Patent Publication Number: US-2006002590-A1

Title: Method of collecting information for a geographic database for use with a navigation system

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR A GEOGRAPHIC DATABASE FOR USE WITH A NAVIGATION SYSTEM” filed on the same date herewith, Attorney Docket No. N0181US, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR A GEOGRAPHIC DATABASE FOR USE WITH A NAVIGATION SYSTEM” filed on the same date herewith, Attorney Docket No. N0182US, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF OPERATING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM” filed on the same date herewith, Attorney Docket No. N0183US, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR A GEOGRAPHIC DATABASE FOR USE WITH A NAVIGATION SYSTEM” filed on the same date herewith, Attorney Docket No. N0192US, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF OPERATING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING IMAGES” filed on the same date herewith, Attorney Docket No. N0193US, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a method and system for providing navigation features and functions, and more particularly to a method and system for collecting images and providing navigation features using the images.  
      Vehicle navigation systems are available that provide end users with various navigation-related functions and features. For example, some navigation systems are able to determine an optimum route to travel along a road network from an origin location to a destination location in a geographic region. Using input from the end user, and optionally from equipment that can determine the end user&#39;s location (such as a GPS system), the navigation system can examine various potential routes between the origin and destination locations to determine the optimum route. The navigation system may then provide the end user with information about the optimum route in the form of guidance that identifies the driving maneuvers for the end user to travel from the origin to the destination location. The guidance may take the form of visual and/or audio instructions that are provided along the way as the end user is traveling the route. Some navigation systems are able to show detailed maps on displays outlining the route, the types of maneuvers to be taken at various locations along the route, locations of certain types of features, and so on.  
      In order to provide these and other navigation-related functions and features, navigation systems use geographic data. The geographic data may be in the form of one or more geographic databases that include data representing physical features in the geographic region. The geographic database includes information about the represented geographic features, such as the positions of the roads, speed limits along portions of roads, address ranges along the road portions, turn restrictions at intersections of roads, direction restrictions, such as one-way streets, and so on. Additionally, the geographic data may include points of interest, such as restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations, stadiums, police stations, and so on.  
      Although navigation systems provide many important features, there continues to be room for new features and improvements. One area in which there is room for improvement relates to providing improved guidance for following the route. In some situations, additional guidance and orientation information would be helpful when following the route. For example, some areas may be difficult for a user of a navigation system  100  to traverse because of the many road segments intersecting in the area and the many different turn options available to travel. Additionally, pedestrians may find additional guidance and orientation information helpful when traversing a route because pedestrians have a greater degree of freedom of motion and may become more frequently confused as to their orientation to destination.  
      Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a way to collect and provide images that may be used to provide improved navigation-related functions and features.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system is described in the embodiments disclosed herein. The method obtains an image of a geographic area. A plurality of geographic features visible in the image are identified. For each of the identified geographic features, locations on the image corresponding to the geographic feature in the image are identified. Data is stored in the geographic database that associates each of the identified geographic features with the identified location on the image.  
      In another embodiment, a geographic database for use with a navigation system is disclosed. The database comprises data representing an image of a geographic area and data indicating locations of a plurality of geographic features on the image. In one embodiment, the data indicating locations of the geographic features on the image is a vector data clip representing geometry of the geographic area. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a navigation system, according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a map of a geographic region;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a geographic database included in the navigation system depicted in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of road segment data records and node data records contained in the geographic database depicted in  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of pedestrian segment data records and orientation node data records contained in the geographic database depicted in  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 6  is a 360-degree panoramic image of an intersection;  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart for collecting image data, according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart for coding the image for guidance information overlays;  
       FIG. 9  is an image depicting coding for guidance information overlays;  
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram of image data records, according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart for using images to provide guidance, according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 12  is a 360-degree panoramic image depicting the use of guidance information overlays, according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 13  is a pictorial representation of overlay dot size used in the guidance information overlays, according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 14  is an image depicting the use of the guidance information overlays, according to another exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 15  is an image depicting the use of the guidance information overlays, according to another exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 16  is a screen shot depicting the use image with guidance information overlay as provided by the navigation system depicted in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 17  is a screen shot of an image with guidance information overlay and a textual guidance message provided by the navigation system depicted in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 18A  is a screen shot of an image with guidance information overlay and a touch-screen icon for requesting a guidance message as provided by the navigation system depicted in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 18B  is a screen shot of a guidance message and a touch-screen icon for requesting an image with guidance information overlay as provided by the navigation system depicted in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; and  
       FIG. 19  is an image including label overlays provided by the navigation system depicted in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      I. Navigation System  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a navigation system  100  associated with a computing platform  102 , such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone or any computer, according to an exemplary embodiment. The navigation system  100  is a combination of hardware and software components. In one embodiment, the navigation system  100  includes a processor  104 , a drive  106  connected to the processor  104 , and a non-volatile memory storage device  108  for storing navigation application software programs  110  and possibly other information.  
      The navigation system  100  also includes a positioning system  112 . The positioning system  112  may utilize GPS-type technology, a dead reckoning-type system, or combinations of these or other systems, all of which are known in the art. The positioning system  112  may include suitable sensing devices that measure the traveling distance speed, direction, orientation and so on. The positioning system  112  may also include a GPS system. The positioning system  112  outputs a signal to the processor  104 . The navigation application software programs  110  that run on the processor  104  use the signal from the positioning system  112  to determine the location, direction, orientation, etc., of the computing platform  102 .  
      The navigation system  100  also includes a user interface  114  that allows the end user to input information into the navigation system  100  and obtain information from the navigation system  100 . The input information may include a request for navigation features and functions of the navigation system  100 . In one embodiment, information from the navigation system  100  is provided on a display screen of the user interface  114 . To provide navigation features and functions, the navigation system  100  uses a geographic database  116  stored on a storage medium  118 . In one embodiment, the storage medium  118  is installed in the drive  106  so that the geographic database  116  can be read and used by the navigation system  100 . In one embodiment, the geographic database  116  may be a geographic database published by NAVTEQ North America, LLC of Chicago, Ill. The storage medium  118  and the geographic database  116  do not have to be physically provided at the location of the navigation system  100 . In alternative embodiments, the storage medium  118 , upon which some or the entire geographic database  116  is stored, may be located remotely from the rest of the navigation system  100  and portions of the geographic data provided via a communications system  120 , as needed.  
