A method for controlling a remote navigation system includes operating the remote navigation system to bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a plurality of locations in a predetermined pattern, and using the sensor to sense a physiological property in each location. At least once thereafter, the remote navigation system is operated to bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a series of locations in a predetermined pattern relative to at least one location selected from the predetermined pattern in the immediately preceding step based upon the sensed physiological property value, and uses the sensor to sense the physiological property in each location. A local extreme value of the sensed physiological property is thereby located. The physiological properties that can be sensed include electrical signals, conductivity, temperature, fluid flow rate or fluid velocity, and range of motion of a surface.