Mapless GPS navigation system in vehicle entertainment system

An integrated navigation/audio entertainment system comprising;

• an audio radio including a tuner and radio controller for producing audio signals;
• a position sensing receiver for receiving GPS position signals and determining a current position thereof;
• a destination database containing a plurality of selectable destinations and destination position coordinates;
• a user selectable input means for selecting at least one of said destinations;
• processor means for determining a distance and a direction from the determined current position to the selected destination;
• a housing substantially enclosing at least said audio radio and said processor means, said housing being adapted to be located in a vehicle;
• and
• a mapless display for providing a visual indication of the direction and distance to the selected destination and distance information when in a navigation display mode and for displaying audio entertainment information when in an audio display mode.

A navigation system substantially integrated with an audio entertainment system and sharing a common housing and at least some common electronic components, said navigation system comprising:

• a position sensing receiver for receiving GPS signals containing position information and determining a current position thereof;
• a destination database containing a plurality of selectable destinations and destination position coordinates;
• a user selectable input means for selecting at least one desired destination;
• processor means for determining a distance and a direction from the determined position to the selected destination, wherein said processor means is enclosed within the common housing and said housing is adapted to be mounted in a vehicle;
• and
• a mapless display for displaying a visual indication of the distance and the direction to the selected destination when in a navigation display mode and for displaying audio entertainment information when in an audio display mode.

In an automotive audio radio having a housing adapted to be mounted in a vehicle and enclosing a tuner and radio controller and further having a simplistic and inexpensive radio display, a navigation system substantially integrated within the housing and comprising:

• a position sensing receiver for receiving GPS signals containing position information and determining a current position thereof;
• a destination database containing a plurality of selectable destinations and destination position coordinates;
• a user selectable input for selecting at least one desired destination;
• a processor for determining a distance and a direction from the determined position to the selected destination;
• and
• a mapless direction pointing arrow display for providing a visual indication of the direction to the selected destination, said radio display displaying the distance to the selected destination when in a navigation display mode and displaying audio radio information when in an audio display mode.