      In one exemplary type of system, the navigation application software programs  110  load from the non-volatile memory storage device  108  into a random access memory (RAM)  122  associated with the processor  104 . The processor  104  also receives input from the user interface  114 . The navigation system  100  uses the geographic database  116  stored on the storage medium  118 , possibly in conjunction with the outputs from the positioning system  112  and the communications system  120 , to provide various navigation features and functions. The navigation application software programs  110  may include separate applications (or subprograms) that provide the various navigation-related features and functions. The navigation functions and features may include route calculation  124  (wherein a route from an origin to a destination is determined), route guidance  126  (wherein detailed directions are provided for reaching a desired destination), map display  128 , and positioning  130  (e.g., map matching).  
      Other functions and programming  132  may be included in the navigation system  100 . The navigation application software programs  110  may be written in a suitable computer programming language such as C, although other programming languages, such as C++ or Java, are also suitable. All of the components described above may be conventional (or other than conventional) and the manufacture and use of these components are known to those of skill in the art.  
      II. Geographic Database  
      In order to provide navigation-related features and functions to the end user, the navigation system  100  uses the geographic database  116 . The geographic database  116  includes information about one or more geographic regions.  FIG. 2  illustrates a map  200  of a geographic region  202 . The geographic region  202  may correspond to a metropolitan or rural area, a state, a country, or combinations thereof, or any other area. Located in the geographic region  202  are physical geographic features, such as roads, points of interest (including businesses, municipal facilities, etc.), lakes, rivers, railroads, municipalities, etc.  
       FIG. 2  also includes an enlarged map  204  of a portion  206  of the geographic region  202 . The enlarged map  204  illustrates part of a road network  208  in the geographic region  202 . The road network  208  includes, among other things, roads and intersections located in the geographic region  202 . As shown in the portion  206 , each road in the geographic region  202  is composed of one or more road segments  210 . A road segment  210  represents a portion of the road. Each road segment  210  is shown to have associated with it two nodes  212 ; one node represents the point at one end of the road segment and the other node represents the point at the other end of the road segment. The node  212  at either end of a road segment  210  may correspond to a location at which the road meets another road, i.e., an intersection, or where the road dead-ends. Also included in the portion  206  of the geographic region  202  are paths or a path network (not shown) that may be traversed by pedestrians, such as in a park or plaza.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the geographic database  116  contains data  302  that represents some of the physical geographic features in the geographic region  202  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The data  302  contained in the geographic database  116  includes data that represent the road network  208 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the geographic database  116  that represents the geographic region  202  contains at least one road segment database record  304  (also referred to as “entity” or “entry”) for each road segment  210  in the geographic region  202 . The geographic database  116  that represents the geographic region  202  also includes a node database record  306  (or “entity” or “entry”) for each node  212  in the geographic region  202 . The terms “nodes” and “segments” represent only one terminology for describing these physical geographic features, and other terminology for describing these features is intended to be encompassed within the scope of these concepts. In one embodiment, the geographic database  116  that represents the geographic region  202  also contains at least one pedestrian segment database record  308  for each pedestrian segment in the geographic region  202  and orientation node database record  310  for each orientation node in the geographic region  202 . Pedestrian segments and orientation nodes are associated with paths that may be traversed by pedestrians, such as in the park or plaza. A more detailed description of pedestrian segments and orientation nodes may be found in the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF COLLECTING INFORMATION FOR A GEOGRAPHIC DATABASE FOR USE WITH A NAVIGATION SYSTEM” filed on the same date herewith, Attorney Docket No. N0181US, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.  
      The geographic database  116  may also include other kinds of data  312 . The other kinds of data  312  may represent other kinds of geographic features or anything else. The other kinds of data may include point of interest data. For example, the point of interest data may include point of interest records comprising a type (e.g., the type of point of interest, such as restaurant, hotel, city hall, police station, historical marker, ATM, golf course, etc.), location of the point of interest, a phone number, hours of operation, etc. The geographic database  116  also includes indexes  314 . The indexes  314  may include various types of indexes that relate the different types of data to each other or that relate to other aspects of the data contained in the geographic database  116 . For example, the indexes  314  may relate the nodes in the node data records  306  with the end points of a road segment in the road segment data records  304 . As another example, the indexes  314  may relate point of interest data in the other data records  312  with a road segment in the segment data records  304 .  
       FIG. 4  shows some of the components of a road segment data record  304  contained in the geographic database  116 . The road segment data record  304  includes a segment ID  304 ( 1 ) by which the data record can be identified in the geographic database  116 . Each road segment data record  304  has associated with it information (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.) that describes features of the represented road segment. The road segment data record  304  may include data  304 ( 2 ) that indicate the restrictions, if any, on the direction of vehicular travel permitted on the represented road segment. The road segment data record  304  includes data  304 ( 3 ) that indicate a speed limit or speed category (i.e., the maximum permitted vehicular speed of travel) on the represented road segment. The road segment data record  304  may also include data  304 ( 4 ) indicating whether the represented road segment is part of a controlled access road (such as an expressway), a ramp to a controlled access road, a bridge, a tunnel, a toll road, a ferry, and so on.  
      The road segment data record  304  also includes data  304 ( 6 ) providing the geographic coordinates (e.g., the latitude and longitude) of the end points of the represented road segment. In one embodiment, the data  304 ( 6 ) are references to the node data records  306  that represent the nodes corresponding to the end points of the represented road segment.  
      The road segment data record  304  may also include or be associated with other data  304 ( 7 ) that refer to various other attributes of the represented road segment. The various attributes associated with a road segment may be included in a single road segment record, or may be included in more than one type of record that cross-references to each other. For example, the road segment data record  304  may include data identifying what turn restrictions exist at each of the nodes which correspond to intersections at the ends of the road portion represented by the road segment, the name or names by which the represented road segment is known, the street address ranges along the represented road segment, and so on.  
