JP2008101996A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device easy to apply even though being a portable type, capable of performing navigation just after starting the engine of a vehicle, and capable of positioning effectively. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device 1 comprises: a CPU 11 for executing a positioning program 18b1 for positioning the present position with a GPS antenna 12; and a CPU 11 for executing a display control program 18b2 for making display the map information data base 18a1 for storing the map information together with the recorded map information on a display part 13; wherein the constitution is further provided with a time data table 18a2 or a setting program 1863 for setting the time when the navigation device 1 is started to be used; and a CPU 11 for executing a start control program 1864 for starting the positioning of the present position by the CPU having executed the positioning program 18b1 with the GPS antenna 12 at the prescribed time before the preset time band. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a navigation device that measures the current position using GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like and displays the measured current position on a display screen together with map information.

Such a navigation device has a problem in that it takes time from activation to receiving a signal (almanac, ephemeris, etc.) from a GPS satellite and positioning the current position.
Specifically, for example, in the case of a navigation device installed in a vehicle, it starts as the vehicle engine is started and receives a signal from a GPS satellite to determine the current position. Since it takes time until the current position is measured, there is a problem that the current position cannot be displayed on the display screen immediately after the engine of the vehicle is started, which is unusable.

Therefore, for example, a storage means for storing ephemeris (detailed orbit information) received from a GPS satellite is provided, and when the ephemeris is stored in the storage means, the current position of the ephemeris is stored using the stored ephemeris. A hot start for positioning is configured so that it can be executed, and when the ephemeris stored in the storage means is effectively used, the latest ephemeris is stored in the storage means. Thus, there has been proposed a navigation device (GPS receiver) that can always be hot-started when the user starts use (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, for example, when the vehicle door is unlocked, the navigation device can quickly start accurate current position measurement at the start of operation of the vehicle by starting with a battery and measuring the current position. A GPS receiver) has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-90443 A JP 2006-90858 A

However, in Patent Document 1, the operation of storing the latest ephemeris in the storage means is performed about 6 to 8 times a day. However, if the navigation apparatus is not used for a long period, the operation may be wasted. Is not efficient.
Further, in Patent Document 2, since it is necessary to detect that the door of the vehicle has been unlocked, it is difficult to apply to a portable navigation device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can perform navigation immediately after the engine of a vehicle is started at a set time, can perform positioning efficiently, and is easy to apply even if it is a portable type. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1
Display means for displaying the current position measured by the positioning means for measuring the current position, the map information storage means for storing the map information, and the map information stored in the map information storage means. A navigation device comprising:
A setting means for setting a time zone when the navigation device starts to be used;
Start control means for starting positioning of the current position by the positioning means a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting means;
An end control means for ending the positioning of the current position by the positioning means started by the start control means when the navigation device is not started to be used in the time zone set by the setting means,
The setting means includes
Storage means for storing a start time when the navigation device is started to be used;
Based on the start time stored in the storage means, the frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used is calculated for each time zone of a predetermined width, and the frequency for each time zone of the predetermined width is calculated as a total frequency. Calculating means for calculating a probability that the navigation device is started to be used for each time zone of the predetermined width from the divided value,
A time zone in which the probability that the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started is a predetermined threshold or more is set as a time zone in which the navigation device is started to be used;
When there is a time zone in which the probability that the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started exceeds a predetermined value, the width of the time zone is changed narrowly,
The start control means includes
As the width of the time zone changed by the setting means becomes narrower, the predetermined time is changed shorter.

The invention described in claim 2
Display means for displaying the current position measured by the positioning means for measuring the current position, the map information storage means for storing the map information, and the map information stored in the map information storage means. A navigation device comprising:
A setting means for setting a time zone when the navigation device starts to be used;
Start control means for starting positioning of the current position by the positioning means a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting means;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention described in claim 3
The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
When the navigation device is not started to be used in the time zone set by the setting means, it is provided with an end control means for ending the positioning of the current position by the positioning means started by the start control means. And

The invention according to claim 4
The navigation device according to claim 2 or 3,
The setting means includes
Storage means for storing a start time when the navigation device is started to be used;
Based on the start time stored in the storage means, a calculation means for calculating a frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used or a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency for each predetermined time zone,
The setting means includes
Setting a frequency at which the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started to be used or a time zone in which a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold as a time zone at which the navigation device is used. Features.

