Route-setting device, map display device and navigation system

• US 7,251,560 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Ogasawara, Akihiro, Hiroyama, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US11/085,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20050251327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries

Abstract

A route is set by reading map data of an area used for calculating the route. When this area includes a road pricing area, it is determined if there exists a road pricing area into where the user is permitted to enter based on the permission data (road pricing area to where the entrance is permitted and the permission period) read out from an IC card inserted in an ERP car-mounted unit and stored in a storage unit. When there exists a road pricing area to where the entrance is permitted, the road pricing area is excluded from the areas to be avoided, and the route is calculated.

Claims

1. A route-setting device comprising:

route-setting means for setting a route from a starting point to a destination based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a time-dependent permission term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area in which certain vehicles are prohibited from entering; and

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said data input means;

wherein said route-setting means sets a route avoiding the regulated area that is determined by said determining means not to be entered.

2. A route-setting device according to claim 1, said permission data includes said permission term and subject area-specifying data for specifying the regulated area among a plurality of said regulated areas to where the permission term is applied;

and

said determining means determines, based on said corresponding permission terms, if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area specified by said subject area-specifying data in said permission data.

3. A route-setting device according to claim 2, wherein said map data further includes identification data for identifying said regulated area, and the subject area-specifying data included in said permission data is said identification data.

4. A navigation system mounted on a vehicle comprising:

a route-setting device of claim 1; and

guide means for providing guidance during travel along the route set by the route-setting means.

5. A route-setting device according to claim 1, wherein said time-dependent permission term is configured by a unit of one year, one month, one week, or one day.

6. A route-setting device comprising:

route-setting means for setting a route from a starting point to a destination based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a permission term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area;

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said data input means; and

said route-setting means sets a route avoiding the regulated area that is determined by said determining means not to be entered;

wherein said data input means is so constituted as to read and receive said permission data from a portable medium storing said permission data.

7. A route-setting device comprising:

route-setting means for setting a route from a starting point to a destination based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a permission term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area;

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said data input means; and

said route-setting means sets a route avoiding the regulated area that is determined by said determining means not to be entered;

further comprising communication means for exchanging data communication, via a radio circuit, with a data center storing the permission data, and said data input means is so constituted as to receive said permission data from said data center.

8. A map display device comprising:

display control means for displaying a map on display means based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a time-dependent term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area in which certain vehicles are prohibited from entering; and

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said external data input means;

wherein said display control means displays the regulated area determined by said determining means not to be entered distinctly from other areas.

9. A navigation system mounted on a vehicle comprising:

a map display device of claim 8;

present position-specifying means for specifying the present position; and

alarm control means which, when the present position specified by said present position-specifying means has approached within a predetermined distance from said regulated area displayed on said display means being distinguished from other areas, controls an alarm means to produce an alarm to inform that the present position has approached at least within the predetermined distance.

10. A map display device according to claim 8, wherein said time-dependent permission term is configured by a unit of one year, one month, one week, or one day.

11. A map display device comprising:

display control means for displaying a map on display means based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area;

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said external data input means; and

said display control means displays the regulated area determined by said determining means not to be entered distinctly from other areas;

wherein said permission data includes said permission term and subject area-specifying data for specifying the regulated area from among a plurality of said regulated areas to where the permission term is applied; and

said determining means determines, based on said corresponding permission terms, if it is permitted to enter into the regulated areas specified by said subject area-specifying data in said permission data.

12. A map display device according to claim 11, wherein said map data includes identification data for identifying said regulated area, and the subject area-specifying data included in said permission data is said identification data.

13. A map display device comprising:

display control means for displaying a map on display means based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area;

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said external data input means; and

said display control means displays the regulated area determined by said determining means not to be entered distinctly from other areas;

wherein said data input means reads and receives said permission data from a portable medium storing said permission data.

14. A map display device comprising:

display control means for displaying a map on display means based on map data;

data input means for receiving permission data including at least a term in which it is permitted to enter into a regulated area;

determining means for determining if it is permitted to enter into the regulated area based on the permission data input through said external data input means; and

said display control means displays the regulated area determined by said determining means not to be entered distinctly from other areas;

further comprising communication means for exchanging data communication, via a radio circuit, with a data center storing the permission data, and said data input means is so constituted as to receive said permission data from said data center.