Methods and apparatus for updating navigation information in a motorized vehicle

A navigation system comprising:

• a mobile vehicular navigation device for a vehicle, the navigation device having means for storing primary navigation data, a display, and means for transmitting stored primary navigation data to the display;
• means for supplying supplementary navigation data to the navigation device comprising means for receiving the supplementary navigation data from a communications link at a local vehicle station and, means for transmitting received supplemental navigation data to the navigation device;
• and
• a controller for selectively displaying the received supplemental navigation data on the display;
• wherein the controller and navigation device comprise means to superimpose the supplementary navigation data over the primary navigation data on the display.

A navigation system comprising:

• a mobile vehicular navigation device for a vehicle, the navigation device having means for storing primary navigation data, a display, and means for transmitting stored primary navigation data to the display;
• means for supplying supplementary navigation data to the navigation device comprising means for receiving the supplementary navigation data from a communications link at a local vehicle station and, means for transmitting received supplemental navigation data to the navigation device;
• and
• a controller for selectively displaying the received supplemental navigation data on the display;
• wherein the controller and navigation device comprise means to present the supplementary navigation data and primary navigation data as a split-screen display on the display.

A method of supplementing primary navigation data displayed on a display in a vehicle navigation system that is installed within a vehicle, comprising steps of:

• receiving supplementary navigation data by a vehicle from a communications link at a local vehicle station;
• transmitting the received supplementary navigation data to the vehicle navigation system that is installed in the vehicle;
• and
• displaying the received supplementary navigation data on the display of the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle.

A method of supplementing primary navigation data displayed on a display in a vehicle navigation system comprising steps of:

• receiving supplementary navigation data by a vehicle from a communications link at a local vehicle station;
• transmitting the received supplementary navigation data to the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
• and
• displaying the received supplementary navigation data on the display of the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
• the method further comprising a step of, prior to receiving the supplementary navigation data, transmitting information to the communications link relating to the type of supplementary navigation data that should be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system.

A method of supplementing primary navigation data displayed on a display in a vehicle navigation system comprising steps of:

• receiving supplementary navigation data by a vehicle from a communications link at a local vehicle station;
• transmitting the received supplementary navigation data to the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
• and
• displaying the received supplementary navigation data on the display of the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
• wherein the step of displaying comprises superimposing the supplementary navigation data over the primary navigation data on the display.

A method of supplementing primary navigation data displayed on a display in a vehicle navigation system comprising steps of:

• receiving supplementary navigation data by a vehicle from a communications link at a local vehicle station;
• transmitting the received supplementary navigation data to the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
• and
• displaying the received supplementary navigation data on the display of the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
• wherein the step of transmitting comprises transmitting supplemental navigation data relating to types of facilities located proximate to the local vehicle station;
• and
• further comprising steps of a user selecting a type of facility, and the vehicle navigation system determining the closest location of the selected type of facility from the vehicle's location.

A system for supplementing navigation information displayed by a vehicle navigation system, the vehicle navigation system having a display, means for storing primary navigation data, and means for displaying the stored primary navigation data on the display, the navigation information supplementing system comprising:

• a plurality of local vehicle communication stations, each station having means for transmitting supplementary navigation data;
• and
• a vehicle having a communications device connected to the vehicle navigation system of the vehicle, and a controller for dis plaving the supplementary navigation data received by the communications device on the display of the vehicle navigation system inside the vehicle;
• wherein the controller is selectively operable by a user to superimpose the supplementary navigation data over the primary navigation data on the display.

A method of dispensing a vehicular consumable energy source and information to a vehicle, comprising steps of:

• coupling the vehicle to a station for dispensing the vehicular consumable energy source;
• transferring the vehicular consumable energy source from the station to the vehicle;
• and
• transferring supplementary navigation data to a navigation system in the vehicle only during the transfer of the vehicular consumable energy source to the vehicle.

A method for dispensing a vehicular consumable energy source and also information to a vehicle, comprising steps of:

• coupling the vehicle to a station for dispensing the vehicular consumable energy source, the step of coupling including a step of establishing a bidirectional communications link between the vehicle and the station;
• outputting information from the vehicle to the station through the bidirectional communications link;
• selecting, in accordance with the outputted information, at least one item of vehicle navigation-related information;
• outputting the at least one selected item of vehicle navigation-related information from the station to the vehicle through the bidirectional communication link;
• and
• storing the outputted at least one selected item of vehicle navigation-related information within a memory device that is located within the vehicle for supplementing navigation information that is stored within the vehicle.