JP2009180736A - Position information transmission system and navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate transmission of position information between an information processing device and a navigation device to effectively use the position information. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing device comprises: a storing means for storing a position information file containing at least position information; and a recording means for recording the position information file on a recording medium. The navigation device comprises: a self-position detection means; a read-out means capable of reading out the position information file from the recording medium; a displaying means; and a controlling means for displaying a map image based on the self position, selecting one icon image among a plurality of icon images stored in advance according to a position information file corresponding to a range in a displayed map depending on the category of the position information file, and displaying the selected icon image on the map image depending on the position information contained in the position information file. In addition, an image depending on related information contained in the position information file is displayed according to a designating operation to the icon image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention, the position information transmission system configured with a navigation device that is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and the like for automotive, in which further relates to the navigation equipment.

In-vehicle navigation devices have become widespread and are convenient for users due to functions such as guidance to a destination and display of the current position.
In addition, the user can perform a route guidance display by marking a destination or other place to be remembered on a map image displayed by the navigation device, or a user about a specific place or facility. It can be used as a memorandum.

By the way, with the recent development of communication networks such as the Internet and other information transmission means, it becomes easier for general users to obtain various types of information, and various information can be obtained.
For example, you can get information on restaurants, sightseeing spots, shops, etc. that you want to visit from a homepage connected to the Internet.
Here, it is assumed that the user obtains information on a certain destination, such as an address or a store name, from a home page searched on the Internet using his / her personal computer. When this information is reflected on the navigation device and a route guide to the destination is to be executed, the user first takes note of the address and store name displayed on the personal computer on paper. In the navigation device, a map of the range including the noted address is displayed and the destination is marked. In marking, an icon indicating a marking position is selected, and the name and address of the place are input.
In other words, even if information is obtained, it is necessary to perform a troublesome operation in order to reflect the information on the navigation device and use it effectively.

  In addition, by marking the location of a restaurant or the like that the user finds during driving on the navigation device, the navigation device can display the marked location afterwards. Troublesome operation is necessary to reflect and use it on a computer. For example, if you want to manage the location and name of a restaurant or shop you find by creating a database on a personal computer, displaying it with a map image on the personal computer, or setting up such information yourself If you want to provide it to the general public, you must make a note of the position marked by the navigation device on the paper and enter it on the personal computer side.

  In addition, if you want to share information about a certain destination with other acquaintances, you must convey the information verbally or on paper, and the person who is taught must input it to their navigation device or personal computer. Not available.

In this way, the position of a certain destination or facility, etc., between a personal computer installed at the user's home, a navigation device installed in a private vehicle, etc., or between devices owned by friends. Since information such as name and name cannot be transferred and shared as it is, there is a problem that effective use of one data is restricted.
In addition, the presence of manual input in the data transfer as described above is highly likely to cause an input error, which hinders appropriate data use.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to effectively use position information and information related to the position, for example, an address and a name, without taking time and effort.

  The position information transmission system of the present invention is a position information transmission system including a recording medium capable of recording a position information file, an information processing device, and a navigation device. The information processing apparatus includes at least position information and related information related to the position represented by the position information, and stores a position information file in which a category related to the position can be determined, and the storage Recording means for recording a position information file stored in the means on a recording medium, and communication means capable of transmitting and receiving the position information file via a transmission path. The navigation device includes a self-position detecting means, a reading means capable of reading a position information file from the recording medium, a display means, and a map image on the display means based on detection information of the self-position detecting means. Among the position information files that are displayed and read by the reading means, a plurality of position information stored in advance corresponding to the position information file corresponding to the position of the map image displayed on the display means. One icon image is selected according to the category of the position information file, and the selected icon image is displayed on the map image based on the position information included in the position information file. Further, based on the designation operation for the icon image, based on the related information included in the position information file. The image, and a control means for displaying on said display means.

The information processing apparatus further includes a server apparatus including a database for storing a position information file, and the information processing apparatus receives the position information file stored in the database of the server apparatus by the communication unit, and receives the received position information. A file can be stored in the storage means.
  The navigation device includes a designation input unit that can designate an arbitrary position, and a recording unit that generates a position information file including position information about the position designated by the designation input unit and records the file on the recording medium. And further.
  The information processing apparatus further includes reading means capable of reading a position information file from the recording medium, and the position information file read by the reading means can be stored in the storage means.
  The position information file recorded on the recording medium is recorded in the XML format.

