US20080167812A1 - Navigation device and method for fuel pricing display - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a designated fuel type; and displaying selectable fuel pricing information on a display of a navigation device, based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to determine a designated fuel type; and an integrated input and display device to display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device.

Description

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
• The following applications are being filed concurrently with the present application. The entire contents of each of the following applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference: A. NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EARLY INSTRUCTION OUTPUT (Attorney docket number 06P207US01) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING AND USING PROFILES (Attorney docket number 06P207US02) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED MAP DISPLAY (Attorney docket number 06P207US03) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD RELATING TO AN AUDIBLE RECOGNITION MODE (Attorney docket number 06P207US04) filed on even date herewith; NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING POINTS OF INTEREST (Attorney docket number 06P207US05) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INFORMATIONAL SCREEN DISPLAY (Attorney docket number 06P207US06) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEALING WITH LIMITED ACCESS ROADS (Attorney docket number 06P057US07) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRAVEL WARNINGS (Attorney docket number 06P057US07) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING BREAK WARNING (Attorney docket number 06P057US07) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ISSUING WARNINGS (Attorney docket number 06P207US07) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAY OF POSITION IN TEXT READIBLE FORM (Attorney docket number 06P207US08) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE ACCESS (Attorney docket number 06P057US08) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING REGIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorney docket number 06P207US09) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorney docket number 06P207US09) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING A PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (Attorney docket number 06P207US10) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD USING A LOCATION MESSAGE (Attorney docket number 06P207US10) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONSERVING POWER (Attorney docket number 06P207US11) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING A TRAFFIC MESSAGE CHANNEL (Attorney docket number 06P207US13) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND j METHOD FOR USING A TRAFFIC MESSAGE CHANNEL RESOURCE (Attorney docket number 06P207US13) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR QUICK OPTION ACCESS (Attorney docket number 06P207US15) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A RICH CONTENT DOCUMENT (Attorney docket number 06P207US27) filed on even date herewith.
PRIORITY STATEMENT
• The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) on each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/879 523 filed Jan. 10, 2007, 60/879,549 filed Jan. 10, 2007, 60/879,553 filed Jan. 10, 2007, 60/879,577 filed Jan. 10, 2007, 60/879,599 filed Jan. 10, 2007, and 60/879,529 filed Jan. 10, 2007, the entire contents of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
• The present application generally relates to navigation methods and devices.
BACKGROUND
• Navigation devices were traditionally utilized mainly in the areas of vehicle use, such as on cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, etc. Alternatively, if such navigation devices were portable, they were further transferable between vehicles and/or useable outside the vehicle, for foot travel for example.
• These devices are typically tailored to produce a route of travel based upon an initial position of the navigation device and a selected/input travel destination (end position), noting that the initial position could be entered into the device, but is traditionally calculated via GPS Positioning from a GPS receiver within the navigation device.
• In known navigation systems, menus are used to display various travel destinations, desired locations, and desired points of interest. A user, for example, can select a category of restaurants as a point of interest, and can find a plurality of selections available. The user can then select a particular restaurant and then determine a route to that restaurant using the navigation system.
SUMMARY
• The inventors discovered that although a plurality of selectable points of interest were displayed in known navigation systems, listing a plurality of entries for example in various selectable categories, only limited information was conveyed to the user, especially initially. The inventors developed a system regarding points of interest, and especially fuel stations, to convey information to the user in an efficient manner so that the user can make an informed choice.
• In at least one embodiment of the present application, a method includes determining a designated fuel type; and displaying selectable fuel pricing information on a display of a navigation device, based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device.
• In at least one embodiment of the present application, a navigation device includes a processor to determine a designated fuel type; and an integrated input and display device to display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device.
• In at least one embodiment of the present application, a method includes displaying an icon for updating fuel pricing information; updating, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information; and displaying a plurality of selectable icons, useable to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a display of a navigation device.
• In at least one other embodiment of the present application, a navigation device includes an integrated input and display device to display an icon for updating fuel pricing information; and a processor to update, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information, the integrated input and display device being useable to display a plurality of selectable icons, useable to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present application will be described in more detail below by using example embodiments, which will be explained with the aid of the drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS);
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components of a navigation device of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server, navigation device and connection therebetween of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an implementation of an embodiment of thenavigation device200.
• FIG. 5A illustrates an example of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a modified embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a screen display of selectable icons of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a display screen for fuel type of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a display screen for downloading fuel pricing information of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a display screen for fuel pricing of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 10 illustrates a screen display of selectable icons of an embodiment of the present application;
