JP2020106533A - Navigation system and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a navigation system and a computer program capable of: changing roles of devices realizing navigation depending on performance and a situation; and enabling to achieve a single navigation by cooperating with a plurality of the devices with the respective roles appropriately distributed thereto.SOLUTION: A navigation system 100 includes at least one device which has: a plurality of function execution parts 21A-29A, 21B-29B, and 21C-29C that are divided into different functions for navigation and execute processing corresponding to the functions in response to instructions respectively given thereto and return processing results; and one of instruction parts 20A, 20B, and 20C which gives instructions to the plurality of function execution parts and receives the processing results returned the instructions. The instruction part of the device gives the instruction to one or more of the plurality of function execution parts by following a procedure according to a purpose executed for the navigation, and outputs information about the system on the basis of the processing results returned in response to the instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a navigation system and a computer program that presents a route to a destination and information related to the route.

The popularity of portable communication devices called so-called smartphones is very high, and users carry the portable communication devices with them at all times, and the portable communication devices can be used in any place by other portable communication devices or server computers of data centers. You can get information gathered from. Most mobile communication devices of recent years have a function of identifying their own position, which allows the user to use the mobile communication device to perform not only functions such as making a call and sending and receiving messages, but also his or her position on the map. You can receive the navigation service to display. By bringing the mobile communication device into the vehicle, the user can receive the navigation service while driving even if the vehicle is not equipped with the navigation device.

On the other hand, the technology of in-vehicle navigation devices is also advancing, and not only the route searching function on the map and the guiding function on the route, but also a search function for information about the use of surrounding facilities, and a music playback function. Various functional integrations such as fusion with are progressing.

Although these navigation services are realized based on computer programs regardless of the mobile communication device or the on-vehicle navigation device, the size of computer programs tends to increase due to the addition of various functions. In this case, even if one function is added or improved, each function needs to be entirely updated because it is dependent on each other. On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, regarding a computer program in a vehicle-mounted navigation device, a module relating to an additional function is provided separately from the basic function, and an interface is built in and communicated with each other to facilitate addition of the function. A program structure that can reduce the number of steps has been proposed.

JP-A-2002-318702

The mobile communication device and the vehicle-mounted navigation device have been developed with different services in mind. However, as described above, any of them is a device that is carried or mounted on a mobile body and can identify its own position, and can draw the map and its own position on the map using the map information. In addition, any device has a communication function and can be linked to external services, and can be applied to various services. That is, the mobile communication device and the navigation device have different hardware configurations and performances, but the overlapping functions are increasing. In most cases, users selectively use the navigation service realized by the mobile communication device and the in-vehicle navigation device according to their preference. However, if the mobile communication device and the in-vehicle navigation device can cooperate with each other, the user can For us, the convenience is expected to be greatly improved.

For cooperation between the mobile communication device and the vehicle-mounted navigation device, referring to Patent Document 1, a functional module for basic functions is arranged in the vehicle-mounted navigation device, and an expansion module is arranged in the mobile communication device. A possible method is to include an interface so that they can interact with each other. As a result, each can be separately developed and the number of steps can be reduced. However, in this case, for example, the in-vehicle navigation device has a fixed basic function, and the mobile communication device has an expanded function and a fixed function. It is difficult to respond to changes in circumstances such as changes in performance and communication environment.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the role of a device that realizes navigation can be changed according to the performance or the situation, and a plurality of devices in which the roles are appropriately distributed cooperate with each other. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system and a computer program capable of realizing one navigation.

A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is divided into different functions regarding navigation, a plurality of function execution units that perform a process according to the function for each given instruction and return a result, and the plurality of function execution units. At least one device including an instruction unit for giving an instruction to the execution unit and receiving a result of the process returned in response to the instruction, the instruction unit of the device is a procedure according to a purpose to be performed regarding navigation. By this, an instruction is given to any one or a plurality of the plurality of function execution units, and information regarding navigation is output based on the result of the processing returned in response to the instruction.

In the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the instruction unit selects one or a plurality of function execution units to be used from the plurality of function execution units in advance for the purpose to be performed.

A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two or more of the devices, and at least two arbitrary devices among the plurality of devices include at least one function execution unit having the same function. The instruction unit of one of the devices selects to use the function executing unit, and the instruction unit of the other device selects the function executing unit to be unused and unselected.

