JP2009281732A - Hard disk breakage system and navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hard disk breakage prevention system having a maximumly enlarged area in which the hard disk can be used, and a car navigation device having the system applied thereto. <P>SOLUTION: In this car navigation device 1, map data can be copied into a memory (S26) and route guide can be performed even on a high place with a considerable altitude where the hard disk cannot be cooled sufficiently even when being cooled by a cooling device (S16-S24), to thereby enable route guide at any place without interruption. In the car navigation device, since the area in which the hard disk can be used is widened maximumly relative to the altitude by using a cooling device, the route guide can be performed without interruption by using a memory having a smaller storage capacity in comparison with a non-cooling case. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hard disk damage system that prevents a hard disk from being damaged due to an increase in altitude or a rise in temperature, and a navigation apparatus incorporating the hard disk damage system.

Conventionally, car navigation devices have adopted CDs, DVDs, and HDDs as storage media for storing route guidance map data.
However, in recent years, with the increase in functions required for car navigation devices, there has been a demand for larger storage media, so an HDD (hereinafter referred to as “hard disk”) having a larger storage capacity than other storage media has been adopted. Things are becoming mainstream.

  By the way, this hard disk is configured to operate in a state where the magnetic head is lifted from the magnetic disk by a predetermined distance by the action of an air flow generated by the rotation of the magnetic disk.

In addition, the hard disk is not completely sealed in order to absorb the change in atmospheric pressure in the housing due to temperature changes.
For this reason, if the hard disk is placed in an environment where the mean free path of air becomes long, such as when the external air pressure is low or the temperature is high, the flying height of the magnetic head decreases and the magnetic head becomes a magnetic disk. There was a possibility of failure due to contact.

  Therefore, when the hard disk is placed in such a use environment, specifically, when used in a high altitude place, it has been necessary to stop the hard disk in order to prevent a hard disk failure.

  However, if the hard disk is stopped just because it is at a high altitude, the map data stored on the hard disk cannot be retrieved, so the route guidance function cannot be used at a high altitude.

In view of this, the navigation device described in Patent Document 1 includes a semiconductor memory, in which the map data of a high altitude area where the hard disk needs to be stopped is stored, and the map is read from the semiconductor memory while traveling in the corresponding area. The route was guided by reading the data.
JP 2004-317385 A

  However, car navigation devices are required to be smaller, lighter, and lower in cost, and since the number of semiconductor memories that can be mounted and the storage capacity are limited, the amount of map data that can be stored in the semiconductor memory is also limited. .

  For this reason, it is virtually impossible to provide route guidance in a high altitude area simply by providing a semiconductor memory. Therefore, it is necessary to make the hard disk usable at the highest altitude possible and to maximize the area where the hard disk can be used. is there.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hard disk breakage prevention system that maximizes the area in which a hard disk can be used, and a car navigation device to which this system is applied.

  The hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 1, which is an invention made to solve the above-mentioned problem, includes an altitude identifying means for identifying the altitude of the current position, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hard disk, and a hard disk. Cooling means for cooling.

  In this system, the cooling control means controls the cooling means to cool the hard disk when the hard disk temperature is higher than the allowable temperature for the altitude specified by the altitude specifying means. However, the operation of the hard disk is stopped by the first operation stop means only when the temperature of the hard disk is higher than the allowable temperature for the altitude.

  In this way, even in a high altitude area where it has been considered impossible to use because the hard disk has been damaged, the hard disk can be used as long as it is within the range where cooling by the cooling means is possible.

  Therefore, if this hard disk breakage prevention system is used, the area where the hard disk can be used can be expanded to the maximum extent to a high altitude area that can be handled by cooling by the cooling means.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3C, the allowable temperature with respect to the altitude of the hard disk gradually decreases when it exceeds a certain altitude. In this hard disk damage prevention system, it is determined whether or not the allowable temperature is higher than the allowable temperature with respect to the altitude. Since the hard disk is cooled, the necessary cooling corresponding to the change in the atmospheric pressure that varies depending on the altitude can be accurately performed in response to the allowable temperature that varies with the altitude.

  Next, in the hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 2, after the hard disk operation is stopped, when the hard disk temperature is lower than the altitude corresponding to the altitude, the first operation start means is used. Controls to start hard disk operation.

