Navigation system

• US 20020173908A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sakamoto, Kiyomi
• Granted Patent: US 6,839,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens

Abstract

In a main device 1, a processor 11 receives information about a destination point, and further generates guide image data representing a guide image for guiding a user who is driving a vehicle. A display unit 19 displays the guide image generated by the processor 11, thereby guiding the driving user to the destination point. When it is determined, while guiding the driving user, that the user is going to get off the vehicle, the processor 11 generates navigation data Dnvg including the information about the destination point, and transfers the navigation data to a sub-device 2. In the sub-device 2, a processor 21 generates, based on the received navigation data Dnvg, guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user who is traveling to the destination point on foot. A display unit 27 displays the guide image generated by the processor 21. Thus, it is possible to provide a navigation system that is convenient to use.

Claims

1. A navigation system for guiding a user from a starting point to a destination point, comprising:

a main device fixed to a vehicle; and

a sub-device capable of communicating with the main device and portable by the user, the main device including;

a receiving unit for receiving at least information about the destination point;

a first generating unit for generating vehicle guide image data for vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the vehicle;

a first displaying unit for displaying the guide image represented by the vehicle guide image data generated by the first generating unit;

a determining unit for determining whether the user gets off the vehicle; and

a generating/transferring unit for generating, when the determining unit determines that the user gets off the vehicle, navigation data including at least the destination point received by the receiving unit, and transferring the navigation data to the sub-device, and

the sub-device including;

a second generating unit for generating guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle based on the navigation data transferred from the generating/transferring unit; and

a second display unit for displaying the guide image represented by the guide image data for outside of the vehicle generated by the second generating unit.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the main device further includes an input unit for generating, in response to an operation by the user, a signal indicative of timing when the user gets off the vehicle, and

the determining unit determines that the user gets off the vehicle when the signal is received.

3. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein

the main device further includes a calculating unit for calculating a current position of the vehicle,

the generating/transferring unit generates the navigation data further including, as a vehicle position, the current position of the vehicle calculated by the calculating unit when the determining unit determines that the user gets off, and transfers the navigation data to the sub-device,

the sub-device further includes a route searching unit for deriving an optimal route from the vehicle position to the destination point based on the navigation data transferred from the generating/transferring unit, and

the second generating unit further generates guide image data for outside of the vehicle by using the optimal route derived by the route searching unit.

4. The navigation system according to claim 3, wherein

the route searching unit further derives an optimal route from the destination point to the vehicle position.

5. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the main device further includes:

a storage unit for storing possible place data including a possible place as the destination point and an intermediate point through which the user goes to the destination point;

an extracting unit for extracting, from the possible place data stored in the storage unit, the intermediate point related to the destination point received by the receiving unit; and

a calculating unit for calculating a current position of the vehicle, and

the determining unit determines that the user gets off the vehicle when the current position calculated by the calculating unit coincides with the intermediate point extracted by the extracting unit.

6. The navigation system according to claim 5, wherein

the storage unit further stores cartographic data representing a map that depicts an optimal route from the intermediate point to the destination point included in the possible place data,

the generating/transferring unit generates the navigation data further including the cartographic data stored in the storage unit when the determining unit determines that the user gets off the vehicle, and transfers the navigation data to the sub-device, and

the second generating unit generates the guide image data for outside of the vehicle based on the cartographic data included in the navigation data transferred from the generating/transferring unit.

7. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the main device further includes a calculating unit for calculating a current position of the vehicle,

the receiving unit further receives an intermediate point through which the user goes to the destination point, and

the determining unit determines that the user gets off the vehicle when the current position calculated by the calculating unit coincides with the intermediate position received by the receiving unit.

8. The navigation system according to claim 7, wherein

when the determining unit determines that the user gets off the vehicle, the generating/transferring unit generates the navigation data that further includes, as a vehicle position, the current position calculated by the calculating unit, and transfers the navigation data to the sub-device,

the sub-device further includes a route searching unit for deriving an optimal route from the vehicle position to the destination point based on the navigation data transferred from

the generating/transferring unit, and the second generating unit generates the guide image data for outside of the vehicle by using the optimal route derived by the route searching unit.

9. The navigation system according to claim 3, wherein

the sub-device further includes:

a calculating unit for calculating a current position of the user who travels outside of the vehicle; and

a non-volatile storage unit for storing, as travel data, one or more said current positions calculated by the calculating unit while the user traveling outside of the vehicle is guided to the destination point, and

when the travel data is stored in the non-volatile storage unit, the second generating unit generates the guide image data for outside of the vehicle by using the travel data stored in the non-volatile storage unit.

