JP2002262338A - Mobile communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems of a conventional mobile communication unit wherein a route from current positions of mobile communication units to other parties' positions has to be sought in order to meet with each other and more difficult work is required when they have lost their ways because they have only to orally explain their current positions when they inform the other party about their own locations. SOLUTION: The mobile communication units of this invention acquire its own current position information from a satellite such as a GPS, acquire position information of the opposite party from a position information service center, acquire map information from a map information database, and display the position information of the both and a map on a display section to recognize its own position and a position of the opposite party.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio communication device using a satellite.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A signal from a GPS satellite is received, and information on a position, a date, a time, and the like is obtained. A place name, an event name, and a map related to the position, the date, a time, etc. are recorded simultaneously with photographing. A video camera is disclosed in JP-A-9-98323. The configuration is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, 1 is GP
The S antenna 2 and the GPS processing unit 2 constitute a GPS receiver. The GPS processing unit (2) receives predetermined frequency signals from a plurality of satellites from the GPS antenna (1) and outputs the current position, date, time, and time. Reference numeral 5 denotes an imaging unit, which includes a lens, an aperture, a CCD imaging device, and the like, and converts a subject image formed on the imaging device through the lens into a video signal. Reference numeral 4 denotes a memory, which stores position information that associates the date, time with a place name, an event name, a map, and the like. Reference numeral 8 denotes a key input unit, which is a display key for simultaneously displaying an image to be captured and position information on the screen (51), a mode key for selecting a mode of position information to be recorded, and selecting position information to be recorded. And a recording key for simultaneously recording the image to be shot and the position information. Reference numeral 3 denotes a position information processing unit, which determines a position, date and time, and a place name related to the position, date and time, etc. measured by the GPS processing unit (2) at the time of photographing according to the state of the key of the key input unit (8).
This is a position information processing unit that reads out position information such as the name of an event and a map from the memory (4) and outputs it to the recording unit (52). 53 is a recording unit that simultaneously records the video signal output from the imaging unit (5) and the place name, event name, map, etc. output from the position information processing unit (3).

Also, it is difficult to provide a camera unit in a mobile phone, display an image taken by the camera on a display unit, and transmit the displayed image using a mobile phone line.
This is a well-known technique. Further, it is also possible to acquire the current position information of the user as map information from the position information obtained from the GPS and send it to the other party.

[0004]

When mobile phone users are waiting, for example, and one of them is lost, they try to grasp each other's position by voice call or mail. However, those who are lost often do not know their current location, and it is difficult to explain their location to the other party. Also,
Conversely, a person waiting at a meeting place wants to explain to the other party the directions from the position of the other party to the meeting place, but there is a problem that the explanation cannot be made because the position of the other party is not known.

As a solution to this, it is conceivable to use a mobile phone with a camera. There is a way for a lost person to take a picture of the surrounding scenery and send it to the other party to tell them their current location. However, it is of no use if they are on unfamiliar lands or if they are lost. Also, even if you shoot and send a scenery around you, the other party must be able to know exactly the location of the scenery from the land where similar scenery exists in many places and the shooting direction. Such a method is useless at all.

[0006] A method of sending the current position as map information to the other party is conceivable. However, when the other party is unfamiliar with the land, for example, this method is not useful because the mutual positional relationship is unknown.

Also, if the meeting place is crowded,
Sometimes I don't know when my opponent is nearby. In particular, when meeting with a person to meet for the first time, it is often difficult to know even if the other party is nearby.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a first antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals and a second antenna for transmitting and receiving satellite signals.
A satellite signal processing unit for extracting own position information from the satellite signal, a key input unit for inputting non-voice information and selecting various functions, and accessing a map information database to obtain map information And a display unit capable of displaying the position information and the map information, and wirelessly communicate with the position information service center holding the current position information of a desired partner via the first antenna. It is possible to obtain location information of the other party by connecting via a line, and to obtain map information of the surrounding area from the map information database based on at least one of the location information of the other party and the location information of the other party. A portable communication device that displays the obtained map information and at least one of the position information of the user and the position information of the other party on a display unit.

[0009] Further, in the above portable communication device, one antenna serves as both the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0010] Further, the portable communication device is characterized in that the map information database is an external device.

[0011] On the other hand, the portable communication device is characterized in that the map information database is built in.

In addition, a one-touch key operation obtains the current position of the user, obtains map information based on the current position, and automatically executes a series of operations for displaying the current position and the map information on a display unit. The portable communication device according to the above, characterized in that the portable communication device can be executed in a flexible manner.

Further, when the user's current position and the map information are displayed on the display section, the position information of the other party can be obtained by inputting the ID of the desired party. It is.

