JP2001091275A - Vehicular navigation device and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular navigation device and computer-readable storage media, capable of efficiently selective-using a plurality of communication networks having different accounting systems. SOLUTION: When gaining access to a Web site through a PDC communication network or a packet communication network, a vehicle-mounted machine selects either of the communication networks according to the preset selection information (S121-S122, S126-S127). For a Web site capable of gaining access via any communication network, a ratio R of the test data contained in the temporary data received in the past to image data is calculated, and either of the communication networks is selected automatically according to the ratio R (S124-S127).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a system in which a navigation unit for route guidance mounted on an automobile is connected to the Internet via a communication device, and traffic information and facility information can be obtained from a predetermined server on the Internet. ,
For example, JP-A-9-257501 or JP-A-10-
No. 089976 and the like.

[0003]

According to the above-described conventional navigation device capable of communicating with the Internet, various information can be obtained even while moving by car, and excellent convenience of efficient movement by car can be obtained. There is.

In such a navigation device,
In order to maximize such convenience, it is desirable that the communication device is always connected to the server, but in that case, the communication cost becomes a problem.

[0005] In recent years, a packet communication service of a pay-as-you-go system, in which charging is performed according to the amount of data transmitted and received in a mobile telephone network, is becoming widespread. According to such a packet communication service, it is possible to achieve both real-time information acquisition and economy of communication cost.

However, there is a wide variety of information that a user seeks to obtain through a communicable navigation device mounted on a vehicle. When the above-described packet communication is used, real-time distribution of news or the like mainly consisting of text data is required. Is effective, but if there is a lot of image data such as maps and photos, such as local information to be obtained at the destination, etc. Cannot be enjoyed effectively,
On the contrary, it is expected that the communication error rate will be high. Therefore, in the case of such data types, it is better to use a general time-based communication network.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular navigation device and a computer-readable storage medium that can efficiently use a plurality of communication networks having different charging modes.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, a vehicle navigation apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a communication means capable of communicating via the first communication network or the second communication network having different charging modes, and a communication fee or communication among the first communication network and the second communication network. And a control unit for controlling the communication unit so as to select any communication network capable of suppressing time and perform communication via the selected communication network.

Further, for example, in accordance with the information content obtained by the communication means, the selection information of either the first communication network or the second communication network is stored in advance for each of the sources of the information content. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a storage unit, and the control unit selects a communication network to be connected by referring to the storage unit.

Further, for example, the control means may update the communication network selection information stored in the storage means based on past communication conditions.

As a specific updating method, the communication network selection information stored in the storage means is updated in accordance with the ratio between the text data amount and the image data amount included in the data received in the past. Alternatively, when the communication by the communication means is completed, the communication fee required for the communication is individually set for each of the first communication network and the second communication network for each of the sources of the information contents. The communication network selection information stored in the storage means may be updated based on the result of the calculation and the comparison of the calculated values.

In the above-mentioned vehicle navigation apparatus, the first communication network is a communication network (for example, a packet communication network) adopting a metered charging system, and the second communication network is a time-based charging network. It is assumed that a communication network (for example, a PDC communication network) adopts the charging mode of (1).

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a computer-readable storage medium stores a control program code of the above-described vehicle navigation device.

[0015]

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a vehicle navigation apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium which can efficiently use a plurality of communication networks having different charging modes.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of communication networks (for example, a pay-as-you-go system and a pay-as-you-go system) are selected according to, for example, previously stored selection information. By doing so (claim 2), it is possible to efficiently use them properly.

Further, according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, a more efficient use of a communication network can be performed in accordance with the communication results of the user.

According to the invention of claims 6 to 8, the convenience can be further improved.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention will be described in detail as an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a typical automobile, with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a communication environment in which a navigation device according to a first embodiment can obtain information.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an in-vehicle device mounted on an automobile. Reference numeral 2 denotes an information center where the vehicle-mounted device 1 can obtain various information. Here, the information center 2 has a general configuration as an Internet server and a mail server (more specifically, a mobile mail server) as a basic configuration, and has a large-capacity database therein.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a base station in the market for exchanging a packet communication network with a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) circuit switching network which is an example of a portable telephone communication network. It transmits and receives wireless signals to and from a mobile phone (a mobile phone 13 described later) mounted on the mobile phone.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a gateway (G · G) serving as a communication interface between the packet communication network and the Internet.
W). Reference numeral 6 denotes an ISP (Internet service provider) serving as a communication interface between the PDC circuit switching network and the Internet.

Next, a hardware configuration and a software configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment.
Is roughly composed of a communication unit 11, a navigation unit 12, and a mobile phone 13.

The mobile phone 13 communicates with the PDC circuit switching network via a packet communication network (in this embodiment, i-mode (trademark) as an example) via the base station 3 shown in FIG. It has a switchable configuration, and the mobile phone 1
3, when the packet communication network is selected, charging is performed according to the amount of data transmitted / received (pay-as-you-go charging).
When the PDC circuit switching network is selected, charging is performed according to the time that the line is occupied (time-based charging). Note that the mobile phone 13 may be configured integrally with the communication unit 11.

The communication unit 11 is provided when the user
Hands-free (H / F) for talking without holding 3
The unit 115, a modem for both PDC communication and packet communication, which is a communication interface between the mobile phone 13 and the CPU 111, a CPU 111 for controlling the operation of the communication unit 11, a communication processing program executed by the CPU 111, various parameters, and the like. R stored in advance
OM, and RAM1 used as a temporary storage area
13 is provided.

In the navigation unit 12, 1
Reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU that executes image display control on the display 130, a communication navigation function described later, and the like. A ROM 122 stores programs executed by the CPU 121, various parameters, and the like. 123 is
This is a RAM used as a temporary storage area. 124
Is a drawing IC for displaying an image on the display 130 under the control of the CPU 121. Reference numeral 125 denotes a clock. Reference numeral 126 denotes a general gyro for detecting the behavior of the own vehicle. A DVD drive 127 reads information from a DVD-ROM, which is an example of a storage medium in which map information, facility information, and the like are registered (or reads and writes information from and to a DVD-RAM). Reference numeral 128 denotes a RAM (or a storage device such as a hard disk) that stores information and the like not stored in the DVD-ROM obtained from the information center 2, for example.

The input / output (I / O) controller 12
9 is a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 15
, A signal indicating the operation state of the ignition key switch 18, a signal indicating the operation state of the operation switch group 19 provided in the navigation unit 12, detection control of the GPS signal, data input / output control with the communication unit 11, and Navigation unit 1 above
2 is a controller for controlling data input / output of each block.

Further, the navigation unit 12
An AM / FM tuner 134 for receiving a radio wave received from the outside via the M / FM antenna 17 and a VICS for receiving road traffic information and the like from a beacon or the like provided on the road side.
(Road traffic information) A tuner 135, a general MD (or cassette) deck 133, an amplifier 132 for amplifying an audio signal output to the speaker 16, and an audio CPU 131 for controlling these blocks are provided.

In the configuration of the navigation unit 12 described above, when the function of the navigation unit 12 itself is configured to be renewable like a general computer, an operation control program such as a communication navigation function realized by the above configuration is executed by: Instead of storing the information in the ROM 122 in advance, the D
A VD-ROM or a mobile phone 13 is provided so as to be available from the outside via the mobile phone 13.
And so on.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment, and shows a schematic configuration of a software program executed on the hardware shown in FIG.

In the figure, a communication unit 11 has a communication interface function with a packet (i-mode) communication network,
It is provided with software for realizing a communication interface function with a PDC circuit switching network and a function for switching any one of these two types of communication modes.

The navigation unit 12 is roughly composed of software for a communication navigation function and an audio function, which will be described later.

The communication navigation function operates on a multitask OS (ITRON in the present embodiment), and includes general inter-device communication software such as drawing software and serial communication, and general navigation such as route guidance. Navigation application that realizes functions,
Transmission Control Protocol / In (TCP / IP) as PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) and its upper layer
Internet Protocol) and HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer P)
rotocol) and software for implementing i-mode protocols, an Internet browser function and a mailer function for transmitting and receiving data in accordance with these communication protocols, and software for drawing a browser.

The audio function is audio C
This is realized by an audio device control application executed by the PU 131, but since it is a general function, detailed description in this embodiment is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the program for realizing the Internet browser function is the point information including the latitude and longitude in the mutual communication with the information center 2 via the packet (i-mode) communication network or the PDC circuit switching network. Can be transmitted and received.

That is, the Internet browser executed in the navigation unit 12 conforms to the Mobile Web (Mobile Web) specification of the Mobile Web Council, which is a standardization body of a navigation device having a communication function, and is handled in the navigation function. General coordinate information and point information including the latitude and longitude obtained from the information center 2 via the PDC circuit switching network (in this embodiment, PO
I: Point of Interest).
On the other hand, when communication via the packet (i-mode) communication network is selected, a predetermined TA defined in the i-mode is used.
G transmits and receives point information including latitude and longitude.

