Start-of-route map navigation with suppression of off-route feedback

At least one non-volatile computer memory storing instructions for performing a method of navigating, comprising:

• identifying a route between a start location and an end location for a map navigation tool;
• receiving location information for a mobile computing device;
• calculating a start-of-route buffer area encircling the start location;
• determining that the mobile computing device has a current location outside of the start-of-route buffer area;
• and
• suppressing feedback from the map navigation tool while the mobile computing device is outside of the start-of-route buffer area;
• wherein a size of the start-of-route buffer area is variable based at least in part on the current location of the mobile computing device.

A mobile computing device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a map navigation tool configured by the processor to perform the following:
• identify a route between a start location and an end location;
• receive location information for the mobile computing device;
• calculate a start-of-route buffer area around the start location;
• determine that the mobile computing device is outside of the start-of-route buffer area;
• suppress feedback from the map navigation tool while the mobile computing device is outside of the start-of-route buffer area;
• wherein the mobile computing device is a smart phone with a touch screen, and wherein a size of the start-of-route buffer area is variable based at least in part on a current location.

A computer-implemented method performed on a mobile computing device implementing a map navigation tool, the method comprising:

• determining a route between a start location and an end location;
• identifying, using a processor within the map navigation tool, an off-route location of the mobile computing device which is outside of a start-of-route buffer area encircling the start location;
• suppressing feedback from the map navigation tool for the off-route location;
• and
• further including detecting that the mobile computing device has moved on-route downstream of the start-of-route buffer area and turning off of the suppressing of the feedback so that map navigation is displayed on the mobile computing device.

A computer-implemented method performed on a mobile computing device implementing a map navigation tool, the method comprising:

• determining a route between a start location and an end location;
• identifying, using a processor within the map navigation tool, an off-route location of the mobile computing device which is outside of a start-of-route buffer area encircling the start location;
• suppressing feedback from the map navigation tool for the off-route location;
• and
• selectively suppressing feedback based on whether a current location of the mobile computing device is within a terminus buffer area.

At least one non-volatile computer memory storing instructions for performing a method of navigating, comprising:

• identifying a route between a start location and an end location for a map navigation tool;
• receiving location information for a mobile computing device;
• calculating a start-of-route buffer area encircling the start location;
• determining that the mobile computing device has a current location outside of the start-of-route buffer area;
• suppressing feedback from the map navigation tool while the mobile computing device is outside of the start-of-route buffer area;
• and
• wherein the feedback remains suppressed during movement of the mobile computing device to an on-route location.