JP2002048576A - Communication type navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication type navigation system for guiding an initial direction or route by a communication terminal with small display screen and small memory capacity and a center device. SOLUTION: When a starting point and designation are inputted by intersection names from a communication terminal 101, a center 104 calculates the route matched thereto, returns the route information with the name or turning direction of a passing essential intersection shown by a large arrow guide display 502 easy to see, a display showing the initial direction, a starting point detailed display 501 or a designation detailed display 503, which is divided to the receivable capacity or less of a communication terminal 101, by a communication protocol or application language suitable to use the network provided by the communication terminal 101. The communication terminal 101 displays it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication type navigation system for guiding route information searched by a center to a communication terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a communication type navigation system has been proposed in which a route search is performed at a center for a departure place and a destination, and guidance data on the searched route is transmitted to a vehicle side to guide the route. For example, JP
JP-A-00-123295 discloses a navigation system that reduces the amount of data transmitted from the center to the vehicle.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional communication type navigation system, it is assumed that a dedicated navigation terminal having a relatively large display screen and a relatively large memory capacity is used. However, there is a problem that the system becomes expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a communication type navigation system capable of guiding an initial direction and a route even with a communication terminal having a small display screen and a small memory capacity. Things.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a configuration in which a center divides route information into transmission capacity equal to or less than the reception capacity of a communication terminal and transmits the divided information. With this configuration,
Even a mobile communication terminal having a small memory capacity can guide a long-distance route by sequentially acquiring a subsequent route.

[0006] The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention has a configuration in which the path information is expressed by a communication protocol or an application language suitable for network use.
With this configuration, an existing network terminal can be used as it is as a communication terminal of the communication type navigation system.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention provides:
The route information is configured to be expressed in a compact hypertext markup language (hereinafter referred to as compact HTML). With this configuration, the compact HTML
The mobile communication terminal corresponding to the above can be used as it is as the communication terminal of the communication type navigation system.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention provides:
It has a configuration in which path information is expressed in a hypertext markup language (hereinafter referred to as HTML). With this configuration, an HTML-compatible communication terminal can be used as it is as a communication terminal of the communication-type navigation system.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention provides:
The route information is transmitted to the wireless application protocol (hereinafter W
AP). With this configuration, a mobile communication terminal supporting WAP can be used as it is as a communication terminal of the communication type navigation system.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 of the present invention provides:
It has a configuration for displaying the initial azimuth. With this configuration, the initial orientation can be indicated to the user.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 of the present invention provides
It has a configuration in which the initial azimuth is indicated by the positional relationship with the celestial body.
With this configuration, the initial azimuth can be displayed based on the positional relationship with the celestial body.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 of the present invention provides:
It has a configuration in which the initial orientation is indicated by a positional relationship with surrounding landmarks. With this configuration, the initial azimuth can be displayed based on a positional relationship with a surrounding building that becomes a landmark.

Further, the invention according to claim 9 of the present invention provides:
The main point of the route is configured to be input. With this configuration, more detailed route guidance can be provided.

Further, the invention according to claim 10 of the present invention has a configuration in which the setting of a departure place is performed by inputting two intersections, a first intersection and a next intersection. With this configuration, the traveling direction of the user is given to the center, and the center can guide the route according to the direction.

Further, the invention according to claim 11 of the present invention has a structure in which a plurality of guide elements close to a true destination are enumerated and selected from them. With this configuration, the user can determine the guide element and set a strict destination.

Further, the invention according to claim 12 of the present invention has a configuration for inputting by voice. With this configuration, a departure point or a destination can be input in a user-friendly manner.

Further, the invention according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which an input is performed by an external keyboard connected to the communication terminal. With this configuration, a departure point or a destination can be input in a user-friendly manner.

Further, the invention according to claim 14 of the present invention has a configuration in which the turn cost at an intersection without an intersection name is increased. With this configuration, it is possible to perform a route search with a reduced turn frequency at an unknown intersection.

The invention according to claim 15 of the present invention has a configuration provided with a function selection button. With this configuration, the function can be easily selected.

Further, the invention according to claim 16 of the present invention has a configuration in which a label is attached to a guide point in a route schematic diagram. With this configuration, it is possible to move to the guidance detail screen by inputting the button indicated by the label.

Further, the invention according to claim 17 of the present invention has a configuration in which a re-search button is provided in the course of route guidance. With this configuration, it is possible to start a re-search starting from the middle of the route.

