PoiPal: Generate Native GoPal POI PSF-files from standard POI CSV-files

[XPloRR]

As Medion of 31/12/2019 has decided to stop all GoPal updates and after searching in vain for a tool to generate native GoPal POIs based on CSV POI files, I decided to write a tool myself. I succeeded and therefore I would like to share my GoPal POI generator. 
Feel free to try it out and share your comments here. 

Introduction to PoiPal

PoiPal: a freeware to generate native GoPal PSF POI files from standard POI CSV files, which can be saved to your GoPal device. 

Purpose and Restrictions of Usage

The purpose of PoiPal is to generate native GoPal 6 POI files (Point Of Interest files) from standard POI csv files. 
These files can be saved to your GoPal 6 device and will show up in the realtime map as well as in the native GoPal POI interface, where they can be hidden or shown.
Because generated POI files are using XML and PSF formats, they may also be used in other GPS systems (see below) (not tested). 

PoiPal is intended for private use only. PoiPal may not be used for commercial or illegal purposes. PoiPal may not be used to spread or sell commercial or copyright protected files or data. You should respect the copyright policies of the authors, sites and countries you are downloading POIs from. Please read the Legal Disclaimer and Copyright Infringement Policy before using PoiPal. 

Version History

Version 1.0 24/02/2020 initial command line version 
Version 1.1 28/02/2020 bugs fixed 
Version 1.2 02/03/2020 user interface version
Version 1.3 08/03/2020 name index added, countrycode and menupath in readable format
Version 1.4 09/03/2020 automatic cab-file creation added

Download and Installation

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Prerequisites

• Download, prepare or create a standard POI csv file, containing rows of 3 fields: Longitude, Latitude, Description
• Create a transparent .png POI icon file named <POI Name> .png (18x18 pixels). 
• Create a transparent .png POI icon file named <POI Name> -cat.png (30x30 pixels). 

Create GoPal POI Files

• Start PoiPal. This will open a dialog box.
• Click "Select POI CSV File" to open an existing standard POI csv file, containing rows of 3 fields: Longitude, Latitude, Description.
• Specify a "POI Name", f.i. "EU-FreeParking" (no blanks in the name allowed).
• Specify a "New GoPal POI Type". Use values between 900-999 to avoid existing GoPal type conflicts.
• Specify a "New GoPal POI Category". Use values between 9900-9999 to avoid existing GoPal category conflicts.
• Specify a "Country Code". This is used for all POIs in the PSF and makes POIs searchable for that country only.
• Specify the "GoPal Display Priority". Use values between 0-200 (lower values have higher display priority on GoPal device).
• Specify the "GoPal Minimum Zoom Level" visibility. Use values between 0-120 (lower values are more zoomed).
• Specify the "GoPal Maximum Zoom Level" visibility. Use values between 0-120 (lower values are more zoomed).
• Specify the "GoPal POI Menu Path". Select an existing GoPal menu. Your POIs will appear here.
• Click "Convert To GoPal POI" to generate the GoPal POI .pc (XML) and .psf (PSF: Physical Storage Format) files.
• Click "Create CAB" to generate the GoPal CAB installation files.

Install GoPal POI Files: Automatic Procedure

• Copy the folder "35" to the root of your memory card (Storage Card).
• Insert memory card (Storage Card) into GoPal device.
• Soft-Reset GoPal device.
• POI files will be installed automatically to GoPal device (My Flash Disk).
• Check if POIs are visible in GoPal map and config menu.

Install GoPal POI Files: Manual Procedure 

• Connect your GoPal device to your PC using Windows Mobile Device Center. 
• Copy <POI Name> .pc, <POI Name> .png, <POI Name> -cat.png to \ My Flash Disk \ Navigation \ poi \ . 
• Copy <POI Name> .psf to\ My Flash Disk \ Navigation \ MapRegions \ . 
• Restart your GoPal device. 
• Check if POIs are visible in GoPal map and config menu. 

Uninstall Procedure

• Connect your GoPal device to your PC using Windows Mobile Device Center.
• Delete <POI Name>.pc, <POI Name>.pcb, <POI Name>.png, <POI Name>-cat.png from \My Flash Disk\Navigation\poi\.
• Delete <POI Name>.psf from \My Flash Disk\Navigation\MapRegions\.
• Restart your GoPal device.
• Check if POIs are removed from GoPal map and config menu.

Physical Storage Format (PSF)

The Navigation Data Standard (NDS) Physical Storage Format (PSF) initiative, is an industry grouping of car manufacturers, navigation system suppliers and map data suppliers whose objective is the standardization of the data format used in car navigation systems, as well as allow a map update capability. The NDS effort started in 2004 and became a registered association in 2009. Standardization would improve interoperability, specifically by allowing the same navigation maps to be used in navigation systems from 20 manufacturers. Companies involved include BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler, Renault, ADIT, Aisin AW, Alpine Electronics, Navigon, Bosch, DENSO, Mitsubishi, Harman International Industries, Panasonic, PTV, Continental AG, Clarion, Navteq, Navinfo, Tele Atlas and Zenrin. 

POI CSV files

Standard POI csv files contain POI coordinate rows of 3 fields: Longitude, Latitude, Description. 
Use decimal degrees for Latitude and Longitude coordinates (not degrees, minutes, seconds). 
Description must at least contain 1 character and doesn't have to be unique. 
You can create or generate POI csv files from sites like xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
An example POI csv file (example files are included in the zip): 

[CODE]
-110.12345,44.98765,ACME Shoe Store
-110.12332,44.98622,Ace Lock Smith
-110.12131,44.91422,Public restroom 
-110.11932,44.95662,Golden Kites
-110.11310,44.94222,Public restroom 
[/CODE] 

problem

If PoiPal does not start, the most common cause is did HTA applications can not start on your pc, or you have removed Internet Explorer or Edge browser completely from your pc. PoiPal uses HTA (Microsoft HTML Application) based on Internet Explorer. 
Normally, even when you don't use Internet Explorer or when it is not installed, Microsoft still installs the necessary core files to keep HTA applications working. 
If these HTA corefiles are not available on your pc, you can try to fix this as follows:
First check if you have c: \ windows \ system32 \ mshta.exe on your pc. If not, try installing at least Internet Explorer 7. 
If c: \ windows \ system32 \ mshta.exe is available, it could be possible that the link between .hta files and c: \ windows \ system32 \ mshta.exe is broken. 
To fix this copy the lines below to a file called hta.reg (with notepad), save it and double click it to add these settings to the registry: 

[CODE]
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
;Open HTA files with MSHTA.EXE
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hta]
"Application"="mshta.exe"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hta\OpenWithList]
"a"="MSHTA.EXE"
"MRUList"="a"
[/CODE] 

License

This software is distributed as freeware. If you keep using this software, send me an appreciation or feedback email for my programming efforts. 
Or even better, buy me a coffee via PayPal: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Legal disclaimer

This software and the accompanying files are supplied "as is", without any express or implied warranty including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. In no event shall the author be liable for any claims, damages whatsoever or other liability including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, whether in an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising from, out of , in connection with or from the use of this software and / or the underlying files.

EDIT:

External links removed due to possible violation of our Terms of Use,

points 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.7 & 13.

[Gehringer]

Thread closed due to lack of reply

[Luettgen51]

Hi, It sounds like an theft security measure, so I think the only one who van help you is Medion themselves, but I would suspect that you'd have to provide a proof of purchase for them to unlock the device. Kind regards,