JPH11248480A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To share unique data stored in individual navigation devices so that the stored data can be used efficiently and economically. SOLUTION: A telephone unit 3 is provided as information transmission means, and a memory unit 20 is provided as storage means. When the remote control unit 4 is operated based on the display on the display device 2 to enter the information transmission mode, or when a specific point is reached at a set predetermined time or at a set mark, the telephone unit 3 is automatically set. Is connected to a predetermined personal computer 6 via the
Is transferred to the personal computer 6 and stored in the memory unit 62 of the personal computer 6, so that the unique data stored in the individual navigation units 1 is shared. Used effectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation system which is mounted on a moving body or carried when moving, and at least takes in map information and guides it to a destination by display or voice output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a car navigation system for displaying effective information at the time of movement according to the movement of a user. This conventional car navigation system has a GPS that detects a current position by a signal from a satellite.
(Global Positioning System) The display unit includes a device, a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel, and the like, an operation unit, a CD-ROM playback device, and the like. In addition to a GPS device, a device having a vehicle speed sensor, a terrestrial magnetism, a direction sensor using a gyro, and a traveling sensor for autonomously correcting an error is also known.

In a conventional car navigation system, first, a user operates to register a destination based on map data read from a CD-ROM reproducing device. After the registration, the current position information is periodically obtained from the GPS device, the map data around the current position is appropriately read from the CD-ROM reproducing device based on the position information, and the map data is displayed on the display unit. At the same time, the current position is displayed, and at an intersection, an indication of a direction to be turned is also displayed.

By the way, in the case of obtaining map information and a processing program from a CD-ROM disc,
New map and correction information will be added,
When the processing method is changed and the disk is upgraded, each time the disk is purchased, the system is upgraded.

[0005] The version upgrade performed by the above-described method requires a constant purchase of an upgraded disk, which has the problem of increasing the economic burden on the user. There is a problem that labor and time are required. For this reason, a car navigation device for reading out the latest map information from a predetermined map database via a predetermined transmission medium has been proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-308218. In this car navigation device, map information specified by a user is read from a map database via a predetermined transmission medium, and the captured map information is stored.

[0006]

However, in the above-described navigation system, only the information is taken in, and the unique data stored in each navigation device cannot be shared. There was a problem that could not be used. In addition, as a method of sharing and using unique data stored in individual navigation devices, a memory card or the like is used, information is extracted by writing the unique data to the memory card, and the information is stored in another navigation device. A method of attaching and using a card is conceivable. However, in this method, the memory card may be lost, and it is difficult to share data among a plurality of users.
There is a problem that usability in operation is poor. In addition, when a memory card is used, dedicated hardware is required, which not only hinders miniaturization of the device but also raises the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system in which unique data stored in individual navigation devices can be shared, and the stored data can be used efficiently and economically. It is in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system which is easy to use and advantageous in reducing costs and miniaturization.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting a position of a user, reading map information or the like recorded on a recording medium, and displaying at least a current position. In the navigation system, storage means for storing map information and the like and current position information recorded on a recording medium and storing the information as navigation information,
An information transmission means for transmitting navigation information stored in a storage means by connecting to an external information device by communication.

In the present invention, for example, a telephone unit 3 is provided as information transmission means, and a memory unit 20 is provided as storage means. When the remote control unit 4 is operated based on the display of the display device 2 to enter the information transmission mode, or when the vehicle reaches a specific point which is a set predetermined time or a set landmark, the telephone unit 3 is automatically turned off. The personal computer 6 is connected to the personal computer 6 via a predetermined path, and navigation information and the like stored in the memory unit 20 are transferred to the personal computer 6 and stored in the memory unit 62 of the personal computer 6, so that the individual navigation units 1 The unique data stored in is shared and used effectively.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a car navigation system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a navigation unit, and a detailed configuration of the navigation unit 1 is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a telephone unit 3 is used as information transmitting means, and a personal computer 6 with a built-in modem is used as a receiving device. 1 and FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system comprises a navigation unit 1 as a center, a display unit 2, a telephone unit 3, a remote control unit and a GPS antenna 11 for receiving radio signals from GPS satellites. It is composed of a control unit 4 (shown by a remote controller in the figure), a personal computer 6 as a receiver of navigation information, and the like.

