U.S. patent application number 09/919525 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-25 for service-rendering system, service-rendering apparatus and method, and navigation apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Ikeda, Kiyokazu.
Application Number | 20020049529 09/919525 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18731742 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020049529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ikeda, Kiyokazu |
April 25, 2002 |
Service-rendering system, service-rendering apparatus and method,
and navigation apparatus and method
Abstract
A service-rendering system is disclosed. In the system, control
information is generated for controlling operations of a navigation
apparatus provided on a movable body by cooperation of a terminal
operated by the user and a service-rendering apparatus for
rendering services, the control information is transmitted to the
navigation apparatus located at a place separated from the terminal
and from the service-rendering apparatus, and information on
navigation is generated in advance prior to use of the movable body
by the user.
Inventors: |
Ikeda, Kiyokazu; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
18731742 |
Appl. No.: |
09/919525 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/461 ;
340/995.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/200 ;
701/202; 340/995 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 3, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-240372 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A service-rendering system for transmitting data, which is used
for controlling operations of a first apparatus provided on a
movable body existing at a separated location, to said first
apparatus, said service-rendering system comprising: a
service-rendering apparatus used for generating control data for
controlling operations of said first apparatus and used for
transmitting said generated control data to said first apparatus by
way of a radio transmission apparatus connected to a network and
used for transmitting data to said first apparatus by radio
transmission; a terminal connected to said service-rendering
apparatus through said network and used for transmitting data to be
used by said service-rendering apparatus for generating said
control data to said service-rendering apparatus; a communication
apparatus connected to said service-rendering apparatus through
said network and used for transmitting said control data received
from said service-rendering apparatus to said first apparatus by
radio transmission; and a control apparatus provided on said
movable body, connected to said communication apparatus by radio
communication, used for receiving said control data from said radio
transmission apparatus and used for controlling said first
apparatus.
2. A service-rendering system according to claim 1, wherein said
service-rendering apparatus comprises: communication means for
communicating data with said terminal and said communication
apparatus through said network; data storage means for storing data
to be transmitted to said terminal connected through said network
at said terminal's request for rendering of a service;
authentication-data storage means for storing authentication data
used for forming a judgment as to whether or not said terminal
connected to said service-rendering apparatus through said network
is entitled to said rendering of said service; control-data storage
means for storing said control data generated for each terminal
entitled to said rendering of said service; and control means for
forming a judgment as to whether or not said terminal is entitled
to said rendering of said service on the basis of authentication
data stored in said authentication-data storage means and
authentication request data for a service-rendering request
received by said communication means; transmitting data stored in
said data storage means to said terminal entitled to said rendering
of said service; storing control data in said control-data storage
means by classifying said control data by terminal on the basis of
data received from said terminal to be used for generating said
control data; and controlling said communication means to transmit
control data stored in said control-data storage means to said
control apparatus associated with said terminal.
3. A service-rendering system according to claim 1, wherein said
control apparatus comprises radio communication means for
communicating data by radio communication with said communication
apparatus; storage means for storing said control data received by
said radio communication means; power-supply control means for
controlling a power supply of said first apparatus; and said
control means for controlling said storage means to store said
control data received by said radio communication means;
controlling said power-supply control means to turn on said power
supply of said first apparatus; and controlling said first
apparatus on the basis of said control data.
4. A navigation apparatus, mounted on a movable body, for setting a
navigation operation based on control data received from a
service-rendering apparatus, said navigation apparatus comprising:
radio communication means for communicating data by radio
communication; storage means for storing said control data received
by said radio communication means; power-supply control means for
controlling a power supply of said navigation apparatus;
time-measuring means for measuring the length of a time;
navigation-information-generating means for generating navigation
information; and control means for controlling said storage means
to store said control data received by said radio communication
means; controlling said power-supply control means to turn on and
off said power supply of said navigation apparatus on the basis of
said control data and said time data measured by said
time-measuring means; and controlling said
navigation-information-generating means to generate said navigation
information based on said control data.
5. A navigation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising
a reception means for receiving traffic data transmitted by radio
communication, wherein said navigation-information-generating means
generates said navigation information based on said traffic data
received by said reception means.
6. A navigation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said control
means executes control to start generation of said navigation
information at a time preceding a departure time by a predetermined
time length based on said departure time included in said control
data and time data generated by said time measuring means.
7. A navigation apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said power
supply is turned off upon completion of said generation of said
navigation information at a time preceding a departure time by a
predetermined period till said power supply is turned on.
8. A service-rendering apparatus equipped with a radio
communication function, used for generating control data for
controlling a navigation apparatus installed on a movable body and
used for transmitting said control data to said navigation
apparatus, said service-rendering apparatus comprising:
communication means used for communicating with a radio
communication apparatus for transmitting said control data to said
navigation apparatus by radio transmission and used for
communicating with a terminal operated by the user through a
network; authentication-data storage means for storing
authentication data for authenticating an ID code received from
said terminal by associating said authentication data with one of
navigation-apparatus IDs for identifying said navigation apparatus;
content-generation-data storage means for storing content
generation data used for generating a content transmitted to said
terminal and used for requesting the user to enter a command to
generate said control data; control-data storage means for storing
control data for each of said navigation-apparatus IDs; and control
means for executing the steps of authenticating an ID code received
by said communication means from said terminal by comparison of
said ID code with said authentication data stored in said
authentication-data storage means and forming a judgment as to
whether or not to establish a communication with said terminal;
generating a content based on said content generation data stored
in said content-generation-data storage means for said terminal
with said ID code thereof authenticated; controlling said
communication means to transmit said generated content to said
terminal with said ID code thereof authenticated; generating
control data based on a command received by said communication
means from said terminal with said ID code thereof authenticated
and storing said generated control data in said control-data
storage means by associating said control data with one of said
navigation-apparatus IDs which is associated with said terminal's
ID code stored in said authentication-data storage means; and
controlling said communication means to drive said radio
communication apparatus to transmit said control data to a
navigation apparatus identified by said navigation-apparatus ID
associated with said control data in said control-data storage
means.
9. A service-rendering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said
control means controls said communication means to receive
predetermined data from another service-rendering apparatus
connected to said network at a request made by said authenticated
terminal to receive said predetermined data presented as a service
rendered by said other service-rendering apparatus.
10. A service-rendering apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising a time-measuring means for generating time data, wherein
said service-rendering apparatus transmits control data stored in
said control-data storage apparatus to a predetermined navigation
apparatus at a predetermined time based on said time data generated
by said time-measuring means.
11. A service-rendering apparatus according to claim 10 wherein
said service-rendering apparatus transmits said control data to
said predetermined navigation apparatus at a time preceding a
navigation start time included in said control data by a
predetermined time length.
12. A service-rendering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a
content transmitted to said terminal is map data.
13. A service-rendering apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising an electronic-mail-transmitting means, wherein said
control means controls said electronic-mail-transmitting means to
generate an electronic mail containing predetermined data based on
said control data and controls said communication means to transmit
said electronic mail to a predetermined mail address at a
predetermined time based on said control data.
14. A navigation apparatus provided on a movable body communicating
with a service-rendering apparatus generating control data used for
navigating said movable body at a request made by the user by
operating a terminal, said navigation apparatus comprising: radio
communication means for receiving control data generated by said
service-rendering apparatus and transmitted by way of a radio
communication apparatus; storage means for storing said control
means received by said radio communication means; playback means
for playing back geographical data used for navigation from a
recording medium for storing said geographical data; measurement
means for measuring a present position of said movable body;
display means for displaying a map based on geographical data
played back by said playback means;
navigation-information-generating means for generating navigation
information based on travel-destination data included in said
control data, present-position data measured by said measurement
means, and geographical data played back by said playback means;
and control means for controlling said storage means to store
control data received by said radio communication means;
controlling said measurement means to measure said present position
of said movable body; controlling said playback means to play back
geographical data based on travel-destination data included in said
control data and present-position data measured by said measurement
means; controlling said navigation-information-generatin- g means
to generate navigation information; and controlling said display
means to display a map generated on said basis of said reproduced
geographical data and said generated navigation information.
15. A navigation apparatus according to claim 14, further
comprising a navigation-information storage means for storing
navigation information generated by said
navigation-information-generating means, wherein said control means
executes control to store said navigation information into said
navigation-information storage means.
16. A navigation apparatus according to claim 14, further
comprising time-measuring means for generating time data, wherein
said control means controls said navigation-information-generating
means to generate navigation information at a time preceding a
navigation start time included in said control data by a time
length based on said time data generated by said time-measuring
means.
17. A navigation apparatus according to claim 14, further
comprising a power-supply control means for controlling a main
power supply of said navigation apparatus, wherein said control
apparatus controls said power-supply control means to turn on said
main power supply of said navigation apparatus at a time said
navigation information is generated.
18. A method for controlling a navigation apparatus provided on a
movable body communicating with a service-rendering apparatus for
generating control data used for navigating said movable body at a
request made by the user by operating a terminal, said method
comprising the steps of: receiving said control data from said
service-rendering apparatus; storing said received control data in
a storage means provided in said navigation apparatus; measuring a
present position of said movable body; generating navigation
information based on travel-destination data included in said
control data and based on data on said present position; and
displaying said generated navigation on a display unit.
19. A method for controlling a navigation apparatus according to
claim 18, wherein said navigation information is generated prior to
a navigation start time included in said control data.
20. A method for controlling a navigation apparatus according to
claim 18, wherein a main power supply of said navigation apparatus
is turned on before said navigation information is generated.
21. A method for controlling a navigation apparatus according to
claim 18, wherein said generated navigation information is
stored.
22. A service-rendering method for generating control data for
controlling a navigation apparatus installed on a movable body and
provided with a radio communication function and for transmitting
said control data to said navigation apparatus, said
service-rendering method comprising the steps of: receiving an ID
code transmitted by a terminal operated by the user; authenticating
said received ID code; transmitting a content to said terminal if
said terminal is authenticated successfully as a terminal having a
right to receive a service allowed by authentication; receiving a
command from said authenticated terminal; generating control data
based on said received command; and transmitting said generated
control data to said navigation apparatus associated with said ID
code.
