TW201017130A - Navigation apparatus and method of detection that a parking facility is sought - Google Patents

Abstract

A navigation apparatus comprises a location determination unit (224) and a processing resource (202) arranged to support, when in use, a user interface. The processing resource (202) is operably coupled to the location determination unit (224) in order to obtain location information therefrom. The processing resource (202) is arranged to analyse the location information and the user interface is arranged to generate a message offering assistance in relation to finding a parking facility in response to the processing resource (202) determining that a location information characteristic associated with the location information is in accordance with a predetermined criterion.

Description

201017130 IX. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a type of navigation device capable of determining, for example, the time at which a parking opportunity is being sought. The present invention is also directed to a method of determining that a parking facility is being sought that has, for example, analyzed location information to infer the type of parking facility being sought. [Prior Art]

Portable computing devices (e.g., portable navigation devices (PNDs)) that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and widely used as in-vehicle or other vehicle navigation systems. As usual, the modern PND contains

Recall the map data in the body. Handling stolen memory cooperation to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system is typically established, and often - or multiple (four) software programs are provided to enable the functionality of the PND to provide various other functions. Typically, such device advancement includes allowing the user to interact with the device and making one or more input interfaces and one or more output interfaces of the device or the output interface to relay the information to the user. Illustrative examples of the surface include a visual display. Illustrative examples of wheeled "intelligent display and speaker input 2 for voice output" include one or more of the actual Zhao buttons used to control the device or other features (if the device is inside, ^4, (4), etc. (4) It may not be in (4) on its own, == on the plate) and the microphone used to detect the user's words. In the middle, the output interface display group can be touched as a A group of touch-sensitive displays (with 135360.doc 201017130 touch-sensitive overlay or others) to provide an additional input interface. The input interface allows the user to operate the device by touch. This type of device will also The method includes: one or more physical connector interfaces, by which the power signal and the condition data signal can be transmitted to the device and the power signal and the condition data β are received from the device And, as appropriate, one or more wireless transmitters/receivers that allow communication over cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks, for example,

Bluetooth, Wi-Max, GSM, UMTS and similar networks. This type of PND also includes a -GPS antenna, by which the satellite broadcast signal including location data can be received and subsequently processed. Determine the current location of the device. The PND may also include an electronic gyroscope (gyr〇sc〇pe) that generates signals and an accelerometer that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in conjunction with the position information derived from the GPS signal to determine the device and thus The speed and relative displacement of the vehicle on which the equipment is installed. Usually, these features are most commonly provided in the in-vehicle navigation system, but can also be provided in the pND (if this is advantageous). The utility of these PNDs is mainly manifested in their decision first position (usually, The ability to route between the departure or current position) and the second location (usually, the destination). Such locations may be entered by a user of the device by any of a wide variety of different methods, for example, by postal code, street name and house number, previously stored, known as "destination (such as famous Location, municipal location (such as stadium or swimming pool) or other landmarks) and favorite destinations or near 135360.doc -6 * 201017130 to the destination. In general, the PND has a function for calculating the "best,, or "optimal" route software between the departure address location and the destination address location based on the map data. The "best" or "best" route is based on predetermined criteria and is not necessarily the fastest or shortest route. The choice of the route that guides the driver along the way can be very complex' and the selected route can take into account existing, predicted and dynamic and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speed and driver's decision on the road. The preferences of the alternative factors (for example, drivers can specify routes that should not include highways or toll roads). The device continuously monitors road and traffic conditions and provides or selects to change the route that will take the rest of the journey due to changing conditions. Instant traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (eg, mobile phone data exchange, fixed camera, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and feed information into the notification system. This type of PND can typically be mounted on the dashboard or windshield of the vehicle, but can also be formed as part of the onboard computer of the vehicle radio or as part of the vehicle's own control system. The navigation device can also be part of a palm-sized system such as a pDA (portable digital assistant), media player, mobile phone or the like, and in these cases the conventional functionality of the palm-sized system is The soft boat is mounted on the device to perform route calculations and to extend along the calculated route navigation. Route planning and navigation functionality can also be provided by desktop or action leaf computing resources that operate on appropriate software. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), online route planning and navigation facilities (http://wwW.rac.co.uk), the 135360.doc 201017130 allows users to enter the starting point and destination, so The server computing communication with which the user's computing resources are communicating (the aspect of which can be specified by the user), generating the ground circle and generating a detailed set of navigation commands for directing the user from the selected starting point to the selected one. destination. The facility also provides pseudo-three-dimensional rendering and route preview functionality for the calculated route that simulates the user traveling along the route and thereby provides the user with a preview of the calculated route. In the context of a PND, once the route is calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired calculated route from the proposed route list as appropriate. Depending on the situation, the user may intervene or direct the route selection process, such as specifying that certain routes, routes, locations or guidelines should be avoided or must be followed for a particular journey. The PND route calculation form forms a major function, and navigation along this route is another major function. During navigation along a calculated route, such pNDs often provide visual and/or voice commands to direct the user along a selected route to the end of the route (i.e., the desired destination). The pND also often displays map information on the screen during navigation, which is periodically updated on the screen so that the displayed map information indicates the current location of the device and thus the current location of the user or user's vehicle (if The device is being used for navigation within the vehicle). The circle displayed on the screen usually indicates the current device location and is centered on the map of the current and surrounding roads that are also displayed near the current device location :: and other map features. In addition, depending on the situation, the navigation information can be displayed on the displayed map information. 135360.doc 201017130 Examples of navigation information include the distance from the current road to the next channel that needs to be selected by the user, possibly indicated by the channel change. Another diagram of a particular type (eg, one side of a left turn or a right turn) does not indicate the nature of the change of the course. The navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of the Xinyin private + & + ρ α疋 λ buckle, which can be used along the route by these instructions. As you can see, simple instructions such as, after turning left at 100 m require a lot of processing and analysis. As mentioned earlier, user interaction with the device can be by touch screen, or otherwise or otherwise

