JP2003090736A - On-vehicle device, and device and method for providing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the usability of an on-vehicle device such as a navigation device. SOLUTION: The navigation device 20 sends a menu request including a vehicle position, etc., to an information providing center 10. The information providing center 10 once receiving the menu request from the navigation device 20 generates menu data for displaying a menu from which a user selects an arbitrary function out of respective functions that the navigation device 20 can provide while taking vehicle position data, etc., included in the menu request into consideration. The generated menu data are sent to the navigation device 20. The navigation device 20 displays the menu according to the menu data received from the information providing center 10 and executes the function corresponding to an item that the user selects.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device such as a navigation device and an information providing device for providing information to the in-vehicle device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent navigation devices have been able to provide users with various functions in addition to route guidance and map display. For example, there is a navigation device that can access an information providing device using a communication device such as a mobile phone, obtain various information such as traffic information and weather information, and provide the user with the information.

[0003]

Generally, a navigation device is provided with a plurality of operation buttons. When the user operates the operation button, the navigation device executes a program for realizing the function assigned to this operation button. As a result, the user can receive the desired function.

By the way, in the conventional navigation device, the function assigned to each operation button is fixed, and it is impossible to change the function assigned to one operation button to another operation button. .

As described above, recent navigation devices can provide various functions to users. However, in the navigation device, the allowable size of the device body is limited due to the installation location and the like, and thus the number of operation buttons is also limited. For this reason, in recent navigation devices, a plurality of functions are assigned to each of the plurality of operation buttons, and the function assigned to each operation button is switched and used by using a page feed button or the like provided separately from these operation buttons. It is designed so that you can do it. However, since the plurality of functions assigned to each of the plurality of operation buttons are fixed, it is necessary for the user to operate a page forward button or the like in order to call a function useful for the user. . Here, it is considered that the useful function for the user changes depending on the situation in which the user is placed.

Further, as described above, the size of the navigation device body is limited to an allowable range due to the installation location and the like. However, the size of the display screen of the display unit does not impair the environment inside the vehicle. It is preferable to set it within a range that can be in harmony with other in-vehicle devices. For example, the display unit is integrated with the device body, and the size of the entire navigation device is the same as that of a general car stereo, 1 DIN (Deutsches Institut).
In the case of fuer Normung), the display screen is a wide (horizontal) screen of about 4.2 inches. Hitherto, no consideration has been given to performing a route display or a route guidance display that is easy for the user to understand by using such a small wide screen.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the usability of a vehicle-mounted device such as a navigation device.

[0008] Specifically, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device capable of flexibly changing the function assigned to each operation button.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus which can provide information to an in-vehicle apparatus and can set the in-vehicle apparatus so as to easily call a function that is considered useful to a user. To do.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device capable of displaying a route which is easy for the user to understand and a route guidance for using a small horizontally long screen.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides an on-vehicle device which processes information received from an information providing device by utilizing radio.

The in-vehicle device according to this aspect of the invention provides menu information (for example, HTML (Hyper Text) received from the information providing device.
(Markup Language) document), item information (visible information such as text data and image data) indicating each function that the in-vehicle device can provide is displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle device. In the menu information, the display position on the display screen for each item information indicating each function is a position that is predetermined according to the operation button of the vehicle-mounted device assigned to the function indicated by the item information. Is set. Further, information for calling the function indicated by the item information is associated with the item information. Here, the information for calling the function indicated by the item information is, for example, information designating a program or a storage location of the information (for example, URL (Uniform Resour).
ce Locator)) is the information that specifies.

Further, the in-vehicle apparatus of this aspect is set to analyze the menu information and display the menu information at a predetermined position according to the operated operation button, when an operation on the operation button is detected. The item information is specified, and the function indicated by the item information is executed according to the information associated with the specified item information. For example, the function indicated by the specified item information is executed by executing the program specified by the information associated with the specified item information. Alternatively, the storage location designated by the information associated with the specified item information is accessed and the obtained information is displayed on the display screen.

According to the on-vehicle device of this aspect, the function assignment to each of the plurality of operation buttons provided on the on-vehicle device is set according to the menu information downloaded from the information providing device. As a result, the function assigned to each operation button can be flexibly changed only by changing the content of the menu information downloaded from the information providing device. This improves the usability of the vehicle-mounted device. In addition, the menu information causes the display screen to display the item information indicating the function assigned to the operation button at a position predetermined according to the operation button, so that the user can select which operation button has which function. You can visually see if a has been assigned.

Next, a second aspect of the present invention provides an information providing device for providing information to an on-vehicle device such as a navigation device.

In the information providing apparatus of this aspect, when the menu request including the vehicle position information is received from the in-vehicle device, the user of the in-vehicle device considers the vehicle position information included in the menu request, Create menu information to select any function from each function that can be provided by. Then, the created menu information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device, and the menu is displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle device.

Here, when the vehicle-mounted device is the vehicle-mounted device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the menu information is created as follows. That is, in consideration of the vehicle position information included in the menu request received from the in-vehicle device, operation buttons assigned to each function that the in-vehicle device can provide to the user,
Item information indicating each function is determined. For example, by using a traffic information database for managing traffic information of each area, it is investigated whether or not a traffic obstacle has occurred near the point specified by the vehicle position information. When a traffic obstacle has occurred, the operation buttons assigned to the respective functions and the respective functions are assigned so that the in-vehicle device can preferentially assign the operation buttons to the function for obtaining the information of the traffic obstacle. Determine the item information to be shown. Then, the menu information is created according to this determination.

According to the information providing apparatus of this aspect, the vehicle position information received from the in-vehicle device is taken into consideration, and the menu is displayed on the in-vehicle device so that the function which is considered useful to the user can be easily called. You can For example, if a traffic obstacle has occurred near the vehicle position, a menu can be displayed so that the function for obtaining the information on the traffic obstacle has priority over other functions.
This improves the usability of the vehicle-mounted device.

Next, a third aspect of the present invention provides an in-vehicle device having a horizontally long display screen and a route guidance function.

In the vehicle-mounted device of this aspect, the vehicle position and the route are displayed on the display unit in the first display mode so that the traveling direction of the vehicle is on the upper side of the display screen, and one of the two points is displayed. A second display mode in which the route between the two points is displayed on the display unit so that the route is displayed on the right side of the screen and the other of the two points is displayed on the left side of the display screen.

Here, in the second display mode, it is preferable to display the route between the two points so that the two points are located diagonally on the display screen.

According to the on-vehicle device of this aspect, the vehicle traveling direction is on the upper side of the display screen by performing the display for route guidance in the first display mode, which is easy for the user to understand. Further, by displaying the route used for route guidance in the second display mode, the route is displayed in the horizontal direction, so that the horizontally long display screen can be effectively used to display the route. Therefore, the usability of the vehicle-mounted device is improved.

Here, in the first mode, when the vehicle position and the route are displayed so that the vehicle position is displayed at the bottom of the display screen and the route in the vehicle traveling direction is displayed above the vehicle position on the display screen. Good. Alternatively, the route including the vehicle position is displayed on the first split screen obtained by splitting the display screen to the left and right, and the first split screen is displayed on the second split screen obtained by splitting the display screen to the left and right. The vehicle position and the route may be displayed such that the route closer to the destination than the route displayed on the screen is displayed.

In any case, by doing this,
The route in the vehicle traveling direction displayed on the display screen can be lengthened. As a result, the user can easily grasp the route even on a small horizontally long display screen, and the usability of the vehicle-mounted device is further improved.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, the communication system of this embodiment includes a navigation device 20 mounted on a vehicle and used, and data related to navigation such as map data, route data, traffic data, sightseeing data and weather data. , And an information providing center 10 that provides various other data to the navigation device 20.

The navigation device 20 is configured to be connectable to the mobile phone 30, and communicates with the information providing center 10 via the mobile phone 30, the wireless base station 60 and the public network 50. Further, the navigation device 20 is configured to be connectable with various sensors mounted on the vehicle such as a GPS receiver 40, a vehicle speed sensor (not shown), a gyro sensor, etc.

Now, in the communication system having the above configuration,
The navigation device 20 transmits a menu request including vehicle position data, vehicle data, model data of the navigation device 20, etc. to the information providing center 10. Upon receiving the menu request from the navigation device 20, the information providing center 10 considers the vehicle position data, the vehicle data, the model data, etc. included in the menu request, and selects from among the functions that the navigation device 20 can provide. Creates menu data for displaying a menu for selecting an arbitrary function on the display screen of the navigation device 20. Then, the created menu data is transmitted to the navigation device 20. The navigation device 20 displays the menu on the display screen according to the menu data received from the information providing center 10. And
Executes the function corresponding to the item selected by the user from the items displayed in the menu.

Next, the navigation device 20 and the information providing center 10 which constitute the above communication system will be described.

First, the navigation device 20 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the navigation device 20.

As shown, the navigation device 20
Is a CPU 201, a RAM 202 that functions as a work area of the CPU 201, a flash ROM 203 that stores various programs for realizing each function that the navigation device 20 can provide to a user, and a mobile phone that connects the mobile phone 30. Telephone IF (interface) 204, menu data 2101 and map data 2
A memory card (including a card-type hard disk device) 21 used to store various data such as 102
Memory card IF205 for connecting 0 and GPS
A sensor IF 206 for connecting the receiver 40, various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor and a gyro sensor, an operation button group 207, a display 208, and each of these parts 2
Bus 209 for interconnecting 01-208.

Here, in the flash ROM 203, O
S (Operation system) PG (Program) 20
31, menu display PG2032, function execution PG203
3 and vehicle position calculation PG2034 are stored. Further, as an application PG for realizing each function that the navigation device 20 can provide to the user, a function expansion PG 2035 and a web browser PG 203.
6. Email PG2037 and navigation PG
2038 is stored.

The OSPG 2031 is a program which is first loaded into the RAM 202 and is executed by the CPU 201 when the navigation device 20 is powered on, and is for controlling the respective units 201 to 208 shown in FIG. Is.

The menu display PG 2032 is a program for creating a menu request, transmitting it to the information providing center 10, and displaying a menu on the display 208 according to the menu data received from the information providing center 10. Like the OSPG 2031, when the navigation device 20 is powered on, it is loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the CPU 201.

The function execution PG 2033 is the OSPG 203.
When 1 detects an operation on the operation button group 207, a program for specifying the function corresponding to the item selected by the user by this operation from the menu displayed on the display 208 and executing the specified function. is there. Similar to OSPG2031, the navigation device 2
When the power of 0 is turned on, it is loaded into the RAM 202 and the CPU
201 is executed.

The vehicle position calculation PG 2034 is a sensor IF.
The vehicle position (current location) of the vehicle in which the navigation device 20 is installed based on the measurement data obtained from the GPS receiver 40, the vehicle speed sensor, the gyro sensor, etc. connected to the 206.
Is a program for calculating. OSPG2031
Similarly, when the navigation device 20 is powered on, R
It is loaded into the AM 202 and executed by the CPU 201.

The function expansion PG2035 is a flash RO.
It is a program for updating various programs stored in the M203 and storing a new program in the flash ROM 203.

The Web browser PG2036 is a program for accessing the Internet via an ISP (Internet Service Provider) (not shown) to browse Web pages. Also, email PG2037
Is a program for accessing an electronic mail server (not shown) and using the electronic mail. Note that, in FIG. 1, the information providing center 10 may serve as an ISP or an electronic mail server.

Then, the navigation PG 2038 is
It is a program that performs various processes related to navigation such as route guidance and map display.

Incidentally, these applications PG20
35 to 2038 are called by the function execution PG 2033 and loaded into the RAM 202. And CPU
201 is executed.

The navigation device 20 of this embodiment is
The display 208 is integrated with the main body of the navigation device 20. The size of the main body of the navigation device 20 is 1DIN, which is the same as a general car stereo.

FIG. 3 shows a group of operation buttons 207 and a display 20 arranged on the front surface of the navigation device 20.
8 shows an example. Here, the display panel 2081 of the display 208 has a wide screen of about 4.2 inches so as to fit on the front surface of the 1DIN size apparatus body.

Button F located at the bottom of the front of the main unit
1 to F4 are function buttons 2071. OSPG20
When the function button 2071 is operated, 31 notifies the function execution PG 2033 to that effect. Function execution PG203
3 specifies and executes the function corresponding to the item selected by the user by this operation from the menu displayed on the display panel 2081.

Further, the menu switching button 2072 arranged at the lower right of the front surface of the main body is the display panel 2081.
This is a button for switching the display of the menu displayed in. When the menu switching button 2072 is operated, the OSPG 2031 displays a message to that effect on the menu display PG.
Notify 2032. In response to this, the menu display PG
2032 switches the menu displayed on the display 208 according to the menu data received from the information providing center 10.

The cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074 arranged on the upper right portion of the front surface of the main body move the cursor displayed on the display panel 2081,
It is a button for selecting an item. OSPG2031
Moves the cursor on the display panel 2081 according to the operation on the cross button 2073. Then, when the enter button 2074 is operated, the cursor position at that time is notified to the running applications PG2035 to 2038 displaying information on the display panel 208. In response to this, the running applications PG2035 to PG2035
2038 performs processing according to the item indicated by the notified cursor position.

Next, the navigation device 20 having the above structure
The operation of will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the navigation device 20.

As described above, when the navigation device 20 is powered on, the CPU 201 causes the OSPG 20 to operate.
31 is loaded into the RAM 202 and executed. then,
The vehicle position calculation PG 2034, the function execution PG 2033 and the menu display PG 2032 are loaded into the RAM 202 and executed.

In the following, the process realized by executing the vehicle position calculating PG 2034 is the vehicle position calculating module, the process realized by executing the function executing PG 2033 is the function executing module, and the menu display PG.
A process realized by executing 2032 will be described as a menu display control module.

The vehicle position calculation module periodically obtains measurement data from the GPS receiver 40, the vehicle speed sensor, the gyro sensor, etc. connected to the sensor IF 206, and calculates the vehicle position based on these measurement data. To do.

Now, the menu display control module is the flash ROM 203 or the memory card IF 205.
The model ID of the navigation device 20 stored in advance in the memory card 210 connected to is acquired (S
4001). Then, the programs 2031 to 2038 stored in the flash ROM 203, and
Of the running applications PG2035-2038,
The management data such as the program ID, name and version information is obtained (S4002).

The information providing center 10 uses the model I
From D, the functions that the navigation device 20 can provide, the size of the display panel 2081, the number of function buttons 2071,
And the display panel 2 corresponding to each function button 2071
The position on 081 can be specified.

Next, the menu display control module obtains vehicle data such as remaining fuel and battery status from instruments (not shown) connected to the sensor IF 206 (S4003). Then, the latest vehicle position data measured by the vehicle position calculation module is obtained (S
4004).

When various data are obtained as described above, the menu display control module creates a menu request including these data, and outputs this to the mobile phone IF2.
The data is transmitted from the mobile phone 30 to the information providing center 10 via 04 (S4005).

Upon receiving the menu request, the information providing center 10 considers various data included in the menu request, and the user selects an arbitrary function from the functions provided by the navigation device 20. Menu data for displaying a menu for the above is displayed on the display screen of the navigation device 20.

In this embodiment, the menu data is HTM.
It shall be created in the L format. Then, in this menu data, for each item information (visible information such as text data and image data) indicating each function that the navigation device 20 can provide, the display position on the display panel 2081 is the item described above. The information is set to a predetermined position according to the function button 2071 assigned to the function indicated by the information, and information for executing the function indicated by the item information (for example, designation of the applications PG2034- 2038 or , Designation of storage location such as URL) is associated with the item information.

When assigning a plurality of functions to each of the function buttons 2071, the information providing center 10 creates menu data for a plurality of pages, prioritizes them, and sends them to the navigation device 20. To do.

After transmitting the menu request to the information providing center 10, the menu display control module, in response, waits for the menu data to be sent from the information providing center 10 (S4006). When the menu data is received, the menu is displayed on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data. Specifically, according to the menu data, the navigation device 2
The display panel 2 displays item information indicating each function that 0 can provide.
It is displayed on the screen 081 by OSD (On Screen Display) (S4007).

FIG. 5 shows an example of item information displayed on the display panel 2081.

As shown in the figure, the item information 2082 is the item information 2082 according to the setting contents of the menu data.
Is displayed on the display panel 2081 in a predetermined position according to the function button 2071 assigned to the function indicated by. Here, reference numeral 2083 is an application P
OSPG when G2035-2038 is not running
It is an initial screen displayed by 2031.

In FIG. 5, the item information "** GS information" is displayed at the position corresponding to the function button F1, and the item information "*" is displayed.
* Road information "is displayed at a position corresponding to the function button F2, item information" route search "is displayed at a position corresponding to the function button F3, and item information" function expansion "is displayed at a position corresponding to the function button F4. In the example shown in FIG. In this case, in the menu data, "*
The storage location of "* GS information" is associated with the item information "** GS information", the storage location of "** road information" is associated with the item information "** road information", and the navigation PG
Specification of 2038 and requested processing contents "route search"
Is associated with the item information "route search", and
The designation of the function expansion PG2035 is associated with the item information "function expansion".

When the menu data for a plurality of pages is received from the information providing center 10, the menu display control module displays the item information 2082 on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data with the highest priority. From OSPG2031, menu switch button 20
When the notification that the 72 has been operated is received, the item information 2082 is displayed on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data having the next highest priority. Then, while the item information 2082 is displayed on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data having the lowest priority, the OSPG 20
When the notification that the menu switch button 2072 is operated is received from 31, the item information 2082 is displayed on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data with the highest priority.
Display on top. In this way, the menu switching button 20
The menu display is switched by the operation of 72.

By the way, the function execution module receives a notification from the OSPG 2031 that any function button 2071 has been operated until a predetermined display time elapses after the menu display by the menu display control module is started. If not (No in S4008, S4
009), and notifies the menu display control module of the non-display instruction. In response to this, the menu display control module stops the menu display on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data as shown in FIG. 6 (S
4010).

Then, in the state where the menu display by the menu display control module is stopped, the function execution module receives any function button 2 from the OSPG 2031.
When the notification that the 071 is operated is received (Yes in S4008, No in S4012), the display instruction is notified to the menu display control module. In response to this, the menu display control module returns to S4007 and starts displaying the menu on the display panel 2081 according to the menu data.

On the other hand, the function execution module receives a notification from the OSPG 2031 that one of the function buttons 2071 has been operated while the menu is displayed on the display panel 2081 by the menu display control module (S4008). And Yes in S4012), the menu data that is the source of the menu displayed by the menu display control module is analyzed (S4013). Then, the item information set to be displayed at the position on the display panel 2081 determined according to the operated function button 2071 is specified (S4014).

For example, in FIG. 5, if the function button F1 is operated, the item information "** GS information" is specified. If the function button F2 is operated, the item information “*
* Road information "is specified. If the function button F3 is operated, the item information "route search" is specified. And
When the function button F4 is operated, the item information "function expansion" is specified.

Then, the function execution module causes the application PG 203 to follow the information associated with the specified item information 2082 in the menu data.
5 to 2038 are activated.

Specifically, the specified item information 2082
Specify the Web browser PG2036 or URL
If there is an associated storage location specification such as
b The browser PG 2036 is activated (S4015). Then, when the specified item information 2082 is associated with the designation of the storage location, the information of the designated storage location is passed to the Web browser PG2036. If the specified item information 2082 is associated with the designation of the email PG2037, the email PG2037
Is activated (S4016). Also, the specified item information 2
If the designation of the function expansion PG2035 is associated with 082, the function expansion PG2034 is activated (S4).
017). If the specified item information 2082 is associated with the designation of the navigation PG 2038, the navigation PG 2038 is activated (S40).
18). At this time, if the specified item information 2082 is also associated with the processing content such as “route search”, the processing content is passed to the navigation PG 2038.

As described above, the function selected by the user is called.

Now, the menu display control module, at the update timing of the menu data (S40
(Yes in step 11), the process returns to step S4001 to obtain various data again to create a menu request, and the information providing center 10
Send to. As a result, the contents of the menu displayed on the display panel 2081 are updated. Here, as the update timing of the menu data, when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the menu request, or the latest vehicle position measured by the vehicle position calculation module is the vehicle position included in the previously transmitted menu request. This may be the case when the vehicle has moved a predetermined distance or more, or the latest vehicle data obtained from the instruments connected to the sensor IF 206 indicates that the fuel has run out or the battery is abnormal.

Next, the applications PG2035 to 2038 activated in S4015 to S4018 of FIG. 4 will be described.

First, the We activated in S4015 of FIG.
The b browser PG2036 will be described. FIG. 7 shows W
It is a flow figure for explaining operation of eb browser PG2036.

As described above, in S4015 of FIG. 4, the function execution module is the Web browser PG203.
Start 6. That is, the web browser PG2036
Is loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the CPU 201. Hereinafter, a process realized by executing the web browser PG2036 will be described as a web browser module.

If the storage location is notified from the function execution module, the Web browser module (S70)
If Yes at 01), the storage location notified via the ISP is accessed, information is obtained and displayed on the display panel 2081 (S7003). If not notified, the pre-registered default storage location is accessed to obtain information and display it on the display panel 2081 (S700).
2). After that, the processing is executed in accordance with the instruction received from the user as in a normal Web browser (S700).
4, S7005).

FIG. 8 shows an example of information displayed on the display panel 2081 when the function button F2 in FIG. 5 is operated. In this case, the Web browser module accesses the storage location of "** road information" notified by the function execution module, and
Is displayed on the display panel 2081. Note that FIG.
Then, although the item information 2082 is not displayed, when the OSD display of the menu is performed by the menu display control module, the item information 2082 is displayed on the “** road information” displayed on the display panel 2081. Will be displayed superimposed.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 2084 is a cursor. The web browser module is OSPG2031
The cursor 2084 is moved according to the operation content of the cross button 2073 notified from the user. And OSPG20
When notified by 31 that the decision button 2074 has been operated, the item pointed by the cursor 2084 at that time is selected, and the process corresponding to the selected item is performed. Note that the Web browser module of the present embodiment displays a list image of characters on the display panel 2081 when the user needs to input characters, such as when directly specifying a storage location to browse information, and the user presses the cross button 2073. And enter button 20
A character can be selected using 74.

Next, the electronic mail PG2037 activated in S4016 of FIG. 4 will be described. As described above, in S4016 of FIG. 4, the function execution module activates the electronic mail PG2037. That is, the e-mail PG2037 is loaded into the RAM 202 and stored in the C
It is executed by the PU 201. Below, the email PG2
The process realized by executing 037 will be described as an electronic mail module.

The operation of the electronic mail module is basically the same as that of a general electronic mailer. That is, when the user instructs to receive the electronic mail, the electronic mail server is accessed to receive the electronic mail addressed to the user, and the content thereof is displayed on the display panel 2081. When an instruction to send an electronic mail is given, the electronic mail to be sent is sent to the electronic mail server. Note that the electronic mail module of the present embodiment displays a list image of characters on the display panel 2081 when the user needs to input characters such as creating an electronic mail, and the user can press the cross button 2073 and the enter button 20.
A character can be selected using 74.

Next, the function expansion PG 2035 activated in S4017 of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the function expansion PG 2035.

As described above, in S4017 of FIG. 4, the function execution module activates the function expansion PG 2035. That is, the function expansion PG2035 is the RAM 20.
2 and is executed by the CPU 201. Hereinafter, a process realized by executing the function expansion PG 2035 will be described as a function expansion module.

First, the function expansion module obtains the model ID of the navigation device 20 which is stored in advance in the flash ROM 203 or the memory card 210 connected to the memory card IF 205, and also stores each program stored in the flash ROM 203. 203
Management data such as program IDs 1 to 2038, names, and version information are obtained (S9001). Then, the function expansion module creates an update / addition request including the model ID and the program management data, and transmits the update / addition request from the mobile phone 30 to the information providing center 10 via the mobile phone IF 204 (S9002).

Upon receiving the update / addition request, the information providing center 10 receives the model I included in the update / addition request.
The navigation device 20 indicated by D specifies the program ID, name, and version information of the operable program. Next, program I of this specified program
Compare the D, name and version information with the program ID, name and version information of the program described in the program management data of the update / addition request,
Of the programs that can be operated by the navigation device 20, a list of programs that can be updated or added is created. Then, the list data thus created is transmitted to the navigation device 20.

When the function expansion module transmits an update / addition request to the information providing center 10, in response to this, the information providing center 10 sends list data of programs that can be updated / added. Wait for (S90
03). When the list data is received, a list of programs that can be updated / added is displayed on the display panel 2081 according to the list data (S900).
4).

FIG. 10 shows an example of an updatable / addable program list displayed on the display panel 2081. Although the item information 2082 is not displayed in FIG. 10, when the OSD display of the menu is performed by the menu display control module, the display panel 20 is displayed.
On the list displayed in 81, item information 2082
Will be displayed superimposed.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 2085 is a check box. The function expansion module is OSPG20.
The cursor 2084 is moved according to the operation content of the cross button 2073 notified from 31. And OSPG
When 2031 notifies that the decision button 2074 has been operated, the check box 2085 indicated by the cursor 2084 at that time is checked. afterwards,
Cross button 2073 and enter button 20 by the user
If the send button is selected by the operation of 74, a download request for the program whose check box is checked at that time is transmitted to the information processing center 10, and the program is downloaded from the information processing center 10 (S9005). , S9006).

Next, the function expansion module stores the program downloaded from the information providing center 10 in the flash ROM 203. At this time, if the old version of the downloaded program is currently in operation, the execution of this program is stopped and then this program is rewritten to the latest version downloaded (S9).
007).

Note that on the display screen shown in FIG. 10, the cross button 2073 and the enter button 207 operated by the user.
When the end button is selected by the operation of 4 (S90
If Yes in 08), the process ends.

Next, the navigation PG 2038 activated in S4018 of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 11 shows
It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the navigation PG2038.

As described above, in S4018 of FIG. 4, the function execution module is the navigation PG 203.
Start 8. That is, the navigation PG2038
Is loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the CPU 201. Hereinafter, a process realized by executing the navigation PG 2038 will be described as a navigation module.

If the processing content is not notified from the function execution module, the navigation module (S11)
No in 01), an initial menu for navigation is displayed on the display panel 2081 (S1102).

FIG. 12 shows an example of an initial navigation menu displayed on the display panel 2081.
It should be noted that although the item information 2082 is not displayed in FIG.
When SD display is being performed, the display panel 2081
Item information 208 is displayed on the initial menu displayed in
2 will be superimposed and displayed.

In FIG. 12, the navigation module uses the cross button 20 notified by the OSPG 2031.
The cursor 2084 is moved according to the operation content of 73. Then, a determination button 2074 is input from the OSPG 2031.
Is notified (Yes in S1103).
s), the item pointed by the cursor 2084 at that time is determined to be the processing content (S1105). In the initial menu shown in FIG. 12, the cross button 207 by the user
If the end button is selected by operating 3 and the enter button 2074 (Yes in S1104), the process ends.

Now, in the navigation module, when the processing content is specified by the user via the initial menu (Yes in S1103), or when the processing content is notified from the function executing module (Y in S1101).
es), and the processing content is determined (S1105). Then, the processing is performed according to the determination result.

Specifically, when the processing content determined in S1105 is "map display", the navigation module executes the following processing.

First, the navigation module receives the designation of the area to be displayed on the map or the center point of the area (S1106). For example, a list image of characters is displayed on the display panel 2081, and the user presses the cross button 207.
The input of the area name or the address is accepted by selecting the character using 3 and the decision button 2074. Alternatively, a schematic map previously stored in the flash ROM 203 is displayed on the display panel 2081 together with the cursor,
The user presses the cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074.
By using to move the cursor and select a point on the schematic map, the designation of the center point of the area to be displayed on the map is accepted.

Next, the navigation module checks whether or not the map data around the designated area or point is stored in the memory card 210 connected to the memory card IF 205 (S1107). If not stored, a map data download request for the designated area or near the point is transmitted to the information processing center 10, the map data is downloaded from the information processing center 10, and stored in the memory card 210 (S110).
8). Then, the navigation module reads the map data of the designated area or the vicinity of the point from the memory card 210 and displays it on the display panel 2081 (S1109).

The navigation module of the present embodiment displays a menu display button together with a map on the display panel 2081. If the user moves the cursor 2084 using the cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074 and selects the menu display button (Yes in S1110), the process proceeds to S1102, and the display panel 2081 displays the navigation as shown in FIG. Display the initial menu of.

When the processing content determined in S1105 is "route search", the navigation module executes the following processing.

First, the navigation module accepts the designation of the starting point and the destination of the route to be searched (S
1111).

FIG. 13 shows an example of a designation acceptance screen for a departure place and a destination displayed on the display panel 2081. Although the item information 2082 is not displayed in FIG. 13, when the menu display control module is displaying the OSD of the menu, the display panel 20 is displayed.
Item information 2 is displayed on the designated acceptance screen displayed at 81.
082 will be superimposed and displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, with respect to the departure place, the cursor 2084 is moved by using the cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074, and the check box 2085 is checked to make it the present location or the blank field 2087. You can choose to enter it directly. For destination, leave blank 20
It is designed to be directly input to 87. To confirm the specified starting point and destination, select the send button. Here, only the designation of the starting point and the destination is accepted, but the transit point between the starting point and the destination may also be designated.

When the route guidance is started in S1123 described later, the navigation module displays the designation acceptance screen as shown in FIG. 13 on the display panel 20.
Before displaying in 81, it is preferable to confirm with the user whether or not the route is searched again. If the user confirms that the route will be re-searched, it is treated as if the current location was specified as the starting point and the destination of the guidance route used for route guidance was specified as the destination. It is advisable to proceed to the next step S1112 without displaying the designation reception screen as shown in 13.

Next, the navigation module creates a route search request including the designated starting point and destination and sends it to the information providing center 10 (S1112).

Upon receiving the route search request, the information providing center 10 searches for a recommended route between the starting point and the destination included in this request. Then, the searched recommended route data is transmitted to the navigation device 20.

When the navigation module has transmitted the route search request to the information providing center 10, in response to this, it waits for the recommended route data to be sent from the information providing center 10 (S1103). When the recommended route data is received, it is stored in the memory card 210. Further, based on the recommended route data, the departure place is located on either the left or right side of the display panel 2081, the destination is located on the other side, and
The recommended route is displayed on the display panel 2081 so that the entire recommended route is stored in the display panel 2081 (S
1114).

FIG. 14 shows an example of the recommended route displayed on the display panel 2081. In addition, in FIG.
If the item information 2082 is not displayed, but the menu display control module is performing OSD display of the menu, the item information 2082 should be displayed on the recommended route displayed on the display panel 2081. become.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the departure point is located at the lower left of the display panel 2081, the destination is located at the upper right, and the recommended route 2088 is set so that the entire recommended route is within the display panel 2081. It is displayed.

Such a display can be made, for example, by determining the scale factor of the recommended route in the following manner. That is,
In the XY coordinate system representing the position on the display panel 2081, the departure place is arranged at a predetermined coordinate value located at the lower left of the display panel 2081. In addition, the destination is displayed on the display panel 208.
It is arranged at a predetermined coordinate value located at the upper right of 1. Next, the recommended route between the departure point and the destination is set at a scale that is determined according to the ratio between the distance between the coordinates of the departure point and the coordinates of the destination and the actual distance between the departure point and the destination. It is placed on the XY coordinate system. At this time, if the maximum X coordinate value, the minimum X coordinate value, the maximum Y coordinate value, and the minimum Y coordinate value that the recommended route can take are not within the range of the XY coordinate value that the display panel 2081 can take, the recommended route is set. Change the scale of the recommended route (which also changes the coordinates of the origin and destination). In this way, the departure place is the display panel 2
Located at the lower left of 081, the destination is at the upper right, and
The scale factor of the recommended route and the coordinate values of the starting point and the destination so that the entire recommended route can be accommodated in the display panel 2081 are determined, and the recommended route is displayed according to the contents of the determination.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the recommended route is displayed entirely, but the recommended route 2088 is shown.
Arbitrary two points above (two points can be specified by, for example, the user moving the cursor using the cross button 2073 and the decision button 2074 and selecting a point on the recommended route that is displayed in its entirety. In the case of displaying the route between the two points on the display panel 2081, one point is located on the left side of the display panel 2081 and the other point is located on the right side. The route may be displayed on the display panel 2081.

The navigation module of this embodiment displays a menu display button on the display panel 2081 together with the recommended route. If the user moves the cursor 2084 using the cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074 and selects the menu display button (Yes in S1115), the process proceeds to S1102, and the display panel 2081 displays the navigation buttons as shown in FIG. Display the initial menu.

If the processing content determined in S1105 is "route display", the navigation module executes the following processing.

First, the navigation module uses the memory card 21 connected to the memory card IF 205.
It is checked whether the recommended route data is stored in 0 (S1116). If not stored, S1111
Then, the processing required to obtain the recommended route data from the information providing center 10 is executed. If it is stored, the process proceeds to S1114 and the memory card 210
The recommended route is displayed on the display panel 2081 according to the recommended route data stored in. Here, when a plurality of recommended route data is stored in the memory card 210, the route switching button is displayed on the display panel 2081 together with the recommended route, and the recommended route to be displayed on the display panel 2081 is selected by selecting the route switching button. It should be possible to switch.

When the processing content determined in S1105 is "route guidance", the navigation module executes the following processing.

First, the navigation module receives the designation of the destination of the recommended route used for route guidance (S1117). For example, the designation of the destination is accepted from the user using a screen in which the item for accepting the designation of the departure place is omitted from the designation acceptance screen shown in FIG.

Next, the navigation module stores in the memory the data of the recommended route to the designated destination, and the recommended route in which the latest vehicle position measured by the vehicle position calculation module is located on this recommended route. Card IF
It is checked whether or not it is stored in the memory card 210 connected to 205 (S1118). When such recommended route data is stored in the memory card 210, the recommended route indicated by this route data is determined as the guide route used for route guidance. Memory card 210
If it is not stored in, the route search request including the vehicle position as the departure place and the designated destination is created and transmitted to the information providing center 10 (S1119), and the recommended route data is sent from the information providing center 10. It waits for it to be sent (S1120). Then, the sent recommended route data is stored in the memory card 210, and the recommended route indicated by this data is determined as the guide route.

Next, the navigation module checks whether or not the map data along the route for guidance is stored in the memory card 210 connected to the memory card IF 205 (S1121). If not stored,
A request for downloading map data of an area along the guide route is transmitted to the information processing center 10. Then, the map data is downloaded from the information processing center 10 and stored in the memory card 210 (S1122).

When the route data for guidance and the map data along the route for guidance used for route guidance are ready as described above, the navigation module starts route guidance using these data. (S1123).

In the present embodiment, the navigation module has three display modes for route guidance: "standard mode", "bird's-eye view mode" and "division mode".
Two display modes are available. By default, the "standard mode" is used for route guidance.

FIG. 15 shows a display example of the display panel 2081 when route guidance is performed using the “standard mode”. Note that although the item information 2082 is not displayed in FIG. 15, when the menu display control module is displaying the OSD of the menu, the item information 2082 is displayed on the display panel 2081 in a superimposed manner.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle mark 2086 indicating the vehicle position is located at the lower center of the display panel 2081, and the guide route 2088 'on the destination side of the vehicle position is above the vehicle mark 2086 on the display panel 2081. The vehicle mark 2086, the guide route 2088 ', and the map along the guide route are displayed so as to be located at. By doing so, as many guiding routes 2088 'as possible are displayed in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Here, the scale factor of the map may be a predetermined scale factor or a scale factor specified by the user.

In the navigation module of this embodiment, a display mode switching button and a menu display button are displayed on the display panel 2081 during route guidance. The user moves the cursor 2084 using the cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074,
If the display mode switching button is selected (S1124
Yes), the navigation module sets the route guidance display mode to one of the three display modes.
(S1125).

FIG. 16 shows a display example of the display panel 2081 when route guidance is performed using the “bird's eye view mode”. Although the item information 2082 is not displayed in FIG. 16, when the menu display control module is displaying the OSD of the menu, the item information 2082 is displayed on the display panel 2081 in a superimposed manner.

In the "bird's-eye view mode", as shown in FIG. 16, a viewpoint is provided above and rearward of the vehicle position, and a map near the vehicle position is viewed from this viewpoint (that is, 2 on the XY plane).
The bird's-eye view map obtained by perspective transformation of the three-dimensional coordinate system in which the three-dimensional plane map is arranged into the screen coordinate system is
It is displayed on the display panel 2081. Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the vehicle mark 2 indicating the vehicle position is shown as in FIG.
086 is located in the lower center of the display panel 2081, and the guidance route 2088 'on the destination side of the vehicle position is positioned above the vehicle mark 2086 on the display panel 2081 so that the guidance route 2088' in the vehicle traveling direction. Is displayed as much as possible.

17 and 18 show examples of display on the display panel 2081 when route guidance is performed using the "division mode". In addition, in FIG. 17 and FIG.
If the item information 2082 is not displayed, but the menu display control module is performing OSD display of the menu, the item information 2082 is displayed on the display panel 2081.
Will be displayed superimposed.

In the "division mode", FIG. 17 and FIG.
, The display panel 2081 is displayed on the first split screen 20.
81a and a second split screen 2081b.

On the first split screen 2081a, as in FIG. 15, a vehicle mark 2086 indicating the vehicle position is located in the lower center of the display panel 2081, and a guide route 2088 'on the destination side of the vehicle position is displayed on the display panel. The vehicle mark 2086, the guide route 2088 ', and a map along the guide route are displayed so as to be positioned above the vehicle mark 2086 of 2081.

On the other hand, in the second split screen 2081b, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the route ahead of the guiding route 2088 '(destination guiding route 2088') displayed on the first split screen 2081a is displayed together with a map along the guiding route. By doing so, as many guiding routes 2088 'as the vehicle traveling direction are displayed. However, if the latest vehicle position measured by the vehicle position calculation module approaches a point on the guide route 2088 'that satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a point where the road branches), the vehicle position is As shown in FIG. 18, an enlarged map around this point is displayed together with the guide route 2088 'until the point passes.

In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18,
The case where the display panel 2081 is divided into two divided screens has been described, but the number of divided screens may be plural.
For example, when the display panel 2081 is divided into three split screens, the vehicle mark 208 is displayed on the leftmost first split screen.
6. Display the route 2088 'for guidance and the map along the route for guidance, and on the second split screen in the middle, the route after the route for guidance 2088' displayed on the first split screen is displayed along the route for guidance. The map is displayed together with the map, and the route further ahead of the guide route 2088 ′ displayed on the second divided screen is displayed on the rightmost third divided screen together with the map along the guide route. Then, when the vehicle position approaches a point on the guide route 2088 'that satisfies the predetermined condition, the enlarged map near the point is displayed on the third divided screen on the guide route 208 until the vehicle position passes this point.
Display with 8 '.

If the user moves the cursor 2084 using the cross button 2073 and the enter button 2074 and selects the menu display button (S1126).
Yes), and the navigation module is S1102.
Then, the display panel 2081 displays an initial navigation menu as shown in FIG.

The navigation device 20 has been described above.

The navigation device 20 of this embodiment is
According to the menu data received from the information providing center 10, item information 2082 indicating each function that the navigation device 20 can provide is OSD-displayed on the display panel 2081. In the menu data, for each item information 2082, the display position on the display panel 2081 is assigned to the function button 20 assigned to the function indicated by the item information 2082.
71 is set to a predetermined position. Information for calling the function indicated by the item information 2082 (applications PG2035 to 2038)
Of the item information and designation of the storage location) 2082.
Associated with.

Further, the navigation device 2 of this embodiment
0 detects an operation on the function button 2071,
The menu data that is the source of the menu displayed in the OSD on the display panel 2081 is analyzed, and the item information 2082 set to be displayed at a predetermined position according to the operated function button 2071 is specified. Then, according to the information associated with the specified item information 2982, the function indicated by the item information 2082 is called.

As described above, according to the navigation device 20 of the present embodiment, the function assignment to each of the plurality of function buttons 2071 is set according to the menu data downloaded from the information providing center 10. As a result, each function button 207 can be simply changed by changing the contents of the menu data downloaded from the information providing center 10.
The function assigned to 1 can be changed flexibly. This improves the usability of the navigation device 20. In addition, according to the menu data, the display panel 2081 displays
Since the item information 2082 indicating the function assigned to the function button 2071 is displayed at a predetermined position according to the operation button 2071, the user can visually recognize which function button 2071 is assigned which function. You can know it.

Further, the navigation device 2 of this embodiment
When 0 is displayed on the display panel 2081, the recommended route 2088 is displayed in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the horizontally long display panel 2081 can be effectively used to display the recommended route 2088. Further, when the route is guided, the display panel 20 is displayed by displaying in any one of the “standard mode”, “bird's-eye view mode” and “division mode”.
A route 208 for guiding the vehicle traveling direction displayed at 81
8'can be lengthened. This allows the user to
Even on a horizontally small display screen, the guide route can be easily grasped, and the usability of the navigation device 20 is further improved.

The navigation device 2 of this embodiment
In 0, menu data is downloaded from the information providing center 10. However, memory card 2
10 or the flash ROM 203 may store the menu data in advance, and normally, the menu data may be used to display the menu on the display panel 2081. Then, only when instructed by the user, a menu request is created, transmitted to the information providing center 10, and menu data is downloaded from the information providing center 10, and a menu is displayed on the display panel 2081 using this menu data. It may be displayed.

Similarly, in the navigation device 20 of this embodiment, map data is downloaded from the information providing center 10. However, the memory card 21
0 or the flash ROM 203 may store the general map data in advance, and normally, the general map data may be used to perform map display or display for route guidance. Then, only when instructed by the user, map data may be downloaded from the information providing center 10 as necessary, and the map data or the display for route guidance may be displayed using this map data.

Next, the information providing center 10 will be described.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of the information providing center 10.

As shown in the figure, the information providing center 10
Communication unit 10 that communicates with a partner device via the public network 50
1 and menu data creation unit 102 that creates menu data according to the menu request received from the navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101 and sends it to the navigation device 20, and receives from the navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101. The route search is performed according to the route search request, and the recommended route data is obtained from the navigation device 2.
0 via a route search unit 103, a transmission map data creation unit 104 for transmitting map data to the navigation device 20 according to a map data request received from the navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101, and a communication unit 101. According to the update / addition request received from the navigation device 20, the navigation device 20 has an update / addition program search unit 105 that searches for an update / addable program and sends it to the navigation device 20, and various databases 106 to 113. .

Here, in the map database 106, map data to be used for map display, route display, route guidance display, etc. on the navigation device 20 is registered. In the route information database 107,
Road data used for route search is registered.

In the program management database 108,
Management data of various programs is registered. Figure 20
An example of contents registered in the program management database 108 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, each record has a field 1 for registering a program ID, which is a program identification number.
081, field 108 for registering the name of the program
2. Field 10 for registering the program version
83 and a field 1084 for registering the storage location of the program. The program management database 108 is, for example, the information providing center 10
It is updated regularly by the operator.

In the model information management database 109, the programs operable by the navigation device 20 and the navigation device 2 are prepared for each model of the navigation device 20.
The number of 0 function buttons 2071 and the navigation device 2
Information regarding the size of the display panel 2081 of 0 and the like is registered. FIG. 21 shows the model information management database 1
An example of the contents registered in 09 is shown below. As illustrated, each record includes a field 1091 for registering a model ID, which is an identification number of the model of the navigation device 20, a field 1092 for registering the size of the display panel 2081 of the navigation device 20, and a function button 2071 of the navigation device 20. A field 1093 for registering a number, a field 1094 for registering a position (coordinate value) on the display panel 2081 corresponding to each function button 2071, and a field 1095 for registering a program ID of a program operable in the navigation device 20 are provided. Is configured. Like the program management database 108, the model information management database 109 is regularly updated by the operator of the information providing center 10, for example.

In the traffic information management database 110, information on traffic obstacles such as traffic jams and traffic accidents is registered for each road. FIG. 22 shows an example of contents registered in the traffic information management database 110. As shown in the figure, each record has a field 1101 for registering an area name, a field 1102 for registering a road name, a field 1103 for registering the presence or absence of a traffic accident such as a traffic accident or a traffic jam, and a field for a traffic failure. A field 1104 for registering a section on the road, and a field 1095 for registering a storage location of traffic information of the road, that is, a site (may be the information providing center 10 itself) providing this traffic information are provided. Is configured. The traffic information management database 110 may be regularly updated by the operator of the information providing center 10 like the program management database 108 and the model information management database 109, or the communication unit 1 may be used.
It is also possible to periodically access the traffic information providing site via 01 or a network interface (not shown) to obtain the latest traffic information, and to update based on this information.

In the weather information management database 111, information regarding running cautions such as rain, snow, and strong wind is registered for each region. FIG. 23 shows the weather information management database 1
11 shows an example of contents registered in 11. As shown in the figure, each record includes a field 1111 for registering a region name, a field 1112 for registering the presence / absence of a weather phenomenon such as rain, snow, or strong wind that requires caution while driving, and a storage location of weather information of the region, That is, it is configured to include a field 1113 for registering a site (may be the information providing center 10 itself) providing this weather information. Like the traffic information management database 110, the weather information management database 111 may be periodically updated by the operator of the information providing center 10, or the communication unit 101 or a network (not shown). It is also possible to periodically access the weather information providing site via the interface to obtain the latest weather information and update it based on this information.

In the tourist information management database 112, information on tourism is registered for each area. Figure 24
An example of registered contents in the tourist information management database 112 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, each record registers a field 1121 for registering an area name and a storage location of tourist information of the area, that is, a site providing this tourist information (may be the information providing center 10 itself). The field 1122 is provided. The tourist information management database 112 is regularly updated by, for example, the operator of the information providing center 10, like the model information management database 109 and the program management database 108.

Information on facilities is registered in the facility information management database 113. FIG. 25 shows an example of contents registered in the facility information management database 113. As shown in the figure, each record includes a field 1131 for registering a region name, a field 1132 for registering a type of facility such as a gas station (GS) or a restaurant, a field 1133 for registering a facility name, and facility information of the facility. Storage location, that is, the site that provides this facility information (may be the information providing center 10 itself)
Is registered in the field 1134. The facility information management database 113, like the model information management database 109 and the program management database 108, is periodically updated by the operator of the information providing center 10, for example.

The information providing center 10 having the above-mentioned configuration is, for example, a CPU 151 as shown in FIG.
A memory 152, an external storage device 153 such as a hard disk device, a reading device 157 that reads data from a portable storage medium 159 such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and an input device 155 such as a keyboard or a mouse. ,
A computer system having a general configuration that includes an output device 156 such as a monitor, a communication device 154 that communicates via the public network 50, and a bus 158 that connects these devices, or a plurality of these computer systems. The computer system can be built on a network system configured by connecting to the network using a network interface (not shown).

The program for constructing the information providing center 10 on such a computer system or network system is stored in the external storage device 1.
53, or from the storage medium 159 via the reading device 157, is loaded onto the memory 152, and the CPU 15
You may make it execute it to 1. Alternatively, the CPU 151 may be loaded from the public network 50 via the communication device 154, or from the network via a network interface (not shown) onto the memory 152.

Next, the operation of the information providing center 10 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the information providing center 10.

The communication unit 101 receives a request from the navigation device 20 via the public network 50 (S27).
01), the content of the request is analyzed (S2702). As a result, if the request is a map data request, the request is notified to the transmission map data creation unit 104. If it is a route search request, the route search unit 103 is notified of the request. If it is an update / addition request, the update / addition program search unit 105 is notified of the request. Then, if it is a menu request, the menu data creation unit 102 is notified of the request.

Now, the transmission map data creating section 104
When a map data request is received from the navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101, the map data of the area or the area including the point included in the request is read from the map database 106 (S2703). Then, the read map data is transmitted to the navigation device 20 that has transmitted the map data request via the communication unit 101 (S2704).

Further, the route search unit 103 is connected to the communication unit 10
When the route search request is received from the navigation device 20 via the route 1, the route information database 107 is used to determine the recommended route between the departure place and the destination included in the route search request using the Dijkstra method or the like. Search (S2705). At this time, if the route search request includes a waypoint, conditions are set so that the recommended route passes through this waypoint, and the recommended route is searched. Then, the data of the searched recommended route is transmitted to the navigation device 20 that has transmitted the route search request via the communication unit 101 (S2706).

The update / additional program search unit 105
When receiving the update / addition request from the navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101, the model ID included in the update / addition request is received from the model information management database 109.
Specifies the record registered in the field 1091 and extracts each program ID registered in the field 1095 of this record. Then, for each of the extracted program IDs, a record in which the program ID is registered in the field 1081 is extracted from the program management database 108 (S270).
7).

Next, the update / additional program search unit 105
Compares the program ID, name, and version information of each extracted record with the program ID, name, and version information contained in the update / addition request, and can update and addable programs. Is specified (S2708).

Then, the update / additional program search unit 1
05 creates list data for the user of the navigation device 20 to select a program to download from the specified programs (S2709), and updates this list data via the communication unit 101.
It transmits to the navigation apparatus 20 which transmitted the addition request (S2710).

Now, the update / additional program search unit 105
After transmitting the list data to the navigation device 20, waits for a download instruction from the navigation device 20 (S2711). And
Field 1 of the record for the program to be downloaded using the program management database 108
The download target program is read from the storage destination registered in 084 (S2712) and transmitted to this navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101 (S27).
13).

When the menu data creation unit 102 receives a menu request from the navigation device 20 via the communication unit 101, a situation in which the navigation device 20 equipped with the menu request has been transmitted should be noted. It is investigated whether or not there is any (S2714). Specifically, it is checked whether the vehicle data included in the menu request indicates that the fuel is exhausted or the battery is abnormal.

Next, the menu data creation unit 102 determines whether or not there is a traffic obstacle or a situation such as rain, snow, or strong wind that requires attention in the vicinity of the current location of the navigation device 20 that has transmitted the menu request. Is investigated (S271
5). The area including the vehicle position included in the menu request is specified. And traffic information management database 1
10 is a record in which the specified area is registered in the field 1101, and the field 1103
Extract the records in which the traffic obstacle "Yes" is registered. Further, from the meteorological information management database 111, a record in which the specified area is registered in the field 1111 and a travel caution “present” is registered in the field 1112 is extracted.

Next, the menu data creation unit 102 investigates whether or not the navigation device 20 which has transmitted the menu request has an operating program (S271).
6). It is checked whether or not the program ID of the running program of the menu request is included. If it is included, a record in which the program ID is registered in the field 1081 is extracted from the program management database 108.

Next, the menu data creation unit 102 investigates whether or not the navigation device 20 which has transmitted the menu request has an update / addable program. First, a record in which the model ID included in the menu request is registered in the field 1091 is specified from the model information management database 109, and each program ID registered in the field 1095 of this record is extracted. Then, for each of the extracted program IDs,
Field 1 from program management database 108
A record in which this program ID is registered in 081 is extracted (S2717). Then, the program ID, name, and version information of each extracted record, and the program ID included in the menu request,
It is checked whether there is a program that can be updated or a program that can be added by comparing the name and version information (S2718).

When the above survey (S2714 to S2718) is completed, the menu data creation unit 102 prioritizes the functions that can be provided by the navigation device 20 that has transmitted the menu request, based on these survey results. The ranking is determined (S2719).

The priority order is determined according to the following rules, for example.

(1) If it is determined in S2714 that the vehicle data included in the menu request indicates that the fuel is exhausted or the battery is abnormal, the priority of browsing facility information such as a gas station is set to the first priority. Set to rank.

(2) If it is determined in S2715 that a traffic obstacle has occurred near the vehicle position included in the menu request, the traffic information browsing priority is set to the second rank.

(3) In S2715, if it is found that a situation such as rain, snow, strong wind, or the like, which should be noted, occurs near the vehicle position included in the menu request, the weather information is browsed. Set the priority to 3rd.

(4) In S2716, when it is found that the navigation device 20 which has transmitted the menu request has the active applications PG2035 to 2038, the priority order of the predetermined processing contents that can be executed by the program is determined. Is set to the 4th place.

(5) If it is found in S2718 that the navigation device 20 that has transmitted the menu request has an update / addable program, the function expansion P
Set the activation priority of G2035 to 5th.

(6) The tourist information browsing priority is set to the sixth place.

(7) The navigation device 20 specified by the program ID included in the menu request
Application PG2035-20 installed in
For each of the 38, the priority order for starting the program is set to a predetermined order from the seventh rank. However, with respect to the activation of the function expansion PG 2035, when the priority is set to the fifth rank by the above (5), this priority is given.

When the priority order of each function is determined as described above, the menu data creating unit 102 implements, for each function, item information indicating the function and a function for realizing the function associated with the item information. Determine information (S
2720). Specifically, it is determined as follows, for example.

Application PG2035-2038
Regarding the activation of, the item information is determined in advance according to the type of the application PG, such as “Web browser”, “e-mail”, “navigation”, and “function expansion”. Also, the designation of the applications PG2035 to 2038 to be activated is determined as the information associated with the item information.

For browsing facility information, refer to field 11
The area including the vehicle position included in the menu request is registered in 31, and the field 1132 indicates the state (fuel exhaustion, battery abnormality, etc.) indicated by the vehicle data included in the menu request. A record in which a predetermined facility type is registered is specified from the facility information management database 113. Then, the information “**** facility information” including the facility name “****” registered in the field 1133 of the identified record is determined as the item information. Further, the designation of the storage location stored in the field 1134 of this record is determined as the information associated with the item information.

For browsing traffic information, refer to field 11
A record in which the area including the vehicle position included in the menu request is registered in 01 and the traffic obstacle “present” is registered in the field 1103 is specified from the traffic information management database 110. Then, the information “*** road information” including the road name “****” registered in the field 1102 of the identified record is determined as the item information. Also, the field 1105 of this record
The designation of the storage location stored in is determined as information associated with the item information.

Regarding the weather information browsing, the information "*** district weather information" including the area "*** district" including the vehicle position included in the menu request is determined as the item information. Also, the area is registered in the field 1111,
In addition, the record in which the weather warning “present” is registered in the field 1112 is stored in the weather information management database 111.
The storage location specified in the field 1113 of the identified record is determined as the information associated with the item information.

[0178] For sightseeing information browsing, the information "*** district sightseeing information" including the area "*** district" including the vehicle position included in the menu request is determined as the item information. Further, the record in which the area is registered in the field 1121 is specified from the tourist information management database 112, and the designation of the storage location stored in the field 1122 of the specified record is determined as the information associated with the item information. .

Next, the menu data creating section 102 creates menu data for displaying a menu on the navigation device 20 which has transmitted the menu request (S).
2721). First, the record whose model ID included in the menu request is registered in the field 1091 is specified, and the number of function buttons registered in the field 1093 of this record is extracted. Next, the number of functions that this navigation device 20 can provide (S2719).
The number of menu data to be created is determined by dividing (the number of functions whose priority order is set in 1) by the number of the extracted function buttons. Then, menu data for the determined number is created, and each created menu data is given a priority.

Specifically, the creation of each menu data is performed as follows.

First, the number of function buttons that can be provided by the navigation device 20 is selected from the function buttons having the highest priority set in S2719. Then, the item information determined in S2720 for each of the selected functions is the field 10 of the specified record.
Display panel 2081 for function buttons registered in 94
Create menu data to be displayed at the corresponding position above. In addition, the created menu data includes the information for realizing the function associated with each item information displayed in the menu data.

At this time, for each of the selected functions, the corresponding position where the item information should be displayed is determined according to the priority level. For example, an item image showing a high-priority function is displayed at the corresponding position on the right side of the display panel 2081, and an item image showing a low-priority function is displayed at the corresponding position on the left side of the display panel 2081. Create menu data as follows. The first priority is given to the menu data created as described above.
Set to rank.

Next, among the functions that can be provided by the navigation device 20, the functions excluding the functions indicated by the item information indicated by the menu data having the first priority are displayed in the priority set in S2719. Select as many function buttons as the ones extracted from the highest ranking. And so that the item information of each selected function is displayed in the same way as above,
Create menu data. Also, in the menu data,
Information for realizing a function associated with each item information instructed to be displayed in the menu data is included.
The priority of the menu data created in this way is set to the second rank.

The above processing is performed for all the functions that the navigation device 20 can provide until the item image indicating the function is instructed to be displayed by any menu data. Thereby, the menu data for the determined number is created.

Next, after creating the menu data as described above, the menu data creating section 102 sends the menu data to the navigation device 20 which sent the menu request (S2722).

The information providing center 10 has been described above.

When the information providing center 10 of the present embodiment receives a menu request including the vehicle position from the navigation device 20, the user of the navigation device 20 considers the vehicle position included in the menu request, The menu data for selecting an arbitrary function from the respective functions that can be provided by the 20 is created. Then, the created menu data is used for the navigation device 20.
To display the menu on the display panel 2081 of the navigation device 20.

Therefore, according to the information providing center 10 of the present embodiment, in consideration of the vehicle position received from the navigation device 20, the navigation device 20 is provided so that the function which is considered useful to the user can be easily called. The menu can be displayed. For example,
If a traffic obstacle has occurred near the vehicle position, a menu can be displayed so that the function for obtaining the information on the traffic obstacle is prioritized. This improves the usability of the navigation device 20.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

For example, in the above embodiment, the menu data is an HTML document, but the present invention is not limited to this. For each item information indicating each function that the navigation device 20 can provide,
The display position on the display panel 2081 is set to a predetermined position according to the function button 2071 assigned to the function indicated by this item information, and for realizing the function indicated by this item information. Data in any format may be used as long as the information is associated with this item information. Also, the program format may be used.

In the above embodiment, the navigation device 20 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable not only to in-vehicle devices other than the navigation device 20, but also to PDA (Personal Digital A
The same applies to information terminals such as ssistance). Moreover, the applications PG2035 to 2038 are merely examples.

[0192]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to improve the usability of an in-vehicle device such as a navigation device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation device 20 shown in FIG.

3 is a group of operation buttons 207 and a display 208 arranged on the front surface of the navigation device 20 shown in FIG.
An example is shown.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the navigation device 20 shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a display example on a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the Web browser PG2036 shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing a display example on a display panel 2081 when a function button F2 is operated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the function expansion PG 2035 shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the navigation PG 2038 shown in FIG.

12 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

14 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

15 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

16 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

17 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

18 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 2081 shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a functional configuration diagram of the information providing center 10 shown in FIG. 1.

20 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the PG management database 108 shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a model information management database 10 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the registration content example of 9.

22 is a traffic information management database 11 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the registration content example of 0.

23 is a weather information management database 11 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of the registration content of No. 1.

FIG. 24 is a tourist information management database 11 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the registration content example of No. 2.

FIG. 25 is a facility information management database 11 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the registration content example of No. 3.

26 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information providing center 10 shown in FIG.

27 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information providing center 10 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Information providing center, 20 ... Navigation device,
30 ... Mobile phone, 40 ... GPS receiver, 50 ... Public network, 60 ... Base station, 101 ... Communication section, 102 ... Menu data creation section, 103 ... Route search section, 10.
4 ... Transmission map data creation unit, 105 ... Update / addition program search unit, 106 ... Map database, 10
7 ... Route information database, 108 ... Program management database, 109 ... Model information management database, 110 ... Traffic information management database, 111 ...
Weather information management database, 112 ... Traffic information management database, 113 ... Facility information management database, 1
51, 201 ... CPU, 152 ... Memory, 153 ... External storage device, 154 ... Communication device, 155 ... Input device, 156 ... Output device, 157 ... Reading device, 15
8, 209 ... Bus, 159 ... Storage medium, 202 ... R
AM, 203 ... Flash ROM, 204 ... Mobile phone interface, 205 ... Memory card interface, 206 ... Sensor interface, 207
... operation button group, 208 ... display, 2031
... OS program, 2032 ... Menu display program, 2033 ... Function execution program, 2034 ... Vehicle position calculation program, 2035 ... Function expansion program, 2036 ... Web browser program, 203
7 ... E-mail program, 2038 ... Navigation program, 2071 ... Function buttons, 2072 ...
Menu switching button, 2073 ... Cross button, 2
074 ... Enter button, 2081 ... Display panel 2081

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme code (reference) G09B 29/10 G09B 29/10 AF term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB05 HB22 HB25 HC08 HC13 HC23 HC24 HC26 HD03 HD21 HD23 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC13 AC16 AC20 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB13 CC12 FF04 FF05 FF12 FF13 FF22 FF32 FF38

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An in-vehicle device for processing information received from an information providing device wirelessly, the in-vehicle device according to a plurality of operation buttons, a display section, and menu information received from the information providing device. Display control unit that displays item information indicating each function that can be provided on the display screen of the display unit, and a function assigned to the operated operation button by detecting an operation on each of the plurality of operation buttons. And a function execution unit that executes, the menu information, for each item information indicating each function, the display position on the display screen, the operation button to be assigned to the function indicated by the item information. Is set to a predetermined position according to the item information, and information for executing the function indicated by the item information is associated with the item information. When the operation execution unit detects an operation on the operation button, the function execution unit analyzes the menu information to specify item information set to be displayed at a predetermined position according to the operated operation button, and specify the item information. An in-vehicle device that executes a function indicated by the item information according to information associated with the item information. 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the information associated with the item information is information designating a program for realizing a function indicated by the item information, and the function execution. The unit executes the function specified by the specified item information by executing a program specified by the information associated with the specified item information. 3. The on-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the information associated with the item information is information designating a storage location of information to be displayed on the display unit, and the function execution unit. The in-vehicle device, characterized in that a storage location designated by information associated with the specified item information is accessed to obtain information, and the information is displayed on the display unit. 4. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the function execution unit is configured to issue a non-display instruction when none of the plurality of operation buttons is operated for a predetermined time. While notifying the display control unit, when any operation button is operated for the first time after the notification of the non-display instruction, the display instruction is notified to the display control unit, and the display control unit is When receiving the non-display instruction, the display of the item information on the display unit is stopped, and the display instruction from the function execution unit is received in a state where the display of the item information on the display unit is stopped, An in-vehicle device, wherein display of item information on the display unit is restarted. 5. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein one of the functions assigned to the plurality of operation buttons is a map display function, When the specified item information indicates a map display function, a map request is transmitted to the information providing device, map data is obtained from the information providing device, and a map is displayed on the display unit using the map data. In-vehicle device characterized by displaying. 6. The in-vehicle device according to claim 5, wherein one of the functions assigned to the plurality of operation buttons is a route search function, and the function execution unit is the specified item. When the information indicates a route search function, it is characterized in that a route search request including information on a departure place and a destination is transmitted to the information providing device to obtain information on a recommended route from the information providing device. In-vehicle device. 7. The in-vehicle device according to claim 6, wherein one of the functions assigned to the plurality of operation buttons is a route guidance function, and the function execution unit is the specified item. When the information indicates a route guidance function, vehicle guidance is performed using the vehicle position information and the map data and the recommended route information obtained from the information providing device. 8. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, further comprising menu requesting means for transmitting a menu request including vehicle position information to the information providing device. The menu information is sent from the information providing device as a response to the menu request. 9. An information providing device for providing the in-vehicle device according to claim 8 with the menu information according to claim 8, wherein: a receiving unit that receives various requests from the in-vehicle device; and various information to the in-vehicle device. When the transmitting unit for transmitting and the receiving unit receives a menu request including vehicle position information from the in-vehicle device, the in-vehicle device assigned to each function that the in-vehicle device can provide in consideration of the vehicle position information. Of the operation button, and a determination unit that determines the item information indicating each function, and the menu information is created according to the determination by the determination unit, and the transmission unit transmits the menu request to the in-vehicle device. An information providing device, comprising: a menu information creating unit that transmits the menu information. 10. The information providing device according to claim 9, further comprising a traffic information database for managing traffic information of each area, wherein the determination unit uses the traffic information database to perform the menu. Investigate whether or not there is a traffic obstacle near the point specified by the vehicle position information included in the request, and if there is a traffic obstacle, the in-vehicle device obtains the traffic obstacle information. The operation buttons of the in-vehicle device to be assigned to each function that the in-vehicle device can provide, and the item information indicating each of the functions of the in-vehicle device to be assigned to each function that can be provided by the in-vehicle device. In-vehicle device characterized by. 11. The information providing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein when a map request is received from the on-vehicle device by the map database, the map data of the area is read from the map database. An information providing device, further comprising: a map data providing unit that transmits the map request to the in-vehicle device that has transmitted the map request. 12. The information providing apparatus according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein when the receiving means receives a route search request including information on a departure place and a destination from the vehicle-mounted device, the departure place. An information providing apparatus further comprising: a route search unit that searches for a recommended route between the destinations, and transmits the route to the vehicle-mounted device that has transmitted the route search request by the transmission unit. 13. An information providing method for providing information to an in-vehicle device using the information providing device, wherein the information providing device includes a first step of receiving a menu request including vehicle position information from the in-vehicle device. And considering the vehicle position information included in the menu request,
A second step of creating information of a menu for a user of the vehicle-mounted device to select an arbitrary function from each function that the vehicle-mounted device can provide, and transmitting the information of the menu to the vehicle-mounted device. And a third step of displaying a menu on the display screen of the in-vehicle device. 14. The information providing method according to claim 13, wherein the menu includes item information indicating each function that the in-vehicle device can provide, and the menu information indicates each function. For each item information, the display position on the display screen of the in-vehicle device is set to be a predetermined position according to the operation button of the in-vehicle device assigned to the function indicated by the item information, In addition, the information providing method is characterized in that the function indicated by the item information displayed at the predetermined position according to the operated operation button is associated with the information for the in-vehicle device to execute. . 15. An in-vehicle device having a route guiding function, comprising: a display unit having a horizontally long display screen; and a display control unit for controlling display of a display target on the display unit, The display control unit displays a vehicle position and a route on the display unit so that the vehicle traveling direction is on the upper side of the display screen, and one of two points is on the right side of the display screen. A second display mode in which the route between the two points is displayed on the display unit so that the other of the two points is displayed on the left side of the display screen. In-vehicle device. 16. The in-vehicle device according to claim 15, wherein in the second display mode, the route between the two points is set so that the two points are located on a diagonal of the display screen. An in-vehicle device characterized by displaying on a display unit. 17. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 15, wherein in the first display mode, a vehicle position is displayed at a lower portion of the display screen, and a route in a vehicle traveling direction is displayed on the display screen. An in-vehicle device, which displays a vehicle position and a route on the display unit so as to be displayed above the position. 18. The on-vehicle device according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the first display mode is a bird's-eye view map obtained by bird's-eye view of a map showing a vehicle position and a route. In-vehicle device characterized by being displayed on. 19. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 15, wherein in the first display mode, a route including a vehicle position is included in a first divided screen obtained by dividing the display screen into left and right. Is displayed and the first split screen is displayed on the second split screen obtained by splitting the split screen to the left and right.
The vehicle-mounted device, wherein the vehicle position and the route are displayed on the display unit so that the route closer to the destination than the route displayed on the split screen is displayed. 20. The in-vehicle device according to claim 19, wherein the first display mode is such that, when the vehicle position approaches a point satisfying a predetermined condition on a route, the vehicle position waits until the vehicle position passes the point. , The second
An in-vehicle device, which displays an enlarged map around the point on the split screen of.