JP2008076404A - Information transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system capable of setting easily a route searching destination, and capable of enhancing certainty and accuracy for setting the destination. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation system 2 is a system communicated between this information transmitter 4 of the present invention and a navigation device 6. The information transmitter 4 is provided with a transmission means 12 for transmitting destination position information used for setting the route searching destination by the navigation device 6, to an outside. The navigation device 6 is provided with a reception means 32 for receiving the destination position information transmitted by the information transmitter 4, a destination setting means 38 for setting a destination corresponding to the destination position information received by the reception means 32, as the route searching destination, and a route searching means 44 for searching a route of connecting the destination set by the destination setting means 38 and an own current position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, and an information transmission device and a navigation device constituting the navigation system.

(First Conventional Technology) In-vehicle navigation devices in recent years have been mainly provided with a function of searching for a route from the current location of a vehicle to a destination using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like. ing. In a navigation apparatus having this function, a destination is usually set by specifying a position on a map screen or inputting an address, a telephone number, or the like.
(Second Conventional Technology) As a technology for facilitating destination setting as compared with the first conventional technology, there is a technology described in Patent Document 1. This technology performs a process of extracting specific character information (address, telephone number, etc.) from images such as websites, specifies the position on the map corresponding to the character information, and uses that position as the destination for route search. Is set to In this technique, an example is described in which character information in text format or character information in bitmap format is extracted as character information.

JP 2001-255160 A

However, even with the navigation device as in the first prior art, the passenger cannot find the important destination on the map screen of the navigation device or does not know the destination address or telephone number. In many cases, the route search function cannot be used. In this case, the passenger had to think about the route to the destination after all. Moreover, even if the destination address, telephone number, etc. are known, inputting it into the navigation device is a cumbersome and cumbersome task for the passenger.
As described above, according to the first prior art, there is a problem that it is difficult to easily set the destination.

In the case of the second prior art, it is often difficult to accurately extract specific character information such as an address and a telephone number from the screen. Whether text information in text format or text information in bitmap format, it is always accurate to determine which part is specific character information such as address or telephone number and which part is other information. Is difficult. For this reason, it is considered that there are considerable cases where specific character information cannot be extracted, or erroneous information is extracted even if it is extracted. In particular, when character information in bitmap format is extracted by an image recognition processing device such as OCR, there is a possibility that the character itself may be erroneously recognized, and when specific character information cannot be extracted or incorrect information is extracted. The proportion is thought to be higher.
If specific character information cannot be extracted, the destination cannot be set using the character information. Thus, in this case, the passenger himself / herself thinks about the route to the destination, or the passenger inputs the destination address, telephone number, etc., so that the destination setting in the first prior art can be easily performed. The problem of being difficult to do is not solved. Further, when specific character information is extracted by mistake, the destination is set at an incorrect point. In this case, the passenger is led to the wrong point.
As described above, according to the second prior art, there is a problem that the certainty and accuracy of destination setting are low.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system, an information transmission device, and a navigation device that can easily set a destination for route search and that are highly reliable and accurate in setting the destination.

  The navigation system of the present invention is a system that performs communication between an information transmission device and a navigation device. The information transmission device includes transmission means for transmitting destination position information used for setting a destination for route search by the navigation device. On the other hand, the navigation device receives the destination position information transmitted by the information transmitting device, and sets the destination corresponding to the destination position information received by the receiving unit as the destination for route search. And route search means for searching for a route connecting the destination set by the destination setting means and the current location of the vehicle (claims 1 and 6).

According to the present invention, when setting the destination, the user of the navigation device searches for the destination corresponding to the destination position information received by the receiving means by the setting action using the destination setting means. It can be set as a destination. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user of the navigation device to set a route search destination by specifying a position on the map screen or by inputting an address, a telephone number, or the like. Can be easily performed.
Further, the navigation device of the present invention is configured to set a destination corresponding to the destination position information transmitted from the information transmitting device and received by the receiving means as a destination for route search. Therefore, the destination may not be set or the destination may be set at an incorrect point as in the case of performing processing for extracting specific character information (address, telephone number, etc.) from an image such as a homepage. Very little sex. That is, the certainty and accuracy of destination setting for route search is very high.

  Here, as the “information transmitting apparatus”, in addition to a dedicated apparatus, a general-purpose apparatus may be a personal computer, a server computer, a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, or the like. The “navigation device” is not limited to a vehicle-mounted device, and may be a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone. That is, the navigation apparatus referred to in the present invention includes an apparatus for navigating a person or the like who is walking.