By driver-mounted remote control, by voice activation or by any other suitable method. Another important function provided by the device is the automatic route recalculation: the user deviates from the previously calculated route during the navigation (accident or intentional); the immediate traffic condition indicates that the alternative route will be more advantageous and The device can automatically recognize such conditions as appropriate, or if the user actively causes the device to perform route recalculation for any reason. It is also known to allow for the calculation of routes based on user-defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer a scenic route calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid any traffic that may occur, is expected to occur, or is currently occurring. The device software will then calculate the various routes and prefer the route along its route to include the largest number of landmarks (known as POJs) that are marked as beautiful, or use stored information that indicates the traffic conditions that are occurring on a particular road' The calculated routes are sorted by possible blockage or level based on the delay of the blockage. Other route calculations and navigation guidelines based on POI and traffic information are also possible. Although the route calculation and navigation functions are important for the overall utility of the PND, 135360.doc 201017130 can be used purely for information display or, free driving ", which only displays map information related to the current device location, and The route has not been calculated and the device is not currently performing navigation. This mode of operation is often applicable when the user knows the route along which the trip is traveling and does not require navigation assistance. Equipment of the above type (e.g., the GO 93G traffic model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International B.V.) provides a reliable way for poets to navigate from one location to another. These devices are extremely useful when the user is unfamiliar with the route to which they are directed. As indicated above, one or more POIs are available to the user of the PND to make a choice on a journey to take or during a trip. In order to select a POI during the journey, the user often has to properly handle the menu structure of the PNk user interface in order to select a desired POI, such as a supermarket or a parking station. The deleted application A soft ship then uses the data of @部储# to identify a number of POIs (e.g., parking stations) of the type selected by the user, and presents the identified parking stations to the user via the user interface. To assist in the use of the application software, the parking stations identified by the distance from the current location of the PND are typically ordered and the associated distance values for the adjacent listed parking stations are indicated. The user can then select one of the parking stations identified by the user interface & the other part of the application. In response to selection of one of the parking stations, the application software sets the selected parking station as a waypoint or final destination, and the PND then appropriately calculates via the selected parking station or to the selected parking station. route. The functionality of the PND preparation route or itinerary can be similarly selected as a destination or en route. Of course, if the user is already on the way and the PND is already providing navigation assistance, the pND integrates the selected stop 135360.doc 10 201017130 station into the calculated existing route, for example, by recalculating the existing route to consider the user. Make a choice. There is also an alternative way to designate a parking station as a destination. The alternative method includes configuring the route using the route configuration program for the destination location, and then re-executing the route configuration procedure to correct the destination to the POI near the previously set destination location. The selection of the P0I near the previously set destination location includes a part of the menu structure that properly handles the application software—partial reading (in this real money) selects the parking station as the Panyi POI category. Overall, this technique works well. Play a role and provide results that satisfy the user. However, a disadvantage of such techniques is that a user wishing to navigate to a given destination location or navigate via a given destination location must properly dispose of a menu structure and perform a relatively large number of steps in order to obtain parking to near the destination location. Station navigation aid. These procedures are therefore more time consuming than simple route selection procedures in which the user selects only φ a destination location, and possibly a starting point and/or a waypoint without having to properly handle the POI selection. Menu structure. Moreover, the user is not always aware of the need for a parking station near the destination location; the user can assume that the parking station has been provided at the destination location, not expecting that the parking facility is full or non-existent after arriving at the destination . In some cases, it is absolutely impossible to plan a route for the user to be apparently straightforward to the extent that it includes only specifying a stop as a destination. In any event, many of the electronic devices do not make it clear that the full range of services provided by the electronic device. In this regard, the navigation device is no different. Also, when navigating to the selected location, make J35360.doc 201017130

The user may not be aware of the parking station that is of interest or useful to the user near the destination location, which may result in missed opportunities to navigate to a more convenient or appropriate location. Further, when the so-called "free driving" as mentioned above is performed, the undesired position is input to the navigation device because the navigation device does not provide navigation assistance. Therefore, the opportunity to set a route specifying a destination location (not to mention designating a parking station as a destination location) does not exist by itself. However, it can be known later that when the user arrives at a desired destination location that is not recommended for the navigation device, the user decides to drive to the parking facility. In these cases, the user must use the support of the application software to navigate to the functionality of the p〇I to find the parking facility. It is inconvenient for the user to interrupt the free driving period once the free driving period is terminated at the destination location to set a navigation route or to add a navigation route. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A package according to the present invention includes: - a location determining unit; - a processing resource configured to support a user interface when in use - the processing resource is operatively coupled to the a location determining unit for obtaining location information therefrom; wherein the processing resource is configured to analyze the location information; and the user interface is configured to respond to the processing resource material associated with the location information - the location information feature conforms to : A criterion is given to generate a message providing assistance in finding a parking facility. This message can be a visual and/or audio message. The predetermined criteria may be related to at least one parameter of the driving associated with the driving. The driving behavior can be related to driving, for example, the spatial position changes over time. 135360.doc • 12- 201017130 The processing resource can be configured to support a navigation function, and the navigation function can be configured to provide navigation assistance to a selected location. The processing resource can be configured to query a database containing parking facility information to locate the parking facility; the parking facility can be within a predetermined proximity of the selected location. The database can be a landmark database. The selected location can be a destination location or a midway location. The predetermined criterion is a speed criterion. The speed criterion can be a predetermined maximum speed threshold 'e.g., less than about 1 〇 ms-1, such as less than about 7 ms-1 or less than about 3 ms·1. The speed criterion can be a range of speeds. The predetermined maximum speed threshold may thus be accompanied by a predetermined minimum speed threshold, e.g., at least about 1 ms·1 or at least about 2 ms·1. The predetermined criterion can be a correlation with a predetermined path. The predetermined path can be substantially annular. The predetermined path can be substantially a reverse path. The predetermined criterion can be a proximity threshold for the selected location. The predetermined criterion may be that the selected position is not stopped within a minimum predetermined period of time. The predetermined criterion can be a movement away from the selected location. The at least part of the feature of the location information may be subject to the determination of the predetermined criterion upon arrival at the selected location or upon arrival at the selected location. The found parking facility can be the closest parking facility relative to the selected location. The processing resource can be configured to support the generation of the message when no navigation assistance is provided. 