U.S. patent application number 09/768255 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for mobile terminal and a server for navigation system.
Invention is credited to Ito, Takashi.
Application Number | 20010005809 09/768255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 14236039 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ito, Takashi |
June 28, 2001 |
Mobile terminal and a server for navigation system
Abstract
A navigation system in which a mobile terminal side 101 is not
equipped with a CD-ROM for storing map database 105, but implements
an on-demand navigation function by sharing the one provided within
a server 102. By limiting the communications between the mobile
terminal 101 and the server 102 only to the beginning of the route
guidance and the moment at which the mobile terminal has deviated
from the route, the communication traffic can be reduced,
minimizing thereby the communication cost and the total power
consumption as a whole, and further even when the mobile terminal
101 has deviated from the guide route, the system can readily
provide the user with information by which he can reach his
destination through communications with the server, and enabling
also an indication of the name of the road to be taken at every
crossings.
Inventors: |
Ito, Takashi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH, STEWART, KOLASCH & BIRCH, LLP
P.O. BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
14236039 |
Appl. No.: |
09/768255 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09768255 |
Jan 25, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/JP99/03325 |
Jun 22, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/411 ;
342/357.31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G 1/096894 20130101;
G01C 21/3415 20130101; G08G 1/096811 20130101; G08G 1/096872
20130101; G08G 1/096861 20130101; G01C 21/3611 20130101; G08G
1/096883 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/210 ;
342/357.1 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/34 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mobile terminal in a navigation system, which carries out
communications by way of a communication line including a wireless
telephone line and provides a route guidance for users on the basis
of the data obtained by the communications, said mobile terminal
comprising: a location detection means for detecting the location
of the mobile terminal itself, a receiving means for receiving a
first recommendable travelling route data transmitted by way of
said communication line as a first information, said route data
covering a first condition based on the starting point data and the
destination data of itself, a comparing means for comparing said
first recommendable travelling route data with a location detected
by said location detection means, an indication means for
indicating a direction to which the user should move on the basis
of the result of the comparison made by said comparing means, and a
new route requesting means for transmitting a request for a new
second recommendable travelling route data to said communication
line on the basis of the result of the comparison, said second
recommendable travelling route data covering a second condition
based on the location of the mobile terminal itself detected by
said location detection means and said destination data, wherein
said receiving means receives said new second recommendable
travelling route data transmitted by way of said communication line
as a second information, and said comparing means also compares
said second recommendable travelling route data with a location
detected by said location detection means.
2. The mobile terminal in a navigation system according to claim 1
further comprising a transmission means for transmitting the
location information and the destination information of itself to
the communication line as a first condition.
3. The mobile terminal in a navigation system according to claim 1
further comprising a return indication means, which, in the case
where a deviation of its location from the recommendable travelling
route is detected on the basis of the result of the comparison
conducted in said comparing means, indicates the direction in which
the nearest recommendable travelling route resides to the user.
4. The mobile terminal in a navigation system according to claim 1
further comprising a return indication means, which, in the case
where a deviation of its location from the recommendable travelling
route is detected on the basis of the result of the comparison
conducted in said comparing means, indicates the direction reverse
to the recommendable travelling route after the deviation to the
user.
5. The mobile terminal in a navigation system according to claim 1
further comprising; a storage means for storing the data received
through the communication line into a memory, a processing means
for sequentially processing the data received through said
communication line, a memory monitoring means for monitoring as to
whether or not the summed amount of the memory area which has been
made available after the completion of processing conducted by said
processing means and unused memory area is substantially great, and
a continued data requesting means, which, in the case where the
result of the monitoring is substantially great and it is indicated
that the received data contains a continued data, transmits a
request for transmission of said continued data to said
communication line.
6. The mobile terminal in a navigation system according to claim 5
further comprising a data amount informing means for transmitting a
notification of the amount of data storable in the memory to the
communication line, in advance of receiving data by way of the
communication line.
7. The mobile terminal in a navigation system according to claim 5
further comprising an interruption requesting means, which, in the
case where the result of the monitoring conducted by said memory
monitoring means has become small during the data reception by way
of the communication line, transmits a request for interruption of
the data transmission to the communication line.
8. A server in a navigation system, which comprises a map database,
and transmits data for providing a route guidance for users on the
basis of said map database by the communications conducted by way
of a communication line including a wireless telephone line, said
sever comprising: a request receiving means for receiving the
starting point information and the destination information of
itself transmitted by way of said communication line as a
condition, a route extracting means for extracting a recommendable
travelling route by referring to said map database in accordance
with the condition received by said request receiving means, a
transmission means for transmitting the recommendable travelling
route extracted by said route extracting means by way of said
communication line, and a destination setting information
transmission means for transmitting destination setting information
to said communication line in the order of upper to lower layers,
in response to the request received by way of said communication
line.
9. The server in a navigation system according to claim 8, further
comprising: a condition receiving means for receiving the condition
for data transmission and a data-storage use memory amount data,
both transmitted through the communication line, a processing means
for carrying out processing on the basis of the condition for data
transmission, a transmission means for transmitting the result of
the processing conducted by said processing means, a data amount
limiting means for limiting the amount of data transmitted from
said transmission means to the level below said data storage-use
memory amount data, and a continued information adding means for
adding the information indicating that there exists continued data
to the data transmitted to said communication line.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/JP99/03325, whose international filing date is
Jun. 22, 1999, the disclosures of which Application is incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a
server in a navigation system for providing a vehicle with a travel
route guidance, and more particularly to a mobile terminal and a
server provided in a navigation system, in which the navigation
function can be attained by use of an on-demand system through
communications between the mobile terminal which is not equipped
with a map database, and a server which is equipped with a map
database.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, there have been disclosed various navigation
systems of this kind so far, a case in point being the one
disclosed in Japanese National Publication of the translated
version No. 10-505420.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
conventional navigation system as disclosed in the above-mentioned
National Publication. In the figure, numeral 1 denotes one of a
number of mobile parts, numeral 2 denotes a fixed part, and numeral
3 denotes a cellular telephone network by which the fixed part 1
and the mobile part 2 are mutually connected to each other.
[0007] In the mobile part 1, numeral 10 denotes a mobile telephone
such as a hand-free cellular telephone, numeral 11 denotes an audio
output, 12 denotes an audio input, and 13 denotes a radio antenna.
Numeral 14 denotes a DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) decoder for
translating DTMF signals, numeral 15 denotes a GPS
(Global-Positioning System) satellite receiver for obtaining the
geographical position of the mobile part 1 within which the GPS
receiver itself is provided, 16 denotes a DTMF encoder for encoding
signals into DTMF signals, 17 denotes an interface controller for
receiving signals from the DTMF decoder 14 and the GPS receiver 15,
and also feeding signals to the DTMF encoder 16, numeral 18 denotes
a loudspeaker for allowing the telephone 10 to be used for speech,
and numeral 19 denotes a microphone used for the same purpose.
[0008] In the fixed part 2, numeral 20 denotes a DTMF decoder, 21
denotes a DTMF encoder, and 22 denotes an interface controller.
