TW201224495A

TW201224495A - Methods and systems for formatting maps

Info

Publication number: TW201224495A
Application number: TW99144098A
Authority: TW
Inventors: Breght Boschker; Hulten Peter Van; Der Molen Henk Van
Original assignee: Tomtom Int Bv
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2012-06-16

Abstract

A method of formatting a digital map comprises sub dividing a geographic region represented by the digital map into a plurality of sub regions. Each sub region is assigned one of a set consisting of four different colours in such a manner that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same colour. A set of codes is allocated to each sub region, wherein the sets of codes are allocated to the sub regions in such a manner that there is no overlap between the sets of codes allocated to sub regions assigned different colours.

Description

201224495 六、發明說明：【發明所屬之技術領域】所請求之本發明係關於用以格式化一數位地圖之方法及系統。本文亦闡述獲得定位資訊（且特定而言（但非排他性地）用於位置之位置資訊）之方法。至少在一些態樣中，在包括一導航設備之一系統令實施本發明之方法及系統。然而’在更廣態樣中’本發明之該等方法及系統可適用於包括具有定位或地理定位能力之其他設備之系統及方法。說明性實施例係關於利用可攜式導航裝置（所謂的pND)(更特定而言包括全球定位系統（GPS)信號接收及處理功能性之 PND)之方法及系統，且係關於此等裝置及控制此等裝置之方法。本文所闡述之方法及系統亦適用於使用形成一整合式導航系統（例如，一車載導航系統）之一部分之一導航設備之系統及方法，且係關於此等設備及控制此等設備之方法。【先前技術】在較佳實施例中，本發明係關於使用一導航設備獲得用於位置之資訊之方法或系統，及操作一導航設備之方法。該設備可係上文所論述且下文更詳細論述之任一適宜形式》該設備之一個說明性實施例係一可攜式導航裝置。包括GPS(全球定位系統）信號接收及處理功能性之可攜式導航裝置（PND)已廣為人知且廣泛地料汽車内或其導航系統。概言之，一現代PND包含-處理器、記憶體（揮發性及 152599.doc 201224495 非揮發性中之至少一者，日 a 者且通*包含兩者）及儲存於該記〜體内之地圖貝料。該處理器與記憶體協同運作以提供其中可建立-軟體作㈣狀—執行環境且另外提供一個或多個額外軟體程式來達成對PND功能性之控制及提供各種其他功能頗為平常。通常’此等裝置進-步包含允許—使用者與該裝置互動及控制該裝置之一個或多個輸入介面，及可藉以將資訊中繼至該使用者之—個或多個輸出介面。輸出介面之說明性實例包括-視覺顯示器及用於聲訊輸出之一揚聲器。輸入介面之說明性實例包括一個或多個實體按鈕，其用以控制裝置之開/關操作或其他特徵（該等按鈕不必一定位於裝置本身上’但若該裝置係設立至_車輛中則其可位於一方向盤上）；及一麥克風，其用於偵測使用者話音。在一特別較佳配置中，可將輸出介面顯示器組態為一觸敏式顯示器（藉助一觸敏式覆疊層或以其他方式）以另外提供一使用者可藉以藉由觸摸來操作該裝置之一輸入介面。此類型之裝置通常亦將包括一個或多個實體連接器介面，可藉以將電力信號及（視情況地）資料信號發射至該裝置及自該裝置接收電力信號及（視情況地）資料信號；及（視情況地）一個或多個無線發射器/接收器，以允許通過蜂巢式電信及其他信號及資料網路（例如Wi-Fi、Wi-Max、GSM 及諸如此類）之通信。此類型之PND裝置亦包括一GPS天線，可藉以接收包括定位資料之衛星廣播信號且隨後處理該信號以判定該裝置 152599.doc 201224495 之一當前位置。該咖裝置亦可包括產生信號之電子陀螺儀及加速器，該等信號可經處理以判定當前角加速度及線性加速度且反過來又結合自GPSk號導出之定位資訊來判定速度及該裝置之相對位移及因此其上安裝該裝置之車輛之相對位移。通常此等特徵最為普遍地提供於車載導航“中，但亦可在作為權宜之計之情形下提供於PND裝置中。此等P N D之效用主要表現在其判定一第一位置（通常係一開始或當前位置）與-第二位置（通常係一目的地）之間的一路線之能力上。此等位置可由職置之-使用者藉由各種不同方法中之任-者輸人，例如藉由郵政編碼、街道名稱及門牌號碼、先前儲存之「眾所周知」之目的地（諸如知名位置、市立設施位置（諸如運動場或室内游泳池）或其他名勝景點）及特別受喜愛之目的地或近期參觀之目的地〇通常’ PND係由用於自地圖資料計算該開始地址位置與目的地地址位置之間的—「最佳」或「最優」路線之軟體達成。一「最佳」或「最優」路線係基於預定準則判定，且不必-线最快或最短料。沿其導引駕驶員之路線之選擇可極複雜’且選定路線可計及現存、預計及動態及/ 或無線接收之交通及道路資訊、關於行駛速度之歷史資訊及駕駛員自己對判定道路選擇之因素之個人偏好（例如該駕駛員可規定路線不應包括高速公路或收費道路）。另外，該裝置可不斷監視道路及交通條件，且因條件改201224495 VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field of the Invention] The claimed invention relates to a method and system for formatting a digital map. This article also describes ways to obtain location information (and, in particular, but not exclusively) location information for location. In at least some aspects, a method and system for implementing the present invention is included in a system including a navigation device. However, the methods and systems of the present invention may be applied to systems and methods including other devices having positioning or geolocation capabilities. The illustrative embodiments are directed to methods and systems for utilizing portable navigation devices (so-called pNDs), and more particularly, global positioning system (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality, and are related to such devices and The method of controlling such devices. The methods and systems described herein are also applicable to systems and methods for using a navigation device that forms part of an integrated navigation system (e.g., a car navigation system), and are related to such devices and methods of controlling such devices. [Prior Art] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method or system for obtaining information for a location using a navigation device, and a method of operating a navigation device. The device can be any suitable form discussed above and discussed in more detail below. One illustrative embodiment of the device is a portable navigation device. Portable navigation devices (PNDs), including GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality, are well known and widely used in automobiles or their navigation systems. In summary, a modern PND contains - processor, memory (volatile and at least one of 152599.doc 201224495 non-volatile, day a and pass * contains both) and stored in the body Map shell material. It is not uncommon for the processor to operate in conjunction with the memory to provide an environment in which it can be set up, and additionally provides one or more additional software programs to achieve control over the functionality of the PND and to provide various other functions. Typically, such devices further include - allowing the user to interact with the device and control one or more input interfaces of the device, and one or more output interfaces through which the information can be relayed to the user. Illustrative examples of output interfaces include - a visual display and one of the speakers for the audio output. Illustrative examples of input interfaces include one or more physical buttons for controlling the on/off operation or other features of the device (the buttons need not necessarily be located on the device itself) but if the device is set up in a vehicle It can be located on a steering wheel; and a microphone for detecting the user's voice. In a particularly preferred configuration, the output interface display can be configured as a touch sensitive display (by a touch sensitive overlay or otherwise) to additionally provide a user with which the device can be operated by touch One of the input interfaces. A device of this type will typically also include one or more physical connector interfaces for transmitting power signals and (optionally) data signals to and receiving power signals and (optionally) data signals from the device; And (optionally) one or more wireless transmitters/receivers to allow communication through cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks (eg, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, GSM, and the like). This type of PND device also includes a GPS antenna for receiving a satellite broadcast signal including positioning data and then processing the signal to determine a current location of the device 152599.doc 201224495. The coffee device can also include an electronic gyroscope and an accelerator that generate signals that can be processed to determine the current angular acceleration and linear acceleration and, in turn, the positioning information derived from the GPSk number to determine the velocity and the relative displacement of the device. And the relative displacement of the vehicle on which the device is mounted. Usually these features are most commonly provided in car navigation, but can also be provided in PND devices as a matter of expediency. The utility of these PNDs is mainly manifested in their determination of a first position (usually the beginning of the system) Or the current position) and the ability of a route between the second location (usually a destination). These locations can be occupied by the user - the user can lose by any of a variety of different methods, such as borrowing From postal codes, street names and house numbers, previously stored "well-known" destinations (such as well-known locations, municipal facilities locations (such as sports fields or indoor swimming pools) or other places of interest) and particularly popular destinations or recent visits Destination 〇 Usually ' PND is achieved by a software for calculating the "best" or "optimal" route between the start address location and the destination address location from the map data. A "best" or "optimal" route is based on predetermined criteria and does not have to be the fastest or shortest. The choice of route along which the driver is guided can be extremely complex' and the selected route can take into account existing and projected and dynamic and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about travel speed and the driver's own choice of road selection. Personal preferences of factors (eg, the driver may specify that the route should not include highways or toll roads). In addition, the device continuously monitors road and traffic conditions and changes conditions

S 152599.doc 201224495 變而提供或選擇改變旅程之剩餘部分欲採取之路線。正使用基於各種技術(例如’行動電話資料交換、固定相機、 GPS車隊追蹤）之即時交通監視系統來識別交通延遲且將該資訊饋送至通知系統中。此類型之卿通常可㈣於-車輛之儀錶板或擋風玻璃上仁亦可形成為車輛無線電之一板上電腦之一部分或甚形成為車輛本身之控制系統之一部分。導航裝置亦可係一手持式系統之-部分’諸如—pDA(可攜式數位助理）、-媒體播放器、一行動電話或諸如此類且在此等情形下’藉助在該裝置上安裝軟體來擴展料持式系統之正常功能性以執行枚綠管a、ii_ t-f 钱仃路綠计异及沿一經計算路線之導航兩者。亦可由運行適當軟體之-桌上型計算資源或行動計算資源來提供路線規劃及導航功能性。舉例而纟，皇家汽車俱樂部（RAC)在http://www.rae.eG.uk提供—在線路線規劃及導航設施，該設施允許一使用者鍵入一開始點及一目的地，在該使用者之PC所連接之词服器上計算一路線（其態樣可係由使用者指定）、產生-地圖且產生用於將該使用者自所選擇開始點引導至所選擇目的地之—組詳盡導航指令。該設施亦提供-經計算路線之偽三維再現及路線預覽功能性，其模擬-使用者沿該路線行進且因聽該使用者提供該經計算路線之一預覽。在-PND之情況下’-旦已計算—路線，使用者即與導航裝置互動以視情況地自一建議路線清單中選擇所期望之 -6 · 152599.doc * 201224495 經計算路線。視情況，（如）藉由札疋一特定旅程將避開或強制性要求某坻路後、、皆干一峪深道路、位置或準則，該使用者可幹預或引導該路線選擇過兹尥程。PND之路線計算態樣形成一個主要功能，且沿此一路線之導航係另一主要功能。在沿-經計算路線之導銳期間，此等PND通常提供視訊及/或聲訊指令以沿一經選擇路線引導該使用者至彼路線之盡頭（亦即，所期望夕淄望之目的地）。PND係通常在導航期間顯示_資訊，此資訊錢幕上定期更新以使得所顯示之地圖資訊表示該裝置之當前位置以及在該裝置正用於車載導航之情形下因此表示該使用者或使用者之車辅之當前位置。、、螢幕上所顯不之_圖標通常指示當前裝置位置且位於中。處其中亦正顯示當前裝置位置附近之當前及周圍道路之地圖資訊及其他地圖特徵。另外，導航資訊可視情況顯 :於所顯：之地圖資訊之上面、下面或-側之-狀態條 ^貝汛之實例包括自該使用者所需要採取之當前道 ^ y繞仃之—距離，彼繞行之性質可能由暗示特定類 7繞仃（例如-左轉或右轉）之一另外圖標表示。該導航扣、丨弋可藉以沿該路線引導該使用者之聲訊指令之内轉、戈時間及計時。如可瞭解，諸如「在1 〇〇 m處左务彳單扎令需要重大處理及分析。如前文所提及，可藉助一 fes Ate ^S 152599.doc 201224495 Change or offer to change the route to be taken for the rest of the journey. An instant traffic monitoring system based on various technologies (e.g., 'mobile phone data exchange, fixed camera, GPS fleet tracking) is being used to identify traffic delays and feed the information into the notification system. This type of clerk can usually be used as part of a vehicle's instrument panel or windshield or a part of the vehicle's own control system. The navigation device can also be part of a handheld system such as -pDA (portable digital assistant), -media player, a mobile phone or the like and in such cases - expand by installing software on the device The normal functionality of the holding system is to perform both the green tube a, the ii_tf and the navigation along the calculated route. Route planning and navigation functionality can also be provided by desktop computing resources or mobile computing resources running appropriate software. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) provides at http://www.rae.eG.uk, an online route planning and navigation facility that allows a user to type in a starting point and a destination at the user. The word server connected to the PC calculates a route (the aspect of which can be specified by the user), generates a map, and generates a group for guiding the user from the selected starting point to the selected destination. Navigation instructions. The facility also provides - a pseudo three-dimensional rendering and route preview functionality of the calculated route, the simulation - the user travels along the route and provides a preview of one of the calculated routes provided by the user. In the case of a -PND, the user has interacted with the navigation device to optionally select the desired route from a suggested route list -6 · 152599.doc * 201224495 Calculated route. Depending on the circumstances, the user may intervene or guide the route selection by, for example, a specific journey by Sapporo that will evade or mandate a certain road, after a deep road, location or criteria. Cheng. The PND route calculation form forms a major function, and the navigation along this route is another major function. During the edge-to-be-calculated route, these PNDs typically provide video and/or voice commands to direct the user to the end of the route along a selected route (i.e., the desired destination). The PND system usually displays _ information during navigation, and this information is periodically updated on the screen so that the displayed map information indicates the current location of the device and indicates that the user or user is in the case where the device is being used for car navigation. The car is supplemented by the current location. The icon displayed on the screen usually indicates the current device location and is located in the middle. Map information and other map features of the current and surrounding roads near the current device location are also displayed. In addition, the navigation information may be visually displayed: in the upper, lower or side of the map information: the status bar ^Bei's example includes the current path from the user to take the distance - distance, The nature of the bypass may be indicated by an additional icon that implies that a particular class 7 is around (eg, left or right). The navigation button and the button can be used to guide the user's voice command in the route, time and timing. As can be appreciated, such as "left at the 1 〇〇 m 彳 single squad requires significant processing and analysis. As mentioned earlier, a fes Ate ^ can be used

啁摸螢幕或者另外或另一選擇為藉助轉向柱安裝遠端控制，M 错助語音啟動或藉助任一其他適宜方法來達成使用者與該裝置之互動。 152599.doc 201224495 所提供之一另外重要功能係在以下情況下之自動 t線重算使用者在導航期間自先前所計算之路線繞行 (S卜也或有意地即時交通條件指示—替代性路線將更係權宜之計㈣裝置能_宜地自_認此等條件，或若一使用者出於任-原因主動致使該裝置執行路線重算。 «知’允許根據使㈣定義之㈣來計算—路線；舉例而吕’該使用者可偏好藉助該裝置計算一風景路線，或可希望避開很可能存在、預期存在或當前正盛行交通擁擠之任何道路。然後裝置軟體將計算各種路線且更傾向於權衡沿其路線包括最高數目之名勝景點（稱作P0I)(例如標記為美景）之彼等路線，或使用所儲存之指示特定道路上盛行交通條件之資訊來依據可能擁擠之一位準或由於該可能擁擠之延遲而安排所計算之路線。亦可能存在其他基於 POI及基於交通資訊之路線計算以及導航準則。雖然路線計算及導航功能對PND之總效用而言係基礎性的，但可僅出於資訊顯示或「自由駕歇」之目的來使用該裝置’其中僅顯示與當前裝置位置有關之地圖資訊，且其中該裝置尚未計算任一路線且當前沒有執行任何導航。此一運作模式通常可適用於使用者已知曉期望沿其行進且無需導航幫助之路線時。上文所闡述類型之裝置（例如TomTom國際Β·ν.所製造並供應之GO950 LIVE型號）提供使得使用者能夠自一個位置導航至另一位置之一可靠手段。【發明内容】 152599.doc -8 - 201224495 在一些態樣中’本發明至少關於用以獲得定位資訊之方法及系統。在較佳實施例令，使用一導航設備來實施本發明之方法及系統。然而如下文更詳細論述，可使用其他使用者可操作設備來實施該等方法及系統。一使用者通常將希望尋找一不熟悉位置或關於此一位置之資訊。儘管一導航或製圖設備在使用者有機會將用於該位置之位置詳細資料提前準確鍵入至該設備中之此等情形下有幫助’但在許多情形下該使用者可沒有機會查明該位置之位置詳細資料（例如郵政編碼、完整地址等等）並將其鍵入至該導航設備中。關於對位置之非規劃到訪此可係一特定問題，尤其係在受到一路邊廣告慫恿時。舉例而言，一使用者可注意到宣傳一位置且給出簡要指令或提供至該位置之方向之一地圖之一路邊標誌。若該使用者決定到訪該名勝之地，則其有可能不會準確回憶或甚至已恰當注意到该位置之位置詳細資料以鍵入至一導航設備中，或以使其能夠在不使用該裝置之情形下導航至該位置。在任一情形下，不期望該使用者必須記住路邊標誌上所提供之詳細位置詳細資料，此乃因此可使其在駕駛時分散注意力。此外，不期望針對m立置在路邊廣告上包括擴展的地址或方向詳細資料，此乃因此等資訊可減損對主要商標或位置名稱及出售服務之詳細資料之可見性。一使用者可替代性地試圖（例如）使用一導航或製圖設備來搜尋一位置而不是試圖回憶給予一位置 _ 心万向。舉例而言，該使用者可在一當前或指定位置附近執行對一既定種 152599.doc -9- 5 201224495 類之位置之一搜尋。然而，然後該使用者仍面臨自搜尋結果中做出對所關注位置之正確選擇，且端視所使用之搜尋準則’所期望之位置甚至可不包括於搜尋結果中。儘管已關於試圖獲得用於一位置之位置資訊闡述了問題，但在試圖識別且獲得關於一既定位置之任一類型之資訊時可發生類似的問題。本發明提供至少在較佳實施例中旨在解決此等問題之一方法及系統。根據本發明之一第一態樣，提供獲得定位資訊之一方法，其包含以下步驟；將一地理區域劃分成複數個子區域，將一區代碼指派至該複數個子區域中之每一者，針對每一子區域中之複數個位置及/或位置組中之每一者，將一各別快速撥號位置代碼指派至該位置或位置組，使每一快速撥號位置代碼與關於其所指派至的該位置或位置組之資訊相關聯，及使每一快速撥號位置代碼與包括該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的該位置或位置組之子區域之區代碼相關聯；該方法進一步包含一導航設備自一使用者接收對一快速撥號位置代碼之一指示，判定一既定子區域之該區代碼，及使用該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及該所判定之區代碼來獲得關於該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼針對該既定子區域所指派至的該位置或位置組之該資訊中之至少一些資訊。 •10· 152599.doc Ο 201224495 根據本發明之一第二態樣，提供用於獲得定位資訊之一系統，其包含；用於將一地理區域劃分成複數個子區域之構件，用於將一區代碼指派至該複數個子區域中之每一者之構件，用於針對每一子區域中之複數個位置及/或位置組中之每一者將一各別快速撥號位置代碼指派至該位置或位置組之構件，用於使每一快速撥號位置代碼與關於其所指派至的該位置或位置組之資訊相關聯之構件，及用於使每一快速撥號位置代碼與包括該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的該位置或位置組之該子區域之該區代碼相關聯之構件，其中該系統包含一導航設備，該導航設備包括經配置以在使用中執行以下操作之一個或多個處理器；自一使用者接收對一快速撥號位置代碼之一指示，判定 -既&子d域之區代碼’錢用該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及該所判^之區代碼來獲得關於該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼針對既定子區域所指派至的該位置或位置組之該資訊之至少一些資訊。根據該第：態樣，本發明可包括相對於本發明之該第一態樣所闡述之任何或全部特徵。因此，若未明確陳述，則 :系統及/或導航設備可包含用於實施所闡述之方法步驟 ^者之構彳’且胃方法及該導航設備之操作方法可Touching the screen or alternatively or alternatively is to install remote control via the steering column, M to assist with voice activation or by any other suitable method to achieve user interaction with the device. 152599.doc 201224495 One of the other important functions provided is the automatic t-line recalculation of the user's route from the previously calculated route during the navigation (Sb or intentional immediate traffic condition indication - alternative route) It will be more expedient (4) that the device can _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - route; for example, the user may prefer to calculate a scenic route by means of the device, or may wish to avoid any road that is likely to exist, is expected to exist or is currently prevailing in traffic congestion. Then the device software will calculate various routes and more It tends to weigh the routes along its route including the highest number of scenic spots (called P0I) (for example, marked as beautiful), or use the stored information indicating the prevailing traffic conditions on a particular road to be based on one of the possible crowds. Or arrange the calculated route due to the delay of possible congestion. There may also be other POI-based and traffic-based route calculations and navigation. Although the route calculation and navigation functions are fundamental to the total utility of the PND, the device may be used only for the purpose of information display or "free driving" where only the map related to the current device location is displayed. Information, and where the device has not yet calculated any route and currently does not perform any navigation. This mode of operation is generally applicable when the user has known a route along which it is desired to travel without navigation assistance. For example, the GO950 LIVE model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International Co., Ltd. provides a reliable means of enabling a user to navigate from one location to another. [Abstract] 152599.doc -8 - 201224495 In some aspects The invention resides at least in a method and system for obtaining positioning information. In a preferred embodiment, a navigation device is used to implement the method and system of the present invention. However, as discussed in more detail below, other user operable devices may be used. To implement such methods and systems. A user will typically wish to find an unfamiliar location or about this location. Although a navigation or graphics device is helpful in situations where the user has the opportunity to accurately enter the location details for that location into the device in advance, 'in many cases the user may not have the opportunity to pinpoint Location details for the location (eg zip code, full address, etc.) and type it into the navigation device. The unplanned visit to the location can be a specific issue, especially when it is subject to a roadside advertisement. For example, a user may notice a roadside sign that promotes a location and gives a brief instruction or one of the directions provided to the location. If the user decides to visit the place of the attraction, it is possible The location details of the location are not accurately recalled or even properly noted for typing into a navigation device or to enable them to navigate to the location without the device. In either case, the user is not expected to have to remember the detailed location details provided on the roadside sign, which may therefore distract him while driving. In addition, it is not desirable to include extended address or direction details for roadside advertisements, so that such information may detract from the visibility of the primary trademark or location name and details of the sale of the service. A user may instead attempt to search for a location, for example, using a navigation or graphics device instead of attempting to recall a location _ heart. For example, the user can perform a search for one of the locations of an established species 152599.doc -9-5 201224495 near a current or designated location. However, the user is then still faced with the correct choice of the location of interest from the search results, and the location desired by the search criteria used may not even be included in the search results. Although the problem has been explained with regard to attempting to obtain location information for a location, a similar problem can occur when attempting to identify and obtain information about any type of a given location. The present invention provides a method and system for solving such problems, at least in the preferred embodiment. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for obtaining positioning information is provided, comprising the steps of: dividing a geographic area into a plurality of sub-areas, and assigning a region code to each of the plurality of sub-areas, Each of the plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub-area assigns a respective speed dial location code to the location or location group such that each speed dial location code is associated with the location to which it is assigned Correlating the location or location group information, and associating each speed dial location code with a zone code including a sub-region of the location or location group to which the speed dial location code is assigned; the method further comprising a navigation device Receiving, by a user, an indication of a speed dial location code, determining the zone code of a portion of the stator region, and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined zone code to obtain a speed dial indicating the direction The location code is for at least some of the information of the location or set of locations to which the stator region is assigned. • 10· 152599.doc Ο 201224495 According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system for obtaining positioning information is provided, comprising: means for dividing a geographic area into a plurality of sub-areas for using a region a component assigned to each of the plurality of sub-regions for assigning a respective speed dial location code to the location or to each of the plurality of locations and/or location groups in each sub-region a component of a location group, means for associating each speed dial location code with information about the location or location group to which it is assigned, and for each speed dial location code and the speed dial location code included The component to which the zone code of the location or location group assigned is associated, wherein the system includes a navigation device that includes one or more processors configured to perform the following operations in use Receiving an indication of one of the speed dial location codes from a user, determining that the zone code of the 'parent& sub-d field' is indicated by the indicated speed dial location And that the sentence ^ of area code to get the information on the speed-dial codes that indicated the location assigned to the area for a given sub-set of the position or location of at least some information. According to this first aspect, the invention may include any or all of the features set forth in relation to the first aspect of the invention. Thus, if not explicitly stated, the system and/or navigation device may comprise a configuration for performing the method steps set forth and the method of operation of the stomach and the navigation device may be

S 152599.doc -11- 201224495 包括該系統及/或導航設備所執行之步驟令之任一者。在本發明之方法態樣中，該導航設備包含經配置以實施所提及之步驟之-處理器或處理器組。可使用—個以上之處理器來同等實施本文一「處理器」所實施之步驟之參考。舉例而言，可以板上或非板上方式實施一些功能。因此該設備或系統可包含用於實施所闡述之步驟之一組一個或多個處理器’且-步驟可由該處理器或一處理器或由一個以上之處理器實施。因此根據本發明，—地理區域被劃分成複數個地理子區域》將-區代碼指派至每_子區域。將—各別快速撥號位置代碼指派至每一子區域中之複數個位置及/或位置組中之每者。該快速撥號位置代碼係與用於既定位置或位置組之貧訊（「定位資訊」）相關聯，且亦與用於包括該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的該位置或位置組之子區域之一區代碼相關聯。當一使用者將一快速撥號位置代碼輸入至導航设備中時，該裝置可藉由判定一既定子區域之區代碼且獲得用於該既定子區域之與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之資訊（亦即，與對應於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼之一快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之資訊，且該快速撥號位置代碼與用於該既定區域之區代碼相關聯）來獲得與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼針對該既定子區域相關聯之位置或位置組之資訊。在其中定位資訊包括用於該位置或位置組之位置資訊之較佳實施例中’使用者因此不需要輸入用於一既定位置或 152599.docS 152599.doc -11- 201224495 Includes any of the steps performed by the system and/or navigation device. In the method aspect of the invention, the navigation device includes a processor or processor group configured to implement the steps recited. More than one processor may be used to implement equivalent reference to the steps performed by a "processor" herein. For example, some functions can be implemented on-board or non-board. Thus the apparatus or system may comprise one or more processors for implementing one of the steps set forth and the steps may be performed by the processor or a processor or by more than one processor. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a geographic area is divided into a plurality of geographic sub-areas, a zone-area code is assigned to each sub-area. Each of the individual speed dial location codes is assigned to each of a plurality of locations and/or location groups in each subregion. The speed dial location code is associated with a poor message ("Location Information") for a given location or location group, and also with one of the sub-regions for including the location or location group to which the speed dial location code is assigned. The zone code is associated. When a user inputs a speed dial location code into the navigation device, the device can be associated with the indicated speed dial location code by determining a zone code for both the stator region and obtaining the region of the stator. Information (ie, information associated with a speed dial location code corresponding to one of the indicated speed dial location codes, and the speed dial location code associated with the zone code for the given zone) is obtained and indicated The speed dial location code is for information about the location or location group associated with the both stator regions. In a preferred embodiment wherein the location information includes location information for the location or location group, the user does not need to enter for a given location or 152599.doc