135360.doc •13· 201017130 The navigation device can be configured to support a free-driving mode of operation. The processing resource can be configured to query a database containing parking facility information to locate the parking facility; the parking facility can be in a current location 2 within a predetermined proximity. The database of parking facility information may include information identifying one of the parking facilities. The user interface can be configured to wait for a response from one of the users after the message is generated, and the processing resource can be configured to record the response when the response indicates that one of the providing assistance is rejected to prevent the message from being repeated Respond. The user interface can be configured to generate the message in response to the processing resource determining that the at least two location information features associated with the location information respectively meet at least two predetermined criteria; the at least two predetermined criteria can include the predetermined criterion . The at least two predetermined criteria may relate to one or more driving behaviors. The processing resource can be configured to support a navigation function; the user interface can be configured to receive a user response to the message receiving the assistance assistance; and the processing resource can be configured to respond to the user response initiation A route configuration program. The processing resource can be configured to provide navigation assistance to the found parking facility. The processing resource can be configured to calculate a route to the found parking facility after execution of the route configuration program. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable navigation device comprising a navigation device as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. 135360.doc • 14· 201017130 According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a parking facility is provided, the method comprising: obtaining location information from a location determining unit; analyzing the location information; determining At least part of the feature information of the location information conforms to a predetermined criterion; and a user interface is responsive to the location. The at least part of the feature of the information conforms to one of the predetermined criteria to determine the production. The first one provides information about finding a parking facility. Auxiliary message. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for modifying a route for use by a navigation device to provide navigation assistance, the method comprising the determination of the third aspect of the present invention - The method of parking facilities. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program component comprising computer program means for causing a computer to perform the method as described above in relation to the third or fourth aspect of the invention. The computer program component can be embodied on a computer readable medium. The advantages of such embodiments are set forth below, and further details and features of each of the embodiments Φ are defined in the accompanying claims and somewhere in the following embodiments. Therefore, a navigation device and method for detecting a parking facility can be provided, which eliminates the need for the user to perform a POI-specific search, thereby simplifying user interface interaction. Providing an indication of a parking facility within a predetermined proximity to the selected location reduces the number of gestures from the user required to select the parking facility. In this regard, the user has a mechanism for selecting a parking facility that is more convenient than having to properly handle a portion of the user interface provided for POI selection. User Interface Interaction 135360.doc 15- 201017130 Time is therefore reduced. The apparatus and method also enable the user to have an overview of the environment in which the location is selected. With regard to parking facilities, the identification of parking facilities near selected locations saves the user the time to find a parking facility near the selected location or another less suitable parking facility. Moreover, the incentives for illegal parking are reduced. The apparatus and method thus provide an improved user experience with the navigation device and the possibility of saving user time, saving money and avoiding inconvenience. [Embodiment] At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to identify similar parts. One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a navigation device. However, it should be borne in mind that the teachings herein are not limited to navigation devices (eg, 'PNDs), but are generally applicable to being configured to perform navigation software in a portable and/or mobile manner such that route planning and navigation functionality are provided. Any type of processing device. Thus, it can be seen that in the context of the embodiments set forth herein, the 'navigation device is intended to include, but is not limited to, any type of route planning and navigation device that is embodied with a PND, such as a vehicle or a vehicle. Portable computing resources that perform route planning and navigation software (eg, portable personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, or personal digital assistants (PDAs) are not relevant. It should be understood that in some cases, the "destination" location selected by the user does not necessarily have the corresponding starting location where the user wishes to start navigation, and therefore, the "destination" location or the actual The reference to "destination" view 135360.doc 201017130 is interpreted to mean that the origination of an initial route is necessary, must occur to, · destination" travel, or indeed, the existence of the destination needs to be specified Corresponding to the starting position. Live and attach the conditions, the map! Global Positioning System (Gps) and similar & for a variety of purposes. - Generally speaking, 'Gps is a satellite-based radio navigation system' which can be used for an unlimited number of It determines the continuous position, velocity, time and (in some cases) direction information. GPS previously known as AVSTAR has a number of satellites orbiting the earth in an extremely precise way. Based on these precise orbits (5PS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units. Equipment specially equipped to receive GPS data begins to scan GPS satellite signals In the case of radio frequency, a GPS system is implemented. After receiving a radio signal from a satellite (10), the device determines the precise location of the satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. In most cases, the device The signal will continue to be scanned 'until it has obtained at least three different satellite signals. • The position is usually not determined by using only three signals using other triangulation techniques, but can be determined as follows.) After performing geometric triangulation and receiving The device utilizes three known locations to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellite. This determination can be made in a known manner. Additionally, obtaining a fourth satellite signal allows the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner by the same geometric calculations. The position and velocity data can be continuously updated in real time by an unlimited number of users. As shown in Fig. 1, the GPS system 100 includes a plurality of satellites 1〇2 running around the Earth's 1〇4 orbit. The GPS receivers 1〇6 are numerous Multiple satellites ι〇2 135360.doc -17· 201017130 Receive spread spectrum GPS satellite data signal 108. Spread spectrum data signal 1〇8 from each satellite 102 The ground-transmitted, spread-spectrum data signals 1〇8 each include a data stream that includes information identifying a particular satellite 102 from which the data stream originated. The GPS receiver 106 typically needs to come from at least three The spread spectrum data signal 108' of the satellite 102 is such that a two-dimensional position can be calculated. The receipt of the fourth spread spectrum data signal enables the GPS receiver 1 6 to calculate a three-dimensional position using known techniques. In this example, the 'navigation device 200 A navigation device having a Bluetooth function, so that the navigation device 200 can not know the setting of the wireless communication terminal with which the navigation device 2 can communicate, thereby enabling the navigation device 2 to continuously change the spectrum of the mobile phone model, In the case of manufacturers, etc., operate correctly. For example, model/manufacturer specific settings can be stored on the navigation device 2〇〇. The information stored for this information can be updated. Although not shown, the wireless communication terminal is not required to provide access to the communication network, and the navigation device 200 may of course include mobile phone technology, including, for example, an antenna or, as the case may be, the navigation device 2 antenna. The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can also include an add-in card (eg, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. Similarly, the