JPWO2007074740A1 - NAVIGATION DEVICE, PROCESS CONTROL METHOD, PROCESS CONTROL PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Abstract

In the navigation device (100), when the data update process by the control unit (105) is started, the determination unit (106) determines whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process. When executing the predetermined navigation process, the predetermined navigation process is prioritized over the update process, or the update process being executed is stopped and executed. As a result, the navigation device (100) can appropriately execute a predetermined navigation process depending on the situation even during the data update process.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a process control method, a process control program, and a recording medium.

  Conventionally, for example, whether update data is search data or not, by performing batch update or dynamic update according to the type of update data, without affecting the operation speed of the navigation function, and There is a map data processing apparatus that updates to the latest map data while minimizing the time during which the navigation function cannot be used (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  In this case, new data to be updated is recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disk, and this optical disk is inserted into the optical disk drive at the time of updating. Then, necessary data is updated as appropriate.

JP 2004-295207 A

  However, for example, a device intended to be mounted on a vehicle or the like is limited in the size of the device, and therefore there are limited resources for realizing a navigation function and updating data. For this reason, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a problem that the navigation function is substantially stopped when the batch update is performed.

  On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, when dynamic updating is performed, it takes a long time to complete updating of all data, and updating of all data is completed. As an example, there is a problem that the optical disk drive is occupied until this time.

  The navigation device according to the invention of claim 1 is a navigation device comprising control means for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and updating processing of data stored in the storage device, A determination unit configured to determine whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process during the execution of the update process, and the control unit determines that the predetermined navigation process is to be performed during the execution of the update process; The predetermined navigation process is preferentially executed, or the update process being executed is stopped and the predetermined navigation process is executed.

  A navigation device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a navigation device comprising control means for executing a navigation process using data stored in a storage device and an update process of data stored in the storage device, During execution of the update process, the vehicle is provided with status determination means for determining the travel status of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and the control means, when the travel status of the mobile body is a predetermined travel status, The display process of the navigation information in the navigation process is stopped, and the update process is preferentially executed.

  A process control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a process control method in a navigation apparatus that executes navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and update processing of data stored in the storage device. A determination step for determining whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process during the execution of the update process; and if the predetermined navigation process is determined to be executed during the execution of the update process, the predetermined navigation And a control step of executing the predetermined navigation process by stopping the update process being executed and executing the process with priority.

  A process control method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a process control method in a navigation apparatus for executing a navigation process using data stored in a storage device and an update process of data stored in the storage device. When the update process is being executed, the situation determination step for determining the travel situation of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and the navigation information in the navigation process when the travel situation of the mobile body is a predetermined travel situation And a process control step for preferentially executing the update process.

  A processing control program according to a tenth aspect of the invention causes a computer to execute the processing control method according to the eighth or ninth aspect.

  A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention records the processing control program according to the tenth aspect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the data update processing procedure of the navigation device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data update processing procedure of the navigation device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining whether or not priority execution of update processing is possible. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a display screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Navigation apparatus 101 Storage apparatus 102 Detection part 103 Traffic information acquisition part 104 Input part 105 Control part 106 Judgment part

  Exemplary embodiments of a navigation device, a process control method, a process control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Functional configuration of navigation device)
First, the functional configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 100 according to the embodiment is a computer terminal including a portable storage device that can move together with a moving body.

  Here, the moving body is a movable object, such as a vehicle, a ship, or a human. For example, when the moving body is a vehicle, the navigation device 100 is realized by a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and when the moving body is a human, the navigation device 100 is realized by a mobile phone owned by the person. The

  In FIG. 1, the navigation device 100 includes a storage device 101, a detection unit 102, a traffic information acquisition unit 103, an input unit 104, a control unit 105, and a determination unit 106. The storage device 101 stores various data. Specifically, the storage device 101 stores, for example, map data and function data.

  The detection unit 102 detects the current position of the moving body on which the navigation device 100 is mounted. The current position of the mobile body can be detected by receiving a GPS signal from a GPS satellite, for example. Further, for example, when the navigation device 100 is mounted on a vehicle, the mobile object is detected in accordance with the output value of the acceleration sensor or the vehicle speed sensor that detects the behavior of the vehicle in addition to the GPS signal received from the GPS satellite. You may make it detect the present position of (vehicle). The detection unit 102 always detects the current position of the moving body during data update.

  The traffic information acquisition unit 103 acquires traffic information. Here, the traffic information is, for example, information such as traffic restriction points, traffic jam locations, traffic jam lengths, and causes of traffic jams on general roads and highways. The traffic information can be acquired using, for example, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System). VICS is a registered trademark.

  The input unit 104 receives user instruction input. Specifically, the input unit 104 receives, for example, an instruction input for specifying a destination point and an instruction input for specifying various functions.

  The control unit 105 executes navigation processing using data stored in the storage device 101 and update processing of data stored in the storage device 101. Here, the navigation processing is, for example, map display processing for displaying a map that follows the current position of the moving object detected by the detection unit 102 on the display screen.

  The navigation processing is, for example, when the current position of the moving body detected by the detection unit 102 when guiding the moving body to the destination is in the vicinity of the guide point on the route to the destination. This is route guidance processing to be performed. In addition, the navigation processing is route re-search processing that is performed when the current position of the moving body detected by the detection unit 102 deviates from the route to the destination.

  In addition, the navigation process may be a traffic information presentation process based on the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit 103, for example. Here, the traffic information presentation process is a process of presenting a traffic jam location by superimposing it on a map displayed on the display screen, or presenting a traffic information by displaying characters or figures indicating traffic information. .

  In the traffic information presentation process, for example, the location of a traffic jam location may be presented by voice, such as “a traffic jam has occurred 100 meters ahead”. When the current position of the moving object is detected by the detection unit 102, a traffic jam or a traffic regulation point near the current position may be presented. In the case of guidance according to a route to a predetermined point, a traffic jam or a traffic restriction point on the route may be presented.

  The navigation process is a navigation process corresponding to an instruction input received from the user by the input unit 104, for example. Specifically, for example, when a specific point is designated by the user's instruction input, the map information including the designated point is displayed on the display screen. In addition, the navigation process may be, for example, a process of displaying a menu screen for setting a destination point on the display screen.