10. A method for use in a navigation system for guiding a user from a starting point to a destination point, the navigation system including a main device fixed to a vehicle and a sub-device capable of communicating with the main device and portable by a user, the method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving at least information about the destination point;

a first generating step of generating vehicle guide image data representing a guide image for guiding the vehicle;

a first transmitting step of transmitting the vehicle guide image data generated in the first generating step to a first display unit included in the main device, the first display unit displaying the guide image represented by the vehicle guide image data transmitted in the first transmitting step;

a determining step of determining whether the user gets off the vehicle;

a generating/transferring step of generating, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, navigation data at least including the destination point received in the receiving step, and transferring the navigation data to the sub-device;

a second generating step of generating guide image data for outside of the vehicle that represents a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle to the destination point based on the navigation data transferred from the main device; and

a second transmitting step of transmitting the guide image data for outside of the vehicle generated in the second generating step to a second display unit included in the sub-device, the second display unit displaying the guide image represented by the guide image data for outside of the vehicle transmitted in the second transmitting step, wherein

the receiving step, the first generating step, the first transmitting step, the determining step, and the generating/transferring step are executed by the main device, and the second generating step and the second transmitting step are executed by the sub-device.

11. The navigation method according to claim 10, wherein

the main device further includes an input unit for generating, in response to an operation by the user, a signal indicative of timing when the user gets off the vehicle, and

the determining step determines that the user gets off the vehicle when the signal from the input device is received.

12. The navigation method according to claim 11, wherein

the method further comprises a calculating step being executed by the main device, of calculating a current position of the vehicle,

in the generating/transferring step, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, the navigation data further including the current position calculated in the calculating step as a vehicle position is generated and transferred to the sub-device,

the method further comprises a route searching step, being executed by the sub-device, of deriving an optimal route from the vehicle position to the destination point based on the navigation data transmitted from the main device, and

in the second generating step, by using the optimal route derived in the route searching step, the guide image data for outside of the vehicle is generated.

13. The navigation method according to claim 10, wherein

the main device further includes a storage unit for storing possible place data including a possible place as the destination point and an intermediate point through which the user goes to the destination point,

the method further comprises:

an extracting step for extracting, from the possible place data stored in the storage unit, the intermediate point related to the destination point received in the receiving step; and

a calculating step for calculating a current position of the vehicle;

the extracting step and the calculating step are executed by the main device, and

in the determining step, it is determined that the user gets off the vehicle when the current point calculated in the calculating step coincides with the intermediate point extracted in the extracting step.

14. The navigation method according to claim 13, wherein

the storage unit further stores cartographic data representing a map that depicts an optimal route from the intermediate point to the destination point included in the possible place data,

in the generating/transferring step, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, the navigation data further including the cartographic data stored in the storage unit is generated and transferred to the sub-device, and

in the second generating step, guide image data for outside of the vehicle is generated based on the cartographic data included in the navigation data transferred from the main device.

15. The navigation method according to claim 10, wherein

the method further comprises a calculating step, being executed by the main device, of calculating a current position of the vehicle, wherein

in the receiving step, an intermediate point through which the user goes to the destination point is further received, and

in the determining step, it is determined that the user gets off the vehicle when the current position calculated in the calculating step coincides with the intermediate point received in the receiving step.

16. The navigation method according to claim 15, wherein

in the generating/transferring step, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, the navigation data further including the current position calculated in the calculating step as a vehicle position is generated and transferred to the sub-device,

the method further comprises a route searching step of deriving an optimal route from the vehicle position to the destination point based on the navigation data transferred from the main device, and

in the second generating step, by using the optimal route derived in route searching step, the guide image data for outside of the vehicle is generated.

17. A computer program used in a navigation system comprising a main device fixed to a vehicle and a sub-device capable of communicating with the main device and portable by the user, the computer program for guiding the user from a starting point to a destination point, comprising

a receiving step of receiving at least information about the destination point;

a first generating step of generating vehicle guide image data representing a guide image for guiding the vehicle;

a first transmitting step of transmitting the vehicle guide image data generated in the first generating step to a first display unit included in the main device, the first display unit displaying the guide image represented by the guide image data for the vehicle transmitted in the first transmitting step;

a determining step of determining whether the user gets off the vehicle;

a generating/transferring step of generating, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, navigation data at least including the destination point received in the receiving step, and transferring the navigation data to the sub-device;

a second generating step of generating guide image data for outside of the vehicle that represents a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle to the destination point based on the navigation data transferred from the main device; and

a second transmitting step of transmitting the guide image data for outside of the vehicle generated in the second generating step to a second display unit included in the sub-device, the second display unit displaying the guide image represented by the guide image data for outside of the vehicle transmitted in the second transmitting step, wherein

the receiving step, the first generating step, the first transmitting step, the determining step, and the generating/transferring step are executed by the main device, and the second generating step are the second transmitting step are executed by the sub-device.

