Navigation device

• US 6,333,702 B1
• Filed: 12/02/1996
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Nimura, Mitsuhiro, Hiyokawa, Toyoji, Nanba, Akimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/756,936
• Time in Patent Office: 1,849 Days
• Field of Search: 340/995, 340/988, 340/990, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210, 701/201, 701/211, 701/217, 701/212, 731/78.R, 345/146
• US Class Current: 340/995.21
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3614 through interaction with a road map, e.g. selecting a POI icon on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3626 Details of the output of route guidance instructions traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096894 where input is assisted by the navigation device, i.e. the user does not type the complete name of the destination, e.g. using zip codes, telephone numbers, progressively selecting from initial letters
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

Even when the present position does not exist on a guide road after deviation from an established guide route, a guide road is identified and a more advantageous route is identified. Furthermore, only a minimum amount of required data are displayed on the map picture. The searching again is executed by taking the direction of progress of the car into consideration. Street names of the roads are displayed on the guide map, enabling a guide route to be easily recognized. A particular area is specified by a postal code number or by a telephone number, and the streets or the facilities in the specified area are displayed. This makes it easier to search the destination.

Claims

1. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising:

means for storing a plurality of road data including guided road data;

means for detecting a present position;

means for setting a destination;

means for setting a first guide route to the set destination from the stored guided road data;

means for outputting the first guide route and the detected present position;

means for determining whether the present position deviates from the first guide route;

means for determining whether the present position exists on any stored guided road when the present position deviates from the first guide route; and

means for setting a second guide route to the set destination from a point on the guided road closest to the present position when the present position does not exist on the guided road from the stored guided road data.

2. The navigation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining which guide route is advantageous between the second guide route and the first guide route;

means for selecting either the first guide route or the second guide route as a new guide route;

means for calculating a distance from the present position to a start point of the new guide route; and

means for outputting the calculated distance.

3. The navigation device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the calculated distance is one of a straight distance between the present position and a start point of the new guide route and a traveling distance between the present position and the start point of the new guide route.

4. The navigation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for detecting a direction of movement in connection with the present position;

means for setting a search area according to the detected direction of movement when the present position does not exist on the guide road;

means for searching a point on the guide road closest to the present position in the set search area; and

means for setting a route from the searched point to the set destination.

5. The navigation device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the searched area is one of a predetermined area with a center point of a predetermined distance ahead of the present position and a predetermined area having a predetermined angle to the direction of movement.

6. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising:

means for storing position data, shape data and name data of streets in a geographic area which has telephone numbers or postal codes;

means for inputting all or a part of the telephone numbers or postal codes;

means for reading the name data of the streets in the area corresponding to the inputted telephone numbers or postal codes;

means for outputting the read name data of the streets;

means for selecting at least one of the outputted name data of the streets;

means for reading out coordinates of at least both ends of the selected street from coordinates of the shape data of the streets;

means for calculating a scale on the basis of the read out coordinates; and

means for outputting information of the selected street including displaying the selected street on the calculated scale.

7. The navigation device for moving according to claim 6, wherein position data, shape data and name data of streets are stored in all geographic areas that the street extends to.

8. The navigation device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein selecting the name data of street/streets includes means for distinguishing selected street/streets from other output streets.

9. The navigation device for moving according to claim 6, wherein the distinguishing characteristics of the geographic area is one of at least a part of a postal code number or at least a part of a telephone number.

10. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising:

means for storing street name data of streets along with data related to facilities located along the streets;

means for designating at least one street name from the street name data of streets;

means for selectively reading the data related only to facilities located along the at least one designated street name from the data related to the facilities located along the streets;

means for outputting the selectively read data related to the facilities located along the at least one designated street name, and

means for displaying the selectively read data related to the facilities located along the at least one designated street name, independent of scale.

11. The navigation device for moving according to claim 10, wherein the data related to facilities are stored in every geographic area having distinguishing characteristics corresponding to at least a part of a postal code number or at least a part of a telephone number.

12. The navigation device for moving according to claim 10, wherein the navigation device outputs a list of the facilities or positions of the facilities on a map.

13. A navigation device according to claim 10, wherein the means for storing stores position data, shape data and name data of the streets in a geographic area which has telephone numbers or postal codes;

and further comprising;

means for inputting all or a part of the telephone numbers or postal codes;

wherein

the means for reading reads the data of all the facilities located along at least one designated street name that are within the area corresponding to the input telephone numbers or postal codes.

14. A navigation device according to claim 10, wherein:

the means for selectively reading reads the data related to all facilities located along the at least one designated street name.

15. A navigation device according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for selecting a genre of facilities; and

wherein

the means for selectively reading reads the data of all the facilities within the selected genre located along the at least one designated street name.

16. A navigation device according to claim 10, wherein the means for displaying displays the selectively read data in the form of a list.

17. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising:

means for storing street name data of streets based on a genre of the facilities located along the street;

means for designating a genre of the facilities;

means for selectively reading only the street name data of streets along which the designated genre of the facilities are located from the stored street name data of the streets; and

means for outputting the selectively read street name data.

18. The navigation device for moving according to claim 17, wherein the name data of streets are stored in every geographic area having distinguishing characteristics corresponding to one of at least a part of a postal code number and at least part of telephone number.

19. The navigation device for moving according to claim 17, wherein the navigation device outputs a list of the streets or positions and shapes of the streets on a map.