WO2011122337A1

WO2011122337A1 - Navigation device and navigation method

Info

Publication number: WO2011122337A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/056139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seiichi Suzuki; Naoyuki Kurauchi
Original assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2011-03-09
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: EP2553395A1; JP2011214902A; JP5423535B2; CN102933939A

Abstract

A navigation device determines a specific country based on an operation history for executing navigation processing, and performs the navigation processing based on map data that corresponds to the determined specific country.

Description

DESCRIPTION

NAVIGATION DEVICE AND NAVIGATION METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation device and a navigation method that perform navigation processing based on map data. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In general, a navigation device installed in a vehicle is widely known as a navigation device that performs navigation processing based on map data. When the vehicle travels near a border between two neighboring countries, such a navigation device displays a map that includes the border surroundings on a display screen.

[0003] If the user is positioned near the border between the two neighboring countries, the navigation processing provides the user with a map of the vicinity of the border between both countries. However, the borders between two neighboring countries are not always agreed upon by both countries. In other words, the national border line claimed by a first country may be different from the national border line claimed by a second country next to the first country. Thus, in recent times, for example, a navigation device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2008-281353 has been proposed as a device that specifies a map to provide to the user which is based on the claim made by any one country among various countries.

[0004] The navigation device described in JP-A-2008-281353 has a function that sets a country of destination of the vehicle. In this navigation device, information related to countries of destination of the vehicle is input by the user, or the manufacturer before the vehicle is shipped, or the like. Therefore, the navigation device displays a map that reflects the circumstances of the countries of destination on the display screen.

[0005] In addition, JP-A-2008-281353 also discloses art that detects the country in which the vehicle is traveling and estimates the detected country as the country of destination of the vehicle.

[0006] However, according to JP-A-2008-281353, it is necessary for the user or the manufacturer to purposely perform an input operation to set the country of destination of the vehicle. As a consequence, the user is required to perform a cumbersome input operation to set the country of destination of the vehicle. [0007] Further, according to JP-A-2008-281353, the country of destination of the vehicle is simply estimated as the country in which the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, the navigation processing may not be executed based on map data that conforms to the user's preference. For example, the map displayed on the display screen may render the national border line claimed by the country in which the vehicle is traveling regardless of the user's preference, even if the user of the vehicle is from a country other than the country in which the vehicle is traveling.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention was devised in light of the foregoing circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device and a navigation method that can improve a probability of executing navigation processing based on map data that conforms to a user's preference without the user performing a cumbersome operation.

[0009] To achieve the above object, a navigation device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a control unit that performs navigation processing based on map data that corresponds to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage unit; and a specific country determination unit that determines a specific country based on an operation history for executing the navigation processing. The control unit performs the navigation processing based on a determination result from the specific country determination unit.

[0010] According to the configuration described above, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the user for executing the navigation processing. The navigation processing is performed based on the map data that corresponds to the determined specific country. Therefore, the probability of executing navigation processing based on map data that conforms to the user's preference can be improved without the user performing a cumbersome operation.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the navigation device of the first aspect further includes a base storage unit that stores a base position as the operation history. The specific country determination unit specifies a country that occupies the base position stored in the base storage unit, and sets the specified country as the specific country.

[0012] The base registered (stored) in the base storage unit indicates a place personally selected by the user as a private or work base, and the country that occupies the base position is highly likely to be the country serving as the base of the user. Hence, in the present invention, when the base position is registered by the user and used as the operation history, the specific country is determined based on that particular position. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the user performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device of the second aspect, if there is a plurality of countries that claims sovereignty over the base position stored in the base storage unit, the control unit performs a selection notification control for selecting any one country among the countries that claim sovereignty, and the specific country determination unit determines the specific country based on the operation history for selecting a country when executing the selection notification control.

[0014] The base may be located in a region over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty. Hence, in the present invention, the user selects a desired country when the base is located in a region over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty. Once a country is selected, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the user at such time. Therefore, setting the specific country based on the setting of the base position can also contribute to setting the specific country that conforms to the user's wishes.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device of the first or second aspect, the specific country determination unit, based on the operation history, specifies an input or selected language, and determines the specific country based on the specified language.

[0016] According to the configuration described above, an input or selected language is specified from the operation history of the user for executing the navigation processing, and the specific country is determined based on the language. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the user performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device of the fourth aspect further includes a display unit that has a display screen on which a plurality of selection display areas is displayed. The control unit controls the display unit such that a mutually different word is displayed in each selection display area of the display screen. The specific country determination unit, based on the operation history when any one selection display area among the selection display areas is selected, specifies a language that expresses the word displayed in the selection display area selected, and determines the specific country based on the language.

[0018] According to the configuration described above, if the user selects any one selection display area among the selection display areas, the specific country is determined based on the language that expresses the word displayed in the selection display area selected. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the user performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0019] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device of the fifth aspect further includes a current position acquisition unit that acquires a current position. The control unit controls the display unit such that a word expressed in a language used in a country that occupies the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit is displayed in any one selection display area among the selection display areas.

[0020] The specific country desired by the user is highly likely to be the country that occupies the position of the user (i.e., the navigation device). Hence, in the present invention, any one selection display area among the selection display areas displays a word expressed in the language used in the country that occupies the acquired current position. Therefore, the determination accuracy of the specific country can be improved.

[0021] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the navigation device of the fourth aspect further includes a language selection unit that selects a guidance language in the navigation device based on the operation history. The specific country determination unit determines the specific country based on the operation history when the guidance language is selected by the language selection unit.

[0022] A guidance language for the user may be set in the navigation device. Hence, in the present invention, once a guidance language is selected, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the user at such time. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the user performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0023] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device of any one of the first to seventh aspects further includes a search unit that, when a destination is set, searches for a route from the current position to the destination. The search unit searches with more priority for a route in the specific country that passes through a second region that is different from a first region over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty than for a route that passes through the first region. The control unit performs the navigation processing based on the route found by the search unit.

[0024] According to the configuration described above, a route that passes as little as possible through the first region is searched with more priority. Therefore, use of the navigation device can help secure the safety of the user up to the destination.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device of the first aspect further includes a communication unit that transmits information to and receives information from an information terminal. The specific country determination unit, when an operation for executing the navigation processing is performed in the information terminal and history information related to an operation history based on the operation is received through the communication unit, determines the specific country based on the history information. The control unit transmits map data that corresponds to the specific country from the communication unit to the information terminal to execute in the information terminal navigation processing that corresponds to the specific country determined by the specific country determination unit.

[0025] According to the configuration described above, the specific country is determined based on the history information related to the operation history of the user for executing the navigation processing in the information terminal. The map data that corresponds to the determined specific country is then transmitted to the information terminal. Therefore, navigation processing based on map data that corresponds to the user's desired country can be executed in the information terminal.

[0026] A navigation method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is provided whereby a control device executes navigation processing based on map data that corresponds to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage unit. The navigation method includes the steps of: the control device determining a specific country based on an operation history for executing the navigation processing; and the control device executing the navigation processing based on the map data that corresponds to the specific country determined at the specific country determination step.