23. A service-rendering method according to claim 22, further
comprising the step of receiving predetermined data from another
service-rendering apparatus at a request made by said authenticated
terminal to collect said predetermined data from said other
service-rendering apparatus.
24. A service-rendering method according to claim 22, further
comprising the step of storing said generated control data by
classifying said control data by ID code.
25. A service-rendering method according to claim 24 wherein said
stored control data is transmitted to a predetermined navigation
apparatus at a predetermined time.
26. A service-rendering method according to claim 25 wherein said
stored control data is transmitted to said predetermined navigation
apparatus at a time preceding a navigation start time included in
said control data by a predetermined time length.
27. A service-rendering method according to claim 22, further
comprising the step of transmitting an electronic mail including
predetermined data to a predetermined mail address at a
predetermined time on the basis of said control data.
28. A service-rendering system comprising: a navigation apparatus
provided with at least a radio communication terminal function,
installed on a movable body and identified by a peculiar one of
apparatus IDs which is assigned to said navigation apparatus as an
apparatus ID inherent to said navigation apparatus; a service
server provided with a service-rendering function and used for
storing said apparatus IDs each assigned to one of a plurality of
navigation apparatuses each capable of rendering a service; a user
terminal; one or more communication networks enabling
communications between said navigation apparatus and said service
server and communications between the user terminal and said
service server; access means for allowing the user terminal to make
an access to said service server through said communication
network; control-data-generating means for generating control data
for at least controlling operations of said navigation apparatus
associated with the user terminal in accordance with an operation
carried out on the user terminal already making an access to said
service server and for requesting said service server to store said
control data; transmission means for transmitting said control data
to a specific one of said navigation apparatuses which is accessed
by said service server by using said apparatus ID assigned to said
specific navigation apparatus; and control means for controlling
said navigation apparatus to carry out a predetermined operation
based on received control data.
29. An service-rendering system according to claim 28 wherein said
control data is transmitted at a predetermined time prior to a time
indicated by time data included in said control data.
30. A navigation apparatus mounted on a movable body, comprising:
communication means for enabling a communication through a
predetermined communication network with a service server for
storing control data generated in accordance with data instructed
through a communication with a user terminal associated with said
navigation apparatus; and control means for executing control to
carry out a predetermined operation based on said control data
received by said communication means to be used for controlling
said predetermined operation of said navigation apparatus.
31. A navigation apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said
control means is capable of executing control to carry out said
predetermined operation at a predetermined time prior to a time
indicated by time data included in said control data.
32. A navigation apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said
control means is capable of carrying a route search based on
positional data included in said control data as said predetermined
operation.
33. A navigation apparatus according to claim 30, further
comprising a traffic-data-acquiring means for receiving and
acquiring data on traffic, wherein said control means is capable of
controlling said traffic-data-acquiring means to acquire said data
on traffic as said predetermined operation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a service-rendering system,
service-rendering apparatus and service-rendering method, and
navigation apparatus and navigation method used for generating
navigation information for the navigation apparatus provided on a
movable body.
[0002] The so-called car navigation apparatus is becoming popular.
Some basic functions of the car navigation apparatus is to measure
the present position of a running car employing the navigation
apparatus and to display the measured present position on a map to
inform the user of the position. In addition, in recent years,
there has been commonly known a navigation apparatus capable of
searching a map for a route to a given travel destination and
navigating the driver on the basis of the route found in the
search. In utilization of a car navigation apparatus having such a
function, typically, before departing for a travel destination, the
user operates the car navigation apparatus to let the apparatus
search a map for a route, acquire information on traffic and
display the acquired information on traffic on a map. Typically,
the user uses reference information in the search. That is to say,
when driving a car or the like to a travel destination, the user
carries out preparatory commands to a certain degree prior to the
departure in order to effectively use functions of the car
navigation apparatus. However, the user needs to carry out such
preparatory operations inside the car usually at a parking lot.
Thus, the user normally carries out preparatory operations such a
search of a map for a travel destination prior to a departure when
the user gets into the car. Since the user is doing things in a
hurry at such a time prior to a departure, however, the user will
suffer from much stress and feel cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
service-rendering system, service-rendering apparatus,
service-rendering method, navigation apparatus and navigation
method used for generating navigation information for the
navigation apparatus in collaboration with a terminal operated by
the user and the service-rendering apparatus for rendering services
prior to use of the movable body by the user.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a service-rendering system for transmitting data, which
is used for controlling operations of a first apparatus provided on
a movable body existing at a separated location, to the first
apparatus, the service-rendering system including: a
service-rendering apparatus used for generating control data for
controlling operations of the first apparatus and used for
transmitting the generated control data to the first apparatus by
way of a radio transmission apparatus connected to a network and
used for transmitting data to the first apparatus by radio
transmission; a terminal connected to the service-rendering
apparatus through the network and used for transmitting data to be
used by the service-rendering apparatus for generating the control
data to the service-rendering apparatus; a communication apparatus
connected to the service-rendering apparatus through the network
and used for transmitting the control data received from the
service-rendering apparatus to the first apparatus by radio
transmission; and a control apparatus provided on the movable body,
connected to the communication apparatus by radio communication,
used for receiving the control data from the radio transmission
apparatus and used for controlling the first apparatus.
[0005] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a navigation apparatus, mounted on a movable body, for
setting a navigation operation based on control data received from
a service-rendering apparatus, the navigation apparatus including:
radio communication means tor communicating data by radio
communication; storage means for storing the control data received
by the radio communication means; power-supply control means for
controlling a power supply of said navigation apparatus;
time-measuring means for measuring the length of a time;
navigation-information-generating means for generating navigation
information; and control means for controlling the storage means to
store the control data received by the radio communication means;
controlling the power-supply control means to turn on and off the
power supply of the navigation apparatus on the basis of the
control data and the time data measured by the time-measuring
means; and controlling the navigationdata-generating means to
generate the navigation information based on the control data.
[0006] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a service-rendering apparatus equipped with a radio
communication function, used for generating control data for
controlling a navigation apparatus installed on a movable body and
used for transmitting the control data to the navigation apparatus,
the service-rendering apparatus including: communication means used
for communicating with a radio communication apparatus for
transmitting the control data to the navigation apparatus by radio
transmission and used for communicating with a terminal operated by
the user through a network; authentication-data storage means for
storing authentication data for authenticating an ID code received
from the terminal by associating the authentication data with one
of navigation-apparatus IDs for identifying the navigation
apparatus; content-generation-data storage means for storing
content generation data used for generating a content transmitted
to the terminal and used for requesting the user to enter a command
to generate the control data; control-data storage means for
storing control data for each of the navigation-apparatus IDs; and
control means for executing the steps of authenticating an ID code
received by the communication means from the terminal by comparison
of the ID code with the authentication data stored in the
authentication-data storage means and forming a judgment as to
whether or not to establish a communication with the terminal;
generating a content based on the content generation data stored in
the content-generation-data storage means for the terminal with the
ID code thereof authenticated; controlling the communication means
to transmit the generated content to the terminal with the ID code
thereof authenticated; generating control data based on a command
received by the communication means from the terminal with the ID
code thereof authenticated and storing the generated control data
in the control-data storage means by associating the control data
with one of the navigation-apparatus IDs which is associated with
the terminal's ID code stored in the authentication-data storage
means; and controlling the communication means to drive the radio
communication apparatus to transmit the control data to a
navigation apparatus identified by the navigation-apparatus ID
associated with the control data in the control-data storage
means.
[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a navigation apparatus provided on a movable body
communicating with a service-rendering apparatus generating control
data used for navigating the movable body at a request made by the
user by operating a terminal, the navigation apparatus including:
radio communication means for receiving control data generated by
the service-rendering apparatus and transmitted by way of a radio
communication apparatus; storage means for storing the control
means received by the radio communication means; playback means for
playing back geographical data used for navigation from a recording
medium for storing the geographical data; measurement means for
measuring a present position of the movable body; display means for
displaying a map based on geographical data played back by the
playback means; a navigation-information-generating means for
generating navigation information based on travel-destination data
included in the control data, present-position data measured by the
measurement means, and geographical data played back by the
playback means; and a control means for controlling the storage
means to store control data received by the radio communication
means; controlling the measurement means to measure the present
position of the movable body; controlling the playback means to
play back geographical data based on travel-destination data
included in the control data and present-position data measured by
the measurement means; controlling the
navigation-information-generating means to generate navigation
information; and controlling the display means to display a map
generated on the basis of the reproduced geographical data and the
generated navigation information.
[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provide a method for controlling a navigation apparatus provided
on a movable body communicating with a service-rendering apparatus
for generating control data used for navigating the movable body at
a request made by the user by operating a terminal, the method
comprising the steps of receiving the control data from the
service-rendering apparatus; storing the received control data in a
storage means provided in the navigation apparatus; measuring a
present position of the movable body; generating navigation
information based on travel-destination data included in the
control data and based on data on the present position; and
displaying the generated navigation on a display unit.
[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a service-rendering method for generating control data
for controlling a navigation apparatus installed on a movable body
and provided with a radio communication function and for
transmitting the control data to the navigation apparatus, the
service-rendering method including the steps of receiving an ID
code transmitted by a terminal operated by the user; authenticating
the received ID code; transmitting a content to the terminal if the
terminal is authenticated successfully as a terminal having a right
to receive a service allowed by authentication; receiving a command
from the authenticated terminal; generating control data based on
the received command; and transmitting the generated control data
to the navigation apparatus associated with the ID code.
