Abstract:
An apparatus of providing map information, which includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving module configured to calculate positional information with respect to the apparatus, a display configured to display map information and the calculated positional information, and a controller configured to search for Points of Interests (POIs) from a selected POI category, and to control the display to display image icons representing POIs that were found during the search on corresponding positions within the displayed map information.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Korean patent application No. 10-2007-0139275, filed in Korea on Dec. 27, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus and corresponding method for providing users with information on points of interest and setting and re-setting a path to selected points of interest. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Navigation apparatuses are now used in many vehicles for providing directions to users. The navigation apparatuses generally display a current position of the vehicle and a route on how to get to a desired destination. Further, some recent navigation apparatuses include a function for indicating locations of and directions to a point of interest (POI) such as store on a map. 
         [0006]    In more detail, the related art navigation apparatus displays a list of POIs or displays POIs on a general map. For example,  FIG. 1A  is an overview of a related art navigation display screen illustrating a list of POIs.  FIG. 1B  is similar to  FIG. 1A , but includes the list of POIs being displayed on a general map. However, in the related art navigation apparatus, the user must first enter a separate menu to request the list of POIs. Further, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the navigation apparatus also displays the distances to the particular POIs from the current position of the vehicle. However, it is difficult for the user to see directions on how to get to a particular POI from the list of POIs displayed in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0007]    In addition, in  FIG. 1B , the names of respective POIs are displayed at corresponding positions on a map. However, in  FIG. 1B , it is difficult to determine or estimate distances between different POIs and the current position of the navigation apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to address the above-noted and other drawbacks of the related art. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus and corresponding method of displaying POIs on a map with equidistant curves, so that users can easily recognize distances to the different POIs displayed on the map. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus and corresponding method of providing a POI category menu by which users can easily select a POI category to view different POIs included in the selected POI category. 
         [0011]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus and corresponding method for allowing users to easily search detailed information of a selected POI. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus and corresponding method for allowing users to easily set a path to or through a particular POI. 
         [0013]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with an object of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides in one aspect an apparatus of providing map information including a GPS receiving module configured to receive a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal and to compute a position of the apparatus, a controller configured to control the GPS receiving module, to receive calculated position information from the GPS receiving module and to display the position information with map information, and a storage unit configured to store map information including POI (Point of Interest) information. Further, the controller searches POIs in a category selected by a user when a POI mode is selected, and displays image icons representing searched POIs on corresponding positions of the map. 
         [0014]    Also, the controller may display the image icons against equidistant curves in the POI mode, and each of the image icons may be a brand emblem included in the POI information. Further, the controller may display detailed information of a POI corresponding to a selected image icon, which is included in the POI information, on a detailed POI information window, if an image icon is selected by a user. 
         [0015]    Moreover, the detailed information of a POI may include at least one of an image icon representing the POI, a business entity name of the POI, information of a business entity of the POI, a direction from the POI, a phone number of the POI and a web-site address of the POI. In addition, POIs may be categorized into at least one category by a user using a category menu. 
         [0016]    Further, in the apparatus, a destination setting menu may be displayed on the detailed POI information window. The controller then generates a path to the POI, which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window as a destination, if the destination setting menu is selected by a user. Also, an intermediate point setting menu may be displayed on the detailed POI information window. The controller then displays a path through the POI, which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window as an intermediate point, if the intermediate point setting menu is selected by a user. 
         [0017]    The apparatus may also include a wireless communication module configured to connect to the Internet. The controller can then connect a call to a POI, which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window, through the wireless communication module, if a phone number of the POI displayed on the detailed POI information window is selected by a user. Similarly, the controller can connect to a web-site of a POI, which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window, through the wireless communication module, if a web-site address of the POI displayed on the detailed POI information window is selected by a user. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of providing map information and which includes (A) detecting an execution command of a POI mode, (B) displaying a category menu including a plurality of categories, (C) searching POIs included in a category selected in the category menu by a user, and (D) displaying each of image icons corresponding to the searched POIs on a corresponding position of a map against equidistant curves. Also, each of the image icons may be a brand emblem included in the POI information. 
         [0019]    Further; each of the image icons may be displayed as a different type according to whether or not a current time is in business hours. The positions of the POIs and information of the POIs may also be determined, modified and deleted by a user. In addition, the positions of the POIs and information of the POIs may be stored with the map. Also, one of the categories may be selected as a touch input is applied on the category menu. 
         [0020]    The POIs may also be categorized according to business types of business entities of the POIs and setting types of the POI information. In addition, a magnification of display in the step (D) may be determined according to a magnification of display before executing the POI mode. Alternatively, a magnification of display in the step (D) may be determined to permit at least one of the POIs included in the selected category to be displayed. Also, a magnification of display in the step (D) may be determined as a maximum magnification in which all POIs in the selected category can be displayed at once within a lower limit. 