       FIG. 4  also shows some of the components of a node data record  306  contained in the geographic database  116 . Each of the node data records  306  may have associated information (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.) that allows identification of the road segment(s) that connect to it and/or it&#39;s geographic position (e.g., its latitude and longitude coordinates). For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the node data records  306 ( 1 ) and  306 ( 2 ) include the latitude and longitude coordinates  306 ( 1 )( 1 ) and  306 ( 2 )( 1 ) for their node. The node data records  306 ( 1 ) and  306 ( 2 ) may also include other data  306 ( 1 )( 3 ) and  306 ( 2 )( 3 ) that refer to various other attributes of the nodes.  
       FIG. 5  shows some of the components of a pedestrian segment data record  308  contained in the geographic database  116 . The pedestrian segment data record  308  includes a segment ID  308 ( 1 ) by which the data record can be identified in the geographic database  116 . Each pedestrian segment data record  308  has associated with it information (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.) that describes features of the represented pedestrian segment. The pedestrian segment data record  308  may include data  308 ( 2 ) that indicate a type of pedestrian segment, such as virtual pedestrian path, paved pedestrian path, unpaved pedestrian path, sidewalk, alley, indoor path. The pedestrian segment data record  308  includes data  308 ( 3 ) that indicate a phrase ID and data indicating a segment name  308 ( 4 ) which together provide a text description of the pedestrian segment. The data indicating the phrase ID provides a predetermined phrase that accompanies the segment name to describe the pedestrian segment. The pedestrian segment data record  308  may also include applicable direction data  308 ( 5 ) indicating whether direction of travel on the pedestrian segment affects how the pedestrian segment should be described, and if so, the direction of travel associated with the above data.  
      The pedestrian segment data record  308  also includes data  308 ( 7 ) relating to the end points of the represented pedestrian segment. The endpoint data includes data  308 ( 7 ) include references  308 ( 7 )( 1 ) to the orientation node data records  310  that represent the orientation nodes corresponding to the end points of the represented pedestrian segment. The pedestrian segment data record  308  may also include or be associated with other data  308 ( 8 ) that refer to various other attributes of the represented pedestrian segment. The various attributes associated with a pedestrian segment may be included in a single pedestrian segment record, or may be included in more than one type of record that cross-references to each other.  
       FIG. 5  also shows some of the components of an orientation node data record  310  contained in the geographic database  116 . Each orientation node data record  310 ( 1 ) and  310 ( 2 ) include a node ID  310 ( 1 )( 1 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 1 ) by which the data record can be identified in the geographic database  116 . Each of the orientation node data records  310  may have associated information (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.) that allows identification of the pedestrian segment(s) that connect to it and/or it&#39;s geographic position (e.g., its latitude and longitude coordinates). For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the orientation node data records  310 ( 1 ) and  310 ( 2 ) include the latitude and longitude coordinates  310 ( 1 )( 2 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 2 ) for their node.  
      Each orientation node data record also includes data indicating an orientation node name  310 ( 1 )( 3 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 3 ). Each orientation node data record also includes connection data  310 ( 1 )( 5 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 5 ) indicating connection, if any, to the road network. In one embodiment, the connection data  310 ( 1 )( 5 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 5 ) are references to the road segment data records  304  and/or road network node data records  306  that represent the road segments and nodes that connect with the orientation node. The node data records  310 ( 1 ) and  310 ( 2 ) may also include other data  310 ( 1 )( 6 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 6 ) that refer to various other attributes of the nodes.  
      III. Collecting Images  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , the navigation system  100  provides various navigation-related features and functions including route guidance  126 . Route guidance  126  provides a user of the navigation system  100  with detailed directions for reaching a desired destination. In one embodiment, the directions include maneuver instructions at specified intersections.  
      Some areas within the geographic region  202  may be difficult to traverse even with the detailed directions from the conventional route guidance feature  126 .  FIG. 6  is a 360-degree panoramic image  600  of Piccadilly Circus in London, England. Piccadilly Circus is an example of an area that may be difficult for a user of a navigation system  100  to traverse because of the many road segments intersecting in the area and the many different turn options available to travel. Additionally, a pedestrian may have difficultly traversing some areas, such as Piccadilly Circus, because the pedestrian has a greater freedom of movement as a vehicle. The pedestrian does not have direction restrictions as a vehicle; the pedestrian can walk down a one-way street in both directions. Moreover, the pedestrian may become more frequently confused as to direction of travel and orientation.  
      To allow the navigation system  100  to provide improved route guidance, a geographic database developer collects image data of road segments, road nodes or intersections, pedestrian segments, orientation nodes and any other geographic feature. In one embodiment, a geographic researcher travels the geographic region to collect image data. In another embodiment, the geographic researcher obtains image data from other sources, such as an image repository.  
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart for collecting image data in the geographic region  202 , according to an exemplary embodiment. At step  700 , the researcher identifies an area of the geographic region appropriate for collecting image data. In one embodiment, the area appropriate for collecting image data is a confusing intersection. In another embodiment, the areas appropriate for collecting image data are decision points along a road or pedestrian network at which the user of the navigation system  100  has an option of turning. In other embodiments, the area appropriate for collecting image data may be any intersection, road segment, pedestrian segment, orientation node, scenic view, point of interest, such as a business or facility, or any other geographic feature. In another embodiment, the researcher collects a series of images along the road and/or pedestrian segments to enable a user to obtain a continuous visual representation of a route or a visual representation of a significant portion of the route.  
      At step  702 , the researcher captures a photographic image of the area. The certain geographic areas, images may be taken during the day and at night. Additionally, it may be more desirable to capture the image when the weather is dry to obtain clear photographs. Further, the photographs may be taken when the area is empty, so that cars and pedestrians do not obscure the view.  
