Navigation apparatus, server apparatus, navigation method, and navigation program

Navigation device, server device, navigation method and navigation program

Technical field

The present invention relates to a navigation device, a server device, a navigation method, and a program for implementing navigation that guide a user based on a route.

Background technique

Conventionally, a navigation device such as a car navigation device that performs route guidance to a vehicle has a function of performing a route search from a departure place to a destination. In such a navigation device, generally, when the current position measured by communication with GPS (Global Positioning System) deviates more than a predetermined distance from the searched and designated path at the departure point, the navigation device automatically performs Re-search the route from the deviated point to the destination (re-search), and continue route guidance. In other words, a car navigation system targeting a vehicle is very dangerous for the user to operate the navigation device during the steps of driving the vehicle, so it is controlled to automatically perform a route re-search ().

In addition, in such a navigation device that performs automatic re-searching of a route, there is also a technology that imposes restrictions on route searching. For example, in Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that when the vehicle deviates from the route to the destination, it is checked whether it is around the passing point between the destination and the route is not performed if it is around the passing point. Automatic re-search technology.

In addition, in Patent Document 2, it is disclosed that when the vehicle deviates from the route to the destination, regardless of whether or not to set the Oateriluto, the re-search of the route is carried out in advance, and the re-searched route is stored. When the re-search request from the user is completed, the stored re-search route is displayed, and the technique is switched to the latest route.

On the other hand, in recent years, technology has been proposed not only to search for routes when using vehicles such as automobiles, but also to search for routes when using vehicles, such as on foot, trams or buses, like car navigation devices (for example, refer to Patent Literature). 3).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-159797 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-152352 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-258184 However, in a portable navigation device, it is necessary to guide the route Information related to the route, such as map data, is stored in advance in a navigation server on the network, and necessary map data is received from the navigation server according to the progress of the route guidance, and route guidance from the departure point to the destination is performed.

Since the map data is received from the navigation server device in this way, the amount of received packets for communication will increase according to the travel distance or usage time. In particular, in recent years, instead of directly receiving location information from GPS in portable navigation devices, location information from GPS is sent to the navigation server, and location information calculated by the navigation server is sent to the portable navigation device. The amount of received packets (packet: packet, hereinafter referred to as "packet") for communication with the navigation server is increased.

However, in such a portable navigation device that provides route guidance including routes on foot, tram, bus, etc., map data or location information is often not needed during the time to reach the destination. For example, when a transportation facility such as a tram or a bus is used on the way to the destination, the destination is determined, so map data and the like are not necessarily required.

In addition, for example, when a portable navigation device that performs route guidance is left in a car, although route guidance is not required, the amount of received packets (packet: abbreviated as "packet) such as received map data increases.

Summary of the invention

The present invention has been completed in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a navigation device, a server device, a navigation method, and a navigation program that can reduce the amount of communication with a server and reduce the burden of communication costs.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the navigation device of the present invention performs route guidance based on the route selected from the route to the destination including the hiking route. The information server device receives information related to the selected route; a guidance information acquisition unit; a guidance control unit that performs route guidance based on current position information and the information acquired by the guidance information acquisition unit; and cuts off based on information related to movement The communication server communication control unit with the above-mentioned server device.

In addition, the navigation device of the present invention performs route guidance based on the route selected from the route to the destination including the hiking route, and is characterized in that it includes: receiving the selected route from a server device connected to the network that stores the route related to the route. A guide information acquisition unit for information related to the route; a guide control unit that performs route guidance based on current location information and the information acquired by the guide information acquisition unit; a communication volume calculation that calculates the traffic volume of the received information received from the server device Unit; in the case where the communication volume of the received information is calculated by the communication volume calculation unit to reach a predetermined size, a server communication control unit that cuts off communication with the server device.

In addition, the server device of the present invention uses a network to connect to a navigation device that performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and is characterized by including: a storage unit that stores information related to the route; A transmission unit that receives a request from the navigation device and transmits information related to the path to the navigation device; a communication volume calculation unit that calculates the transmission volume of the information related to the path transmitted by the transmission unit, and the transmission unit is operated by When the communication volume of the information related to the path calculated by the communication volume calculation unit reaches a predetermined size, the transmission of the information related to the path is stopped.