  The data update process by the control unit 105 is a process for updating data stored in the storage device 101 using update data. Here, the update data specifically refers to, for example, when the data stored in the storage device 101 is map data, it relates to a newly constructed road or facility with respect to the map data. Map data with added data. The update data may be recorded on, for example, a portable recording medium, or may be recorded on an external device that can communicate with the navigation device 100.

  When updating, the control unit 105 may delete all data stored in the storage device 101 and then store the update data, or delete the data stored in the storage device 101 in units of blocks. The update data corresponding to the erased block may be stored sequentially.

  The determination unit 106 determines whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process during the execution of the update process. Here, the predetermined navigation process is a navigation process that is selected according to the situation among the various navigation processes described above. If the determination unit 106 determines that the predetermined navigation process is to be executed during the execution of the update process, the control unit 105 described above executes the predetermined navigation process with priority or the update process being executed. Is stopped and the predetermined navigation processing is executed. Here, “execution with priority given to the navigation process” means that both processes are executed with the load applied to the navigation process made larger than the load applied to the update process.

(Data update procedure of navigation device)
Next, a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 100. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the control unit 102 waits for the start of data update processing (step S201: No), and when the update processing is started (step S201: Yes), predetermined navigation is performed. Whether or not to execute the process is determined by the determination unit 106 (step S202).

  In step S202, when a predetermined navigation process is executed (step S202: Yes), the predetermined navigation process determined to be executed in step S202: Yes is executed (step S203). In step S203, the predetermined navigation process may be executed with priority over the update process, or the ongoing update process may be stopped and the predetermined navigation process may be executed.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined navigation process is not executed in step S202 (step S202: No), the data update process is continued (step S204). In step S204, when both the navigation process and the update process are executed, the superiority or inferiority of these processes is arbitrarily processed. May be treated as a no superiority, it may also be treated by setting to prioritize either advance.

  After the process of step S203 or step S204, it is determined whether or not the data update process is completed (step S205). If not completed (step S205: No), the process returns to step S202, and if completed (step S205) In S205: Yes), the series of processing ends.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when it is determined that the predetermined navigation process is executed during the execution of the update process, the predetermined navigation process is executed with priority, or The update process being executed can be stopped and the predetermined navigation process can be executed.

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can appropriately execute a predetermined navigation process depending on the situation even during the data update process. Thus, the user can update data while using the navigation device 100, and can update all data in as short a time as possible.

  Further, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when the current position of the moving body detected by the detection unit 102 exists at or near an intersection, a map that follows the current position is displayed on the display screen. Map display processing can be performed as navigation processing.

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can inform the situation at or near the intersection according to the current position of the user even during the data update process. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 100 of embodiment, the traffic information presentation process based on the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition part 103 can be performed as a navigation process.

  Therefore, the navigation apparatus 100 can present traffic information to the user even during the data update process. As a result, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while grasping traffic conditions.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 100 of embodiment, when a user's instruction input is received, the navigation processing corresponding to the instruction input when the instruction input is received can be performed.

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can perform the corresponding navigation processing according to the user's instruction input even during the data update. Thus, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while enjoying the navigation function according to the instruction input at a necessary timing.

  Further, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when the current position is present in the vicinity of the guidance point on the route according to the current position detected by the detection unit 102, the route guidance process is performed as the navigation process. Can be done as

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can guide the route even during data update. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when the current position of the moving object detected by the detection unit 102 deviates from the route, the route re-search process can be performed as the navigation process.

  Therefore, even when the data is being updated, the navigation device 100 can re-search for a route according to the current position of the mobile object when the mobile object deviates from the route. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Although illustration is omitted, for example, during execution of the update process by the control unit 105, a situation determination unit that determines a traveling state of the moving body equipped with the navigation device is provided, and the traveling of the moving body determined by the situation determining unit is provided. When the situation is a predetermined running situation, the display process of the navigation information on the display screen in the navigation process may be stopped and the update process may be executed with priority.

  Here, the predetermined traveling situation is, for example, that the moving body is guided to travel along a road more than a predetermined distance during execution of the route guidance processing for guiding the route among the various navigation processes described above. The situation is that the vehicle is traveling on a road. Further, the predetermined traveling situation may be, for example, a situation in which the moving body is traveling around a point registered as a home.

  Further, the predetermined traveling state may be a state where the moving body is traveling on a road that has traveled in the past. In addition, the predetermined traveling state may be a state in which the moving body is traveling in the automatic traveling mode. Note that the automatic travel mode is a mode in which the control device mounted on the mobile body automatically travels by controlling the speed of the mobile body even if the user does not steer.

  In this case, the display process of the navigation information on the display screen is stopped, but the navigation process is continued. The display processing of the navigation information on the display screen is, for example, processing such as the above-described map display processing or traffic information presentation processing with display on the display screen. Note that “execution of the update process with priority” means that both processes are executed with a load applied to the update process larger than a load applied to the navigation process.

  As described above, when the display processing of the navigation information on the display screen is stopped while the resource is occupied by updating by the control unit 105, for example, only a message such as “data updating in progress” is displayed. May be displayed on the display screen, or display of all information may be stopped.

  Therefore, the navigation apparatus 100 can stop the navigation process with the display process on the display screen according to the traveling state of the moving body determined by the situation determination unit, and give priority to the update process by the control unit 102. Thus, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update according to the traveling state of the moving body.

  Next, examples of the navigation device 100 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In this example, an example in which the navigation device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is applied to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle is shown.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
First, the hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the navigation device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, an audio I / F (interface) 308, and a microphone 309. A speaker 310, an input device 311, a video I / F 312, a display 313, a communication I / F 314, a GPS unit 315, and various sensors 316. Each component 301 to 316 is connected by a bus 320.

  First, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 records various programs related to navigation processing such as a boot program and a processing control program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. That is, the CPU 301 controls the entire navigation device 300 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 302 while using the RAM 303 as a work area.

  The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. The magnetic disk 305 implements the storage device 101 included in the navigation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304. As the magnetic disk 305, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  In this embodiment, the magnetic disk 305 stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data. The map data includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is composed of multiple data files divided by district. ing.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The traffic condition data stores past traffic information obtained by statistically processing past traffic information based on seasons, days of the week, large holidays, and time. The navigation device 300 obtains information on the currently occurring traffic jam based on road traffic information received by the communication I / F 314 described later, and can predict the traffic jam status at a specified time based on the past traffic jam information. Become.