  It is preferable that the transmission means of the information transmitting apparatus transmits the advertisement information regarding the destination to the outside before or together with the transmission of the destination position information. On the other hand, it is preferable that the navigation device further includes notification means for notifying advertisement information relating to the destination (claim 8).

This aspect is an effective aspect when an advertiser such as a store uses the information transmission device to advertise the store. According to this aspect, the navigation apparatus receives the advertisement information related to the destination before or together with the reception of the destination position information.
For this reason, when the user of the navigation device is interested in the store at the destination by looking at the advertisement information, the destination setting means immediately uses the destination or the telephone number without performing an operation of inputting an address or a telephone number. There is an advantage that the destination can be set. On the other hand, there is an advantage for an advertiser such as a store that advertisement information can be effectively used by using the information transmitting device, and a visitor of the navigation device can be promoted to the store.

  Here, the “advertisement information” means information that prompts an advertiser who uses the information transmitting apparatus to visit a service providing place (for example, a store or an event venue). For example, the advertising information of restaurants includes information on the types of food and drinks, prices, pictures of food and drinks, discounts, limited time / period services, and careers of cooks. Examples of retail store advertisement information include information on the types of products being sold, prices, discounts, limited time / period limited services, and the like. The advertisement information of the amusement store includes information on the type of gaming machine, the arrival of a new model, a time / period limited service, a service to a specific customer, and the like. However, the service provided by the advertiser may be not only for profit but also for profit.

  Further, the “advertisement information” includes not only information that explicitly indicates a visit but also information that is implicitly indicated. The “advertisement information” may be any of character information, image information, and audio information, or may be information that combines these. An example of character information is an advertisement by e-mail. Examples of image information (usually including text information) include advertisements by web pages.

The present invention is not limited to the case where the current location of the information transmission device itself is the destination of the route search by the navigation device, but also the case where the location other than the position where the information transmission device exists is the destination of the route search by the navigation device. Also applies. In the former case, the information transmission device is typically installed at a service providing place of the advertiser. In the latter case, the information transmitting apparatus is typically installed in a place other than the advertiser's service providing place.
In addition, the “information transmitting device” includes not only equipment such as computers possessed by the advertiser but also equipment possessed by a person other than the advertiser (for example, equipment such as a server of a contractor that the advertiser entrusts transmission of advertising information). ) Is also included.

  The information transmission device further includes first determination means for determining whether or not the navigation device exists in a predetermined area including the current location of the information transmission apparatus, and when the first determination means determines that the navigation device exists in the predetermined area The transmitting means preferably transmits the advertisement information only to the navigation device existing in the predetermined area.

This aspect is an effective aspect when an information transmission apparatus is installed in an advertiser's store or the like. In general, it can be estimated that a user of a navigation device at a location close to a service providing place where the information transmission device exists is more likely to visit the store or the like than a user of a navigation device at a remote location.
According to this aspect, the advertisement information can be transmitted only to a person who exists at a position close to the information transmitting apparatus and is likely to visit. Therefore, the advertising efficiency can be improved for the advertiser as compared with the case where the advertisement information is transmitted at random. In addition, communication costs and the like can be kept low, and costs necessary for advertising can be reduced. On the other hand, it is possible for the user of the navigation apparatus to avoid the troublesome situation in which the advertisement information is transmitted indiscriminately from an information transmission apparatus installed in a store or the like that is difficult to visit far away.

  The information transmission device further includes second determination means for determining whether or not there is a navigation device approaching the current location of the information transmission device, and when the second determination means determines that there is an approaching navigation device, the transmission means It is preferable to transmit the advertisement information only to the approaching navigation device.

This aspect is also an effective aspect when an information transmission device is installed in an advertiser's store or the like. In general, it can be presumed that a user of a navigation device approaching a service providing place where an information transmission device exists is more likely to visit the store or the like than a user of a navigation device moving away.
According to this aspect, the advertisement information can be transmitted only to those who are likely to visit because they approach the information transmission device. Therefore, the advertising efficiency can be improved for the advertiser as compared with the case where the advertisement information is transmitted at random. In addition, communication costs and the like can be kept low, and costs necessary for advertising can be reduced. On the other hand, a user of a navigation apparatus that moves away needs to change the current direction of travel in order to visit the store or the like, and is less likely to visit than when approaching. In this respect, according to this aspect, it is possible to avoid a troublesome situation in which advertisement information is transmitted from an information transmission device installed in a store or the like that is difficult to visit.

  Here, “approaching” and “moving away” do not mean only when the information transmitting device is a fixed body and the navigation device is a moving body. The case where the information transmitting device is a moving body and the navigation device is a fixed body, and the case where both the information transmitting device and the navigation device are moving bodies are also included.

