JP4182490B2 - Vehicle navigation device and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus and a storage medium for setting a destination and performing route guidance.

  In a conventional navigation device, data of a registered point stored in a storage device stores an address, a name of a property such as a store, a facility, a phone number, a zip code, etc. together with the coordinates of the point. . Therefore, when searching for a destination or a passing point, it is possible to perform a search by inputting an address, inputting 50 sounds, inputting a telephone number, or inputting a postal code. In the search by address input, if you enter systematically from the top, such as prefecture name, city name, letter, address, etc., the input point will be displayed on the map. When you enter a reading, the location you entered is displayed on the map. When you enter a phone number, when you enter the phone number of the location you want to search, a map containing the location corresponding to the entered phone number is displayed. When the postal code of the point to be searched is input, a map of the area of the postal code of the input point is displayed, and route guidance is performed by setting each displayed point as a destination or passing point.

  By the way, in the search by address input, it is necessary to input the names of all stages systematically from the top, so it is necessary to memorize all the names from the prefecture name to the city block, and there is a problem in operability there were. In addition, the search by inputting 50 sounds can search only the location of a property such as a store or facility in which the reading is registered, and the range that can be searched by inputting 50 sounds is limited. In this respect, the telephone number input and the postal code input are relatively easy to operate, but the point where the core is necessary is not necessarily searched. In that case, you can display the surrounding map around the representative point and search for the desired point by operating the cursor on the map, but if you know the address of the point you want to search, It is easier and more reliable to detect points from addresses, not from maps. However, as described above, the address search has a hierarchical structure, and systematic input from the upper level is required, and the operation is complicated.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can improve the operability of an input operation for setting a destination and can accurately set a desired point.

The present invention is a storage means for storing address data hierarchized by area, a telephone number input mode for inputting a telephone number, an address input mode for inputting an address using the hierarchical address data, The input mode switching means for switching between the telephone number input mode and the address input mode, and the input point is searched based on the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode or based on the address data input in the address input mode. A location search means, wherein the storage means stores an address code associated with the address data, and the location search means obtains an address code corresponding to the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode. The input mode switching means switches the telephone number input mode when the telephone number input mode is switched to the address input mode. And controlling to allow the address input in the hierarchy of address data corresponding to the acquired address code.
The present invention also includes a storage means for storing address data hierarchized by area, a postal code input mode for inputting a postal code, and an address input mode for inputting an address using the hierarchical address data. The input mode switching means for switching between the zip code input mode and the address input mode, and the input point based on the zip code input in the zip code input mode or the address data input in the address input mode. A location search means for searching, wherein the storage means stores an address code associated with the address data, and the location search means is an address code corresponding to the postal code entered in the postal code input mode. When the input mode switching means is switched from the zip code input mode to the address input mode, the zip code input And controlling to allow the address input from the hierarchy of address data corresponding to the address code obtained by mode.
The present invention also provides storage means for storing address data hierarchized by area, an address code associated with the address data, a telephone number input mode for inputting a telephone number, and the hierarchical address data. Address input mode for inputting an address using the input number, input mode switching means for switching between the telephone number input mode and the address input mode, based on the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode, or input in the address input mode An address corresponding to the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode in a storage medium storing a program for controlling a vehicle navigation device having a point search means for searching for an input point based on the received address data Step to get the code, when switching from phone number entry mode to address entry mode, Wherein the computer-readable storage medium storing a program having a step of controlling so as to enable the address input from the hierarchy of address data corresponding to the address code obtained by the telephone number input mode.
The present invention also provides storage means for storing address data hierarchized by area, an address code associated with the address data, a postal code input mode for inputting a postal code, and the hierarchical address data Address input mode for inputting an address using the input code, input mode switching means for switching between the postal code input mode and the address input mode, and based on the postal code input in the postal code input mode or input in the address input mode An address corresponding to the postal code input in the postal code input mode in a storage medium storing a program for controlling a vehicle navigation device having a point search means for searching for an input point based on the received address data Step to get the code, when switching from postal code input mode to address input mode, Wherein the computer-readable storage medium storing a program having the step of controlling the hierarchy of address data to allow the address input corresponding to the address code obtained by zip code input mode.