Further, the invention according to claim 18 of the present invention has a configuration in which a long distance route is divided and searched, and a button for searching for a continuation portion is provided at the end of each divided piece. With this configuration, a subsequent route can be searched.

Further, the invention according to claim 19 of the present invention has a configuration in which a button is provided for selecting whether priority is given to the ease of understanding of the route or to short travel time. With this configuration, the search cost parameter can be changed according to the selected user model, and the obtained route can be adjusted.

Further, the invention according to claim 20 of the present invention has a configuration in which the communication terminal can download the guidance program. With this configuration, the communication terminal can perform route guidance by the downloaded program without receiving information from the center device each time.

Further, the invention according to claim 21 of the present invention has a configuration in which the execution result of the downloaded guidance program is divided and displayed on the display area of the communication terminal. With this configuration, the display contents are easy to see and understand.

Further, the invention according to claim 22 of the present invention has a configuration in which a change on a route is displayed on a communication terminal. With this configuration, the user can be notified of the change on the route.

Further, the invention according to claim 23 of the present invention has a structure in which, if there is a change in the distance to the intersection or the change in the distance to the destination or the change in the distance to the destination, the distance is displayed. I have. With this configuration, the user can be notified of the change on the route.

Further, the invention according to claim 24 of the present invention has a configuration in which when approaching the guide point, the buzzer volume of the communication terminal is changed or the tone is changed according to the distance. With this configuration, the user can be notified of the change in distance on the route.

Further, the invention according to claim 25 of the present invention has a configuration in which the backlight of the communication terminal is turned on when approaching the guide point. With this configuration,
Users can be notified of changes on the route.

Further, the invention according to claim 26 of the present invention has a configuration in which, when an event occurs on a route, the center notifies the communication terminal of the event. With this configuration, the user can be notified of the change on the route.

Further, the invention according to claim 27 of the present invention has a configuration in which when the vehicle leaves the recommended route, a re-search is started. With this configuration, when the vehicle deviates from the recommended route, a re-search to the original route or the destination can be immediately started.

Further, the invention according to claim 28 of the present invention has a configuration in which when leaving the recommended route, the surrounding road to be passed is transmitted to the terminal together with the recommended route. With this configuration, the route departure determination can be performed more accurately.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 29 of the present invention has a configuration in which a route including a return route to the original route is calculated in advance and sent to the communication terminal. With this configuration, it is possible to provide guidance for instantaneously returning to the original route without performing a search when leaving the original route.

Further, the invention according to claim 30 of the present invention has a configuration for displaying or guiding an advertisement. With this configuration, the communication terminal can have a value as an advertising medium.

Further, the invention according to claim 31 of the present invention has a configuration in which facility information such as shop information of an advertiser is prepared on a map, and the center extracts information near a route and displays or guides the information. ing. With this configuration, it is possible to display a store that the user wants to advertise on the searched route.

Further, the invention according to claim 32 of the present invention has a configuration for charging an advertiser. With this configuration, an advertisement fee can be obtained at the time of posting registration.

Further, the invention according to claim 33 of the present invention has a configuration in which an advertiser is charged according to the number of times of display or the number of times of guidance. With this configuration, an advertisement fee can be collected according to the count of the number of times of display or the number of times of guidance.

[0038]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
In the communication navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, route information obtained by the center 104 searching the map 105 or the map 106 connected via the information network 103 is connected via the information network 103. The gateway 102 transmits the route to the communication terminal 101 (hereinafter referred to as a terminal) to guide the route to the user. Terminal 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes an Internet-compatible mobile phone such as a compact HTML or an i-mode mobile phone operable in HTML, or a WAP-compatible mobile communication terminal, which operates using a communication protocol or application language suitable for network use. The gateway 102 is connected to the terminal 10
1 and an information network 103 such as the Internet. The center 104 is connected to the information network 103 by, for example, a WWW server or the like.
1 to provide a route search and route guidance service. By operating the terminal 101, the user can use the service provided by the center 104. The map 105 is a database used by the center 104 for route search, search for a search point, and creation of guidance data. Note that the center 104 can use a map 106 at another place on the information network.