  The destination setting means of the navigation device is preferably configured so that the destination can be set by a response action.

If the destination can be set by one response action as in this aspect, the destination can be set very easily.
Here, as the “response action”, for example, an action of pressing a button (an action of touching the button in the case of a touch panel type button) or “Yes” displayed on the screen of the display means is specified using the operation unit. To act. It also includes the act of responding “Yes” or “Please” with voice.

  The notification means of the navigation device is a display means capable of displaying a plurality of advertisement information, and the contents of each advertisement information are automatically switched when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the destination setting means determines the destination of the route search. It is preferable that the destination position information corresponding to each advertisement information can be selected and set from the destinations (claim 9).

  According to this aspect, a plurality of users of the navigation device can see advertisement information that is switched automatically. Further, the destination of the route search can be selected and set from the destinations of the destination position information corresponding to each advertisement information. For this reason, according to this aspect, it is possible to obtain a lot of advertisement information without performing a troublesome operation, and from among the many pieces of advertisement information, a more interesting destination corresponding to the advertisement information is set. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to realize a navigation device that is very useful.

  In this specification, the “means” is not limited to hardware, and includes cases where each means is realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more hardware or software, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one hardware or software.

(Mode 1) An information transmission device that communicates with a navigation device,
Information generating means for generating destination position information used for destination setting of route search by the navigation device using a signal from an external communication means, and transmission for transmitting the destination position information generated by the information generating means to the outside An information transmission device comprising means.
According to this aspect, since the destination position information can be generated using the signal from the external communication means, the destination position information does not have to be input by the user of the information transmitting apparatus. Further, even when the current location of the information transmission device itself is used as a route search destination by the navigation device, destination location information (location information of the information transmission device itself) is automatically obtained using a signal from an external communication means. Since it can be updated sequentially, it is highly convenient.
Here, examples of “external communication means” include GPS satellites and base stations of mobile communication terminals.

(Mode 2) It further comprises positioning data generating means for generating positioning data using a signal from an external communication means,
2. The information transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information generating unit generates the destination position information using the positioning data generated by the positioning data generating unit.
According to this aspect, even when it is difficult to generate the destination position information directly using the signal from the external communication means, the positioning data generation means is provided, so the signal from the external communication means It is possible to generate positioning data using and to generate destination position information using the positioning data.
Alternatively, even when the positioning data generating means is an existing part and the positioning data output from the means cannot be directly processed by the route searching means, the information generating means uses the positioning data and directly by the route searching means. Processable destination position information can be generated.

(Mode 3) Receiving means for receiving destination position information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus, information generating means for generating own current position position information using a signal from an external communication means, and destination for route search Destination setting means for setting the destination in the destination position information transmitted by the information transmitting device, and the destination position received by the receiving means on at least one condition that the destination is set by the destination setting means Navigation with route search means for searching for a route connecting the destination and the current location using the information and the current location information generated by the information generation means, and a notification means for notifying the result of the route search apparatus.
(Form 4) Further comprising positioning data generating means for generating positioning data using a signal from an external communication means,
The information generating means generates its own current position information using the positioning data generated by the positioning data generating means.

(Mode 5) At least one of the information transmission device and the navigation device is a mobile communication terminal with an electronic mail transmission / reception function and a GPS navigation function. Here, the “mobile communication terminal” refers to a mobile phone such as a mobile phone or PHS, a PDA (personal digital assistant) and the like.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a navigation system 2 according to a first embodiment. This system 2 includes an information transmission device 4 and an in-vehicle navigation device 6.
The information transmission device 4 includes a GPS module 14 that is positioning data generation means, a computer unit 10, an advertisement information database 18, an operation unit 16, a transmission module 12 that is transmission means, and the like. The computer unit 10 includes a CPU 20 that is information generation means, and a RAM 22 and a ROM 24 that are storage means. Examples of the information transmission device 4 include a personal computer and a server computer.

  The GPS module 14 generates positioning data corresponding to the coordinates of the current location of the information transmission device 4. This positioning data is data composed of latitude, longitude, and altitude of current location coordinates obtained by receiving radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites and performing three-dimensional positioning processing. When performing two-dimensional positioning processing, data consisting of latitude and longitude is obtained. The GPS module 14 outputs the positioning data to the CPU 20 of the computer unit 10.

