JP7611609B2 - Systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

For example, systems and programs.

Some electronic devices output sound from built-in speakers. For example, there are devices that output the sound of a character speaking lines from a built-in speaker (Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6291643

The inventors have discovered that when an electronic device outputs sound to the outside as an audio signal and the external device outputs sound based on that audio signal, there are times when the external device is in a state where it is not outputting an audio signal, for example while it is starting up or being set up, and during that time the sound based on the audio signal output from the electronic device is not output or is interrupted.

The present invention aims to, for example, enable an audio signal output from an electronic device to reach a user as sound more reliably than in the past. The purpose of the present invention is not limited to this, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations that aim to obtain effects from parts of the configuration disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc., through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, this specification discloses a problem in which the part described as "can be" in this specification is read as "the problem is to be." The problems are described as independent, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to the configuration for solving this problem alone through divisional applications, amendments, etc. Even if the problem is understood literal from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include part of the configuration described in this specification in the claims by amendment or divisional application.

(1) A second system having a function of inputting an audio signal and a function of outputting a signal based on the input audio signal to a speaker (hereinafter referred to as a first speaker), the first system having a predetermined time from when power supply to the first system is started during which a signal based on the input audio signal is not output to the first speaker (hereinafter referred to as an output disabled time at first system startup), the second system having a function of performing a process (hereinafter referred to as a first process) of outputting an audio signal to the first system within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as an output start time at second system startup) from when power supply to the second system is started, and a function of performing a process (hereinafter referred to as a second process) for enabling a user to recognize a voice based on the audio signal during a time exceeding the output disabled time at first system startup (hereinafter referred to as a second system output wait time).
In this way, even if the second system performs processing to output an audio signal to the first system, it can perform processing to output an audio signal after the output disabled time has elapsed when the first system is started, etc., and the audio represented by the audio signal output from the second system can be reliably output, allowing the user to hear that audio.
The first system and the second system may be separate entities, and the second system may not be incorporated in the first system, and the first system may not be incorporated in the second system.
The first system may be, for example, a navigation system, a car navigation device, an audio system, or an audio device. The first system does not have to be in-vehicle, but it is particularly preferable that the first system is in-vehicle. The first speaker does not have to be for in-vehicle use, but it is particularly preferable that the first speaker is for in-vehicle use, and may be one that can be installed in a vehicle or brought into a vehicle, but it is particularly preferable that the first speaker is pre-installed in a vehicle.
The second system may be a radar detector (RD), a navigation system, a car navigation device, audio, an audio device, etc. The second system may be pre-installed in the vehicle, but in particular it is preferable that the second system is not pre-installed in the vehicle. It does not have to be for use in the vehicle, but it is preferable that the second system is for use in the vehicle. In particular, it may be one that can be carried into the vehicle, and it is preferable that the second system is portable, but the best one is one that can be installed in the vehicle. The second speaker may be one that is external to the second system, but it is preferable that the second system is a speaker built into the second system.
For example, currently, electronic devices with functions such as navigation devices and radar detectors include in-dash types that are installed in vehicles when the vehicle is shipped from the factory, and on-dash types that are retrofitted to the vehicle. When an on-dash type electronic device is placed on the dashboard of a vehicle as the second system, this electronic device is connected to the in-dash electronic device in the vehicle as the first system, and audio from the on-dash type electronic device is output from the in-vehicle speaker connected to the in-dash electronic device, thereby solving the problem of audio not being output from the in-vehicle speaker, particularly at startup.
The first system and the second system may be connected by wire or wirelessly. The first system may have an audio input terminal, the second system may have an audio output terminal, and the two may be connected by a cable. The terminal may be an electrical connector or an optical connector. The cable may have cable side terminals on both sides that fit into the terminals on both systems. The audio signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal. In a wireless configuration, communication may be via wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (registered trademark).
The time during which output is not possible when the first system is started is an example of a time period that occurs due to a slow start-up of the first system.
The second process may be, for example, a process of outputting sound from a location that can output sound, and may be a process of outputting sound of the second system regardless of whether it is the first speaker or the second speaker.
The audio signal may be an audio signal that is output for the first time after the second system is started, and may represent the start-up sound of the second system, a line spoken by a character, or the like.
This is particularly effective when the time required for the second system to start up is shorter than the time required for the first system to start up.
This is particularly effective in the second system in which the output start time of the second system upon startup is shorter than the output disable time of the first system upon startup.
It is preferable that a setting as to whether or not the second processing is to be performed is set in advance, and a process of determining whether or not to perform the second processing based on the setting is performed during the second system output waiting time. It is preferable that the device has a function for setting by a user.
Hereinafter, the parts described as making settings preferably have a function for making settings by the user, the settings being stored in a non-volatile storage means, and processing based on the stored settings being performed when the second system is started.
As a specific example of "performing a process (hereinafter referred to as a second process) for enabling a user to recognize a voice based on the voice signal during a time exceeding the first system startup output disabled time (hereinafter referred to as a second system output standby time)", the second process may be started at any time during the second system output standby time, and it is not essential that it is ended. In particular, it is preferable to start the second process as soon as possible after power is supplied to the second system.
The second processing may be performed without performing the first processing or while performing the first processing. In particular, the configuration of "without performing the first processing or while performing the first processing" may be such that the first processing is not performed. Alternatively, the configuration of "without performing the first processing or while performing the first processing" may be such that whether or not the first processing is performed is set, and whether or not the first processing is performed is determined based on the setting when the second system is started.
The second process may be realized by, for example, a computer in a microcomputer or the like in the second system executing a stored program, or may be realized by, for example, an electronic circuit other than a computer. For example, it may be configured as a circuit that controls, when the power is turned on, an electronic switch or the like that selects an output destination to enable the user to recognize a voice based on the voice signal. For example, the computer may be controlled by an electronic circuit external to or built into the computer.

(2) The function for performing the second processing may be at least one of a function for performing processing to wait for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system during the second system output waiting time, a function for performing processing to output an audio signal to a second speaker other than the first speaker, or a function for performing processing to delay the supply of power to the second system.
At least one of the following effects is achieved:
1. By waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system, the first audio signal can be output after output to the first speaker is performed, so that the user can hear the audio of the second system.
2. By outputting an audio signal to a second speaker separate from the first speaker, audio is output from the second speaker, allowing the user to hear the audio of the second system.
3. By delaying the supply of power to the second system, the first audio signal can be output after the output to the first speaker is made, so that the user can hear the audio of the second system.
As a process of waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system, even if it becomes possible to "perform a process (hereinafter referred to as the first process) in the second system to output an audio signal to the first system within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the second system startup output start time) after power supply to the second system is started," it is preferable to wait for the second system output wait time to elapse before starting output of the audio signal without starting the first process.
The function for making the first system wait for the start of output of an audio signal may be a function for making the first system wait for a time period set by the user among a plurality of predetermined times, or may be a function for detecting a time period during which output is not possible when the first system is started and making the first system wait for that time period.
The function for performing processing to output an audio signal to a second speaker separate from the first speaker may be a function for outputting an audio signal to the second speaker without outputting an audio signal to the first speaker, but it is particularly preferable for the function to be a function for outputting an audio signal to the first speaker and also to the second speaker.
The second speaker may be, for example, a simple speaker. The second speaker may be, for example, a speaker provided in the second system, for example, a speaker built into the second system.
The second speaker is preferably a speaker that has no time during which a signal based on an input audio signal is not output from the second speaker, and is preferably capable of outputting audio at least within the second system startup output start time after power supply to circuits, etc. in the path to the second speaker begins, and is preferably capable of outputting audio as soon as power supply begins.
The "processing of outputting an audio signal to a second speaker different from the first speaker" may be, for example, a process of controlling a switching means (e.g., an electronic switch) for switching the output destination of the audio in the second system between the first speaker (first system) and the second speaker. In particular, a setting process (e.g., initialization process) of the electronic switch after powering on the second system may be performed based on information, which is set and stored in advance, on which speaker the audio is to be output from.
The function for performing processing to delay the supply of power to the second system may be a function for delaying the supply of power to the second system itself, but in particular, it is preferable for it to be a function for delaying the supply of power to the control device of the second system.
The "processing of delaying the supply of power to the second system" may be configured, for example, by an electronic circuit or the like including a timer circuit and a power control circuit that does not start the supply of power to a control means (e.g., a CPU, etc.) that performs processing to output an audio signal even if the supply of power to the second system is started, and turns on the power at a timing that anticipates the lapse of the second system output standby time. Alternatively, the function of this electronic circuit may be realized by executing a program by a CPU or the like that consumes less power than the CPU that performs processing to output an audio signal. As the timing that anticipates the lapse of the second system output standby time, the supply of power to the control means (e.g., a CPU, etc.) that performs processing to output an audio signal may be started at a timing that waits for the time from when the supply of power to the first system is started until the second system output standby time has elapsed, but if the control means that performs processing to output an audio signal of the second system has a predetermined time until it can output an audio signal, it is preferable to control the power supply of the control means that performs processing to output an audio signal of the second system to be turned on at a timing that elapses when the predetermined time has elapsed from the second system output standby time, for example, by subtracting the predetermined time from the second system output standby time, taking into account the predetermined time.