  In this hard disk damage prevention system, when the hard disk is restarted, it waits until the hard disk temperature reaches a temperature at which the hard disk can operate without failure even if it starts operating again. be able to.

  Next, the hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 3 includes a first semiconductor storage unit that stores first interruption information necessary for the operation of the operating means while the hard disk is not operating. While the operation is stopped, the operating means is operated based on the information stored in the first semiconductor memory unit.

Since semiconductors are generally not easily affected by atmospheric pressure, the first semiconductor memory unit made of semiconductor is also less susceptible to atmospheric pressure.
Therefore, when the hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 3 is used, when the hard disk becomes inoperable even by cooling by the cooling means, the operating means is operated based on the information stored in the first semiconductor memory unit. Thus, the operating means can be operated continuously regardless of altitude.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the area where the hard disk can be used is expanded to the maximum extent, the amount of information that needs to be stored in the first semiconductor storage unit can be reduced.
Therefore, in the hard disk damage prevention system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the first semiconductor storage unit only needs to include a semiconductor having a small storage capacity. Miniaturization, weight reduction, and cost reduction can be achieved.

  The first semiconductor storage unit may store the above-described first intermediate time information in advance. However, as described in claim 4, when the hard disk stops operating, it is stored in the hard disk. The first middle stage time information may be transferred to the first semiconductor memory unit.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3C, the hard disk has an altitude that becomes an operation limit. When the hard disk approaches such an altitude, the temperature of the hard disk is lowered by using a cooling means or the like. Even if it operates, it may be unpreferable from a viewpoint of energy saving.

  Therefore, as in the hard disk damage prevention system described in claim 5, when the altitude reaches a predetermined operation stop altitude as an altitude close to the operation limit altitude of the hard disk, the operation of the hard disk may be stopped.

  In this way, the hard disk is immediately stopped when the predetermined operation stop altitude is reached as the altitude close to the operation limit altitude, so from the viewpoint of energy saving without forcibly operating the cooling means. Preferred operation can be performed.

  In addition, when the hard disk resumes operation after the hard disk has stopped operating, the hard disk may be operated immediately when it comes to a position lower than the operation stop altitude. Otherwise, the hard disk may be damaged.

Therefore, as described in claim 6, it is preferable to resume when the altitude reaches a predetermined operation allowable altitude lower than the operation stop altitude.
Next, as described in claim 7, after the hard disk stops operating, it is necessary to operate the operating means until it is located at a predetermined allowable operating altitude lower than the operating stop altitude. You may make it provide the 2nd semiconductor memory part which memorize | stores 2 middle stage time information.

Then, the operating means may be operated based on the information stored in the second semiconductor storage unit while the operation of the hard disk is stopped.
In this way, since the operation means can be operated even after the hard disk is stopped until it is located at the allowable operation altitude because it is located at the operation stop altitude, the operation means can be operated regardless of the altitude. it can.

  The second semiconductor storage unit may store the second middle stage time information in advance, but as described in claim 8, when the hard disk stops operating, the second information stored in the hard disk is stored. The middle stage time information may be transferred to the second semiconductor storage unit.

Next, as described in claim 9, the hard disk breakage prevention system described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is particularly preferably incorporated in a car navigation device.
In this case, it is preferable that the hard disk is used as a storage medium for storing map information for route guidance, and the operation means is applied to one used as route guidance means that operates based on the map information stored in the hard disk. .

Further, as the altitude specifying means, it is preferable to use the current position specifying means provided in the car navigation device.
According to this car navigation device, route guidance can be performed using a hard disk to an area with a high altitude that can be handled by cooling by the cooling means.

  Also, according to this car navigation device, the altitude can be specified using the current position specifying means provided in the car navigation device, so that the hard disk can be prevented from being damaged with a minimum configuration without adding a new configuration for specifying the altitude. In addition, route guidance can be performed.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus of the present embodiment.
1. Overall Configuration of Car Navigation Device As shown in FIG. 1, the car navigation device 1 of this embodiment includes a central control device 2, a GPS device 3, a memory 4, a monitor 5, a switch group 6, a speaker 7, and a hard disk 8. Yes.