  According to the present invention, the search is performed in one input mode, and the search process is switched to another appropriate input mode as necessary. Operability and search reliability can be improved. For example, input modes such as telephone number input and postal code input are easy to operate, so search is first performed in these modes. If the attribute to be searched is an address, the input mode is switched to the address input mode. Thus, even when the name of the address is not known at all, it can be known by a search in another input mode, so that the operability of address input can be greatly improved. Also, names that are recognized as address names, such as Owari, Mikawa, Ochanomizu, Suidobashi, are actually common names and may not be address names. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the clue from the attribute and the detailed information by inputting the telephone number and the postal code, and similarly switch to the address input mode and search if the address information is obtained. It is. In addition, in the conventional telephone number input and postal code input, the point where the core is necessary is not always searched, but in the present invention, the input mode can be switched to search, so that the certainty of the search is improved. Can do.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a vehicle navigation apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle navigation device includes an input / output device 1 that inputs and outputs information related to route guidance, a current position detection device 2 that detects information related to the current position of the host vehicle, and a navigation device necessary for calculating a route. Information storage device 3 in which data and display / voice guidance data necessary for route guidance and programs (applications and / or OSs) are recorded, and display / voice guidance processing necessary for route search processing and route guidance are performed. The central processing unit 4 controls the entire system. First, each configuration will be described.

  The input / output device 1 instructs the central processing device 4 to perform navigation processing according to the driver's intention so that the destination can be input or the driver can output guidance information by voice and / or screen when necessary. It has a function to print out the processed data. As means for realizing the function, the input unit includes a touch switch 11 and an operation switch for inputting a destination by a telephone number or coordinates on a map, or requesting route guidance. Of course, an input device such as a remote controller may be used. Further, the output unit displays the input data on the screen, or automatically displays the route guidance on the screen in response to the driver's request, and is stored in the data processed by the central processing unit 4 or the information storage device 3. A printer 13 for printing out the data and a speaker 16 for outputting the route guidance by voice.

  Here, a voice recognition device for enabling voice input and a recording card reading device for reading data recorded on an IC card or a magnetic card may be added. In addition, an information center that accumulates data necessary for navigation and provides information via a communication line at the request of the driver, an electronic notebook that stores driver-specific data such as map data and destination data in advance, etc. It is also possible to add a data communication device for exchanging data with other information sources.

  The display 12 is composed of a color CRT or a color liquid crystal display, and all screens necessary for navigation such as a route setting screen, a section diagram screen, and an intersection diagram screen based on map data and guide data processed by the central processing unit 4 are displayed. Are displayed in color and a button for setting route guidance, guidance during route guidance, and a screen switching operation is displayed on this screen. In particular, passing intersection information such as passing intersection names is displayed in color in a pop-up on the section diagram screen as needed.

  The display 12 is provided in an instrument panel in the vicinity of the driver's seat, and the driver can check the current location of the host vehicle by looking at the section diagram, and can obtain information on the future route. The display 12 is provided with a touch switch 11 corresponding to the display of the function buttons, and is configured to execute the above operation based on a signal input by touching the button. The input signal generating means including the button and the touch switch constitutes an input unit, but detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The current position detection device 2 is a device that detects or receives information related to the current position of the vehicle, and includes an absolute direction sensor 24 composed of a geomagnetic sensor, a relative direction sensor 25 composed of a steering sensor, a gyro, and the like, wheels A distance sensor 26 for detecting a travel distance from the number of rotations of the vehicle, a GPS receiver 21 using a sanitary navigation system (GPS), and a VICS receiver 22 or a data transmitter / receiver 23 as traffic information acquisition means. The device 22 receives road traffic information by FM multiplexing, radio wave beacons, and optical beacons. The data transmitting / receiving device 23 is, for example, a mobile phone or a personal computer, and is connected to a traffic information center (for example, ATIS) according to a user's request. It exchanges information necessary for navigation.