18. The computer program according to claim 17, the computer program being recorded on a recording medium.

19. A navigation device fixed to a vehicle and capable of communicating with another navigation device portable by a user, the navigation device for guiding the user from a starting point to a destination point, comprising:

a receiving unit for receiving at least information about the destination point;

a generating unit for generating vehicle guide image data representing a guide image for guiding the vehicle;

a displaying unit for displaying the guide image represented by the vehicle guide image data generated by the generating unit;

a determining unit for determining whether the user gets off the vehicle; and

a generating/transferring unit for generating, when the determining unit determines that the user gets of f the vehicle, navigation data including at least the destination point received by the receiving unit, and transferring the navigation data to the sub-device, wherein

the other navigation device generates guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle based on the navigation data transferred from the generating/transferring unit, and displays the guide image.

20. A navigation method used in a navigation device fixed to a vehicle and capable of communicating with another navigation device portable by a user, the navigation method for guiding the user from a starting point to a destination point, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving at least information about the destination point;

a generating step of generating vehicle guide image data representing a guide image for guiding the vehicle;

a transmitting step of transmitting the vehicle guide image data generated in the generated step to a displaying unit included in the navigation device, the displaying unit displaying the guide image represented by the vehicle guide image data transmitted in transmitting step;

a determining step of determining whether the user gets off the vehicle; and

a generating/transferring unit for generating, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, navigation data including at least the destination point received in the receiving step, and transferring the navigation data to the other navigation device, wherein

the other navigation device generates guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle based on the navigation data transferred in the generating/transferring step, and displays the guide image.

21. A computer program used in a navigation device fixed to a vehicle and capable of communicating with another navigation device portable by a user, the computer program for guiding the user from a starting point to a destination point, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving at least information about the destination point;

a generating step of generating vehicle guide image data representing a guide image for guiding the vehicle;

a transmitting step of transmitting the vehicle guide image data generated in the generated step to a displaying unit included in the navigation device, the displaying unit displaying the guide image represented by the vehicle guide image data transmitted in transmitting step;

a determining step of determining whether the user gets off the vehicle; and

a generating/transferring unit for generating, when it is determined in the determining step that the user gets off the vehicle, navigation data including at least the destination point received in the receiving step, and transferring the navigation data to the other navigation device, wherein

the other navigation device generates guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle based on the navigation data transferred in the generating/transferring step, and displays the guide image.

22. The computer program according to claim 21, the computer program being recorded on a recording medium.

23. A navigation device portable by a user and capable of communicating with another navigation device fixed to a vehicle, the navigation device for guiding the user to a destination point, comprising:

a receiving unit for receiving navigation data from the other navigation device, the navigation data including at least the destination point;

a generating unit for generating guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle to the destination point based on the navigation data received by the receiving unit; and

a displaying unit for displaying the guide image represented by the guide image data for outside of the vehicle generated by the generating unit.

24. A navigation method used in a device portable by a user and capable of communicating with a navigation device fixed to a vehicle, the navigation method for guiding the user to a destination point, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving navigation data from the navigation device, the navigation data including at least the destination point;

a generating step of generating guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle to the destination point based on the navigation data received in the receiving step; and

a transmitting step of transmitting the guide image data for outside of the vehicle generated in the generating step to a displaying unit included in the device, wherein

the displaying unit displays the guide image represented by the guide image data for outside of the vehicle transmitted in the transmitting step.

25. A computer program used in a device portable by a user and capable of communicating with a navigation device fixed to a vehicle, the computer program for guiding the user to a destination point, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving navigation data from the navigation device, the navigation data including at least the destination point;

a generating step of generating guide image data for outside of the vehicle representing a guide image for guiding the user traveling outside of the vehicle to the destination point based on the navigation data received in the receiving step; and

a transmitting step of transmitting the guide image data for outside of the vehicle generated in the generating step to a displaying unit included in the device, wherein

the displaying unit displays the guide image represented by the guide image data for outside of the vehicle transmitted in the transmitting step.

26. The computer program according to claim 25, the computer program being recorded in a recording medium.