Abstract:
A destination input method and apparatus in which points of interest in an input category are listed and displayed, and a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the listed points of interest. The input method of the apparatus includes the steps of displaying a point of interest belonging to a business chain in the list of points of interest by a representative name of the business chain, displaying a list of the branches of the business chain when the representative name is selected, and selecting a destination point of interest from the list of the branches of the business chain.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to input methods for selecting destinations in navigation systems, and more particularly relates to an input method for selecting a destination in which when a category of the destination is input, a list of “points of interest” is displayed, whereby the destination may be input by selecting the “point of interest” (POI) of the desired destination from the POI list. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A navigation system, which guides a driver so as to easily reach a desired destination, determines the current location of a vehicle and reads map data for the vicinity of the vehicle from a map information storage medium, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD (digital versatile disc). After a pause, in a “MAP GUIDE MODE”, a map image and travel routes are drawn on a display with a vehicle position mark (representing the current position of the vehicle) superposed thereon at a predetermined position in the map image. As the current location of the vehicle changes due to the travel of the vehicle, the vehicle position mark is caused to move along the travel route. Alternatively, the map image is scrolled while the vehicle position mark remains fixed at a predetermined position. Therefore, the detailed map image for the vicinity of the vehicle is displayed and can be understood at a glance. 
     In an “ARROW GUIDE MODE”, the travel routes as well as the roads intersecting therewith are schematically shown. An arrow, which represents a direction of travel at an intersection, is also shown. Furthermore, the distance to an intersection, the direction of the destination, the distance to the destination and the like are shown. In addition, the direction of travel at an intersection is given by a synthesized voice instruction. 
     In order to be guided along a route using the “MAP GUIDE MODE” or the “ARROW GUIDE MODE”, path finding to the destination must be performed by first inputting the name of the destination. This input method requires, for example, use of: 
     (1) a method of directly inputting the address of the destination; 
     (2) a method of inputting a desired intersection by specifying two streets when the destination is an intersection; 
     (3) a method of inputting the POI place name of the destination; 
     (4) a method of selecting the place name of the destination from a list of possible displayed “place names” based on the input of a POI place type (category) of the destination; 
     (5) a method of selecting the name of the destination from among the names of the most recent “n” number of destinations; 
     (6) a method of selecting the name of the destination from among the names of the POIs pre-registered in an “address book”; 
     (7) a method of inputting the destination by directly pointing to the position of the destination on the map image using a cursor; 
     (8) a method of inputting a POI telephone number of the destination; or the like. 
     In order to input the destination using method (4), the main menu is displayed on a monitor by operating a menu key of a remote control unit (FIG.  6 A), and menu item “Dest” is selected from the main menu. This allows the navigation system to display the “Find Destination by” menu (FIG. 6B) for specifying an input method for selecting the destination. When menu item “Point of Interest” is selected, the navigation system displays the “Find Point of Interest by” menu containing items “Place Name” and “Place Type” (FIG.  6 C). Menu item “Place Type” is selected. This allows the navigation system to display “Select Category” menu showing a list of the categories (FIG.  6 D). When a category (for example, “SHOPPING”) is selected from the category list, the navigation system displays an “alphanumeric keyboard” (FIG. 6E) for entering the name of a city. When the user types the first several letters of the name of the city using the above keyboard, a list of the names of the cities which begin with the same first several letters is displayed so the entries in the list can be scrolled through. The name of the desired city (for example, Costa Mesa) is selected from the list. Alternatively, the name of the desired city is entered by typing in the full name. By inputting the name of the city, a POI list which is specified by the category (shopping) as well as specified by the city (Costa Mesa) is displayed so that the entries in the list can be scrolled through (FIG.  6 F). When the desired POI (for example, Triangle Square) is selected from the POI list, the name, the address, the telephone number and the like of the selected POI are shown (FIG.  6 G). When the selected POI is the destination, “OK to Proceed” is selected. Accordingly, the selected POI is determined to be the destination. Thereafter, the navigation system finds and displays navigating routes from the current location to the destination. 
