Navigation system and methods for generating enhanced search results

Abstract

A navigation system and various methods of using the system are described herein. Search query results are refined by the system and are prioritized based at least in part upon sub-search categories selected during the searching process. Sub-searches can be represented by graphical icons displayed on the user interface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A navigation system comprising:
 a graphical user interface configured for receiving input and displaying content; and   a processor for executing a search engine to provide search query results, the processor configured to:
 receive, via the graphical user interface, an input for a final destination, 
 generate a route from a present location to the final destination, 
 initiate a search query, 
 identify, from a database, at least one intermediary point of interest (POI) based at least in part upon the search query, 
 cause the graphical user interface to display the at least one intermediary POI, 
 receive, via the graphical user interface, a selection of an intermediary POI of the at least one intermediary POI, 
 generate an intermediary route to a location of the intermediary POI, and 
 recalculate the route to the final destination based on the location of the intermediary POI. 
   
     
     
         2 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor initiates the search query based on the final destination. 
     
     
         3 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intermediary point of interest (POI) is located proximal or distal to the route to the final destination. 
     
     
         4 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intermediary POI comprises a plurality of intermediary POIs, and wherein to cause the graphical user interface to display the at least one intermediary POI comprises:
 prioritize the plurality of intermediary POIs, and   cause the graphical user interface to display the plurality of intermediary POIs that were prioritized.   
     
     
         5 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor identifies the at least one intermediary point of interest (POI) further based on at least one of: a frequency of visits, a day of week, a time of day, historical travel related information, or contextual travel related information. 
     
     
         6 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein to recalculate the route to the final destination, the processor is configured to:
 recalculate the route to the final destination further based on at least one of: traffic information, road construction, a set of preferred routes, or alternative roadway information.   
     
     
         7 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 alter the route to the final destination based on a selected alternative method of transportation.   
     
     
         8 . The navigation system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 identify a list of results based on the search query, and   cause the graphical user interface to display the list of results.   
     
     
         9 . The navigation system of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 identify a set of sub-search categories associated with the list of results,   cause the graphical user interface to display a set of sub-search icons corresponding to the set of sub-search categories, and   receive, via the graphical user interface, a selection of one of the set of sub-search icons.   
     
     
         10 . The navigation system according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 refine the list of results according to the selection of the one of the set of sub-search icons, and   cause the graphical user interface to display the list of results that was refined.   
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for generating navigation information, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a processor via a graphical user interface, an input for a final destination;   generating, by the processor, a route from a present location to the final destination;   initiating, by the processor, a search query using a search engine;   identifying, from a database, at least one intermediary point of interest (POI) based at least in part upon the search query;   displaying, in the graphical user interface, the at least one intermediary POI;   receiving, via the graphical user interface, a selection of an intermediary POI of the at least one intermediary POI;   generating, by the processor, an intermediary route to a location of the intermediary POI; and   recalculating, by the processor, the route to the final destination based on the location of the intermediary POI.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein initiating the search query comprises:
 initiating the search query based on the final destination.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one intermediary point of interest (POI) is located proximal or distal to the route to the final destination. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one intermediary POI comprises a plurality of intermediary POIs, and wherein displaying, in the graphical user interface, the at least intermediary POI comprises:
 prioritizing, by the processor, the plurality of intermediary POIs; and   displaying, in the graphical user interface, the plurality of intermediary POIs that were prioritized.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein identifying the at least one intermediary point of interest (POI) comprises:
 identifying the at least one intermediary POI further based on at least one of: a frequency of visits, a day of week, a time of day, historical travel related information, or contextual travel related information.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein recalculating the route to the final destination comprises:
 recalculating the route to the final destination further based on at least one of: traffic information, road construction, a set of preferred routes, or alternative roadway information.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 altering the route to the final destination based on a selected alternative method of transportation.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 identifying a list of results based on the search query; and   displaying, in the graphical user interface, the list of results.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 identifying a set of sub-search categories associated with the list of results;   displaying, in the graphical user interface, a set of sub-search icons corresponding to the set of sub-search categories; and   receiving, via the graphical user interface, a selection of one of the set of sub-search icons.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 19 , further comprising;
 refining the list of results according to the selection of the one of the set of sub-search icons; and   displaying, in the graphical user interface, the list of results that was refined.