• FIG. 11 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the present application; and
• FIG. 12 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
• The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
• In describing example embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.
• Referencing the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, example embodiments of the present patent application are hereafter described. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of Global Positioning System (GPS), usable by navigation devices, including the navigation device of embodiments of the present application. Such systems are known and are used for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite-radio based navigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in some instances direction information for an unlimited number of users.
• Formerly known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites which work with the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units.
• The GPS system is implemented when a device, specially equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the precise location of that satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with only two signals using other triangulation techniques). Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users.
• As shown inFIG. 1, the GPS system is denoted generally byreference numeral100. A plurality ofsatellites120 are in orbit about theearth124. The orbit of eachsatellite120 is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits ofother satellites120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. AGPS receiver140, usable in embodiments of navigation devices of the present application, is shown receiving spread spectrumGPS satellite signals160 from thevarious satellites120.
• Thespread spectrum signals160, continuously transmitted from eachsatellite120, utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Eachsatellite120, as part of itsdata signal transmission160, transmits a data stream indicative of thatparticular satellite120. It is appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that theGPS receiver device140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS satellite signals160 from at least threesatellites120 for theGPS receiver device140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting insignals160 from a total of foursatellites120, permits theGPS receiver device140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components of anavigation device200 of an embodiment of the present application, in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of thenavigation device200 is not inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only representative of many example components.
• Thenavigation device200 is located within a housing (not shown). The housing includes aprocessor210 connected to aninput device220 and adisplay screen240. Theinput device220 can include a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilized to input information; and thedisplay screen240 can include any type of display screen such as an LCD display, for example. In at least one embodiment of the present application, theinput device220 anddisplay screen240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touchscreen input wherein a user need only touch a portion of thedisplay screen240 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.
• In addition, other types ofoutput devices250 can also include, including but not limited to, an audible output device. Asoutput device250 can produce audible information to a user of thenavigation device200, it is equally understood thatinput device240 can also include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands as well.
• In thenavigation device200,processor210 is operatively connected to and set to receive input information frominput device240 via aconnection225, and operatively connected to at least one ofdisplay screen240 andoutput device250, viaoutput connections245, to output information thereto. Further, theprocessor210 is operatively connected tomemory230 viaconnection235 and is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O)ports270 viaconnection275, wherein the I/O port270 is connectible to an I/O device280 external to thenavigation device200. The external I/O device270 may include, but is not limited to an external listening device such as an earpiece for example. The connection to I/O device280 can further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation for example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between thenavigation device200 and the internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network for example.
• Thenavigation device200, in at least one embodiment, may establish a “mobile” network connection with theserver302 via a mobile device400 (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection (such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device400 can establish a network connection (through the internet for example) with aserver302. As such, a “mobile” network connection is established between the navigation device200 (which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and theserver302 to provide a “real-time” or at least very “up to date” gateway for information.
• The establishing of the network connection between the mobile device400 (via a service provider) and another device such as theserver302, using the internet410 for example, can be done in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for example. The mobile device400 can utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.
• As such, an internet connection may be utilized which is achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within thenavigation device200 for example. For this connection, an internet connection between theserver302 and thenavigation device200 is established. This can be done, for example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is a high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet.
• Thenavigation device200 can further complete a data connection with the mobile device400, and eventually with the internet410 andserver302, via existing Bluetooth technology for example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GSRM, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
• Thenavigation device200 may include its own mobile phone technology within thenavigation device200 itself (including an antenna for example, wherein the internal antenna of thenavigation device200 can further alternatively be used). The mobile phone technology within thenavigation device200 can include internal components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable card, complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an antenna for example. As such, mobile phone technology within thenavigation device200 can similarly establish a network connection between thenavigation device200 and theserver302, via the internet410 for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile device400.
• For GRPS phone settings, the Bluetooth enabled device may be used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on thenavigation device200 for example. The data stored for this information can be updated in a manner discussed in any of the embodiments, previous and subsequent.