The central control device 2 is a computer device including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and communicates with the devices 2 to 8 to execute route guidance processing, advanced temperature monitoring processing described later, and the like.
The GPS device 3 receives a position measurement signal from a GPS satellite, calculates the current position at which the signal is received, that is, the current position of the vehicle to which the car navigation device 1 is attached in this embodiment, and calculates the current position. This is a device for outputting the current position information to the central controller 2.

In the GPS device 3, information representing the current position by latitude, longitude, and altitude is calculated as current position information.
The memory 4 is a storage device composed of a semiconductor, and is a storage device capable of writing and erasing information in accordance with instructions from the central control device 2.

The monitor 5 is a device that displays an image of a map for route guidance processing and other images in accordance with instructions from the central control device 2.
The switch group 6 is a device that receives an operator's operation and outputs information related to the received operation to the central control device 2.

The speaker 7 is a device that outputs music and voice in accordance with instructions from the central control device 2.
The hard disk 8 is a storage device including the magnetic disk 80 in the housing 80 and is a storage device capable of writing and erasing information on the magnetic disk 80 in accordance with instructions from the central control device 2.
1.1. Hard disk 8
In addition to the magnetic disk 80 described above, the hard disk 8 includes an actuator 81, a cooling device 82, and a temperature sensor 83 in a housing 8a.

Among these, the actuator 81 is a device including a magnetic head 81 a that can move on the magnetic disk 80.
In the present embodiment, when reading / writing information from / to the magnetic disk 80, the magnetic disk 80 is rotated using the motor 80a, and the magnetic head 81a is moved using the actuator 81 on the rotating magnetic disk. Thus, the information instructed from the central control device 2 is read from and written to a predetermined location on the magnetic disk 80.

  Further, the actuator 81 has a structure capable of floating the magnetic head 81a by a predetermined distance by the action of an air flow generated by the rotation of the magnetic disk 80 when reading and writing, and the magnetic head 81a is positioned at the position where the magnetic head 81a is lifted by the predetermined distance. Thus, information can be read from and written to the magnetic disk 80.

  The cooling device 82 is a device that cools the air in the housing 80 in accordance with instructions from the central control device 2. The cooling device 82 is configured to be able to cool the hard disk 8 at a plurality of stages of cooling levels from weak to strong cooling effects.

The temperature sensor 83 is a device that detects the temperature of the air in the housing 80 in accordance with an instruction from the central controller 2 and outputs information regarding the detected temperature to the central controller 2.
2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of information stored in the magnetic disk 80 of the hard disk 8 and shows the types of information stored in the magnetic disk 80. FIG. 3 shows map image data, FIG. 3B shows XYZ coordinate data, and FIG. 3C shows altitude level data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic disk 80 of the hard disk 8 of this embodiment stores information of a plurality of categories such as map data 801, music data 802, and telephone book data 803.

Among these, as map data 801, in addition to map image data, XYZ coordinate data, and altitude level data, which will be described later, information on road positions and building positions is stored.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the map image data 801a includes map image data obtained by dividing a map of the whole of Japan into a plurality of maps, and a map code (registered trademark) which is information for identifying each divided map. Are associated with each other.

FIG. 3A shows that map code a, map code b, and map code c are associated with the image data of each of the divided maps a, b, and c.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the XYZ coordinate data 801b is divided into coordinate data representing the range occupied by each divided map represented by each map code by latitude x, longitude y, and altitude z. It is the data which matched the map code of each map.

  FIG. 3B shows that each coordinate data (x1y1z1 to x2y2z2, x3y3z3 to x4y4z4, x5y5z5 to x6y6z6) corresponds to each of the map codes a, b, and c.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the altitude level information 801c is information indicating the temperature at which the operation of the hard disk 8 is allowed according to the altitude.
FIG. 3C shows a range in which the operation of the hard disk 8 is ensured by a graph in which the allowable temperature is the X axis and the altitude is the Y axis.

  The hard disk 8 of this embodiment operates at a constant maximum allowable operating temperature (Tamax) up to a certain altitude (Htp), but at an altitude above a certain altitude (Htp), the maximum allowable operating temperature (Tamax) depends on the altitude. ) Becomes lower.

  In this embodiment, an altitude altitude level from altitude 0 to a constant altitude (Htp) is “1”, and an altitude altitude level from a constant altitude (Htp) to a maximum operating altitude (Hmax) is from “2” to “2”. 9 ”, an altitude level higher than the maximum operating altitude (Hmax) is“ 10 ”.

