JP2002277253A - Navigator and server apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigator and a server apparatus which receive minimum essentials of information, as needed, to reduce the quantity of information to be received, thereby saving the communication cost. SOLUTION: The navigator 1 comprises a telephone 10 capable of communicating with a server apparatus and a control circuit 6 for controlling the telephone 10. The control circuit 6 enables the telephone 10 to take a state of transmitting the position information of the present position and a destination to the server apparatus, a state of receiving a junction or a destination of a planned running route, a state of requesting the server apparatus to give map information or surrounding information including the junction or the designation of the planned running route in a specified area at the junction or the destination of the a planned running route, and a state of receiving map information or surrounding information including the junction or the designation of the planned running route in a specified area including the junction or the destination of the planned running route.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device for receiving map information or peripheral information, and a server device for distributing map information or peripheral information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some navigation apparatuses can receive the latest detailed map information and peripheral information through communication. VICS (Vehicle
Information and Communication System) services include FM multiplex broadcasting, radio beacons, and optical beacons.

In order to reduce the size and weight, CD-RO
A navigation device that does not include a disk drive device such as an M or a DVD-ROM, but includes a small storage medium such as a smart media, a compact flash, a memory stick, or an SD card has been considered. Since such a small storage medium has a small storage capacity, the navigation device needs to receive the map information and the peripheral information through the above communication.

[0004]

However, in obtaining information by communication as described above, since the storage capacity of the navigation device is small, it is difficult to always display detailed map information or peripheral information with a large scale. The device must always be connected to the server device that delivers the information. Therefore, the frequency of reception increases and the communication cost increases. Furthermore, the constant reception of both map information and peripheral information increases the amount of information and increases the frequency of reception, that is, the communication cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation apparatus which receives only necessary minimum information when necessary and reduces the amount of information to be received to save communication costs. I do. It is another object of the present invention to provide a server device capable of distributing only necessary minimum information when necessary and reducing the amount of information to be distributed to save communication costs.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus having communication means capable of communicating with a server, and control means for controlling the communication means. By means, the communication means can take a state of receiving map information or peripheral information, including a branch point or a destination of the planned travel route, in a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of the planned travel route. Features.

[0007] In a second aspect based on the first aspect, a state in which the control means transmits the current position and the destination position information to the server device by the control means; In a state where the position information of the ground is received, and within a predetermined area of the branch point or the destination of the planned travel route, the server device requests map information or peripheral information including the branch point or the destination of the planned travel route. State and
Is characterized in that

[0008] In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the control means causes the communication means to transmit the current location and the destination location information to the server device, and to periodically send the current location to the server device. And a state of transmitting the position information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, the branch point is a branch point that bends on a planned traveling route.

In a fifth aspect based on the first to fourth aspects, the predetermined area is a map of a predetermined radius or a predetermined number of divided units.

As described above, according to the navigation apparatus of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the map information and the peripheral information are received within the predetermined area including the branch point of the planned traveling route or the destination, thereby minimizing the necessary information. Limited information, and outside of a predetermined area including the branch point of the planned route or the destination, the map information and the surrounding information are not particularly received, thereby reducing the amount of information received and reducing communication costs. it can.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the server device for distributing map information or peripheral information to the navigation device, when the navigation device is located within a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of the planned traveling route, the navigation device performs the traveling. It is characterized in that it can be in a state of distributing map information or peripheral information including a branch point or a destination of a planned route.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, a state in which the current position and the position information of the destination are received from the navigation device, and the position information of the branch point or the destination of the planned traveling route is transmitted to the navigation device. Delivery status,
Is characterized in that

In an eighth aspect based on the sixth aspect, a state in which the current position and the position information of the destination are received from the navigation device, a state in which the position information of the current position is periodically received from the navigation device, Is characterized in that

According to a ninth aspect, in the sixth to eighth aspects, the branch point is a branch point that bends on a planned traveling route.

In a tenth aspect based on the sixth to ninth aspects, the predetermined area is a map of a predetermined radius or a predetermined number of divided units.