  The information storage device 3 is an external storage device that stores navigation programs and data, and is composed of, for example, a CD-ROM. The program includes a program for performing processing such as route search, a processing program shown in the flowchart described in this embodiment, a display output control necessary for route guidance, a program for performing voice output control necessary for voice guidance, and Necessary data and display information data necessary for route guidance and map display are stored. The data consists of files such as map data, search data, guidance data, map matching data, destination data, registration point data, search data for inputting 50 sounds, and all data necessary for the navigation device is stored. ing. Note that the present invention can also be applied to a type in which only data is stored in the CD-ROM and the program is stored in the central processing unit.

  The central processing unit 4 includes a CPU 40 that executes various arithmetic processes, a flash memory 41 that reads and stores a program from a CD-ROM of the information storage device 3, a program that performs program checking and update processing for the flash memory 41 (program reading means) ), The coordinates of the set destination point, and the road name code No. Based on the display output control signal from the RAM 43, the image memory 44 storing image data used for the screen display on the display, the RAM 43 for temporarily storing the searched route guidance information and the data being processed, etc. An image processor 45 that extracts image data from the image memory 44, performs image processing and outputs the image data to a display, a voice read from the information storage device 3 based on a voice output control signal from the CPU, a phrase, a single sentence, A voice processor 46 that synthesizes sound and the like, converts it to an analog signal and outputs it to the speaker 16, a communication interface 47 for exchanging input / output data by communication, and a sensor input interface 48 for taking in a sensor signal of the current position detection device 2 A clock 49 for entering the date and time in the internal diagnosis information It is equipped with a. Here, the route guidance is performed by screen display and voice output, and the driver can select whether or not to output voice.

Note that a program for performing the above-described update processing may be stored in an external storage device.
All of the programs of this embodiment and other programs for executing navigation may be stored in a CD-ROM which is an external storage medium, or a part or all of these programs may be stored in the ROM 42 on the main body side. Good.

  Various navigation functions are realized by inputting data and programs stored in the external storage medium as external signals to the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus main body and performing arithmetic processing.

  As described above, this navigation apparatus has a relatively large capacity flash memory 41 for reading a program from a CD-ROM of an external storage device, and a small capacity storing a program (program reading means) for starting up a CD. A ROM 42 is incorporated. The flash memory 41 is a non-volatile storage unit that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. Then, as a CD start-up process, a program in the ROM 42 as a program reading means is activated and the program stored in the flash memory 41 is checked, and the CD-ROM disc management information and the like of the information storage device 3 are read. The program loading process (update process) is performed based on this information and the state of the flash memory 41.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of main data files stored in the CD-ROM 3 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 (A) shows a guide road data file in which data necessary for route calculation by route calculation means is stored, and for each number of roads n, road number, length, road It consists of attribute data, shape data address, size, guidance data address, and size data. The road number is set for each direction (outbound path, return path) for each road between branch points. As shown in FIG. 2B, the shape data has coordinate data including east longitude and north latitude for each of the number of nodes m when each road is divided into a plurality of nodes (nodes).

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the guidance data includes intersection (or branch point) name, caution point data, road name data, road name data address, size and destination data address, and size data. .

  As shown in FIG. 2 (D), the destination data includes a destination road number, a destination name, an address of destination name voice data, a size and destination direction data, and travel guidance data. The destination name includes a direction name. In addition, destination direction data is invalid (does not use destination direction data), unnecessary (no guidance), straight ahead, right direction, diagonal right direction, right return direction, left direction, diagonal left direction, left return direction It is data indicating information.

Next, the navigation process will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the entire system.
The CPU 40 of the central processing unit 4 reads the program from the information storage device 3 and starts the route guidance program. A destination is set using a target name such as a place name or a facility name, a telephone number or an address, a registration point, a road name, etc. (step S1), and then the current position is detected by the current position detection device 2 and the current position A map of the surrounding area is displayed centering on the name, the name of the current position is displayed (step S2), and a route search from the current position to the destination is performed (step S3). When the route is determined, the route guidance / display is repeated until the destination is reached while tracking the current position by the current position detection device 2 (step S4). If there is an input for setting a detour before arriving at the destination, a search area is set and re-search is performed in the search area, and route guidance is repeated until the destination is reached in the same manner.

  Next, address input will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an address data structure.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the address data is structured hierarchically and in a tree shape, such as Aichi Prefecture-Anjo City-Fujiimachi-Takane ..., Aomori Prefecture-Aomori City-Aoba ... As shown in 4 (b), it is stored in the storage device in the form of prefecture name, municipality name, large name, small name, block number, child number, etc. It is attached. And, it is possible to search for an address of a point by inputting all names in order from the top, such as prefectures, cities (districts), towns (villages), characters, and addresses.

  FIG. 5 shows a menu screen for setting a destination, in which each mode of a telephone number, an address, 50 sounds, a facility name, and a registration point is displayed as a setting mode. Here, when the address mode is selected, a list of prefecture names and major city names is displayed in alphabetical order as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and according to the selection, “Nagoya City” and “ It displays in order of city, ward, town, and chome in the order of “ku”, “sakae” → “1chome”. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a peripheral map centering on the finally selected address is displayed on the screen, and input is performed by confirming the position of the screen and performing a setting operation.

  Next, a description will be given of 50 sound input.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a registration point data structure.

  The registration point data stores coordinates of the registration point, registration point name data, registration point address, road number facing the registration point, and the like. The registered location name data stores the reading of the registered location so that it can be input with 50 sounds, and those that display kanji or katakana as the registered location list at the time of search store the kanji or katakana reading. ing. In addition, the registered location address data stores the location of the registered location in a regional hierarchy such as prefecture, city, town.

  Next, description will be given of 50-sound input (name reading or name-based character string input). When “50 sounds” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 5, the screen changes to the 50-sound input screen and a name reading is input. Transition to.

  FIG. 10 shows a 50-sound input screen. When the first character “fu” and the second character “ji” of the target name are entered, the following characters and numbers are shaded “i, u, It is displayed that it is limited to “ki, ko, sa, so, te, na, ho, yo, ri, wa”. At the same time, the number of remaining lists is displayed as 1950, and when “LIST” is pressed on the screen, all registered names with “Fuji” from the first two characters are listed up and shaded in the figure. If it is selected and input by key operation, remote control operation, etc., assuming that “Fujinsatsu” is the target name, a map of this area is displayed. In addition, it can also return like a map display screen-> list-up display screen-> character input screen by key operation. In addition, if it is difficult to find the target name on the list display screen because the number of remaining lists is large, the number of remaining lists will decrease if the number of input characters is further increased. When there are fewer numbers, you can display a list and select a target name. When characters are input until the number of remaining lists becomes one, the remaining names are selected or input automatically or by key operation, and the surrounding map is displayed. Note that character input is not only performed from the touch panel of the input screen, but may be input by voice when a voice input device is added.

  Next, creation of a name list that enables a search with a non-official name will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 11, the name of the destination data is divided into words, and it is checked whether or not the divided name includes a place name, a person name, and a classification name (school, city hall, station, park, hotel, etc.). . For example, if it is known that the place names include Tokyo and Ryogoku, the place names are divided as follows: Tokyo Disneyland: Tokyo / Disneyland Ryogoku Kokugikan: Ryogoku / Kokugikan . Next, assuming that search is possible from the beginning of each of the divided words, all name lists in which the order of the words is changed are created. For example,
Tokyo Disneyland Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland Ryogoku Kokugikan Ryogoku Kokugikan
A plurality of readings are registered with respect to one official name as in the case of a short name, and the list of names is stored in a CD-ROM. When a plurality of readings for one official name are stored in the CD-ROM, they are sorted in the reading order. An example of the name list stored in the CD-ROM in this way is shown in FIG.

  As can be seen from FIG. 12, two readings “Ryogoku Kokugikan” and “Kokugikan Ryoku” are registered for the official name “Ryogoku Kokugikan”, and for the official name “Tokyo Disneyland”. Because there are two readings “TOKYO DAIZANDO RANDO” and “DIYZI RANDO TOKYO” registered, such as “Kokugikan Ryogoku” and “Dizuni Lando TOKYO” You can search for "Ryogoku Kokugikan" and "Tokyo Disneyland" even if you enter the reading with a non-official name. Further, since a plurality of readings are stored in the reading order in the CD-ROM, it is possible to perform a search with a forward match at a high speed. In addition, when displaying the remaining number at the time of input, it displays by the number registered in the name list. In addition, readings in the list are registered excluding cloud points. For example, by identifying “ga” and “ka”, it is possible to reduce the number of input characters and the number of selected characters by the user.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a tree-like data structure when a target name is searched from a name list by forward matching comparison.

  In FIG. 13, for convenience, the name of the first character “Mi” is “Mikasa Kaikan”, “Mikawa Akane Hotel”, “Mikawa Sakai Shokai”, “Mikawa Asahi Shoten”, “Mikan Sales Office”, “Mita Printing”, “ Assume that only Mitaka station. Here, if the target name is “Mikawa Akane Hotel” and “Mi” is entered, the number of remaining lists is displayed as “7”, and the following characters may be “ka” and “ta”. Is displayed. Next, when “Mika” is entered, the number of remaining lists is displayed as “5”, and the subsequent characters are displayed as “sa”, “wa”, and “n”. If “Mikawa” is further entered, the number of remaining lists is displayed as “3”, and the next character is displayed as “A”. At this point, if you press “LIST” on the screen, all registered names “Mikawa Akane Hotel”, “Mikawa Akane Hotel”, “Mikawa Asahi Shokai” and “Mikawa Asahi Shoten” will be displayed. Looking at this, you may select “Mikawa Akane Hotel”. If “Mikawa” is further entered, the number of remaining lists is displayed as “3”, and the following characters are displayed as “ka”, “ke”, and “sa”. Furthermore, when “Mikakawa” is entered, the number of remaining lists is displayed as “1”, and the remaining names are selected or entered automatically or by key operation, and the surrounding map is displayed. Thus, the registration point data input is completed without inputting all the characters.

  FIG. 14 shows the remaining list number display process in character input. When a character is input on the input screen, a search process for the number of remaining lists is performed each time a character is input, and when the number of lists is greater than 1, the number of remaining lists is displayed on the screen. Then, it is determined whether or not the list display key has been operated, and it is determined whether to perform list display processing or to continue input processing. If the list display key is not operated, input processing is performed. If the list display key is operated, the list display is instructed to display all applicable names, and the target name is searched for and selected from this list display key. Then, a map around the selected point is displayed. When the number of lists becomes one, a map around the selected point is displayed automatically or by key operation.

  FIG. 15 shows the remaining list number search processing by forward matching comparison.

  When there is a 50-sound input, the name list is searched, and the entered reading and the name list name are forward-matched. If there is a forward match, the number of lists (L) is increased by 1, and this process is performed for all data. Until the search for all data is completed, and the number of lists is output.

  Next, a search method in which other input methods such as 50-sound input and address input are linked will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of point search data.

  The search data includes a data size for each position, the name of the point, the position where the point exists, a telephone number corresponding to the point, a zip code, the attribute of the point, and detailed information regarding the point. The name data is used for searching with information input in the 50-sound input mode or when displaying a list. The name data is a property name such as a company name, a store name, or a facility name, a city, a village, or a place name. Stores names and other names. The east longitude north latitude coordinate is used to search for information input in the coordinate input mode or to display a fixed point together with a map. The telephone number data is used to search for information input in the telephone number input mode. The zip code data is used to search for information entered in the zip code input mode. The attribute data is data indicating what kind of facility the corresponding point is. For example, it is configured as 1: property, 2: address, 3: information guidance as attributes. The detailed information is information regarding the corresponding point, and for example, advanced search is possible by storing an address code, an information guide code, a genre code, landmark information, and the like. An example of search data will be explained. For example, if “Fujii-machi” is registered, the coordinates of the representative point such as the position indicating the center of Fujii-cho are used for the latitude and longitude coordinates, and the telephone number is Fujii-machi. The postal code of the area that includes Fujii-cho in the area code and postal code indicating 2: The address is 2: Address, and as detailed information, the address code stores the codes created in the prefectures and municipalities that indicate Fujii-cho By doing so, various searches can be supported. In addition, in the case of a place name such as “Ochanomizu”, an Info code is stored, and an information guidance input mode can be accessed.

  It is also possible to narrow down the number of cases that are targeted by a plurality of search conditions. For example, when there are a plurality of cases searched based on 50-sound input, the number of cases may be narrowed down by specifying a genre and an address for the search result. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when “Fuji” is entered, the number of remaining lists is 1950, and it is very difficult to find a desired facility from the list. Therefore, if you know that the desired facility is in “Aichi Prefecture”, you can specify the address and output only the locations with “Fuji” in “Aichi Prefecture”, reducing the number of remaining lists. Can do. In this case, the search means sets an address code indicating “Aichi Prefecture” input as the search condition, and compares it with the address code data of the detailed information in the search data of FIG. Only those with codes can be searched. Also, if you know that the genre of the desired facility is “Udonya”, by specifying the genre, only “Udonya” with “Fuji” will be output, so narrow the number of remaining cases. Can do. In this case, the search means sets the genre code corresponding to “Udon shop” input as the search condition, and compares it with the genre code data of the detailed information in the search data of FIG. 16 to correspond to the udon shop. Only those having a genre code can be searched. Furthermore, if both the address and the genre are specified, the number of remaining cases can be narrowed down and it becomes easy to select from the list.

  Next, the search processing flow will be described with reference to FIG. 17. Since the search data shown in FIG. 16 has attributes and detailed information, the search data shown in FIG. When one is selected (step S11), the attribute is searched (step S12), it is determined whether the attribute is a property (step S13), and if the attribute is a property, the map is the same as described with reference to FIG. Display is performed (step S14). If the displayed map is not the target location, the screen is returned, another one is selected from the list on the input screen, and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the attribute is not a property in step S13, it is determined whether or not the attribute is an address (step S15). If the attribute is an address, the input mode is automatically switched from 50-sound input to address input (step S16). The address code is acquired from the detailed information (step S17), the address data is searched from the address code (step S18), the address is input (step S19), and the map is displayed. Note that the address reading data searched with 50-sound input may have several identical town names throughout the country, such as “Ikeda Town”. Therefore, the official name data of the address in FIG. 12 is also registered with the higher-level address names such as Ikedacho (Miyoshi-gun, Tokushima Prefecture), Ikeda-cho (Imadate-gun, Fukui-ken), Ikeda-cho (Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido). Keep it. Therefore, if you do not know how many counties or counties Ikeda-cho is officially, but if you do not know how many counties or counties, enter “Ikeda-cho” with a 50-sound input. Will be displayed, so you can select the target Ikeda Town. If the attribute is not an address, for example, in the case of information guidance, genre, and landmark information, the input is similarly switched to each input mode and input is started. If the attribute is not an address, and the address code is obtained from information guidance, genre, and landmark information data, the input mode may be returned to address input to search for address data.

  As a second embodiment, a link between an input mode by telephone number and an input mode by address will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the user inputs a telephone number of a point to be searched (step S21). The system detects a point based on the input telephone number (step S22), determines whether there is a corresponding point (step S23), and if there is a point corresponding to the input telephone number. Then, a map including the point is displayed (step S24). However, if there is no point where the input telephone number is implicated, the area including the telephone number input from the area code or the local area code of the input telephone number is searched and determined (step S25). An address code for contacting the area is acquired (step S26). Next, the system searches the address data from the address code (step S27), searches the hierarchy of the address input mode, and switches the input mode in the state where the searched area has been input (step S28). The user can input an address from the middle of the hierarchy (step S29). When the address input is confirmed, a map around the point is displayed. Therefore, the user can easily search for a desired point by inputting an address. For example, if a user tries to search for a friend's home, 03-3333-0000, but cannot find a location that hits the nucleus, the search means of this system searches for an area at 03-3333. Next, the search means determines an area (bunch Kyoto Suginami Ward) including 03-3333, and acquires an address code of Suginami Ward, Tokyo. Next, the input mode switching means of the system selects an input mode. Is switched from the telephone number input mode to the address input mode, and the process proceeds to the state where the address code is input to Suginami-ku, Tokyo, and waits in a state where the address can be continued manually. Therefore, the user can easily search for a desired point simply by inputting the remaining address after Suginami-ku, Tokyo. The search for the area is performed by inputting all 10 digits of the telephone number. However, a search switch may be provided to search the telephone number in the middle of human power. For example, the search may be made with 03 or may be made with 03-3333. In addition, instead of the telephone number input mode, an input mode in which a zip code can be input may be provided so that the area is determined based on the input zip code and the input mode is switched.

  According to the present invention, the operability of input and the certainty of search can be improved, so the industrial applicability is extremely large.

It is a figure showing one example of a navigation device for vehicles. It is a figure which shows a road data file. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the whole system. It is a figure which shows an address data structure. It is a figure explaining the example of a data structure. It is a figure which shows the transition screen from a menu screen. It is a figure which shows a screen transition. It is a figure which shows a setting screen. It is a figure which shows registration point data. It is a figure which shows the list display with the reading of "Fuji". It is a figure explaining the search process by word division. It is a figure which shows a name list. It is a figure which shows a tree-like data structure. It is a figure which shows a remaining list number display process. It is a figure which shows the search process of the number of remaining lists. It is a figure which shows the structure of search data. It is a figure explaining the processing flow by 50 sound input and address input. It is a figure explaining the processing flow by telephone number input and address input.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input / output device, 2 ... Current position detection device, 3 ... Information storage device, 4 ... Central processing unit, 11 ... Touch switch, 12 ... Display, 13 ... Printer, 16 ... Speaker, 21 ... GPS receiver, 22 ... Beacon receiving device, 23 ... Data transmitting / receiving device, 40 ... CPU, 41 ... Flash memory, 42 ... ROM, 43 ... RAM, 44 ... Image memory, 45 ... Image processor, 46 ... Audio processor, 47 ... Communication interface, 48 ... Sensor input interface, 49 ... clock.

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing address data hierarchized by area;
Phone number entry mode for entering phone numbers,
An address input mode for inputting an address using the hierarchical address data;
Input mode switching means for switching between the telephone number input mode and the address input mode;
A point search means for searching for an input point based on a telephone number input in the telephone number input mode or based on address data input in the address input mode;
The storage means stores an address code associated with the address data,
The point search means obtains an address code corresponding to the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode,
The input mode switching means controls so that an address can be input from a hierarchy of address data corresponding to an address code acquired in the telephone number input mode when the telephone number input mode is switched to the address input mode. A vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by the above. Storage means for storing address data hierarchized by area;
Postcode input mode to enter the postal code,
An address input mode for inputting an address using the hierarchical address data;
Input mode switching means for switching between the zip code input mode and the address input mode;
A point search means for searching for an input point based on the postal code input in the postal code input mode or based on the address data input in the address input mode;
The storage means stores an address code associated with the address data,
The point search means acquires an address code corresponding to the zip code input in the zip code input mode,
The input mode switching means performs control so that an address can be input from a hierarchy of address data corresponding to the address code acquired in the postal code input mode when the postal code input mode is switched to the address input mode. A vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by the above. Address data hierarchized by area, storage means for storing an address code associated with the address data, telephone number input mode for inputting a telephone number, and address input using the hierarchical address data Address input mode to be performed, input mode switching means for switching the telephone number input mode and the address input mode, based on the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode, or based on the address data input in the address input mode, In a storage medium storing a program for controlling a vehicle navigation device including a point search means for searching for an input point,
Obtaining an address code corresponding to the telephone number input in the telephone number input mode;
A step of controlling so that address input can be performed from the hierarchy of address data corresponding to the address code acquired in the telephone number input mode when the telephone number input mode is switched to the address input mode;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program having Address data hierarchized by area, storage means for storing an address code associated with the address data, postal code input mode for inputting a postal code, and address input using the hierarchical address data Address input mode to be performed, input mode switching means for switching between the zip code input mode and the address input mode, based on the zip code input in the zip code input mode, or based on the address data input in the address input mode, In a storage medium storing a program for controlling a vehicle navigation device including a point search means for searching for an input point,
Obtaining an address code corresponding to the postal code entered in the postal code entry mode;
A step of controlling so that an address can be input from a hierarchy of address data corresponding to the address code acquired in the postal code input mode when the postal code input mode is switched to the address input mode;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program having

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