A personal gps navigation device

Abstract

A personal GPS navigation device capable of simultaneously displaying a map, an indication of the current position of the device on the map and a GPS signal strength indicator. The device differs from the prior art in displaying a GPS signal strength indicator at the same time as the navigation map and hence does not require a user to leave the navigation mode to call up a separate GPS information screen in order to see the GPS signal strength. The GPS navigation device of this invention is further capable of displaying icons indication Points of Interest, whose display may be prioritised by type or by density of occurrence. The GPS of this invention is further able to calculate a speed of the device and use that speed to change the zoom of the map. The device is also able to change map zoom as the device approaches route situations requiring complex decisions.

1 . A personal GPS navigation device programmed to display, at the same time, each of the following: 
 (a) a map;    (b) an indication of the current position of the device on the map; and    (c) a GPS signal indicator; wherein the GPS signal indicator comprises at least two bars, each of which is potentially visible, and wherein the number of bars made visible depends on the position fix accuracy reached and not merely the number of satellites locked onto.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  in which progressively more bars are visible as the received GPS signal increases beyond predefined requirements.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  in which two bars are visible if the received GPS signal is good enough for the device to obtain a 2D fix, but not a 3D fix.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  in which three bars are visible if the received GPS signal is good enough for the device to obtain the 3D fix.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  in which the device is further programmed to display, at the same time as the map, a navigation bar comprising the GPS signal indicator and at least one element chosen from the group of elements consisting of a name of a route that the device is located on, a direction of travel required at a next junction, a speed of the device, a distance to a next junction to a new route and a distance to a destination.  
   
   
       7 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . Computer software for a portable computing device, the software enabling the device to display, at the same time, each of the following: 
 (a) a map;    (b) an indication of the current position of the device on the map; and 
 (c) a GPS signal indicator comprising at least two bars, each of which is potentially visible, wherein the number of bars made visible by the software depends on the position fix accuracy reached and not merely the number of satellites locked onto.  
   
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . The software of  claim 20  which enables progressively more bars to become visible as the received GPS signal increases beyond predefined requirements.  
   
   
       23 . The software of  claim 20  which enables a single bar to be visible if the received GPS signal exceeds the second predefined requirement, and the received GPS signal is not good enough for the device to obtain a position fix.  
   
   
       24 . The software of  claim 23  which enables two bars to be visible if the received GPS signal is good enough for the device to obtain a 2D fix, but not a 3D fix.  
   
   
       25 . The software of  claim 24  which enables three bars to be visible if the received GPS signal is good enough for the device to obtain the 3D fix.  
   
   
       26 . The software of  claim 20  which enables the device to display, at the same time as the map, a navigation bar comprising the GPS signal indicator and an element chosen from the group of elements consisting of a name of a route that the device is located on, a direction of travel required at a next junction, a speed of the device, a distance to a next junction to a new route and a distance to a destination.  
   
   
       27 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 1  in which a single bar is visible if the received GPS signal exceeds the second predefined requirement, but the received GPS signal is not good enough for the device to obtain a position fix.