JPH0771967A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate program renewal by selecting the desired program when a main body is connected to an external storage device, and determining whether or not a program stored in a main storage means has any error. CONSTITUTION:A navigation system 1 is provided with a position detector 4 for detecting the current position of a vehicle and a navigation ECU 5. When the power of the system 1 is inputted, it is determined whether or not a program stored in a nonvolatile memory has any error. If the determination result shows that the program is normal, a CRT 9 is displayed on a menu screen at a touch of a menu key, and then whether or not an external storage device 2 is being connected to the system 1 is determined at a touch of a program renewal key. If the program has some error, it is determined whether or not it can be corrected. If correctable, it is corrected. Otherwise, an abnormality-warning screen is displayed on the CRT 9. When the device 2 is not connected to the system 1, the warning screen is displayed until the device 2 is connected to the system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation system having a function of displaying a current position of a moving body together with a map around the moving body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a function of displaying a current position of a vehicle together with a road map around the vehicle on a display device composed of a CRT or the like (hereinafter, referred to as " A navigation device having a "navigation function") is mounted on a vehicle and used. In this navigation device, the navigation function is generally executed according to a program stored in advance in a ROM (read-only memory) provided in the navigation device.

However, since this program is stored in advance in the read-only memory ROM, the user must
For example, you cannot change even if you want to change to a new version of the program. Therefore, in order to solve this, a technique in which the user can change the program is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-195184.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram simply showing the configuration of the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned publication. In this prior art, the control device 100 has a current position measuring device 101 for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and a CD-R storing a program for realizing a navigation function.
An OM 102 and a display device 103 for displaying the current position of the vehicle are connected.

According to this structure, when the power is turned on,
The RAM 100a provided in the control device 100 has a C
The program is automatically read and stored via the D-ROM 102. Then, the program stored in the RAM 100a is read by the CPU 100b provided in the control device 100, and the navigation function is executed. That is, the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position measuring device 101 is displayed on the display device 103 together with the road map around the vehicle.

As described above, in the above configuration example, since the program is stored in the CD-ROM 102, the user can change the program by replacing the CD-ROM 102 with another CD-ROM.

[0007]

By the way, the above-mentioned CD-
The storage capacity of the ROM 102 is generally 500 M (mega).
More than a byte. The contents stored in the CD-ROM 102 include the program, a digital map database which is an aggregate of road map data within a certain range, and search data for major hotels and buildings. Here, of the stored contents of the CD-ROM 102, the program is usually 1 Mbytes or less. That is, the program occupies only a part of the capacity of the CD-ROM 102.

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the entire CD-ROM 102 is replaced with a new CD-RO even when only the program is updated due to version upgrade or the like.
I am exchanging for M. That is, a program that occupies only a part of the capacity of the CD-ROM 102 must repurchase a new CD-ROM that stores almost the same contents as the contents of the already purchased CD-ROM. . Therefore, the CD where the program is stored
Taking into account that ROMs are relatively expensive, modifying the programs in the above prior art was very uneconomical.

The navigation device is classified into a type that can be retrofitted to the vehicle and a built-in type that the manufacturer has already built in the vehicle at the manufacturing stage. Here, if the navigation device is a built-in type, C
The CD driver that drives the D-ROM is usually installed in a place such as under the panel at the back of the trunk where the user cannot easily touch it.

Therefore, it is very difficult for the user to replace the CD-ROM even if the program is updated due to version upgrade or the like. On the other hand, even if the dealer is requested to replace the CD-ROM, the user bears the request cost, which simply increases the financial burden on the user. Then, the objective of this invention is providing the navigation system which solves the above-mentioned technical subject and can update a program easily and economically.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation system according to claim 1 detects a current position of a moving body and displays the detected current position together with a map around the navigation function. A main body including the executing means, an external storage device provided separately from the main body, in which a program for realizing the navigation function is stored in advance, and the main body. And a connecting means for transmittingly connecting the external storage device and the main body and the external storage device by the connecting means,
A non-volatile main unit for selecting a desired program from the external storage device and transmitting the selected program to the main body, and a program provided in the main body and storing the program transmitted by the transmission control unit. Storage means, error detection means for detecting whether or not there is an error in the program stored in the main storage means, and detection by the error detection means that there is no error in the program stored in the main storage means Setting means for setting the program stored in the main storage means as a new program to be executed by the executing means when the program is executed.