Thus, the navigation unit 12
When the map information read from the DVD drive 127 is displayed on the display 130, the position corresponding to the point information obtained from the information center 2 can be easily plotted on the display screen.

[Communication Navigation Function] The communication navigation function performed in the vehicle-mounted device 1 will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall configuration of the communication navigation process in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment, which is started when the ignition key switch 18 is turned on.

In FIG. 5, step S1: the present location is displayed on the display 130 by executing the present location display routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a current position display routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1, and shows details of step S1 in FIG.

In the figure, step S101: GPS
Using the output signal of the receiver 15, the output signal of the gyro 126, and the like, the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle-mounted device 1 (own vehicle) are detected by a general method.

Step S102: In accordance with the scale selected as the display mode of the display 130, map information including the current position detected in step S101 is converted to a DV format.
Read from the D drive 127.

Steps S103 to S106: map information read in step S102, predetermined symbols representing the current position of the vehicle (vehicle-mounted device 1), and various operation switch selection areas (in this embodiment, operation switch groups) For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (step S19).
103), it is determined whether or not a route guidance route has already been set in the RAM 123 or the like (step S104).
A displayable portion is read in the display area displayed at 103 (step S105), and the display including the portion is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (step S106).

In the display screens shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, "Web site registration"
The switch is a switch used in a second embodiment described later, and is not displayed in the first embodiment.

Here, the description returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. Step S2: It is determined whether the "destination setting" switch is operated on the display 130 displayed as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG.
When S (operation is performed), the process proceeds to step S3, and NO
When there is no operation, the process proceeds to step S4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a destination setting routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment.
3 is shown in detail.

In the figure, steps S111 to S113: The menu screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display 130 (step S111), and any item is displayed on the display screen within a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds). It is determined whether or not the item has been selected (step S112), and when selected, the type of the selected item is determined (step S113). At this time, if none of the items is selected, or if "Cancel" in [5] is selected, the destination setting routine ends.

Step S114, Step S115: When "Destination input" of [1] is selected in step S113, the telephone number and display 130 are displayed using various information stored in the DVD-ROM. The route guidance route to the destination set by the user is calculated by a general method such as selecting a specific position of the displayed map (step S114), and the set destination is calculated by the calculated route guidance. It is stored in the RAM 123 together with the road (step S115).

Steps S116 and S117: If "reset route" of [2] is selected in step S113, the route guidance route is set for the destination newly set by the user in the same manner as in step S114. The calculated destination is set as a new destination together with the calculated route guidance route in the RAM 1 (step S116).
23 (step S117).

Step S118: If "clear destination" of [3] is selected in step S113, the destination currently stored in the RAM 123 is cleared.

Step S119: If "route clear" of [4] is selected in step S113, the current R
The route guidance route information to the destination stored in the AM 123 is cleared.

Here, the description returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. Step S4: It is determined whether the “Internet” switch has been operated on the display 130 displayed as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG.
If ES (operation is performed), the process proceeds to step S5, and NO
When there is no operation, the process returns.

Steps S5 to S7: Data of a shortcut key (menu key) stored in the RAM 123 in advance is read out according to a predetermined procedure (step S5).
5) Display 13 according to the read data.
0 is displayed as in the display example of FIG. 13 (step S6), and it is determined whether a selection operation has been performed on any of the shortcut keys on the display screen (step S). When the determination is NO (no operation), the process returns to step S6, and when the determination is YES (operation is performed), the process proceeds to step S8.

Here, the display screen of FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, roughly has two display areas above and below.

Of these two display areas, the upper display area is a communication network selection area where a user can select a packet communication network or a PDC communication network when performing Internet communication, and a desired URL (Uniform Resource L).
ocator). When any communication mode is selected by the user in the communication network selection area, a communication network selection signal is transmitted to the communication unit 11 in accordance with the selection operation (the CPU 121 automatically selects the communication network as described later). In some cases). At this time, C of communication unit 11 that has obtained the selection signal
When the obtained selection signal is different from the currently selected communication network, the PU 111 disconnects the communication by the selected communication network and connects to the communication network instructed by the selection signal, so that the mobile phone 13 To switch the communication network to be wirelessly connected (note that in the case of automatic switching according to an instruction from the CPU 121 described later, the switching is performed by the same operation).

