Communication-type navigation apparatus and server device

• US 6,889,134 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Increment P Corporation, Pioneer Corporation
• Original Assignee: Increment P Corporation, Pioneer Corporation
• Inventors: Koga, Yuji, Takenaga, Takashi, Nakane, Yuusuke, Takenaka, Toyohiro, Fukushima, Atsuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US10/231,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20030045997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 701/202, 701/209, 701/208, 701/210, 701/205, 701/212, 340/995.19, 340/995.12, 340/995.14, 340/990, 340/988, 340/995, 340/998, 345/619, 345/620, 345/425, 382/232, 455/3.02, 455/456, 455/457, 705/52, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/03 Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position

Abstract

A communication type navigation apparatus can communicate with a server device via a communication path. The navigation apparatus requests route search, and the server device executes route search to produce route information of a searched route. Then, the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route are determined, and the navigation apparatus obtains necessary mesh data from the server device. The navigation apparatus may request newer mesh data to the server device based on the updating information of the mesh data. By appropriately determining the mesh data to be and not to be downloaded from the server device, the communication cost necessary for obtaining the mesh data can be saved.

Claims

1. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus via a communication path, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a determination unit which determines meshes corresponding to road zone, other than a highway zone, of roads on the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits mesh identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit comprises a unit which transmits highway mode data corresponding to the highway zone to the communication type navigation apparatus.

3. A communication type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprises a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a determination unit which determines meshes corresponding to road zone, other than a highway zone, of roads on the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits mesh identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus, the communication-type navigation apparatus comprising;

a map data storage unit which stores mesh data; and

a mesh request unit which compares the mesh identification information and the updating information transmitted from the server device with the mesh identification information and the updating information stored in the map data storage unit to determine the mesh data to be obtained from the server device and which requests the determined mesh data to the server device.

4. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a unit which receives the mesh data, that the mesh request unit has requested, from the server device; and

a guide unit which performs route guide by using the mesh data and the route information received from the server device.

5. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a unit which receives highway mode data corresponding to the highway zone from the server device, and wherein the route guide unit performs the route guide by using the highway mode data within the highway zone and performs the route guide by using the mesh data and the route information within zones other than the highway zone.

6. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the map data storage unit stores map data for broad area display, and wherein the route guide unit performs the route guide in a highway mode by using the map data for broad area display and performs the route guide by using the mesh data and the route information within zones other than the highway zone.

7. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus via a communication path, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a mesh determination unit which determines meshes corresponding to predetermined road zone on the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits mesh identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

8. The server device according to claim 7, wherein the mesh determination unit determines meshes within a predetermined range from a destination included in the route search request.

9. The server device according to claim 7, wherein the mesh determination unit determines meshes within a zone that a user designates by using the communication-type navigation apparatus.

10. The server device according to claim 7, wherein the mesh determination unit determines meshes including roads other than major roads on the searched route.

11. A communication type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprises a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a mesh determination unit which determines meshes corresponding to predetermined road zone on the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits mesh identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus, the communication-type navigation apparatus comprising;

a map data storage unit which stores mesh data; and

a mesh request unit which compares the mesh identification information and the updating information transmitted from the server device with the mesh identification information and the updating information stored in the map data storage unit to determine the mesh data to be obtained from the server device and which requests the determined mesh data to the server device.

12. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a unit which receives the mesh data, that the mesh request unit has requested, from the server device; and

a guide unit which performs route guide by using the mesh data and the route information received from the server device.

13. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a unit which receives guide information corresponding to zones other than the predetermined zone from the server device, and wherein the route guide unit performs the route guide by presenting the guide information within the zones other than the predetermined zone and performs the route guide by using the mesh data and the route information within the predetermined zone.

14. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the map data storage unit stores the map data for broad area display, and wherein the route guide unit performs route guide by presenting the guide information by using the map data for broad area display within zones other than the predetermined zone and performs the route guide by using the mesh data and the route information within the predetermined area.

15. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mesh request unit separately requests the mesh data to be obtained to the server device when each mesh data becomes necessary for the route guide.

16. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mesh request unit requests the mesh data corresponding to the meshes that are not stored in the map data storage unit, out of the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route.

17. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mesh request unit requests the mesh data corresponding to the meshes having the updating information older than the updating information transmitted from the server device, out of the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route.

18. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus via a communication path, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a determination unit which determines meshes necessary to travel along the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits mesh identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

19. The server device according to claim 18, further comprising a unit which receives a mesh data request of some meshes, out of the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route, from the communication-type navigation apparatus, and which transmits newest mesh data for the requested meshes to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

20. A communication type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprising a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a determination unit which determines meshes necessary to travel along the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits mesh identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus, the communication-type navigation apparatus comprising;

a map data storage unit which stores a plurality of mesh data; and

a mesh request unit which compares the mesh identification information and the updating information of the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route with the mesh identification information and the updating information stored in the map data storage unit to determine the mesh data to be obtained from the server device, and which requests the determined mesh data to the server device.

21. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the mesh request unit requests the mesh data corresponding to the meshes that are not stored in the map data storage unit, out of the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route.

22. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the mesh request unit requests the mesh data having the updating information older than the updating information transmitted from the server device, out of the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route.

23. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the mesh request unit requests all of the mesh data to be obtained from the server device all at once.

24. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:

a unit which receives the mesh data, that the mesh request unit has requested, from the server device; and

a unit which performs route guide based on the route information.

25. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the mesh request unit separately requests the mesh data to be obtained to the server device when each mesh data becomes necessary for the route guide.

26. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the map data storage unit comprises:

a pre-install data storage unit which stores pre-install data; and

a cache memory unit which stores mesh data obtained during travel.

27. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus, comprising:

a map database which stores a plurality of mesh data;

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus, which executes route search to produce route information of a searched route and which transmits the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus; and

an updating data transmission unit which receives the mesh identification information and updating information of the mesh data, that is necessary to travel along the searched route and that is stored in the communication-type navigation apparatus, which obtains mesh data, having the updating information newer than that of the mesh data stored in the communication-type navigation apparatus, from the map database, and which transmits the obtained mesh data to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

28. A communication-type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprising a map database which stores a plurality of mesh data;

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus, which executes route search to produce route information of a searched route and which transmits the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus; and

an updating data transmission unit which receives the mesh identification information and updating information of the mesh data, that is necessary to travel along the searched route and that is stored in the communication-type navigation apparatus, which obtains mesh data, having the updating information newer than that of the mesh data stored in the communication-type navigation apparatus, from the map database, and which transmits the obtained mesh data to the communication-type navigation apparatus, the navigation apparatus comprising;

a map data storage unit which stores a plurality of mesh data; and

an updating information transmission unit which receives the route information, which determines the mesh data necessary to travel along the searched route, and which transmits the mesh identification information and the updating information of the mesh data stored in the map data storage unit, out of the mesh data necessary to travel along the searched route, to the server device.

29. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the updating information transmission unit transmits all of the mesh identification information and the updating information all at once.

30. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising a unit which performs route guide based on the route information.

31. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the updating information transmission unit separately transmits the mesh identification information and the updating information of the mesh data, that is necessary to travel along the searched route and that is stored in the map data storage unit, to the server device when each of the mesh identification information and the updating information become necessary during the route guide.

32. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the map data storage unit comprises:

a pre-install data storage unit which stores pre-install data; and

a cache memory unit which stores mesh data obtained during travel.

33. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus via a communication path, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a mesh determination unit which determines meshes necessary to travel along the searched route;

a unit which determines whether or not the processing burden of the server device is higher than a predetermined burden level at the time when the server device receives the route search request; and

a transmission unit which transmits the route information to the communication-type navigation unit when the processing burden of the server device is higher than the predetermined processing burden level, and transmits the mesh identification information and the updating information as well as the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus when the processing burden of the server device is not higher than the predetermined burden level.

34. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus via a communication path, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a determination unit which determines blocks including meshes necessary to travel along the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits block identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

35. The server device according to claim 34, further comprising a unit which receives a mesh data request of meshes included in the blocks from the communication-type navigation apparatus, and which transmits newest mesh data for the requested meshes to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

36. A communication type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprising a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a determination unit which determines blocks including meshes necessary to travel along the searched route; and

a transmission unit which transmits block identification information and updating information of the determined meshes, and the route information, to the communication-type navigation apparatus, the communication-type navigation apparatus comprising;

a map data storage unit which stores a plurality of mesh data; and

a mesh request unit which compares the mesh identification information and the updating information of the meshes included in the block whose block identification is received with the mesh identification information and the updating information stored in the map data storage unit to determine the mesh data to be obtained from the server device, and which requests the determined mesh data to the server device.

37. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the mesh request unit requests the mesh data corresponding to the meshes that are not stored in the map data storage unit, out of the meshes included in the blocks.

38. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the mesh request unit requests the mesh data having the updating information older than the updating information transmitted from the server device, out of the meshes included in the blocks.

39. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the mesh request unit requests all of the mesh data to be obtained from the server device all at once.

40. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

a unit which receives the mesh data, that the mesh request unit has requested, from the server device; and

a unit which performs route guide based on the route information.

41. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the mesh request unit separately requests the mesh data to be obtained to the server device when each mesh data becomes necessary for the route guide.

42. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the map data storage unit comprises:

a pre-install data storage unit which stores pre-install data; and

a cache memory unit which stores mesh data obtained during travel.

43. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus, comprising:

a map database which stores a plurality of mesh data;

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus, which executes route search to produce route information of a searched route and which transmits the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus; and

an updating data transmission unit which receives the mesh identification information and updating information of the mesh data of blocks including meshes necessary to travel along the searched route, which obtains mesh data of the blocks, having the updating information newer than that of the blocks received, from the map database, and which transmits the obtained mesh data to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

44. A communication-type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprising a map database which stores a plurality of mesh data;

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus, which executes route search to produce route information of a searched route and which transmits the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus; and

an updating data transmission unit which receives the mesh identification information and updating information of the mesh data of blocks including meshes necessary to travel along the searched route, which obtains mesh data of the blocks, having the updating information newer than that of the blocks received, from the map database, and which transmits the obtained mesh data to the communication-type navigation apparatus, the navigation apparatus comprising;

a map data storage unit which stores a plurality of mesh data; and

an updating information transmission unit which receives the route information, which determines the blocks including the meshes necessary to travel along the searched route, and which transmits the block identification information and the updating information to the server device.

45. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the updating information transmission unit transmits all of the block identification information and the updating information all at once.

46. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising a unit which performs route guide based on the route information.

47. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the updating information transmission unit separately transmits the block identification information and the updating information of the mesh data, that is necessary to travel along the searched route and that is stored in the map data storage unit, to the server device when each of the mesh identification information and the updating information become necessary during the route guide.

48. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the map data storage unit comprises:

a pre-install data storage unit which stores pre-install data; and

a cache memory unit which stores mesh data obtained during travel.

49. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a layer selection unit which selects layer of the mesh data necessary to travel along the searched route based on the route information; and

a transmission unit which transmits layer data of the selected layer and the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

50. A server device which can communicate with a communication-type navigation apparatus, comprising:

a search unit which receives a route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus and executes route search to produce route information of a searched route;

a layer selection unit which selects layer of the mesh data necessary to travel along the searched route based on the route information; and

a transmission unit which transmits identification information and updating information of layer data of the selected layer and the route information to the communication-type navigation apparatus.

51. The server device according to claim 50, wherein the layer selection unit selects the layer data of all layers for the meshes that include the searched route and selects the layer data of a portion of the layers for the meshes that do not include the searched route.

52. The server device according to claim 50, wherein the layer selection unit selects the layer data of all layers for the meshes within a predetermined range from a destination and selects the layer data of a portion of the layers for the meshes outside of the predetermined range.

53. The server device according to claim 50, wherein the layer selection unit does not select layers including only highway or toll road if the route search request includes such a condition that highway or toll road is not used.

54. The server device according to claim 50, wherein the layer selection unit selects only specific layers predetermined according to a purpose of route search if the route search request includes a designation of the purpose of the route search.

55. The server device according to claim 50, wherein, if the route search request includes such a condition that specific layer is not used, the layer selection unit does not select the specific layer.

56. The server device according to claim 50, wherein, if the searched route includes highway zone, the layer selection unit selects the layer including only road data of the highway for the meshes corresponding to the highway zone.

57. The server device according to claim 50, wherein, if the route search request includes a maximum communication charge necessary for obtaining map data, the layer selection unit selects the layers within the maximum communication charge.

58. A communication-type navigation apparatus which can communicate with a server device via a communication path, the server device comprising a transmission unit which receives route search request from the communication-type navigation apparatus, executes route search to produce route information of a searched route and transmits the route information to the navigation apparatus, the navigation apparatus comprising:

a layer selection unit which selects layers of mesh data necessary to travel along the searched route based on the route information transmitted from the server device; and

a request unit which requests the layer data of the selected layers to the server device.

59. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the layer selection unit selects the layer data of all layers for the meshes that include the searched route and selects the layer data of a portion of the layers for the meshes that do not include the searched route.

60. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the layer selection unit selects the layer data of all layers for the meshes within a predetermined range from a destination and selects the layer data of a portion of the layers for the meshes outside of the predetermined range.

61. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the layer selection unit does not select layers including only highway or toll road if the route search request includes such a condition that highway or toll road is not used.

62. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the layer selection unit selects only specific layers predetermined according to a purpose of route search if the route search request includes a designation of the purpose of the route search.

63. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein, if the route search request includes such a condition that specific layer is not used, the layer selection unit does not select the specific layer.

64. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein, if the searched route includes highway zone, the layer selection unit selects the layer including only road data of the highway for the meshes corresponding to the highway zone.

65. The communication-type navigation apparatus according to claim 58, wherein, if the route search request includes a maximum communication charge necessary for obtaining map data, the layer selection unit selects the layers within the maximum communication charge.