      In one embodiment, the geographic researcher uses a digital camera, a video camera, a film camera or any other device to obtain the images. The images may be a single view, 180-degree view, a 360-degree panoramic view, such as the 360-degree panoramic image  600  of  FIG. 6 , or any other type of image. In one embodiment, the 360-degree panoramic image may be taken by using a camera designed to take 360-degree panoramic photographs. For example, the camera may have a fisheye/180/360 degree camera lens. Alternatively, the 360-degree panoramic image may be stitched together from a series of single view images showing a section of the 360-degree view as known to one skilled in the art. After capturing the images, the images are digitally stored in a memory device.  
      At step  704 , the researcher records a location associated with the image. In one embodiment, the researcher records a position of the location from which the image was captured. In another embodiment, the researcher records the position and/or name of a geographic feature within the captured image, such as an intersection, road segment, building or any other feature. In a further embodiment, the researcher records the position and/or name of a geographic feature proximate the location from which the image was captured. The research may use a positioning system to determine the location. The positioning system may be the same or a different system as the positioning system  112  depicted in  FIG. 1 . The positioning system may utilize GPS-type technology, a dead reckoning-type system, or combinations of these or other systems, all of which are known in the art. The positioning system may include suitable sensing devices that measure the traveling distance speed, direction, and so on, of the system. The positioning system may also include appropriate technology to obtain a GPS signal, in a manner that is known in the art. The positioning system may provide as an output the latitude and longitude of the location at which the image was captured. In addition, maps and aerial images of the area may be used to determine the position associated with the captured image. The researcher may record the position information and any other information associated with the image using any data collection method, such as handwriting, voice recording and data entry into a user device.  
      At step  706 , the researcher records a direction associated with the captured image. In one embodiment, the direction associated with the captured image is a direction in which the camera was facing when the image was captured. The researcher may determine the direction of the view using general knowledge, a compass, the positioning system or any other method of determining direction. In another embodiment, the direction associated with the image references a geographic feature captured in the image, such as along a road segment or at a building.  
      At step  708 , the image is cross-referenced with at least one geographic feature. In one embodiment, the image is cross-referenced with a road-network node and/or a pedestrian orientation node. In another embodiment, the image is associated with a road segment, pedestrians segment and/or a position along a road segment or pedestrian segment. In a further embodiment, the image is associated with a point of interest, such as a building, business, restaurant, hotel, city hall, police station, historical marker, ATM or any other type of point of interest or any other geographic feature. The researcher may cross-reference the image with at least one of the geographic features by recording the geographic feature when capturing the image. Alternatively, the location, such as latitude and longitude coordinates, may be geo-coded to identify a geographic feature in the geographic database  116  in proximity to the location associated with the image.  
      At block  710 , the image is coded for guidance information overlays, such as a path, a specific maneuver, a direction of travel, a label or any other overlay.  FIG. 8  below describes coding the image for guidance information overlays according to one embodiment. At step  712 , the image and associated data are stored in the geographic database  116  as will be described in more detail below. In alternative embodiments, the steps for collecting image data are performed in a different order than presented in  FIG. 7 . Additionally, a geographic researcher traveling the geographic region may perform some of the above steps of  FIG. 7 , while another geographic researcher at a central base station may perform the remaining steps of  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart for coding the image for guidance information overlays according to one embodiment. Some of the steps of  FIG. 8  will be illustrated with the image  900  of  FIG. 9 . At step  800 , the researcher identifies a control point  902  for the image  900 . In one embodiment, the control point  902  indicates a direction, such as north, in the image  900 . In another embodiment, the control point  902  indicates a location at which the image was captured. At step  802 , the researcher determines a line-of-sight associated with the captured image. The line-of-sight associated with the captured image is a distance that can be seen in the image  900 , such as 20 meters. The line-of-sight may be calculated using standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Alternatively, the line-of-sight calculation may be performed using Digital Elevation Models (DEM). The line-of-sight may be limited by obstructions in the view, such as buildings and trees.  
      At step  804 , the researcher identifies geographic features in the image  900 . In one embodiment, road segments, nodes or intersections, pedestrian segments, pedestrian orientation nodes are identified. Additionally, any feature present in the image may be identified including lakes, rivers, railroads, municipalities, points of interest, such as buildings, businesses, restaurants, stores, hotels, municipal facilities, historical markers, ATMs, golf courses, water fountains, statues, bike racks, etc. For the image  900  in  FIG. 9 , the researcher would identify the paved pedestrian segments  904 , pedestrian orientation nodes  906  at the intersections of the pedestrian segments and a statue  908 .  
      At step  806 , the researcher creates guide points  910  and label points  912  on the image  900 . The guide points  910  are located at positions on the image  900  that correspond to locations at which guidance type information may be overlaid on the image  900 . For example, guide points  910  may be located to correspond with road segments, nodes or intersections of road segments, pedestrian segments  904 , pedestrian orientation nodes  906  and/or decision points in the image  900 . In one embodiment, the guide points  910  are located at positions on the image  900  suitable for guidance information overlays, such as route highlights and guidance arrows. In one embodiment, guide points are placed at the endpoints of the road or pedestrian segments and at intermediate locations to provide shape points for the respective segment. In one embodiment, guide points  910  are placed at the visual end of the segments in the image  900 , and the line-of-sight calculation may be used to determine placement of the guide points. For example, if a tree obstructs a view of a segment, one guide point is positioned as an endpoint just prior to the tree, and if the segment is visible after the tree, another guide point is placed as an endpoint after the tree. In another embodiment, the guide points on either side of the tree may specify that any route highlight between these guide points should be transparent so as not to highlight over the tree in the image. The label points  912  are located at positions on the image  900  that correspond to locations at which label type information may be overlaid on the image  900 . For example, label points may be located to correspond with points of interest, such as the statue  908 . In another embodiment, label points may be located to correspond with locations on the image  900  where advertisements, addresses, direction (north), icons, place names or any other information may be overlaid on the image  900 .  
