JP4250836B2 - Navigation information providing apparatus and navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention provides a navigation information providing apparatus.andNavigation equipmentIn placeIt is related.
[0002]
[Background]
In general, a navigation system is a device that displays radio waves from artificial satellites or displays its position on a map in combination with self-contained navigation using a gyroscope, etc. By being mounted on the body, the route and route are clearly indicated and the route is guided to the driver. In recent years, not only the function of providing such route guidance but also information that provides useful information to the driver such as various road traffic information such as traffic congestion and traffic regulation has appeared.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described navigation systems, all of them focus on providing the driver with information useful for the moving side of an automobile or the like. There is no offer.
That is, for example, various information such as the current position on the moving side and the scheduled time when the moving side arrives at the destination are not provided to the other side (hereinafter referred to as “the other side”) waiting for the arrival on the moving side. Therefore, for example, when the arrival at the destination is delayed due to an unexpected traffic jam or the like, the mobile side has to contact using a communication means such as a mobile phone in order to notify the other party of the fact. Moreover, it is difficult to explain the geographical location by conversation, and the use of a mobile phone by a driving driver is prohibited by the Road Traffic Law, so if there are no passengers other than the driver, Even if there is a communication means, the handling becomes complicated.
[0004]
In addition, when the moving side moves according to instructions from the other side without being guided by the navigation system, if the other side does not know the current position of the moving side, give sufficient instructions to the moving side. It is difficult. Therefore, it is necessary for the mobile side to communicate its position to the other party, but when trying to explain the position by conversation to the other party using communication means such as a mobile phone, various obstacles may occur as described above. In reality, it is difficult to move according to instructions from the other party.
[0005]
  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation information providing apparatus that can easily notify the other side of the current position on the moving side.andNavigation equipmentPlaceIt is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the navigation information providing apparatus according to claim 1 is a navigation information providing apparatus that sends information for guiding a route from the moving body to the destination. The map information clearly indicating the current position of the vehicle on the map and the information on the estimated time of arrival at the destination are sent to an information terminal other than this mobile unit.In this case, after determining whether or not a communication navigation device among a plurality of types of information terminals to which these information should be sent is in use, the information is sent to the communication navigation device when in use, and when not in use Send to information terminal other than communication navigation deviceThis is a technical feature.
[0007]
  The navigation information providing apparatus according to claim 2 is the navigation information providing apparatus according to claim 1, whereintypeIt is a technical feature that the map information is processed after being processed into drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal.
[0008]
  Further, in the navigation information providing apparatus according to claim 3, in claim 1 or 2,If the destination is not entered,It is a technical feature that the information of the scheduled time is not sent.
[0010]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims4The navigation device of the mobile body receives information from the information center for guiding a route until the mobile body reaches the destination, and performs the route guidance based on the received information. An information center capable of transmitting to the information terminal other than the mobile body the map information clearly indicating the current position of the vehicle on the map and the information of the scheduled time of arrival at the destinationThen, after determining whether or not the communication navigation device of a plurality of types of information terminals to which such information should be sent is in use, the information is sent to the communication navigation device when in use, and when not in use Send to information terminal other than communication navigation deviceA technical feature is that information on the current position of the mobile unit is sent to the information center.
[0011]
  Claims5The navigation device of claim4The information center is characterized by determining the type of the information terminal, processing the drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal, and sending the map information.
  And claims6The navigation device of claim4Or5InIf the destination is not entered,The information center is technically characterized by not sending information on the scheduled time..
[0012]
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the map information indicating the current position of the moving body on the map and the information on the scheduled time of arrival at the destination are sent to an information terminal other than the moving body.In this case, after determining whether or not a communication navigation device among a plurality of types of information terminals to which these information should be sent is in use, the information is sent to the communication navigation device when in use, and when not in use Sent to an information terminal other than the communication navigation device. Thereby, if the communication navigation device of a plurality of types of information terminals to which such information should be sent is in use, map information and information on the scheduled time are sent to it, and if not in use, information other than the communication navigation device is sent Map information and scheduled time information are sent to the terminal.
[0013]
  In the invention of claim 2, movementbodyMap information that clearly shows the current location ofAnd information on the estimated time of arrival at the destinationAre processed into drawing information suitable for the type of the destination information terminal and sent. Thereby, the information terminal can receive drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal.
[0014]
  In the invention of claim 3,Destination not enteredIf you do not send information about the scheduled time.
[0016]
  Claim4In this invention, the information center capable of transmitting the map information clearly indicating the current position of the mobile body on the map and the information of the scheduled time of arrival at the destination to an information terminal other than the mobile body.Then, after determining whether or not the communication navigation device of a plurality of types of information terminals to which such information should be sent is in use, the information is sent to the communication navigation device when in use, and when not in use Send to information terminal other than communication navigation deviceInformation on the current position of the moving object is sent to the information center.As a result, the information center sends map information and scheduled time information to the information navigation device of the plurality of types of information terminals to which the information is to be sent, and otherwise to the communication navigation device. Map information and scheduled time information are sent to other information terminals.
[0017]
  Claim5In this invention, the information center processes the map information in which the current position of the moving body is clearly shown on the map and the information on the scheduled time of arrival at the destination into drawing information suitable for the type of the destination information terminal and sends it. . Thereby, the information terminal can receive drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal.
  Claim6In the invention ofDestination not enteredIf the information center does not send the scheduled time information.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, the navigation information providing apparatus of the present inventionandNavigation equipmentSetAn embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information center.AndIn-vehicle device (movingbodyNavigation function that divides route / guide data for route search from the start position to the end position of navigation and transmits it to the in-vehicle device and provides route guidance to the user based on the transmitted divided data. And the map information transmission function which sends the map information which specified the present position of the vehicle equipment on the map to information terminals other than this vehicle equipment is provided.
[0019]
The information center 10 mainly includes a transmission / reception unit 12, an arithmetic processing unit 14, a database 30, and an external information collection unit 40.
The transmission / reception unit 12 is a wireless communication device including a transmission device and a reception device, and is used to transmit and receive data to and from the in-vehicle device 100 via a wireless line. For example, a wireless communication system such as a car phone, a mobile phone, or a PHS is used, and the communication form thereof is, for example, a packet communication method.
[0020]
The arithmetic processing unit 14 includes a CPU 16 that performs arithmetic processing and a memory 18 that stores various programs and data.
The memory 18 includes a route search program 20 for searching for a route from the current position of the vehicle (navigation start position) to a destination (navigation end position), segmentation of the searched route, and a road length transmitted to the vehicle side. The segment processing program 22 for setting the vehicle, the guide data extraction program 24 for searching, extracting and editing the guide data corresponding to the road length set thereby, the creation of map data of the map clearly indicating the current position of the in-vehicle device 100, etc. Various programs to be executed in the information center 10 are stored, such as a map information processing program 25 to be executed and a system control program 26 to control and manage the entire operation. The memory 18 also has a predetermined work area used for executing these programs.
[0021]
  The database 30 relates to route search data 32 for searching for a recommended route, guidance data 34 storing route guidance data, destination setting data 36 such as a telephone number and address for setting a destination, and map information. Map data 38 storing data, a person using map information (for example, movementbodyStored is data necessary for route search, route guidance, map drawing / transmission, such as accumulated user address data 39 (see FIG. 8) in which the destination address of the other party awaiting the arrival is recorded. The route search data 32 includes data regarding intersections, data regarding roads, data regarding node points, and the like. The guidance data 34 includes various guidance data such as map data of each intersection and road, landmark data indicating major facilities, and voice guidance data.
[0022]
Furthermore, an external information collection unit 40 is connected to the database 30. This external information collection unit 40 collects the latest road / traffic information and communication information such as road works, traffic regulations, new roads and facilities, changes in communication areas, etc. using a telephone line and stores them in the database 30. The data is updated at any time.
[0023]
Next, the in-vehicle device 100 will be described. In the in-vehicle device 100, the arithmetic processing unit 101 is mainly composed of a CPU, mainly a memory 102, a position measurement unit 104, an input unit 105, a display unit 106, an audio output unit 107, and a transmission / reception unit 108. Reference numeral 102 denotes a program storage area 102A (for example, ROM) and a data storage area 102B (for example, RAM).
[0024]
The program storage area 102 </ b> A of the memory 102 displays a route and a landmark on the display unit 106 based on route data and guidance data transmitted from the information center 10, and outputs a route guidance sound from the voice output unit 107. The route guidance program 150, a data request program 152 for requesting route / guidance data for the next route by comparing the current vehicle position with the received route / guidance data, a map transmission request for requesting transmission of a map clearly indicating the vehicle current position A program executed by the arithmetic processing unit 101 such as a program 153 and a control program 154 for controlling the overall operation is stored.