  Various data used for the navigation processing includes three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map data.

  Various data used for the navigation processing also includes data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, and the like.

  The various data used for the navigation processing may include data representing an arbitrary point registered by the user, such as “home”, “workplace”, “friend A's home”, etc. . Registration of a spot can be performed by accepting an input operation using the input device 311.

  Note that the various data used in the above-described navigation processing is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each district or function.

  In the embodiment, the map data is recorded on the magnetic disk 305. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map data is not limited to being recorded integrally with the hardware of the navigation device 300, but may be provided outside the navigation device 300. In that case, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map data via a network through communication I / F314, for example. The acquired map data is stored in the RAM 303 or the like.

  The optical disk drive 306 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 307 according to control of CPU301. The optical disk 307 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 306. As the optical disc 307, a writable recording medium can be used. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the optical disk 307, an MO, a memory card, or the like may be used.

  In this embodiment, the update data for updating various data such as map data recorded on the magnetic disk 305 is recorded on the optical disk 307. When various data recorded on the magnetic disk 305 is updated, the update data is read by the optical disk drive 306 and used for various data update processing.

  The audio I / F 308 is connected to a microphone 309 for audio input and a speaker 310 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 309 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 308. For example, the microphone 309 may be installed near the sun visor of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be one or more. From the speaker 310, a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 308 is output. Note that the sound input from the microphone 309 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 as sound data.

  Examples of the input device 311 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 311 may be realized by any one form of a remote control, a keyboard, and a touch panel, but can also be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 312 is connected to the display 313. Specifically, the video I / F 312 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 313, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 313 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 313 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 313, the map data described above is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. The map data displayed on the display 313 can be displayed with a mark representing the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 301.

  As the display 313, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be used. The display 313 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 313 may be installed in the vehicle, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the rear seat of the vehicle.

  The communication I / F 314 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 314 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 314 is configured by, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS / beacon receiver, a wireless navigation device, and other navigation devices. get. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 315 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information related to the position of the vehicle (navigation device 300). The output information of the GPS unit 315 is used when the current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 301 together with output values of various sensors 316 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 316 output information that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 316 are used for the calculation of the current location by the CPU 301 and the measurement of the change in speed and direction. In addition, the navigation apparatus 300 is good also as data which record the output value from various sensors 316 with a drive recorder function.

  In addition, although illustration and description are omitted, the navigation apparatus 300 includes a configuration that realizes various functions such as reproduction of a DVD or CD, reception / recording of a television broadcast, in addition to the above-described configurations 301 to 316. Also good.

  The functions of each part of the navigation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 are determined by the CPU 301 using predetermined programs and data recorded in the ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk 305, optical disc 307, etc. in the navigation device 300 shown in FIG. The function is realized by executing the program and controlling each unit in the navigation device 300.

(Data update procedure of navigation device)
Next, a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 300. The data update processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 is executed in a state where the optical disk 307 in which update data is recorded is inserted in the optical disk drive 306.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, the process waits until data update is started (step S401: No). Data update is started when the optical disc 307 is inserted into the optical disc drive 306 or when an instruction to start updating is received by the user while the optical disc 307 is inserted into the optical disc drive 306.

  When data update is started in step S401 (step S401: Yes), it is determined whether or not an instruction input has been accepted by operating the input device 311 (step S402). In step S402, for example, it is determined whether or not a user instruction input related to navigation processing such as map scroll processing or destination setting processing has been received.

  In step S402, if an instruction input is accepted (step S402: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408, and if not accepted (step S402: No), it is determined whether route guidance is being performed (step S402). S403). Here, the route guidance is various processes for moving the vehicle along the optimal route to the destination point and various operations realized by the processes.

  In step S403, when the route is not being guided (step S403: No), the process proceeds to step S406. If the route is being guided (step S403: Yes), it is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached the guidance point (step S404). If the vehicle has approached (step S404: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408.

  In step S404, when the vehicle is not approaching the guidance point (step S404: No), it is determined whether the vehicle has deviated from the route used for route guidance (step S405). When it deviates (step S405: Yes), it transfers to step S408.

  In step S405, if the vehicle has not deviated from the route used for route guidance (step S405: No), it is determined whether traffic information in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle has been received (step S407). . When the route is being guided, in step S407, it is determined whether or not traffic information existing on the route used for route guidance has been received. If received (step S406: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408.

  If traffic information has not been received (step S406: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached the intersection (step S407). If the vehicle has approached (step S407: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, the navigation process is prioritized over the update process, and the process proceeds to step S412.

  Specifically, when an instruction input is received (S402: Yes), the navigation process corresponding to the instruction input is executed with priority. When the user approaches the guidance point (S404: Yes), an enlarged view of the guidance point and information for guiding the traveling direction are displayed on the display 313, or a voice message for guiding the traveling direction is output.

  When the vehicle deviates from the route (step S405: Yes), a new route is re-searched according to the current position of the vehicle. Furthermore, when traffic information is received (step S406: Yes), information representing a traffic jam location or a traffic regulation location is displayed on the display 313 or output by a voice message. In addition, when approaching an intersection (step S407: Yes), it is displayed on the map display 313 including the current position of the vehicle and the intersection. In step S408, the update process may be stopped as appropriate according to the navigation process to be executed.

  In step S407, when the current position of the navigation device 300 is not approaching the intersection (step S407: No), it is determined whether or not the update process can be executed with priority (step S409). In step S409, it is possible to perform the data update process by using the resource related to the data update process among the various resources of the navigation device 300 with the highest priority for the data update process. Judge whether or not. Examples of resources related to data update processing include the CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk drive 304, magnetic disk 305, optical disk drive 306, and optical disk 307.

  In step S409, when the update process can be executed with priority (step S409: Yes), the update process is executed with priority (step S410), and the process proceeds to step S412. In step S410, the display of the navigation information on the display screen of the display 313 is stopped, and the update process is prioritized and executed over the navigation process. As for the navigation process, only the display process is stopped, and the other processes are continued.

