance with the operation; and effecting a sequential transition of the function on the setting screen having a hierarchical structure to a next lower level by the operation in the manual change mode, or effecting a transition of the function on the setting screen to a target level by the operation, while skipping intermediate levels, in the predicted change mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 141 words
A navigation program for allowing a computer in a navigation apparatus to function as: map data storage means for storing map data; current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data; operation control means for performing various entries according to an operation of operating means; display control means for displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operating means; and operating function control means for predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 141 words
A navigation program for allowing a computer in a navigation apparatus to function as: map data storage means for storing map data; current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data; operation control means for performing various entries according to an operation of operating means; display control means for displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operating means; and operating function control means for predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5821880A Cited
JPH11304505A Cited
JPH11337361A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-09-08 2007-03-10 2007-09-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-09-08 2011-03-10 2011-09-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-09-08 2015-03-10 2015-09-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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