Further, numeral 23 denotes a computer connected to the cellular
telephone network 3 by way of the DTMF decoder 20 and the DTMF
encoder 21, and also by way of the interface 22, and numeral 24
denote a number of servers configuring the computer 23. Numeral 25
denotes a geographical database accessed by each of these servers
24, numeral 26 denotes a database of messages, 27 denotes an input
for updating the geographical database 25, and numeral 28 denotes
voice messages generated by the computer 23 and transmitted to the
cellular telephone network 3.
[0009] The operation of the conventional device is now explained as
below.
[0010] Here, each one of the servers 24 within the computer 23 is
allocated to each of the active mobile parts 1 by way of the
cellular telephone network 3. The mobile part 1 obtains location
information using the GPS receiver 15, and transmits the thus
obtained information to the fixed part 2 together with a request
for directions to a specified destination. In the fixed part 2, the
corresponding server 24 relates the location information to its
geographical database 25, obtains message information associated
with the location from the message database 26, and transmits the
information back to the mobile part 1.
[0011] The computer 23 may transmit messages in DTMF code, using
the DTMF encoder 21, or it may generate voice messages which are
transmitted through a voice output 28 to the cellular telephone
network.
[0012] When the position of a vehicle (namely the position of the
mobile part 1) is transmitted to the computer 23 by use of the DTMF
signals, the computer 23 can provide a vehicle or a third person
requesting it with information or route guidance.
[0013] First of all, at the start of journey, the driver of a
vehicle in which the mobile part 1 is mounted requests a service by
activating a predialled control on the mobile telephone 10. This
service request is transmitted to the interface controller 22 in
the fixed part 2 over the cellular telephone network 3. The
interface controller 22 then allocates a free server 24 to answer
the call and interrogate the GPS receiver 15 of the mobile section
1 to determine its geographical position. The longitude and
latitude data values output from the GPS receiver 15 are translated
into DTMF tone-pairs by the DTMF encoder 16 of the mobile 1.
[0014] The mobile telephone 10 couples this audio signal into its
speech input path of the audio input 12, and the DTMF decoder 14
coupled to the loudspeaker 18 decodes the supervisory data in DTMF
format coming back from the corresponding server 24 of the fixed
part 2 to acknowledge the reception of location messages.
[0015] Further, the computer 23 in the fixed part 2, on one hand,
can call the mobile part 1 which automatically answers to this
call, and then provide its location using the DTMF signaling
system, or on the other hand, can receive a call from the mobile
part 1, which could include the DTMF encoded identity of the mobile
part 1, and would also provide the vehicle location using the
interface controller 17.
[0016] The server 24 then captures the geographical database 25 on
the basis of the current position of the user, and identifies the
area within which that current position falls. The server 24 also
captures any permanent user-specific information such as the type
of vehicle, which may be relevant for the route to be selected, for
example, because of height or weight restrictions. The user may
encode those requirements for current data, which are not
permanent, but are specific to the present information request (in
particular his destination) using the telephone keyboard of the
mobile telephone 10 in respect to voice prompts. Note that in a
preferred embodiment, however, the call is presented to a human
operator for the capture of this data, and this allows the user to
obtain assistance in identifying his desired destination to the
system, and also allows to speak his requirements, keeping his eyes
and hands free for driving.
[0017] The operator then remotely programs the interface controller
17 in the mobile part 1 with system data identifying the vehicle
destination, for use in subsequent data update processes, and
instigates the generation of the voice-given directions and
instructions to the driver by a speech generation subsystem of the
computer server 24 of the fixed part 2.
[0018] Position fixes may be performed at regular intervals such as
every 2 minutes, or every kilometers. Alternatively, the fixed part
2 may request the mobile part 1 to send its next position after a
specified interval or distance.
[0019] When the driver is following the route, further instructions
can be sent automatically as the driver enters each new area, the
driver can be alerted if the route has been left or if any new
traffic problems have been detected that will affect the individual
driver.
[0020] This system is arranged such that when this system locates a
mobile part entering an area having a message defined for it, for
example, the next turn instruction (or an error message in the case
where the mobile part 1 has gone off the selected route), that
message is transmitted. This system may also be arranged to
transmit messages to users other than the mobile part 1 in
question, for example, to monitor the progress of valuable
cargoes.
[0021] In the conventional navigation system as configured above,
the mobile terminal (mobile part 1) is a device for timely
providing a user with the information required for him to reach his
destination by informing the location information of himself at
least in each area to the server 24 of the fixed part 2, so that
even in the case where no new information from the server 24 is
required, each time he enters a new area, communications for
obtaining necessary information for reaching the destination are
performed, resulting in an increase in the total communication
traffic.
[0022] Further, nothing about improving the method for a user to
inform his destination to the server 24 of the fixed part 2 is
talked about.
[0023] Note that the navigation system, in which a mobile terminal
is not equipped with a map database but can carry out the
navigation function by obtaining the map database through
communications, is also disclosed in another document, namely
Japanese Patent Application No. 7-320196 and the like. The
navigation system in this document is the one that the location
information obtained through the GPS received in the mobile
terminal side is transmitted to the center (server) by way of a PHP
terminal, and the center sends back the map data and traffic
information based on the location information.
[0024] However, in this document, although the method for
downloading the map data and the traffic information by way of a
PHP terminal at the mobile terminal side is disclosed, neither
concrete procedures for the downloading operation nor the way they
are used is explained at all.
[0025] Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to
solve the problems aforementioned, and it is an object of the
present invention to provide a navigation system which is capable
of suppressing the frequency of communications between a mobile
terminal and a server into a minimum level, and carrying out the
navigation function using an on-demand system, wherein the mobile
terminal is not equipped with any map database.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal in a
navigation system, which comprises a receiving means for receiving
a first or a second recommendable travelling route data transmitted
by way of a communication line, a location detection means for
detecting the location of the mobile terminal itself, a comparing
means for comparing the first or second recommendable travelling
route data with a location detected by the location detection
means, an indication means for indicating a direction to which the
user should move on the basis of the result of the comparison made
by the comparing means, and a new route requesting means for
transmitting a request for a new second recommendable travelling
route data to the communication line on the basis of the result of
the comparison. Due to this construction, an on-demand navigation
function with minimum frequency of communications is made
possible.
[0027] The mobile terminal according to the present invention
further comprises a transmission means for transmitting the
location information and the destination information of itself to
the communication line as a first condition. Due to this
construction, setting of several points by way of which it travels
is also made possible.
[0028] The mobile terminal according to the present invention
further comprises a return indication means, which, in the case
where a deviation of its location from the recommendable travelling
route is detected on the basis of the result of the comparison
executed in the comparing means, indicates the direction in which
the nearest recommendable travelling route resides to the user. Due
to this construction, returning to the guide route is made
possible.
[0029] The mobile terminal according to the present invention
comprises a return indication means, which, in the case where a
deviation of its location from the recommendable travelling route
is detected on the basis of the result of the comparison conducted
in the comparing means, indicates the direction reverse to the
recommendable traveling route after the deviation to the user. Due
to this construction, returning to the guide route is made
easier.