  On the other hand, when it is impossible to preferentially execute the update process (step S409: No), the normal process is executed (step S411), and the process proceeds to step S412. In step S411, superiority or inferiority between the navigation process and the update process is processed arbitrarily. May be treated as a no superiority, it may also be treated by setting to prioritize either advance. However, navigation information is displayed and the update process is not stopped.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the update of all data files has been completed (step S412). If not completed (step S412: No), the process returns to step S402. When the process is finished (step S412: Yes), the series of processes is finished.

  Next, the determination of whether or not the update process can be executed with priority in step S409 described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining whether or not priority execution of update processing is possible. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, it is determined whether or not t1 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S501). If not, the process proceeds to step S508. Here, t1 is set in advance at the time of manufacturing the navigation device 300, for example, and can be set arbitrarily, for example, “t1 = 30 seconds”.

  In step S501, when t1 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S501: Yes), it is determined whether route guidance is being performed (step S502). If the route is not being guided (step S502: No), the process proceeds to step S505. If the route is being guided (step S502: Yes), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a road that is guided to travel on the road without turning right or left for a predetermined distance or more (step S503).

  If it is determined in step S503 that the vehicle is traveling on a road that has been guided to travel a predetermined distance or more (step S503: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. When the vehicle is not traveling (step S503: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling around the home (step S504). When the vehicle is traveling around the home (step S504: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S504, if the vehicle is not traveling around the home (step S504: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the road on which the travel locus is recorded (the road on which the vehicle has traveled in the past) (step S504). S505). If the vehicle is traveling on a road on which the travel locus is recorded (step S505: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. When the vehicle is not traveling on the road on which the travel locus is recorded (step S505: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling in the automatic travel mode (step S506).

  In step S506, when the vehicle is traveling in the automatic travel mode (step S506: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. If the vehicle is not traveling in the automatic travel mode (step S506: No), it is determined whether or not t2 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S507). Here, t2 is set in advance, for example, at the time of manufacturing the navigation device 300, and can be set arbitrarily, for example, “t2 = 5 minutes”. Note that t2> t1.

  In step S507, if t2 or more has not elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S: No), it is determined that the update process cannot be executed with priority (step S508). Exit. On the other hand, when t2 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S: Yes), it is determined that the update process can be executed with priority (step S508), and the series of processes ends.

  Next, a display screen example will be described. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a display screen. A display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 313 during the update in the high-speed update mode. As shown in FIG. 5, the display screen 600 displays a message 601 indicating that data is being updated, a graph 602 for guiding the progress of data update, and numerical information 603.

  While the display screen 600 is displayed on the display 313, the video I / F 312 only needs to update the graph 602 and the numerical information 603 according to the progress of data update. Thereby, the usage amount of resources such as the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 related to the control of the video I / F 312 can be greatly suppressed as compared to the case of displaying a map that follows the current position of the vehicle.

  As described above, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of the embodiment, a predetermined navigation process can be appropriately executed according to the situation even during the data update process. Thus, the user can update data while using the navigation device 300, and can update all data in as short a time as possible.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of an Example, the situation of an intersection or its vicinity can be conveyed according to a user's present position also in the middle of the update process of data. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, traffic information can be presented to the user even during the data update process. As a result, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while grasping traffic conditions.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, it is possible to perform a corresponding navigation process according to a user's instruction input even while data is being updated. Thus, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while enjoying the navigation function according to the instruction input at a necessary timing.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, route guidance can be performed even while data is being updated. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, even when the data is being updated, if the vehicle deviates from the route, the route corresponding to the current position of the vehicle can be searched again. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in the situation where the moving body is traveling on a road that is guided to travel on a road more than a predetermined distance while the route guidance processing is being performed, the navigation information display The display process to 313 can be stopped and the update process can be executed with priority. As a result, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to data update when display of navigation information is unnecessary.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in a situation where the moving body is traveling around a point registered as home, the display processing of the navigation information on the display 313 is stopped and the update processing is prioritized. And can be executed. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in a situation where the mobile body is traveling on a road that has traveled in the past, the display process of the navigation information on the display 313 is stopped and the update process is preferentially executed. be able to. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in a situation where the moving body is traveling in the automatic travel mode, the display process of the navigation information on the display 313 is stopped and the update process can be performed with priority. it can. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  The processing control method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a process control method, a process control program, and a recording medium.

  Conventionally, for example, whether update data is search data or not, by performing batch update or dynamic update according to the type of update data, without affecting the operation speed of the navigation function, and There is a map data processing apparatus that updates to the latest map data while minimizing the time during which the navigation function cannot be used (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  In this case, new data to be updated is recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disk, and this optical disk is inserted into the optical disk drive at the time of updating. Then, necessary data is updated as appropriate.

JP 2004-295207 A

  However, for example, a device intended to be mounted on a vehicle or the like is limited in the size of the device, and therefore there are limited resources for realizing a navigation function and updating data. For this reason, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a problem that the navigation function is substantially stopped when the batch update is performed.

  On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, when dynamic updating is performed, it takes a long time to complete updating of all data, and updating of all data is completed. As an example, there is a problem that the optical disk drive is occupied until this time.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the navigation device according to claim 1 is a navigation process using data stored in a storage device and an update process of data stored in the storage device. A navigation device comprising a control means for executing the update processing, comprising: a situation judgment means for judging a traveling situation of a mobile body equipped with the navigation device during the execution of the update process, wherein the control means comprises the situation judgment means When it is determined that the moving body is traveling on a road that is guided to travel on a road more than a predetermined distance, the display process of the navigation information in the navigation process is stopped. The update process is preferentially executed.

  A navigation device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a navigation device comprising control means for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and updating processing of data stored in the storage device, During execution of the update process, the vehicle is provided with status determination means for determining the travel status of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and the control means is a status in which the mobile body is traveling around the home by the status determination means. If it is determined, the display process of the navigation information on the display means in the navigation process is stopped, and the update process is preferentially executed.

  A navigation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a navigation device comprising a control means for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and update processing of data stored in the storage device, During execution of the update process, the vehicle is provided with a situation determination unit that determines a traveling state of a mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and the control unit travels on a road on which the mobile body has traveled in the past by the situation determination unit. When it is determined that the current situation is present, the display process of the navigation information in the navigation process is stopped, and the update process is preferentially executed.