A navigation system according to a second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the main storage means can switch between a writing mode and a read-only mode. Further, in the navigation system according to claim 3, when the error detecting means detects an error in the main storage means, a judging means for judging whether or not the error can be corrected, and the judging means. When it is determined that the error can be corrected by the method, a correction means for correcting the error is further included.

[0013]

According to the structure described in claim 1, the main body including the executing means for executing the navigation function and the external storage device provided separately from the main body can be communicatively connected by the connecting means. Here, when the main body and the external storage device are connected, a program is selected by the transmission control means, and the selected program is transmitted to the main body.

Therefore, for example, if an external storage device is provided on the manufacturing / sale side of the navigation system, the user can obtain the program stored in the external storage device by simply connecting the main body and the external storage device. You can The program transmitted to the main body is stored in the non-volatile main storage means. Therefore, the program remains stored even if the power is turned off. For this reason,
Once the program is stored in the main storage means, the program can be used thereafter.

Whether or not the program stored in the main storage means has an error is detected by the error detection means, and if there is no error as a result, the program is set as a new program in the execution means. Therefore, the execution means is
The navigation function can always be executed on the basis of an error-free program. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the main storage means can switch between the write mode and the read-only mode. Therefore, by switching the main memory means to the read-only mode, it is possible to prevent the program stored in the main memory means from being destroyed even if the program runs out of control.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the error detecting means detects that the program stored in the main storage means has an error, the determining means determines whether or not the error can be corrected. It is judged by. As a result, when it is determined that the error can be corrected, the error is corrected by the correction means, and the function is executed based on the corrected program. Therefore, if it is correctable, it is not necessary to update the program again even if there is an error.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram briefly showing the configuration of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This navigation system externally obtains a program for detecting a current position of a vehicle and displaying the detected current position together with a road map around the vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as "navigation function"). It is equipped with a navigation device 1 mounted on a vehicle, an external storage device 2, and a communication device 3 for enabling the navigation device 1 and the external storage device 2 to communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the navigation device 1 corresponds to the main body, and the communication device 3 corresponds to the connecting means and the transmission control means.

More specifically, the navigation device 1 includes a position detector 4 for detecting the current position of the vehicle and a navigation ECU 5. Position detector 4
Calculates the estimated position of the vehicle by so-called dead reckoning based on the data obtained by integrating the displacement amounts of the outputs of the distance sensor and the direction sensor (not shown), and performs so-called map matching processing on the calculated estimated position. (For example, JP-A-63-148115 and JP-A-64-53112.
See gazettes. ) Is performed to detect the current position.

In this embodiment, the output of each sensor is used to detect the current position of the vehicle as described above. For example, the propagation delay time of the radio wave transmitted from the GPS satellite is measured. It may be configured to detect the current position of the vehicle by using positioning technology. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which radio waves transmitted from a beacon transmitter installed on the roadside are received and the position of the vehicle is detected based on the received radio waves.

A CD-ROM 7 is connected to the navigation ECU 5 via a CD driver 6. CD-
The ROM 7 stores in advance a map database which is a collection of road map data in a predetermined range. A display device 9 including a CRT or the like is connected to the navigation ECU 5 via a graphic generator 8. The navigation ECU 5 is further connected with a changeover switch 10 for giving a signal for changing a nonvolatile memory described later between a write mode and a read only mode.