• FIG. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between theprocessor210 and an antenna/receiver250 viaconnection255, wherein the antenna/receiver250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver designated byreference numeral250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.
• Further, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the electronic components shown inFIG. 2 are powered by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different configurations of the components shown inFIG. 2 are considered within the scope of the present application. For example, in one embodiment, the components shown inFIG. 2 may be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Thus, the scope of thenavigation device200 of the present application includes a portable orhandheld navigation device200.
• In addition, the portable orhandheld navigation device200 ofFIG. 2 can be connected or “docked” in a known manner to a motorized vehicle such as a car or boat for example. Such anavigation device200 is then removable from the docked location for portable or handheld navigation use.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of aserver302 and anavigation device200 of the present application, via ageneric communications channel318, of an embodiment of the present application. Theserver302 and anavigation device200 of the present application can communicate when a connection viacommunications channel318 is established between theserver302 and the navigation device200 (noting that such a connection can be a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via personal computer via the internet, etc.).
• Theserver302 includes, in addition to other components which may not be illustrated, aprocessor304 operatively connected to amemory306 and further operatively connected, via a wired orwireless connection314, to a massdata storage device312. Theprocessor304 is further operatively connected totransmitter308 andreceiver310, to transmit and send information to and fromnavigation device200 viacommunications channel318. The signals sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other propagated signals. Thetransmitter308 andreceiver310 may be selected or designed according to the communications requirement and communication technology used in the communication design for thenavigation system200. Further, it should be noted that the functions oftransmitter308 andreceiver310 may be combined into a signal transceiver.
• Server302 is further connected to (or includes) amass storage device312, noting that themass storage device312 may be coupled to theserver302 viacommunication link314. Themass storage device312 contains a store of navigation data and map information, and can again be a separate device from theserver302 or can be incorporated into theserver302.
• Thenavigation device200 is adapted to communicate with theserver302 throughcommunications channel318, and includes processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard toFIG. 2, as well astransmitter320 andreceiver322 to send and receive signals and/or data through thecommunications channel318, noting that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices other thanserver302. Further, thetransmitter320 andreceiver322 are selected or designed according to communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for thenavigation device200 and the functions of thetransmitter320 andreceiver322 may be combined into a single transceiver.
• Software stored inserver memory306 provides instructions for theprocessor304 and allows theserver302 to provide services to thenavigation device200. One service provided by theserver302 involves processing requests from thenavigation device200 and transmitting navigation data from themass data storage312 to thenavigation device200. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, another service provided by theserver302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for a desired application and sending the results of these calculations to thenavigation device200.
• Thecommunication channel318 generically represents the propagating medium or path that connects thenavigation device200 and theserver302. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, both theserver302 andnavigation device200 include a transmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted through the communication channel.
• Thecommunication channel318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, thecommunication channel318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, thechannel318 may include several communication links that use a variety of technology. For example, according to at least one embodiment, thecommunication channel318 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications, etc. As such, thecommunication channel318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio-frequency (rf) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc. Furthermore, according to at least one various embodiment, thecommunication channel318 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.
• In at least one embodiment of the present application, for example, thecommunication channel318 includes telephone and computer networks. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, thecommunication channel318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, etc. Additionally, according to at least one embodiment, thecommunication channel318 can accommodate satellite communication.
• The communication signals transmitted through thecommunication channel318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required or desired for given communication technology. For example, the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular communication technology such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can be transmitted through thecommunication channel318. According to at least one embodiment, these signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as may be desirable for the communication technology.
• Themass data storage312 includes sufficient memory for the desired navigation applications. Examples of themass data storage312 may include magnetic data storage media such as hard drives for example, optical storage media such as CD-Roms for example, charged data storage media such as flash memory for example, molecular memory, etc.
• According to at least one embodiment of the present application, theserver302 includes a remote server accessible by thenavigation device200 via a wireless channel. According to at least one other embodiment of the application, theserver302 may include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.
• According to at least one embodiment of the present application, theserver302 may include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and thecommunication channel318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and thenavigation device200. Alternatively, a personal computer may be connected between thenavigation device200 and theserver302 to establish an internet connection between theserver302 and thenavigation device200. Alternatively, a mobile telephone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the internet, for connecting thenavigation device200 to theserver302 via the internet.
• Thenavigation device200 may be provided with information from theserver302 via information downloads which may be periodically updated upon a user connectingnavigation device200 to theserver302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between theserver302 andnavigation device200 via a wireless mobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example. For many dynamic calculations, theprocessor304 in theserver302 may be used to handle the bulk of the processing needs; however,processor210 ofnavigation device200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes independent of a connection to aserver302.