         [0021]    In addition, a magnification and a position of display in the step (D) may be determined to permit POIs on a moving direction of the apparatus to be preferentially displayed, in consideration of a moving direction of the apparatus. The method may also include (E) detecting a user input applied on an image icon of one of POIs, and (F) displaying detailed information of the POI corresponding to the touched image icon. 
         [0022]    The detailed information of a POI may include at least one of an image icon representing the POI, a business entity name of the POI, information of a business entity of the POI, a direction from the POI, a phone number of the POI and a web-site address of the POI. The method may also include (G) detecting a user input applied on a destination setting menu of a detailed POI information window, and (H) generating a path to the POI which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window as a destination. 
         [0023]    In addition, the method may include (I) detecting a user input applied on an intermediate point setting menu of a detailed POI information window, and (J) generating a path through the POI which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window as an intermediate point. The method may also include (K) detecting a user input applied on a phone number of the POI displayed on a detailed POI information window, and (L) connecting a call to the POI which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window. The method can also connect to the web-site of the POI which is currently displayed on the detailed POI information window. 
         [0024]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0026]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are overviews showing POI information displayed on a related art navigation apparatus; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing POI information in a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIGS. 4A to 4E  are overviews of display screens on a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the navigation apparatus includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving module  10  for receiving navigation satellite signals (hereinafter, referred to as GPS signals) and calculating a position of the navigation apparatus based on the GPS signals. 
         [0032]    Further, the GPS receiving module  10  receives the GPS signals at regular intervals and updates position information. The UPS receiving module  10  also includes, for example, an antenna for receiving signals, a memory, a GPS chip, a GRF chip, filters, a control chip, and the like. The navigation apparatus also includes a controller  20  for receiving and processing the position information calculated by the GPS receiving module  10  and for controlling the overall operations of the navigation apparatus. 
         [0033]    The controller  20  also reads information on POIs stored in a storage unit  30 , configures a display screen according to a particular POI mode, and displays the appropriate POI information. In addition, the screen configuration includes background distance indication images, current position markers marking the current position of the navigation apparatus (e.g., displayed at the center of the screen), a particular path, image marks showing the different POIs on the path, etc. 
         [0034]    In addition, the storage unit  30  is connected to the controller  20  and stores map information such that the controller  20  can display a map on the navigation apparatus that includes position information calculated by the UPS module  10 . The map information also includes POI information, which can be provided by a map data service company, together with the map information. A user may also input or download and store the POI information. The POI information provided by the map data service company can also be edited or deleted by the user. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the navigation apparatus also includes an input/output unit  40  for receiving a command from a user and for informing the user of a search result, for example. In addition, in one embodiment, the input/output unit  40  can be configured as a display including a touch screen such that the user can input information into the navigation apparatus in a touching manner (e.g., single touch operation, double touch operation, drag and drop touch operation, flicking touch operation, etc.) 
         [0036]    The navigation apparatus also includes a wireless communication module  45  for wirelessly connecting to the Internet, for example. The wireless communication module  45  can also function as a part for an Internet phone connection or web-site connection to a corresponding POI business, and a variety of wireless communication modules can be applied depending on a communication scheme such as a wireless LAN, Wi-bro, HSDPA module, and the like. 
         [0037]    Next,  FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing POI information in a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  will also be referred to in the following description. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the method includes inputting an execution command of the POI mode (step S 10 ). Then, the controller  20  displays a category menu such that the user can set or select a particular category or categories (step S 20 ). In one embodiment, the displayed category menu includes different types of businesses. The user can also separately classify or arrange the displayed POI information in the category menu. 
         [0038]    The method then searches for POI information belonging to a category selected by the user, and displays image icons at appropriate positions on the map for the retrieved POI information matching the user&#39;s search (steps S 30  and S 40 ). The controller  20  then determines if one of the displayed POI image icons is selected (step S 50 ). For example, the user can touch one of the displayed POI image icons to select the corresponding business, etc. of the POI image icon. 
         [0039]    If the controller  20  determines the user has touched a displayed POI image icon (Yes in step S 50 ), the controller  20  displays detailed POI information about the POI corresponding to the selected POI image icon (step S 60 ). In addition, the detailed POI information includes information such as an enlarged POI image icon, a name of the POI store or business, information about the POI store or business, a distance of a POI path, a contact point and address of the store or business, and the like. The contact point also includes, for example, a phone number and web site-address of the corresponding POI store or business. 
         [0040]    After the detailed POI information is displayed, the controller  20  determines whether the user has performed a touch input operation on the display of the navigation apparatus (step S 70 ). In more detail the controller  20  determines which touch input operation among a plurality of touch input operations the user has performed. For example, the user can 1) touch another POI image icon, 2) touch an intermediate point setting menu, 3) touch a destination setting menu, 4) touch a phone number of a corresponding store or business, 5) touch a web-site address of a corresponding store business, and 6) touch another area of the display. 