In the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the instruction unit of each of the plurality of devices gives an instruction to the function execution unit of the selected self-device or the function execution unit of the selected other device. To give an instruction via a communication medium to.

A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention executes selection from the plurality of function execution units at arbitrary timing while the device is operating.

In the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the function executing unit and the instruction unit input/output the result of the instruction and the processing by a command or a message.

A computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention divides a computer into different functions for navigation, performs a process according to the function with respect to a given instruction, and returns a result of the process. And a plurality of function modules that respectively function as the above, and an instruction unit that gives an instruction to the function execution unit when the computer functions as the plurality of function execution units and receives a result of processing returned in response to the instruction. One instruction module for causing the computer to function as the instruction unit, and the instruction module instructs one or more of the plurality of function execution units according to a procedure according to the purpose of performing navigation. And a step of outputting information regarding navigation based on the result of the processing returned in response to the instruction.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one device is provided with a plurality of function execution units that perform different functions based on instructions given by the instruction unit. Each of the function execution units outputs a processing result in response to an instruction given by the instruction unit, which can only give an instruction to the function execution unit, and the result is received by the instruction unit and outputs information about navigation based on the result. .. That is, the function execution unit performs processing according to only the instruction from the instruction unit and does not have an interdependent relationship such as making a processing request to another function execution unit. The instructing unit appropriately combines the function executing units that perform different functions to perform the processing, thereby achieving one purpose.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the function execution unit to be used is selected according to the purpose, and its role dynamically changes for each device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when configured by a plurality of devices, any arbitrary device may be provided with a function execution unit corresponding to the same function. In this case, the function of any one device may be provided. The execution unit is used, and other function execution units that perform the same function are not used.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when duplicate function execution units are operable in a plurality of devices and any one of them is selected, even if the selected function execution unit is operating in a device other than the device The function execution part can be used. At this time, an instruction is given via the communication medium, and the result is returned via the communication medium.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the selected function execution unit is not fixed in each device, and a different function execution unit can be selected and used at any timing whenever the purpose to be performed occurs.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication between the function execution unit and the instruction unit is realized by a command, a message, or the like. By not calling a function (API, etc.), the independence between the function execution unit and the instruction unit is enhanced, and the exchange between the function execution unit and the instruction unit of different devices and between the function execution unit and the instruction unit in the same device are performed. Can be equivalent to the exchange of.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the function execution units do not have a mutual dependency relationship, replacement of the function modules corresponding to the function execution units, version upgrade, etc. do not affect the entire system, and the improvement of the system can be achieved. The man-hour can be reduced. Each of the devices can perform a process by selectively using a necessary function execution unit by the instruction unit. The function execution unit and the instruction unit can be operated in the same manner in different types of devices, and by using different combinations of function execution units for different devices, it is possible to change the roles of the devices. It is not necessary to fix the function for each device in advance. That is, the role of the device is not fixed to one, but can be changed in real time according to the performance and situation of each device. The devices cooperate to perform their roles according to their performances and situations, and achieve one purpose related to navigation, such as route search and information search.

It is an explanatory view showing an outline of a navigation system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the apparatus contained in the navigation system of this Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of basic processing when a control part functions as an instruction module. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic composition of the navigation system of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other structure of a navigation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other structure of a navigation system. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation|movement of the navigation system in other situations. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation|movement of the navigation system in other situations.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on the drawings showing the embodiments. The embodiments described below are mere examples, and the present invention is not limited to the following configurations.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a navigation system 100 according to the present invention. The navigation system 100 includes at least the device 1A, and further includes devices 1B and 1C capable of communicating with the device 1A as illustrated. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the device 1A is a mobile communication device called a so-called smartphone, the device 1B is one server computer forming a data center, and the device 1C is a navigation device mounted on a vehicle V. The navigation system 100 is realized by causing each of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C to execute a process based on a common navigation program 1P.