Further, by inputting the ID of the desired partner, the position information of the partner is automatically acquired, and the position information of the partner, the position information of the partner, and the map information are displayed on the display unit. The mobile communication device according to the above, wherein a series of operations to be displayed are executed.

Further, by registering the ID of a desired partner in advance, one-touch key operation automatically obtains its own location information, acquires the location information of the other party, and obtains the location information of both parties. The mobile communication device according to the above, wherein a series of operations of acquiring map information related to the mobile terminal, displaying the own location information, the partner's location information, and the map information on a display unit are performed.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a GPS-equipped mobile phone according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an antenna, 3 is a duplexer, 4 is a receiving unit, 5 is a transmitting unit, and a transmitting unit (5).
In, a signal to be transmitted is converted into a predetermined form for transmission, and the converted transmission signal is sent to the duplexer (3). The duplexer (3) sends a signal to be transmitted to the antenna (1), wirelessly transmits the signal from the antenna (1), and
The signal received from the antenna (1) is sent to the receiving section (4) by the duplexer (3), and the receiving section (4) demodulates the received signal and performs the processing in the control section (6). At the time of transmission, the control unit (6) processes voice input by the microphone (9) or non-voice information input from the operation unit (8), and sends it to the transmission unit. Also, at the time of reception, it receives a signal demodulated from the receiving section (4) and outputs an audio signal to the speaker (2).
Then, a non-voice signal is output to the display unit (7). The storage unit (10) stores a telephone number, a received message, and the like, and can read out the information by operating the operation unit (8) as needed. The operation unit (8) includes a key input unit including operation buttons.

The GPS data is stored in a GPS antenna (12).
GPS data (e.g., latitude and longitude data) is received via the GPS, converted into a data shape that can be processed in the mobile phone by the GPS processing unit (11), and sent to the control unit (6).

Next, the outline of the present invention is shown in FIG. The mobile phone B is equipped with a GPS antenna, and can communicate with a GPS satellite to obtain data on its own position (eg, latitude and longitude). At this time, communication is normally performed with three GPS satellites, but FIG. 2 shows only one GPS satellite for simplicity.
The location data obtained by the mobile phone B is used not only within the mobile phone B, but also based on the location information service.
B transmits the location data to the location information service center via the base station. In the location information service center, this location data and an ID indicating that the location data is the location data of the mobile phone B are held.

Next, it is assumed that when the user of the mobile phone A and the user of the mobile phone B are waiting, the mobile phone A is lost. The user of the mobile phone A can acquire his / her current location information using the GPS function. However, since the positional relationship with the user of the mobile phone B is not known, the user of the mobile phone A acquires the location information of the mobile phone B using the location information service. The user of the mobile phone A transmits the position information thus obtained to the map information content server, and transmits the map data related to the transmitted position to the mobile phone A from the map information content server. Come. The mobile phone A displays the map data thus obtained on the display unit (7).

As for the display of the map data on the display section (7), for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a map is displayed, and its position (user of the mobile phone A) is displayed on the map.
Here, it is represented by a Nico mark, but various display marks can be used. Also, in FIG. 3, the address is displayed in the balloon, but the display method is not limited to the method in FIG. If the user wants to know the position of the other user (user of the mobile phone B), the user inputs the ID number of the other user by inputting the ID number at the bottom of the screen, and the position of the other user is displayed on the map. In FIG. 3, the position of the partner user is represented by a heart mark. Various mark methods can be used for the display mark of the partner user. further,
The address display method is not limited to the method shown in FIG.

Next, a flowchart of the present invention is shown in FIG. If the user is lost, such as when meeting with someone, the user first obtains his / her current position information by the GPS function to confirm his / her current position (step 401).
The location information service is used based on the obtained current location information (step 402). The content server requests position information about its own position from the content server (step 403). The content server returns the transmitted map information near the position, and the user acquires the position information (step 40).
4). The position information and map information thus obtained are displayed on the display unit (step 405). A series of operations from Step 401 to Step 405 may be performed automatically or manually. The selection may be made possible. In the case of performing the operation automatically, a one-touch key may be provided. As the one-touch key, a dedicated key may be provided on the operation unit (8), a key may be used as a shared key, or a soft key may be used.

Next, if the difference between the displayed position and the meeting place can be recognized on the map, there is no need to confirm the position of the partner user (step 406).
Therefore, the function of the present invention ends without confirming the position of the partner user (step 407). However, if it is not possible to recognize the difference between the waiting position or the position of the other party on the displayed position and the map (step 406), the user inputs the partner ID number as shown in FIG. 3 (step 4).
08). Here, the partner ID number may be any number that can identify the partner, such as the telephone number of the partner.
Enter your password to use the location information service. In this way, the other party is specified, and the location information service center is requested for the location information of the other party (step 40).
9). The location information service center returns the location information if the location information of the requested partner can be serviced,
The user acquires the location information of the other party (step 41).
0).