  A navigation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a navigation device comprising control means for executing a navigation process using data stored in a storage device and an update process of data stored in the storage device, During the execution of the update process, the vehicle is provided with status determination means for determining the travel status of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and the control means is running in the automatic travel mode by the status determination means. When it is determined that the situation is present, the display process of the navigation information on the display means in the navigation process is stopped, and the update process is preferentially executed.

  A process control method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a process control method in a navigation device that executes navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and update processing of data stored in the storage device. During the execution of the update process, the situation determination step of determining the traveling state of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device and the state determination step are guided so that the mobile body travels on a road more than a predetermined distance. A process control step of stopping the display process of the navigation information on the display means in the navigation process and preferentially executing the update process when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a road. It is characterized by.

  A process control method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a process control method in a navigation apparatus that executes navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and update processing of data stored in the storage device. During the execution of the update process, the situation determination step for determining the traveling state of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device and the situation determination step determine that the mobile body is traveling around the home. A process control step of stopping the display process of the navigation information on the display means in the navigation process and preferentially executing the update process.

  A processing control method according to a seventh aspect of the invention is a processing control method in a navigation device that executes navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and update processing of data stored in the storage device. , During execution of the update process, a situation determination step for determining a traveling state of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and a state in which the mobile body is traveling on a road that has traveled in the past by the state determination step. A process control step of stopping the display process of the navigation information on the display means in the navigation process and preferentially executing the update process.

  A process control method according to an invention of claim 8 is a process control method in a navigation apparatus that executes a navigation process using data stored in a storage device and an update process of data stored in the storage device. , During execution of the update process, a situation determination step of determining a traveling state of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device, and the situation determination step determines that the mobile body is traveling in the automatic travel mode. And a process control step of stopping the display process of the navigation information on the display means in the navigation process and executing the update process preferentially.

  A process control program according to a ninth aspect of the invention causes a computer to execute the process control method according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects.

  A recording medium according to a tenth aspect of the present invention records the processing control program according to the ninth aspect.

  Exemplary embodiments of a navigation device, a process control method, a process control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Functional configuration of navigation device)
First, the functional configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 100 according to the embodiment is a computer terminal including a portable storage device that can move together with a moving body.

  Here, the moving body is a movable object, such as a vehicle, a ship, or a human. For example, when the moving body is a vehicle, the navigation device 100 is realized by a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and when the moving body is a human, the navigation device 100 is realized by a mobile phone owned by the person. The

  In FIG. 1, the navigation device 100 includes a storage device 101, a detection unit 102, a traffic information acquisition unit 103, an input unit 104, a control unit 105, and a determination unit 106. The storage device 101 stores various data. Specifically, the storage device 101 stores, for example, map data and function data.

  The detection unit 102 detects the current position of the moving body on which the navigation device 100 is mounted. The current position of the mobile body can be detected by receiving a GPS signal from a GPS satellite, for example. Further, for example, when the navigation device 100 is mounted on a vehicle, the mobile object is detected in accordance with the output value of the acceleration sensor or the vehicle speed sensor that detects the behavior of the vehicle in addition to the GPS signal received from the GPS satellite. You may make it detect the present position of (vehicle). The detection unit 102 always detects the current position of the moving body during data update.

  The traffic information acquisition unit 103 acquires traffic information. Here, the traffic information is, for example, information such as traffic restriction points, traffic jam locations, traffic jam lengths, and causes of traffic jams on general roads and highways. The traffic information can be acquired using, for example, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System). VICS is a registered trademark.

  The input unit 104 receives user instruction input. Specifically, the input unit 104 receives, for example, an instruction input for specifying a destination point and an instruction input for specifying various functions.

  The control unit 105 executes navigation processing using data stored in the storage device 101 and update processing of data stored in the storage device 101. Here, the navigation processing is, for example, map display processing for displaying a map that follows the current position of the moving object detected by the detection unit 102 on the display screen.

  The navigation processing is, for example, when the current position of the moving body detected by the detection unit 102 when guiding the moving body to the destination is in the vicinity of the guide point on the route to the destination. This is route guidance processing to be performed. In addition, the navigation processing is route re-search processing that is performed when the current position of the moving body detected by the detection unit 102 deviates from the route to the destination.

  In addition, the navigation process may be a traffic information presentation process based on the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit 103, for example. Here, the traffic information presentation process is a process of presenting a traffic jam location by superimposing it on a map displayed on the display screen, or presenting a traffic information by displaying characters or figures indicating traffic information. .

  In the traffic information presentation process, for example, the location of a traffic jam location may be presented by voice, such as “a traffic jam has occurred 100 meters ahead”. When the current position of the moving object is detected by the detection unit 102, a traffic jam or a traffic regulation point near the current position may be presented. In the case of guidance according to a route to a predetermined point, a traffic jam or a traffic restriction point on the route may be presented.

  The navigation process is a navigation process corresponding to an instruction input received from the user by the input unit 104, for example. Specifically, for example, when a specific point is designated by the user's instruction input, the map information including the designated point is displayed on the display screen. In addition, the navigation process may be, for example, a process of displaying a menu screen for setting a destination point on the display screen.

  The data update process by the control unit 105 is a process for updating data stored in the storage device 101 using update data. Here, the update data specifically refers to, for example, when the data stored in the storage device 101 is map data, it relates to a newly constructed road or facility with respect to the map data. Map data with added data. The update data may be recorded on, for example, a portable recording medium, or may be recorded on an external device that can communicate with the navigation device 100.

  When updating, the control unit 105 may delete all data stored in the storage device 101 and then store the update data, or delete the data stored in the storage device 101 in units of blocks. The update data corresponding to the erased block may be stored sequentially.

  The determination unit 106 determines whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process during the execution of the update process. Here, the predetermined navigation process is a navigation process that is selected according to the situation among the various navigation processes described above. If the determination unit 106 determines that the predetermined navigation process is to be executed during the execution of the update process, the control unit 105 described above executes the predetermined navigation process with priority or the update process being executed. Is stopped and the predetermined navigation processing is executed. Here, “execution with priority given to the navigation process” means that both processes are executed with the load applied to the navigation process made larger than the load applied to the update process.

