JP3693643B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly, to a navigation device that is mounted on an automobile and used when guiding the automobile to a destination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A navigation device that operates using a hard disk is known. The navigation device guides the car to the destination using the navigation program and map data recorded on the hard disk. When the version of the navigation device is upgraded, the hard disk is removed from the main body, and the hard disk in which a new navigation program and new map data are recorded is attached to the main body, and the version is upgraded. In such a navigation device, when the hard disk is removed by replacement work, the navigation device cannot be used, so that the automobile cannot be guided to the destination. In addition, the user needs to bring a car to a dealer or the like when replacing the hard disk. For these reasons, there is a demand for a navigation device upgrade technique that has a short period of time during which an automobile cannot be guided because the navigation device cannot be used.
[0003]
A navigation device that operates using a DVD-ROM is also known. The navigation apparatus guides the automobile to the destination using the navigation program and map data recorded on the DVD-ROM. The navigation device is upgraded by replacing the DVD-ROM with a new navigation program or a DVD-ROM recording new map data. When such a navigation device is upgraded, the period during which the navigation device cannot be operated is shorter than that of a navigation device that operates using a hard disk. However, the DVD-ROM is generally slower in reading data than a hard disk. The navigation device is desired to operate using a hard disk and is desired to operate quickly.
[0004]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 2001-133273 and 2001-165671 disclose navigation systems including both a hard disk and a DVD-ROM drive. The navigation system copies map data recorded on a DVD-ROM to a hard disk and guides the vehicle to the destination using the map data recorded on the hard disk. Such a navigation device can use a DVD-ROM used for other than the guidance during guidance.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-251396 discloses an in-vehicle information processing apparatus that can more reliably write information to a hard disk.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-133273 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-165671 A [Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-251396 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that reduces a period during which the navigation device cannot be used or a time during which navigation operation is interrupted when upgrading the software of the navigation device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a navigation device that has a fast navigation operation and reduces the time during which the navigation operation is interrupted when software is upgraded.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Hereinafter, means for solving the problems will be described using the numbers and symbols used in [Embodiments of the Invention] in parentheses. These numbers and symbols are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and the description of [Mode for carrying out the invention], and are described in [Claims]. It should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention.
[0009]
The navigation device (10) according to the present invention is a device that is mounted on an automobile and used when guiding the automobile to a destination. The navigation device (10) is recorded in the first execution unit (41) for executing the first computer program (31) recorded in the first recording device (12) and in the second recording device (13, 19). A second execution unit (42) for executing the second computer program, and an installation unit (43) for recording data recorded in the second recording device (13, 19) in the first recording device (12). It has. The first computer program (31) and the second computer program are used to guide the automobile to the destination. The installation unit (43) operates in parallel with the second execution unit (42). The second computer program is formed of a restricted computer program and an unrestricted computer program. When the restricted computer program is executed, the installation unit (43) interrupts recording of data in the first recording device (12), and the first execution unit (41) receives the second execution unit (42). Does not work in parallel.
[0010]
The navigation device (10) usually uses the first computer program (31) to guide the automobile to the destination. The navigation device (10) can guide the automobile to the destination when upgrading the first computer program (31) to the second computer program, and can reduce the time during which the navigation operation is interrupted. . The navigation device (10) further includes the second recording device (13) when the speed at which data is read from the first recording device (12) is faster than the speed at which data is read from the second recording device (13, 19). , 19), the navigation operation is faster and preferable than the case where the navigation operation is performed using only the above. The navigation device (10) is preferably capable of speeding up the navigation operation by interrupting the recording of data in the first recording device (12).
[0011]
The installation unit (43) preferably continues to record data in the first recording device (12) when the restricted computer program ends.
[0012]
The restricted computer program is executed when a predetermined event occurs, and the unrestricted computer program is preferably executed intermittently.
[0013]
The restriction computer program preferably includes a route search computer program for searching for a route for guiding the vehicle from the position of the vehicle to the destination in response to a user operation.