•12· 201224495 位置組之完整的位置資訊（例如，地址、郵政編碼等等），但可替代性地鍵入一快速撥號位置代碼。根據本發明，每一快速撥號位置代碼與一區代碼相關聯。當獲得包括與一所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之位置資訊之資訊時，該導航設備判定一既定子區域之一區代碼，且針對該既定子區域獲得與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之位置資訊。此意指可關於一個以上之子區域中之不同的位置或位置組來使用相同的快速撥號位置代碼。根據本發明，該設備不僅參考所指示之快速撥號位置代碼來獲得定位資訊，而且判定一子區域，且針對該子區域獲得與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊。因此，即使同—快速撥號位置代碼可與多個位置或位置組相關聯，倘若僅在一既定子區域中使用一既定快速撥號位置代碼一次，則本發明之方法確保所獲得之資訊係關於（例如）該既定子區域中之一相關位置之資訊。此類似於電話號碼之概念。固定電話號碼通常包括一區代碼及對於一使用者而言使用起來更難忘或更簡單之一較短代碼。倘若區域與不同的區代碼相關聯則可在不同的地理區域中重複使用該等較短代碼，同時仍唯一識別一既定用戶。因此在實施例中，使用所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及所判定之區代碼來獲得關於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼針對既定子區域所指派至的位置或位置組之資訊之至少一此資訊之步驟包含獲得與對應於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼之一快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊且該快速撥號位置 152599.doc -13- 201224495 代碼與該所判定之區代碼相關聯。該設備之該處理器或一處理器經配置以實施此一步驟。該快速撥號位置代碼可僅與一單個區代碼相關聯。該快速撥號位置代碼至少與包括該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的該位置或位置組之子區域之區代碼相關聯。該快速撥號位置代碼可另外與一個或多個另外區代碼相關聯。然後一既定位置可經由該快速撥號位置代碼與一「本國」區代碼及一「國外」區代碼兩者相關聯。然後任一區代碼與該快速撥號位置代碼之組合可提供至用於該位置之資訊的一鏈路0 在本發明之實施例中’該設備獲得與一既定快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊，該既定快速撥號位置代碼亦與該既定子區域之區代碼相關聯。如下文所論述，該既定子區域可係一所關注之子區域，諸如其中該導航設備或使用者所位於或其中一使用者指定點或區域所位於之一子區域。此意指可使用更難忘及/或更短之快速撥號位置代碼’此乃因其不需要能夠唯一單獨識別一既定位置。由於計及該既定子區域之區代碼，因此可獲得相關定位資訊。由於每一快速撥號位置代碼另外與一區代碼相關聯，因此可針對不同的子區域重複使用同一快速撥號位置代碼。該導航設備可自動偵測一使用者何時處於一既定子區域中且檢索相關區代碼以能夠在與彼區代碼相關聯之快速撥號位置代碼中間搜尋該使用者所指示之快速撥號位置代碼。然後該設備可判定與彼快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之資訊。 152599.doc 201224495 根據本發明之實施例，相同的快速撥號位置代碼可指派至一個以上之子區域中之位置或位置組。然而，較佳地僅在每一子區域中使用一快速撥號位置代碼一次。因此在實施例中，將一不同的快速撥號位置代碼指派至一（既定）子區域中之每一位置或位置組。因此指派至一特定子區域中之一位置或位置組之快速撥號位置代碼中之每一者係彼子區域内之一唯一快速撥號位置代碼。指派至同一子區域中之一位置或位置組之快速撥號位置代碼彼此不同。在本發明之實施例中，一組快速撥號位置代碼分配至複數個子區域中之每一者。一既定快速撥號位置代碼組中之每一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該子區域中之一單個位置或位置組。分配至該系統之至少一些子區域之快速撥號位置代碼組可重疊。在實施例中，一既定快速撥號位置代碼組合與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之區代碼而形成（亦即）該系統中之一唯一代碼。該代碼唯一識別該地理區域中之一既定位置或位置組。在實施例中，當單獨採用一快速撥號位置代碼時可不唯一識別該地理區域中之一單個位置或位置組。在些貫施例中，該方法包含將一第一組快速撥號位置代碼指派至一第一子區域中之複數個位置或位置組中之每一者之各別位置之步驟，且將一第二組快速撥號位置代碼指派至一第二子區域中之複數個位置中之每一者之各別位置’其中s亥第-組快速撥號位置代碼及該第二組快速撥號位置代碼重疊，亦即至少包括—些共同的快速撥號位置代•12· 201224495 Complete location information for location groups (eg, address, postal code, etc.), but alternatively type a speed dial location code. In accordance with the present invention, each speed dial location code is associated with a zone code. When obtaining information including location information associated with an indicated speed dial location code, the navigation device determines a zone code for a portion of the stator region and obtains an associated speed dial location code for the adjacent stator region Location information. This means that the same speed dial location code can be used with respect to different locations or groups of locations in more than one sub-area. In accordance with the present invention, the device obtains location information not only with reference to the indicated speed dial location code, but also determines a sub-area for which location information associated with the speed dial location code is obtained. Thus, even if the same-speed dial location code can be associated with multiple locations or groups of locations, the method of the present invention ensures that the information obtained is relevant (provided that only a predetermined speed dial location code is used once in a single stator region) For example) information about the relevant location in one of the stator regions. This is similar to the concept of a phone number. A fixed telephone number typically includes a zone code and a shorter code that is more memorable or simpler for a user to use. If the region is associated with a different region code, the shorter codes can be reused in different geographic regions while still uniquely identifying a given user. Thus, in an embodiment, the indicated speed dial location code and the determined zone code are used to obtain at least one of the information regarding the indicated speed dial location code for information on the location or location group to which the stator region is assigned. The step includes obtaining location information associated with a speed dial location code corresponding to one of the indicated speed dial location codes and the speed dial location 152599.doc -13 - 201224495 code is associated with the determined zone code. The processor or processor of the device is configured to perform this step. The speed dial location code can be associated with only a single zone code. The speed dial location code is associated with at least the zone code including the sub-area of the location or location group to which the speed dial location code is assigned. The speed dial location code can additionally be associated with one or more additional zone codes. A predetermined location can then be associated with both a "home" zone code and a "foreign" zone code via the speed dial location code. A combination of any zone code and the speed dial location code can then provide a link to the information for the location. In an embodiment of the invention, the device obtains location information associated with a predetermined speed dial location code. The predetermined speed dial location code is also associated with the zone code of the both stator regions. As discussed below, the both stator regions can be associated with a sub-region of interest, such as one of the sub-regions in which the navigation device or user is located or where one of the user-specified points or regions is located. This means that a more memorable and/or shorter speed dial location code can be used' because it does not need to be able to uniquely identify a given location. Since the area code of the stator area is taken into account, relevant positioning information can be obtained. Since each speed dial location code is additionally associated with a zone code, the same speed dial location code can be reused for different subzones. The navigation device can automatically detect when a user is in an intermediate region and retrieve the associated region code to be able to search for a speed dial location code indicated by the user among the speed dial location codes associated with the region code. The device can then determine the information associated with its speed dial location code. 152599.doc 201224495 In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the same speed dial location code can be assigned to a location or group of locations in more than one sub-area. However, it is preferred to use only one speed dial location code once in each sub-area. Thus, in an embodiment, a different speed dial location code is assigned to each location or group of locations in a (established) sub-area. Thus each of the speed dial location codes assigned to one of the location or location groups in a particular sub-area is one of the unique speed dial location codes within the sub-area. The speed dial location codes assigned to one of the same sub-areas or location groups are different from each other. In an embodiment of the invention, a set of speed dial location codes is assigned to each of a plurality of sub-areas. Each speed dial location code in a given speed dial location code group is assigned to a single location or location group in the subregion. Speed dial location code groups assigned to at least some of the sub-areas of the system may overlap. In an embodiment, a predetermined speed dial location code combination forms a zone code associated with the speed dial location code to form (i.e.,) one of the unique codes in the system. This code uniquely identifies one of the established locations or location groups in the geographic region. In an embodiment, a single location or set of locations in the geographic area may not be uniquely identified when a speed dial location code is employed separately. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of assigning a first set of speed dial location codes to respective ones of a plurality of locations or groups of locations in a first sub-region, and The two sets of speed dial location codes are assigned to respective locations of each of the plurality of locations in the second sub-area, wherein the s-group-group speed dial location code and the second group of speed dial location codes overlap That is, at least some common speed dial location generations are included

S 152599.doc 201224495 碼》該系統可包含用於以此方式指派快速撥號位置代碼之構件。根據本發明，判定與一既定子區域相關聯之區代碼。該方法可進一步包含識別該既定子區域。該既定子區域較佳地係一所關注之子區域。然後該方法可包含識別一所關注之子區域且判定該所關注之子區域之區代碼。該所關注之子區域可由該設備推斷。此可自動地或使用一使用者所提供之一個或多個指示而完成。另一選擇為或另外，該所關注之子區域可由一使用者指定。可在指示該快速撥號位置代碼之前或之後實施判定該既疋子區域之區代碼且視情況識別該既定子區域之步驟。舉例而言，該設備可在一連續基礎上或在接收到一快速撥號位置代碼之一指示時偵測含有當前位置之一子區域。因此可以任一次序實施判定一既定子區域之區代碼且接收快速撥號位置代瑪之一指示之步驟。在一些實施例中，該既定子區域係一使用者指定子區域在一些貫施例中，該方法包含該設備自一使用者接收對該既定子區域之一指示，且該設備可經配置以自一使用者接收此一指示。舉例而言，一使用者可指定其中其規劃行進之子區域以檢索用於與一所輸入之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之該子區域中之—位置或位置組之資訊。該使用者可輸入其規劃暫住之—旅館之一快速撥號位置代碼且才曰疋其所位於之子區域以檢索用於該旅館之相關位置資訊。該使用者可以任一方式指定該子區域。該設備可經配 152599.doc •16· 201224495 置以自-使用者所提供之-個或多個指示中推斷該既定子區域。舉例而t ’該使用者可指示整個子區域或該子區域内之一位置以指定該區域。該設備可經配置以在一使用者指示該子區域内之一點或區時推斷欲選擇一子區域。在其中該設備包含-顯示器之實施例中’用於推斷該所關注之子區域之另一技術將係該設備判定一當前所顯示之地圖部分所包括之一子區域或包括—當前所顯示之地圖部分之一子區域。該設備可自該使用者已選擇(例如)根據一縮放位準等等而顯示之-數位地圖之—部分中判定所關注之區域。在-些實施例中，設想-使用者可（例如）藉由輸入該區代碼而直接提供一子區域之一區代碼之一指示。此可在給一使用者提供了用於一既定位置或位置組之完整代碼 (亦即，區代碼及快速撥號位置代碼）時發生。舉例而言，該完整代碼可已由另一使用者提供給該使用者或自另一設備傳送至該設備等等。在其他實施例中，該導航設備經配置以（例如）在無需使用者幹預之情形下自動推斷所關注之一既定子區域。此可 (J如）> 考s刖位置、一行進方向、一經規劃路線及/或所4曰示之快速撥號位置代碼中之任一者而完成。在一些實施例中，可使用該設備之一當前位置（例如，. 备刖GPS位置）來推斷所關注之既定子區域。該處理器可經配置以實施此一步驟，該當前位置將係導航設備之一當月J位置及因此該使用者之一當前位置。在些貫施例中，針對其判定區代碼之既定子區域因此 152599.doc -17- 201224495 係包括該設備（例如，導航設備）或使用者之當前位置之一子區域。在其中該既定子區域係包括一當前位置之一子區域之-些實施例中，該方法包含該設備偵測—當前位置何時處於-既定子區域中，且自動判定該既定子區域之區代碼 '然後將該所敎之區代碼與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼起使用以獲得定位資訊。該設備之該處理器可經配置以實施此-步驟。此實施例可以類似於在不包括一區代碼之情形下撥打-固定電話呼叫之一方式運行。該系統可自動偵測撥打該呼叫之用戶所位於之區，且自所偵測之區内之用戶中判定該呼叫之預期接收者。在其他實施例中，該既定子區域可係當前位置附近（例如，毗鄰含有當前位置之一子區域）之一子區域。可使用各種技術以在不考量當前位置之情形下推斷所關注之既定子區域。將瞭解，另一選擇為或另外，所指示之快速撥號位置代碼可用以推斷所關注之既定子區域。舉例而言，該設備可判定該代碼是否與一當前或指定位置附近之一子區域之一區代碼相關聯。若該使用者鍵入不與該使用者當前所位於之一子區域之區代碼相關聯之一快速撥號位置代碼，則該設備可推斷毗鄰該設備當前所位於且與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之子區域之一子區域。該子區域可係該使用者正朝向其行進之一子區域。將瞭解，在一些實施例中，特別係一使用者靠近不同子區域之間的一邊界之實施例中，可需要採取額外步驟來試圖推斷所關注之一子區域。舉例而言’在一些實施例中， 152599.doc -18· 201224495 例如當一使用者之一當前位置靠近兩個或多個子區域之間的一邊界時，該設備可經配置以參考該使用者之當前位置及該使用者之行$方向來推斷一戶斤關注之子區域。該設. 備可輕配置以判定該使用者不久將基於對一當前位置及一使用者之行進方向之-判定而鍵入之一子區域之區代碼。此可在該使用I當前所位於之子區域與該使用者正朝向其灯進之-子區域兩者均與所輸入之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之情形中使h此可解決在（例如）—個子區域中之一使用者在宣傳實際上在該使用者正朝向其行進之子區域中之地點之廣告牌上看見一快速撥號位置代碼之情形下可發生之潛在問題。因此，在一些實施例中，該所關注之子區域係接近該使用者之_當前位置且該使用者正朝向其而行進之一子區域。當該設備不能將當前位置解析到判定哪一子區域包括當前位置所需之程度（例如當前位置是否靠近於區域之間的一邊界）時可使用一類似技術。該設備可判定所鍵入之快速撥號位置代碼是否與邊緣子區域中之任一者相關聯，且若其與一個以上之子區域相關聯則可計及行進方向，且判疋該使用者正朝向其行進之子區域之區代碼。在其他實施例中，該設備可藉由參考—經規劃路線來推斷-所關注之子區域。舉例而言，該設備可識別至少包括該經規劃路線之一部分之一子區域。在其他實施例中，該設備可不能輕易推斷（例如）相關於 -使用者之當前位置或行進之n主之子區域。在此等 152599.doc _ ^ 201224495 實施例中，識別子區域之步驟可包含使用該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼來識別既定子區域。此可（例如）在該使用者鍵入不與當前位置附近或實際甚至在同一國家之一區域之一區代碼相關聯之一快速撥號位置代碼之情形下發生。然後所識別之子區域可係具有與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之一區代碼之任一子區域。可存在一個以上之此子區域。在此等情形中該設備可首先考量較近的子區域，或可使用預設設定來判定子區域。在一此情備可重複判定-區代碼錢用該所衫之區代碼判定之複數個區代碼中之每一者之所指示之快速撥號位置代碼來獲得與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之資訊之步驟1後該設備可給該使用者呈現（例如）依據與一當前位置之相關性或距離而排序之若干個結果以從中做出選擇。在較佳實施财，財法包㈣存每—區代碼以與識別該區代碼所指派至的子區域之資訊相關聯。可以與該資料相關聯之-適宜鏈路起或分開之方式或以任—適宜方式儲存區代碼及識別子區域之資訊以使得該設備能夠存取一既定子區域之區代碼。在-些實施例中，判定所關注之子區域之區代碼之步驟包含存取該所關注之子區域之一所儲存之區代㉟該。又備之該處理器或—處理器經配置以實施此/驟朗子區域之資訊可係將使得該設備能夠判定一位置何時處於既定妯理地理子區域内之任一類型，且可識別該子區域之範圍。名杳^ 固在實施例中’識別該子區域之資訊包 152599.doc .20- 201224495 含數位地圖資料。將瞭解，可使用准許該設備存取每一子區域之區代碼之任一配置。該等區代碼可儲存於遠離該設備處或儲存於本端，或一些區代碼可儲存於本端且其他區代碼可儲存於遠離設備處。在一些實施例中，該設備可包含一記憶體，其儲存每一區代碼及識別區代碼所指派至的子區域之資訊。在一些實施例中，每一區代碼及識別該區代碼所指派至的該子區域之資訊可儲存於一資料庫中。該資料庫可稱作「區域」資料庫。如上文所提及，該資料庫可係一遠端資料庫’或該設備可包含儲存該資料庫之一記憶體。換言之，該資料庫可係一「板上」或「非板上」資料庫。在較佳貫施例中’該方法包含較佳地遠離該設備將每一區代碼儲存於一資料庫中以與識別該區代碼所指派至的子區域之資訊相關聯。在實施例中，判定所關注之子區域之區代碼之步驟可包含在所儲存之複數個區代碼中搜尋與既定子區域相關聯之 &代碼，且該處理器或一處理區可經配置以實施此一步驟。該區代碼可與識別該既定子區域之資訊相關聯。該資訊可係數位地圖資料。然而，可使用任一其他類型之資訊。舉例而言’該資訊可係來自一通用地理資料庫之資料。根據本發明’針對其判定區代碼之既定子區域係與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之一區代碼。在實施例中’該方法包含針對每一子區域儲存指派至該 152599.doc -21- 201224495 子區域中之複數個位置及/或位置組中之每—者之快速撥號位置代碼，及關於與每一快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之該位置或位置組之資訊（「定位資訊」可與該定位資訊相關聯地儲存該等快速撥號位置代碼。針對每一子區域，較佳地儲存快速撥號位置代碼及相關聯之定位資訊以與該子區域之區代碼相關聯。如關於儲存該等區代碼所論述，可以與該資料相關聯之一適宜鏈路一起或分開之方式或以任一適宜方式儲存快速撥號位置代碼及定位資訊以使得該設備能夠存取與一既定快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊。在一些實施例中，獲得與對應於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及與所判定之區代碼相關聯之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊之步驟包含存取與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之所儲存之定位資訊。該設備之一處理器可經配置以實施此一步驟。在較佳貫施例中，該方法包含針對每—子區域將與該子區域相關聯之每一快速撥號位置代碼儲存於—資料庫中以與相關聯於該快速撥號位置代碼之定位資訊相關聯。可使用准許該設備針對一既定快速撥號位置代碼存取定位資訊之任-配置。料區代碼可儲存於遠離該設備處或儲存於本端或可以本端與遠離該設備之一組合方式而儲存。在-些實施例中，每一快速撥號位置代碼及定位資訊儲存於-資料庫巾。該設備可包含儲存該資料庫之一記憶體。該資料庫可稱作「快速撥號位置代碼」資料庫。㈣料庫可係-遠端資料庫，或該設備可包含儲存該資料庫之 152599.doc •22· 201224495 一記憶體。因此該資料庫可係「板上」或「非板上」資料庫在些實把例_，該設備可包含儲存每一快速撥號位置代碼及與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊之一記憶體。倘若每一代碼適當地相關聯於（例如，鏈接至）關於其之子區域之區代石馬，則多個子區域之快速撥號位置代碼可儲存於同i料庫中。舉例而言，區代碼與快速撥號位置代瑪之組合可儲存以與定位資訊相關聯，其與包括—區代碼 ^本地撥號代碼之-電話號碼可作為鏈接幻线碼之用戶 -貝π*之唯，^·組合之元整電話號碼而儲存之方式相同。在其他配置中’不同子區域之快速撥號位置代碼可儲存於一資料庫之不同部分中或儲存於單獨資料庫中。在如下文所哪述之些貫施例中，用於每一子區域之快速撥號位置代碼及相關聯之定位資訊儲存於專用於一既定子區域之一資料庫中，且該資料庫與該既定子區域之區代碼相關聯。該方法可包含在所儲存之快速撥號位置代碼中搜尋對應於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及與所判定之區代碼相關聯之快速撥號位置代碼，且檢索相關聯之定位資訊。該處理器或一處理器可經配置以實施此一步驟。在一些實施例中，針對複數個子區域中之每一者提供一各別快速撥號位置代碼資料庫。然後一既定子區域之區代碼可用以存取用於該區域之適當快速撥號位置代碼資料庫。在一些實施例中，該方法可包含該設備使用所判定之區代碼來識別儲存與所判定之區代碼相關聯之快速撥號位 152599.doc •23· 201224495 置代碼及與每一快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊，且自該負料庫獲得用於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼之定位資訊換α之，5亥设備可經配置以識別用於該既定子區域之快速撥號位置代碼㈣庫’且自該資料庫判定用於所指示之快速撥號位置代碼之定位資訊。因此，在一些較佳實施例中，該方法包含將複數個子區域中之每一者之區代碼較佳地儲存於一區代碼資料庫中以與識別每一區代碼所指派至的子區域之資訊相關聯之步驟。該方法可包含針對複數個子區域中之每一者將指派至與相關聯於快速撥號位置代碼之定位資訊相關聯之子區域中之一位置或位置組之每一快速撥號位置代碼較佳地儲存於用於該子區域之一快速撥號位置代碼資料庫中。較佳地針對每一子區域提供一快速撥號位置代碼資料庫。每一快速撥號位置料資料庫較佳地與子區域之區代碼相關聯。根據本發明，在其實施例中之任一者中，快逮撥號位置代碼可係任一期望代碼。該快速撥號位置代碼可包括形式為一個或多個字母、數字或符號之字符。該代碼可包括僅數字、僅字母、僅符號或其組合形式.該代碼可包括圖形 π素。將瞭解，術語「字母」指代根據任一字母表之一字母，且可包括（例如）漢語字母表中之圖形元素。該代碼可係字符串之形式。該快速撥號位置代碼可闡述其所指派的位置，及/或可係一字之形式。舉例而言可將一快速撥號位置代碼「HAMBURGER」指派至用於—快餐店之 152599‘doc •24- 201224495 位置。一海難旅館可具有諸如r @beachhotel」之—快速撥號位置代碼。該快速撥號位置代碼通常將係可置於宣傳一位置之一廣告牌上或通過電話給予呼叫者等等之—巧短易記代碼。如下文所闡述，該代碼可由該系統產生，但在較佳實施例中可由一用戶指定。該區代碼可類似地係任一類型之代碼，且可係關於該快速撥號位置代碼所闡述之類型中之任一者。根據本發明’關於該位置或位置組之資訊（「定位資訊」）可係任一類型。該資訊較佳地至少包括用於該位置或位置組之位置資訊。該資訊可僅係由位置資訊構成，或可包括位置資訊及其他資訊。該設備因此可經配置以獲得形式為位置資訊及/或其他形式之資訊之定位資訊。將瞭解，本發明之方法及系統使得導航設備能夠在鍵入快速撥號位置代碼時直接存取用於一既定位置或位置組之定位資訊。此在使用者無需對（例如）位置之名稱及/或類別實施一本地搜尋之情形下允許直接判定關於該位置之資訊，且然後自彼等結果中選擇正確的位置（假定實際上找到正搜尋之位置）。舉例而言，若一使用者希望尋找一既定旅館，則其可鍵入諸如「@beachh〇tel」之一快速撥號位置代碼，該設備可在使用者無需實施任何另外步驟之情形下自該快速撥號位置代碼直接判定彼旅館之正確位置資訊及任一另外資訊。避開該使用者需要記住或記錄方向或位置詳細資料。因此在判定—定位之位置時顯著減小錯誤之可能性。S 152599.doc 201224495 Code The system may include means for assigning speed dial location codes in this manner. In accordance with the present invention, a zone code associated with a portion of a stator is determined. The method can further include identifying the both stator regions. The both stator regions are preferably a sub-region of interest. The method can then include identifying a sub-area of interest and determining a zone code for the sub-area of interest. The sub-area of interest can be inferred by the device. This can be done automatically or using one or more instructions provided by a user. Alternatively or additionally, the sub-area of interest may be specified by a user. The step of determining the zone code for the zone of the zone and identifying the zone of the stator as appropriate may be performed before or after the speed dial location code is indicated. For example, the device can detect a sub-region containing a current location on a continuous basis or upon receipt of one of the speed dial location codes. Thus, the step of determining a zone code for both the stator region and receiving one of the directions of the speed dial location may be implemented in either order. In some embodiments, the two-part stator area is a user-specified sub-area in some embodiments, the method comprising the apparatus receiving an indication from one user of the one of the stator areas, and the apparatus is configurable Received this indication from a user. For example, a user may specify a sub-area in which to plan travel to retrieve information for a location or set of locations in the sub-area associated with an entered speed dial location code. The user can enter a speed dial location code for one of the hotels that they plan to temporarily stay in and then locate the sub-area in which they are located to retrieve the relevant location information for the hotel. The user can specify the sub-area in either way. The device can be inferred from the one or more indications provided by the user via the 152599.doc •16·201224495. For example, the user may indicate the entire sub-area or a location within the sub-area to specify the area. The device can be configured to infer to select a sub-area when a user indicates a point or zone within the sub-area. In another embodiment in which the device includes a display, another technique for inferring the sub-area of interest will determine whether the device includes a sub-area included in the currently displayed portion of the map or includes - the currently displayed map Part of a sub-area. The device can determine the region of interest from the portion of the digital map that the user has selected, for example, to display based on a zoom level or the like. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the user can provide an indication of one of the zone codes of a sub-area, for example, by entering the zone code. This can occur when a user is provided with a complete code (i.e., zone code and speed dial location code) for a given location or set of locations. For example, the complete code may have been provided by the other user to the user or transferred from another device to the device or the like. In other embodiments, the navigation device is configured to automatically infer one of the stator regions of interest, for example, without user intervention. This can be done by any of the location, the direction of travel, the planned route, and/or the speed dial location code shown. In some embodiments, one of the device's current location (eg, a GPS location) can be used to infer both the stator regions of interest. The processor can be configured to perform this step, which will be one of the navigation devices and the current location of one of the users. In some embodiments, the stator region for which the zone code is determined therefore includes 152599.doc -17-201224495 which includes the device (e.g., navigation device) or a sub-region of the user's current location. In some embodiments, wherein the plurality of sub-regions include a sub-region of a current location, the method includes the device detecting - when the current location is in the - - both stator regions, and automatically determining the region code of the both stator regions 'The zone code is then used with the indicated speed dial location code to obtain location information. The processor of the device can be configured to implement this-step. This embodiment can be operated in a manner similar to dialing a fixed telephone call without including a zone code. The system automatically detects the zone in which the user making the call is located and determines the intended recipient of the call from among the users in the detected zone. In other embodiments, the both stator regions may be one of the sub-regions near the current location (e.g., adjacent to one of the sub-regions containing the current location). Various techniques can be used to infer the area of the stator that is of interest regardless of the current position. It will be appreciated that another option, or in addition, the indicated speed dial location code can be used to infer both the stator regions of interest. For example, the device can determine whether the code is associated with a zone code of a sub-area near a current or designated location. If the user types a speed dial location code that is not associated with a zone code of a sub-region in which the user is currently located, the device can infer a child adjacent to the device that is currently associated with the speed dial location code A sub-area of the area. The sub-area may be a sub-area to which the user is traveling. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, particularly in embodiments where a user is near a boundary between different sub-regions, additional steps may be required to attempt to infer one of the sub-regions of interest. For example, in some embodiments, 152599.doc -18 201224495, for example, when a user's current location is near a boundary between two or more sub-areas, the device can be configured to reference the user The current location and the user's line $ direction to infer a sub-area of interest. The device can be lightly configured to determine that the user will soon type a zone code for a sub-region based on a determination of a current location and a direction of travel of the user. This may be resolved in the case where the sub-area in which the usage I is currently located and the user's head-to-sub-area are being associated with the entered speed dial location code, such that h can be resolved, for example - A potential problem that can occur if a user in a sub-area sees a speed dial location code on a billboard that is actually in a location in the sub-area that the user is heading toward. Thus, in some embodiments, the sub-area of interest is near the current position of the user and the user is traveling toward a sub-area toward it. A similar technique can be used when the device is unable to resolve the current location to determine which sub-region includes the desired extent of the current location (e.g., whether the current location is close to a boundary between the regions). The device can determine whether the typed speed dial location code is associated with any of the edge sub-areas, and if it is associated with more than one sub-area, can take into account the direction of travel and determine that the user is facing The area code of the sub-area of the march. In other embodiments, the device may infer the sub-area of interest by reference - the planned route. For example, the device can identify a sub-area that includes at least one of the planned routes. In other embodiments, the device may not easily infer, for example, a sub-region associated with the current location of the user or the n-master of the journey. In the 152599.doc _ ^ 201224495 embodiment, the step of identifying the sub-regions can include identifying the both stator regions using the indicated speed dial location code. This can occur, for example, if the user types a speed dial location code that is not associated with a zone code near the current location or actually even in one of the same countries. The identified sub-area may then have any sub-area of a zone code associated with the indicated speed dial location code. There may be more than one sub-area. In such cases the device may first consider a sub-region that is closer, or may use a preset setting to determine the sub-region. The speed dial location code indicated by each of the plurality of zone codes determined by the zone code of the shirt is obtained in association with the indicated speed dial location code. After step 1 of the information, the device can present the user with, for example, a number of results sorted according to a correlation or distance to a current location to make a selection therefrom. In the preferred implementation, the financial package (4) stores the per-area code in association with the information identifying the sub-area to which the area code is assigned. Information relating to the data may be stored in a suitable link or in a separate manner or in any suitable manner to store the area code and identify sub-areas to enable the device to access a zone code of a region of the stator. In some embodiments, the step of determining the zone code of the sub-area of interest includes accessing the zone generation 35 stored by one of the sub-regions of interest. Further, the processor or processor configured to implement the information of the/short sub-region may enable the device to determine when a location is within any of the predetermined geographic sub-regions, and the sub-identifiable The scope of the area.杳^ In the embodiment, the information packet identifying the sub-area 152599.doc .20- 201224495 contains digital map data. It will be appreciated that any configuration that permits the device to access the zone code for each sub-area can be used. The zone code can be stored away from the device or stored on the local end, or some zone code can be stored on the local end and other zone codes can be stored at the remote location. In some embodiments, the device can include a memory that stores information for each zone code and the sub-region to which the zone code is assigned. In some embodiments, each zone code and information identifying the sub-region to which the zone code is assigned may be stored in a database. This database can be called a "regional" database. As mentioned above, the database can be a remote repository' or the device can include a memory that stores the database. In other words, the database can be an "on-board" or "non-board" database. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes preferably storing each zone code in a database remotely from the device to associate with information identifying the sub-region to which the zone code is assigned. In an embodiment, the step of determining the region code of the sub-region of interest may include searching the stored plurality of region codes for the & code associated with the both stator regions, and the processor or a processing region may be configured to Implement this step. The zone code can be associated with information identifying the both stator zones. The information can be a map data. However, any other type of information may be used. For example, the information may be from a general geographic database. In accordance with the present invention, a region of the stator region for which the zone code is associated is associated with the indicated speed dial location code. In an embodiment, the method includes storing, for each sub-area, a speed dial location code assigned to each of a plurality of locations and/or location groups in the 152599.doc -21 - 201224495 sub-area, and Information about the location or location group associated with each speed dial location code ("Location Information" can store the speed dial location codes in association with the location information. For each sub-area, the speed dial location is preferably stored. The code and associated positioning information are associated with the zone code of the sub-area. As discussed with respect to storing the zone code, one or the appropriate link associated with the profile may be associated with or in any suitable manner. Storing a speed dial location code and location information to enable the device to access location information associated with a predetermined speed dial location code. In some embodiments, obtaining and corresponding to the indicated speed dial location code and determining The step of the location information associated with the speed dial location code associated with the zone code includes accessing the speed dial location code Corresponding stored location information. A processor of the device can be configured to perform this step. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, for each sub-region, each associated with the sub-region The speed dial location code is stored in the database for association with the location information associated with the speed dial location code. The configuration can be used to permit the device to access location information for a given speed dial location code. It can be stored away from the device or stored at the local end or can be stored at a local end in combination with one of the devices. In some embodiments, each speed dial location code and location information is stored in a data library towel. The device may include a memory for storing the database. The database may be referred to as a "speed dial location code" database. (4) The library may be a remote database, or the device may include 152599 for storing the database. .doc •22· 201224495 A memory. Therefore, the database can be used on the “onboard” or “non-board” database. The device can include each speed dial. a location code and one of the location information associated with the speed dial location code. If each code is properly associated (eg, linked to) a sub-regional stone horse with respect to its sub-area, then multiple sub-areas are fast The dialing location code can be stored in the same library. For example, the combination of the area code and the speed dial location dai can be stored to be associated with the location information, and the telephone number including the area code ^ local dialing code can be As the user of the link phantom code - π π *, ^ · combination of the entire phone number and stored in the same way. In other configurations 'different sub-area speed dial location code can be stored in a different part of a database Or stored in a separate database. In some embodiments as described below, the speed dial location code and associated positioning information for each sub-area are stored in one of the regions dedicated to one of the stator regions. In the library, and the database is associated with the zone code of the both stator regions. The method can include searching the stored speed dial location code for a speed dial location code corresponding to the indicated speed dial location code and associated with the determined zone code, and retrieving the associated location information. The processor or a processor can be configured to perform this step. In some embodiments, a separate speed dial location code repository is provided for each of the plurality of sub-regions. A zone code of both the stator area is then available to access the appropriate speed dial location code database for the zone. In some embodiments, the method can include the device using the determined zone code to identify that the speed dial bit associated with the determined zone code is stored 152599.doc • 23· 201224495 code and with each speed dial location code Associated positioning information, and obtaining the positioning information for the indicated speed dial location code from the negative library, the 5H device can be configured to identify the speed dial location code for the two stator regions (4) The library 'and determines from the database the location information for the indicated speed dial location code. Therefore, in some preferred embodiments, the method includes storing the region code of each of the plurality of sub-regions in a region code database to identify the sub-region to which each region code is assigned. The steps associated with the information. The method can include storing, for each of the plurality of sub-regions, each speed dial location code assigned to one of the locations or groups of locations associated with the location information associated with the speed dial location code. Used in one of the sub-areas in the speed dial location code repository. A library of speed dial location codes is preferably provided for each sub-area. Each speed dial location database is preferably associated with the zone code of the sub-area. In accordance with the present invention, in any of its embodiments, the fast dialing location code can be any desired code. The speed dial location code can include characters in the form of one or more letters, numbers, or symbols. The code may include only numbers, only letters, symbols only, or a combination thereof. The code may include a graphic π prime. It will be understood that the term "letter" refers to a letter according to one of the alphabets and may include, for example, a graphical element in the Chinese alphabet. This code can be in the form of a string. The speed dial location code may state the location it is assigned to, and/or may be in the form of a word. For example, a speed dial location code "HAMBURGER" can be assigned to the 152599 'doc •24-201224495 location for the fast food restaurant. A shipwreck hotel may have a speed dial location code such as r @beachhotel. The speed dial location code will typically be a short, easy to remember code that can be placed on a billboard that advertises a location or given to a caller by telephone. As explained below, the code can be generated by the system, but can be specified by a user in the preferred embodiment. The zone code can similarly be any type of code and can be any of the types set forth in the speed dial location code. According to the present invention, information about the location or location group ("Location Information") can be of any type. The information preferably includes at least location information for the location or group of locations. This information may consist solely of location information or may include location information and other information. The device can thus be configured to obtain location information in the form of location information and/or other forms of information. It will be appreciated that the method and system of the present invention enables a navigation device to directly access location information for a given location or group of locations when typing a speed dial location code. This allows the user to directly determine information about the location without having to perform a local search for, for example, the name and/or category of the location, and then select the correct location from among the results (assuming that a positive search is actually found) Position). For example, if a user wishes to find a given hotel, they can type in a speed dial location code such as "@beachh〇tel", which can be dialed from the speed without the user having to perform any additional steps. The location code directly determines the correct location information of the hotel and any additional information. Avoid the user's need to remember or record the direction or location details. Therefore, the possibility of error is significantly reduced when determining the position of the positioning.