         [0041]    If the controller  20  determines the user touches another POI image icon, the method returns to step S 60  and the controller  20  displays a detailed POI menu display window for displaying detailed POI information on the other touched POI image icon. If the controller  20  determines the user touches an intermediate point setting menu, the controller  20  adds the touched POI to the current set path as an intermediate point, and then resets the path (step S 80 ). 
         [0042]    If the controller  20  determines the user touches a destination setting menu, the controller  20  sets or resets a path to have the touched POI as a destination (step S 90 ). If the controller  20  determines the user touches a phone number of a corresponding store or store, the controller  20  connects a call to the corresponding store or business using the wireless communication module  45  (step S 110 ). Therefore, the user can communicate with the corresponding store or business through the navigation apparatus. 
         [0043]    In addition, in one embodiment, the controller  20  does not change the screen of the display, such that the user can simultaneously communicate with the store and operate the apparatus. For example, the user can touch a destination setting menu to change a destination setting while communicating with the store or business. Also, if the controller  20  determines the user has touched a web site address of a corresponding store or business, the controller  20  connects to the web-site of the corresponding store or business using the wireless communication module  45  (step S 120 ). Thus, when the web-site of the corresponding store is displayed, the user can obtain or read desired information from the web-site. 
         [0044]    Then, if the users inputs a connection termination command (Yes in step S 130 ), the controller  20  terminates the connection to the corresponding web-site, and the process returns to step S 70  and waits for the user to input of a new command. In addition, if the user touches an area other than the areas described above, the controller  20  closes the displayed detailed POI information display window  90 , and the process returns to step S 40  of displaying the searched POI. Also, after the user inputs or sets the information in steps  80  and  90 , the controller  20  provides the appropriate path including the POI (step S 100 ). 
         [0045]    Next,  FIGS. 4A-4E  are overviews illustrating display screens for providing POI information according to an embodiment of the present invention. In more detail,  FIG. 4A  is an overview of a display screen illustrating a state in which the POI mode has just been entered. As shown in  FIG. 4A , when the navigation apparatus enters the POI mode, the controller  20  displays a category menu  50  including a plurality of POI categories a user may select such as Parking locations (a symbol “P” of a parking sign), restaurants (a symbol of a fork and knife), shopping places (a symbol of a shopping cart), hotels (a symbol “H”), gas stations (a symbol of a gas pump), etc. Thus, the categories in this embodiment are categorized according to the business type of corresponding POI. The category menu  50  also includes a “USER” category in which only POIs selected by a user are displayed, and an “ALL” category in which every POI is displayed. 
         [0046]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the controller  20  also displays equidistant curves  80  on the screen of the navigation apparatus such that the user can easily understand distances from the navigation apparatus to each POI. The controller  20  also preferably displays numerical values of distances from the position of the navigation apparatus with respect to the equidistant curves  80 . The controller  20  can also display other types of images besides the equidistant curves  80  to indicate distances to the POIs and the distances between POIs. 
         [0047]    In addition, the controller  20  also preferably displays a guide or path  60  displaying a path to a desired location. Further, the controller  20  also displays a magnification adjusting menu  70  that the user can manipulate (e.g., touch) to adjust a magnification of display. That is, if the user touches the “+” icon in  FIG. 4A , the controller  20  enlarges or zooms in on the displayed map. Similarly, if the user touches the “−” icon in  FIG. 4A , the controller  20  reduces or zooms out on the displayed map. 
         [0048]    Next,  FIG. 4B  is an overview of a display screen displaying POIs belonging to a category selected by a user. In more detail, and as shown in  FIG. 4B , the user has selected multiple categories including restaurants, hotels and gas stations (the particular image icons in the category menu  50  have been highlighted or shaded to indicate to the user they have been selected). Thus, in this example, the controller  20  displays all POIs corresponding to the selected categories in locations with respect to the equidistant curves  80 . 
         [0049]    Therefore, when the user looks at the map in  FIG. 4B , he or she can quickly and easily see where different POIs are with respect to their current location. In addition, the user can easily determine the distances between the POIs and distances between the user and a corresponding POI because of the advantageously displayed equidistant curves  80  together with the POIs corresponding to the user-selected categories. The user can also remove particular POIs by deselecting (or selecting again) a particular category in the category menu  50 . The controller  20  can also un-highlight the deselected category in this instance to indicate to the user that the category is no longer selected. 