• Themass storage device312 connected to theserver302 can include volumes more cartographic and route data than that which is able to be maintained on thenavigation device200 itself, including maps, etc. Theserver302 may process, for example, the majority of the devices of anavigation device200 which travel along the route using a set of processing algorithms. Further, the cartographic and route data stored inmemory312 can operate on signals (e.g. GPS signals), originally received by thenavigation device200.
• As indicated above, anavigation device200 of an embodiment of the present application includes aprocessor210, aninput device220, and adisplay screen240. In at least one embodiment, theinput device220 anddisplay screen240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through a touch panel screen, for example. Such a screen may be a touch input LCD screen, for example, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, thenavigation device200 can also include anyadditional input device220 and/or anyadditional output device240, such as audio input/output devices for example.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an actual implementation of an embodiment of thenavigation device200. As shown inFIG. 4A, thenavigation device200 may be a unit that includes an integrated input and display device290 (a touch panel screen for example) and the other components ofFIG. 2 (including but not limited tointernal GPS receiver250,microprocessor210, a power supply,memory systems220, etc.).
• Thenavigation device200 may sit on anarm292, which itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using alarge suction cup294. Thisarm292 is one example of a docking station to which thenavigation device200 can be docked.
• As shown inFIG. 4B, thenavigation device200 can be docked or otherwise connected to anarm292 of the docking station by snap connecting thenavigation device292 to thearm292 for example (this is only one example, as other known alternatives for connection to a docking station are within the scope of the present application). Thenavigation device200 may then be rotatable on thearm292, as shown by the arrow ofFIG. 4B. To release the connection between thenavigation device200 and the docking station, a button on thenavigation device200 may be pressed, for example (this is only one example, as other known alternatives for disconnection to a docking station are within the scope of the present application).
• In at least one embodiment of the present application, a method includes determining a designated fuel type; and displaying selectable fuel pricing information on adisplay240 of anavigation device200, based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of thenavigation device200.
• In at least one embodiment of the present application, anavigation device200 includes aprocessor210 to determine a designated fuel type; and an integrated input anddisplay device290 to display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of thenavigation device200.
• FIG. 5A illustrates a process flow of an example embodiment of the present application, for displaying selectable fuel pricing information. Initially, in Step S2, aprocessor210 of thenavigation device200 determines a designated fuel type, and subsequently in Step S4, selectable fuel pricing information is displayed on thedisplay240 of thenavigation device200, based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of thenavigation device200.
• As shown inFIG. 5B, an embodiment of the aforementioned method can include Steps S2 and S4 ofFIG. 5A, and can further include additional steps. For example, relating to the selectable icons, it can be determined in Step S6, by theprocessor210 for example, whether or not a selectable icon was selected. If not, the icons remain displayed, and if so, the category of a selected icon can be determined, by theprocessor210 for example, in Step S8. Thereafter, in Step S10, a listing of fuel providing stations can be displayed ondisplay240 for example, noting that thedisplay240 can be part of an integrated input anddisplay device290.
• FIG. 6 provides an illustration of an example display of anavigation device200, which can be displayed on an integrated input anddisplay device290 of thenavigation device200 itself for example. As shown inFIG. 6, selectable fuel pricing information is displayed, wherein the display includes a plurality ofselectable icons500,510,520,530,540, and550. The plurality of selectable icons include at least one selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location (the “find by proximity”icon500 for example), and at least one selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing (the “find by price”icon510 for example).
• Further,FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the plurality of selectable icons further including at least oneselectable icon530 displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; aselectable icon540 displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and aselectable icon550 displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated threshold distance from a current location of thenavigation device200. As shown with regard toselectable icon540, the proximity may be that within a certain threshold distance range such as within fifty kilometers for example, noting that this distance is variable and a relatively nearest and cheapest fuel price may be any number of distances, wherein theprocessor210 may determine, from fuel pricing information stored inmemory230 for example, a relatively cheapest fuel price within a designated proximity threshold, the designated proximity threshold being variable. The same applies to the 47 kilometer display oficon550, noting that this number may or may not be displayed and the designated distance may be a variable threshold established by theprocessor210, to search for location and fuel pricing information from information stored in thememory230 of thenavigation device200.
• When the user desires to include a feature relating to display of fuel pricing information, the user may download a list of fuel points of interest or POIs (fuel or gas stations and their locations), and an associated list of prices. This can be done by connecting thenavigation device200 to a network to download information from aserver302 ofFIG. 3 for example, wherein the network connection may be a wireless connection, a mobile wireless connection made through a Bluetooth connection for example in a manner described previously, or a wired connection, through an Internet service provider. Preferably, a user can also designate which type of fuel information they want to download, based upon fuel type for example. The fuel type can be those of regular, mid-grade, premium, or diesel for example. Once a fuel type is designated, the aforementioned fuel pricing information for the selected fuel type can be downloaded.
• FIG. 7 illustrates one example of a fuel type selection screen that can be displayed to a user, on adisplay240 or integrated input anddisplay device290 for example, wherein the user may select a desired fuel type for which pricing information is desired. It should be noted that this selection can be made to receive fuel pricing information via wired or wireless connection and can further be made to access updated fuel pricing information as will be discussed with regard to an additional embodiment of the present application.