152599.doc S 201224495 一使用者可以任一適宜方式將快速撥號位置代碼指示給該設備。在實施例中’該設備包含一使用者可操作以使得該使用者與該設備互動之一使用者介面，且該使用者介面經配置以允許一使用者指示該快速撥號位置代碼。在一些實施例中，該使用者介面係一使用者可藉以藉助觸摸而操作該設備之一介面（亦即，一觸敏式使用者介面），且該使用者提供一個或多個觸摸指示以指示該快速撥號位置代碼。該設備可包含一觸敏式顯示器。然而該使用者可使用任一形式之使用者可操作輸入裝置(例如，一滑鼠、觸摸墊、操縱桿或墊、旋轉控件、擊鍵、相機等等）來指示該快速撥號位置代碼。設想該使用者介面可經配置以使得該使用者能夠藉由繪製一個或多個圖形符號而輸入代碼或其一部分。此可在形式為圖形符號之包括字母之語言環境下 • 特別有用。該設備可經配置以自該使用者所提供之一個或多個指示推斷一所輸入之快速撥號位置代碼。在一些實施例中，該設備可包含-影像截圖工具以使得該使用者能夠提供該代碼之-指示。舉例而言，該使用者可使用該設備之一相機來掃描該代碼。據信，可在使用者使用-話音命令提供快速撥號位置代碼之指示之情形下使用-話音辨認系統來有利地實施本發明。因此’在實施例中’一使用者使用一個或多個基於話音之命令來指示快速撥號位置代碼。然後導航設備將包含一使用者可藉以使用話音命令來操作該設備卜使用者介面。 152599.doc • 26 · 201224495 在其中使用者提供區代碼之一指示之某些實施例中，可以關於快速撥號位置代碼所闡述之方式中之任一者（例如’藉助話音命令）來指示區代碼。根據本發明，一快速撥號位置代碼指派至每一子區域中之複數個位置或位置組中之每一者。因此在每一子區域中，每一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該子區域中之一單個位置或一單個位置組。儘管同一快速撥號位置代碼可用於另子q域中，從而鍵接至彼子區域中之一單個位置或位置組’但一既定快速撥號位置代碼與區代碼之組合唯一識別具有該區代碼之該子區域令該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的既疋位置或位置組之定位資訊。因此，每一快速撥號位置代瑪與其相關聯之區代碼之組合係唯一的。此針對一既定子區域提供與快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊之一唯一解答。若一位置橫跨子區域之間的一邊界，則其可在各自與該子區域之相關區代碼相關聯之每一區域中分配一快速撥號位置代碼。然後可使用用於彼區之區代碼及快速撥號位置代碼中之任一者來存取用於該位置之定位資訊。用於每一子區域之快速撥號位置代碼可相同。想像在一既定子區域中，一單個快速撥號位置代碼可指派至一組位置而不是一單個位置。在此等實施例中，該組位置可係所鏈接之位置《舉例而言，該組位置可係一特定命名之商店或餐館之一組分店。快速撥號位置「HAMBURGER」可指派至該子區域中之一既定漢堡餐館之每一分店。該快速撥號位置代碼與用於該組位置（亦 152599.doc •27- 201224495 即，作為一群組）中之每一位置之定位資訊相關聯。因此當獲得與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊時可（例如）同時獲得用於該等位置中之每一者之定位資訊。此可能夠（例如）同時顯示對該組位置中之每一位置之定位或呈現該組中之一位置清單以使得一使用者能夠選擇該等位置中之一者以（例如）檢視或導航至該所選擇位置。另一選擇為，該設備可經設立以自動導航至最近的位置。然而在較佳實施例中，在每一子區域中每一快速撥號位置代碼僅指派至該子區域中之一單個位置。設想一快速撥號位置代碼可係包括一通用部分及一專用部分之一複合代碼，其中可將通用部分單獨指派至一組位置且與用於該組位置之定位資訊相關聯，且通用部分與專用部分之組合可指派至來自該組位置之一單個位置且與用於彼位置之資訊相關聯。以此方式，該複合代碼可用以獲得關於一專用位置之資訊。該代碼之通用部分可用以獲得用於該組位置之定位資訊。舉例而言，代碼「HAMBURGER」可用以獲得用於具有通用快速撥號位置代碼部分「HAMBURGER」之一組位置（例如，係該連鎖之「HAMBURGER dorpsstraat」、「HAMBURGER nord」等等分店）之資訊。包括此通用部分及一專用部分之一分店之完整複合代碼（例如「HAMBURGER dorpsstraat」）可用以直接存取用於一專用分店之資訊。在一些實施例中，設想一既定子區域中之複數個快速撥號位置代碼各自指派至同一位置或位置組。舉例而言，一 152599.doc -28- 201224495 建築物可被不同的使用者用於不同目的或在不同時代用於不同目的。可將一第一快速撥號位置代碼（例如，cHURCH) 指派至亦用以舉行音樂會之一教堂以供朝拜者使用，且給其指派一第二快速撥號位置代碼（例如，c〇ncert)以供音樂會觀眾使用。然而，在一些較佳實施例中，一既定子區域中之每一快速撥號位置代碼鏈接至該子區域中之一不同的位置或位置組。如上文所論述，另一可能性在於一既定快速撥號位置代碼可與一個以上之區代碼相關聯，從而使用一個以上之區代碼使得該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的一既定位置或若干個位置之一組特定定位資訊能夠得以獲得。將瞭解’術5吾「位置」可指代該子區域中之—點位置，或可指代該子區域内之-區。該區可係諸如—公園、山脈等等之一擴展區。較佳地該位置係一點位置。該位置可係一所關注點之位置。所關注之點可係—觀光勝地、設施、旅館、營地料。該位置可係提供既定貨物及/或服務之一設施之位置。在其他實施例中，該位置可係一事件之一位置。該位置可係-永久性或暫時性位置。舉例而言，該位置可係、具有有限持續時U日或商務展會之位置。本發明之方法使得快速撥號位置代碼能夠容易言史立及修改’以便可在有限週期内I生快速撥號位置代碼。該位置可係一般關注或僅-專用使用者或料個專用使用者所關注之-位置。舉例而言’―用戶可請求用於—家庭事件之快速撥號位置代碼，或甚至請求閣述其（例如）在一營地 I52599.doc -29- s 201224495 中之當前位置。然後該用戶可將該快速撥號位置代碼通告給別人從而使得一旦一人在即可找到其他人，或指定一般附近範圍從而使得相關子區域及區代碼得以判定，從而避開需要提供詳細方向或進行重複對話來闡述其位置。可將其然後可指派至任一期望位置或若干個期望位置之一快速撥號位置代碼分配至一既定用戶，且若期望則根據需要改變β玄&派。然後若該快速撥號位置代碼被重新指派至一不同的子區域則可需要採取一些步驟來避開混淆。設想同一快速撥號位置代碼可在一第一時間指派給一第一位置或位置組且在一不同時間指派給一第二位置或位置組。舉例而言’快速撥號位置代碼「skate」可在夏天時指代一直排輪滑設施且在冬天時指代一滑冰設施。同樣，可在一年中不同時間將一不同快速撥號位置代碼指派至同一位置（雖然該等時間週期可重疊）。在實施例中，一快速撥號位置代碼可根據（例如）一用戶之請求指派至一位置或位置組。在一些實施例中，該方法可進一步包含接收將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至一指定位置或位置組之一請求，且該系統可包含用於接收此一請求之構件。該方法可進一步包含自請求者（例如，自一用戶）接收欲與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之位置或位置組之— 指示’且該系統可包含用於完成此過程之構件。可經由該設備做出該請求，且因此在實施例中該方法包含接收該請求之設備。然而’可以任一適宜方式（例如，通過網際網路，經由一 PC或藉助電話）做出此等請求。然後該方法可 152599.doc -30- 201224495 包含將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該位置或位置組。在一些實施例中，該系統可回應於將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至一指定位置或位置組之一請求而將一快速撥號位置代碼分配至一請求者（例如用戶），且該方法可包含此一步驟。在一些實施例中，所分配之快速撥號位置代碼係由該系統判定。在實施例中，該方法可包含產生欲分配至指疋位置或位置組之一快速撥號位置代碼之一步驟，且該系統可包含用於產生該快速撥號位置代碼之構件。在其他配置中，該快速撥號位置可係然後將指派至該位置或位置組之一預先存在之快速撥號位置代碼。該方法然後可進一步包含將所分配之快速撥號位置代碼通告給該請求者（例如’用戶）之步驟。在其他實施例中，指派至所指定之該位置或位置組之快速撥號位置代碼係一請求者（例如用戶）指定之快速撥號位置代碼。因此’在其中該方法包含自一用戶接收將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至一指定位置或位置組之一請求之一些 T施例中，該方法可包含自該請求者（例如自該用戶）接收拐派快速撥號位置代碼之一指示。該系統可判定該快速撥號位置代碼疋否可用’亦即’其是否已用於既定子區域中滿足任何其他要求。然後該系統可將該代碼分配至請求者（例如用戶）。另一選擇為，該請求者（例如用戶）可（例如）在中π該代碼之後已獲#使用該快速撥號位置代碼。 ^後該系統可在不進行進一步調查之情形下將該代碼分配至請求者。此可以類似於獲得一個性化號碼牌之一方式運 152599.doc -31· 201224495 作。本文所使用之術語「用戶」可指代希望具有指派至一位置或位置組之一快速撥號位置代碼，或已具有指王位置或若干個位置之一快速撥號位置代碼之任一人或實體。該用戶可係一導航系統之一用戶。該用戶可或可不為該快速撥號位置代碼付費《設想人或機構可以與人或機構訂購一電信系統相同之方式來根據本發明訂購一導航系統。在一些實施例中，該方法包含（例如）自一用戶接收將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至一位置或位置組之一請求自該請求者（例如用戶）接收該快速撥號位置代碼欲指派至的該位置或位置組之-指示。該方法可包含將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該位置或位置組，使得該快速撥號位置代碼與用於該位置或位置組之資訊（例如，位置資訊）相關聯，且使得該快速撥號位置代碼與包括該位置或位置組之該子區域之一區代碼相關聯。該方法可進一步包含以上文所闡述之方式中之任一者將該快速撥號位置代碼分配至該請求者 (例如，用戶）’及/或自請求者（例如，用戶）接收將該快速撥號位置代碼指派至該位置或位置組之一指示。根據本發明之一另外態樣，提供一種方法，其包含以下步驟；較佳地自一用戶接收將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至一位置或位置組之一請求；較佳地自一用戶接收該快速撥號位置代碼欲指派至的一位置或位置組之一指示； 152599.doc •32- 201224495 使得一快速撥號位置代碼與興用於5亥明求者所指定之該位或位置組之貧訊（較佳地包括位置資訊）相關聯；且使得該快速撥號位置代碼與包括該位置或位置组之— 地理子區域之-區代料關聯。較佳地，財法係操作— 導航系統之一方法。根據本發明之一另外態樣，提供一種系、統，較佳地係一導航系統，其包含；用於較佳地自-用戶接收將一快速撥號位置代碼指派至一位置或位置組之一請求之構件；用於較佳地自該用戶接收該快速撥號位置代碼欲指派至的一位置或位置組之一指示之構件；用於使得一快速撥號位置代碼與用於該請求者所指定之該位置或位置組之資訊（較佳地包括位置資訊）相關聯之構件；及用於使得該快速撥號位置代碼與包括該位置或位置組之一地理子區域之一區代碼相關聯之構件。在此等另外態樣中，本發明可包括關於本發明之其他態樣及實施例所闡述之任一特徵或全部特徵。根據本發明，在其態樣或實施例中之任一者中，與每— 快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊可係任一適宜類型。該資訊較佳地至少包括用於該位置或位置組之位置資訊。該位置資訊較佳地包含用於該位置或每一位置之地理座標。另一選擇為或另外’該位置資訊可包括該位置或每一位置之一郵政編碼或街道地址。在此等較佳實施例中，該 152599.doc -33- 201224495 位置資訊較佳地係使得該導航設備能夠判定一組位置中之該位置或每-位置之位置錄佳地導航至該位置或每—位置之資訊。s此，該位置資訊可使得—導航設備能夠計算至該位置或該組位置中之任一者之一路線。根據本發明，該設備經配置以至少獲得與所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊中之一些定位資訊，且較佳地至少獲得用於該位置或位置組之位置資訊。該位置資訊係用於該快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的既定位置或位置組之位置資訊。可以各種方式使用所獲得之位置資訊。該資》il 了由獲得β玄資訊之導航設備使用或可由該設備提供給另一設備或該系統之一部分以供使用。在些實把例中，该方法進一步包含使用所獲得之位置貢訊來導航至或經由所指示之快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的該位置或該組位置中之一者，且該系統可包含用於完成此過程之構件。換言之，該位置資訊用以在一路線計算中提供一目的地。該步驟可由該導航設備實施。在其他實施例中’該資訊可由該設備提供給欲用於該導航中之另一導航設備。在一些實施例中，該方法包含計算一第一位置與使用該位置資訊之位置之間的一路線，且該系統可包含用於完成此過程之構件。該步驟可包含使用該位置資訊在一路線計算中提供一目的地。再者’此等步驟可由獲得該資訊之該設備實施。在其他實施例中，所獲得之資訊可傳送至用於實施此等步驟之另一製圖或導航設備。 152599.doc -34· 201224495 在一些實施例中，回應於該導航設備自一使用者所接收之才S示期望V航至s亥位置之一輸入而實施使用該位置資訊來導航至該位置之步驟。如上文所提及，在該快速撥號位置代瑪私派至一組位置之情形下，該設備可經配置以使用該位置資訊自動選擇且導航至該等位置中之一者（例如，一最近的位置）。在其他實施例中，該設備可經配置以給該使用者顯示該組位置巾之—位置清單以使得該使用者能夠使用該位置資訊選擇—位置以使該設備導航至該所選擇位置。另一選擇為或另外’在—些實施例中該方法可包含儲存所指示之快速撥號位置代碼以與所獲得之資訊相關聯。該設備可致使此步驟得以實施。該方法可包含將該快速撥號位置代碼及所獲得之#訊儲存於該導航設備之—記憶體中。然後該使用者可更容易地將所獲得之資訊下載至（例如）一PC或行動通信裝置以供猶後使用，或另-選擇為下載至另-製圖或導航裝置。當快速撥號位置代碼及相關聯之資訊最初遠離該設備而儲存時或其中該資訊欲用於曾獲得該資tfl之該設備不能獨自執行之—操作中，此等實施例可特別適用本發明可給該設備之一使用去 ^ 00 ^ ^ ^ 1之用者k供一簡早方式來獲得除用於一位置之位置資訊之外心邛的另外資訊。在一些實施例中’該快速撥號位置代碼與句杠興匕括位置資訊及關於該位置或位置組之額外資訊之定位資貝訊相關聯。該額外資訊較佳地係聯絡資訊。該額外資訊針對 T対π位置或每一位置可包括該 I52599.doc • 35 ·152599.doc S 201224495 A user can indicate a speed dial location code to the device in any suitable manner. In an embodiment, the device includes a user interface operable by the user to interact with the device, and the user interface is configured to allow a user to indicate the speed dial location code. In some embodiments, the user interface is a user operable to operate one of the devices (ie, a touch-sensitive user interface) by touch, and the user provides one or more touch indications. Indicates the speed dial location code. The device can include a touch sensitive display. However, the user can use any form of user operable input device (e.g., a mouse, touch pad, joystick or pad, rotary controls, keystrokes, camera, etc.) to indicate the speed dial location code. It is contemplated that the user interface can be configured to enable the user to enter a code or a portion thereof by drawing one or more graphical symbols. This can be especially useful in locales that include letters in the form of graphic symbols. The device can be configured to infer an entered speed dial location code from one or more indications provided by the user. In some embodiments, the device can include an image capture tool to enable the user to provide an indication of the code. For example, the user can scan the code using one of the cameras of the device. It is believed that the present invention can be advantageously implemented using a voice recognition system in the event that the user uses the voice command to provide an indication of the speed dial location code. Thus, in a embodiment, a user uses one or more voice-based commands to indicate a speed dial location code. The navigation device will then include a user interface through which the user can use the voice command to operate the device. 152599.doc • 26 · 201224495 In some embodiments in which the user provides an indication of a zone code, the zone may be indicated with respect to any of the manners set forth by the speed dial location code (eg, by means of a voice command) Code. In accordance with the present invention, a speed dial location code is assigned to each of a plurality of locations or groups of locations in each sub-area. Thus in each sub-area, each speed dial location code is assigned to a single location or a single location group in the sub-area. Although the same speed dial location code can be used in the other subq domain, thereby keying to one of the individual locations or location groups in the subarea 'but a combination of a given speed dial location code and the zone code uniquely identifies the zone code with the zone code The sub-area is the location information of the location or location group to which the speed dial location code is assigned. Therefore, the combination of each speed dial location and its associated zone code is unique. This is the only answer to one of the positioning information associated with the speed dial location code for a stator area. If a location spans a boundary between sub-regions, it can assign a speed dial location code in each of the regions associated with the associated region code for that sub-region. Any of the zone codes and speed dial location codes for the zone can then be used to access the location information for that location. The speed dial location code for each sub-area can be the same. Imagine that in a single stator region, a single speed dial location code can be assigned to a group of locations rather than a single location. In such embodiments, the set of locations may be the location of the link. For example, the set of locations may be a component store of a particular named store or restaurant. Speed dial location "HAMBURGER" can be assigned to each of the established burger restaurants in that sub-area. The speed dial location code is associated with location information for each of the set of locations (also 152599.doc • 27-201224495, ie, as a group). Thus, when the location information associated with the speed dial location code is obtained, location information for each of the locations can be obtained, for example, simultaneously. This may, for example, simultaneously display a location of each of the set of locations or present a list of locations in the set to enable a user to select one of the locations to, for example, view or navigate to The selected location. Alternatively, the device can be set up to automatically navigate to the nearest location. In the preferred embodiment, however, each speed dial location code in each sub-area is only assigned to a single location in the sub-area. It is contemplated that a speed dial location code can include a composite code of a general portion and a dedicated portion, wherein the universal portion can be individually assigned to a set of locations and associated with location information for the set of locations, and the generic portion and dedicated portion The combination of parts can be assigned to a single location from one of the set of locations and associated with information for the location. In this way, the composite code can be used to obtain information about a dedicated location. The general part of the code can be used to obtain positioning information for the set of locations. For example, the code "HAMBURGER" can be used to obtain information for a group location with the general speed dial location code portion "HAMBURGER" (for example, the chain "HAMBURGER dorpsstraat", "HAMBURGER nord", etc.). A complete composite code (such as "HAMBURGER dorpsstraat") that includes this general part and a dedicated part of the store can be used to directly access information for a dedicated branch. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that a plurality of speed dial location codes in a region of the stator are each assigned to the same location or group of locations. For example, a 152599.doc -28- 201224495 building can be used by different users for different purposes or for different purposes in different eras. A first speed dial location code (eg, cHURCH) can be assigned to a church that is also used to hold a concert for worshippers, and assigned a second speed dial location code (eg, c〇ncert) to For concert audiences. However, in some preferred embodiments, each of the speed dial location codes in a region of the stator is linked to a different one of the sub-regions or a group of locations. As discussed above, another possibility is that a given speed dial location code can be associated with more than one zone code such that more than one zone code is used to assign a predetermined location or locations to the speed dial location code. A group of specific positioning information can be obtained. It will be understood that the 'position 5' may refer to the position of the sub-area, or may refer to the area within the sub-area. The zone may be an extension zone such as a park, a mountain range, and the like. Preferably the location is a point location. This location can be the location of a point of interest. The points of concern can be - sightseeing spots, facilities, hotels, camp materials. This location may be the location of a facility that provides the intended goods and/or services. In other embodiments, the location can be one of the locations of an event. This location can be a permanent or temporary location. For example, the location can be tied to a location with a limited duration U-day or a business show. The method of the present invention enables the speed dial location code to be readily documented and modified so that the speed dial location code can be generated for a limited period of time. This location can be of general concern or only - the location of the dedicated user or the dedicated user. For example, a user may request a speed dial location code for a home event, or even ask for a current location in a camp I52599.doc -29-s 201224495, for example. The user can then advertise the speed dial location code to others so that once someone is there, they can find other people, or specify a general vicinity so that the relevant sub-area and zone codes can be determined, thereby avoiding the need to provide detailed directions or repeat conversations. To illustrate its location. It can then be assigned to any desired location or one of several desired locations. The speed dial location code is assigned to a given subscriber, and if desired, the beta meta & Then if the speed dial location code is reassigned to a different sub-area, some steps may need to be taken to avoid confusion. It is contemplated that the same speed dial location code can be assigned to a first location or group of locations at a first time and to a second location or group of locations at a different time. For example, the speed dial location code "skate" may refer to a skating facility in the summer and a skating facility in the winter. Similarly, a different speed dial location code can be assigned to the same location at different times of the year (although the time periods can overlap). In an embodiment, a speed dial location code can be assigned to a location or group of locations based on, for example, a user request. In some embodiments, the method can further include receiving a request to assign a speed dial location code to a specified location or set of locations, and the system can include means for receiving the request. The method can further include receiving, from the requestor (e.g., from a user) a location or set of locations associated with the speed dial location code - an indication and the system can include means for performing the process. The request can be made via the device, and thus in an embodiment the method includes means for receiving the request. However, such requests may be made in any suitable manner (e.g., via the Internet, via a PC or by telephone). The method can then 152599.doc -30- 201224495 includes assigning a speed dial location code to the location or location group. In some embodiments, the system can assign a speed dial location code to a requestor (eg, a user) in response to assigning a speed dial location code to a specified location or location group request, and the method can include This step. In some embodiments, the assigned speed dial location code is determined by the system. In an embodiment, the method can include the step of generating one of the speed dial location codes to be assigned to the fingerprint location or location group, and the system can include means for generating the speed dial location code. In other configurations, the speed dial location can be assigned to a speed dial location code pre-existing to one of the location or location groups. The method can then further include the step of advertising the assigned speed dial location code to the requestor (e. g., 'user). In other embodiments, the speed dial location code assigned to the specified location or group of locations is a speed dial location code designated by a requester (e.g., a user). Thus, in some embodiments in which the method includes receiving a request from a user to assign a speed dial location code to a specified location or group of locations, the method can include receiving from the requestor (eg, from the user) One of the abduction speed dial location codes is indicated. The system can determine if the speed dial location code is available 'i.e.' whether it has been used in the stator area to meet any other requirements. The system can then assign the code to the requester (e.g., the user). Alternatively, the requestor (e. g., user) may, for example, obtain the # speed dial location code after the code in π. ^ The system can then assign the code to the requester without further investigation. This can be done in a way similar to obtaining a sexual number plate 152599.doc -31· 201224495. The term "user" as used herein may refer to any person or entity that wishes to have a speed dial location code assigned to a location or location group, or a speed dial location code that has a referee location or one of several locations. The user can be a user of a navigation system. The user may or may not pay for the speed dial location code. The envisioned person or institution may order a navigation system in accordance with the present invention in the same manner as a person or institution subscribes to a telecommunications system. In some embodiments, the method includes, for example, receiving, from a user, assigning a speed dial location code to a location or a group of locations requesting receipt from the requester (eg, a user) that the speed dial location code is to be assigned to The location or location group - indication. The method can include assigning a speed dial location code to the location or group of locations such that the speed dial location code is associated with information (eg, location information) for the location or group of locations, and the speed dial location code is caused Associated with a zone code of the sub-area that includes the location or set of locations. The method can further include any of the ways set forth above assigning the speed dial location code to the requestor (e.g., user)' and/or receiving the speed dial location from the requestor (e.g., user) The code is assigned to one of the locations or location groups indicated. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided comprising the steps of: preferably receiving, from a user, a request to assign a speed dial location code to a location or group of locations; preferably receiving the request from a user One of the locations or location groups to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned indicates; 152599.doc •32- 201224495 makes a speed dial location code and the location or location group specified by the 5 Hai Ming seeker (preferably including location information) associated; and causing the speed dial location code to be associated with a zone sub-region comprising the location or location group. Preferably, the financial system operates - one of the methods of the navigation system. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system, preferably a navigation system, comprising: for preferably assigning a speed dial location code to a location or a group of locations from a user-receiving a means for requesting, preferably from the user, an indication of a location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned; for causing a speed dial location code to be used by the requester Information relating to the location or set of locations (preferably including location information); and means for associating the speed dial location code with a zone code including one of the geographic subregions of the location or set of locations. In this additional aspect, the invention may include any or all of the features set forth in relation to the other aspects and embodiments of the invention. In accordance with the present invention, in any of its aspects or embodiments, the positioning information associated with each of the speed dial location codes can be of any suitable type. The information preferably includes at least location information for the location or group of locations. The location information preferably includes geographic coordinates for the location or each location. Another option is or otherwise 'the location information may include the location or one of the location zip codes or street addresses. In such preferred embodiments, the location information preferably 152599.doc -33 - 201224495 is such that the navigation device is capable of determining that the location or location of each of the set of locations is preferably navigated to the location or Every location information. Here, the location information may enable the navigation device to calculate a route to either the location or the set of locations. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus is configured to obtain at least some of the positioning information associated with the indicated speed dial location code, and preferably at least obtain location information for the location or group of locations. The location information is used for location information of a predetermined location or group of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned. The location information obtained can be used in various ways. This resource is used by a navigation device that obtains β-Xuan information or can be provided by the device to another device or a portion of the system for use. In some embodiments, the method further includes navigating to or via one of the location or the set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned using the obtained location credit, and the system can include The component used to complete this process. In other words, the location information is used to provide a destination in a route calculation. This step can be implemented by the navigation device. In other embodiments, the information may be provided by the device to another navigation device to be used in the navigation. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating a route between a first location and a location in which the location information is used, and the system can include means for performing the process. This step may include using the location information to provide a destination in a route calculation. Again, these steps can be performed by the device that obtained the information. In other embodiments, the information obtained may be transmitted to another graphics or navigation device for performing such steps. 152599.doc -34· 201224495 In some embodiments, the location information is used to navigate to the location in response to the navigation device receiving a one of the desired V-to-sink positions received from a user. step. As mentioned above, in the case where the speed dial location is privately assigned to a set of locations, the device can be configured to automatically select and navigate to one of the locations using the location information (eg, a recent s position). In other embodiments, the device can be configured to display to the user a list of locations of the set of location towels to enable the user to select the location using the location information to navigate the device to the selected location. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the method can include storing the indicated speed dial location code to associate with the obtained information. This device enables this step to be implemented. The method can include storing the speed dial location code and the obtained #signal in the memory of the navigation device. The user can then more easily download the obtained information to, for example, a PC or mobile communication device for later use, or alternatively - to download to another graphics or navigation device. These embodiments may be particularly applicable to the present invention when the speed dial location code and associated information are initially stored away from the device or where the information is intended to be used by the device in which the device was previously unavailable. Use one of the devices to use ^ 00 ^ ^ ^ 1 for a simple way to obtain additional information in addition to the location information for a location. In some embodiments, the speed dial location code is associated with location information and location information about the location or location group additional information. This additional information is preferably a contact information. This additional information may be for the T対π position or each location may include the I52599.doc • 35 ·

