Method for inputting local names

State of the art

p0001The invention is based on a method for the input of place names according to the genre of the main claim. Input methods for place names are already known, in particular for the input of navigation inputs for navigation devices in motor vehicles. The place names are, for example, entered into the navigation device via a keyboard or a speech recognition, or selected from a list displayed in a display. Sometimes, there are place names that can not be clearly assigned to a location because several of the stored places have the same name. In this case, an ambiguity resolution must be connected to a first input by the user. It is known, for example, to output further text information to the individual locations on an additional screen page and, for example,<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE10012441"><text>DE 10012441</text></patcit>. A user who only knows the geographical location of the place, but not the assignment to a county, may choose the wrong location based on this purely text-based selection so that a subsequent route calculation can not be carried out appropriately. Just as difficult as assigning a city to a district is for a local public in general the assignment of a street to a geographical position by the designation of a district. In particular, in the case where streets of the same name are located separately in different parts of the city in the same city, or that the streets of a city pass through several districts, a non-local user has difficulties in making the right choice for him.

Advantages of the invention

p0002The method according to the invention with the features of the adjoining claims and the navigation device according to the invention have the advantage that, in the event that a location can not be unambiguously assigned to an inputted location name, an ambiguous resolution takes place by displaying pictorial information to an observer A selection of the actual desired destination. For this purpose, different graphics are displayed which each characterize the assigned location and through which a user can make a simple distinction between the different locations of the same name. Due to the ease with which a graphic can be acquired, the selection between places of the same name can be both accelerated and safer,

p0003Advantageous further developments and improvements of the method indicated in the main claim are possible by means of the measures listed in the cross-section claims.

p0004It is also particularly advantageous to assign different graphics in the form of symbols, photographs and / or photorealistic representations to a location for identifying the different locations.

p0005In particular, it is advantageous that a display is made for selection by displaying the positions of the locations in a map display for selection by the user. The user is thus at least informed about the approximate geographic location of the various locations with the same name. The graphical representation in the map is more easily recognizable than a purely text-based output. The user can now make a selection between the various locations shown with the same name, and thereby orient themselves to the geographic location of the location.

p0006It is particularly advantageous to display further information, in particular after calling by a user, in the map display to the position of the respective location or to display it in the map display, eg the county, the postal code or the state of the locality. If a user is not yet certain about the geographic location, he or she can rely on this additional information to ensure that he actually chooses the location he wants.

p0007It is also advantageous to select the scale of the map representation so that the at least two locations with the same place names are simultaneously displayed together in a map in the map display. This allows the user, without having to select another screen or map, to compare the geographic location of the at least two locations and to make his decision between the different locations. In this case, it is particularly advantageous to automatically select the scale so that the smallest available scale, that is to say the largest possible map representation, is selected so that the display is utilized as optimally as possible and the user thus obtains as detailed information as possible about the position of the various locations.

p0008Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, it is advantageous to provide for each locality a specific, assigned map representation, in which the location is marked. This allows list selection between the individual place names. This does not require a special text entry, which points to the place name to be selected in the map. The card is thereby preferably designed as an overview card, which enables a rapid decision by the user.

p0009Furthermore, it is advantageous to offer a further partial selection between individual locations once again assigned to this location after the selection of a location. In this case, it is possible to select city districts, streets, or even functionally ordered facilities, eg restaurants, hotels or petrol stations.

drawing

p0010Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. Show it<ul><li><figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> A navigation device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> An exemplary embodiment for a method according to the invention.</li></ul>The <figref idrefs="f0003">3 and 4</figref> Show further exemplary embodiments for a screen display of a navigation device according to the invention.

Description of the exemplary embodiment

p0011The method according to the invention for the input of location names can be used for any applications, in particular computer-assisted applications. For example, a method for selecting a destination for booking a ticket or a selection of a location for determining a telephone number is possible. In particular, the method according to the invention is advantageously applicable to the target selection for a navigation method for route calculation in a road network. In particular, the implementation of the method in a navigation device in a motor vehicle is advantageous, since an input is to be made quickly and clearly in the vehicle, while only limited input and display means are available. Furthermore, in particular for route planning programs, not only the input of a destination, But also the input of a starting point can be performed in the manner according to the invention. The method according to the invention is explained below with reference to the example of a navigation device integrated into a motor vehicle. A place name is to be understood as the name of a town, a village or a village. However, under a place name, a general geographical or administrative term may be understood. Thus, a place name can also be related to points of interest and / or special facilities, such as company seats or offices, on local or urban parts, on roads, on special terrain forms such as mountains or passports. The method according to the invention is explained below with reference to the example of a navigation device integrated into a motor vehicle. A place name is to be understood as the name of a town, a village or a village. However, under a place name, a general geographical or administrative term may be understood. Thus, a place name can also be related to points of interest and / or special facilities, such as company seats or offices, on local or urban parts, on roads, on special terrain forms such as mountains or passports. The method according to the invention is explained below with reference to the example of a navigation device integrated into a motor vehicle. A place name is to be understood as the name of a town, a village or a village. However, under a place name, a general geographical or administrative term may be understood. Thus, a place name can also be related to points of interest and / or special facilities, such as company seats or offices, on local or urban parts, on roads, on special terrain forms such as mountains or passports.