• The obtaining of the aforementioned fuel pricing information may be done on a subscription basis, wherein a user can subscribe to receive fuel pricing information from theserver302, in at least one of a wired or wireless manner, wherein the pricing information can first include initial pricing information and can later include updated pricing information. Once the connection is made, fuel pricing information can be downloaded to thenavigation device200 and adisplay screen240 of an integrated input anddisplay device290 for example, such as that ofFIG. 8 can be displayed to the user to indicate that fuel pricing information is being downloaded. Again, this can occur in a wired or wireless manner, can occur for only fuel of a selected type, and/or can occur for receiving initial price information and/or updating information.
• The fuel pricing information can include current prices of various types of gasoline, and/or for a selected type of gasoline, sold at gas stations throughout the country in which thenavigation device200 is being operated. For example, the fuel pricing information can include prices sold at approximately 80,000 gas stations in the United States. Price data may be derived from credit card transactions, direct feeds, and other survey methods for storage at aserver302 and for subsequent downloading to thenavigation device200. Therefore, the pricing information sent to a user of thenavigation device200 will vary based on traffic flow to particular gas stations and can be out of date (especially in a fluctuating fuel pricing market). Thus, the information is updatable as will be described later with regard to another embodiment of the present application.
• The fuel pricing information may be provided to theserver302 through any number of providers, such as for example, a provider of petroleum pricing, that receives fuel information through fleet credit card transactions from 75,000 to 80,000 stations in the United States. This information can be integrated in any number of ways, such as for example, a traffic provider who aggregates the information and who can output price file information in XML formatting, including, but not limited to, a unique station ID for each fuel providing or gas station, a product code ID for a fuel type (regular, mid-grade, premium, diesel), a transaction date, and a fuel price. This pricing information can then be stored at theserver302 and downloaded to be stored inmemory230 of eachnavigation device200 when requested.
• FIG. 9 provides an example of adisplay screen240 on anavigation device200, including anicon800 for accessing fuel pricing information, such as the fuel pricing screen ofFIG. 6 or10 for example. Such a screen can be displayed to a user, for example, as one initial screen for selecting options prior to navigation use of thenavigation device200. When selected, theicon800 can then be used to access the screen shown inFIG. 10 of the present application, including a plurality ofselectable icons500,510,520,530,540, and550 as previously described with regard toFIG. 5 of the present application for example. Further discussion of these selectable icons will now be provided.
• Upon receiving an indication of selection of the “Find by proximity”icon500, theprocessor210 can search through thememory230 for fuel pricing information of the locations close in distance to a current location of thenavigation device200. The current location of thenavigation device200 is typically determined by receipt of a GPS signal for example, wherein theprocessor210 can merely compare this received location with locations of various fuel stations stored in memory203 and located near thenavigation device200. Thus, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of the “Find by proximity”icon500 to provide fuel information based upon relative location, theprocessor210 can determine and then can instruct integrated input anddisplay device290 of thenavigation device200 to display a listing of the fuel providing stations in an order determined by relative location to the navigation device (such a display can further include relative distance from the current location as well), calculated by theprocessor210 from the current GPS location of thenavigation device200 and the stored locations of the fuel providing stations. Such a display can be in an order of closest to furthest from a current location of thenavigation device200 for example.
• The “Find by price”icon510 can be selected to provide lists of fuel providing stations ranked by theprocessor210 in an order determined by fuel price (preferably within a threshold distance from the current location of thenavigation device200 for example), cheapest to most expensive for example. Thus, upon theprocessor210 receiving indication of selection of the “Find by price”icon510 to provide pricing information based upon relative pricing, theprocessor210 can determine and then instruct the integrated input anddisplay device290 to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined based upon fuel pricing information, such as cheapest to most expensive for example (noting that the order can also be displayed from most expensive to cheapest for example)
• Somewhat similarly, theprocessor210 can utilize the stored pricing information, stored inmemory230 for example, in other different ways, depending upon a particular icon ofFIG. 10 which is selected. Regarding the “cheapest on route”icon530, when an indication of selection of theicon530 is received by theprocessor210, theprocessor210 can determine and then direct the integrated input anddisplay device290 to display detailed information regarding at least one fuel station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route of the user (again, preferably within a threshold distance from the current location of thenavigation device200 for example). It should be noted that this can include a single gas station which is the relatively cheapest along the route of travel, and/or a selectable list of gas stations found on the users path of travel, ranked in order of cheapness of price information. Further, as shown byelement530 ofFIG. 10, the display can include display of the actual price of the relatively cheapest fuel price along the travel route. Thus, theselectable icon530 can be reconfigured for display byprocessor210 to display an icon displaying both a relatively cheapest price and the phrase “cheapest on route.
• Again, upon theprocessor210 receiving an indication of selection of theicon530, the display can include a listing of gas stations or a single gas station ranked according to cheapest gas stations along the route of travel, including detailed information of price, distance to gas station, etc., and then subsequent to selection of one of the listed gas stations, detailed information can be accessed by theprocessor210 frommemory230 and displayed on the integrated input anddisplay device290 and thus provided to the user. Alternatively, upon selection of theicon530, theprocessor210 can access information on the a single relatively cheapest gas station on the route of travel frommemory230 and then the accessed information for the single relatively cheapest gas station on the travel route can be displayed on the integrated input anddisplay device290.