  The navigation apparatus of the present invention includes a self-position detecting means, a reading means capable of reading a position information file from the recording medium, a display means, and a map on the display means based on the detection information of the self-position detecting means. While displaying an image, among the position information files read by the reading means, the position information is stored in advance corresponding to the position information file corresponding to the range of the map image displayed on the display means. One icon image is selected from the plurality of icon images according to the category of the position information file, and the selected icon image is displayed on the map image based on the position information included in the position information file. In addition, according to a designation operation for the icon image, the related information included in the position information file is displayed. The Zui image, and a control means for displaying on said display means.
  The apparatus further includes a designation input unit that can designate an arbitrary position, and a recording unit that generates a position information file including position information about the position designated by the designation input unit and records the file on the recording medium.

  That is, according to the present invention, position information and related information can be shared between the information processing apparatus and the navigation apparatus via the recording medium, and the position information and the like can be used in various ways.

According to the present invention, the positional information and the related information can be transmitted and shared between the information processing apparatus and the navigation apparatus via the recording medium, so that the positional information and the like can be used in various modes. There is. In addition, in order to use the position information and the like obtained on one device side on the other device side, a complicated operation such as a user writing down a memo and re-inputting is unnecessary, and there is no input error.
Since the position information can be easily shared in this way, an environment in which each position information can be effectively used to the maximum can be provided to the user.

It is explanatory drawing of the system configuration | structure of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the record content of the positional information file of embodiment. It is a block diagram of the personal computer of an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the directory structure of the memory card of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the record of the positional information file recorded on the memory card of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the positional information display process of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a positional information display of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the positional information file recording process of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the marking screen of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the positional information transmission between the navigation apparatuses of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the positional information transmission between the various apparatuses of embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a memory card having a nonvolatile memory (flash memory) as an example of a recording medium is cited, a personal computer is exemplified as an information processing apparatus, and an in-vehicle navigation apparatus is exemplified as a navigation apparatus. To
The description will be given in the following order.

1. 1. System configuration and operation mode 2. Configuration of personal computer 3. Configuration of navigation device 4. Memory card and location information file 5. Position information display process 6. Position information writing process Various usage examples and modifications

1. System configuration and operation mode

FIG. 1 shows an example system according to the embodiment.
The position information transmission system of this example is mainly composed of a personal computer 2, a memory card 1, and a navigation device 3. A homepage server 4 that can be connected to the personal computer 2 via a transmission line 5 such as a general public line can also be incorporated in the system of this example.

The personal computer 2 is installed and used by a user at home or the like, but may be a portable personal computer.
The personal computer 2 can download various types of information from a homepage on the Internet, for example, via the transmission path 5.

The homepage server 4 includes a database 4a for various position information files, for example, and is a part that can generally provide information stored in the database 4a.
As the database related to the position information file in this example, examples of databases suitable for use in the navigation device 3 such as a restaurant database, a hotel database, and a parking lot database are given.
In the personal computer 2, by downloading such information of the database 4 a, a database 24 a that collects position information files necessary for the user can be constructed in an internal hard disk, for example.

For example, all the location information files stored in the database 4a may be downloaded and used as the database 24a, or the database 24a may be downloaded in units of databases storing location information files in necessary fields such as restaurants, hotels, etc. It is good.
Of course, a location information file can be created on the personal computer 2 side based on information from a homepage other than the homepage server 4, such as a homepage that does not have a function such as the database 4a, and other servers, and can be stored in the database 24a. May be.
Further, the database 24a may be created by the user individually inputting position information files with the personal computer 2.
Of course, editing such as addition of contents of individual position information files registered in the database 24a is also possible.

  Further, a location information file provided (sold) on a CD-ROM, floppy disk or the like may be registered in the database 24a. Alternatively, the CD-ROM, floppy disk or the like may be used as it is as the database 24a.

An example of the record contents of each position information file stored in the database 24a is shown in FIG.
A record is one data unit in the position information file, and is content corresponding to one position information.
The position information file is formed by one or a plurality of records.
In the record, latitude and longitude values are recorded as position information, and a name, reading, address, postal code, category, and the like are recorded as information related to the position.
Of course, other relevant information includes phone numbers, email addresses, store introductions and menus, peripheral information, altitude, creation date, directions to the location, photo data of facilities such as stores, audio data, etc. Think diverse.