     A conventional navigation system shows POIs of a selected category in order of increasing distance from the current location of the vehicle when a category (a bank, a hotel, an “automatic teller machine” (ATM), an airport, and the like) is selected. When a category (for example, “fast-food restaurant”) having branches is selected, every business chain classified as a “fast-food restaurant”, such as “McDonald&#39;s” or “Burger King”, is shown in order of increasing distance from the current location of the vehicle. 
     Accordingly, when many chain stores exist, because of the number of the entries in the POI list, numerous scrolling operations may be required to find the desired POI, which decreases the operability of the navigation system. In addition, when a user stays at a hotel which is two hundred miles away from the current location, because hotels are shown in order of increasing distance from the current location, numerous scrolling operations may be required to find the desired POI, which decreases the operability of the navigation system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an input method for selecting the destination in a navigation system so as to facilitate selection of a desired POI by decreasing the number of POIs shown on a monitor when the POIs corresponding to a selected category are shown. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an input method for selecting the destination in a navigating system so as to facilitate input of a desired POI by showing a POI list in the language-based order (for example, in alphabetical order) or in the order of distance in accordance with a selected category. 
     To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a destination input method in which points of interest in an input category are listed and displayed and a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the listed points of interest. The input method includes the steps of displaying a point of interest belonging to a business chain in the list of points of interest by the representative name of the business chain, displaying a list of the branches of the business chain when the representative name is selected, and selecting a destination point of interest from the list of the branches of the business chain. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a destination input method in which points of interest in an input category are listed and displayed, and a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the listed points of interest. The input method includes the steps of predetermining whether points of interest are to be displayed in one of the order of distance and the language-based order for each category of the point of interest, displaying the list of points of interest in one of the order of distance and the language-based order in accordance with an input category and inputting the destination by selecting the destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an information storage medium for a navigation system which uses a destination input method for listing points of interest belonging to an input category to be displayed, whereby a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. The input method includes the steps of predetermining whether the points of interest are to be displayed in one of the order of distance and the language-based order for each category of the point of interest, displaying the list of points of interest in one of the order of distance and the language-based order in accordance with an input category and inputting the destination by selecting the destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an information storage medium for a navigation system in which a destination input method lists and displays points of interest belonging to an input category, whereby a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. The input method includes the steps of displaying a point of interest belonging to a business chain in the list of points of interest by the representative name of the business chain, displaying a list of the branches of the business chain when the representative name is selected, and selecting a destination point of interest from the list of the branches of the business chain. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a navigation system displaying a list of points of interest in an input category, whereby a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. The navigation system includes a list producing unit displaying a point of interest belonging to a business chain in the list of points of interest by the representative name of the business chain, and displaying a list of the branches of the business chain when the representative name is selected, and an input unit for selecting a destination point of interest from the list of the branches of the business chain. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a navigation system displaying a list of points of interest in an input category, whereby a destination is input by selecting a destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. The navigation system includes a point of interest database predetermining whether the points of interest are to be displayed in one of the order of distance and the language-based order for each category of the point of interest, a list producing unit producing the list of points of interest in one of the order of distance and the language-based order in accordance with an input category, and an input unit for inputting the destination by selecting the destination point of interest from the list of points of interest. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of a remote control unit; 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 D are an illustration of the data structure of a POI database; 
     FIG. 4 is a first process flow chart of inputting the destination according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a second process flow chart of inputting the destination according to the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 6A to  6 G are examples of menus illustrating an operation of inputting the destination based on the category of a POI. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a construction of a navigation system according to the present invention. A map information storage medium  11 , for example a CD-ROM, stores map information; a CD-ROM control unit  12  controls a process for reading map information from the CD-ROM; a positioning device  13  locates the current location of the vehicle, and includes a distance sensor for determining traveled distance, a gyroscope for detecting travel direction, a central processing unit (CPU) for computing the location of the vehicle, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and the like; map information memory  14  stores map information read from the CD-ROM; and POI database memory  15  stores POI database information read from the CD-ROM. 