The display device 2 includes a speaker (not shown), an amplifier for amplification, a controller / driver, and a display unit formed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or the like. Audio output and display are performed by the video signal. For example, arithmetic processing is performed in the navigation unit 1, and an audio signal formed by processing such as voice synthesis is supplied to a speaker via an amplifier of the display device 2. Done.

A video signal generated by graphic processing in the navigation unit 1 is supplied to a controller / driver of the display device 2. A display output is formed in the controller / driver, and the display output is supplied to the display unit, and the display unit displays, for example, map information and the position of the vehicle.

The remote control unit (shown by a remote control unit in the figure) 4 is provided with operation buttons, input keys, and the like. When the user operates the operation buttons and input keys, an infrared control signal corresponding to the operation state is formed in the remote control unit 4, and the infrared control signal is transmitted toward the navigation unit 1.

For example, by operating the remote control unit 4, various modes can be set, such as setting of an information transmission mode and a transmission destination, input of a specific point as a destination and a mark, and input of various initial information. The user performs settings related to input, capture of map information, display of the position of the own vehicle, etc., and setting of comprehensive guidance display based on various information from each unit.

The telephone unit 3 has a so-called PHS (Pers
and a transmission / reception unit of a mobile phone or the like, and performs a transmission / reception operation according to control information from the navigation unit 1 side of the navigation unit 1. The telephone unit 3 also has an antenna 31
, And a radio signal is transmitted from the antenna 31. As shown in FIG. 1, this radio signal is received by the antenna 51 of the nearest wireless base station 5. And
Although not shown, it is connected to a predetermined personal computer 6 via a switching center and a public line network (telephone line) 10 so that data can be exchanged bidirectionally.

For example, when the remote control unit 4 is operated based on the display of the display device 2 to enter the information transmission mode, or when the vehicle reaches a specific point as a set predetermined time or a set mark, the remote control unit 4 automatically operates. And is connected to a predetermined, for example, personal computer 6 via the telephone unit 3, the radio base station 5, and the public line network 10.

When the remote control unit 4 is operated on the basis of the display on the display device 2 to enter the information receiving mode, the telephone is automatically dialed up to connect the telephone unit 3, the radio base station 5, and the public line network 10. For example, it is connected to a predetermined personal computer via the Internet, and further to a navigation server via the Internet, so that desired information, sightseeing information, town information, and the like can be captured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 6 includes a microprocessor section 61, a memory section 62, an interface control section 63 to which a modem section 64 is connected, a printer control section 65 to which a printer 7 is connected, and a display device 8.
, A keyboard control unit 67 to which the keyboard 9 is connected, and a bus 68.

By the way, the navigation unit 1
As shown in FIG. 2, an amplifier 12, a decoder 13, a position calculation processing unit 14, a graphic processing unit 15, a memory unit 16 for graphic processing, a CD-ROM reproducing unit 17, a bus 1
8, a CPU 19, a main processing memory unit 20, a light receiving unit 21, a modem unit 22, and an A / control unit 23.

A radio signal from a GPS satellite is received by a GPS antenna 11, and the received signal is supplied to a decoder 13 via an amplifier 12. The decoder 13 performs a decoding process and the like to form GPS data.
The data is supplied to the position calculation processing unit 14.

The position calculation processing unit 14, for example,
It is composed of PU. In the position calculation processing unit 14,
An absolute position, a moving direction, a moving speed, and the like are calculated based on the GPS data, and position information is formed. In other words, the distance to each satellite is obtained from the propagation delay time difference of the radio signals from three or more GPS satellites, and the intersection of the spheres with each satellite as the origin and each distance as the radius is defined as the absolute position of the user. Is shown. At the same time, the moving speed is obtained by measuring the change rate of the distance. The position information formed in the position calculation processing unit 14 is
In addition to being supplied to the PU 19, the graphic processing unit 15
And supplied to the CD-ROM playback unit 17.

On the other hand, in the CD-ROM reproducing section 17,
For example, image data as map information stored on a CD-ROM disc, a program for using the image data, data for searching, a program for integrally processing information obtained by communication means, and the like. Various information such as data necessary for performing a navigation operation is read out based on the position information from the position calculation processing unit 14. That is, map information around the current position is sequentially read, and this data is supplied to the graphic processing unit 15.

The graphic processing unit 15 is constituted by, for example, a dedicated CPU. In the graphic processing unit 15, information stored in the memory unit 16 is read based on control information from the CPU 19, and a graphic for displaying a current position, a moving route, a specific point to be a mark, and the like on a peripheral map. The vehicle display information is formed by adding the vehicle display information to the A / V controller 23 via the bus 18.
And supplied to the CPU 19.

The A / V controller 19 includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), not shown, in addition to the control processing unit.
And a D / A converter. Various processes performed by the A / V controller 19 are executed by the CPU 27.
The video signal is formed in the A / V controller 19 based on the control information and the own vehicle display information from the graphic processing unit 15, and the video signal is supplied to the display device 2 described above. At the same time, an audio signal formed by voice synthesis processing performed according to the vehicle display information is supplied to the display device 2.

Although not shown, the navigation unit 1 is provided with a gyro sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and the like. Speed and azimuth information is formed based on the output of the gyro sensor and the like. Supplied. The speed information and the azimuth information enable position detection and autonomous traveling with a certain degree of accuracy even in a case where a radio signal from a GPS satellite cannot be received, for example, in a tunnel, under a highway, or in a building.

Further, the navigation unit 1 is provided with a light receiving section 21 composed of a decoding circuit and an infrared light receiving element. When the infrared control signal from the remote control unit 4 is received, the light receiving section 21 receives the infrared light. Control information is formed based on the control signal, and the control information is supplied to the CPU 19.

The CPU 19 controls the navigation unit 1
While monitoring the respective parts, the position information formed in the position calculation processing part 14 according to the operation state of the remote control unit 4, the own vehicle display information formed in the graphic processing part 15, and the received information via the telephone unit 3. Based on the sightseeing information, town information, speed information and azimuth information from each sensor, etc., data is read out from the memory unit 20 and arithmetic processing is performed, and control information for integrally controlling each unit is formed. Is supplied with the control information. Further, the CPU 19 has a clock function, monitors each unit, and sequentially associates the position information, the host vehicle display information, and the time information with each other to generate navigation information, and stores the navigation information in the memory unit 20. Therefore, in the memory unit 20, as navigation information, for example, data indicating a moving route, a specific point serving as a mark, and the date and time when the vehicle passed the specific point are accumulated.

The memory unit 20 stores identification information for identifying the navigation unit 1 in addition to the above-described navigation information, and also stores information related to information transfer such as a communication destination and a communication record. These memory units 2
The storage information of 0 is recorded by performing a predetermined operation with the remote control unit 4, and the identification information includes, for example, the serial number of the navigation unit 1,
E-mail addresses, telephone numbers, addresses, etc., user names, car numbers, etc. are recorded. Further, as information relating to information transfer such as a communication destination and a communication record, for example, a telephone number, a mail address and the like are recorded.

For example, the remote control unit 4
Is operated to set the navigation operation state, the CPU 19 performs arithmetic processing based on various information from each unit, and displays the map information and the own vehicle position on the display device 2 and simultaneously executes the display processing. Thus, operation guidance, road guidance, and the like are provided by voice from the speaker.

When the remote control unit 4 is operated on the basis of the display on the display device 2 to enter the information transmission mode, or when the remote control unit 4 reaches a specific point as a set predetermined time or a set mark, the modem unit 22
Is controlled by the CPU 19, automatically dialed up to a predetermined destination designated by the user, and connected to the personal computer 6 and the navigation unit 1 via the telephone unit 3, the radio base station 5, and the public line network 10.
Are connected. When the connection between the navigation unit 1 and the personal computer 6 is completed, navigation information, identification information, information related to information transfer such as a communication destination and a communication record stored in the memory unit 20 are transferred to the personal computer 6. Information related to information transfer such as the navigation information, identification information, communication destination and communication record is stored in the memory unit 62 of the personal computer 6.