[0014]
The restricted computer program preferably includes a reroute computer program that creates a route back to the route when the vehicle travels on another route different from the route created by the second computer program.
[0015]
The restricted computer program preferably includes a speech recognition computer program that executes processing corresponding to speech when the user utters speech.
[0016]
The restricted computer program preferably includes a guidance computer program for notifying the user of the vehicle of guidance for guiding the vehicle to the destination.
[0017]
The restricted computer program preferably includes a computer program that is executed for a predetermined time in response to a user operation.
[0018]
The restricted computer program preferably takes more time to occupy the CPU than the unrestricted computer program.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a navigation device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 includes a navigation device body 11, a hard disk device 12, a DVD-ROM drive 13, a memory card 14, a navigation sensor 15, an output device 16, an input device 17, and wireless communication. A device 18 is provided. The navigation device 10 is mounted on an automobile not shown.
[0020]
The navigation device body 11 is an information processing device (computer) including a volatile recording device that records software and a central processing unit (CPU) that executes the software. The software is formed of a computer program and data used in the computer program. The hard disk device 12 is a non-volatile storage device that stores the software. The hard disk device 12 records the software in accordance with an instruction from the navigation device body 11, and outputs or deletes the recorded software. The DVD-ROM drive 13 is a recording device that reads software described in the DVD-ROM 19 and outputs the software to the navigation device body 11. The memory card 14 is a storage device that stores software. The memory card 14 records software according to instructions from the navigation device body 11, and outputs or deletes the recorded software.
[0021]
The navigation sensor 15 is a sensor that measures an amount for measuring the position of the automobile, and examples thereof include a GPS antenna and a gyro. The output device 16 is a device that notifies information generated by the navigation device body 11 to the driver or passenger (hereinafter referred to as “user”) of the car. Examples of the output device 16 include a liquid crystal display and a speaker. The input device 17 is a device that outputs information to the navigation device body 11 by a user operation. Examples of the input device 17 include a microphone, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The wireless communication device 18 is a device for connecting the navigation device main body 11 to the Internet via a mobile phone line network, and outputs information output from the navigation device main body 11 to a terminal connected to the Internet for connection to the Internet. The information released by the server is output to the navigation device body 11.
[0022]
The navigation device body 11 is further connected to a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) and a plurality of sensors via the in-vehicle LAN 21. The ECU is a computer applied to an electronic control device mounted on the automobile. Examples of the electronic control device include an engine electronic control device, a transmission electronic control device, a power steering electronic control device, an ABS electronic control device, an airbag electronic control device, an air conditioning electronic control device, and a constant speed traveling electronic control device. . The sensor includes a vehicle speed sensor 22, a G sensor 23, a thermometer 24, a voltage sensor 25, and a rotation sensor 26. The vehicle speed sensor 22 measures the vehicle speed of the automobile. The vehicle speed sensor 22 is used in a transmission electronic control device, a power steering electronic control device, an ABS electronic control device, and a constant speed traveling electronic control device. The G sensor 23 measures the acceleration of the automobile. The G sensor 23 is used in an airbag electronic control device. The thermometer 24 measures the temperature inside the automobile. The thermometer 24 is used in an air conditioning electronic control device. The voltage sensor 25 measures the voltage of a battery mounted on the automobile. The rotation sensor 26 measures the rotation speed of the automobile engine. The rotation sensor 26 is used in an engine electronic control device.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows data recorded in the hard disk device 12. The data is formed from a navigation software group 31, learning data 32 and virtual memory data 33. The navigation software group 31 is a set of software used for guiding the automobile to the destination, and measures the position of the automobile on which the navigation device 10 is mounted, and the road on which the automobile travels based on the position. Is searched for a route for guiding the vehicle from the position to the destination, and the vehicle user is notified of the route. The learning data 32 is data created by the navigation software group 31 and indicates a destination input in the past, personal information of the user, and the like. The virtual memory data 33 is data that is recorded when the operation system installed in the navigation device body 11 uses the hard disk device 12 as a virtual memory.
[0024]
The navigation software group 31 includes a first navigation program 34, a second navigation program 35, and navigation data 36. The first navigation program 34 is a computer program that is executed intermittently or periodically. The first navigation program 34 measures the position of the automobile, identifies the road on which the automobile is traveling, and sets the output device 16 so that the road can be identified by the user. A computer program that uses and notifies is exemplified. The second navigation program 35 is a computer program that is executed when a predetermined event occurs. The second navigation program 35 searches for a route for guiding the vehicle to the destination input by the user, and the purpose is when the vehicle deviates from the route. A route for guiding the car to the ground is searched, when the car approaches an intersection or the like, the guidance to the destination is notified to the car user, and processing corresponding to the voice is executed when the user utters the voice. A computer program is exemplified. The navigation data 36 is data used for the first navigation program 34 and the second navigation program 35, and includes map data indicating the position of the road. The map data further indicates the state of the road surface of each road (for example, asphalt pavement, gravel road, wavy road). The navigation data 36 further includes data for voice recognition and data for displaying a guided route (map) in three dimensions.
[0025]
The DVD-ROM 19 records a navigation software group. The navigation software group is an improvement of the navigation software group 31 and, like the navigation software group 31, is formed of a first navigation program, a second navigation program, and navigation data. The first navigation program is a computer program in which the first navigation program 34 is improved, and is a computer program that is executed intermittently or periodically. The second navigation program is a computer program improved from the second navigation program 35, and is a computer program that is executed when a predetermined event occurs. The navigation data is data obtained by improving the navigation data 36 and is used for the first navigation program or the second navigation program.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows the navigation device body 11 in detail. The navigation device main body 11 includes a hard disk execution unit 41, a DVD-ROM execution unit 42, an installation unit 43, and a display unit 44, which are computer programs. The computer program is recorded in a non-volatile recording device included in the navigation device body 11.
[0027]
The hard disk execution unit 41 activates software recorded in the hard disk device 12. The DVD-ROM execution unit 42 activates software recorded on the DVD-ROM 19. The installation unit 43 copies the software recorded on the DVD-ROM 19 to the hard disk device 12 (including transcription and copying). The installation unit 43 is executed in parallel with the DVD-ROM execution unit 42. The display unit 44 displays the ratio of the amount of software information copied from the DVD-ROM 19 to the hard disk device 12 on the display device, and displays the time until all of the software is recorded on the hard disk device 12 on the display device.
[0028]
The operation of the navigation device 10 includes an operation of guiding the automobile to the destination and an operation of installing the vehicle. The operation of guiding the automobile to the destination is executed using the navigation software group 31 recorded in the hard disk device 12 without using the DVD-ROM drive 13. At this time, the navigation apparatus 10 can execute operations other than guiding the automobile in parallel by inserting a DVD in which the navigation software group is not recorded in the DVD-ROM drive 13. An example of such a DVD is music software.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows an installation operation. First, the user operates the navigation device 10 to start installation, and inserts the purchased DVD-ROM 19 into the DVD-ROM drive 13. The navigation device 10 determines whether installation is possible (step S1). For example, the navigation device 10 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation for starting installation, and whether or not the DVD-ROM 19 is inserted in the DVD-ROM drive 13.
[0030]
When installation is not possible (step S1; NO), the navigation device 10 performs navigation using the navigation software group 31 recorded in the hard disk device 12 without installation (step S2). .
[0031]
When the navigation device 10 can be installed (step S1; YES), the navigation software group recorded on the DVD-ROM 19 is copied while the software recorded on the DVD-ROM 19 is copied to the hard disk device 12. The navigation operation is executed using the information (step S3). That is, the navigation device 10 copies the software recorded on the DVD-ROM 19 to the hard disk device 12 in units of a predetermined amount of information during the idle time of the navigation operation. As the predetermined information amount, a multiple of sectors of the DVD-ROM 19 is exemplified. Alternatively, the navigation device 10 executes the navigation operation and the installation operation in a time-sharing manner in parallel. After the installation is completed, the navigation device 10 performs a navigation operation for guiding the automobile to the destination using the navigation software group 31 recorded in the hard disk device 12.
[0032]
Conventionally, the upgrade of a navigation device is performed by removing a hard disk device and installing a new version of navigation software on the hard disk device. The navigation device cannot perform navigation operations when the hard disk device is removed. Alternatively, the version upgrade of the navigation device is executed by stopping the navigation operation and installing a new version of the navigation software from the DVD-ROM onto the hard disk device. The navigation apparatus 10 can reduce the time during which the navigation operation is interrupted when the software is upgraded by such installation.
[0033]
A navigation apparatus that performs navigation using only a DVD-ROM can upgrade the software by replacing the DVD-ROM with a new DVD-ROM. In general, a hard disk device is faster in reading data than a DVD-ROM. The navigation device 10 is preferable to operate faster than such a navigation device.
[0034]
FIG. 5 shows the operation of the navigation device 10 when executing one of a plurality of processes forming step S3. When the one process is started, the navigation apparatus 10 determines whether the process is a process corresponding to the first computer program 34 or a process corresponding to the second computer program 35 (step S11). When the process is a process corresponding to the second computer program 35 (step S11; YES), the navigation apparatus 10 interrupts the operation of installing the software recorded on the DVD-ROM 19 in the hard disk device 12 ( Step S12) and the process is executed (step S13). When the navigation device 10 is a process corresponding to the first computer program 34 (step S11; NO), the navigation apparatus 10 executes the process (step S13).
[0035]
At this time, it is preferable that the navigation apparatus 10 can speed up the navigation operation by interrupting the installation operation.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
The navigation device according to the present invention can reduce the period during which the navigation device cannot be used when upgrading the software, or reduce the time during which the navigation operation is interrupted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a navigation device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing data recorded in a hard disk device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a navigation device main body.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of an operation of installing.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when one process forming step S3 is executed.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Navigation device 11: Navigation device body 12: Hard disk device 13: DVD-ROM drive 14: Memory card 15: Navigation sensor 16: Output device 17: Input device 18: Wireless communication device 19: DVD-ROM
21: In-vehicle LAN
22: vehicle speed sensor 23: G sensor 24: thermometer 31: navigation software 32: learning data 33: virtual memory data 34: first navigation program 35: second navigation program 36: navigation data 41: hard disk execution unit 42: DVD ROM execution unit 43: installation unit 44: display unit

Claims (9)

A navigation device mounted on a car and used when guiding the car to a destination,
A first execution unit for executing a first computer program recorded in the first recording device;
A second execution unit for executing a second computer program recorded in the second recording device;
An installation unit for recording data recorded in the second recording device on the first recording device;
The first computer program and the second computer program are used to guide the automobile to the destination,
The installation unit operates in parallel with the second execution unit,
The second computer program is formed of a restricted computer program and an unrestricted computer program,
The installation unit interrupts recording the data in the first recording device when the restricted computer program is executed;
The first execution unit is a navigation device that does not operate in parallel with the second execution unit. In claim 1,
The navigation device, wherein the installation unit continues to record the data in the first recording device when the restricted computer program ends. In claim 2,
The restricted computer program is executed when a predetermined event occurs,
The non-restricted computer program is executed intermittently. In claim 3,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction computer program includes a route search computer program for searching a route for guiding the vehicle from the position of the vehicle to the destination in response to a user operation. In claim 3,
The restriction computer program includes a reroute computer program for creating a route to return to the route when the vehicle travels on another route different from the route created by the second computer program. . In claim 3,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricted computer program includes a voice recognition computer program that executes processing corresponding to the voice when the user utters the voice. In claim 3,
The restriction computer program includes a guidance computer program for notifying a user of the automobile of guidance for guiding the automobile to the destination. In claim 3,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricted computer program includes a computer program that is executed for a predetermined time in response to a user operation. In claim 3,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricted computer program takes a longer time to occupy the CPU than the unrestricted computer program.

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