[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a service-rendering system including: a
navigation apparatus provided with at least a radio communication
terminal function, installed on a movable body and identified by a
peculiar one of apparatus IDs which is assigned to the navigation
apparatus as an apparatus ID inherent to the navigation apparatus;
a service server provided with a service-rendering function and
used for storing the apparatus IDs each assigned to one of a
plurality of navigation apparatuses each capable of rendering a
service; a user terminal; one or more communication networks
enabling communications between the navigation apparatus and the
service server and communications between the user terminal and the
service server; access means for allowing the user terminal to make
an access to the service server through the communication network;
control-data-generating means for generating control data for at
least controlling operations of the navigation apparatus associated
with the user terminal in accordance with an operation carried out
on the user terminal already making an access to the service server
and for requesting the service server to store the control data;
transmission means for transmitting the control data to a specific
one of the navigation apparatuses which is accessed by the service
server by using the apparatus ID assigned to the specific
navigation apparatus; and control means for controlling the
navigation apparatus to carry out a predetermined operation based
on received control data.
[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention,
there is provide a navigation apparatus mounted on a movable body,
including: communication means for enabling a communication through
a predetermined communication network with a service server for
storing control data generated in accordance with data instructed
through a communication with a user terminal associated with the
navigation apparatus; and control means for executing control to
carry out a predetermined operation based on the control data
received by the communication means to be used for controlling the
predetermined operation of the navigation apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical
configuration of a service-rendering system implemented by an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of a user terminal implemented by the embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a navigation system
implemented by the embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of the navigation system implemented by the
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of a portable telephone implemented by the
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of an application server provided in a radio
telephone network in the embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a user database in the storage
unit shown in FIG. 6A;
[0019] FIG. 7A is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of a service server in the embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a user file in the storage unit
shown in FIG. 7A;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical display
format of a first page of a web page presented by the service
server;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical display
format of a second page of the web page presented by the service
server;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical display
format of a page linked to the web page presented by the service
server;
[0024] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical display
format of a third page of the web page presented by the service
server;
[0025] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical display
format of a fourth page of the web page presented by the service
server;
[0026] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical display
format of a fifth page of the web page presented by the service
server;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a flowchart representing processing carried out
by the user terminal and the service server for implementing an
operation set by using the user terminal; and
[0028] FIG. 15 is a flowchart representing operations for
implementing automatic processing based on a user file in a
navigation system implemented by the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] The following description explains a service-rendering
system implemented by an embodiment of the present invention and a
navigation apparatus used in the service-rendering system. It
should be noted that the service-rendering system and the
navigation apparatus are explained in the following order:
[0030] 1: Service-Rendering System
[0031] 1-1: Overall Configuration
[0032] 1-2: User Terminal
[0033] 1-3: Overall Configuration of the Navigation System
[0034] 1-4: Internal Configuration of a Navigation Main Unit
[0035] 1-5: Internal Configuration of a Portable Telephone
[0036] 1-6: Internal Configuration of an Application Server
[0037] 1-7: Internal Configuration of a Service Server
[0038] 2: Typical Implementation of Service Rendering by the
Service-Rendering System
[0039] 3: Typical Processing
[0040] 1: Service-Rendering System
[0041] 1-1: Overall Configuration
[0042] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical
configuration of a service-rendering system implemented by an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a
navigation system 1 is provided on a car 100. The navigation system
1 has a configuration including the so-called navigation apparatus
serving as a base, a security system for preventing the car 100
from being stolen and a communication terminal capable of
communicating data through a radio-telephone-communication network
300. The recipient of a service rendered by the service-rendering
system implemented by the embodiment is the owner of the car 100
and the user purchasing the navigation system 1.
[0043] A portable telephone 200 is typically under the same name as
the user of the navigation system 1 and put under a contract made
with a communication company managing the
radio-telephone-communication network 300. As described above, the
portable telephone 200 is capable of carrying out a telephone
conversation using a telephone line through the
radio-telephone-communication network 300 In this case, the
portable telephone 200 is also capable of communicating data
through a connection with the Internet 400.
[0044] As shown in the figure, the radio-telephone-communication
network 300 comprises a base station 301, a relay station 302, an
application server 303 and a gateway 304. These base station 301,
the relay station 302, the application server 303 and the gateway
304 are facilities for implementing mobile communication with a
radio terminal in addition to the portable telephone 200. In the
case of this embodiment, an example of the radio terminal is a
radio terminal provided for the car navigation apparatus 100. To be
more specific, the base station 301 and the relay station 302 allow
a radio communication to be established with typically a radio
terminal. The application server 303 plays a role of connecting a
radio terminal to the Internet 400. The application server 303
typically carries out processing required for Internet functions
provided by a radio communication company. Data processed by the
application server 303 is converted by the gateway 304 into data
that allows the radio terminal connected to the
radio-telephone-communication network 300 to be eventually
connected to the Internet 400.
[0045] A variety of servers is connected to the Internet 400. In
this embodiment, a service server 500 is connected to the Internet
400 as shown in the figure. The service server 500 is capable of
rendering a variety of services to users. It should be noted that
typical services rendered by the service server 500 will be
described later. In addition, while only one service server 500 is
shown in the figure, in actuality, it is possible to provide the
service-rendering system with a configuration including a plurality
of servers for enterprises rendering services and divisions within
an enterprise, which render services. Examples of rendered services
are after services for a purchased car navigation system 1 and
utilization services for a security system employed in the
navigation system 1. Typically, a service server for rendering the
after services is provided by the manufacturer of the navigation
system 1 and another service server for rendering the utilization
services is provided by an enterprise operating the security
system.
[0046] A user terminal 600 is a terminal owned by the user of the
navigation system 1. Typically, the user terminal 600 is a personal
computer having a function to communicate with the Internet
400.
[0047] In the configuration described above, the user terminal 600,
the navigation system 1, the portable telephone 200 and other
apparatuses are connected to the Internet 400 which allow the user
terminal 600, the navigation system 1, the portable telephone 200
and the other apparatuses to make accesses to a variety of web
sites. In addition, the user terminal 600, the navigation system 1,
the portable telephone 200 and the other apparatuses are capable of
exchanging e-mails with each other. It is also needless to say that
the portable telephone 200 is also capable of having a phone
conversation through an ordinary telephone line.
[0048] 1-2: User Terminal
[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of the user terminal 600 implemented by the
embodiment. As described earlier, the user terminal 600 is a
personal computer connectable to the Internet 400.
[0050] In the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601 carries
out various kinds of processing by executing a variety of programs
stored typically in a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 602. A RAM
(Random-Access Memory) 603 is properly used for storing data
required in the execution of the various kinds of processing.
[0051] An I/O interface unit 604 is connected to a keyboard 605 and
a mouse 606, which generate operation signals supplied to the CPU
601. The I/O interface unit 604 is also connected to an HDD
(Hard-Disc Drive) 608 on which a hard disc is mounted to serve as a
recording medium. The CPU 601 is capable of storing and reading out
data and a program into and from the hard disc of the HDD 608
through the I/O interface unit 604. The I/O interface unit 604 is
further connected to a display monitor 607 for displaying a
picture.
[0052] A media driver 609 serves as a driver of media with a
specific type. The media driver 609 reads out and writes data from
and into the media.
[0053] A communication interface unit 610 is an interface unit for
implementing communications through the Internet 400. If a
telephone line is used for a connection to the Internet 400, for
example, a modem is used as hardware of the communication interface
unit 610. If a network is used for a connection to the Internet
400, on the other hand, the communication interface unit 610
functions as an interface such as the Ethernet.
[0054] A data interface unit 611 is an interface unit for
communications with external peripheral equipment. The
communications conform to specifications such as an SCSI (Small
Computer System Interface), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and an
IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).
[0055] An internal data bus 612 has a PCI (Peripheral Component
Interface) configuration or the same configuration as a local bus.
The internal data bus 612 connects the internal functional circuits
to each other.
[0056] 1-3: Overall Configuration of the Navigation System
[0057] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a navigation system
1 implemented by the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation
system 1 implemented by the embodiment comprises typically a
navigation main unit 2, a display monitor unit 3, a GPS (Global
Positioning System) antenna 5, a traffic-information receiving
antenna 7, a self-contained navigation unit 6, a communication
terminal 50, a security system unit 41 and a remote controller
8.
[0058] Details of the navigation main unit 2 will be described
later. The present position of a car 100 can be displayed on a map
generated internally by reading out map information and present
position information from the recording medium 9 on a display
screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3. Navigation information
comprising drive routes and a variety of guides can also be
displayed.
[0059] Examples of the recording medium 9 are a CD-ROM
(Compact-Disc Read-Only Memory) and a DVD-ROM (Digital Video
Disc/Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory). The recording medium
9 is used for storing map information.
[0060] The display screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3 is
typically a liquid-crystal display used for displaying a picture
output by the navigation main unit 2. A receiving unit 3b receives
a command from the remote controller 8. The command is supplied to
the navigation main unit 2 as will be described later.
[0061] An audio output unit such as a speaker not shown in the
figure can also be provided on the navigation apparatus (the
navigation system 1) implemented by the embodiment. With such an
audio output unit, the navigation main unit 2 outputs audio
navigation information such as a predetermined point like a
crossing, a state of traffic congestion, left-turn and right-turn
points and a wrong way. In this case, the audio output unit in turn
informs the user of a warning or a guidance voice based on the
audio navigation information.
[0062] The GPS antenna 5 receives an electric wave from typically a
GPS satellite. The electric wave received by the GPS antenna 5 is
demodulated as received data and a result of the demodulation is
supplied to the navigation main unit 2. As will be described later,
the result of the modulation is used for determining the present
position of the car 100.
[0063] The traffic-information-receiving antenna 7 serves for a
predetermined road traffic communication system. The
traffic-information-receiving antenna 7 is capable of receiving
information on road traffic which is transmitted by using an FM
multiplexing, beam-beacon or wave-beacon technique. Examples of the
information on road traffic are a state of traffic congestion on a
road and information on a parking lot. The navigation main unit 2
is capable of displaying a state of traffic congestion on a road
based on the information on road traffic, displaying a required
travel time based on the state of traffic congestion and displaying
locations of parking lots.
[0064] The self-contained navigation unit 6 is a member for
detecting information on the car running state such as the speed of
the car 100 and the direction in which the car 100 is heading. As
shown in the figure, the self-contained navigation unit 6 comprises
a car-speed sensor 6a and a gyro 6b. The car-speed sensor 6a is
used for detecting car-speed pulses with a frequency representing
the speed of the car 100. On the other hand, the gyro 6b is used
for detecting the direction toward which the car 100 is heading.
The self-contained navigation unit 6 also outputs the information
on the running state of the car 100 detected by the self-contained
navigation unit 6 to the navigation main unit 2 which uses the
information for finding the present position of the car 100. In
particular, the self-contained navigation unit 6 is used for
determining the present position of the car 100 when an electric
wave cannot be received from the a GPS satellite by the GPS antenna
5 of the car 100 in a tunnel or an underground passage.
[0065] The user uses the remote controller 8 for operating the
navigation system 1 implemented by the embodiment. The controller
comprises a variety of operation keys, a signal-generating unit and
an output unit. The signal-generating unit generates a command
signal representing an operation carried out on one of the
operation keys. The output unit outputs the command signal as a
modulated-intensity infrared-ray signal to the receiving unit
3b.
[0066] It should be noted that, in place of the remote controller
8, it is possible to provide another operation means such as a
remote controller for transmitting electric waves, a remote
controller connected to the navigation main unit 2 by a wire or an
operation unit provided on the cabinet of the navigation main unit
2 or the cabinet of the display monitor unit 3.
[0067] The communication terminal 50 is a terminal for the mobile
communication. The communication terminal 50 is used for connecting
the navigation main unit 2 to the Internet 400 through the
radio-telephone-communication network 300 shown in FIG. 1. By
connecting the communication terminal 50 to the navigation main
unit 2, the navigation main unit 2 is enabled to transmit data by
radio communication. On the other hand, data received by the
communication terminal 50 can be supplied to the navigation main
unit 2 which then carries out necessary processing on the data.
That is to say, by connecting the communication terminal 50 to the
navigation main unit 2, the navigation system 1 implemented by the
embodiment is capable of executing at least Internet-connected
functions.
[0068] The security-system unit 41 has functions to assure security
of the car 100 itself and passengers. The security-system unit 41
comprises an externally-attached camera 42, a microphone 43, a lock
control unit 44 and a storage unit 45. Typically, the
externally-attached camera 42 actually comprises a plurality of
camera units which are installed at predetermined positions inside
and outside the car 100, being each oriented in a direction
matching the purpose of the installation. The camera units are
capable of taking pictures of the inside of the car 100 and
circumstances surrounding the car 100.
[0069] For the same purposes, for the display monitor unit 3, a
car-internal camera 3c and a front camera 3d are provided. The
car-internal camera 3c is provided on the surface of the display
screen 3a and the front camera 3d is installed in such a way that a
picture can be taken from the rear portion of the display monitor
unit 3. The display monitor unit 3 is installed at such a location
in close proximity to the front glass inside the car 100 that the
front visual field of the driver is not obstructed. By installing
the display monitor unit 3 at such a location, the car-internal
camera 3c is capable of taking a picture of the inside of the car
100 and the front camera 3d is capable of taking a picture of what
exists in front of the car 100. Since the car-internal camera 3c,
the front camera 3d and the externally-attached camera 42 can be
regarded as a combination, the externally-attached camera 42 can be
built to comprise a plurality of camera units installed on the car
100 at locations that allow typically pictures of things behind the
car 100, on the right side and on the left side of the car 100 to
be taken. It should be noted that these camera units each supply an
image-taking picture signal to the navigation main unit 2 to be
stored in a storage unit 45 as moving-picture data as will be
described later. As an image-taking device, typically, a CCD is
used.
[0070] A microphone 43 for inputting sounds generated by sources
external to the car 100 is installed on the car 100. The input
sounds are supplied to the navigation main unit 2 as an audio
signal and stored in the storage unit 45 as will be described
later.
[0071] A lock control unit 44 capable of controlling operations to
lock and unlock keys of the car 100 is also provided on the car
100. In addition, in accordance with the state of a control
mechanism member for locking and unlocking keys of the car 100, the
lock control unit 44 is capable of providing the navigation main
unit 2 with information on a lock state indicating whether a key is
locked or not.
[0072] The storage unit 45 includes a storage device typically
capable of storing data with a relatively large size. Media used as
the storage unit 45 is not specially prescribed. For example, a
hard disc can be used. As an alternative, other disc media or a
non-volatile memory device or the like can also be used. In the
case of this embodiment, the storage unit 45 is used for storing
data of moving pictures taken by the camera units and data of the
audio signal input by the microphone 43. These pieces of data are
used as base information for reproducing the inside of the car 100
and circumstances surrounding the car 100.
[0073] 1-4: Internal Configuration of the Navigation Main Unit
[0074] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of the navigation main unit 2. A measurement unit 4
employed in the navigation main unit 2 shown in FIG. 4 is a member
for measuring the present position of the car 100. The measurement
unit 4 typically carries out predetermined processing based on GPS
data received from the interface unit 14 and information on the
running state of the car 100 to find a longitude and a latitude
which represent positional information indicating the present
position of the car 100.
[0075] A ROM (Read-Only Memory) 11 is used for storing a variety of
programs to be executed by the navigation system 1 implemented by
the embodiment in order to carry out necessary processing. The ROM
11 is also used for storing factory-set data which cannot be
changed as a rule. A memory 12 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Read Only Memory) capable of retaining data stored therein even if
the power supply is turned off. A representative example of the
EEPROM is a flash memory. The memory 12 is used for storing the
so-called backup data. The backup data is various kinds of
information such as mainly a travel destination set by the user and
a route leading to the travel destination. If a rewritable memory
device such as a non-volatile memory or a flash memory is used in
place of the ROM 11, the programs and the factory-set data, which
are stored therein, can be changed if necessary in the so-called
update operation. In this embodiment, the programs and the
factory-set data stored in the ROM 11 can be updated.
[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, a navigation ID assigned
uniquely to the navigation system 1 is stored in the memory 12. The
navigation ID is assigned typically when the user is cataloged
after determination to purchase the navigation system 1. That is to
say, the navigation ID is written at a stage prior to a delivery of
the navigation system 1 to the user. After the navigation system 1
is purchased by the user, the navigation system 1 is connected to
the Internet 400. Then, when the user is cataloged in the so-called
online cataloging process, the navigation ID assigned to the
navigation system 1 is received from the service server 500 to be
stored in the memory 12.
[0077] A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 13 is used by a
control unit 19 as a work area in execution of a various kinds of
processing. The DRAM 13 is also used in execution of processing to
generate navigation picture information based on, among others, map
information played back by a disc drive 18 from the recording
medium 9.
[0078] An interface (I/F) unit 14 is provided for connecting the
navigation main unit 2 to an external apparatus. The interface unit
14 inputs data received by the GPS antenna 5. The interface unit 14
also inputs road-traffic information received by the
traffic-information-recei- ving antenna 7. The interface unit 14
also receives car-speed pulses detected by the car-speed sensor 6a
of the self-contained navigation unit 6. The interface unit 14 also
receives the car 100's running-direction information detected by
the gyro 6b. The data received from the GPS antenna 5, speed pulses
of the car 100 received from the self-contained navigation unit 6
and the information on a running direction (or information on the
car running) are transferred to the measurement unit 4 through an
internal data bus 20. In the measurement unit 4, the pieces of
information transferred through the internal data bus 20 are
received as parameters used for determining the present position of
the car 100. The road-traffic information received by the
traffic-information-receiving antenna 7 is typically written into
the DRAM 13 to be stored therein under control executed by the
control unit 19. In addition, the control unit 19 executes
image-processing control and the like to read out the road-traffic
information from the DRAM 13 in order to reflect the road-traffic
information in a map to be displayed on the display monitor unit
3.
[0079] A clock unit 15 measures the present time. Information on
the present time is used in time management required in the
navigation system 1.
[0080] An input unit 16 is connected to a receiving unit 3b
employed in the display monitor unit 3. The receiving unit 3b
receives a command signal from the remote controller 8. The command
signal received from the remote controller 8 is converted into data
with a format allowing the data to be transferred through the
internal data bus 20. The data with such a format is then supplied
to the control unit 19 through the internal data bus 20. The
control unit 19 properly executes necessary control according to
the command signal received from the receiving unit 3b.
[0081] Controlled by the control unit 19, the display driver 17
generates picture information to be displayed and outputs the
information to the display screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3
by way of a terminal 34. For example, the display driver 17
generates a picture signal representing the present position of the
car 100 from the map information read out from the recording medium
9 and the car-present-position information computed by the
measurement unit 4, and outputs the picture signal to the display
monitor unit 3.
[0082] A disc driver 18 is a member for playing back data from the
recording medium 9. The disc driver 18 actually has a function for
playing back data recorded on the recording medium 9 in a media
format adopted for the recording medium 9. For example, map
information or other data played back from the recording medium 9
is transferred to the DRAM 13 through the internal data bus 20 to
be stored therein, and the control unit 19 reads out the
information or the data back from the DRAM 13 with a proper timing
to use the information or the data as data to be displayed.
[0083] An audio and video processing unit 46 carries out necessary
digital-signal processing on a taken-picture signal and an audio
signal which are supplied thereto. Eventually, the audio &
video processing unit 46 converts the signals into data to be
recorded with a format conforming to the storage unit 45. The
taken-picture signal supplied to the audio & video processing
unit 46 comprises a plurality of signals generated by the
car-internal camera 3c, the front camera 3d and the
externally-attached camera 42. Typically, first of all, the audio
& video processing unit 46 converts the signals supplied
thereto at the same time into digital data. Then, the audio &
video processing unit 46 carries out processing on a time-division
basis on the pieces of taken-picture data, converting each of them
into compressed moving-picture data with a predetermined format. On
the other hand, the audio signal supplied to the audio & video
processing unit 46 is a signal generated by the microphone 43. The
audio signal is also converted into digital data which is then
converted into compressed audio-signal data with a predetermined
format. The compressed moving-picture data and the compressed
audio-signal data which are generated by the audio & video
processing unit 46 are written into the storage unit 45 through the
internal data bus 20 under write control executed by the control
unit 19.
[0084] When the storage unit 45 becomes full in the course of
recording compressed moving-picture data and compressed
audio-signal data into the storage unit 45, compressed
moving-picture data and compressed audio-signal data stored least
recently are deleted so as to allow most recent compressed
moving-picture data and compressed audio-signal data to be
recorded. By doing so, even a storage unit 45 with a relatively
small recording capacity is capable of accommodating required
compressed moving-picture data and compressed audio-signal data.
When the recording capacity corresponds to a playback time of about
several tens of minutes, compressed moving-picture data and
compressed audio-signal data can be used to achieve a purpose of
leaving a sufficient recorded proof.
[0085] It should be noted that the audio & video processing
unit 46 can be provided with a configuration including, for
example, a decode function for playing back and outputting video
and audio data recorded in the storage unit 45. By providing such a
decode function, video and audio data recorded in the storage unit
45 can be played back and output to the display monitor unit 3.
[0086] A communication interface unit 47 facilitates exchanges of
data between the communication terminal 50 and the navigation main
unit 2. In an operation to output data from the communication
terminal 50 to the navigation main unit 2, for example, the
communication interface unit 47 converts the data received from the
communication terminal 50 into data with a format that can be
processed by the navigation main unit 2. Then, the data with such a
format is supplied to functional circuits requiring the data
through the internal data bus 20. In an operation to output data
from the navigation main unit 2 to the communication terminal 50,
on the other hand, the measurement unit 47 converts the data
received from the navigation main unit 2 into data with a format
that can be processed by the communication terminal 50.
[0087] In addition, the operation of the communication terminal 50
is controlled by the control unit 19 employed in the navigation
main unit 2. That is to say, by radio communication between the
communication terminal 50 and the navigation main unit 2, the
navigation system 1 implemented by the embodiment can be provided
with a function to communicate with the Internet 400.
[0088] The control unit 19 typically includes a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) for executing necessary control on circuits. By
executing such control, a variety of operations can be implemented
in the navigation system 1.
[0089] 1-5: Internal Configuration of a Portable Telephone
[0090] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a typical internal
configuration of a portable telephone implemented by the embodiment
in a simple and plain manner.
[0091] An electric wave received by an antenna 201 is demodulated
by a receiving circuit 202 which then supplies a result of the
demodulation to a signal-processing circuit 204. The received
electric wave may convey voice data of a telephone-conversation
partner. In this case, the signal-processing circuit 204 extracts a
voice signal and outputs the signal typically to a speaker 206. If
the received electric wave conveys data communicated through a
network such as the Internet 400, for example, the data is
demodulated. The demodulated data is then displayed on an LCD unit
209 under control executed by a system controller 208. In addition,
if an electronic sound accompanying an operation or a calling sound
indicating an incoming call needs to be generated, for example, the
system controller 208 typically controls a ringer 205 to generate a
required ringer sound and to output an audio signal to the speaker
206.
[0092] Furthermore, the user's voice input by a microphone 207
during a phone conversation for example is supplied to the
signal-processing circuit 204 as an audio signal. The
signal-processing circuit 204 carries out predetermined encode
processing on the audio signal and outputs a result of the
processing to a transmitting circuit 203. The transmitting circuit
203 outputs the processing result received from the
signal-processing circuit 204 to the antenna 1 for
transmission.
[0093] The system controller 208 executes various kinds of control
in order to carry out a variety of operations for a telephone
conversation. The system controller 208 has a ROM 217 and a RAM
218. The ROM 217 is a rewritable memory such as a flash memory or
an EEPROM. The ROM 217 is used for storing programs to be executed
by the system controller 208 and data to be displayed. The ROM 217
is also used for recording various kinds of data set or cataloged
by the user. Examples of such data are a telephone directory and
received mails. In addition, in this embodiment, the ROM 217 is
used for storing a portable-phone ID assigned uniquely to the
portable telephone 200. In the case of a portable telephone, the
portable-phone ID is a telephone number or a mail address, which is
assigned to the portable phone.
[0094] A key operation unit 210 comprises a predetermined plurality
of button keys. The key operation unit 210 outputs an
operation-information signal representing an operation carried out
on a button key to the system controller 208. The system controller
208 executes control based on the operation-information signal so
that necessary processing is carried out.
[0095] As shown in the figure, the LCD display unit 209 is driven
to display an operating state in accordance with the control
executed by the system controller 208.
[0096] It should be noted that the internal configuration of the
communication terminal 50 provided in the navigation system 1 is
basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 5. Since the
communication terminal 50 is not to be carried by the user and used
for a conversation, however, it is possible to eliminate functional
circuits such as the ringer 205, the speaker 206, the microphone
207, the LCD display unit 209 and the key operation unit 210.
Instead, it is necessary to provide an interface function capable
of exchanging data with the measurement unit 47 employed in the
navigation main unit 2.
[0097] 1-6: Internal Configuration of an Application Server
[0098] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams simply showing a typical
internal configuration of an application server 303 provided in the
radio-telephone-communication network 300. As shown in FIG. 6A, the
application server 303 comprises a storage unit 401, interface
units 402 and 403 and a control unit 404. The storage unit 401 is
used for storing various kinds of information required in
implementation of functions of the application server 303.
Representative information stored in the 401 includes a user
database 410 and an execution application 411.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 6B, the user database 410 includes
information on the navigation system 1 and the user of the portable
telephone 200. The information includes user information, a
portable-phone ID, a navigation ID and a password. The user
information may include the user name, the user address and the
user birth-date. The user information is various kinds of personal
information on the user which are required for rendering services.
In this case, the user information may include a user ID. When an
access is made by operating the user terminal 600, the user ID is
authenticated by forming a judgment as to whether or not the user
of the user terminal 600 is an authorized user. The judgment is
formed by verifying the password. The portable-phone ID is the same
as the portable-phone ID stored in the portable telephone 200 owned
by the user. By the same token, the navigation ID is the same as
the navigation ID assigned to the navigation system 1 owned by the
user. It should be noted that, typically, the navigation ID is
conceivably a telephone number assigned to the communication
terminal 50 or a mail address assigned to the navigation system 1.
By using a telephone number or a mail address as a navigation ID in
this way, it is easy to make an access to the communication
terminal 50 of the navigation system 1, for example, from the
application server 303 or from the service server 500.
[0100] By the way, data stored in the user database 410 shown in
FIG. 6B is personal information on the user. Such information can
be created by acquiring necessary information typically at the
following opportunity. For example, the navigation system 1 can be
used to purchase a commodity in the so-called Internet shopping
using the Internet 400. In this case, in following a purchasing
procedure of the Internet shopping, typically, the user enters
necessary personal information to an input form displayed on a
browser screen. In addition, in the case of the navigation system 1
employing the communication terminal 50 as is the case with this
embodiment, when the navigation system 1 is purchased, a contract
is also made with a communication company enabling the use of the
communication terminal 50. In this embodiment, the application
server 303 (or the service server 500) communicates with a sales
server to obtain these kinds of information and then catalog the
information in a created database. That is to say, when the user
purchases the navigation system 1 by taking advantage of the
Internet shopping, the user does not need to do necessary
cataloging work later to create a user database 410. In addition,
the navigation system 1 implemented by this embodiment can be
purchased along with, for example, an intangible car insurance as a
sales implementation in the Internet shopping. In this case, the
prices of the car insurance and the navigation system 1 are
discounted. In addition, in the case of an installment-payment
contract, a service is offered to make the installment charge free
or discounted. Furthermore, if the navigation system 1 and a car
insurance are purchased as a combined commodity, information on the
user in the user database 410 can be obtained at a stage of
entering information to an input form for purchasing the car
insurance. It should be noted that, with regard to the
portable-phone ID and the password, data which is entered and
transmitted by the user by operating the portable telephone 200
typically when a security-service contract is made can be received,
obtained and stored. It is needles to say that, in a following
procedure to purchase the navigation system 1 by taking advantage
of the Internet shopping described above, the portable telephone
200 capable of utilizing a security service can be cataloged. At
that time, the portable-telephone ID and the password can be
reported.
[0101] The execution application 411 comprises a variety of
application programs to be executed by the application server 303
to carry out various kinds of processing. The execution application
411 includes an application program having a function for
exchanging mails through typically the Internet 400. In addition,
the execution application 411 includes an application program for
carrying out processing to connect the execution application 411 to
the Internet 400 in response to a request for an access to a web
page. Such a request is typically made by the portable telephone
200 or the navigation system 1. The execution application 411 also
includes an application program for searching the user database
410.
[0102] The interface unit 402 is provided for facilitating
exchanges of information with the relay station 302. On the other
hand, the other interface unit 403 is provided for facilitating
exchanges of information with the gateway 304 for setting a
connection with the Internet 400. The control unit 404 executes
various kinds of control according to application programs of the
execution application 411.
[0103] 1-7: Internal Configuration of a Service Server
[0104] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a typical internal
configuration of a service server 500. As shown in FIG. 7A, the
service server 500 comprises a storage unit 501, a network
interface unit 502 and a control unit 503. Also in the case of the
service server 500, the storage unit 501 is used for storing
various kinds of information required for implementing functions of
the service server 500 in rendering a variety of services.
Representative information stored in the storage unit 501 includes
a user database 510, an execution application 511, content data 512
and a user-file database 513.
[0105] The user database 510 can be used for storing the same data
as the user database 410 explained earlier by referring to FIG. 6B.
By communicating with the application server 303, for example, the
same data as the user database 410 can be always stored in the user
database 510. To put it in detail, when data stored in either the
application server 303 or the service server 500 is updated by
typically a new contract made with a user, the server with the user
database thereof updated informs the other server that the database
has been updated. The other server then updates the user database
thereof so as to avoid a discrepancy. The execution application 511
comprises a variety of application programs to be executed by the
service server 500 to carry out various kinds of processing.