• Somewhat similarly, upon theprocessor210 receiving an indication of selection of theicon540 to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device200 (cheapestnearby icon540 for example), theprocessor210 can determine, and the integrated input anddisplay device290 can display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device. Thus, upon receipt of an indication of selection oficon540 for example, a list of gas stations within a certain distance, such as 5 miles for example, (or just a single station within the proximity range and with the relatively cheapest price) can be displayed (in an order ranked by closeness to the location of thenavigation device200 for example), wherein a price of a relatively cheapest gas station within the proximity range may be displayed with theicon540, as shown by the price of $1.49 for example. Thus, theselectable icon540 can be reconfigured for display byprocessor210 to display an icon displaying both a relatively cheapest price of the closest fuel station (along with the distance to this station, for example) and the phrase “cheapest on nearby”.
• Again, upon theprocessor210 receiving an indication of selection of theicon540, the display can include a listing of gas stations or a single gas station including detailed information of price, distance to station, etc., and then subsequent to selection of one of the listed gas stations, detailed information can be accessed by theprocessor210 frommemory230 and displayed on the integrated input anddisplay device290 and thus provided to the user. Alternatively, upon selection of the icon, theprocessor210 can access information on the a single relatively cheapest gas station frommemory230 and then the accessed information for the single relatively cheapest gas station can be displayed on the integrated input anddisplay device290.
• Finally, upon receipt of an indication of selection of anicon550 to provide relatively cheapest fuel price based upon a location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device200 (icon550 entitled “cheapest in area”), a list of gas stations within a certain designated distance, such as within 35 miles for example, can be displayed. Upon selection of a gas station from the list, or directly after selecting the “cheapest in area”icon550, detailed information can be accessed by theprocessor210 frommemory230 and displayed on the integrated input anddisplay device290 regarding a fuel providing station providing a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon a location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.
• As previously indicated, upon selection of any of theicons530,540, and550, detailed information regarding a relatively cheapest gas station on route, cheapest gas station within a proximity threshold, and/or cheapest gas station within a designated distance from a current location of thenavigation device200 may be displayed. Again, this detailed information can be displayed directly after selection of any of theicons530,540,550, or subsequent to display of a list of gas stations and then selection thereof. In any event, the detailed information can include a display such as that shown inFIG. 11 for example, displaying an informational display screen to the user. The informational display screen can include a display of the gas station location and a display of the route of travel for example, and can include additional information such as map information, a phone number, icons representing whether or not the location is along the route of travel, etc.
• As shown inFIG. 10, anicon520 can be displayed for updating pricing information. Accordingly, upon theprocessor210 receiving an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, the updated pricing information may be received by thenavigation device200. As previously indicated, the updated pricing information may be stored in thememory230 of the navigation device, after it is received in either a wired or wireless manner. The updated pricing information can be received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of thenavigation device200 and a connection via a mobile phone link, such as a Bluetooth link for example. As such, the updated pricing information can also be stored inmemory230 of thenavigation device200, along with the location of each of the plurality of fuel stations.
• Further, the receipt and gathering of updated pricing information can further be refined. For example, when theprocessor210 receives an indication of selection of the updatingicon520, a user may be prompted (with other additional icons or suggestions, for example) to refine the updating. For example, when theprocessor210 receives an indication of selection of the updatingicon520, a user may be prompted to select an additional icon or statement corresponding to a request to update an area or all data. The area may be limited, for example, to a range extending a defined distance from a home of a user, a current location of a user, etc. This selection for updating only an area or range can further be set by the user of thenavigation device200 as a user preference (for example, before the use of the navigation device in a current navigation mode) or can be selected in response to a display prompt, for example.
• Again, it should be understood that regarding the method of the present application described above, this can be embodied in the form of anavigation device200. For example, in at least one embodiment, thenavigation device200 may include aprocessor210 to determine a designated fuel type and an integrated input anddisplay device290 to display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device. Thenavigation device200 may be portable, and may include at least one of an antenna and a wireless link connection, to connect to a mobile phone via a Bluetooth connection for example. It should be understood that amemory230 of thenavigation device200 can store the received information and aprocessor210 can determine the various information to be displayed.
• In at least one other embodiment of the present application, a method includes displaying an icon for updating fuel pricing information; updating, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information; and displaying a plurality of selectable icons, usable to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a display of the navigation device. In another embodiment, anavigation device200 includes a integrated input anddisplay device290 to display an icon for updating fuel pricing information and aprocessor210 to update, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information, the integrated input anddisplay device290 being usable to display a plurality of selectable icons, usable to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a method of the present application. In this embodiment, an icon for updating fuel pricing information is displayed in step S20, such as theicon520 ofFIG. 10 for example. Thereafter, theprocessor210, for example, determines in step S22, whether or not an icon for updating fuel pricing information was selected. If not, the method returns to step S20. If so, the method proceeds to step S24.
• In step S24, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, byprocessor210 for example, fuel pricing information is updated (inmemory230 of thenavigation device200, for example). Thus, by merely selecting theicon520 relating to “update prices,” assuming that thenavigation device200 either has an antenna to receive updated pricing information and/or is connected or paired with a mobile telephone to establish a wireless mobile phone link, updated fuel pricing information can be received.
