Vehicle navigation device and method of displaying POI information using same

A vehicle navigation device that is adapted to be connected in communication with a provider offering transmission service of map information which includes current POI (Point of Interest) information pertaining to locations on a map where points of interest are located, the navigation device comprising:

• a display unit for providing guidance information to a user;
• an information input section for entering information to set a destination and search for a guidance route;
• a communications section for communicating with said provider;
• and
• a controller operably connected to said display unit, said information input section, and said communications section;
• wherein, when a guidance route to the destination is set through said information input section, said controller accesses the provider through the communications section to obtain the current POI information included in the map information about a predetermined area covering a present position of a vehicle, and
• wherein, when displaying said obtained current POI information together with said set guidance route and a vehicle position mark designating the present vehicle position on a screen of the display unit, said controller displays an updated portion of said current POI information in a different form from the other portions not updated.

A method of displaying POI (Point of Interest) information in a vehicle navigation device that is adapted to be connected in communication with a provider offering transmission service of map information which includes the current POI information pertaining to locations on a map where points of interest are located, the method comprising:

• accessing said provider when a guidance route to a destination is set;
• obtaining the current POI information included in the map information about a predetermined area covering a present position of a vehicle;
• and
• displaying said obtained current POI information together with said set guidance route and a vehicle position mark designating the present vehicle position.