WO1992021001A1

WO1992021001A1 - Navigation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1992021001A1
Application number: PCT/JP1992/000674
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toshio Tsuyuki
Original assignee: Toshio Tsuyuki
Priority date: 1991-05-24
Filing date: 1992-05-25
Publication date: 1992-11-26
Also published as: AU1792292A

Abstract

A navigation apparatus which comprises a center (1) and mobile machines (3), reduces a load of the moving machine and simplifies its structure and functions. The center is stationary and has route data and target data of an associated area. The mobile machine is mounted on a vehicle or carried by people and moves anywhere. Wireless communication is made between the center and the mobile machine by their communication means (7, 11). When the user of the mobile machine inputs the data on the present position and the target destination, the data are transmitted to the center. The center retrieves route data and target data on the basis of the transmitted data and feeds them back to the mobile machine. The mobile machine displays the course (33) to the destination (31) on the screen of the display (4) on the basis of the retrieved route data and the target data. Indirect communication can be made between the center (1) and the mobile machine (3) in place of direct communication between them, by the use of a terminal (2) connected to the center (1).

Description

Description Navigation device Technical field

The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly to wireless communication between a large number of communication devices, for example, mounted on a vehicle or a portable device, and at least one center. It is systematically configured to communicate, each of the communication devices has a simple data entry configuration, a data display configuration, and, if necessary, a minimum amount of data, and the center has the required data. Prepared, each communication device gives the minimum data to the center and receives necessary data from the center, and the display or the vehicle or pedestrian equipped with the communication device is actually moving The present invention relates to a navigation device that displays at least the travel route information to be moved and the position of the travel destination. Background art

Conventional navigation devices mounted on vehicles such as automobiles are locators that use GPS and various sensors, beacons as calibration means, and precise map data. For this purpose, a small computer and memory are provided inside. Map on Me Mori A program for calculating data or data relating to the current moving position of the moving object is provided, and a computer is provided with a function for executing the calculation at high speed. The navigation equipment installed in the mobile unit stores a large amount of data using the computer and the memory, and rapidly processes * the arithmetic program based on the large amount of data, executes the program, and It is configured to obtain the current position of the moving object, the destination of the movement, etc., and display them on the display unit.

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Therefore, in conventional navigation devices, the burden demands on such devices were very high.

The above-mentioned problem of high burden demands also occurs in portable navigation devices used for, for example, pedestrians. However, the pedestrian portable navigation device does not have a locator, so the burden is reduced accordingly.

As other related devices, there are a map display device using an electronic organizer and a map display device for displaying a map given by a fax service. These devices do not have a function as a navigation device.

In other words, in order to function as a navigation device, it is necessary for the user to be provided with a basis for deciding to reach the destination. At least the destination and current It is necessary to provide the positional relationship of the current position as display information, and to provide reference materials for determining the direction to take based on the display information. However, in the related device of the related art, only a map, which is background information, is provided. In addition, when a map is provided, the load on the device increases, since data storage, transmission / reception, and display are performed satisfactorily. I

An object of the present invention is to be applied to a car or a pedestrian, and to simplify the configuration and functions of a vehicle-mounted or portable navigation device that moves together with an automobile, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that reduces the load on the navigation equipment. Disclosure of the invention

The navigation device according to the present invention includes at least one center and generally a large number of mobile devices.

Mobile devices are mounted on vehicles or carried by pedestrians. That is, it is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle and a pedestrian. The mobile device includes an input unit for inputting information on the current position of the mobile unit and information on the destination of the mobile unit, a transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting and receiving various data related to the input information, a display unit, and moving path data. The travel path including the current position is displayed on the screen of the display unit as a progress line based on the And a processing unit for displaying the moving destination as a target point on the screen based on the evening.

The center will be fixed. The center receives the travel path data storage section, the target data storage section, and the information on the current position and the travel destination transmitted from the mobile station, and searches for the travel path corresponding to the received information. A transmission / reception unit for transmitting data and target data to the mobile device, and searching for the corresponding traveling route data from the traveling route data storage unit based on the information on the current position and the traveling destination received by the transmitting / receiving unit, and transmitting the target data. It consists of a processing unit that retrieves target data from the storage unit.o

The mobile device and the center communicate with each other using their respective communication functions, and when the user uses the mobile device to enter the current location and destination of the mobile device, the mobile device enters the entered current location. And the destination information are sent to the center. The center retrieves the travel route data and target data corresponding to the current position and the destination and sends them to the mobile device. The mobile device displays the travel line and the target point on the screen of the display unit based on the travel route data and target data sent from the center.