• Thereafter, in step S26, theprocessor210 can instruct an integrated input anddisplay device290 of thenavigation device200 to display a plurality of selectable icons, usable to access the updated fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a display of thenavigation device200. For example, upon the pricing information being updated, displays such as that shown inFIG. 10 can be displayed to a user, wherein the icons are usable to access updated fuel pricing information based upon various considerations of a location of thenavigation device200 such as a cheapest gas station along the route of the navigation device200 (accessible via icon530), a cheapest gas station proximate to a location of the navigation device200 (via selectable icon540), and cheapest gas station within an area range of a location of the navigation device200 (via selectable icon550). With such a method, a user can easily be supplied with the most current updated fuel pricing information and thereafter can make a fuel pricing decision in a number of various ways.
• Again, the updated fuel pricing information may be received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of thenavigation device200 in connection via mobile phone link, and the updated fuel pricing information may be stored in amemory230 of thenavigation device200 along with updated fuel pricing information and the location for a plurality of fuel providing stations. Somewhat similar to that described with regard toFIG. 7 for example, a designated fuel type may be determined prior to receipt of the updated fuel pricing information, such that the updating will include updated fuel pricing information for the designated fuel type.
• Again, the location of thenavigation device200 may be determined by receipt of a GPS signal for example.
• Again, it should be understood that regarding the method of the present application described above, that this method can be embodied in the form of anavigation device200. For example, in at least one embodiment, thenavigation device200 may include an integrated input anddisplay device290 to display an icon for updating fuel pricing information; and aprocessor210 to update, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information, the integrated input anddisplay device290 being useable to display a plurality of selectable icons, useable to access the updated selectable fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of thenavigation device200. Thenavigation device200 may be portable, and may include at least one of an antenna and a wireless link connection, to connect to a mobile phone via a Bluetooth connection for example. It should be understood that amemory230 of thenavigation device200 can store the received updated fuel pricing information and aprocessor210 can determine the various information to be displayed.
• The methods of at least one embodiment expressed above may be implemented as a computer data signal embodied in the carrier wave or propagated signal that represents a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor (such asprocessor304 ofserver302, and/orprocessor210 ofnavigation device200 for example) causes the processor to perform a respective method. In at least one other embodiment, at least one method provided above may be implemented above as a set of instructions contained on a computer readable or computer accessible medium, such as one of the memory devices previously described, for example, to perform the respective method when executed by a processor or other computer device. In varying embodiments, the medium may be a magnetic medium, electronic medium, optical medium, etc.
• Even further, any of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of a program. The program may be stored on a computer readable media and is adapted to perform any one of the aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (a device including a processor). Thus, the storage medium or computer readable medium is adapted to store information and is adapted to interact with a data processing facility or computer device to perform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.
• The storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside a computer device main body or a removable medium arranged so that it can be separated from the computer device main body. Examples of the built-in medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memories, such as ROMs and flash memories, and hard disks. Examples of the removable medium include, but are not limited to, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical storage media, such as MOs; magnetism storage media, including but not limited to floppy disks (trademark), cassette tapes, and removable hard disks; media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, including but not limited to memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.
• As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading the disclosure, the electronic components of thenavigation device200 and/or the components of theserver302 can be embodied as computer hardware circuitry or as a computer readable program, or as a combination of both.
• The system and method of embodiments of the present application include software operative on the processor to perform at least one of the methods according to the teachings of the present application. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, the manner in which a software program can be launched from a computer readable medium in a computer based system to execute the functions found in the software program. One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand the various programming languages which may be employed to create a software program designed to implement and perform at least one of the methods of the present application.
• The programs can be structured in an object-orientation using an object-oriented language including but not limited to JAVA, Smalltalk, C++, etc., and the programs can be structured in a procedural-orientation using a procedural language including but not limited to COBAL, C, etc. The software components can communicate in any number of ways that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to by application of program interfaces (API), interprocess communication techniques, including but not limited to report procedure call (RPC), common object request broker architecture (CORBA), Component Object Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), Distributed System Object Model (DSOM), and Remote Method Invocation (RMI). However, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present application disclosure, the teachings of the present application are not limited to a particular programming language or environment.
• The above systems, devices, and methods have been described by way of example and not by way of limitation with respect to improving accuracy, processor speed, and ease of user interaction, etc. with anavigation device200.
• Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
• Still further, any one of the above-described and other example features of the present invention may be embodied in the form of an apparatus, method, system, computer program and computer program product. For example, of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of a system or device, including, but not limited to, any of the structure for performing the methodology illustrated in the drawings.
• Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (58)