[0106] A content 512 is transmitted when an access is made to a web
site uploading a web page to the service server 500 as will be
described later. Content data is a web page created typically in an
HTML format.
[0107] The user-file database 513 is a set of numerous user files
513a. As will be described later, a user file 513a is a created
data file based on information which is generated when a variety of
operations are carried out on a web page in the service server 500,
accompanying an access made by a user terminal 600 to the web page.
That is to say, user files 513a are managed in user units. The
structure of a user file 513a is shown in FIG. 7B in a simple and
plain manner. As shown in the figure, a user file 513a includes a
user ID identifying a user associated with the user file 513a. In
addition, the user file 513a contains at least a navigation user
file and a portable-telephone user file. As will be described
later, the navigation user file is transmitted to the navigation
system 1 so that the navigation system 1 is capable of using data
stored in the navigation user file. By the same token, the
portable-telephone user file is transmitted to the portable
telephone 200 so that the portable telephone 200 is capable of
using data stored in the portable-telephone user file.
[0108] The network interface unit 502 is an interface means for
connecting the service server 500 to the Internet 400. The control
unit 503 executes various kinds of control according to application
programs of the execution application 411. A clock unit 504 updates
the present time. The control unit 503 is capable of recognizing
information on the present time updated by the clock unit 504 at
any arbitrary time.
[0109] 2: Typical Implementation of Service Rendering by the
Service-rendering System
[0110] The service-rendering system with a configuration described
above renders services as described below in a simple and plain
manner. First of all, the user makes a connection to a web page in
the service server 500 through the Internet 400 by operating the
user terminal 600 owned by the user. The web page is created in
order to comfort a travel planned by the user by using the car 100
on which the navigation system 1 is mounted. In particular, in this
embodiment, the user enters data to an input form on the web page
in order to remotely control the operation of the navigation system
1 in advance as required in the travel. To put in detail, the
service server 500 transmits a navigation user file of a user file
shown in FIG. 7B to the navigation system 1 as control information
based on data entered by the user to the web page. The navigation
system 1 then carries out necessary operations according to the
control information. An example of the operations according to data
stored in the navigation user file will be described later. In
addition, in this embodiment, various kinds of information
specified and entered to the web page by operating the user
terminal 600 are also transmitted from the service server 500 to
the portable telephone 200 at a predetermined time set in advance.
For example, it is possible to transmit information on the
destination of the travel, guiding information on surroundings of a
route leading to the travel destination and information on the
weather to mention a few. The same information can also be
transmitted to the navigation system 1.
[0111] The following concretely describes an implementation to
render services by the service-rendering system 1 implemented by
the embodiment as described above. In receiving a service rendered
by the service-rendering system 1 implemented by this embodiment,
first of all, the user needs to operate the user terminal 600 to
execute a procedure for receiving a desired service related to a
travel planned this time. The operation procedure is described by
referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 as follows. FIGS. 8 through
13 each show a browser screen appearing on a display monitor 607
employed in the user terminal 600.
[0112] To begin with, the user plans a travel using the car 100 as
a movable means. Then, the user carries out a predetermined
operation on the user terminal 600 to invoke an application program
that allows the user to view a desired site on the Internet 400. To
be more specific, the desired site to be accessed is a
travel-guiding site in the service server 500. Typically, the
travel-guiding site can be utilized by a user who purchased the
navigation system 1 and has followed a predetermined procedure for
receiving this service. For this reason, when the user makes an
attempt to access the travel-guiding site from the user terminal
600 as described above, the service server 500 requests the user to
enter a user ID and a password, which are used for authentication
of the user. At this request, the user enters a user ID and a
password for authentication and transmits them to the service
server 500 which then authenticates the user making an attempt to
access the travel-guiding site as an authorized user and permits
the access to the travel-guiding site if a result of the
authentication indicates that the user is an authorized user.
[0113] When such an access is permitted, the travel-guiding site's
top page (or first page) shown in FIG. 8 appears on the display
screen of the display monitor 607. The first page shown in the
figure shows 3 select items, namely, 1: Travel destination, 2:
State confirmation and 3: Change of setting and others. If the user
carries out a click operation to select the first select item "1:
Travel destination," the user is allowed to set a travel
destination. A map shown on the lower approximately-half side of
the screen is used for setting a travel destination. It should be
noted that a travel destination can be set by pointing to a
location on the map displayed as shown in the figure. As an
alternative, the user can also enter predetermined information
identifying the travel destination. Examples of such information
are an address, a telephone number and a pair of a latitude and a
longitude. Such information is used in a search for the travel
destination.
[0114] When the setting of necessary items such as a travel
destination on the first page shown in FIG. 8 has been completed,
an access to the second page can then be made. A typical format of
the second page is shown in FIG. 9. The second page shown in FIG. 9
is a screen to enter information to be transmitted to the
navigation system 1 and the portable telephone 200, that is,
information to be used for creating a navigation user file and a
portable-telephone user file which pertain to the user file
513a.
[0115] As shown in the figure, the user can carry out operations to
enter a departure date of the travel, a departure time of the
travel and the number of lodging nights. The entered information is
used for generating information for identifying a departure date of
the travel, a departure time of the travel and a period of the
travel as a user file.
[0116] In addition, as information stored in the user file 513a, a
so-called radio button can be clicked to select whether or not
information on the weather is to be acquired and to select whether
or not traffic information such as information on congestion is to
be acquired.
[0117] In addition, a "transmission-destination" item is a string
of characters having a predetermined format to represent a mail
address or a string of numerical characters representing a
"portable telephone". As a service rendered by this embodiment, a
user file 213a is always transmitted to the navigation system 1. In
addition to the navigation system 1, however, the user file 213a
can also be transmitted to an electronic-mail terminal or a
portable telephone, which are owned by the user. In this case, the
item for entering a "transmission destination" is used for
specifying a terminal or the like as a recipient of a user file
213a in addition to the navigation system 1.
[0118] On the lower side of the second page shown in FIG. 9, a
display area with a title of <<Search for information on
surroundings HP & mail>> is provided. The display area
shows a link page relevant to the travel destination specified on
the first page. The link page associated with this service exists
typically in the content data 512. The content data 512 can be
searched for a link page for a specified travel destination. Then,
when an access is made to the second page, the link page found in
such a search is included in the second page prior to the
transmission of the second page to the user terminal 600. To be
more specific, URLs are included in the second page as the link
page.
[0119] For example, assume that the user carries out an operation
to click an item selected from the link page. In this case, it is
possible to provide a configuration wherein the screen jumps
directly to a web page specified by the click operation. A typical
web page serving as a destination of such a jump is shown in FIG.
10.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 10, the web page serving as a link
destination shows typically information on events happening in
vicinities of the travel destination, a variety of sightseeing
facilities, traffic guidance, a variety of lodging facilities,
reception of Internet reservations, other kinds of guidance and
services. By viewing the web page of the link destination, the user
is capable of obtaining information on vicinities of the travel
destination. When a reservation contract is made,
reservation-status information showing a reservation state is
transmitted from the web page of the link destination to the
service server 500. The service server 500 also processes the
reservation-status information as data of the user file 213a.
[0121] An information-transfer button BT1 is shown on the right
lower corner of the web page serving as a link destination. If an
operation to click this information-transfer button BT1 is carried
out, for example, information displayed on the web page of the link
destination is eventually transmitted to the navigation system 1
and the portable telephone 200, which are owned by the user. Thus,
if the user desires to transmit the information of the web page
being viewed to the navigation system 1 and the portable telephone
200 because the user thinks that the information will be required
also on the travel days, the user needs merely to operate the
information-transfer button BT1.
[0122] After the web page of the link destination is displayed to
allow the user to collect various kinds of information and/or to
make a variety of reservations, the display screen is restored to
the site of the service server 500 to display typically a third
page shown in FIG. 11. The third page shows a result of organized
collection of information transmitted by the user by operating the
information-transfer button BT1 and services to make a variety of
contracts in the service server 500. By viewing this third page,
the user is capable of grasping information collected thereby and
contracts made thereby so far.
[0123] This third page allows the user to carry out an operation to
specify a transmission destination for each piece of information
which should be transmitted to the destination by the operation to
click the information-transfer button BT1 described earlier. In the
case of the third page shown in this figure, for example, the
navigation system 1 and the portable telephone 200 are each
specified as a transmission destination of information on
sightseeing spots. The portable telephone 200 is also specified as
a transmission destination of information on a time table. The
navigation system 1 is also specified as a transmission destination
of information on parking lots. The information on sightseeing
spots to be transmitted to the navigation system 1 and the portable
telephone 200 is specified as a voice only not including a picture.
Also on this page, for the navigation system 1 and the portable
telephone 200, a reservation alarm and a nearing-destination voice
guide or the like can also be set.
[0124] After setting and other operations for the third page shown
in FIG. 11 are completed, an access to typically a fourth page
shown in FIG. 12 can be made. The fourth page shows various kinds
of advice on a travel planned by the user in accordance with, among
others, various kinds of information collected by the user, past
information stored typically in the service server 500 and the
present circumstance grasped in the service server 500. The page
allows the user to enter a travel destination, a departure date, a
departure time and a place to be passed through. In addition, the
page displays a time table showing suggested departure times and
return times. In addition, the page also allows the user to set an
alarm call for the portable telephone 200.
[0125] A fifth page shown in FIG. 13 is typically the last page of
the site of the service server 500. The last page serves as a
screen for confirming data set by carrying out a variety of
operations described so far, and shows fees or charges to be borne
by the user. It should be noted that, after the screen shown in the
figure, an access can typically be made to a page for settling the
fees and charges shown in the fifth page.
[0126] As has been described above, the user is capable of setting
a variety of travel items by using the user terminal 600 prior to a
travel. The travel items set in this way are reflected in the
navigation system 1 and the portable telephone 200.