In addition, the navigation method of the present invention performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and is characterized in that it includes: receiving and storing information related to the route from a server device connected to the network and stored in the route. The guide information acquisition step of the information related to the selected route; the guide control step of route guidance based on the current position information and the information acquired through the guide information acquisition step; the communication with the server device is cut off based on the information related to the movement Server communication control steps.

In addition, the navigation method of the present invention performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and is characterized by including: receiving and storing information related to the route from a server device connected to the network and storing information related to the route. The guide information acquisition step of information related to the selected route; the guide control step of route guidance based on the current position information and the information acquired through the guide information acquisition step; the communication that calculates the traffic volume of the received information received from the server device Volume calculation step; when the communication volume of the received information calculated by the communication volume calculation unit reaches a predetermined size, a server communication control step that cuts off communication with the server device.

In addition, the navigation method of the present invention performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and is characterized in that it includes: receiving a request from a navigation device connected to a network, and sending and The step of calculating the information related to the path; the communication volume calculation step of calculating the transmission volume of the information related to the path transmitted through the transmission step, and the transmission step is the step of calculating the information related to the path calculated by the communication volume calculation step When the transmission volume reaches a predetermined size, the transmission of information related to the above-mentioned path is stopped.

In addition, the navigation program of the present invention performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and is executed by a computer: receiving information related to the route from a server device connected to the network and storing information related to the route A guide information acquisition step for information related to the selected route; a guide control step for route guidance based on current location information and the information acquired through the guide information acquisition step; a server that cuts off communication with the server device based on information related to movement Communication control steps.

In addition, the navigation program of the present invention performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and is executed by a computer: receiving information related to the route from a server device connected to the network and storing information related to the route A guide information acquisition step of information related to the selected route; a guide control step of route guidance based on current location information and the information acquired through the guide information acquisition step; communication volume of the communication volume of the received information received from the server device Calculation step; in the case where the communication volume of the predetermined information calculated by the communication volume calculation unit reaches a predetermined size, a server communication control step that cuts off communication with the server device.

In addition, the navigation method of the present invention performs route guidance based on a route selected from a route to a destination including a hiking route, and causes a computer to execute: receiving a request from a navigation device connected to the network, and sending the navigation device to the navigation device. A step of sending path-related information; a communication volume calculation step that calculates the transmission volume of the information related to the path sent through the above-mentioned sending step, and the above-mentioned sending step is based on the information related to the path calculated through the above-mentioned communication volume calculation step. When the transmission volume reaches a predetermined size, the transmission of information related to the above-mentioned path is stopped.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved. That is, by receiving information related to the selected route from a server device connected to the network and storing information related to the route, the process is performed based on the current position information and the acquired information. Route guidance cuts off the communication with the server device based on the information related to the movement, and can stop receiving information from the server device according to the state of the movement, reducing the amount of communication with the server and reducing the burden of communication costs.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall procedure of route guidance by the navigation system of the first embodiment.

3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of route guidance processing performed by the navigation device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication disconnection processing in the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication disconnection processing in the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the third embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of route guidance processing performed by the navigation device of the third embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication disconnection processing in the third embodiment.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of route guidance processing performed by the navigation device of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication disconnection processing in the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen of the fourth embodiment .

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of route guidance processing performed by the navigation device of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication disconnection processing in the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation server in the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of map data transmission processing performed by the navigation server of the sixth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 600, 800, 1200, 1600: navigation device; 110: display unit; 111: sound output unit; 112: sound input unit; 115: communication unit; 116: operation unit; 117, 617: control unit; 120 : Guidance control unit; 130: Display control unit; 140: Guidance sound control unit; 160: Navigation information acquisition unit; 170: Server communication control unit; 180: Time measurement unit; 200: Network; 300, 670, 2300: Navigation Server; 310: map distribution unit; 320: map database; 330: route search unit; 340: location information acquisition unit; 614: GPS unit; 650: communication control unit; 880: distance calculation unit; 1280: speed calculation unit; 1680 , 2340: Packet traffic calculation unit.

detailed description

Hereinafter, the best embodiments of the navigation device, server device, navigation method, and navigation program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the navigation device of this embodiment, the navigation program of the present invention is installed in a mobile phone.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, this network system includes a navigation device 100, a network 200, and a navigation server 300.