S 201224495 位置之一名稱、一電話號碼、網際網路位址、關於該位置處所提供之服務或產品之資訊、關於營業時間之資訊、一商標、有關位置及/或快速撥號位置代碼或關於該位置處正舉行之一事件之資訊中之一者或多者。在一些實施例中，該快速撥號位置代碼可與一鏈路相關聯從而使得關於該位置或每一位置之實況資料能夠通過一通信鏈路得以獲付。該方法因此可包含該設備獲得位置資訊及與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之任一另外資訊。對正獲得或使用之位置資訊之任何提及可指代與正獲得或使用之快速撥號位置位置資訊及任一額外資訊。可與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之其他類型之定位資訊包括圖片、視訊等等。因此該資訊可包括影像資料及/或視訊資料。该方法包含該設備識別所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及所S 201224495 Location One of the names, a phone number, an internet address, information about the services or products offered at that location, information about hours of operation, a trademark, location and/or speed dial location code or One or more of the information on one of the events is being held at the location. In some embodiments, the speed dial location code can be associated with a link such that live material about the location or each location can be received over a communication link. The method may therefore include the device obtaining location information and any additional information associated with the speed dial location code. Any reference to location information being obtained or used may refer to speed dial location location information and any additional information being obtained or used. Other types of positioning information that can be associated with the speed dial location code include pictures, video, and the like. The information may therefore include image data and/or video material. The method includes the device identifying the indicated speed dial location code and location

中’該方法包含顯*M於針對其已獲得資訊之該位置或若干個位置之資訊。該"又備可經配置以致使此一步驟得以實The method contains information about the location or location for which information has been obtained. The " is also configurable to enable this step to be implemented

想若一使用者知曉了與所關注之該系統可經配置以提供藉以使其撥號位置代碼及區代碼兩者。設關注之一既定位置之快速撥號位 152599.doc • 36 - 201224495 置代碼相關聯之區代碼，則盆w仏λ j.. 幻具可輸入兩個代碼以獲得定位而不是必須首先選資訊，且（例如）選擇欲導航至的位置，擇該位置所處之子區域。㈣理區域所劃分成之㈣統之子區域係敎子區域。換5之，提前設立該等子區域。該地理區域可係由一數位地圖表示之一區域'然後該等子區域可係由一數位地圖表不之區域。該設備能夠判定該等子區域之範圍以識別包括 -當前位置或-使用者指定位置之既定子區域(例如，一所關注之子區域）m可包含使得定義每—子區域之範圍之資料對於該設備可用。該設備可經配置以存取定義該地理區域已劃分成之該複數個預定子區域中之每一者之範圍之資訊。該資訊或資料可係數位地圖資料。該資訊可與每-子區域之區代碼相關聯。在一些實施例中，該設備可包含健存定義每-子區域之範圍之f訊之_記憶體。然而，可遠端儲存此資訊。可以任一方式將區代碼指派至子區域，且下文闡述一些實例性實施例。然而僅以實例方式闡述此等方法，且可存在其他方法。相而t，可肖手機發射塔分配至子區域之方式類似地使用層序或重疊方法。自本發明之一另外態樣，提供包含以下步驟之—種方法；視情況，將一地理區域細分成複數個子區域，較佳地其中該地理區域係由一數位地圖表示之一區域，將一組快速撥號位置代碼分配至每一子區域， 152599.doc •37- 201224495 使得每一快速撥號位置代碼與該代碼所分配至的子區域之一區代碼相關聯，將每一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該快速撥號位置代碼所分配至的該子區域中之一位置或位置組，及使每一快速撥號位置代碼與關於該位置或位置組之資訊相關聯。自本發明之又另一態樣，提供一種系統，其包含；視情況，用於將一地理區域細分成複數個子區域之構件，較佳地其中該地理區域係由一數位地圖表示之一區域，用於將一組快速撥號位置代碼分配至每一子區域之構件；用於使每一快速撥號位置代碼與該代碼所分配至.的該子區域之一區代碼相關聯之構件；用於將每一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該快速撥號位置代碼所分配至的該子區域中之一位置或位置組之構件，及使每一快速撥號位置代碼與關於該位置或位置組之資訊相關聯之構件。在不包括用於將地理區域細分成子區域之步驟或構件之方法及系統中，該快速撥號位置代碼所分配至的該等子區域將係已被劃分成子區域之一地理區域（較佳地係由一數位地圖表示之一地理區域）之子區域。將瞭解，另外根據本發明之第一及第二態樣，可省略將該區劃分成子區域之步驟’且將區代碼等等指派至已形成之子區域。 152599.doc •38- 201224495 在此等另外態樣中，本發明可包括關於本發明之其他態樣及實施例所闡述之任一特徵或全部特徵，只要其不互相排斥即可。根據本發明，在其態樣中之任一者令，可以任一方式設立該等子區域。該等子區域可隸-大小。該等子區域可係相同或不同大小。舉例而t ’該等子區域可係基於出於其他目的而形成之現存子區域’諸如固定電話區代碼區域、郵政編碼、行政區邊界等等。在其他實施例中，可端視一地理區域中所需要之快速撥號位置代碼之密度來以演算方式判定該等子區域。舉例而言’子區域可在人口稀少區中較大，且在人口較密集區或存在較多用戶之區中較小。。可以與電㈣碼類似之方式根據用戶請求將該等快速撥號位置代碼指派至位置。因此在存在希望分配—快速撥號位置代碼之較多用戶之區域中’該等子區域可較小以續保每一用戶可接收在該子區域内係唯一之一快速撥號位置代碼。在一些實施例中，該方法包含參考該地理區中快速撥號位置代碼請求之一密度來設定該等子區域中之一者或多者之一大小。當將快速撥號位置代碼指派至子區域時，期望指派至一既定子區域或甚至毗鄰子區域之快速撥號位置代碼在(例如）作為一基於話音之命令被說出時具有一低混淆機會。可以試圖最小化此混淆之-方式產生並指派快速撥號位置代馬舉例而δ，在作為話音命令被說出之情形下，代碼It is contemplated that if a user knows that the system of interest can be configured to provide both a dial location code and a zone code. Set one of the speed dials for a given location. 152599.doc • 36 - 201224495 Set the code associated with the area code, then the basin w仏λ j.. The illusion can enter two codes to get the positioning instead of having to select the information first. And (for example) selecting the location to navigate to, selecting the sub-region in which the location is located. (4) The division of the area (4) is divided into sub-regions. Change to 5, set up these sub-areas in advance. The geographic area may be represented by a digital map of a region 'and then the sub-regions may be bound by a digital map. The device is capable of determining a range of the sub-regions to identify a stator region (eg, a sub-region of interest) m including a current location or a user-specified location, and may include data defining a range of each sub-region for the The device is available. The device can be configured to access information defining a range of each of the plurality of predetermined sub-regions into which the geographic region has been divided. The information or information may be a map data. This information can be associated with the zone code for each sub-region. In some embodiments, the device can include a memory that defines the range of each sub-region. However, this information can be stored remotely. The zone code can be assigned to a sub-area in any manner, and some example embodiments are set forth below. However, these methods are illustrated by way of example only, and other methods may exist. In contrast, the way in which the mobile phone tower is assigned to the sub-area is similarly used in a sequence or overlap method. In another aspect of the present invention, a method comprising the steps of: subdividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub-regions, preferably wherein the geographic region is represented by a digital map, will be provided The group speed dial location code is assigned to each sub-area, 152599.doc • 37- 201224495 so that each speed dial location code is associated with a zone code of the sub-area to which the code is assigned, assigning each speed-dial location code To one of the sub-areas or location groups to which the speed dial location code is assigned, and to associate each speed dial location code with information about the location or location group. In still another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided comprising: optionally, a component for subdividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub-regions, preferably wherein the geographic region is represented by a digital map Means for assigning a set of speed dial location codes to each sub-area; means for associating each speed dial location code with a zone code of the sub-area to which the code is assigned; Assigning each speed dial location code to a location or location component of the sub-area to which the speed dial location code is assigned, and associating each speed dial location code with information about the location or location group The components. In a method and system that does not include steps or components for subdividing a geographic area into sub-areas, the sub-areas to which the speed dial location code is assigned will be divided into one of the sub-areas (preferably A sub-area of a geographic area represented by a digital map. It will be appreciated that, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention, the step of dividing the region into sub-regions may be omitted and the region code or the like may be assigned to the formed sub-region. 152599.doc • 38- 201224495 In these additional aspects, the invention may include any or all of the features set forth in relation to the other aspects and embodiments of the invention, as long as they are not mutually exclusive. According to the invention, in any of its aspects, the sub-regions can be set in either manner. The sub-regions can be of a size-size. The sub-regions may be the same or different sizes. By way of example, the sub-areas may be based on existing sub-areas formed for other purposes, such as fixed telephone area code areas, postal codes, administrative area boundaries, and the like. In other embodiments, the sub-areas may be determined in a computational manner by looking at the density of the speed dial location codes required in a geographic area. For example, a sub-area may be larger in a sparsely populated area and smaller in a densely populated area or in a region where there are more users. . The speed dial location codes can be assigned to locations based on user requests in a manner similar to the electrical (four) code. Thus, in areas where there are more users wishing to assign - speed dial location codes, the sub-areas may be smaller to renew each user to receive a unique one-speed dial location code within the sub-area. In some embodiments, the method includes setting a size of one or more of the sub-regions with reference to a density of one of the speed dial location code requests in the geographic region. When a speed dial location code is assigned to a sub-area, the speed dial location code desirably assigned to a either a stator region or even an adjacent sub-region has a low confusion opportunity when, for example, spoken as a voice-based command. You can try to minimize this confusion - the way to generate and assign speed dial locations. For example, δ, in the case where the voice command is spoken, the code

S 152599.doc 201224495 「B18」與「81B」可混淆。。據本發月，期望在同一子區域中僅使用一既定快速撥號位置代碼H使得該位置代糾夠唯—識別彼特定子區域中之一位置或位置植，且在組合與其相關聯之區代碼而採用時唯一識別該系統中之一位置或位置組。這可在、上之用戶希望同一快速撥號位置代碼與#常接近之不同位置相關聯之情形下具有更大挑戰性。可藉由使用具有各種大小之子區域且（例如）端視對快速撥號位置代碼或 :至彼附近之一既定快速撥號位置代碼之需求位準來判定、一子區域之大小來解決此等問題。若對特定某__類型之快速撥號位置代碼之需求增加，則子區域可經劃分以形成新然而在某些情形中，子區域之間的邊界附近可存在另外 2題。—個子區域中之-㈣者可相附近—廣告牌上所宣傳之-快速撥號位置代碼’而沒有意識到與其有關之位置實際上在另一子區域中。這可在自(例如)位於一山上之一距離處可見該廣告牌之情形下發生。若該使用者將該快連撥號位置代碼輸入至導航設備中，I已將同一快速撥號位置代碼指派至該使用者當前所處之子區域中之另一位置，則該設備可自動獲得與該使用者當前所位於之子區域之代碼相關聯之快速撥號位置代碼所指派至的該位置之位置育訊’而不是實際上含有期望位置之子區域之定位資 ^可藉由另外計及該使用者/設備之—行進方向來採取步驟以解決上文所論述之此問題。 152599.doc 201224495 較佳地，在將地理區域劃分成子區域時採取步驟以確保相同的快速撥號位置代碼不分配至靠近該等子區域之間的 -邊界之不同的子區域中之位置。這可在該設備自動推斷所關注之子區域時最小化混淆之可能性。在一些實施例中，該方法包含將一組快速撥號位置代碼分配至每一子區域之步驟，其中分配至批鄰子區域之該等快速撥號位置代碼組不重疊。毗鄰子區域係共享—邊界之子區域。達成此之個方式係將該地理區細分成複數個子區域，且以不將同一元素指派至任何兩個毗鄰子區域之一方式將由複數個不同元素構成之一組中之一者指派至每一子區域。然後該方法可包含以分配至被指派一不同元素之子區域之該等快速撥號位置代碼組不重疊之一方式將一組快速撥號位置代碼分配至每一子區域。因此任何兩個毗鄰子區域將不包括相同的快速撥號位置代碼。可僅在分配至被指派相同元素之子區域之快速撥號位置代碼組之間存在重叠了使用s數目個元素。在實施例中，使用至少四個疋素，且較佳地該組由四個不同的元素構成。該等元素可係任一類型，例如代碼、標籤、標記等等。此等實施例之方法可利用稱作四色彩原理之一理論。該四色衫原理表明可使用最小值四個色彩以任何毗鄰區域不具有相同色彩之—方式給一地圖之子區域上色。因此藉由使用此原理，可確保相同的快速撥號位置代碼不與毗鄰子區域相關聯’同時最小化所需要之不同的快速撥號位置代碼之數目。較佳地，每一元素因此係一色彩，且每一子區S 152599.doc 201224495 "B18" and "81B" can be confused. . According to the present month, it is desirable to use only a predetermined speed dial location code H in the same sub-area such that the location is correct enough to identify one location or location in a particular sub-area, and to combine the zone code associated therewith. When used, it uniquely identifies a location or set of locations in the system. This can be more challenging in situations where the user wants the same speed dial location code to be associated with a different location that is often close. These problems can be resolved by using a sub-area of various sizes and, for example, looking at the speed dial location code or: to the desired level of one of the nearby speed dial location codes to determine the size of a sub-area. If the demand for a particular __ type of speed dial location code is increased, the sub-areas may be divided to form a new. However, in some cases, there may be another 2 questions near the boundary between the sub-areas. - In the sub-area - (4) can be adjacent - the advertised - speed dial location code on the billboard - without realizing that the location associated with it is actually in another sub-area. This can occur in the case where, for example, the billboard is visible at a distance on a mountain. If the user inputs the fast-connected dial location code into the navigation device, and I has assigned the same speed dial location code to another location in the sub-area where the user is currently located, the device can automatically obtain the use The location of the location to which the speed dial location code associated with the code of the sub-area currently associated with the location is located, rather than the location of the sub-area that actually contains the desired location, may be additionally accounted for by the user/device The direction of travel takes steps to solve the problem discussed above. 152599.doc 201224495 Preferably, steps are taken to divide the geographic area into sub-areas to ensure that the same speed dial location code is not assigned to locations in different sub-areas close to the - boundary between the sub-areas. This minimizes the possibility of confusion when the device automatically infers the sub-areas of interest. In some embodiments, the method includes the step of assigning a set of speed dial location codes to each of the sub-areas, wherein the speed dial location code groups assigned to the batch neighbor sub-areas do not overlap. Adjacent sub-areas are shared - sub-areas of the boundary. The way to achieve this is to subdivide the geographic area into a plurality of sub-areas, and assign one of a plurality of different elements to each of the groups by not assigning the same element to any of the two adjacent sub-areas. Sub-area. The method can then include assigning a set of speed dial location codes to each of the sub-areas in such a manner that the speed dial location code groups assigned to the sub-areas assigned a different element do not overlap. Therefore any two adjacent sub-areas will not include the same speed dial location code. It is possible to overlap the number of elements used by s only among the speed dial location code groups assigned to the sub-areas to which the same element is assigned. In an embodiment, at least four halogens are used, and preferably the set consists of four different elements. These elements can be of any type, such as code, tags, tags, and so on. The methods of these embodiments may utilize a theory known as the four color principle. The four-color shirt principle indicates that a sub-region of a map can be colored using a minimum of four colors in such a way that any adjacent regions do not have the same color. Thus, by using this principle, it is ensured that the same speed dial location code is not associated with adjacent sub-areas' while minimizing the number of different speed dial location codes required. Preferably, each element is therefore a color and each sub-area