As described above, according to the server device of the sixth to tenth aspects, the map information and the peripheral information are distributed within a predetermined area including the branch point of the planned traveling route or the destination, so that the required minimum is obtained. Limited information, and outside the predetermined area including the branch point or destination of the planned route,
By not distributing the map information and the peripheral information in particular, the amount of information to be distributed can be reduced and communication costs can be saved.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using a navigation device and a server device according to the present invention. The information database 3 stores map information of a plurality of scales and peripheral information corresponding to the map information of each scale. Then, the server device 2 reads the appropriate map information 4 and the surrounding information 5 from the information database 3.
Is read out and distributed to the navigation device 1. Here, the communication means between the navigation device 1 and the server device 2 is not particularly limited as long as communication can be performed. For example, when information is distributed via the Internet, a telephone network such as a car phone or a mobile phone is used. And VIC
When distributing via the S service, FM multiplex broadcasting or the like can be used.

The information database 3 may be provided in the server device 2 or may be provided outside the server device 2 and connected by a communication line such as the Internet. With this communication system, the navigation device 1
Can individually receive the map information 4 and the peripheral information 5, so that it is possible to reduce communication costs by receiving only desired information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the navigation device 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes a control circuit constituted by a microcomputer or the like, which controls the navigation device 1 based on a program written in the ROM 7 and displays map information and peripheral information on a liquid crystal display unit 8. 9 is R
AM, which stores information necessary for the operation of the control circuit 6. Reference numeral 10 denotes a telephone unit, which communicates with the server device 2 in FIG. 1 and receives the map information 4 and the peripheral information 5. Here, the received map information and peripheral information are stored individually in the RAM 9. Reference numeral 11 denotes GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning means, which receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite to measure a current position, and supplies measurement data to the control circuit 6. An input unit 12 includes a peripheral information key 12a for switching whether or not the user receives the peripheral information.

When the storage capacity is increased, the amount of information that can be received at one time increases, and the frequency of receiving information decreases. However, it is necessary to select the RAM 9 in consideration of the fact that the RAM 9 becomes expensive. . Also RAM9
Alternatively, an external storage medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick, or an SD card may be used.

Although the input unit 12 uses an input method by key operation in FIG. 2, it may be a touch panel type.

When the navigation device 1 is started,
The user operates the input unit 12 on the display unit 8 to set a destination. A plurality of destinations can be set up to a final destination including a destination on the way. The setting method can be set by inputting an address, telephone number, or postal code, or by inputting the name of a prefecture, area, area code, or the name of a major building or intersection near the destination. The setting can be performed by receiving the map information and the peripheral information, and further by selecting a destination on the map.

When the destination is set, the navigation device 1 transmits the position information of the destination and the current position to the server device 2.
Send to Here, the location information of the destination is, for example,
When the destination is set with a name such as a region name or a building name, the name can be used. When the destination is selected from a map, the latitude and longitude can be used. The position information of the current position can be the latitude and longitude of the current position measured by the GPS positioning means.

When the server device 2 receives the positional information on the destination and the current position, the server device 2 runs on the basis of the map information 4 and the peripheral information 5 in the information database 3 to travel from the current position to the destination. A route is calculated, and map information near the current position including the planned route is displayed on the navigation device 1.
Distribute to Then, the navigation device 1 receives the map information near the current position, stores it in the RAM 9,
The map information for one screen including the current position is read from 9 and the current position is superimposed on the map information, and the image 13 in FIG. In FIG. 3, an arrow image indicates the current position.

As soon as the server device 2 receives the position information of the destination and the current position, the server device 2 calculates the planned travel route, the planned travel distance, and the planned travel time, and displays the display section 8 from the current position to the destination. It may be distributed together with a small map of a scale that fits in.