      In one embodiment, the researcher or a technician manually identifies the locations of the guide points and label points on the image. The researcher or technician digitizes the guide points and label points onto the image. The guide points  910  and label points  912  on the image  900  provide locations for the guidance information overlays. For example, if the geographic overlay is a route highlight to direct a user of the navigation system  100  to follow a road segment, a route highlight may be drawn connecting the guide points associated road segment in the image. In one embodiment, the pixels of the image corresponding to the identified locations for the guide points and label points are coded to facilitate placement of the overlays. An image is composed of numerous pixels. Each pixel may include one or more bits of overlay information as is known in the art. For example, the pixel value may have one bit of overlay information to support the use of overlays. The one bit of overlay information may be used as a toggle bit. Once the toggle bit is set, the pixel is ignored so that an overlay, such as the guidance information overlay, can be placed on the image. In another embodiment, the pixel value may have eight bits of overlay information, which may allow for variations in transparency between the overlay and the bottom image. The coding of the overlay pixels for the guide points and label points in the image enable the navigation system  100  to dynamically place several different guidance information overlays, such as a route highlight, maneuver arrows, direction or labels, on the image.  
      At step  808 , the guide points and label points are associated with geographic features and/or text labels. For example, the guide points that correspond with a road segment are associated with the respective road segment ID; the guide points that correspond to a node is associated with the respective node ID; the guide points that correspond with a pedestrian segment are associated with the respective pedestrian segment ID; the guide point that correspond to an orientation node is associated with the orientation node ID; the guide point or label point that correspond to a point of interest is associated with the respective point of interest. Furthermore, label points are associated with corresponding text. The image data, guide point and label point information, associated features and labels are then stored in the geographic database as discussed in greater detail below.  
      In another embodiment, the steps  804 ,  806  and  808  are performed by overlaying vector data representing the geometry of the geographic area onto the image. Based on the distance visible in the image from the line of sight determination and the location and direction from which the image was captured, vector data representing the geometry of the geographic area visible in the image is obtained from the geographic database  116 . For example, if the line of sight for the image is 20 meters, a vector data clip corresponding to the 20 meters area visible in the image is obtained from the geographic database  116 . Because the image is captured at a height above ground surface, the image provides a birds-eye view of the geographic area. To accommodate the birds-eye perspective, the vector data clip of the geographic area in the image is obliquely projected onto the image. Additionally, the vector data clip may be appropriately scaled so the overlay of the vector data matches the features of the image. The overlaid vector data comprising vector points at nodes and shape points along segments align with their respective intersections and paths in the image. The vector data clip includes segment IDs and node IDs enabling identification of the paths and intersections visible in the image. Additionally, the image and associated vector data clip are stored in the geographic database.  
      IV. Geographic Database with Image Data  
      The image data collected as described above in conjunction with  FIG. 7  is included in the geographic database  116  that represents some of the physical geographic features in the geographic region  202 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the road segment data record  304  of the geographic database  116  contains an image data record  304 ( 5 ), and the node data record  306 ( 1 ) and  306 ( 2 ) of the geographic database  116  also contains an image data record  306 ( 1 )( 2 ) and  306 ( 2 )( 2 ). In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the pedestrian segment data record  308  of the geographic database  116  contains an image data record  308 ( 5 ), and the orientation node data record  310 ( 1 ) and  310 ( 2 ) of the geographic database  116  also contains an image data record  310 ( 1 )( 4 ) and  310 ( 2 )( 4 ). In one embodiment, the image data associated with the road segment data record  304 , the node data record  306 , the pedestrian segment data record  308  and/or the orientation node data record  310  are references to image data records  1000  as described in conjunction with  FIG. 10 . Additionally, the road segment data record  304 , the node data record  306 , the pedestrian segment data record  308  and/or the orientation node data record  310  may each be associated with several image data records  1000 . For example, a node data record  306  representing an intersection of two roads may be associated with four image data records  1000 .  
       FIG. 10  shows some of the components of an image data record  1000  contained in the geographic database  116 . The image data record  1000  includes an image ID  1000 ( 1 ) by which the data record can be identified in the geographic database  116 . Each image data record  1000  has associated with it information (such as “attributes”, “fields”, etc.) that describes features of the represented image. The image data record  1000  may include data  1000 ( 2 ) or a feature code that indicates a type of geographic feature captured in the respective image, such as a road segment, road intersection, pedestrian segment, orientation node, point of interest, scenic view or any geographic feature of the geographic region. The image data record  1000  includes data  1000 ( 3 ) that indicate a location associated with the image, such as the longitude and latitude coordinates of the location. The image data record  1000  also includes data  1000 ( 4 ) that indicates a direction associated with the image, such as a direction associated with a control point in the image.  
      The image data record  1000  includes data  1000 ( 5 ) enabling the image to be displayed. Furthermore, the image data record  1000  may include overlay data  1000 ( 6 ) providing data to allow the navigation system  100  to create guidance information overlays on the image. In one embodiment, the overlay data  1000 ( 6 ) identifies overlay pixels corresponding to guide points and label points of the image. Additionally, the overlay data  1000 ( 6 ) identifies the overlay pixels that correspond to geographic features, such as road segments, pedestrian segments, nodes and orientation nodes to allow route highlights and maneuver arrows to be overlaid on the image at locations corresponding to the geographic features. Furthermore, the overlay data  1000 ( 6 ) may identify overlay pixels corresponding to points of interest or other items in the image suitable for guidance information overlays, such as text, advertising and icons. The overlay data  1000 ( 6 ) may also indicate the style and information included in the guidance information overlay. By identifying the pixels in the image, guidance information overlays may be created dynamically by the navigation system  100 , which may avoid having to store multiple copies of the same image. For example, the overlay may be an arrow pointing to a direction to walk, such as the arrow  602  depicted in  FIG. 6 . As another example, the overlay may be a route highlight comprising series of dots for the user of the navigation system  100  to follow. Any other overlay may be used, such as labels and direction indications. In an alternative embodiment, the overlay data  1000 ( 6 ) may contain a plurality of established guidance information overlays, such as route highlights or maneuver arrows associated with road segments or pedestrian segments.  
