US 7,406,381 B2 · Navigation system, vehicle navigation apparatus, and method for obtaining navigation information

Abstract

A navigation system, a vehicle navigation apparatus therein, and a method for obtaining navigation information using the same are provided which can obtain navigation information quickly when a vehicle goes off-route by obtaining the navigation information required for route guidance of the vehicle through communications, thereby achieving reduction in communication time and cost. In a vehicle-mounted terminal connected in communication with a server for executing route guidance to provide a guidance route from the present position of the vehicle to a destination, when the vehicle reaches a point located at a predetermined distance before a fork representing the next turn on the guidance route, the server is accessed to set a communication means in a communication connection stand-by state. If the vehicle deviates from the guidance route, information needed for the vehicle to return to the guidance route is requested from the server. After the vehicle passes through the fork along the guidance route, the communication connection stand-by state is released.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A navigation system comprising:

a vehicle-mounted terminal;
and
a server connected in communication with the terminal for executing route guidance to provide a guidance route from a present position of a vehicle to a destination based on a requirement from the terminal,
wherein, when the vehicle-mounted terminal determines that the vehicle reaches a point located at a predetermined distance before a fork representing a next change in direction of travel on the guidance route provided by the server, said vehicle-mounted terminal accesses the server through a communication section to set the communication section in a communication connection stand-by state, and if the vehicle-mounted terminal determines that the vehicle deviates from the guidance route, said vehicle-mounted terminal requests navigation information needed for the vehicle to return to the guidance route, from the server through the communication section.

1 more element

A vehicle navigation apparatus comprising:

a communication section for communicating with a server that delivers various kinds of information associated with navigation;
a vehicle position detecting section for detecting a present position of a vehicle;
a memory section for storing therein map data about the navigation obtained from the server through the communication section;
a controller operably connected to the communication section, the vehicle position detecting section, and the memory section;
and
at least one of a display section for providing guidance information by screen and a voice guidance section for providing guidance information by voice;
wherein, when the controller detects the vehicle reaching a point located at a predetermined distance before a fork representing a next change in direction of travel with reference to the present vehicle position and the map data while the vehicle is being guided along a guidance route provided by the server, said controller sets the communication section in a communication connection stand-by state, and if the controller detects the vehicle deviating from the guidance route, said controller requests navigation information needed for the vehicle to return to the guidance route, from the server through the communication section.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Navigation system, vehicle navigation apparatus, and method for obtaining navigation information

Life of this patent

Navigation system, vehicle navigation apparatus, and method for obtaining navigation information

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20