mobile phone technology within the navigation device 2 can be used to communicate via, for example, the Internet. The manner in which any of the terminals having the wireless communication function is similarly establishes a network connection between the navigation device 2 and the server (not shown). The software stored in the memory of the ship is provided by the processor of the server. The server is allowed to provide the service to the navigation device 2. The service provided by the server includes processing the request from the navigation device 2 (9) and transmitting the navigation aid 135360.doc 201017130 to the navigation device 200. Another service provided includes using various algorithms for processing the navigation data for the desired application and transmitting the results of such calculations to the navigation device 2. The mobile device can be implemented in a known manner using, for example, the Internet (via The establishment of a network connection between a service provider and another device such as a server. In this regard, any number of suitable Data communication protocols, for example, TCP/IP layered protocols. In addition, mobile devices can utilize any number of communication standards, such as CDMA2000, GSM, IEEE 80L11 Φ a/b/c/g/n, etc. An internet connection can be utilized, which can be achieved via a data connection using a mobile phone or a mobile phone technology. Alternatively, a personal computer can be connected between the navigation device 2 and the server to establish a server and navigation device. Internet connection between 。. Information from the server can be provided for the navigation device 2 via the information download. The information download can be automatically updated periodically or periodically to connect the navigation device 200 to the server. Post-update, and/or may be more dynamic after establishing a more constant or frequent connection between the server and the navigation device 200 via, for example, a wireless mobile connected device and a TCP/IP connection. For many dynamic calculations' The processor of the server can be used to handle a large amount of processing needs. However, the processor of the navigation device 200 can also handle a large amount of processing from time to time independently of the connection to the server. Referring to Figure 2, it should be noted that the block circle of the navigation device 2 does not include all of the components of the navigation device and represents only a number of example components. The navigation device 2 is located within a housing (not shown). Including a processing resource, the package 135360.doc -19·201017130 includes, for example, the processor 202 mentioned above, and the processor 202 is coupled to the input device 204 and the display device (for example, the display screen 206). And a singular form of input device 204, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that input device 204 represents any number of input devices, including keyboard devices, voice input devices, touch panels, and/or any other device for inputting information. Know the input device. Similarly, display screen 206 can include any type of display screen, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). In one configuration, one of the input device 204, the touch panel, and the display screen 206 is integrated to provide an integrated input and display device, including a touch pad or touch screen input 250 (FIG. 3). The ability to input information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and information display via the touch panel screen allows the user to simply touch one of the display screens 206 to select one of the plurality of display options or to initiate a plurality of One of the virtual or "soft" buttons. In this regard, the processor 202 supports a graphical user interface (GUI) that incorporates touch screen operations. In the navigation device 200, the processor 202 is operatively coupled via the connection 210. - connected to input device 204 and capable of receiving input information from input device 204 via connection 210, and processor 202 operatively coupled to at least one of display screen 206 and output device 208 via respective output connection 212 to output information to The at least one. The navigation device 200 can include an output device 208, such as an audio output device (eg, a speaker). Because the output device 208 can produce For the audio information of the user of the navigation device 200, it should also be understood that the input device 204 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands. Additionally, the navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 135360.doc - 20- 201017130 204 and/or any additional output device, such as an audio input/output device. Processor 202 is operatively coupled to memory 214 via connection 216, which includes, for example, a digital memory, A database for storing information about parking facilities, for example, a library 228 containing details about the identity and location of different categories of p〇I (eg, 'shops, museums, and parking facilities'.), for example, The database may contain the identity of the parking facility and location information associated therewith. The processor 2 is further adapted to receive information from the input/output (1/〇) 218 via connection 220/to send information to the input/output (I/O) 埠 218, where 1/〇埠 218 can be connected to I/O device 222 external to navigation device 200. External I/O device 222 can include (but is not limited to) an external Listening device, such as an earpiece. The connection to j/O device 222 may additionally be any other external device (such as a car stereo unit) for, for example, hands-free operation and/or for voice-activated operation. Wired or wireless connection, such as a connection to a handset or headset and/or a connection to a mobile phone' where a mobile phone connection can be used between the navigation device 2 and the server 150 via, for example, the Internet Or any other network establishes a data connection. Figure 2 further illustrates an operative connection between processor 202 and antenna/receiver 224 via connection 226, where antenna/receiver 224 can be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver 'and constitute a position determining unit. It should be understood that the antenna and receiver represented by reference numeral 224 are schematically combined for illustration 'but the antenna and receiver may be positionally separated components, and the antenna may be, for example, a GPS chip antenna or a helical antenna. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the electronic 135360.doc 21 201017130 components shown in Figure 2 are powered by one or more power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the different configurations of the components shown in Figure 2 are covered. For example, the components shown in Figure 2 can be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Accordingly, the navigation device 200 described herein can be a portable or handheld navigation device. Furthermore, the portable or handheld navigation device of Figure 2 can be connected or "connected" to a vehicle such as a bicycle, bicycle, car or boat. The navigation device 200 can then be removed from the articulated location for portable or handheld navigation purposes. Referring to FIG. 3, the navigation device 200 can be an integrated input and display device 206 and other components of FIG. 2 (including but not limited to A unit of the internal receiver 224, the microprocessor 202, a power source (not shown), the memory system 214, and the like. The navigation device 200 can be located on the arm 252, which can be fastened to the vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using the suction cup 254. This arm 252 is an example of one of the docking stations to which the navigation device 2 can be coupled. For example, navigation device 200 can be coupled or otherwise coupled to arm 252 of the docking station by snapping navigation device 200 to arm 252. The navigation device 200 can thus be rotated on the arm 252. To release the connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking station, for example, a button (not shown) on the navigation device 200 can be pressed. Other equally suitable configurations for attaching the navigation device 2 handle to the docking station and decoupling the navigation device 200 from the docking station are well known to those skilled in the art. Turning to Figure 4, processor 202 cooperates with memory 214 to support BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) 262' which functions as a navigation device 2's functional hardware component I35360.doc • 22- 201017130 260 and is executed by the device The interface between the software. The processor 2〇2 loads the self-recording body 214 into an operating system 264 that provides an environment in which the application software 266 (which implements some or all of the above-described route planning and navigation functionality) can operate. The application software 266 provides an operating environment including a user interface that supports the core functions of the navigation device, such as map viewing, route planning, navigation functions, and any other functions associated therewith, including the following Find ways to detect parking facilities. In this regard, the portion of the user interface includes a view generation engine 268. The application software 266 also supports a driving mode monitoring module 27. Therefore, the operation of the above navigation device 2 will now be described in the case where the user of the navigation device 200 wishes to travel between two locations in the Netherlands. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that other equally applicable examples are contemplated and the choice of location is not intended to be limiting. In Operation (圊5), the user (to the Hague European Patent Office office at 2) needs navigation assistance to the office of TomTom International BV at Rembrandtplein 35 in Amsterdam. In order to implement navigation to the above destinations using the navigation device 200, the user configures a route to be calculated as follows. Referring to Figures 6 through 14, the user takes (step 400) an illustrative destination location input process, which uses a location browser function supported by the user interface, although not shown, but is used by the user. One of the application menu options supported by the application software 266 is selected to select the view of the three-dimensional mode. While the user is powering the navigation device 200, the device 2 acquires a GpS 135360.doc -23. 201017130 and performs self-location determination by calculating (in a known manner) the current position of the navigation device 200. As shown in FIG. 6, the user is then presented with a display 300 displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner: the local environment 302 in which the navigation device 200 is determined; and the region 3 in the display area below the local environment 3〇2〇 A set of control and status messages in 4. By touching the display at the local environment 302, the navigation device 200 updates the display 300 via the user interface by displaying (as shown in Figure 7) a series of virtual or soft buttons 3 〇 6 by means of the virtual or soft buttons 3〇6, the user can enter the destination to which the user wishes to navigate. By touching the "Navigate t〇" "virtual button 3〇8, the navigation device 200 initiates a route calculation program. 'One part of the program includes a route establishment program. According to the route establishment program, the navigation device 2〇〇 Displaying (as shown in Figure 8) a plurality of virtual buttons each associated with a different category of selectable destinations. In this example, the display shows an , end point (h〇me)" button, if When the button is pressed, the destination is set to the stored end position. The "favourite" button displays a list of destinations that have been previously stored by the user in the navigation device 200 when pressed, and if so If one of the destinations is then selected, the destination of the route to be calculated is set to the selected previously stored destination. "Recent destination (reeem destinati〇n)" soft button is pressed The list of selectable destinations that have been navigated to the memory of the navigation device 200 and that the user has recently navigated to. The selection of one of the destinations populated in the list is selected for this route. The destination location is the selected (previously visited) location. The "p〇int interest" button exhibits several options when pressed, by means of which 135360.doc •24·201017130, The user may choose to navigate to any of a plurality of locations, such as an automated teller machine (ATM), a gas station, or a tourist attraction, which have been previously stored, for example, in the navigation device 200 as a navigation device 2 The location that the user may want to navigate to. The triangle"arrow" shape virtual button provides access to the extra sub-menu options for the "Navigate to..." menu option' and " The address "button 3 10 begins a process by which the user can enter the street address of the destination to which the user wishes to navigate. Since in this example the user knows that the user wishes the navigation device 2〇〇 Navigate to the street address of the destination, so assume that the "address" button 310 is operated (by touching the button displayed on the touch screen) to select a location For the destination 'then (as shown in Figure 9), the user is presented with a series of address input options: '·e city centre", "postcode" Or the intersection of the intersection (cr〇ssing 〇r intersecti〇n)" (for example, the meeting point of the two roads) and the "street and house number" In this example, the user knows the street address and house number of the destination, and therefore selects the "street and h〇use nuinber" virtual button 312, and then presents it to the user (eg As shown in FIG. 1): a prompt 314 for entering the name of the city to which navigation is desired to be accessed; a flag button 316 by which the user can select the country in which the city to be visited is located, and the virtual keyboard 318. It can be operated by the user to enter the name of the destination city when needed. In this example, the user begins typing the word "Amsterdam", and the navigation device 2 responds by providing the user with an optional list 135360.doc • 25· 201017130. In this example, the user wants to navigate to Amsterdam, and after selecting Amsterdam from the list 320, the navigation device 2 is displayed again (as shown in the figure), and the user can input the virtual keyboard 318 of the street name. A prompt 322 for the input of the street name » In this example, the user begins to type the name of the street where the destination is located' and the navigation device 2 responds by providing the user with a list 324 of selectable street names. In this example, the user wishes to travel to the street Rembrandtplein, and thus the user selects "Rembrandtplein" from the displayed list 324. Once the street is selected, the navigation device 2 then displays (Fig. 12) a majority of the virtual keypad 326 defined by the number and prompts the user to enter the selected street and city that the user wishes to navigate to by means of the prompt 328. Street number. The number is displayed when the right user has previously navigated to a building number in this street. As in this example, if the user wishes to navigate to Rembrandtplein 35, the user only needs to type the street number ("35") using the virtual keypad 326, and then touch the display at the bottom right corner of the display 3〇〇 "Done" "virtual button 33. If the user wishes to navigate to one of the Rembrandtplein different building numbers, all actions the user needs to perform are to operate the virtual keypad 326 to enter the appropriate building number or The street number. When the user decides to navigate to the suggested building number, the user touches the Done "virtual button 330. The application software 266 then causes the user interface to present a query asking if the user needs a Interrogation message 346 for a specific arrival time (Figure 13). If the user touches the "yes" virtual button, 135360.doc •26· 201017130 calls the estimated time required to travel to the destination (at the user) Provide the time after the arrival time and suggest that the user should leave their current location to arrive at their destination on time (or if the user is late) Under conditions, time) which should leave the functionality. In this one embodiment, the user is not concerned at a particular time and hence selects the arrival ,, NO (no) "virtual button 348. Selecting a 'no' virtual button 348 causes the navigation device 2 to calculate a route between the current location and the selected destination, and display the calculated route on a map showing a relatively lower magnification of the entire route 35〇 (shown in Figure )). The user also has a “d〇ne” "virtual button 3 52, the user can press the "Done"" virtual button 352 to indicate the The calculated route is the 'find alternative' of the text, and the virtual button 3 54, the user can press the "find alternative" virtual button 354 to cause the navigation device 200 to calculate Another route to the selected destination; and, the details "virtual button 356, the user can press the "details" virtual button 356 to display for displaying the currently displayed route 35〇 More options for more options. In this example, assume that the user considers the displayed route to be acceptable, and once the "done" button 352 is pressed, the user is presented with a three-dimensional view of the current starting position of the navigation device 200 (not Graphic). The user then begins (step 402) his journey and the navigation device 2 guides the user. The navigation device 200 periodically acquires (step 4〇4) the GPS data and performs self-position determination by calculating (in a known manner) the current position of the navigation device 200. Using the calculated current location information, the navigation device 2 updates the map 135360.doc -27 201017130 in a known manner based on the determined change in the location of the navigation device 200, and by providing visual and (as appropriate) voice The navigation instructions direct the user until they approach or reach the selected destination, as will be explained in more detail below.