(Data update procedure of navigation device)
Next, a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 100. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the control unit 102 waits for the start of data update processing (step S201: No), and when the update processing is started (step S201: Yes), predetermined navigation is performed. Whether or not to execute the process is determined by the determination unit 106 (step S202).

  In step S202, when a predetermined navigation process is executed (step S202: Yes), the predetermined navigation process determined to be executed in step S202: Yes is executed (step S203). In step S203, the predetermined navigation process may be executed with priority over the update process, or the ongoing update process may be stopped and the predetermined navigation process may be executed.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined navigation process is not executed in step S202 (step S202: No), the data update process is continued (step S204). In step S204, when both the navigation process and the update process are executed, the superiority or inferiority of these processes is arbitrarily processed. May be treated as a no superiority, it may also be treated by setting to prioritize either advance.

  After the process of step S203 or step S204, it is determined whether or not the data update process is completed (step S205). If not completed (step S205: No), the process returns to step S202, and if completed (step S205) In S205: Yes), the series of processing ends.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when it is determined that the predetermined navigation process is executed during the execution of the update process, the predetermined navigation process is executed with priority, or The update process being executed can be stopped and the predetermined navigation process can be executed.

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can appropriately execute a predetermined navigation process depending on the situation even during the data update process. Thus, the user can update data while using the navigation device 100, and can update all data in as short a time as possible.

  Further, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when the current position of the moving body detected by the detection unit 102 exists at or near an intersection, a map that follows the current position is displayed on the display screen. Map display processing can be performed as navigation processing.

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can inform the situation at or near the intersection according to the current position of the user even during the data update process. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 100 of embodiment, the traffic information presentation process based on the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition part 103 can be performed as a navigation process.

  Therefore, the navigation apparatus 100 can present traffic information to the user even during the data update process. As a result, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while grasping traffic conditions.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 100 of embodiment, when a user's instruction input is received, the navigation processing corresponding to the instruction input when the instruction input is received can be performed.

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can perform the corresponding navigation processing according to the user's instruction input even during the data update. Thus, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while enjoying the navigation function according to the instruction input at a necessary timing.

  Further, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when the current position is present in the vicinity of the guidance point on the route according to the current position detected by the detection unit 102, the route guidance process is performed as the navigation process. Can be done as

  Therefore, the navigation device 100 can guide the route even during data update. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, when the current position of the moving object detected by the detection unit 102 deviates from the route, the route re-search process can be performed as the navigation process.

  Therefore, even when the data is being updated, the navigation device 100 can re-search for a route according to the current position of the mobile object when the mobile object deviates from the route. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Although illustration is omitted, for example, during execution of the update process by the control unit 105, a situation determination unit that determines a traveling state of the moving body equipped with the navigation device is provided, and the traveling of the moving body determined by the situation determining unit is provided. When the situation is a predetermined running situation, the display process of the navigation information on the display screen in the navigation process may be stopped and the update process may be executed with priority.

  Here, the predetermined traveling situation is, for example, that the moving body is guided to travel along a road more than a predetermined distance during execution of the route guidance processing for guiding the route among the various navigation processes described above. The situation is that the vehicle is traveling on a road. Further, the predetermined traveling situation may be, for example, a situation in which the moving body is traveling around a point registered as a home.

  Further, the predetermined traveling state may be a state where the moving body is traveling on a road that has traveled in the past. In addition, the predetermined traveling state may be a state in which the moving body is traveling in the automatic traveling mode. Note that the automatic travel mode is a mode in which the control device mounted on the mobile body automatically travels by controlling the speed of the mobile body even if the user does not steer.

  In this case, the display process of the navigation information on the display screen is stopped, but the navigation process is continued. The display processing of the navigation information on the display screen is, for example, processing such as the above-described map display processing or traffic information presentation processing with display on the display screen. Note that “execution of the update process with priority” means that both processes are executed with a load applied to the update process larger than a load applied to the navigation process.

  As described above, when the display processing of the navigation information on the display screen is stopped while the resource is occupied by updating by the control unit 105, for example, only a message such as “data updating in progress” is displayed. May be displayed on the display screen, or display of all information may be stopped.

  Therefore, the navigation apparatus 100 can stop the navigation process with the display process on the display screen according to the traveling state of the moving body determined by the situation determination unit, and give priority to the update process by the control unit 102. Thus, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update according to the traveling state of the moving body.

  Next, examples of the navigation device 100 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In this example, an example in which the navigation device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is applied to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle is shown.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
First, the hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the navigation device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, an audio I / F (interface) 308, and a microphone 309. A speaker 310, an input device 311, a video I / F 312, a display 313, a communication I / F 314, a GPS unit 315, and various sensors 316. Each component 301 to 316 is connected by a bus 320.

  First, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 records various programs related to navigation processing such as a boot program and a processing control program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. That is, the CPU 301 controls the entire navigation device 300 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 302 while using the RAM 303 as a work area.

  The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. The magnetic disk 305 implements the storage device 101 included in the navigation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304. As the magnetic disk 305, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  In this embodiment, the magnetic disk 305 stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data. The map data includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is composed of multiple data files divided by district. ing.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The traffic condition data stores past traffic information obtained by statistically processing past traffic information based on seasons, days of the week, large holidays, and time. The navigation device 300 obtains information on the currently occurring traffic jam based on road traffic information received by the communication I / F 314 described later, and can predict the traffic jam status at a specified time based on the past traffic jam information. Become.

  Various data used for the navigation processing includes three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map data.

  Various data used for the navigation processing also includes data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, and the like.

  The various data used for the navigation processing may include data representing an arbitrary point registered by the user, such as “home”, “workplace”, “friend A's home”, etc. . Registration of a spot can be performed by accepting an input operation using the input device 311.

  Note that the various data used in the above-described navigation processing is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each district or function.

  In the embodiment, the map data is recorded on the magnetic disk 305. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map data is not limited to being recorded integrally with the hardware of the navigation device 300, but may be provided outside the navigation device 300. In that case, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map data via a network through communication I / F314, for example. The acquired map data is stored in the RAM 303 or the like.

