Information receiving apparatus, positioning apparatus, navigation apparatus, information receiving method, positioning method and navigating method

The invention provides a navigation apparatus wherein necessary traffic information can be acquired without any key operation during running of an automobile. The navigation apparatus includes a positioning device for getting a present position, a map data retrieving device for retrieving map data from a map database, a map display unit for displaying a map, an input device for entering a desired condition to receive information, a memory for storing the entered condition, an access device for accessing to an external information source, and a decision device for deciding a status. The decision device receives information from the external information source through the access device, and the map display unit displays the received information in accordance with map data retrieved by the map data retrieving device if the status matches the condition stored in the memory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 This invention relates to an information receiving apparatus, a positioning
 apparatus, a navigation apparatus, an information receiving method, a
 positioning method and a navigating Method.
 2. Description of the Related Art
 An organization which provides traffic information, for example, the ATIS
 (Advanced Traffic Information Service) is available in Japan. A user can
 telephone the ATIS to get digital data of traffic congestion information,
 traffic control information and other information.
 Some available navigation apparatus for an automobile are compatible with
 the ATIS. In a navigation apparatus of the type compatible with the ATIS,
 if, for example, key operations
 (1) to establish an ATIS mode,
 (2) to establish a communication mode,
 (3) to set, in route guidance, a present position, a destination and so
 forth, and
 (4) to telephone the ATIS are performed, then, for example, an optimum
 route considering current traffic congestion situation can be found from
 among several routes from the present position of the automobile to the
 desired destination and displayed on a display unit.
 However, such key operations of those operations (1) to (4) described above
 are cumbersome. Therefore, taking also safety into consideration, most
 navigation apparatus are so constructed that those operations are disabled
 while the automobile is running. Even if a navigation apparatus is not
 constructed as such, it still is undesirable to perform key operations
 during running of an automobile from the point of view of safety.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation apparatus
 and a navigating method wherein necessary traffic information can be
 acquired without any key operation during running of an automobile.
 It is another object of the present invention to provide an information
 receiving apparatus, a positioning apparatus, an information receiving
 method and a positioning method suitable for use with such navigation
 apparatus and navigation method as mentioned above.
 In order to attain the objects described above, according to an aspect of
 the present invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus with a
 data receiving operation function, including positioning means for getting
 a present position, map data retrieving means for retrieving map data from
 a map database, map display means for displaying a map, input means for
 entering a desired condition to receive information, memory means for
 storing the condition, access means for accessing to an external
 information source, and decision means for deciding a status, wherein the
 decision means receives information from the external information source
 through the access means and the map display means displays the received
 information in accordance with map data retrieved by the map data
 retrieving means if the status matches the condition stored in the memory
 means.
 In the navigation apparatus, a navigating method with an automatic
 operation feature is performed which includes the inputting step of
 entering a desired condition to receive information, the storing step of
 storing the entered condition, the positioning step of getting a present
 position, the map data retrieving step of retrieving map data from a map
 database, and the deciding step of deciding a status, wherein the deciding
 step receives information from the external information source through
 radio communication means and displays the received information in
 accordance with map data retrieved in the map data retrieving step if the
 status matches the condition stored in the storing step.
 With the navigation apparatus and the navigating method, for example, when
 the automobile starts, the necessary traffic information is available
 already, and a navigation display can be obtained in a latest traffic
 situation. Further, traffic information can be obtained automatically
 midway of a route to a destination, and a navigation display can still be
 performed in a latest traffic situation. Further, since cumbersome key
 operations need not be performed during running of the automobile, safety
 is assured. Further, there is no need of having a fellow passenger
 manually operate the navigation apparatus.
 According to the present invention, an information receiving apparatus, a
 positioning apparatus, an information receiving method and a positioning
 method suitable for use with the navigation apparatus and navigation
 method are provided.
 In particular, according to another aspect of the present invention, there
 is provided an information receiving apparatus with an automatic operation
 function, which includes input means for entering a desired condition to
 receive information, memory means for storing the entered condition,
 access means for accessing to an external information source, and decision
 means for deciding a status, wherein the decision means receives
 information from the external information source through the access means
 if the status matches the condition stored in the memory means.
 In the information receiving apparatus, an information receiving method
 with an automatic operation feature is performed which includes the
 inputting step of entering a desired condition to receive information, the
 storing step of storing the entered condition, and the deciding step of
 deciding a status, wherein the deciding step receives information from the
 external information source through radio communication means and displays
 the received information if the status matches the condition stored in the
 storing step.
 According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
 positioning apparatus with a data receiving operation function, which
 includes positioning means for getting a present position, input means for
 entering a desired condition to receive information, memory means for
 storing the entered condition, access means for accessing to an external
 information source, and decision means for deciding a status, wherein the
 decision means receives information from the external information source
 through the access means if the status matches the condition stored in the
 memory means.