         [0050]    In addition, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B , the controller  20  displays image icons of the POIs that represent brand emblems used in advertising, for example. Thus, the user can easily recognize what type of business entity a corresponding POI is. Further, the magnification of display may be adjusted in various ways. For example, the controller  20  can maintain a magnification of display that was used before entering the POI mode. Alternatively, the controller  20  can adjust a magnification of display according to a number of searched POIs. For example, the controller  20  can adjust a magnification of display such that at least one searched POI belonging to a selected POI category is displayed on the screen of the navigation apparatus. 
         [0051]    In addition, when a POI is positioned too far from the current position of the navigation apparatus, the magnification of display may be too low. Therefore, the controller  20  can use a particular lower limit for the magnification. The lower limit value may be either a predetermined constant value or a variable value, such as a value of M magnifications of a magnification of display of before entering the POI mode. Also, the controller  20  can also determine or set the magnification of display such that at least a predetermined number (N) of POIs can be displayed on the screen at once. 
         [0052]    In addition, the magnification and position of display may be determined to permit POIs on a moving direction of the apparatus to be preferentially displayed, since users are usually more interested in the direction they are traveling. Thus, the position of display may be determined to permit the point corresponding to the current position of the navigation apparatus to move downward, so that a display rate of the area in the direction where the navigation apparatus moves. 
         [0053]    Further, the controller  20  can also display the POI image icons in consideration of business hours of the entities corresponding to the POI image icons. That is, the controller  20  can distinctively display each of the image icons according to whether the current time is within business hours for a corresponding POI. For example, In  FIG. 4B , the controller  20  distinctively displays image icons corresponding to closed businesses that are not currently open or in business by darkening the corresponding image icons. That is, the image icons for the businesses “Burger King”, “Wal-mart” and “E-mart” are darkened. Accordingly, a user can easily recognize whether or not the stores are opened. In addition, the controller  20  can determine whether an entity corresponding to a POI is currently conducting business using business hours information included in the POI information or transmitted from web-sites of the stores through the wireless communication module  45 . 
         [0054]    Next,  FIG. 4C  is an overview of a display screen including detailed POI information corresponding to a POI selected by a user. In more detail, as shown in  FIG. 4C , when the user selects (e.g., touches) one of the image icons corresponding to the POIs, the controller  20  displays a detailed POI information window  90  including detailed information on the selected POI. In the example shown in  FIG. 4C , the detailed information includes an enlarged image icon  92  corresponding to the image icon selected for the desired POI, an address and name information  94  (including website, phone number, etc.) of the selected POI, an intermediate point setting menu  96  and a destination setting menu  98 . 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 4C , the address and name information  94  of the selected POI is displayed near the image icon  92 . Further, the displayed phone number and web-site address of the business entity corresponding to the selected POI can be used for calling the business entity or accessing their web-site. In addition, the intermediate point setting menu  96  allows the user to reset the current path to pass through the selected POI as an intermediate point. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4D , the path  60  has been altered from the path  60  shown in  FIG. 4B  to include the selected Hyundai Oilbank POI. Similarly, the user can select the destination setting menu  98  to set a new path to arrive at the selected POI. Thus, with reference to  FIG. 4D , when the user selects (e.g., touches the intermediate point setting menu  96 ), the controller  20  displays a new path including the selected POI as an intermediate point. 
         [0056]    In addition,  FIG. 4E  is an overview of a display screen illustrating the controller  20  change the pat  60  to include the selected POI as the destination, when the user selects the destination setting menu  98 . Thus, the user can easily modify the current path or route to a particular destination to the selected POI. The user can also estimate or determine the distance between their current position and the destination by viewing the equidistance curves  80 . 
         [0057]    As described above, the embodiments of the present invention provide several advantages. 
         [0058]    For example, because the current position of the navigation apparatus and POIs are displayed on a map which contains equidistant curves, the user can easily recognize driving paths and directions to different POIs. In addition, the user can easily select a desired category or categories of POIs by selecting one or more categories from a display category menu. Thus, the user can easily search for particular POIs. 
         [0059]    The user can also view detailed information about particular POIs by simply touching a corresponding POI image icon. In addition, the user can easily change, set or reset a driving path to include a selected POI as an intermediate point or destination point by simply touching a corresponding menu option. Further, the user does not have to enter a separate path set navigation mode to set a particular POI as a destination or an intermediate point. 
         [0060]    In addition, the input/output unit  40  in  FIG. 2  can include a display for displaying the different navigation display screens according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display can also include a touch screen so the user can touch the display to select or input information into the navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus can also be installed in a vehicle or may be included in a mobile terminal such as a cell phone, laptop, etc. 
         [0061]    This invention may be conveniently implemented using a digital computer or microprocessor programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The invention may also be implemented by the preparation of application specific integrated circuits whereby interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional computer circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0062]    Any portion of the present invention implemented on a general purpose digital computer or microprocessor includes a computer program product which is a storage medium including instructions which can be used to program a computer to perform a process of the invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions. 
         [0063]    As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.