In the present embodiment, information indicating which altitude level each altitude belongs to is also stored as altitude level information 801c.
Next, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, information on the frequency of use of each music stored as music data 802 is stored in association with each music data as weighting information of each music. Yes.

In the present embodiment, information 20 relating to the list of each piece of music data 802 stored in the hard disk 8 (see FIG. 1) is stored in the central controller 20.
3. Advanced temperature monitoring process The advanced temperature monitoring process executed by the central controller 20 of the car navigation device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

4 and 5 are flowcharts of the advanced temperature monitoring process, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the advanced level process executed at a particularly high altitude in the advanced temperature monitoring process.
3.1 Advanced Temperature Monitoring Process This advanced temperature monitoring process includes steps (hereinafter simply referred to as “S”) 10 to S40 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the step number is small unless otherwise specified. This process is executed in order from the first.

This advanced temperature monitoring process is started when the power switch of the car navigation apparatus 1 (not shown) is turned on, and the process of S10 is first executed after the start.
In S10, it is determined whether the altitude level at the current position is 2 or more. This determination (S <b> 10) is determined by comparing information indicating the altitude among the current position information input from the GPS device 3 and altitude level information 801 c stored in the magnetic disk 80.

  If it is determined in this determination (S10) that the altitude level of the current position is 1 (S10: NO), the process of S10 is executed again based on the current position information newly input from the GPS device 3. . On the other hand, if it is determined that the altitude level at the current position is 2 or more (S12: YES), the process of S12 is executed.

  In S12, it is determined whether the altitude level of the current position is 9 or more. This determination (S12) is determined by comparing the information indicating the altitude among the current position information used for the determination in S10 with the altitude level information 801c stored in the magnetic disk 80.

  If it is determined in this determination (S12) that the altitude level of the current position is 9 or less (S12: NO), the process of S14 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the altitude level at the current position is 9 or more (S12: YES), the high altitude process of FIG. 5 is executed as indicated by (1) in the figure.

  In S14, the temperature in the housing 80 of the hard disk 8 is measured by the temperature sensor 83, and the measured temperature corresponds to the altitude of the current position information used for determining the altitude level of the current position in S10. It is determined whether or not it is higher than the temperature (Tamax) (corresponding to “allowable temperature” of the present invention).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3C, at the altitude a, whether or not the maximum operating temperature Tamax: a corresponding to the altitude a is higher than the maximum operating temperature Tamax: It is determined whether it is higher than b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined in this determination (S14) that the measured temperature is lower than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) corresponding to the altitude of the current position (S14: NO), The process of S10 is executed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the measured temperature is higher than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) corresponding to the altitude at the current position (S14: YES), the process of S16 is executed.

In S16, processing for starting the cooling device 82 (see FIG. 1) at the cooling level with the lowest cooling effect is executed.
In subsequent S18, it is determined whether or not a predetermined cooling time has elapsed since the start of the cooling device 82, and a process of waiting until the cooling time elapses is executed (S18: NO), and the cooling time has elapsed. Then (S18: YES), the process of S20 is then executed.

  In S20, processing for measuring the temperature in the housing 80 of the hard disk 8 is executed by the temperature sensor 83, and it is determined whether or not the measured temperature is higher than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position.

  When it is determined in this determination (S20) that the measured temperature is lower than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position (S20: YES), the process of S10 is executed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the measured temperature is higher than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position (S20: NO), the process of S22 is executed.

  In S22, processing for determining whether or not the cooling level of the cooling device 82 is maximum is executed. If it is determined by this determination (S22) that the cooling level is maximum (S22: YES), the process of S26 is executed, and if it is determined that the cooling level is not maximum (S22: NO). , S24 is executed.

In S24, the process of raising the cooling level of the cooling device 82 by one step is performed, and the processes after S18 are executed again.
By repeating the processes of S18 to S24, the process of monitoring the effect of cooling while increasing the cooling level of the cooling device 82 step by step is executed. Even if the hard disk 8 is cooled at the highest cooling level, the housing of the hard disk 8 is S26 and subsequent processes are executed only after the temperature in the body 80 does not fall below the maximum operating temperature (Tamax).

  In S26, map image data 801a and XYZ coordinate data 801b and altitude level data 801c of the map corresponding to the altitude level higher than the altitude level of the current position in the map around the own vehicle position are transferred to the memory 4. Processing is executed.

