JP2004077441A - Navigation device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the guidance regardless of the inside and outside of an area even when the re-retrieval in a download area is impossible. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation device 16 performing the guidance on the basis of the route data acquired from a server 11 and a route guide data including the map data of the periphery of the route, comprises a guiding means for performing the guidance to the destination by using the route guide data, a determining means for determining whether the re-retrieval processing can be performed on the basis of the route guide data or not, when a present position of a vehicle is outside of the route during traveling, a transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for the new map data to the server, when it is determined that the re-retrieval by the route guide data is impossible, and a receiving means for receiving the new map data to the request signal, and the guide means performs the guidance to the destination by using the received new map data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device and a navigation system that receive map data and route guidance data from a server to provide guidance.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When the center server and the navigation device are connected via a communication network and the navigation device transmits search conditions such as a departure place and a destination to the center server, the center server performs a route search, and the searched route and the route around the route are searched. A system has been proposed in which map data and map data are downloaded to a navigation device, the navigation device travels based on the received data, and route re-searching and map display are enabled in the received data (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-48579). ).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above system, if the current position moves outside the download area, re-search cannot be performed because there is no data, and if re-search cannot be performed without using data outside the download area, the guidance Will also be interrupted. In such a case, in the above system, the procedure for requesting data must be redone from the beginning.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a guide even when re-searching is not possible in a download area without worrying about inside and outside the area.
Therefore, the present invention provides a navigation device that performs guidance using route guidance data including route data acquired from a server and map data around the route,
A guidance unit that provides guidance to a destination using the route guidance data, and determines whether a re-search process can be performed using the route guidance data when the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route. Determining means for performing, when the determining means determines that re-search processing cannot be performed, transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for new map data or route guidance data to the server; Receiving means for receiving new map data and route guidance data for the request signal, wherein the guidance means performs guidance to the destination using the received new map data and route guidance data. .
[0005]
Further, the present invention provides a system for providing guidance by a navigation device using route guidance data including route data acquired from a server and map data around the route,
The navigation device is capable of performing a re-search process with the route guidance data when the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route, and a guidance unit that provides guidance to a destination using the route guidance data. And a new map data or route guidance including the identification information and the current location information of the navigation device when it is determined that the re-search processing cannot be performed by the determination means. Transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for data to the server, and receiving means for receiving new map data or route guidance data for the request signal from the server,
The server, a receiving unit that receives the request signal, a data management unit that manages the route guidance data transmitted to the navigation device as transmitted data in association with the identification information of the navigation device, and a data management unit that is transmitted from the navigation device. A data calculation unit that calculates route guidance data to be transmitted to the navigation device based on the request signal and the transmitted data, and a transmission unit that transmits the calculated route guidance data to the navigation device. I do.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a system according to the present embodiment.
The web server 11 is transmitted from the terminal when the user accesses the home PC / PDA (hereinafter, referred to as a terminal) 13 via the Internet 12 and logs in to a predetermined website established in the web server. A search process is executed in accordance with the route search condition, and a service of downloading (distributing) the route guidance data obtained by the search to the terminal 13 via the Internet 12 is provided.
[0007]
Route guidance data, for example, corridor data, includes route data to the searched destination, map data around the route, audio data for route guidance, and the like. The route data is composed of road data constituting the route, and the map data around the route is composed of grid-shaped map data called parcels, as described later.
[0008]
Further, the web server 11 provides a service of downloading (distributing) music data, video data, map data, image data, and the like to the terminal 13 via the Internet network 12. The web server 11 manages what data has been downloaded based on the identification information (ID) of the user terminal.
[0009]
Here, the functions of the web server will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2. The web server 11 includes at least a transmitting / receiving unit 20, a route searching unit 21, a data managing unit 22, a data calculating unit 23, and a data storing unit 24. Have. The transmission / reception unit 20 receives a data request signal from a user via the Internet network, and transmits map data and route guidance data to the user. When the route search unit 21 receives a departure place, a destination, a route search condition, and the like input from the user through the transmission / reception unit 20, it executes a route search process. The data management unit 22 manages the received data and the route guidance data transmitted to the navigation device as transmitted data in association with the identification information (ID) of the navigation device. The data calculation unit 23 calculates route guidance data to be transmitted to the navigation device based on the request signal from the navigation device and the transmitted data. The data storage unit 24 stores programs and data, map data, audio data, and the like necessary for the navigation processing.
[0010]
The terminal 13 has transmission means for transmitting a start request signal and a stop request signal to the navigation device, and downloaded data to the on-vehicle navigation device 16 via the wireless or wired communication device 14 or via the memory medium 15. . The terminal 13 determines whether or not to compress data to be transmitted based on the communication environment with the vehicle-mounted navigation device and the data decompression capability of the vehicle-mounted navigation device, if necessary, and performs a data compression process. Means and the like.
[0011]
The in-vehicle navigation device includes communication means for communicating with the terminal 13, guidance means for providing guidance to the destination using the received route guidance data, and route guidance data when the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route. A determination means for determining whether or not re-search processing can be performed in the terminal. If it is determined that re-search processing cannot be performed with the received data, the determination is performed via the terminal 13 or directly to the server. Transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for new map data or route guidance data; receiving means for receiving new map data or route guidance data for the request signal via the terminal 13 or directly from the server; Data processing means for decompressing compressed data when transmitted, data storage means for storing received map data and route guidance data, When receiving the request signal and capable of receiving data transmitted by starting the navigation system, and a navigation controlling unit for stopping the navigation device when the reception process requires a stop request from the terminal 13.
[0012]
In the above description, it is determined whether a request for new map data or route guidance data is necessary, and a request signal is transmitted from the in-vehicle navigation device when necessary, but the terminal 13 has such a function. You may make it do.
[0013]
As a form of communication between the in-vehicle navigation device 15, the terminal 13, and the web server 11, for example, a mobile phone line, a PHS line, a wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or the like can be used. As the communication device, for example, a mobile phone, a PHS, a wireless LAN card Etc. can be used.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining guidance traveling based on downloaded route guidance data (corridor data).
As described above, the corridor data is composed of route data (road data constituting the route), map data around the route, voice data for route guidance, and the like. The map data around the route is a mesh-like shape called a parcel. It consists of map data. For example, when search conditions such as the departure point A and the destination B, expressway priority, and general road priority are transmitted from the terminal to the web server together with the user ID and received by the transmission / reception unit of the web server, the route search of the web server 11 is performed. The unit 21 performs a route search based on the received search conditions, and downloads route data of the searched route and corridor data including map data (parcel), voice data, and the like around the route to the terminal 13 through the transmission / reception unit 20. I do.
[0015]
In the in-vehicle navigation device that has received the data transfer from the terminal that received the corridor data, when traveling based on the corridor data, for example, when the current position moves (off-route) to a position C outside the range of the corridor data, Since there is no map data at this position, the route cannot be searched again. Also, guidance that requires data outside the range of the corridor data cannot be performed.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the determination means of the in-vehicle navigation device determines whether or not the re-search processing can be performed based on the route guidance data so that the route can be searched again or guided even in such a case. Then, when it is determined that it is necessary, a new data request is made to the web server. Upon receiving the data request, the web server calculates necessary data and downloads the corridor data to the in-vehicle navigation device. That is, the web server 11 manages the transmitted route guidance data as transmitted data in the data management unit 22 in association with the identification information of the in-vehicle navigation device, and based on the request signal including the current position data and the transmitted data. Required data can be calculated, and the calculated data is downloaded to the in-vehicle navigation device.
[0016]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow on the server and the vehicle-mounted navigation device side. The box on the right side of the figure shows the processing on the navigation device (terminal) side, and the box on the left side of the figure shows the processing on the web server side.
When a request signal for route guidance data is transmitted from the navigation device (terminal) to the web server by adding identification information (ID), search conditions such as departure and destination, expressway priority, and general road priority, the web server side Then, the data calculation unit calculates necessary corridor data, and downloads the data to the navigation device (terminal) side (step S1). The in-vehicle navigation device (terminal) travels on the route to the destination based on the corridor data obtained by the download (step S2). Then, when the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route (off route) (step S3), it is determined whether or not re-search processing can be performed using corridor data obtained by downloading (step S4). If it is determined that it is possible, a new route is searched by performing a re-search process (step S5), and the vehicle travels in the corridor data. When it is determined that the re-search processing is not possible in the corridor data, the web server is connected (step S6). When the in-vehicle navigation device (terminal) is constantly connected to the web server, step S6 is not required.
[0017]
Next, the off-route current position information and the IDs of the navigation device and the terminal are transmitted from the vehicle-mounted navigation device (terminal) to the web server (step S7), and the web server acquires the ID of the navigation device and the terminal (step S8). ). The web server manages the corridor data held by each of the navigation devices (terminals) by the data management unit by using the ID of the navigation device (terminal). Therefore, when the current position information and the ID are received, the web server can calculate the necessary data. It is possible. When data is downloaded from a memory medium or the like, a plurality of media may be used. On the web server side, which data is downloaded is determined only from the current position information and the ID of the navigation device (terminal). Therefore, the information of the map data in the medium must be transmitted to the web server. When the navigation device (terminal) is constantly connected to the web server, there may be a form in which the current position information and the ID are periodically transmitted. In that case, the web server itself may automatically recognize the off route, or only the off route notification may be transmitted from the navigation device (terminal) side.
[0018]
When the corridor data on the navigation device (terminal) side is grasped on the web server side in this way, the data calculation unit performs data calculation processing required for the re-search, re-search processing, delivery of data after the re-search, and the like (step S9). The navigation device (terminal) receives the required corridor data that has been searched again (step S10). In another embodiment, instead of corridor data, new map data, for example, a parcel in which the current position is present can be calculated and distributed by the data calculation unit. In this case, the navigation device receives new map data and performs a re-search process. In this way, the user can travel with peace of mind without being conscious of whether the current travel position is within the download data area or has deviated.
[0019]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow for transferring downloaded data from a terminal to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via a communication device.
When data is downloaded from the transmission / reception unit of the web server via the Internet network (step S11), if data compression is required, the data is compressed by the compression processing means of the terminal (step S12). Next, the terminal transmits a start request signal including the ID of the vehicle-mounted navigation device from the terminal to the vehicle-mounted navigation device by wire or wirelessly, and the control unit of the vehicle-mounted navigation device that has received the start request signal executes a start process (step S13). . Next, the user ID and password are transmitted from the terminal to the in-vehicle navigation device to authenticate the user, and when the authentication is completed, data is transferred from the data transmission means of the terminal to the in-vehicle navigation device (step S14). If the transferred data has been compressed, it is decompressed in the data processing unit of the on-vehicle navigation device (step S15). Next, a stop request signal is transmitted from the terminal to the vehicle-mounted navigation device, and when the vehicle-mounted navigation device receives the stop request, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted navigation device executes a stop process (step S16).
[0020]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing (step S11 in FIG. 5) when data is requested from the terminal side to the web server and downloaded.
A user ID is transmitted from a terminal using a communication line (step S21), and authentication processing is performed at an access point on the Internet network (step S22). When the authentication is completed, the user accesses the web server, and inputs a user name, a password and the like to log in (step S23). Next, when search conditions such as a departure point, a destination, an expressway, and a general road are input (step S24), the route search unit of the web server performs a route search and creates necessary corridor data (step S25). . Next, the transmission / reception unit downloads the created corridor data to the terminal via the Internet network (step S26).
[0021]
In the above description, an example in which data is distributed from the web server to the vehicle navigation device via the terminal has been described. However, when the vehicle-mounted navigation device has a communication function, the vehicle server is directly transmitted from the web server to the vehicle navigation device. It is also possible to distribute data to the navigation device.
[0022]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a vehicle-mounted navigation device.
An input device 1 for inputting information relating to route guidance such as a departure point and a destination, a current position detecting device 2 for detecting information relating to the current position of the own vehicle, navigation data required for route search, and a display required for route guidance / Information storage device 3 in which a program (application and / or OS) for performing guidance such as map display, route search, voice guidance, etc. is recorded, and map display processing is performed as navigator processing means. A central processing unit 4 for performing route search processing, display / voice guidance processing required for route guidance, control of the entire system, receiving corridor data from terminals, transmitting data requests to web servers, Information that sends and receives traffic information, detects information about the current location of the vehicle, and sends and receives information about the current location. Receiving apparatus 5, and a display and a speaker other output device 6 for outputting information on route guidance.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when re-searching is not possible with the data in the download area, it is possible to perform the route traveling without worrying about the inside and outside of the area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a web server.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a guide traveling based on corridor data.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the present system.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow for transferring data from a terminal to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via a communication device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow when a terminal requests data from a web server and downloads the data.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a vehicle-mounted navigation device.
[Explanation of symbols]
11: Web server, 12: Internet network, 13: Home PC / PDA, 14: Communication device, 15: Memory medium, 16: In-vehicle navigation device.

Claims (3)

In a navigation device that provides guidance using route data acquired from a server and route guidance data including map data around the route,
Guidance means for performing guidance to a destination using the route guidance data,
When the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route, a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to perform a re-search process with the route guidance data,
Transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for new map data to the server when the determination means determines that re-search processing cannot be performed;
Receiving means for receiving new map data for the request signal from the server;
A navigation device, wherein the guidance unit performs guidance to a destination using the received new map data. In a navigation device that provides guidance using route data acquired from a server and route guidance data including map data around the route,
Guidance means for performing guidance to a destination using the route guidance data,
When the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route, a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to perform a re-search process with the route guidance data,
Transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for new route guidance data to the server when the determination means determines that re-search processing cannot be performed;
Receiving means for receiving new route guidance data for the request signal from the server;
A navigation apparatus, wherein the guidance unit performs guidance to a destination using the received new route guidance data. In a system for providing guidance by a navigation device using route guidance data including route data obtained from a server and map data around the route,
The navigation device,
Guidance means for performing guidance to a destination using the route guidance data,
When the current position of the vehicle deviates from the traveling route, a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to perform a re-search process with the route guidance data,
And transmitting a request signal for new map data or route guidance data including the identification information of the navigation device and the current location information to the server when the determination means determines that the re-search processing cannot be performed. Means,
Receiving means for receiving new map data or route guidance data for the request signal from the server,
The server comprises:
A receiving unit that receives the request signal,
A data management unit that manages the route guidance data transmitted to the navigation device as transmitted data in association with the identification information of the navigation device,
A data calculation unit that calculates route guidance data to be transmitted to the navigation device based on the request signal transmitted from the navigation device and the transmitted data,
A transmission unit for transmitting the calculated route guidance data to the navigation device.

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