[0027] According to the configuration described above, an effect corresponding to that of the navigation device can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that shows an overall configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a map of countries for which the navigation device can be provided;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that shows an overall configuration of an information storage device;

FIG. 4 is a chart that shows an example of an information table;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that explains a specific country determination processing routine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram that explains how a map is displayed that renders a registered home position, FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram that explains a screen for selecting any one country among countries that claim sovereignty over the home position, and FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram that explains a screen for prompting a final judgment regarding whether the selected country is okay;

FIG. 7 A is a schematic diagram that shows a map of Country A as the specific country, and FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram that shows Country C as the specific country;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that explains a destination input processing routine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram that explains a case in which there is a plurality of routes from a current position to a destination, and FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram that explains a map that renders a route selected by an occupant of a host vehicle;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that explains a genre setting processing routine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that explains the specific country determination processing routine according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram that explains a display state of a display when the host vehicle is in Country A, and FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram that explains a display state of the display when the host vehicle is in Country C;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that explains a guidance language setting processing routine according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram that explains a screen for selecting the guidance language;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram that shows an overall configuration of a map data management system according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart that explains a map information transmission processing routine executed by a management server and a map information acquisition processing routine executed by an information terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

[0029] A specific first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a navigation device 50 of the present embodiment is a device installed in a vehicle, and also a device that can provide a map of a plurality of countries (a total of five countries, Country A, Country B, Country C, Country D, and Country E, in the present embodiment). This navigation device 50 includes an input/output device 51 serving as a display unit, a position detection device 52 for detecting a position of a host vehicle, and a navigation control device 53 that performs various types of controls based on a detection result from the position detection device 52. The input/output device 51 includes a display 55 serving as a display screen, a touch panel 56 serving as an operation unit that is arranged on the front surface side of the display 55, and an operation button 57 serving as an operation unit. The input/output device 51 also includes a speaker, which is not shown in the drawings, for performing various types of voice guidance for an occupant of the host vehicle.

[0030] The display 55 uses a color liquid crystal display. This display 55, as will be described in detail later, displays an image that corresponds to information output from the navigation control device 53 (e.g. a map or a screen for inputting a destination).

[0031] The touch panel 56 is a transparent contact sensing panel that is generally superposed over the entire surface of the display 55. When the occupant of the host vehicle touches the touch panel 56 with a fingertip or the like in accordance with the display of the display 55, a signal that corresponds to the touched position (also referred to as a "display area") among the touch panel 56 is output to the navigation control device 53. The operation button 57 is operated to change an image displayed on the display 55 and the like. For example, if there is a button operation to set a destination when a map displayed on the display 55, a signal that corresponds to that mode of operation is output to the navigation control device 53.

[0032] The position detection device 52 includes, for example, a GPS (Global

Positioning System) receiving portion 58 that receives information related to an absolute position of the host vehicle such as latitude/longitude information or the like from an artificial satellite not shown in the drawings, a gyroscopic sensor 59 that detects bearing angle information that indicates a direction in which the host vehicle is heading, and a vehicle speed sensor 60 that detects vehicle speed information related to a running speed of the host vehicle. [0033] The navigation control device 53 includes a sensor input interface 61 , a communication interface 62, an image memory 63, a control portion 64, an image processor 65, and an information storage device 66 serving as a map storage unit. The communication interface 62 is input with signals from the touch panel 56 and the operation button 57 of the input/output device 51 , and the GPS receiving portion 58 of the position detection device 52. The sensor input interface 61 is input with sensor signals from the gyroscopic sensor 59 and the vehicle speed sensor 60 of the position detection device 52.

[0034] The image memory 63 stores image data for displaying an image other than a map on the display 55. For example, the image memory 63 stores an initial screen that is displayed on the display 55 when an ignition switch, which is not shown in the drawings, of the host vehicle is turned on, an input screen for inputting a destination, and the like.

[0035] The control portion 64 controls the navigation device 50 overall, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non- volatile memory (such as an EEPROM), and the like that are not shown in the drawings. For example, after the absolute position of the host vehicle is acquired based on the signal from the GPS receiving portion 58, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a map of the surroundings of the absolute position of the host vehicle on the display 55. In addition, if a destination is set through the touch panel 56 or the operation button 57, the control portion 64 searches for a route from the current position of the host vehicle (i.e., the absolute position of the host vehicle) to the destination, and outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a map that renders the route found on the display 55.

[0036] When the image processor 65 is input with a control command from the control portion 64 to display a map on the display 55, the image processor 65 reads out map information from the information storage device 66 and performs image processing to display a map and the like on the display 55. Similarly, when the image processor 65 is input with a control command from the control portion 64 to input a destination, the image processor 65 reads out image data that corresponds to the control command from the image memory 63 and performs image processing to display an input screen and the like on the display 55. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a control unit is constituted from the control portion 64 and the image processor 65.

[0037] It should be noted that navigation processing performed by the control unit of the present embodiment is a concept that includes processing to display a map based on map data on the display 55, and also includes simply displaying a map on the display 55. The map may or may not include the current position of the host vehicle. Obviously, the navigation processing also includes processing that provides guidance on a route from the current position of the host vehicle to the destination.

[0038] Here, the map of the plurality of countries (five countries) that can be provided by the navigation device 50 of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, Country A has established border locations with Country B, Country D, and Country E, while the location of the border between Country A and Country C is not established. Consequently, a region (also referred to as a "first region" below) 23 exists near the border between Country A and Country C over which both countries claim sovereignty. In addition, Country B has no established border location with Country E, and therefore a first region 24 over which both countries claim sovereignty exists near the border between Country B and Country E. Although Country D has an established border location with Country E, the location of the border between Country D and Country C is not established. Consequently, a first region 25 exists near the border between Country C and Country D over which both countries claim sovereignty.

[0039] Next, the information storage device 66 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information storage device 66 is constituted by a hard disk as an example. This information storage device 66 includes a map information storage area 67, and a respective country information storage area 68. The respective country information storage area 68 stores an information table that indicates the friendly relations between countries for which map data can be provided, as shown in FIG. 4. In the present embodiment, as information related to the friendly relations between countries, the information table has information related to whether a border between two countries is established, and information related to whether the diplomatic relations between two countries are good. In other words, the border between Country A and Country B is established, and the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country B are very good. The border between Country A and Country C is not established, and the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country C are poor. The border between Country A and Country D is established, and the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country D are very good. The border between Country A and Country E is established, but the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country E are not very good.

[0040] Country B and Country C are not next to one another, and the diplomatic relations between Country B and Country C are not very good. Country B and Country D are not next to one another, and the diplomatic relations between Country B and Country D are very good. The border between Country B and Country E is not established, and the diplomatic relations between Country B and Country E are poor. The border between Country C and Country D is not established, and the diplomatic relations between Country C and Country D are poor. Country C and Country E are not next to one another, and the diplomatic relations between Country C and Country E are very good. The border between Country D and Country E is established, and the diplomatic relations between Country D and Country E are very good.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the map information storage area 67 stores map information on the plurality of countries (five countries in the present embodiment), specifically, Country A map information 19A, Country B map information 19B, Country C map information 19C, Country D map information 19D, and Country E map information 19E. The Country A map information 19A has map data 20, route data (also referred to as "route network data") 21 , and POI (Point of Interest) data 22 for Country A. Likewise, the map information 19B to 19E for the countries other than Country A each have the map data 20, the route data 21 , and the POI data 22 for that particular country.

[0042] The route data 21 has node data related to nodes, and link data related to links. The nodes are set at intersections and road end points, and the node data includes node position coordinates and node identifiers. The links are set between nodes, and the link data includes link identifiers, connection node identifiers, and link costs used in route searches. The POI data 22 includes data such as the names of specific points and facilities (e.g. restaurants and hotels), and the genres (types) of specific points and facilities.

[0043] Next, a specific country determination processing routine executed by the control portion 64 of the present embodiment will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 5 and schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 6 A to 6C. Note that the navigation device 50 installed in the vehicle is generally provided with a function for registering a home position of the user as an example of a base position. As will be described in detail later, the specific country determination processing routine of the present embodiment is processing that, if the user registers a home position, specifies the country that occupies the home position (the base position of the user) stored in the information storage device 66 using this registration operation as an operation history, and sets the specified country as a specific country.

[0044] If the ignition switch, not shown in the drawings, of the host vehicle is turned on, the control portion 64 executes the specific country determination processing routine. In the specific country determination processing routine, the control portion 64 performs initial processing (step S10). Specifically, the control portion 64 performs processing (a so-called RAM clear) that initializes the RAM of the control portion 64. Next, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a first initial screen on the display 55. The image processor 65 subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display the first initial screen on the display 55 for a predetermined time set in advance (e.g. 5 seconds). Note that the first initial screen is a screen in which "PLEASE FOLLOW ACTUAL TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS WHILE DRIVING." is written in a display area at the center of the display 55. Further note that the language used in the first initial screen is the language used in the specific country if the specific country is set, that is, determined, and is otherwise English if the specific country is not set, as an example.