(3) The function of performing the second processing may include both a function of performing a process of waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system, and a function of performing a process of outputting to a second speaker separate from the first speaker, and may include a function of selecting which function to execute.
It is possible to select whether to output sound from the first speaker or the second speaker.

(4) The second system may include a connection means for connecting to a power line that starts supplying power at a common power-on timing with the first system.
In such a configuration, the excellent effect described in (1) is particularly exhibited.
In particular, with the configuration of 2. in (2), the start of power supply to the second system is less likely to be delayed compared to the start of power supply to the first system, so the second system starts up quickly and audio from the second speaker can be heard immediately.
In particular, the configuration of (2) 1. allows the second system to start up more quickly than the configuration of (2) 3., and allows the first system to output audio from the first speaker after startup. In particular, in a system in which the second system includes a portion that requires a certain amount of time to acquire data after power is turned on, such as a GPS module, if the portion is configured to wait for the start of outputting an audio signal to the first system after power is turned on, the time it takes for the second system to acquire the data after audio is output from the first system can be shortened.
The connection means for connecting to the power supply line may be, for example, a means for connecting to an ACC line (accessory power supply line) of a vehicle.

(5) When the system has a function of outputting to a second speaker separate from the first speaker, it is preferable that the signal be output to the second speaker even after a second system output standby time has elapsed.
In this way, the sound can be heard from the second speaker even after the second system output standby time has elapsed.

(6) During the time when output is not possible upon startup of the first system, the first system may perform at least one of drawing on a screen of the first system, outputting a startup sound of the first system to the first speaker, and connecting to the first system to input an audio signal of the second system.
It is possible to confirm that the first system is running, and to effectively utilize the time when output is unavailable while the first system is running.
The image drawn on the screen of the first system may be the name of the manufacturer of the first system, or if the first system is mounted on a vehicle, the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle, characters, or the like.
The start-up sound of the first system may be any sound or voice, and in particular may be any sound or voice that notifies the user that power has been supplied to the first system.
The connection process with the first system for inputting the audio signal of the second system may be a process for inputting the audio signal of the second system to the first system, and may be a connection process of Bluetooth (registered trademark), particularly a connection process with a Bluetooth device with which the device has been paired in advance.

(7) The second system has a second-system startup audio output function for outputting an audio signal to the first system within the second-system startup output start time after power supply to the second system is started, and also a second-system post-startup audio output function for outputting an audio signal to the first system after the second-system startup output start time has elapsed after power supply to the second system is started, and the second-system startup audio output function outputs to the second speaker separate from the first speaker, while the second system post-startup audio output function outputs an audio signal to the first system.
In this way, for example, at start-up, audio is output from the second speaker, so even if no audio is output from the first speaker, audio can be reliably heard from the second speaker.
The function of outputting audio from a location where audio can be output within the second system output standby time from the start of power supply to the second system during the second system output standby time that exceeds the first system startup output disabled time may include at least one of a function of waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system during the second system output standby time, a function of outputting an audio signal to a second speaker other than the first speaker, or a function of delaying the supply of power to the second system, as well as a function of audio output after second system startup that outputs an audio signal to the first system after the second system startup output start time has elapsed from the start of power supply to the second system, and a function of selecting at least one of these functions.

(8) The second system may have a function of generating an audio signal based on recorded audio data, and the output of the audio signal may be started by a process of starting the output of the audio signal based on the recorded audio data.
In this way, the sound represented by the pre-recorded sound data can be heard more reliably.
The voice data may be stored in a memory of the second system. The voice data may represent dialogue of a character.
The timing of starting output of the audio signal may be controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a control device, or the like.

(9) The output line of the audio signal to the first system may include an audio signal connection means capable of connecting to a plurality of different first systems having different output disable times when the first system is started up, and may have a function of adjusting the output wait time of the second system to a time within a predetermined range.
The standby time can be adjusted appropriately from the second system so as to be suitable for a desired first system among a plurality of first systems, and sound can be reliably output from the first speaker of the desired first system.
The adjustment may be automatic or manual. If it is manual, the adjustment may be configured to prompt the user to select from several time options.
For example, if the first system is a device such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies below) speaker that requires a connection to the second system to input an audio signal, it is preferable to have a function that measures the time required to establish a connection with the device and adjusts the standby time based on the measured time. It is particularly preferable to measure the time until audio transmission becomes possible for each device ID that is preset by pairing, etc., and to wait until that time (preferably +α time) has elapsed. In this way, the start-up sound of the second system can be output from the speaker of each first system without manual setting and without interruption.
In addition, when connecting by wire, it is particularly preferable to measure the time from when the input signal is not accepted to when it is accepted, or the time from when the signal output from the second system to the speaker on the second system side is not accepted to when it is accepted, and to wait until that time (preferably +α time) has elapsed. For example, it is preferable to detect the state of an electronic switch that turns on/off the signal input on the path to the audio input terminal of the first system from its impedance or noise of the state change of the electronic switch, and to detect whether the input signal on the wire has changed from when it is not accepted to when it is accepted. It is also preferable to connect the signal line on the path to the speaker of the second system to the first system by wire, or to provide a microphone in the first system and detect the state of the sound from the speaker of the second system with the microphone, thereby measuring the time from when the signal output from the second system to the speaker on the second system side is not accepted to when it is accepted.
The +α may be, for example, a few seconds.
The time should be measured multiple times (preferably at each startup) and determined by performing statistical processing based on the measurement results at the multiple startups, and the time to be used should be calculated at each startup and revised accordingly. In particular, for statistical processing, it is advisable to use the average or median value as the time to be used, or to exclude cases that took a particularly long time from the calculation.

(10) It is preferable that the second system further includes a function for setting an output standby time.
Since the appropriate time can be set, the audio can be reliably output from the first speaker of the first system, and the user can reliably hear the audio.
The time setting may be automatic, but is preferably manual. The manual setting may be, for example, a process of accepting input of the number of seconds from the user, for example, the number of seconds itself may be input, but is preferably a process of outputting a plurality of options of the predetermined number of seconds and having the user select the desired number of seconds from among them. The plurality of options of the predetermined number of seconds may include options with different intervals between adjacent options, and in particular options may be provided such that the interval between options with longer seconds is longer than the interval between options with smaller seconds, and in particular options may be provided such that the interval becomes larger as the number of seconds increases.
Instead of the number of seconds itself, options such as "long,""normal," and "short" may be used, and the number of seconds corresponding to each option may be determined in advance, with the number of seconds corresponding to the selected option being the time to be used.
It is preferable to provide both a manual setting function and an automatic setting function, and in particular, it is preferable to provide the function exemplified in (9). It is preferable to provide a function that allows the user to select whether to set automatically or manually.

(11) It is preferable that the second system further includes a function of drawing on a screen of the second system during the second system output waiting time.
The user can confirm that the second system is running.
It is advisable to draw on the screen the name of the manufacturer of the second system, characters, etc.