In the above configuration, preferably, the information on the current position of the moving object and the information on the moving destination input at the input unit of the mobile device include a passage, an intersection, a roadside facility, a place name and a place number. Given by one of the names. Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, preferably, the mobile device has a code comparison table, and the information on the current position of the mobile device and the information on the travel destination input at the input section of the mobile device are in the form of a code. It is given by the code of the passage, the intersection, the facility along the road, the place name or the lot number using the table.

In the above configuration, preferably, each of the mobile unit and the communication unit of the center is configured by a wireless system.

The center has at least one terminal connected by wire or wirelessly. Terminals complement the functions of the center. This terminal has a structure to be connected to the mobile device, and can transmit information on the current position and the destination of travel output from the mobile device to the center. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the center.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a typical operation of the navigation device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the screen of the display unit. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a basic system configuration of a navigation device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a center, which has a function as a base station whose installation position is fixed. Reference numeral 3 denotes a communication device mounted on a vehicle or carried by a pedestrian or the like. The communication device 3 has a function as a mobile station that moves with a vehicle or the like, does not have a fixed position, and has a simple configuration. Hereinafter, the communication device 3 is referred to as “mobile device 3”. Vehicles, pedestrians, and the like are referred to as moving objects.

Center 1 is assigned a designated area in charge and is assigned to cover the area in charge. Center 1 will have at least one station. As for the mobile unit 3, since the number of users is generally large, there are usually many mobile units 3 for the center 1. In the case of this embodiment, one of the mobile units 3 is shown with its internal configuration clarified.

Center 1 and mobile unit 3 each have a built-in communication function using radio waves and have antennas la and 3a. In FIG. 1, M indicates a radio wave generated during communication. The navigation device according to the present embodiment includes a center 1 and a mobile device 3. As mentioned above, in practice, mobile 3 exist in large numbers according to the number of users.

Figure 2 shows the internal configuration of Center 1. The center 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 11 for performing wireless communication with the mobile device 3 using the radio wave M, a storage unit 12 having various data storage units, and a transmission / reception unit 1. Based on the data supplied from (1), necessary data is searched for and retrieved from the storage unit (12), and a predetermined processing procedure is executed to create data required by the mobile device (3). And a processing unit 13 for sending the data to the mobile device 3. The storage unit 12 includes at least a moving path data storage unit 12a, a target data storage unit 12b, an area data storage unit 12c, and a storage unit for other data and programs. 1 2 d is provided.

The travel route data stored in the travel route data storage unit 12a includes, for example, a road or a passage (hereinafter referred to as a road) where the mobile object exists, which is specified based on the coordinate data of the position of the mobile device equipped with the mobile device 3. , Roads, etc.). All roads and the like included in the area covered by the center 1 are stored as moving path data in the moving path data storage section 12a.

The target data storage section 12b stores the position data of the destination of the moving object. The position data of the moving destination is specified based on the target request data sent from the mobile device 3 side. For example, when the current position of the mobile device 3 and the destination as the movement target are given to the center 1, the area data storage unit 12c includes the movement path and the movement destination corresponding to the current position. This is the storage unit for finding the area to be updated. Data on coordinates' is stored.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the mobile device 3 includes a display unit 4, an input unit 5, a processing unit 6, a transmission / reception unit 7, and a storage unit 8. The input / output end of the transmitting / receiving section 7 is connected to the antenna 3a. The transmission / reception unit 7 exchanges signals with the center 1 via radio waves based on the communication function. The input unit 5 is operated by an operator using the mobile device 1, and is a means for inputting required data to the processing unit 6. Various formats can be used as the configuration of the input unit 5. For example, a voice input unit, a key input unit, a touch screen, etc. can be used.

Important input items that are input by the operator operating the input unit 5 on the mobile device 3 include information on the current position where the mobile device 3 is located and whether or not the mobile device 3 can reach the input item. This is information about the moving destination. The current position where the mobile device 3 exists is the current location on the map of the mobile device equipped with the mobile device 3. The current location where the mobile device 3 is located and the travel destination are specified by various landmarks. Examples of landmarks include passages, intersections, and roadside Location, place name, lot number, etc. exist. To identify a landmark, its name or a predetermined code is used.