The invention described in claim 5
The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein
The setting means includes
When there is a time zone in which the frequency of the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started or a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency exceeds a predetermined value, the width of the time zone is narrowly changed. And

The invention described in claim 6
The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein
The start control means includes
As the width of the time zone changed by the setting means becomes narrower, the predetermined time is changed shorter.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the setting unit can set the time zone in which the navigation device is started to be used, and the start control unit can set a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting unit. The positioning of the current position by the positioning means can be started.
That is, since the current position is measured a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting means, it is unlikely that the positioning operation is wasted, and it is necessary to detect that the door of the vehicle has been unlocked, etc. Nor.
Therefore, after the vehicle engine is started in the time zone set by the setting means, navigation can be performed immediately, positioning can be performed efficiently, and even a portable type can be easily applied.

In addition, when the use of the navigation device is not started by the end control means in the time zone set by the setting means, the positioning of the current position by the positioning means started by the start control means can be ended.
Therefore, it is more efficient because the useless positioning operation is not continued.

Further, the setting means counts the frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used for each predetermined time period based on the storage means for storing the time when the navigation device is started to be used and the start time stored in the storage means. And calculating means for calculating a probability that the navigation device is started to be used for each predetermined time period from a value obtained by dividing the aggregated frequency for each predetermined time period by the total frequency, and calculating A time zone in which the probability that the navigation device calculated by the means is started to be used can be set as a time zone in which the navigation device is started to be used.
Therefore, since the current position is automatically determined a predetermined time before the time zone when the navigation device is frequently used, the convenience is high.

In addition, the setting unit can change the width of the time zone narrowly when there is a time zone in which the probability that the navigation device calculated by the calculation unit starts to use exceeds a predetermined value.
That is, it is possible to learn so that the time zone set by the setting means is highly accurate.

The start control means can change the predetermined time shorter as the width of the time zone changed by the setting means becomes narrower.
Accordingly, it is possible to change the predetermined time to be shorter and reduce the useless positioning operation, which is more efficient.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the setting unit can set the time zone in which the navigation apparatus is started to be used, and the start control unit can set a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting unit. The positioning of the current position by the positioning means can be started.
That is, since the current position is measured a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting means, it is unlikely that the positioning operation is wasted, and it is necessary to detect that the door of the vehicle has been unlocked, etc. Nor.
Therefore, after the vehicle engine is started in the time zone set by the setting means, navigation can be performed immediately, positioning can be performed efficiently, and even a portable type can be easily applied.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the same effect as that of the second aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the navigation device starts to be used in the time zone set by the setting means by the end control means. If not, the positioning of the current position by the positioning means started by the start control means can be terminated.
Therefore, it is more efficient because the useless positioning operation is not continued.

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is of course possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 2 or 3, and the setting means stores a start time when the navigation device is started to be used. And a calculation means for calculating a frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used for each time zone of a predetermined width or a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency based on the start time stored in the storage means, and The frequency at which the navigation device calculated by the calculating means is started to be used or the time zone in which the predetermined parameter value based on the frequency is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold can be set as the time zone at which the navigation device is used.
Therefore, since the current position is automatically determined a predetermined time before the time zone when the navigation device is frequently used, the convenience is high.

According to the invention described in claim 5, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 4 can be obtained, and the setting means is the frequency at which the use of the navigation device calculated by the calculating means is started or When there is a time zone in which a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency exceeds a predetermined value, the time zone width can be changed narrowly.
That is, it is possible to learn so that the time zone set by the setting means is highly accurate.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 5 can be obtained, and the start control means is adapted to reduce the width of the time zone changed by the setting means. The predetermined time can be changed short.
Accordingly, it is possible to change the predetermined time to be shorter and reduce the useless positioning operation, which is more efficient.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a navigation device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

<Configuration of navigation device>
First, the configuration of the navigation device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The navigation device 1 is, for example, a portable car navigation device configured to be retrofitted to a vehicle.
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a GPS antenna 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a power supply unit 15, and a time measuring unit. 16, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 17, a storage unit 18, and the like. Each unit is connected by a bus 10.

  The CPU 11 performs various control operations according to various processing programs for the navigation device 1 stored in the storage unit 18.

  The GPS antenna 12 receives, for example, GPS signals (such as almanac (rough orbit information) and ephemeris (detailed orbit information)) transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites launched into a low earth orbit, and the received GPS signal. Is output to the CPU 11.

The display unit 13 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device and performs a given display process according to a display signal input from the CPU 11.
Specifically, for example, the display unit 13 displays, as a display unit, the current position measured by the CPU 11 (described later) that has executed the display control program 18b2 by the CPU 11 (described later) that has executed the positioning program 18b1, as a map information database. It is used when displaying together with the map information stored in 18a1 (described later).

