JP2004340864A - Navigation device and radiocommunication method in navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of reducing communication cost. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device equipped with a route searching function to a destination has the following structure: a storing device 30 for storing hot spot information about a hot spot (an access point) for wireless communication, a position detection means for detecting a vehicle position 201, a display 151 capable of displaying a route map and the like on a display, an access point searching means for searching hot spots stored in the storing device based on the vehicle position detected by the position detection means and displaying the searched hot spots 210, 220 on the display 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus having a wireless communication function, and more particularly to a search for an access point for wireless communication and communication with the access point.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle, reads map data around the vehicle position from a storage medium such as a DVD or a hard disk (HDD), draws a map on a display screen, and superimposes a vehicle mark on the map. To draw. When the current position changes due to the movement of the vehicle, the map is scrolled or the vehicle mark on the map is moved in accordance with the change to present the map information around the vehicle position to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.
[0003]
The navigation device has a function of searching for a route to a destination set by a user and guiding the route. In the route guidance function, using the map data, a low-cost route connecting the current vehicle position to the destination is searched by the Dijkstra method or the like, and the searched route is stored in a memory as guidance route data, and the data is stored in the data. While traveling, the route is displayed on the display.
[0004]
Further, with the development of communication technology in recent years, a navigation device is provided with a communication function capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside. For example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer, or the like is connected to the navigation device, or a communication module built in the navigation device is used to connect to the Internet and download desired data. It is possible to exchange information such as images and mails with a specific partner.
[0005]
When performing such data communication, there are a method of performing wireless communication between vehicles and a method of performing wireless communication using a communication infrastructure. The former method does not require a communication cost, but has disadvantages such as a limited wireless communication area and difficulty in directly connecting to a network such as the Internet. In the latter method, for example, it is convenient to connect to a wireless network or a wireless LAN using a mobile phone or the like, but on the other hand, there is a disadvantage that the communication cost is high.
[0006]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology related to a communication line switching transmission device that reduces a communication cost by selecting a communication line with the lowest cost when a transmission request is issued.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-299657
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When wireless communication is performed by a navigation device, it is desired to reduce the communication cost. For example, in a navigation device, it is possible to download update information of various databases using wireless communication. However, if the data amount is large, the communication time becomes longer, and it is not possible to ignore the communication cost. Can not. Further, since the data communication speed using a mobile phone or the like is not high enough to be satisfactory, it is difficult to reduce the communication time. Although Patent Document 1 discloses means for reducing communication cost, this technique does not solve the problem of reducing communication cost.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology and to provide a navigation device capable of reducing communication costs and a wireless communication method in the navigation device.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient navigation device that can use a wireless communication access point such as a hot spot, and a wireless communication method in the device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A navigation device according to the present invention having a route search function to a destination has the following configuration. Storage means for storing access point information relating to an access point for wireless communication; position detection means for detecting a vehicle position; display means capable of displaying a road or a map on a display; Access point searching means for searching for an access point stored in the storage means based on the vehicle position and displaying the searched access point on a display. This allows the user to easily know the location of the access point where wireless communication is possible, in addition to the guidance provided by the navigation device, and utilize the location.
[0011]
Preferably, the navigation device further includes an input unit, and when an instruction to search for an access point is input by the input unit, the access point search unit searches for the access point. Access points can be searched according to the user's request, and the convenience of the navigation device can be improved.
[0012]
Preferably, the navigation device further includes wireless communication means, and when wireless communication is performed by the wireless communication means, the access point search means searches for an access point. The navigation device further includes communication switching means, and the communication switching means switches wireless communication to the access point searched by the access point search means. For example, when wireless communication is performed by a mobile phone or the like, preferably, it is possible to reduce the communication cost by searching for a hot spot whose communication cost is lower than that of the mobile phone and switching the connection to this hot spot. Become.
[0013]
Preferably, the access point search means searches for another access point when it is determined that the vehicle exceeds the communicable area of the currently connected access point. Then, the communication switching means switches the wireless communication to another access point if the vehicle is located within the communicable area of another access point. If the vehicle is not located in the communicable area of another access point, the communication is switched to another communication means (such as a mobile phone). Thereby, the connection state of the wireless communication can be maintained.
[0014]
Preferably, the access point search means searches for a route to the searched access point, and displays the searched route together with the access point on a display.
[0015]
Preferably, the wireless communication unit selects an access point displayed on the display, and when an instruction to use the access point is input, connects to the access point.
[0016]
A wireless communication method in a navigation device having a wireless communication function according to the present invention includes the following steps. Preparing access point information on an access point capable of wireless communication in a memory in advance, and searching for an access point around the vehicle position from the access point information in the memory while the vehicle is running, and displaying the searched access point on a display And enabling wireless communication with the access point displayed on the display.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 includes a GPS receiver 10, a self-contained navigation sensor 11, a VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12, an operation panel 20, a voice input unit 21, a remote control operation unit 22, an input interface 23, and a storage device 30 for storing map data and the like. , An audio output unit 40, a speaker 41, a display control unit 50, a display 51, a program memory 60, a data memory 70, and a control unit 80 for controlling each unit.
[0018]
The GPS receiver 10 receives a radio wave from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and measures the current position and current direction of the vehicle. The measured position information includes data on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. The self-contained navigation sensor 11 includes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a moving distance of the vehicle and an angle for detecting a rotation angle of the vehicle. Output signals of the GPS receiver 10 and the self-contained navigation sensor 11 are supplied to a control unit 80, and the control unit 80 calculates the current position and direction of the vehicle based on these output signals.
[0019]
The VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12 sequentially receives current road traffic information outside the vehicle via the antenna 13. VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) provides road traffic information in real time, and transmits information by FM multiplexing (text broadcasting), radio beacons, and optical beacons. FM multiplexing covers road traffic information in a wide area. The radio beacon and the optical beacon have road traffic information in an area having a radius of about 10 km from the center thereof, and can receive information when the vehicle passes through the beacon. The data transmitted from the VICS includes the level of traffic congestion, for example, smoothness, congestion, traffic congestion, traffic congestion distance, traffic regulation, travel time, etc., for the link corresponding to each road.
[0020]
The operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22 constitute an input of the navigation device 1. The user gives various instructions and settings to the navigation device 1 via these inputs, such as searching for the destination, searching for a route to the destination, and changing the settings of the display screen. The operation panel 20 can use, for example, a plurality of operation keys 52 provided below the display 51. In addition, a predetermined instruction can be given by touching the screen of the display 51 by the user.
[0021]
The voice input unit 21 transmits a user's voice input from a voice input microphone (not shown) to the input interface 23, and converts a voice analog signal into a digital signal. The remote control operation unit 22 includes a plurality of input keys. When the user operates the input keys, the input operation is transmitted to the input interface 23 through wireless communication. The input interface 23 is connected to the operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22, and transmits input information input by a user to the control unit 80.
[0022]
The storage device 30 can use a recording medium such as a hard disk (HDD), a DVD, and a CD-ROM. Preferably, by using a hard disk, data can be rewritten when updating the database. The storage device 30 stores various databases, programs, music data, and the like, as shown in FIG. The database stores road / map data, address / telephone data, leisure facilities, restaurants, hot spots, and other data required for navigation. The program stores various programs executed in the navigation device, for example, a program for searching for a route to a destination. The music data is data that is played back when the navigation device functions as an audio device.
[0023]
A hot spot is a place where an access point for wireless communication is installed and a service capable of connecting to the Internet or the like is provided. For example, access points for wireless communication are installed in fast food stores, convenience stores, around stations, service areas on expressways, gas stations or street corners, and users can use mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal computers, etc. , Wireless connection to the access point and high-speed communication can be performed. The storage device 30 stores information related to the hot spot, and the information is used to use the hot spot position, hot spot communicable distance, hot spot usage mode (free or membership only), and hot spot. (See FIG. 2).
[0024]
The data communication control unit 31 enables wireless data communication. The data communication control unit 31 may have a built-in communication module for transmitting and receiving data, or connect an electronic device having a communication function such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA) to the navigation device. It may be something. The data communication control unit 31 can connect to the Internet using the above-described wireless communication using hot spots, or can connect to a network using a predetermined access point using a mobile phone or the like. By transmitting and receiving data relating to road traffic information to and from a traffic information center such as ATIS via the Internet, real-time dynamic information can be sequentially obtained. Further, the latest road, map data, facility data, latest music data, and latest hot spot data can be downloaded from a predetermined server, and the contents of the storage device (hard disk) 30 can be updated. The data communication control unit 31 can also provide entertainment information and road traffic information such as facilities and restaurants held by the navigation device 1 to a mobile phone or the like.
[0025]
The audio output unit 40 includes a speaker 41, and outputs sound from the speaker 41 under the control of the control unit 80. For example, a sound that prompts the driver to pay attention to the course direction before the intersection is output as information until the user reaches the destination, or an operation input to the user is performed when the user performs an interactive input to the navigation device. Output a voice instruction. Further, the audio output unit 40 outputs music when the navigation device performs an audio function.
[0026]
The display control unit 50 is connected to the display 51, and displays a map on the display 51 based on data read from the storage device 30 or the data memory 70 under the control of the control unit 80, or displays a map on the map. A vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle, a route to a destination, a guidance display at a branch point such as an intersection, and a landmark such as a hot spot are combined. Further, information on an instruction or operation input by the user from the operation panel 20 or the like is displayed on a map or on another screen. The display control unit 50 preferably includes a VRAM such as a FIFO, stores data relating to a map, a road, and a guidance display read from the storage device 30 or the data memory 70 in the VRAM, and stores the data in the map data read from the VRAM. Synthesize various data. The display 51 is, for example, a horizontally long wide screen using liquid crystal or plasma, and can display two screens under the control of the display control unit 50.
[0027]
The program memory 60 stores various programs executed in the navigation device, and these programs are executed by the control unit 80. The program memory 60 may be configured using, for example, a rewritable RAM, and may read out a program stored in the storage device 30. Alternatively, a ROM in which a program is stored in advance can be used. The contents of the program include, for example, a program 61 for searching for a route to a destination, a program 62 for setting and changing a map displayed on the display 51, and the like. Further, the present invention includes a hot spot search program 63, which is used to search for hot spots around the vehicle position and display the hot spots when the vehicle is running or when wireless communication is being performed. Search for a pot spot and display it. Further, a route to the searched pot spot is searched for and displayed. This operation will be described later.
[0028]
The data memory 70 stores processing results of various operations processed by the control unit 80 and data 71 such as roads and maps read from the storage device 30. Further, the data memory 70 stores the searched guidance route data 72 and the road traffic information 73 received from the VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12 when the control unit 80 searches for a route to the destination. I do. Further, the data memory 70 stores hot spot information 74 regarding the position of the hot spot obtained by the hot spot search, the landmark of the hot spot, and the search path to the hot spot. The data memory 70 may be a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like, but preferably uses a non-volatile memory so that the hot spot information 74 described above is stored even when the power of the navigation device is turned off. can do. Further, an external memory 75 that can be mounted on the navigation device 1 may be used in combination with the data memory 70.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The power of the navigation device is turned off (step S101), and the vehicle position is detected based on the signal from the GPS receiver 10 (step S102). The control unit 80 reads, from the storage device 30, road / map data around the vehicle position and landmark information such as facilities included therein. Further, the control unit 80 searches for hot spots around the vehicle position from the hot spot information stored in the storage device 30 according to the hot spot search program 63 (step S103), and superimposes the hot spot on the map on the display 51. It is displayed (step S104). Information on the read hot spot is stored in the storage area 74 of the data memory 70. FIG. 4 is a display example of a hot spot. As shown in the figure, a road map around the vehicle position 201 is displayed on the display 51, and landmarks 210 and 220 indicating available hot spots are displayed around the vehicle. Preferably, the wireless communication distance may be an image 230 such as a radius shown by a broken line, or separately from the image 230, for example, "available within a radius of 300 meters". Is also possible. Furthermore, a voice can be used to guide the user that a usable hot spot is nearby.
[0030]
Next, it is checked whether or not there is a user's use instruction input for the hot spot displayed on the display 51 (step S105). For example, the user can give a use instruction input by touching a hot spot on the display 51. Alternatively, an instruction input can be given from the operation panel 20 or the remote controller 22. When there is an instruction to use a hot spot, the communication control unit 31 refers to the hot spot setting information in the storage device 30 and connects to the hot spot (step S106).
[0031]
When the vehicle is moving, the communication control unit 31 compares the communicable distance of the hot spot in the storage device 30 with the current position of the vehicle, and monitors whether the vehicle is within the communicable range of the hot spot. (Step S107). Preferably, when the vehicle position is predicted to depart from the communicable distance of the hot spot, it is determined that the vehicle exceeds the passable range before departure. The control unit 80 refers to the traveling direction of the vehicle, searches for another hot spot in that direction (step S108), displays the hot spot on the display 51, and determines the optimal route to the hot spot. A search is performed, and the searched route is also displayed (step S109). The control unit 80 refers to the communicable distance of another hot spot, and determines whether or not connection to another hot spot is possible (step S110). If it is determined that connection is possible, the connection is automatically switched to the hot spot (step S111). If it is determined that connection is not possible, other communication means other than the hot spot, for example, a mobile phone (Step S112). Thereby, the connection state can be maintained without disconnecting the communication. If the movement of the vehicle is continued, the operations from step S107 to step S112 are repeated. Thus, it is possible to appropriately guide the user to the hot spot position and to improve the convenience when using the hot spot.
[0032]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a search example of a hot spot will be described. After the power of the navigation device is turned off (step S201), when a user inputs an instruction to search for a hot spot (step S202), the control unit 80 reads the hot spot from the storage device 30 according to the hot spot search program 63. Start the search. A screen for the hot spot search condition is displayed on the display 51 (step S203). The search conditions include, for example, the type of hot spot use (free or membership only), the type of hot spot (communication speed, communicable distance, etc.), or the location of the hot spot (convenience store, restaurant, gas station, etc.). Can be used. For example, when the user uses a hot spot usage mode as a search key, a screen for waiting for input of whether or not to use the free hot spot is provided (step S204), and the user inputs the use of the free hot spot. If there is, a free hot spot is searched (step S205). Otherwise, a paid or membership hot spot is searched (step S206).
[0033]
Next, when further narrowing down using search conditions (step S207), another search condition is input by the user, and a search is performed according to the other search conditions (step S208). When the search is completed, the hot spot is displayed on the display 51. Subsequent operations can be performed from step S105 in FIG. Preferably, communication costs can be reduced by using free hot spots.
[0034]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, the operation up to step S210 is the same as that of the second embodiment. However, after narrowing down the search for hot spots, the user further requests a route search for a desired hot spot. When there is an input (step S301), the control unit 80 searches for an optimum route, and displays the searched route on the display 51 (step S302). This allows the user to reach the hot spot available position via the shortest route.
[0035]
In this way, by storing the information of the hot spot in the storage device 30 in advance, the wireless communication using the hot spot can be performed by the navigation device as needed. If the user selects and uses a preferably free hot spot, the communication cost can be significantly reduced. Further, if the communication cost is a free or low-cost hot spot, the communication cost can be reduced even if a large amount of data is received from the hot spot. Is also possible.
[0036]
In addition, by sequentially using hot spots, update information indicating that a new hot spot has been installed can be easily obtained, and the update information can be downloaded to the storage device 30.
[0037]
Preferably, when a route search to a desired destination is performed by the user, and when the destination can use a hot spot, it is also possible to simultaneously guide that the hot spot is available. good.
[0038]
In the first to third embodiments, a hot spot is searched according to a vehicle position or a hot spot is searched according to an instruction from a user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When wireless communication is performed from the navigation device using a telephone or the like, an available hot spot can be searched using the trigger as a trigger. In this case, when an available hot spot is found, it is possible to switch from wireless communication of a mobile phone or the like to wireless communication to the hot spot without disconnecting the line. Preferably, it is possible to reduce the communication cost by connecting to a hot spot that is free or has a lower communication cost than a mobile phone or the like. Further, preferably, a hot spot whose communication speed can be used at a high speed may be used.
[0039]
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention described in the appended claims. Deformation and modification are possible.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, information on an access point capable of wireless communication is stored in a storage unit, an access point is searched according to a request from a user or a vehicle position, and the access point can be used. The convenience of the communication function can be improved, and the communication cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the contents stored in a storage device.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a hot spot.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: navigation device, 10: GPS receiver, 11: self-contained navigation sensor,
12: VICS / FM multiplex receiver, 20: operation panel, 21: voice input unit,
22: remote controller, 23: input IF, 30: storage unit, 31: communication control unit,
40: audio output unit, 41: speaker, 50: display control unit, 51: display,
60: program memory, 70: data memory, 75: external memory, 80: control unit

Claims (10)

A navigation device having a route search function to a destination,
Storage means for storing access point information about an access point for wireless communication,
Position detecting means for detecting a vehicle position;
Display means capable of displaying roads, maps, etc. on a display,
Access point search means for searching for an access point stored in the storage means based on the vehicle position detected by the position detection means, and displaying the searched access point on the display,
Navigation device having the same. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device further includes an input unit, and when an instruction to search for an access point is input by the input unit, the access point search unit searches for an access point. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device further includes a wireless communication unit, and when the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication, the access point search unit searches for an access point. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the navigation device further includes a communication switching unit, and the communication switching unit switches wireless communication to the access point searched by the access point search unit. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein the access point search means searches for another access point when it is determined that the vehicle exceeds the communicable area of the currently connected access point. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the communication switching unit switches wireless communication to the other access point when a vehicle is located in a communicable area of the another access point. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the access point search unit searches for a route to the searched access point, and displays the searched route together with the access point on a display. 9. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit connects to the access point when an instruction to use the access point displayed on the display is input. A wireless communication method in a navigation device having a wireless communication function,
Preliminarily preparing access point information on an access point capable of wireless communication in a memory;
While the vehicle is running, searching for access points around the vehicle position from the access point information of the memory, displaying the searched access points on a display,
Enabling wireless communication by an access point displayed on the display. The navigation device according to claim 9, wherein the wireless communication method includes a step of searching for another access point and switching wireless communication to another access point when it is determined that the vehicle exceeds the communicable area of the access point. Wireless communication method.

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