The operation of the communication type navigation system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In step 1, the user first sets a departure place and a destination. The method will be described with reference to FIG. The setting method is selected from the departure place setting screen transmitted from the center 104. Here, it is assumed to be set from the intersection, and if "1" is selected, an intersection name input screen is displayed. Enter the intersection name here,
Set the starting point. Similarly, when the destination is set, the center 104 performs a route search, outputs a route guide map, and
01 is displayed. This is shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the departure place and the destination can be input without any modification to the existing communication terminal, and the map data is provided on the center 104 side or on the Internet 103. Terminal 1
01 does not need to have a map. As a result, a simple navigation function can be realized without making any modification to the existing communication terminal of the popular type.

Although the guidance screen is shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of intersection guidance screens may be transmitted in one file to reduce the number of accesses, but the reception capacity of the terminal 101 is limited. The center needs to divide the files appropriately so that the size of one file does not exceed the capacity. The reception capacity is known or, if not, the model side and the reception capacity are transmitted from the terminal to the center, so that the center side can appropriately perform the division.

(Second Embodiment) Most Internet-compatible mobile phones that are currently in widespread use do not have a positioning function, and it is difficult to realize practical navigation by a normal method. When the communication terminal 101 does not have a positioning function, a special device is required for inputting a departure point and a destination and guiding the terminal. In addition, since the navigation is a driving instruction, it is desired that the screen be operated as easily as possible.

When the departure place and the destination are not on the main roads, it is difficult to provide route guidance depending on intersection names or road names. In addition, a mechanism for correctly transmitting the direction (initial direction) to be headed first is necessary.

FIG. 5 shows a guide screen configuration according to the present embodiment. It is desirable that the center 104 extracts the departure place detailed map display 501 and the destination detailed map display 503 from the map data, and highlights the route by displaying it thickly or by displaying it in another color. The terminal 101 displays the arrow guidance display 50
Acquire before and after 2. The toll road section may be displayed in another color.

Further, the map display screens 501 and 503 are located at a center different from the center 104, for example, a known map distribution WW.
A W server may be used, and this may be realized as a hyperlink to such a site.

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the departure point or the destination is far from the main road, the map is displayed at such a place so that the user can stay there until he or she leaves the main road. The user can proceed with the detailed diagram 501, and can proceed with the detailed diagram 503 near the destination. Also, if you display the map in the middle of the route, it will be awkward to see the map, so after getting on the main road, a simple type that guides you to the intersection name and road name and the turn direction and distance at the guide point By providing the guidance, the convenience of the user can be achieved.

(Third Embodiment) Depending on the needs of the user, it may be required to input a main point of the route to provide route guidance. For example, even when departing from a main road, the initial azimuth may not be clear. Even in such a case, a device is desired so that the user can proceed in the right direction. FIG. 6 is an example of the initial azimuth screen, showing the positional relationship between the direction to go and the sun. Center 1
04 calculates the direction of the sun from the current time and the position of the terminal 101. This is generated as the image shown in FIG. Note that it is desirable to devise other celestial bodies such as the moon according to the time zone.

FIG. 7 shows another example of the initial azimuth screen, which shows the relationship between a landmark which may be seen from the point, its azimuth, and the direction to go. When these directions are obtained and shown in the center, a correct initial direction can be obtained even on rainy days and nights. In other words, the center records the landmark to be the target together with the coordinates in advance, obtains the direction of the landmark from the coordinates of the starting point and the coordinates of the landmark, and creates FIG.

It is also possible to numerically display the absolute azimuth of the direction to go, and to obtain the azimuth by using the compass together.

(Fourth Embodiment) Contrary to the above-described embodiment, an approach is conceivable in which the user tells the center of the direction and the route search performed at the center performs route search and route guidance according to this. In the case of driving a car, it often takes time to change directions or is prohibited by traffic regulations,
It is desirable that this is taken into account in the route calculation. Therefore, a method of notifying the center of the absolute direction when setting the departure place can be considered. However, it is unlikely that the average user knows the absolute direction.

In FIG. 8, the user is at the intersection “Umedabashi”
Suppose that you were traveling to the intersection "Touhou-cho". When the user sets the departure point when passing through the Tohomachi intersection, the user inputs both the immediately preceding intersection “Umedabashi” and the current intersection name “Tohomachi” as shown in the screen example of FIG. be able to.

The center extracts two intersections from the map data and finds a link connecting them. In this way, a link that matches the direction in which the user is traveling can be set as the departure place. The route result searched in this way is a route that matches the traveling direction of the user, so that more user-friendly guidance can be performed.