(12) It is preferable to provide a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the second system described in any one of (1) to (11).

The inventions shown in (1) to (12) above can be combined in any way. For example, it is possible to add at least a portion of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onwards to all or a portion of the configuration of the invention shown in (1). In particular, it is preferable to add at least a portion of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onwards to the invention shown in (1). In addition, any configuration may be extracted from the inventions shown in (1) to (12) and the extracted configurations may be combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain rights to the inventions including these configurations.

In this way, even if the second system performs processing to output an audio signal to the first system, it can perform processing to output an audio signal after the time when output is disabled when the first system is started has elapsed, and the audio represented by the audio signal output from the second system can be reliably output, allowing the user to hear that audio. The effects of the invention of this application are not limited to this, and the effects achieved by the parts of the configuration disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc. are also disclosed, and it is intended to obtain rights to the configuration that achieves the effects by divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, in this specification, parts that state "can..." are descriptions that clearly indicate the effects achieved, and there are also parts that show the effects even without the description "can...". Also, there are effects that can be understood from the configuration even without such descriptions.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the main body of the apparatus. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. 1A shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit, and FIG. 1B shows an example of a simple display and a detailed display. 13 is a flowchart showing a setting process procedure. 13 is an example of a setting menu screen. 11A to 11C are examples of audio output destination switching screens. 13 is an example of a startup waiting time screen. 2 shows the relationship between a portable navigation device and an in-vehicle navigation device. 5A to 5D are time charts showing the control of a portable navigation device and an in-vehicle navigation device. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the portable navigation device.

Figure 1 shows an external view of an embodiment of a navigation device suitable as an electronic device constituting the system of the present invention, Figure 2 shows its functional block diagram, and Figures 3 and 4 show an example of a display form. As shown in Figure 1, the navigation device comprises a portable device main body 2 that can be carried around and a cradle 3 that is an attachment member for holding it. By mounting the device main body 2 on the cradle 3, it functions as a navigation device for use in a vehicle, and by removing it from the cradle 3, it functions as a portable navigation device (PND). In this embodiment, the device main body 2 is detachable from the cradle 3, and can be installed together with the cradle 3 on the dashboard of a vehicle and used, or the device main body 2 can be removed from the cradle 3 and used as a portable type (PND). However, it may not be easily detachable from the cradle 3, and may be a fixed type mounted on a vehicle, or a type dedicated to portable use. Furthermore, it may be realized by installing (including pre-installation) a specific application program on a portable terminal such as a mobile phone. The application program may be the system itself for performing navigation, or it may be a program for accessing a server on which the system for performing navigation is implemented and using the system. The present invention can be applied to various types of navigation systems.

The device body 2 is detachably attached to the cradle 3. The device body 2 is equipped with a flat rectangular case body 4. A display unit 5 is arranged on the front of the case body 4, and a touch panel 8 is provided on the display unit 5 to detect which part of the display unit 5 is touched, and warning lamps 9 are provided on both sides of the front. The cradle 3 is equipped with a cradle body 6 that holds the device body 2, and a base part 7 that indicates the cradle body 6 in any posture at a predetermined position in the vehicle cabin (dashboard, etc.). The base part 7 is fixed to the dashboard or the like by a suction cup provided on the bottom surface. The base part 7 and the cradle body 6 are connected rotatably within a predetermined angle range via a connecting mechanism such as a ball joint. Because it is a ball joint, the base part 7 and the cradle body 6 can rotate and move relatively within any angle range in three dimensions, and the position is maintained at any angle position due to the friction resistance at the joint part. Therefore, the device body 2 attached to the cradle body 6 can also be placed in any posture on the dashboard.

Furthermore, one side of the case body 4 is provided with a slot 21 for an SD memory card, into which an SD memory card 22 containing map data and the like can be inserted. This SD memory card slot 21 includes a memory card reader/writer that reads and writes information to the inserted SD memory card 22. A DC jack 10 is provided on the side of the case body 4 on which the SD memory card slot 21 is provided. The DC jack 10 is for connecting a cigarette plug cord (not shown), and is connected to the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle via the cigarette plug cord to receive power. Furthermore, an audio output terminal 1 is provided on the side of the case body 4 on which the SD memory card slot 21 is provided. The audio output terminal 1 outputs an audio signal to an in-dash type car navigation device (an example of the first system).

On the other hand, on the side opposite the SD memory card slot 21, there is a power switch and a USB terminal 23. This USB terminal 23 can be used to connect to a PC and perform software application updates, etc.

The following devices and parts are arranged inside the case body 4. That is, a microwave receiver 11 is arranged inside the rear side of the case body 4. The microwave receiver 11 receives microwaves of a specific frequency band, and when it receives microwaves of the set frequency band, it detects the signal level of the received microwaves. Specifically, it uses the RSSI voltage, which is the signal level and corresponds to the electric field strength. The above-mentioned specific frequency band is, for example, a frequency band that includes the frequency of microwaves emitted from a vehicle speed measurement device.

A GPS receiver 12 that receives GPS signals and determines the current location is located inside the top side of the case body 4. An infrared communication device 14 is located inside the front side of the case body 4. The infrared communication device 14 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device that has a built-in infrared communication device, such as a mobile phone 15. A speaker 20 is also built into the case body 4.

The device of this embodiment further includes a wireless receiver 13 and a remote control receiver 16. The wireless receiver 13 receives incoming wireless signals of a specific frequency. The remote control receiver 16 communicates data with a remote control (portable device: child device) 17 and performs various settings for the device. The wireless receiver 13 receives incoming wireless signals of a specific frequency band. This specific frequency can be, for example, the wireless frequency band used by an emergency vehicle when notifying a base station of its own position.

The navigation device of this embodiment has a navigation function, as well as a target notification function as a target notification device that notifies the driver of surrounding targets such as vehicle speed measuring devices and other traffic monitoring points. These navigation and target notification functions are stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as programs executed by the computer in the control unit 18, and are realized by the computer in the control unit 18 executing these programs.

That is, the control unit 18 executes a predetermined process based on information input from the various input devices (GPS receiver 12, microwave receiver 11, wireless receiver 13, touch panel 8, infrared communication device 14, remote control receiver 16, SD memory card slot 21, USB terminal 23, etc.) and outputs predetermined information, warnings, and messages using output devices (display unit 5, warning lamp 9, speaker 20, infrared communication device 14, SD memory card slot 21, USB terminal 23, etc.). This predetermined process is for executing each of the above functions, and accesses the database 19 and SD memory card 22 as necessary.

The database 19 can be realized by a non-volatile memory (such as an EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. The database 19 is registered with certain landmarks, maps, and other information required to execute each function at the time of shipment, and data on landmarks added later can be updated through a specified process. This updating process can be performed, for example, by inserting an SD memory card 22 storing the additional data into the SD memory card slot unit 21 and transferring the data from the SD memory card 22 to the database 19. This data updating can also be performed using the infrared communication device 14, or a personal computer or other external device connected via the USB terminal 23.

The control unit 18 for realizing the target notification function operates as follows. That is, when the microwave receiver 11 receives a desired microwave, the control unit 18 outputs a predetermined alarm. This alarm can be a buzzer using the speaker 20, a voice output to notify reception of microwaves (detection by a vehicle speed measurement device, etc.), or a message in the form of text or an image using the display unit 5.

The control unit 18 also outputs a predetermined alarm when the wireless receiver 13 receives a desired radio signal. This alarm can be a buzzer using the speaker 20, a voice output to notify the reception of microwaves (approaching emergency vehicles, etc.), or a message output in the form of text or images using the display unit 5. It is preferable that the alarm associated with this radio signal reception and the alarm associated with the microwave signal reception be in different forms.