The network 200 is a network such as a mobile phone network or the Internet. Through such a network 200, various data can be transmitted and received between the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 300.

The navigation device 100 in this embodiment is a portable navigation device equipped with a function as a mobile phone, and includes a display unit 110, a sound output unit 111, a sound input unit 112, a communication unit 115, an operation unit 116, and a control unit 117.

The display unit 110 has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various information such as a map based on the display data supplied from the control unit 117. The sound output unit 111 has a speaker and emits sound based on the sound data supplied from the control unit 117. The sound input unit 112 has a microphone, generates sound data corresponding to the sound uttered by the user or the like, and outputs the sound data to the control unit 117. Such a voice input unit 112 is used for user's voice input when used as a telephone.

The communication unit 115 has the same structure as the communication unit of a general mobile phone such as an antenna. Under the control of the control unit 117, it communicates between the mobile phone network of the network 200 and other communication terminals (mobile phones, Web servers, etc.) Sending and receiving of sound data, map data or other various data. The operation unit 116 has input units such as numeric keys, generates an operation signal corresponding to a user's operation command, and outputs it to the control unit 117. In addition, the communication unit 115 is controlled by the server communication control unit 170 of the control unit 117 to establish and disconnect the communication with the navigation server 300 via the network.

The control unit 117 has storage units such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and executes programs stored in the storage unit, The entire navigation device 100 is controlled. That is, the control unit 117 controls each part of the device as described above so as to function as a portable phone.

In addition, the control unit 117 of the navigation device 100 in this embodiment controls various parts of the device in order to perform navigation functions such as map display and guidance. More specifically, the control unit 117 has a guidance control unit 120, a display control unit 130, a guidance sound control unit 140, a navigation information acquisition unit 160, a server communication control unit 170, and a time measurement unit 180. Here, the information acquisition unit 160 constitutes the guidance information acquisition unit in the present invention.

The display control unit 130 generates map display data for displaying a map based on the map data distributed from the navigation server 300, and displays such map display data on the display unit 110. In addition, the display control unit 130 generates display data for displaying text and graphic information for guidance and information related to other navigation, and outputs the data to the display unit 110. By performing display based on the display data generated by such display control unit 130, a map indicating a route to be guided and route guidance text information such as "turn right" and the like are displayed on display unit 110.

The guidance sound control unit 140 outputs the sound data corresponding to the sound to be emitted from the sound output unit 111 to the sound output unit 111 at a predetermined timing while the route guidance is being performed, thereby generating the guidance sound. For example, when the position of the owner of the navigation device 100 becomes a point 30 m before the intersection that should turn right, audio data for generating a guidance sound such as "turn right at the next intersection" or the like is output.

As described above, in this embodiment, the display unit 110, the sound output unit 111, the display control unit 130, and the guidance sound control unit 140 perform path guidance for guiding the user along the path, and the path guidance performed by these various parts It is controlled by the guidance control unit 120.

The guidance control unit 120 controls the various parts for guiding the user along the path as described above, and performs the path guidance. More specifically, the guidance control unit 120 controls the above-mentioned parts based on the current position information obtained from the navigation server 300 and the route selected for the guidance, and performs guidance based on the display of guidance information, voice guidance, and the like.

The navigation information acquisition unit 160 accesses the navigation server 300 via the communication unit 115 and the network 200, and requests the navigation server 300 to send the location information specified by the GPS, the map data used to display the map on the display unit 100, and the display from the departure point to the destination The data of the route search results and other information needed in the navigation.