[0127] Setting results produced by a user by using the user
terminal 600 as described above are used by the service server 500
to create or edit the user file 513a for the user and managed by
using the user file 513a. As described earlier by referring to FIG.
7, the user file 513a comprises two files, namely, a navigation
user file and a portable-telephone user file. The navigation user
file includes various kinds of information selected as pieces of
information to be transmitted to the navigation system 1. By the
same token, the portable-telephone user file includes various kinds
of information selected as pieces of information to be transmitted
to the portable telephone 200. A piece of information to be
transmitted may include information on time at which the piece of
information is to be transmitted. An example of information
including information on time is an alarm call.
[0128] Information is transmitted from the service server 500 to
the navigation system 1 as a navigation user file by way of the
Internet 400 and the radio-telephone-communication network 300 to
be received by the communication terminal 50 employed in the
navigation system 1. The navigation user file is transmitted ahead
of the departure time on the departure date by a predetermined
period of time which is typically one hour. When the user
navigation file is received by the communication terminal 50
employed in the navigation system 1, the main power supply of the
navigation main unit 2 is turned on to allow the received
navigation user file to be stored therein. Then, the following
operations are carried out automatically.
[0129] The navigation user file includes at least information on a
travel destination. The measurement unit 4 determines the present
position of the car 100. Then, the navigation system 1 carries out
processing to search a map for a route between the present position
of the car 100 and the travel destination. Data obtained as a
result of the search is stored. When the user has desired to
acquire traffic information such as information on traffic
congestion by operating the user terminal 600, for example, this
desire is included in the navigation user file. In this case, the
navigation system 1 acquires the information on traffic received by
the traffic-information-receiving antenna 7.
[0130] In this way, the navigation system 1 implemented by the
embodiment is capable of carrying out at least operations to search
a map for a route between the present position of the car 100 and
the travel destination and to gather information on traffic until
the user gets into the car 100 at a departure time as described
above. By carrying out such operations, the route found in the
search is displayed when the user gets into the car 100 at a
departure time. In addition, it is also possible to grasp at least
a traffic condition in the vicinity as a state of traffic
congestion or the like. That is to say, in this embodiment, it is
possible to prepare information required at the departure time in
the navigation system 1. In other words, when the user gets into
the car 100 in a hurry at the departure time, it is not necessary
for the user to carry out preparatory operations on the navigation
system 1 mounted on the car 100.
[0131] In addition, in the embodiment, when a time specified in
advance is due or the car 100 reaches a specified position in the
course of the travel, a guide picture and/or a speech which are
based on data stored in the navigation user file can be properly
output.
[0132] By the same token, the service server 500 transmits the
portable-telephone user file to the portable telephone 200 by way
of the Internet 400 and the radio-telephone-communication network
300. The portable telephone 200 is thus capable of outputting a
variety of alarm calls or the like at times set in advance by the
user. In addition, an electronic mail such as guide information can
be transmitted to the portable telephone 200 at a predetermined
time specified by the user in advance. The user can then open the
electronic mail which is useful for the travel.
[0133] 3: Typical Processing
[0134] FIG. 14 shows flowcharts representing pieces of processing
carried out by the user terminal 600 and the service server 500 in
accordance with various kinds of setting done by operating the user
terminal 600 as described earlier by referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10,
11, 12 and 13. In the pieces of processing shown in the figures,
the service server 500 creates a user file based on data set by
carrying out a variety of operations after an access made by the
user terminal 600 to the service server 500. The processing in the
user terminal 600 is carried out by a CPU 601 with the user
terminal 600 connected to the Internet 400 and with application
software invoked. The application software is the so-called
Internet browser. On the other hand, the processing in the service
server 500 is carried out by the control unit 503. Notations A to G
each enclosed in a circle indicates information exchanged between
the user terminal 600 and the service server 500, and indicates a
relation between processing steps in the processing of the user
terminal 600 and the processing of the service server 500.
[0135] The processing in the user terminal 600 begins with a step
S101 at which an access to the first page of a web site of the
service server 500 is made by the user by carrying out an operation
on the user terminal 600. At a step 201, the service server 500 is
waiting for a request for an access to the web site to be made
through the Internet 400. As a request for an access is received,
the flow of the processing goes on to a step S202 at which a
content of a page being accessed is transmitted to the user
terminal 600. Thus, when the user terminal 600 makes an access to
the first page at the step S101, the control unit 503 employed in
the service server 500 carries out the pieces of processing at the
steps S201 and S202 to read out the content as the first page from
the storage unit 501 and transmit the content to the user terminal
600. At the step S101, the content of the first page received from
the service server 500 is received and displayed as a browser
screen as shown in FIG. 8. As described earlier, however, when the
access to the first page is made, the service server 500
authenticates the user by using a user ID and a password, which are
entered by the user by carrying out input operations and then
transmitted by the user terminal 600 to the service server 500.
[0136] When the browser screen of the first page is displayed, at a
step S102, the user sets a travel destination by carrying out an
operation on the user terminal 600. Then, at the next step S103,
the user further carries out a predetermined operation to transmit
the set travel destination to the service server 500.
[0137] Subsequently, at the next step S104, the user further
carries out a predetermined operation on the user terminal 600 to
make an access to the second page. As a result, the second page
shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the browser screen. It should be
noted that, also in this case, the control unit 503 employed in the
service server 500 carries out the pieces of processing at the
steps S201 and S202 to read out the content as the second page from
the storage unit 501 and transmit the content to the user terminal
600. The same processing is carried out at steps S108, S111 and
S114 to make an access to the third, fourth and fifth pages
respectively and display them as will be described later.
[0138] With the second page displayed, the user is allowed to carry
out an operation to enter information such as a departure date and
a departure time to entries on the second page in processing
carried out at the next step S105. Then, at the next step S106, the
entered pieces of information are transmitted to the service server
500.
[0139] With the second page displayed, the flow of the processing
then goes on to a step S107 to form a judgment as to whether or not
an operation has been carried out to make an access to a link page.
If an operation has been carried out to make an access to a link
page, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S115.
[0140] At the step S115, an access is made to a link page specified
by the operation. A content of the link page is then received from
a server providing the link page. Then, processing is carried out
to display a screen like one shown in FIG. 10. The flow of the
processing then goes on to a step S116 to form a judgment as to
whether or not an operation to click the information-transfer
button BT1 has been carried out. If an operation to click the
information-transfer button BT1 has not been carried out, the flow
of the processing goes on to a step S118. If an operation to click
the information-transfer button BT1 has been carried out, on the
other hand, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S117. At
the step S117, processing is carried out to transmit a request for
a transmission of information. It should be noted that the request
for a transmission of information is transmitted to the service
server 500.
[0141] Then, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S118 to
form a judgment as to whether or not an operation has been carried
out to make a contract for reserving a ticket, an event and/or a
sightseeing spot. If no operation has been carried out to make such
a contract, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S120. If
an operation has been carried out to make such a contract, on the
other hand, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S119. At
the step S119, information on a reservation result is transmitted
to the service server 500. It should be noted that, in actuality,
the processing of the step Sll9 is carried out by transmitting the
reservation result from the server of the link page to the service
server 500 along with information used by the service server 500 to
identify the user instead of transmitting the reservation result
from the user terminal 600 to the service server 500. An example of
the information used by the service server 500 to identify the user
is a user ID.
[0142] Then, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S120 to
form a judgment as to whether or not an operation has been carried
out to return to the site of the service server 500. If no
operation has been carried out to return to the site of the service
server 500, the flow of the processing goes back to the step 116.
That is to say, the state of displaying the same page is
maintained. If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S120
indicates that an operation has been carried out to return to the
site of the service server 500, on the other hand, the flow of the
processing goes back to the step 104 at which the second page is
displayed again.
[0143] If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S107
indicates that no operation has been carried out to make an access
to a link page, on the other hand, the flow of the processing goes
on to a step 108 and subsequent steps. At the step S108, the user
carries out an operation to make an access to the third page in
order to display the browser screen shown in FIG. 11. At steps S109
and S110, the user carries out operations to set a transmission
destination and an alarm or the like on the third page. Then, the
user transmits information on the transmission destination and the
alarm setting or the like to the service server 500.
[0144] Subsequently, at the next step S111, the user carries out
the same operation to make an access to the fourth page, receive
and display the page. Then, while the fourth page is being
displayed, at steps S112 and S113, the user carries out operations
to set an alarm call and transmit information on the set alarm
call. It should be noted that, by using the fourth page shown in
this figure, the user is capable of entering a place to be passed
through or the like by operating the user terminal 600 and
transmitting the information to the service server 500. In
accordance with information received from the user terminal 600,
the service server 500 searches for departure and return time
schedules and creates a content allowing to display the schedules
as parts of the fourth page. This processing is not shown in the
figure though.
[0145] Processing is carried out by the service server 500 in
accordance with processing carried out by the user terminal 600 as
follows. The pieces of processing carried out by the service server
500 at the steps S201 and S202 were described above. At the step
S202, however, if information set in the user file in processes
carried out so far to create the user file includes data that needs
to be reflected on the web page to be transmitted to the user
terminal 600, the data required for creation of the web page is
read out from the present user file to be used in creation of a
content serving as the web page. The data required for creation of
the web page is basically information set by operations carried out
by the user. Then, the content is transmitted to the user terminal
600.
[0146] The flow of the processing then goes on to a step S203 to
form a judgment as to whether or not travel-destination information
transmitted by the user terminal 600 at the step S103 has been
received. If information on a travel destination has been received,
the flow of the processing goes on to a step S209 at which the
information on a travel destination is recorded in a user file
associated with a user ID assigned to the user. If information on a
travel destination has not been received, on the other hand, the
flow of the processing goes on to a step S204 to form a judgment as
to whether or not information on a departure data, a departure time
and the like has been received from the user terminal 600
transmitting the information at the step S106. If such information
has been received, the flow of the processing goes on to the step
S209 at which the information on a departure data, a departure time
and the like is recorded in the same user file.