  The CPU 20 of the computer unit 10 generates location information of the destination (in this example, location information of the current location of the information transmission device 4) using the positioning data. This destination position information is later used for destination setting for route search by the navigation device 6 which is a communication counterpart device. The RAM 22 temporarily stores destination position information generated by the CPU 20. When the information transmission device 4 is installed in a mobile shop or the like, the location information of the current location of the information transmission device 4 is sequentially changed. For this reason, the destination position information is sequentially updated accordingly. The ROM 24 stores a series of programs to be executed by the CPU 20. This program includes, for example, a program for generating destination position information, an e-mail creation program, and the like. That is, the CPU 20 is also an e-mail creating unit, and creates an e-mail including destination position information and advertisement information.

The advertisement information database 18 stores in advance advertisement information that prompts visitors to the store where the information transmission device 4 is installed. Specifically, a known storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM and its playback apparatus correspond to this. The advertisement information stored in the advertisement information database 18 is read by the CPU 20. Note that the storage medium may be writable.
The operation unit 16 includes a predetermined operation panel, and plays a role of inputting various information to the information transmission device 4 in accordance with an input operation by a user of the information transmission device 4.
The transmission module 12 has a function of transmitting an e-mail with the advertisement information read from the advertisement information database 18 to the outside, with the destination position information read from the RAM 22 attached. Here, “transmitting to the outside” includes not only transmitting directly to the vehicle but also transmitting to a radio station or a base station in the vicinity of the vehicle. Of course, there may be a plurality of navigation devices 6 that finally receive the electronic mail transmitted by the information transmitting device 4.

  The in-vehicle navigation device 6 includes a receiving module 32 as receiving means, a GPS module 34 as positioning data generating means, a computer unit 36, an operation unit 38 including destination setting means, and a display unit 40 as notification means. And a map information database 42 and the like. The computer unit 36 includes a CPU 44 that is information generation means or route search means, and a RAM 48 and ROM 46 that are storage means.

The reception module 32 receives an electronic mail from the information transmission device 4 transmitted via a wireless station or a base station, and outputs it to the CPU 44.
The GPS module 34 has the same function as the GPS module 14 of the information transmitting device 4, generates positioning data corresponding to the coordinates of the current location of the navigation device 6, and outputs the positioning data to the CPU 44 of the computer unit 36. To do.

CPU44 of the computer part 36 produces | generates the positional information on the present location of self (navigation apparatus 6 itself), and vehicle orientation information as an information generation means using the said positioning data. Further, the CPU 44 opens the received electronic mail and displays advertisement information and the like included in the content on the screen of the display unit 40 described later. In addition, when a destination corresponding to destination position information attached to the e-mail is set as a destination for route search by the operation unit 38 described later, the CPU 44 extracts the destination position information.
And CPU44 performs the search process of the path | route which connects between the destination corresponding to the destination position information extracted from the electronic mail, and the present location corresponding to the self-generated current position position information as route search means. As a route search method, a conventionally known method (for example, Dijkstra method or horizontal search method) may be employed. In this case, the guide route is set according to various conditions such as the shortest distance and the shortest time.

  The RAM 48 temporarily stores current location information, destination location information, and the like, and outputs these information to the CPU 44 as necessary. The ROM 46 stores a series of programs to be executed by the CPU 44. These programs include, for example, a program for setting a destination of destination position information as a destination for route search, a program for route search, and the like.

  The operation unit 38 includes a predetermined operation panel, and plays a role of inputting various information to the navigation device 6 in accordance with an input operation by a user of the navigation device 6. The operation unit 38 functions as destination setting means, and plays a role of setting a destination corresponding to the destination position information attached to the received e-mail as a destination for route search. The operation unit 38 may be provided in the navigation device main body, or may be provided in a remote control unit independent of the main body.

The display unit 40 is specifically a liquid crystal display or the like. On the display unit 40, the map information taken from the map information database 42 is displayed on the screen, and the result of the route search is displayed superimposed on the road of the map. For example, the result of the route search is displayed on the map as a thick red line connecting the current location and the destination. Further, the display unit 40 is configured to display the contents of the received e-mail on the mail browsing screen.
Note that not only an image notification unit such as a liquid crystal display but also a voice notification unit that emits a sound such as a speaker may be provided.

Next, the operation of the navigation system 2 of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the advertiser is an operator of a pachinko store and the information transmission device 4 is installed in the pachinko store. Further, it is assumed that the advertiser expects the user of the navigation device 6 to visit the pachinko parlor.
First, it is assumed that the advertiser operates the operation unit 16 of the information transmission device 4 so as to create an e-mail (direct mail) including destination position information and advertisement information. Then, the CPU 20 activates an e-mail creation program and creates an e-mail. Further, the CPU 20 generates destination position information according to a predetermined program and attaches it to the electronic mail. Further, the CPU 20 takes out predetermined advertisement information from the advertisement information database 18 and places it in an e-mail. Thereafter, the CPU 20 outputs the electronic mail to the transmission module 12. The transmission module 12 transmits the advertisement e-mail to the outside. Thereafter, this e-mail is received by the navigation device 6 used by a person who can be a customer of a pachinko parlor or who can be a customer.