p0012In the <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> A navigation device 1 is shown with a display unit 2 and a control unit 3, to which the display unit 2 is connected. The control unit 3 also has a computing unit 4 which is used for controlling the display unit 2, route calculation and user input. The control unit 3 also has a positioning device 5 which makes a radio contact with a satellite of a satellite positioning system via a corresponding antenna and determines the position of the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is arranged. The control unit 3 is also connected to a control unit 6, on which push buttons 7 and / or a rotary control 8 are arranged, and via which the control unit 3 is operated by a user. Furthermore, push buttons 9 can also be arranged next to a display surface 10 on the display unit 2. In a further exemplary embodiment, the display area 10 can also be designed as a touch-sensitive display in which functions shown in the display can be selected by corresponding touching of the display area. It is also possible to provide other suitable control elements. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the control unit 3 is connected to a microphone 11, which is used for voice control of the control unit 3. Via a loudspeaker 12, acoustic information can be output to a driver, in particular driving instructions, for example, indications of a bending to be made. On a data carrier 13, which is inserted in an associated data carrier drive 14, A digital map is stored with a road network. Furthermore, place names and the geographical positions of the respective places assigned to the place name are stored on the data carrier 13. Local names are, for example, city names, names of districts or street names.

p0013The control unit 3 can access the data carrier 13 via the data carrier drive 14 and transmit required information for further processing by the computing unit 4 to the control unit 3. Furthermore, the control unit 3 can be connected to a data center 17 via a radio interface 15 by means of a radio connection 16, in particular a mobile radio connection. In the data center 17, card data and / or location data as well as additional information can be stored, which can be transmitted to the control unit 3 via the radio link 16. In a further exemplary embodiment, route calculation can also take place in the data center 17.

p0014A driving destination is input into the control unit 3 via the operating unit 6, the pushbutton 9, the display area 10 and / or the microphone 11. The computing unit 4 calculates a travel route from the current position of the vehicle, determined via the locating unit 5, to the input destination by recourse to the stored digital map, which is stored, for example, on the data carrier 13.

p0015A method according to the invention for route destination input is described in <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> Respectively. After switching on the navigation device 1, a driver is prompted to enter a driving destination via a suitable output of the navigation device 1. The call can be made via the display area 10 and / or - particularly during the journey - via an acoustic indication via the loudspeaker 12. Subsequently, a destination is entered into the navigation device 1 in a location name entry section 20. This can be done, for example, by means of the voice input via the microphone 11 or via a selection of a sequence of letters via the push buttons 7 or in conjunction with a corresponding letter display and character selection in the display surface 10 via the rotary knob 8. If the location-name input section 20 is terminated, a branch is made to a first test step 21, in which it is checked, Whether the location naming is unambiguous. If it is determined that no location name matching the input exists on the data carrier 13 serving as a storage unit, the user is pointed out and it is branched back to the location name input section 20. If it is determined that exactly one assigned locality name exists, then a second check step 22 is branched further, in which it is checked whether there are sub-locations which are to be specifically selected by a user, eg individual districts, sights, restaurants, Hotels or certain streets. If the location is uniquely determined by the previous location name input, then a branching step 23 is branched, In which the entered location name is set as the destination and the route is calculated from the current vehicle position to the now determined destination. If it is determined that the location has not yet been unambiguously defined, a branch selection 24 is branched, in which the driver is requested to select a partial location. The selection of a sub-location can be made according to the method of selecting the main town. Furthermore, a list selection can be offered directly to the user for the selection of the partial location. If it is determined in the first test step 21 that the assignment of the name is not unique, a first display step 25 is branched. In this case, for example, a display is displayed in the display area 10 as shown in FIG That the location is not yet determined unambiguously, branches to a sub-selection 24, in which the driver is requested to select a sub-location. The selection of a sub-location can be made according to the method of selecting the main town. Furthermore, a list selection can be offered directly to the user for the selection of the partial location. If it is determined in the first test step 21 that the assignment of the name is not unique, a first display step 25 is branched. In this case, for example, a display is shown in the display area 10 as shown in FIG That the location is not yet determined unambiguously, branches to a sub-selection 24, in which the driver is requested to select a sub-location. The selection of a sub-location can be made according to the method of selecting the main town. Furthermore, a list selection can be offered directly to the user for the selection of the partial location. If it is determined in the first test step 21 that the assignment of the name is not unique, a first display step 25 is branched. In this case, for example, a display is displayed in the display area 10 as shown in FIG Furthermore, a list selection can be offered directly to the user for the selection of the partial location. If it is determined in the first test step 21 that the assignment of the name is not unique, a first display step 25 is branched. In this case, for example, a display is displayed in the display area 10 as shown in FIG Furthermore, a list selection can be offered directly to the user for the selection of the partial location. If it is determined in the first test step 21 that the assignment of the name is not unique, a first display step 25 is branched. In this case, for example, a display is displayed in the display area 10 as shown in FIG<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Is shown.

p0016In the display area 10 according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> A map representation 18 is shown, in which the course of various roads 19 is plotted graphically in the map representation. In addition, a first highlight location 31 and a second highlight location 32 are indicated by a corresponding marker in the map display 18 at the respective position of the respective location 30, 30 ', 30 "located on the streets 19. On the other hand, The markers, which are, for example, designed as stars or as circles, differ from the characters or symbols used for the representation of locations in the display area 10. The highlighted locations 31, 32 denote the positions of locations with one Same name previously entered by the user Both locations 31, 32 are displayed in the map display 18 without further input by the user. In the first display step 25, a corresponding scale of the map display 18 is selected as a function of the distance between the two locations. The scale is thereby selected in such a way that the display surface 10 is utilized as optimally as possible so that the highest possible resolution of the carding representation 18 is achieved and as a result both locations can be represented simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, at the first highlighted location 31, an additional text 34, shown in FIG That the display surface 10 is utilized as optimally as possible, so that the highest possible resolution of the carding representation 18 is achieved, and as a result both locations can be represented at the same time. In a preferred embodiment, at the first highlighted location 31, an additional text 34, shown in FIG That the display surface 10 is utilized as optimally as possible, so that the highest possible resolution of the carding representation 18 is achieved and as a result both locations can be represented simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, at the first highlighted location 31, an additional text 34, shown in FIG<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Shown schematically, to the position of the first highlighted location 31 in a frame 33. The additional text 34 informs, for example, about the postal code or the county of the first highlighted location 31. The additional text is also stored on the data carrier 13 assigned to the individual locations. The marking of the first highlighted location 31 is also surrounded by a selection frame 35. By means of a corresponding selection, preferably by means of one of the push buttons 7, the already preset and selected selection frame 35 can be confirmed and the place name of the first highlighted location 31 can be entered as a new destination. Preferably, the selection frame 35 can be changed to the second highlighted location 32 via the rotary control 8. In one in the<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Not shown, a selection marker, a so-called cursor, can also be moved freely between different highlighted locations by means of input elements. In a further exemplary embodiment, the location name and a respective additional information can be displayed in further windows 36 together with a respectively assigned selection mark 35 '. The additional texts 34, 34 'can also be displayed in the windows 36. In a preferred embodiment, the windows 36 are associated with individual push buttons 9 on the display unit 2, so that an actuation of the respectively assigned pushbutton 9 can initially be selected and, when actuated again, an input of the selected location as a travel destination can also take place.

p0017In general, the entry of a destination will begin with entering a city name. The place name "Munich" is given as an example. If the city name "München" is entered, the cities "Munich" are displayed in the map Amberg-Sulzbach, Elbe-Elster, Munich-City, Munich-Land, Passau-Land and Weimarer Land. When selecting one of the markers in the card, the respective circle name is indicated. Furthermore, the input method according to the invention can also be used, for example, if several streets have a same name or a similar name in a city, eg XY street and XY street.

p0018In a further embodiment, the input method according to the invention can also be used if a complete locality name but rather only a locality part name is not entered, and on the basis of the previous input no unique assignment of the partially entered local name to a stored locality name can take place. In a preferred embodiment, a display of the position in the card is performed only if the number of locations to be displayed does not exceed a predetermined number, for example if it is less than eight. This avoids an over-simplest display of the display.

p0019The first display step 25 is followed by a third test step 26, in which it is queried which of the selected locations is to be entered as the destination destination. In a preferred embodiment, a location can first be selected, this selection can still be changed. A selected location is then confirmed. If the actuation is carried out, the second test step 22 is further branched. If additional information is requested, for example via an actuation of the operating unit 6, the desired additional information is displayed in a second display step 27, at least to the selected location. Furthermore, it can also be specified via the operating unit 6 that none of the displayed locations is desired by the user. In this case, branching back to the location name input section 20,

p0020In the <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> A further exemplary embodiment for a display representation is shown in the display area 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the driver enters the locality "Neuhof" as a destination in the navigation device. As a result, it receives a display rendering with all places of the same name. In the display view 40, a selection of the location name "Neuhof" is shown. Here, four different places with the name "Neuhof" are offered for selection. A line 41, 42, 43 and 44 in the display display 40 is assigned to each location. In a first column 45, card representations 46 of Germany are entered here. In the exemplary embodiment selected here, country boundaries of the Federal States are entered into the map of Germany for the purpose of better distinguishability of the individual locations. Instead of the outline map of the Federal Republic of Germany shown here, the outline of a district of a state or other administrative organization can also be shown. If the list contains, for example, the names of districts or streets in different districts, the graphics shown for the names show, for example, the outlines of the city or the respective district. Correspondingly, house numbers can also be appropriately marked in a street graphic. The respective graphics depicted for the names show, for example, the outlines of the city or the respective district. Correspondingly, house numbers can also be appropriately marked in a street graphic. The respective graphics depicted for the names show, for example, the outlines of the city or the respective district. Correspondingly, house numbers can also be appropriately marked in a street graphic.

p0021A circle 47 marks an area in which the respective assigned location is located, the place names being respectively entered in a second column 48 adjacent to the respectively associated map representations 41, 42, 43, 44. The location preferably lies in the center of the respective circle. Instead of a circle 47, cross markings or similar entries can also be noted in the card 46. For reasons of clarity of the drawing, only one card and one circle are provided with a reference symbol. In the column 48, the locality name is registered according to a preferred embodiment with a copy supplement with regard to its regional affiliation: "Neuhof an der Zenn", "Neuhof bei Hagnow", "Neuhof bei Hildesheim" and "Neuhofkreis Fulda". In another,

p0022Furthermore, arrows 49, 49 'are shown in the display area for selecting other locations with the name "Neuhof" or for selecting further functions of the navigation device. The selection of a location as a destination is preferably effected via a selection by means of the operating unit 6, whereby a selection mark is shifted to one of the indicated locations via the rotary control 8 and the selected location is confirmed by one of the push buttons 7 or via a pressure function of the rotary knob 8.

p0023The map representations, which are displayed together with the different destinations in the display area 40, can be quite small, so that, in particular, only slight differences in position due to the limited resolution are no longer recognizable. For this purpose, it is preferably provided that a user can, upon request, display an enlargement of the respective carding representation according to the requirement via the operating unit 6. Such a display can, for example, be caused by the fact that the respective card display is selected with a display frame or a display mark in the display area 40. The enlarged map shows then at least temporarily, and at least partially, the other, smaller map representations.

p0024In another exemplary embodiment, which is not shown in the drawing, the driver selects the "Hildesheimer Straße" in Hanover as the target. As a result, he gets a list of three districts through which this road leads. Although these parts of the city are known to him by name, he does not know where they are located within Hanover. He knows, however, that his desired destination must be located south of the city center. Using the overview maps, he can find the desired district. In another example, the "mountain road", which occurs in several places in the town of Wetzlar, is shown in a first embodiment in the corresponding locations in the city map.<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> Offered.

p0025In addition, in another embodiment, instead of or in addition, other graphics can also be used for differentiating the different locations of the same name. One possibility for this is, for example, to display images of the city or city districts, which, for example, show distinctive features, next to the respective place name. Symbolic representation of a building, a tower, a lake, a waterway, a park or a well can also be used here, for example, symbolic, abstract representations. In addition, Stadtwappen can also be displayed. In the<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> A display area 50 is shown for this purpose in which various places with the name "Weiler" are offered for selection. In a text column 54, a supplementary text is given in each case in each case for each location "hamlet" in a preferred embodiment. Furthermore, corresponding graphics 51, 52, 53 are given to each location. The graphics can be displayed as graphical, symbolic representations or as photographic or at least photorealistic representations in the display area 50.

p0026In the first line to the first place with the Stadtwappen 51 of the place Weiler is indicated on the height a Stadtwappen, that at least a knowledgeable user allows the identification of the place. To the second place, the second line shows a picture 52 of a place of interest, here a ruin, which is intended to ensure the recognizability. In the third line, a symbol 53, here for regional craftsmanship, is shown here in the form of a clay jug, which is intended to point to a corresponding local, known product. On the basis of the displayed symbols, a user can now make a selection between the different homonymous places with the name "Weiler".