[0030] The mobile terminal according to the present invention
further comprises a storage means for storing the data received
through the communication line, a processing means for sequentially
processing the data received through said communication line, a
memory monitoring means for monitoring as to whether or not the
summed amount of the memory area which has been made available
after the completion of processing conducted by the processing
means and unused memory area is substantially great, and a
continued data requesting means, which, in the case where the
result of the monitoring is substantially great and it is indicated
that the received data contains a continued data, transmits a
request for transmission of the continued data to the communication
line. Due to this construction, an overflow of the memory can be
automatically prevented.
[0031] The mobile terminal according to the present invention
further comprises a data amount informing means for transmitting a
notification of the amount of data storable in the memory to the
communication line, in advance of receiving data by way of the
communication line. Due to this construction, an overflow of the
memory can be automatically prevented.
[0032] The mobile terminal according to the present invention
further comprises an interruption requesting means, which, in the
case where the result of the monitoring conducted by the memory
monitoring means has become small during the data reception by way
of the communication line, transmits a request for interruption of
the data transmission to the communication line. Due to this
construction, an overflow of the memory can be automatically
prevented.
[0033] The present invention relates to a server in a navigation
system, which comprises a request receiving means for receiving the
starting point information and the destination information
transmitted by way of the communication line as a condition, a
route extracting means for extracting a recommendable travelling
route in accordance with the condition received by the request
receiving means, a transmission means for transmitting the
recommendable travelling route by way of the communication line,
and a destination setting information transmission means for
transmitting destination setting information to the mobile terminal
sequentially in the order of upper to lower layers, in response to
the request received by way of the communication line. Due to this
construction, the memory capacity required for setting of the
destination can be made small.
[0034] The server according to the present invention further
comprises a condition receiving means for receiving the condition
for data transmission and a data-storage use memory amount
information, both transmitted through the communication line, a
processing means for carrying out processing on the basis of the
condition for data transmission, a transmission means for
transmitting the result of the processing conducted by the
processing means, a data amount limiting means for limiting the
amount of data to the level below the data storage-use memory
amount information, and a continued information adding means for
adding the information indicating that there exists continued data
to the data to be transmitted to the communication line. Due to
this construction, an overflow of the memory at the mobile terminal
side can be automatically prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system
configuration of a conventional navigation system.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the whole construction
of the navigation system according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the general view of a
mobile terminal configuring the navigation system of FIG. 2.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the inner construction
of a portable telephone within the mobile terminal.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the inner construction
of the vehicle-mounted type information terminal within the mobile
terminal device.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing the variation of images
displayed on the monitor of the navigation system in its operating
mode.
[0042] FIG. 8 is an illustration showing an exemplary case of a
route map extracted by the navigation system of the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in details the important
portion of the operation of the navigation system according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing the important portion of
the image display in its operating mode.
[0046] FIG. 12 is an illustration explaining a return to the guide
route according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] Several embodiments for carrying out best the present
invention are now explained with reference to attached drawings, in
order to explain the present invention to details.
[0050] First Embodiment
[0051] The navigation system according to the present invention is
provided with, as its entire system configuration shown in FIG. 2,
a mobile terminal 101 provided in a vehicle and a server 102
provided in the communication center. The mobile terminal 101 is
connected to the server 102 by way of a mobile telephone network
103 and a fixed telephone network 104 such as a wire telephone
network or the like, so that data communications are made possible.
The server 102 is provided with a map database 105 such as a CD-ROM
in which map data are stored.
[0052] Note that, as its general view is shown in FIG. 3, the
mobile terminal 101 is configured by a vehicle-mounted type
information terminal 200 and a portable telephone 210, wherein the
portable telephone 210 is connected to the terminal 200 and carries
out data communications with the server 102 by way of the mobile
telephone network 103 and the telephone network 104, and is
provided with a function of detecting its position by receiving a
signal from the GPS satellite. Reference numeral 201 within the
vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 is a monitor device
such as an LCD monitor, and numeral 202 denotes an operation
switch.
[0053] Here, in the case where there is a cursor observed in the
screen of the monitor device 201, by depressing the arrows
(.Arrow-up bold., .fwdarw., .dwnarw., .rarw.) indicated on the
operation switches, the cursor is shifted in the direction
specified by the thus depressed arrows sequentially from one
effective point to another in the screen, and by depressing the
center portion of the operation button 202 (the portion indicated
by .quadrature.) after the cursor has reached a desired point, the
position of the cursor is made effective, and the operation goes to
the next procedure. Further, reference numeral 211 within the
portable telephone 210 is an operation button to be used in an
emergency case, wherein by depressing this operation button 211,
the information indicating the fact that this is an emergency case
and its location information are automatically transmitted to a
predetermined emergency center or the like.
[0054] Next, the detailed inner construction of the portable
telephone 210 is shown in FIG. 4. In the figure, numeral 301
denotes an antenna, 302 denotes a GPS receiver circuit, and 303
denotes a location calculating circuit, wherein a signal
transmitted from the GPS satellite is received by the antenna 301
as an electric signal, and the location information received
through the antenna 301 is obtained as its latitude and longitude
by these GPS receiver circuit 302 and the location calculating
circuit 303. Obtaining the location information by use of these
antenna 301, the GPS receiver circuit 302 and the location
calculating circuit 303 corresponds to the "location detection
means" in each of the claims.
[0055] Numeral 304 denotes an antenna used for transmission and/or
reception of radio waves in normal portable telephones, 305 denotes
a portable telephone high-frequency circuit for processing
high-frequency signals, and numeral 306 denotes a portable
telephone signal processing circuit for processing audio and
digital signals. Numeral 307 denotes a microphone for inputting
human voice to be transmitted, numeral 308 denotes a keyboard for
use in telephone dialing and so on, 309 denotes a speaker for
outputting received human voice, and numeral 310 denotes a monitor
device for displaying inputs to the keyboard 308 or the like. By
these elements, the function as a normal portable telephone is
provided.
[0056] Further, numeral 311 denotes an interface circuit
(hereinafter referred to just as an "I/F circuit"), numeral 312
denotes an I/F connector. This I/F circuit 311 obtains the location
information from the location calculating circuit 303, when the
user transmits his location information by depressing the operation
button 211 or the like as shown in FIG. 3, and transmits it to the
portable telephone signal processing circuit 306. Further the I/F
circuit 311 transmits information also in the case where it
receives a request for transmission of the location information
from an external personal computer or the like (not shown) by way
of the I/F connector 312, and it also adjusts matching of the
personal computer and the mobile telephone signal processing
circuit 306 in the case where the Personal computer performs data
communications or the like by way of the later-explained mobile
telephone network 103. Note that its coupling with the
vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 is carried out also
by way of the I/F connector 312.
