Vehicle mounted navigation apparatus with fast renewal timing

• US 6,453,234 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2001
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Seiki Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nippon Seiki Company Limited
• Inventors: Igarashi, Hitoshi, Nishikawa, Toru, Abe, Noriyuki, Noguchi, Masaki, Seki, Ryoko, Iguchi, Fukuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/869,244
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 701/208, 701/200, 340/990, 340/989, 340/995, 340/993, 731/78.R
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3655 Timing of guidance instructions
• 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: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map

Abstract

There are provided a first navigation unit (transmitting side unit) 10 having a reader 13 for reading at least map data from a map information storage medium 14 and a controller 15 for controlling a system, and a second navigation unit (receiving side unit) 40 having a controller 41 connected to the control unit 15 through a serial communication line 30, buffer memories 42, 46 for storing therein image data from the reader 13, a display image memory 43 for extracting and copying the data in the range required for displaying from the map data developed on the buffer memories 42, 46, and a display controller 44 for displaying the image data on a display 45. The image data (transfer information) with an identification number of a detailed image concerning a rout selecting point approaching just before is stored in the buffer memory 46 with an enough time margin. At a determined display timing, display command information including the identification number is transmitted from the controller 15 to the controller 41 so that the display unit 45 displays the detailed image based on the image data.

Claims

1. A navigation apparatus for a vehicle in which a transmitting side unit and a receiving side unit are installed at positions remote from each other and both the transmitting side unit and the receiving side unit are connected to each other through a serial communication line, the navigation apparatus characterized by comprising:

the transmitting side unit including at least a present position measuring unit for detecting a present position, a reader for reading transfer information from a map information storage medium, and a first controller for controlling system and outputting display command information at a predetermined display timing; and

the receiving side unit including at least a second controller connected to the first controller through the serial communication line and receiving the display command information, buffer memories for storing the transfer information from the reader and for storing the transfer information related to a route selecting point with enough time margin, a display image memory for extracting and copying a range required for displaying from the transfer information developed on the buffer memories, and a display controller for displaying a detailed image of the route selecting point based on the transfer information on a display unit by a command from the second controller when the second controller receives the display command information.

4. A navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transfer information read by the reader is map data in the vicinity of the present position, the transfer information stored in one of the buffer memories is image data for displaying the route selecting point in the detailed image, an identification number related to the route selecting point is given to the image data, and the display command information is a command including the identification number.

5. A navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transmitting side unit is positioned at a place remote from a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle, and the receiving side unit is positioned in an inside of a meter unit installed in front of the driver'"'"'s seat.

6. A navigation apparatus according to 5, characterized in that a controller prepared for controlling the meter unit is also used for the second controller.

2. A navigation apparatus for a vehicle in which a transmitting side unit and a receiving side unit are installed at positions remote from each other and both the transmitting side unit and the receiving side unit are connected to each other through a serial communication line, the navigation apparatus characterized by comprising:

the transmitting side unit including at least a present position measuring unit for detecting a present position, a reader for reading transfer information from a map information storage medium, and a first controller for controlling a system and outputting display command information at a predetermined display timing; and

the receiving side unit including at least a second controller connected to the first controller through the serial communication line and receiving the display command information, an input unit for carrying out route setting, buffer memories for storing the transfer information from the reader and for storing the transfer information related to a route selecting point based on the route setting with enough time margin, a display image memory for extracting and copying a range required for displaying from the transfer information developed on the buffer memories, and a display controller for displaying a detailed image of the route selecting point based on the transfer information on a display unit by a command from the second controller when the second controller receives the display command information.

3. A navigation apparatus for a vehicle in which a transmitting side unit and a receiving side unit are installed at positions remote from each other and both the transmitting side unit and the receiving side unit are connected to each other through a serial communication line, the navigation apparatus characterized by comprising:

the transmitting side unit including at least a present position measuring unit for detecting a present position, a reader for reading transfer information from a map information storage medium, and a first controller for controlling a system and receiving display command information; and

the receiving side unit including at least a second controller connected to the first controller through the serial communication line and outputting the display command information, an input unit for carrying out route setting, buffer memories for storing the transfer information from the reader and for storing the transfer information related to a route selecting point based on the route setting, a display image memory for extracting and copying a range required for displaying from the transfer information developed on the buffer memories, and a display controller for outputting the display command information to the first controller to instruct the buffer memory to store the transfer information related to the route selecting point when the route setting by the input unit is completed, and for displaying a detailed image of the route selecting point based on the transfer information on a display unit at a display timing previously determined by the first controller or based on an operation signal from the input unit.