Navigation system efficiently utilizes power by providing instructions to the driver for only the driver selected portion(s) of route

A computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage medium for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system, the computer program product comprising the programming instructions for:

• receiving a destination from a driver of a vehicle;
• identifying a current location of said vehicle;
• determining a route to travel from said current location of said vehicle to said destination;
• receiving input from said driver selecting a first portion of said route requiring said GPS-based navigation system to enter a high detail mode of operation;
• and
• implementing a low detail mode of operation on a second portion of said route in response to said driver not selecting said second portion of said route to require said GPS-based navigation system to enter said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation consumes less power than said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises a reduction in update frequency by said GPS-based navigation system in comparison to said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises dimming a screen and displaying less detailed graphics than displayed in comparison to said high detail mode of operation.

A navigation system, comprising:

• a memory unit for storing a computer program for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system;
• and
• a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises:
• circuitry for receiving a destination from a driver of a vehicle;
• circuitry for identifying a current location of said vehicle;
• circuitry for determining a route to travel from said current location of said vehicle to said destination;
• circuitry for receiving input from said driver selecting a first portion of said route requiring said GPS-based navigation system to enter a high detail mode of operation;
• and
• circuitry for implementing a low detail mode of operation on a second portion of said route in response to said driver not selecting said second portion of said route to require said GPS-based navigation system to enter said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation consumes less power than said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises a reduction in update frequency by said GPS-based navigation system in comparison to said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises dimming a screen and displaying less detailed graphics than displayed in comparison to said high detail mode of operation.