[0057] Next, the inner construction of the vehicle-mounted type
information terminal 200 is shown in FIG. 5. In the figure, numeral
401 denotes a connector for connecting the vehicle-mounted type
information terminal 200 and the portable telephone 210, numeral
402 denotes a microcomputer, 403 denotes a memory which is
connected to the microcomputer 402 and stores data. Numerals 404a,
404b, 404c, 404d and 404e denote switches, each of which operates
in connection with the operation of the corresponding one of arrows
(.Arrow-up bold., .fwdarw., .dwnarw., .rarw.) indicated on the
operation buttons, or operation of the center portion thereof (the
portion indicated by .quadrature.).
[0058] The operation of the navigation system according to the
first embodiment is now explained as below.
[0059] Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein the left half of
the illustration indicates the process operated in the mobile
terminal 101, whereas the right half indicates the process in the
server 102. FIG. 7 is an illustration explaining sequentially the
variation of displayed images on the monitor 201 of the
vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 when the system is
operated in accordance with the above flowchart. Here, all the
displayed examples show the case where it is used in the United
States just for convenience.
[0060] FIG. 7 (a) shows an initial image displayed on the monitor
201 of the vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200. In this
State, selection can be done; by depressing one of the arrows of
the operation button 202 to move the cursor within the monitor
device to select either one of "Enroute" (for shifting the
displayed image to the one for setting the route detection) or
"Audio" (for shifting the displayed image to the one for setting
the audio function), and thereafter, selection is completed by
depressing the center portion of the corresponding operation button
202 (the portion indicated by .quadrature.).
[0061] Here, let us assume that "Enroute" is selected. Since the
audio function is not related to the present invention, the
explanation thereabout is omitted here. However, it can be readily
imagined that the microcomputer 402 displays an image on the
monitor 201 prompting the user's operation, so that it controls
various audio-related units (not shown), which are preinstalled in
or connected to the vehicle-mounted type information terminal
200.
[0062] When "Enroute" is selected, first the microcomputer 402 of
the vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 tries to obtain
destination setting data for setting the destination from the
server 102 in steps ST601A and ST 601B. In other words, in step
ST601A, the microcomputer 402 dials the preset number of the server
102, and instructs the portable telephone 210 to enable a data
communications. When the telephone line is connected, the
microcomputer 402 requests a transmission of the destination
setting data to the sever 102 by way of the portable telephone 210,
the mobile telephone network 103 and the telephone network 104. On
receiving this request, the server 102 transmits the destination
setting data to the telephone network 104 in step ST601B. This
destination setting data is transmitted from the telephone network
104 to the vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 by way of
the portable telephone network 103 and the portable telephone 210,
and is finally input to the microcomputer 402 through the connector
401. On receiving this destination setting data, the microcomputer
402 specifies in step ST602 a destination through communication
with the user as explained hereinafter.
[0063] FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) are displayed images for indicating in
which part of the United States the destination exists. First, as
shown in FIG. 7(b) , the user is required to select an initial
letter of the name of a target State. Thereafter, the user moves
the cursor by operating the operation button 202 of the
vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 so as to specify the
above-mentioned initial letter. Here, the letter "M" is
selected.
[0064] Once the initial letter is confirmed, the image displayed on
the monitor 201 of the vehicle-mounted type information terminal
200 will be changed to the one as shown in FIG. 7(c). In the same
figure, names of eight States beginning with letter "M" within the
whole America are listed and displayed on the monitor 201. Note
that although only four names are listed in FIG. 7(c), by
depressing the arrows (.Arrow-up bold.,.dwnarw.) of the operation
button 202, the cursor is shifted upward and downward to scroll the
State names, and by further depressing these arrows even after it
has reached the uppermost or lowermost portions, the names of all
these eight States can be displayed. The user can specify the name
of a desired State by depressing this operation button 202,
referring to the image displayed on the monitor 201. Here,
"Michigan" State is selected.
[0065] When "Michigan" is selected, a city or a county therein is
specified next. FIGS. 7(d) and 7(e) are images displayed for
specifying a city or a county within Michigan State. Specifying one
of these cities and counties is also carried out by the same manner
as that for specifying one of the States. In other words, in FIG.
7(d), the user selects the initial letter for one city or one
county. Here, the letter "D" has been selected. Thereafter, as
shown in FIG. 7(e), cities and counties whose names begin with "D"
are all listed. Although approximately 20 cities and counties
beginning with letter "D" exist in Michigan State, "Detroit" city
has been selected here.
[0066] When the name "Detroit" is selected, then an image as shown
in FIG. 7(f) is displayed on the monitor 201, and selection of the
type of destination is solicited. The user selects one of the
destination categories from the group of "Airport", "Hospital",
"Station", "Museum", "Bank" and "Shopping". Here, "Airport" is
selected.
[0067] When "Airport" is selected, then an image as shown in FIG. 7
(g) is displayed, and names of eleven airports within or in the
suburbs of Detroit City are listed. The user selects the name of
the destination (name of the airport). Here, "Detroit City Airport"
is selected.
[0068] As explained above, the fact that all the selections ranging
from that of the initial letter of one State to that of the name of
the destination are transmitted sequentially from the server 102
corresponds to the "destination setting information transmission
means" defined in claim 8.
[0069] By the above-explained communications between the mobile
terminal 100 and the server 102, the destination is determined as
"Detroit City Airport". This "name of the destination" corresponds
to the "destination information" defined in claim 2. When the
destination is once determined, the image displayed on the monitor
201 is changed to the one as shown in FIG. 7(h), and thereafter the
user is solicited to select either calculation of the distance
between the starting point and the destination, setting of further
destinations, or canceling the thus determined destination. In the
image displayed on the monitor as shown in FIG. 7(h), by depressing
the arrows (.fwdarw.,.rarw.) in the operation button 202, the
cursor can be shifted to the point of the mark 203 shown in the
same figure. This mark 203 indicates going back to the previous
image.
[0070] When the center portion of the operation button 202 (the
portion indicated by .quadrature.) is depressed with the cursor
being at "cancel enroute", the destination obtained by the
operations performed heretofore can be cancelled, and the displayed
image will go back to the one as shown in FIG. 7(a).
[0071] When the center portion of the operation button 202 (the
portion indicated by .quadrature.) is depressed with the cursor
being at "Add next destination", the displayed image will go back
to the one as shown in FIG. 7(b) , so that the second destination
can be set by the same method as explained heretofore.
[0072] When the center portion of the operation button 202 (the
portion indicated by .quadrature.) is depressed with the cursor
being at "Yes", the procedure advances to step ST603. In this step
ST603, first the microcomputer 402 of the vehicle-mounted type
information terminal 200 stores a plurality of destinations
determined by the above-mentioned operations and/or communications
in the memory 403, and thereafter, the microcomputer 402 requests a
transmission of the location information to the location
calculating circuit 303 of the portable telephone 210. The location
calculating circuit 303 receives the whole time signals from the
GPS satellite when in operation, and whenever it receives signals
from the GPS satellite, it extracts the position of itself as the
value of the latitude and longitude thereof. The location
calculating circuit 303 transmits the latest location information
among all the already-extracted location information in response to
the request from the above-mentioned microcomputer 402. This
"location information" corresponds to the "location information of
itself" defined in claim 2.
[0073] The microcomputer 402 that has received the location
information transmits the thus received location information and
the above-mentioned one or more destination names (Detroit City
airport, Detroit, Mich.) to the server 102. This transmission of
the location information and the determined destination names made
by the microcomputer 402 corresponds to the "transmission means"
defined in claim 2.
[0074] Thereafter, the procedure advances to step ST604, and the
server 102 that has received these location information and the
destination names from the microcomputer 402 specifies as to
whether or not the locations of these are within the road network,
referring to the map database 105. Further, the server 102 extracts
an optimal route from the road network connecting these two points.
Since many optimal route extracting methods have already been
proposed, the detailed explanation thereabout is omitted here. Note
that this "optimal route" and its extracting method correspond to
the "recommendable travelling route" and the "route extracting
means" defined in claim 8. FIG. 8 shows one example of the
extracted route map.
[0075] The server 102 transmits an extracted optimal route to the
mobile terminal 101 together with the name of the road. The
transmission of the this route from the server 102 to the mobile
terminal 101 corresponds to the "transmission means" as defined in
claims 8 and 9. One example of the signal mode of the transmission
signal transmitted from the server 102 to the mobile terminal 101
is shown below.
[0076] <!DocType Route>. . . {circle over (1)}
[0077] <!!Contents Start> . . . {circle over (2)}
[0078] (location N0421952 E0825733, Direction 300>. . . {circle
over (3)}
[0079] <crossing N0421955 E0825728, IN--Direction 120, EX
Direction 30 Name Interstate R75, Other Roads Direction 300>. .
. {circle over (4)}
[0080] <comer N0421960 E0825730, In-Direction 240, EX-Direction
10>. . . {circle over (5)}
[0081] <point N0421961 E0825731>. . . {circle over (6)}
[0082] <crossing N0421970 E0825735, IN--Direction 200, EX
Direction 0 Name Interstate R94, Other--Roads--Direction 10>. .
. {circle over (4)}
[0083] <crossing N0421975 E0825725, IN--Direction 120, EX
Direction 40 Name Outer Coner, Other-- Roads--Direction 220> . .
. {circle over (4)}
[0084] <destination N0421977 E0825727> . . . {circle over
(7)}
[0085] <!contents end> . . . {circle over (8)}
[0086] In the above signal mode, numeral {circle over (1)} declares
that the following description relates to a route. Numeral {circle
over (2)} indicates that the route data starts here and are
sequentially described. Numeral {circle over (3)} indicates the
present location and the direction in which the user should take.
Numeral {circle over (4)} indicates the location of a crossing,
entering angle into and leaving angle from the crossing, the road
name, angle of other roads with respect to the crossing. Numeral
{circle over (5)} indicates the location of a point, which is
curved but not a crossing, and the entering and leaving angles.
Numeral {circle over (6)} indicates a point on the road. Numeral
{circle over (7)} indicates the location of the user's destination.
Note that in the case where there are a plurality of destinations,
{circle over (4)} to {circle over (7)} are further described after
the description of {circle over (7)}. Numeral {circle over (8)}
indicates that the description of the route data is finished. Here,
the location is indicated by the north latitude and the east
longitude, and angles are measured in a counter clockwise direction
starting from the North as "0" degree. In other words, by
travelling along the route as indicated from {circle over (3)}
{circle over (7)}, the user can reach his destination.
[0087] Note that the "transmitted signal" in this signal mode
corresponds to the "first information" defined in each claim. Note
also that in the example shown here, the route extracted from the
above-mentioned explanation of the destination and the location
information is not shown.
[0088] Thereafter, the procedure advances to step ST605, wherein
the route data transmitted from the server 102 as shown above are
received by the portable telephone 210 by way of the telephone
network 104 and the mobile telephone network 103. In the portable
telephone 210, the above route data is received by the antenna 304,
and is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted type information terminal
200 by way of the portable telephone high-frequency circuit 305,
the portable telephone signal processing circuit 306, the I/F
circuit 311 and the I/F connector 312. In the vehicle-mounted type
information terminal 200, this route data is received by the
microcomputer 402 and stored in the memory 403. In this way, the
procedure from receiving the "route data" by the antenna 304 to
storing it in the memory 403 corresponds to the "receiving means"
in each claim, and specifically the procedure for storing the
"route data" into the memory 403 corresponds to the "storage means"
defined in claim 5.
[0089] Next in step ST606, the microcomputer 402 detects its
current location by the same procedure as that instep ST603.
Normally, since the procedures from step ST603 to step ST606 are
carried out very quickly, the current location information
transmitted from the mobile terminal 101 in step ST603 and the
current location information at the beginning stage of step ST606
are not very different from each other. In other words, the current
location substantially coincides with the position indicated by
{circle over (3)} of the above route data.
[0090] In the next step ST607, the deviation between the present
location and the line made by sequentially connecting each of the
points indicated by the route data (guide route) is evaluated. This
evaluation of deviation corresponds to the "comparing means"
defined in each claim. In the case where there is a deviation of,
for example, more than 100 meters (hereinafter referred to just as
"100 m"), the mobile terminal 101 is judged to be deviated from the
extracted route, and the procedure goes back to step ST603, whereas
in the case where the deviation is less than 100 m, then the mobile
terminal 101 is judged to be on the extracted route, and the
procedure then advances to step ST608. Now at this very moment, it
can be judged to be on the route, so that the procedure advances to
step ST608.
[0091] In step ST608, it is determined as to whether the user is
approaching to the point described in the route data. This
determination is settled depending on whether the distance between
the current location described in {circle over (3)} of the route
data and the location described immediately after {circle over (3)}
of the route data is within 300 m, in the case where 300 m is the
judging threshold. If the distance from the present location to the
point described after {circle over (3)} of the route data is more
than 300 m, then there is no need to provide specific information
such as a crossing or the like, so that the user is instructed to
go along the current route by way of the image displayed as shown
in FIG. 7 (i). The procedure returns to step ST606 after the image
shown in FIG. 7(i) is displayed.
[0092] Let us assume that now the user goes along the current route
for a while, and has come to the point within 300 m from the point
described immediately after {circle over (3)}. In this case, it is
first detected in step ST608. When it is detected that the user has
come to the point within 300 m from the point described immediately
after {circle over (3)}, the procedure advances to step ST609 from
step ST608. In step ST609, an image as shown in FIG. 7(j) is
displayed on the monitor 201 so as to instruct the user as to how
he should go across the crossing, and how the road to which the
user should not go further is related to the crossing and so on in
accordance with the described content of the route data. Note that
this "image display" corresponds to the "indication means" defined
in each claim. The user recognizes his route with reference to this
displayed image. In this example, the user recognizes that he
should turn right. Thereafter, the procedure goes back to step
ST606, and the procedures from step ST606 to step ST608, or the
procedures from step ST606 to step ST609 are repetitively executed.
Due to this, appropriate route guidance is provided to the
user.
[0093] When the user reaches his destination by the procedures
above, the name of the corresponding destination is deleted. If a
plurality of destinations are stored in the memory 403, and there
is a next destination at this stage, then the procedure goes back
to step ST606, and repeats the route guidance to the next
destination.