(Fifth Embodiment) When setting a departure place or a destination as an intersection, a list of a plurality of intersection candidates can be displayed as shown in FIG. 10 and the user can select it. Furthermore, in addition to the intersection name, the departure place / departure information is based on the phone number, postal code, address, facility name,
When setting a destination, a method is conceivable in which the nearest intersection is listed and the user selects it.

That is, when the user inputs a true point, the center passes through a step of extracting the latitude and longitude of the point from the map data, and a step of extracting intersection names around the same latitude and longitude. Is output as a selection screen. Thus, the intersection selection list of FIG. 10 is obtained. It is desirable to add information indicating a distance and a direction from a true point to the intersection list.

In this way, even when the destination is away from a main road or an intersection, the user can select an intersection to provide reliable guidance information up to the intersection.

If the terminal 101 can input Chinese characters,
By inputting the intersection name in kanji, there is an advantage that the search can be performed without knowing the correct reading. It has been illustrated in FIG. 3 "Omameto" correct reading of the intersection is "Omameto" can be retrieved without knowing the correct reading.

(Sixth Embodiment) An embodiment using voice input will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
The voice interface 1101 receives an input from voice communication means such as a telephone. The voice recognition unit 1102 recognizes voice input from the voice interface 1101. A data interface 1103 is a data interface for exchanging data with a network such as the Internet. The control unit 1104 is a voice recognition unit 1
According to the recognition result of 102, the data interface 110
Control means 3 outputs display data based on the recognition result.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In order to start voice input, a voice line is connected to the center in step 1201. Step 1206
The center that was waiting for the connection was the voice interface 1
When the incoming call control signal from 101 is transmitted to control means 1104, prompt display data for prompting voice input is responded, and this is displayed on the terminal in step 1202. The user speaks in step 1203, and causes the center to perform voice recognition through the voice line opened earlier. The center recognizes the voice input from the voice interface 1101 by the voice recognition unit 1102, and transmits the recognition result to the control unit 1104. Here, the control unit 1104 creates a recognition candidate list and outputs it to the data interface 1103. The candidate list output in step 1208 in this way is displayed in step 1204 of the terminal. The user selects a correct candidate from the list on the terminal (step 1).
205) The result is determined on the center side (step 12)
09).

As described above, the voice line can be used together, and the terminal can save the trouble of inputting characters. Note that a method is also conceivable in which voice is converted into data on the terminal side without using a voice line and transmitted through a data network.

(Seventh Embodiment) As another method for simplifying the input, an embodiment using an external keyboard will be described with reference to FIG. A keyboard 1301 is connected to the terminal 101.

In a case where the amount of character input is large, such as input of an address or an intersection name, an external keyboard 1301 can be connected to the terminal 101 to facilitate the input.

(Eighth Embodiment) There are times when it is desired to switch the function of the terminal 101 according to the needs of the user. For example, the display is switched from the route map display to the display of the opposite intersection. This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Route diagram 1
Reference numeral 401 denotes a route map displayed as a map or a schematic map, and each guide point is provided with a numeric label 1402. The traveling route is highlighted. Numeric label 1
The intersection guidance corresponding to 402 is connected by a hyperlink. For example, when "1" is pressed while the route map 1401 is displayed, a corresponding intersection guide map 1403 is displayed.

By graphically displaying the route outline diagram, the user can easily grasp the overall positional relationship. In addition, the correspondence with the intersection guide map can be easily obtained by the number label displayed on the map.

(Ninth Embodiment) In some cases, a user wants to transmit a search route to another person in addition to using it himself / herself. This is realized using a URL as shown in FIG. That is, in the URL, the departure latitude longitude and the destination latitude longitude and the
This is a URL including a search mode indicating a pay priority / non-priority, a map version, and the like. Furthermore, it is desirable that a waypoint can be specified in the same manner as the destination.

For accessing the same site, the above UR
L can be used to output a reproducible route, and route information can be exchanged using a text-based medium such as e-mail.

(Tenth Embodiment) A more convenient communication type navigation system can be realized by devising a search operation.

The re-search function will be described with reference to FIGS. In the original route 1601, the user's current location is 1
Suppose that it was at the position 602. When a so-called dynamic route search is performed at the center, a new route 1603 is calculated by performing a re-search from the current location here.

If the terminal 101 does not have a positioning function, the current location is self-reported. By providing a re-search button on each guide screen as shown in FIG. 17, a re-search from that point can be performed.

