DE102005058145A1 - Selectable objective term e.g. street name, optical display method for use in navigation system, involves determining preferential objective term, where inputs of terms into system relates to direct geographical vicinity - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining a preferential objective term based on preferred criteria. A quantity of both preferential and selectable objective terms is determined. Both the terms which are highlighted in the display optically are compared with non preferential objectives from multiple of selectable objective terms. The display of the objective terms takes place in the form of a list, where a total name list (1) is classified according to the preferential criteria. The necessary inputs of the objective terms into the system relate to a direct geographical vicinity.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for optical output of a plurality of selectable goal terms when entering a destination into a navigation system.

Out the state of the art for the input of a destination in a navigation system it is known the target terms of a destination in a substantially two-stage Enter process. Target terms may include street names, city names and the names of points of interest (eg attractions, restaurants, hotels, airports, etc.) be. In a first stage, for example as a pre-selection stage Typically, to designate is a variety of in the system stored target terms a preselection according to certain preselection criteria met. For example, you can one or more initial letters entered as preselection criteria become. The preselection limits the amount of available target terms, for example, to a particular common initial letter. Result of the pre-selection is usually still a variety of selectable Objective terms. In a second stage of the input process for a The desired goal concept then has to be determined from the be selected by the preselection. Often This is done, inter alia, by scrolling or browsing through a list of target terms still available after the preselection.

Especially then, although after the preselection still a relatively large number of Target terms for a selection is possible, the selection of the desired goal concept for the user a navigation system be very difficult. For example, can It may be necessary to scroll through a very long list to find a desired goal concept. In addition, the operator may make mistakes, if he has problems, in a due to the number of included goal terms unmanageable To find your way around the list.

remedy can in some cases create an input of further criteria for pre-selection, since so the number the target terms that are still available after the preselection, can be reduced. But such an input of further preselection criteria is itself frequent cumbersome and time consuming. This is especially true when the intended goal of a huge Number of other target terms stored in the system is similar, because then a lot of preselection criteria are needed, as a result the preselection a manageable Number of goal terms.

task The invention is the user comfort when entering a Destination in a navigation system to improve.

Is solved this object by a method having the features of the claim 1.

preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The Invention is based on the idea that not all deposited in the system Target terms in the current situation and / or for the respective user are of equal relevance. That is why a special consideration preferred target terms proposed. At first, therefore, at least a preferred target term determined according to preference criteria become. Such preferred target terms should then, if they also the selectable one Include target terms, visually opposite to the output other (not preferred) selectable target terms highlighted become. This refers in particular to the output of target terms, which offered the user to directly select a target term becomes (eg as scrollable list) - approximately in the second stage of the input process described in the introduction.

Thus, according to the invention at least one preferred target term determined according to preference criteria. Furthermore is, for example, by forming an intersection of the amount selectable Target terms and a lot of preferred target terms, a lot both more preferred and more selectable Target terms determined. At issue, at least one will be both more preferred as well as more selectable Objective visually opposite non-preferred target terms from the large number of selectable ones Target terms highlighted. By the visual emphasis is such a (both preferred and selectable) target term for a Easier to recognize and / or locate operators. The Selection of such a goal concept is thus simplified for the operator.

When Favorability criteria are conceivable criteria of various kinds, some of them later Move closer to be discribed. As a rule, the preference criteria should serve to determine those target terms that the operator wants to select with high probability. Such goal concepts are then treated as preferred target terms.

The visual highlighting can be done in a variety of ways. It is conceivable in textual representation, for example, the use of different font sizes, fonts, font colors and / or font styles. It is conceivable For example, a framing and / or underlining and / or an exposed arrangement. It is essential that the operator can easily recognize the highlighted target terms and thus easily select. By the invention, the operator is thus crucial in the input of a desired target term supported.

According to different preferred embodiments According to the present invention, the output of the plurality of selectable Target terms list-based.

According to one first particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention Invention, the output of the plurality of selectable Target terms in the form of a list and highlighting the at least a preferred as well as selectable goal concept exists in that this is within one in an edge position of the list arranged partial list is issued.

For example can preferred target terms as top list items of a list of selectable Target terms are output. You then make a partial list the total list. A visual delimitation of such a partial list from the rest of the list, for example, by different deposit and / or dividing lines are achieved. Such an optical demarcation can assist the operator in orientation during operation is but not mandatory.

According to one second particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention Invention, the output of the plurality of selectable target terms in the form of several lists and highlighting the at least one both preferred and selectable The objective term is that this is in a separate list is issued.

Of the visual impression of a separate list, for example, by a spatial Distance to one or more lists of other selectable destination terms or by other types of deposit and / or dividing lines.