On the other hand, the lower display area indicates a predetermined URL when the vehicle-mounted device 1 is connected to the information center 2 (or another Internet service provider) via a packet communication network or a PDC communication network. This is a so-called shortcut key that allows one-touch access to a desired Web site without inputting a password. The key comment displayed in the display area of the shortcut key, the URL of the Web site corresponding to the key comment, and the communication network required to access the Web site referred to in the communication network selection routine described later are not included. It is assumed that the user registers in advance on the illustrated registration screen.

Step S8: The communication network selection routine shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a communication network selection routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment.
8 is shown below.

In the figure, steps S121 to S123: whether the Web site registered in the shortcut key selected in step S7 can be accessed only via the PDC communication network (step S121)
Whether the access is possible only via the packet communication network (step S122) or whether the access is possible via any communication network (step S123) is stored in the RAM 123 in advance together with the URL of the Web site. The determination is made by referring to data representing the communication network. If no communication network has been set in these determinations, the communication network selection routine ends.

Step S124, Step S125: In the above judgment, since communication is possible with either the packet communication network or the PDC communication network, in this step, the temporary storage of the Internet communication data preset in the RAM 132 is performed. For the received text data already stored in the area, a ratio R between the total amount of text data included in the received text data and the total amount of image data is calculated (step S124), and the calculated ratio R is a predetermined value. It is determined whether it is larger than T (step S125). When the determination is NO (R ≦ T), the process proceeds to step S126, and when the determination is YES (R> T), the process proceeds to step S127.

Step S126: It is determined in step S121 that communication is possible only with the PDC communication network.
Alternatively, since it is determined in step S125 that the ratio R ≦ the predetermined value T (that is, the image data is relatively large),
In this step, the communication unit 11 is caused to select a PDC communication network.

Step S127: It is determined in step S122 that communication is possible only by the packet communication network, or in step S125, ratio R> predetermined value T
Since it is determined that the text data is relatively large, the communication unit 11 selects the packet communication network in this step.

Here, the description returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. Step S9: Information center 2 (or another Internet service provider) via the communication network selected in the communication network selection routine of step S8.
After establishing a communication line with the Web site corresponding to the shortcut key whose selection operation has been detected in step S7, the Web site corresponding to the shortcut key is accessed, and data is transmitted to and received from the Web site. At this time, the counting of the total amount of data received by the vehicle-mounted device 1 via the selected communication network, the amount of text data included in the received data, and the amount of image data are started.

Step S10, Step S11: R
Based on the predetermined charge rate stored in the AM 123 or the like, the charge of the communication fee for the currently selected communication network is calculated (step S10), and the charge is selected as shown in the display screen example in FIG. The communication network and the calculated communication fee are displayed on the display 130 together with the page of the Web site (step S11).

Step S12: It is determined whether or not the user has performed a predetermined operation for terminating the Internet communication.
If S (there is an end operation), the process proceeds to step S13,
If NO (no end operation), the process returns to step S9.

Step S13: A window screen is displayed for a predetermined time on the display screen on which the Web site and the billing status are displayed as shown in FIG. 14, as in the display screen example shown in FIG. The window screen displays the total amount of data received from the start of communication in the current Internet communication until the end operation is detected in step S12, and R
The packet communication network and the PD are determined based on a predetermined charging rate and an average data communication rate stored in the AM 123 or the like.
An approximate communication fee and communication time are displayed for each communication network of the C communication network. As a specific calculation, (approximate charging) = (total data amount) ÷ (charging rate), (communication time) = (total data amount) ÷ (data communication speed). Further, an identification mark is displayed in the column of the communication network selected this time, and the text data amount and the image data amount are displayed as a breakdown of the total amount of the received data whose counting has been started in step S9.

As described above, according to the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the present embodiment, the PDC communication network and the packet communication network having different charging modes can be selected according to the information set in advance by the user. For a Web site that can be accessed via any of these communication networks, a ratio R between text data and image data included in temporary data received in the past is calculated, and the ratio R is automatically determined in accordance with the ratio R. Since the communication network can be selected at any time, the two types of communication networks can be efficiently used in terms of communication cost and communication time.

Further, according to the on-vehicle device 1, when the user finishes the Internet communication (browsing of the Web site), the communication result is displayed on the display 130 as shown in FIG. In addition, the total amount of the received text data and the total amount of the image data are displayed in a comparable manner. As a result, the user can select the communication network to be selected when separately browsing the same Web site or a similar Web site to reduce the communication cost or shorten the communication time. It can be used for the judgment of etc.