[0045] Once the initial processing ends, the control portion 64 reads out a specific country flag FLG1 from the non-volatile memory of the control portion 64, and determines whether the specific country flag FLG1 is off (step S 11). The specific country flag FLG1 is a flag for judging whether the specific country is set. If the determination result at step Sl l is a No determination (FLG1 = on), the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S21 that will be described later. However, if the determination result at step Sl l is a Yes determination (FLG1 = off), the control portion 64 determines whether the home position is registered as an example of a base (step SI 2). Specifically, the control portion 64 determines whether information related to the home position is stored in a predetermined area of the information storage device 66. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the information storage device 66 also functions as a base storage unit.

[0046] If the determination result at step S12 is a No determination, the control portion 64 acquires the current position of the host vehicle based on a GPS signal received by the GPS receiving portion 58, because a home position is not registered (step SI 3). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a current position acquisition unit is constituted from the GPS receiving portion 58 and the control portion 64. Next, the control portion 64 estimates the country (e.g. Country A) that occupies the current position acquired at S13 (step SI 4), and proceeds to the processing at step S20 that will be described later.

[0047] However, if the determination result at step S 12 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 specifies the country that claims sovereignty over the home position, because a home position is registered (step SI 5). As shown in FIG. 6A as an example, if a home position PH (PHI) is located within a second region 26 in Country A, the control portion 64 sets Country A as the country that claims sovereignty over the home position PHI . Alternatively, if a home position PH (PH2) is located within a first region 23 in Country A, the control portion 64 sets Country A and Country C as the countries that claim sovereignty over the home position PH2.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 5, the control portion 64 determines whether there is a plurality of countries that claims sovereignty over the home position PH (step SI 6). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S20 that will be described later, because there is only one country that claims sovereignty over the home position PH. However, if the determination result at step S16 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 performs selection notification processing for selecting one country from among the countries that claim sovereignty over the home position (step SI 7). Specifically, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 information related to the countries up for selection (e.g. Country A and Country C), and a control command to display a selection display screen. The image processor 65 subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display a screen shown in FIG. 6B on the display 55.

[0049] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image processor 65 forms a display area 70 on the upper side of the display 55 in which "PLEASE SELECT THE COUNTRY IN WHICH TO REGISTER YOUR HOME." is written. At such time, the display area 70 may show this request in both the language used in Country A and the language used in Country C. The image processor 65 also forms a plurality (e.g. two) of selection display areas 71 (71a, 71b), which correspond to each country, on the lower side of the display area 70 of the display 55.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 5, the control portion 64 determines whether a country is selected by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56 (step SI 8). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S 18 until any one selection display area of the selection display areas 71 is selected. However, if the determination result at step S 18 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step SI 9 next, because any one selection display area of the selection display areas 71 (71a, 71b) is selected.

[0051] At SI 9, the control portion 64 determines whether the country that corresponds to the selection display area 71 (e.g. the selection display area 71a) selected by the occupant of the host vehicle may be set as the specific country. In other words, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 information related to the country selected by the occupant of the host vehicle, and a control command to request a final decision on whether the country may be determined as the country in which to register the home position. The image processor 65 subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display a screen shown in FIG. 6C on the display 55.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6C as an example, the image processor 65 forms a display area 72 on the upper side of the display 55 in which "REGISTER YOUR HOME IN COUNTRY A (or COUNTRY C)?" is written. At such time, the displayed content in the display area 72 is expressed in the language used in Country A (or Country C). The image processor 65 also forms a display area 73 (also referred to as an "approval display area" below) in which "YES" (i.e., OK) is written on the lower side of the display area 72 of the display 55.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 5, if the determination result at step S19 is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S19 until the approval display area 73 is selected. However, if the determination result at step S 19 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S20 next, because the approval display area 73 is selected.

[0054] At S20, the control portion 64 determines the specific country. Specifically, if there is a plurality of countries that claims sovereignty over the position PH when the home position PH is registered, the control portion 64 sets the country (in this case, Country A) that corresponds to the selection display area 71 (e.g. the selection display area 71a) selected at SI 8 as the specific country. If there is only one country that claims sovereignty over the position PH when the home position PH is registered, the control portion 64 sets that country as the specific country. Further, if the home position PH is not registered, the control portion 64 sets the country that occupies the current position of the host vehicle as the specific country. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the control portion 64 also functions as a specific country determination unit. Further note that S20 corresponds to a specific country determination step. Thereafter, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S21 next.

[0055] At S21, the control portion 64 generates map data based on the specific country (e.g. Country A). In other words, the control portion 64 reads out map data for each country from the map information storage area 67 of the information storage device 66, and reads out the information table (see FIG. 4) from the respective country information storage area 68. The control portion 64 then generates map data in which the locations of the borders of each country are specified based on the information of each country.

[0056] Here, an example in which the specific country is Country A will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A, with respect to the border between Country A and Country C, the control portion 64 sets the border between Country A and Country C at the location claimed by Country A because the specific country is Country A. With respect to the border between Country B and Country E, the control portion 64 sets the border between Country B and Country E at the location claimed by Country B because the diplomatic relations between Country B and Country A (the specific country) are better than the diplomatic relations between Country E and Country A (the specific country). With respect to the border between Country C and Country D, the control portion 64 sets the border between Country C and Country D at the location claimed by Country D because the diplomatic relations between Country D and Country A (the specific country) are better than the diplomatic relations between Country C and Country A (the specific country). In other words, the control portion 64 sets the first region 23 as the territory of Country A, sets the first region 24 as the territory of Country B, and sets the first region 25 as the territory of Country D.

[0057] Next, an example in which the specific country is Country C will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7B, with respect to the border between Country A and Country C, the control portion 64 sets the border between Country A and Country C at the location claimed by Country C because the specific country is Country C. With respect to the border between Country B and Country E, the control portion 64 sets the border between Country B and Country E at the location claimed by Country E because the diplomatic relations between Country E and Country C (the specific country) are better than the diplomatic relations between Country B and Country C (the specific country). With respect to the border between Country C and Country D, the control portion 64 sets the border between Country C and Country D at the location claimed by Country C because the specific country is Country C. In other words, the control portion 64 sets the first regions 23, 25 as the territory of Country C, and sets the first region 24 as the territory of Country E.

[0058] The control portion 64 then stores the generated map data in the RAM of the control portion 64.

Returning to FIG. 5, the control portion 64 starts the navigation processing based on the map data generated at S21 (step S22). Specifically, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a map based on the generated map data on the display 55. The image processor 65 subsequently reads out the map data stored in the RAM of the control portion 64, performs image processing, and controls the input/output device 51 so as to display on the display 55 the map based on the map data. At such time, when displaying the first region (e.g. the first region 23) on the display 55, the image processor 65 differentiates the display mode of the display area that corresponds to the first region from the display mode of the display area that corresponds to another region (that is, a region over which only one country claims sovereignty). As an example, the image processor 65 makes the brightness of the display area that corresponds to the first region lower than the brightness of the display area that corresponds to the other region. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, S22 corresponds to a navigation step. The control portion 64 then ends the specific country determination processing routine.

[0059] Next, a destination input processing routine executed by the control portion 64 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The destination input processing routine is executed when the occupant of the host vehicle operates the operation button 57 to display a screen for destination input on the display 55.

[0060] In the destination input processing routine, the control portion 64 determines whether the setting of a destination by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56 is complete (step S30). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S30 until the setting of a destination is complete. However, if the determination result at step S30 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 performs route search processing to search for a route from the current position to the destination (step S31). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the control portion 64 also functions as a search unit.

[0061] Here, the route search processing when the specific country is Country A and the destination and the current position (also referred to as a "departure point") are located near the border between Country A and Country C will be described based on FIGS. 9 A and 9B. It is assumed here that, when a current position S and a destination G are connected by a straight line, the first region 23 over which sovereignty is claimed by both Country A and Country C exists between the current position S and the destination G.