  When the database is constructed for each category, or when each record in the position information file is limited to the same category, each record does not need to contain category information. When the position information file is transmitted to the navigation device 3, it is necessary for the navigation device 3 to be able to determine the category for each record. .

  In this example, it is possible to include a plurality of records (that is, a plurality of position information) in one position information file. However, it is assumed that only one record (one position information) is included in one position information file. It is also possible to adopt a simple file format.

Both the personal computer 2 and the navigation device 3 of this example are assumed to have a card drive unit capable of recording / reproducing with respect to the memory card 1.
That is, the personal computer 2 is provided with a memory card slot 2a, and the navigation device 3 is also provided with a memory card slot 3a. The personal computer 2 and the navigation device 3 can perform recording / reproduction with respect to the memory card 1 loaded in the memory card slot 2a or 3a.
Although the structure of the memory card 1 and information to be recorded will be described later, the memory card 1 is assumed to have a flash memory inside, and in this example, a position information file is used as a recording medium capable of recording and reproducing in particular.

  In the personal computer 2, the position information file stored in the database 24a can be recorded in the memory card 1. The personal computer 2 can read out the position information file recorded in the memory card 1 and store it in the database 24a.

The navigation device 3 can read the position information file recorded in the memory card 1 and display the contents of the position information file together with the map image on the display screen. Various navigation operations, for example, a route guidance operation, can be executed using the position information in the position information file as a marking position.
Further, in the navigation device 3, a position information file can be generated and recorded in the memory card 1 according to a user's marking operation or the like.

  An operation mode that can be executed by such a system is as follows, for example, in terms of transmission of a position information file via the memory card 1.

(1) Transmission of position information from the personal computer 2 to the navigation device 3 The user uses the database 24a in which various position information files obtained by any method as described above are used, and the position including a desired destination, etc. An information file is selected and recorded on the memory card 1.
The memory card 1 is loaded into the navigation device 3, the position information file is read, and the display based on the position information file is also executed on the navigation screen. In addition, a navigation operation (such as a route display, guidance for turning right or left, guidance by voice, etc.) with the position indicated in the specific position information file as a destination is executed.

(2) Transmission of position information from the navigation device 3 to the personal computer 2 The user marks an arbitrary position on the map image displayed on the navigation device 3. The navigation device 3 generates a position information file based on the marking position and records it in the memory card 1.
The memory card 1 is loaded into the personal computer 2 and the position information file is read out and registered in the database 24a, or the contents of the position information file are attached to the created document, image, e-mail, etc. and output (transmission output) , Print output, image output, etc.).

(3) Transmission of position information from the navigation apparatus 3 or the personal computer 2 to another navigation apparatus or another personal computer A user records a position information file on the memory card 1 by the navigation apparatus 3 or the personal computer 2. The memory card 1 is loaded into a navigation device or personal computer owned by an acquaintance, for example, and the position information file is read out so that it can be used for navigation operations and various information processing operations.

  From the viewpoint of transmission of position information without using the memory card 1, the position information file is downloaded from the home page server 4 or the like to the personal computer 2 as described above, or conversely, from the personal computer 2 through the transmission path 5. An operation mode in which the position information file is transmitted to a specific information processing apparatus or an unspecified large number is also conceivable.

By performing the operation modes as described above according to the circumstances of the user, the user can easily use the navigation apparatus to acquire the position information generally provided on the Internet or the like, or the position information input to the personal computer 2 by some technique. This can be reflected in the third operation.
Further, by using the navigation device 3 as a generation source of position information, the position information can be easily used by the personal computer 2 or provided to an acquaintance or the general public.

2. Configuration of personal computer

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the personal computer 2.
The personal computer 2 includes a CPU 21 serving as a central control unit including a program ROM, work RAM, and the like, and a RAM 23 serving as a main storage area, and a non-volatile memory 24 such as a hard disk drive.
The above-described database 24a is constructed in the nonvolatile memory 24, for example.

In addition, a monitor display unit 27 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is connected (or integrated), but a display drive that supplies a video signal to the monitor display unit 27 based on the control of the CPU 21 and executes a display operation. A portion 25 is provided.
In addition, an operation unit 28 such as a keyboard and a mouse is connected, and operation input information is supplied to the CPU 21.
The communication unit 26 is a part that is connected to the transmission line 5 such as a public line and transmits / receives information to / from an external device. The CPU 21 can be connected to the homepage server 4 or the like via the communication unit 26.

