Method and system for providing end-user preferences with a navigation system

The present invention relates to computer-based navigation systems and navigation programming, and more particularly the present invention relates to an improved and novel navigation system feature that allows an end-user to define personalized lists that are then used when operating the navigation system. A system and method are disclosed that make a navigation system easier to use. According to one aspect of the disclosed system and method, an end-user is permitted to define at least one preferred cities list. The cities included on the preferred cities list are selected by the end-user from all the available cities that are represented in the geographic database used by the navigation system. Thereafter, when the preferred cities list is in use and the end-user operates the navigation system to provide a function that requires that the end-user make a selection of a city, the end-user is presented with a list of the cities from the preferred cities list instead of all the available cities represented in the geographic database used by the navigation system. The preferred cities list is not restricted to cities, but may also include any kinds of places or administrative areas. According to another aspect of the disclosed system and method, the end-user can define a preferred cities list using a graphical image representation of a geographic area. The end-user defines the boundaries of a shape overlaid on the graphical image representation of a geographic area. Each city or administrative area any part of which is encompassed within the geographic boundaries corresponding to the shape drawn on the graphical image representation is included in a preferred cities list. According to yet another aspect of the disclosed system and method, the end-user defines a preferred area that is not restricted to city boundaries. The end-user defines the boundaries of a shape overlaid on the graphical image representation of a geographic area. Thereafter, when the preferred area is used and the end-user operates the navigation system to provide a function, the function is limited to only those places, locations, and so on, that are within the geographic area corresponding to the defined shape.