[0062] When the destination G is set, the control portion 64 searches for a route with a minimum aggregate link cost from the current position S to the destination G, based on the link costs of links that connect nodes set at predetermined locations along roads. At such time, the control portion 64 adds a weight by region to the link costs of the links that connect the set nodes along each road, and searches for a route based on the result. [0063] As an example, the control portion 64 sets the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along the roads in Country C, which is on extremely unfriendly terms with Country A (that is, poor diplomatic relations and no established border location), as shown below. In other words, the control portion 64 multiplies the link costs read out from the Country C map information 19C by a predetermined first coefficient (a value larger than 1 , e.g. 3), and sets the multiplication results as the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along the roads in Country C.

[0064] The control portion 64 also sets the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along the roads in the first region 23 as shown below. In other words, the control portion 64 multiplies the link costs read out from the Country A map information 19A by a second coefficient (e.g. 1.5) set to a value that is larger than 1 and smaller than the first coefficient, and sets the multiplication results as the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along the roads in the first region 23.

[0065] The control portion 64 then sets the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along the roads in the second region 26 that is different from the first region 23 in Country A, i.e., the specific country, as shown below. In other words, the control portion 64 multiplies the link costs read out from the Country A map information 19A by a third coefficient (e.g. 0.8) set to a value that is smaller than the second coefficient, and sets the multiplication results as the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along the roads in the second region 26.

[0066] Consequently, as shown in FIG. 9A, there are three routes Rl , R2, R3 as route candidates from the current position S to the destination G. In such case, when searching the control portion 64 gives more priority to the routes R2, R3 that pass through Country A than the route Rl (a route shown by a dotted line in FIG. 9 A) that passes through Country C. Among the routes R2, R3 that pass through Country A, when searching the control portion 64 gives more priority to the route R3 (a route shown by a dashed-dotted line in FIG. 9A) that passes through the second region 26 in Country A than the route R2 (a route shown by a solid line in FIG. 9A) that passes through the first region 23. This is because the route R3 that passes through only the second region 26 has a smaller aggregate link cost than the routes Rl, R2 that respectively pass outside Country A and through the first region 23.

[0067] The control portion 64 selects the highest priority route R3 among the existing plurality of routes Rl to R3, and outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a map that renders the route R3 on the display 55. The image processor 65 subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display a screen shown in FIG. 9B on the display 55. [0068] Returning to FIG. 8, once the route search processing ends, the control portion 64 determines whether the occupant of the host vehicle, through operation of the touch panel 56, approves of the route (e.g. the route R3) set at S31 (step S32). If this determination result is a No determination, that is, if the route set at S31 is not approved by the occupant of the host vehicle, the control portion 64 performs route re-search processing (step S33). In other words, based on the result of the route search processing described above, the control portion 64 selects the route (e.g. the route R2) with the next smallest aggregate link cost after the route (e.g. the route R3) displayed on the display 55. Then, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a map that renders the selected route on the display 55. The image processor 65 subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display a map that renders the found route (e.g. the route R2) on the display 55. Thereafter, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S32 described earlier.

[0069] However, if the determination result at step S32 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 determines whether the specific country flag FLG1 is off, because the route (e.g. the route R2) displayed on the display 55 is approved by the occupant (step S34). If this determination result is a No determination (FLG1 = on), the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S42 that will be described later.

[0070] However, if the determination result at step S34 is a Yes determination

(FLG1 = off), the control portion 64 specifies the language in which to express the destination G input by the occupant through operation of the touch panel 56 (step S35). As an example, in the case of "Milan" as the destination, "Milan" is written as "Milano" in Italian, as "Milan" in English and French, and as "Mailand" in German. Thus, depending on the destination, the notation, that is, the combination of characters, differs according to the language. Hence, in the present embodiment, the language used by the occupant is specified based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant when setting a destination.

[0071] Next, the control portion 64 determines whether the country that uses the language specified at S35 is specified (step S36). In other words, in the present embodiment, the language used by the occupant is specified based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant when setting a destination, and the specific country is determined based on the specified language. If the determination result at step S36 is a No determination (that is, if a country cannot be specified), the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S42 that will be described later; however, if the determination result is a Yes determination (that is, if a country is specified), the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S37 next. Cases in which a country cannot be specified include when a plurality of countries uses the language specified at S35, and when a language cannot be specified at S35.

[0072] At S37, the control portion 64 determines whether the country specified at S36 (e.g. Country B) matches the specific country. If this determination result is a Yes determination (specified country = specific country), the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S42 that will be described later. However, if the determination result at step S37 is a No determination (specified country≠ specific country), the control portion 64 performs specific country change processing (step S38). Specifically, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a screen for the occupant of the host vehicle to judge whether to change the specific country to the country specified at S36 on the display 55. The image processor 65 subsequently forms a display area written with "CHANGE SPECIFIC COUNTRY?" on the display 55. The image processor 65 also forms a display area (also referred to as an "approval display area" below) written with "OK", and a display area (also referred to as a "non-approval display area" below) written with "NG" (as in "do not change the specific country") on the display 55.

[0073] Once the specific country change processing ends, the control portion 64 determines whether the approval display area is selected based on an operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (step S39). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S42 that will be described later, because the occupant of the host vehicle selected the non-approval display area. However, if the determination result at step S39 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 changes the specific country (step S40), because the occupant of the host vehicle selected the approval display area. For example, the control portion 64 changes the specific country from Country A to Country B. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, S40 corresponds to the specific country determination step. Next, the control portion 64 performs processing at step S41 that corresponds to the processing at step S21 described above, and subsequently proceeds to the processing at step S42 that will be described later.

[0074] At S42, the control portion 64 performs processing that corresponds to the processing at step S22 described above, and subsequently ends the destination input processing routine. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, S42 corresponds to the navigation step.

[0075] Next, a genre setting processing routine executed by the control portion 64 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 10. The genre setting processing routine is executed when the occupant of the host vehicle operates the operation button 57 to display a screen for genre setting on the display 55.

[0076] In the genre setting processing routine, the control portion 64 determines whether a genre (e.g. restaurant) is set by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56 (step S50). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S50 until the setting of a genre is complete. However, if the determination result at step S50 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 performs facility search processing to search for a facility that corresponds to the set genre (step S51).

[0077] Once the facility search processing ends, the control portion 64 determines whether there is a plurality of facilities that corresponds to the set genre (step S52). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S57 that will be described later, because there is only one corresponding facility. However, if the determination result at step S52 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 determines whether there is a facility among the plurality of corresponding facilities in a region over which a country (e.g. Country C) other than the specific country (e.g. Country A) claims sovereignty (step S53). Note that, when the specific country is Country A, a facility in the first region 23 is judged to be a facility in Country A.

[0078] If the determination result at step S53 is a No determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S55 that will be described later, because there are no corresponding facilities outside the specific country. However, if the determination result at step S53 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 lowers the priority of the facility outside the specific country to less than the priority of the facility inside the specific country (step S54), and proceeds to the processing at step S55 next.

[0079] At S55, the control portion 64 determines whether there is a facility among the plurality of corresponding facilities in the first region (e.g. the first region 23) of the specific country (e.g. Country A). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 judges that there is no corresponding facility in the first region, and proceeds to the processing at step S57 that will be described later. Note that, even in cases where the first region does not exist in the specific country, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S57 that will be described later. However, if the determination result at step S55 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 sets the priority of the facility in the first region of the specific country lower than the priority of the facility in a second region (a region other than the first region in the specific country) of the specific country (step S56), and proceeds to the processing at step S57 next.

[0080] At S57, the control portion 64 ranks the corresponding facilities in order of highest priority first. In other words, specifically, the control portion 64 sets a higher priority for a facility whose distance from the current position of the host vehicle is closer. However, as described above, the control portion 64 also changes the priority depending on the country and region in which the facility is located, and the like.