In the case of this example, the personal computer 2 is provided with an interface unit 22 for recording / reproducing information with respect to the memory card 1.
For example, when the memory card 1 is inserted into the memory card slot 2a shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 21 can access the memory card 1 via the interface unit 22 and record or reproduce information.

  As shown in the figure, the memory card 1 is provided with an interface unit 11 for transmitting / receiving information to / from an interface unit 22 of the personal computer 2 and an interface 32 of the navigation device 3 to be described later, and a storage unit 11 using a flash memory. ing.

When the CPU 21 records the position information file on the memory card 1, for example, the position information file to be recorded is read from the database 24 a and transmitted to the memory card 1 via the interface unit 22. The memory card 1 receives the position information file by the interface unit 12 and records it in the storage unit 11.
When the CPU 21 reproduces the position information file from the memory card 1, the CPU 21 transmits a read request to the memory card 1 via the interface unit 22. In the memory card 1, the interface unit 12 reads the position information file from the storage unit 11 in response to the read request, and transmits it to the CPU 21 via the interface unit 22. The CPU 21 can register the position information file read in this way in the database 24 a, display it on the monitor display unit 27 with the display drive unit 25, or transmit it from the communication unit 26.

Although not shown, parts such as a CD-ROM drive and a floppy disk drive may be formed. Furthermore, an interface part with an external device such as IEEE1394, USB, SCSI, parallel port, serial port or the like can naturally be mounted.
In terms of transmission of the location information file, it may be possible to use these parts.

3. Configuration of navigation device

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the navigation device 3.
The navigation device 3 includes a CPU 31 serving as a central control unit including a program ROM, work RAM, and the like, and a RAM 33 serving as a main storage area, and a nonvolatile memory 36 such as an S-RAM or a flash memory. Yes.
The non-volatile memory 36 stores the position information of markings performed by the user on the navigation device 3 and past travel route information.

  Further, for example, a monitor display unit 40 by a liquid crystal display (LCD) is connected. The LCD display drive unit 35 supplies a video signal to the monitor display unit 40 based on a display command and display content from the CPU 31 and executes a display operation.

The CD-ROM drive 34 is a part that performs a reproducing operation of the CD-ROM based on the control of the CPU 31. The CD-ROM loaded in the CD-ROM drive 34 stores additional information such as map information and names for each point on the map. Information reproduced from the CD-ROM is supplied to the CPU 31.
Note that the map information may be recorded on other media such as a DVD, a hard disk, and an IC card instead of the CD-ROM.

The GPS receiving unit 37 is a part for obtaining current position information by so-called GPS (global positioning system: wide-area positioning system). The GPS receiver 3 obtains position information (latitude / longitude), absolute azimuth information, and speed information, and these information are input to the CPU 31.
The gyro 38 is a part for detecting a traveling position by so-called autonomous navigation, and detects behavior such as acceleration, deceleration, right / left turn of the automobile. Detection information of the gyro 38 is input to the CPU 31.
The CPU 31 can accurately measure the current position of the vehicle based on the input information from the GPS receiver 37 and the gyro 38.

The operation unit 39 is a part where the user performs various operation inputs when using the navigation system.
For example, when it is desired to know a suitable route to the destination when driving, the current position and the destination are input. Also, an operation for designating an arbitrary position can be performed as in the marking described above.
Furthermore, operations for scrolling the screen display, changing the scale, and presenting various information can be performed.
Operation information from these operation units 39 is input to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 performs necessary control on each unit in accordance with the input operation information and the operation program stored in the internal ROM.

  In such a navigation device 3, the CPU 31 executes a CD-ROM playback operation by the CD-ROM drive 34 to obtain map information. The reproduced map information is supplied to the LCD display drive unit 35 and the monitor display unit 40 displays a map image.

Further, the CPU 31 supplies the current position information detected by the input information from the GPS receiving unit 37 and the gyro 38 to the LCD display drive unit 35. Then, the LCD display drive unit 35 generates a video signal so that an image indicating the current position is displayed on the map displayed on the monitor display unit 40 corresponding to the position.
Further, when the user makes a request for changing the scale of the map image or scrolling the display on the monitor display unit 40 using the operation unit 39, the CPU 31 controls the LCD display drive unit 35 based on the operation to display the monitor. The image display requested by the unit 40 is executed.