In S26, music information is transferred to the memory 4 until the storage capacity of the memory 4 becomes full in order of increasing weighting information.
When the process of S26 is completed, the processes of S28 and S30 are executed next, a flag indicating that the hard disk 8 has been stopped is set in the central controller 20, and the magnetic head 81a does not contact the magnetic disk 80. A process of stopping the hard disk 8 is executed while retracting to the position.

Next, in S32, it is determined whether or not a fixed time has elapsed after the hard disk 8 is stopped.
In this determination (S32), the process waits until the predetermined time elapses (S32: NO). When the predetermined time elapses (S32: YES), the process of S34 is executed next.

  In S34, a process of measuring the temperature of the air in the housing 8a of the hard disk 8 using the temperature sensor 82 is executed, and whether or not the measured temperature is higher than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position. Determined.

  If it is determined in this determination (S34) that the measured temperature is higher than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position (S34: NO), the process of S32 is executed again until a predetermined time elapses. A waiting process is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the measured temperature is lower than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position (S34: YES), the process of S36 is executed.

In S36, the process of starting the hard disk 8 is executed. In the subsequent S38, the flag set in the central controller 20 is erased. In the subsequent S40, the process of stopping the cooling device 82 is executed, and the process of S10 is performed again. Is executed.
3.2. High Altitude Process Next, the high altitude process executed when it is determined in S12 of the altitude temperature monitoring process described above that the altitude at the current position is higher than the altitude level 9 (S12: YES) will be described.

When this high altitude process is executed, the process of S50 is executed as shown in FIG.
In S50, map information (map image data 801a, XYZ coordinate data 801b, altitude level data 801c) of the map corresponding to the altitude level higher than altitude level 7 among the maps around the own vehicle position is transferred to the memory 4. Processing is executed.

Further, in S50, music information is transferred to the memory 4 in order from the heaviest weight information until the storage capacity of the memory 4 becomes full.
When the process of S50 is completed, the processes of S52 and S54 are executed next, a flag indicating that the hard disk 8 has been stopped is set in the central controller 20, and the process of stopping the hard disk 8 is executed. .

  Next, in S56, it is determined whether the altitude level 7 position has been reached after the hard disk 8 is stopped. This determination (S56) is performed based on the current position information used for determining the altitude level of the current position in S10 and the altitude level data 801c.

  In this determination (S56), a process of waiting until it is determined that the position of altitude level 7 has been reached is executed (S56: NO). On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of altitude level 7 has been reached (S56: YES), then the process of S58 is executed.

  In subsequent S58, the temperature sensor 83 is used to measure the temperature of the air in the housing 8a of the hard disk 8, and this measured temperature is the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) corresponding to the altitude of the current position information. Or higher is determined.

  In this determination (S58), when it is determined that the measured temperature is higher than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) corresponding to the altitude at the current position (S58: NO), the process after S16 of the altitude temperature monitoring process Is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the measured temperature is lower than the maximum operating temperature (Tamax) at the current position (S58: YES), the process of S60 is executed.

In S60, the process of starting up the hard disk 8 is executed. In the subsequent S62, the flag set in the central controller 20 is deleted, and then the process of S10 of the altitude temperature monitoring process is executed.
4). Navigation Process Next, a navigation process executed by the car navigation device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the navigation process.
This navigation process is a process of performing route guidance while displaying a map for route guidance on the monitor 5, and when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the processing from S70 onward is started.

  In S70, a process for determining whether route guidance is in progress is executed. This determination is performed by determining whether or not an operation for executing the navigation process is performed on the switch group 6.

  If it is determined in this determination (S70) that route guidance is not being performed (S70: NO), the processing of S70 is repeatedly executed until it is determined that route guidance is being performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that route guidance is being performed (S70: YES), the process of S72 is executed.

  In S72, a process for determining whether or not new current position information is input from the GPS device 3 is executed. If it is determined in this determination (S72) that no new current position information has been input (S72: NO), the process of S72 is executed again through S70, and the process waits until new current position information is input. Is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that new current position information has been input (S72: YES), then the process of S74 is executed.