  The optical disk drive 306 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 307 according to control of CPU301. The optical disk 307 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 306. As the optical disc 307, a writable recording medium can be used. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the optical disk 307, an MO, a memory card, or the like may be used.

  In this embodiment, the update data for updating various data such as map data recorded on the magnetic disk 305 is recorded on the optical disk 307. When various data recorded on the magnetic disk 305 is updated, the update data is read by the optical disk drive 306 and used for various data update processing.

  The audio I / F 308 is connected to a microphone 309 for audio input and a speaker 310 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 309 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 308. For example, the microphone 309 may be installed near the sun visor of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be one or more. From the speaker 310, a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 308 is output. Note that the sound input from the microphone 309 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 as sound data.

  Examples of the input device 311 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 311 may be realized by any one form of a remote control, a keyboard, and a touch panel, but can also be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 312 is connected to the display 313. Specifically, the video I / F 312 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 313, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 313 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 313 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 313, the map data described above is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. The map data displayed on the display 313 can be displayed with a mark representing the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 301.

  As the display 313, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be used. The display 313 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 313 may be installed in the vehicle, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the rear seat of the vehicle.

  The communication I / F 314 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 314 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 314 is configured by, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS / beacon receiver, a wireless navigation device, and other navigation devices. get. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 315 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information related to the position of the vehicle (navigation device 300). The output information of the GPS unit 315 is used when the current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 301 together with output values of various sensors 316 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 316 output information that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 316 are used for the calculation of the current location by the CPU 301 and the measurement of the change in speed and direction. In addition, the navigation apparatus 300 is good also as data which record the output value from various sensors 316 with a drive recorder function.

  In addition, although illustration and description are omitted, the navigation apparatus 300 includes a configuration that realizes various functions such as reproduction of a DVD or CD, reception / recording of a television broadcast, in addition to the above-described configurations 301 to 316. Also good.

  The functions of each part of the navigation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 are determined by the CPU 301 using predetermined programs and data recorded in the ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk 305, optical disc 307, etc. in the navigation device 300 shown in FIG. The function is realized by executing the program and controlling each unit in the navigation device 300.

(Data update procedure of navigation device)
Next, a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data update processing procedure of the navigation device 300. The data update processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 is executed in a state where the optical disk 307 in which update data is recorded is inserted in the optical disk drive 306.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, the process waits until data update is started (step S401: No). Data update is started when the optical disc 307 is inserted into the optical disc drive 306 or when an instruction to start updating is received by the user while the optical disc 307 is inserted into the optical disc drive 306.

  When data update is started in step S401 (step S401: Yes), it is determined whether or not an instruction input has been accepted by operating the input device 311 (step S402). In step S402, for example, it is determined whether or not a user instruction input related to navigation processing such as map scroll processing or destination setting processing has been received.

  In step S402, if an instruction input is accepted (step S402: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408, and if not accepted (step S402: No), it is determined whether route guidance is being performed (step S402). S403). Here, the route guidance is various processes for moving the vehicle along the optimal route to the destination point and various operations realized by the processes.

  In step S403, when the route is not being guided (step S403: No), the process proceeds to step S406. If the route is being guided (step S403: Yes), it is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached the guidance point (step S404). If the vehicle has approached (step S404: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408.

  In step S404, when the vehicle is not approaching the guidance point (step S404: No), it is determined whether the vehicle has deviated from the route used for route guidance (step S405). When it deviates (step S405: Yes), it transfers to step S408.

  In step S405, if the vehicle has not deviated from the route used for route guidance (step S405: No), it is determined whether traffic information in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle has been received (step S407). . When the route is being guided, in step S407, it is determined whether or not traffic information existing on the route used for route guidance has been received. If received (step S406: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408.

  If traffic information has not been received (step S406: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached the intersection (step S407). If the vehicle has approached (step S407: Yes), the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, the navigation process is prioritized over the update process, and the process proceeds to step S412.

  Specifically, when an instruction input is received (S402: Yes), the navigation process corresponding to the instruction input is executed with priority. When the user approaches the guidance point (S404: Yes), an enlarged view of the guidance point and information for guiding the traveling direction are displayed on the display 313, or a voice message for guiding the traveling direction is output.

  When the vehicle deviates from the route (step S405: Yes), a new route is re-searched according to the current position of the vehicle. Furthermore, when traffic information is received (step S406: Yes), information representing a traffic jam location or a traffic regulation location is displayed on the display 313 or output by a voice message. In addition, when approaching an intersection (step S407: Yes), it is displayed on the map display 313 including the current position of the vehicle and the intersection. In step S408, the update process may be stopped as appropriate according to the navigation process to be executed.

  In step S407, when the current position of the navigation device 300 is not approaching the intersection (step S407: No), it is determined whether or not the update process can be executed with priority (step S409). In step S409, it is possible to perform the data update process by using the resource related to the data update process among the various resources of the navigation device 300 with the highest priority for the data update process. Judge whether or not. Examples of resources related to data update processing include the CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk drive 304, magnetic disk 305, optical disk drive 306, and optical disk 307.

  In step S409, when the update process can be executed with priority (step S409: Yes), the update process is executed with priority (step S410), and the process proceeds to step S412. In step S410, the display of the navigation information on the display screen of the display 313 is stopped, and the update process is prioritized and executed over the navigation process. As for the navigation process, only the display process is stopped, and the other processes are continued.

  On the other hand, when it is impossible to preferentially execute the update process (step S409: No), the normal process is executed (step S411), and the process proceeds to step S412. In step S411, superiority or inferiority between the navigation process and the update process is processed arbitrarily. May be treated as a no superiority, it may also be treated by setting to prioritize either advance. However, navigation information is displayed and the update process is not stopped.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the update of all data files has been completed (step S412). If not completed (step S412: No), the process returns to step S402. When the process is finished (step S412: Yes), the series of processes is finished.

  Next, the determination of whether or not the update process can be executed with priority in step S409 described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining whether or not priority execution of update processing is possible. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, it is determined whether or not t1 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S501). If not, the process proceeds to step S508. Here, t1 is set in advance at the time of manufacturing the navigation device 300, for example, and can be set arbitrarily, for example, “t1 = 30 seconds”.