The Optical output of the selectable target terms can therefore include a first list or partial list, which exclusively target terms contains that both preferred and selectable are, and a second list or partial list, which are not exclusive Contains target terms.

A Representation in which the both preferred and selectable Target terms for highlighting separately from other selectable, but not preferred, goal terms are spent basically opens up two Variants: On the one hand the goal concepts to be emphasized exclusively on that kind and Be issued manner, which serves their emphasis. On the other hand can the target terms to emphasize in addition to a regular, d. H. not highlighted, presentation output in this way become. So if, for example, a goal to be highlighted to highlight at the top of an otherwise alphanumeric ordered list appears, this target term can also appear in the place, which he would take due to purely alphanumeric sorting. alternative he can only, d. H. exclusively, at the top of the list appear.

A Emphasis in the context of the invention, in particular an emphasis a single preferred target term, may also consist in that a cursor or selection frame or similar selection indicator first (as it were Default setting) to the preferred target term is directed. Even if such an emphasized goal concept not by a special arrangement of the other selectable Is delimited, it is thus particularly easy and / or particularly fast selectable. The highlighted goal concept can now be confirmed by a simple confirmation action, For example, a pressure on a push / turn button to be selected.

in the The simplest case is in the invention only assume that Target terms are either preferred or not preferred. This is by a binary Measure of favor represented. On the assumption of a non-binary, in particular value-continuous, measure for the Preference for target terms, however, give rise to other variants for the Optical output of the selectable target terms. To determine a non-binary, in particular value continuous, measure or degree of preference of a target term again serve preference criteria. In a list-based output, for example, according to a possibly advantageous embodiment the invention one of the already defined above lists or partial lists according to the degree of preference of the target terms contained in the list be ordered. This automatically results in an exposed and thus highlighted placement of emphasized in the context of the invention Objective terms. In the case described, these are the target terms which are both selectable are, so also have a high degree of preference. By list sorting is the degree of highlighting a goal concept automatically in a sense from Degree of preference dependent.

With regard to optical output, in cases such as that described in the previous section, an actual binary distinction between preferred and non-preferred If necessary, goal terms are completely dispensed with. Nevertheless, the idea according to the invention of determining a set of preferred target concepts can then also be retained-for example, by the definition that all target concepts with a degree of preference that is different from zero or above some other threshold value are considered preferred target terms.

at a list-based optical output of the plurality of selectable ones Target terms can, as already explained above, the output of a list or Partial lists, which are not exclusively preferred target terms contains. Such a list may be ordered by criteria selected from are different from the preference criteria. For example, can this list or this partial list, as usual, arranged alphanumerically be. The operator can then, for example, preferred target terms especially fast in a first, very short, list. Not or less preferred target terms he still finds reliable alphanumeric search in a second, typically longer, List.

Especially advantageous is the inventive method, when the plurality of selectable Target terms already in a pre-selection according to pre-selection criteria across from another even greater variety from basically selectable destination terms is limited. This can both the number of selectable Target terms as well as the number of target terms to emphasize be reduced. Among the even greater variety of fundamentally selectable For example, goal terms can be the set of all in one system deposited target terms are understood, provided they are in a current Operating step selectable are. For example, the even greater variety may be All German place names stored in the system act when the current operating phase entering the name of a location in Germany concerns.

A full Set of both preferred and selectable goal terms By definition, as an intersection a preselection list limited by preselection criteria and the list of all favorite target terms. Accordingly, the to be emphasized according to the invention Target terms depending on the embodiment be determined in at least two ways. For one thing, one can Set of both preferred and selectable destination terms by setting the preference criteria only to those actually selectable Target terms are applied. This has the advantage that only few target terms have to be checked for preference, whereby, for example, computing power can be saved. To the others can also first by other means, for example by applying the preference criteria to all stored target terms or to the contents of a specific memory area (eg destination history store), a set of all preferred destination terms be formed and only then the sought intersection.

Preferably, but not necessarily, includes the inventively determined Set of both preferred and selectable destination terms all both preferred and selectable Objective terms. The determination both more preferred and more selectable However, target terms can also be aborted, for example a predefined number of target terms to be emphasized is reached, the technical considerations out ever can be highlighted. The inventively determined Contains quantity then not all both preferred and selectable Objective terms.

Preferably, but not necessarily, all elements of the invention are determined Quantity highlighted. Actually, depending on the embodiment the invention all Goal concepts, some goal concepts or just a single goal concept highlighted from the set of both preferred and selectable target terms become. The determination of the actual Target terms to be emphasized can be oriented, for example a degree of preference.