Referring back to Figure 5', as mentioned above, the navigation device 2 〇〇 periodically calculates its current position (step 404). The driving mode monitoring module 270 monitors (step 406) the passage of time (for example, a time period of 15 seconds), and if the predetermined time period has not passed, records the current position of the navigation device 2 (step 4〇8). Navigating the digital memory of the device 200 and obtaining the subsequent positional orientation and repeating the above-mentioned process of evaluating the passage of the predetermined time period and the recording of the current position data (steps 406, 408) until the predetermined time period has elapsed. Thereafter, the recently obtained current location information is again stored (step 41) in the digital memory of the navigation device 2G0. The driving mode monitoring module (4) then performs (step 412) one or more of the following analysis relating to the location information - or a plurality of features, as will be described below with respect to 囷 15 to U. The location information is current location information and/or historical location information. In addition, 'the analysis of all the data received (4) is required and those who are familiar with the technology should know that 'if the department only needs to analyze the location information, if appropriate, at least - the first feature of the pre-communication... the judgment of the pre-emptive criteria' Such criteria as speed, distance, travel direction, current location, and/or path along. In order to determine whether the user wants to park the facility 27, the operator of the module device 200 is configured and... For example, by checking the woman's navigation, the two positions (such as) change over time. Therefore 135360.doc •28· 201017130 analyzes at least one parameter associated with driving. Turning to Figure 15, the driving mode monitoring module 270 determines (step 420) whether the current position of the navigation device 200 is within a predetermined proximity of the selected destination (in this example, Rembrandtplein 35). The predetermined distance may be any suitable distance, for example, about i km, about 5 km or more. If the driving mode monitoring module 270 determines that the current position of the navigation device 200 is not within the predetermined proximity, the driving mode monitoring module 27 assumes (step 422) that there is no need to provide auxiliary navigation to the parking facility because the navigation device 2 〇〇 is not fully close to the selected destination. Otherwise, the driving mode monitoring module 270 assumes (step 424) that it may be necessary to assist in identifying the parking facility and (as appropriate) navigating to the parking facility. However, the above analysis is not when evaluating the driving behavior of the user of the navigation device 2 The only analysis performed may additionally or alternatively perform other assessments.

Thus, in another embodiment, the analysis may additionally or alternatively include additional evaluation of location information calculated from GPS data provided by the location determining single domain. Referring to Figure 16, the driving mode monitoring module 270 is configured to be used in time. The position information recorded in the segment is calculated (step 426) ground speed, ground speed or travel speed, and the calculated ground speed is used to determine (step U8) whether the current speed of the navigation device 200 is within a predetermined speed range, for example ' Between about 2 ms-' and about 7 ms-丨. However, this range is an example and does not necessarily require a lower limit. Therefore, the calculated speed and maximum speed threshold (for example, 'less than about 10 ms-i or about 7 cafés, such as about 3, if the minimum speed threshold is to be used, the minimum speed threshold can be 135360. .doc -29·201017130/ is about 1 ms, for example, at least about 2, as described above, the purpose of measuring the speed of the navigation device 200 is to determine whether the navigation device 200 is driving the parking facility with or without searching for a parking facility. The associated relatively low speed is driving. The right driving mode monitoring module WO determines that the traveling speed of the navigation device 2 is not within the predetermined speed range, and the driving mode monitoring module 270 assumes (step 422) that there is no providing assistance. Navigate to the need for a parking facility. Otherwise, the driving mode monitoring module 27 assumes (step 424) that it may be necessary to assist in identifying the parking facility and (as appropriate) navigating to the parking facility. In another embodiment (Fig. 17), the above is performed And describing the analysis (step 412) includes analyzing the direction of travel of the navigation device 2. analyzing the direction of travel of the navigation device, as the travel away from the destination location can be associated with the indicating user or The driving mode of the machine searching for parking facilities (especially after reaching the destination location) is associated. In this example, the driving mode monitoring module 27 analyzes the location information recorded during a period of time for calculation (step 43) The navigation device 200 and thus the direction of travel of the user. Once the travel direction has been calculated, the driving mode monitoring module 270 determines (step 432) whether the destination has been reached from the current location or a flag previously set by the application software 266. If it is determined that the destination location has not been reached, the driving mode monitoring module 270 determines (step 422) that there is no need to provide assistance in navigating to the parking facility. However, if the destination location has been reached and/or passed, The mode monitoring module 270 determines from the calculated travel direction of the navigation device 200 (step 434) whether the navigation device 200 is traveling away from the destination location. If it is determined that the direction of travel is not the direction away from the destination location, the driving mode monitoring module 270 assumes (step 422) that there is no need to provide assistance for navigation to the parking facility I35360.doc -30- 201017130. Otherwise, The driving mode monitoring module 270 assumes (step 424) that it may be necessary to assist in identifying the parking facility and (as appropriate) navigating to the parking facility. In yet another embodiment (Fig. 18), the analysis (step 412) performed and described above includes A path of travel by the navigation device 2 is analyzed. The travel path of the navigation device 200 is analyzed 'because the travel path along the navigation device 2 can be used to instruct the user or driver to search for the parking facility (especially after the destination has been reached) The driving mode behavior is associated. In this example, the driving mode monitoring module 270 determines (step 436) whether the destination has been reached from the current location or by a flag previously set by the application software 266. If it is determined that the destination location has not been reached, the driving mode monitoring module 270 determines (step 422) that there is no need to provide assistance in navigating to the parking facility. However, if the destination location has been passed and/or reached, the driving mode monitoring module 270 analyzes (step 438) the traveled path and determines (step 44) whether there is a path between the traveled path and the predetermined travel path configuration. Correlation. In this regard, any suitable correlation technique can be used to determine if there is a correlation between the travel path and the predetermined path, e.g., a pattern matching algorithm using least squares techniques. Regarding relevance, a minimum degree of "fitness" can be specified in advance, and no, the most appropriate, degree of fitness" is considered to be non-relevant. The planned path corpse L can be a circular path on the big Zhao, for example, a large ship with a circular shape, a large hip upper angle or a substantially square path. The predetermined path can be a reverse path or a predicate, the original path returns, and the path. If it is determined that there is no or insufficient correlation between the traveled route and the predetermined route k, the driver mode monitoring module 270 assumes ((4) 422) that there is no need to provide auxiliary navigation to the parking (four). Module 270 assumes (step 424) that 135360 may be required, doc 31 201017130 to assist in identifying the parking facility and (as appropriate) navigating to the parking facility. It will be appreciated that the above techniques may require (as needed) to identify more than one predetermined pattern pattern, assuming that assistance is required, if desired. In still other embodiments, assistance in finding a parking facility may be initiated in response to only the navigation device 2A reaching the selected destination. The driving mode monitoring module 27 may use one or more of the above techniques in determining that the user of the navigation device 200 needs assistance in finding the parking facility. In fact, a range of the above techniques can be used in a prescribed order. Referring back to Figure 5, once the driving mode monitoring module 27 has determined (step 415) that the driver of the vehicle may need to be assisted in finding the parking facility, the application software 266 searches (step 416) the POI database 228 for pressing. The above manner finds a parking facility within a predetermined proximity to the selected location. In this regard, the predetermined proximity is set to a radius of i km relative to the selected position. However, if desired, the application software 266 can be configured to allow the user to specify the predetermined proximity. In this example, the application software 266 therefore searches for a parking facility within 1 km of Rembrandtplein 35. Referring to Figure 19, in the event that the application software 266 finds a parking facility within a predetermined proximity, the application software 266 generates a visual and/or audio message via the user interface (step 417) to interrogate (step 418) the navigation device. Whether the user of 200 needs assistance in finding a parking facility. In the case of voice messages, a so-called text-to-speech (TTS) processor can be used to generate the message. Support for providing audio response 135360.doc -32- 201017130 The 'application software 266 supports automatic speech recognition (asr). In the event that the application software 266 receives a negative response, the application software 266 does not take further action regarding providing assistance in finding the parking facility' and the driving mode monitoring module 270 continues to monitor the location information in the manner described herein. However, in the event that the user of the navigation device 2 replies affirmatively, the application software 266 initiates (step 419) the parking facility selection program and the view generation engine 268 of the application software 266 responds to this reproduction in the primary display grid 332. A three-dimensional preview of the selected location 333 and the parking facility 335 is found, and a virtual button 334 (or other selectable item or icon) is displayed in the sidebar 336. In this example, the 3D view is a bird's eye view. The virtual button 334 is an example of a user interface item and can be selected by the user. The virtual button 334 has a label: "Navigate t〇 car park", and specifies the distance between the selected location and the parking facility in parentheses, for example, 150 m. Users therefore have advice on potentially suitable parking facilities. The application software 266 monitors the "actuation" of the virtual button 334, and in the event that the user touches the virtual button 334 to select the functionality to navigate to the parking facility, the view generation engine 268 renders the presentation (in this example) as above Another preview of the found parking facility (Fig. 2〇). The second preview is centered on the parking facility, but is set to produce a zoom of view such that the selected location (Rembrandtplein 35) is also visible in the second preview. In the event that the user does not wish to be navigated to the suggested parking facility, the user may simply touch "Done" button 338 (Fig. 19). The application software 266 does not take further action on providing assistance in finding parking facilities. 135360.doc •33- 201017130. Referring to Figure 20, and assuming that the user has found and selected a parking facility, once the second preview is generated, the preview displays the parking facility in the main box 3 32 while centering the view on the parking facility. The resulting preview also provides additional information about the parking facility, such as the telephone number and identity of the parking facility. In this example, the phone number is shown as a selectable virtual button 340 that can be selected, and the virtual button 34 can be selected to "activate" the use of a voice communication terminal that communicates with the navigation device 200 (eg, a cellular • The phone handset) or automatically initiates the voice call initiation process via the cellular communication hardware (if present) incorporated in the navigation device 2〇〇. The identity of the parking facility is set forth in area 342 below the main grid 332. In this example, the parking facility is identified as "Rembrandtplein-Bakkerstraat, Amsterdam'. In addition, a measurement is indicated in area 342 below the main grid 332 to assist the user in deciding whether to select the parking facility suggested by the application software 266. The measurement may be any suitable measurement of the distance between the destination location and the parking facility or the distance between the current location of the navigation device B 200 and the parking facility that the user may find useful (eg, , straight line distance), travel time or arrival time. In Figure 2, the measured label is identified as "distance %: X meters (Distance 0/〇s: X metres)". In this example, the measurement is estimated. In the case where the user decides to navigate to the suggested p〇], the user touches the "Select" virtual button 344 and the application software 266 detects the detected 'application software 266 by using the parking facility location. Respond to the selected destination to modify the route along. However, if the selected 135360.doc -34 - 201017130 destination has been reached, the application software 266 initiates a route configuration procedure to set the location of the selected parking facility. As a new destination, the application software 266 then calculates a new route from the current location of the location determining unit of the navigation device 200 to the selected parking facility. The navigation device 200 then provides navigation assistance to the selected parking facility. In this regard, the navigation device 200 The user is directed in a known manner by updating the map based on the determined change in the location of the navigation device 200 and by providing the user with visual and (as appropriate) voice navigation instructions until the destination is reached ( That is, the selected parking facility is performed. In another embodiment, 'the parking facility is selected by the user and the database Or if the list of "recent destinations" is maintained by the application software 266, the record of the "recent destinations" can be updated by both the original location and the selected p〇I. In the above embodiment, the application software 266 finds the parking facility closest to the location initially selected by the user, which meets the predetermined proximity criteria. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be other parking facilities that comply with predetermined proximity criteria. In another embodiment, the application software 266 can cause the view generation engine 268 to provide an interactive selection screen that permits the user to select one of several parking facilities found to be in compliance with predetermined proximity criteria. In this regard, if the database 228 contains additional information about the selected parking facility, the identified parking facilities may be classified according to one or more classification criteria, for example, at an optimal, minimum cost, and/or user's need ( For example, excellent wheelchair access) to assess. The user then freely selects one of the parking facilities (eg, a parking facility), which may then be listed and selected for the second preview view generated by 135360.doc -35. 201017130 as described above, and then The parking facility selects a new destination, rejects or rejects the parking facility altogether, but provides the user with another opportunity to select another parking facility, for example, by means of the "Back" virtual button. Right need, by the driving mode monitoring module 27, when the user returns to the absolute finding of the assistance provided by the parking facility, and then to prevent the provision of the assistance to find the parking facility (even if the location is subsequently determined) The characteristics of the information conform to a predetermined criterion) to avoid repeated requests for assistance in finding a parking facility with respect to any of the above embodiments. It should also be understood that the various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration set forth herein, and the scope of the present invention extends to include the accompanying patent application. All configurations of the scope of the scope and its modifications and changes. For example, another criterion that can be evaluated to determine if a parking facility is being sought is whether the navigation device 200 fails to stop at the destination location for more than a predetermined period of time (e.g., at least 2 seconds). This evaluation can be performed alone or in conjunction with other techniques described herein. Although the above embodiment has been described largely in the context of pre-selecting a destination prior to departure, the above example can be used with respect to selecting a parking facility along the route that has been calculated by the navigation device 2〇〇. Similarly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that 'the above techniques do not have to be exclusively used for navigating to a destination location, and that the above techniques can be modified for use when the driver does not receive navigation aids, ie, support so-called " Free-driving "operating mode, which can be achieved by removing the dependence of the technologies on the destination location when possible, such that the 135360.doc • 36· 201017130 = technology is useful in determining whether the driver is looking for a parking facility to be useful While the embodiments described in the foregoing detailed description refer to Gps, it should be noted that the navigation device may utilize any of the position sensing techniques as an alternative to (or in fact encompassing GPS) GPS. For example, a navigation device may utilize ', his global navigation satellite system, such as the European Galileo (as in (1) (d)). The same is not limited to satellite-based, but can be easily used based on the ground.