  In step S501, when t1 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S501: Yes), it is determined whether route guidance is being performed (step S502). If the route is not being guided (step S502: No), the process proceeds to step S505. If the route is being guided (step S502: Yes), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a road that is guided to travel on the road without turning right or left for a predetermined distance or more (step S503).

  If it is determined in step S503 that the vehicle is traveling on a road that has been guided to travel a predetermined distance or more (step S503: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. When the vehicle is not traveling (step S503: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling around the home (step S504). When the vehicle is traveling around the home (step S504: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S504, if the vehicle is not traveling around the home (step S504: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the road on which the travel locus is recorded (the road on which the vehicle has traveled in the past) (step S504). S505). If the vehicle is traveling on a road on which the travel locus is recorded (step S505: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. When the vehicle is not traveling on the road on which the travel locus is recorded (step S505: No), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling in the automatic travel mode (step S506).

  In step S506, when the vehicle is traveling in the automatic travel mode (step S506: Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. If the vehicle is not traveling in the automatic travel mode (step S506: No), it is determined whether or not t2 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S507). Here, t2 is set in advance, for example, at the time of manufacturing the navigation device 300, and can be set arbitrarily, for example, “t2 = 5 minutes”. Note that t2> t1.

  In step S507, if t2 or more has not elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S: No), it is determined that the update process cannot be executed with priority (step S508). Exit. On the other hand, when t2 or more has elapsed since the priority execution of the update process was stopped (step S: Yes), it is determined that the update process can be executed with priority (step S508), and the series of processes ends.

  Next, a display screen example will be described. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a display screen. A display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 313 during the update in the high-speed update mode. As shown in FIG. 5, the display screen 600 displays a message 601 indicating that data is being updated, a graph 602 for guiding the progress of data update, and numerical information 603.

  While the display screen 600 is displayed on the display 313, the video I / F 312 only needs to update the graph 602 and the numerical information 603 according to the progress of data update. Thereby, the usage amount of resources such as the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 related to the control of the video I / F 312 can be greatly suppressed as compared to the case of displaying a map that follows the current position of the vehicle.

  As described above, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of the embodiment, a predetermined navigation process can be appropriately executed according to the situation even during the data update process. Thus, the user can update data while using the navigation device 300, and can update all data in as short a time as possible.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of an Example, the situation of an intersection or its vicinity can be conveyed according to a user's present position also in the middle of the update process of data. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, traffic information can be presented to the user even during the data update process. As a result, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while grasping traffic conditions.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, it is possible to perform a corresponding navigation process according to a user's instruction input even while data is being updated. Thus, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible while enjoying the navigation function according to the instruction input at a necessary timing.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, route guidance can be performed even while data is being updated. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, even when the data is being updated, if the vehicle deviates from the route, the route corresponding to the current position of the vehicle can be searched again. As a result, the user can update all data in the shortest possible time without hindering movement.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in the situation where the moving body is traveling on a road that is guided to travel on a road more than a predetermined distance while the route guidance processing is being performed, the navigation information display The display process to 313 can be stopped and the update process can be executed with priority. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in a situation where the moving body is traveling around a point registered as home, the display processing of the navigation information on the display 313 is stopped and the update processing is prioritized. And can be executed. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in a situation where the mobile body is traveling on a road that has traveled in the past, the display process of the navigation information on the display 313 is stopped and the update process is preferentially executed. be able to. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the embodiment, in a situation where the moving body is traveling in the automatic travel mode, the display process of the navigation information on the display 313 is stopped and the update process can be performed with priority. it can. As a result, when the navigation information display is unnecessary, the user can update all data in as short a time as possible by giving priority to the data update.

  The processing control method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the navigation apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the data update process sequence of a navigation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the data update process sequence of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which judges whether the priority execution of an update process is possible. It is a top view which shows the example of a display screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Navigation apparatus 101 Storage apparatus 102 Detection part 103 Traffic information acquisition part 104 Input part 105 Control part 106 Judgment part

Claims (11)

A navigation device comprising control means for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and updating processing of data stored in the storage device,
Determination means for determining whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process during the execution of the update process;
When it is determined that the predetermined navigation process is to be executed during the execution of the update process, the control unit preferentially executes the predetermined navigation process or stops the update process being executed and A navigation device that performs predetermined navigation processing. Comprising a detecting means for detecting a current position of a mobile body equipped with the navigation device;
2. The map display process according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined navigation process is a map display process for displaying a map that follows the current position on the display screen when the current position of the moving object is present near an intersection. Navigation device. A traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information is provided.
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined navigation process is a traffic information presentation process based on the acquired traffic information. Comprising input means for accepting user instruction input;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined navigation process is a navigation process corresponding to the instruction input when the instruction input is received. Comprising a detecting means for detecting a current position of a mobile body equipped with the navigation device;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined navigation process is a route guidance process in a case where a current position of the moving body is present in the vicinity of a guidance point on the route. Comprising a detecting means for detecting a current position of a mobile body equipped with the navigation device;
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined navigation process is a route re-search process when the current position deviates from the route. A navigation device comprising control means for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and updating processing of data stored in the storage device,
During the execution of the update process, comprising a situation judgment means for judging the traveling situation of the mobile body equipped with the navigation device,
The control unit stops the display process of the navigation information on the display unit in the navigation process and executes the update process with priority when the traveling state of the moving body is a predetermined traveling state. A navigation device. A processing control method in a navigation device for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and updating processing of data stored in the storage device,
A determination step of determining whether or not to execute a predetermined navigation process during the execution of the update process;
When it is determined that the predetermined navigation process is to be executed during the execution of the update process, the predetermined navigation process is preferentially executed, or the current update process is stopped and the predetermined navigation process is stopped. A control process to be executed;
A process control method characterized by comprising: A processing control method in a navigation device for executing navigation processing using data stored in a storage device and updating processing of data stored in the storage device,
During the execution of the update process, a situation determination step of determining a traveling situation of a mobile body equipped with the navigation device;
When the traveling state of the mobile body is a predetermined traveling state, a process control step of stopping the display process on the display unit of navigation information in the navigation process and preferentially executing the update process;
A process control method characterized by comprising:   A processing control program for causing a computer to execute the processing control method according to claim 8 or 9.   A recording medium on which the processing control program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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