  The input unit 14 includes, for example, a character / number key, various function keys, a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit 13, and the like, and outputs a press signal associated with the operation to the CPU 11 when operated by the user. . Further, the input unit 14 may be configured to include, for example, a remote controller.

  The power supply unit 15 is, for example, for supplying power to each unit constituting the navigation device 1, and includes, for example, a main power supply unit 151, a spare power supply unit 152, and the like as shown in FIG. The

The main power supply unit 151 supplies, for example, power supplied from a vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is installed to each unit constituting the navigation device 1 via a power cord (not shown).
The standby power supply unit 152 includes, for example, a battery (not shown) and the like, and supplies power to each unit constituting the navigation device 1 in a predetermined case.
That is, for example, while the engine of the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed is activated, the main power supply unit 151 supplies power to each part constituting the navigation device 1 and the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed. While the engine is not activated, the standby power supply unit 152 supplies power to each unit constituting the navigation device 1.

  The timer unit 16 measures the current date and time according to a control signal input from the CPU 11.

  The RAM 17 includes, for example, a program storage area for expanding a processing program executed by the CPU 11, a data storage area for storing input data, a processing result generated when the processing program is executed, and the like.

  The storage unit 18 includes, for example, a system program that can be executed by the navigation device 1, various processing programs that can be executed by the system program, data that is used when these various processing programs are executed, and processing results that are arithmetically processed by the CPU 11. The data etc. are memorized. Note that the program is stored in the storage unit 18 in the form of a computer-readable program code.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the storage unit 18 includes a map information database 18a1, a time data table 18a2, a positioning program 18b1, a display control program 18b2, a setting program 18b3, and a start control program. 18b4, an end control program 18b5, and the like are stored.

  The map information database 18a1 stores, for example, map information relating to a road map for car navigation that expresses a predetermined area (for example, all over Japan) as map information storage means.

  The time data table 18a2 stores, for example, a start time when the navigation apparatus 1 is started to be used as a storage unit.

The positioning program 18b1 has a function of positioning the absolute two-dimensional current position (latitude, longitude) of the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is installed based on the GPS signal output from the GPS antenna 12, for example. Make it happen.
Here, the positioning means includes, for example, the GPS antenna 12 and the CPU 11 that executes the positioning program 18b1.

For example, the display control program 18b2 causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of causing the display unit 13 to display the current position measured by the CPU 11 that has executed the positioning program 18b1 together with the map information stored in the map information database 18a1.
The CPU 11 functions as a display control unit by executing the display control program 18b2.

  For example, the setting program 18b3 causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of setting a time zone in which the navigation device 1 starts to be used.

Specifically, for example, based on the start time stored in the time data table 18a2, the CPU 11 totals the frequency at which the navigation device 1 is started to be used for each time zone having a predetermined width, and calculates the predetermined width From the value obtained by dividing the frequency for each time zone by the total frequency, the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to be used for each time zone of a predetermined width is calculated.
That is, for example, when the navigation device 1 has been used “100 times” so far and “32 times” of the navigation device 1 has started to be used during the time zone “7 o'clock to 8 o'clock”, the time zone “7 o'clock” The probability that the navigation device 1 starts to be used at “˜8 o'clock” is “32/100”.

Then, for example, when there is a time zone in which the calculated probability that the navigation device 1 starts to use exceeds a predetermined value, the CPU 11 changes the width of the currently determined time zone to narrow the navigation again. The probability that the device 1 is started to use is calculated. For example, when there is no time zone in which the calculated probability that the navigation device 1 starts to use exceeds a predetermined value, the calculated navigation device 1 starts to use A time zone in which the probability of being used is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is set as a time zone in which the navigation device 1 starts to be used.
Here, for example, the CPU 11 changes the width of the time zone in the order of “1 hour” → “30 minutes” → “20 minutes” → “10 minutes”.