When inputting information such as the current position using a code, a comparison table that associates the code with the location on the map is added to the mobile device 3 as an attachment. When entering the code, the operator refers to the comparison table. Reference numeral 14 denotes a reference table added to the mobile device 3 and used by the operator.

The storage unit 8 stores data input via the input unit 5 and relatively simple programs executed by the processing unit 6. The processing unit 6 appropriately adjusts the position information specifying the current position of the mobile device 3 and the movement destination information input via the input unit 5, and transmits the information via the transmission / reception unit 7 to the center. The function to send the data to the side 1 and the data about the moving route and the position of the moving destination sent from the center 1 are stored in the storage device 8 for further use. It has a function of displaying a desired state on the screen of the display device 4.

The display unit 4 for displaying a moving path and the like is formed using CRT, liquid crystal, or the like.

Next, an operation for assisting the traveling of the moving body in the navigation device including the center 1 and the mobile device 3 having the above configuration will be described.

Fig. 3 shows the operations performed by the navigation device. This is a flowchart showing a typical example. The operation shown in the flowchart is such that, under the mutual communication between the processing unit 13 of the center 1 and the processing unit 6 of the mobile device 3, each of the processing units 13 and 6 has a function in charge. It is done by executing.

In the mobile device 3, the operator operates the input keys of the input unit 5 to input information on the current position of the moving object and information on the destination of the moving object to be reached from now. Then, the processing unit 6 takes in the input information (step 21). The processing unit 6 stores the input current position information and destination information in, for example, the storage unit 8 and displays the information on the display unit 4 (step 21). As information on the current position and the destination, for example, names and codes such as passages, intersections, roadside facilities, place names and lot numbers are used. Alphabet keys are used to input the name. When inputting with a code, as described above, a code is obtained from a code comparison table 14 prepared in advance, and the code is input using a numeric key or the like. Use the number keys for number codes and the bar code reader for bar codes.

The operator looks at the contents displayed on the display unit 4 and confirms whether the current position entered by the user and the destination to be moved have been correctly entered. After confirmation, press the call key of the input unit 5, and use the transmitting / receiving unit 7 and the antenna 3a to transfer. The motive 3 sends the current position information and the destination information to the center 1 (step 22). The current location information and destination information are sent to Center 1 via radio wave M. The transmission of the current position information and the destination information from the mobile device 3 to the center 1 includes the coordinate data of the position and shape of the road or the like corresponding to the current position and the coordinate data of the position of the destination. This is done to have you send from 1. In other words, the transmission is for the mobile device 3 to request the center 11 for the traveling route data corresponding to the current position and the target data corresponding to the moving destination.

The processing unit 13 of the center 1 fetches the information on the current position and the destination of the moving object sent from the side of the mobile unit 3 via the antenna la and the transmitting / receiving unit 11 to the internal unit. By operating the search means provided in the storage unit 12, data specifying the moving path including the current position of the moving object 3 and data specifying the target corresponding to the moving destination are stored in the storage unit of the storage unit 12. Search (step 23). The data specifying the moving route, that is, the moving route data, is coordinate data relating to the position and shape of the road or the like on which the moving object is currently traveling. The data specifying the target, that is, the target data, is coordinate data on the position of the destination. The travel route data is stored in the travel route data storage section 12a. The target data is stored in the target data storage unit 12b. Therefore, the above-mentioned search means is provided with a The storage section 12a searches for travel route data, and the target data storage section 12b searches for target data. Both the travel route data and the target data are expressed as coordinate data on a predetermined map.

In the above-described search of the travel route data and the target data, an area including the current location and the travel destination is obtained, and the area is stored in the area data storage section 12c to obtain the area. In this case, the processing unit 13 performs an arbitrary operation to obtain an area including the current position and the moving destination. As a general calculation method, a coordinate value representing each position of a destination and a current position is set as an upper limit value and a lower limit value, respectively, and an area including these values is calculated. There is also a method of calculating an area including a line segment connecting the current location and the destination. By obtaining an area including the current position and the moving destination, it is possible to simultaneously display the moving target and the moving path on the screen of the display unit 4 of the mobile device 3.

