Vehicle navigation system and related software program

• US 6,895,328 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Manabe, Daisuke, Suzuki, Takamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/318,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 701/208, 701/210, 701/211, 701/206, 342/357.13, 342/357.17, 340/995.14, 340/995.17, 340/995.24, 340/995.27
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance

Abstract

A vehicle navigation system includes a computer-based control unit with a display unit. A group of regions or spots on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets. A judgement is made as to whether a predetermined condition for each on-map target, having been set beforehand, is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions. The result of judgement is memorized. A user is informed directly or indirectly of the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each on-map target based on the judgement information.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigation system possessing information storing capability, wherein a group of regions or spots on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets, said vehicle navigation system comprising:

judging and memorizing means for making a judgment as to whether a predetermined condition for each of the on-map targets is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions and for memorizing judgment information obtained as a result of said judgment; and

informing means for directly or indirectly informing a user of present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets based on said judgment information memorized by said judging and memorizing means,

wherein fulfillment of said predetermined condition is checked based on a traveling distance of a vehicle when each of said on-map targets represents a predetermined region.

2. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting said group of regions or spots on the given map as each of said on-map targets.

3. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising condition setting means for setting said predetermined condition.

4. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said informing means gives a map display so that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

5. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said informing means displays a map on which said group of regions or spots are distinctively shown, and gives said map display in such a manner that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

6. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 5, wherein a color adopted for representing each of said on-map targets is changed considering the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

7. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 4, wherein at least one of the on-map targets informed by said informing means is usable as a goal or transit point for route guidance.

8. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 4, wherein

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of the on-map targets.

9. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said additional information is a number of times with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

10. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said additional information is time information with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

11. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said informing means displays said additional information on or beside the corresponding on-map target on a map.

12. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said informing means changes a display pattern of each of said on-map targets based on said additional information in contrast with those of other on-map targets.

13. A vehicle navigation system possessing information storing capability, wherein a group of regions or spots on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets, said vehicle navigation system comprising:

judging and memorizing means for making a judgment as to whether a predetermined condition for each of the on-map targets is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions and for memorizing judgment information obtained as a result of said judgment; and

informing means for directly or indirectly informing a user of present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets based on said judgment information memorized by said judging and memorizing means,

wherein said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of the on-map targets,

wherein said additional information is a number of times with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

14. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising setting means for setting said group of regions or spots on the given map as said on-map targets.

15. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising condition setting means for setting said predetermined condition.

16. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said informing means gives a map display so that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

17. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said informing means displays a map on which said group of regions or spots are distinctively shown, and gives said map display in such a manner that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

18. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 17, wherein a color adopted for representing each of said on-map targets is changed considering the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

19. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one on-map target of said on-map targets informed by said informing means is usable as a goal or transit point for route guidance.

20. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said informing means displays said additional information on or beside the corresponding on-map target on a map.

21. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said informing means changes a display pattern of each of said on-map targets based on said additional information in contrast with those of other on-map targets.

22. A vehicle navigation system possessing information storing capability, wherein a group of regions or spots on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets, said vehicle navigation system comprising:

judging and memorizing means for making a judgment as to whether a predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions and for memorizing judgment information obtained as a result of said judgment; and

informing means for directly or indirectly informing a user of present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets based on said judgment information memorized by said judging and memorizing means,

wherein fulfillment of said predetermined condition is checked based on a period of time during which a vehicle is positioned on each of said on-map targets.

23. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 22, further comprising setting means for setting said group of regions or spots on the given map as said on-map targets.

24. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 22, further comprising condition setting means for setting said predetermined condition.

25. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said informing means gives a map display so that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

26. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 25, wherein said informing means displays a map on which said group of regions or spots are distinctively shown, and gives said map display in such a manner that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

27. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 26, wherein a color adopted for representing each of said on-map targets is changed considering the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

28. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 25, wherein at least one on-map target of said on-map targets informed by said informing means is usable as a goal or transit point for route guidance.

29. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 22, wherein

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of said on-map targets,

wherein said additional information is time information with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

30. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 22, wherein

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of said on-map targets,

wherein said informing means displays said additional information on or beside the corresponding on-map target on a map.

31. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 22, where

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of said on-map targets,

wherein said informing means changes a display pattern of each of said on-map targets based on said additional information in contrast with those of other on-map targets.

32. A vehicle navigation system possessing information storing capability, wherein a group of regions on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets, said vehicle navigation system comprising:

judging and memorizing means for making a judgment as to whether a predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions and for memorizing judgment information obtained as a result of said judgment; and

informing means for directly or indirectly informing a user of present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for said each of said on-map targets based on said judgment information memorized by said judging and memorizing means,

wherein said fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is judged based on entry of a vehicle into each region.

33. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 32, further comprising setting means for setting said group of regions on the given map as said on-map targets.

34. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 32, further comprising condition setting means for setting said predetermined condition.

35. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 32, wherein said informing means gives a map display so that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

36. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 35, wherein said informing means displays a map on which said group of regions are distinctively shown, and gives said map display in such a manner that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

37. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 36, wherein a color adopted for representing each of said on-map targets is changed considering the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

38. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 35, wherein at least one on-map target of said on-map targets informed by said informing means is usable as a goal or transit point for route guidance.

39. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 35, wherein

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of said on-map targets.

40. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 39, wherein said additional information is a number of times with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

41. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 39, wherein said additional information is time information with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

42. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 39, wherein said informing means displays said additional information on or beside said corresponding on-map target on a map.

43. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 39, wherein said informing means changes a display pattern of each of said on-map targets based on said additional information in contrast with those of other on-map targets.

44. A vehicle navigation system possessing information storing capability, where a group of regions on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets, said vehicle navigation system comprising:

judging and memorizing means for making a judgment as to whether a predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions and for memorizing judgment information obtained as a result of said judgment; and

informing means for directly or indirectly informing a user of present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets based on said judgment information memorized by said judging and memorizing means,

wherein fulfillment of said predetermined condition is judged by checking whether or not a goal or any transit point in a route guidance is present in a region where a vehicle enters.

45. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 44, further comprising setting means for setting said group of regions on the given map as said on-map targets.

46. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 44, further comprising condition setting means for setting said predetermined condition.

47. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 44, wherein said informing means gives a map display so that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

48. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 47, wherein said informing means displays a map on which said group of regions are distinctively shown, and gives said map display in such a manner that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

49. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 48, wherein a color adopted for representing each of said on-map targets is changed considering the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

50. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 47, wherein at least one on-map target of said on-map targets informed by said informing means is usable as a goal or transit point for route guidance.

51. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 47, wherein

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of said on-map targets.

52. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 51, wherein said additional information is a number of times with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

53. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 51, wherein said additional information is time information with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

54. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 51, wherein said informing means displays said additional information on or beside said corresponding on-map target on a map.

55. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 51, wherein said informing means changes a display pattern of each of said on-map targets based on said additional information in contrast with those of other on-map targets.

56. A vehicle navigation system possessing information storing capability, where a group of spots on a given map are designated beforehand as on-map targets, said vehicle navigation system comprising:

judging and memorizing means for making a judgment as to whether a predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is fulfilled or not based on vehicle traveling conditions and for memorizing judgment information obtained as a result of said judgment; and

informing means for directly or indirectly informing a user of present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of said predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets based on said judgment information memorized by said judging and memorizing means,

wherein fulfillment of said predetermined condition is judged by checking driver'"'"'s manipulations on the vehicle including operations for turning off an ignition key switch, shifting a gear lever to a parking position, pulling a hand-operated brake lever, and unlocking and/or opening any door.

57. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 56, further comprising setting means for setting said group of spots on the given map as said on-map targets.

58. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 56, further comprising condition setting means for setting said predetermined condition.

59. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 56, wherein said informing means gives a map display so that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

60. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 59, wherein said informing means displays a map on which said group of spots are distinctively shown, and gives said map display in such a manner that fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets is discriminable from others on a map.

61. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 60, wherein a color adopted for representing each of said on-map targets is changed considering the present status as to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

62. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 59, wherein at least one on-map target of said on-map targets informed by said informing means is usable as a goal or transit point for route guidance.

63. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 59, wherein

said judging and memorizing means further memorizes additional information with respect to fulfillment/nonfulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets, and

said informing means informs said additional information in connection with a corresponding on-map target of said on-map targets.

64. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 63, wherein said additional information is a number of times with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

65. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 63, wherein said additional information is time information with respect to fulfillment of the predetermined condition for each of said on-map targets.

66. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 63, wherein said informing means displays said additional information on or beside said corresponding on-map target on a map.

67. The vehicle navigation system in accordance with claim 63, wherein said informing means changes a display pattern of each of said on-map targets based on said additional information in contrast with those of other on-map targets.