Further, according to the on-vehicle device 1, switching between the PDC communication network and the packet communication network can be performed by performing a selection operation in the communication network selection area as in the display screen example shown in FIG. Therefore, the convenience can be further improved.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment based on the vehicular navigation device according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions of the present embodiment.

Here, the communication navigation function in the present embodiment will be outlined. In the present embodiment, the user inputs a URL of a desired website and a communication network used to access the website on the website registration screen shown in FIG. 16, and inputs the URL on the left side of the display screen. The area and the selection of the communication network are registered in advance in the selection area on the right side of the display screen. At this time, the categories (items) such as weather and news displayed in the input area on the left correspond to the key comments of the shortcut keys displayed on the lower side of the display screen of FIG. 13 described above.

When any of the shortcut keys is selected on the display screen shown in FIG. 13, the in-vehicle device 1 displays the Web site registration screen on the Web site set corresponding to the selected shortcut key. (FIG. 16), access is made via any of the communication networks registered in advance, and the actual communication fee required for accessing the website is registered in the website registration screen in advance. If the network is expensive compared to the case of going through the other communication network, the registration status of the website registration screen is automatically updated to the other communication network where the communication fee can be reduced. It has a function to do.

The processing configuration of the present embodiment for realizing the above functions is different from that of the first embodiment in step S8 of FIG.
This is a point that there is a communication network selection routine performed in step (1) and a process further added in the communication navigation process of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a communication network selection routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the second embodiment.
8 is shown below.

Referring to FIG. 16, steps S131 and S132 are performed by referring to a predetermined area such as the RAM 123 in which data registered in the communication network setting area of the Web site registration screen (FIG. 16) is already stored. Whether the Web site registered in the shortcut key selected in S7 can be accessed only via the PDC communication network is determined by data indicating the communication network stored in the RAM 123 in advance together with the URL of the Web site. (Step S13)
1) When the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S133, and when the determination is YES, the communication unit 11 is caused to select the PDC communication network (step S132).

Step S133, step S134: W
The data registered in the communication network setting area of the website registration screen (FIG. 16) is registered in the shortcut key selected in step S7 by referring to a predetermined area such as the RAM 123 in which the data is already stored. Whether the Web site can be accessed only via the packet communication network is determined in advance in the RAM 123 together with the URL of the Web site.
Is determined by referring to the data representing the communication network stored in step S133. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S135. If the determination is YES, the communication unit 11 selects the packet communication network (step S133). S134).

Step S135: The shortcut selected in step S7 by referring to a predetermined area such as the RAM 123 in which data registered in the communication network setting area of the Web site registration screen (FIG. 16) is already stored. Whether the Web site registered in the key can be accessed via any of the PDC communication network and the packet communication network is determined in advance together with the URL of the Web site.
The determination is made by referring to the data representing the communication network stored in the AM 123. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S136, and if the determination is NO, the communication network selection routine ends.

Step S136, Step S137: Read the communication network identification information stored in the RAM 123 together with the Web site registered in the shortcut key selected in Step S7 (Step S13).
6) The PDC communication network or the packet communication network represented by the read identification information is connected to the communication unit 1
1 (step S137). Here, it is assumed that the communication network identification information is stored in the RAM 123 or the like in advance by a predetermined registration operation by the user on the website registration screen in FIG. 16 (details will be described later).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an excerpt from the flowchart showing the overall configuration of the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the second embodiment, which is different from the first embodiment (FIG. 4).

In FIG. 13, steps S14 and S15 are the shortcut keys of FIG. 13 among the Web sites accessed by the user from the start of the current Internet communication until the end operation is detected in step S12. Web site (ie, W
URL registered on the website registration screen (Fig. 16)
Site), the amount of data received this time and R
Based on the predetermined billing rate stored in the AM 123 or the like, an approximate communication fee is calculated for each of the packet communication network and the PDC communication network for each Web site (step S14), and the calculated communication is calculated. The charge data is stored in the RAM 123 together with the identification information of the Web site (step S15). At this time, a specific calculation of the communication fee is (approximate charging) = (data amount for one Web site) / (charging rate).

Steps S16 and S17: FIG.
Of the packet communication network stored in step S15 for the Web site set as the shortcut key
The communication charges of the DC communication network are compared (step S
16), in this determination, the communication fee of the communication network currently registered with respect to a certain Web site (any communication network selected on the Web site registration screen) is more predetermined than the communication fee of the other communication network. When the price is higher than the threshold value (YES at the step), a guidance is displayed to that effect, and the registration status of the communication network stored in the RAM 123 is stored in the other communication network. Update (step S17). On the other hand, in this determination, if the communication fee of the currently registered communication network is lower, or if the communication fee is not high until a communication threshold exceeds a predetermined threshold (NO in the same step), the registration state is changed. Since there is no need to update, the process proceeds to step S18.