Incidentally, the navigation information stored in the memory unit 62 of the personal computer 6 and information related to information transfer such as communication destinations and communication records are managed according to the identification information. The data is read out, displayed on the display device 8, and output by the printer 7. For example, when the display of navigation information is instructed by operating the keyboard 9, the current position, travel route, required time, and the like of the predetermined vehicle identified by the identification information are displayed on the screen of the display device 8 of the personal computer 6. Is done. Note that navigation information and the like are transmitted from the other navigation units to the personal computer 6 and stored in the memory unit 20, but are managed by being distinguished by the identification information. The form of the navigation information is not only video information but also audio information.

When an accident occurs on the navigation unit 1 side and the data in the memory section 20 is lost, the public network 10, the wireless base station 5, The navigation information stored in the memory unit 62 is transferred via the telephone unit 3, and the navigation information is stored in the memory unit 20. Thus, even in the event of an accident, the navigation system can be quickly restored to the state before the accident, and the personal computer 6 also functions as a backup device for the navigation unit 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention. Parts corresponding to those of the navigation system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 3 shows an example in which navigation information or the like of the navigation unit 1 is transferred to another navigation unit 101. The navigation information and the identification information from the navigation unit 1 are transferred to another navigation unit 101 via the telephone unit 3, the radio base station 5, the public line network 10, the radio base station 105, and the telephone unit 103, and stored in the memory. Stored in the department. Conversely, the navigation information and the identification information from the navigation unit 101 are stored in the memory of one navigation unit via the telephone unit 103, the wireless base station 105, the public network 10, the wireless base station 5, and the telephone unit 3. It is stored in the unit 20. Therefore, the navigation unit 1 and the navigation unit 101 can exchange the navigation information and the identification information with each other.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which navigation information and the like of the navigation unit 1 are further transferred to a navigation server via the Internet. The navigation information and the identification information from the navigation unit 1 include the telephone unit 3, the radio base station 5, the public network 10,
The data is transferred to the navigation server 113 via the provider 111 and the Internet 112, and is temporarily stored in the memory unit. The personal computer 6 is connected to the public line network 10, and the personal computer 6 accesses the navigation server 113 as needed, and the personal computer 6 and the navigation server 113 are connected. Then, the navigation information and the identification information of the navigation unit 1 stored in the navigation server 113 are transferred via the Internet 112, the provider 111, and the public network 10, and stored in the memory 62 of the personal computer 6. .

In the above-described embodiment and other embodiments, the configuration using the telephone unit 3 such as a PHS and a mobile phone as the information transmitting means has been described. However, the information transmitting means is a teleterminal or a land mobile satellite. A configuration using a wireless communication system such as data communication, simple wireless communication, a specified low-power wireless station, personal wireless communication, amateur wireless communication, or the like may be employed.

[0038]

According to the present invention, since the navigation information is transferred to the predetermined destination by the information transmitting means, the unique data stored in each navigation unit is shared, and the stored data can be efficiently used. And it can be used economically. Further, according to the present invention, the stored data is shared without using a memory card, so that usability can be improved, and no dedicated hardware is required, so that cost reduction and miniaturization can be achieved. Can be planned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 navigation unit, 2 display device,
3 telephone unit, 4 remote control unit, 5 wireless base station, 6 personal computer, 11 GPS antenna, 13 decoder, 14 position calculation processing Unit, 15 ... graphic processing unit, 16, 20 ... memory unit, 17 ...
CD-ROM playback unit, 19 CPU, 22 modem unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04Q 7/34 H04B 7/26 106A

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A navigation system that detects its own position, reads out map information and the like recorded on a recording medium and displays at least a current position, and includes information on the map information and the like recorded on the recording medium and information on the current position. 1. A navigation system comprising: a storage unit for storing navigation information in association with a communication unit; and an information transmission unit connected to an external information device by communication to transmit the navigation information stored in the storage unit. 2. The navigation according to claim 1, wherein the navigation information is any one of information indicating a moving route, information indicating a specific point as a landmark, and information indicating date and time when the vehicle passed the specific point. system. 3. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein identification information for identifying a transmitting side is transmitted in addition to the navigation information. 4. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein information related to information transfer such as a communication destination and a communication record is transmitted in addition to the navigation information. 5. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting means transmits navigation information to a personal computer. 6. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission means transmits navigation information to another navigation system. 7. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting means transmits navigation information to a telephone or a portable terminal device having a telephone function.