The display unit 40 of the navigation device 6 normally displays a navigation screen (a map screen of the surrounding area). When receiving an e-mail, the display unit 40 automatically switches to an e-mail browsing screen after displaying the characters such as “mail incoming” and displays the contents of the e-mail. Of course, the screen may be switched by the operation of the user of the navigation device 6.
FIG. 2 schematically shows a screen G1 on which the content of the e-mail is displayed on the display unit 40 of the navigation device 6. In the upper part of the screen G1, advertisement information is displayed with the content “Parlor XX, we are currently offering an extra ball increase fair. In the lower part of the screen G1, a text asking “Do you want to set the [Destination Setting] Parlor XX as the destination position” is displayed. At the bottom of the screen G1, a “YES” button 50 and a “NO” button 51 for responding to the question are displayed. However, the destination position information itself is not displayed on this screen G1.

The user of the navigation device 6 reads the contents of the advertisement information described in the e-mail and decides whether or not to visit the advertiser's pachinko shop.
When the user does not wish to visit, the user responds to the inquiry on the screen G1 by designating the “NO” button 51 by the operation unit 38. Then, the CPU 44 determines that the destination setting is not requested, returns to the normal navigation screen, and redisplays the surrounding map.
On the other hand, when the user wishes to visit, the user responds to the inquiry on the screen G1 by designating the “YES” button 50 by the operation unit 38. Then, the CPU 44 determines that the destination setting is requested, extracts the destination position information attached to the e-mail, and sets the destination corresponding to this information as the destination for the route search. . The destination setting state is temporarily stored in the RAM 48.
The “YES” and “NO” buttons 50 and 51 may be a touch panel type of display screen. In this case, since the purpose is set by directly touching the display screen, the portion of the “YES” button 50 becomes the destination setting means.

  Next, the CPU 44 returns to the navigation screen again and displays a screen asking whether or not to perform route search. When the user wants to immediately perform a route search, the user inputs the fact through the operation unit 16. Then, the CPU 44 executes a route search program, and route search processing is performed. Then, the result of the route search with the advertiser's store as the destination is displayed on the navigation screen.

According to the system 2 of the first embodiment, the user of the navigation device 6 specifies the “YES” button 50 in FIG. Thus, the destination corresponding to the destination position information attached to the e-mail can be immediately set as the destination for the route search. Therefore, the user of the navigation device 6 does not have to set a route search destination by designating a position on the map screen or inputting an address, a telephone number, or the like. Setting can be performed easily.
Further, the navigation device 6 is configured to set a destination corresponding to the destination position information transmitted from the information transmitting device 4 and received by the receiving module 32 as a route search destination. Therefore, the destination cannot be set or the destination may be set at an incorrect point, as in the case of performing processing for extracting specific character information (address, telephone number, etc.) from an image such as a homepage. Very little sex. That is, the certainty and accuracy of destination setting for route search is very high.
For an advertiser such as a store, the advertisement information can be effectively utilized by using the information transmitting device 4 and there is an advantage that the user of the navigation device 6 visits the store or the like.

  Furthermore, this system 2 does not employ a method in which the information transmission device 4 performs a route search and transmits the route search result, and the route search is only performed on the navigation device 6 side. According to this, unlike the case where the former method is adopted, since the amount of data to be transmitted is small for the advertiser on the transmission side, the communication cost can be reduced and the advertising cost can be reduced. it can. Further, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a large amount of unnecessary data is sent to the user of the navigation device on the receiving side even when there is no intention to visit.

Second Example A navigation system 2 according to a second example shown in FIG. 3 has basically the same configuration as that shown in FIG. However, the information transmission device 4 includes a transmission / reception module 12 a instead of the transmission module 12. The navigation device 6 includes a transmission / reception module 32 a instead of the reception module 32. The operation of the system 2 is also slightly different as follows.

  In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the advertiser is an operator of a pachinko store, and the advertiser expects the user of the navigation device 6 to visit the pachinko store. However, the information transmission device 4 is not installed in the pachinko store itself, but a server installed in a place different from the pachinko store operated by a contractor commissioned by the advertiser to transmit the advertisement information It is assumed that it functions as the transmission device 4. In this case, a method may be adopted in which the content of the web page created in advance by the advertiser is transmitted to the supplier's server and uploaded, or the supplier is entrusted to create the content and upload it to the server May be taken.

