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  Portable navigation deviceUSPTO Application #: 20070273624Title: Portable navigation device Abstract: A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed. (end of abstract) Agent: Jacob Eisenberg C/o Tom Tom International Bv - Amsterdam, NL Inventor: Pieter Geelen USPTO Applicaton #: 20070273624 - Class: 345084000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070273624. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/712,588 filed Mar. 1, 2007, which claims priority to UK patent applications with serial numbers 0604709.6, 0604708.8, 0604710.4, 0604704.7, and 0604706.2, filed Mar. 8, 2006. The aforementioned patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a portable navigation device, including functionality for automatically adjusting display settings to suit various ambient lighting conditions. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Global Positioning System GPS based navigation devices are well known and are widely employed as in-car navigation devices. Reference may be made to devices that integrate a GPS receiver into a computing device programmed with a map database and that can generate navigation instructions on a display, such as the TOMTOM GO device. These portable, integrated devices are often mounted on or in the dashboard of a vehicle using a suction mount or a docking mechanism. [0006] Reference may also be made to the Navigator series software from the present assignee, TomTom International B.V. This software, when running on a Personal Digital Assistant PDA with GPS receiver (such as a COMPAQ IPAQ) or connected to an external GPS receiver, enables a user to input to the PDA a start and destination address. The software then calculates the best route between the two end-points and displays instructions on how to navigate that route. [0007] The term `navigation device` refers to a device that enables a user to navigate to a pre-defined destination. The device may have an internal system for receiving location data, such as a GPS receiver, or may merely be connectable to a receiver that can receive location data. The device may compute a route itself, or communicate with a remote server that computes the route and provides navigation information to the device, or a hybrid device in which the device itself and a remote server both play a role in the route computation process. Portable GPS navigation devices are not permanently integrated into a vehicle but instead are devices that can readily be mounted in or docked or otherwise used inside a vehicle. Generally (but not necessarily), they are fully self-contained--i.e. include an internal GPS antenna, navigation software and maps and can hence plot and display a route to be taken. [0008] By using the positional information derived from the integrated or external GPS receiver, the software can determine at regular intervals the position of the navigation device or PDA (typically mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle) and can display the current position of the vehicle on a map and display (and speak) appropriate navigation instructions (e.g. `turn left in 100 m`) on the screen. [0009] Graphics depicting the actions to be accomplished (e.g. a left arrow indicating a left turn ahead) can be displayed in a status bar and also be superimposed over the applicable junctions/turnings etc in the roads shown in the map itself. The display of the navigation device may consist of a liquid crystal display LCD for showing user location on a map and any information related to surroundings and a planned route. One example is the SAMSUNG LTE400WQ-E01 active matrix LCD module with integrated touch panel and backlight. [0010] The set of colors for displaying a map or showing menu items on the screen of the navigation device might be pre-defined and various sets of colors might be stored as color schemes. The user may also control the backlight level of the display, which might range from full backlight level to switching off backlight completely. [0011] One common approach is for a user to manually change the brightness settings of the display when ambient lights change, e.g. to increase brightness when using the navigation device or PDA under direct sunlight or decrease background illumination in low light situations, e.g. during the night or when driving in a tunnel. In these situations, the default brightness setting might not be appropriate because the display might be either too dark or too bright for the given lighting conditions. Lower backlight levels might also be desired for lower power consumption and an extended battery life. [0012] It is also possible to configure a navigation device or PDA to use pre-defined color schemes for menus, maps and navigation screens. Some color schemes utilize colors with high contrast that remain visible even under direct sunlight, other color schemes are suitable for color-blind persons, and it is also known to utilize color schemes that are more suited for low light environments or when using the navigation device or PDA during the night. [0013] However, it is not known to gradually change display brightness of a portable navigation device depending on current ambient lighting conditions and user selectable options. It is also not possible to make automatic adjustments to display brightness and/or color schemes without user interaction where and when it is most desired. [0014] The present invention provides means for changing display settings to suit current ambient light levels and for providing user selectable preferences for automatic adjustment of display settings when ambient light levels change. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The invention is a navigation device comprising a processor arranged to monitor signals indicative of ambient lighting conditions and to select display settings allocated to current ambient lighting conditions. The invention is also a method for automatically adjusting display settings of a portable navigation device in accordance to current ambient lighting conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting elements of a navigation device implementing the present invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is a screen shot from a navigation device; the screen shot shows a three dimensional like navigation view appropriate for daytime usage and a status bar running along the bottom of the display; [0018] FIG. 3 is a screen shot from a navigation device; the screen shot shows a three dimensional like navigation view appropriate for nighttime usage and a status bar running along the bottom of the display; [0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an implementation of the invention, [0020] FIG. 5 is a screen shot from a navigation device, the screen shot shows a preferences screen with buttons for changing map colors and display brightness, Continue reading... Full patent description for Portable navigation device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable navigation device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Portable navigation device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Field emission display and method for controlling the same Next Patent Application: Method and apparatus for transiting display panel Industry Class: Computer graphics processing, operator interface processing, and selective visual display systems ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Portable navigation device patent info. 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