Preferably the preselection criteria are at least partially alphanumeric Criteria. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable in Related to an alphanumeric input of a desired Target concept. It can then in particular entered initial letters as alphanumeric Pre-selection criteria serve. In principle, however, the invention not to be considered limited to the case of alphanumeric input. For example The principle of the invention may also find application in connection with an input by location or area selection on a map.

As already described, the preference criteria should serve to To determine such goal terms, the operator with high probability enter or select want. Such goal concepts then become as preferred goal concepts treated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the preference criteria relate at least in part to the use of target terms in the past. This is based on the assumption that certain goals are approached or passed repeatedly. For example, the before Target terms are determined from a list maintained in the navigation system past goals and / or waypoints. As a further advantage of the invention, this creates a possibility for individualization or personalization of the navigation system, which is desired and appreciated by many operators. For example, by using separate memory areas, the settings and historical data of several different operators can be held and processed separately in a single navigation system.

The preferred target terms can also be determined statistically. It may, for example, the frequency entry, startup, passing and / or other Relevance of goals, which contain a certain goal concept evaluated become. (Example 1: The frequent Entering changing destinations in the city of Munich leads to a preference of the Destination term "Munich" Example 2: Frequent journeys through Hamburg even then to a preference of the target term "Hamburg", if always goals outside be entered by Hamburg. The preference then results a multitude of waypoints containing the target term "Hamburg".)

It can also preferred target terms by the operator to be entered. As well can preferred destinations can be entered by the user, from which turn preferred target terms are obtained. Also here is one possibility for customization or personalization of the navigation system.

Around Goal concepts, which were often needed only in the distant past, not permanent preference can be in a statistical evaluation also considered a forgetting factor become.

A statistical evaluation, such as historical data and / or frequencies the relevance of objective terms to determine preferred target terms, can also be based on data not one in the navigation system arranged central database. Thus, through Data exchange also historical data and / or frequencies the relevance of objective terms in a whole set of navigation systems be used for the evaluation. The data exchange with a such database can be used, for example, by a service provider Tobe offered.

According to one another preferred embodiment In the invention, the preference criteria are at least in part geographical criteria. This is especially advantageous when the navigation system is arranged in a motor vehicle. For example, in the preference of target terms of the current Stay in a city or street or the current geographical Close to one City or street considered become. By such an embodiment the invention, the comfort of the operator in particularly high Increased dimensions, since the majority of the necessary inputs of objective terms in one Navigation system usually targets in immediate geographical Proximity refers. An operator who is geographically close to his destination For example, it does not have to be laborious, in unfavorable cases very much long to sift through list of places that same or similar Have place names as your destination. Instead, it becomes the operator made possible by the invention quickly and easily select the desired target concept.

Additionally or alternatively you can also used geography-related criteria as preference criteria become. For example, a typical operator is particularly likely to use target terms who wants to enter in large or populous Cities lie, can be used in the preference of target terms, especially city names, the city expansion or the population of the city considered become. Likewise, the length or population of a street considered become. Also the proximity a street to the respective city center can be evaluated. At sights For example, it can take into account the tourist significance of the same for hotels, their number of beds, for restaurants their category.

Provided the determination of preferred target terms based on several preference criteria an appropriate weighting may be provided. These Weighting can be for be individually configurable by the operator.

Based the attached Drawings will be an embodiment for the Invention in more detail below explained. In detail in the drawings:

1a A first screen view when entering a destination in a navigation system according to the prior art.

1b A second screen view when entering a destination in a navigation system according to the prior art.

2a A schematic representation of the signal flow in a method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

2 B A screen view when entering a destination in a navigation system using the invention.

The painting 1a and 1b each show a screen view when entering a destination in a navigation system according to the prior art. It is the screen view of a navigation system arranged in a motor vehicle. The screen view includes a left window and a right window.

in the In this example, the destination is the city of Berlin. Therefore the place name "Berlin" should be entered. The input process is essentially two-tiered.

In the first step, an operator enters one or more initial letters of the desired place name. In the in 1a In the left window at the top of "Stadt / ZIP" the three initial letters "BER" are already entered. Further letters can be entered in the lower left window. 1a shows for this purpose a frame around the letter "S." The specification of the initial letters represents a preselection according to the invention.

In the right window of the screen in 1a A list of the place names is output, which are still available after the preselection. The list in the example is so long that it can not be displayed completely.

In the second step of the input process, the operator changes to the right window and selects a place name from the list. 1b shows a selection frame (currently around the target term "Beratzhausen") that can be moved through the list Since the list in the right window is sorted purely alphanumerically, the desired place name "Berlin" is difficult for the operator to find in the midst of a variety of other place names ,

This disadvantage according to the prior art is eliminated by the invention. 2a schematically shows the signal flow in a method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

By the method should be selected a given desired target concept.