[0081] Here, an example of three corresponding facilities will be described. It is assumed here that a first facility is a facility in the second region 26 of Country A, i.e., the specific country, a second facility is a facility in the first region 23, and a third facility is a facility in Country C. In this case, the control portion 64 sets the priority of the third facility lower than the priority of the first and second facilities, and sets the priority of the second facility lower than the priority of the first facility. As a consequence, the priority of the first facility is the highest, the priority of the second facility is the second highest, and the priority of the third facility is the lowest.

[0082] Then, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display the facilities in order of set priority. The image processor 65 subsequently forms a selection display area that corresponds to the facility with the highest priority (e.g. the first facility) at the top in the display 55, and forms a selection display area that corresponds to the facility with the second highest priority (e.g. the second facility) under that selection display area. The image processor 65 then forms a selection display area that corresponds to the facility with the lowest priority (e.g. the third facility) at the bottom of the display 55.

[0083] Next, the control portion 64 determines whether a selection display area is selected by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56 (step S58). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S58 until a selection display area is selected. However, if the determination result at step S58 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 sequentially performs the processing at steps S59, S60, S61, S62, which corresponds to the processing at steps S31, S32, S33, S34 described above, because any one selection display area among the selection display areas is selected. The control portion 64 then ends the genre setting processing routine.

[0084] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The specific country is determined based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle to execute the navigation processing in the navigation device 50. The navigation processing is performed based on the map information that corresponds to the determined specific country. Therefore, the execution of navigation processing that uses Country C map information as a reference for an occupant from Country A, for example, can be suppressed, thus lowering the possibility of giving the occupant a sense of discomfort. Accordingly, the probability of the navigation device 50 executing navigation processing based on map data that conforms to the occupant's preference can be improved without the occupant of the host vehicle performing a cumbersome operation.

[0085] (2) In the present embodiment, the specific country is determined based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle when registering the home position PH. In other words, the specific country can be easily determined and thus navigation processing based on a map that conforms to the occupant's preference can be performed without the occupant performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0086] (3) A home may be located in a region over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty. Hence, in the present embodiment, if the position PH (PH2) is a home in the first region over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty, the selection display area 71 that corresponds to each country is formed on the display 55. Then, the country that corresponds to the selection display area 71 selected by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56 is set as the specific country. Therefore, determining the specific country based on the setting of the home position PH can also contribute to setting the specific country that conforms to the occupant's preference.

[0087] (4) In the present embodiment, an input or set language is specified from the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle, and the country that uses the specified language is set as the specific country. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the occupant performing a special operation for determining the specific country. In other words, navigation processing that conforms to the occupant's preference can be executed.

[0088] (5) The combination of characters may differ depending on the language even for words (e.g. a destination such as a city name) that have the same meaning. Hence, in the present embodiment, if the destination G is input by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56, the language used to input the destination G is specified and the country that uses the language is specified. If this specified country does not match the specific country already set, a notification is made to prompt the occupant of the host vehicle to change the specific country. If the occupant of the host vehicle inputs a preference to change the specific country based on this notification, the country specified based on the language is set as the new specific country. Accordingly, a country that conforms to the preference of the occupant of the host vehicle can be set as the specific country.

[0089] Further, such setting is performed based on the normal history of operation of the touch panel 56 in the navigation device 50 by the occupant. There is thus no need for the occupant to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0090] (6) When the destination G is set, if a plurality of routes exists from the current position S to the destination G, routes in which the host vehicle passes through only the specific country are given priority during searching. In other words, the probability of displaying a route that passes outside the specific country on the display 55 can be lowered. Therefore, the probability of providing guidance to enter another country different from the specific country can be lowered.

[0091] (7) Inside the specific country, a first region may exist over which another country claims sovereignty. In such case, a route that passes through only a second region that is different from the first region in the specific country is given more priority during searching than a route that passes through the first region, and also when displayed on the display 55. Therefore, it is possible to increase the probability of the route that passes through only the second region being approved by the occupant of the host vehicle, and thus the host vehicle can be guided to the destination G using a route that avoids the first region.

[0092] (8) However, if the route (e.g. the route R3) that passes through only the second region is extremely circuitous and the occupant of the host vehicle wants to travel another route to the destination G, routes to the destination G are re-searched. In such case, a route (e.g. the route R2) that passes through the first region may be displayed on the display 55. If the occupant of the host vehicle approves guidance using the route that passes through the first region, the host vehicle can be guided to the destination G along that particular route.

[0093] (9) If a route (e.g. the route R2) that passes through the first region is not approved by the occupant of the host vehicle, a route (e.g. the route Rl) that passes through another country other than the specific country may be displayed on the display 55. If the occupant of the host vehicle approves guidance using the route that passes through another country, the host vehicle can be guided to the destination G along that particular route. [0094] (10) When a genre (e.g. restaurant) is set, corresponding facilities may exist in a plurality of countries. Hence, in the present embodiment, if a plurality of corresponding facilities exists, the priority of a facility in the specific country is set higher than the priority of a facility in another country. As a consequence, a facility in the specific country that is assumed to have the highest probability of being selected by the occupant of the host vehicle is displayed on the upper side of the display 55. Accordingly, when the occupant of the host vehicle selects a facility in the specific country, scrolling through the display on the display 55 can be suppressed and thus contribute to the quick selection of a facility by the occupant.

[0095] (11) A facility in the first region, even though inside the specific country, is considered to have a low probability of being selected by the occupant of the host vehicle. Hence, in the present embodiment, if there is a plurality of facilities in the specific country, the priority of a facility in the first region is set lower than the priority of a facility in the second region in the specific country. As a consequence, a facility in the second region that is assumed to have the highest probability of being selected by the occupant of the host vehicle is displayed on the upper side of the display 55. Accordingly, when the occupant of the host vehicle selects a facility in the second region, scrolling through the display on the display 55 can be suppressed and thus contribute to the quick selection of a facility by the occupant.

Second Embodiment

[0096] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12 A, and 12B. The determination method of the specific country in the second embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment. Thus, the following description mainly explains portions different from the first embodiment; like reference numerals are used for members and configurations that are identical or correspond to those in the first embodiment, and such members and configurations will not be described again here.

[0097] The specific country determination processing routine executed by the control portion 64 of the present embodiment will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 11 and schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

If the ignition switch, not shown in the drawings, of the host vehicle is turned on, the control portion 64 executes the specific country determination processing routine. In the specific country determination processing routine, the control portion 64 performs initial processing that initializes the RAM of the control portion 64 (step

S70). Next, similar to the processing at step Sl l described above, the control portion 64 determines whether the specific country flag FLG1 is off (step S71). If this determination result is a No determination (FLG1 = on), the control portion 64 displays the first initial screen on the display 55 (step S72). After displaying the first initial screen on the display 55 for a predetermined time set in advance (e.g. 5 seconds), the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S81 that will be described later.

[0098] However, if the determination result at step S71 is a Yes determination (FLG1 = off), the control portion 64 sequentially performs the processing at steps S73, S74 that corresponds to the processing at steps SI 3, S14 described above. Next, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a second initial screen different from the first initial screen on the display 55 (step S75). This control command includes information related to the country estimated at S74 and the language used in the country (also referred to as an "official language"), and information related to surrounding countries around the country estimated at S74 (in this case, neighboring countries) and the languages used in the surrounding countries. The image processor 65 subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display the second initial screen on the display 55.

[0099] Here, a display control of the display 55 when Country A is estimated to be the country that occupies the current position will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the image processor 65 forms a display area 75 at the center of the display 55 in which "PLEASE FOLLOW ACTUAL TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS WHILE DRIVING." is written. The language used in the display area 75 is the language used in the country estimated at S74. Note that, if the current position acquired at S73 is in the first region (e.g. the first region 23) over which the plurality of countries claims sovereignty, the display area 70 may show this request in both the language used in Country A and the language used in Country C.

