Method of operating a navigation system using images
View Patent ↗A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight includes a symbol indicating at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.
1. A method of operating a navigation system comprising:
determining a route between an origin and a destination;
providing a photographic image showing a geographic area through which said route passes, wherein said photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint; and
overlaying, using a processor, a route highlight on said photographic image identifying a path corresponding to the route, wherein the route highlight includes a symbol graphically representing on the photographic image at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing a label on said photographic image.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said photographic image is associated with road segment data in the geographic database.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said photographic image is associated with location information in the geographic database.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said route highlight comprises a series of icons extending along the path containing the symbol indicating the feature of the route.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said photographic image provides an angle of view greater than 180 degrees.
7. The method of claim 1 further including:
determining an alternative route from the origin to the destination; and
providing an alternate route highlight on said photographic image identifying a path corresponding to the alternative route, wherein the alternate route highlight includes a different symbol.
8. A navigation system comprising:
a processor;
a display; and
a guidance application executable on said processor to obtain a photographic image and to overlay a route highlight on said photographic image, wherein said photographic image provides a land-based view, wherein the route highlight graphically illustrates a path corresponding to the route and a direction of travel for the route and includes a symbol graphically depicting a feature of the route or the destination.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said guidance application displays said photographic image with said route highlight on the display of the navigation system.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein said guidance application places a text label on said photographic image to identify a point of interest visible is the photographic image.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the feature of the route is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.
12. The system of claim 8 wherein the feature of the destination is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible entrance, toilets available and refreshments available.
13. The system of claim 8 wherein the photographic image includes a label.
14. The system of claim 8 wherein the photographic image includes an advertisement.
15. The system of claim 8 wherein said photographic image provides an angle of view greater than 180 degrees.
16. A method of operating a navigation system comprising:
determining, using a processor, a route between an origin and a destination;
providing, using the processor, a photographic image showing a geographic area through which said route passes, wherein said photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint; and
overlaying, using the processor, a route highlight on said photographic image identifying the route, wherein the route highlight includes a symbol providing visual information representing at least one feature of the route or the destination.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the feature is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the feature is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible entrance, refreshments available and toilets available.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
providing a label on said photographic image.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein the photographic image includes advertising.