The navigation program 1P is composed of program modules including function modules 21 to 29 that operate independently and exhibit their respective functions, and an instruction module 20 that instructs each of the function modules 21 to 29 to perform an operation. .. The term “module” is used both as a meaning as a program component included in the navigation program 1P and as an object that actually operates when a computer (processor) executes each program component. The functional modules 21 to 29 are a map information module 21, a location module 22, a search module 23, a search module 24, a map drawing module 25, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System: registered trademark) module 26, a guidance module 27, a safe driving support module. 28 and a cooperation module 29. The functional modules 21 to 29 are configured to be able to exchange only with the instruction module 20. The functional modules 21 to 29 do not directly depend on the other functional modules 21 to 29. Further, the exchange between the functional modules 21 to 29 and the instruction module 20 is performed not by a method of mutually calling a function corresponding to each module but by a method of an instruction by a command, a message or the like and a response thereto.

Due to the program configuration of the navigation program 1P including the highly independent function modules 21 to 29, firstly, replacement of each function module 21 to 29, version upgrade, etc. do not affect the entire system, and the number of man-hours for improving the system is reduced. Can be reduced. Secondly, the device 1A that executes the navigation program 1P can perform processing by selectively using a required function among the function modules 21 to 29 by the instruction module 20 during operation. The device 1A does not need to have its function fixed in the system, and the functional modules 21 to 29 can be selectively used according to its performance or situation. Furthermore, the navigation program 1P is designed to be similarly executed by the different types of devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and it is not necessary to create a program for each different device separately. For example, it is not necessary to distinguish between a server program and a client program.

Therefore, since the plurality of devices 1A, 1B, 1C can perform processing based on the same navigation program 1P, their own functions are not fixed and they can be selectively used according to the performance or the situation. In a situation where the instruction modules 20 of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C can send and receive commands, messages, etc. through communication, the devices 1A, 1B, 1C mutually exchange the function module 21 according to the performance or situation. ~29 can be selectively used to perform processing and complement each other. At this time, if the communication connection between the devices 1A, 1B, 1C is possible due to the high degree of independence of the function modules 21-29, any of the instruction modules 20 of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C will give an instruction. Regardless of whether or not the physical module 21-29 performs the processing corresponding to the instruction, the physical location is not limited. The function of each of the function modules 21 to 29 will be described in detail later. That is, when the instruction module 20 of the device 1A instructs the search module 23 to search for a route, the search module of the device 1B instead of the device 1A. It is possible for 23 to perform the search.

As described above, in the navigation system 100 according to the present embodiment, the device 1A can operate independently as the minimum unit based on the navigation program 1P, and the device 1A executes the operation between the device 1B and the device 1C. Functions can be dynamically distributed to realize a linked operation. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the navigation system 100 will be described more specifically.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C included in the navigation system 100 of this embodiment. The devices 1A, 1B, and 1C included in the navigation system 100 of the present embodiment include at least a control unit 10, a temporary storage unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, as shown in FIG. The type and detailed structure of each component may be different for each of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and in FIG. 2, alphabets A, B for distinguishing the affiliation of each component to the common component code are shown for each component. , C are attached.

The control unit 10 realizes an operation based on the navigation program 1P stored in the storage unit 12. For example, the CPU of the control unit 10A of the device 1A, which is a mobile communication device, and the CPU of the control unit 10B of the device 1B, which is a server computer, use a multi-core CPU with high parallel processing capability, and the control unit 10C of the device 1C that is an in-vehicle device. Is a compact CPU with a built-in microcomputer. In any case, it is necessary to be a hardware resource capable of executing the processing based on the navigation program 1P.

The temporary storage unit 11 uses a volatile memory and temporarily stores information generated by the processing of the control unit 10. The temporary storage unit 11 may be built in the control unit 10.

The storage unit 12 is a storage using a non-volatile memory, and stores the navigation program 1P, various data referred to by the control unit 10, and data of the processing result of the control unit 10. For example, the storage unit 12 stores information indicating the performance of each device 1A, 1B, 1C and version information of each functional module 21-29. Regarding the storage unit 12, there may be differences such that the storage units 12A and 12C of the device 1A and the device 1C use a flash memory and the storage unit 12B of the device 1B uses a hard disk.

The communication unit 13 may be of any type as long as communication between devices can be realized. For example, the communication unit 13A of the device 1A, which is a mobile communication device, includes a plurality of wireless communication devices such as a base station provided by a communication carrier and short-distance wireless communication such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Includes communication module. The communication unit 13B of the device 1B, which is a server computer, corresponds to the optical network. The communication unit 13C of the in-vehicle device 1C includes a plurality of communication modules corresponding to wireless communication with a base station, short-range communication such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a reception unit for VICS. The communication unit 13 may be capable of transmitting/receiving at least common protocol data based on TCP/IP or UDP/IP.