As an application example of the re-search function, there is an application to a long distance route. In the case of a long route having many guidance points as shown in FIG. 18, guidance is displayed halfway (from guidance points A to H) as shown in FIG. 19, and a re-search button 1901 is provided at the end. By pressing, the next guidance points H to O are displayed. At this time, if the communication-disabled zone is known in advance as shown in FIG. 20, re-searching in this zone is impossible, so the timing at which the re-searching occurs is shifted to the near side so that the re-searching does not occur in the communication-disabled zone. It is desirable to devise it.

(Eleventh Embodiment) When providing guidance based on an intersection name or a road name, guidance at an intersection or a road without an intersection name is relatively likely to cause an error. In order to avoid such a situation, it is advisable to set the cost of turning right or left at the time of searching for a route to be heavy. Furthermore, by increasing the turn cost at an unnamed intersection, such misleading guidance can be avoided.

FIG. 21 shows this state. FIG. 21 is a map of a virtual area, showing the travel time of each road and the cost associated with a turn. Destination 21 from own vehicle position 2101
Suppose you head for 02. Intersections A2103 to C2105
Is an intersection with a name. Intersection a210
6 to d2109 are intersections each having no name.
Passing through the intersections a to d is the shortest route to the destination, but such a route passing only through unknown intersections is not preferable. Even if the route that has passed through the named intersections A to C is a detour, it is easy to understand.

FIG. 22 shows the result of cost calculation for a detour route that is easy to understand (route 1), and FIG. 23 shows the result of cost calculation for a short distance route that is difficult to understand (route 2).
Here, the turn costs of the named intersections A to C are each 2
0s, and the turn cost of anonymous intersections ad is 100s
And The total cost for the distance of route 1 is 170
The total cost for s and turns is 60 s. In Route 2, the total cost for the distance is 80 s, which is smaller than Route 1. However, the total turn cost is 400 s, and Route 1 is selected for the total cost.

As shown in FIG. 24, it is desirable that search preferences can be selected according to the user model. For example, in business use, time is given priority, that is, turn costs are made uniform. Conversely, in everyday use, in order to give priority to intelligibility, the weight of the turn cost can be changed depending on the selected mode, such as increasing the turn cost of an anonymous intersection, and the calculated route can be characterized.

As described above, it is possible to provide a communication-type navigation system that searches for an easy-to-understand route, avoiding a right or left turn at an unnamed intersection that is difficult to guide.

(Twelfth Embodiment) When the communication terminal 101 has not only a simple data display and data input / output function but also a function of downloading and executing a program, it corresponds to, for example, a JAVA (registered trademark) applet. If so, the following measures can be taken.

FIG. 25 shows an applet 2501 for displaying an intersection guide map. An arrow 2502 that can be displayed by an applet, a distance display 2503 to an intersection, an intersection name display 2504, and a goal display showing a distance 2505 to a destination are shown. The applet 2501 is implemented as a kind of program, and is downloaded once to the terminal 101 by communication. Thereafter, this applet can be executed on the terminal 101 until it is destroyed.

The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The applet 2501 has already been downloaded to the terminal 101 in FIG. Here is the guidance message 2601
Is received, an appropriate arrow is displayed by the program operation of the applet. FIG. 27 shows an example of the guidance message. The guide message briefly describes information necessary for constructing the guide screen.

According to the above operation, the guide screen can be constructed on the terminal 101 only by transmitting a simple guide message without transmitting the screen image of the intersection guide every time, and the communication amount can be reduced. In addition, the concept of a page break or a file break is not required, and the user can fly seamlessly to the front and rear intersection guidance screens.

(Thirteenth Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 28, a terminal 101 has positioning means 2801 such as a GPS receiver.
Consider a configuration with. With such a configuration, the position can be grasped in real time, and guidance can be performed in consideration of the actual vehicle position.

FIG. 29 shows the route information sent from the center to the terminal 101. It is not just a screen of an enlarged view of an intersection, but data having the spatial coordinates of the actual route. Own vehicle position 29
From 01, go to the intersection 2902 where guidance should be performed. A guidance zone 2903 is set before the guidance point 2902.

When the terminal 101 enters the guidance zone 2903, the backlight of the terminal 101 is automatically turned on,
There are sounds. Thus, the driver can be instructed only when necessary. Also, battery consumption can be minimized.

The voice may be a melody defined in advance, voice data, or voice data downloaded from the center. This may be voice data reading out the intersection name.

As shown in FIG. 31, the route information may be sent for the entire route, but in order to save traffic, data is sent in sections (road sections, straight sections) that do not require guidance along the way. Instead, a method is conceivable in which route information is sent mainly around the guide point.

Further, it is conceivable to add a peripheral road and send it so that it can be easily detected when the vehicle departs from the route. The miss route and the lap 3001 in FIG. 30 are sent as road information to be run when the vehicle deviates from the route. If you drive on the wrong road on your device,
Map matching is performed for the missed route trap, and it can be easily detected that the route has been deviated from the route. If there is no missed route trap, it becomes more difficult to determine whether a positioning error or a deviation from the route has occurred. In this way, it is possible to immediately detect the departure of the route and prompt the driver to return.

By detecting a deviation from the route in this way, a search for returning to the original route or a search for a new route to reach the destination can be automatically performed.

When traffic congestion occurs on the original route as shown in FIG. 16, the route may be automatically searched again. Furthermore, when such monitoring is not performed at the terminal, the route searched for each terminal at the center is stored for a certain period of time, and a warning mail is sent to the terminal 101 when an event such as traffic congestion or an accident occurs on the route. To search for a new route and encourage switching to a new route.

Thus, the user can be notified from the center without worrying about the occurrence of traffic congestion on the route. In addition, for each link, the terminal or user who guided the link as a part of the route is temporarily stored in the center, and if an event occurs on the link, it is easy to notify the corresponding terminal or user if it is devised quickly. Notifications can be made.

As shown in FIG. 33, a method is also conceivable in which a deviation from the original route is foreseen, a route for returning to the original route is calculated in advance, and the route is sent together with the original route. . In FIG. 33, when the vehicle deviates from the original route 3301, the process returns to the original route 3301 by the return route 3302.
Even if the position of the own vehicle deviates from the original route, the user gets on the return route, so that the guidance on the return route can be continued to return to the original route. At this time, since the re-search operation is not performed, communication with the center is not required.

(Fourteenth Embodiment) FIG. 32 shows an embodiment of information collection in a center. Advertiser 3201
Provides store information 3204 including various information such as a store name, a telephone number, a logo mark, and location information. Center 3
202 stores such information in a map 3203.

When the route information is provided to the terminal 101, such store information 3204 is also sent in a superimposed manner.
The route information 3205 can be obtained. By displaying or guiding such shop information on the terminal 101, the shop can be effectively advertised. In this way, the center can collect the advertisement fee from the advertiser. In addition, the center may total the number of times the store information is displayed or guided, and collect an advertisement fee according to the total.

[0092]

As described above, the center divides the route information into pieces smaller than the reception capacity of the communication terminal and transmits the information, so that the communication terminal having a small display screen and a small memory capacity can set the initial azimuth and the route. The effect that the communication type navigation system which guides can be realized is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication type navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the communication-type navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of an input / output interface according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of route display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a map display near a departure place and a destination according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a display screen showing an initial azimuth according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a display screen showing an initial azimuth according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example showing an initial azimuth according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example showing how to give an initial orientation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen transition for intersection name selection according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a voice input according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of voice input according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a communication terminal according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of screen transition according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of URL notation according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example of a search route according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of route guidance according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a long-distance route according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific example of a long-distance route re-search screen according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a re-search that avoids a communication disabled zone according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a map showing a virtual area according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a specific example of an easy-to-understand route cost table in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a cost table of routes that are difficult to understand in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a specific example of a search mode selection screen according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a specific example of applet display according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the applet according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a specific example of a guidance display according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of a communication terminal according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a specific example of a guidance zone according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of route information according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a specific example of route information according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a specific example of a return route according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Communication Terminal 102 Gateway 103 Information Network 104,3202 Center 105,106,3203 Map Data 501 Departure Point Detail Display 502 Arrow Guide Display 503 Destination Detail Display 1101 Voice Interface 1102 Voice Recognition Unit 1103 Data Interface 1104 Control Unit 1301 Keyboard 1401 All Route map 1402 Guidance point 1403 Intersection guide map 1601,3301 Original route 1602 Own vehicle position 1603 New route 1901 Search button 2101 Own vehicle position 2102 Destination 2103 Intersection A 2104 Intersection B 2105 Intersection C 2106 Intersection a 2107 Intersection b 2108 Intersection c 2109 Intersection d 2501 Applet 2502 Arrow 2503 Distance display 2504 Intersection name display Distance display 2601 guide message 2801 GPS receiver 2901 vehicle position of up to 505 goal 2902 intersection 2903 guide zone 3201 advertisers 3204 store information 3205 route information 3302 return route