[0094] Here, let us assume that the mobile terminal 101 has
erroneously come to the point indicated by the mark "{circle over
(o)}" as shown in FIG. 8, and in step ST607, it is judged that the
current location has deviated away for more than 100 m from the
guided route (hereinafter referred to just as the "guide route").
In this case, the microcomputer 402 specifies the nearest point
from the current location on the guide route indicated by a solid
line as shown in FIG. 8. Then, the microcomputer 402 specifies the
direction toward the above-specified point observed from the
current location, and displays an image as shown in FIG. 7(k) on
the monitor 201 in order to inform the user that he has deviated
from the guide route, and also indicate him the direction in which
the nearest point of the guide route resides. The indication of
this deviation from the guide route and the direction to the
nearest point of the guide route corresponds to the "return
indication means" defined in claim 3. Note that in FIG. 7(k), the
cursor is already set to the "enRoute" as a default value. If the
center portion of the operation button 202 (the portion indicated
by .quadrature.) is depressed in this state, the procedure goes
back to step ST603.
[0095] The location calculating circuit 303 transmits the latest
one of the location information already extracted, in response to
the request from the microcomputer 402. The microcomputer 402 that
has received this location information transmits the corresponding
location information and the above-mentioned one or more than one
destination names such as (Detroit City Airport, Detroit, Mich.) to
the server 102. Note that the transmission of this location
information and the destination names to the server 102 corresponds
to the "new route requesting means" defined in each claim.
[0096] Thereafter in step ST604, the server 102 that has received
this location information and the destination name extracts an
optimal route from the both information. This "route" information
corresponds to the "second information" defined in each claim. The
route thus extracted in this way is transmitted from the server 102
to the mobile terminal 101. In other words, the user can obtain the
route data from the current location which has deviated from the
route indicated by the mark ".smallcircle." to the previously set
destination indicated by the mark ".circle-solid.", so that the
user can shift his location naturally to the destination without
halting its movement.
[0097] Next, the procedure for determining the destination
conducted in steps ST601A to step ST602 shown in FIG. 6 is now
explained as below. Note that FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the
procedures conducted in these steps ST601A to step ST602 into
details.
[0098] When "Enroute" is selected on the monitor display shown in
FIG. 7(a), the mobile terminal 101 requests a transmission of the
destination setting data in step ST901 to the server 102. The
server 102 that has received this request transmits a list of the
State names to the mobile terminal 101 and instigates the user to
select one of the State names in step ST902. Here, we can assume
that the amount of data is less than 1 Kbytes.
[0099] When the mobile terminal 101 receives this instruction, the
user is instigated to select the initial letter of a State using
the image displayed in FIG. 7 (b) in step ST903. Thereafter, in
step ST904, the user is instigated to select the name of the thus
selected State by use of the image displayed in FIG. 7 (c) to
specify one State in which his destination resides. Since the
meaning of the displayed image, and the operation to be done by the
user at this stage have already been explained before, a detailed
explanation thereabout is omitted here. The thus specified name of
the State is sent back to the server 102 from the mobile terminal
101.
[0100] Next, in step ST905, the server 102 that has received the
sent-back State name transmits a list of the names of Cities or
Counties within the thus selected State so as to instruct to select
the name of a City or a County. The amount of this data can be
deduced to be approximately 1 Kbytes. When the mobile terminal 101
receives this data, it displays an image as shown in FIG. 7 (d) in
step ST906, and in step ST907, an image as shown in FIG. 7 (e) is
displayed to instigate the user to specify a City or a County in
which his destination resides. The name of the City or the County
thus specified in this way is transmitted to the server 102.
[0101] Next, the server 102 transmits a list of the POI (Point Of
Interest) categories to the mobile terminal 101 to instigate the
user to select one of the POI categories in step ST908. The amount
of this data can be deduced to be approximately 100 Bytes. The
mobile terminal 101 that has received this data provides in step
ST909, a list of the POI categories thus sent in FIG. 7 (f) to the
user so as to instigate him to select one of the categories of the
POI categories. The POI category thus selected is transmitted to
the server 102.
[0102] The server that has received the POI category transmits a
list of the POI names of the selected POI category residing within
the specified City or County in step ST910 to instigate the user to
select one of the POI names. The amount of this data can be deduced
to be less than 100 Bytes. The mobile terminal 101 that has
received the list provides the thus sent list of the POI names to
the user as shown in FIG. 7(g) so as to instigate him to select one
of the POI names as his destination in step ST911. As explained
above, transmission of the selection candidates sequentially from
the stage for selecting the initial letter of one State to the
stage for selecting the POI name corresponds to the "destination
setting information transmission means" defined in claim 8.
[0103] The POI name selected in accordance with the above method is
transmitted to the server 102, and is referred therein together
with the name of the selected State and that of the City or County,
so as to be provided for calculation of the route in step
ST604.
[0104] As explained above, in the destination setting process,
since the storing capacity of the data transmitted from the server
102 to the mobile terminal 101 is no more than 1 Kbytes, if the
memory 403 has a capacity just enough to cope with it, there will
be no need to increase its capacity, so that it can be realized
without requiring an increase in the memory capacity.
[0105] As explained above, according to this first embodiment,
since the navigation function can be attained only by communicating
with the server 102 at the initial State of the route guidance and
at the timing where the mobile terminal 101 has deviated from the
route, the navigation function can be performed with a minimum
frequency of communications between the mobile terminal 101 and the
server 102, wherein the terminal 101 is not equipped with a map
data such as a CD-ROM and so on.
[0106] Further, according to this first embodiment, since the
server 101 has also sent the several spots byway of which the
vehicle travels, when the server 102 is made to calculate the
route, these spots can be set, and since the direction to the
nearest guide route is indicated even when the vehicle has deviated
from the route, returning to the guide route is made possible, and
further, since the server 102 contains the destination setting data
in a layered form, the memory capacity required for setting the
destination can be made small, so that the size of the
vehicle-mounted type information terminal 200 can be minimized as a
whole, yet keeping the easy-to-use characteristic for the user.
[0107] Second Embodiment
[0108] Next, second embodiment of the present invention is now
explained as below.
[0109] In the navigation system according to the first embodiment,
even in the case where the location of the vehicle itself is
deviated from the guide route, no more than the direction for the
vehicle to return to the guide route as shown in FIG. 7 (K) is
shown, and as to how the user can return to the guide route is not
explained at all. Thus, when an image of FIG. 7(k) is displayed in
such cases, the user is forced to select "enRoute". The navigation
system of the second embodiment relates to an improvement in the
method for coping with the case in which the vehicle location has
deviated from the guide route.
[0110] Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the
operation of the navigation system of this second embodiment,
wherein the steps ST606 to ST609 shown in FIG. 6 have been
improved. Note that in this FIG. 10, the steps corresponding to
each step in FIG. 6 are provided with the same reference numbers,
and the steps corresponding to those in steps ST601A and ST601B are
put together and defined as step ST601.