  In S74, a process for determining whether or not the flag is set in the central controller 20 by the altitude temperature monitoring process is executed. If it is determined in this determination (S74) that the flag is set (S74: YES), the map image data corresponding to the newly read current position information is stored in the XYZ coordinate data stored in the memory 4. A process of searching using 801b and map image data 801a and displaying an image obtained by synthesizing an image indicating the guide route with the image on the monitor 5 (S76) is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in this determination (S74) that the flag is not raised (S74: NO), the map image data corresponding to the newly read current position information is stored in the XYZ stored in the hard disk 8. A process of searching using the coordinate data 801b and the map image data 801a and displaying an image obtained by synthesizing the image indicating the guide route on the image on the monitor 5 (S78) is executed.

Thereafter, S72 to S78 are repeated, and each time the current position information is input, the map image on which the guide route corresponding to the current position information is displayed is updated and displayed on the monitor 5. If it moves according to the guide route in the map displayed in 5, it can move to the destination of the guide route with accurate route guidance.
5. Music Reproduction Process Next, a music reproduction process executed by the car navigation device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the music playback process.
In this music reproduction process, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the processes in and after S80 are started.

  In S80, processing for determining whether or not to play music is executed. This determination is performed by determining whether or not an operation for executing the music reproduction process is performed on the switch group 6.

  If it is determined in this determination (S80) that there is no music playback instruction (S80: NO), the process of S80 is repeatedly executed until it is determined that there is a playback instruction. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a music playback instruction (S80: YES), the process of S82 is executed.

  In S82, a process for determining whether or not a flag is set in the central controller 20 by the altitude temperature monitoring process is executed. If it is determined in this determination (S82) that the flag is set (S82: YES), the process of S84 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in this determination (S82) that the flag is not set (S82: NO), the sound of the music that has been instructed to be played is output from the speaker 7 based on the music data stored in the hard disk 8. The output process (S90) is executed.

  In S84, processing for determining whether or not the music instructed to be played in S80 has been moved to the memory 4 is executed. This process (S84) is executed by determining whether or not there is music instructed to be reproduced in S80 in the list stored in advance in the central controller 20.

  If it is determined in this determination (S84) that there is music instructed to be reproduced in the memory (S84: YES), the music instructed to be reproduced is reproduced based on the music data stored in the memory 4. Processing is executed (S86). On the other hand, when there is no music data of the music instructed to be reproduced in the memory 4 (S86: NO), a process of outputting from the speaker 7 a sound for announcing that there is no music instructed to reproduce (S88). Executed.

When the processes from S86 to S90 are completed, the process of S80 is executed again.
6). Features of the Car Navigation Device 1 According to the Embodiment According to the car navigation device 1, route guidance can be performed using the hard disk 8 to a high altitude area that can be handled by the cooling device 82.

  According to the car navigation device 1, by using the memory 4, map data can be copied to the memory 4 to provide route guidance even at a high altitude where the hard disk 8 cannot be operated even by cooling by the cooling device 82. Since it can be performed, the route guidance can be performed without interruption at any place.

  According to the car navigation device 1, the cooling device 82 is used to maximize the area where the hard disk 8 can be used with respect to altitude. Therefore, the memory 4 is compared with the case where the cooling is not performed as in the present application. The route guidance can be performed without interruption using the memory 4 having a small storage capacity.

According to this car navigation device 1, since the altitude can be specified using the GPS device 3 provided in the car navigation device 1, the hard disk 8 due to the low external pressure is added to the hard disk 8 without adding a new configuration for specifying the altitude. Can be prevented from being damaged.
7). Correspondence Relationship between Embodiments and Invention Specific Items The central control device 20 that executes the navigation processing and music reproduction processing of the present embodiment corresponds to the operation means of the present invention.

  The GPS device 3 of the present embodiment corresponds to the altitude specifying means of the present invention, the temperature sensor 83 corresponds to the temperature detecting means, the cooling device 82 corresponds to the cooling means, and the central control device that executes the processing of S16 to S24 20 corresponds to the cooling control means of the present invention.

The central controller 20 that executes the process of S30 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first operation stop unit of the present invention.
The central controller 20 that executes the process of S36 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first operation start means of the present invention.

The memory 4 that stores information in the process of S26 of the present embodiment corresponds to a first semiconductor storage unit.
The central controller 20 that executes the process of S26 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first transfer means of the present invention.

The central controller 20 that executes the processes of S74 to S76 and the processes of S84 to S86 of the present embodiment corresponds to a first operation switching unit and a second operation switching unit.
The central controller 20 that executes the process of S52 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second operation stop unit of the present invention.

The central controller 20 that executes the process of S60 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second operation start means of the present invention.
The memory 4 that stores information in the process of S50 of the present embodiment corresponds to a second semiconductor storage unit.

The central controller 20 that executes the process of S50 of this embodiment corresponds to the second transfer means of the present invention.
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the processing related to route guidance and music reproduction is executed has been described, but it goes without saying that processing other than these may be performed.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as it matches the gist of the invention described in the claims.

It is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus of this embodiment. The schematic diagram of the information stored in the magnetic disk 80 of the hard disk indicates the type of information stored in the magnetic disk 80. (A) shows map image data, (b) shows XYZ coordinate data, and (c) shows altitude level data. It is a flowchart of an advanced temperature monitoring process. It is a flowchart of the high altitude process performed in the altitude temperature monitoring process where the altitude is particularly high. It is a flowchart of a navigation process. It is a flowchart of a music reproduction process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Car navigation apparatus, 2 ... Central control apparatus, 3 ... GPS apparatus, 4 ... Memory, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Switch group, 7 ... Speaker, 8 ... Hard disk, 8a ... Housing, 20 ... Central control apparatus, 80 ... Magnetic disk, 80a ... Motor, 81 ... Actuator, 81a ... Magnetic head, 82 ... Cooling device, 83 ... Temperature sensor, 801 ... Map data, 801a ... Map image data, 801b ... XYZ coordinate data, 801c ... Altitude level information, 802 ... Music data, 803 ... Phonebook data

Claims (9)

Hard disk,
Operating means that operates based on information stored in the hard disk;
A hard disk damage prevention system incorporated in a device comprising:
Altitude identification means for identifying the altitude of the current position,
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hard disk;
Cooling means for cooling the hard disk;
Cooling control means for controlling the cooling means when the temperature is higher than an allowable temperature for the altitude and cooling the hard disk;
First operation stopping means for stopping the operation of the hard disk when the temperature is higher than the allowable temperature for the altitude even by cooling by the cooling control means;
A hard disk damage prevention system comprising: The hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 1,
A hard disk prevention system comprising: first operation start means for starting the operation of the hard disk when the temperature is lower than an allowable temperature corresponding to the altitude after the operation of the hard disk is stopped. . In the hard disk damage prevention system according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
A first semiconductor storage unit for storing first interruption information necessary for the operation of the operating means while the hard disk is not operating;
First operation switching means for operating the operation means based on the information stored in the first semiconductor memory unit while the hard disk is stopped operating;
A hard disk damage prevention system comprising: The hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 3,
A hard disk damage prevention system, comprising: first transfer means for transferring the first intermediate time information stored in the hard disk to the first semiconductor storage unit when the hard disk stops operating. In the hard disk damage prevention system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A hard disk damage prevention system comprising: a second operation stop means for stopping the operation of the hard disk when the altitude reaches a predetermined operation stop altitude as an altitude close to the operation limit altitude of the hard disk. The hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 5,
After the hard disk has stopped operating, when the altitude reaches a predetermined allowable operating altitude lower than the operation stop altitude, there is provided second operation start means for starting the operation of the hard disk. Hard disk damage prevention system. The hard disk damage prevention system according to any one of claims 5 and 6,
A second intermediate stage time information necessary for operating the operating means from when the hard disk stops operating until the hard disk is positioned at a predetermined allowable operating altitude lower than the operating stop altitude. A semiconductor storage unit;
Second operation switching means for operating the operation means based on the information stored in the second semiconductor storage unit while the hard disk is stopped operating;
A hard disk damage prevention system comprising: The hard disk damage prevention system according to claim 7,
A hard disk damage prevention system comprising: a second transfer means for transferring the second middle stage time information stored in the hard disk to the second semiconductor storage unit when the hard disk stops operating. A car navigation device incorporating the hard disk damage prevention system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The hard disk is a storage medium of the car navigation device that stores map information for route guidance,
The operation means is a route guidance means of the car navigation device that operates based on the map information stored in the hard disk,
The altitude specifying means is a current position specifying means of the car navigation device that specifies a current position for route guidance.

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