Portable terminal and on-vehicle information processing device

• US 6,427,115 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tokota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Sekiyama, Hiroaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US09/593,542
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/208, 701/212, 701/213, 701/201, 701/207, 701/211, 340/990, 340/995, 340/988, 340/989, 340/991, 340/992
• US Class Current: 701/208
• 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

A portable terminal and an on-vehicle device are combined such that effective navigation can be provided. The portable terminal provided with communication function is connected with the on-vehicle information processing device when placed on a cradle. The portable terminal transmits a destination to an information center, and shows obtained route data on a display while transmitting the route data to the on-vehicle device which outputs guidance speech from a speaker. On arriving near the destination, the on-vehicle information processing device provides the portable terminal with map data for the vicinity of the destination. A user can remove the portable terminal from the cradle and reach the destination while viewing a map shown on the display of the portable terminal.

Claims

1. A portable terminal which is capable of being connected to an on-vehicle device, comprising:

a bi-directional data communication device;

a display capable of displaying text and image information;

a memory for storing data; and

a processor for receiving/transmitting various data from/to an information center in accordance with connected/disconnected sates of the portable terminal with respect to the on-vehicle device, said information center being separate from the on-vehicle device and the portable terminal, said processor, when the portable terminal is disconnected from the on-vehicle device, displaying data on said display based on data obtained from the on-vehicle device when the portable terminal is in a connected state.

2. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein said bi-directional data communication device receives map data from the information center.

3. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the portable terminal is connected with the on-vehicle device, said bi-directional data communication device transmits information representing the connected state to the information center.

4. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the portable terminal is connected with the on-vehicle device, the bi-directional data communication device transmits audio data obtained from said on-vehicle device to said information center.

5. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the bi-directional data communication device transmits data received from the information center to the on-vehicle device when the portable terminal is connected with the on-vehicle device.

6. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the bi-directional data communication device transmits running condition data supplied from the on-vehicle device to the information center when the portable terminal is connected with the on-vehicle device.

7. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the portable terminal is disconnected from the on-vehicle device, said display shows map data obtained from the on-vehicle device during a connected state.

8. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein said portable terminal functions as a portable telephone when it is disconnected from said on-vehicle device.

9. A portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communication device receives/transmits audio data to/from the information center when the portable terminal is connected to the on-vehicle device, and receives/transmits non-audio data with respect to the information center when the portable terminal is disconnected from the on-vehicle device.

10. An on-vehicle information processing device comprising:

an interface to be connected with the portable terminal of claim 1; and

an on-vehicle processor for processing data supplied from said portable terminal.

11. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 10, further comprising a detector for detecting the current position of the vehicle on which the device is mounted,

wherein said on-vehicle processor executes navigation function based on said current position and data supplied from said portable terminal.

12. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 10 further comprising a microphone and a speaker,

wherein said on-vehicle processor transmits sound input through said microphone to the portable terminal and outputs audio data supplied from the portable terminal through the speaker.

13. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 10 further comprising means for supplying electrical power to said portable terminal.

14. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 11,

wherein, when the detected current position is near a destination, said on-vehicle processor provides the portable terminal with map data showing the vicinity of the destination.

15. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 11,

wherein, when the detected current vehicle position is near a destination, the on-vehicle processor transmits data indicating that the vehicle has arrived near the destination, to the portable terminal.

16. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 11,

wherein, when the current vehicle position detected is near a destination, the on-vehicle processor supplies data regarding the current position to the potable terminal.

17. An on-vehicle information processing device according to claim 10,

wherein, when the on-vehicle information processing device is connected to the portable terminal, the on-vehicle processor transmits data indicating the connected state to the information center via the portable information terminal device.