[0100] The image processor 65 also displays a plurality (five in FIG. 12A) of selection display areas 76 (76A, 76B, 76C, 76D, 76E) on the lower side of the display area 75 of the display 55. Specifically, the image processor 65 displays words expressed in the language used in Country A in the selection display area 76A, which is located on the leftmost side among the selection display areas 76 A to 76E, and displays words expressed in the language used in Country B in the selection display area 76B, which is located to the right of the selection display area 76A. The image processor 65 also displays words expressed in the language used in Country C in the selection display area 76C, which is located to the right of the selection display area 76B, and displays words expressed in the language used in Country D in the selection display area 76D, which is located to the right of the selection display area 76C. The image processor 65 displays words expressed in the language used in Country E in the selection display area 76E, which is located to the right of the selection display area 76D. In other words, the selection display areas 76A to 76E that individually correspond to Country A and each country next to Country A are formed on the display 55.

[0101] Note that the words expressed in the selection display areas 76A to

76E are words that signify "OK". If the language used in Country A is Japanese, the Japanese characters for "OK (or Agreed)" are displayed in the selection display area 76A. If the language used in Country B is English, "OK" is displayed in the selection display area 76B.

[0102] Next, a display control of the display 55 when Country C is estimated to be the country that occupies the current position will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the image processor 65 forms the display area 75 at the center of the display 55. The language used in the display area 75 is the language used in Country C estimated at S74.

[0103] The image processor 65 also displays a plurality (three in FIG. 12B) of selection display areas 76 (76C, 76A, 76D) on the lower side of the display area 75 of the display 55. Specifically, the image processor 65 displays words expressed in the language used in Country C in the selection display area 76C, which is located on the leftmost side among the selection display areas 76C, 76A, 76D, and displays words expressed in the language used in Country A in the selection display area 76A, which is located to the right of the selection display area 76C. The image processor 65 displays words expressed in the language used in Country D in the selection display area 76D, which is located to the right of the selection display area 76A.

[0104] As described above, the number of selection display areas 76 formed varies depending on the number of countries next to the country that occupies the current position. However, the control portion 64 and the image processor 65 adjust the size and arrangement of the selection display areas 76 so that all the selection display areas 76 are displayed on the display 55 without the occupant of the host vehicle having to scroll the screen.

[0105] Returning to FIG. 11, the control portion 64 determines whether an OK button is operated (step S76). In other words, the control portion 64 determines whether any one selection display area of the selection display areas 76 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B) displayed on the display 55 is selected, based on an operation signal output from the touch panel 56. If the determination result at step S76 is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S76 until the selection display area 76 is selected by the user through operation of the touch panel 56.

[0106] However, if the determination result at step S76 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 determines the specific country based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (step S77). Specifically, based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56, the control portion 64 specifies the selection display area (e.g. the selection display area 76A) selected among the selection display areas 76 displayed on the display 55. The control portion 64 then specifies the language (e.g. a language A) in which to express the words displayed on the specified selection display area 76A, and sets the country (e.g. Country A) that uses the language as the specific country. In other words, in the present embodiment, operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant (user) of the host vehicle, that is, an operation history of the occupant operating the touch panel 56, determines the language used by the occupant, and the specific country is determined based on the language. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, S77 corresponds to the specific country determination step.

[0107] The control portion 64 then performs specific country hold processing

(step S78). Specifically, the control portion 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command to display a screen for the occupant of the host vehicle to judge whether to keep the specific country determined (i.e., "set") at S77 on the display 55. The image processor 65 subsequently forms a display area written with "KEEP CURRENTLY SET SPECIFIC COUNTRY?" on the display 55. The image processor 65 also forms a display area (also referred to as an "approval display area" below) written with "OK", and a display area (also referred to as a "non-approval display area" below) written with "NG" (as in "reset the specific country from the next time onward") on the display 55.

[0108] Once the specific country hold processing ends, the control portion 64 determines whether the approval display area is selected based on an operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (step S79). If this determination result is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 sets the specific country flag FLG1 to on (step S80), because the occupant of the host vehicle selected the approval display area, and proceeds to the processing at step S81 that will be described later. However, if the determination result at step S79 is a No determination, the control portion 64 proceeds to the processing at step S81 that will be described later, because the occupant of the host vehicle selected the non-approval display area.

[0109] At S81, the control portion 64 performs processing that corresponds to the processing at step S21 described above. The control portion 64 then performs the processing at step S82 that corresponds to the processing at step S22 described above, and subsequently ends the specific country setting processing routine.

[0110] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1), (2), and (4) to (11) of the first embodiment described above.

(12) In the present embodiment, when the ignition switch of the host vehicle is turned on, the display 55 of the navigation device 50 displays a screen such as shown in FIG. 12A or 12B. If the occupant selects through operation of the touch panel 56 any one selection display area among the plurality of selection display areas 76 displayed on the display 55 at such time, the specific country is determined based on the language that expresses the words displayed in the selection display area 76 selected. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the occupant of the host vehicle performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0111] (13) It is highly probable that the specific country that matches the preference of the occupant of the host vehicle is the country that occupies the current position of the occupant. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when displaying a screen such as shown in FIG. 12A or 12B on the display 55, words expressed in the language used in the country that occupies the current position are displayed in any one selection display area (in this case, the selection display area located on the leftmost side) among the selection display areas 76. Consequently, there is an increased probability that the specific country that matches the occupant's preference can be set based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle.

[0112] (14) The probability that another country adjacent to the country occupying the current position of the occupant being the specific country that matches the occupant's preference is the next highest after that of the country occupying the current position. Therefore, in the present embodiment, another selection display area other than the selection display area located on the leftmost side displays words expressed in the language used in another country adjacent to the country that occupies the current location. Consequently, there is a further increased probability that the specific country that matches the occupant's preference can be set based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle.

[0113] (15) The selection display areas 76 that respectively correspond to the selectable countries are displayed in a manner that does not require scrolling of the screen on the display 55. Therefore, the occupant of the host vehicle does not need to spend time and effort searching for the selection display area 76 that corresponds to the language desired by the occupant. In other words, the specific country can be easily set.

[0114] (16) In the present embodiment, if the specific country flag FLG1 is already set to on when the ignition switch of the host vehicle is turned on, the first initial screen is displayed on the display 55. In other words, the processing for determining the specific country can be omitted. This in turn can contribute to reducing the control load of the control portion 64.

Third Embodiment

[0115] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The determination method of the specific country in the third embodiment differs from those in the first and second embodiments. Thus, the following description mainly explains portions different from the first and second embodiments; like reference numerals are used for members and configurations that are identical or correspond to those in the first and second embodiments, and such members and configurations will not be described again here.

[0116] In the navigation device 50 of the present embodiment, the first initial screen is displayed on the display 55 regardless of whether the specific country flag FLG1 is on or off when the ignition switch, not shown in the drawings, of the host vehicle is turned on. If the occupant of the host vehicle subsequently operates the operation button 57 so as to display a screen for setting a guidance language to be used in guidance provided by a voice or display on a map, the control portion 64 of the navigation device 50 executes a guidance language setting processing routine.

[0117] Next, the guidance language setting processing routine executed by the control portion 64 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 13 and a schematic diagram shown in FIG. 14.

In the guidance language setting processing routine, first, the control portion 64 performs a display control that notifies the occupant of the host vehicle of the types (five types in the present embodiment) of guidance languages that can be used in the navigation device 50 (step S90). In other words, the image processor 65 to which a control command from the control portion 64 is input subsequently controls the input/output device 51 so as to display a screen shown in FIG. 14 on the display 55.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 14, the image processor 65 forms a display area 80 on the upper side of the display 55 in which "PLEASE SET THE LANGUAGE TO BE USED." is written. The image processor 65 also displays a selection display area 81 (81 A, 8 IB, 81 C, 8 ID, 8 IE) that corresponds to the plurality of languages (five languages in the present embodiment) on the lower side of the display area 80 of the display 55. Note that the language used in the display area 80 is the language used in the country (e.g. Country B) currently determined (i.e., "set") as the specific country. For example, "LANGUAGE A" indicates the language used in Country A, and "LANGUAGE B" indicates the language used in Country B.