  Further, when the user inputs the current position and the target position in order to know the shortest route to the destination, the CPU 31 determines the optimum route from the possible routes, and the route is a map image on the monitor display unit 40. Perform processing such as making it appear above.

In the case of this example, the navigation device 3 is provided with an interface unit 32 for recording / reproducing information with respect to the memory card 1.
For example, when the memory card 1 is inserted into the memory card slot 3a shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 31 can access the memory card 1 via the interface unit 32 to record or reproduce information.

  When the CPU 31 reproduces the position information file from the memory card 1, the CPU 31 transmits a read request to the memory card 1 via the interface unit 32. In the memory card 1, the interface unit 12 reads the position information file from the storage unit 11 in response to the read request and transmits it to the CPU 31 via the interface unit 32. The CPU 31 stores the position information file read in this way in the nonvolatile memory 36 or the RAM 33. And according to the position information (latitude, longitude) included in the position information file, icons, names, etc. can be displayed on the map image. Further, the above route display can be performed using the position information as a destination.

When the CPU 31 records the position information file in the memory card 1, the CPU 31 generates a position information file using the marking position information stored in the nonvolatile memory 36, for example. Then, the position information file is transmitted to the memory card 1 via the interface unit 32. The memory card 1 receives the position information file by the interface unit 12 and records it in the storage unit 11.

4). Memory card and location information file

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the memory card 1 includes an interface unit 12 and a storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 using a flash memory and the interface unit 12 having a function of accessing the flash memory and transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device (personal computer 2 or navigation device 3) are formed as, for example, a one-chip IC.

  The outer shape of the memory card 1 is formed by, for example, a plate-like card housing as shown in FIG. The casing is formed of, for example, a plastic mold, and a specific example of the size is 60 mm × 20 mm × 2.8 mm.

In such a memory card 1, the flash memory capacity is defined as 4 MB (megabyte), 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, or 128 MB.
A so-called FAT (File Allocation Table) system is used as a file system for recording / reproducing data.

The writing speed is 1500 Kbyte / sec to 330 KByte / sec, the reading speed is 2.45 Mbyte / sec, the writing unit is 512 bytes, and the erase block size is 8 KB or 16 KB.
The power supply voltage Vcc is 2.7 to 3.6 V, and the clock is 20 MHz at maximum.

The memory card 1 can record not only the above-described position information file but also contents such as audio data and video data.
FIG. 5 shows a directory structure defined in the memory card 1 of this example.
As shown in the figure, from the root directory, a still image directory (DCIM), a moving image directory (MOxxxxnn), an audio directory (VOICE), a control directory (AVCTL), a music directory (HIFI), and a location information directory (POSITION) Can be formed.

In the case of this example, a location information directory (POSITION) is used, and recorded location information files (POSFILE # 1, # 2,...) Are placed in this location information directory.
Alternatively, a location information folder (FOL # 1...) May be further placed, and a location information file may be placed in the location information folder (FOL # 1...).

An example of one position information file recorded on the memory card 1 is shown in FIG.
For example, one record as the contents of the position information file as shown in FIG. 2 is recorded on the memory card 1 in the description format shown in FIG.
That is, data is described in XML (Extensible Markup Language), and latitude and longitude are recorded as one piece of position information in one record.
In this case, the latitude “35 degrees 10 minutes 25 seconds” is described as <lat> 35.62511 </ lat> in the range of tags <pos> to </ pos>, and the longitude “139 degrees 19 minutes 05 seconds” is described. It is described as <lon> 139.74700 </ lon>.

Also, as related information about the location information, the name of the store or facility in the location information is read. For example, <nb> Italian grill </ nb> and <rt> ing.
Similarly, as related information, an address and a postal code are described by a required tag, and a category is further described.

In other words, in this example, a position information file including one or a plurality of such records can be recorded in the memory card 1, so that the information can be exchanged between the personal computer 2 and the navigation device 3 and can be used mutually. Become.
Needless to say, the directory structure of the memory card 1, the format of the position information file, the description content of the record, the description language, and the like are merely examples.

5. Location information display processing

Subsequently, as described in the operation mode (1) described above, an example of processing when position information is transmitted from the personal computer 2 to the navigation device 3 and the position information is used in the navigation device 3 is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the user can arbitrarily select the position information file stored in the database 24a in the personal computer 2 and record it on the memory card 1, thereby storing the memory card 1 as one piece of position information. The record is recorded as shown in FIG.
The user can use the position information stored in the database 24a in the navigation device 3 by loading the memory card 1 into the navigation device 3 and reading the position information file.

FIG. 7 shows processing when the CPU 31 of the navigation device 3 executes display based on the position information recorded in the memory card 1 in a state where the memory card 1 is mounted in the navigation device 3. .
The CPU 31 performs steps F101 and F102 as basic operation processing as a navigation device. That is, the CPU 31 detects the current position based on input information from the GPS receiver 37 and the gyro 38.
Further, the CPU 31 executes a CD-ROM reproduction operation by the CD-ROM drive 34 to obtain map information in the vicinity of the current position.
Then, the reproduced map information is supplied to the LCD display drive unit 35, and the monitor display unit 40 displays the map image, and the detected current position is displayed on the map image as the vehicle position.

Here, when the memory card 1 in which one or more position information files (one or more records) are recorded is loaded, the CPU 31 advances the process from step F103 to F104 and is stored in the memory card 1. The first position information (that is, the first record) is acquired.
Subsequently, in step F105, it is determined whether or not the latitude and longitude as the acquired position information are within the range of the map image currently displayed on the monitor display unit 40.

If it is within the range, the CPU 31 selects a display icon from the category information of the acquired record in step F106.
For example, the CPU 31 previously sets an icon for each category such as a restaurant, a hotel, and a parking lot, and stores the icon in the nonvolatile memory 36 or the like. Of course, the user may select or add an icon according to each category, or design the icon itself.
At the time of step F106, one icon corresponding to the category is selected from the various icons prepared as described above.

  Subsequently, in step F107, the CPU 31 sends the position information and the image data of the selected icon to the LCD display drive unit 35, and displays the icon at a position corresponding to the position information on the map image of the monitor display unit 40.

Thereby, for example, when a record as shown in FIG. 6 is acquired and a map image in the vicinity thereof is displayed, a display as shown in FIG. 8A is executed on the monitor display unit 40, for example. .
In this case, an icon 51 corresponding to the restaurant is displayed at the position of latitude / longitude described in the record.

  In step F105, if the latitude / longitude as the position information is not within the range of the currently displayed map image, the display processing of steps F106 and F107 is not executed.

When the processing for one record is completed, the CPU 31 determines in step F108 whether or not other position information (record) is recorded in the memory card 1, and if other position information is recorded, step 31 is performed. In F109, the position information (record) is acquired. The same processing is repeated from step F105.
By repeating the above processing until it is determined in step F108 that the next position information does not exist, the information of the record recorded in the memory card 1 is reflected and displayed on the currently displayed map image. Is completed.

The series of processes in FIG. 7 are repeatedly executed in the mode for executing the map display centered on the vehicle position.
As a matter of course, as the vehicle moves, the calculated vehicle position and the map image centered on the vehicle position change every moment.
Therefore, when the memory card 1 in which the position information file is recorded is mounted, for each position information recorded in the memory card 1, the map image in which each position information is displayed on the monitor display unit 40. When entering the range, an icon based on the position information (record) is displayed.

By the way, in this example, an icon is displayed corresponding to each position information (record) recorded in the memory card 7 by the processing of FIG. 7, but the user displays it from the operation unit 39. By performing an operation for designating an icon, more detailed information about the icon can be displayed.
That is, when a designation operation for a certain icon is detected, the CPU 31 acquires all or part of the related information recorded in the record from which the icon is displayed, and corresponds to the related information. The image data is supplied to the LCD display drive unit 35. This causes the monitor display unit 40 to display more detailed information regarding the position where the icon is displayed.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, display 52 of related information such as a name and address is executed in correspondence with the icon 51.
Thereby, the user can arbitrarily obtain detailed information on each position information, and can use the information recorded on the memory card 1 more effectively.

In step F107 in FIG. 7, when an icon for a certain record is displayed, related information such as a name and address is acquired from the record, and for example, the display as shown in FIG. 8B is performed. Also good.
Further, when displaying related information regardless of the user's designated operation, for example, after displaying for a certain period of time in the state of FIG. 8B, the display about related information is ended 52, and FIG. ).