More specifically, for example, the CPU 11 first determines whether or not there is a time zone in which the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to use exceeds a predetermined value, and the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to use is predetermined. For a time zone that exceeds the value, the width of the time zone is changed narrowly, and the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to be used again is calculated.
For example, in FIG. 2, the time zone “7 o'clock to 8 o'clock” and the time zone “18 o'clock to 19 o'clock” are time zones in which the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to be used is a predetermined value or more. Therefore, the CPU 11 changes the time zone width from “1 hour” to “30 minutes” with respect to the time zone “7 o'clock to 8 o'clock” and the time zone “18 o'clock to 19 o'clock”. The navigation device 1 again for the time zone “7:30 to 7:30”, the time zone “7:30 to 8:30”, the time zone “18:00 to 18:30” and the time zone “18:30 to 19:00”. Calculates the probability that will be used.
This operation is repeated until, for example, the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to be used does not exceed a predetermined value. If the probability that the navigation device 1 starts to be used does not exceed a predetermined value, the probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Is set as a time zone in which the navigation device 1 is used.
The CPU 11 functions as a calculation unit by executing the setting program 18b3.
Here, the setting means includes a time data table 7a2, a CPU 11 that executes the setting program 18b3, and the like.

  The start control program 18b5 has a function of starting positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1, for example, a predetermined time before the time zone set by the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3. This is realized by the CPU 11.

  Specifically, the CPU 11 is supplied by the standby power supply unit 152 when, for example, the time measured by the time measuring unit 16 is a predetermined time before the time zone set by the CPU 11 executing the setting program 18b3. The CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 is activated by the power source to start positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1.

  Here, for example, the CPU 11 changes the predetermined time shorter as the width of the time zone changed by the CPU 11 executing the setting program 18b3 becomes narrower.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the width of the time zone in which the navigation device 1 set by the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3 is used is “1 hour” (for example, the time zone “7 o'clock”). In the case of “˜8 o'clock”), the current position of the current position by the CPU 11 executing the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 at “6:30”, “30 minutes” before the time zone “7 o'clock to 8 o'clock”. When the width of the time zone in which the navigation apparatus 1 set by the CPU 11 that has started positioning and started the setting program 18b3 is used is “30 minutes” (for example, the time zone “7 to 7:30”) The current position is determined by the CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 at “6:45”, “15 minutes” before the time zone “7:00 to 7:30”. When the width of the time zone in which the navigation device 1 set by the CPU 11 that has started and executed the setting program 18b3 starts to be used is “20 minutes” (for example, the time zone “7 to 7:20”). The positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 is started at “6:50” before “10 minutes” before the time zone “7 to 7:20”, and the setting program When the width of the time zone in which the navigation device 1 set by the CPU 11 executing 18b3 starts to be used is “10 minutes” (for example, the time zone “7 to 7:10”), the time zone “7 The positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 is started at “6:55”, which is “5 minutes” before “time to 7:10”.
The CPU 11 functions as a start control unit by executing the start control program 18b4.

  The end control program 18b5 is, for example, the GPS antenna 12 started by the CPU 11 that has executed the start control program 18b4 when the navigation device 1 has not started to be used in the time zone set by the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3. In addition, the CPU 11 is caused to realize a function of terminating the positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 that has executed the positioning program 18b1.

Specifically, the CPU 11 starts using the navigation device 1 when the engine of the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is installed is activated and power is supplied from the main power supply unit 151 to each part of the navigation device 1. Judge that it was done.
When the navigation device 1 is started to be used, the CPU 11 that has executed the display control program 18b2 displays the current position on the display unit 13 together with the map information.
The CPU 11 functions as an end control unit by executing the end control program 18b5.

<Current position measurement process>
Next, processing relating to positioning of the current position by the navigation device 1 in a state where the engine of the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed is not activated will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5.

  First, the CPU 11 executes the setting program 18b3 and uses the navigation device 1 based on the frequency at which the navigation device 1 is started to be used for each predetermined time period based on the start time stored in the time data table 18a2. The probability of starting is calculated (step S1).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a time zone in which the calculated probability exceeds a predetermined value (step S2).

  If it is determined in step S2 that there is a time zone in which the calculated probability exceeds a predetermined value (step S2; Yes), the CPU 11 changes the width of the currently determined time zone to be narrow (step S3), The processes after step S1 are repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that there is no time zone in which the calculated probability exceeds a predetermined value (step S2; No), the CPU 11 determines whether there is a time zone in which the calculated probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Is determined (step S4).

  If it is determined in step S4 that there is no time zone in which the calculated probability is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (step S4; No), the CPU 11 determines that the currently defined time zone has a predetermined width (for example, “1 hour ") Or not (step S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the currently defined time zone width is “1 hour” (step S5; Yes), the CPU 11 starts the engine of the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed, and the main power supply It is determined whether or not power is supplied from the unit 151 to each unit constituting the navigation device 1, that is, whether or not the navigation device 1 is started to be used (step S6).