      The image data record  1000  may also data  1000 ( 7 ) indicating a geographic feature ID or several geographic features associated with the image. As discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 7 , the image is cross-referenced with the geographic feature(s). The associated geographic feature ID data may be a road segment ID, node ID, pedestrian segment ID, orientation node ID, point of interest ID or a reference to any other geographic feature of the geographic database  116 . The image data record  1000  may also include other data  1000 ( 8 ).  
      In another embodiment, the image data record  1000  includes data providing a vector data clip (not shown) corresponding to the photo data  1000 ( 5 ).  
      V. Guidance Information Overlays on Images  
      As discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , the navigation system  100  includes navigation application software programs  110  that provide the various navigation features and functions. In one embodiment, the navigation functions and features may include route calculation  124  and route guidance  126 . The route calculation function  124  receives a request to calculate a route to a desired destination. The request may be in the form of an identification of a starting location and a desired destination location. The identification of these locations may include the geographic coordinates of these locations. The route calculation function may also be provided with other data or parameters, such as preferences (e.g., scenic route, handicap access, or any other preference). Given at least the identification of the starting location and the destination location, the route calculation function  124  attempts to determine one or more solution routes between the starting location and the destination location. A solution route is formed of a series of connected road and/or pedestrian segments over which the user of the navigation system  100  can travel from the starting location to the destination location. When the route calculation function  124  calculates a route, it accesses the geographic database  116  and obtains road segment data entities  304  and/or pedestrian segment data entities  308  that represent segments around and between the starting location and the destination location. The route calculation function  124  uses the information in the road and/or pedestrian segment data entities  304  and  308  to attempt to determine at least one valid solution route from the starting location to the destination location. In determining a valid solution route for the pedestrian to travel, the route calculation program  124  uses the data attributes associated with the road and/or pedestrian segment data entities to account for preferences. The route calculation function  124  may attempt to find solution routes that takes the least time to travel, that covers the least distance, or that meets some other specifiable criteria.  
      The route calculation function  124  may use various means or algorithms in determining solution routes. Methods for route calculation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,314, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. (The methods disclosed in the aforementioned patent represent only some of the ways that routes can be calculated and the claimed subject matter herein is not limited to any particular method of route calculation. Any suitable route calculation method now known or developed in the future may be employed.) The route calculation function  124  provides an output. In one embodiment, the output of the route calculation function  124  is in the form of an ordered list identifying a plurality of road and/or pedestrian segment data entities. The plurality of road and/or pedestrian segment data entities represent the road and/or pedestrian segments that form the continuous navigable route between the starting location and the destination that had been calculated by the route calculation function  124 . The route calculation function  124  may calculate more than one solution route including alternative ordered lists of the plurality of road and/or pedestrian segments.  
      As discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , the navigation system  100  includes navigation application software programs  110  that provide the navigation feature and function of route guidance  126  for the user of the navigation system  100 . The route guidance function  126  provides detailed directions for reaching a desired destination. In one embodiment, the list of road and/or pedestrian segment data entities determined by the route calculation function  124  is provided to the route guidance function  126 . The route guidance function  126  uses the information in the list, as well as additional information from the geographic database  116 , to provide instructions to the end user to travel the route defined by the list output by the route calculation function  124 . The route guidance function  126  may include functions that identify locations along the calculated route at which maneuvering instructions may be provided to the end user. The route guidance function  126  may provide the maneuvering instructions all at once, or alternatively, the route guidance function  126  may provide the maneuvering instructions one at a time as the end user is traveling. In one embodiment, each maneuvering instruction is provided separately (or in small groups of combined maneuvering instructions) in advance of when the specific maneuver is required to be taken so that the end user can prepare to make the required maneuver. The output of the route guidance function  126  is provided to the end user through a user interface  114  included on the computing platform  102 . The output of the route guidance may be conveyed audibly through speech synthesis or on a visual display.  
      Methods for providing route guidance using geographic data are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. (The methods disclosed in the aforementioned patent represent only some of the ways that route guidance can be calculated and the claimed subject matter herein is not limited to any particular method of route guidance. Any suitable route guidance method now known or developed in the future may be employed.)  
      In order to provide maneuvering instructions at appropriate times and/or locations, the navigation system  100  uses data from the positioning system ( 112  in  FIG. 1 ). The positioning system  112  determines the position of the end user (computing platform  102 ) as he or she is traveling. A positioning (map-matching) function  130  in the navigation programming  110  compares the user&#39;s position determined by the positioning system  112  to the positions of the road and/or pedestrian segments represented by the road and/or pedestrian segment data entities in the solution route. Using this comparison, the maneuver instructions, which are related to positions along the solution route, can be provided at appropriates times as these positions are approached.  
      The route guidance function  126  may also provide the end user with information about the remaining distance to the destination location. The list of road and/or pedestrian segment data entities from the route calculation function  124  may also be provided to the map display function  128 . The map display function  128  uses the information in the list, as well as additional information from the geographic database  116 , to provide graphical maps on a display of the user interface  114 . The graphical maps illustrate the areas through which the calculated route passes. The path of the calculated route may be highlighted on the displayed maps.  
      In one embodiment, the route guidance function  126  also provides images with guidance information overlays. The images with overlays may be provided in conjunction with maneuver instructions. In an alternative embodiment, the route guidance function  126  provides an image with a guidance information overlay instead of audio or textual maneuver instructions. In another embodiment, the route guidance function  126  provides an image with a guidance information overlay at various locations along the solution route, such as at decision points. In a further embodiment, the route guidance function  126  provides a series of images with guidance information overlays to provide a continuous visual representation of the solution route.  