     A remote control unit  16  performs menu selecting operations, zoom-in/zoom-out operations, destination input operations and the like. A remote control interface  17  is an interface between the remote control unit  16  and the navigation system. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control unit  16  includes a pointing-stick/enter key  16   a , a menu key  16   b , a cancel key  16   c , an MP/RG key  16   d , a zoom/scroll key  16   e , a monitor-on/off key  16   f  and the like. The pointing-stick/enter key  16   a  functions as a pointer which allows a cursor, a vehicle mark or the like to move in eight directions on the map image, or which allows a highlighted region to move when a desired menu item is being selected. Furthermore, the pointing-stick/enter key  16   a  functions as the enter key for entering the position of the cursor as well as selecting and entering the desired menu item. The menu key  16   b  is operated when a main menu is displayed. The cancel key  16   c  is operated so as to cancel display of the present screen or return to the previous screen. An MP/RG key  16   e  is operated so as to switch over between “MAP GUIDE MODE” and “ARROW GUIDE MODE”. A zoom/scroll key  16   f  is operated when zoom-in/zoom-out operations on the map image, shifting operation of a highlighted region in a list, or a scrolling operation in a list is performed. 
     Referring back to FIG. 1, a CPU  18  controls the entire navigation system; a read-only memory  19  stores various types of control programs; a random-access memory (RAM)  20  stores results of processing, such as travel routes; a voice-guidance unit  21  voices a travelling direction at an intersection; a display controller  22  generates a “MAP GUIDE” image or an “ARROW GUIDE” image based on the map information; a video RAM  23  stores images generated by the display controller; a menu/list producing unit  24  produces menu images and various types of list images; a synthesizing unit  25  produces a screen image showing on a monitor  26  based on the menu image, the map image, and the like; and a bus  27  exchanges data between the above devices. 
     The POI database memory  15  stores a number of POIs by relating each POI with a corresponding category, such as hotels, restaurants, airports, stations, stores, sports facilities, hospitals, and golf courses. The POI database memory  15  furthermore stores the address, telephone number, longitude/latitude coordinates, category, and the like of each POI. FIG. 3A shows one example of a category list; FIG. 3B shows one example of the POI list which belongs to the category “hotels”; FIG. 3C shows one example of a list of hotels in a particular hotel chain; and FIG. 3D shows one example of detailed information of each branch or each POI. 
     When the POI list is displayed on the monitor  26 , the category list shown in FIG. 3A contains flag information for each entry as to whether a POI list is shown in the order of distance (represented by “D” in FIG. 3A) or in a language-based order (for example, an alphabetical order) (represented by “A” in FIG.  3 A). In the POI list in FIG. 3B, a POI which belongs to a business chain is displayed by the representative name of the business chain. Whether or not the POI belongs to a business chain can be determined by the presence of the mark “*” in the POI list. When a POI does not belong to a business chain, the entry in the POI list representing the POI directly links to the detail information list of the POI in FIG. 3D, instead of linking to the chain store list in FIG.  3 C. 
     FIG. 4 shows a first process flow for entering the destination according to the present invention. 
     Destination-finding is instructed to be performed using finding options of “POI” and “Place Type” (step  101 ). Because the navigation system displays the category list on the monitor  26  in response to the above instruction (FIG.  6 D), the user selects the desired category (step  102 ). The navigation system displays a list of the POIs in the selected category in the order of distance or in alphabetical order so that the entries in the list can be scrolled through. In this case, a POI which belongs to a business chain is displayed by the representative name of the business chain. 
     The user selects the desired POI by scrolling so that the desired POI is displayed (step  104 ). The navigation system queries the POI database information as to whether or not the POI belongs to a business chain (step  105 ). 
     When the POI does not belong to a business chain, detailed information, such as the address, name, category, arrow pointing to the position of the POI, distance to the POI, are shown (step  106 ). In step  106 , the direction and the distance are calculated based on the current location of the vehicle and the position of the POI. When the selected POI is confirmed to be the destination (step  107 ), path finding is performed using the selected POI as the destination (step  108 ). 