S 152599.doc -41 - 201224495 域被指派—不同的色彩。較佳地，該組係由四個色彩構成。該方法可包含給每一子區域上色。據信’此等方法以其自身實力而有利。自本發明之一另外態樣，提供格式化一數位地圖之一種方法’其包含以下步驟；將由該地圖表示之一地理區域細分成複數個子區域，以不將同一凡素指派至任何兩個毗鄰子區域之一方式將由複數個70素構成之一組中之一者指派至每一子區域，將一組代碼分配至每一子區域，其中以分配至被指派不同，素之子區域之代碼組之間不存在任何重疊之一方式將該等代碼組分配至該等子區域。根據本發明之一另外態樣，提供用於格式化一數位地圖之一系統，其包含；用於將由該數位地圖表示之一地理區域細分成複數個子區域之構件，用於以不將同一元素指派至任何兩個毗鄰子區域之一方式將由複數個不同元素構成之一組中之一者指派至每一子區域之構件，及用於將一組代碼分配至每一子區域之構件其中以分配至被指派不同元素之子區域之代碼組之間不存在任何重疊之一方式將該等代碼組分配至該等子區域。較佳地每一元素係一色彩。較佳地該組係由四個或更多個不同元素（較佳地係色彩）構成。最佳地，該組係由四個元素（較佳地係色彩）構成。 152599.doc •42· 201224495 根據此等另外態樣之用於格式化—數位地圖之方法及系統可包括詩本發^其他態㈣㈣之㈣或全部特 ^ 口此此方法或系統可作為關於本發明之其他態樣所闞述之方法及系統之一部分而锃LV奋价。丁％〇丨刀而侍以實施，且可併入相對於較早態樣及實施例而M述之任何或全部特徵。因此可使用該方法或线以設立用於録本發明之較早態樣之一方法或系統中之子區域’且可“將形式為快速撥號位置代碼 ^代碼分配至該等子區域，然後該等代碼可指派至該等子區域中之各別位置或位置組且可與用於該（該等）位置之位置資訊相關聯且與該等子區域之區代碼相關聯。將瞭解，根據本發明之此等另外態樣之用於格式化一數位地圖之方法及系統具有普遍適用性且可在其中期望以在分配至毗鄰子區域之代碼組之間避開重疊之一方式將代碼指派至地理子區域之任一系統中有用。舉例而言，儘管該等代碼有利地係位置代碼，但該等代碼可用於一電話系統或其中期望將代碼分配至一既定地理區域中之物件或人或地方之任一系統中。在此等另外態樣中，該方法可進一步包含將一區代碼指派至每一子區域且使得該區代碼與識別該子區域之資訊相關聯，且該系統可包含用於完成此過程之構件。該方法較佳地包含使得分配至一子區域之每一組代碼與該等代瑪所分配至的子區域之區代碼相關聯之步驟。此可使得能夠以上文關於快速撥號位置代碼所闡述之方式使用該等代碼，其中區代碼與分配至子區域之代碼之組合可用以唯一識別 152599.doc -43· 201224495 别子區域中之物件、位置或人。在實施例中，該區代碼與來自分配至一子區域之該組代碼之每一代碼之組合(亦即)在》亥系統内係唯一的。較佳地該等代碼因此係快速撥號代碼，且最佳地係快速撥號位置代碼。該方法可進一步包含儲存每一組㈣以與該等代碼所分至的子區域之區代碼相關聯’且該系統可包含用於完成此過程之構件。在其中所分配之代碼係、位置代碼之較佳實〇中豸方法可進—步包含將每—代碼指派至該位置代碼所刀配至的子區域中之—位置或位置組，且使得該位置弋馬。用於及位置或每一位置之資訊(較佳地至少係位置貝況）相關聯。該系統可包含用於完成此過程之構件。包括位置資訊及/或卜其他資訊之該資訊可如上文關於本發明之較早態樣所論述。在其他實施例中，每—代碼可與其他非定位專用資訊（例如關於該子區域中之一物件或人之資訊)相關聯，而不是與定位資訊相關聯。f亥資訊可係識別該子區域中之—用戶或㈣區域註冊之—商務或物件之資訊。較佳地，4 —組代碼係—組位置代碼。肖方法可進__步包含儲存每—位置代碼以與用於該位置或每-位置或位置組之資訊(較佳地係位置資訊)相關聯。該等根據先前㈣於本發明讀早s狀快速_位^^ 闡述之實施例中之任一者。在本發明之此等另外態樣及實施例中，該方法較佳地係格式化用於-導航系·统中之—數位地圖之—方法。所分配 152599.doc -44- 201224495 之代碼較佳地係可由—導航設備用以獲得較佳地包括位置 :訊之定位資訊之位置代碼。該方法可進一步包含一導航備使用位置代碼來獲得用於該位置代碼所指派至的一位置或位置組之資訊，較佳地係位置資訊。在其中儲存資料之實施例中，不管是區代碼還是代碼組及相關聯之資訊’該資訊可以關於本發明之較早態樣所論述之方式中之任一者而儲存。在實施例中，該方法可包含將用於該位置或每一位置或位置組之位置代碼及定位資訊較佳地至少係位置資訊）儲存於用於每—組位置代媽之一單獨資料庫令，每一資料庫係與該組位置代碼所指派至的該子區域之區代碼相關聯。該方法可包含將该等代碼中之一者或多者分配至一請求者（例如，一用戶或若干個用戶）。此可根據關於本發明之較早態樣所闡述之實施例中之任一者而完成。根據本發明，在其態樣及實施例中之任一者中，設想可設立不同的子區域組以與不同種類之位置一起使用。舉例而。可5又立一第一組子區域，且快速撥號位置代碼指派至每一子區域中之一第一種類中之位置。可設立一第二不同組之子區域且快速撥號位置代碼指派至每一子區域中之不同第一種類之位置。換言之，可針對不同類型之位置以不同方式定義此等子區域。舉例而言，對於欲指派至旅館類型之位置之快速撥號位置代碼可存在高需求，但對於海灘類型之位置卻並非如此。可使用於海灘類型之位置之子區域比用於旅館類型之位置之彼等子區域大。該使用者 152599.doc •45· 201224495 可設定一種類或此可自一所輸入之快速撥號位置代碼推斷以使得該設備在獲得定位資訊時能夠判定正確的子區域組以供使用。此可提供較大能力，且允許在同一地理區中針對不同種類之位置重複使用快速撥號位置代碼。儘管已關於一導航設備做出了闡述，但本發明之態樣及實施例中之任一者中之原理適用於包括任一形式之使用者可操作设備之系統或方法。該設備較佳地係具有定位能力 (例如，GPS定位能力）之一設備。該設備可具有地理定位能力。因此較佳地，該設備包含定位及/或地理定位構件。該設備可（例如）係一行動通信裝置，例如一行動電話或一電腦（諸如一膝上型電腦）。膝上型電腦可使用Ip地址而具有地理定位能力。根據本發明之態樣中之任一者，在實施例中，該設備可包含用於給一使用者顯示資訊之一顯不器。該資訊可包括一數位地圖。該設備之該處理器或一處理器可經組態以存取數位地圖資料且致使一數位地圖經由該顯不器而顯示給一使用者。該設備可包含可由一使用者操作之一使用者介面以使得該使用者能夠與該設備互動。杈佳地，該設備係一製圖或導航設備。一個特定實用領域係關於可攜式導航裝置（PND)。因此在實施例中，該導航設備係一可攜式導航裝置（PND)。本發明亦可適用於作為一整合式導航系統之一部分而提供之導航設備。該導航系統可係一車載整合式導航系統。在其他實施例中可藉助應用不形成一專用導航或製圖裝置之一部分之一處理裝 152599.doc -46- 201224495 置來實施該導航設備。舉例而言，可使用經配置以執行導 Γ軟體之—適宜電腦系統來實施本發明。該系統可係行動或可攜式電腦系铋，&1 , 統例如一行動電腦或膝上型電腦，或可係一桌上型系統。— 導航設備可包含協同運作以耠供所闡述之功能之一個驻罢#人* 上之裝置，且步驟可由一導航裝置、纟D合其他設備而實施。不管其實施方案如何，太路 w 本發明導航設備可包含一個S 152599.doc -41 - 201224495 Domains are assigned - different colors. Preferably, the set consists of four colors. The method can include coloring each sub-area. It is believed that these methods are beneficial in their own right. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of formatting a digital map comprising the steps of: subdividing a geographic area represented by the map into a plurality of sub-areas so as not to assign the same element to any two adjacent One of the sub-regions is assigned to each sub-region by one of a plurality of 70-constituted groups, and a set of codes is assigned to each sub-region, wherein the code group is assigned to the sub-regions assigned different There is no overlap between them to assign the code groups to the sub-areas. According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for formatting a digital map is provided, comprising: means for subdividing a geographic area represented by the digital map into a plurality of sub-areas for not using the same element Assigning to one of any two adjacent sub-regions means assigning one of a plurality of different elements to one of each sub-area, and a component for assigning a set of codes to each sub-area One of the code groups assigned to the sub-areas to which the different elements are assigned does not have any overlap to assign the code groups to the sub-areas. Preferably each element is a color. Preferably the set consists of four or more different elements, preferably a color. Most preferably, the set consists of four elements, preferably a color. 152599.doc • 42· 201224495 Methods and systems for formatting-digital maps according to such additional aspects may include poems, other states, (4), (4), or all of the features. Part of the method and system described in other aspects of the invention is priced. Ding is exemplified by the implementation and may incorporate any or all of the features described with respect to earlier aspects and embodiments. Thus, the method or line can be used to set up sub-areas in a method or system for recording an earlier aspect of the invention and can "assign a speed dial location code" to the sub-areas, and then Codes may be assigned to respective locations or groups of locations in the sub-regions and may be associated with location information for the location and associated with the region codes of the sub-regions. It will be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention These additional methods and systems for formatting a digital map have general applicability and can be used to assign codes to geography in a manner that avoids overlapping between code groups assigned to adjacent sub-regions. Useful in any system of sub-areas. For example, although the code is advantageously a location code, the code can be used in a telephone system or in an object or person or place where it is desired to assign the code to a given geographic area. In any of the other aspects, the method can further include assigning a region code to each of the sub-regions and causing the region code to identify the sub-region Associated, and the system can include means for performing the process. The method preferably includes associating each set of codes assigned to a sub-area with a zone code of a sub-area to which the demema is assigned This may enable the use of the code in the manner set forth above with respect to the speed dial location code, wherein the combination of the zone code and the code assigned to the sub-area may be used to uniquely identify the 152599.doc -43· 201224495 sub-area An object, location or person. In an embodiment, the combination of the zone code and each code from the set of codes assigned to a sub-area (ie,) is unique within the system. Preferably, the code Therefore, it is a speed dial code, and is preferably a speed dial location code. The method may further include storing each group (four) to be associated with a zone code of a sub-area to which the codes are assigned' and the system may include Completing the components of this process. In the preferred code of the assigned code system and location code, the method can further include assigning each code to the location code to a location or group of locations in the sub-area, and causing the location to be hummed. Information for the location or each location (preferably at least a location) is associated with the system. The system can include The information, including location information and/or other information, may be as discussed above with respect to earlier aspects of the invention. In other embodiments, each code may be associated with other non-location specific information (eg, regarding the sub-area) The information of one of the objects or persons is associated with, rather than associated with, the location information. The information may identify information about the business or object registered in the sub-area - the user or (4) the area. Preferably, 4 - Group Code - Group Location Code. The Xiao method may include storing each location code to associate with information (preferably location information) for the location or per-location or location group. Any of the embodiments set forth in the previous (d) read s-fast _ bit ^ ^ in the present invention. In such other aspects and embodiments of the invention, the method is preferably formatted for use in a - navigation system - a digital map. The code assigned 152599.doc -44- 201224495 is preferably used by the navigation device to obtain a location code that preferably includes location: location information. The method can further include a navigational use location code to obtain information for a location or set of locations to which the location code is assigned, preferably location information. In embodiments in which data is stored, whether it is a zone code or a code group and associated information', the information may be stored in relation to any of the manners discussed in the earlier aspects of the invention. In an embodiment, the method may include storing location codes and location information for the location or each location or group of locations, preferably at least location information, in a separate database for each of the group locations. Thus, each repository is associated with the zone code of the sub-region to which the set of location codes is assigned. The method can include assigning one or more of the codes to a requestor (e.g., a user or a number of users). This can be done in accordance with any of the embodiments set forth in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention. In accordance with the present invention, in any of its aspects and embodiments, it is contemplated that different sets of sub-areas can be set up for use with different types of locations. For example. A first group of sub-areas may be established, and the speed dial location code is assigned to a location in one of the first categories in each sub-area. A sub-area of a second different group may be set up and a speed dial location code assigned to a different first category location in each sub-area. In other words, these sub-areas can be defined differently for different types of locations. For example, there may be high demand for speed dial location codes to be assigned to locations of the hotel type, but not for beach type locations. The sub-areas that can be used for the location of the beach type are larger than the sub-areas for the location of the hotel type. The user 152599.doc •45· 201224495 can set a class or this can be inferred from an entered speed dial location code to enable the device to determine the correct sub-region group for use when obtaining location information. This provides greater power and allows the speed dial location code to be reused for different types of locations in the same geographic area. Although a navigation device has been described, the principles of any of the aspects and embodiments of the present invention are applicable to systems or methods including any form of user operable device. The device is preferably one of devices having positioning capabilities (e.g., GPS positioning capabilities). The device can have geolocation capabilities. Preferably, therefore, the device comprises a positioning and/or geolocation component. The device can, for example, be a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone or a computer (such as a laptop). The laptop can be geo-located using the IP address. In accordance with any of the aspects of the present invention, in an embodiment, the device can include an indicator for displaying information to a user. This information can include a digital map. The processor or processor of the device can be configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user via the display. The device can include a user interface that can be operated by a user to enable the user to interact with the device. Preferably, the device is a graphics or navigation device. One particular practical area relates to portable navigation devices (PNDs). Thus in an embodiment, the navigation device is a portable navigation device (PND). The invention is also applicable to navigation devices provided as part of an integrated navigation system. The navigation system can be an in-vehicle integrated navigation system. In other embodiments, the navigation device can be implemented by the application processing device 152599.doc-46-201224495, which is not part of a dedicated navigation or graphics device. For example, the present invention can be implemented using a suitable computer system configured to execute a boot software. The system can be a mobile or portable computer system, &1, such as a mobile computer or laptop computer, or can be a desktop system. – The navigation device may comprise a device that cooperates to provide a function of the stated function, and the steps may be implemented by a navigation device, a D device and other devices. Regardless of its implementation, the navigation device of the present invention may include a

或夕個處理器、一記情雜芬妙—A — 似體及儲存於該記憶體内之數位地圖貧料。該（該等）處理器與記情 u遐協同運作以提供可在其中建立一軟體作業系統之—執 '、矾仃％ i兄。可提供一個或多個額外軟體程式以使得該設備之功能性能夠得以控制，且提供各種其他功能。本發明之—導航設備可較佳地包括Gps(全球定位系統）信號接收及處理功能性。該設備可包含可藉以將資訊中繼至使用者之一個或多個一 w 4夕個輸出介面。除了視覺顯示器之外，該（該等）輸出介面還可包括心聲訊輸出之一揚聲器。該設備可包含輸入介面’該輸入介面包括一個或多個實體按鈕以控制該設備之開/關操作或其他特徵。本發明擴展至根據本發明在其態樣或實施例令之任一者中在-系統中操作-導航設備之方法，且擴展至用於此一系統中之導航設備。根據本發明之一另外態樣，提供操作包含該設僙之一導航設備之一方法；存取定義-地理區域已劃分成之複數個預定子區域之範圍之資訊， 152599.doc -47- 201224495 判定與一既定子區域相關聯之一區代碼，自一使用者接收對一快速撥號位置代碼之一指示，及使用該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及該所判定之區代碼來獲得與該既定子區域之該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊。根據本發明之一另外態樣，提供一導航設備，其中該設備包含；用於存取疋義一地理區域已劃分成之複數個預定子區域之範圍之資訊之構件，用於判定與一既定子區域相關聯之一區代碼之構件，用於自一使用者接收一快速撥號位置代碼之一指示之構件，及用於使用該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼及該所判定之區代碼來獲得與該既定子區域之該所指示之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之定位資訊之構件。根據此等另外態樣之方法或系統可包括關於本發明之其他態樣所闡述之任何或全部特徵。因此，此方法或系統可作為關於本發明之其他態樣所闡述之方法及系統之一部分而句^以實施。儘官特定而言本發明係關於導航系統，但將瞭解可關於其中期望判定用於位置之資訊之任一應用而使用本發明之態樣或實施例中之任一者中之技術。舉例而言，其他基於定位之應用（諸如地理標記、地理藏寶（geo caching)、對一位置之受歡迎度投票等等）可使用本發明之方法。將瞭解，在本文中術語「快速撥號位置代碼」指代可由 152599.doc • 48- 201224495 一使用者用以獲得關於一位置或位置組之資訊之一代碼。該代碼係與定位資訊相關聯。該代碼係可由一使用者輸入以獲得相關聯之資訊之一代碼。該代碼稱作一「快速撥號」代碼，此乃因其與一區代碼相關聯。因此，該快速撥號位置代碼僅需要形成存取定位資訊所需要之一代碼之一部分，剩餘部分係由與該快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之區代碼提供。因此，與須唯一識別一位置之一代碼作比較，該快速撥號位置代碼可短。本發明擴展至-電腦程式產品，其包含可執行以實施根據本發明之態樣或實施例_之任一者之一方法或致使一設備或導航SX備貫施此等方法之電腦可讀指令。下文中陳述此等實施例之優點，且此等實施例中之每一者之另外細節及特徵界定於所附獨立申請專利範圍中且另外在以下實施方式中。【實施方式】下文將參照隨附圖式以說明性實例之方式闡述本發明之教示之各種態樣及體現彼等教示之配置。現在特別參考-PND來闡述本發明之較佳實施例。然而應記住，本發明之綠示不限於pND而是替代性地普遍適用於經組態以執行導航軟體以便提供製圖或路線規劃及導航功月t* f生之S类員型之處理$ f。因此隨後在本應用之情步中導航裝置思欲包括（但不限於）任一類型之製圖戋鮫佳地路線規劃及導航裝置，不論彼裝置體現為一= is至車輛中之導航裝置還是甚至執行製圖、路線規劃 152599.doc •49- 201224495 或導航軟體之一計算資源(諸如一桌上型或可冑式個人電腦（pc)、行動電話或可攜式數位助理（Pda))。自以下内容亦將明瞭，本發明之教示甚至在以下情形中具有效用：一使用者並非在尋求關於如何自一點導航至另點之4曰7，而僅希望具備一既定位置附近之所關注點之一視圖或一既定位置之一視圖。在此等情形中，由該使用者選擇之「目的地」位置無需具有該使用者期望自其開始導航之-對應的開始位置，且因此本文對「目的地」位置或甚至對一「目的地」視圖之引用不應視為意指必須產生 -路線’或必須發生行進至該「目的地」，或甚至一目的地之出現需要特指一對應的開始位置。記住上文之附帶條件，圖1圖解說明導航裝置可用之全球定位系統（GPS)之一實例性視圖。此等系統眾所周知且用於各種目的。-般而言，Gps係能夠判定連續位置、速度、時間且在一些情形中能夠判定無限數目個使用者之方 ° -貝訊之基於衛生無線電之導航系統。以前稱作導航星該GPS併入以極精確的軌道繞地球運行之複數個衛星。基於此等精確軌道，GPS衛星可將其位置中繼至任一數目個接收單元。當專門經裝備以接收GPS資料之一裝置開始掃描Gps衛星信號之射頻時實施該GPS系統。自一Gps衛星一接收到一無線電信號，該裝置即經由複數種不同習用方法中之一者來判定彼衛星之精確位置。在大多數情形中，該裝置將繼續掃描信號直到其已獲取至少三個不同的衛星信號（注 152599.doc •50· 201224495 意，使用其他三角測量技術僅藉助兩個信號係非常規判定彼位置，但可達成）。藉由實施幾何三角測量，接收器利用三個已知位置來判定其自己相對於該等衛星之二維位置。此可以一已知方式完成。另外，獲取一第四衛星信號將允許該接收裝置藉由以一已知方式進行之相同的幾何計异來計算其三維位置。該位置及速度資料可由一無限數目個使用者在一連續基礎上即時更新。如圖1中所顯示，GPS系統通常由參考編號100表示。複數個衛星120在繞地球124之軌道上。每一衛星12〇之執道不一定與其他衛星120之軌道同步，且實際上很可能不同步。顯示一GPS接收器140自各種衛星120接收擴展頻譜 GPS衛星信號160。自每一衛星120連續發射之擴展頻譜信號16〇利用藉助一極準確的原子鐘而達成之一高度準確的頻率標準。每一衛星120作為其資料信號發射16〇之一部分而發射指示彼特定衛星120之一資料串流。熟習相關技術者將瞭解，GpS接收器裝置140通常自至少三個衛星12〇獲取擴展頻譜Gps衛星信號160以供GPS接收器裝置140藉由三角測量來計算其二維位置。獲取一額外信號從而造成來自總共四個衛星 120之信號160准許GPS接收器裝置14〇以一已知方式計算其三維位置。圖2係根據本發明之一較佳實施例之一導航裝置2〇〇之電子組件之以方塊組件格式之一說明性表示形式。應注意，導航裝置200之方塊圖並非包括該導航裝置之所有組件，Or a processor, a sensation - A - like and a digital map stored in the memory. The (these) processors cooperate with the grammar to provide a software operating system in which the 执', 矾仃% i brother. One or more additional software programs can be provided to enable the functionality of the device to be controlled and provide a variety of other functions. The navigation device of the present invention may preferably include Gps (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality. The device can include one or more of a plurality of output interfaces that can be relayed to the user. In addition to the visual display, the (these) output interface can also include a speaker for the heart audio output. The device can include an input interface' that includes one or more physical buttons to control the on/off operation or other features of the device. The invention extends to a method of operating a navigation device in a system according to the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, and to a navigation device for use in such a system. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a navigation device comprising the device; access definition - information on a range of a plurality of predetermined sub-regions into which the geographic region has been divided, 152599.doc -47 - 201224495 Determining a region code associated with a portion of the stator region, receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined region code to obtain the predetermined code The location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code of the sub-area. According to another aspect of the present invention, a navigation device is provided, wherein the device includes: means for accessing information of a range of a plurality of predetermined sub-areas into which a geographical area has been divided, for determining a stator a component associated with a region code, a component for receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, and for obtaining and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined zone code The component of the positioning information associated with the indicated speed dial location code of the stator region. Methods or systems in accordance with such additional aspects may include any or all of the features set forth with respect to other aspects of the invention. Thus, the method or system can be implemented as part of a method and system described with respect to other aspects of the invention. The present invention is directed to a navigation system, but it will be appreciated that the techniques of any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention may be utilized with respect to any application in which it is desired to determine information for a location. For example, other location-based applications (such as geo-tagging, geo caching, popularity voting for a location, etc.) may use the method of the present invention. It will be understood that the term "speed dial location code" as used herein refers to a code that can be used by a user to obtain information about a location or group of locations. This code is associated with targeting information. The code is entered by a user to obtain one of the associated information codes. This code is called a "Speed Dial" code because it is associated with a zone code. Therefore, the speed dial location code only needs to form part of one of the codes required to access the location information, and the remainder is provided by the area code associated with the speed dial location code. Therefore, the speed dial location code can be short compared to a code that uniquely identifies a location. The invention extends to a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable to implement one of the aspects or embodiments of the invention or to cause a device or navigation SX to perform such methods . The advantages of the embodiments are set forth below, and further details and features of each of these embodiments are defined in the appended independent patent application and in the following embodiments. [Embodiment] Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention and configurations of the teachings of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to -PND. It should be borne in mind, however, that the green representation of the present invention is not limited to pND but is instead generally applicable to the processing of S-type types configured to perform navigation software to provide cartographic or route planning and navigation functions. f. Therefore, in the following application, the navigation device is intended to include, but is not limited to, any type of cartographic route planning and navigation device, regardless of whether the device is embodied as a = is to the navigation device in the vehicle or even Perform mapping, route planning 152599.doc •49- 201224495 or one of the navigation software computing resources (such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile phone or portable digital assistant (Pda)). It will also be apparent from the following that the teachings of the present invention have utility even in situations where a user is not seeking to navigate from one point to another, but only wants to have a point of interest near a given location. One view or one view of a given location. In such cases, the "destination" location selected by the user need not have a corresponding starting position from which the user desires to start navigation, and thus the "destination" location or even a "destination" A reference to a view should not be taken as meaning that a route must be generated - or must travel to the "destination", or even the occurrence of a destination needs to be specifically referred to as a corresponding starting position. With the proviso above, Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary view of one of the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) available to the navigation device. These systems are well known and used for a variety of purposes. In general, the Gps is capable of determining continuous position, speed, time and, in some cases, an unlimited number of users. Formerly known as a navigation star, the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites that orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their position to any number of receiving units. The GPS system is implemented when a device that is specifically equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning the RF of the GPS satellite signal. Upon receipt of a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the exact location of the satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. In most cases, the device will continue to scan the signal until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (note 152599.doc • 50· 201224495), using other triangulation techniques to determine the position unambiguously with only two signal systems But can be reached). By performing geometric triangulation, the receiver uses three known locations to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. In addition, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the same geometrical variation made in a known manner. The position and velocity data can be instantly updated by an unlimited number of users on a continuous basis. As shown in FIG. 1, the GPS system is generally indicated by reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit around the earth 124. The obscuration of each satellite is not necessarily synchronized with the orbits of other satellites 120, and is actually likely to be different. A GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving the spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 160 from various satellites 120. The spread spectrum signal 16 continuously transmitted from each satellite 120 utilizes a very accurate frequency standard with the aid of a very accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120 transmits a data stream indicating one of its particular satellites 120 as part of its data signal transmission. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the GpS receiver device 140 typically acquires a spread spectrum Gps satellite signal 160 from at least three satellites 12A for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two dimensional position by triangulation. Acquiring an additional signal to cause signal 160 from a total of four satellites 120 permits the GPS receiver device 14 to calculate its three dimensional position in a known manner. 2 is an illustrative representation of one of the block components of the electronic component of the navigation device 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 does not include all components of the navigation device.

S 152599.doc -51 · 201224495 而是僅表示許多實例性組件。導航裝置200位於一外翅（土壯一、卜成（未顯示）内。該外殼包括連接至-輸入裝置220及一顯示鸯幕24〇之一處理器21〇。輸入裳置220可包括一鍵盤裝置、语音輸入裝置、觸摸面板及/ 或用以輸人資訊之任何其他已知輸人裝置；且顯示營幕 240可包括任一類型之顯示赏眷’堵如（例如）一 LCD顯示器。在一特定較佳配置中，輪入裝置細與顯示螢幕240整合成一整合式輸入與顯示裝置，其包括-觸摸塾或觸摸螢幕輸入，以使得一用戶僅需要觸摸顯示螢幕240之-部分來選擇複數個顯示選擇中之_者或啟動複數個虛擬按紐中之一者。導航裝置可包括-輸出裝置⑽，例如—聲訊輸出裝置 (例如，-揚聲器）。當輸出裝置細可為導航裝置扇之一使用者產生聲訊資訊時，同樣應理解’輸入裝置24〇亦可包括一麥克風及用於接收輸入語音命令之軟體。在導航裝置200中，處理器21〇經由連接225以操作方式· 連接至輸入裝置220且經設定以自輸入裝置22〇接收輸入資訊，且經由輸出連接245以操作方式連接至顯示螢幕24〇及輸出裝置260中之至少一者以將資訊輸出至其。處理器21〇以操作方式進-步經由連接235耦合至一記憶體資源23〇且進一步經調適以經由連接275自/向輸入/輪出（1/〇)埠27〇接收/發送資訊，其中I/O埠270可連接至導航裝置2〇〇外部之 — I/O裝置280。記憶體資源230包含（例如）一揮發性記憶體 (諸如一隨機存取記憶體（RAM))及一非揮發性記憶體（例如 152599.doc -52- 201224495 一數位記憶體’諸如—快閃記憶體）。外部I/O裝置280可包括但不限於-外部收聽裝置，諸如（例如）一耳塞式耳機。至"〇裝置280之連接可進—步係至任―其他外部裝置（諸如，一汽車立體聲單元）之一有線或無線連接以（例如）用於免提操作及/或用於語音啟動操作，用於連接至一耳塞式耳機或頭戴式耳機，及/或（例如）用於連接至—行動電話: 其中該行動電話連接可用以(例如)在導航裝置2〇〇與網際網路或任-其他網路之間建立―資料連接，及/或用以（例如）經由網際網路或某-其他網路建立至—储器的一連接。圖2進一步圖解說明處理器21〇與一天線/接收器25〇之間的座由連接255之一操作連接，其中天線/接收器250可係 (例如）一 GPS天線/接收器。將理解，為圖解說明起見示音性地組合由參考編號25〇特指之天線與接收器，但該天線與接收器可係分開定位之組件，且該天線可係(例如)一 GPS貼片天線或螺旋天線。熟習此項技術者將進一步理冑，圖2中所顯示之電子組件由電源(未顯示)以一習用方式供電。如熟習此項技術者將理解’可將圖2中所顯示之組件之不同組態視為在本申請案之範内。舉例而言，圖2中所顯示之組件可經由有線及/ 或無線連接及諸如此類而彼此通信。因此，本申請案之導航裝置2GG之範嘴包括一可攜式或手持式導航裝置2〇〇。另外，圖2之可攜式或手持式導航裝置2〇〇可以一已知方式連接或「銜接」至一車輛（諸如（例如）一自行車、一摩托車、一 A車）或一船舶。那麼此一導航裝置2〇〇可自所銜接 152599.doc -53· 201224495 之位置移除，以用於可攜式或手持式導航用途。參…圖3 ’ ♦舨裝置2〇〇可經由一行動裝不）（諸如，一片紅；^ 五、不頌 -裝置、建“ DAA/或具有行動電話技術之任展置）建立與一甸服 U服器302之「行動」或電信網路連仗而建立一數位連接（接、逑接（老如，經由（例如）已知藍芽技術之— 連接）此後，透過其網路服務提供商，該行動裝置可建立（透過（例如）網際網路）與伺服器搬之—網路連接。因此可在導航裝置2〇〇(當其單獨行進及/或在一車輛中行進時其可係且通常係行動的）與祠服器搬之間建立一行動」網路連接’以為資訊提供一「即時」或至少極「最近」之網關。使用（例如）一網際網路（諸如，全球資訊網）在行動裝置 “由服務提供商）與另一裝置（諸如，伺服器3〇2)之間建立網路連接可以-已知方式完成。此可包括使用（例如）TCP/IP分層協定。該行動裝置可利用任-數目個通信標準’諸如CDMA、GSM、WAN等等。因此，可利用經由資料連接、經由（例如）導航裝置2〇〇内之一行動電話或行動電話技術而達成之一網際網路連接。由於此連接，建立伺服器3〇2與導航裝置2〇〇之間的一網際網路連接。此可（例如）透過一行動電話或其他行動裝置及一GPRS(通用封包無線電服務）_連接（(}]?118連接係用於電信運營商所提供之行動裝置之一高速資料連接； GPRS係連接至網際網路之一方法）來完成。導航裝置200可經由（例如）現存藍芽技術以一已知方式 152599.doc •54- 201224495 進-步完成與行動裝置之一資料連接，且最終完成與網際網路及飼服器302之資料連接，纟中資料協定可利用任二數目個標準’諸如GPRS，例如針對GSM標準之資料協定標準。導航裝置200可在導航裝置2〇〇本身内包括其自己的行動電話技術（包括（例如）一天線，或視情況使用導航裝置2〇〇之内部天線）。導航裝置200内之行動電話技術可包括如上文所指定之内部組件，及/或可包括（例如）配備有必要的行動電話技術及/或一天線之一可***卡（例如，用戶身份模塊或SIM卡）。因此，導航裝置200内之行動電話技術可（例如）經由網際網路以類似於任一行動裝置之方式之一方式類似地在導航裝置200與伺服器3〇2之間建立一網路連接。對於GPRS電話設定，可使用一藍芽啟用導航裝置以與行動電話型號、製造商等等之千變萬化之頻譜一起正確地運作，型號/製造商專用設定可儲存於（例如）導航裝置2〇〇上。可更新針對此資訊所儲存之資料。在圖3中，將導航裝置200描繪為正經由可由大量不同配置中之任一者而實施之一通用通信通道318與伺服器3〇2通 k。畲在伺服器302與導航裝置2〇〇之間建立經由通信通道 318之一連接時，伺服器3〇2與一導航裝置2〇〇可通信（注意，此一連接可係經由行動裝置之一資料連接、經由個人電腦經由網際網路之一直接連接等）。除未圖解說明之其他組件外，伺服器3 〇2還包括以操作方式連接至一記憶體306且經由一有線或無線連接314進一 152599.doc 201224495 步以操作方式連接至-大容量#料儲存裝置3i2之一處理器304。冑理器304進-步以操作方式連接至發射器3〇8及接收器310，以經由通信通道318向及自導航裝置2〇〇發射及發送-貝訊。所發送及所接收之信號可包括資料通信及/ 或其他經傳播之信號。發射器3〇8及接收器31〇可根據導航系統200之通k设計中所使用之通信要求及通信技術來選擇或》又s十。此外，應注意，發射器3〇8及接收器3ι〇之功能可組合成一信號收發器。伺服器302進一步連接至（或包括）一大容量儲存裝置 312，注意，大容量儲存裝置312可經由通信鏈路314耦合至伺服器302 ^大容量儲存裝置3 12含有導航資料及地圖資訊之一儲存’且同樣可係與伺服器3〇2分開之一裝置或可併入至伺服器302中。導航裝置200經調適以透過通信通道318與伺服器302通信’且包括處理器、記憶體等等（如前文關於圖2所闡述）以及發射器320及接收器322以透過通信通道31 8發送及接收信號及/或資料’注意，此等裝置可進一步用以與除伺服器302以外的裝置通信。此外，發射器32〇及接收器322係根據導航裝置200之通信設計中所使用之通信要求及通信技術來選擇或設計且發射器320與接收器322之功能可組合成一單個收發器。儲存於伺服器記憶體306中之軟體提供用於處理器3 04之指令且允許伺服器3〇2將服務提供給導航裝置200。伺服器 3 02所提供之一個服務涉及處理來自導航裝置200之請求及 152599.doc -56· 201224495 將導航資料自大容量資料儲存器312發射至導航裝置2〇〇。伺服益302所提供之另一服務包括使用針對一期望應用之各種演算法處理導航f料及將此等計算之結果發送至導航裝置200。通信通道318 —般表示連接導航裝置2〇〇與伺服器3〇2之傳播媒體或路徑。伺服器302及導航裝置2〇〇兩者包括用於透過該通信通道發射資料之一發射器及用於接收已透過該通信通道所發射之資料之一接收器。通信通道3 18並不限於一特定通信技術。另外，通信通道318並不限於一單個通信技術；亦即，通道318可包括使用各種各樣技術之數個通信鏈路。舉例而言，通信通道 318可經調適以提供用於電、光學及/或電磁通信等等之一路徑。因此，通信通道318包括但不限於以下各項中之一者或其一組合：電路、諸如電線及同轴電纜、光纖電纜之電導體、轉換器、射頻（RF)波、大氣、空間等等。此外，舉例而s ’通信通道3.18可包括諸如路由器、中繼器、緩衝器、發射器及接收器之中間裝置。在一個說明性配置中，通信通道3 18包括電話及電腦網路。此外’通信通道318可能夠適應無線通信，諸如射頻、微波頻率、紅外通信等等。另外，通信通道318可適應衛星通信。透過通信通道318所發射之通信信號包括但不限於既定通信技術可需要或期望之信號。舉例而言，該等信號可經調適以用於蜂巢式通信技術中，諸如分時多重存取 152599.doc •57· 201224495 (TDMA)、分頻多重存取（FDMA)、分碼多重存取（CDMA)、全球行動通信系統（GSM)等等。數位及類比信號兩者可透過通信通道318而發射。此等信號可係通信技術可期望之經調變、經加密及/或經壓縮之信號。飼服器302包括導航裝置200可經由一無線通道存取之一运端伺服器。飼服器302可包括位於一區域網路（lan)、廣域網路（WAN)、虛擬專用網路（VPN)等等上之一網路伺服器。伺服器302可包括一個人電腦，諸如一桌上型或膝上型電腦，且通信通道318可係連接於該個人電腦與導航裝置 200之間之一電窺。另一選擇為，一個人電腦可連接於導航裝置200與伺服器302之間以在伺服器3〇2與導航裝置2〇〇之間建立一網際網路連接。另一選擇為，一行動電話或其他手持式裝置可建立至網際網路之一無線連接，以用於經由網際網路將導航裝置2〇〇連接至伺服器3〇2。導航裝置200可具備經由資訊下載來自伺服器3〇2之資訊’其可週期性地自動更新或在一使用者將導航裝置2〇〇連接至伺服器302時更新，及/或可在經由（例如）一無線行動連接裝置及TCP/IP連接在伺服器302與導航裝置2〇〇之間做出一更恆定或更頻繁連接時更動態。對於許多動態計算，伺服器3〇2中之處理器3〇4可用以處置大部分處理需求，然而，導航裝置200之處理器210亦可時常獨立於至一伺服器302之一連接而處置很多處理及計算。如上文在圖2中所指示，一導航裝置2〇〇包括一處理器 152599.doc •58· 201224495 2l〇、一輸入裝置220及一顯示螢示榮幕240整合成一整合式輸入與顯示裝二=與顯等等）及資訊之顯示兩者。此一營 ΤΓη^ ^ 鞏參了係（例如）一觸摸輪入 :榮幕’如熟習此項技術者眾所周知。此外，導航褒置亦可匕括任一額外輸入裝置22〇及/或任一額外輸出裝置241，諸如（例如）音訊輸入/輸出裝置。圖4Α及4Β係一導航裝置細之透視圖。如圖4Α中所顯不，導航裳置200可係包括一整合式輸入與顯示裝置 290(例如一觸摸面板螢幕)及圖2之其他組件(包括但不限於内部⑽接收器250、微處理器21〇、—電源、記憶體系統 230專等）之一單元。導航裝置200可坐落於一臂292上，該臂本身可使用一吸盤294緊固至一車輛儀錶板/窗/等等。此臂292係導航裝置 200可銜接至的一銜接站之一個實例。如圖4Β中所顯示，（例如）藉由將導航裝置2〇〇扣合連接至臂292,導航裝置200可銜接或以其他方式連接至塢站之 —臂292。然後導航裝置200可在臂292上旋轉，如圖扣之箭頭所顯示。為釋放導航裝置200與塢站之間的連接，舉例而言可按下導航裝置200上之一按紐。熟習此項技術者熟知用於將導航裝置耦合及解耦合至一塢站之其他同樣適宜之配置。S 152599.doc -51 · 201224495 but only a number of example components. The navigation device 200 is located in an outer wing (Tian Zhuangyi, Bu Cheng (not shown). The housing includes a processor 21 connected to the input device 220 and a display screen 24〇. The input skirt 220 can include a A keyboard device, a voice input device, a touch panel, and/or any other known input device for inputting information; and the display screen 240 can include any type of display display such as, for example, an LCD display. In a particular preferred configuration, the wheeling device is integrated with the display screen 240 into an integrated input and display device that includes a touch or touch screen input such that a user only needs to touch the portion of the display screen 240 to select One of a plurality of display options or one of a plurality of virtual buttons. The navigation device may include an output device (10), for example, an audio output device (eg, a speaker). When the output device is a fine navigation device fan When one of the users generates the voice information, it should also be understood that the input device 24 can also include a microphone and a software for receiving the input voice command. In the navigation device 200, The processor 21 is operatively connected to the input device 220 via the connection 225 and configured to receive input information from the input device 22 and is operatively coupled to at least one of the display screen 24 and the output device 260 via the output connection 245. One is to output information thereto. The processor 21 is operatively coupled to a memory resource 23 via connection 235 and further adapted to input/round (1/〇) via connection 275. Receiving/sending information, wherein the I/O port 270 can be connected to the I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 2. The memory resource 230 includes, for example, a volatile memory (such as a random access) Memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory (eg, 152599.doc -52 - 201224495 a digital memory such as - flash memory). External I/O device 280 may include, but is not limited to - an external listening device Such as, for example, an earbud headset. The connection to the "〇 device 280 can be stepped into any other external device (such as a car stereo unit) wired or wirelessly connected (for example) for Lift operation And/or for a voice-activated operation for connecting to an earbud or headset, and/or for example to a mobile phone: wherein the mobile phone connection is available, for example, in a navigation device 2. Establishing a "data connection" with the Internet or any other network, and/or for establishing a connection to the storage, for example, via the Internet or some other network. Figure 2 further The block between the processor 21A and an antenna/receiver 25A is operatively coupled by one of the connections 255, where the antenna/receiver 250 can be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver. It will be understood that The antenna and receiver specified by reference numeral 25 are audibly combined, but the antenna and receiver can be separately positioned, and the antenna can be, for example, a GPS patch antenna or a helical antenna. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the electronic components shown in Figure 2 are powered by a power source (not shown) in a conventional manner. Those skilled in the art will understand that the different configurations of the components shown in Figure 2 can be considered within the scope of the present application. For example, the components shown in FIG. 2 can communicate with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Therefore, the exemplary mouthpiece of the navigation device 2GG of the present application includes a portable or handheld navigation device. In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 2 of Figure 2 can be connected or "coupled" to a vehicle (such as, for example, a bicycle, a motorcycle, an A car) or a vessel in a known manner. The navigation device 2 can then be removed from the location of the connection 152599.doc -53.201224495 for portable or handheld navigation purposes. ...... Figure 3 ' ♦ 舨 device 2 〇〇 can be installed via a mobile phone) (such as a piece of red; ^ five, not 颂 - device, built "DAA / or with mobile phone technology, any display" established with a U-server 302 "action" or telecommunication network connection to establish a digital connection (connected, connected (for example, through the connection of known Bluetooth technology), after which, through its network service The mobile device can establish (via, for example, the Internet) a server-to-network connection. Therefore, it can be in the navigation device 2 (when it travels alone and/or travels in a vehicle) And (usually acting) establish an action "network connection" with the server to provide an "instant" or at least "most recent" gateway for the information. Use (for example) an internet (such as the world) The establishment of a network connection between the mobile device "by the service provider" and another device (such as server 3〇2) can be done in a known manner. This can include using, for example, TCP/IP layering. Agreement. The mobile device can utilize any number Communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc. Thus, one of the Internet connections can be made via a data connection via, for example, one of the mobile devices or mobile phone technology. Connecting, establishing an internet connection between the server 3〇2 and the navigation device 2〇〇. This can be done, for example, via a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) connection ((} The ?118 connection is used for one of the mobile devices provided by the telecommunication operator; the GPRS system is connected to one of the Internet methods. The navigation device 200 can be implemented by, for example, the existing Bluetooth technology. Knowing the way 152599.doc •54- 201224495 to complete the data connection with one of the mobile devices, and finally complete the data connection with the Internet and the feeder 302, the data agreement can use any number of standards 'such as GPRS, for example, a data agreement standard for the GSM standard. The navigation device 200 can include its own mobile phone technology (including, for example, one day) within the navigation device 2 itself. Or, as appropriate, the internal antenna of the navigation device. The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 may include internal components as specified above, and/or may include, for example, the necessary mobile phone technology and/or Or one of the antennas can be inserted into a card (eg, a subscriber identity module or a SIM card). Thus, the mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can be similar, for example, via the Internet in a manner similar to any of the mobile devices. Establishing a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 3〇2. For GPRS phone settings, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device can be used to operate correctly with the ever-changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, and the like. The model/manufacturer-specific settings can be stored, for example, on the navigation device 2〇〇. The information stored for this information can be updated. In FIG. 3, navigation device 200 is depicted as being communicatively coupled to server 3 via a common communication channel 318 that can be implemented by any of a number of different configurations. When the server 302 and the navigation device 2 are connected via one of the communication channels 318, the server 3〇2 can communicate with a navigation device 2 (note that the connection can be via one of the mobile devices) Data connection, direct connection via a personal computer via one of the Internet, etc.). In addition to other components not illustrated, the server 3 〇 2 further includes an operational connection to a memory 306 and via a wired or wireless connection 314 to a 152599.doc 201224495 step operatively connected to - a large capacity #料储One of the devices 3i2 is a processor 304. The processor 304 is operatively coupled to the transmitter 3〇8 and the receiver 310 for transmitting and transmitting to the navigation device 2 via the communication channel 318. The signals transmitted and received may include data communications and/or other propagated signals. Transmitter 3〇8 and receiver 31〇 can be selected or otherwise based on the communication requirements and communication techniques used in the design of navigation system 200. In addition, it should be noted that the functions of the transmitter 3〇8 and the receiver 3ι can be combined into one signal transceiver. The server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a large-capacity storage device 312. Note that the mass storage device 312 can be coupled to the server 302 via the communication link 314. The mass storage device 3 12 contains one of navigation data and map information. It may be stored 'and may be separate from the server 3〇2 or may be incorporated into the server 302. The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 via the communication channel 318 and includes a processor, memory, etc. (as previously described with respect to FIG. 2) and a transmitter 320 and a receiver 322 for transmission over the communication channel 318 and Receiving signals and/or data 'Note that such devices may further be used to communicate with devices other than server 302. In addition, transmitter 32 and receiver 322 are selected or designed in accordance with the communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of navigation device 200 and the functions of transmitter 320 and receiver 322 can be combined into a single transceiver. The software stored in the server memory 306 provides instructions for the processor 310 and allows the server 3〇2 to provide services to the navigation device 200. One of the services provided by the server 312 involves processing the request from the navigation device 200 and 152599.doc -56·201224495 to transmit the navigation data from the large-capacity data storage 312 to the navigation device 2〇〇. Another service provided by Serving Benefit 302 includes processing the navigation f using various algorithms for a desired application and transmitting the results of such calculations to the navigation device 200. Communication channel 318 generally represents the propagation medium or path connecting navigation device 2 to server 3〇2. The server 302 and the navigation device 2 both include a transmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data transmitted through the communication channel. Communication channel 3 18 is not limited to a particular communication technology. In addition, communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, channel 318 can include a number of communication links using a variety of techniques. For example, communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide one path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communication, and the like. Thus, communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: circuits, electrical wires such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio frequency (RF) waves, atmosphere, space, and the like . Moreover, for example, the communication channel 3.18 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers. In one illustrative configuration, communication channel 3 18 includes a telephone and a computer network. In addition, communication channel 318 may be capable of adapting to wireless communications, such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communications, and the like. Additionally, communication channel 318 can accommodate satellite communications. Communication signals transmitted over communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals that may be needed or desired by a given communication technology. For example, the signals can be adapted for use in cellular communication technologies, such as time-sharing multiple access 152599.doc • 57· 201224495 (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analog signals can be transmitted through communication channel 318. Such signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as desired by communication techniques. The feeder 302 includes a navigation device 200 that can access a server at a destination via a wireless channel. The feeder 302 can include a network server located on a regional network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN), and the like. The server 302 can include a personal computer, such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 can be coupled to one of the personal computer and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal computer can be coupled between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 3〇2 and the navigation device 2〇〇. Alternatively, a mobile phone or other handheld device can establish a wireless connection to one of the Internet for connecting the navigation device 2 to the server 3〇2 via the Internet. The navigation device 200 can be provided with information from the server 3〇2 via information downloading, which can be automatically updated periodically or when a user connects the navigation device 2 to the server 302, and/or can be For example, a wireless mobile connection device and a TCP/IP connection are more dynamic when a more constant or more frequent connection is made between the server 302 and the navigation device 2A. For many dynamic calculations, the processor 3〇4 in the server 〇2 can be used to handle most of the processing requirements, however, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 can also be handled at times independently of one of the servers 302. Processing and calculation. As indicated in FIG. 2 above, a navigation device 2 includes a processor 152599.doc • 58·201224495 2l〇, an input device 220, and a display display glory 240 integrated into an integrated input and display device. = and display, etc.) and the display of information. This camp ΤΓ ^ ^ ^ 参了 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( : : : : : : : : : : In addition, the navigation device can also include any additional input device 22 and/or any additional output device 241 such as, for example, an audio input/output device. Figure 4 and Figure 4 are perspective views of a navigation device. As shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 200 can include an integrated input and display device 290 (eg, a touch panel screen) and other components of FIG. 2 (including but not limited to internal (10) receiver 250, microprocessor 21〇,—Power, memory system 230, one unit. The navigation device 200 can be located on an arm 292 that can itself be fastened to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using a suction cup 294. This arm 292 is an example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can be coupled. As shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 200 can be coupled or otherwise coupled to the arm 292 of the docking station, for example by snapping the navigation device 2 〇〇 to the arm 292. The navigation device 200 can then be rotated on the arm 292 as indicated by the arrow of the buckle. To release the connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking station, for example, one of the buttons on the navigation device 200 can be pressed. Other equally suitable configurations for coupling and decoupling navigation devices to a docking station are well known to those skilled in the art.

現在參照圖5a至圖5i，繪示自一 TomTom GO 950 LIVE 導航裝置之一系列螢幕擷取畫面。此型號之TomTom PNDReferring now to Figures 5a through 5i, a series of screen captures from a TomTom GO 950 LIVE navigation device are shown. TomTom PND for this model

S 152599.doc 201224495 具有用於給一使用者顯示資訊且用於接受自該使用者至該裝置之輸入之-觸摸螢幕介面。該等勞幕操取畫面為—使用者顯示-說明性目的地位置輸入過程，該使用者之自動導航位置已設定至歐洲專利局駐海牙辦公室’且該使用者希望導航至其知曉街道名稱及建築物門牌號之荷蘭阿姆斯特丹中之一街道地址。當此使用者打開其TomTom PND時，該裝置獲取一 Gps 方位且（以一已知方式）計算該PND之當前位置。然後給該使用者呈現一顯示器’其以偽三維方式顯示該pND判定所位於之本地環境且在該顯示器之一區域中於該本地環境下面顯示一系列控制及狀況訊息。藉由觸摸該本地環境之顯示器，該PND切換以顯示（如圖5a中所顯示）一使用者可藉以尤其輸入其希望導航至的一目的地之一系列虛擬按鈕346、348。藉由觸摸「導航至」虛擬按鈕3 48，該pnd切換以顯示 (如圖5b中所顯示）各自與一不同種類之可選擇目的地相關聯之複數個虛擬按鈕。在此情形中，該顯示器顯示若按下將把目的地設定至所儲存之自動導航位置之一「自動導航 (home)」按紐。然而，在此情形下，由於該使用者已處於其自動導航位置（亦即EPO之駐海牙辦公室），因此選擇此選項將不造成一路線產生。若按下「我的最愛」按鈕，則揭示該使用者先前儲存於該PND中之一目的地清單，且若然後此等目的地中之一者被選擇，則欲計算之路線之目的地設定為所選擇之先前儲存之目的地。若按下「近期目的 152599.doc -60, 201224495 地」按鈕，則揭示該PND之記憶體中所持有且該使用者近來已導航至的可選擇目的地之一清單。選擇佔據此清單之目的地中之一者將使此路線之目的地位置設定至所選擇 (先前所到訪之）位置。若按下「本地搜尋」按鈕，則允許該使用者使用Google本地搜尋服務實施對既定項（例如，本地區或一既定目的地本地之一區中之商店、服務等等）之一搜尋。「箭頭」形狀之虛擬按鈕打開額外選項之一新選單且地址」按紐350開始該使用者可藉以輸入其希望導航至的目的地之街道地址之一過程。由於在此實例中該使用者知曉其希望導航至的目的地之街道地址，因此假定（藉由觸摸該觸摸螢幕上所顯示之該按钮）操作此「地址」按紐’於是（如圖5(?中所顯示）給該使用者呈現一系列地址輸入選項—特別係藉助「城市中心」、「郵政編碼」、「十字路口或交又口」（例如兩條路之一交叉點）及「街道及門牌號碼」而輸入之地址。在此實例中，該使用者知曉目的地之街道地址及門牌號碼且因此選擇「街道及門牌號碼」虛擬按紐352，於是然後給邊使用者呈現（如圖5d中所顯示）鍵入其希望導航至的城市之名稱之一提示354,該使用者可藉以選擇期望城市所位於之國家之一國旗按鈕356，及該使用者可操作以在有必要之情形下輸入目的地城市之名稱之一虛擬鍵盤358。因此該PND給該使用者額外提供可選擇城市之一清單36〇。在此情形中該使用者希望導航至阿姆斯特丹，且當自清單360選擇阿姆斯特丹時（涉及自「R」項目捲動貫穿整個S 152599.doc 201224495 has a touch screen interface for displaying information to a user and for accepting input from the user to the device. The screen operation screen is a user display-descriptive destination location input process, the user's automatic navigation position has been set to the European Patent Office in The Hague Office and the user wishes to navigate to their known street name and One of the street addresses of the building in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. When the user opens their TomTom PND, the device takes a Gps orientation and calculates (in a known manner) the current location of the PND. The user is then presented with a display that displays the local environment in which the pND determination is located in a pseudo three-dimensional manner and displays a series of control and status messages in the local environment in one of the displays. By touching the display of the local environment, the PND switches to display (as shown in Figure 5a) a user can thereby enter a series of virtual buttons 346, 348 of a destination to which they wish to navigate. By touching the "navigate to" virtual button 3 48, the pnd switches to display (as shown in Figure 5b) a plurality of virtual buttons each associated with a different kind of selectable destination. In this case, the display shows that if pressed, the destination will be set to one of the stored auto navigation positions "home" button. However, in this case, since the user is already in his automatic navigation position (i.e., the EPO's office in The Hague), selecting this option will not result in a route. If the "My Favorites" button is pressed, a list of destinations previously stored by the user in the PND is revealed, and if one of the destinations is then selected, the destination setting of the route to be calculated is The destination of the previous storage selected. If the "Recent purpose 152599.doc -60, 201224495" button is pressed, a list of one of the selectable destinations held in the memory of the PND and to which the user has recently navigated is revealed. Selecting one of the destinations occupying this list will cause the destination location of the route to be set to the selected (previously visited) location. If the "Local Search" button is pressed, the user is allowed to use the Google Local Search Service to perform a search for one of the established items (e.g., stores, services, etc. in one of the regions or a local area of a given destination). The virtual button in the shape of "arrow" opens one of the additional options and the "New Address" button 350 begins the process by which the user can enter the street address of the destination to which he wishes to navigate. Since the user knows the street address of the destination to which he wishes to navigate in this example, it is assumed (by touching the button displayed on the touch screen) to operate the "address" button (see Figure 5 ( (shown in ), the user is presented with a range of address input options—especially with the help of “City Center”, “Zip Code”, “Crossroads or Crossovers” (eg one of the intersections of the two roads) and “Streets” In the example, the user knows the street address and house number of the destination and thus selects the "street and house number" virtual button 352, and then presents it to the user (as shown in the figure). Typed in the name of the city to which it wishes to navigate, prompt 354, by which the user can select one of the countries in which the desired city is located, button 356, and the user can operate to operate if necessary Enter one of the names of the destination city, virtual keyboard 358. The PND therefore provides the user with an additional list of selectable cities 36. In this case the user Navigate to Amsterdam, and when the self-cleaning single 360 when selected Amsterdam (involving from "R" to scroll through the entire project

152599.doc ,, S 201224495 清皁），該PND顯示（如圖5巧所顯示）一使用者可藉以輸入街道名稱之-虛擬鍵盤362、用於一街道名稱之項目之一提示366及（在此情形中）阿姆斯特丹中之可選街道之一清單 364’此乃因言亥使用者先前已導航至阿姆斯特丹之一 2 道。在此實例中，該使用者希望導航至其先前已到訪之街道輪勃朗廣場且因此自所顯示之清單364選擇倫勃朗廣場。 -旦已選擇了一衔道’然後該pND顯示一較小虛擬鍵盤 368且藉助提示37G提示該使用者鍵人所選擇街道及其希望導航至的城市中之門牌號碼。若該使用者先前已導航至此街道中之一門牌號碼，則最初顯示彼號碼（如圖sf中所顯示）。如在此情形中’若該使用者希望再—次導航至儉勃朗廣場35號，則該使用者僅需要觸摸該顯示器之右下角處所顯示之-「完成」虛擬按紐372即可。若該使用者應希望導航至倫勃朗廣場中之一不同的門牌號碼，則其全部需要做的係操作鍵盤3 6 8以輸入適當的門牌號碼。一旦已輸入了該門牌號碼，該使用者即在圖化中被提問其現在希望在一具體日期及時間起程還是沒有具體日期及時間。在此情形中’該使用者不關心在—特定時間離開且因此選擇「沒有具體日期及時間」選項且按下「完成」虛擬按鈕374 〇選擇「完成」按紐374致使該PND顯示如圖仏中所顯示之it供關於該使用者希望s十算何種類型之路線之一另‘外^ 虛擬按鈕組，例如最快路線、一經濟路線 '最短路線、避 152599.doc -62· 201224495 開高速公路之一路線、一步行路線或藉由按下箭頭形狀之虛擬按鈕而存取之另外選項。在此情形中，該使用者使用按紐376選擇最快路線。這致使該PND計算當前位置與.所選擇目的地之間的一路線且如圖5i令所顯示在顯示整個路線之一相對低放大率地圖上顯示彼路線378。給該使用者提供：一「完成」虛擬按鈕3 80’其可按下該按鈕以指示其對該所計算之路線很滿意；一「尋找替代方案」按鈕 382，該使用者可按下以致使該pND計算至所選擇目的地之另一路線；及一「詳細資料」按鈕3 84，一使用者可按下以揭示可選選項以供顯示關於當前所顯示之路線378之更詳細貧訊。該顯示包括提供對路線資訊之一摘要之一摘要索引標籤（summary tab)390，且包括該使用者可選擇以檢視該路線之詳細實況交通資訊之—另一交通索引標籤 392 ° 圖1至圖5i提供背景資訊以便於理解本發明及關於其可實施本發明之導航設備。現在將闡述根據本發明之一導航方法及系統之一些較佳實施例。152599.doc , , S 201224495 Soap), the PND display (as shown in Figure 5), a user can enter the street name - virtual keyboard 362, one of the items for a street name prompt 366 and (in In this case) a list of one of the optional streets in Amsterdam 364' This is because the Haihai user has previously navigated to one of the two lanes in Amsterdam. In this example, the user wishes to navigate to the street of the previously visited street, and thus selects Rembrandt Square from the displayed list 364. Once the track has been selected, then the pND displays a smaller virtual keyboard 368 and prompts the user to select the street and the house number in the city to which the user wants to navigate. If the user has previously navigated to one of the house numbers in the street, the number is initially displayed (as shown in sf). In this case, if the user wishes to navigate again to No. 35, Bloom Square, the user only needs to touch the "Complete" virtual button 372 displayed at the lower right corner of the display. If the user would like to navigate to one of the different house numbers in Rembrandt Square, all that is required is to operate the keyboard 3 6 8 to enter the appropriate house number. Once the house number has been entered, the user is asked in the picture that he now wishes to start at a specific date and time with no specific date and time. In this case, the user does not care to leave at a specific time and therefore selects the "no specific date and time" option and presses the "complete" virtual button 374 to select the "complete" button 374 to cause the PND to display as shown. The one shown in the list is for one of the types of routes that the user wants to count. Another virtual button group, such as the fastest route, one economic route, the shortest route, avoid 152599.doc -62· 201224495 A route to a highway, a walking route, or another option accessed by pressing a virtual button in the shape of an arrow. In this case, the user uses button 376 to select the fastest route. This causes the PND to calculate a route between the current location and the selected destination and display the route 378 on a relatively low magnification map showing one of the entire routes as shown in Figure 5i. Providing the user with a "Complete" virtual button 3 80' which can be pressed to indicate that it is satisfied with the calculated route; a "Look for Alternative" button 382 which can be pressed to cause The pND calculates another route to the selected destination; and a "Details" button 3 84, a user can press to reveal an optional option for displaying more detailed information about the currently displayed route 378. The display includes a summary tab 390 that provides a summary of one of the route information, and includes detailed traffic information that the user can select to view the route - another traffic index label 392 ° Figure 1 - 5i provides background information to facilitate an understanding of the present invention and navigation devices in which the present invention may be implemented. Some preferred embodiments of the navigation method and system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

在些情形中一使用者希望尋找一所關注點之位置或甚至任一類型之位置…個選項係使用該pND(例如）藉由經由圖5b中所顯示之選單執行_本地搜尋來搜尋所關注之位置。另-選項將係搜尋-當前位置或一指定位置（諸如_ 目的地）之既定附近内之所儲存之關注點。可以與上文關於設定-目的地所闡述之方式類似之一方式經由經由該刚之—㈣螢幕而存取之—選單純來執行此H 152599.doc -63· 201224495 該PND可顯示一當前位置之一既定附近内之關注點之一清單。然而申請人已意識到，需要一使用者以此方式執行對一關注位置之一搜尋並不總是尋找一位置之最便捷的技術。其需要該使用者正確地（亦即，在正確的區）執行該搜尋，並在許多情形中自該PND呈現給該使用者之可能位置之一 /月單選擇確切位置。在一些情形中，該pND可不知曉一使用者所尋找之位置，例如若其係臨時性的或僅與該使用者相關之一位置β 一些類型之位置（諸如野營地）當前鉛印用於位置之詳細座^對於一使用者而言，記住此等詳細座標不切實際。此外，存在一使用者可沒有充分詳細資料要呈送以執行適且搜哥時之情形。常發生之一個情形係一使用者駕駛經過宣傳一事件或位置之一路邊標誌或廣告牌。舉例而言，一廣告牌可宣傳那天在一特定定位出現一古玩市場，或附近有—「摘你自己的草莓」農田。該使用者可不由自主地決定其希望現在到訪彼位置，或希望記錄該位置以使其能夠在一稍後時間到訪該事件或位置。典型的廣告牌可提供一些簡短的定位資訊詳細資料或方向，且可能提供一簡：地圖。舉例而言’這可指示駕駛員需要恰好在一繞行之前繼續行至下-交叉路口且然後向右拐。—使用者可難以準確記住該^訊’且當駕料該使用者原本沒機會將盆記下。必須試圖領會此等指令不期望地增加駕駛員分散：意力之位準。 / 152599.docIn some cases, a user wishes to find a location of a point of interest or even any type of location... an option to use the pND to search for attention by, for example, performing a local search via the menu shown in Figure 5b. The location. The -option will be a search for the current location or a stored point of interest within a given vicinity of a specified location (such as _ destination). This H can be performed by simply selecting one of the ways described above with respect to the set-destination via the just-(four) screen - 152599.doc -63· 201224495 The PND can display a current position A list of one of the concerns within the established neighborhood. Applicants have recognized, however, that a user in need of performing a search for one of the locations of interest in this manner is not always the most convenient technique for finding a location. It requires the user to perform the search correctly (i.e., in the correct zone) and in many cases select the exact location from one of the possible locations of the PND presented to the user. In some cases, the pND may not know the location that a user is looking for, for example if it is temporary or only one location associated with the user. Some types of locations (such as campgrounds) are currently printed for location. Detailed seating ^ For a user, it is impractical to remember that such detailed coordinates. In addition, there is a situation in which a user may not have sufficient detailed information to submit to perform the appropriate search. A common occurrence is when a user drives a roadside sign or billboard that promotes an event or location. For example, a billboard can advertise that an antique market appears in a particular location on that day, or there is a “picking your own strawberry” farmland nearby. The user may not decide, on their own initiative, that they wish to visit the location now, or wish to record the location to enable it to visit the event or location at a later time. A typical billboard provides some short location details or directions, and may provide a simple: map. For example, this may indicate that the driver needs to continue to the next-intersection just before a detour and then turn to the right. - It is difficult for the user to accurately remember the message and when the user is driven, the user has no chance to write down the pot. Attempts to understand these instructions undesirably increase driver dispersion: the level of power. / 152599.doc

-64 - 201224495 雖然此問題在-使用者纟㈣人針對一位置給出方向時或在以-錯印形式(例如=一廣告之一❹）給出方向之情形下可發生類似的問題為: 例2，备藉助電話預定一旅館時，可給該使用者口_ 供其-旦離開一大路出口即到達該旅館之—組指令。該使用者必須記㈣等指令或記料細詩，且將复= 以供將來參考。保留從-位置或事件之發起人之角度上而言，期望應強調該事件之名稱及性質以及可能-商標，而不^供過多量之地址及方向詳細資料。需要在(例如)顯示一公司、商標或出售產品之一廣告牌之吸引力與更多功能性資料 (諸如地址、方向、電話號碼、URL等等)之間找到衡。習用地址或方向詳細資料具有有限效用。若該位置不位於該廣告牌所位於之一道路之出口或自其給出方向之點附近’則不管是以-圖解形式還是口頭形式，提供關於所需長度及複雜性之指令迅速變得不切實際。在本發明之實施例中，藉由指派快速撥號位置代碼（簡短代碼）來解決上述問題，該使用者可將該等快速撥號位置代碼鍵入至一導航設備中以使得該設備能夠判定用於該位置之完整的位置資訊。該快速撥號位置代碼（在本文中稱作一「SDC」）係可包括字母及/或數字之—簡短易記的代瑪°通常其將係字母數字形式，或以僅字母形式以增加使用者友好性之位準。舉例而言，賣漢堡包之一餐館可具 152599.doc • 65 · 201224495 有快速撥號位置代碼（SDC)「hamburger」。位於海難上之一旅館可具有SDC「@beachhotel」。一音樂節可使用將提供至該事件之位置之SDC「@pinkpop」。設想與用戶可確保目前相關網際網路域名安全之方式相同，用戶可請求用於一特定位置之期望SDC。該SDC可闡述該位置處所提供之產品或服務。每一 SDC與用於其指派至的位置之位置資訊相關聯。舉例而言，一SDC可與該位置之一組座標相關聯，該pND可使用該組座標以導航至該位置。一組實例性座標可係N33 13.547 - E20 01.881。由於根據定義，SDC簡短且一些SDC可特別流行（諸如「hamburger」），因此使得每一 SDC僅與用於相關位置之位置資訊相關聯係不切實際的。有限數目個可用s〇c將不能夠使所有位置彼此唯一區分。而在本發明之實施例中，一地理區域細分成複數個子區域。此通常係藉由將一數位地圖上所表不之地理區域劃分成複數個子區域而完成。將一區代碼指派至每一子區域。舉例而言，可將代碼um、 ΝΑ、IL及QZ給不同的子區域。一使用者可不需要使用該等區代碼，但其用以允許導航裝置識別一子區域。該等區代碼可展現一定程度之使用者友好性，此乃因在一些情形中一使用者可結合一 SDC來使用該代碼。當一 SDC指派至該等子區域中之一者中之一位置時，其亦與該子區域之區代碼相關聯。實際上，將一組sdc指派至每一子區域，該組SDC中之每一者指派至該子區域中曰之 152599.doc •66- 201224495 一位置或若干個位置，且又與用於每一位置之位置資訊相關聯。一既定SDC與相關聯之區代碼之組合給一特定子區域中與一既定SDC相關聯之該位置或若干個位置之位置資訊it供一唯一解答。因此’儘管SDC「hamburger」可用於兩個不同子區域中’但在任一既定子區域中僅使用SdC 「hamburger j — 次。藉助實例方式’可給一個子區域提供代碼UM。可給另一子區域提供代碼IL。可給區域UM中之一第一餐館以及另一區域IL中之一第二餐館分配快速撥號位置代碼「hamburger」。可結合該等餐館中之每一者之SDC來儲存其位置資訊。倘若該SDC亦鏈接至正確的區代碼，則倘若導航裝置知曉哪一者係正考量之相關子區域，則其可判定用於位於彼區域中之餐館之位置資訊。此類似於針對㈣號碼使用區代瑪之概念。同樣相對簡紐的電話號碼可通過該系統在不同區中重複使用，但代碼與較短的特杨打代碼之組合㈣唯-的，從而料適當地針對預期用戶建立一連接。儘管-SDC通常將指派至一單個位置，但倘若一組有關位置在同一地理子區域中，則可將該鞭指派至該組有關位置…個實例可係對應於-子區域中之-特定商店之若干個分店之位置之—位置群組。可將係該商店名稱之一 SDC指派至此等位置全部。類似地，—㈣子區域中之一個以上之SDC可盘因_办SB „ , 一门位置及位置資訊相關聯》此可發在同一位置用於不同目门目的之情形下。其可具有闞述可由不 152599.doc -67- S. 201224495 同類另j之使用者使用之該等不同目的之一。在所有情形中區代碼與SDC之組合形成對用於-位置或若干個位置之一組位置資訊之一唯一解答。在二實細*例中，一 SDC可與關於該位置或發生於該位置處之—事件’或關於該位置處所提供之產品或服務之另外資訊相關聯，而不是使得該SDC僅與用於該位置或若干個位置之位置資訊相關聯。舉例而言’諸如一電話號碼、，，周際網路位址等等之聯絡資訊可與該sdc相關聯。一鍵路可與该SDC相關聯從而使得㈣通過—適宜通信鏈路獲得關於該位置之實況資料。產生一資料庫從而儲存每一區代碼及識別與該區代碼有關之地理子區域之資訊。此可以數位地圖資料或一般地理 _貝料之形式，或以任一其他形式。該資訊應識別該地圖子區域之範圍以允許一導航設備針對該地理區域中之任一既定點來判定其包括於哪一子區域中。此資料庫可稱作「區域」資料庫。該區域資料庫可儲存於一特定PND之一記憶體中’但在其他配置中可係一遠端或非板上資料庫。然後一 PND可使用一適宜通信鏈路來存取該區域資料庫。每一快速撥號位置代碼儲存以與含有該快速撥號位置代碼已指派至的該位置或若干個位置之子區域之區代碼以及與該SDC相關聯之位置資訊及任一其他資訊相關聯。在使用中’當一使用者將一 SDC鍵入至一導航裝置中時，該裝置可判定一所關注子區域之一區代碼，且尋找與關聯於一所關注區之該SDC相關聯之位置資訊。該所關注 152599.doc -68- 201224495 子區域可係包括該裝置之一當前GPS位置之子區域，或其可係由一使用者指定之一子區域。在前者情形中，該導航裝置可經配置以自動偵測當前位置處於哪一子區域中，且尋找彼子區域之區代碼。然後該PND可使用此區代碼來識別用於與彼區代碼相關聯之快速撥號位置代碼之一快速撥號位置代碼資料庫，且檢索與所鍵入之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之位置資訊及任一其他資訊。在其他情形中，該區域可由一使用者（例如）藉由指定其規劃行進之一區域中之一點而選擇。然後該PND可判定包括一使用者所指示之一點或區域之子區域，且判定彼子區域之區代碼。在一些實施例中，指派至一既定子區域中之位置之快速撥號位置代碼儲存於用於彼子區域之一具體的快速撥號位置代碼資料庫中。舉例而言，每一 SDC資料庫可與彼子區域之區代碼相關聯。以此方式，該PND可（例如）基於當前位置或使用者指定位置來判定一當前情形中之相關子區域，且在相關的快速撥號位置代碼資料庫中尋找一使用者所鍵入之快速撥號位置代碼。單獨的資料庫可係相異資料庫，或可係一單個資料庫之區段。在其他配置中，倘若該專决速撥號位置代碼與相關區代碼相關聯，則該等快速撥號位置代碼可全部儲存於一共同資料庫中。舉例而言， SDC可與區代碼一起儲存從而形成鏈接至具有該區代碼之子區域中之一既定位置或若干個位置之位置資訊之一複合代碼。一旦已檢索該位置資訊，該PND可在一數位地圖上顯示 152599.doc -69 - 201224495 與所輸入之快速撥號位置代碼相關聯之該位置或若干個位置之位置右用於-組位置之位置資訊與該相關聯’則每一位置可同時顯示於該地圖上，或該PND可選擇顯示最近的位置，或可給該使用者呈現自其選擇一位置以供顯示之-位置清單。然後該使用者可選擇導航至的或經由其而導航至的一位置或若干個位置。另一選擇為或另外，該使用者可請求PND將資料儲存於（例如）記憶體23〇中或致使-祠服器儲存該f訊以便其可稍後被檢索或請求將該資訊發射至一％定行動通信裝置或另一pND或類似裝置。將瞭解’該使用者可將其在—既定子區域中所看見之快速撥號位置代碼中之任一者鍵入至導航設備中，而不需要 §己住座標、公司名稱、地址或方向組。舉例而言若該使用者在一廣告牌上看見快速撥號位置代碼「cats22」，則其可將其鍵入至其導航裝置中。導航裝置將自動判定該使用者當前在哪一子區域中，且然後將使用該既定區域之區代碼來判定與對應於所輸入之SDC之一 SDC相關聯且亦與區代碼相關聯之位置資訊。舉例而言，此可參考儲存SDC 與相關聯之區代碼之組合之一資料庫，或參考用於一特定區代碼之一具體的SDC資料庫。現在將參照圖6闡述實施本發明之方法之一系統中之一 PND之操作之一實例性流程圖。在—第一階段S1中，；PND注釋該PND之一當前GPS位置。若該使用者已將一所選擇位置鍵入至該裝置中（亦即） 152599.doc 201224495 以指示其在一稍後階段規劃行進之一區域中之一點，則誃 PND可使用此位置而不是當前位置。該PND存取儲存每一子區域之區代碼之—區域資料庫一 S2。該PND採用在S1中所判定之當前位置或所選擇位置且使用該區域資料庫以判定含有當前位置或所選擇位置之子區域，且判定該子區域之區代碼—S3。在S4中該PND自一使用者接收一SDC之一輸入。此可以一話音命令或基於觸摸之輸入之形式。在S5中’由於該PnD已判定了相關子區域及因此區代碼，因此其使用所輸入之SDC以在用於相關的經識別子區域之資料庫中尋找與該SDC相關聯之定位資訊及任一其他資訊。若一單個資料庫用於所有的地理子區域，則該裝置可採用係區代碼與所鍵入之快速撥號位置代碼之經組合代碼來尋找與該完整代碼相關聯之相關聯的位置資訊。因此在S6中，該PND知曉用於所鍵入之快速撥號位置代碼已指派至的該位置之位置資訊（例如，座標）。在S7中，該PND可使用該位置資訊以直接導航至或計算經由該位置而前往之一路線，或可在一數位地圖上或在一清單中顯示所識別之位置以使得該使用者能夠選擇（例如）作為一目的地之位置。另一選擇為或另外，該使用者可命令該PND將所判定之用於該位置之位置資訊儲存於其記憶體230中以供在一稍後階段處檢索，或（例如）下載至該使用者之一 PC上。 s 152599.doc -71 - 201224495 參照圖7圖解說明快速撥號位置代碼與區代碼之一些實例。一使用者可在已分配有區代碼UM之一子區域中具有一當前GPS位置。已將快速撥號位置代碼「hamburger」指派至針對此子區域中之一餐館之一位置。此與該餐館之位置座標N3 3 13.547 E20 01.881相關聯。另一快速撥號位置代碼「cats22」係與子區域UM中具有位置座標]^33 12 9〇1 E20 02.333之一不同的位置相關聯。具有代碼um之子區域附近存在三個毗鄰子區域，其分別具有代碼IL、Qz及 ΝΑ。在具有代碼IL之ffltb鄰子區域中，亦已給賣漢堡包之另一餐館分配快速撥號位置代碼「hamburger」。此位置具有一不同的位置座標組，N33 12.537 E20 00.33 1。此等座標僅係說明性’且不表示所顯示之實際位置。儘管因此存在各自具有有不同的位置座標之特指「hamburger」之兩個餐館，但此等餐館在不同的子區域中。因此一者係在具有區代碼UM之子區域中，且另一者係在具有區代碼IL之子區域中，結果係用於每一餐館之區代碼與快速撥號位置代碼之組合不同。一者具有經組合之代碼「UM-hamburger」且另一者具有「iL-hamburger」。將瞭解，若在一既定區域中對同一快速撥號位置代碼存在重大需求’則此可藉由使得彼附近之子區域更小而適應。因此在一些實施例中，可基於SDC請求或特定而言針對一特定快速撥號位置代碼之SDC請求之一密度來判定該等子區域之大小。若在一區域中對同一 SDC之需求增加，則該等區域可***以產生新區域。 152599.doc •72- 201224495 設想公司或個人可請求SDC。然後可給其分配一隨機產生之SDC，或已分配至含有該sdc欲指派至的位置之一子區域之一組SDC中之一者，或可指定其原希望分配至其的一 SDC。此可以類似於請求個性化號碼牌之一方式而操作。設想可像目前使用者訂購電話服務一樣，使用者可訂購快速撥號位置代碼。然後一導航公司可擔任類似於一電信提供商之一角色來給用戶分配快速撥號位置代碼。該系統可判定何時使用一既定SDC，且此資訊可用以該導航么司產生收益，此乃因可以與在一網站上.贊助鍵路之公司在一鏈路被點擊進入時可收費之方式類似之一方式，可對用戶收取每一「傭金」。本發明提供一靈活性系統，且與許多應用相關。可將 SDC指派至永久性或臨時性位置。舉例而言，可將一 SDc 分配至在一有限週期内舉行一節曰之一位置。設想一野營者可請求一SDC以供其去野營時使用，且使此SDC與其已紮帳篷之位置相關聯。其可將該SDC給予與其一起野營之朋友，以便當該朋友鍵入含有野營位置之子區域時，其可檢索野營者之位置資訊。一特定SDC可用以在夏天時指代 (例如）一直排輪滑溜冰場之一個位置且在冬天時指代（諸如）滑冰設施中之一不同類型之位置。本發明之方法亦將適用於地理藏寶。申請人已意識到在一些情形中可對彼此非常接近之相同 SDC有高度需求。該申請人具有可確保將快速撥號位置代碼最有效地分配至子區域以最大化相對於不同位置使用相-64 - 201224495 Although this problem can occur when the -user(4) person gives directions to a position or in the direction of a -wrong form (eg = one ad), a similar problem can occur: In the example 2, when a hotel is reserved by telephone, the user can be given a group instruction to leave the exit of the road. The user must record (4) and other instructions or notes, and will be used for future reference. Retention From the perspective of the originator of the location or event, it is expected that the name and nature of the event and the possible-trademark should be emphasized, rather than providing an excessive amount of address and direction details. There is a need to find a balance between, for example, showing the attraction of a company, a trademark, or one of the products sold, and more functional material (such as address, direction, phone number, URL, etc.). Custom address or direction details have limited utility. If the location is not located near the exit of the road on which the billboard is located or from the point in which it is given, then the instructions for the required length and complexity quickly become irrelevant, whether in graphical or verbal form. Practical. In an embodiment of the invention, the above problem is solved by assigning a speed dial location code (short code) that the user can type into a navigation device to enable the device to determine Complete location information for the location. The speed dial location code (referred to herein as a "SDC") may include letters and/or numbers - a short, easy to remember megama. Usually it will be in alphanumeric form, or in letter only form to increase the user. The level of friendliness. For example, a restaurant that sells hamburgers can have 152599.doc • 65 · 201224495 There is a speed dial location code (SDC) “hamburger”. A hotel located on a shipwreck can have SDC "@beachhotel". A music festival can use the SDC "@pinkpop" which will be provided to the location of the event. It is envisaged that the user can request the same SDC for a particular location in the same way that the user can ensure that the current Internet domain name is secure. The SDC can describe the products or services offered at that location. Each SDC is associated with location information for the location to which it is assigned. For example, an SDC can be associated with a set of coordinates for the location that the pND can use to navigate to the location. A set of example coordinates can be N33 13.547 - E20 01.881. Since SDCs are short by definition and some SDCs are particularly popular (such as "hamburger"), it is impractical to associate each SDC with only location information for the relevant location. A limited number of available s〇c will not be able to uniquely distinguish all locations from each other. In an embodiment of the invention, a geographic area is subdivided into a plurality of sub-areas. This is usually done by dividing the geographic area represented on a digital map into a plurality of sub-areas. Assign a zone code to each subzone. For example, the codes um, ΝΑ, IL, and QZ can be given to different sub-areas. A user may not need to use the zone code, but it is used to allow the navigation device to identify a sub-area. The zone code may exhibit a degree of user friendliness because in some cases a user may use the code in conjunction with an SDC. When an SDC is assigned to one of the ones of the sub-areas, it is also associated with the area code of the sub-area. In effect, a set of sdcs is assigned to each sub-area, each of which is assigned to the 152599.doc •66-201224495 one location or several locations in the sub-area, and The location information of a location is associated. A combination of a given SDC and associated zone code provides location information for that location or locations associated with a given SDC in a particular sub-area for a unique solution. Therefore 'although SDC "hamburger" can be used in two different sub-areas' but only SdC "hamburger j - times in any of the two stator regions" can be used to provide a sub-area with code UM by way of example. The area provides the code IL. The speed dial location code "hamburger" can be assigned to one of the first restaurants in the area UM and the second restaurant in the other area IL. The location information can be stored in conjunction with the SDC of each of the restaurants. If the SDC is also linked to the correct zone code, then if the navigation device knows which one is considering the relevant sub-area, it can determine the location information for the restaurant located in the area. This is similar to the concept of using the area for the (4) number. The phone number, which is also relatively simple, can be reused in different zones by the system, but the code is combined with the shorter special code (4) only, so that a connection is properly established for the intended user. Although the -SDC will typically be assigned to a single location, if a group of related locations are in the same geographic sub-area, the whip can be assigned to that group of related locations... instances can correspond to - specific stores in the - sub-areas The location of several branches - location group. One of the store names, SDC, can be assigned to all of these locations. Similarly, more than one (4) sub-region of the SDC may be associated with a location and location information. This may be sent to the same location for different purposes. One of the different purposes that may be used by users of the same type of 152599.doc -67-S. 201224495. In all cases the combination of the zone code and the SDC forms a pair for the - position or a number of positions One of the only answers to the location information. In the second example, an SDC may be associated with the event or the additional event of the product or service provided at the location, rather than The SDC is associated only with location information for the location or locations. For example, contact information such as a phone number, , a weekly network address, etc. can be associated with the sdc. A road may be associated with the SDC such that (4) obtaining live information about the location via the appropriate communication link. Generating a database to store each area code and identifying information about the geographic sub-areas associated with the area code This may be in the form of a digital map material or general geography, or in any other form. The information shall identify the extent of the map sub-area to allow a navigation device to determine for any of the established points in the geographic region. In which sub-area it is included. This database can be called a "regional" database. The regional database can be stored in one of the memory of a particular PND' but in other configurations it can be a remote or non-board database. A PND can then access the regional database using a suitable communication link. Each speed dial location code is stored in association with a zone code containing a sub-area of the location or locations to which the speed dial location code has been assigned and location information associated with the SDC and any other information. In use, when a user types an SDC into a navigation device, the device can determine a region code of a sub-area of interest and seek location information associated with the SDC associated with a region of interest. . The 152599.doc -68- 201224495 sub-area may include a sub-area of the current GPS location of one of the devices, or it may be a sub-area designated by a user. In the former case, the navigation device can be configured to automatically detect in which sub-region the current location is located and to find the region code for the sub-region. The PND can then use the zone code to identify a speed dial location code repository for one of the speed dial location codes associated with the zone code and retrieve location information associated with the typed speed dial location code and any Other information. In other cases, the region may be selected by a user (e.g., by specifying a point in one of its planned travels). The PND can then determine a sub-area that includes a point or region indicated by the user and determine the area code for the sub-area. In some embodiments, the speed dial location code assigned to a location in a region of the stator is stored in a specific speed dial location code repository for one of the sub-zones. For example, each SDC repository can be associated with a zone code for a sub-area. In this manner, the PND can determine a relevant sub-area in a current situation based on, for example, a current location or a user-specified location, and look for a speed dial location that the user has typed in the associated speed dial location code database. Code. A separate database can be a separate database or can be a section of a single database. In other configurations, if the dedicated speed dial location code is associated with the associated zone code, the speed dial location codes may all be stored in a common repository. For example, the SDC can be stored with the zone code to form a composite code that links to location information having a predetermined location or a number of locations in a sub-region of the zone code. Once the location information has been retrieved, the PND can be displayed on a digital map 152599.doc -69 - 201224495 The location or location of the location associated with the entered speed dial location code is right for the location of the group location The information is associated with the 'each location can be displayed on the map at the same time, or the PND can choose to display the most recent location, or the user can be presented with a location list from which to select a location for display. The user can then select a location or locations to navigate to or via which to navigate. Alternatively or additionally, the user may request the PND to store the data in, for example, memory 23 or cause the server to store the message so that it can be retrieved later or request that the information be transmitted to a % The mobile communication device or another pND or similar device. It will be appreciated that the user can type any of the speed dial location codes that are seen in the both stator regions into the navigation device without the need to have a coordinate, company name, address or direction group. For example, if the user sees the speed dial location code "cats22" on a billboard, it can type it into its navigation device. The navigation device will automatically determine in which sub-area the user is currently in, and then use the area code of the predetermined area to determine location information associated with the SDC corresponding to the input SDC and also associated with the area code. . For example, this can be referred to a repository that stores a combination of the SDC and the associated zone code, or a reference to a specific SDC repository for one of the specific zone codes. An exemplary flow chart of one of the operations of a PND in a system embodying the method of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. In the first stage S1, the PND annotates the current GPS position of one of the PNDs. If the user has typed a selected location into the device (ie,) 152599.doc 201224495 to indicate that it is planning a point in one of the areas of travel at a later stage, then the PND can use this location instead of the current position. The PND accesses an area database - S2 storing the area code of each sub-area. The PND adopts the current position or the selected position determined in S1 and uses the area database to determine the sub-area containing the current position or the selected position, and determines the area code of the sub-area - S3. In S4, the PND receives an input from an SDC from a user. This can be in the form of a voice command or a touch based input. In S5, 'since the PnD has determined the relevant sub-area and therefore the area code, it uses the input SDC to find the location information associated with the SDC in the database for the associated identified sub-area and either Other information. If a single database is used for all geographic sub-areas, the device may use the combined code of the line code and the typed speed dial location code to find the associated location information associated with the complete code. Therefore, in S6, the PND knows location information (e.g., coordinates) for the location to which the typed speed dial location code has been assigned. In S7, the PND may use the location information to directly navigate to or calculate a route to the route via the location, or may display the identified location on a digital map or in a list to enable the user to select (for example) as a destination location. Alternatively or additionally, the user can instruct the PND to store the determined location information for the location in its memory 230 for retrieval at a later stage, or, for example, download to the use One of them on the PC. s 152599.doc -71 - 201224495 Some examples of speed dial location codes and zone codes are illustrated with reference to FIG. A user may have a current GPS location in a sub-area to which the zone code UM has been assigned. The speed dial location code "hamburger" has been assigned to one of the restaurants in this sub-area. This is associated with the restaurant's location coordinates N3 3 13.547 E20 01.881. Another speed dial location code "cats22" is associated with a position in the sub-area UM that has a different position coordinate position ^33 12 9〇1 E20 02.333. There are three adjacent sub-areas near the sub-area with code um, which have codes IL, Qz and ΝΑ, respectively. In the ffltb neighbourhood area with the code IL, another restaurant selling hamburgers has also been assigned the speed dial location code "hamburger". This position has a different set of position coordinates, N33 12.537 E20 00.33 1. These coordinates are merely illustrative and do not indicate the actual location shown. Although there are therefore two restaurants each having a special "hamburger" with different position coordinates, these restaurants are in different sub-areas. Thus one is in a sub-area with zone code UM and the other is in a sub-area with zone code IL, with the result that the zone code for each restaurant is different from the combination of speed dial location codes. One has the combined code "UM-hamburger" and the other has "iL-hamburger". It will be appreciated that if there is a significant demand for the same speed dial location code in a given area, then this can be accommodated by making the sub-area near it smaller. Thus, in some embodiments, the size of the sub-regions can be determined based on the SDC request or, in particular, the density of one of the SDC requests for a particular speed dial location code. If the demand for the same SDC increases in a region, the regions can be split to create a new region. 152599.doc •72- 201224495 Imagine a company or individual can request an SDC. It may then be assigned a randomly generated SDC, or may have been assigned to one of the group SDCs containing one of the sub-areas to which the sdc is to be assigned, or may specify an SDC to which it was originally intended to be assigned. This can be done in a manner similar to requesting one of the personalized number plates. It is envisaged that the user can order the speed dial location code as the current user subscribes to the telephone service. A navigation company can then act as a role similar to a telecommunications provider to assign a speed dial location code to the user. The system can determine when to use a given SDC, and this information can be used to generate revenue for the navigation, which can be similar to the way a company that sponsors a key on a website can be charged when a link is clicked. In one way, each "commission" can be charged to the user. The present invention provides a flexible system and is associated with many applications. The SDC can be assigned to a permanent or temporary location. For example, an SDc can be assigned to a position that is held in a limited period. Imagine that a camper can request an SDC for use while camping, and associate this SDC with the location of the tent that has been tied. It can give the SDC to a friend who camps with it so that when the friend types a sub-area containing the camping location, it can retrieve the location information of the camper. A particular SDC can be used to refer to, for example, one location of a skating rink in the summer and to a different type of location in the skating facility (for example) in winter. The method of the invention will also apply to geocaching treasures. Applicants have recognized that in some cases there may be a high demand for the same SDC that is very close to each other. The Applicant has the ability to ensure that the speed dial location code is most efficiently assigned to sub-areas to maximize use relative to different locations.