[0119] Returning to FIG. 13, the control portion 64 determines whether the selection display area 81 is selected by the occupant of the host vehicle through operation of the touch panel 56 (step S91). If this determination result is a No determination, the control portion 64 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S91 until the selection display area 81 (81 A to 8 IE) is selected, because the selection display area 81 is not yet selected. However, if the determination result at step S91 is a Yes determination, the control portion 64 sets the country (e.g. Country B) that uses the language displayed in the selection display area 81 selected as the specific country (step S92), because the selection display area 81 (e.g. the selection display area 8 IB) is selected. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the specific country is determined based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle when setting the guidance language. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the control portion 64 also functions as a language selection unit. Further note that S92 corresponds to a specific country determination step.

[0120] Thereafter, the control portion 64 performs guidance language change processing (step S93). Specifically, the control portion 64 changes the guidance language when performing voice guidance through the speaker not shown in the drawings to the language used in the specific country, and expresses the words displayed on the display 55 in the language used in the specific country. In addition, the control portion 64 sequentially performs processing that corresponds to the processing at steps S21 , S22 described above. Once the guidance language change processing ends, the control portion 64 then ends the guidance language setting processing routine.

[0121] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1), (2), and (9) to (14) of the first embodiment described above.

(17) The navigation device 50 of the present embodiment has a function that sets the guidance language to be used for announcing guidance to the occupant of the host vehicle. Hence, in the present embodiment, the specific country is determined based on the history of operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant when setting the guidance language. Therefore, the specific country can be easily set without the occupant of the host vehicle performing a special operation for determining the specific country.

[0122] (18) When the guidance language is changed in the present embodiment, the specific country is also changed accordingly. Therefore, when there is an occupant riding in the host vehicle whose nationality differs from that of the occupant previously riding in the host vehicle, the specific country that corresponds to the occupant can be set, and therefore, navigation processing that conforms to the occupant's preference can be executed.

Fourth Embodiment

[0123] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. The fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that map information is downloaded as appropriate to an information terminal. Thus, the following description mainly explains portions different from the first to third embodiments; like reference numerals are used for members and configurations that are identical or correspond to those in the first to third embodiments, and such members and configurations will not be described again here.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 15, a map data management system 11 of the present embodiment is a system that can provide country map data desired by the user. This map data management system 11 includes a management server (control device) 12 serving as a navigation device, and an information terminal 14 (e.g. mobile communication equipment such as a mobile telephone) that can transmit and receive various types of information through the management server 12, a network 13, and the like.

[0125] The management server 12 includes a server control portion 15 serving as a control unit, a communication portion 16 serving as a communication unit, a map storage portion 17 serving as a map storage unit, and a respective country information storage portion 18 serving as an information storage unit. The server control portion 15 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that are not shown in the drawings. In the server control portion 15, the CPU executes various types of ^" programs stored in the ROM as appropriate to read out information stored in the storage portions 17, 18, and output control commands and various types of information to the communication portion 16.

[0126] If the communication portion 16 is input with a control command from the server control portion 15, the communication portion 16 transmits information based on the control command to the information terminal 14. If the communication portion 16 receives information from the information terminal 14, the communication portion 16 outputs the information to the server control portion 15.

[0127] The map storage portion 17 and the respective country information storage portion 18 are each constituted by a hard disk as an example. The map storage portion 17 stores map information on all countries (five countries in the present embodiment) that can be provided to the information terminal 14, specifically, the Country A map information 19A, the Country B map information 19B, the Country C map information 19C, the Country D map information 19D, and the Country E map information 19E. The map information 19A to 19E each have the map data 20, the route data 21, and the POI data 22 for that particular country. The respective country information storage portion 18 stores an information table (see FIG. 4).

[0128] Note that the map information 19A to 19E and the information table stored in the storage portions 17, 18 are modified to the latest information as appropriate in accordance with changes in the claims of the countries (e.g. the location of the claimed national border line changes), changes in the political affairs of the countries (e.g. alliances), and the like.

[0129] Next, the information terminal 14 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, the information terminal 14 has a display device 33 serving as a display unit that has a display screen 32, an operation portion 34 serving as an operation unit that is operated by the user, and a controller 36 that controls the information terminal 14 overall.

[0130] The controller 36 includes a terminal control portion 37, an image processing portion 38, a communication portion 39, a terminal memory 40, and a GPS receiving portion 90. The terminal control portion 37 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that are not shown in the drawings. The terminal control portion 37 outputs control commands in accordance with the operating conditions of the operation portion 34 to the communication portion 39, the image processing portion 38, and the like, outputs a control command to the image processing portion 38 based on information received through the communication portion 39, and stores information in the terminal memory 40.

[0131] The image processing portion 38 controls the display device 33 so as to display a screen that corresponds to the control command from the terminal control portion 37 on the display screen 32.

If the communication portion 39 is input with a control command from the terminal control portion 37, the communication portion 39 transmits information based on the control command to the management server 12. The communication portion 39 also receives information transmitted from the management server 12. [0132] Next, a map information transmission processing routine executed on the management server 12 side and a map information acquisition processing routine executed on the information terminal 14 side when the user downloads map information using the map data management system 11 of the present embodiment will be described based on flowcharts shown in FIG. 16.

[0133] First, the map information transmission processing routine executed by the server control portion 15 of the management server 12 will be described.

In the map information transmission processing routine, the server control portion 15 determines whether destination information is received from the information terminal 14 through the communication portion 16 (step Sl-10). The destination information includes information related to a destination set by the user through operation of the operation portion 34 on the information terminal 14 side, and identification information of the transmitting information terminal 14. If this determination result is a No determination, the server control portion 15 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step Sl-10 until the destination information is received. However, if the determination result at step Sl -10 is a Yes determination, the server control portion 15 specifies the language that expresses the destination included in the received destination information (step Sl-11). Note that the language specification method is substantially similar to that at S35 described above and will not be described in detail here.

[0134] Next, the server control portion 15 specifies the country (e.g. Country D) that uses the language specified at Sl-11, and sets the country as the specific country (step SI -12). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, Sl-12 corresponds to the specific country determination step. The server control portion 15 then performs route search processing to search for a route from the current position of the information terminal 14 to the set destination (step SI -13). Note that the route search method is substantially similar to that at S31 described above and will not be described in detail here.

[0135] Once the route search processing ends, the server control portion 15 generates map data that corresponds to the specific country determined at Sl-12 (step SI -14). The map data generation method is substantially similar to the processing at steps S21 , S41 , S81 described above and will not be described in detail here. Next, in order to execute navigation processing in the information terminal 14, the server control portion 15 transmits map information that includes the map data generated at SI -14, the route data 21 of each country, and the POI data 22 of each country, and also transmits search route information related to the route found at SI -13 from the communication portion 16 to the information terminal 14 that transmitted the destination information (step Sl-15). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, SI -15 corresponds to a navigation step. The server control portion 15 then ends the map information transmission processing routine.

[0136] Next, the map information acquisition processing routine executed by the terminal control portion 37 of the information terminal 14 will be described. The map information acquisition processing routine is executed when the user operates the operation portion 34 to activate a navigation function.

[0137] In the map information acquisition processing routine, the terminal control portion 37 determines whether a destination is set by the user through operation of the operation portion 34 (step S2-10). If this determination result is a No determination, the terminal control portion 37 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S2-10 until the input of a destination is complete, because the user has yet to complete input of a destination. However, if the determination result at step S2-10 is a Yes determination, the terminal control portion 37 transmits the destination information related to the input destination from the communication portion 39 to the management server 12 (step S2-11), because input of a destination is complete. Note that the destination information includes information related to a character string that expresses the destination. In other words, even for the same destination (e.g. Milan), mutually different destination information is transmitted to the management server 12 when "Milano" is input and when "Milan" is input.