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuki Kawamura 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. No.3-1, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C032 HB06 HB07 HB08 HB25 HC16 HC31 HD11 HD16 HD21 2F029 AA02 AB13 AC08 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB15 EE10 FF13 FF22 FF24

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A communication type navigation system for transmitting route information searched by a center to a communication terminal and guiding a user to a route, wherein the center divides the route information into a transmission capacity equal to or less than a reception capacity of the communication terminal and transmits the divided information. Communication type navigation system characterized by 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the route information is expressed by a communication protocol or an application language suitable for using a network provided in the communication terminal.
The communication type navigation system as described. 3. The communication navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the application language suitable for using the network is a compact hypertext markup language. 4. The communication navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the application language suitable for using the network is a hypertext markup language. 5. The communication navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the communication protocol suitable for using the network is a wireless application protocol. 6. The communication type navigation system according to claim 1, wherein an initial direction of the communication terminal is displayed. 7. The communication type navigation system according to claim 6, wherein the initial azimuth is displayed in a positional relationship with a celestial body. 8. The communication type navigation system according to claim 6, wherein the initial direction is displayed in a positional relationship with surrounding landmarks. 9. The communication type navigation system according to claim 1, wherein a main point of the route is input. 10. The communication type navigation system according to claim 9, wherein the setting of the departure point is performed by inputting two intersections, a first intersection and a next intersection. 11. Listing guidance elements that are close to the true destination,
10. The communication type navigation system according to claim 9, wherein the user selects and inputs one of them. 12. The communication type navigation system according to claim 9, wherein the input is performed by voice. 13. The communication type navigation system according to claim 9, wherein input is performed by an external keyboard connected to said communication terminal. 14. The communication type navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the turn cost at an intersection having no intersection name is increased. 15. The communication type navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising a function selection button. 16. The communication type navigation system according to claim 15, wherein a label is attached to the guide point on the route outline diagram, and the display is moved to a guide detail screen by inputting a button indicated by the label. 17. The communication navigation system according to claim 15, wherein a re-search button is provided in the course of the route guidance. 18. The communication type navigation system according to claim 15, wherein a button for searching for a continuation part is provided at the end of each divided piece by searching the long distance route. 19. The communication type navigation system according to claim 15, wherein a button is provided for selecting whether priority is given to ease of understanding of the route or short travel time. 20. The communication type navigation system according to claim 1, wherein a guide program describing the route information can be downloaded to the communication terminal. 21. The communication navigation system according to claim 20, wherein an execution result of the downloaded guidance program is divided and displayed in a display area of the communication terminal. 22. The communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein a change in the route information is notified to a user. 23. The display device according to claim 22, wherein if there is a change in the distance to the intersection or the change in the distance to the intersection, or the change in the distance to the destination, the distance is displayed.
The communication type navigation system as described. 24. The communication type navigation system according to claim 22, wherein when approaching the guide point, the buzzer volume is changed or the tone is changed according to the distance, and the sound is emitted. 25. The communication navigation system according to claim 22, wherein the backlight is turned on when approaching the guide point. 26. The communication navigation system according to claim 22, wherein when an event occurs on a route, the center notifies the communication terminal of the event. 27. The communication-type navigation system according to claim 22, wherein a re-search is started when the recommended route is left. 28. The communication type navigation system according to claim 22, wherein when the vehicle leaves the recommended route, a surrounding road that passes is transmitted to the communication terminal together with the recommended route. 29. The communication navigation system according to claim 22, wherein a route including a return route to the original route is calculated in advance and sent to the communication terminal. 30. The communication type navigation system according to claim 1, wherein an advertisement is displayed or guided. 31. The communication navigation system according to claim 30, wherein the facility information of the advertiser can be displayed on a map, and the center extracts and displays or guides the facility information near a route. 32. The communication type navigation system according to claim 31, wherein an advertiser is charged. 33. The communication navigation system according to claim 32, wherein the charging is performed according to the number of times of display or the number of times of guidance.