S 152599.doc 201224495 同快速撥號位置代碼之能力，同時減小在子區域之間的邊界處混淆之可能性之經設計方法。參照圖8a&8b闡述一些技術。已證實當一區域細分成複數個子區域時，可使用至多四個色彩給地圖之每一區域上色以便任何兩個毗鄰區域不具有相同的色彩。此稱作四色彩原理。已發現此原理可應用於將SDC指派至子區域以便毗鄰區中之子區域之間不存在重疊。在一些情形中，可採取額外步驟來減小或避開相同 SDC(特別係靠近不同子區域之間的邊界）之間的混淆。翻至圖8a，將瞭解在一些情形中，如所顯示一使用者可在區域IL中具有當前GPS位置。自此位置，其可能夠看到宣傳區域UM中具有SDC「hamburger」之餐館之一廣告牌及宣傳區域IL中具有相同SDC之餐館之一廣告牌兩者。這可在其靠近區域UM與IL之間的邊界之情形下，或在該等子區域之地理環境如此以致兩個標誌均清晰可見之情形（例如一更遠之標誌在一山坡上之情形）下發生。然後區域UM中之使用者可在看區域比中之標誌時將快速撥號位置代碼「hamburger」置於其PND中。然而，由於該PND判定該使用者在區域UM中’因此其將獲得與區域UM而不是區域il相關聯之快速撥號位置代瑪「hamburger」之位置資訊。在一替代性情形中，該使用者可位於圖8b中所顯示之四個區域UM、NA' QZ及IL之間的交又口處之位置處。該導航裝置可不能充分準確地判定當前位置處於哪一區域 152599.doc •74· 201224495S 152599.doc 201224495 The design method of the ability to speed dial position codes while reducing the possibility of confusion at the boundary between sub-areas. Some techniques are set forth with reference to Figures 8a & 8b. It has been shown that when a region is subdivided into a plurality of sub-regions, up to four colors can be used to color each region of the map so that any two adjacent regions do not have the same color. This is called the four-color principle. This principle has been found to be applicable to assigning SDCs to sub-regions so that there is no overlap between sub-regions in adjacent regions. In some cases, additional steps may be taken to reduce or avoid confusion between the same SDC (especially near the boundary between different sub-areas). Turning to Figure 8a, it will be appreciated that in some cases, a user may have a current GPS location in the area IL as shown. From this position, it is possible to see both the billboard of one of the restaurants having the SDC "hamburger" in the promotion area UM and the billboard of one of the restaurants having the same SDC in the promotion area IL. This may be the case where it is close to the boundary between the areas UM and IL, or where the geographical environment of the sub-areas is such that both signs are clearly visible (eg a farther sign on a hillside) Underneath. The user in the area UM can then place the speed dial location code "hamburger" in its PND while looking at the area ratio flag. However, since the PND determines that the user is in the area UM', it will obtain the location information of the speed dial location "marburger" associated with the area UM instead of the area il. In an alternative scenario, the user may be located at the intersection between the four regions UM, NA' QZ and IL shown in Figure 8b. The navigation device may not be able to accurately and accurately determine which area the current location is in. 152599.doc •74· 201224495

中。右該使用者將字r hamburger」再次輸入至其pND 中，該PND可不知曉判定與區域觀還是區域NA相關聯之 SDC「hamburger」之位置座標。試圖解決®8a或8b中所顯示之該類型之-情形之-種技術將係該PND藉由計及該使用者之行進方向以及當前位置來推斷所關注之子區域…，在圖8灿之情形中，若判定該使用者正沿朝向區域UM之一方向行進，則該pND 可判其應檢索與區代碼UM而不是江相關聯之SDC 「hamburger」之位置資訊。當然，在—些實施例中該系統可經配置以計&或甚至優先考量該使用者已經過之子區域。這可使得一使用者能夠獲得用於已經過之一位置之位置資訊，且引導其透過做出一孓轉彎以到達該位置。為了試圖減小在此等情形中發生混淆之可能性，較佳地係採取措施以最小化或避開在毗鄰區域之邊界區中分發相同的快速撥號位置代碼。下文將闡述用於完成此之一個技術。如圖8a及8b中所示意性地圖解說明，可以不給毗鄰子區域分配相同色彩之一方式，給表示地理區域之一數位地圖之每一子區域分配四個色彩中之一不同者。該等子區域可係任一形狀，且無需如所圖解說明係正方形。儘管圖“及 8b僅顯示四個子區域，但可在一連續區已劃分成之所有子區域中重複給子區域上色。然後可以不將相同SDC分配至具有不同色彩之子區域之一方式將SDC組分配至每一子區域。此意指相同SDC將不分配至毗鄰子區域，亦即共享一 152599.doc -75- s 201224495 邊界之子區域。以此方式，可最小化所需要之不同的非重疊SDC組之數目’此乃因整個地理區僅需要四個非重疊 SDC組。可在分配有相同色彩之區域中重複相同的sdc。可使用除色彩之外的其他元素，且可使用其他數目個元素。圖7中亦顯示該上色。圖8a及8b圖解說明給該等子區域上色，但不實施分配 SDC之此技術。若已曾關於圖8a&8b配置實施了此技術，則將不發生子區域IL及UM中「hamburger」sds之間的潛在混淆，此乃因同一 SDC「hamburger」將不應用於經不同上色之區域UM、QZ、IL或NA中之任一者。Sdc「hamburger」僅可用於四個子區域UM、ΝΑ、IL及QZ中之一者。儘官已特定參考一導航系統闡述了本發明，但將瞭解該 4技術可應用於涉及使用SDC之任一類型之系統或方法。使用四色彩原理將SDC分配至子區域之技術提供格式化可應用於其中代碼欲指派至就鄰子區域之任一應用之一地圖之一方法，不管該等代碼係位置代碼還是快速撥號位置代碼0 【圖式簡單說明】圖1係一全球定位系統（GPS)之一示意性圖解說明；圖2係經配置以提供一導航裝置之電子組件之一示意性圖解說明；圖3係一導航裝置可通過一無線通信通道接收資訊之方式之一示意性圖解說明；圖4Α及4Β係一導航裝置之一說明性透視圖； 152599.doc -76- 201224495 圖5a至圖5i係自用於一目的地輸入過程之一 TomTom GO 950 LIVE PND之說明性螢幕擷取畫面；圖6係圖解說明根據本發明之一實施例之一導航設備之一實例性操作方法之一流程圖；圖7圖解說明在本發明之實施例中快速撥號位置代碼與位置貧訊及區代瑪相關聯之方式；圖8a及8b圖解說明一使用者之當前位置靠近毗鄰子區域之間的一邊界之情形。【主要元件符號說明】 120 衛星 124 地球 140 全球定位系統接收器 160 擴展頻譜信號 200 導航裝置 210 處理器 220 輸入裝置 225 連接 230 記憶體資源 235 連接 240 顯示螢幕 245 輸出連接 250 天線/接收器 255 連接 260 輸出裝置in. Right, the user enters the word r hamburger again into its pND, which may not know the position coordinates of the SDC "hamburger" associated with the region view or the region NA. The technique of attempting to solve the type of situation shown in ®8a or 8b will be to infer the sub-area of interest by taking into account the direction of travel of the user and the current position of the PND. If it is determined that the user is traveling in one direction toward the area UM, the pND may determine that the location information of the SDC "hamburger" associated with the area code UM instead of the river is to be retrieved. Of course, in some embodiments the system can be configured to count & or even prioritize the sub-regions that the user has passed. This allows a user to obtain location information for a location that has passed, and directs it to make a turn to reach the location. In an attempt to reduce the likelihood of confusion in such situations, it is preferred to take steps to minimize or avoid distributing the same speed dial location code in the border area of the adjacent area. One technique for accomplishing this will be explained below. As schematically illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b, one of the four colors of one of the digital maps representing the geographic area may be assigned a different one of the four colors, instead of assigning one of the same colors to the adjacent sub-areas. The sub-regions can be of any shape and do not need to be square as illustrated. Although the figures "and 8b only show four sub-regions, the sub-regions may be repeatedly colored in all sub-regions into which a contiguous region has been divided. Then the SDC may not be assigned to one of the sub-regions having different colors. The group is assigned to each sub-area. This means that the same SDC will not be allocated to adjacent sub-areas, that is, sharing a sub-area of 152599.doc -75-s 201224495 boundary. In this way, the different non-divisions required can be minimized. The number of overlapping SDC groups' is due to the fact that only four non-overlapping SDC groups are required for the entire geographic region. The same sdc can be repeated in the region assigned the same color. Other elements besides color can be used, and other numbers can be used. Elements. The coloring is also shown in Figure 7. Figures 8a and 8b illustrate the technique of coloring the sub-areas but not implementing the SDC allocation. If this technique has been implemented with respect to Figures 8a & 8b, then The potential confusion between the sub-area IL and the "hamburger" sds in the UM will not occur, as the same SDC "hamburger" will not be applied to any of the differently colored areas UM, QZ, IL or NA. Sdc "hamburger" can only be used for one of the four sub-areas UM, ΝΑ, IL and QZ. The present invention has been described with particular reference to a navigation system, but it will be appreciated that the 4 technique can be applied to any type of system or method involving the use of an SDC. The technique of assigning SDCs to sub-areas using the four-color principle provides a method that can be applied to one of the maps in which the code is to be assigned to any of the adjacent sub-areas, regardless of the code location code or the speed dial location code. 0 is a schematic illustration of one of the Global Positioning System (GPS); FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of one of the electronic components configured to provide a navigation device; FIG. 3 is a navigation device An illustrative illustration of one of the ways in which information can be received over a wireless communication channel; Figures 4A and 4 are an illustrative perspective view of one of the navigation devices; 152599.doc -76- 201224495 Figures 5a through 5i are used for a destination An illustrative screen capture screen of one of the input processes TomTom GO 950 LIVE PND; FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary operation method of a navigation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. In the embodiment of the invention, the speed dial location code is associated with the location lag and the zone daisy; Figures 8a and 8b illustrate a user's current location close to the A case where the boundary between the sub-regions. [Main component symbol description] 120 Satellite 124 Earth 140 Global Positioning System Receiver 160 Spread Spectrum Signal 200 Navigation Device 210 Processor 220 Input Device 225 Connection 230 Memory Resource 235 Connection 240 Display Screen 245 Output Connection 250 Antenna/Receiver 255 Connection 260 output device

S 152599.doc -77- 201224495 270 輸入/輸出埠 275 連接 280 外部輸入/輸出裝置 290 顯示裝置 292 臂 294 吸盤 302 伺服器 304 處理器 306 記憶體 308 發射器 310 接收器 312 大容量資料儲存裝置 314 有線或無線連接 318 通信通道 320 發射器 322 接收器 346 虛擬按紐 348 虛擬按钮 350 「地址」按钮 352 「街道及門牌號碼」 354 提示 356 國旗按细 358 虛擬鍵盤 360 清單虛擬按紐 152599.doc -78* 201224495 362 虛擬鍵盤 364 清單 366 提示 368 虛擬鍵盤 370 提示 372 「完成」虛擬按鈕 374 「完成」虛擬按紐 376 按紐 378 路線 380 「完成」虛擬按紐 382 「尋找替代方案」 384 「詳細貢料」按紐 390 摘要索引標籤 392 交通索引標籤 IL 代碼 ΝΑ 代碼 QZ 代碼 UM 代碼按鈕 s 152599.doc -79-S 152599.doc -77- 201224495 270 Input/Output 埠275 Connection 280 External I/O Device 290 Display Device 292 Arm 294 Sucker 302 Server 304 Processor 306 Memory 308 Transmitter 310 Receiver 312 Bulk Data Storage Device 314 Wired or wireless connection 318 Communication channel 320 Transmitter 322 Receiver 346 Virtual button 348 Virtual button 350 "Address" button 352 "Street and house number" 354 Tip 356 Flag by fine 358 Virtual keyboard 360 List virtual button 152599.doc - 78* 201224495 362 Virtual Keyboard 364 List 366 Tip 368 Virtual Keyboard 370 Tip 372 "Complete" Virtual Button 374 "Complete" Virtual Button 376 Button 378 Route 380 "Complete" Virtual Button 382 "Look for Alternatives" 384 "Details "" button" 390 summary index tab 392 traffic index label IL code ΝΑ code QZ code UM code button s 152599.doc -79-

Claims

201224495 七、申請專利範圍： 1. 一種格式化一數位地圖之方法，其包含以下步驟；將由該地圖表示之一地理區域細分成複數個子區域，以不將同一元素指派至兩個毗鄰子區域之一方式將來自由複數個不同元素構成之一組中之一個元素指派至每一子區域，將一組代碼分配至每-子區域，其中以分配至被指派不同元素之子區域之代碼組之間不存在重疊之一方式將該等代碼組分配至該等子區域。 2. 如請求項1之方法，其中該等元素係色彩。 3. 如請求項“戈2之方法，其中該組係由至少四個不同元素構成，且最佳地係由四個不同元素構成。 4. 如請求項1或2之方法，其進一步句疋夕包含將一區代碼指派至每一子區域且使該區代碼與嗜別兮、π畀颯別該子區域之資訊相關包含儲存指派至每一子區分配至的該子區域之該區 5·如請求項4之方法，其進—步域之該版代碼以與該組代碼所代碼相關聯。 6·如凊求項I或2之方 +、+ _ π叩m置代碼，且該 -步包含將每一代碼指派至該代碼所分配至的該置或位置組’且使每—代碼與用於該位括位Π位置之資訊相關聯，較佳地其中該資訊至少包括位置資訊。 7·如請求項6之方法’其進—步包含儲存每-位置代碼以 S 152599.doc 201224495 與2於該位置或每一位置或位置組之該資訊相關聯。如咕求項1或2之方法，其進一步包含將該等代碼中之一者或多者分配至一用戶或若干個用戶。 9.如咐求項6之方法，其包含將用於該位置或每一位置或位置組之該等位置代碼及該資訊儲存於用於每一組位置代=之-單獨資料庫中，每一資料庫係與該組位置代瑪所指派至的該子區域之一區代碼相關聯。 10·如請求項1或2之方法，其中該方法係格式化在—導航系統中使用之一數位地圖之一方法，較佳地其中每一組代碼係可由一導航設備使用以獲得位置資訊之一組代碼。 11· 一種用於格式化一數位地圖之系統，其包含；用於將由該數位地圖表示之一地理區域細分成複數個子區域之構件，用於以不將同一元素指派至兩個毗鄰子區域之一方式將來自由複數個不同元素構成之一組中之一個元素指派至每一子區域之構件，及用於將一組代碼分配至每一子區域之構件，其中以分配至被指派不同元素之子區域之代碼組之間不存在重疊之一方式將該等代碼組分配至該等子區域。 12_如請求項11之系統’其中該等元素係色彩。 13. 如請求項11或12之系統，其中該組係由至少四個不同元素構成’且最佳地係由四個不同元素構成。 14. 如請求項11或12之系統，其進一步包含用於將一區代碼指派至每一子區域且使該區代碼與識別該子區域之資訊 152599.doc 201224495 相關聯之構件β 15·如明求項11或12之系統，其進一步包含用於儲存每一組代碼以與該組代碼所分配至的該子區域之該區代碼相關聯之構件。 16.如請求項丨〗或12之系統，其中每一組代碼係一組位置代瑪’該系統進一步包含用於將每一位置代碼指派至該代碼所分配至的該子區域中之一位置或位置組且使該位置代碼與用於該位置或每一位置之資訊相關聯之構件，較佳地其中該資訊至少包括位置資訊。 17·如請求項11或12之系統，其進一步包含用於儲存每一位置代馬以與用於s亥位置或每一位置或位置组之該資訊相關聯之構件。 18.如請求項17之系統，其包含用於將用於該位置或每—位置或位置組之該等位置代碼及該資訊儲存於用於每—組位置代碼之-單獨資料庫中之構件，每―資料庫係與該組位置代碼所指派至的該子區域之該區代碼相關聯。 19·如請求項丨丨扣之系統，其進―步包含用於將該等代碼中之一者或多者分配至-用戶或若干個用戶之構件。 20.如請求項_12之系統，其中該系統係格式化在—導航系統中使用之-數位地圖之—系統，較佳地其★每一組代碼係可由-導航設傷使用以獲得位置資訊之二碼。、、且代 21. 一種電腦程式產品，其包含可執實細如請求項1至中任一項之一方法之電腦可讀指令。 152599.doc201224495 VII. Patent application scope: 1. A method for formatting a digital map, comprising the following steps: subdividing a geographical area represented by the map into a plurality of sub-areas, so as not to assign the same element to two adjacent sub-areas One way to freely assign one element of a group of different elements to each sub-area in the future, assigning a set of codes to each sub-area, wherein between the code groups assigned to the sub-areas to which different elements are assigned is not There is one way to overlap the code groups to the sub-areas. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the elements are color. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the group consists of at least four different elements and is optimally composed of four different elements. 4. The method of claim 1 or 2, further sentences The evening includes assigning a zone code to each of the sub-areas and correlating the zone code with the information of the widget, π, the sub-region, including storing the zone assigned to the sub-zone to which each sub-zone is assigned The method of claim 4, wherein the version of the code of the step field is associated with the code of the group of codes. 6. If the item of the item I or 2 is +, + _ π 叩 m is set, and The step includes assigning each code to the set or set of locations to which the code is assigned and correlating each code with information for the position of the position, preferably wherein the information includes at least location information 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step further comprises storing the per-location code with S 152599.doc 201224495 and 2 associated with the information at the location or each location or location group. 2, the method further comprising one or more of the codes Assigned to a user or a number of users. 9. The method of claim 6, comprising storing the location codes and the information for the location or each location or group of locations for each set of location generations = - In a separate database, each database is associated with a zone code of the sub-region to which the set of locations is assigned. 10) The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method is formatted One of the methods of using a digital map in a navigation system, preferably wherein each set of code is usable by a navigation device to obtain a set of code for location information. 11· A system for formatting a digital map, And comprising: a component for subdividing a geographical area represented by the digital map into a plurality of sub-areas, for constructing one of the different elements in a future without assigning the same element to one of two adjacent sub-areas One element assigned to each sub-area, and a component for assigning a set of codes to each sub-area, with a code group assigned to a sub-area to which different elements are assigned There is no overlap in the way of assigning the code groups to the sub-areas. 12_ The system of claim 11 wherein the elements are color. 13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the group is At least four different elements constitute 'and optimally consist of four different elements. 14. The system of claim 11 or 12, further comprising means for assigning a zone code to each sub-area and causing the zone code A component associated with the information identifying the sub-region 152599.doc 201224495. The system of claim 11 or 12, further comprising means for storing each set of codes to be associated with the sub-region to which the set of codes is assigned The component associated with the zone code. 16. A system as claimed in claim 12 or 12, wherein each set of codes is a set of location dailies. The system further comprises means for assigning each location code to one of the sub-regions to which the code is assigned. Or a location group and means for associating the location code with information for the location or each location, preferably wherein the information includes at least location information. 17. The system of claim 11 or 12, further comprising means for storing each location to associate with the information for the location or each location or group of locations. 18. The system of claim 17, comprising means for storing the location codes for the location or each location or group of locations and the information in a separate database for each set of location codes Each repository is associated with the zone code for the sub-region to which the set of location codes is assigned. 19. A system for requesting a deduction, the further comprising means for assigning one or more of the codes to the user or to a plurality of users. 20. The system of claim _12, wherein the system is formatted in a system for use in a navigation system - preferably, each of the sets of codes can be used by a navigation aid to obtain location information. The second code. And a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions which are capable of performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 1. 152599.doc