Vehicle navigation system

• US 6,876,924 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Morita, Hiroyuki, Katayama, Mutsumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behncke, Christine M.
• Application Number:
  US10/098,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20030046000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 701/211, 701/200, 701/201, 701/202, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210, 701/212, 701/213, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/22 electronic, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 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 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• 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 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

A vehicle navigation system that uses a portable information terminal. The navigation system displays route guidance information by receiving GPS satellite radio waves, and includes a navigation unit that generates route guidance information, a meter panel of a meter unit, which displays only part of the route guidance information, and a display panel of the navigation unit, which displays every selected item of the route guidance information. The meter panel of the meter unit is disposed within the visual field of the driver when in driving the vehicle. On the other hand, the display panel of the navigation unit is disposed outside of the visual field of the driver when driving the vehicle. The resulting configuration provides a vehicle navigation system that provides the driver with the minimum necessary information when driving, and provides additional detailed information when needed, combined in a system that affords excellent operability.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigation system that displays route guidance information by receiving GPS satellite radio waves, comprising:

a navigation unit that generates said route guidance information;

a first display block that displays only part of said route guidance information; and

a second display block, that displays every selected item of said route guidance information, wherein the first display block is part of a vehicle meter panel, and the second display block is a second display panel disposed outside of a visual field so that a driver cannot see the second display panel when driving said vehicle,

and when the driver is not driving and the vehicle is stopped, the driver can see the second display panel, and

wherein said navigation unit is a portable information terminal in which a navigation program is installed, and wherein said second display block is said display panel of said portable information terminal.

2. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said first display block is disposed within said visual field of the driver when driving said vehicle.

3. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said first display block displays at least either a distance of or a direction to a predetermined goal.

4. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said first display block and second display block share the main functions of the navigation unit and separately display said route guidance information.

5. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said route guidance information displayed on said second display block includes map information.

6. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said navigation unit is housed in a container with a cover.

7. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, wherein said container with a cover is fixed on or around a carrier of said vehicle.

8. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, wherein said container with a cover is an existing trunk provided at the rear or at a side of said vehicle.

9. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, wherein said container with a cover is a housing box provided under a seat of said vehicle and enabled to be used as said cover.

10. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, wherein said container with a cover is a leg shielding pocket with a cover, provided on the driver side wall of a leg shield extended downward from the handlebars of a scooter.

11. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, wherein said container with a cover is a glove compartment disposed between a cowling extended to the rear from the front of said vehicle and the body of said vehicle.

12. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said navigation unit is fixed at said vehicle so as to be removed mechanically and connected to said first display block so as to be turned on/off electrically.

13. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein some of said route guidance information obtained in accordance with said navigation program is displayed concurrently in said first display block and said second display block.

14. A vehicle navigation system that displays route guidance information by receiving GPS satellite radio waves, comprising:

a navigation unit that generates said route guidance information;

a first display block that displays said route guidance information roughly; and

a second display block that displays said route guidance information in detail, wherein the first display block is part of a vehicle meter panel, and the second display block is a second display panel disposed outside of a visual field of a driver when driving said vehicle,

wherein part of the route guidance information displayed on the first display block is also displayed on the second display block.

15. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein said first display block is disposed within said visual field of the driver when driving said vehicle.

16. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein said navigation unit is a portable information terminal in which a navigation program is installed, and wherein said second display block is said display panel of said portable information terminal the first display block and the second display block both displaying at least either a distance of or a direction to a predetermined goal.

17. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein said first display block and second display block share the main functions of the navigation unit and separately display said route guidance information.

18. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein said route guidance information displayed on said second display block includes map information.

19. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein said navigation unit is housed in a container with a cover.

20. A vehicle navigation system that displays route guidance information by receiving GPS satellite radio waves, comprising:

a navigation unit that generates said route guidance information;

a first display block that displays only part of said route guidance information; and

a second display block that displays every selected item of said route guidance information,

the first block being part of a vehicle meter panel, and the second display block being a second display panel disposed outside of a visual field of a driver when driving said vehicle for displaying information that overflows from the first display block,

wherein said first display block and said second display block both display at least either a distance of or a direction to a predetermined goal.