When comparing the communication charges in step S16, the average of the communication charges for a plurality of predetermined times when accessing one Web site is calculated for each of the packet communication network and the PDC communication network. It is preferable to make a comparison using the calculated average value. In this case, R
To store the communication charge stored in the AM 123 for the predetermined number of times, when storing the communication charge newly calculated in step S15, the oldest communication charge data stored in the past is deleted. What is necessary is just to set it as a processing structure.

Steps S18 to S20: Since the selection operation of the "Internet" switch is not detected in the judgment of step S4, the "Web site registration" switch is operated on the display screen of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 in this step. Is determined (step S18). If the determination is NO (the switch is operated), the process returns to step S1. If the determination is YES (the switch is not operated), the URL and communication network stored for each category are determined. Is read from the RAM 123 or the like (step S19), and the Web site registration screen of FIG. 16 corresponding to the read data is displayed on the display 130 (step S20).

Steps S21 to S23: It is determined whether or not the registration data has been changed on the displayed Web site registration screen. If the determination is NO (no change), it is determined whether or not the "setting end" switch has been operated on the screen. It is determined (step S22), and if YES (changed), the data stored in the RAM 123 or the like is updated to the changed content (step S23), and the process returns to step S19. Also, in the determination of step S22,
If the operation of the "setting end" switch is detected (YES in the judgment of the step), the process returns to step S1, and if not detected (NO in the judgment of the step).
), The process returns to step S19.

As described above, according to the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the present embodiment, the PDC communication network and the packet communication network having different charging modes can be selected according to the information registered by the user in advance. As a result of comparing the communication fees calculated for the packet communication network and the PDC communication network, if the communication fee becomes high when the registered communication network is used, the communication fee is automatically updated to the other communication network with a low communication fee. Therefore, the two types of communication networks can be used efficiently in terms of communication cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a communication environment in which information can be obtained by a navigation device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the vehicle-mounted device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an overall configuration of a communication navigation process in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a current location display routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a destination setting routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication network selection routine included in the communication navigation processing in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication network selection routine included in a communication navigation process in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an overall configuration of a communication navigation process in the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on a display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display of the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: onboard equipment, 2: information center, 3: base station, 5: gateway, 6: internet service provider, 11: communication unit, 12: navigation unit, 13: mobile phone, 15: GPS receiver, 16: speaker, 17: AM / FM antenna, 18: ignition key switch, 19: operation switch group,

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideki Okano 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C032 HB05 HB15 HB25 HC05 HC13 HC27 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB05 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 AC17 AC18 5H180 AA01 BB05 EE10 EE18 FF04 FF05 FF12 FF13 FF22 FF25 5K067 AA29 BB02 BB21 BB36 EE02 FF02 FF03 FF23 HH23 KK15

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A communication means capable of communicating via a first communication network or a second communication network having different charging modes, and a communication fee or communication among the first communication network and the second communication network. Select any communication network that can control time,
To communicate via the selected communication network,
Control means for controlling the communication means. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
A storage unit in which selection information of any one of the communication network and the second communication network is stored in advance, and the control unit refers to the storage unit,
The communication network to be connected is selected.
The vehicle navigation device according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit updates the communication network selection information stored in the storage unit based on a past communication state. 4. The control unit updates the communication network selection information stored in the storage unit in accordance with a ratio between a text data amount and an image data amount included in data received in the past. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The control means, when the communication by the communication means is completed, reduces a communication fee required for the communication for each of the first communication network and the second communication network. 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the information is individually calculated for each content source, and the communication network selection information stored in the storage unit is updated based on a result of comparing the calculated values. Navigation device. 6. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies the connected communication network in a recognizable manner when the communication by the communication unit is being performed. 7. When the communication by the communication unit is completed, the control unit calculates a communication fee and / or a communication time for each of the first communication network and the second communication network. 2. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the calculated value is notified so as to be comparable. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a man-machine interface capable of setting a source of the information content and a communication network to be selected when obtaining the information from the source. 2. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1. 9. The communication network according to claim 1, wherein the first communication network is a communication network employing a pay-as-you-go billing system, and the second communication network is a communication network employing a pay-as-you-go billing system. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein: 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program code for a vehicle navigation device according to claim 1. Description: