Electronic map combined with user service information

• US 5,289,572 A
• Filed: 02/26/1993
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Ohta, Masako, Yoshida, Chisato, Hirasa, Yoshiaki, Yano, Haruto, Tokunaga, Toshimichi, Matsumoto, Katsuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US08/026,201
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 364/DIG. 1 MS File, 364/DIG. 2 MS File, 364/449, 395/155, 395/800, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 715/855
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/902 Menu display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/962 Operator interface for marketing or sales

Abstract

A system allowing both map data and service-related data to be displayed on request for users'"'"' reference. Locations of candidate service-offering establishments are displayed in the map covering a specific geographical region. When one of these establishments is selected, detailed service-related information on that establishment is provided on the display screen. This allows the users to quickly obtain and process necessary service-related information wherever they are and to take action accordingly.

Claims

1. An electronic service information system for a moving vehicle comprising:

map data storage means for storing map data;

service data storage means for storing service data selected from the group consisting of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or parking lots said service data corresponding to the map data;

display means selected from the group consisting of cathode ray tubes or liquid crystal displays for selectively displaying the map data and the service data, in menu format separately and a distinct one of said service data group combined with and on a specific location on the map data;

means for specifically designating one specific member of the distinct group displayed; and

means for displaying further information about said one specific member.

2. The electronic service information of claim 1, wherein said means for displaying further information is a display that separately displays alone said further information.

3. The electronic service information system of claim 2, wherein said further information includes telephone number of said specific member.

4. The electronic service information system of claim 3 further including means for transmitting the telephone number to a telephone set for automatically dialing said telephone number.

5. The electronic service information system of claim 2, wherein said further information includes name and address of said specific member.

6. The service information system of claim 2, wherein said service data is a group of gas stations.

7. The service information system of claim 2 wherein said service data is a group of restaurants.

8. The service information system of claim 2 wherein said service data is a group of hotels.

9. The service data information system of claim 2, wherein said service data is a group of parking lots.

10. The electronic service information system of claim 1, wherein said further information includes telephone number of said specific member.

11. The electronic service information system of claim 10 further including means for transmitting the telephone number to a telephone set for automatically dialing said number.

12. The electronic service information system of claim 1, wherein said further information includes name and address and the telephone number of said specific member.

13. The service information system of claim 1, wherein said service data is a group of gas stations.

14. The service information system of claim 1 wherein said service data is a group of restaurants.

15. The service information system of claim 1 wherein said service data is a group of hotels.

16. The service data information system of claim 1, wherein said service data is a group of parking lots.

17. A method of electronically determining and locating a specific service offering establishment on an electronic chargeable display comprising the sequential steps of:

(a) displaying a map of a specific area on a display,

(b) actuating and displaying a menu, listing groups of service offering establishments said groups consisting of gas stations, restaurants, hotels or parking lots,

(c) selecting one of said groups and displaying location of each member of the group on the map of the specific area,

(d) selecting and designating one specific member from said group on said display; and

(e) displaying specific detailed information of said specific member selected and designated in step (d).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein in step (e) the displayed specific detailed information is the only information displayed.

19. A service information system for a moving vehicle comprising:

map data storage means for storing map data;

service data storage means for storing various related groups of service data, corresponding to the map data in the moving vehicle;

display means for selectively displaying said map data and said groups of service data separately in one mode and combined with said map data in another mode;

selection means for outputting a plurality of selection signals so as to select a specific geographical region constituted by portions of said map data and to select a particular group of service data items from among said groups of service data; and

control means for reading map data on a specific geographical region from said map data storage means upon receipt of said selection signals, said control means further reading a specific group of service data items from said service data storage means, said control means displaying the specific locations of candidate service-offering establishments in the map displayed on said display means, said control means further displaying on said display means detailed service information on any one of said service-offering establishments, said one establishment being selected in accordance with said selection signals.