[0111] First in steps ST601 to ST606, when the current location is
detected in the same way as that of the first embodiment, the
procedure advances to step ST1001. In this step ST1001, it is
judged whether the current location has been shifted for more than
1 m from the previous timing at which the current location was
stored, and if it is judged to have shifted for more than 1 meter,
then the procedure is branched to step ST1002, whereas if not, the
procedure advances to step ST1003. In step ST1002, after the
microcomputer 402 stores the current location, the procedure
advances to step ST1003. In step ST1003, it is detected whether the
location information stored by the execution of step ST1002 is more
than 500.
[0112] As a result, if the location information stored is more than
500, the procedure is branched to step ST1004, whereas if less than
500, the procedure advances to step ST607. In step ST1004, the
oldest data is deleted, and the number of location information
stored is limited to 500, and thereafter the procedure advances to
step ST607. In step ST607, not only the deviation from the route is
detected, but also the position at which that deviation from the
route occurred is speculated, just as the case of the first
embodiment. It is to be noted that the speculation of the deviated
point is carried out by tracking back the stored location
information for 100 meters from the location at which the deviation
was judged.
[0113] As a result of the judgment, in the case where the deviation
from the route has been detected, an image as shown in FIG. 11 (a)
is displayed in step ST1005, and the user is instructed to go back
the same route as that he had come. Thereafter in step ST1006, it
is judged whether the center portion of the operation button 202
(the portion indicated by .quadrature.) has been depressed in order
to make the "en Route" effective, and if it is judged that it has
been depressed, the procedure goes back to step ST603, whereas if
it is judged that it has not been depressed, then the procedure
goes to step ST1005 by way of steps ST608, ST606, ST1001, ST1002,
ST1003, ST1004 and ST607.
[0114] Here, FIG. 12 shows an imaginary circle 1201 with a diameter
of, for example, 50 m centering around the current location 9. In
this state, in the case where two groups out of the location
information {circle over (1)} to {circle over (9)}; namely the
group consisting of the location information {circle over (1)} to
{circle over (4)} and the other group consisting the location
information {circle over (8)} and {circle over (9)} are included in
the circle 1201, whereas another group sandwiched by these two
groups; namely the group consisting of {circle over (5)} to {circle
over (7)} is excluded from the circle 1201, it can be judged that
the vehicle is going back the same route in the opposite direction
by a U-turn driving or the like.
[0115] Thereafter, the direction indicated by a vector connecting
the location information, which is included in the older group of
information ({circle over (1)} to {circle over (4)}) and indicating
the nearest position {circle over (3)} to the current position, and
the location information indicting the position {circle over (2)}
which is one step older than this position {circle over (3)} is
displayed as shown in FIG. 11(b) . The displayed direction
indicates the direction of the route directing the above-mentioned
speculated deviated point. Note that to indicate the returning
direction to the guide route corresponds to the "return indication
means" defined in claim 4.
[0116] The above explanation has been explained as to the case in
which the number of location information to be stored is limited to
500. However, it will be better to have larger number within the
limit of the capacity of the memory 403 allowed, as the return
route can be indicated even if the user has deviated too far,
increasing thereby the easy-to-use characteristic for of the user.
Further, it goes without saying that in the case where an image
displayed as shown in FIG. 11(b) is started, the easy-to-use
characteristic for the user is increased if the stored location
information is provided.
[0117] As explained heretofore, according to the second embodiment
of the present invention, when the location of the vehicle is
deviated from the guide route, it is arranged such that the user is
guided to travel in the opposite direction after the deviation, so
that even when the user has deviated from the guide route, he can
go back to the guide route without requesting a new route
detection. Thus, the frequency of communications can further be
reduced.
[0118] Third Embodiment
[0119] The navigation system according to a third embodiment of the
present invention is now explained as below.
[0120] The navigation system according to this third embodiment is
the one for coping with the case in which the amount of route data
transmitted from the server 102 in step ST605 in the first
embodiment exceeds the capacity of the memory 403 provided in the
information terminal 200.
[0121] Here, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system according to a third embodiment of the present
invention. Note that in this figure, the steps corresponding to
each step shown in FIG. 6 are provided with the same numerals,
wherein the steps corresponding to steps ST601A and ST601B are put
together to step ST601, and the step ST604 is divided onto 4 steps;
namely, steps ST604A, ST604B, ST604C and ST604D.
[0122] When the destination is specified in steps ST601 and ST602
by the same procedures as those in the first embodiment, the
procedure advances to step ST603. In this step ST603, the current
location information, the spots by way of which the vehicle
travels, and the name of the destination are transmitted to the
server 102 in the first embodiment. However, in this third
embodiment, the capacity of the memory 403 that can be used for
storing data is also transmitted to the sever 102 in addition to
the above data. In other words, the capacity of the memory 403
usable for storing data is informed to the server 102 as the data
amount MDL which is desired to be transmitted from the server 102.
Here, this data amount MDL is assumed to be 100 Kbytes. Note that
to inform the data amount desired to be transmitted to the server
102 corresponds to the "data amount informing means" defined in
claim 6.
[0123] The server 102 receives a request for transmission of the
destination setting data from the mobile terminal 101 and the data
amount MDL. Note that the reception of this data amount MDL
corresponds to the "condition receiving means" defined in claim
9.
[0124] Next, in step ST604A, the server 102 makes the route
calculation just like the first embodiment. Note that this
calculation of the route corresponds to the "processing means"
defined in claim 9. Thereafter, in step ST604B, the data amount of
the extracted recommendable travelling route RDL is compared with
the data amount MDL informed in step ST603. As a result, if the
extracted data amount RDL is 80 Kbytes, which is smaller the
informed data amount MDL 100 Kbytes, then the procedure advances to
step ST605.
[0125] On the other hand, if the extracted data amount RDL is 150
Kbytes, which is greater than the informed data amount MDL 100
Kbytes, then the procedure advances to step ST604C, and cuts the
route data at about the 99.sup.th Kbytes from the start point of
the route data, so that the data amount MDL becomes less than 100
Kbytes. This cutting of the route data for making the data amount
MDL less than 100 Kbytes corresponds to the "data amount limiting
means" defined in claim 9. Here, in the case where the route data
is cut, the data indicating that there are still other data
following thereto is added. This addition of data indicating that
there is a continuation of data thereafter corresponds to the
"continued information adding means" defined in claim 9. The
following shows an example of a signal mode near the end of the
route data transmitted from the server 102.
[0126] <Crossing N0421970 E0825735, IN-Direction 200, EX
Direction 0 Name Interstate R94, Other-Roads-Direction 10> . . .
{circle over (4)}-1
[0127] <Crossing N0421975 E0825725, IN-Direction 120, EX
Direction 40 Name Other Coner, Other-Roads-Direction 2200> . . .
{circle over (4)}-2
[0128] <Contents Continued>. . . {circle over (9)}
[0129] <!contents end>. . . {circle over (8)}
[0130] Note that in the signal mode shown here, the extracted route
data is cut before {circle over (9)}, and it is informed that there
is further data continuing after {circle over (9)}.
