A system and method of providing information (such as directions) to a
driver of a vehicle while driving the vehicle without requiring that the
driver remove his eyes from looking out the windshield at the road ahead.
A positioning device is associated with the vehicle and determines the
present location of the vehicle which is compared to a desired location
(e.g., the location of a desired turn at an intersection) necessary to
reach a preset destination which has been stored. When the vehicle is in
a predetermined location (e.g., 500 feet or 10 second before the
intersection), an advisory message to the driver is projected onto the
windshield using a heads-up display projector so that the driver can
prepare for and make the necessary movement (e.g., turning the correct
way at the desired intersection). An optional auditory signal can provide
a message indicating the necessary action, either in general or
specifically (through a speech synthesizer), with optionally different
sound indicators, depending on the urgency of the action. A wireless
receiver used with the present invention can display other information
such as road conditions, traffic and weather information, as well as
advertising and e-mail. The present invention contemplates that images of
intersections (live pictures, photos or sketches) may be displayed to
indicate the proper turn and provide landmark information to assist in
determining the appropriate turn.