  If it is determined in step S6 that the navigation apparatus 1 has not been used (step S6; No), the CPU 11 repeats the process of step S6.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the navigation device 1 has started to be used (step S6; Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of step S16.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the currently defined time zone width is not “1 hour” (step S5; Yes), the CPU 11 changes the currently defined time zone width widely (step S5). S7) Based on the start time stored in the time data table 18a2, the probability that the navigation device 1 is started to be used is calculated based on the frequency at which the navigation device 1 is started to be used for each predetermined time zone (step S8). ), The process after step S4 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S4 that there is a time zone in which the calculated probability is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (step S4; Yes), the CPU 11 determines a time zone in which the calculated probability is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. 1 is set as a time zone when the use is started (step S9).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a predetermined time before the time zone set as the time zone when the navigation device 1 starts to be used (step S10).

  If it is determined in step S10 that it is not a predetermined time before the time zone set when the navigation device 1 starts to be used (step S10; No), the CPU 11 determines the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed. It is determined whether the engine has been started and the navigation apparatus 1 has started to be used (step S11).

  If it is determined in step S11 that the navigation device 1 is not started to be used (step S11; No), the CPU 11 repeats the processes in and after step S10.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S11 that the navigation device 1 has started to be used (step S11; Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of step S16.

  Further, when it is determined in step S10 that the predetermined time has passed before the time zone set as the time zone in which the navigation device 1 starts to be used (step S10; Yes), the CPU 11 executes the start control program 18b4, The positioning of the current position is started by the CPU 11 that has executed the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 (step S12).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the engine of the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed is activated and the navigation device 1 is started to be used (step S13).

  If it is determined in step S13 that the navigation device 1 has not been used (step S13; No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not a time zone set as a time zone in which the navigation device 1 is used has elapsed. (Step S14).

  If it is determined in step S14 that the time zone set as the time zone in which the navigation device 1 starts to be used has not elapsed (step S14; No), the CPU 11 repeatedly performs the processing from step S13.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the time zone set as the time zone in which the navigation device 1 starts to be used has elapsed (step S14; Yes), the CPU 11 executes the end control program 18b5 to execute the GPS antenna 12. Then, the positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 that has executed the positioning program 18b1 is terminated (step S15), and the processes after step S10 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the navigation device 1 has been used (step S13; Yes), the CPU 11 stores the time in which the navigation device 1 has been used in the time data table 18a2 (step S16). The processes after S1 are repeated.

According to the navigation apparatus 1 of the present invention described above, the GPS antenna 12 that measures the current position and the CPU 11 that executes the positioning program 18b1, the map information database 18a1 that stores map information, the GPS antenna 12 and the positioning program 18b1 CPU11 which performed the display control program 18b2 which displays the current position measured by CPU11 which performed by the display part 13 with the map information memorize | stored in map information database 18a1 are provided.
The CPU 11 that has executed the time data table 18a2 and the setting program 18b3 can set the time zone when the navigation apparatus 1 starts to be used, and the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3 by the CPU 11 that has executed the start control program 18b4. The positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 or the like that has executed the positioning program 18b1 can be started a predetermined time before the time zone set by the above.
That is, since the current position is measured a predetermined time before the set time zone, there is little possibility that the positioning operation is wasted, and it is not necessary to detect that the door of the vehicle has been unlocked.
Therefore, after the vehicle engine is started in the set time zone, navigation can be performed immediately, positioning can be performed efficiently, and even a portable type can be easily applied.

If the navigation apparatus 1 is not started to be used by the CPU 11 that has executed the end control program 18b5 during the time period set by the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3, the CPU 11 that has started the start control program 18b4 starts. The positioning of the current position by the CPU 11 or the like that has executed the positioning program 18b1 can be terminated.
Therefore, it is more efficient because the useless positioning operation is not continued.

In addition, the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3 counts the frequency at which the navigation device 1 is started to be used for each predetermined time period based on the start time stored in the time data table 18a2, and the calculated predetermined time The probability that the navigation device 1 is started to be used for each predetermined time zone can be calculated from the value obtained by dividing the frequency for each width time zone by the total frequency, and the calculated navigation device 1 starts to be used A time zone in which the probability of being used is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value can be set as a time zone in which the navigation device 1 starts to be used.
Therefore, since the current position is automatically determined a predetermined time before the time zone in which the navigation device 1 is frequently used, the convenience is high.