[0138] The terminal control portion 37 then determines whether the map information and the search route information are received from the management server 12 (step S2-12). If this determination result is a No determination, the terminal control portion 37 repeatedly performs the determination processing at step S2-12 until the respective information is completely received, because the map information and the search route information are not yet completely received. However, if the determination result at step S 1-12 is a Yes determination, the terminal control portion 37 performs display processing using the received map information and search route information (step S 1-13).

[0139] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (9) to (14) of the first to third embodiments described above.

(19) Information that includes the history of operation of the operation portion 34 by the user of the information terminal 14 (in the present embodiment, destination information) is transmitted to the management server 12. In the management server 12, the specific country is determined based on the information received from the information terminal 14, and the map information that corresponds to the specific country is transmitted to the information terminal 14. Therefore, the user can be provided with a map of the specific country based on the history of operation of the operation portion 34 by the user. Consequently, providing a map of Country C to a user from Country A, for example, can be suppressed, thus lowering the possibility of giving the user a sense of discomfort. Accordingly, the probability of executing navigation processing based on map data that conforms to the user's preference can be improved without the user performing a cumbersome operation.

[0140] (20) According to the present embodiment, in the management server

12, an input or set language is specified from the history of operation of the operation portion 34 by the user of the information terminal 14, and the country that uses the specified language is set as the specific country. Therefore, the specific country can be easily determined without the user on the information terminal 14 side performing a special operation for determining the specific country in the management server 12. In other words, the user can be easily provided with a desired map.

[0141 J (21) The combination of characters may differ depending on the language even for words (e.g. a destination such as a city name) that have the same meaning. Hence, in the present embodiment, when a word is input by the user of the information terminal 14 through operation of the operation portion 34, information related to the word is transmitted to the management server 12. In the management server 12, the language used to input the word is specified based on the received information and the country that uses the language is also specified. Therefore, the country desired by the user of the information terminal 14 can be set as the specific country.

[0142] Further, such setting is performed based on the normal history of operation of the operation portion 34 by the user to execute navigation processing. There is thus no need for the user to perform a special operation for setting the specific country.

[0143] Note that the embodiments described above may be modified to realize other embodiments such as those below.

- In the route search processing (step SI 3) of the embodiments, a route that avoids the first regions 23, 24, 25 over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty may be searched with more priority than a route that passes through the first regions 23, 24, 25. With this configuration as well, the probability of guiding the host vehicle (or the user) to the destination G along a route that passes through the first regions 23, 24, 25 can be reduced.

[0144] - Different characters may be used among neighboring countries. The navigation device 50 provided in such a region can select between a first mode that allows input of a destination or the like in the characters (e.g. the English alphabet) used in a first country, and a second mode that allows input of a destination or the like in the characters (e.g. the Cyrillic alphabet) used in a second country. In such case, the specific country may be determined based on the operation history of the user when the user selects a mode.

[0145] - In the first to third embodiments, the information storage device 66 may store data related to the map shown in FIG. 7 A as map data in the case of Country A as the specific country. In addition, the information storage device 66 may store data related to the map shown in FIG. 7B as map data in the case of Country C as the specific country. Likewise, as map data in the case of Country B (or Country D or Country E) as the specific country, the information storage device 66 may store map data that corresponds to the maps of Country A to Country E based on the claims of Country B (or Country D or Country E) and the friendly relations between Country B (or Country D or Country E) and the other countries. With such a configuration, there is no need to create map data that corresponds to the specific country each time the specific country is changed, and the control load can be reduced by a corresponding amount.

[0146] - In the first and second embodiments, the processing that determines the specific country may be performed each time the ignition switch of the host vehicle is turned on. In other words, the processing at step S 11 in the first embodiment and the processing at steps S71 , S78 in the second embodiment may be omitted.

[0147] - In the first embodiment, the country specified at S36 may be stored each time the destination input processing routine is executed. The country most often specified may then be set as the specific country.

[0148] - In the fourth embodiment, when the country that occupies the current position of the information terminal 14 is specified, the management server 12 may set the specified country as the specific country.

- When a route to the destination G is searched in each embodiment, the first coefficient may be set based on friendly relations with the specific country. For example, the first coefficient used when setting the link costs of the links that connect the nodes set along roads in a country on unfriendly terms with the specific country may be set to a larger value than the first coefficient used when setting the link costs of the links that connects the nodes set along roads in a country on friendly terms with the specific country. With such a configuration, the probability of finding a route that passes through other countries on unfriendly terms with the specific country can be lowered.

[0149] - The home of the user is given as one example of a base in the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The base may be a place personally selected by the user as a private or work base, or any base (e.g. the location of the user's place of employment) provided that the base is a place serving as the base of the user in a country that can be estimated.

[0150] - In the first to fourth embodiments, the information table may be a table that stores, as information related to the friendly relations between countries, only one of either information related to whether a border between two countries is established, and information related to whether the diplomatic relations between two countries are good.

[0151] - In the fourth embodiment, the information terminal 14 may be provided with a function that specifies the language according to the history of operation of the operation portion 34 by the user. In such case, it is not necessary to transmit history information from the information terminal 14 to the management server 12. In addition, the information terminal 14 may request that the management server 12 determine the specific country based on the specified language, and also request map data that corresponds to the specific country. Navigation processing may then be performed in the information terminal 14 based on the map data that was received (downloaded) based on the request. In such case, the information terminal 14 functions as a navigation device.

Claims

1. A navigation device characterized by comprising:

a control unit that performs navigation processing based on map data that corresponds to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage unit; and

a specific country determination unit that determines a specific country based on an operation history for executing the navigation processing, wherein

the control unit performs the navigation processing based on a determination result from the specific country determination unit.

2. The navigation device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a base storage unit that stores a base position as the operation history, wherein the specific country determination unit specifies a country that occupies the base position stored in the base storage unit, and sets the specified country as the specific country.

3. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein

the control unit, if there is a plurality of countries that claims sovereignty over the base position stored in the base storage unit, performs a selection notification control for selecting any one country among the countries that claim sovereignty, and the specific country determination unit determines the specific country based on the operation history for selecting a country when executing the selection notification control.

4. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the specific country determination unit, based on the operation history, specifies an input or selected language, and determines the specific country based on the specified language. __{. .}

5. The navigation device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a display unit that has a display screen on which a plurality of selection display areas is displayed, wherein

the control unit controls the display unit such that a mutually different word is displayed in each selection display area of the display screen, and

the specific country determination unit, based on the operation history when any one selection display area among the selection display areas is selected, specifies a language that expresses the word displayed in the selection display area selected, and determines the specific country based on the language.

6. The navigation device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a current position acquisition unit that acquires a current position, wherein the control unit controls the display unit such that a word expressed in a language used in a country that occupies the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit is displayed in any one selection display area among the selection display areas.

7. The navigation device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a language selection unit that selects a guidance language in the navigation device based on the operation history, wherein

the specific country determination unit determines the specific country based on the operation history when the guidance language is selected by the language selection unit.

8. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

a search unit that, when a destination is set, searches for a route from the current position to the destination, wherein

the search unit searches with more priority for a route in the specific country that passes through a second region that is different from a first region over which a plurality of countries claims sovereignty than for a route that passes through the first region, and

the control unit performs the navigation processing based on the route found by the search unit.

9. The navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication unit that transmits information to and receives information from an information terminal, wherein

the specific country determination unit, when an operation for executing the navigation processing is performed in the information terminal and history information related to an operation history based on the operation is received through the communication unit, determines the specific country based on the history information, and the control unit transmits map data that corresponds to the specific country from the communication unit to the information terminal to execute in the information terminal navigation processing that corresponds to the specific country determined by the specific country determination unit.

10. A navigation method whereby a control device executes navigation processing based on map data that corresponds to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage unit, the navigation method characterized by comprising the steps of:

the control device determining a specific country based on an operation history for executing the navigation processing; and

the control device executing the navigation processing based on the map data that corresponds to the specific country determined at the specific country determination step.