Navigation system and method, and computer program product

• US 20050055155A1
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Inventors: Mafune, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,518,533 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A navigation system (500) is provided with: a navigation apparatus (510); a server apparatus (520) and a route information transmittance apparatus (530), which are inter-communicable via a communication network (540). The route information transmittance apparatus is provided with: an input device (531) for inputting route search information indicating an instruction of a route search; and a transmittance device (532) for transmitting the route search information to the server apparatus. The server apparatus is provided with: a server side communication device (521) for receiving the route search information; an authentication device (522) for authenticating whether or not the route search information is available; and a search device (523) for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information. The server side communication device transmits search result information indicating a searched route to the navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus is provided with: a terminal side communication device (511) for receiving the search result information; and a route guidance device (512) for performing a route guidance on the basis of the search result information.

Claims

1. A navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network,

(i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information to said server apparatus,

(ii) said server apparatus comprising;

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said route information transmittance apparatus;

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus; and

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information, wherein

said server side communication device further transmits search result information indicating a route searched by said search device to said navigation apparatus, and

(iii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the search result information; and

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of the received search result information.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

said server side communication device transmits the authenticated route search information to said navigation apparatus, and

said terminal side communication device receives the authenticated route search information.

4. The navigation system according to claim 1, said navigation apparatus further comprising a measurement device for measuring a current position of a movable body on which said navigation apparatus is mounted, wherein

said terminal side communication device transmits movable body position information indicating the measured position to said server apparatus,

said server side communication device receives the movable body position information, and

said search device performs the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information and the received movable body position information.

5. The navigation system according to claim 4, wherein

said terminal side communication device transmits the movable body position information, after the route search information is authenticated as available.

6. The navigation system according to claim 1, said route information transmittance apparatus or said server apparatus further comprising a position identification device for identifying a current position of said route information transmittance apparatus, wherein

said search device performs the route search, on the basis of the authenticated route search information, under an assumption in which the identified position is simulated as a current position of a movable body on which said navigation apparatus is mounted.

11. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

said authentication device authenticates that the route search information is available, if the route search information includes a character string recognizable by said search device.

12. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

said authentication device includes a storing device for storing initial setting information, and authenticates whether or not the route search information is available, with reference to the initial setting information and the route search information.

13. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the route search information includes sender information indicating a sender who transmits the route search information.

14. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the route search information includes search object information designating said navigation apparatus for which the route search is performed on the basis of the route search information.

15. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the route search information includes destination information indicating at least one of name and position of a destination for the route search.

16. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the route search information includes “

on route site”

information indicating at least one of name and position of a “

on route site”

.

17. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein

the route search information includes date information indicating at least one of date and time point when said search device performs the route search on the basis of the route search information.

18. The navigation system according to claim 1, said navigation apparatus further comprising a display confirmation device for confirming whether or not a result of the route search is to be displayed and/or outputted.

3. A navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network,

(i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information via said server apparatus to said navigation apparatus,

(ii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said route information transmittance apparatus via said server apparatus; and

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus, wherein

said terminal side communication device further transmits the authenticated route search information to said server apparatus,

(iii) said server apparatus comprising;

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said transmittance device and transmitting the received route search information to said navigation apparatus, and for receiving the authenticated route search information; and

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information, wherein

said server side communication device further transmits search result information indicating a route searched by said search device to said terminal side communication device, and

(iv) said navigation apparatus further comprising;

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of the search result information transmitted to said terminal side communication device.

26. The navigation system according to claim 3, said route information transmittance apparatus or said server apparatus further comprising a position identification device for identifying a current position of said route information transmittance apparatus, wherein

said search device performs the route search, on the basis of the authenticated route search information, under an assumption in which the identified position is simulated as a current position of a movable body on which said navigation apparatus is mounted.

27. The navigation system according to claim 3, said navigation apparatus further comprising a measurement device for measuring a current position of a movable body on which said navigation apparatus is mounted, wherein

said terminal side communication device transmits movable body position information indicating the measured position to said server apparatus,

said server side communication device receives the movable body position information, and

said search device performs the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information and the received movable body position information.

28. The navigation system according to claim 27, wherein

said terminal side communication device transmits the movable body position information, after the route search information is authenticated as available.

7. A navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network,

(i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information to said server apparatus,

(ii) said server apparatus comprising;

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the route search information is available for said navigation apparatus; and

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information and transmitting the authenticated route search information to said navigation apparatus,

(iii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the authenticated route search information;

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information; and

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of search result information indicating a route searched by said search device.

9. The navigation system according to claim 7, said navigation apparatus further comprising a measurement device for measuring a current position of a movable body on which said navigation apparatus is mounted, wherein

said search device performs the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information and movable body position information indicating the measured position.

10. The navigation system according to claim 7, said route information transmittance apparatus or said server apparatus further comprising a position identification device for identifying a current position of said route information transmittance apparatus, wherein

said server side communication device transmits apparatus position information indicating the identified position to said terminal side communication device, and

said search device performs the route search, on the basis of the authenticated route search information, under an assumption in which a position indicated by the transmitted apparatus position information is simulated as a current position of a movable body.

8. A navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network,

(i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information to said navigation apparatus via said server apparatus,

(ii) said server apparatus comprising;

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information and transmitting the received route search information to said navigation apparatus,

(iii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said route information transmittance apparatus via said server apparatus;

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus;

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information; and

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of search result information indicating a route searched by said search device.

24. The navigation system according to claim 8, said route information transmittance apparatus or said server apparatus further comprising a position identification device for identifying a current position of said route information transmittance apparatus, wherein

said server side communication device transmits apparatus position information indicating the identified position to said terminal side communication device, and

said search device performs the route search, on the basis of the authenticated route search information, under an assumption in which a position indicated by the transmitted apparatus position information is simulated as a current position of a movable body.

25. The navigation system according to claim 8, said navigation apparatus further comprising a measurement device for measuring a current position of a movable body on which said navigation apparatus is mounted, wherein

said search device performs the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information and movable body position information indicating the measured position.

19. A navigation method in a navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network,

(i) at said route information transmittance apparatus, said method comprising:

an input process of inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance process of transmitting the inputted route search information to said server apparatus,

(ii) at said server apparatus, said method comprising;

a server side communication process of receiving the route search information transmitted at said transmittance process;

an authentication process of authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus; and

a search process of performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information, wherein

at said server communication process, search result information indicating a route searched at said search process is further transmitted to said navigation apparatus, and

(iii) at said navigation apparatus, said method comprising;

a terminal side communication process of receiving the search result information; and

a route guidance process of performing a route guidance on the basis of the received search result information.

20. A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer provided for a navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network, (i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information to said server apparatus, (ii) said server apparatus comprising;

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said route information transmittance apparatus;

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus; and

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information, wherein said server communication device further transmits search result information indicating a route searched by said search device to said navigation apparatus, and (iii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the search result information; and

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of the received search result information, wherein

the program of instructions is to make the computer function as at least one of said navigation apparatus said server apparatus and said route information transmittance apparatus.

21. A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer provided for a navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network, (i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information via said server apparatus to said navigation apparatus, (ii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said route information transmittance apparatus via said server apparatus; and

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus, wherein said terminal side communication device further transmits the authenticated route search information to said server apparatus, (iii) said server apparatus comprising;

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said transmittance device and transmitting the received route search information to said navigation apparatus, and for receiving the authenticated route search information; and

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information, wherein said server side communication device further transmits search result information indicating a route searched by said search device to said terminal side communication device, and (iv) said navigation apparatus further comprising;

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of the search result information transmitted to said terminal side communication device, wherein

the program of instructions is to make the computer function as at least one of said navigation apparatus, said server apparatus and said route information transmittance apparatus.

22. A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer provided for a navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network, (i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information to said server apparatus, (ii) said server apparatus comprising;

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the route search information is available for said navigation apparatus; and

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information and transmitting the authenticated route search information to said navigation apparatus, (iii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the authenticated route search information;

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information; and

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of search result information indicating a route searched by said search device, wherein

the program of instructions is to make the computer function as at least one of said navigation apparatus, said server apparatus and said route information transmittance apparatus.

23. A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer provided for a navigation system having a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a route information transmittance apparatus, which are capable of transferring and receiving information in bidirectional inter-communication via a communication network, (i) said route information transmittance apparatus comprising:

an input device for inputting route search information indicating an instruction relating to a route search; and

a transmittance device for transmitting the inputted route search information to said navigation apparatus via said server apparatus, (ii) said server apparatus comprising;

a server side communication device for receiving the route search information and transmitting the received route search information to said navigation apparatus, (iii) said navigation apparatus comprising;

a terminal side communication device for receiving the route search information transmitted from said route information transmittance apparatus via said server apparatus;

an authentication device for authenticating whether or not the received route search information is available for said navigation apparatus;

a search device for performing the route search on the basis of the authenticated route search information; and

a route guidance device for performing a route guidance on the basis of search result information indicating a route searched by said search device, wherein

the program of instructions is to make the computer function as at least one of said navigation apparatus, said server apparatus and said route information transmittance apparatus.