Navigation device and method for the geographic output of navigation instructions

Abstract

A system and method for determining and displaying a navigation route on a navigation device from one vehicle position to a travel destination. The navigation device can include processor with RAM, a mass storage device for holding a database with geographic data, as well as a display. Embodiments of the invention can provide a high level of correlation between the actual situation on the road as seen by the user and the corresponding navigation maneuver displayed on the screen. The graphic output of navigation devices for complex intersections can also be improved regardless of whether the navigation device is a high-performance or very simple device.

1 . A navigation device comprising:
 a memory including a plurality of static individual graphic elements, the elements including a first set corresponding to road geometry and a second set corresponding to road signs;   a display; and   a processor coupled with the memory and the display, the processor operable to:
 determine that the device is approaching an upcoming intersection; 
 generate a static perspective view of the upcoming intersection by modularly selecting and assembling elements from the sets of individual graphic elements; and 
 control the display to visually present the static perspective view. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the static individual graphic elements include a third set corresponding to directional arrows, wherein the processor assembles the elements such that the selected directional arrows indicate an intended path through the upcoming intersection. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the static individual graphic elements include a fourth set corresponding to building silhouettes. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the static individual graphic elements include a fifth set corresponding to bridges. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes textual sign information, wherein the processor is operable to overlay the textual sign information on the selected road sign elements to generate the static perspective view. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the individual graphic elements include photographs. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory includes a table correlating a plurality of intersections to the individual graphic elements, wherein the processor accesses the table to select and assemble elements from the sets of individual graphic elements. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor determines that the device is approaching an upcoming intersection based upon a current geographic location of the device. 
     
     
         9 . A navigation device comprising:
 a memory including:
 a plurality of static individual graphic elements, the elements including a first set corresponding to road geometry, a second set corresponding to road signs, and a third set corresponding to directional arrows; and 
 a table correlating a plurality of intersections to the individual graphic elements; 
   a display; and   a processor coupled with the memory and the display, the processor operable to:
 calculate a route to a destination; 
 determine that the device is approaching one of the plurality of intersections; 
 generate a static perspective view of the approaching intersection by referencing the table and modularly selecting and assembling elements from the sets of individual graphic elements, wherein the processor assembles the elements such that the selected directional arrows indicate the route through the approaching intersection; and 
 control the display to visually present the static perspective view. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the static individual graphic elements include a fourth set corresponding to building silhouettes. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the static individual graphic elements include a fifth set corresponding to bridges. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the memory further includes textual sign information, wherein the processor is operable to overlay the textual sign information on the selected road sign elements to generate the static perspective view. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the individual graphic elements include photographs. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the processor determines that the device is approaching an upcoming intersection based upon a current geographic location of the device.