  By displaying icons and related information based on the position information file recorded on the memory card 1 as described above, an arbitrary position information file is simply recorded on the memory card 1 from the user's perspective, and the navigation device 3, the image based on the position information contained in the position information file can be confirmed on the monitor display unit 40, and can be used for driving. Of course, an operation such as marking a specific place as a destination in the navigation device 3 is not necessary, and the operation is not troublesome.

Further, although FIG. 7 has been described as a process in the case of performing a map display centered on the own vehicle position, the user may scroll the map image arbitrarily by an operation.
In this case as well, the CPU 31 may display the icon and related information when the position information recorded on the memory card 1 falls within the range of the displayed map image.

6). Position information writing process

Subsequently, in the case where position information is transmitted from the navigation apparatus 3 to the personal computer 2 as described in the operation mode (2) described above, the position information file is recorded on the memory card 1 on the navigation apparatus 3 side. Processing will be described.

The user selects an arbitrary position on the map image displayed on the navigation device 3, that is, a map image centered on the position of the vehicle, or a map image of an arbitrary area displayed by scrolling by the user. The marking position can then be used for navigation operations.
For example, when marking is performed, the position information (latitude and longitude) is stored in the nonvolatile memory 36, and thereafter, a mark display 53 is performed as shown in FIG. That is, when a map image in the vicinity of a certain position where the user performed marking is displayed, the marking positions performed by the user in the past are presented as shown in FIG.

In this example, for example, position information about the position where marking is performed in this way can be recorded in the memory card 1.
That is, the CPU 31 can generate a position information file based on a certain marking position and record it on the memory card 1.

FIG. 9 shows the processing of the CPU 31. When a certain marking position is selected in accordance with the user's operation in step F201, the CPU 31 determines position information as the marking position, that is, latitude / longitude.
The selection of the marking position by the user is an operation in which the user selects one marking position among the positions displayed in the past as shown in FIG.
However, the user may newly perform marking at the time of step F201, and the marking position may be designated.

When a certain marking position is selected, the CPU 31 displays the latitude / longitude data stored in the nonvolatile memory 36 in the data format in the navigation device 3 as the marking position in step F202 as shown in FIG. To latitude / longitude data in a location information file in a simple description format. That is, one position information file record is generated in accordance with one marking position.
In addition, when the user performs registration operations such as a name and an address for the selected marking position and these are stored in the nonvolatile memory 36, such information is also included in the record as shown in FIG. Like that.

  In step F203, the position information file is transmitted to the memory card 1 via the interface unit 32 and recorded.

When the user continues the marking operation at another position, the process returns from step F204 to F201 to repeat the process.
If the user's end operation has been performed, the process ends from step F204.

By such processing, a position information file based on the position information set in the navigation device 3 can be stored in the memory card 1, and the data as the position information file can be used outside the navigation device 3. .
For example, as described above, by loading the memory card 1 into the personal computer 2 and reading the position information file, the individual position information and related information can be obtained without the user performing an input operation related to the individual position information. It can be registered in the database 24a, or output (transmission output, print output, image output, etc.) by attaching the contents of the location information file to a created document, image, e-mail, or the like.
For example, when the map image can be displayed on the personal computer 2 side, the monitor display unit 27 in the personal computer 2 displays an icon or related information at a position corresponding to the position information on the map image, That is, a display similar to the display image on the navigation device 3 as shown in FIG. 8 can be executed.

7). Various usage examples and modifications

As in the above example, according to this example, since the position information file can be transmitted between the personal computer 2 and the navigation device 3 via the memory card 1, the user can write down the individual position information on the paper, Each position information can be shared as data without input on each device side while looking at the image.
Further, as described in the operation mode (3), the position information can be transmitted from the navigation device 3 or the personal computer 2 to another navigation device or another personal computer.

For example, FIG. 11 schematically shows that the in-vehicle navigation devices 3A and 3B can share the position information file.
For example, when friends go to the same place, the destination information is marked by one navigation device 3A, and the position information file is recorded in the memory card 1. Then, if the memory card 1 is handed over to a friend, the marking position can be displayed on the navigation device 3B side, so that two cars can share information on a common destination very easily.