A lot 1 ("Total name list") contains all basically selectable target terms in the respective operating phase of the navigation system (for example all German place names stored in the system, if the current operating phase concerns the entry of the name of a location in Germany.) In the present example the quantity is 1 So the amount of all stored German place names.

In the crowd 1 of all selectable target terms is a subset 2 ("Common targets list"). The subset 2 contains only preferred target terms. In the present example, all target concepts that are contained in a list of past goals ("last targets") that are not specifically shown here are considered to be preferred 2 is a real subset of the crowd 1 , So also contains only target terms that are basically selectable in the respective operating phase of the navigation system (here: German place names).

The field 3 in 2a stands for a preselection of an operator. In the illustrated situation of the present example, the preselection consists in presetting a single preselection criterion, namely the first letter of the desired place name (here "B"). Analogously, further pre-selection criteria can be entered by the operator.

The preselection criteria of the field 3 are now each on the quantities 1 and 2 applied.

Result of the application on the quantity 1 (Operator 5 in 2a ) is a set of all German place names with the initial letter "B." In the present example, the set is displayed as an alphanumeric list in the lower part of the right-hand window of a screen ( 2a shows a screen view 6 ) visually output to the operator.

The alphanumerically ordered list in the lower part of the right-hand window of the screen view 6 corresponds to the list that also in a method according to the prior art (see. 1a . 1b ) is output to the operator in a corresponding operating step.

Result of applying the preselection criteria to the quantity 2 (Operator 4 in 2a ) is a set of all favorite German place names with the initial letter "B." This result set of the operator 4 is much smaller than that of the operator 5 , In this example, the result set of the operator includes 4 only three place names. These are displayed in the upper part of the right-hand window of the screen (see screen view 6 ) in list form. Like the list in the lower part of the right window, this list is sorted in alphanumeric form.

After the pre-selection (concerning the input of preselection criteria as in the prior art), the operator can change to the right-hand window of the screen view (cf. 2 B ). By means of the invention, he now has there a list of place names composed of two partial lists for the selection of the desired place name. The upper part of the right window contains a partial list of preferred and the preselection of corresponding place names. The lower part of the right window contains a partial list of all preselection of corresponding place names. With a selection frame, the operator can scroll through the entire list, ie both partial lists, and select a desired place name. The two partial lists in the upper and lower part of the right window are only visually delimited by a dividing line.

Of the in the current example wanted place name "Berlin" is already by the invention the input of only one initial letter serving as a preselection criterion moved to the top of the selection list in the right window. He can therefore be very easily and very quickly selected by the operator.

Other (here by the list "Last Targets ") preferred Place names (here: "Bonn" and "Bremen") are for the operator also very easy to select. Place names, for which does not give preference from the list "Last Targets" are still - as out known in the art - by alphanumeric Search can be found in the lower part of the right window. The inventively created upper part of the right window obstructs the selection of such targets Not. If necessary, can also - as from known in the art - more Selection criteria are entered to further narrow down the search.

in the present example includes the partial list in the lower part of right window more elements than in the lower part of the right window can be displayed. To the rest Depending on the embodiment of the invention, elements can be achieved whole selection list or only the partial list in the lower part scrollbar accomplished be. If the whole selection list is scrollable, becomes the upper part of the right window with appropriate scroll width disappear from the screen. If only the partial list in the lower part of the right window is scrollable, the partial list remains preferred place names in the upper part of the right window always visible, noticeable. Also the partial list in the upper part of the right window can be scrollable, especially if made up of preselection and preference still a big one Number of both preferred and selectable target terms results.

Claims (10)

A method for optically outputting a plurality of selectable target terms when entering a destination into a navigation system, characterized in that at least one preferred target term is determined according to preference criteria, a set of both preferred and selectable target terms is determined, and at least one both more preferred also selectable target term in the output is visually highlighted over non-preferred target terms from the plurality of selectable target terms. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the output of the variety of selectable destination terms in form a list and that highlighting the at least one both preferred and selectable The purpose of the goal is that this is within one in an edge position the list is arranged arranged list. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that that the entire list is ordered according to the preference criteria. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the output of the variety of selectable destination terms in form multiple lists and that the highlighting of at least a preferred as well as selectable goal concept therein is that this is issued in a separate list. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that the optical output of the plurality of selectable destination terms a List or sub-list which are not exclusively highlighted Contains target terms and which criteria differ from the preference criteria is ordered. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized that the variety of selectable Target terms in a preselection according to preselection criteria compared to one even greater variety from basically selectable destination terms is limited. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that the preselection criteria are at least partially alphanumeric Criteria are. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized that the preference criteria at least partially the use of the Affect target terms in the past. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized that the preference criteria are at least partially geographical and / or geography related criteria. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the navigation system is associated with a motor vehicle.