The map information to be displayed next to the map information near the current position received by the navigation device 1 displays a small scale map when detailed information is not required. For a map with a small scale, if a wide range map with a small scale is stored in an external storage medium such as a memory stick, a compact flash, or an SD card in advance, and the external storage medium is set in the navigation device 1, It can be read out directly from an external storage medium and displayed. In addition, the map with the small scale may be stored in the RAM 9 when the navigation device 1 receives the map with the small scale including the planned travel route at the time when the planned travel route is calculated.

On the other hand, the map information to be displayed next to the map information near the current position received by the navigation device 1 is, when the current position is within a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of the planned traveling route, the branch point. The server device 2 distributes map information or peripheral information including points or destinations, and the navigation device 1 receives the map information or the peripheral information. Note that the branch point may be limited to a branch point that bends on the planned traveling route. Here, there are the following two determination methods for determining whether or not the current position is within a predetermined area of a junction or a destination.

In the first determination method, the server device 2 distributes the position information (latitude / longitude) of a branch point or a destination approaching next on the scheduled route to the navigation device 1, and the navigation device 1 transmits the position information. Is compared with the current position to determine whether or not the vehicle has approached a predetermined area.

The second determination method is the navigation device 1
Periodically sends the position information (latitude / longitude) of the current position to the server device 2, and the server device 2 sends the position information and the position information (latitude / longitude) of the next approaching branch point or destination on the planned route. ) Is compared to determine whether the vehicle has approached a predetermined area.

Note that the predetermined area can be, for example, within a predetermined radius, such as within a radius of 2 km. Further, the inside of the predetermined area may be a map of a predetermined number of division units. Here, the map of the division unit indicates a map area received by one communication or a map of a unit constituting a map to be displayed (for example, a map of nine units constituting one screen). FIG. 4 shows an example of a predetermined number of division units. The screen 14 when one screen composed of a map of nine units is set is shown, wherein an arrow image indicates a current position, and a center point indicates a branch point or a destination of a planned traveling route.

In the above navigation device 1, the peripheral information can be received and displayed at any time by turning on the peripheral information key 12a. For example, when the peripheral information key 12a is turned on while the image 13 in FIG. 3 is displayed, the image 15 in FIG. Hereinafter, embodiments of the navigation device 1 and the server device 2 will be described. <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 is a navigation device 1 that uses the first determination method described above to determine whether or not the current position is within a predetermined area of a junction or a destination. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation of the navigation device 1. In step S10, when the user operates the input unit 12 on the display unit 8 to input a building name and set a destination, the navigation device 1 sets the building name, the latitude and The longitude is transmitted to the server device 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S11 to receive the map information near the current position including the planned traveling route, store the map information in the RAM 9, read the map information for one screen including the current position from the RAM 9, and add the current position to the map information. Are displayed in layers.

Thereafter, from step S11 to step S11
Proceed to step 12 to receive the latitude / longitude of the next branch point or destination on the scheduled traveling route. Next, the process proceeds to step S13, where the distance between the two points is calculated from the latitude / longitude received in step S12 and the latitude / longitude of the current position, and it is determined whether or not the distance is within a predetermined area (within 2 km). If the current position is within the predetermined area in step S13, the process proceeds to step S14 to request the server device for map information or peripheral information around the next approaching branch point or destination. Then, the information requested in step S15 is received and R
The information is stored in the AM 9, the information is read from the RAM 9, and the current position is superimposed on the information and displayed. Then, when the vehicle passes the junction or the destination, the process returns to step S12.

On the other hand, if the current position does not fall within the predetermined area in step S13, the process proceeds to step S16, in which a memory stick (not shown) which has been set in the navigation device 1 and stores a wide range of small scale map information in advance. )) And read out and display a map with a small scale. Thereafter, the process returns to step S12. Step S12
The routine from S16 to S16 is repeated until the vehicle reaches the final destination. <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment is a server device 2 that distributes information to the navigation device 1 of the first embodiment. In FIG.
A flowchart of the operation of the server device 2 is shown. In step S20, the server device 2 receives the building name of the destination and the latitude and longitude of the current position transmitted from the navigation device 1. Next, the process proceeds to step S21, where the building name of the destination is searched from the peripheral information 5 of the information database 3, and the latitude / longitude of the corresponding map information is read. Then, a planned traveling route is calculated based on the latitude and longitude of the destination and the current position.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S22 to distribute map information near the current position including the planned traveling route. Further, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S23, and the latitude / longitude of the next approaching branch point or destination on the scheduled traveling route is distributed. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, and it is determined whether or not there is a request from the navigation device 1 for information about the next approaching branch point or the destination. If there is a request for information in step S24, the process proceeds to step S25, and information near the branch point or the destination is distributed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S23. The routine of steps S23 to S25 is repeated until the vehicle reaches the final destination. <Embodiment 3> Embodiment 3 is a server device 2 that uses the above-mentioned second determination method to determine whether or not the current position is within a predetermined area of a junction or a destination. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the operation of the server device 2. Server device 2
Receives the building name of the destination and the latitude and longitude of the current position transmitted from the navigation device 1 in step S30. Next, proceeding to step S31, the building name of the destination is searched from the peripheral information 5 of the information database 3, and the latitude / longitude of the corresponding map information is read. Then, a scheduled travel route is calculated based on the latitude and longitude between the destination and the current position.

Thereafter, the flow advances to step S32 to distribute map information near the current position including the planned traveling route. Next, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S33 to calculate the latitude / longitude of a next approaching branch point or destination on the planned traveling route. Then, the process proceeds to step S34 to receive the latitude / longitude of the current position from the navigation device 1. Next, the process proceeds to step S35, where the distance between the two points is calculated from the latitude / longitude calculated in step S33 and the latitude / longitude of the current position received in step S34, and the distance between the two points is calculated.
(within km).

If the current position is within the predetermined area in step S35, the flow advances to step S36 to distribute information about the branch point or the destination. Thereafter, the process returns to step S33. If the current position is not within the predetermined area in step S35, the process returns to step S34. The reception of the latitude and longitude of the current position in step S34 is performed periodically (for example, every predetermined time or every predetermined distance). The routine of steps S33 to S36 is repeated until the vehicle reaches the final destination. Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment is a navigation device 1 that receives information from the server device 2 of the third embodiment. FIG.
2 shows a flowchart of the operation of the navigation device 1. In step S40, the user operates the display unit 8
When a destination is set by inputting a building name by operating the input unit 12 above, the navigation device 1 transmits the building name and the latitude / longitude of the current position to the server device 2. . Then, the process proceeds to step S41, in which map information around the current position including the planned traveling route is received and RA
The information is stored in M9, the map information for one screen including the current position is read out from the RAM 9, and the current position is superimposed on the map information and displayed.

Thereafter, from step S41 to step S41
Proceeding to 42, the latitude / longitude of the current position is transmitted to the server device 2. Next, the process proceeds to step S43, and it is determined whether or not there is distribution of information near the next branch point or destination from the server device 2. If there is information distribution in step S43, the process proceeds to step S44, where the received map information or peripheral information is stored in the RAM 9, the information is read out from the RAM 9, and the current position is superimposed on the information and displayed. When the vehicle passes the branch point or the destination, the process returns to step S42.

On the other hand, if there is no information distribution in step S43, it means that the vehicle is not approaching the next branch point or the destination, so the process proceeds to step S45, where the map is set in the navigation device 1 and a large scale map of a small scale is set in advance. A map with a small scale is read from a memory stick (not shown) storing information and displayed. After a while
It returns to step S42. The routine of steps S42 to S45 is repeated until the vehicle reaches the final destination.

According to the navigation apparatus of the first or fourth embodiment, within a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of a planned traveling route, map information or peripheral information having a large scale including the branch point or the destination is received. However, outside the predetermined area including the branch point or the destination of the planned traveling route, by displaying the map information of a small scale, only the minimum necessary information is received, and the amount of information to be received is reduced to reduce the communication cost. Can be saved.

According to the server apparatus of the second or third embodiment, within a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of a planned traveling route, map information or peripheral information having a large scale including the branch point or the destination is distributed. However, by not distributing the information outside the predetermined area including the branch point of the planned traveling route or the destination, only the minimum necessary information is distributed, the amount of information to be distributed is reduced, and the communication cost can be reduced.

In the present invention, when the current position deviates from the planned route, it is desirable that the server apparatus 2 distributes the map information having a large scale and the navigation apparatus 1 receives the map information. Thus, necessary information can be displayed even when the user goes wrong on the road or deviates from the scheduled route due to a meal or the like.

In the navigation device or the server device according to the present invention, the time can be recognized by providing the navigation device with a clock function or receiving the radio wave of the standard time by the navigation device or the server device. If it is possible to set the time at which the peripheral information key is automatically turned on by the navigation device, for example, if the navigation device is set so that the peripheral information key is turned on at noon, the vicinity of a restaurant or the like at noon Information can also be received.

In the navigation apparatus according to the present invention, when map information or peripheral information is received, the fact that the information has been received is notified by voice, thereby further improving usability.

It should be noted that the navigation device of the present invention can be used more easily when incorporated in a mobile phone as well as for a vehicle or a portable device.

[0046]

According to the navigation device of the present invention,
Within a predetermined area including the branch point or destination of the planned travel route, by receiving map information or peripheral information including the branch point or destination of the planned travel route, only the minimum necessary information is received and received. Communication amount can be reduced by reducing the amount of information to be transmitted.

According to the server device of the present invention, when the navigation device is located within a predetermined area including the branch point or the destination of the planned travel route, the map information or the map information including the branch point or the destination of the planned travel route is provided. By distributing the peripheral information, only the necessary minimum information is distributed, and the amount of information to be distributed can be reduced to reduce communication costs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using a navigation device and a server device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image displaying map information of the navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a predetermined number of division units including a current position of the navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image displaying map information and peripheral information of the navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the server device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the server device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the navigation device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 navigation device 2 server device 4 map information 5 peripheral information

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Tanaka 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C032 HB05 HB22 HB23 HB24 HB25 HC08 HC11 HC24 HC27 HD03 HD16 2F029 AA02 AB07 AB13 AC06 AC09 AC14 AC16 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB12 BB15 CC12 FF05 FF13 FF22 FF33 5K067 AA29 BB36 DD52 EE02 EE12 EE16 FF03 GG11 HH05 HH22

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Communication means capable of communicating with a server device;
A navigation device provided with control means for controlling the communication means, wherein the control means causes the communication means to perform, within a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of the planned travel route, a branch point or a destination of the planned travel route. A navigation device capable of receiving map information or surrounding information including the ground. 2. A state in which the control means causes the communication means to transmit current position information and a position information of a destination to the server device; and a state in which position information of a branch point or a destination of the planned traveling route is received. A state that requests map information or peripheral information including a branch point or a destination of the planned travel route from a server device within a predetermined area of a branch point or a destination of the planned travel route. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A state in which the control means causes the communication means to transmit current position and destination position information to the server device; a state in which current position information is periodically transmitted to the server device; 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the fork is a fork that turns on a scheduled route. 5. The map according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area is a map of a predetermined radius or a predetermined number of divided units.
The navigation device according to any one of the above. 6. A server device for distributing map information or peripheral information to a navigation device, wherein, when the navigation device is located within a predetermined area including a branch point or a destination of the planned traveling route, branching of the planned traveling route is performed. A server device capable of distributing map information or peripheral information including points or destinations. 7. A state where the current position and the position information of the destination are received from the navigation device, and a state where the position information of the branch point or the destination of the planned route is delivered to the navigation device. 7. The server device according to claim 6, wherein: 8. A state in which the navigation apparatus receives a current position and destination position information from the navigation apparatus, and a state in which the navigation apparatus periodically receives current position information from the navigation apparatus. Item 7. The server device according to Item 6. 9. The server device according to claim 6, wherein the branch point is a branch point that turns on a planned traveling route. 10. The map according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined area is a map of a predetermined radius or a predetermined number of divided units.
9. The server device according to any one of 9 above.