  The information transmission device (a trader's server) 4 is provided with a site for an advertiser's web page. FIG. 4 schematically shows a screen G2 of the advertiser's web page. At the top of the screen G2, the title name “Parlor XXX homepage” is displayed. In the middle of the screen G2, the advertisement information “Parlor XX, I am currently offering a ball increase fair. Please come and check.” Is displayed. In the lower part of the screen G3, a button 52 with “Destination position information download” is displayed. However, the destination position information itself is not displayed on this screen G2. The download button 52 is linked to a predetermined folder of the information transmission device (a trader's server) 4, and destination location information generated in advance is stored in the folder.

  First, it is assumed that the user of the navigation device 6 who is interested in the service provided by the advertiser starts the web page browsing program and accesses the advertiser's web page via the transmission / reception module 32a of the navigation device 6. Then, the access request is transmitted to the information transmitting device (the trader's server) 4. In response to this, the information transmission device 4 transmits the content information of the web page to the navigation device 6. As a result, the content of FIG. 4 is displayed on the screen G2 of the display unit 40 of the navigation device 6.

Here, the user of the navigation device 6 reads the advertisement information on the web page and decides whether or not to visit the advertiser's store.
If the visit is not desired, the user does not have to respond to the question on the screen G2. In this case, if the web page is closed, the CPU 44 determines that it is not necessary to set the destination, returns to the normal navigation screen, and displays the peripheral map.

  On the other hand, when the user wishes to visit, the user responds to the inquiry on the screen G2. That is, the operation unit 16 moves the cursor C onto the download button and clicks the download button. Then, the CPU 44 determines that the destination setting is requested, and transmits a transmission request signal to the information transmission device (server) 4 via the transmission / reception module 34a. The information transmitting apparatus 4 that has received the information reads the destination position information from a predetermined folder temporarily stored in the RAM 22. And this destination position information is transmitted to the navigation apparatus 6 via the transmission / reception module 12a. The navigation device 6 that has received the destination position information sets a destination corresponding to the destination position information as a destination for route search according to a predetermined program. The destination setting state is temporarily stored in the RAM 48.

  Next, the CPU 44 returns to the navigation screen again and displays a screen asking whether or not to perform route search. When the user wants to immediately perform a route search, the user inputs the fact through the operation unit 16. Then, the route search program is executed by the CPU 44, and the result of the route search with the specific store of the advertiser as the destination is displayed on the navigation screen.

(Third Embodiment) The information transmitting apparatus 4 of the third embodiment has a configuration substantially similar to that of the information transmitting apparatus 4 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and will be described with reference to FIG. In the information transmitting apparatus 4 of the third embodiment, the following program is further stored in the ROM 24, and this program is executed by the CPU 20.
The ROM 24 stores a predetermined program for determining whether or not the navigation device 6 exists in a circular area centered on the current location of the ROM 24. CPU20 which is a 1st determination means calculates the distance to the navigation apparatus 6 which can become an information transmission object based on the positional information on the navigation apparatus 6, for example. Then, the calculated value is compared with a preset threshold value (for example, the value of the radius of the circular region). If the calculated value is less than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined that the navigation device 6 exists in a predetermined area including the current location of the user. When such a condition is satisfied, the CPU 20 of the information transmission device 4 performs control such that the advertisement information is transmitted only to the navigation device 6 existing in the predetermined area.

  According to the third embodiment, the advertisement information can be transmitted only to those who are close to the information transmission device 4 and who are likely to visit. Therefore, the advertising efficiency can be improved for the advertiser as compared with the case where the advertisement information is transmitted at random. In addition, communication costs and the like can be kept low, and costs necessary for advertising can be reduced. On the other hand, it is possible for the user of the navigation device 6 to avoid the troublesome situation in which the advertisement information is transmitted from the information transmitting device 4 installed in a store or the like that is difficult to visit far away.