[0025]
On the other hand, the data storage area 102B of the memory 102 is used as a work area when the program is executed. For example, the route / guidance data 160 transmitted from the information center 10, the vehicle-specific ID data 162, and the position measurement unit 104 are used. Stored is vehicle position data (longitude / latitude) 164 to be measured, user data 166 in which a user list of map information is recorded, or the like.
[0026]
The vehicle position data 164 includes a plurality of past position data in addition to the current position data measured at predetermined time intervals by the position measurement unit 104. For example, position data of measurement points included in a certain distance or position data of a certain number of measurement points is stored. When the position measurement unit 104 newly performs measurement, the latest position data is stored, and the oldest stored position data is deleted. By connecting the plurality of position data, a travel locus of the vehicle can be obtained. This travel locus is used for so-called map matching for specifying the road on which the vehicle is traveling.
[0027]
The position measurement unit 104 measures the position of the vehicle using so-called GPS and outputs current vehicle position data based on longitude and latitude. The position measurement unit 104 receives signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and A GPS receiver that measures the absolute position, a speed sensor, a direction sensor, and the like for measuring the relative position of the vehicle are provided. Speed sensors and azimuth sensors are used for autonomous navigation. The relative position measured by these sensors is used to obtain the position in a tunnel where the GPS receiver cannot receive radio waves from the satellite, or to correct the positioning error of the absolute position measured by the GPS receiver. .
[0028]
The input unit 105 includes various switches, a touch panel attached to the display surface of the display unit 106, a remote controller, a data input device using voice recognition, and the like. On the touch panel, when a user touches an icon or the like displayed on the display unit 106 with a finger, corresponding data and commands are input. In a data input device using voice recognition, corresponding data and commands are input when a user utters a voice.
[0029]
The display unit 106 is a display using liquid crystal, CRT, or the like, and includes the touch panel described above. The transmission / reception unit 108 is a communication device for transmitting / receiving data to / from the information center 10 side, and is configured by communication equipment including a transmission device and a reception device. Similarly to the information center 10 side, a wireless communication system such as a car phone, a mobile phone, and a PHS is used.
[0030]
First, the basic navigation function of the navigation system will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, route search processing by the information center 10 that divides route / guidance data for route search to the destination and transmits it to the in-vehicle device 100 mounted on the vehicle 100a; The divided route reception process by the in-vehicle device 100 of the vehicle 100a that performs route guidance to the driver or the like based on the transmitted divided data will be described.
[0031]
FIG. 3 shows a flow of route search processing by the information center 10. Since this process starts from a process (S510) for determining whether or not a route acquisition request from the in-vehicle device 100 is received, transmission of the route acquisition request by the in-vehicle device 100 will be described first. The transmission of this route acquisition request corresponds to step 552 shown in FIG.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, on the in-vehicle device 100 side, a control program 154 stored in the memory 102 is executed by the arithmetic processing unit 101. In this state, when the data request program 152 stored in the memory 102 is executed based on the user's input operation, each information such as the current position and the destination of the vehicle 100a measured by the position measuring unit 104 is displayed in the information center. 10 is transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit 108. At this time, an ID for identifying the own vehicle 100b and the other vehicle 100a is also transmitted.
[0033]
In the information center 10, when the transmission / reception unit 12 receives a route acquisition request transmitted from the vehicle 100 a, the information center 10 sends the information to the arithmetic processing unit 14. In the arithmetic processing unit 14 that has acquired the information, the route search process is performed by the route search program 20 stored in the memory 18 as described above. .
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the route search process, if it is determined that a route acquisition request has been received in step 510 (Yes in S510), destination information is extracted by extracting destination information from each piece of information obtained together with the route acquisition request. The presence or absence is determined (S512). If it is determined that there is a destination input (Yes in S512), the destination is determined from the destination information, and the route to the destination is searched in the next step 514.
On the other hand, if it cannot be determined that there is a destination input (No in S512), the route search cannot be performed without the destination, so this route search process is terminated and the process proceeds to the control program 26.
[0035]
The recommended route searched in step 514 is executed by the segment processing program 22 stored in the memory 18, and the searched route is divided into segments of a predetermined length which is a unit of navigation (S516).
[0036]
In the generation of the divided route information in step 520, the divided route divided in the previous step 516 and the accompanying guide data are extracted from the guide data 34 by the guide data extracting program 24 stored in the memory 18, and the guide data is added. Create and edit split route information. As a result, the creation of the divided route information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 is completed, and in step 522, an instruction to receive the divided route information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 side. Subsequently, in step 524, the divided route information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 side. These transmission processes are performed via the transmission / reception unit 12, and the division path information is wirelessly transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 side by a predetermined wireless line.
[0037]
Subsequently, the operation of the in-vehicle device 100 will be described. FIG. 4 shows a flow of the divided route reception process by the in-vehicle device 100. Since this process is for acquiring the divided route information of the section next to the divided section where the moving vehicle 100a is currently located, the control program 154 by the arithmetic processing unit 101 is executed in the position measuring unit 104. It is activated when it is determined by the vehicle current position that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance point from before the divided route switching point of the route.
[0038]
First, in step 550, the current vehicle position in the position measurement unit 104 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle 100a is located around the destination. Then, if it is determined that the current position of the vehicle is located around the destination (Yes in S550), there is no need to request further divided route information, so the divided route receiving process is terminated and the control program 26 is finished. Move processing to. On the other hand, if it is not determined that it is located around the destination (No in S550), the process proceeds to step 552, and a route acquisition request is transmitted to the information center 10.
[0039]
In step 552, a route acquisition request is transmitted to the information center 10 by executing the data request program 152 stored in the memory 102. The description of the processing at step 552 is omitted when the processing at step 510 of the information center 10 described above is already described. When the transmission of the route acquisition request in step 552 is completed, the process proceeds to step 554.
[0040]
In step 554, it is determined whether or not the in-vehicle device 100 has received the divided route information reception instruction (S <b> 522) performed by the route search process of the information center 10 described above. If a reception instruction has been received (Yes in S554), since the divided path information is transmitted from the information center 10 side, the process proceeds to the next step 556 to receive it, and the process proceeds to reception of the divided path information. . On the other hand, if the reception instruction has not been received (No in S554), step 554 is re-executed and the process waits until the reception instruction is received.
[0041]
When all the divided route information can be received in step 556, the arithmetic processing unit 101 stores the received divided route information in the memory 102 as the route guidance data 160, and the reception is completed. Next, the process proceeds to step 562, and when the route guidance program 150 stored in the memory 102 is executed, a map or landmark of the route divided using the received route guidance data 160 is displayed on the display unit 106. In addition, the corresponding voice guidance is output from the voice output unit 107 when turning right or left at the intersection.
[0042]
As described above, when the navigation system is activated, the recommended route is clearly indicated by the display unit 106 or the like by the in-vehicle device 100 mounted on the vehicle 100a, so that the driver or the like travels along the route to be guided. By picking it up, you can arrive at your destination without hesitation.
[0043]
Next, a map information transmission function for sending map information that clearly indicates the current position of the vehicle 100a on the map to the information terminals 100b, 100c, and 100d other than the in-vehicle device 100 mounted on the vehicle 100a is shown in FIGS. It demonstrates based on FIGS.
FIG. 5 shows a flow of map transmission request processing by the in-vehicle device 100. In this process, map information indicating the current position of the vehicle 100a on the map from the in-vehicle device 100 mounted on the vehicle 100a shown in FIG. 2 to the information center 10 side is displayed on the information terminal other than the vehicle 100a, for example, navigation of the vehicle 100b. This is for requesting transmission to the apparatus, mobile phone 100c, personal computer 100d, etc., and for transmitting a map transmission request from the vehicle 100a to the information center 10. The map transmission request process is executed by the arithmetic processing unit 101 when a driver or the like inputs a map transmission request at the current position from the input unit 105 to start the map transmission request program 153 stored in the memory 102. .
[0044]
In the map transmission request process, first, in step 80, the user data 166 stored in the memory 102 is read out, the user list is displayed on the display unit 106, and a partner to which the current vehicle position is transmitted is selected.
Next, in step 82, a selection is made as to whether notification of the scheduled time of arrival at the destination is required. Thus, when the time notification is set to be present, the estimated arrival time calculated by the information center 10 side according to a predetermined algorithm based on the route length from the current position of the vehicle 100a to the destination, the moving speed, the situation of road traffic congestion, etc. The other party is notified along with the information.
In the following step 84, the transmission partner set in steps 80 and 82 and the presence / absence of arrival time notification are transmitted to the information center 10 side. This transmission processing is performed via the transmission / reception unit 12, and a map transmission request is wirelessly transmitted to the information center 10 side via a predetermined wireless line.
[0045]
In step 80, the user data 166 stored in the memory 102 is read out and displayed on the display unit 106. For example, the user data 166 is received from the information center 10 side and displayed on the display unit 106. Also good. In this case, the method of receiving from the information center 10 is, for example, an i-mode of a mobile phone (a name related to information providing business by NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. and its group company, registered trademark of NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd.) An equivalent packet communication system may be used, and the data format may be, for example, an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format in addition to the text format. This makes it possible to reduce communication costs and provide a simple operating environment for the driver and the like.
[0046]
Next, map information transmission processing on the information center 10 side will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the flow of map information transmission processing by the information center 10. This process is performed based on the map transmission request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 of the vehicle 100a shown in FIG. 2, and is for transmitting the map information from the information center 10 to the information terminal of the transmission partner. This map information transmission process is executed when the map information processing program 25 stored in the memory 18 is started by the arithmetic processing unit 14.
[0047]
In the map information transmission process, first, in step 10, it is determined whether a map transmission request transmitted from the vehicle 100a side is received. That is, it waits until there is a request for transmitting the current position of the vehicle 100a as map information from a driver or the like of the vehicle 100a to the predetermined partner, and when there is a request (Yes in S10), the process proceeds to the subsequent step 12. .
[0048]
In step 12, it is determined whether or not the destination is input on the vehicle 100a side by the driver or the like. In other words, it is determined whether or not there is an input of a destination that is necessary for the above-described route search processing, and if there is an input of the destination (Yes in S12), notification of the destination arrival time is made in step 14 Determine whether the setting is made. On the other hand, if there is no destination input (No in S12), since there is no destination to arrive, notification of the arrival time is not necessary, and the process proceeds to step 18. Here, the case where there is no destination input is a case where a vague course such as “I want to go to XX for the time being” is determined without deciding where to go.
[0049]
If it is determined in step 12 that there is a destination input, it is determined in step 14 whether there is a notification of the destination arrival time. The presence or absence of this notification is set in step 82 of the map transmission request process described above, and is determined by extracting from the information added to the map transmission request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100. If it is determined by this determination that there is an arrival time notification (Yes in S14), the time notification flag is set ON in step 16. If it is determined that there is no arrival time notification (No in S14), the time notification flag is set to OFF in step S18.
[0050]
In step 16 and step 18, processing for setting the time notification flag to ON or OFF is performed. If it is determined that there is an arrival time notification request (Yes in S14), the time notification flag is set on in Step 16; otherwise (No in S12 or S14), the time notification flag is set in Step 18. The flag is set off. Thereby, the presence or absence of addition of the destination arrival scheduled time mentioned later is controlled.
[0051]
In subsequent step 20, an information terminal type determination process is performed. This process is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG. 7, and will now be described with reference to FIG. The information terminal type determination process in step 20 corresponds to “terminal type determination unit” recited in the claims.
As shown in FIG. 7, the information terminal type determination process starts from the search for user address data in step 22. That is, the transmission destination address of the transmission partner selected by the driver or the like is searched from the user address data 39 (see FIG. 8) stored in the database 30, and the transmission partner is processed by the following process using the search result. The type of information terminal to be used is determined.
[0052]
In the next step 24, it is determined whether or not there is a communication navigation ID in the user address data. If there is a communication navigation ID (Yes in S24), it is further determined in step 26 whether the communication navigation is currently being used. On the other hand, if there is no communication navigation ID (No in S24), the subsequent steps 26 and 28 are not performed, and the process proceeds to step 32.
[0053]
In step 26, it is determined from the communication navigation ID whether the communication navigation is currently in use. That is, since the usage status can be confirmed from the navigation ID, the current usage status is confirmed, and if it is in use (Yes in S26), the terminal transmits the map information with the highest priority on communication navigation. The type is set to communication navigation (S30), and the information terminal type determination process is terminated. On the other hand, if the communication navigation is not currently in use (No in S26), the process proceeds to the next step 28.
[0054]
The process of step 28 is performed when the communication navigation ID is present but is not currently in use, and it is determined whether or not the retrieved user address data includes an e-mail address. If there is an e-mail address (Yes in S28), the terminal type is set so that the map information is transmitted to the information terminal of the e-mail address without sending the map information to the communication navigation. On the other hand, if there is no e-mail address (No in S28), map information must be sent to communication navigation even if it is not in use, so the terminal type is set to communication navigation to transmit map information to communication navigation that is not in use. (S30), and the information terminal type determination process ends. In this case, since the transmission partner cannot immediately receive the map information, a transmission process described later performs a process of depositing the map information to be transmitted to a mail box or the like on the information center 10 side.
[0055]
The subsequent step 32 is performed when the communication partner corresponding to the communication navigation ID is not currently used but has an e-mail address, or has only an e-mail address. It is determined whether the e-mail address is a mobile phone number. This determination is made based on the character data of the e-mail address. For example, in the case of the user address data 39 shown in FIG. 8, since the e-mail address 1 of “Sato Hanako” is “sxxx@docomo.ne.jp”, the character data on the right side of the @ mark (hereinafter “domain address”). From the above, it can be seen that the mobile phone can use the i-mode function of NTT Mobile Communications Network Co., Ltd. and its group companies. If it is determined that the number is the number of the mobile phone (Yes in S32), the terminal type is set to the mobile phone (S36), and the information terminal type determination process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number is not the mobile phone number (No in S32), the terminal type is set to the personal computer (S34), and it is determined in step 38 whether all e-mail addresses have been searched. If all of the information has been searched (Yes in S38), the information terminal type determination process ends. If there is still a search, the next e-mail address is searched (S39), the process is transferred again to step 32, and the same processes as described above are performed.
[0056]
Here, the processing described above will be specifically described based on an example of the user address data 39 shown in FIG.
For example, if the transmission partner is “Taro Yamada”, the navigation ID “ABC01234” is searched in step 22 (Yes in S24), and if the communication navigation is currently in use (Yes in S26), the terminal type is The communication navigation is set (S30), and the information terminal type determination process is terminated.
[0057]
If the transmission partner is “Hanako Sato”, even if the navigation ID “DEF56789” is searched in Step 22 (Yes in S24), if the communication navigation is not currently in use (No in S26), the electronic “Sxxx@docomo.ne.jp” of the mail address 1 is searched (Yes in S28). Since this e-mail address is determined from the domain address to be a mobile phone having the aforementioned i-mode function (Yes in S32), the terminal type is set to the mobile phone (S36), and the information terminal type determination The process ends.
[0058]
Further, when the transmission partner is “Ichiro Watanabe”, since it does not have a navigation ID, it is not determined at step 22 that there is a navigation ID (No in S24), and “wyyy @ Since “tohoho.com” is not determined to be a mobile phone number in step 32 (No in S32), the terminal type is set to the personal computer (S34). When it is determined in step 38 whether or not all the e-mail addresses have been searched, “wxxx@docomo.ne.jp” of the e-mail address 2 still remains. Since it is determined from the address that the mobile phone has the above-described i-mode function (Yes in S32), the terminal type is set to the mobile phone (S36), and the information terminal type determination process ends.
[0059]
When the information terminal type determination process is performed in this manner, the process returns to the map information transmission process and the map information transmission process is restarted from step 40 following step 20, and will be described again with reference to FIG.
In step 40, the subsequent processing is divided according to the type of information terminal determined by the information terminal type determination processing in step 20. That is, the process proceeds to step 50 if the type of information terminal is communication navigation, step 60 if it is a mobile phone, and step 70 if it is a personal computer. The setting of the current position coordinates, the creation of a simple image, and the creation of a detailed image in steps 50, 60, and 70 correspond to “map information processing means” described in the claims.
[0060]
In the setting of the current position coordinates in step 50, since the information terminal type is communication navigation (for example, the navigation device of the vehicle 100b shown in FIG. 2), the communication navigation as the transmission partner usually includes map data. Therefore, the coordinate information indicating the current position of the vehicle 100a is the target of transmission information without sending drawing data as map information. When the communication navigation of the transmission partner does not have such map data, the map information for the vicinity is searched from the vehicle current position information of the vehicle 100a from the transmission map data 38, and the searched map information is transmitted. The transmission information is edited as drawing information suitable for the communication navigation of the other party. Further, the current position information of the vehicle 100a used here is vehicle current position information by the position measurement unit 104 extracted from information added to the map transmission request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100.
[0061]
Then, in step 52, it is determined whether or not the time notification flag is set on. If it is set on (Yes in S52), information on the estimated arrival time at the destination is added to the transmission information in step 54. The coordinate information as the transmission information by 56 is transmitted. If it is not set to ON (No in S52), the process of step 54 is not performed, and the coordinate information as the transmission information in step 56 is transmitted.
[0062]
In the creation of the simple image in step 60, since the information terminal type is a mobile phone (for example, the mobile phone 100c shown in FIG. 2), the mobile phone that is the transmission partner is usually provided with a display screen with high resolution and monochrome display. There are many that are not small and the size. Therefore, it is necessary to process the drawing information suitable for the display screen of the mobile phone. Therefore, in step 60, map information in the vicinity of the vehicle 100a is searched from the transmission map data 38, and the searched map information is simplified, reduced, monochrome processed, etc. (for example, two gradation GIF) (Graphic Interchange Format) format), and the transmission information is edited as drawing information suitable for the display screen of the mobile phone.
[0063]
Then, it is determined in step 62 whether or not the time notification flag is set on. If it is set on (Yes in S62), information on the estimated arrival time at the destination is added to the transmission information as character information in step 64. Then, this is transmitted as an electronic mail in step 66. If it is not set to ON (No in S62), the transmission information edited in step 60 is transmitted as e-mail in step 66 without performing the process in step 64.
[0064]
In the creation of the detailed image in step 70, since the information terminal type is a personal computer (for example, the personal computer 100d shown in FIG. 2), the personal computer that is the transmission partner usually has a color display and a high-resolution display screen. ing. In addition, since the display screen is several inches or larger compared to the display screen of the mobile phone, the degree of freedom in displaying drawing information is high. Therefore, it is necessary to perform processing suitable for the display screen of the personal computer. Therefore, in step 70, the map information in the vicinity is searched from the transmission map data 38 from the vehicle current position information of the vehicle 100a, and the searched map information is processed so as to become color high resolution specification drawing information. Transmission information is edited as drawing information suitable for a display screen of a personal computer. Since the subsequent processing is the same as in the case of the mobile phone, the processing shifts to step 62 and the same processing as described above is performed.
[0065]
It should be noted that the map information to be searched when the communication navigation of the transmission partner does not have the map data in step 50 described above, the map information to be searched by creating the simple image in step 60, and the search by creating the detailed image in step 70 The map information to be searched is the unified transmission map data 38.
[0066]
As described above, when the navigation system is operated, the information center 10 displays the map information in which the current position on the vehicle 100a side is clearly indicated on the map, the information terminal other than the vehicle-mounted device 100 side mounted on the vehicle 100a, For example, the data is transmitted to the navigation device of the vehicle 100b, the mobile phone 100c, the personal computer 100d, and the like. Thereby, in the above-mentioned example, since the navigation apparatus of the vehicle 100b, the mobile phone 100c, the personal computer 100d, and the like can receive this map information as an e-mail or the like, the map by the e-mail or the like can be displayed. Therefore, even when the arrival of the vehicle 100a at the destination is delayed due to, for example, an unexpected traffic jam, the arrival of the vehicle 100a is awaited by the navigation device of the vehicle 100b, the mobile phone 100c, the personal computer 100d, or the like. There is an effect that the opponent side can be easily notified of the current position on the vehicle 100a side.
[0067]
In the present embodiment, the information center 10 side searches for, edits, and processes the drawing information by map information transmission processing based on the map transmission request on the in-vehicle device 100 side, and the navigation device and mobile phone of the vehicle 100b. The processing is set to transmit to 100c, personal computer 100d, and the like.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. The transmission map data 38 and the user address data 39 stored in the database 30 on the information center 10 side are stored in the memory 102 on the in-vehicle device 100 side, and then in-vehicle. The processing by the apparatus 100 side searches for map information, edits and processes drawing information, transmits the map information, coordinate information, and drawing information to the information center 10 side, and further transmits the map information, coordinate information, and drawing information to the vehicle. The processing may be set so as to be transmitted to the navigation device 100b, the mobile phone 100c, the personal computer 100d, and the like. Even with such a configuration and processing, the same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0068]
  Further, in the present embodiment, in the search of map information (S50), the creation of a simple image (S60), and the creation of a detailed image (S70) when the communication navigation of the transmission partner does not include map data, a unified transmission is performed. The credit map data 38 is searched together. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the credit map data 38 is stored in advance so as to be compatible with a communication navigation database or a mobile phone in which drawing information processed in advance to be compatible with communication navigation is stored. Stores drawing information that has been processed in advance to suit each type of information terminal, such as a database for mobile phones that stores processed drawing information, and a database for personal computers that stores drawing information that has been processed in advance to suit a personal computer. Each individual databaseToYou may comprise so that it may be provided. This eliminates the need to process map information and edit drawing information sequentially for each type of information terminal.bodyMove in response to a map transmission request frombodyThe map information clearly indicating the current position can be quickly sent to the information terminal.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the map information indicating the current position of the moving body on the map and the information on the scheduled time of arrival at the destination are sent to an information terminal other than the moving body.In this case, after determining whether or not a communication navigation device among a plurality of types of information terminals to which these information should be sent is in use, the information is sent to the communication navigation device when in use, and when not in use Sent to an information terminal other than the communication navigation device. Thereby, if the communication navigation device of a plurality of types of information terminals to which such information should be sent is in use, map information and information on the scheduled time are sent to it, and if not in use, information other than the communication navigation device is sent Map information and scheduled time information are sent to the terminal.Therefore, by displaying the map based on the map information and the scheduled arrival time at the destination by the information terminal, there is an effect that the current position of the mobile body and the estimated arrival time can be easily notified to the other party.In addition, there is an effect that the communication navigation device in use can be preferentially notified of the current location of the mobile object.
[0070]
  In the invention of claim 2, movementbodyMap information that clearly shows the current location ofAnd information on the estimated time of arrival at the destinationAre processed into drawing information suitable for the type of the destination information terminal and sent. Thereby, the information terminal can receive drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal. Therefore, display the map in a display format suitable for the information terminal.In addition to displaying the estimated time of arrivalCan movebodyTo inform the other party of your current location more easilyAlso notify the estimated arrival timeThere is an effect to get.
[0071]
  In the invention of claim 3,Destination not enteredIf you do not send information about the scheduled time.
[0073]
  Claim4In this invention, the information center capable of transmitting the map information clearly indicating the current position of the mobile body on the map and the information of the scheduled time of arrival at the destination to an information terminal other than the mobile body.Then, after determining whether or not the communication navigation device of a plurality of types of information terminals to which such information should be sent is in use, the information is sent to the communication navigation device when in use, and when not in use Send to information terminal other than communication navigation deviceInformation on the current position of the moving object is sent to the information center.As a result, the information center sends map information and scheduled time information to the information navigation device of the plurality of types of information terminals to which the information is to be sent, and otherwise to the communication navigation device. Map information and scheduled time information are sent to other information terminals.Therefore, since the information terminal can receive the map information and the estimated arrival time, the map of the map information and the estimated arrival time can be displayed by the information terminal, so that the current position and the estimated arrival time of the mobile object can be determined. There is an effect that can be easily notified to the side.Further, there is an effect that the communication navigation device in use can be notified with priority.
[0074]
  Claim5In this invention, the information center processes the map information in which the current position of the moving body is clearly shown on the map and the information on the scheduled time of arrival at the destination into drawing information suitable for the type of the destination information terminal and sends it. . Thereby, the information terminal can receive drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal. Therefore, in addition to displaying the map in a display format suitable for the information terminal, it is possible to display the estimated arrival time, so it is easier to notify the other party of the current position of the mobile body and the estimated arrival time. There is an effect to get.
  Claim6In the invention ofDestination not enteredIf the information center does not send the scheduled time information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship between an information center, an in-vehicle device, and an information terminal according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of route search processing by the information center of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of division path information reception processing by the in-vehicle device of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of map transmission request processing by the in-vehicle device of the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of map information transmission processing by the information center of the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of information terminal type determination processing which is a subroutine of map information transmission processing.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user address data in which a delivery address of a person who uses map information is recorded.
[Explanation of symbols]
  10 Information CenterT
  25 Map information processing program
  38 Map data for transmission
  39 User address data
  100 In-vehicle device (movingbody)
  153 Map transmission request program
  166 User data

Claims (6)

A navigation information providing apparatus that sends information for guiding a route from a mobile unit to a destination.
When sending the map information clearly indicating the current position of the mobile body on the map and the information of the scheduled time of arrival at the destination to an information terminal other than the mobile body, the information of multiple types of information terminals to which these information should be sent After determining whether or not the communication navigation device is in use, it is sent to the communication navigation device when it is in use, and is sent to an information terminal other than the communication navigation device when it is not in use. Navigation information providing device.   The navigation information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the information terminal is determined, the map information is transmitted after being processed into drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal. 3. The navigation information providing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the destination is not inputted, the information on the scheduled time is not sent. A mobile navigation device for receiving information for guiding a route from a mobile body to a destination from an information center and performing route guidance based on the received information,
An information center that can transmit map information that clearly indicates the current position of the mobile unit on the map and information on the scheduled time of arrival at the destination to an information terminal other than the mobile unit, and a plurality of types of information to be sent to the information center . After determining whether the communication navigation device of the information terminal is in use, the information center is sent to the communication navigation device when it is in use, and is sent to an information terminal other than the communication navigation device when it is not in use In addition, the navigation apparatus characterized by sending information on the current position of the mobile body. 5. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the information center determines the type of the information terminal, processes the drawing information suitable for the type of the information terminal, and sends the map information. Wherein when a destination is not inputted, the information center, the navigation apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein not sending the information of the scheduled time.

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