JP3607195B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that enables music playback based on a music source such as a music CD.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, navigation systems for automobiles have recently been provided with an integrated car audio device. In this device, control related to the navigation function and audio control can be performed by one control circuit, and at the same time, a driver device for reading a CD-ROM or DVD storing map data is used as a music CD player. It is supposed to be combined. As a result, the configuration becomes simple, and the price and size can be reduced as compared with the case where the navigation system and the audio system are provided separately.
[0003]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, when music CD is set in the input device (driver device) and music is reproduced, it is not possible to read the map data CD-ROM or DVD. Can not run. On the contrary, when the navigation function is executed, the user cannot listen to the music CD. Thus, there was a problem that both the navigation function and the audio function could not be realized at the same time.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to simplify the configuration by integrating the audio function, and to realize the navigation function while playing music by the audio function. The present invention provides a navigation device that can perform the above-described operation.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device according to claim 1 of the present invention can store music data from a music CD read by the data input device when the user selects to store the music CD. In addition, music data storage means that can further store music data of another music CD, and can store music data of a plurality of music CDs until it is erased by the user, in a state where navigation processing is being executed. When the user instructs to play music, the music is played based on the music data stored in advance in the music data storage means in parallel with the execution of the navigation process while accessing the map data source via the data input device. It is possible to do.
[0006]
According to this, music data from the music source read by the data input device is stored in advance in the music data storage means, so that music can be reproduced even when the map data source is set in the data input device. Is possible. Therefore, the music playback by the music playback means does not hinder the execution of the navigation process, and as a result, the navigation function can be realized while the music is played back by the audio function.
[0007]
At this time, it is desirable to perform data compression when storing the music data from the music source read by the data input device in the music data storage means (the invention of claim 2). According to this, the data transfer speed can be increased and the storage capacity of the music data storage means can be reduced. As a data compression method, for example, an audio partial data compression algorithm according to the MP3 standard can be employed.
[0008]
Further, the music data from the music source read by the data input device may be stored in the music data storage means so that the music data can be edited (invention of claim 3). According to this, the music data of the music source is not stored as it is, but the user can perform editing such as changing the order of the desired music or selecting only the favorite music. Convenience can be improved.
[0009]
Further, the music data can be downloaded from an external device to the music data storage means (invention of claim 4). According to this, not only music data from a music source that can be read by the data input device but also music data can be downloaded by connecting to a personal computer or the like or communicating with the outside. Can be spread. The music source may be a music CD, and the music data storage means may be configured to store music data of a plurality of music CDs (invention of claim 5).
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a car navigation apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 schematically shows an overall electrical configuration of the navigation device (car navigation device) 1 according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 has a car audio function (radio and CD player function). It is configured by integrating.
[0015]
Here, the navigation device 1 includes a position detector 2, an external data input device 3 as a data input device, an operation switch group 4, a radio tuner 5, a control device 6 connected thereto, and a control device 6 connected thereto, which will be described later. A memory 7 for storing music data or the like, for example, a hard disk or the like, a display device 8 having a full color liquid crystal display, for example, an external information input / output device 9 for transmitting / receiving data to / from an infrastructure such as a VICS system, a remote controller A sensor 10 and an audio device 11 are provided.
[0016]
The position detector 2 includes a geomagnetic sensor 12, a gyroscope 13, a distance sensor 14, and a GPS receiver 15 for a GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. have. These sensors 12 to 15 are disposed at appropriate portions of the vehicle. Since the sensors 12 to 15 of the position detector 2 have errors of different properties, the control device 6 is configured to be used while interpolating each of the sensors 12 to 15. Based on this, the current position, traveling direction, speed, travel distance, etc. of the vehicle are detected with high accuracy. Depending on the accuracy, the position detector may be constituted by a part of the above-described sensors 12 to 15, and in addition to the above, a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor for rolling wheels, etc. may be employed. Is possible.
[0017]
In this case, the external data input device 3 comprises a compact disc (or DVD) drive device, and reads map data from a map CD-ROM 16 as a map data source and music data from a music CD 17 as a music source. Is possible. The map CD-ROM 16 stores various data including road map data, landmark data, so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection, and the road map data includes road shape, road width, It includes data such as road names, buildings, various facilities, their telephone numbers, place names, and topography, and data for reproducing the road map on the screen of the display device 8.
[0018]
The operation switch group 4 includes various mechanical devices for the user (driver) to input various commands such as designation of a destination, selection of a road map displayed on the display device 8, and instructions related to an audio function. It consists of switches. Further, a part of the operation switch group 4 is configured by a touch panel (not shown) provided on the screen of the display device 8. A remote control terminal 18 (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller 18) having a function equivalent to that of the operation switch group 4 is also provided, and an operation signal from the remote controller 18 is detected by the remote control sensor 10. It has become.
[0019]
On the screen of the display device 8, a road map of various scales is normally displayed, and a pointer indicating the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle is displayed superimposed on the display. In addition, various input screens for the user to input a destination, various messages, information, and the like are also displayed. Furthermore, when the route guidance function for guiding to the destination is executed, the route to be overlapped on the road map is displayed. On the screen of the display device 8, a screen for performing selection related to an audio function such as a music data editing screen (see FIG. 3) described later is also displayed.
