Navigation apparatus, navigation method and navigation program

• US 20020152021A1
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Mitsugi, Tatsuya, Ota, Masako, Yokouchi, Kazuhiro
• Granted Patent: US 6,618,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network

Abstract

In a navigation apparatus, operating function control means of system control means infers a operation, which a user is expected to set next time on a screen of display means by operating means, from a set situation of each item selected on a map screen based on map data read from map data storage means, and when a destination has not been set, for example, presents a setting switch for the destination as a function switch, or when an en route location has not been set by route setting means, presents a setting switch for the en route location as a function switch. The operating function control means also presents a switch for retrieving surrounding establishments, which the user is expected to be desirous of looking for, based on the time of day or the duration of driving. The navigation apparatus enables the user to perform desired setting operations and retrieval of establishments without the need for complicated operations.

Claims

1. A navigation apparatus comprising:

map data storage means for storing map data;

current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data;

operating means for performing various entries according to an operation;

display control means for displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operating means; and

operating function control means for predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.

2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a set situation of each item.

3. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a state of the vehicle.

4. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a time of day.

5. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with a duration of driving.

6. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating function control means changes the function in accordance with information on the vehicle.

7. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating means comprises a function switch.

8. A navigation method comprising the steps of:

detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data;

performing various entries according to an operation of operating means;

displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on map data stored in map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operation of the operating means; and

predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.

9. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a set situation of each item.

10. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a state of the vehicle.

11. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a time of day.

12. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with a duration of driving.

13. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the step of changing the function changes the function in accordance with information on the vehicle.

14. The navigation method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

setting a manual change mode or a predicted change mode in accordance with the operation; and

effecting a sequential transition of the function on the setting screen having a hierarchical structure to a next lower level by the operation in the manual change mode, or effecting a transition of the function on the setting screen to a target level by the operation, while skipping intermediate levels, in the predicted change mode.

15. A navigation program for allowing a computer in a navigation apparatus to function as:

map data storage means for storing map data;

current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and producing current position data;

operation control means for performing various entries according to an operation of operating means;

display control means for displaying on predetermined display means a map screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, the current position of the vehicle on the map screen based on the current position data, and a setting screen for selection of a function by the operating means; and

operating function control means for predicting a next operation according to the operation of the operating means and a current situation, and changing the function on the setting screen according to results of prediction.