Then, at least one of the devices 1A, 1B, and 1C has an input interface for the user to operate, and at least one outputs the map image and the route related to the navigation and the guidance voice. It is preferable to have an output interface for. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a device 1A that is a mobile communication device and a device 1C that is a vehicle-mounted navigation device include an operation unit 14 (14A, 14C) as an input interface and display as an output interface. The unit 15 (15A, 15C) and the audio output unit 16 (16A, 16C) are provided. The operation unit 14 detects a tap or the like on an operation screen including an icon or the like displayed on the display using a touch panel built in the display that functions as the display unit 15 and receives an operation input. The display unit 15 uses the above-described display with a built-in touch panel to display an operation screen related to navigation, a drawn map, a route, a guidance screen, and the like. The voice output unit 16 uses a speaker and outputs a guidance voice related to navigation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of basic processing when the control unit 10 functions as the instruction module 20. The control unit 10 selects one or a plurality of function modules 21 to 29 to be used by itself or another device (step S1). The function modules 21 to 29 to be used are activated and wait for an instruction from the instruction module 20. In step S1, the control unit 10 sequentially selects, based on the performance of the own device and the usage status of the own device, in accordance with changes during operation. The criteria for selection at this time include a situation that changes from moment to moment during operation of the device 1 (position, angle, other programs being activated, presence/absence of another device, etc.), as will be described later in a specific example. Various conditions) and what the navigation program 1P should do in that situation (search, search, guidance, etc.). Note that the purpose at that time may be the purpose that the plurality of interlocking devices 1A, 1B, 1C should achieve as a whole (functions related to navigation such as reaching the destination and providing local information). Therefore, the control unit 10 may communicate with the control unit 10 that functions as the instruction module 20 in another device to refer to the presence/absence (startup) of another device, performance, and the like to mutually select. When selecting the function modules 21 to 29 based on performance, some functions cannot be originally used in terms of hardware. The control unit 10 may exclude those functions that cannot be used from the selection targets. The selection criterion is not limited to this.

The control unit 10 gives an instruction to the selected and activated function modules 21 to 29 as needed at that time (step S2). It is not distinguished whether the target of the instruction is the functional modules 21 to 29 of the own apparatus or the functional modules 21 to 29 of the other apparatus. Further, the need at that time is a process required according to the purpose to be achieved by the plurality of devices 1A, 1B, 1C that are interlocked as described above as a whole (or the devices 1A, 1B, 1C alone). ..

The control unit 10 outputs information regarding navigation to others based on the result returned from the functional modules 21 to 29 in response to the instruction (step S3). The “other” here may be, for example, the next procedure based on the navigation program 1P, or the output interface of the own device or another device. Further, it may be another application program that cooperates with the navigation program 1P or another device outside the system.

In the navigation system 100 configured in this way, it will be described with reference to specific examples that the functional modules 21 to 29 selectively function among the devices 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the performance or the situation.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of the navigation system 100 of this embodiment. The navigation system 100 can operate with only one device 1A as a minimum unit. As a usage scene of the navigation system 100 shown in FIG. 4, the user is considering the destination and its route as a pre-stage before getting on the vehicle V. The device 1B is not included in the navigation system 100 until the communication connection is executed from the device 1A, and the device 1C which is the navigation device of the vehicle V is not operating.

In the situation shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10A of the device 1A operates as the instruction module 20A based on the instruction module 20 included in the navigation program 1P. Further, the control unit 10A is based on the function modules 21 to 29, and the control unit 10A of the device 1A has the map information module 21A, the location module 22A, the search module 23A, the search module 24A, the map drawing module 25A, the VICS module 26A, and the guidance module 27A. , The safe driving support module 28A, and the cooperation module 29A, respectively.

The map information module 21A stores map information and reads map information. Since the storage capacity of the device 1A is smaller than that of the device 1B, for example, the map information module 21A stores a map around the destination searched most recently or a frequently used map.

The location module 22A acquires the current position (self position). The location module 22A of the device 1A, which is a mobile communication device, acquires latitude and longitude information using the GPS receiver incorporated in the device 1A, and further communicates with the base station by Wi-Fi by the communication unit 13A to obtain a more detailed position. To get

The search module 23A searches for a route to the destination. It accepts origins and destinations and outputs a plurality of route candidates by referring to map information and traffic information.