[0020]
The control device 6 is configured as a normal computer and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, a bus line connecting them, and the like (not shown in detail). The control device 6 functions as a navigation control means for executing navigation processing such as a location function for knowing the current position of the vehicle, automatic route search and route guidance, and the audio device 11 by the software configuration. It has an audio control function to control and execute music performance.
[0021]
The location function reads the road map data around the current position by accessing the map CD-ROM 16 with the map CD-ROM 16 set in the external data input device 3, and displays the road map on the display device 8. And a pointer indicating the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle based on the detection of the position detector 2 is displayed. In this case, as the vehicle travels, the display of the current position moves on the map, and the map is scrolled according to the position of the vehicle. At this time, map matching is performed in which the current position of the vehicle is placed on the road. Furthermore, switching of the type (scale) of the map displayed on the display device 8 is performed based on the user's command input.
[0022]
The automatic route search function automatically calculates a recommended travel route from the starting point (current position) of the vehicle to the destination input by the user based on the operation of the operation switch group 4 by the user. As the method, a known Dijkstra method or the like is used. Further, the function of the route guidance is to display the travel route (route) obtained by the automatic route search on the screen of the display device 8 and to guide to the destination. For example, voice guidance such as “the intersection is 200 m ahead is on the left” is also performed.
[0023]
As will be described later in the description of the operation, in this embodiment, the control device 6 determines whether or not the music CD 17 is set in the external data input device 3 by its software configuration. In the set state, the music data of the music CD 17 is read and stored in the memory 7 based on the operation of the operation switch group 4 by the user. Therefore, this memory 7 functions as music data storage means.
[0024]
At this time, in this embodiment, when the music data of the music CD 17 is stored in the memory 7, unnecessary music in the music CD 17 is deleted or the music order is changed by the user's operation of the operation switch group 4 (touch panel etc.). Editing of music data is possible. For editing the music data, the number of tracks in the music CD 17 is detected and, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the track number is shown on the display device 8 (when the song name of each track is known, the edit name is displayed). This is performed by inputting a desired performance order by a user's touch panel operation. It is also possible to store music data of a plurality of music CDs 17. Therefore, the control device 6 functions as an editing unit together with the operation switch group 4 and the like.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the music data (edited data) of the music CD 17 is stored in the memory 7 in a compressed state by the music data compression technique. As this data compression method, for example, an audio partial data compression algorithm based on the MP3 (MPEG1 Layer-3Audio) standard can be adopted. In this method, sound that cannot be heard by humans is cut and compressed. Thus, a high compression ratio of about 1/10 of the data before compression can be obtained while maintaining the sound quality close to that of a music CD. Therefore, the control device 6 functions as data compression means.
[0026]
Then, as described above, when the map CD-ROM 16 is set in the external data input device 3, the control device 6 executes navigation processing such as a location function. When data is stored, as shown in FIG. 4, an icon A for instructing music playback (“PLAY”) is displayed on the screen of the display device 8 during navigation processing (map display). It is supposed to let you. When the icon A is touched by the user in this state, the music data stored in the memory 7 is decompressed and reproduced by the audio device 11 (music performance) in parallel with the execution of the navigation process. It is supposed to be executed.
[0027]
The music data stored in the memory 7 is stored until it is deleted by the user. Of course, when the music CD 17 is instructed by the user in a state where the music CD 17 is set in the external data input device 3, the music CD 17 is reproduced in real time.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 1 shows an outline of a processing procedure executed by the control device 6 for a portion related to music reproduction of the music CD 17 in the car audio function-integrated navigation device 1 configured as described above. Yes.
[0029]
That is, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the music CD 17 is set in the external data input device 3. Here, when the user wants to listen to the music CD 17 (or wants to listen to music on the music CD 17 while performing navigation processing later), the user sets the music CD 17 in the external data input device 3. When it is desired to execute the navigation process, the map CD-ROM 16 is set in the external data input device 3 (or remains set).
[0030]
If the music CD 17 is set in the external data input device 3 (Yes in step S1), the music data of the music CD 17 is stored in the display device 8 in the next step S2, or the performance (reproduction) is performed as it is. ) Is displayed (not shown) that allows the user to select whether to do. If the user wants to listen to the music CD 17 immediately, if he selects to play as it is (No in step S2), the music CD 17 is reproduced in real time in step S3.
[0031]
On the other hand, when it is selected to store music data (Yes in step S2), music data editing processing is performed in the next step S4. In this editing process, as described above, the number of tracks in the music CD 17 is detected, and an editing screen showing track numbers (and song names) is displayed on the display device 8 as shown in FIG. This is done by inputting the order of the songs. Thus, the user can perform editing such as changing the order of desired songs or selecting only favorite songs. Of course, the music data in the music CD 17 can be stored as it is without performing the editing process.
[0032]
When the editing process is completed, the edited music data is compressed in the next step S5, and the compressed music data is stored in the memory 7 in step S6. As described above, the compression process is performed by, for example, the audio partial data compression algorithm according to the MP3 standard. As a result, the amount of data is compressed to about 1/10, and the data transfer speed can be increased. Data storage capacity can be reduced.