The moving route data and the target data retrieved by the retrieval means of the processing unit 13 are transmitted to the transmitting mobile station 3 via the transmitting / receiving unit 7 and the antenna 1a (step 2). Four ) .

The mobile device 3 receives the transmission radio wave from the center 1 (step 25). The processing unit 6 of the mobile device 3 receives the received travel route data and target data, and stores them in the storage unit 8. Thereafter, the processing unit 6 transmits the data transmitted from the center 1. Using the obtained moving path data, a line representing the moving path is displayed on the screen of the display unit 4 (step 25). The line representing the moving path is called a traveling line, and is a line indicating a road or the like including the current position of the moving object equipped with the mobile device 3. The traveling line is created and displayed in the processing section 6 based on the coordinate data of the position and shape of the road and the like included in the moving path data. Further, the processing unit 6 displays the moving destination as a point on the screen of the display unit 4 using the target data (step 25).

The progress line and the point indicating the destination displayed on the screen of the display unit 4 are displayed in a state that exactly satisfies the positional relationship on the map. As a result, the user of the mobile device 3 can see the display contents of the display unit 4 to grasp the relationship between the current position and the destination on the map such as position, direction, and distance. I can do it.

FIG. 4 shows an example of display contents on the screen of the display unit 4. In FIG. 4, 3 1 is a point representing a travel destination,

Reference numeral 32 denotes a mark indicating a facility or the like indicating the current position, and reference numeral 33 denotes a traveling line indicating a road or the like.

According to the above configuration, the mobile device 3 only needs to have a simple configuration and functions, and can reduce the burden.

With respect to the above configuration, the following modified embodiments are possible. In a configuration in which the input section 5 of the mobile device 3 is operated to give a code such as the current position, a display plate is installed at an appropriate position on a road or the like instead of preparing the code comparison table 14. It can be configured to post a code on the display plate.

A terminal 2 that can communicate with the center 1 by wire or wirelessly may be installed along a road or the like in an appropriate arrangement. However, if it is desired to obtain travel route data and target data, the connection terminal provided on the mobile device 3 is connected to the connection terminal of the terminal device 2 to exchange data with the center 1 via the terminal device 2. In the configuration of this embodiment, since it is not necessary to equip the mobile device 3 with a wireless communication function unit, the device configuration becomes simpler and the load is reduced. For example, a dedicated device may be installed or, for example, a public telephone may be improved and used.

In the configuration using terminal 2, it is not necessary to send information about the current position, since the position of the terminal is usually known on the side of center 1.

When a public telephone is used as the terminal 2, there are an original call function and a function for requesting navigation information. It is assumed that the location of the public telephone is registered in center 11. When requesting navigation information using a public telephone, identify the public telephone at the same time The code is automatically sent to Center 1. The center 1 retrieves the travel route data including the position of the public telephone based on this code, and transmits it together with the target data to the mobile station 3 via the public telephone.

For the configuration of Center 1, it is not necessary to centralize all data and functions. Data and functions can also be distributed to the elements that make up a navigation system, that is, mobile devices, terminals, and other similar components. Also in this case, the burden on the mobile device 3 is reduced as compared with the conventional case.

In addition, the mobile device 3 is configured to have a unique code, and when the mobile device 3 is used to request information service from the center 1, the code is assigned to the center 1. It can also be configured to use this code to provide a continuous series of navigation information services. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to set a moving destination each time information is requested.

By using the travel route storage unit 12a provided in the storage unit 12 of the center 1, when searching for target data, it is also necessary to search for roads including travel destinations. More detailed travel route data can be searched for and found. The searched moving route data is transmitted to the mobile device 3 together with the target data, and is displayed on the screen of the display unit 4 as road information around the target. Display the road that contains the goal By doing so, it is possible to give convenience to access to moving routes.

Although the mobile device 3 can be prepared as a dedicated device, it can be prepared by using a conventionally used device such as a mobile phone, a mobile communication device, or a mobile computer. It is also preferable to configure it as a required functional part.

If the mobile device 3 has a print function, it can be configured to print other information along with the map.

Regarding the operation of the mobile unit 3, in the above-described embodiment, the input of the information for specifying the current position and the input of the transmission command were performed by the operation of the operator, but all operations other than the information input can be automated. You.

Operations at the center are usually partially mediated. However, it can be configured to automate everything without human intervention.