Furthermore, the control unit 18 outputs a predetermined alarm when the current position detected by the GPS receiver 12 and the position of a target such as a traffic monitoring point stored in the database 19 are in a predetermined positional relationship. Therefore, the database 19 contains information on the target to be detected (target position information including longitude and latitude, target type information, etc.), traffic safety information for driving more carefully and safely such as accident-prone areas and traffic control information, and various information on landmarks and driving that is useful. Each information is registered in association with the specific type of information (type of target, type of traffic control, accident-prone areas, landmark name, etc.) and the position information. A program for controlling the operation described below is pre-installed in the control unit 18. It may be recorded on a recording medium such as another memory card 22 such as an SD card, and the program may be read out and installed in the control unit 18.

The distance to the target when issuing an alarm can be changed for each type of target. As for the manner of the alarm, as described above, there are alarms by voice using the speaker 20 and alarms by the display unit 5. FIG. 3 shows an example of an alarm by the display unit 5. In this embodiment, since the device is a navigation device and has map data as described later, the control unit 18 has a function of reading road network information around the current position and displaying a map around the current position on the display unit 5 as a basic screen. Then, the display unit 5 displays an alarm screen 70 superimposed on the currently displayed screen (here, the map around the current position). FIG. 3 shows an example of the display of the alarm screen 70 when the distance between the current position and the LH system, which is a type of speed measuring device that is one of the traffic monitoring points, becomes 500 m while the map 50 is displayed. Furthermore, a process is performed to output an alarm voice indicating the type of alarm and the distance, such as "LH system 500 m ahead," from the speaker 20.

A setting button 60 with the word "Settings" displayed is formed in the upper left corner of the display unit 5. This setting button 60 is touched when configuring various settings for the device main body 2. When the setting button 60 is touched, the display unit 5 displays a setting menu screen (see Figure 6).

On the other hand, the control unit 18 for implementing the navigation function operates as follows. First, the database 19 stores road network information for navigation. The information for navigation stored in this database 19 may contain all information for the entire country at the time of shipment, or map data etc. may be provided for each region stored on an SD memory card 22, and the user may prepare an SD memory card 22 containing the necessary map data etc. and insert it into the SD memory card slot unit 21 for use. The map data etc. stored in the SD memory card 22 may be transferred to and stored in the database 19, or the control unit 18 may access the SD memory card 22 and read it from there for use.

The control unit 18 has a function of reading out road network information around the current location from the database 19 and displaying a map of the area around the current location on the display unit 5. The control unit 18 can use this road network information to search for a route from one location to another. The database 19 also includes a telephone number database that stores telephone numbers in association with location information and names of homes, companies, facilities, etc., and an address database that stores addresses in association with location information of addresses. The database 19 also stores location information of traffic monitoring points, such as speed measuring devices, together with their types.

The control unit 18 also has a function of performing general navigation device processing. That is, the control unit 18 displays a map of the area around the current position on the display unit 5 at all times and displays a destination setting button. When the control unit 18 detects a touch on the touch panel 8 at a position corresponding to the display position of the destination setting button, it performs a destination setting process. In the destination setting process, a destination setting menu is displayed on the display unit 5, and the user is prompted to select a destination setting method. The destination setting menu has a phone number search button and an address search button that prompt the user to select a destination setting method. When it detects that the phone number search button has been touched, it displays a phone number input screen, and acquires location information corresponding to the input phone number from the database 19. When it detects that the address search button has been touched, it displays an address selection input screen, and acquires location information corresponding to the input address from the database 19. Then, it sets the acquired location information as the location information of the destination, and calculates a recommended route from the current position to the destination based on the road network information stored in the database 19. A known method such as the Dijkstra algorithm can be used to calculate this recommended route.

The control unit 18 then displays the calculated recommended route together with a map of the surrounding area. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a route 53 from a current position 51 to a destination 52 is displayed as a recommended route in a predetermined color (e.g., red). This is similar to a typical navigation system. In this embodiment, the control unit 18 compares position information on the route 53 with position information of landmarks such as traffic monitoring points stored in the database 19, and displays the positions of the traffic monitoring points, etc. located on the route 53. Note that the information provided for safe driving along the route 53 may be limited to traffic monitoring points among the various landmarks stored in the database 19.

As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a speech bubble is displayed from a position on the road, and the type of traffic monitoring point at that position stored in the database 19 is displayed in the speech bubble. For example, FIG. 4(a) is an example of a warning point search screen display, showing an example of displaying traffic monitoring points 55a to 55f. Traffic monitoring point 55a displays the letter "N" indicating an N system in the speech bubble. Traffic monitoring points 55b, 55c, and 55e display the letter "LH" indicating an LH system in the speech bubble. Traffic monitoring point 55d displays the letter "loop" indicating a loop coil in the speech bubble. Traffic monitoring point 55f displays the letter "H" indicating an H system in the speech bubble. In this way, when the touch panel 8 detects a touch at the position of a speech bubble in the simplified display state where letters are displayed in the speech bubble, the simplified display is switched to a detailed display as shown in FIG. 4(b). The detailed display displays the warning screen shown in FIG. 3 in the speech bubble.

As shown in Fig. 4(a), a traffic monitoring point type designation section 56 is displayed on the lower right side of the display section 5. The traffic monitoring point type designation section 56 is a section that displays buttons listing the types of traffic monitoring points present on the route 53. In the example of Fig. 4(a), a type button 57a labeled "N" indicating the N system of the traffic monitoring point 55a, a type button 57b labeled "LH" indicating the LH system of the traffic monitoring points 55b, 55c, and 55e, a type button 57c labeled "loop" indicating the loop coil of the traffic monitoring point 55d, and a type button 57d labeled "H" indicating the H system of the traffic monitoring point 55f are displayed. When the control section 18 detects a touch on the display section of the type button from the touch panel 8, it inverts the display of the touched type button and switches the display mode of the traffic monitoring point corresponding to the touched type button to detailed display if it is in simple display, or to simple display if it is in detailed display.

The car navigation device of this embodiment has a surrounding area search function as a method for setting a destination (hereinafter including intermediate points). When this surrounding area search function is selected and activated, the control unit 18 extracts facilities that meet the specified conditions and are close to the current location, and displays the extracted results on the display unit 5. The user can then select one of the candidates displayed on the display unit 5 and confirm it to specify it as the destination (including intermediate points).

That is, to realize such a function, the database 19 of this embodiment stores information about each facility in association with information about the classification of the facility along with its location information. The information about the classification of the facility is a number of types of items that are organized by the name of the genre that each facility matches.

In this embodiment, when any of the items is specified, the control unit 18 extracts facilities that match the specified items and are close to the current location, and displays the extracted results on the display unit 5 as destination candidates. The user can select one of the candidates displayed on the display unit 5 to specify it as a destination.

When one of the items is selected, the control unit 18 accesses the database 19 and extracts facilities that exist within a reference distance (e.g., 10 km) from the current location and that match the classification of the specified item. It then draws a predetermined number of the closest facilities (e.g., 10) at the corresponding locations on the map drawn on the display unit 5, overlaying icons (marks) representing the facilities. As facility information stored in the database 19, each facility is registered in association with its own icon, and when drawing, the associated icon is read out and drawn in the specified location on the display unit 5.

If the current location is present on the map drawn on the display unit 5, a vehicle icon representing the vehicle is drawn superimposed on the location corresponding to the current location. Furthermore, when drawing icons of such facilities, numbers are added to them in order of proximity to the vehicle. The numbers are updated as the vehicle moves.

When the user selects a desired facility, the control unit 18 recognizes this and calculates a recommended route with the facility as the destination, and overlays the result on the map on the display unit 5.

The control unit 18 also has a function of providing route guidance to a set destination. In other words, in response to a user's selection to start guidance, the control unit 18 sequentially detects the vehicle's position using GPS or autonomous navigation, while displaying map information showing roads, etc. on the display unit 5 and providing route guidance to the destination using images and audio.

The user's specification, selection, and other instruction input can be triggered by the control unit 18 detecting that a button showing the name of an item or function on the display unit 5, a facility icon, selection by remote control operation, or input of a specified voice.

The control unit 18 is equipped with an OS that supports multitasking, and executes one process while another process is running in multitasking mode.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the setting process.

The process shown in FIG. 5 begins when the setting button 60 (see FIG. 3) is touched.

When the setting button 60 is touched, the setting menu screen 90 shown in Figure 6 is displayed on the display unit 5 (step 81).

Figure 6 shows an example of a setting menu screen 90 displayed on the display unit 5.

In addition to the setting button 91 that is touched when setting a specific process, the setting menu screen 90 also includes an audio output destination switch button 92 on which the words "audio output destination switch" are displayed, and a startup wait time setting button 93 on which the words "startup wait time" are displayed. In the device main body 2 according to this embodiment, the audio output from the built-in speaker 20 of the device main body 2 and the output of the audio signal from the audio output terminal 1 can be set, and the button for displaying this setting screen is the audio output destination switch button 92. In addition, in the device main body 2 according to this embodiment, the audio output from the built-in speaker 20 and the output of the audio signal from the audio output terminal 1 can be delayed from the startup of the device main body 2, and the delay time (startup wait time) can be set. The button for displaying the setting screen for this delay time is the startup wait time setting button 93.

When the audio output destination switching button 92 is touched (YES in step 82), the display unit 5 displays the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in Figure 7 (A) (step 83).

The audio output destination switching screen 100 has an internal speaker setting button 101 and an external output setting button 102 formed in the approximate center. A light-emitting portion 101a that lights up green (not necessarily green) when lit is formed on the left side of the internal speaker setting button 101, and a light-emitting portion 102a that lights up green (not necessarily green) when lit is formed on the left side of the external output setting button 102. At the bottom of the audio output destination switching screen 100, an EXIT button 103 with the word "EXIT" displayed, a BACK button 104 with the word "BACK" displayed, a left arrow button 105 with a left-facing triangle displayed, and a right arrow button 106 with a right-facing triangle displayed are formed. When the EXIT button 103 is touched, the display returns to the state that was displayed on the display unit 5 when the setting button 60 was touched. When the BACK button 104 is touched, the menu screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 5. When the left arrow button 105 is touched, a screen for making other settings is displayed on the display unit 5. When the right arrow button 106 is touched, the startup waiting time screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 5. When the display on the display unit 5 switches to the audio output destination switching screen 100, the device body 2 is set at the time of shipment from the factory so that the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in FIG. 7(a) is displayed on the display unit 5.

The built-in speaker setting button 101 on the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in FIG. 7(a) displays the text "Built-in speaker ON" and the light-emitting part 101a is lit. Also, the external output setting button 102 displays the text "External output ON" and the light-emitting part 102a is lit. When the built-in speaker setting button 101 displays the text "Built-in speaker ON", the device body 2 is set to output audio from the built-in speaker 20. Also, when the external output setting button 102 displays the text "External output ON", the device body 2 is set to output audio signals to the outside from the audio output terminal 1. When the built-in speaker setting button 101 displays the text "Built-in speaker ON" and the built-in speaker setting button 101 is touched, the display unit 5 displays the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in FIG. 7(b).

In the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in Fig. 7(b), the built-in speaker setting button 101 displays the text "only when built-in speaker is activated" and the light-emitting portion 101a is lit. Also, the external output setting button 102 displays the text "external output ON" and the light-emitting portion 102a is lit. When the text "only when built-in speaker is activated" is displayed on the built-in speaker setting button 101, the device body 2 is set to output audio from the built-in speaker 20 only when the device body 2 is activated (for example, while power is supplied to the device body 2 and an opening screen is displayed on the display unit 5). When the built-in speaker setting button 101 is touched with the text "only when built-in speaker is activated" displayed on the built-in speaker setting button 101, the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in Fig. 7(c) is displayed on the display unit 5.

In the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in FIG. 7(c), the built-in speaker setting button 101 displays the words "Built-in speaker OFF" and the light-emitting portion 101a is off. The external output setting button 102 displays the words "External output ON" and the light-emitting portion 102a is lit. When the built-in speaker setting button 101 displays the words "Built-in speaker OFF", the device main body 2 is set so that no audio is output from the built-in speaker 20. When the built-in speaker setting button 101 displays the words "Built-in speaker OFF" and the built-in speaker setting button 101 is touched, the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in FIG. 7(a) is displayed on the display unit 5. In this way, each time the built-in speaker setting button 101 is touched, the text displayed on the built-in speaker setting button 101 changes from "Built-in speaker ON" to "Built-in speaker ON only" to "Built-in speaker OFF" to "Built-in speaker ON," and the settings of the device main body 2 also change according to the text displayed on the built-in speaker setting button 101.

As shown in Figs. 7(a) to 7(c), when the external output setting button 102 is touched while the text "External output ON" is displayed on the external output setting button 102, the text "External output OFF" is displayed on the external output setting button 102, and the light emitting section 102a is turned off. When the text "External output OFF" is displayed on the external output setting button 102, no audio signal is output from the audio output terminal 1 of the device main body 2. When the external output setting button 102 is touched while the text "External output OFF" is displayed on the external output setting button 102, the text "External output ON" is displayed on the external output setting button 102. In this way, each time the external output setting button 102 is touched, the text displayed on the external output setting button 102 switches between "External output ON" and "External output OFF", and the settings of the device main body 2 also switch according to the text displayed on the external output setting button 102.

The user touches the built-in speaker setting button 101 and the external output setting button 102 formed on the audio output destination switching screen 100 displayed on the display unit 5 to set the output of the built-in speaker 20 and the external output of the audio signal from the audio output terminal 1 (step 84) (this is an example of a function for selecting whether to execute a function for waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system, or a function for processing to output to the second speaker separately from the first speaker). The setting is confirmed when the built-in speaker setting button 101 or the external output setting button 102 is touched, and the setting for whether or not to output the built-in speaker 20 and whether or not to output the audio signal from the audio output terminal 1 are set in the device main body 2.

When the start-up wait time setting button 93 is touched while the setting menu screen 90 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 5 (NO in step 82 in FIG. 5), or when the right arrow button 106 is touched while the audio output destination switching screen 100 shown in any one of FIG. 7(a) to FIG. 7(c) is displayed on the display unit 5, a start-up wait time screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 (which is an example of a function for setting the second system output wait time) is displayed on the display unit 5 (step 86). The time may be set automatically, but is preferably set manually. The manual setting may be, for example, a process of accepting an input of the number of seconds from the user, and may be, for example, a process of having the user input the number of seconds itself, but is preferably a process of outputting a plurality of options of a predetermined number of seconds and having the user select a desired number of seconds from among them. The plurality of options of the predetermined number of seconds may include options with different intervals between adjacent options, and it is preferably set so that the interval between options with a longer number of seconds is longer than the interval between options with a smaller number of seconds, and it is preferably set so that the interval between options with a larger number of seconds is larger as the number of seconds increases. Instead of the number of seconds, options such as "long,""normal," and "short" may be used. The number of seconds corresponding to each option may be determined in advance, and the number of seconds corresponding to the selected item may be used as the time. It is preferable to provide both a manual setting function and an automatic setting function. It is preferable to provide a function that allows the user to select whether to set it automatically or manually.

Referring to FIG. 8, the startup wait time screen 110 has startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 1188. The startup wait time setting buttons 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118 have the characters "5 seconds", "10 seconds", "15 seconds", "20 seconds", "30 seconds", "40 seconds", "60 seconds", and "OFF" displayed, respectively. The startup wait time screen 110 also has an EXIT button 103, a BACK button 104, and a left arrow button 117. When the left arrow button 117 is touched, the audio output destination switching screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 5 (the characters displayed on the built-in speaker setting button 101 and the external output setting button 102 change depending on the setting state of the built-in speaker setting button 101 and the external output setting button 102).

The startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 118 are used to set the timing for starting output of an audio signal when the external output setting button 102 formed on the audio output destination switching screen 100 is used to set the audio signal to be output externally from the audio output terminal 1. The time displayed on the touched button or OFF (startup wait time 0 seconds) is set as the startup wait time. When any of the startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 118 is touched, the touched button lights up brighter than the other buttons. In the factory default state, of the startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 118, the startup wait time setting button 118 is set to light up, and the startup wait time is set to 0 seconds.