[0033]
When the storage of the compressed music data in the memory 7 is completed, it is determined in step S6 whether or not there is a replacement of the source (compact disc) to the external data input device 3. For example, if the user wants to listen to (store) another music CD 17, the user may replace the previous music CD 17. If the user wants to execute navigation processing, the user may replace the map CD-ROM 16. To. If there is no replacement (No in step S7), the music CD 17 is reproduced as it is (step S3).
[0034]
If the replacement has been made (Yes in step S7), the process returns to step S1 to determine whether the music CD 17 or not. If it is a music CD 17, the processing from step S2 is repeated again. On the other hand, when the map CD-ROM 16 is replaced and when the map CD-ROM 16 has been set from the beginning as described above (No in step S1), the memory 7 is stored in the next step S8. It is determined whether music data is stored. Here, if there is no music data in the memory 7 (No in step S8), navigation processing (step S9) while accessing the map data of the map CD-ROM 16 set in the external data input device 3 (step S9). The location function, route search, route guidance, etc.) are executed as they are.
[0035]
On the other hand, when music data is stored in the memory 7 (Yes in step S8), as described above, the icon A for instructing music playback is displayed on the screen of the display device 8 (see FIG. 4), it is determined in step S10 whether or not there is an instruction to play music. In a state where music reproduction is not instructed (No in step S10), navigation processing such as the location function, route search and route guidance described above is executed (step S9). In this case, the icon A remains displayed on the screen of the display device 8 together with the map display related to the navigation process.
[0036]
When the user wants to listen to music related to the music data stored in the memory 7 in parallel with the execution of the navigation process, the user touches the icon A to instruct music playback (in step S10). Yes). Then, in step S11, the music data is decompressed and reproduced, and the navigation process is executed in parallel. In this case, music data is stored in advance in the memory 7 so that music can be reproduced in parallel even when the map CD-ROM 16 is set in the external data input device 3 and navigation processing is being executed. Is possible.
[0037]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the control related to the navigation function and the audio control by the single control device 6, and at the same time, the map CD-ROM 16 is connected to the map CD-ROM 16 by the single external data input device 3. The data can be read from the music CD 17 and the configuration is simplified. The music data from the music CD 17 is stored in the memory 7 and accessed to the map CD-ROM 16 via the external data input device 3. In parallel with the execution of the navigation process, the music can be played.
[0038]
As a result, when playing a music CD as in the prior art, the navigation function can be realized while the music is played by the audio function, unlike the case where the navigation function cannot be executed. The effect of becoming can be obtained. In particular, in this embodiment, the music data is compressed and stored in the memory 7, so that the data transfer speed can be increased and the storage capacity of the memory 7 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the music data can be edited, it is possible to obtain a merit that convenience for the user can be improved.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, the music data of the music CD 17 read by the external data input device 3 is compressed and stored in the memory 7. In addition, a serial port is provided in the navigation device, for example, with a personal computer or the like. It may be configured to be connectable and to download music data compressed in advance by a personal computer to a memory. The music data can be transferred using a memory card or the like. Furthermore, if the data transfer speed is sufficiently high, the music data can be downloaded via the Internet using a car phone or the like. It becomes possible. By these, the range of the music source which can be used can be expanded.
[0056]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the map data source and the music source are not limited to a compact disc, and may be other storage media such as a DVD, and music. The data storage means and the map data storage means are not limited to a hard disk, but may be a memory card, SRAM, DRAM, or the like. Furthermore, the music data compression method is not limited to MP3, and various methods are adopted. It can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not departing from the gist.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a portion related to music performance. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a navigation device. Fig. 4 shows an example of an edit screen. Fig. 4 shows an example of a screen on which an icon for instructing music playback is displayed.
In the drawings, 1 is a navigation device, 3 is an external data input device (data input device), 4 is an operation switch group, 6 is a control device (navigation control means, music playback means, data compression means, editing means), and 7 is a memory. (Music data storage means, map data storage means), 8 is a display device, 11 is an audio device, 16 is a map CD-ROM (map data source), and 17 is a music CD (music source).

Claims (4)

A data input device capable of reading map data from a map data source and reading music data from a music CD ;
Navigation control means for executing navigation processing while accessing the map data source via the data input device;
When the user selects to store a music CD, the music data from the music CD read by the data input device can be stored, and the music data of another music CD can be further stored. Music data storage means for storing music data of a music CD until the user erases the music data;
Music reproduction means for reproducing music based on the music data stored in the music data storage means,
In a state where the navigation process is being performed, when a user instructs music playback, the navigation control means accesses the map data source via the data input device, in parallel with the execution of the navigation process. navigation system, characterized in that to enable the reproduction of music based on pre-stored music data to the music data storage means by the music reproduction unit. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising data compression means for compressing the music data read by the data input device and storing the compressed music data in the music data storage means. 3. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising editing means for editing music data read by the data input apparatus and storing the music data in the music data storage means. 4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein music data can be downloaded from an external device to the music data storage means.

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