If the position information of the partner obtained in this way can be displayed on the currently displayed map (step 411), the position information of the partner is additionally displayed on the map as shown in FIG. (Step 414). On the other hand, if the obtained location information of the other party cannot be displayed on the currently displayed map (step 411), the map information including both the current location of the user and the location of the other party is provided by the map information service. A request is made to the content server (step 412). The content server returns the requested map information, and the user acquires the map information (step 413). The position information and the map information of both thus obtained are displayed on the display unit, and the display screen is as shown in FIG. 3 (step 41).
4).

Here, steps 408 to 41
The series of operations up to 4 may be performed automatically or manually. In addition, the configuration may be such that automatic or manual selection can be made. In the case of automatic operation, in step 408, inputting the ID number of the partner user is triggered to operate automatically.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, a series of operations following steps 401 to 406 and steps 408 to 414 may be automatically performed. For this purpose, the ID number of the other party with whom to wait may be registered in advance in the user's mobile communication terminal by some method, and the operation of FIG. 4 may be activated by a key operation on the operation unit. In this case, the key operation on the operation unit may be performed by providing a dedicated key on the operation unit, using any key as a shared key, or using a soft key.

Further, when the present invention is implemented in a portable communication terminal equipped with a camera, a scene at the current position is photographed, and the photographed image can be transmitted to the other party together with the map and position information displayed by the present invention. You may.

In the present embodiment, the acquisition of map data depends on the map data service. However, it is also possible to have a map database in the portable communication terminal and acquire the map data by searching the database. I do not care.

[0029]

The portable communication device according to the present invention is based on its own current position obtained by the GPS, the position information of the waiting partner obtained through the position information service, and the map information obtained from the map information service. In addition, since the positional relationship between the two can be confirmed on a map, the positional relationship between the two can be grasped, and a partner to meet can be easily found.

Also, even if the meeting place is crowded,
You can find your opponent immediately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a display example of a display unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 GPS antenna 2 GPS processing unit 3 Position information processing unit 4 First storage unit 5 Imaging unit 6 Image information processing unit 7 Second storage unit 8 Key input unit 9 LOST key 10 Signal processing unit 11 Transmitting unit 12 Receiving unit 13 Antenna 14 First display unit 15 Second display unit 16 Input audio processing unit 17 Microphone 18 Output audio processing unit 19 Speaker 20 Memory 51 Screen 52 Recording unit 53 Recording means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideji Kawasaki 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 5J062 AA08 BB05 CC07 HH05 5K067 BB04 DD17 DD20 EE02 EE25 FF03 FF23 GG01 GG11 HH23 JJ56 KK01 KK15 5K101 KK08 LL12 MM05 MM07 NN18 PP03 TT06 UU16

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A first antenna for transmitting / receiving a radio signal, a second antenna for transmitting / receiving a satellite signal, a satellite signal processing unit for extracting own position information from the satellite signal, and inputting non-voice information. And a key input unit for selecting various functions, a map information access unit for accessing a map information database to obtain map information, and a display unit capable of displaying the position information and the map information. Have
It is connected to a location information service center holding the current location information of a desired partner through a wireless line via the first antenna, and can acquire the location information of the partner, and can obtain the location information of the self and the location information of the partner. Based on at least one of the above, it is possible to obtain map information of the surroundings from the map information database, and display the obtained map information and at least one of the own location information and the location information of the other party on the display unit. A portable communication device characterized by displaying. 2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein one antenna functions as both the first antenna and the second antenna.
A mobile communication device according to claim 1. 3. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the map information database is an external device. 4. The band communication device according to claim 1, wherein said map information database is built-in. 5. A series of operations for acquiring the current position of the user by one-touch key operation, acquiring map information based on the current position, and displaying the current position and the map information on a display unit. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the portable communication device can be executed in a flexible manner. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the current position and the map information of the self are displayed on the display unit, the position information of the other party can be obtained by inputting the ID of the desired party. Mobile communication device as described. 7. By inputting the ID of the desired partner, the position information of the partner is automatically acquired, and the position information of the partner, the position information of the partner, and the map information are displayed on the display unit. The mobile communication device according to claim 6, wherein a series of operations to be displayed are executed. 8. By registering the ID of a desired partner in advance, one-touch key operation automatically obtains own location information, acquires the location information of the other party, and obtains the location information of both parties. 5. A series of operations for acquiring map information related to the above and displaying the own location information, the other party's location information, and the map information on a display unit are performed.
A mobile communication device according to claim 1.