Further, the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3 can narrowly change the width of the time zone when there is a time zone in which the calculated probability that the navigation device 1 starts to use exceeds a predetermined value.
That is, it is possible to learn so that the set time zone is highly accurate.

Further, the CPU 11 that has executed the start control program 18b4 can change the predetermined time shorter as the width of the time zone changed by the CPU 11 that has executed the setting program 18b3 becomes narrower.
Accordingly, it is possible to change the predetermined time to be shorter and reduce the useless positioning operation, which is more efficient.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof.

Based on the start time stored in the time data table 18a2, the probability that the navigation device 1 is started to be used is calculated based on the frequency at which the navigation device 1 is started to be used for each predetermined time zone. The frequency at which the apparatus is started to be used may be calculated, or a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency may be calculated.
Specifically, the predetermined parameter value is, for example, a product of the frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used and a predetermined weighting coefficient.

  The width of the time zone when the navigation device 1 starts to be used is set to “1 hour”, “30 minutes”, “20 minutes” or “10 minutes”, and “30 minutes” than the set time zone. ”,“ 15 minutes ”,“ 10 minutes ”or“ 5 minutes ”before the current position is measured, but these numerical values are not limited to these and are arbitrary.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the navigation apparatus concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the probability that the navigation apparatus 1 for every time slot | zone of the predetermined width | variety (1 hour) calculated by arranging the time memorize | stored in the time data table will be started. It is a figure for demonstrating the timing which starts the positioning of a present position. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 1st process regarding the positioning of the present position by a navigation apparatus in the state in which the engine of the vehicle in which the navigation apparatus was installed is not started. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 2nd process regarding the positioning of the present position by a navigation apparatus in the state in which the engine of the vehicle in which the navigation apparatus was installed is not started.

Explanation of symbols

1 navigation device 11 CPU (positioning means, display control means, setting means, calculation means, start control means, end control means)
12 GPS antenna (positioning means)
13 Display section (display means)
18a1 Map information database (map information storage means)
18a2 Time data table (setting means, storage means)
18b1 Positioning program (positioning means)
18b2 Display control program (display control means)
18b3 setting program (setting means, calculation means)
18b4 start control program (start control means)
18b5 End control program (end control means)

Claims (6)

Display means for displaying the current position measured by the positioning means for measuring the current position, the map information storage means for storing the map information, and the map information stored in the map information storage means. A navigation device comprising:
A setting means for setting a time zone when the navigation device starts to be used;
Start control means for starting positioning of the current position by the positioning means a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting means;
An end control means for ending the positioning of the current position by the positioning means started by the start control means when the navigation device is not started to be used in the time zone set by the setting means,
The setting means includes
Storage means for storing a start time when the navigation device is started to be used;
Based on the start time stored in the storage means, the frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used is calculated for each time zone of a predetermined width, and the frequency for each time zone of the predetermined width is calculated as a total frequency. Calculating means for calculating a probability that the navigation device is started to be used for each time zone of the predetermined width from the divided value,
A time zone in which the probability that the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started is a predetermined threshold or more is set as a time zone in which the navigation device is started to be used;
When there is a time zone in which the probability that the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started exceeds a predetermined value, the width of the time zone is changed narrowly,
The start control means includes
The navigation apparatus characterized in that the predetermined time is changed to be shorter as the width of the time zone changed by the setting means becomes narrower. Display means for displaying the current position measured by the positioning means for measuring the current position, the map information storage means for storing the map information, and the map information stored in the map information storage means. A navigation device comprising:
A setting means for setting a time zone when the navigation device starts to be used;
Start control means for starting positioning of the current position by the positioning means a predetermined time before the time zone set by the setting means;
A navigation device comprising: The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
When the navigation device is not started to be used in the time zone set by the setting means, it is provided with an end control means for ending the positioning of the current position by the positioning means started by the start control means. A navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 2 or 3,
The setting means includes
Storage means for storing a start time when the navigation device is started to be used;
Based on the start time stored in the storage means, a calculation means for calculating a frequency at which the navigation device is started to be used or a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency for each predetermined time zone,
The setting means includes
Setting a frequency at which the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started to be used or a time zone in which a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold as a time zone at which the navigation device is used. A featured navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein
The setting means includes
When there is a time zone in which the frequency of the navigation device calculated by the calculation means is started or a predetermined parameter value based on the frequency exceeds a predetermined value, the width of the time zone is narrowly changed. A navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein
The start control means includes
The navigation apparatus characterized in that the predetermined time is changed to be shorter as the width of the time zone changed by the setting means becomes narrower.

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