[0131] Thereafter, in step ST604D, the route data is cut so that
the data amount becomes less than the data amount MDL, and the
route data to which the data 9 indicating that there is further
data continuing thereafter is added is transmitted to the mobile
terminal 101, and thereafter the procedure goes to step ST605. In
step ST605, the above data transmitted from the server 102 is
received by the mobile terminal 101 just as the case of the first
embodiment.
[0132] Next, in step ST1301, the later-explained valid data amount
within the memory 403 is determined. However, let us assume that at
this stage, the residual amount of route data is still plenty. In
this case, just like the case of the first embodiment, the user can
be guided by sequentially executing the image displays shown in
FIG. 7.
[0133] Here, let us assume that the user is travelling in
accordance with the guidance, and has approached to the point just
before 300 m in front of the point indicated by {circle over
(4)}-2. At this stage, only the above route data {circle over
(4)}-2, {circle over (9)} and {circle over (8)} have been stored in
the memory 403 as valid route data, whereas other route data are
not required. The microcomputer 402 determines the amount of the
valid data within the memory 403 in step ST301, and this
determination of the amount of valid data corresponds to the
"memory monitoring means" defined in claim 5.
[0134] As a result of the determination, in the case where there is
very little valid data left in the memory 403, the procedure
branches to step ST1302, whereas it goes to step ST606 otherwise.
In step ST1302, the microcomputer 402 judges whether there is data
{circle over (9)} near the end portion of the route data. If, as a
result, it is judged that there is data {circle over (9)}, the
microcomputer 402 sets the procedure back to step ST603, and tries
to obtain the route data from the current location to the
destination from the server 102. Note that to obtain the rout data
from the server 102 corresponds to the "continued data requesting
means" defined in claim 5. On the other hand, if it is judged that
there is no corresponding data left, the procedure goes to step
ST606.
[0135] Thereafter, in steps ST606 to ST609, the same procedures as
those in the first embodiment are performed.
[0136] As explained heretofore, according to this third embodiment,
with the data amount being preliminarily informed to the server
102, in the case where the amount of the route data extracted in
step ST102 is greater than the capacity of the memory 403, then the
route data is transmitted separately, so that an overflow of the
memory 403 can be automatically prevented, and thus the user can be
guided to the destination even without causing any inconvenience to
him.
[0137] Fourth Embodiment
[0138] Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention is now
explained as below.
[0139] The navigation system of this fourth embodiment also relates
to the method of coping with the case where the amount of the route
data sent from the server 102 exceeds the capacity of the memory
403 provided in the information terminal 200 in step ST605 in the
first embodiment. However, the method for avoiding this problem is
different from that of the third embodiment.
[0140] Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
navigation system of this fourth embodiment. Note that in this FIG.
14, the steps corresponding to each step in FIG. 13 are provided
with the same reference numbers, and the steps ST604B to ST604D are
replaced by step ST604.
[0141] The procedure advances just as the first embodiment, and the
server 102 carries out a rout calculation and extracts a
recommendable travelling route in step ST604A. Then, in step
ST604E, transmission of the route data to the mobile terminal 101
starts. The microcomputer 302 of the mobile terminal 101 starts
receiving the route data in step ST605, and stores sequentially the
thus received data in the memory 403.
[0142] Thereafter in step ST1401, the microcomputer 402 monitors
the occupation rate of the memory 403 during the storing operation
of the received route data therein, and when there is not much
capacity left in the memory 403, the procedure branches to step
ST1402. On the other hand, if the reception of the route data is
terminated even when there is more capacity left, then the
procedure advances directly to step ST1301.
[0143] In step ST1402, the mobile terminal 101 requests the server
102 for an interruption of the route data transmission, and
simultaneously stops writing of the route data into the memory 403.
Note that this request for an interruption of the route data
corresponds to the "interruption requesting means" in claim 7. Next
in step ST1403, the microcomputer adds to the end portion of the
route data stored in the memory 403 the data {circle over (9)}
indicating that there is a continuation of data, and the data 8
indicating that the description of the route data is terminated,
and thereafter the procedure goes to step ST1301.
[0144] Note that the operation performed after step ST1301 is same
as that of the third embodiment, so that the detailed explanation
thereof is omitted here.
[0145] As explained heretofore, even by this fourth embodiment, an
overflow of the memory 403 can be automatically prevented by
monitoring the occupation rate thereof, and interrupting the
writing operation into the memory 403 before the memory being
saturated, so that the destination can be guided even without
causing any inconvenience to the user.
[0146] Fifth Embodiment
[0147] Note that the first to fourth embodiments have been
explained as to the case where the destination and the spots by way
of which the vehicle travels are stored in the microcomputer 402.
However, these pieces of information may be stored in the server
102 side, and it can be readily deduced that the same effects as
those obtained by each of the above embodiments can be obtained. In
this case, such an effect as reducing the load on the microcomputer
402 can also be obtained.
[0148] Sixth Embodiment
[0149] Further, the first embodiment has been explained as to the
case where a so-called turn-by-turn method for displaying images as
shown in FIG. 7(j) and 7(k) is employed as the method for providing
the navigation function to users. However, in the case where the
microcomputer 402 has such a function as voice synthesizing and so
on, a route guiding to the user by a human voice is also made
possible.
[0150] Seventh Embodiment
[0151] Further, the first embodiment has been explained as to the
case where a so-called turn-by-turn method for displaying images as
shown in FIG. 7(j) and 7(k) is explained as the method for
providing a navigation function to users. However, in the case
where the upper limit of the communication speed of the mobile
telephone network 103 or the like is high, the microcomputer 402 is
equipped with a memory 403 of a substantial memory capacity, and
where the monitor 201 can display a TV image, data including the
roads around the guide route can also be transmitted to the user
from the server 102, and even a map can be provided to the
user.
[0152] Eighth Embodiment
[0153] Further, the first embodiment has been explained as to the
case where a method of sequential selection is employed as the
destination setting method for selecting the destination. However,
it is widely known to specify a destination by telephone numbers as
swell. In other words, the user can select his destination not only
by the method of sequential selection as explained in the first
embodiment, but can also simplify the selection by an input of a
telephone number or the like. In this case, all the procedures for
setting the destination as indicated in step ST601A, wherein a
request for transmission of destination setting data to the server
102, and receiving thereafter the data thus transmitted from the
server 102 in accordance with the image displayed as shown in FIGS.
7(b) to 7(g), can be obviated.
[0154] As explained heretofore, the navigation system according to
the present invention implements a navigation system more suitable
for its mobile use, which can obviate a CD-ROM for storing a map
database as has been required at the mobile terminal side for
realizing the navigation function, or can omit at least a mechanism
section for reproducing the CD-ROM, making the mobile terminal thus
small in size, and reducing the consumption of electric power.
Further, it can implement the navigation system of a quite
convenient on-demand type capable of realizing the navigation
function by a minimum communication frequency and minimum memory
capacity, limiting the communications between the mobile terminal
and the server only to the initial state of the route guidance and
the timing when a deviation from the route has occurred, lowering
thereby the communication fee, and minimizing the power
consumption, and also capable of indicating the information by
which the user can readily reach his destination even in the case
of deviation from the route.
* * * * *