     On the other hand, when the POI belongs to a business chain (step  105 ), a list of the chain stores of the business chain is displayed so that the entries in the list can be scrolled through (step  109 ). When the desired chain store (POI) is selected by scrolling so that the desired POI is displayed (step  110 ), detailed information of the selected chain store (POI), such as the address, name, category, arrow pointing to the position of the POI, and distance to the POI, is displayed (step  106 ). Thereafter, when the selected chain store is confirmed to be the destination (step  107 ), path finding is performed using the selected POI as the destination (step  108 ). 
     For example, when “fast-food restaurant” is selected from the category menu, since only the representative name of a business chain is displayed in the POI list, “McDonald&#39;s”, “Burger King” and the like have a single entry in the POI list by the representative names thereof. When the user selects “McDonald&#39;s” from the POI list, the chain store list of “McDonald&#39;s” is shown in order of increasing distance from the current location of the vehicle. 
     Because the representative name of a business chain is shown in a POI list, the number of displayed POIs is decreased, which facilitates the selection of the desired POI. In addition, because the list of the chain stores of the business chain is displayed by selecting a representative name, the input of the desired chain store as the destination is facilitated. 
     FIG. 5 shows a second process flow for entering the destination according to the present invention. 
     Destination-finding is instructed to be performed using finding options of “POI” and “Place Type” (step  201 ). Because the navigation system displays the category list on the monitor  26  in response to the above instruction (FIG.  6 D), the user selects the desired category (step  202 ). When the category is selected, the navigation system determines whether the POI list is displayed in the order of distance or in language-based order (alphabetical order) based on flags contained in the selected category (step  203 ). The POI list is displayed in the order of distance by sorting the POI, is which belong to the selected category in the order of distance. The distance between the current location of the vehicle and the location of each POI can be calculated based on location data of each POI and current position data of the vehicle (longitude, latitude) (step  204 ). 
     On the other hand, the POI list is displayed in alphabetical order by sorting the POIs which belong to the selected category in alphabetical order (step  205 ). When the POI list is displayed, the business chains are displayed by the representative names thereof in the POI list. 
     The user selects the desired POI by scrolling so that the desired POI is display (step  206 ). The navigation system determines whether or not the name of the desired POI is the representative name of a business chain by querying the POI database information (step  207 ). 
     When the name of the desired POI is not the representative name of a business chain, detailed information of the desired POI, such as the address, name, category, arrow pointing to the position of the POI, and distance to the POI, is displayed (step  208 ). The POI is confirmed to be the destination (step  209 ). Path finding is performed using the desired POI as the destination (step  210 ). 
     On the other hand, when it is determined at step  207  that the name of the desired POI is the representative name of a business chain, it is determined whether the POI list is displayed in the order of distance or in language-based order (alphabetical order) in the same manner as was determined in step  203  (step  211 ). 
     When the POI list is displayed in the order of distance, a list of the chain stores is displayed in the order of distance so that the entries in the list can be scrolled through (step  212 ). When the POI list is displayed in alphabetical order, the list of the chain stores is displayed in alphabetical order so that the entries in the list can be scrolled through (step  213 ). 
     The user selects the desired chain store (POI) by scrolling so that the desired POI is displayed (step  214 ). Detailed information of the POI, such as the address, name, category, arrow pointing to the position of the POI, and distance to the POI, is displayed (step  208 ). The POI is confirmed to be the destination (step  209 ). Path finding is performed using the desired POI as the destination (step  210 ). 
     For example, it is preferable that a POI list be displayed in the order of distance when the category is ATMs, banks, fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and the like. In contrast, it is preferable that a POI list be displayed in alphabetical order when the category is hotels, public facilities, recreation facilities, golf courses, and the like. According to the present invention, when the user has a reservation to stay at a hotel (for example, Holiday Inn, Torrance), “hotels” is selected from the category menu. The list of names of hotels is displayed in alphabetical order in which hotel chains are displayed by the representative name thereof. Accordingly, when, for example, “Holiday Inn” (the representative name) is selected, the names of the hotels in the chain are displayed, not in the order of distance, but in alphabetical order. As a result, even if the desired hotel is far away, the selection of the desired hotel as the destination is facilitated by simplified operations. 
     As described above, a POI list is shown in the order of distance or in alphabetical order in accordance with the selected category, which facilitates the selection of the desired POI. 
     As many different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but is defined in the appended claims.