Navigator

• US 6,377,890 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Doi, Katsuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/582,999
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200-215, 340/990, 340/998, 340/989, 340/995, 340/994, 340/988, 342/357.01, 342/357.13, 342/357, 342/357.09, 364/443, 364/444.1, 364/444.2, 705/5, 705/417, 705/418, 705/400, 709/218, 709/217, 709/219
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard

Abstract

Route guiding information is displayed on the basis of set information and positional data when set information and positional data are set by a keyboard or are transmitted from a sensor BOX 12.

Claims

1. A navigation device comprising

a designated operation means which sets information necessary for navigation,

a position computation means which computes a present position of a vehicle and which transmits positional data showing a present position and set information received from said designated operation means,

a general-purpose input means which sets positional data showing a present position and information necessary for navigation, and

a guiding information display means which displays route-guiding information based on positional data and set information when such positional data and set information is set by said general-purpose input means or by said position computation means;

wherein the designated operation means and the position computation unit are disposed in the vehicle and the general-purpose input means and the guiding information display means are a portable unit that is operable both when attached to and removed from the position computation means.

2. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said position computation means is disposed in a vehicle and said guiding information display means is comprised of a portable computer.

3. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein when route-guiding information is displayed on a guiding information display means, a sequence of routes from a present position to an embarkation point on public transport and a sequence of routes from a point of disembarkation of public transportation to a destination are displayed when a condition is set that public transportation will be used to reach a destination.

4. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a distance from a present position to an embarkation point and a distance from a disembarkation point to a destination.

5. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a required time from a present position to an embarkation point, a travelling time on public transport and a required time from a disembarkation point to a destination.

6. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays fares related to public transportation.

7. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a timetable of public transportation.

8. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a transfer guide between public transportation services when the route involves transfers between a plurality of public transportation services.

9. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein when route-guiding information is displayed by said guiding information display means, said guiding information display means displays a sequence of routes from a present position to a destination when a condition is set that a taxi will be used to reach the destination.

10. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a distance from a present position to a destination.

11. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a required time from a present position to a destination.

12. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays a taxi fare.

13. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said position computation means transmits vehicle positional data by using a radio circuit to a monitoring center which computes a position of the vehicle.

14. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein said position computation means transmits positional data of the vehicle by using a telephone circuit to a monitoring center which computes a position of the vehicle.

15. A portable unit for a navigation system comprising

a general-purpose input means which sets positional data showing a present position and information necessary for navigation, and

a guiding information display means which displays route-guiding information based on positional data and set information when such positional data and set information is set by said general-purpose input means or by a fixed unit;

wherein the portable unit is removable from a vehicle and operable both when attached to or removed from the fixed unit and the general-purpose input means can receive data from the fixed unit.