(Fourth Embodiment) The information transmitting apparatus 4 of the fourth embodiment has a configuration substantially similar to that of the information transmitting apparatus 4 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and will be described with reference to FIG. In the information transmitting apparatus 4 of the third embodiment, the following program is further stored in the ROM 24, and this program is executed by the CPU 20.
The ROM 24 stores a predetermined program for determining whether or not there is a navigation device 6 that is approaching the current location. CPU20 which is a 2nd determination means calculates the distance to the navigation apparatus 6 which can become an information transmission object based on the positional information on the navigation apparatus 6 in the predetermined time, for example. Here, for example, distance calculation is performed at time nT and time (n + 1) T. Next, the CPU 20 compares the calculated distance value at time nT with the calculated distance value at time (n + 1) T. If the distance calculation value at time (n + 1) T is smaller, it is determined that the navigation device 6 is approaching the information transmission device 4. When such a condition is satisfied, the CPU 20 of the information transmission device 4 performs control such that the advertisement information is transmitted only to the navigation device 6 determined to be approaching.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the advertisement information can be transmitted only to those who are likely to visit because they approach the information transmission device 4. Therefore, the advertising efficiency can be improved for the advertiser as compared with the case where the advertisement information is transmitted at random. In addition, communication costs and the like can be kept low, and costs necessary for advertising can be reduced. On the other hand, it is necessary for the user of the navigation device 6 moving away to change the current direction of travel in order to visit the store or the like, and is less likely to visit than when approaching. In this respect, according to this aspect, it is possible to avoid a troublesome situation in which advertisement information is transmitted from the information transmission device 4 installed in a store or the like that is difficult to visit.

  By combining the configuration of the fourth embodiment and the configuration of the third embodiment, it is possible to pick up only those who are more likely to visit and transmit advertisement information. Therefore, the advertising efficiency can be further improved. As a technique for determining whether or not the fourth embodiment is approaching, the technique described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-006709 (but not yet published) filed by the present applicant is used in addition to the technique described above. It is preferable.

(5th Example) Since the navigation apparatus 6 of 5th Example is provided with the structure substantially the same as the navigation apparatus 6 of 1st Example shown in FIG. 1, it demonstrates with reference to FIG. In the information transmitting apparatus 4 of the fifth embodiment, the following program is further stored in the ROM 24, and this program is executed by the CPU 20.
As shown in FIG. 5, the ROM 24 of the navigation device 6 has a program for displaying four advertisement information 54, 56, 58, 60 on the navigation screen G3, and each advertisement information when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A program for automatically switching the contents of 54, 56, 58 and 60 is stored.
The navigation screen G3 displays destination location information download buttons 55, 57, 59, and 61 corresponding to the four pieces of advertisement information 54, 56, 58, and 60, respectively.

The four pieces of advertisement information are divided into large genres. In this example, the categories are “restaurant”, “food store”, “game facility”, and “other”. When the navigation device 6 receives advertisement information corresponding to these genres transmitted by the information transmitting device 4, the advertisement information is displayed. The advertisement information of each genre can be switched to a method of switching to the new advertisement information when new advertisement information of the genre is transmitted, or when the transmitted advertisement information is displayed for a certain period of time, the display is terminated and another advertisement information is displayed. A method of switching to advertisement information may be employed.
The information transmission devices 4 that transmit advertisement information of each genre may not be separate from each other, and there may be one information transmission device 4 that transmits advertisement information of each genre.

  According to the fifth embodiment, a plurality of users of the navigation device 6 can view advertisement information that is plural and automatically switched. Further, the destination of the route search can be selected and set from the destinations of the destination position information corresponding to each advertisement information. For this reason, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to obtain a lot of advertisement information without performing a troublesome operation, and from looking at the lot of advertisement information, a more interesting destination corresponding to the advertisement information can be obtained. Can be set. Therefore, it is possible to realize a navigation device 6 that is very useful.

(6th Example) In FIG. 6, the schematic block diagram of the navigation system 62 of 6th Example is shown. The system 62 includes an information transmission device 64 and a navigation device 66. However, the information transmitting device 64 and the navigation device 66 in the sixth embodiment are both mobile phones that are types of mobile communication terminals. Both of these mobile phones 64 and 66 have the same configuration, and both have an e-mail transmission / reception function and a GPS navigation function. In the system 62 of the sixth embodiment, the GPS module 14 has substantially the same function as the GPS module 34 of FIG. Similarly, the computer unit 10 having the CPU 20, RAM 22, and ROM 24 has substantially the same function as the computer unit 36 having the CPU 44, RAM 48, and ROM 46 of FIG. Here, the information transmission device 64 is referred to as “transmission-side mobile phone 64”. The navigation device 66 is referred to as a “receiving-side mobile phone 66”. In the case of the sixth embodiment, it is not necessary to have a configuration or program necessary for transmission / reception of advertisement information.

Next, the operation of the system 62 will be described. Assume that the owner of the transmitting-side mobile phone 64 wants the owner of the receiving-side mobile phone 66 to visit his / her location.
First, it is assumed that the owner of the transmission-side mobile phone 64 operates the operation unit 16 so as to create an e-mail including destination position information. Then, the CPU 20 creates an e-mail by the same process as described in the first embodiment, and outputs it to the transmission / reception module 12a. However, this e-mail does not include advertisement information. The transmission / reception mail 12a transmits this electronic mail to the outside. Thereafter, the electronic mail is received by the transmission / reception module 12a of the reception-side mobile phone 66.