The startup wait time setting buttons 111, 112, 113, and 114 are respectively marked with the characters "5 seconds", "10 seconds", "15 seconds", and "20 seconds", and are configured to allow the startup wait time to be set in 5-second increments. This is to allow the optimal time to be set for each device that starts up relatively quickly, such as an in-vehicle navigation device, when an audio signal output from the device body is output to the device that starts up relatively quickly. The startup wait time setting buttons 115, 116, and 117 are respectively marked with the characters "30 seconds", "40 seconds", and "60 seconds", and are isolated so that the startup wait time can be set in 10-second or 20-second increments. This is to allow the startup wait time to be set to a time that matches the startup of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) device, even when an audio signal output from the device body is output to a device such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) device that requires a relatively long time to start up, such as connection processing. When outputting an audio signal to an external device other than the device main body 2, the startup wait time can be set to match the startup of the external device and the audio signal can be output to the external device, so audio can be reliably output from the external device.

When the audio output terminal 1 is set not to output audio signals to the outside (when the words "External Output OFF" are displayed on the external output setting button 102), the startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 118 are grayed out, and it is not possible to set the startup wait time using the startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 118. However, because the startup wait time setting button 118 sets there to be no startup wait time, it is preferable to be able to set it without being grayed out even when the audio output terminal 1 is set not to output audio signals to the outside.

When any of the startup wait time setting buttons 111 to 118 is touched, the time indicated by the character displayed on the touched button is set in the device main body 2 as the startup wait time at the time of touching (step 87).

Figure 9 shows the relationship between a device main body 2 (an example of a second system) that can be used as a portable navigation device and an in-vehicle navigation device 120 (an example of a first system). The in-vehicle navigation device 120 is an in-dash type that is built into a vehicle such as an automobile when the vehicle is shipped from the factory. In contrast, the device main body 2 is an on-dash type that is not built into the vehicle and is attached later to the dashboard of the vehicle. To distinguish it from the in-dash in-vehicle navigation device 120, the device main body is referred to as a portable navigation device 2. The portable navigation device 2 may be an on-dash type that would not be carried unless it was built into the vehicle, but it is particularly preferable for it to be portable.

An audio input terminal 121 is formed on the in-vehicle navigation device 120, and this audio input terminal 121 is connected to an audio output terminal 1 (an example of a function for outputting an audio signal to the first system) formed on the portable navigation device 2 by an audio cable 122. As described above, the portable navigation device 2 includes a built-in speaker 20 (an example of a second speaker; it does not have to be built-in), and a speaker (an example of a first speaker) 130 is connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. The speaker 130 is external to the in-vehicle navigation device 120, but may be built-in. The speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is a built-in type and is built into the dashboard of the vehicle in which the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is installed.

The in-vehicle navigation device 120 is connected to an ACC (accessory) line 131 (an example of a connection means for connecting a first system and a second system to a power line that starts supplying power at a common power-on timing) of the vehicle in which the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is mounted. This ACC line 131 is connected to an ACC power source. The ACC line 131 is connected to a cigarette lighter socket 132 formed in the vehicle. The portable navigation device 2 is connected to the cigarette lighter socket 132 by a cable 133.

When the ACC power supply of the vehicle is turned on or the vehicle engine is started, ACC power is supplied to the ACC line, and power is supplied to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. Power is also supplied to the cigarette lighter socket 132, and power is also supplied to the portable navigation device 2 connected to the cigarette lighter socket 132. In particular, in a system in which a certain amount of time is required to acquire data after the portable navigation device 2 (an example of a second system) is powered on, such as a GPS module, if the system is configured to wait for the start of output of an audio signal to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (an example of a first system) after the power is turned on, the time required to acquire the data in the second system after audio is output from the first system can be shortened.

Figures 10(a) to 10(d) are time charts showing the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 and the portable navigation device 2.

7(a) to 7(c), the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 can be set to "built-in speaker ON", "built-in speaker only when activated" or "built-in speaker OFF". In addition, the external output that outputs an audio signal from the audio output terminal 1 can be set to "external ON" or "external OFF".

Figure 10 (a) shows the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 and the portable navigation device 2 when "Built-in speaker ON" and "External ON" are set.

When power supply to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 begins at time t11, it takes some time for the device to start up, and audio can be output from the speaker 130 at time t12 (the period from time t11 to time t12 is an example of the time during which output is not possible during the first system startup).

The portable navigation device 2 also starts to be supplied with power at time t11, the same timing when power is supplied to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. If an audio signal is output (an example of a first process) to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 within a predetermined time (an example of the second system startup output start time) after power is supplied to the portable navigation device 2, and if the audio signal is output before time t12, audio cannot be output from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. In this embodiment, the startup wait time is set so that audio is output to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 after time t12 (an example of the second system output wait time) when audio can be output from the speaker 130. When the startup waiting time set in the portable navigation device 2 has elapsed (the startup waiting time starts when the supply of power is started), and it becomes time t22, the voice data stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 18 from the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is output as a voice signal from the voice output terminal 1 and input to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (the process of outputting a voice signal from the voice output terminal 1 after the waiting time has elapsed is an example of a second process, and is an example of a function of performing a process of waiting for the start of output of a voice signal to the first system during the second system output waiting time). A voice (for example, a character's lines, a startup sound, etc.) represented by the voice data stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 18 is output from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. The time from time t11 to time t21 is the startup waiting time set by the startup waiting time screen shown in FIG. 8. By setting this startup waiting time to time t21 after time t12 when the speaker of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 can output, it is possible to prevent the user from being unable to hear the voice represented by the voice signal output from the portable navigation device 2 because it is not output from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. In addition, at time t22, the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 also starts outputting the voice represented by the voice data previously stored in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 18 (this is an example of a function that performs processing to output a voice signal to the second speaker side, and is an example of a function that outputs voice to the second speaker side even after the second system output waiting time has elapsed). The user can also hear the voice output from the built-in speaker 20.

Figure 10 (b) shows the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 and the portable navigation device 2 when the settings are "built-in speaker ON" and "external output OFF."

When set to "external output OFF", no audio signal is output to the in-vehicle navigation device 120, so when power is supplied to the portable navigation device 2 at time t21, the portable navigation device 2 starts up and starts outputting audio represented by the audio data stored in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 18 (this is an example of a function that performs processing to output an audio signal to the second speaker, and is an example of an audio output function when the second system is started up).

Figure 10 (c) shows the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 and the portable navigation device 2 when "Built-in speaker ON only when activated" and "External output ON" are set.

When power is supplied to the portable navigation device 2 at time t21, the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 starts outputting audio represented by audio data previously stored in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 18 (this is an example of the audio output function at the time of starting the second system). When the waiting time set in the portable navigation device 2 has elapsed and time t22 has arrived, the audio data previously stored in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 18 of the portable navigation device 2 is output as an audio signal from the audio output terminal 1 and input to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. From the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120, audio represented by the audio data previously stored in the memory of the control unit 18 (for example, the character's lines, startup sound, etc.) is output (this is an example of the audio output function after the second system is started). Also, when the waiting time set in the portable navigation device 2 has elapsed and time t22 has arrived, the output of audio from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 stops. The output of sound from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 may be stopped not by the waiting time set in the portable navigation device 2 but by a time set in advance when the portable navigation device 2 is started (for example, the time during which the opening screen of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is displayed, about 1 to 2 seconds). The user can quickly hear the sound output from the built-in speaker 20 only when the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is started. During the second system output waiting time that exceeds the first system startup output disabled time, the function of outputting sound from a place that can be output within the second system output waiting time after the start of power supply to the second system during the second system output waiting time may include at least one of a function of waiting for the start of output of a sound signal to the first system during the second system output waiting time, a function of outputting a sound signal to a second speaker other than the first speaker, or a function of delaying the supply of power to the second system, and a function of outputting a sound signal after the second system startup that outputs a sound signal to the first system after the second system startup output start time has elapsed after the start of power supply to the second system, and a function of selecting at least one of these functions.

Figure 10 (d) shows the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 and the portable navigation device 2 when the settings are "built-in speaker OFF" and "external output ON."

When the waiting time set in the portable navigation device 2 has elapsed and it becomes time t22, the voice data pre-stored in the memory of the control unit 18 from the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is output as a voice signal from the voice output terminal 1 and input to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. The voice (e.g., the character's lines, start-up sound, etc.) represented by the voice data pre-stored in the memory of the control unit 18 is output from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. Since "internal speaker OFF", the output of voice from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 is stopped. After the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is started, the user can reliably hear the voice represented by the voice data pre-stored in the memory of the control unit 18 from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120.

The user can reliably hear the audio represented by the audio data stored in the memory of the control unit 18 of the portable navigation device 2. The audio output from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 and the audio output from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 are output in sync, so there is no risk of the user hearing audio that is out of sync with the original audio.

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the portable navigation device 2, which starts when power is supplied to the portable navigation device 2.

If it is set to "Built-in speaker ON" (YES in step 141), it is confirmed whether it is set to "External output ON" (step 142). If it is set to "External output ON" (YES in step 42), the control shown in FIG. 10(a) is performed. When the set startup waiting time (e.g., from time t21 to time t22) has elapsed from the start of power supply to the portable navigation device 2 (e.g., time t21) (YES in step 143), audio output begins from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 and the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (step 144).

When "Built-in speaker ON" is set (YES in step 141) but "External output OFF" is set (NO in step 142), the control shown in FIG. 10(b) is performed. When power supply to the portable navigation device 2 starts and the portable navigation device 2 starts up (for example, time t21), audio starts to be output from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 (step 145). No audio signal is output from the audio output terminal 1.

If it is not set to "Built-in speaker ON" (NO in step 141) and is set to "Built-in speaker only when started" (YES in step 146), the control shown in FIG. 10(c) will be performed. When power supply to the portable navigation device 2 starts (for example, at time t21), audio is output from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 (step 147). When the startup waiting time has elapsed (for example, from time t21 to time t22) (YES in step 148), audio output from the built-in speaker 20 of the portable navigation device 2 is turned off, an audio signal is output to the in-vehicle navigation device 120, and audio is output from the speaker 130 (step 149). Audio is output only from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120.

If "Built-in speaker only when activated" is not set (NO in step 146), "Built-in speaker OFF" is set. The control in FIG. 10(d) is performed. When the set activation wait time has elapsed (for example, when time t22 in FIG. 10(d) has elapsed) (YES in step 151), an audio signal is output from the audio output terminal 1 and audio is output from the speaker 130 of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (step 152).

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10(a), output of an audio signal to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 starts after time t12 when audio can be output from the speaker 130 connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 120, but power supply to the portable navigation device 2 may start after that time t12 (this is an example of a process for delaying the supply of power to the second system). The time for delaying the start of power supply can be set in the same way as for setting the startup time using the startup time setting screen shown in FIG. 8.

Furthermore, in the in-vehicle navigation device 120, between time t11 and time t12 in FIG. 10(a), it is preferable to draw on the screen of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (for example, drawing the manufacturer name of the in-vehicle navigation device 120, the manufacturer name of the vehicle, and other opening screens). Between time t11 and time t12, the start-up sound of the in-vehicle navigation device 120 may be output to the speaker 130.

In addition, in the portable navigation device 2, between time t11 and time t12 in FIG. 10(a), it is advisable to draw on the screen of the portable navigation device 2 (for example, drawing the manufacturer name, characters, etc. of the portable navigation device 2).

In the above, an embodiment in which the output of the audio signal from the portable navigation device 2 to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 is controlled has been described, but the audio signal may be output to various types of navigation devices and other multiple different electronic devices, not limited to the in-vehicle navigation device 120. In such a case, the startup waiting time screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 has a function of adjusting the waiting time to a predetermined range in accordance with the audio output from the multiple different electronic devices. The portable navigation device 2 will be a connection method (audio signal output means) that outputs an audio signal to the electronic device in accordance with the multiple different electronic devices. For example, when an audio signal from the portable navigation device 2 is output to an electronic device (an example of the first system) using Bluetooth (registered trademark), the connection process takes a relatively long time, so the portable navigation device 2 has a function that allows a relatively long waiting time to be set. In this way, the connection process of Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be performed until the time t12 when the audio is output from the in-vehicle navigation device 120 or other devices. The adjustment may be automatic or manual, and in the case of manual adjustment, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the user is prompted to select from several time options. For example, when the first system is a device such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) speaker that requires a connection to the second system to input an audio signal, it is preferable to have a function of measuring the time required to establish a connection with the device and adjusting the standby time based on the measured time. It is particularly preferable to measure the time until audio transmission becomes possible for each device ID previously set by pairing, and to wait until that time (preferably +α time). In this way, it is possible to output from the speaker of each first system without manual setting or without interruption of the startup sound of the second system. In addition, when connecting by wire, it is particularly preferable to measure the time from the state where the input signal is not accepted to the state where it is accepted in the wire, or the time from the state where the signal output from the second system to the speaker on the second system is not accepted to the state where it is output, and to wait until that time (preferably +α time). For example, it is preferable to detect the state of an electronic switch that turns on/off a signal input on a path to the audio input terminal of the first system from its impedance, noise caused by the change in state of the electronic switch, etc., and to detect whether the wired input signal has changed from a state in which it cannot be received to a state in which it can be received. It is also preferable to connect the signal line on the path to the speaker of the second system to the first system by wire, or to provide a microphone in the first system and detect the state of the sound from the speaker of the second system with the microphone, thereby measuring the time it takes for the signal output from the second system to the speaker of the second system to change from a state in which it cannot be output to a state in which it can be output.
The +α may be, for example, a few seconds. The time may be measured multiple times (preferably at each startup) and determined by performing statistical processing based on the measurement results at the multiple startups. The time may be calculated at each startup and revised accordingly. In particular, for statistical processing, the average or median may be used as the time to be used, or cases that took a particularly long time may be excluded from the calculation.

As described above, the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (first system) and the portable navigation device 2 (second system) may be separate. The portable navigation device 2 (second system) may not be built into the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (first system), and the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (first system) may not be built into the portable navigation device 2 (second system). In addition to the in-vehicle navigation device 120 (first system), for example, a navigation system, a car navigation device, an audio system, or an audio device may be used. The first system may not be a vehicle-mounted system, but it is particularly preferable that the system is a vehicle-mounted system. The speaker 130 may not be a vehicle-mounted system, but it is particularly preferable that the speaker 130 is a vehicle-mounted system, and may be one that can be installed in a vehicle or brought into a vehicle, but it is particularly preferable that the speaker 130 is a system that is pre-mounted in a vehicle. The second system may be a radar detector (RD (Radar detector)), a navigation system, a car navigation device, an audio system, or an audio device. The second system may be pre-installed in the vehicle, but preferably is not pre-installed in the vehicle. It does not have to be in-vehicle, but preferably is in-vehicle. In particular, it may be capable of being carried in the vehicle, and preferably is portable, but best of all, is capable of being installed in the vehicle. The second speaker may be external to the second system, but preferably is a speaker built into the second system.

The first system and the second system may be connected by wire or wirelessly. The first system may have an audio input terminal, the second system may have an audio output terminal, and the two may be connected by a cable. The terminal may be an electrical connector or an optical connector. The cable may have cable side terminals on both sides that fit into the terminals on both systems. The audio signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal. In a wireless configuration, communication may be by wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The time when output is not possible when the first system is started is an example of a time that occurs due to a slow start-up of the first system. The second process may be, for example, a process that outputs audio from a place where audio can be output, and may be a process that outputs the audio of the second system regardless of whether it is the first speaker or the second speaker. The audio signal may be a signal of audio that is output for the first time after the second system is started, and may represent the start-up sound of the second system, a character's lines, etc. This is particularly effective when the time required to start up the second system is shorter than the time required to start up the first system. This is particularly effective when the second system has a time during which the second system starts outputting when the second system is started that is shorter than the time during which output is not possible when the first system is started. It is preferable to set in advance whether or not to perform the second processing, and to perform processing to determine whether or not to perform the second processing based on this setting during the second system output waiting time. It is preferable to have a function for the user to set the setting.

In the following, the part described as "setting" is preferably provided with a function for setting by the user, the setting contents are stored in a non-volatile storage means, and processing based on the stored setting contents is performed when the second system is started. As a specific example of "performing processing (hereinafter referred to as second processing) for enabling the user to recognize the voice based on the voice signal during a time exceeding the first system startup output disabled time (hereinafter referred to as second system output standby time)", the second processing may be started at any time during the second system output standby time, and it is not necessary to end it. In particular, the second processing may be started as soon as possible after power is supplied to the second system. The second processing may be performed without performing the first processing or while performing the first processing. In particular, the configuration of "without performing the first processing or while performing the first processing" may be such that the first processing is not performed. Alternatively, the configuration of "without performing the first processing or while performing the first processing" may be such that whether or not the first processing is performed is set, and whether or not the first processing is performed is determined based on the setting when the second system is started. The second process may be realized by, for example, executing a program stored in a computer such as a microcomputer in the second system, or may be realized by, for example, an electronic circuit that is not a computer. For example, it may be configured as a circuit that controls, when the power is turned on, an electronic switch that selects an output destination to enable the user to recognize a voice based on the voice signal. For example, the computer may be controlled by an electronic circuit that is external to or built into the computer.

As the process of waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system, even if it becomes possible to "perform a process (hereinafter referred to as the first process) of outputting an audio signal to the first system within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the second system startup output start time) after the second system starts supplying power to the second system," it is preferable to wait for the second system output standby time to elapse without starting the first process and to start outputting the audio signal. The function of performing the process of waiting for the start of output of an audio signal to the first system may be, in particular, a function of waiting by a user setting any one of a plurality of predetermined times. Also, it is preferable to detect a time when output is not possible at the startup of the first system and to wait for that time. The function of performing the process of outputting an audio signal to a second speaker other than the first speaker may be, in particular, a function of outputting an audio signal to the second speaker without outputting an audio signal to the first speaker, and, in particular, a function of outputting an audio signal to the first speaker and also to the second speaker. The second speaker may be, for example, a simple speaker. The second speaker may be, for example, a speaker provided in the second system, for example, a speaker built into the second system. The second speaker may be, in particular, a speaker that does not have a time during which a signal based on an input audio signal is not output from the second speaker, and in particular, the second speaker may be capable of outputting audio at least within the second system startup output start time after the supply of power to a circuit or the like in a path to the second speaker is started, and in particular, the second speaker may be capable of outputting audio immediately after the supply of power is started. The "process of outputting an audio signal to a second speaker other than the first speaker" may be, for example, a process of controlling a switching means (e.g., an electronic switch) that switches the output destination of the audio in the second system between the output to the first speaker side (first system side) and the output to the second speaker side. In particular, a setting process (e.g., initialization process) of the electronic switch after power is turned on to the second system may be performed based on information on which speaker side is to be output, which is set and stored in advance. The function for performing processing to delay the supply of power to the second system may be a function for delaying the supply of power to the second system itself, but in particular, it is preferable for it to be a function for delaying the supply of power to the control device of the second system.

The "processing of delaying the supply of power to the second system" may be configured, for example, by an electronic circuit or the like having a timer circuit and a power control circuit that does not start supplying power to a control means (e.g., a CPU, etc.) that performs processing to output an audio signal even if the supply of power to the second system has started, and turns on the power at a timing that anticipates the lapse of the second system output standby time. Alternatively, the function of this electronic circuit may be realized by executing a program using a CPU or the like that consumes less power than the CPU that performs processing to output an audio signal. As the timing that anticipates the lapse of the second system output standby time, the supply of power to the control means (e.g., a CPU, etc.) that performs processing to output an audio signal may be started at a timing that waits for the time from when the supply of power to the first system has started until the second system output standby time has elapsed, but if the control means that performs processing to output an audio signal of the second system has a predetermined time until it can output an audio signal, it is preferable to control the power supply of the control means that performs processing to output an audio signal of the second system to be turned on at a timing that is, for example, a time that is obtained by subtracting a predetermined time from the second system output standby time, taking into account the predetermined time.

The image drawn on the screen of the first system may be the name of the manufacturer of the first system, or if the first system is mounted on a vehicle, the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle, characters, etc. The startup sound of the first system may be any sound or voice, and may in particular be any sound or voice that notifies that power has been supplied to the first system. The connection process with the first system for inputting the audio signal of the second system may be a process for inputting the audio signal of the second system to the first system, and may in particular be a connection process for Bluetooth (registered trademark). In particular, it may be a connection process with a Bluetooth device that has been paired in advance.

The voice data may be recorded in a non-volatile memory of the second system. The voice data may represent the lines of a character. The timing of the start of output of the voice signal may be determined by C.
It is advisable to control it using a PU (Central Processing Unit), a control device, or the like.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations expressly described in the specification, but includes combinations of the various aspects of the invention disclosed herein. The configurations of the invention that are sought to be patented are specified in the accompanying claims, but it is the intention to claim configurations disclosed in this specification in the future, even if they are not currently specified in the claims.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any of the components of each of the embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily combined with any of the components described in the means for solving the invention or any of the components that embody any of the components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations expressly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. The configurations of the present invention that are sought to be patented are specified in the appended claims, but it is the intention to claim configurations disclosed in this specification in the future, even if they are not currently specified in the claims.
The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. The components of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of each embodiment or modification may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the Summary of the Invention or any component embodying any component described in the Summary of the Invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.
In addition, we intend to obtain rights to the overall design or partial design by converting the application to a design application. The drawings depict the entire device in solid lines, but they include not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for a portion of the device. For example, the drawings include a portion of the device as a partial design, regardless of the portion. A portion of the device may be a part of the device, or it may be a part of that part. We intend to obtain rights to the overall design, as well as partial designs in which any part of the solid line portion of the drawings is drawn as a broken line.

1: Audio output terminal, 2: Portable navigation device, device body, 3: Cradle, 4: Case body, 5: Display unit, 6: Cradle body, 7: Base unit, 8: Touch panel, 9: Alarm lamp, 10: DC jack, 11: Microwave receiver, 12: GPS receiver, 13: Wireless receiver, 14: Infrared communication device, 15: Mobile phone, 16: Remote control receiver, 18: Control unit, 19: Database, 20: Built-in speaker, 21: Slot unit for SD memory card, 22: SD memory card, 23: USB terminal, 50: Map, 51: Current position, 52: Destination, 53: Route, 55a-55f: Traffic monitoring point, 56: Traffic monitoring point type designation unit, 57a-57d: Type Another button, 60: setting button, 70: warning screen, 90: setting menu screen, 91: setting button, 92: audio output destination switching button, 93: time setting button, 100: audio output destination switching screen, 101: built-in speaker setting button, 101a: light-emitting part, 102: external output setting button, 102a: light-emitting part, 103: EXIT button, 104: BACK button, 105: left arrow button, 106: right arrow button, 110: time screen, 111: time setting button, 112-118: time setting button, 120: car-mounted navigation device, 121: audio input terminal, 122: audio cable, 130: speaker, 131: ACC line, 132: cigarette lighter socket, 133: cable

Claims (5)

A system capable of setting a startup waiting time selected by a user from a plurality of displayed options,
The plurality of options include options with different intervals between adjacent options,
The option was provided so that the interval between items with a long number of seconds was longer than the interval between items with a short number of seconds.
A system characterized by. A function is provided to display an option to turn off the startup wait time on the screen that provides options to make the interval between long seconds longer than the interval between short seconds.
The system of claim 1 . The system is provided with an electronic circuit that does not start supplying power to a control means that performs a predetermined process even if power supply to the system is started during the startup waiting time.
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Controlling so that a power supply for a control unit that performs the predetermined process of the system is turned on at a timing when a time, for example, a predetermined time has elapsed from the startup waiting time.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein: A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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