 In the positioning apparatus, a positioning method with an automatic
 operation feature is performed which includes the inputting step of
 entering a desired condition to receive information, the storing step of
 storing the entered condition, the positioning step of getting a present
 position, and the deciding step of deciding a status, wherein the deciding
 step receives information from the external information source through
 radio communication means and displays the received information if the
 status matches the condition stored in the storing step.
 The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
 invention will become apparent from the following description and the
 appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a
 vehicle-carried navigation apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, a radio wave
 from a navigation satellite, for example, a GPS satellite, is received by
 a GPS antenna 11 of the navigation apparatus, and the received signal is
 supplied to a GPS unit (receiving circuit) 12. Data of a position of an
 automobile on which the navigation apparatus is carried, a moving speed of
 the automobile and so forth are outputted from the GPS unit 12 and
 supplied to a microcomputer 20.
 The navigation apparatus further includes a self-contained navigation unit
 such as, for example, a gyroscope 13, from which data of a moving speed of
 the navigation apparatus are outputted. The data are supplied to the
 microcomputer 20. The navigation apparatus further includes a vehicle
 speed sensor 14 for detecting a running speed of the automobile, and an
 output signal of the vehicle speed sensor 14 is supplied to the
 microcomputer 20.
 The navigation apparatus further includes a drive unit 15 for a CD-ROM
 (compact disk ROM (read only memory)). A CD-ROM 50 which is read by the
 drive unit 15 has written in advance therein various data necessary for
 navigation such as, for example, image data to be used to display a map.
 The data of the CD-ROM 50 are read out by the drive unit 15 and supplied
 to the microcomputer 20.
 Further connected to the microcomputer 20 are a clock circuit 16 for
 counting the present time and, for example, a color LCD (liquid crystal
 display) 17 as a display unit.
 Further, a modem 18 as means for accessing to an organization which
 provides traffic information is connected to the microcomputer 20, and a
 mobile telephone set, for example, a portable telephone set 80, is
 connected to the modem 18.
 Since the number of operation keys which can be provided on a panel face of
 a vehicle-carried apparatus is limited, the navigation apparatus of FIG. 1
 is constructed such that various operations can be performed by remote
 control (remote operation).
 To this end, a reception circuit 19 for a remote control signal, for
 example, of infrared rays is connected to the microcomputer 20 such that,
 if one of operation keys 91 of a transmitter 90 of a remote controller is
 manually operated, then an infrared ray signal having data corresponding
 to the operated key is outputted from the transmitter 90. The infrared ray
 signal is received by the reception circuit 19, and the data of the
 operated key is supplied to the microcomputer 20.
 The microcomputer 20 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21, a ROM 22
 in which a program is written, a RAM (random access memory) 23 for a
 working area, and a memory 24 for storing data.
 The ROM 22 includes, as part of the program written therein, for example, a
 setting routine 100 and an access routine 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
 3, respectively. Details of the routines 100 and 200 will be hereinafter
 described.
 The microcomputer 20 has a port (interface circuit) 25 for inputting and
 outputting data therethrough and a display controller 26. Display data
 from the CPU 21 are converted into a display signal by the display
 controller 26 and supplied to the color LCD 17 so that an image of a map
 or the like corresponding to the data supplied to the display controller
 26 is displayed on the color LCD 17.
 In the navigation apparatus having the construction described above, when
 the ATIS is to be accessed, a user will manually operate a setting key
 from among the operation keys 91 of the transmitter 90 before the user
 starts driving of the automobile.
 In response to the manual operation of the setting key, the navigation
 apparatus puts itself into a setting key mode, in which the process of the
 CPU 21 of the microcomputer 20 starts from step 101 of the setting routine
 100. Then, in step 102, the CPU 21 puts itself into a key input waiting
 state. The key input waiting state is provided for the user to select a
 utilization method of the ATIS and allows designation of one of the
 following choices (1) and (2):
 (1) To access the ATIS when a certain point of time set in advance comes.
 This may be designated, for example, in such a case that, as the user is
 planned to drive at xx o'clock tomorrow, the user wants to utilize latest
 data of the ATIS then.
 (2) To access to the ATIS if the automobile passes or arrives at a certain
 place or location set in advance.
 This may be designated, for example, in such a case that the user wants to
 know, after the automobile reaches xx, an uncrowded road ahead xx together
 with a route. Thus, the CPU 21 waits for a key inputting operation for
 selection of one of the two choices.
 Then, if a key inputting operation to designate the choice (1) or (2) is
 performed, then the process advances to step 103, in which the key input
 in step 102 is discriminated. If it is discriminated that the choice (1)
 has been selected, then the process advances from step 103 to step 104.
 Then, in step 104, the CPU 21 puts itself into a waiting state for the
 point of time of the choice (1), and if the point of time is inputted,
 then the process advances to step 111.
 On the other hand, when it is discriminated in step 103 that the key input
 in step 102 is the choice (2), the process advances from step 103 to step
 105. Then, in step 105, the CPU 21 puts itself into a waiting state for
 the place of or location choice (2), and if the place is inputted, then
 the process advances to step 111.
 Then, after the process advances to step 111 whichever one of the choices
 (1) and (2) has been selected, the CPU 21 puts itself into a waiting state
 for a next key inputting operation in step 111. This key input waiting
 state is provided for the user to select a displaying method, and it
 continues until one of two following choices (A) and (B) is designated:
 (A) To display a route from the present position to the destination.
 For example, a map is displayed, and from among various roads to the
 destination, those roads which provide an optimum route are indicated by
 painting up them with green.
 (B) To display congestion situations of roads, traffic control information
 and so forth.
 For example, a map is displayed, and from among roads around the present
 place, a congested road or roads are indicated by painting up them with
 red. The CPU 21 thus waits for a key inputting operation to select one of
 the choices (A) and (B).
 If a key inputting operation to designate one of the two choices (A) and
 (B) is performed, then the process advances to step 112, in which the key
 input in step 111 is discriminated. If it is discriminated that the choice
 (A) has been selected, then the process advances from step 112 to step
 113. Then, in step 113, the CPU 21 waits for an inputting operation for
 the present position (or start position) and the destination necessary for
 display of the choice (A), and if they are inputted, then the control
 sequence advances to step 114, in which the setting routine 100 is ended.
 On the other hand, if it is discriminated in step 112 that the key input in
 step 111 is the choice (B), the process skips step 113 and advances
 directly to step 114, in which the setting routine 100 is ended.
 In this manner, the choice (1) or (2) and the choice (A) or (B) are set in
 the setting routine 100 in advance. It is to be noted that, upon such
 setting, those data which must be stored are written into and stored in
 the memory 24.
 On the other hand, when the automobile is running or in use, of the data of
 the maps stored on the CD-ROM 50, those corresponding to the present
 position are read out in accordance with output signals of the GPS unit
 12, the gyroscope 13 and the vehicle speed sensor 14, and a map including
 the present position is displayed on the color LCD 17 in accordance with
 the read out data. Further, on the map, the present position and the
 advancing direction of the automobile and so forth are displayed in
 accordance with the output signals of the GPS unit 12, the gyroscope 13
 and the vehicle speed sensor 14.
 Then, while such processing and displaying as described above are
 performed, the access routine 200 is executed by an interrupt, for
 example, for each one second, and the display of an image is corrected or
 worked for the result of setting of the setting routine 100.
 In particular, in the access routine 200, the process of the CPU 21 starts
 from step 201, and in next step 202, it is discriminated whether or not
 the present point of time or the present place corresponds to the point of
 time of the choice (1) set in step 104 or the place or location of the
 choice (2) set in step 105.
 Then, if the present point of time or the present place does not correspond
 to the point of time of the choice (1) or the place of the choice (2),
 then the process advances from step 202 to step 215, in which the access
 routine 200 is ended. Accordingly, when the present point of time or the
 present place does not correspond to the point of time of the choice (1)
 or the place of the choice (2), nothing is executed. Consequently, the
 display of the color LCD 17 is similar to a display of an ordinary
 navigation apparatus.
 However, when the present point of time or the present place corresponds to
 the point of time of the choice (1) or the place of the choice (2) in step
 202, the process advances from step 202 to step 211, in which a call to
 the ATIS is originated from the portable telephone set 80 and the
 microcomputer 20 is connected to the ATIS through the modem 18 and the
 portable telephone set 80.
 After the microcomputer 20 is connected to the ATIS, the process advances
 to step 212, in which a request for data of traffic information is
 developed based on the data stored in the memory 24, that is, the data
 inputted in the setting routine 100. As a result, the object data of
 traffic information are transmitted from the ATIS to the navigation
 apparatus. After reception of the data transmitted thereto is completed,
 the process advances to step 213, in which ring-off processing of the
 portable telephone set 80 is performed.
 Then, after the portable telephone set 80 is disconnected as a result of
 the ring-off processing, the process advances to step 214, in which the
 display of the color LCD 17 is corrected or worked based on the data of
 traffic information received in step 212 in accordance with the condition
 of the choice (A) or (b) set in the setting routine 100. Then, in step
 215, the access routine 200 is ended.
 Accordingly, with the access routine 200, when the time or the place of the
 condition set in the setting routine 100 is reached, latest navigation
 information is displayed on the color LCD 17.
 In this manner, with the navigation apparatus described above, information
 can be obtained from the ATIS. In this instance, since data necessary to
 obtain object traffic information can be inputted before the automobile is
 used, for example, when the automobile starts, the necessary traffic
 information is available already, and a navigation display can be obtained
 in a latest traffic situation. Further, traffic information in midway of a
 route to a destination can be obtained automatically, and a navigation
 display can still be performed in a latest traffic situation.
 Further, since cumbersome key operations need not be performed during
 running of the automobile, the safety is assured. Further, there is no
 need of making a fellow passenger manually operate the navigation
 apparatus.
 Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one of
 ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made
 thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
 set forth herein.