Further, in the case of this example, the recorded position information file can be used as long as it is a device capable of recording and reproducing with respect to the memory card 1 as well as the personal computer 2 and the navigation device 3.
FIG. 12 schematically shows that the location information file recorded on the memory card 1 can be shared among devices such as the portable information terminal 6 and the digital camera 7 in addition to the personal computer 2 and the navigation device 3.
In this case, when the portable information terminal 6 and the digital camera 7 read the position information file recorded on the memory card 1, the name, address, etc. of a certain position can be displayed. If these devices are capable of displaying a map image, the display as shown in FIG. 8 can be executed. Further, if these devices are provided with a current position detecting means such as a GPS receiver, it can be used as a portable navigation device and a location information file can be used in the same manner as the navigation device 3 described above.
Of course, in addition to the portable information terminal 6 and the digital camera 7, the present invention can be applied to a portable navigation device, a mobile phone device, a workstation terminal, and other various devices.

Note that various modifications of the present invention are possible regardless of the embodiments described above.
In the above example, the memory card 1 is used as the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a semiconductor memory medium other than a card type, or a disk medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic disk can be used as a recording medium in the present system.
Further, the format of the position information file to be recorded, the data format, etc. may be determined by the convenience of system design.

In the above example, the database 24a is constructed in the non-volatile memory 24 (hard disk or the like) in the personal computer 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the database may be constructed on the navigation device 3 side, or may be constructed on another information device.
Furthermore, the location information file does not necessarily have to be managed as a database.

  1 memory card, 2 personal computer, 2a, 3a memory card slot, 3 navigation device, 4 homepage server, 11 storage unit, 21, 31 CPU, 12, 22, 32 interface unit, 23, 33 RAM, 24 non-volatile memory, 24a database, 25 display drive unit, 26 communication unit, 27, 40 monitor display unit, 28, 39 operation unit, 34 CD-ROM drive unit, 35 LCD display drive unit, 36 nonvolatile memory, 37 GPS reception unit, 38 gyro , 51 icon, 52 related information display, 53 marking display

Claims (7)

Position and a recording medium capable of recording the location information file, and the information processing apparatus, a position information transmission system comprising a navigation device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing a position information file including at least position information and related information related to the position represented by the position information, and a category related to the position being distinguishable ;
Recording means for recording the positional information file stored in the storage means on a recording medium;
A communication means capable of transmitting and receiving a location information file via a transmission path;
With
The navigation device includes:
Self-position detecting means;
Reading means capable of reading a position information file from the recording medium;
Display means;
A map image is displayed on the display means based on the detection information of the self-position detection means, and the position information is displayed on the display means among the position information files read by the reading means. Corresponding to the position information file corresponding to the range of, the icon image of one of the plurality of icon images stored in advance is selected according to the category of the position information file, the selected icon image, An image based on the related information included in the position information file is displayed on the map image based on the position information included in the position information file, and according to a designation operation on the icon image. Control means to display above ,
The location information transmission system. A server device having a database for storing the location information file is further provided,
The information processing apparatus, the position information transmission according to 請 Motomeko 1 position information files stored in the database is received by the communication means, Ru can store location information file received in the storage unit of the server device system. The navigation device includes:
A designation input means capable of designating an arbitrary position;
Recording means for generating a position information file including position information about the position designated by the designation input means, and recording the file on the recording medium;
Position information transmission system according to 請 Motomeko 1 that further include. The information processing apparatus includes:
A reading means capable of reading a position information file from the recording medium;
Position information transmission system according to the position information file read out by the reading means into 請 Motomeko 1 that can be stored in the storage means. The position information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the position information file recorded on the recording medium is recorded in an XML format. Self-position detecting means;
Reading means capable of reading a position information file from the recording medium;
Display means;
A map image is displayed on the display means based on the detection information of the self-position detection means, and the position information is displayed on the display means among the position information files read by the reading means. Corresponding to the position information file corresponding to the range of, the icon image of one of the plurality of icon images stored in advance is selected according to the category of the position information file, the selected icon image, An image based on the related information included in the position information file is displayed on the map image based on the position information included in the position information file, and according to a designation operation on the icon image. Control means to display above,
A navigation device comprising: A designation input means capable of designating an arbitrary position;
Recording means for generating a position information file including position information about the position designated by the designation input means, and recording the file on the recording medium;
The navigation device according to claim 6, further comprising:

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