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart that depicts the steps performed by the route guidance function  126  to provide an image with a guidance information overlay. At step  1100 , the route guidance function  126  determines whether an image is available in the geographic database  116  corresponding to the current location and direction of the navigation system  100  as it travels along the solution route provided by the route calculation function  124 . In one embodiment, the route guidance function  126  references the road segment data record  304 , node data record  306 , pedestrian segment data record  308  and/or orientation node data record  310  corresponding to the current location of the navigation system  100  to determine whether an image data record  1000  exists. In one embodiment, the determination includes whether an appropriate image based on the direction of travel and/or time of day is available from the reference image data record  1000 . At step  1102 , the route guidance function  126  determines whether to present the image to the user of the navigation system  100  via the user interface  114 . In one embodiment, the navigation system  100  provides images only when requested by the user of the navigation system  100 . For example, the user may request the images using the user interface  114 . In another embodiment, the navigation system  100  provides images automatically at every decision point along the calculated route.  
      At step  1104 , the route guidance function  126  determines an appropriate guidance information overlay. The guidance information overlay may be a maneuver arrow, a line or plurality of dots highlighting the solution route or alternate routes, text labels, direction labels or any other information. The route guidance function  126  may obtain data from the image data record  1000  indicating the overlay pixels corresponding to the road segments, pedestrian segments, nodes and/or orientations nodes comprising the current portion of the route. Additionally, the route guidance function  126  may select appropriate guidance overlays to place at the overlay pixels. For example, if the driving direction is a right turn onto a road segment at the next intersection, the route guidance function  126  selects the guidance information overlay that provides a maneuver arrow for turning right onto the road segment on the associated image. At step  1106 , the image with the guidance information overlay is created. FIGS.  6 ,  12 - 15  will be used to illustrate embodiments of the image with guidance information overlay.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the guidance information overlay of a maneuver arrow  602 . The image  600  is a 360-degree panoramic photograph of a road node. The image  600  include the guidance information overlay of the maneuver arrow  602  indicating a direction of travel or turn required from the current location onto a connected road segment to follow the solution route. The 360-degree panoramic photograph  600  helps to orient the user of the navigation system  100  and may be especially helpful to a pedestrian. The guidance information overlay of the maneuver arrow  602  directs the user to turn onto an indicated road segment that the user may more readily identify by comparing the features in the image  600  to their visible surroundings. Additionally, the maneuver arrow  602  may be any color; the color may be chosen in a manner such that the user quickly notices the guidance information overlay  602 . While  FIG. 6  depicts a 360-degree photograph, the image may be a single-view photograph.  
      In another embodiment, the guidance information overlay includes a label  604  indicating a visible point of interest along the calculated route. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the label  604  indicates a “bank” is along the solution route. In other embodiments, the label may be associated any other point of interest visible to the user from the solution route. Furthermore, the label  604  may be an icon indicating the type of point of interest, a description of the point of interest, a name of the point of interest or any other information regarding the point of interest. The label  604  provides supplemental guidance information to the user and may be used to confirm that the user is following the calculated route. Additionally, guidance information overlay may comprise labels for other points of interests or features in the image to help orientate the user. For example, the guidance information overlay may comprise a label identifying a readily visible landmark such as a communications tower. In one embodiment, the guidance information overlay is a label indicating a direction. In another embodiment, the overlay may comprise an advertisement associated with a business visible in the image  600  or a business located close to the area of the image  600 .  
       FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of the guidance information overlay. The image  1200  in  FIG. 12  is a 360-degree photograph. The guidance information overlay is a route highlight as depicted with a plurality of dots or “bread crumbs.” A first series of dots  1202  are used depict the portion of the solution route that has been traveled and a second series of dots  1204  are used to depict the next road and/or pedestrian segment(s) of the solution route. The dots  1204  allow the user to visually identify the next portion of the route on the image  1200  and visually orient him or her in the geographic region using the image and guidance information overlay. While dots are used in  FIG. 12 , any route highlight may be used such as a series of arrows, a solid line  1206 , a dash line or any other shape. The first and second series of dots  1202  and  1204  may be different colors to distinguish the two portions of the solution route. As seen in  FIG. 12 , the dots closest to the pedestrian may appear larger than the dots further away. The interval and size of the dots is described with more detail with reference to  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 13  is a pictorial representation  1300  of guidance information overlay comprising the series of dots, according to an exemplary embodiment. Dot  1302  may indicate a location at which the image was captured. Additionally, the dot  1302  may be used to represent the location of the user in the image, such as a “you are here” guidance information overlay on the image. As the distance  1304  from the dot  1302  increases, the size of the dots may decrease proportionally. The interval and scale of the dots may be selected to provide adequate connectivity for guidance and may be based on the line-of-sight calculation.  
       FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of the guidance information overlay.  FIG. 14  is a single-view image  1400  depicting a guidance information overlay that shows alternative routes, according to an exemplary embodiment. As mentioned above, the route calculation function  124  may calculate several route solutions between the origin and destination. These route solutions may comprise some of the same road and/or pedestrian segments while including different segments. The one or more alternative routes may vary in time or distance of travel, but the alternative routes may have different features that may be attractive to a user. For example, alternative routes may be more scenic, have a flatter grade, be well lit at night, handicapped accessible and so on.  
      Referring to  FIG. 14 , the guidance information overlay includes a route highlight represented by a first series of dots  1402  depicting a first route and a route highlight represented by second series of dots  1404  depicting a second route. The first and second series of dots  1402  and  1404  may be different colors to distinguish the two routes. The first series of dots  1402  highlights a main route, while the second series of dots  1404  highlights an alternative route. The guidance information overlay provides the user an option to follow either route highlight  1402  or  1404  around the fountain. For example, the user may select the second route  1404  because it is tree-lined, which may provide more shade. While, this embodiment is depicted using two routes, the number of routes may be more than two. Further, the route highlights  1402  and  1404  may also overlay road segments  210  in a road network  208 .  
      In another embodiment, the guidance information overlays convey additional information about the respective depicted alternative routes.  FIG. 15  is a single view image  1500  including guidance information overlays to show alternative routes, according to another exemplary embodiment. In this example, the guidance information overlay includes a route highlight represented by a first series of dots  1502  depicting a first route and a route highlight represented by a second series of dots  1504  depicting a second route. The first series of dots  1502  may highlight a more direct route containing steps, while the second series of dots  1504  may highlight an alternative route that is handicapped accessible. The second series of dots  1504  includes a handicap icon on each of the dots, which describes a feature of the alternative route  1504 . The route guidance overlay of the route highlight with handicap icon visually provides useful information to the user of the navigation system  100 . For example, the route highlight with the handicap icon may direct the user to a handicapped accessible entrance to a building. Additionally, the user may be pushing a stroller, wearing roller skates, or have a medical condition that makes it difficult to traverse the route highlight  1502  having stairs.  