When receiving the e-mail, the receiving-side mobile phone 66 notifies the owner of the incoming e-mail by a ringing tone or the like. When this e-mail is opened, a screen G4 shown in FIG. On this screen G4, a predetermined message is displayed and a question “Do you want to set the place where Mr. ΔΔ is as the destination position” is displayed.
If the owner of the mobile phone 66 on the receiving side does not intend to visit the location of the owner of the mobile phone 64 on the transmitting side, the person designates the “NO” button 51 on the operation unit 16 in response to the inquiry on this screen G4. Reply with. Then, the CPU 20 determines that the destination setting is not requested and returns to the normal standby screen of the mobile phone.

On the other hand, when there is an intention to visit, the person responds to the inquiry on the screen G4 by designating the “YES” button 50 on the operation unit 16. Then, the CPU 20 determines that the destination setting is requested, reads the destination position information attached to the e-mail, and sets the destination corresponding to this information as the destination for the route search. The destination setting state is temporarily stored in the RAM 22.
Next, the CPU 20 displays a screen asking whether or not to perform a route search. If it is desired to immediately perform a route search, the person inputs that fact through the operation unit 16. Then, the route search program is executed by the CPU 20, and the result of the route search with the current location of the person having the transmission side mobile phone 64 as the destination is displayed on the navigation screen.

  According to the mobile phone (information transmitting device) 44 of the sixth embodiment, accurate destination position information corresponding to the coordinates of the present location can be obtained using the GPS function. Further, the destination position information can be attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the mobile phone (navigation device) 66. Therefore, the route guidance between the persons having the mobile phones 44 and 46 becomes possible. For this reason, it is very convenient when waiting for a meeting or when you get lost and cannot meet the other party.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the purposes.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of a navigation system according to a first embodiment. The display screen of the navigation apparatus in 1st Example is shown. The schematic block diagram of the navigation system of 2nd Example is shown. The display screen of the navigation apparatus in 2nd Example is shown. The display screen of the navigation apparatus in 5th Example is shown. The schematic block diagram of the navigation system of 6th Example is shown. The display screen of the navigation apparatus in 6th Example is shown.

Explanation of symbols

2, 62: Navigation system 4: Information transmission device 6: Navigation device 12: Transmission module (transmission means)
12a: Transmission / reception module (transmission means, reception means)
14, 34: GPS module (positioning data generating means)
20: CPU (information generating means, etc.)
22: RAM (storage means)
32: Receiving module (receiving means)
32a: Transmission / reception module (reception means)
40: Display section (notification means)
44: CPU (information generating means, route searching means, etc.)
64: Information transmitting device (transmission side mobile phone: mobile communication terminal)
66: Navigation device (receiving-side mobile phone: mobile communication terminal)

Claims (9)

A navigation system for performing communication between an information transmission device and a navigation device,
The information transmission device includes transmission means for transmitting destination position information used for destination setting for route search by the navigation device to the outside,
A navigation device for receiving destination position information transmitted by the information transmitting device; destination setting means for setting a destination corresponding to the destination position information received by the receiving means as a destination for route search; A navigation system comprising route searching means for searching for a route connecting the destination set by the destination setting means and the current location. An information transmission device that communicates with a navigation device,
An information transmission device comprising a transmission means for transmitting destination position information used for setting a destination for route search by a navigation device.   3. The information transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the advertisement information regarding the destination to the outside before or together with the transmission of the destination position information.   First determining means for determining whether or not the navigation device exists in a predetermined area including the current location of the user is provided, and when the first determining means determines that the navigation device exists in the predetermined area, the transmitting means is predetermined. 4. The information transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the advertisement information is transmitted only to a navigation device existing in the area.   It further comprises second determination means for determining whether or not there is a navigation device approaching its own current location, and when the second determination means determines that there is a navigation device approaching, the transmission means approaches navigation. The information transmission apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the advertisement information is transmitted only to the apparatus. A navigation device that communicates with an information transmission device,
Receiving means for receiving destination position information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus; destination setting means for setting a destination corresponding to the destination position information received by the receiving means as a destination for route search; and destination setting A navigation device comprising route search means for searching for a route connecting the destination set by the means and the current location.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the destination setting means is configured to be able to set the destination by a response action.   The navigation device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising notification means for notifying advertisement information relating to a destination. The notification means is a display means capable of displaying a plurality of advertisement information, and the contents of each advertisement information are automatically switched when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the destination setting means can select and set a destination for route search from destinations of destination position information corresponding to each advertisement information.

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