[0147] If the information on a departure data, a departure time and
the like has not been received, on the other hand, the flow of the
processing then goes on to a step S205 to form a judgment as to
whether or not transmission-destination information transmitted by
the user terminal 600 at the step S110 has been received. If
information on a transmission destination has been received, the
flow of the processing goes on to the step S209 at which the
information on a transmission destination is recorded in the same
user file.
[0148] If the information on a transmission destination has not
been received, on the other hand, the flow of the processing then
goes on to a step S206 to form a judgment as to whether or not
alarm-call information transmitted by the user terminal 600 at the
step S112 has been received. If information on an alarm call has
been received, the flow of the processing goes on to the step S209
at which the information on an alarm call is recorded in the same
user file.
[0149] If information on an alarm call has not been received, on
the other hand, the flow of the processing then goes on to a step
S207 to form a judgment as to whether or not a request for a
transmission of information has been received from the user
terminal 600 transmitting the request at the step S117. If a
request for a transmission of information has been received, the
flow of the processing goes on to the step S208 at which an access
to a link server is made to acquire the requested information. The
acquired information is recorded in the same user file. As
described above, various kinds of received information are recorded
in a user file, being properly arranged to give a single user file
by execution of necessary data processing.
[0150] As described earlier by referring to FIG. 7, the created
user file physically comprises typically a navigation user file and
a portable-phone user file. The service server 500 typically sets a
time preceding the departure time recorded in the user file by a
predetermined period of time as a transmission time. The service
server 500 then transmits the navigation user file to the
navigation system 1 by way of the Internet 400 and the
radio-telephone-communication network 300 at a timing determined by
the transmission time. At that time, the service server 500
specifies a navigation ID corresponding to the user ID and includes
the navigation ID in the transmitted navigation user file. The
navigation ID typically represents a telephone number of the
communication terminal 50. The application server 303 employed in
the radio-telephone-communication network 300 receiving the
navigation user file including the navigation ID passes on the file
to the telephone number. In this way, information can be
transmitted to a specific navigation system 1.
[0151] The navigation system 1 analyzes the navigation user file
received from the service server 500 and carries out processing
according to a result of the analysis as will be described later.
As a result, prior to the departure time, the navigation system 1
is capable of automatically carrying out preparatory processing
which would otherwise have to be done by the user as a preparation
before the departure. As described earlier, the preparatory
processing includes a search of a map for a route and acquisition
of information on traffic.
[0152] In addition, the service server 500 also transmits various
kinds of guide information and a command to generate an alarm call
to the portable telephone 200 in a proper manner and at required
times on the basis of information requesting a transmission of the
guide information and specification information such as the alarm
call. The information requesting a transmission of the guide
information and the specification information is stored in the
portable-telephone user file.
[0153] Then, on the basis of the navigation user file received
before the departure time, the navigation system 1 automatically
carries out processing as automatic preparatory operations which
are represented by a flowchart shown in FIG. 15. To be more
specific, the processing represented by the flowchart shown in the
figure is carried out by the control unit 19 employed in the
navigation main unit 2. When the processing represented by the
flowchart shown in the figure is started, the main power supply of
the navigation main unit 2 is in an off state. In this state, only
specific circuits including a CPU forming the control unit 19 are
in a state of being ready to operate due to power provided by a
standby power supply. The communication terminal 50 is driven by
typically a battery to operate normally. At the start of the
processing, the terminal is in a wait state.
[0154] The processing represented by the flowchart shown in the
figure begins with a step S301 at which the communication terminal
50 is in a state of waiting for a navigation user file. As the
navigation user file is received, the flow of the processing goes
on to a step S302 at which the main power supply is turned on to
put the navigation system 1 in a state of being enabled to operate.
Then, at the next step S303, the navigation main unit 2 inputs the
navigation user file received by the communication terminal 50
through the measurement unit 47 and writes the file into the memory
12 for storing the file. Subsequently, at the next step S304, the
departure data and the departure time included in the navigation
user file stored in the memory 12 are referenced. Then, at the next
step S305, an automatic-processing start time is set. Subsequently,
at the next step S306, the main power supply is turned off. Then,
the flow of the processing goes on to a step S307 to enter a state
of waiting for the present time measured by the unit 15 to reach
the automatic-processing start time set at the step S305.
[0155] As described above, for example, the service server 500
executes time management with a high degree of accuracy and
transmits the user file to the navigation system 1 at a time
preceding the departure time by a predetermined period. In this
case, as soon as the user file is received by the navigation system
1, the navigation system 1 may carry out pieces of processing at a
step S308 and subsequent steps immediately. It is assumed, however,
that the service server 500 does not execute time management with
such a high degree of accuracy. In this case, the pieces of
processing at the steps S304 to S307 need to be carried out. To put
it in detail, due to the inaccuracy of the time management, the
service server 500 may have transmitted the navigation user file
long before the departure time. Traffic information included in
such a navigation user file may become obsolete at the departure
time. Thus, it is desirable to carry out the automatic processing
to be described below prior to the departure time at a time that is
as close as possible to the departure time. For example, the
automatic processing is carried out about one hour before the
departure time. The pieces of processing at the steps S304 to S307
are carried out so that the automatic processing can be performed
at such a time preceding the departure time.
[0156] As the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S307
indicates that the present time measured by the unit 15 reaches the
automatic-processing start time set at the step S305, the flow of
the processing goes on to the step S308. At the step S308, control
is executed to again turn on the main power supply. Then, at the
next step S309, travel-destination information included in the
navigation user file stored in the memory 12 is referenced. The
information on a travel destination is information on a position on
a map which can be processed by the navigation system 1. The
information on a travel destination is expressed in terms of a
longitude and a latitude. Subsequently, at the next step S310,
information on the present position is acquired. At the present
time, the present position is typically determined by the
measurement unit 4 from a received GPS electric wave. Thus, the
information on the present position is produced by the measurement
unit 4. If the GPS electric wave cannot be received so that the
measurement unit 4 is not capable of determining the present
position, however, the last halted-car position stored in the
navigation system 1 is typically used as the present position.
[0157] Then, at the next step S311, processing to search for a
route from the present position to the travel destination is
carried out on the basis of the acquired information on the travel
destination described above and the information on the present
position. Information on a route from the present position to the
travel destination is obtained as a result of the processing to
search for the route and stored in the memory 12. Then, when the
car 100 is actually driven to the travel destination, necessary
control is executed to give the driver guidance according to the
route information stored in the memory 12.
[0158] Subsequently, at the next step S312, current road-traffic
information received by the traffic-information-receiving antenna
7, if any, is input. Then, at the next step S313, the received
information on road traffic is stored in the memory 12. By the same
token, when the car 100 is actually driven to the travel
destination, necessary control is executed to give the driver
guidance according to the road-traffic information stored in the
memory 12. It should be noted that, instead of acquiring the
information on road traffic at the step S312, such information can
also be acquired prior to the steps S309 to S311 at which a route
is searched for. In this case, the search for a route can be based
on the information on road traffic. For example, the search is
conducted to find a route that does not include a closed road or a
congested road. Such a route is practically desirable.
[0159] In accordance with the processing represented by the
flowchart shown in the figure, after the processing of the step
S313, the navigation system 1 enters a wait state with the main
power supply put in an on state as it is. Since the searched
information on a route and the information on road traffic have
been stored in the memory 12, however, the navigation system 1 may
be put in a wait state with the main power supply put in an off
state after the processing of the step S313. In this case, the main
power supply of the navigation system 1 is again turned on when the
engine is started by the user getting into the car 100 at the
departure time. When the main power supply is turned on, the
already searched information on a route and the already acquired
information on the road traffic are presented to the user.
[0160] It should be noted that the scope of the present invention
is not limited to details of the embodiment described above. For
example, items that can be set by making an access to the service
server 500 from the user terminal 600 are not limited to pieces of
information described earlier by referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11,
12 and 13. Thus, the structure of the user file can be changed
accordingly. In addition, the navigation system 1 and the portable
telephone 200 are capable of implementing a variety of possible
operations based on respectively the navigation user file and the
portable-telephone user file, which are received from the service
server 500.
[0161] As described above, in accordance with the present
invention, a service server generates a user file to be used as
control information according to operations carried out by the user
on typically a user terminal connected to the service server. Then,
the user file is transmitted to a navigation apparatus which
carries out predetermined operations based on the user file
received from the service server. Typically, the user terminal is
installed at the home of the user or at a location far away from a
movable body on which the navigation apparatus is mounted. The user
carries out operations on the user terminal to set various kinds of
data. Then, the set data is used for remotely controlling the
navigation apparatus. By remotely controlling the navigation
apparatus in this way, it is no longer necessary for the user, for
example, to take the trouble to go to the movable body in order to
carry out required operations on the navigation apparatus mounted
on the movable body. As a result, the convenience is improved.
[0162] In the configuration described above, typically, the service
server transmits a user file at a predetermined time preceding a
time indicated by the user file's date and time information showing
a departure date, a departure time and the like. As an alternative,
the navigation apparatus carries out automatic processing at a
predetermined time preceding a time indicated by the user file's
date and time information showing a departure date, a departure
time and the like. In such a configuration, the navigation
apparatus thus carries out automatic processing at a proper timing
typically before the user utilizes a movable body on which the
navigation apparatus is mounted. As a result, information useful in
a real-time manner can be presented to the user traveling by
driving the movable body such as a car.
[0163] In addition, the present invention allows the automatic
processing and a search for a route to be carried out. Prior to the
present invention, in order to search for a route and to acquire
information on traffic, for example, the user carries out an
operation to operate the navigation apparatus after the user gets
into the movable body such as a car. In the case of the present
invention, on the other hand, the operation is completed before the
user gets into the movable body. Thus, the time to carry out the
operation on the movable body can be eliminated. As a result, it is
possible to provide the user using the navigation apparatus with
improved convenience.
[0164] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
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