      While  FIG. 15  depicts the use of a handicap icon in the guidance information overlay, a variety of other symbols or icons may be used to highlight the features of a particular route. For example, a tree symbol overlay may be used to identify a tree-lined pathway; a water fountain icon or toilet icon may be used to identify a route that passes by a water fountain or toilets, respectively; and icons or symbols may be used to identify well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, bicycle friendly route, or any other feature. The route guidance function  126  may include the appropriate symbol or icon corresponding to the features of the solution route.  
      Referring again to  FIG. 11 , after the image with guidance information overlay is created, the user of the navigation system  100  is presented the image with guidance information overlay via the user interface  114 .  FIG. 16  is a screen shot  1600  of the user interface  114  depicting an image  1602  with guidance information overlays  1604  and  1606 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The image  1602  with the guidance information overlays  1604  and  1606  orients the user and provides reassurance that the user is correctly following the solution route to the destination. The user may obtain guidance messages (textual or audio) or a map by touching the message icon or the map icon depicted in the screen shot  1600 .  
       FIG. 17  illustrates another embodiment for presenting the image with guidance information overlay to the user.  FIG. 17  is a screen shot  1700  of a user interface  114  that provides an image  1702  with guidance information overlay  1704  of a route highlight and a textual guidance message  1706 . In the example depicted in  FIG. 17 , user interface  114  provides the image  1702  of what the pedestrian will see as traveling the solution route, the guidance information overlay  1704  visually directs the user along the route and the textual guidance message  1706  describes the path. In one embodiment, the image  1702  includes labels  1708  identifying features referenced in the textual guidance message, such as “Lake Michigan.” 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  illustrate a further embodiment for presenting the image with guidance information overlay to the user.  FIG. 18A  is a screen shot  1800  of an image  1802  with a guidance information overlay and a touch-screen icon  1804  for requesting the display of a textual guidance message, while  FIG. 18B  is a screen shot  1806  of a textual guidance message  1808  and a touch-screen icon  1810  for requesting the display of an image.  FIGS. 18A and 18B  include the same image  1702  with guidance information overlay and textual guidance message  1706  as depicted in  FIG. 17 ; however, in this example, the image  1802  and the guidance message  1808  are shown on different screens. The user may use the touch-screen icons  1804 ,  1810  to toggle between the photograph  1802  and the pedestrian guidance message  1808 . While this example uses a touch-screen input mechanism to the user interface  114 , any other input mechanism to the user device may be used.  
      The screen shots  1600 ,  1700 ,  1800  and  1806  have been depicted on a personal digital assistant; however, other user devices, such as a cellular telephone, a vehicle navigation system, and a computer may also be used to display the images and associated guidance information overlays. Further, a user may obtain the images and associated guidance information overlays prior to traveling the solution route. As another example, a person may obtain the images from a stationary computer, which may be printed and taken with the user. As yet another example, the user may obtain the images with the guidance information overlays from a public-access device, such as an Internet web site, a computer terminal, or a kiosk. Additionally, the user may take a virtual tour of the solution route using the images obtained prior to traveling.  
      VI. Alternative Implementation with Information Overlays on Images  
      The above description presented images with guidance information overlays for guiding a user of a navigation system  100  along a solution route to a desired destination.  FIG. 19  illustrates another implementation of the images with information overlays.  FIG. 19  is a scenic image  1900  including label overlays  1902 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The label overlays identify popular locations in the cityscape image  1900 . As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the information overlays include text labels identifying the names of a variety of buildings in the image  1900 . In addition to labels for buildings, the image may include labels for any point of interest or geographic feature in the image. In another embodiment, the information overlays may comprise addresses corresponding to the buildings. In yet another embodiment, the information overlays may comprise historical, tourist type or advertisement labels. A user may use the information overlays of the image for entertainment purposes. The information overlays may allow the user to identify important building and structures, which may be of interest to tourists, architects, and the like.  
      In one embodiment, the navigation system  100  presents the image  1900  with label overlays  1902  on the user interface  114  for the user to enter a location. The user may select a label or building on the image  1900  to enter as his or her desired location. For example, if the user device is a PDA, the pedestrian may select a label by touching a touch-screen display using a stylus. In another embodiment, the user may enter the label name via the user interface as the desired location.  
      In one embodiment, the user may use the image  1900  to enter a desired destination. As discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , the navigation system  100  includes the route calculation function  124 . The route calculation function  124  receives a request to calculate a route to a desired destination. The request may be in the form of a request to enter a destination using an image with information overlays. The user is then presented with the image with information overlays. For example, a tourist in Chicago may request to enter a destination using the scenic image  1900  and the navigation system provides the user with the image  1900 . The user selects a destination using the image  1900 , and the route calculation function  124  uses the entered destination to calculate a solution route from the current location of the user to the entered destination. In another embodiment, the user enters the starting location for the route using the image  1900 . For example, a tourist kiosk provides the image  1900  and enables users to determine routes from and to various destinations. After the starting location and destination location have been entered, the route calculation function  124  attempts to determine one or more solution routes between the starting location and the destination location as described above. Additionally, the navigation system  100  provides route guidance functions and features for the solution route to guide the user along the solution route to the entered desired destination. The route guidance may comprise images with guidance information overlays, textual messages or any other guidance information. Additionally, the navigation system  100  may provide a map display to the user.  
      Additionally, the image  1900  may be used to enter a location for any navigation feature and function. In another embodiment, the user may use the image  1900  to enter a desired point of interest to request information about the point of interest. For example, the user may request information about businesses, times of operation, telephone numbers and any other information. Furthermore, the label overlays  1902  of the image may contain advertisements.  
      It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the following claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention