JP2005055286A - Navigation terminal, navigation server, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute a navigation function even outside a service area of radio communications similar to a navigation function inside the service area in a what is called center type navigation system. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation terminal 2 provides the navigation function for users and is provided with a means of communications 23 for radio communications with a server 1; a means for receiving map information from the server through the means of communications; a means 25 for detecting a present location; a navigation means 22 for displaying both information on a route to a destination and the present location on a map by the map information; and a temporary storage means 26 for temporarily storing the map information including points incapable of radio communications by the means of communications on the route to the destination among the map information received from the server through the means of communications. The navigation means 22 has a means for reading the map information including the points from the temporary storage means at the points incapable of radio communications by the means of communications. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system.

  There are generally two types of navigation systems used in terminals such as in-vehicle devices. The first type is realized by an information processing function on the terminal such as a local map database connected to the terminal and a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit mounted on the terminal. On the other hand, as a second type, a type that is linked to a server remotely installed on the center side (hereinafter referred to as a center type) is known. In the center-type navigation system, a server often provides information to a terminal in a web format through a network. Therefore, the center type may be called a web type or a network type.

  A conventional center type navigation system has only a function of receiving map data from a server on a network. That is, the conventional center-type navigation system accesses a server at the time of switching map data, downloads necessary map data from the server, and provides a navigation function using the downloaded map data.

Therefore, the center type navigation system that is connected to the server by wireless communication has no consideration for processing outside the service area where the wireless communication service is not provided. For this reason, for example, if there is an area outside the service area in the middle of the route to the destination, the navigation function may be interrupted. In addition, the following patent documents 1 and 2 etc. are known as a literature which shows the conventional general technical level with respect to a navigation system.
JP 2003-130668 A JP 2003-134265 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of executing a navigation function similar to that in a service area outside a service area for wireless communication in a so-called center type navigation system.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means. That is, the present invention is a navigation terminal that provides a navigation function to a user,
A communication means for wirelessly communicating with the server;
Means for receiving map information from the server through the communication means;
Means for detecting the current position;
Navigation means for displaying route information to the destination on the map based on the map information and the current position;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing map information including a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible on the route to the destination among the map information received from the server through the communication means,
The navigation means has means for reading map information including the point from the temporary storage means at a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible.

  According to the present invention, map information including a point where wireless communication is not possible is temporarily stored, and the navigation terminal reads map information including the point at such a point. Therefore, even if it is a navigation terminal that provides map information from the server and displays the route information to the destination on the map and the current position to execute the navigation function, a point where wireless communication is possible at a point where wireless communication is not possible The same function as can be provided.

  Preferably, the navigation means includes travel locus recording means for temporarily recording information relating to a travel locus during traveling at a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible, and the recorded travel locus is displayed on the map. May be displayed.

Further, the present invention is a navigation server that provides a service to the navigation terminal as described above,
Communication means for communicating with the navigation terminal via wireless communication;
Means for receiving current location information of the navigation terminal through the communication means;
Means for providing map information including the current position to the navigation terminal through the communication means;
Means for receiving information indicating the destination from the navigation terminal through the communication means;
Means for referring to information relating to an area where a wireless communication service is not provided on a route from the current position to the destination;
The navigation terminal may include means for providing the navigation terminal with map information including a planned traveling point in the area before the navigation terminal approaches the area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route.

  According to the present invention, map information including a planned traveling point in the area is provided to the navigation terminal before approaching the area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route to the purpose of the navigation terminal. Therefore, a point where wireless communication can be performed at a point where wireless communication is not possible even for a navigation terminal which is provided with map information from the server and displays the route information to the destination on the map and the current position to execute the navigation function Services can be provided to perform similar functions.

  Preferably, the navigation server further includes means for providing the latest traffic information or construction information to the navigation terminal when the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route. Also good. According to the present invention, the latest information as much as possible can be provided to a navigation terminal in an area where a wireless communication service is not provided for information that is desired to be real-time information such as traffic jam information or construction information.

  Further, the present invention may be a method for causing a computer to execute any one of the processes described above. Further, the present invention may be a program that causes a computer to realize any of the functions described above. The present invention may also be a computer-readable recording medium that records such a program.

Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that accumulates information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from the computer. . Examples of such a recording medium that can be removed from the computer include a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, and a memory card.

  Further, there are a hard disk, a ROM (read only memory), and the like as a recording medium fixed to the computer.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a so-called center-type navigation system, a navigation function similar to that in the service area can be executed even outside the service area of wireless communication.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a navigation system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of navigation processing in the server 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed when it is determined that a client to be serviced (for example, the client 2 shown in FIG. 1) has approached the outside of the service area, and FIG. 4 is executed by the client 2 in the service area. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the outline of the navigation processing to be performed. FIG. 5 shows the details of the processing for managing the client 2 that the server 1 moves in and out of the service area (hereinafter referred to as server in-range / out-of-range management processing in this embodiment) FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing how the client 2 moves in and out of the service area FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of processing (hereinafter referred to as client range / out-of-range management processing in this embodiment), and FIG. 7 shows processing outside the range of client 2 shown in FIG. 6 (S114 in FIG. 7). Is a flowchart showing the details of.

<System overview>
The center-type navigation system can provide the function within the wireless communication service area, but only provides the user with information about the map displayed immediately before the service area. For example, if the client 2 (including the user) moves out of the range indicated by the map displayed immediately before, the current position cannot be displayed on the map. In such a case, it is also impossible to display a traveling locus on the map.

  The characteristic function of the navigation system improves the convenience of the user of the navigation system outside the wireless communication service area as described above. For example, when the user sets a destination, a travel route, or the like, the server 1 of this navigation system searches for information indicating the position of the service area for wireless communication, and maps information for areas outside the service area. Alternatively, POI (Point Of Interest) information or the like is downloaded to a user terminal (referred to as terminal 2 in this embodiment).

  In addition, the server 1 downloads such information to the client 2 immediately before the client 2 moves out of the service area, such as construction information and traffic jam information. Outside the service area, the client 2 provides a service, that is, a navigation function, using the downloaded information for the area.

That is, in this navigation system, for example, the server 1 downloads map information or the like of a place outside the wireless communication service area to the client 2 in response to the user's destination input or route input. Also, immediately before the client 2 moves out of the service area, the server 1 downloads information that requires real-time performance.

  For this reason, the client 2 has a function of reporting the current position to the server 1. On the other hand, the server 1 has information indicating the position of the wireless communication service area on the route where the client 2 goes to the destination, and whether there is an area outside the service area (hereinafter referred to as “out of service area”) on the route. Determine whether or not. Further, the server 1 determines whether or not the client 2 approaches such out-of-service area while traveling.

  The client 2 recognizes that it is out of service area by the notification from the server 1. Further, the client 2 recognizes that it has entered out of service area due to the interruption of wireless communication. Furthermore, the client 2 recognizes that it has entered an area within the service area of wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as “inside”) by restarting wireless communication. The server 1 recognizes that the client 2 has entered the service area by resuming communication with the client 2.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a navigation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system includes a server 1 and a client 2 installed on the center side. In FIG. 1, one client 2 is shown for the server 1, but in the navigation system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of clients 2 (not shown) receive services from the server 1 via the network. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the server 1 includes a CPU 11, a server side navigation engine 12 (abbreviated as a server side navigation engine in FIG. 1), a communication means 13, a memory (not shown), and an external storage means. It is realized by a general computer.

  The CPU 11 executes a program loaded on a memory (not shown) and provides a navigation server function. The server-side navigation engine 12 provides various navigation services to the client 2 connected via a network by wireless communication via the communication means 13. The server-side navigation engine 12 is a computer program that is loaded on a memory and executed by the CPU 11. The communication unit 13 accesses a network and provides a communication function with the client 2 to the CPU 11 and the like.

  In the external storage means (not shown), a map database 14 (in FIG. 1, the database is shown as DB. The same applies hereinafter), a wireless communication service area information database 15, a construction information database 16, and a POI information database 17 are constructed. . The external storage means is, for example, a hard disk device, a disk medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc, Digital Video Disc) and its driving device, or a flash memory card.

  The map database 14 stores information on a map obtained by dividing the country into predetermined areas. The map information is uniquely identified by information for identifying each area, for example, longitude and latitude. The wireless communication service area information database 15 includes information for identifying a point where the wireless communication service is provided and information defining an area where the wireless communication service is provided at the point (for example, longitude and latitude indicating the vertex of the rectangular area) , The radius of the circle area and the longitude and latitude indicating the center of the circle). The map database 14 and the wireless communication service area information database 15 described above are information with a relatively long update period.

The construction information database 16 stores construction sections on main roads and information indicating the time zone in which the construction is performed. In addition, the POI information database 17 includes information for identifying each point, facilities near the point, for example, restaurants such as restaurants, convenience stores, commercial facilities such as department stores, accommodation facilities such as hotels, public institutions, parking facilities, etc. Stores information such as parking lots. The construction information in the construction information database 16 and the POI information in the POI information database 17 are updated in a relatively short period of time, for example, on a daily basis. On the other hand, for the traffic information indicating the traffic on the main road, for example, the server 1 makes an inquiry via the communication means 13 to the road traffic information center that provides the traffic information in real time. However, a database for temporarily recording traffic jam information provided every predetermined period, for example, every hour, may be provided and updated every period.

The client 2 includes a CPU 21, a client side navigation engine 22 (described as a client side navigation engine in FIG. 1), a communication unit 23, a web display function 24, a location information input unit 25 such as GPS, and a map information temporary storage database. 26. The client 2 is a vehicle-mounted device, personal computer, PDA (personal digital assistant, personal
Digital (Data) Assistants), a mobile phone, or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System).

  The CPU 21 executes a program loaded on a memory (not shown) and provides a navigation terminal function. The client side navigation engine 22 cooperates with the server 1 connected via a wireless communication network via the communication unit 23 to provide various navigation services to the user. The client side navigation engine 22 is a computer program that is loaded on a memory and executed by the CPU 21. The communication unit 23 accesses the network and provides the CPU 21 and the like with a wireless communication function with the server 1. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication function includes narrow area communication such as public mobile phone network, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), and wireless LAN. The web display function 24 is realized by a browser program executed by the CPU 21, for example. The position information input means 25 such as GPS is, for example, a GPS unit or the like, receives a GPS satellite radio wave in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 21, detects the current position information of the client 2, and detects the position in the CPU 21. Report information.

  The map information temporary storage database 26 includes, for example, a hard disk device, a disk medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc, Digital Video Disc) and a driving device thereof, a flash memory, or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The map information temporary storage database 26 temporarily stores map information downloaded from the server 1 through the communication means 23, route information indicating a route to the destination, traffic jam information, construction information, and the like.

<Outline of processing flow>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of the navigation process in the server 1 shown in FIG. This process is realized by a computer program as the server-side navigation engine 12 of the server 1. In this process, first, the server 1 receives a target position from the client 2 and searches for a route (S1).

  Next, the server 1 determines whether all of the searched routes are in the wireless service area or not (S2). When all the searched routes are in the wireless service area, the server 1 ends the process of FIG. 2 and provides a normal navigation service. On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that the retrieved route is not even within the wireless service area, the server 1 transmits map information, POI information, etc. of the portion outside the service area to the client 2. Then, the server 1 ends the process shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed when the server 1 determines that a service target client (for example, the client 2 shown in FIG. 1) has approached the outside of the service area. The server 1 receives information indicating the current position of the client 2 every moment via the communication means 13. Then, the server 1 searches the wireless communication service area information database 15 and determines whether or not the current position has approached outside the area of the wireless communication service. When the current position of the client 2 approaches outside the area of the wireless communication service (when entering a range within a predetermined distance from the service limit), the server 1 transmits the latest information on the traffic jam and the construction information to the client 2 ( S4).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of navigation processing executed by the client 2 in the service area. This process is realized by a computer program as the client-side navigation engine 22 of the client 2. In this process, first, the client 2 detects destination information from a screen (not shown) according to an input based on a user operation. For example, the client 2 detects the relative position of the destination on the screen displaying the map of the destination. Then, the client 2 converts the destination position into a coordinate system common to the server 1, for example, latitude / longitude, and transmits it to the server 1 (S5).

  Next, the client 2 waits for reception information transmitted from the server 1. When the information from the server 1 is transmitted, the client 2 determines the type of the received information (S6). When the received information transmitted from the server 1 is map information or POI information, the client 2 stores the received information in the map information temporary storage database 26 (S7). This reception information is used after the client 2 enters an area outside the wireless communication service.

  On the other hand, if the received information transmitted from the server 1 is not map information or POI information, the client 2 next determines whether the received information is traffic jam information (or construction information, etc.) (S8). When the information received from the server is traffic jam information or the like, the client 2 displays the traffic jam information or the like as the latest information (S9). In the wireless communication service area, the client 2 repeats the map information display process in the form of a web page provided from the server 1 and the process shown in FIG. When the client 2 enters the outside of the wireless communication service area, the client 2 provides a navigation function to the user using the map information and POI information temporarily stored in the process of S7.

<Inside / outside management processing of wireless communication service>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of managing the client 2 that moves inside and outside the service area (server area / outside area management process). In this process, first, the server 1 determines from the wireless communication service area information database 15 that the client 2 has approached the outside of the service area on the route to the destination (S100). When the client 2 approaches the outside of the service area on the route to the destination, the server 1 notifies the client 2 of “movement out of service” (S101). Further, the server 1 transmits the latest traffic information, construction information, etc. up to the destination to the client 2 (S102). Furthermore, the server 1 transmits information indicating the travel locus up to the present time to the client 2 (S103).

  Thereafter, the server 1 executes a normal web operation (communication by HTTP, provision of service). When the current location signal from the client 2 stops reaching, the server 1 determines that the client 2 has moved out of the service area, and stops the web operation. Thereby, after the client 2 goes out of the service area, the server 1 stops the service until it enters the service area again. Next, the server 1 waits until receiving information indicating “movement within the range” from the client 2 (S105). When the server 1 receives the information indicating “movement within range” from the client 2, the server 1 executes a normal web operation (S106).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of processing when the client 2 moves inside and outside the service area (client in-range / out-of-range management processing). In this process, first, it is assumed that the client 2 is executing a normal web display process within the area (range) of the wireless communication service (S110). Next, the client 2 determines whether or not a notification of “out of service” has been received from the server 1 (S111). When the notification of “out-of-service movement” is not received, the client 2 returns the control to S110 and executes normal web display.

  On the other hand, when the notification of “out-of-service area movement” is received, the client 2 next receives the latest traffic jam commission information and construction information from the server 1 to the destination (S112). Furthermore, the client 2 receives the travel locus from the server 1 to the present time (S113). Then, the client 2 executes processing outside the service area (S114). Next, the client 2 determines whether or not wireless communication is possible (S115). If wireless communication is not possible, the client 2 returns control to S114 and continues processing outside the service area. If it is determined in S115 that wireless communication is possible, the client 2 transmits information indicating “in-range movement” to the server 1 (S116). Then, the client 2 returns to the normal web operation (S117), and executes the process of S110.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the processing outside the service area of the client shown in FIG. 6 (S114 in FIG. 7). In this process, the client 2 first acquires the current position information by the GPS unit (S1141). Next, the client 2 extracts and displays the map information including the current location from the map information temporary storage database 26 being temporarily stored based on the position information (S1142). Further, the client 2 displays the travel locus and temporarily stores the travel locus in the map information temporary storage database 26. Here, the travel locus is displayed on the assumption that the vehicle has gone out of the map information. If the current location is within the temporarily stored map information, the travel locus may not be displayed. By repeating such processing, the client 2 provides the user with a navigation function even outside the service area of the wireless communication service.

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, according to the present navigation system, the map information including the current location, the travel locus up to the present, the route to the destination, as well as in the area of the wireless communication service, outside the area of the wireless communication service. , POI information and the like can be displayed and a navigation function can be provided to the user.

  Also, according to the present navigation system, the latest traffic jam information, construction information, etc. can be provided to the user immediately before going out of the area of the wireless communication service. Further, according to the present navigation system, when the client 2 goes out of the area of the wireless communication service, the server 1 stops the service for the client 2. Further, when the client 2 enters the wireless communication service area, the server 1 starts a service for the client 2. By such processing, the server 1 can omit useless processing for the client 2 outside the area of the wireless communication service.

System configuration diagram showing the navigation system The flowchart which shows the process outline | summary of the navigation process in the server 1 A flowchart showing an overview of processing executed by the server 1 when it is determined that the client 2 has approached the outside of the service area The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the navigation process which the client 2 performs in a service area Flowchart showing details of server's coverage / out-of-range management processing Flowchart showing details of client's coverage / out-of-range management processing Flow chart showing details of processing outside service area

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server 2 ... Client 11, 21 ... CPU
··· Server side navigation engines 13 and 23 · · Communication means 14 · · Map database 15 · · Wireless communication service area information database 16 · · Construction information database 22 · · Client side navigation engine 24 · · Web display function 25 · · GPS and other location information input means 26 ..Map information temporary storage database

Claims (10)

A communication means for wirelessly communicating with the server;
Means for receiving map information from the server through the communication means;
Means for detecting the current position;
Navigation means for displaying route information to the destination on the map by the map information and the current position;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing map information including a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible on the route to the destination among the map information received from the server through the communication means,
The navigation means having a means for reading out map information including the point from the temporary storage means at a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible. The navigation means has travel locus recording means for temporarily recording information relating to a travel locus during traveling at a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible, and displays the recorded travel locus on the map. The navigation terminal according to claim 1. Communication means for communicating with the navigation terminal via wireless communication;
Means for receiving current position information of the navigation terminal through the communication means;
Means for providing map information including the current position to the navigation terminal through the communication means;
Means for receiving information indicating a destination from the navigation terminal through the communication means;
Means for referring to information relating to an area where a wireless communication service is not provided on a route from the current position to the destination;
A navigation server comprising means for providing the navigation terminal with map information including a planned traveling point in the area before the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route. The navigation server according to claim 3, further comprising means for providing the navigation terminal with the latest traffic jam information or construction information when the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route. A computer that communicates with the navigation terminal via wireless communication
Receiving current position information of the navigation terminal;
Providing the navigation terminal with map information including the current position;
Receiving information indicating a destination from the navigation terminal;
Referring to information relating to an area where wireless communication service is not provided on a route from the current position to the destination;
Providing the navigation terminal with map information including a planned travel point in the area before the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route. The navigation method according to claim 5, further comprising: providing the navigation terminal with the latest traffic jam information or construction information when the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route. To a computer that communicates wirelessly with the server,
Receiving map information from the server;
Detecting the current position;
A navigation step for displaying route information to the destination on the map by the map information and the current position;
Temporary storage step of temporarily storing map information including a point where wireless communication by communication means is not possible on the route to the destination among the map information received from the server;
The program which performs the step which reads the said map information temporarily including the said point in the point which cannot perform the said wireless communication. Temporarily recording information relating to a traveling locus during traveling at a point where wireless communication by the communication means is not possible;
The program according to claim 7, further executing a step of displaying the recorded travel locus on the map. To a computer that communicates with the navigation terminal via wireless communication,
Receiving current position information of the navigation terminal;
Providing the navigation terminal with map information including the current position;
Receiving information indicating a destination from the navigation terminal;
Referring to information relating to an area where wireless communication service is not provided on a route from the current position to the destination;
And a step of providing the navigation terminal with map information including a planned travel point in the area before the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route. The program according to claim 9, further comprising the step of providing the navigation terminal with the latest traffic jam information or construction information when the navigation terminal approaches an area where the wireless communication service is not provided on the route.

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