Patent ID: 8370060
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route comprising at least one road segment, the method comprising: obtaining data from a geographic database associated with the navigation system identifying a plurality of features visible from the road segment; determining, using a processor, an importance rating for each of the identified features, wherein the importance rating considers a seasonal dependency of the identified feature and a uniqueness attribute of the identified feature, wherein the seasonal dependency of the identified feature indicates whether the visible appearance of the identified feature is impacted by a season and said uniqueness attribute indicates a level of visual distinctiveness of the identified feature compared to surrounding features; storing the importance rating, uniqueness attribute, and seasonal dependency for each of the identified features; and providing the guidance message referencing the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating.