JP2003075168A - Communication navigation system and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communications navigation system capable of effectively providing necessary map information or the like while fully reflecting the will of a terminal device user on the way the information is provided. SOLUTION: The communications navigation system comprises the terminal device T for receiving and storing information transmitted from a server device SV, while moving together with a vehicle, and the server device SV transmitting information to the terminal device T, and performs a navigation process for assisting in navigating the vehicle. Information on the validity period of the navigation information stored is stored to determine whether or not the terminal device T has been powered (step S30), and when it is powered a determination is made as to whether or not the information is valid at the time when the device is powered, based on the validity period information (step S32); if it is determined not to be valid when the device is powered, the user is asked if the information is to be invalidated (step S51); if it is confirmed that the information is to be invalidated (step S51; YES), a process for invalidating it is carried out (step S52).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the technical field of communication navigation systems and terminal devices, and more specifically, navigation information between a server device and a terminal device on a mobile unit via a network such as the Internet. The present invention belongs to the technical field of a communication navigation system that performs a navigation process that assists the movement of the moving body such as a vehicle while exchanging information and a terminal device included in the communication navigation system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a navigation system which performs a navigation process for assisting the movement of a vehicle to a desired destination, as a navigation process for accumulating map information, retrieving the accumulated map and route search, etc. Research and development on a so-called communication navigation system in which main processing is collectively performed in a fixedly installed server device and only the result is transmitted to a terminal device connected via a network such as the Internet for navigation processing. Is being actively conducted.

Then, as part of the research and development, when the map information etc. accumulated and stored in the terminal device are periodically updated to new ones, all that are applied after the date when the previous update was made. Of the update data of the server device to the terminal device to update the map information and the like in the terminal device and the period of validity of the update data in the transmitted update data (more specifically, for example, When the update data is update data related to an event, a technique for including effective period information indicating the period of the event (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-95488), and information about the expiration of the effective period are automatically set. A technique for effectively deleting from the terminal device has been developed (see, for example, JP-A-8-95488 or JP-A-2001-108454).

[0004]

However, according to the configuration of the conventional communication navigation system described above,
The map information and the like are updated regularly (eg, once a week or once a day), and when map information or the like to be updated is found on the server device, it is immediately transmitted to the terminal device. It was supposed to update the map information and the like on the terminal device.

In this case, if the user does not wish to update the map information or the like that is no longer valid, the map information or the like is automatically updated against the intention of the user. As a result, there has been a problem that the map information or the like is updated without sufficiently reflecting the intention of the user of the terminal device.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to effectively present the map information and the like while sufficiently reflecting the intention of the user who uses the terminal device. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication navigation system that can be performed and a terminal device that constitutes the communication navigation system.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides navigation information transmitted from a server device via a network while moving together with a moving body such as a vehicle. A terminal device for receiving and accumulating, and the server device for transmitting the navigation information to the terminal device via the network,
A communication navigation system that uses the navigation information to perform navigation processing that assists the movement of the moving body, and a memory that stores valid period information indicating a period during which the stored navigation information is valid. Etc., a confirmation unit such as a processing unit for confirming whether or not the power of the terminal device has been turned on, and when the power is turned on, the accumulation is performed based on the accumulated effective period information. When the navigation information is determined to be valid when the power is turned on, a determination unit such as a processing unit, and the determination in the determination unit is determined that the navigation information is not valid when the power is turned on, Invalidation confirmation means such as a display unit for confirming whether or not to invalidate the navigation information When it is confirmed to disable the navigation information is determined to be not valid, and an invalidation unit of processing unit such as processing execution for the disabled.

Therefore, the expiration date of the navigation information accumulated when the power of the terminal device is turned on is confirmed,
Since the navigation information is invalidated when it is confirmed that it is not valid, it is possible to store valid navigation information in the terminal device at all times and present information to the user using the valid navigation information. It can be done effectively.

Further, when the invalid navigation information is invalidated, the invalidation processing is performed after confirming whether or not the invalidation processing is executed. Therefore, the navigation which is no longer valid by the user is performed. If the user does not wish to invalidate the information, the invalidation may not be performed, and the information can be presented while respecting the intention of the user.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 2 is the communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the invalidating means invalidates the navigation information determined to be invalid. When it is confirmed that the navigation information is confirmed, the navigation information is erased.

Therefore, when the ineffective navigation information is confirmed, it is deleted, so that the necessary navigation information can be presented by effectively utilizing the recording section for accumulating the navigation information without waste.

Further, since the confirmation is taken when the navigation information is erased, it is possible to prevent the navigation information which is not desired to be erased from being accidentally erased.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 3 is the communication navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the navigation information is valid when the power is turned on in the determination by the determination means. When it is determined that the navigation information is output, an output unit such as a display unit that outputs the navigation information in the terminal device is further provided.

Therefore, since only the navigation information which is determined to be valid when the power is turned on is output to the terminal device, it is possible to present information and the like using only the valid navigation information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 4 is the communication navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the navigation information is entertainment information related to the entertainment. The validity period information is configured to be validity period information indicating a period in which the event is held.

[0016] Therefore, the information about the event is presented to the user only during the period when the event is being held, so that effective information presentation can be executed at a good timing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 5 is a terminal device included in the communication navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accumulating means and the confirming means are provided. , The determination means, the invalidation confirmation means, and the invalidation means.

Therefore, the expiration date of the navigation information stored when the terminal device is turned on is confirmed, and when it is confirmed that the navigation information is not valid, the navigation information is invalidated. The information can be stored in the device, and the effective navigation information can be used to effectively present information to the user.

When the invalid navigation information is invalidated, the invalidation processing is performed after confirming whether or not the invalidation processing is executed. If the user does not wish to invalidate, it is possible not to perform the invalidation, and information can be presented while respecting the intention of the user.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the embodiments described below, a terminal device mounted on a vehicle as a moving body, a server device connected to the terminal device via a network for the moving body such as the Internet, and 1 is an embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to a navigation system that includes a network and that assists movement of a vehicle equipped with a terminal device.

(I) Overall Configuration and Operation First, the overall configuration and operation of the navigation system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system according to the embodiment, FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the navigation processing executed in the navigation system, and FIG. 5 is described later. It is a figure which shows the data structure used in the information search process.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the navigation system S according to the embodiment uses the terminal signal St as request information requesting information regarding the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle and information to be presented to the driver on the Internet. IN
To the server device SV via the Internet, and at the same time, various information for navigation processing transmitted from the server device SV via the Internet IN corresponding to the request information is received as a terminal signal St and presented to the driver. Map information to be received by the terminal device T and the terminal signal St transmitted from the terminal device T via the Internet IN as the server signal Ssv and presented to the driver on the terminal device T based on the server signal Ssv. And a server device SV for transmitting the result of the process as a server signal Ssv to the terminal device T via the Internet IN by performing a process as described later including a search process for a vehicle equipped with the terminal device T and a guide route search process for a vehicle equipped with the terminal device T. ,.

It should be noted that one server device SV is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), it is possible to transmit necessary map information and the like to a plurality of terminal devices T in a time division manner.

Next, the detailed structure of each component will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 1B, the server device SV comprises a CPU 1, a display unit 2, an input unit 3, an external storage device 4 such as a hard disk device, and an interface 5. Has been done.

In this configuration, the interface 5 is
Server signal Ssv input from Internet IN
When a processing server signal Sc to be transmitted to the terminal device T is transmitted from the CPU 1 while executing a preset input interface processing to the CPU 1 as a processing server signal Sc and outputting the processing server signal Sc to the CPU 1. A preset output interface process is executed for the server signal Sc, and the server signal Ssv is output to the terminal device T via the Internet IN.

Next, the external storage device 4 stores map information to be displayed on the terminal device T, various information used in route processing described later, and spot information necessary for executing the navigation processing of the embodiment (more specifically, Includes the position information of the point shown on the map displayed on the terminal device T, the content information of the point, etc.) and the user information that is information about the user who is using each terminal device T, etc. All information necessary for the navigation processing executed as the navigation system of the embodiment is accumulated and stored, and the information is output to the CPU 1 as a memory signal Sm as necessary.

On the other hand, the CPU 1 is composed of a map output unit 1a, a route processing unit 1b, and a search unit 1c in terms of its processing.

Then, the map output section 1a retrieves the map information corresponding to the request information from the map information stored in the external storage device 4 based on the request information input as the processing server signal Sc. Then, it is read as a memory signal Sm and is output to the terminal device T as a processing server signal Sc via the interface 5 and the Internet IN.

Further, the route processing section 1b calculates / searches a route along which the vehicle should travel, using the map information stored in the external storage device 4, based on the request information input as the processing server signal Sc. Then, the map information including the searched route is searched and read as the memory signal Sm, and this is output to the terminal device T as the processing server signal Sc via the interface 5 and the Internet IN.

In parallel with this, the route processing unit 1b generates route guidance information necessary for guiding the vehicle equipped with the terminal device T so as to move along the searched route. , And outputs the result as a processing server signal Sc to the terminal device T via the interface 5 and the Internet IN.

Further, the retrieval unit 1c retrieves the spot information or the like stored in the external storage device 4 based on the request information input as the processing server signal Sc, reads it as the memory signal Sm, and processes it. The server signal Sc is output to the terminal device T via the interface 5 and the Internet IN.

On the other hand, when the necessary information input processing is executed in the input section 3 corresponding to these processing, the input section 3 generates an input signal Sin corresponding to the information input processing and outputs it to the CPU 1. To do. Then, the CPU 1 performs a process matching the content of the input signal Sin.

Information to be presented to the operator of the server device SV in executing these processes is output to the display unit 2 as a display signal Sdp, and the display unit 2 outputs information corresponding to the display signal Sdp. Is displayed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), one terminal device T is a confirmation means including a CPU and a necessary memory,
A processing unit 10 as a determination unit and an invalidation unit, a memory 11 as an accumulation unit, a sensor unit 12, a display unit 13 as an invalidation confirmation unit and an output unit, and a voice output unit 1
4, a transceiver 15 such as a mobile phone, and an input unit 16.

In this configuration, the transmitter / receiver 15 executes a preset input interface process on the terminal signal St input from the Internet IN, and outputs it as a processing terminal signal Stt to the processing unit 10, and When the processing terminal signal Stt to be transmitted to the server device SV is transmitted from the processing unit 10, the preset output interface processing is executed for the processing terminal signal Stt, and the Internet I is used as the terminal signal St.
Output to the server device SV via N.

Next, the sensor unit 12 is specifically a GPS (Global Positioning) launched into a satellite orbit.
System) A GPS receiver that outputs absolute position information (absolute position information indicated by latitude and longitude) of a vehicle on which the terminal device T is mounted based on position information included in GPS radio waves transmitted from a satellite. , A vehicle speed sensor that calculates a mileage and a speed of the vehicle based on a so-called vehicle speed pulse transmitted with the rotation of wheels of the vehicle, and outputs distance information and speed information; The sensor signal Ssc includes an acceleration sensor that detects the inclination of the vehicle direction and outputs information about the traveling direction of the vehicle, and outputs information indicating the current position and orientation of the vehicle that is output from these sensors and a receiver.
Is output to the processing unit 10.

On the other hand, the input unit 16 is executed when the input unit 16 specifies the map to be displayed on the display unit 13 or the navigation process according to the embodiment such as the setting of the destination. The input signal Sin corresponding to the specified designation is generated and output to the processing unit 10.

As a result, the processing unit 10 obtains the current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle on which the terminal device T is mounted based on the sensor signal Ssc and the request information corresponding to the designation executed by the input unit 16. It is generated and these are treated as the processing terminal signal Stt via the transmitter / receiver 15 and the server device S
Output to V.

Then, when the result corresponding to the processing executed in the server SV based on the output request information and current position information is transmitted as the processing terminal signal Stt via the Internet IN and the transceiver 15. The processing unit 10 outputs the map information to be displayed included in the transmitted result to the display unit 15 as the display signal Sdp, and causes the display unit 15 to display the necessary map information. The information displayed on the display unit 15 includes, in addition to the map information, the server device SV described above.
It also includes the route information according to the map information or the route guidance information along the route generated by the route processing unit 1b.

Regarding the contents of the route guidance information to be notified to the driver of the vehicle by voice, this is output to the voice output unit 14 as a voice signal Sad, and the route guidance is performed by the required voice output. To perform.

Further, regarding the information that should be temporarily stored, such as the map information transmitted from the server device SV,
After being output as a memory signal Sm from the processing unit 10 to the memory 11 and temporarily stored, it is read out again as a memory signal Sm as necessary and provided for necessary processing of the indicator lamp.

Next, the navigation processing executed in the navigation system S having the above-described configuration will be described mainly with reference to the processing executed in the server device SV with reference to FIGS.

First, the map search process for searching the map to be displayed on the display unit 15 on the terminal device T will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the map search process, first, it is constantly monitored whether or not the request information indicating the map to be displayed is transmitted from the terminal device T (step S1). If there is no such request information (step S1). ; NO) Wait as it is,
On the other hand, when there is the request information (step S1; Y
ES), and then the terminal device T that has transmitted the request information
Is a terminal device T authenticated on the navigation system S of the embodiment (step S).
2).

When the authentication process is completed, next,
The map output unit 1a based on the transmitted request information
In the step S3, the map information stored in the external storage device 4 is searched for the necessary map information.
S4), when the search is completed (step S4; Y
ES), and transmits the searched map information to the terminal device T (step S5).

At this time, during the transmission, it is constantly monitored whether or not all the information has been transmitted (step S6), and when the transmission is not completed (step S6; NO), the transmission is continued as it is, while When the transmission of the necessary map information is completed (step S6; YES), a series of map search processing ends.

Next, the route calculation process for calculating the route for guiding the vehicle equipped with the terminal device T will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the route calculation process, first, a departure place, a destination and a route condition used for route calculation (more specifically, whether or not to give priority to an expressway or to pass a specific road without fail) Whether or not the request information including the calculation is transmitted from the terminal device T is constantly monitored (step S20), and when there is no such request information (step S20; NO), the process waits as it is, When there is the request information (step S20; YES), it is then determined whether the terminal device T that has transmitted the request information is the terminal device T authenticated on the navigation system S of the embodiment. Authentication is performed (step S21).

When the authentication process is completed, next,
The user information regarding the user who owns the terminal device T that has transmitted the request information is extracted and acquired from the external storage device 4 (step S22), and the destination and the like included in the request information are acquired. Necessary route calculation processing is performed in the route processing unit 1b based on the user information (steps S23 and S24), and when the route calculation processing is completed (step S24; YES), the result is temporarily C
The data is stored in the memory in PU1 and a series of route calculation processing ends. The result of the route calculation process may be transmitted to the terminal device T when the process is completed, and the result may be displayed on the display unit 15 or the like.

Further, the route guidance processing for guiding the vehicle equipped with the terminal device T along the calculated route will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 (b).

In the route guidance processing, first, it is constantly monitored whether or not the request information for requesting the start of the route guidance is transmitted from the terminal device T (step S25), and when there is no such request information (step S25). S25; NO) It stands by as it is, and when there is the request information concerned (step S)
25; YES), and then authenticates whether or not the terminal device T that has transmitted the request information is the terminal device T that has been authenticated on the navigation system S of the embodiment (step S26).

When the authentication process is completed, next,
User information regarding the user who owns the terminal device T that has transmitted the request information is positively extracted and acquired from the external storage device 4 (step S27), and further the route processing unit is associated with the request information. In 1b, necessary route guidance processing is performed (steps S28 and S29), and when the route guidance processing is completed (step S29; YES), a series of route guidance processing ends. The route guidance process includes a process of acquiring current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle from the terminal device T, a process of determining whether or not the acquired current position is on the previously calculated route, and The terminal device T is calculated by calculating the relationship between a well-known feature (a crossing to be curved or a feature to be a target, etc.) on a route to be advanced and the current position of the vehicle
And the process of making the driver recognize it.

Next, an information retrieval process for retrieving information to be notified to the driver on the terminal device T and related to the navigation process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The information retrieved in the information retrieval process described below and transmitted to the terminal device T is not only permanent information such as spot information or weather information necessary for the navigation process but also effective as that information. It includes time-limited information with a predetermined deadline. When the time-limited information is transmitted to the terminal device T, the information body is transmitted together with the expiration date information indicating the time limit.

Here, as the information with the time limit, specifically, information on entertainments related to an event such as a fireworks display or a festival whose date is set, and a store in which an opening (business) period is set in advance ( For example, information on facilities such as summer resorts), beach houses or mountain huts, or road information that is valid for a limited period of time (for example, road information indicating roads that are temporarily closed due to natural disasters such as falling rocks) )
and so on.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the information retrieval process, first, it is always monitored whether the request information indicating the information to be notified is transmitted from the terminal device T (step S).
10) If the request information does not exist (step S10;
(NO) Standby as it is, and when there is the request information (step S10; YES), the terminal device T that has transmitted the request information is then authenticated on the navigation system S of the embodiment. It is authenticated whether or not it is the device T (step S11).

When the authentication process is completed, next,
Based on the transmitted request information, the search unit 1c searches for necessary information for the information stored in the external storage device 4 (steps S12 and S13),
When the search is completed (step S13; YE
S), and transmits the searched information to the terminal device T (step S14).

At this time, during the transmission, it is constantly monitored whether or not all the information to be transmitted has been transmitted (step S
15) If the transmission is not completed (step S1)
5; NO) The transmission is continued as it is. On the other hand, when the transmission of the necessary information is completed (step S15; YES), a series of information search processing is ended.

Here, of the information transmitted in the process of step S14, the data structure of the time-limited information transmitted together with the expiration date information at the time of the transmission will be described with reference to FIG.

As the data structure, as shown in FIG. 5, the time-limited information U transmitted in step S14.
D is a basic code BC including the latitude / longitude indicating the point to which the entertainment or facility corresponding to the entertainment information or facility information transmitted as the time-limited information UD and the name of the entertainment or facility, The address information AD including the address on the map information corresponding to the entertainment or facility, and the type to which the entertainment information or the facility information as the time-limited information UD should belong (the type in this example is "entertainment" or " Facility ")
Type information CG indicating the number, telephone number information TL indicating the telephone number of the contact for the event or facility, and expiration date information EF according to the present invention indicating the period during which the event or facility is held or operated. And content information BD indicating the content of the event or facility as the information body to be presented to the user as time-limited information UD.

The expiration date information EF includes start point information ST indicating the start point of a period in which the corresponding event or facility is held or operating, and end point information ED indicating the end point of the period. ing.

Further, as the start information ST, a data code DCS indicating that the start information ST is information indicating the start of the expiration date information, size information SZS indicating the information amount of the start information ST itself, and the start information Data body BDS in which the start date (date) as the body of the information ST is described
It consists of and.

As the end information ED, a data code DCE indicating that the end information ED is information indicating the end of the expiration information, size information SZE indicating the amount of information of the end information ED itself, and the end information Data body BDE in which the end (date) as the body of information ED is described
It consists of and.

The data structure shown in FIG. 5, that is,
The data structure that constitutes one piece of data to be transmitted / received by the data code, the size information, and the data body is not limited to the time-limited information UD described above, but the terminal device T and the server device SV.
It is also used as a data structure of other data to be transmitted and received between and for navigation processing.

(II) Embodiment of Update Process Next, the update process of the time-limited information UD will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained. Note that FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the update processing.

Further, the update process described below executes necessary update of the time-limited information UD by using the effective period information EF included in the time-limited information UD transmitted to the terminal device T. Is.

In the updating process according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the processing unit 10 confirms whether or not the power switch of the terminal device T is newly turned on (step S10), and turns it on. If not (step S10; NO), it stands by as it is, while if it is turned on (step S10; YES), then the time-limited information accumulated and stored in the terminal device T at that time. For each of the UDs, the processing unit 10 determines whether the date when the power switch of the terminal device T is turned on in step S10 is within the period indicated by the expiration date information EF included in each time-limited information UD. Confirmed (step S31,
S32).

When the date when the power switch of the terminal device T is turned on is within the period indicated by the expiration date information EF (step S32; YES), the time-limited information including the expiration date information EF is set. Assuming that the UD is currently valid and therefore the information contained in the content information BD should be presented to the user, the content is presented to the user by a method adapted to the content information BD (step S3).
3) The process moves to step S40 described below. In addition,
Specifically, the presentation processing in step S33 may be displayed as a so-called icon on the display unit 13, or may be displayed in characters on the upper side or the lower side of the display area on the display unit 13.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S32 that the day when the power switch of the terminal device T is turned on is not within the period indicated by the expiration date information EF (step S32; NO), the expiration date information EF is set. The time-limited information UD including is currently invalid (that is, has no value to be presented to the user), and therefore, the terminal device T is instructed to the user whether or not to update the content next time. Confirm (steps S34 and S35). At this time, as a method of the confirmation, for example, a warning for the confirmation is given on the display unit 13, or the confirmation is performed by using the voice by the voice output unit 14.

When the user does not update the display or voice for confirmation with the input unit 16 (step S35; NO), the process directly proceeds to step S40 described later. To do.

On the other hand, when the user operates the input unit 16 to update the time-limited information UD for the confirmation display or voice (step S).
35; YES), and then, an update request necessary for the update is transmitted to the server device SV via the internet IN (step S36).

Next, the server device SV that has received the update request from the terminal device T receives this (step S42), and the search unit 1c retrieves the information for update corresponding to the received request information. Search (step S4
3) Then, the retrieved result is returned again to the terminal device T which has transmitted the update request via the Internet IN (step S44). At this time, as the search result returned by the process of step S44, when the information for updating corresponding to the update request (hereinafter, this information is simply referred to as update information) can be searched in the server device SV, (Step S43), the retrieved update information is returned as a retrieval result to the corresponding terminal device T (step S4).
4). If the update information corresponding to the update request cannot be retrieved (step S43), information indicating that fact is transmitted to the corresponding terminal device T as the retrieval result (step S44).

Next, in the terminal device T, the search result transmitted from the server device SV (step S44) is received (step S37), and the search result includes the update information or the search cannot be performed. It is confirmed whether or not the information indicating the effect is included (step S38).

When the received search result includes the information indicating that the necessary update information could not be searched (step S38; NO), it is considered that updating of the time-limited information UD is impossible. Is notified to the user (step S41), and the process directly proceeds to step S40 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S38 that the received search result includes the necessary update information (step S38; YES), the processing unit 10 updates the time-limited information UD using the update information. The process is executed (step S39), and then it is confirmed whether the power switch of the terminal device T is turned off (step S40). And
When the power switch is turned off (step S4
0; YES) The process is terminated as it is, and if the power switch is not turned off (step S40; N).
O), the process returns to step S31 again, and the update process for the other time-limited information UD is executed.

As described above, according to the update processing of the time-limited information UD in the navigation system S of the embodiment, the expiration date of the time-limited information UD accumulated when the power switch of the terminal device T is turned on is confirmed. Since the time-limited information is updated when it is confirmed that the time-limited information is not valid, the valid time-limited information UD can always be stored in the terminal device T and is used by using the valid time-limited information UD. It is possible to effectively present information to the person.

When updating the ineffective time-limited information UD, the update process is performed after confirming whether or not the process for the update is to be executed. If the information UD is not desired to be updated, the information UD may not be updated, and the information may be presented while respecting the intention of the user.

Further, since only the time-limited information UD that is determined to be valid when the power switch is turned on is presented in the terminal device T, it is possible to perform information presentation and the like using only the valid time-limited information UD.

Furthermore, since the time-limited information UD relating to the event is presented to the user only during the period when the event is being held, it is possible to perform effective information presentation in good timing.

(III) Embodiment of Invalidation Processing Next, the invalidation processing of the time-limited information UD according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the invalidation processing. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the same processing as the update processing shown in FIG. 6 is given the same step number and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the above-described update processing (see FIG. 6), the expired information UD whose expiration date has expired is updated, but in the invalidation processing described below, the expired information expires. The additional information UD is invalidated.

That is, as the process for invalidating the time-limited information UD whose expiration date has expired, as shown in FIG. 7, first, as in the case of the above-mentioned update process, whether or not the power switch is turned on and the effective period are valid. The relationship between the information EF and the turn-on timing of the power switch is confirmed (steps S30, S31, and S32), and when the time-limited information UD corresponding to the valid period information EF is valid at the present time (step S3
2; YES) After presenting the content of the time-limited information UD (step S33), the process shifts to confirmation of power-off as in the case of the update process (step S40).

On the other hand, when the time-limited information UD corresponding to the valid period information EF is not valid at the present time (step S3
2; NO), and then, the terminal device T asks the user whether or not to invalidate the time-limited information UD (steps S50 and S51). At this time, as a method of the confirmation, for example, a warning for the confirmation is given on the display unit 13, or the confirmation is performed by using the voice by the voice output unit 14.

Then, when the user operates the input unit 16 so as not to invalidate the time-limited information UD with respect to the display or voice for the confirmation (step S51; NO), the above-mentioned is performed as it is. The process moves to step S40.

On the other hand, if the user operates the input unit 16 to invalidate the time-limited information UD for the confirmation display or voice (step S51; YES), , The time-limited information UD is invalidated (step S52), and the process proceeds to step S40.

As the invalidation processing in step S52, specifically, the time-limited information UD to be invalidated may be hidden by adding a flag indicating non-displayable, or The time-limited information UD itself to be invalidated may be deleted from the memory 11.

As described above, according to the invalidation processing of the time-limited information UD in the navigation system S of the embodiment, the expiration date of the time-limited information UD accumulated when the terminal device T is powered on is confirmed. Since the time-limited information UD is invalidated when it is confirmed that it is not valid, the valid time-limited information UD can be always stored in the terminal device T and the valid time-limited information UD is used. It is possible to effectively present information to the user.

When invalidating the ineffective time-limited information UD, the invalidation process is performed after confirming whether or not the process for the invalidation is executed, so that the user is no longer valid. If you do not wish to invalidate the time-limited information UD, you can decide not to invalidate it.
Information can be presented while respecting the will of the user.

Further, when the ineffective time-limited information UD is confirmed, if it is to be erased, the memory 11 in the terminal device T is effectively utilized without waste and the necessary time-limited information UD is presented. You can

Furthermore, since the confirmation is taken when the time-limited information UD is erased, it is possible to prevent the time-limited information UD which is not desired to be erased from being accidentally erased.

Further, since only the time-limited information UD that is determined to be valid when the power is turned on is output to the terminal device T, it is possible to present information and the like using only the valid time-limited information UD.

Furthermore, since the information about the event is presented to the user only during the period when the event is being held, it is possible to perform effective information presentation at a good timing.

In each of the above embodiments, the terminal device T
As the terminal device T, a mobile phone or a mobile personal computer capable of displaying a map or other entertainment information may be used as the terminal device T. It is possible.

Further, the program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 is recorded in an information recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or via a network such as the Internet. It is stored after being distributed, and is read out by a general-purpose microcomputer or the like to be executed, whereby the microcomputer or the like according to each embodiment is
It is also possible to function as the PU 1 or the processing unit 10.

[0098]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, when the expiration date of the navigation information accumulated when the terminal device is powered on is confirmed, and it is confirmed that the navigation information is not valid, Since the navigation information is invalidated, the valid navigation information can be always stored in the terminal device, and the effective navigation information can be used to effectively present information to the user.

When invalidating the ineffective navigation information, the invalidation process is performed after confirming whether or not the invalidation process is executed. Therefore, the navigation which is no longer valid by the user is performed. If the user does not wish to invalidate the information, the invalidation may not be performed, and the information can be presented while respecting the intention of the user.

According to the invention of claim 2, claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), when invalid navigation information is confirmed, it is deleted, so that the necessary navigation information can be presented by effectively utilizing the recording unit that stores the navigation information without waste. it can.

Further, since the confirmation is taken when the navigation information is erased, it is possible to prevent the navigation information which is not desired to be erased from being accidentally erased.

According to the invention of claim 3, claim 1
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in 2, since only the navigation information that is determined to be valid when the power is turned on is output to the terminal device, it is possible to perform information presentation and the like using only the valid navigation information.

According to the invention of claim 4, claim 1
In addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of 1 to 3, information about the event will be presented to the user only during the period when the event is being held, so effective presentation of information will be performed in a timely manner. be able to.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the expiry date of the navigation information accumulated when the terminal device is powered on is confirmed, and when it is confirmed that it is not valid, the navigation information is invalidated. Therefore, it is possible to always store valid navigation information in the terminal device, and to effectively present information to the user by using the valid navigation information.

Further, when the ineffective navigation information is invalidated, the invalidation processing is performed after confirming whether or not the processing for the invalidation is executed, so that the navigation information that is no longer valid is executed. If the user does not wish to invalidate, it is possible not to perform the invalidation, and information can be presented while respecting the intention of the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system of each embodiment, (a) is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of the navigation system, and (b) is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a server device. Yes, (c) is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the terminal device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a map search process according to each embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing route processing according to each embodiment, (a) is a flowchart showing route calculation processing according to the embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing route guidance processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an information search process according to each embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of time-limited information relating to information search processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of update processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of invalidation processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU 1a ... Map output section 1b ... Path processing unit 1c ... Search section 2, 13 ... Display 3, 16 ... Input section 4 ... External storage device 5 ... Interface 10 ... Processing unit 11 ... Memory 12 ... Sensor section 14 ... Voice output section 15 ... Transceiver S ... Navigation system SV ... Server device T ... Terminal device IN ... Internet UD ... Information with time limit BC ... Basic code AD ... Address information CG ... Type information TL ... phone number information EF ... Expiration date information BD ... Content information ST ... Starting information ED ... Terminal information DCS, DCE ... Data code SZS, SZE ... Size information BDS, BDE ... Data body St ... Terminal signal Ssv ... server signal Sc ... Processing server signal Sm ... Memory signal Sin ... input signal Sdp ... Display signal Stt ... Processing terminal signal Ssc ... Sensor signal Sad ... voice signal

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device for receiving and accumulating navigation information transmitted from a server device via a network while moving with a mobile body, and transmitting the navigation information to the terminal device via the network. In the communication navigation system configured to perform the navigation process for assisting the movement of the mobile body by using the navigation information, the server device that performs A storage unit that stores period information, a confirmation unit that confirms whether or not the power of the terminal device is turned on, and, when the power is turned on, the stored information based on the stored valid period information. Judgment to determine whether or not the navigation information present is valid when the power is turned on. Means and an invalidation confirmation means for confirming whether or not to invalidate the navigation information when the navigation information is determined to be invalid at the time of power-on in the determination by the determination means, and When it is confirmed that the determined navigation information is invalidated, a nullification unit that executes processing for the invalidation is provided, and the communication navigation system is provided. 2. The communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the invalidating unit erases the navigation information when it is confirmed that the navigation information determined to be invalid is invalidated. Characteristic communication navigation system. 3. The communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination by the determination unit determines that the navigation information is valid when the power is turned on, the navigation information is stored in the terminal device. A communication navigation system, further comprising output means for outputting. 4. The communication navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the navigation information is entertainment information related to an event, and the expiration date information is an effective period indicating a period in which the event is held. A communication navigation system characterized by being information. 5. The terminal device included in the communication navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit, the confirmation unit, the determination unit, the invalidation confirmation unit, and the invalidation unit. A terminal device comprising: