JPH1155419A - Information providing system using navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unnecessitate the extension of a communication interface such as a modem at not only a navigation device side but also even at a reception side by converting preserved specified information into a DTMF signal to transmit it, obtaining the DTEMF signal to convert it into specified information and providing it to an on-vehicle person by means of relating it with first information provided in a navigation device. SOLUTION: The center 1 of an information providing system using the navigation device is provided with CPU 3 as a computer for controlling whole elements and a DTMF codec 15 is connected to CPU 3. The DTMF codec 15 converts specified information expressed by dial numbers into the DTMF signal, executes originating to a telephone line network 20 with a voice input/ output line 18 and a portable telephone 19 and decodes the DTMF signal received by the portable telephone 19. The navigation device 30 is provided with the DTMF codec with the same operation as that of the center 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a system for providing information to a navigation device using a DTMF signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When data is transmitted to a target terminal using a general telephone line network (including a wire transmission network and a wireless transmission network), data to be transmitted is converted into a digital signal, and this is converted into a modem. Alternatively, the call is transmitted to the telephone line network via a data communication interface such as a terminal adapter. The terminal is also provided with an interface such as a modem, and converts the transmitted signal into a signal that can be processed by the terminal.

[0003]

The present inventor has studied the data communication system for a navigation device using such a telephone line network, and has found the following problems to be solved. Since the navigation device is attached to a vehicle and moves, it is necessary to additionally provide a communication interface such as a receiver and a modem for receiving radio waves as a mobile terminal. Adding these devices results in an increase in the number of parts and, consequently, in manufacturing costs.

[0004] Therefore, the use of a portable telephone, which has been remarkably popular recently, as a receiver has been studied. That is, a dedicated input port is provided in the navigation device, and the mobile phone is connected to the input port via, for example, a card-type modem. This enables data communication.
However, according to the above configuration, data communication cannot be performed at the same time when a call is being made with the mobile phone.
That is, it is necessary to select one of the data communication mode and the communication mode. For example, when performing data communication during the communication mode, the mode must be switched. While driving the vehicle, we want to omit operations that are unnecessary for driving as much as possible. Therefore, it is desired to simultaneously perform the call and the data communication without any switching operation.

[0005] Data communication using a portable telephone is usually performed by digital communication, but there is a possibility that noise may enter due to fluctuations of radio waves.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems. That is, the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
Means for storing specific information; and DTM for storing the specific information.
Means for converting the converted DTMF signal, means for transmitting the converted DTMF signal, means for converting the obtained DTMF signal into the specific information, An information providing means for providing information to the occupant in association with the first information included in the navigation device, and an information providing system using the navigation device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since data is transmitted and received by using the DTMF signal, a communication interface such as a modem is additionally provided not only on the navigation device but also on the receiving side. You don't have to. Needless to say, a DTMF signal decoder is required for the navigation device, but this has a simpler configuration than a modem or the like, and has a small effect on the manufacturing cost of the navigation device.

Further, since the DTMF signal can be transmitted and received even during a call, there is no need to switch between the data communication mode and the call mode. Therefore, the driver can concentrate on driving the vehicle.

Furthermore, the DTMF signal has a relatively long time per signal unit and a relatively large frequency difference between the eight audio frequency bands used therein, so that even if the radio wave fluctuates, this will not occur. The possibility of being recognized as noise is reduced. Therefore, data communication with the navigation device can be performed more accurately.

In the invention according to the first aspect, the means for storing the specific information, the means for converting the specific information into a DTMF signal, and the means for transmitting the converted DTMF signal include information for the navigation device. A providing device is configured. This information providing device is provided at the center.

[0011] Further, means for acquiring the transmitted DTMF signal, means for converting the acquired DTMF signal into the specific information, and associating the specific information with the first information provided in the navigation device. The information providing means provided to the occupant is provided in the navigation device. The navigation device configured as described above does not require an interface such as a modem. Although a decoder for the DTMF signal is required, this is a simple configuration, and even if the decoder is added, the influence on the manufacturing cost of the entire navigation device is small.

In the information providing device for the navigation device, the means for storing specific information comprises a data storage device such as a hard disk of a computer. As specific information, there is a place name, a street address, a building, a facility, and the like as a destination. When the navigation device inquires the position of the destination, the center reads the longitude and latitude of the destination from the hard disk, and reads the DTMF.
The signal is converted to a signal and transmitted to the navigation device. The navigation device recognizes the longitude and latitude of the destination from the received DTMF signal, and displays the position of the destination on a map displayed on a display. At the same time, the navigation device searches for and displays an optimal route from the current position to the destination. At this time, the configuration of a series of DTMF signals to be transmitted includes, for example, a first part indicating that information on longitude and latitude is transmitted, a second part indicating specific longitude and latitude, and an end of a signal sequence. Consists of the last part.

Further, there is character information as specific information.
For example, the time required to arrive at the destination is calculated by a computer at the center, and the time is converted into a DTMF signal and transmitted. Upon receiving this, the navigation device opens a dedicated window on its display,
Display the required time there. At this time, the configuration of a series of DTMF signals to be transmitted includes, for example, a first part indicating that information on characters is transmitted, and a second part indicating specific characters.
And the last part indicating the end of the signal sequence. The dialed number can be displayed as a DTMF signal consisting of a pair of frequencies selected from a high group and a low group, respectively (see FIG. 2).
Hiragana or Katakana is also a DTM of two pairs of frequencies
It can be displayed by F signal.

Further, as specific information, there is road information such as speed regulation, lane regulation, road closure, road construction and traffic congestion information. In response to a request from the navigation device, for example, a congested road and its section can be identified on a map on a display. Regarding speed regulation, a speed limit may be displayed on the road as character information.

The communication from the navigation device to the center, that is, the request for information, preferably uses the DTMF signal. In this case, a DTMF signal decoder is provided at the center. In the embodiment, a DTMF codec is provided in the center. In the DTMF codec, specific information is encoded into a DTMF signal, and a request DTMF signal from the navigation device is decoded.

The DTMF signal transmitted from the center is received by an independent terminal device such as a portable telephone, a car telephone, and an electronic organizer (with a DTMF transmission function). Then, it is input as an analog audio signal to a DTMF decoder, where it is converted into a dialed digit. Furthermore,
Complex information such as the road information can be expressed by combining the dial numbers.

The following are examples of modes for inputting a DTMF analog audio signal from a terminal device such as a mobile phone to a DTMF decoder. The output of the earphone terminal of the mobile phone is input to a DTMF decoder via an analog audio cable. Alternatively, DTMF audio output from a mobile phone or an electronic organizer speaker is collected by a microphone,
This is input to a DTMF decoder as an analog audio signal. Further, the DTMF output of the terminal device can be input to the remote control device of the navigation device, and converted into infrared rays or the like, and input to the DTMF decoder.

As the navigation device, a known device can be used, and for example, map information is stored as the first information in the memory. When the specific information is the longitude and latitude of the destination, the computer, which is the main control unit of the navigation device, marks the point specified by the longitude and latitude on the map and displays it on the display. As a result, the first information and the specific information are associated with each other and provided to the occupant such as the driver.

The information associated with each other can be provided to the occupant by voice. For example, when the specific information is the time required to reach the destination, this is output from the speaker as audio. Of course, the audio output and the display on the display can be executed together.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an information providing system using a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system generally includes a center 1, a telephone network 20, and a navigation device 30.

The center 1 has a CPU 3 as a computer for controlling all components. This CPU
3, memories 5 and 7, a display 9, via a bus 4;
A keyboard 11, a recording medium reading device 13, and a DTMF codec 15 are connected as input devices.
The ROM 5 stores a control program for operating the CPU 3. Specific information transmitted to the navigation device 30 is stored in the hard disk 7. In this embodiment, as specific information, the latitude and longitude of a place name, an address, a building, a facility, and other potential destinations are stored. The recording medium reading device 13 reads information stored in a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a DVD, or the like. The DTMF codec 15 converts specific information represented by dialed digits into a DTMF signal, and transmits the DTMF signal to a telephone network 20 via a voice input / output line 18 and a mobile phone 19.

The DTMF codec 15 is also used for the mobile phone 1.
In step 9, the received DTMF signal is decoded. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the DTMF signal and the dialed digit. The DTMF codec 15 performs conversion between DTMF signals and dialed digits based on the relationship shown in FIG. When the specific information is character information (not shown in the table of FIG. 2), the character is specified by two combinations of dialed numbers in the table of FIG. The relationship between the combination of dialed digits and the characters can be, for example, that used when a pager is used. The relationship between the combination of dialed digits and the characters is stored in the ROM 5,
The CPU 3 decomposes the character information to be transmitted into dialed numbers based on the relationship stored in the ROM 5 and sends this to the DTMF codec 15. The relationship between the combination of dialed digits and the characters is also stored in the ROM 35 of the navigation device 30, and the CPU 33 generates character information by referring to the relationship from the received DTMF signal.

The navigation device 30 includes a mobile phone 31.
And the voice input / output line 32 to the telephone network 20. The navigation device 30 is provided with a CPU 33 as a computer for controlling the whole, and each element is connected to the CPU 33 via a bus 44. A control program for operating the CPU 33 is stored in the ROM 35, and an I / O
The map information read from the storage medium reading device 41 such as a CD-ROM driver via the O driver 39 is stored. This map information is displayed on the display 45 via the drawing chip 43.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a current position detecting unit composed of GPS or the like, and reference numeral 53 denotes a voice output unit, which executes so-called voice navigation. Reference numeral 55 denotes a TV tuner that enables the display 45 to be used as a TV screen. The operation of the DTMF codec 49 is
It is the same as the TMF codec 15.

The navigation device is an input device 57
When the user sets a destination on the map by using, the optimum route from the current position to the destination is searched, and this route is displayed on the map. The following operation is performed in addition to such a general operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation. In FIG. 3, an example of the latitude and longitude of the destination is taken as the specific information. This operation is executed by the CPU 33 controlling each element according to the operational program. This operational program is a general-purpose recording medium (CD-ROM, floppy disk,
MO, DVD, etc.), and are taken into the SRAM 36 from the recording medium reading device 41.

First, the user operates the center 1 with the mobile phone 31.
Is called. Then, a predetermined operation (for example, DT
After entering the standby state on the center side by inputting a personal identification number using an MF signal), the name of the destination is input using a DTMF signal (step 1). For example, a DTMF signal corresponding to “Canter
When the DTMF signal is input at step 1 (step 1), the DTMF signal is decoded into a dial number by the DTMF codec 15 of the center 1, and then the destination """is identified by the CPU 3 (step 21). Then, the longitude and latitude of "Kanda Myojin" are read from the hard disk 7 (step 23). This latitude and longitude can be directly expressed by dialed digits.

Then, in step 25, DTMF
Transmit the destination setting code by signal. This setting code is composed of, for example, a three-digit signal. The navigation device that has received this destination setting code receives the next D
The latitude and longitude can be decoded from the TMF signal (steps 3, 5, and 7).

At step 27, a DTMF signal sequence corresponding to the longitude and latitude of the destination, that is, “Kanta @ Miyosh ゛ din”, is transmitted. When this is received (step 9), the CP
The U33 temporarily stores the data decoded by the DTMF codec 49 in the DRAM 37. Then, in step 11, an end code based on a DTMF signal is transmitted via the DTMF codec 49 and the mobile phone 31 (step 1).
1). Thereby, the data communication by the DTMF signal on the navigation device side is completed. On the other hand, the data communication based on the DTMF signal is also completed at the center that has received the end code (step 29).

The CPU 33 of the navigation device 30
From the primary data indicating the longitude and latitude of the destination stored in the RAM 37, information on the longitude and latitude suitable for the map information of the navigation device is generated. Then, a map including the obtained longitude and latitude is displayed on the display 45, and a point corresponding to the obtained longitude and latitude on the map, that is, a destination is marked (for example, a red circle is attached).

Thereafter, the current position is detected by the current position detecting section 51, and an optimum route from the current position to the destination is searched for and displayed on the display 45.

In the above, the request for the destination to the center 1 can be made by telephone call. That is, the mobile phone 3
1 calls the operator of the center 1 and informs the destination by words. The operator inputs a destination using the keyboard 11 of the center 1. Subsequent operations are the same as those of step 25 and step 3 of FIG.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. 4, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the system of FIG. 4, the microphone 1 is connected to the DTMF codec 49 of the navigation device 30.
03 was connected. The DTMF signal voice output from a speaker (not shown) of the electronic organizer 101 having a function of transmitting a DTMF signal is collected by the microphone 103 and input to the DTMF codec 49. Of course, the mobile phone 31 can be used instead of the electronic organizer 101.

According to the system of the second embodiment having such a configuration, there is no need to connect the electronic organizer or portable telephone to the navigation device with any cable, and the system is easy to use.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment. 5, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the system shown in FIG. 5, the mobile phone 31 is connected to the remote controller 201. Then, an infrared receiver 203 is provided in the navigation device 30 and D
The audio signal of the TMF is temporarily converted into an infrared signal and input. The infrared receiver 203 converts the D
The TMF signal is returned to the audio signal again.

When the portable telephone 31 is directly connected to the navigation device 30 as in the first embodiment, the distance between the two is restricted depending on the length of the connection line. Therefore, operation from the rear seat may be inconvenient. But,
According to the system of the third embodiment configured as described above, the degree of freedom of the interval between the mobile phone 31 and the navigation device 30 increases.

The present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiments and examples. Various modifications are included in the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims and within the scope of those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing a relationship between a DTMF signal and dialed digits.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information providing system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 center 7 hard disk 15, 49 DTMF codec 20 telephone network 30 navigation device 31 mobile phone 41 recording medium reader 45 display

Claims (16)

[Claims] A means for storing specific information; a means for converting the specific information into a DTMF signal; a means for transmitting the converted DTMF signal; a means for obtaining the transmitted DTMF signal; Means for converting the obtained DTMF signal into the specific information; and information providing means for providing the specific information to an occupant in association with first information provided in the navigation device. Information system. 2. A means for storing specific information that can be associated with the first information provided in the navigation device; a means for converting the specific information into a DTMF signal; and transmitting the converted DTMF signal. An information providing device for a navigation device, comprising: 3. A means for acquiring a DTMF signal transmitted from the outside, a means for converting the acquired DTMF signal into specific information, and associating the specific information with first information provided in the navigation device. And a means for providing information to an occupant. 4. A procedure for converting the obtained DTMF signal into specific information; a procedure for associating the specific information with first information provided in the navigation device; A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the first information and a procedure for providing the occupant with the first information. 5. The first information is map information, the specific information is longitude and latitude of a destination, and the information providing means is a display for displaying a map based on the map information, The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein a destination is displayed on the map based on the longitude and the latitude. 6. The first information is map information, the specific information is longitude and latitude of a destination, and the information providing means is a display for displaying a map based on the map information, The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein a destination is displayed on the map based on the longitude and the latitude. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information is map information, and the specific information is text information.
Information providing system described in. 8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first information is map information, and the specific information is text information.
The navigation device according to claim 1. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information is map information, and the specific information is congestion information.
Information providing system described in. 10. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the first information is map information, and the specific information is traffic congestion information. 11. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein said DTMF signal acquiring means acquires said DTMF signal via an external mobile radio terminal. 12. The navigation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the DTMF signal acquiring means acquires the DTMF signal via an external mobile radio terminal. 13. The information according to claim 11, wherein the DTMF signal acquiring means is a microphone, and acquires the DTMF signal by collecting voice of the DTMF signal output from a speaker of the mobile radio terminal. Delivery system. 14. The navigation according to claim 12, wherein the DTMF signal acquiring means is a microphone, and acquires the DTMF signal by collecting voice of the DTMF signal output from a speaker of the mobile wireless terminal. apparatus. 15. The information providing system according to claim 11, wherein said DTMF signal acquisition means is a remote control device of said navigation device, and said mobile radio terminal is connected to said remote control device. 16. The navigation device according to claim 12, wherein the DTMF signal acquisition means is a remote control device of the navigation device, and the mobile radio terminal is connected to the remote control device.