More specifically, when the navigation information acquiring unit 160 is displaying a map including the current position, the navigation information acquiring unit 160 periodically acquires information indicating the current position from the navigation server 300, and sends to the navigation server 300 information including the current position. Request for distribution of map data of location information. In addition, when the distribution of map data including the current position has been received, the distribution request is not made, and the distribution request is made only when the map data including the current position is not included. In addition, it sends to the navigation server 300 including the departure place (the current location can be automatically set as the departure place, or it can be set by the user input), the destination, and other search conditions (for example, the required time is short, and the required Route search request for information necessary for route search, such as conditions such as low cost or information of passing places on the way, etc.). Then, the route data or route search results transmitted from the navigation server 300 in response to such a request are acquired, and supplied to the display control unit 130 or the like.

The time measurement unit 180 measures the time elapsed from the time when the timer was set at the start of the route guidance. In addition, the setting time can be set by the user in advance on the initial screen, etc., and then changed. In addition, the set time can also be multiplied by a certain time.

The server communication control unit 170 establishes communication with the navigation server when the route guidance is started based on the initial menu (not shown) of the route guidance. On the other hand, when a communication disconnection request from the guidance control unit 120 is input, the communication with the navigation server 300 is disconnected, and the reception of various data from the navigation server 300 is refused.

Next, the navigation server 300 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation server 300 includes a location information acquisition unit 340, a map distribution unit 310, a map database (DB) 320, and a route search unit 330.

The position information acquisition unit 340 periodically receives the current position information of the navigation device 100 from GPS satellites.

The map database 320 is a database storing map data. When the map distribution unit 310 receives the distribution request from the navigation device 100 (or other navigation devices), it obtains from the map database the map data including the location indicated by the current position information included in the distribution request, and then passes the network 200 transmits the map data to the navigation device 100 as the requester.

When receiving a route search request from the navigation device 100, the route search unit 330 searches for multiple routes from the origin to the destination included in the request, and transmits the route search results to the navigation device 100 as the requester via the network 200. The route search unit 330 of the navigation server 300 in this embodiment serves as a route from a departure point to a destination, and can search for routes using motor vehicles, as well as routes for walking, routes using public transportation such as buses or trams. , Routes other than the routes that use motor vehicles, such as trails that use walking or a combination of public transportation agencies. In addition, the so-called motor vehicle route means the use of a motor vehicle (including a motorcycle) that can freely move according to the user's intention, such as a car, and does not include a route using a bus or the like with a predetermined route.

Next, the route guidance processing performed by the navigation system including the navigation device 100 of the present embodiment and the navigation server 300 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall procedure of route guidance performed by the navigation system of the present embodiment.

First, the user of the navigation device 100 of this embodiment inputs search conditions such as a departure place and a destination to the navigation device 100 via the operation unit 116, and instructs a route search request. As a result, the navigation device 100 transmits the input route search request including search conditions such as a departure place and a destination to the navigation server 300 via the network 200 (step S201).

The navigation server 300 that has received the route search request from the navigation device 100 performs a route search based on the search conditions included in the route search request (step S202), and transmits the search result to the navigation device 100 via the network 200 (step S203).

In the navigation device 100 that has received the assignment of such a route search result, the route search result is displayed on the display unit 110 (step S204).

The user operates the operation unit 116 of the navigation device 100 based on such search results, and can input an instruction of "route guidance start" or "route map confirmation".

Next, the route guidance processing performed by the navigation device 100 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of route guidance processing performed by the navigation device 100.

If the route guidance is started according to the initial menu (not shown) of the route guidance, the start message is first displayed on the display unit 110 by the display control unit 130 (step S301). Then, the timer for which the set time is predetermined is set by the time measurement unit 108 (step S302). Here, the set time is previously input by the user in the initial screen or the like.

Next, the guidance control unit 120 acquires the current position information received by the navigation information acquisition unit 160 from the navigation server 300 (step S303).

Also, the display control unit 130 superimposes and displays the current position on the map displayed in the display unit 110 (step S304). Next, the route guidance by the guidance control unit 120 is performed (step S305), and the guidance control unit 120 determines whether or not the destination has been reached (step S306). When it is determined that the destination has been reached (step S306: Yes), the display control unit 130 displays an end message (not shown) on the display unit 110 (step S307).

In addition, when it is determined that the destination has not been reached (step S306: No), the processing after step S303 is repeated.

In the execution step of such route guidance processing, the following communication disconnection processing is executed in accordance with other tasks. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of communication disconnection processing.

First, the time measurement unit 180 determines whether a predetermined time has passed (step S401). When it is determined that the predetermined time has passed (step S401: Yes), the guidance control unit 120 determines whether route guidance is currently being performed or the current location set on the initial menu screen is being confirmed (step S402).

Furthermore, in the case where route guidance is being performed or the current location is being confirmed (step S402: Yes), the server communication control unit 170 cuts off the communication with the navigation server 300 via the communication unit 115 (step S403). Therefore, since data cannot be received from the navigation server 300, the current position information and map data from the navigation server 300 are not received.

Next, the display control unit 130 displays a menu display screen on the display unit 110 (step S404). Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen. From the menu display screen, the user can know that a predetermined time (for example, one hour) has passed, and that the current position information and map data cannot be obtained. Furthermore, the guidance control unit 120 determines whether the user's input from the menu screen is to continue the route guidance (step S405). Then, when it is determined to continue (input is "Yes") (step S405: Yes), the route guidance processing after step S301 in FIG. 3 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined not to continue (the input is "No") (step S405: No), the process ends.

In this way, in the navigation device 100 of the present embodiment, if a preset set time has passed from the start of the route guidance (including restarting), the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off and enters the standby state. Therefore, it is possible to stop receiving the map data or current position information from the navigation server 300 according to the elapse of a certain period of time, which can reduce the amount of communication with the server and reduce the burden of communication costs.

In addition, in the present embodiment, software as a timer for measuring time constitutes a time measurement unit, but as a time measurement unit, a hardware timer may also be constituted.

(Embodiment 2) The navigation system of Embodiment 2 is a system that cuts off communication when the navigation device 100 obtains current position information from GPS.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, this network system includes a navigation device 600, a network 200, and a navigation server 670.

The structure of the navigation device 600 in this embodiment is different from the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a GPS unit 614 and a GPS communication control unit 650, and the other parts of the structure are the same as the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment. Here, the GPS unit 614 constitutes a position acquisition unit in the present invention.

The GPS unit 614 has a GPS antenna or the like, and outputs current position information based on information received from satellites to the guidance control unit 120 of the control unit 617. Here, when the GPS unit 614 can obtain the current position information, the data including the coordinates of the current position is output to the guidance control unit 120 as the current position information. In addition, the GPS unit 614 controls the communication with GPS satellite waves and the disconnection of the communication according to the control of the GPS communication control unit 650.

The GPS communication control unit 650 starts communication with the GPS when the route guidance is started based on the initial menu (not shown) of the route guidance. On the other hand, when a communication disconnection request from the guidance control unit 120 is input, the communication with the GPS is disconnected, and the satellite radio waves from the GPS by the GPS unit 614 are not received.

In this embodiment, since the navigation device 600 obtains the current position from GPS, the structure of the navigation server 670 is different from the navigation server 300 of the first embodiment in that there is no position information obtaining unit. The structure and implementation of other parts are The navigation server 300 of the form 1 is the same.

The route guidance processing in this embodiment is performed in the same way as the route guidance processing of the navigation device 100 of Embodiment 1 described in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of communication disconnection processing in the navigation device 600 of the second embodiment.

In the communication disconnection processing of this embodiment, when the set time has elapsed (step S701) and it is determined that route guidance is being performed or the current position is being confirmed (step S702), not only the communication with the navigation server 670 is disconnected (step S703). ), the GPS communication control unit 650 also cuts off the communication with the GPS (step S704). As a result, except that the map data from the navigation server 670 is not received, the current position information from the GPS is not received. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

In this way, in the navigation device 600 of this embodiment, if a preset set time elapses after starting the route guidance (including restarting), the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off, and the communication with the GPS is also cut off. , Enter the standby state, so it can stop receiving the map data from the navigation server 300 and the current position information from the GPS according to the elapse of a certain time, which can reduce the communication volume with the server, reduce the burden of communication costs, and reduce useless Power consumption.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that route guidance is being performed or the current location is being confirmed after a certain period of time has passed, not only the communication with the navigation server 670 is cut off, but also the communication with the GPS is cut off by the GPS communication control unit 650. However, it may be configured not to cut off the communication with GPS. In this case, although the map displayed on the current screen cannot be updated, it has the advantage of being able to display the current position on the current map.

(Embodiment 3) The navigation system of Embodiment 3 is a system that calculates the distance after the route guidance start time, and performs communication disconnection processing based on such a distance.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the network system includes a navigation device 800, a network 200, and a network server 300.

The structure of the navigation device 800 in this embodiment is different from the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a distance calculation unit 880, and the structure of other parts is the same as that of the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment. In addition, the structure of the navigation server 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The distance calculation unit 880 measures the travel distance based on the current position information acquired at the start time of the route guidance and the current position information acquired at the current time.

In addition, the movement distance can also be set by the user in advance on the initial screen, etc., and then changed. In addition, the set distance can also be a distance multiplied by a certain distance.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of route guidance processing in the third embodiment. The route guidance processing in this embodiment does not perform timer setting in the route guidance processing in the first embodiment. Instead of this processing, after the route guidance processing (step S904), the distance calculation unit 880 calculates the start of the route guidance The distance from the time to the current position (step S905). The other processing is the same as the route guidance processing of the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the communication disconnection process in the navigation device 800 of the third embodiment. First, the guidance control unit 120 determines whether the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 880 exceeds a preset distance (step S1001). Furthermore, when it is determined that the set distance is exceeded (step S1001: Yes), the guidance control unit 120 determines whether route guidance is currently being performed or the current location set on the initial menu screen is being confirmed (step S1002) .

Furthermore, in the case where route guidance is being performed or the current location is being confirmed (step S1002: Yes), the server communication control unit 170 cuts off the communication with the navigation server 300 via the communication unit 115 (step S1003). Therefore, since data cannot be received from the navigation server 300, the current position information and map data from the navigation server 300 are not received.

Next, the display control unit 130 displays a menu display screen on the display unit 110 (step S1004). Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen in the third embodiment. According to this menu display screen, the user knows that the distance from the start time of the route guidance to the current position exceeds the set distance (for example, 2 km), and the current position information and map data cannot be obtained. The subsequent processing is the same as the communication disconnection processing in the first embodiment.

In this way, in the navigation device 800 of this embodiment, if the distance from the start (including restart) of the route guidance exceeds the preset distance, the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off and enters the standby mode. Therefore, it is possible to stop receiving map data or current position information from the navigation server 300 when the distance exceeds a certain distance, which can reduce the communication volume of communication with the server and reduce the burden of communication costs.

In addition, in this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the navigation device 800 may be configured to acquire current position information from GPS by itself, or it may be configured to further cut off the communication with the GPS when the predetermined distance is exceeded. In this case, it may be configured such that only the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off, and the communication with the GPS is not cut off. In this case, although the map displayed on the current screen cannot be updated, it has the advantage of being able to display the current position on the current map.

(Embodiment 4) The navigation system of Embodiment 4 is a system that calculates the moving speed at the current time and performs communication disconnection processing based on this moving speed.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, this network system includes a navigation device 1200, a network 200, and a navigation server 300.

The structure of the navigation device 1200 in this embodiment is different from the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a speed calculation unit 1280, and the structure of other parts is the same as that of the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment. In addition, the structure of the navigation server 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The speed calculation unit 1280 calculates the moving speed at the current time from the current position information at the current time, the current position information obtained last time, and the elapsed time between the two time points.

In addition, the setting speed can be set by the user in advance on the initial screen, etc., and then changed. In addition, the set speed can also be a speed multiplied by a certain magnification to a certain extent.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of route guidance processing in the fourth embodiment. The route guidance processing in this embodiment does not perform timer setting in the route guidance processing in the first embodiment. Instead of this processing, after the route guidance processing (S step S1304), the speed calculation unit 1280 calculates the current time The moving speed of (step S1305). The other processing is the same as the route guidance processing of the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the communication disconnection process in the navigation device 1200 according to the fourth embodiment. First, the guidance control unit 120 determines whether the moving speed calculated by the speed calculation unit 1280 exceeds a predetermined set speed (step S1401). When it is determined that the set speed is exceeded (step S1401: Yes), the guidance control unit 120 determines whether route guidance is currently being performed or the current location set on the initial menu screen is being confirmed (step S1402).

Furthermore, in the case where route guidance is being performed or the current location is being confirmed (step S1402: Yes), the server communication control unit 170 cuts off the communication with the navigation server 300 via the communication unit 115 (step S1403). Therefore, since data cannot be received from the navigation server 300, the current position information and map data from the navigation server 300 are not received.

Next, the display control unit 130 displays a menu display screen on the display unit 110 (step S1404). Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen in the fourth embodiment. According to this menu display screen, the user knows that the current moving speed exceeds the set speed (50km/h in this example) when using a bus, tram, etc., and cannot obtain current position information and map data. The subsequent processing is the same as the communication disconnection processing in the first embodiment.

In this way, in the navigation device 1200 of this embodiment, if the moving speed at the current time exceeds a preset distance, the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off and enters a standby state, so it is not used on foot. For example, in the steps of using a bus, a tram, etc., it can stop receiving map data or current location information from the navigation server 300, reducing the amount of communication with the server, and reducing the burden of communication costs.

In addition, in this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the navigation device 1200 may be configured to obtain current position information from GPS by itself, or it may be configured to further cut off the communication with the GPS when the above-mentioned set speed is exceeded. . In this case, it may be configured such that only the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off, and the communication with the GPS is not cut off. In this case, although the map displayed on the current screen cannot be updated, it has the advantage of being able to display the current position on the current map.

(Embodiment 5) The navigation system of Embodiment 5 detects the packet size of data received from the navigation server 300 on the navigation device side, and performs communication disconnection processing based on the packet size.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device in the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, this network system includes a navigation device 1600, a network 200, and a navigation server 300.

The structure of the navigation device 1600 in this embodiment is different from that of the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a packet traffic calculation unit 1680, and the structure of other parts is the same as that of the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment. In addition, the structure of the server device 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The packet traffic calculation unit 1680 calculates the packet size received from the navigation server 300 at the current time from the time when the route guidance is started. The packet size is stored in the header information of the received packet. Each time a packet is received, the packet size is obtained from the header information, and the obtained packet sizes are added together and stored in a memory or the like.

In addition, the set size can be set by the user in advance on the initial screen, etc., and then changed. In addition, the set size can also be used to multiply a certain size by a certain magnification.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of route guidance processing in the fifth embodiment. The route guidance processing in this embodiment does not perform timer setting in the route guidance processing in the first embodiment. Instead of this processing, after the route guidance processing (step S1704), the packet traffic calculation unit 1680 calculates the current time The next package size (step S1705). The other processing is the same as the route guidance processing of the navigation device 100 in the first embodiment described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the communication disconnection process in the navigation device 1600 according to the fifth embodiment. First, the guidance control unit 120 determines whether the overall size of the packet calculated by the packet communication volume calculation unit 1680 exceeds a predetermined set size (step S1801). When it is determined that the size exceeds the set size (step S1801: Yes), the guidance control unit 120 determines whether route guidance is currently being performed or the current location set on the initial menu screen is being confirmed (step S1802).

Furthermore, in the case where route guidance is being performed or the current location is being confirmed (step S1802: Yes), the server communication control unit 170 cuts off the communication with the navigation server 300 via the communication unit 115 (step S1803). Therefore, since data cannot be received from the navigation server 300, the current position information and map data from the navigation server 300 are not received.

Next, the display control unit 130 displays a menu display screen on the display unit 110 (step S1804). Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a menu display screen in the fifth embodiment. According to this menu display screen, it can be seen that the packet reception size so far exceeds the set size (for example, 5 MB), and current location information and map data cannot be obtained. The subsequent processing is the same as the communication disconnection processing in the first embodiment.

In this way, in this embodiment, in such a navigation device 1600, if the size of the packet received from the navigation server 300 at the current time exceeds the preset size, the communication with the navigation server 300 is cut off and the system enters In the standby state, the reception of map data or current position information from the navigation server 300 is stopped, which can reduce the amount of communication with the server and reduce the burden of communication costs.

In addition, in this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the navigation device 1600 may be configured to obtain the current position information from the GPS by itself, and it may also be configured to cut off the connection with the GPS when the size of the set packet is exceeded. Communication. In this case, only the communication with the navigation server 300 may be disconnected without disconnecting the communication with the GPS. In this case, although the map displayed on the current screen cannot be updated, it has the advantage of being able to display the current position on the current map.

(Embodiment 6) The navigation system of Embodiment 6 is a system that calculates the packet size of data sent to the navigation device on the navigation server side, and restricts the sending of map data based on this packet size.

Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network system including such a navigation device and a navigation server in the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, this network system includes a navigation device 100, a network 200, and a network server 2300.

The structure of the navigation device 100 in this embodiment is the same as that of the navigation device in the first embodiment. The navigation server 2300 of the present embodiment is different from the navigation server 300 of the first embodiment in that it includes a packet communication volume calculation unit 2340, and the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the navigation server 300 of the first embodiment.

The packet traffic calculation unit 2340 calculates the packet size transmitted from the navigation server 2300 to the navigation device 100 minutes at the current time from the start time of the route guidance. When a packet is generated from the transmitted map data, the packet size is obtained from the header of the packet, and the obtained packet size is added to the size of the packet that has already been sent, and it is stored in a memory or the like in advance.

In addition, the set size can be set in advance by an administrator of the navigation server 2300 or the like, and then changed. In addition, the set size can also be used to multiply a certain size by a certain magnification.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of map data transmission processing in the sixth embodiment. First, if the map distributing unit 310 receives a request for map data from the navigation device 100 (step S2101), the map distributing unit 310 retrieves the requested map data from the map database 320, and reads out the retrieved map data (step 2102) .

Next, the map distribution unit 310 generates a packet of map data in a format conforming to the communication protocol of the network 200 from the read map data (step S2103). Then, the packet traffic calculation unit 2340 obtains the packet size from the header information of the packet, and adds it to the already transmitted and accumulated packet size (step S2104).

Furthermore, the packet communication volume calculation unit 2340 determines whether the transmission packet size is larger than a predetermined set size (step S2105). If it is determined that the size is not larger than the set size (step S2105: No), the map distribution unit 310 transmits a packet of map data to the navigation device 100. However, when it is determined that the transmission packet size is larger than the set size (step S2105: Yes), the map data packet transmission performed by the map distributing unit 310 is not performed, and the processing ends.

In this way, in the navigation device 100 in this embodiment, if the size of the transmitted packet exceeds the preset size, the navigation server 2300 does not transmit the map data packet to the navigation device 100, so the navigation device 100 On the other hand, it can stop receiving map data or current location information from the navigation server 300, and can reduce the amount of communication with the server, and reduce the burden of communication costs.

In addition, the navigation device of this embodiment may further be configured to cut off communication with the navigation server when the current position information cannot be obtained, or when the current position deviates from the route to the destination by more than a predetermined distance , Or cut off the communication with GPS.

In addition, in this embodiment, the CPU executes processing including the above-mentioned guidance control based on a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM, but it is also possible to provide a program for a computer to execute the same processing via a communication line such as the Internet. Alternatively, the program can also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) and provided to the user. In addition, it may also be configured as a navigation device realized by a dedicated hardware circuit that performs the above-mentioned processing, and provided to a user or the like.

Industrial Applicability In summary, the navigation device, navigation method, and program of the present invention are suitable for route guidance using a portable navigation device.