The search module 24A executes a search for information. In addition to receiving search keywords such as address, name, and genre, the search result of the destination is output, and the information of the place of departure, the current location, or the route is received, and the information about the facilities located around them is output. The search module 24A in the device 1A basically requests an external search engine to perform a search process via the communication unit 13A.

The map drawing module 25A receives the map information, the route, and the current position, performs a drawing (display) process of the map and the current position and the route on the map, and outputs the drawn image data.

The VICS module 26A periodically acquires VICS information from an optical beacon, a beacon, or an FM radio wave, for example. When the device 1A includes an FM radio wave reception antenna, the VICS module 26A can acquire VICS information from the FM radio wave. If the device 1A does not have a receiving antenna, the VICS module 26A is not used.

The guidance module 27A guides the traveling direction based on the current location and route using voice and images, guides the steering wheel operation such as left turn and right turn, and calls attention such as level crossing.

The safe driving support module 28A warns the driver based on an input signal from a sensor, a camera, or the like, or provides driving support such as notifying the control system of the vehicle of information. In the device 1A, which is a portable communication device, the safe driving support module 28A is not used as indicated by the broken line.

The cooperation module 29A cooperates with a service other than the navigation system 100, such as a search engine. For example, the cooperation module 29A connects to an external service server using the communication unit 13A and outputs information based on the search keyword.

The instruction module 20A gives a command to each of the functional modules 21A to 29A, and receives the result of processing for the command. For example, the instruction module 20A first displays an operation screen on the display unit 15A, and the operation unit 14A accepts an operation on the operation screen. Then, the instruction module 20A gives an instruction command corresponding to the operation to the functional modules 21A to 29A corresponding to the received operation. Then, the instruction module 20A causes the display unit 15A to display an image based on the result of the processing output from the functional modules 21A to 29A, and causes the sound output unit 16A to output sound.

The specific situation in the example shown in FIG. 4 is a situation in which the user is trying to set the destination by using the device 1A at home before leaving the vehicle V. At this time, in the device 1A, the instruction module 20A provides the search module 24A with information such as the name of the destination accepted by the operation unit 14A, and causes the display unit 15A to output the search processing result output from the search module 24A. Further, the position information (latitude/longitude information) of the destination selected from the search processing result and the position information of the current position (location point of the device 1A) obtained from the location module 22A are given to the map information module 21A by the instruction module 20A. Then, the information of the surrounding map is obtained. The instruction module 20A gives the position information of the destination and the current location and the information of the surrounding map to the search module 23A. The search result is output from the search module 23A, and the search result output by the instruction module 20A is displayed on the display unit 15A. When a plurality of search results are output, the operation unit 14A accepts the selection. In the example of FIG. 4, the functional modules 21A, 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A actually used are shown by hatching.

At this time, the instruction module 20A may temporarily hold the information on the selected route in the storage unit 12A. Then, the instruction module 20A may display an operation screen including icons for starting guidance (guidance) on the operation screen and receiving an instruction to search for information around the route on the display unit 15A and wait.

In this way, the navigation function is exerted only by the device 1A, but the advantage of the navigation system 100 of the present embodiment is exerted more effectively when it is constituted by a plurality of devices. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the navigation system 100. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, since the device 1A can communicate with the device 1B via the communication unit 13A, the device 1B joins the navigation system 100. The device 1C, which is the navigation device of the vehicle V, is not operating.

In the situation shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10B of the device 1B operates as the instruction module 20B and the functional modules 21B to 29B, respectively. The functions of the instruction module 20B and the function modules 21B to 29B are basically the same as the operation of each module in the device 1A. However, in the case of the device 1B, the storage capacity of the storage unit 12B is larger than the others, and the processing capacity of the control unit 10B is also higher than the others. In the device 1B, the device 1B is not a moving body and has neither an input interface nor an output interface. The location module 22B, the VICS module 26B, the guidance module 27B, and the safe driving support module 28B are also included in the navigation program 1P in the device 1B. However, since the device 1B is not a moving body and has no hardware for receiving its own position, VICS information and the like, none of them is used as indicated by a broken line.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the instruction module 20B and the instruction module 20A can communicate with each other by a command, a message, or the like through a communication connection, the instruction module 20A and the instruction module 20B of the device 1A receive information about the performance of their own device. Exchange each other. For example, in the instruction modules 20A and 20B, since the map information module 21B has more detailed map information than the map information module 21A, it is better to preferentially use the map information module 21B for the map information function. to decide. The instruction modules 20A and 20B mutually exchange the judgment results, and commonly recognize the function of the map information when the map information module 21B of the device 1B is used. Similarly, the instruction modules 20A and 20B commonly use the search module 23B and the search module 24B of the device 1B because of the high processing capacity of the search and search functions and the large amount of information that can be acquired. recognize.

A specific situation in the example shown in FIG. 5 is a situation in which the user is trying to set the destination by using the device 1A at home before he/she departs from the vehicle V as in FIG. In the situation of FIG. 5, since communication with the device 1B has become possible, the functional modules 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 actually used are distributed to the devices 1A and 1B, respectively, as shown by hatching.

Note that not only the performance but also the function module 21 to 29 of which device to use may be determined according to the situation. For example, the instruction module 20A may select an appropriate map information module 21 based on the destination and route information temporarily stored in the storage unit 12A in the situation shown in FIG. For example, the instruction module 20A compares the area corresponding to the map information that can be referred to by the map information module 21A of the device 1A with the area corresponding to the map information that can be referred to by the map information module 21B of the device 1B, and selects the selected route (destination ) Is used for the map information module 21. The map information module 21A is used if the destination is in a frequently used area or the most recently used area, and if it is the first area to visit, the map of the device 1B of the data center having a large amount of information The information module 21B is used. In this case, when the operation unit 14A accepts the selection of the icon corresponding to the search in the operation screen displayed on the display unit 15A, the instruction module 20A receives a command for instructing the search including the keyword for the search or The message is given to the search module 24B via the instruction module 20B instead of the search module 24A. As described above, the devices 1A and 1B can respectively execute the search modules 24A and 24B that exhibit the same function, and similarly return the execution result. For the instruction module 20A, the module that returns the execution result of the search is the same whether the module is the device 1A or 1B. The instruction module 20A receives the search result output from the search module 24B at the communication unit 13A. , On the display unit 15.

As described above, in the navigation system 100, when a plurality of devices 1A and 1B can communicate with each other, the functions used according to the usage status of the devices 1A and 1B or the performance of each device are distributed and cooperated. Navigation is realized.

Next, when the user starts the vehicle V based on the searched route, the device 1C is added to the navigation system 100. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the navigation system 100. In the usage scene of the navigation system 100 shown in FIG. 6, the device 1C, which is the navigation device of the vehicle V, operates, and the device 1C can communicate with the device 1A and/or the device 1B by the communication unit 13C. ..

In the situation shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 10C of the device 1C operates as the instruction module 20C and the function modules 21C to 29C, respectively. The functions of the instruction module 20C and the function modules 21C to 29C are basically the same as the operation of each module in the devices 1A and 1B. However, in the case of the device 1C, since it is an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle V, basically, all the functional modules 21C to 29C including the safe driving support module 28C can be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the engine or the motor is started to start traveling of the vehicle V and the device 1C is activated, the instruction module 20C starts operating, and the instruction modules 20A and 20B of the devices 1A and 1B and commands, messages, etc. Can be exchanged by. The instruction modules 20A, 20B, 20C mutually exchange information regarding the performance of their own devices.

Each of the devices 1A and 1C includes an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, and a voice output unit 16. The instruction modules 20A and 20C determine which of the operation unit 14, the display unit 15, and the voice output unit 16 is used. At this time, the user can select which input/output interface of the device 1A or the device 1C is to be used on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 15A of the device 1A. As a result, the instruction modules 20A and 20C can commonly recognize which of the input/output interfaces of the device 1A and the device 1C is used. The operation unit 14A of the device 1A and the display unit 15C of the device 1C may be used, or vice versa.

When it is determined that the device 1A is not used as the input/output interface, the instruction modules 20A and 20C commonly recognize that the operation unit 14C, the display unit 15C, and the voice output unit 16C are used as the input/output interfaces. Then, for example, the instruction modules 20A and 20C commonly recognize that the location and guidance functions use the location module 22C and the guidance module 27C of the device 1C in accordance with the situation where the input/output interface of the device 1C is used. Further, the instruction modules 20A, 20B, and 20C recognize that the VICS function uses the VICS module 26C of the device 1C including the antenna that receives the beacon radio wave, and does not use the VICS module 26A that has been used until then. In this way, among the instruction modules 20A, 20B, and 20C, which of the functional modules 21 to 29 of the equipment is to be used is dynamically determined based on the user's selection, the performance of the equipment, the situation, and the function to be performed, and the cooperation is performed. To present and guide the route while driving.

Other functions, for example, as described above, the map information module 21 may be a module in a device that can acquire appropriate information among the devices 1A, 1B, and 1C. As for the map drawing module 25, the cooperation module 29, etc., the instruction modules 20A, 20B are used so that the modules in the equipment having the processing load or the communication load in the equipment 1A, 1B, 1C are used as needed. , 20C.

In the situation shown in FIG. 6, the instruction module 20C starts operating as described above, and the instruction modules 20A and 20C commonly recognize that the location module 22C and the guidance module 27C of the device 1C are used. Therefore, the instruction module 20A sends the information of the set (selected) destination and route stored in the storage unit 12A to the instruction module 20C. As a result, the user does not need to reset the destination and its route once set in the device 1A using the navigation device of the device 1C. The instruction module 20A may automatically transmit the information on the destination and its route to the device 1C to be shared when the communication connection with the device 1C is detected.

As described above, in the navigation system 100, when a plurality of devices 1A, 1B, 1C become communicable, they are used according to the performance (hardware) of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C, the load, or the user's selection. The functions to be distributed are distributed and cooperate to achieve the purpose of navigation.

Similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, even when the navigation system 100 is configured by the devices 1A, 1B, 1C, the navigation system 100 may have a fixed performance of each device 1A, 1B, 1C, depending on the purpose of navigation. The functional modules 21 to 29 used in the devices 1A, 1B and 1C change in real time. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the navigation system 100 in another situation. The specific situation in the example shown in FIG. 7 is that the driver or another occupant performs an operation for instructing the search of information near the destination or the search of another route by the operation unit 14C (note that the microphone is The situation is shown below.

The instruction module 20C of the device 1C that has received the operation uses its own search module 23C or the other instruction modules 20A and 20B, the communication environment at that time (good/bad connection state), the control unit. The judgment is made in consideration of the load of 10. The instruction module 20C selects which device to use the search module 23 in consideration of the determination results of the other instruction modules 20A and 20B, and recognizes in common. For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 7, the current location is close to the destination, the map information around the destination is the easiest to refer to by the device 1B, has a large amount of information, and has a low processing load. Is selected. At this time, the instruction module 20C determines that direct communication connection with the device 1B is unstable, and communicates with the device 1B via the instruction module 20A of the device 1A, that is, the command of the search instruction is an instruction. It is given from the module 20C to the instruction module 20B via the instruction module 20A.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, as compared with the functional modules 21 to 29 shown in FIG. 6, the search module 23B and the map information module 21B of the device 1B being used are displayed by hatching, and the map modules 23A and C are displayed. Is not used. As described above, in the navigation system 100 of the present embodiment, the roles of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C can be dynamically changed according to the user's operation, that is, the purpose generated by the operation.

When the instruction module 20A, 20B, 20C receives an instruction to search for a route by the operation unit 14C of the device 1C, the instruction module 20A, 20B, 20C stores the device in the device 1A or the device 1B, and further in a fourth device (home personal computer) not shown. It may be possible to refer to the history of searches performed. Note that the history of the searched route may be stored in the external cloud server in association with the user identification information by the cooperation module 29C or 29A, and the route history may be referred from the cloud server.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the navigation system 100 in another situation. In the situation shown in FIG. 8, the user parks the vehicle V in the parking lot and walks to the destination using the device 1A. In the situation shown in FIG. 8, the device 1C is inactive because the vehicle V is parked as shown in the figure, and is not included in the navigation system 100. As a result, the input/output interfaces of the devices 1C to 1A are used. When the instruction module 20A is notified of the transition from the instruction module 20C of the device 1C to the hibernation state, the instruction module 20A can determine that the input/output interface of the own apparatus is used. At this time, the guidance module 27A of the device 1A is selected and used according to the purpose of guiding the route as shown in FIG. Then, since it is a map around the destination, the map information module 21B of the device 1B having a large amount of information and the map drawing module 25B based on it are selected and used.

In this way, the navigation system 100 is not only operated by the user, but also the status of the devices 1A, 1B, 1C that make up the system 100, the positional relationship of the current location on the route being guided, the change in the communication environment, and the VICS module 26C. The roles of the devices 1A, 1B, and 1C can be dynamically changed according to various situations such as received traffic information. Moreover, even if the functional modules 21 to 29 used according to the change of the situation change among the devices 1A, 1B, 1C, the user does not recognize. Further, the device 1A and the device 1C having the input/output interface can be seamlessly used to achieve one purpose of guiding to the destination, and the convenience of the user is significantly improved.

Note that any device other than the devices 1A, 1B, and 1C can participate in the navigation system 100 as long as the device executes the navigation program 1P in the present embodiment. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, only the devices 1A and 1C related to the same user or the vehicle V and the device 1B that is the server computer of the data center are configured to cooperate with each other. However, the navigation device of another vehicle traveling in the opposite lane with respect to the vehicle V or another vehicle traveling in the same direction may be incorporated in the navigation system 100 so as to cooperate with each other. For example, using route information (congestion prediction based on the number of vehicles heading in the same direction), traffic information (congestion status of a destination), etc. held in the instruction module 20 operating in the navigation device of another vehicle, It is also possible to realize more efficient route search and the like. Further, the navigation device of another vehicle existing around the destination or the portable communication device may be included in the cooperation. For example, based on the information that can be acquired by the instruction module 20 of the device existing in the destination, more appropriate route search, such as predicting the congestion situation of the destination parking lot and the surrounding parking lot, It is possible to realize more accurate search with high guidance and real-time property, and further improve the satisfaction of the navigation service.

In addition, not only the navigation device and the mobile communication device, but also various devices including a non-moving device, such as a personal computer installed in a store, execute processing based on the navigation program 1P in the present embodiment. The navigation system 100 may be configured. By exchanging between the instruction modules 20 of various devices, it is possible to improve the navigation service by automatically selecting an appropriate route based on traffic information, fuel consumption setting, and the like.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above meaning but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1A, 1B, 1C Equipment 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Control Unit 1P Navigation Program (Computer Program)
12, 12A, 12B, 12C storage unit 13, 13A, 13B, 13C communication unit 20, 20A, 20B, 20C instruction module (instruction unit)
21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29 Function module (function execution unit)

Claims (7)

A plurality of function execution units that are divided into different functions for navigation, perform a process according to the function for each given instruction, and return a result;
One instruction unit for giving an instruction to the plurality of function execution units and receiving a result of processing returned in response to the instruction,
The instruction unit of the device gives an instruction to one or more of the plurality of function execution units according to a procedure according to the purpose of performing navigation, and the navigation based on the result of the process returned for the instruction. A navigation system characterized by outputting information related to. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the instructing unit selects one or a plurality of function executing units to be used from the plurality of function executing units in advance for the purpose to be performed. Including two or more of the above devices,
At least two arbitrary devices among the plurality of devices are provided with at least one function execution unit related to the same function,
The instruction unit of one of the two devices is selected to use the function execution unit, and the instruction unit of the other device is not selected because the function execution unit is not used. The navigation system according to claim 2. The instruction unit of each of the plurality of devices gives an instruction to the function execution unit of the selected self-device, or gives an instruction to the function execution unit of the selected other device via a communication medium. The navigation system according to claim 3. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the device executes selection from the plurality of function execution units at arbitrary timing during operation. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the function execution unit and the instruction unit input/output the result of the instruction and the processing by a command or a message. A plurality of functional modules that divide the computer into different functions with respect to the navigation, perform a process according to the given instruction with respect to a given instruction, and cause the computer to respectively function as a plurality of function execution units;
And one instruction module that causes the computer to give an instruction to the function executing unit when functioning as the plurality of function executing units, and to cause the computer to function as an instruction unit that receives a result of processing returned in response to the instruction.
The instruction module is
In the computer that functions as the instruction unit,
Giving a command to any one or more of the plurality of function executing units according to a procedure according to the purpose of performing navigation,
A step of outputting information regarding navigation based on a result of the processing returned in response to the instruction, the computer program being further executed.

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