When a base station, a dedicated terminal, or a public telephone used as a terminal is used as a facility that can identify each road, etc., a code is attached to each of them. In Center 1, it is desirable to perform the above-mentioned search based on the transmitted code.

When a telephone is used as the mobile unit 3, the telephone number of the telephone is notified to the center 1 and the telephone number is used. It is desirable that the center 1 and the mobile device 3 perform mutual wireless or wired communication to exchange necessary data.

The processing section of the center 1.As the contents of the processing performed in the 13, the other, the optimum route to the moving destination is calculated by calculation, and the data representing the optimum route is transmitted to the mobile device 3. In addition, the optimum route can be displayed on the display unit 4. In addition, it is possible to send traffic information and living information to the mobile device 3.

In the display unit 4 of the mobile device 3, it is desirable to display the current position and the moving destination on one screen. As a form of display on the display screen, first move in the wide area, display the destination and the current position, then set the screen by dividing it into, for example, 4 divisions, or divide the screen by a predetermined size at the center When a section is set, a number is assigned to each section, and the operator designates a desired section number by key input or the like, the section is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen. By repeating the above operation, an appropriate enlarged view can be obtained.

Contrary to the above enlargement operation, a reduction operation can also be performed. The enlargement operation and the reduction operation can be performed by operations opposite to each other.

Based on the above configuration, the following technical effects can be obtained. The navigation device is systematically composed of a mobile device and a center to simplify the functions of the mobile device. To reduce the burden. The functions required as a navigation device are distributed throughout the system, and a practical navigation device can be realized using a mobile phone or a portable computer that has been used in the past. Wear. It is effective as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, and the use of voice input can further reduce the operator's operation burden and improve safety. Industrial applications

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The navigation device according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle such as an automobile, and can accurately grasp a current position and a progress on a map, and can easily reach a destination, and can easily reach a destination. It solves the problem of concentration on specific roads and stray driving caused by uninformed traffic, thereby eliminating traffic congestion and enabling safe driving. In addition, the use of pedestrians as portable devices gives people who are not good at reading maps the basis for making decisions on route selection that is not possible simply by looking at a map. And make it easier to approach the destination without fail.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Input means provided in the moving body for inputting information on the current position of the moving body and information on the destination of movement, and communication means for transmitting and receiving various data related to the input information. Display means; a moving path including the current position as a traveling line based on the moving path data; displaying the moving path on the screen of the displaying means; and setting the moving destination as a target point based on the target data. A mobile device having processing means for displaying on the screen by

A moving path data storage unit, a target data storage unit, and information on the current position and the moving destination transmitted by the mobile device, and the moving path data and the target data retrieved according to the received information. Communication means for transmitting to the mobile device, searching for the corresponding travel route data from the travel route data storage unit based on the information on the current position and the travel destination received by the communication means; and A processing unit for retrieving target data from the target data storage unit; and a fixedly installed center.

The mobile device and the center communicate with each other by the respective communication means, and when a user inputs a current position and a movement destination of the mobile using the mobile device, the mobile device Is the input current location and destination information To the center, the center searches for travel route data and target data corresponding to the current position and the destination, and sends the data to the mobile device, and the mobile device sends the data from the center. A navigation device for displaying the traveling line and the target point on a screen of the display means based on the moving path data and the target data obtained.

2. In Claim 1, the information on the current position of the moving object and the information on the moving destination input by the input means of the mobile device include information on a passage, an intersection, a facility along a roadside, a place name and a place number. A navigation device characterized by being given one of the names.

3. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device has a code comparison table, and the information on the current position of the mobile device and the information on the destination of the mobile device input by the input means of the mobile device are Using a code comparison table, navigation equipment ao is characterized by being given by one of the following codes: passages, intersections, roadside facilities, place names, and place numbers.

4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means of the mobile device and the center is configured by a wireless system.

5. In claim 1, wherein the mobile device does not include the communication means, and instead, the center includes at least one terminal device for exchanging data with each other. The terminal has a structure for connecting to the mobile station, and transmits at least information on the destination of travel to the center, which is output from the mobile station, and transmits the information via the terminal. A navigation device configured to exchange data between the mobile device and the center.

6. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the center and the terminal are connected by a wired method.

7. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein the center and the terminal are connected by a wireless method.