A beacon or any other system that enables the device to determine its geographic location plays a role. <Alternative embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a computer program for use in a computer system to produce, for example, a tangible data recording medium (e.g., magnetic disk, CD_R〇M, R〇M). Or a fixed series of computers refers to +, or embodied in a computer data signal transmitted via tangible media or wireless media (eg, microwave or infrared). These series of computer instructions may constitute all or part of the functionality described above and may also be stored in any memory device (volatile memory or non-volatile memory such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory). Equipment). It will also be fully understood by those skilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment implements certain functionality by software, the functionality may equally be in hardware only (e.g., by one or more ASICs (special applications) The integrated circuit)) is implemented or actually implemented by a mixture of a hard body and a soft body. Also, the scope of the invention should not be construed as being limited to being implemented in a software. Finally, it should be noted that although the scope of the appended claims clarifies a particular combination of features described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific combination of the following claims 135360.doc-37·201017130' and the present invention The scope is extended to include any combination of the features or embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not the specific combination is specifically recited in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary portion of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that can be used by a navigation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a navigation device of FIG. 1 or any other suitable Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the navigation device installed and/or connected; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the architecture stack used by the navigation device of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a navigation from Figure 2 The determination of the use of the device is looking for a parking facility and constitutes a flow circle of the method of one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 6 to 14 are screen shots of the navigation device of FIG. 2 during the execution of the method of FIG. 5; Figure 5 is a flow chart of an analysis method used in the method of 5 and constituting another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16 is a flow chart of another analysis method used in the method of Figure 5 and constituting another embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 is a flow chart of still another analytical method used in the method of Figure 5 and constituting a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a further embodiment of the present invention used in the method of circle 5 Again A flowchart of a method of analysis; and FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 to another outer face of the screen day of the navigation device 2 of FIG. 5 during the execution of the method of FIG. 135360.doc -38- 201017130 [Key component symbol description] 100 GPS system 102 Satellite 104 Earth 106 GPS receiver 108 Spread spectrum GPS satellite data signal 200 Navigation device / Navigation device 202 Processor 204 Input device 206 Display screen / integrated input And display device/display device 208 output device 210 connection 212 connection 214 memory 216 connection 218 input/output (I/O) 埠 220 connection 222 I/O device 224 antenna/receiver/location determination unit 226 connection 228 POI database 250 Touch Pad or Touch Screen Input 252 Arm 135360.doc -39- 201017130 ❹ 254 Suction Cup 260 Functional Hardware Components 262 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) 264 Operating System 266 Application Software 268 View Generation Engine 270 Driving Mode The monitoring module 300 displays 302 the local environment in which the navigation device is located 304 the area under the local environment 302 306 virtual or soft button 308 virtual button 310 virtual button 312 virtual button 314 prompt 316 banner button 318 virtual keyboard 320 selectable city list 322 Hint 324 Select a list of street names 326 Virtual Keypad 328 Tip 330 Virtual Button 332 Main Display Grid/Main 135360.doc -40- 201017130 333 Selected Position 334 Virtual Button 335 Parking Facility 336 Side 338 Virtual Press 340 Selectable Virtual Button 342 Area under the Main Grid 344 Virtual Button 346 Interrogation message 348 Virtual button 350 Route 352 Virtual press 4s 354 Virtual button 356 Virtual press 4s ❿ 135360.doc 41

Claims (1)

201017130 X. Patent application scope: 1. A navigation device comprising: a location determining unit; a processing resource configured to support a user interface during operation in a operative manner to lightly connect to the location determination Unit for obtaining location information therefrom; wherein: the processing resource is configured to analyze the location information; and the user interface is configured to determine, in response to the processing resource, a location information feature associated with the location information The predetermined criteria result in a message providing assistance in finding a parking facility. 2. The apparatus of item 1, wherein the processing resource is configured to support a navigation function configured to provide navigation assistance to a selected location. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing resource is configured to query a database containing parking facility information to locate the parking facility, the parking facility being within a predetermined proximity of the selected location. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the selected location is a destination location. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the selected location is a midway location. 6. The device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined criterion is a speed criterion. 7. The device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined criterion is a correlation with a predetermined path. 8. If the device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, when attached to claim 2, 135360.doc 201017130, the criterion is - the proximity threshold for the 敎 position. The apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, when attached to claim 2, wherein the predetermined criterion is that the selected position is not stopped within the minimum predetermined time period. Such as "using the device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, when attached to claim 2, wherein the predetermined criterion is a movement away from the selected position. 4 seeking 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 The device, when attached to the request item 2, wherein the determination that the at least part of the feature of the location information conforms to the predetermined criterion is after the arrival at the comparison location or after the selection of the selected location. A device of 丨, 2, 3, 4 or 5, when attached to claim 2, wherein the parking facility found is a nearest parking facility relative to the selected location. 13. The processing resource is configured to support the generation of the message when no navigation assistance is provided. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing resource is configured to query a database containing parking facility information to locate the parking a facility that is within a predetermined proximity of a current location. 15. A device as claimed in item i, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the user interface is configured to wait for a message after the generation of the message One of the users responds, and The processing resource is configured to record the response when the response indicates rejection of one of the providing assistance to prevent the message from being repeated. 16. The device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the user interface is configured to In response to the processing resource determination associated with the location information to 135360.doc -2. 201017130 The two less location information features respectively meet at least two predetermined criteria to generate the message 'The at least two predetermined criteria include the predetermined criteria. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein: the processing resource is configured to support a navigation function; the user interface is configured to receive a user response to the message receiving assistance; and the processing resource is configured to In response to the user responding to the initial route configuration procedure. 18. A method of determining a location for a parking facility. The method includes: obtaining location information from a location determining unit; analyzing the location information; determining the location a feature of at least a portion of the information conforms to a predetermined criterion; and a user interface responds to the at least portion of the location information The feature conforms to one of the predetermined criteria to generate a message providing assistance in finding a parking facility. 19. A method for modifying a route used by a navigation device to provide navigation assistance, the method comprising The determination of item 18 is looking for a method of parking facilities. 20. A computer program component comprising a computer program component for causing a computer to perform the method of claim "or". 21. The computer program component of claim 20 embodied on a computer readable medium 0 135360.doc