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:

determining a designated fuel type; and

displaying selectable fuel pricing information on a display of a navigation device, based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the location is of the navigation device is determined by receipt of a GPS signal.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the displaying of selectable fuel pricing information includes displaying a plurality of selectable icons.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of selectable icons includes at least two icons displayed in connection with a fuel price.

5. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of selectable icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.

6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.

7. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

8. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

10. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of at least one of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing; and

at least one of displaying, upon receiving an indication of the selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location, a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined based upon relative location to the navigation device and displaying, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined based upon fuel pricing information.

11. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of at least one of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing; and

at least one of displaying, upon receiving an indication of the selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location, a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined based upon relative location to the navigation device and displaying, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined based upon fuel pricing information.

12. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising:

receiving at least one of

an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route,

an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, and

an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device; and

displaying at least one of

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route,

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, and

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

13. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising:

receiving at least one of

an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route,

an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, and

an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device; and

displaying at least one of

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route,

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, and

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

14. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising:

receiving at least one of

an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route,

an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, and

an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device; and

displaying at least one of

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route,

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, and

detailed information, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device, regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

15. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

displaying an icon for updating pricing information; and

receiving, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, updated pricing information.

16. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising:

displaying an icon for updating pricing information; and

receiving, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, updated pricing information.

17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the updated pricing information is received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of the navigation device and a connection via a mobile phone link.

18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the updated pricing information is received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of the navigation device and a connection via a mobile phone link.

19. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising storing pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

20. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising storing the updated pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

21. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising storing the updated pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

22. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement the method ofclaim 1.

23. A method, comprising:

displaying an icon for updating fuel pricing information;

updating, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information; and

displaying a plurality of selectable icons, useable to access the updated fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device, on a display of the navigation device.

24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the updated fuel pricing information is received in a wireless manner via at least one of an antenna of the navigation device and a connection via a mobile phone link.

25. The method ofclaim 24, further comprising storing the updated fuel pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

26. The method ofclaim 24, further comprising:

determining a designated fuel type prior to receipt of the updated fuel pricing information, wherein the updating includes updating fuel pricing information for the designated fuel type.

27. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the location is of the navigation device is determined by receipt of a GPS signal.

28. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the plurality of selectable icons includes at least two icons displayed in connection with a fuel price.

29. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the plurality of selectable icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.

30. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement the method ofclaim 23.

31. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor to determine a designated fuel type; and

an integrated input and display device to display selectable fuel pricing information based upon the designated fuel type and in consideration of a location of the navigation device.

32. The navigation device ofclaim 31, wherein the device is a portable navigation device.

33. The navigation device ofclaim 31, wherein the displayed selectable fuel pricing information includes display of a plurality of selectable icons.

34. The navigation device ofclaim 33, wherein the plurality of icons include at least two icons displayed in connection with a fuel price.

35. The navigation device ofclaim 33, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.

36. The navigation device ofclaim 34, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.

37. The navigation device ofclaim 33, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

38. The navigation device ofclaim 35, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

39. The navigation device ofclaim 36, wherein the plurality of icons includes at least one of a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and a selectable icon displaying a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

40. The navigation device ofclaim 35, wherein upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon relative location to the navigation device, and upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon fuel pricing information.

41. The navigation device ofclaim 36, wherein upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon relative location to the navigation device, and upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon fuel pricing information.

42. The navigation device ofclaim 37, wherein upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

43. The navigation device ofclaim 38, wherein upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon relative location to the navigation device; upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon fuel pricing information; upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

44. The navigation device ofclaim 39, wherein upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon relative location to the navigation device, and upon receipt of an indication of selection of the selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing, the integrated input and display device is further used to display a listing of fuel providing stations in an order determined, by the processor, based upon fuel pricing information; upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price along a travel route; upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide a relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon proximity to a current location of the navigation device; and upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon to provide relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device, the integrated input and display device is further used to display detailed information regarding a fuel providing station providing the relatively cheapest fuel price based upon location within a designated distance from a current location of the navigation device.

45. The navigation device ofclaim 31, wherein the integrated input and display device is further used to display an icon for updating pricing information, and wherein, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, the navigation device is adapted to receive updated pricing information.

46. The navigation device ofclaim 33, wherein the integrated input and display device is further used to display an icon for updating pricing information, and wherein, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, the navigation device is adapted to receive updated pricing information.

47. The navigation device ofclaim 45, wherein the navigation device includes at least one of an antenna and a connection via a mobile phone link to receive the updated pricing information in a wireless manner.

48. The navigation device ofclaim 46, wherein the navigation device includes at least one of an antenna and a connection via a mobile phone link to receive the updated pricing information in a wireless manner.

49. The navigation device ofclaim 31, further comprising a memory to store pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

50. The navigation device ofclaim 45, further comprising a memory to store the updated pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

51. The navigation device ofclaim 46, further comprising a memory to store the updated pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

52. A navigation device, comprising:

an integrated input and display device to display an icon for updating fuel pricing information; and

a processor to update, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon for updating pricing information, fuel pricing information, the integrated input and display device being useable to display a plurality of selectable icons, useable to access the updated fuel pricing information in consideration of a location of the navigation device.

53. The navigation device ofclaim 52, wherein the navigation device includes at least one of an antenna and a connection via a mobile phone link to receive the updated pricing information in a wireless manner.

54. The navigation device ofclaim 53, further comprising a memory to store the updated fuel pricing information and a location for a plurality of fuel providing stations.

55. The navigation device ofclaim 53, wherein the processor is used to determine a designated fuel type prior to receipt of the updated fuel pricing information, wherein the updating includes updating fuel pricing information for the designated fuel type.

56. The navigation device ofclaim 53, wherein the location is of the navigation device is determined by receipt of a GPS signal.

57. The navigation device ofclaim 52, wherein the plurality of selectable icons includes at least two icons displayed in connection with a fuel price.

58. The navigation device ofclaim 52, wherein the plurality of selectable icons includes at least one of a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative location and a selectable icon to provide fuel pricing information based upon relative pricing.

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