The external storage device 2 stores a plurality of types of programs for realizing the navigation function. It should be noted that the external storage device 2 is not originally built in the vehicle, but is placed free of charge or rented, for example, on the manufacturer / sale side of the navigation system. The communication device 3 is the navigation device 1.
And communication devices 11 and 12 respectively connected to the external storage device 2 and a communication cable 13 which is a communication path. At appropriate places of the communication devices 11 and 12, a joint portion 11a to which a communication cable 13 can be connected,
12a is formed. Therefore, by connecting both ends of the communication cable 13 to the respective joints 11a and 12a, the navigation device 1 and the external storage device 2 can communicate with each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram briefly showing the internal structure of the navigation ECU 5. The navigation ECU 5 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 5a for performing various controls and a fixed R in which a basic program is stored in advance.
It is composed of an OM 5b, a non-volatile memory 5c which is a main storage means for storing a program given from the external storage device 2, and a RAM 5d for temporarily storing the program given from the external storage device 2. In addition,
5e is an internal bus. In this embodiment, the CPU 5a corresponds to the executing means, the error detecting means, the setting means, the judging means and the correcting means.

More specifically, the fixed ROM 5b
Is composed of, for example, an EPROM (rewritable ROM) or a mask ROM. The fixed ROM 5b includes, for example, a function for transferring a program from the external storage device 2 to the navigation ECU 5, that is, a program for a load function, a program for transferring a program in the navigation ECU 5 (a load function), and As a result of loading
A basic program such as a program related to a function for determining whether or not the file has been loaded without abnormality, that is, a verify function is stored.

The CPU 5a controls the operation relating to the execution of the navigation function based on each basic program stored in the fixed ROM 5b. That is, for example, the CPU 5a loads the program from the external storage device 2 to the RAM 5d via the communication device 3 and temporarily stores the program based on the basic program.
The above program includes error correction / detection codes such as cyclic redundancy code (CRC) and checksum. Therefore, from the external storage device 2 to the RAM 5
It is possible to check a transfer error when the program is loaded in d.

Further, the CPU 5a loads the program temporarily stored in the RAM 5d into the non-volatile memory 5c at a predetermined timing and stores the program based on the above-mentioned basic program. The program once stored in the nonvolatile memory 5c remains stored even when the power is turned off. Therefore, when the program is not updated, the navigation function can be executed using this program. Therefore, the time for loading the program from the external storage device 2 can be saved, and the time from the power-on to the start of the navigation function execution can be minimized.

If the program stored in the non-volatile memory 5c is accidentally runaway, the program may be destroyed. Therefore, if the non-volatile memory 5c is switched to the read-only mode by the changeover switch 10, it is possible to protect the destruction of the program due to the runaway in hardware. Further, after the transfer of the program from the RAM 5d to the non-volatile memory 5c is completed, a program for automatically switching the non-volatile memory 5c to the read-only mode may be stored in the fixed ROM 5b in advance. With such a configuration, the changeover switch 10
Is unnecessary.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation system, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are views showing the display screen of the display device 9 during the operation of the navigation system. The operation of the navigation system will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. When the navigation device 1 is powered on (step S
1) It is determined whether or not there is an error in the program stored in the non-volatile memory 5c (step S2). This is because the program is already stored in the non-volatile memory 5c except when the navigation system is used for the first time, and the stored program is not always accurate.

As a result of the determination in step S2, when the program is normal without any error and the menu key is touched, the menu screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display device 9 (step S3). Next, when the program update key 20 in the menu screen is touch-operated (step S4), it is then determined whether or not the external storage device 2 is connected to the navigation device 1 (step S5).

On the other hand, as a result of the discrimination in step S2,
If there is an error in the program, it is determined whether or not the error can be corrected (step S6). As a result, if it is determined that the error can be corrected, the error is corrected (step S7), and the process proceeds to step S3. this is,
This is because the corrected program is essentially the same as the error-free program. On the other hand, if it is determined that the error cannot be corrected, the abnormality warning screen shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display device 9 (step S8). When the abnormality warning screen is displayed, the navigation function cannot be executed unless the program is loaded. Therefore, after it is determined whether or not the program load key in the abnormality warning screen is touch-operated (step S9), the process proceeds to step S5. Then, it is determined whether or not the external storage device 2 is connected to the navigation device 1.

As a result of the determination in step S5, if the external storage device 2 is not yet connected to the navigation device 1, the warning screen shown in FIG. 5 (a) is displayed on the display device 9 until it is connected. (Step S10). When the external storage device 2 is connected to the navigation device 1, a program selection screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed on the display device 9 so that the user can select a desired program (step S11). When the program selection screen is displayed on the display device 9, one of the program name keys 21 is touch-operated, and the program corresponding to the touch-operated program name key 21 is transferred from the external storage device 2 to the RAM 5d.
(Step S12). When the loading of the program is completed, it is determined whether or not a transfer error has occurred during the loading (step S13). As a result, if it is determined that no error has occurred, the RAM 5
The program stored in d is loaded into the non-volatile memory 5c (step S14), and the navigation function is executed based on the loaded program (step S17). On the other hand, when it is determined that an error has occurred, it is determined whether or not the error can be corrected (step S15), and when it is determined that the error can be corrected,
The error is corrected (step S16), and the RAM5
The program is loaded from d to the non-volatile memory 5c,
The navigation function is executed according to the program. On the contrary, when it is determined that the correction is impossible, the program is loaded from the external storage device 2 again.

As described above, according to the navigation system of the present embodiment, the program can be updated by connecting the external storage device 2 placed on the manufacturing / sale side of the navigation system to the navigation device 1. . Therefore, for example, even if the program is upgraded, the user does not need to bother to purchase the CD-ROM storing the program and replace the equipped CD driver which is difficult to replace. Therefore, it is easy to update the program,
And it can be done economically.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram briefly showing the configuration of the navigation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This navigation system wirelessly communicates between the navigation device 1 and the external storage device 2 in the first embodiment, and the configuration other than the communication device 3 is the same as that in the first embodiment. More specifically, the communication device 3 in the second embodiment includes a wireless communication device 30 connected to the external storage device 2 and a wireless communication device 31 connected to the navigation device 1. The wireless communication device 30
Is radiating radio waves at all times or for a certain period of time. In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 30,
Reference numeral 31 corresponds to the connecting means and the transmission control means.

The operation of the program in the navigation system will be briefly described below. In this navigation system, the external storage device 2 is wirelessly connected instead of being directly connected to the navigation device 1. That is, among the steps in FIG. 3 described above, the step of determining whether or not the external storage device 2 is connected (step S6) is “whether or not the wireless communication device 31 is in the receiving state”. Further, when loading the program in step S13 of FIG. 3, the radio wave including the program corresponding to the program name selected on the program selection screen is transmitted by the wireless communication device 3
1 is received. That is, in this navigation system, the navigation device 1 can receive the radio wave corresponding to the program as long as the radio wave reaches the range. Therefore, the program can be easily updated.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where a plurality of types of programs are stored in the external storage device 2 has been described, but for example, only one type of program may be stored in the external storage device 2. With such a configuration, it is not necessary for the user to select a program, so there is no need to send a signal from the user to the external storage device 2 side, and if the external storage device 2 is connected to the navigation device 1, the automatic The signal corresponding to the program is transmitted, and the program can be stored in the non-volatile memory 5c. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the communication device 11 in FIG. 1 can be provided with only the receiving function, and the communication device 12 can be provided with only the transmitting function, and in the operation of the navigation system in FIG. Step S8
The operation of can be omitted.

The above modification can also be applied to the second embodiment. With such a configuration, the wireless communication devices 30 and 31 in FIG. 6 can be provided with only a transmission function and a reception function, respectively. Further, in the above-described first embodiment, a configuration example in which a dedicated communication device is used as the communication device 3 has been described. However, for example, a public line may be used in the communication device 3. A simple configuration of this modified example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the navigation system of this modification is the same as the communication device 11 in FIG.
And the communication device 12 are connected by a wired public telephone line 40. In addition, this public telephone line 4
0 may be a dedicated line, or may be a digital system or an analog system.

More specifically, the public telephone line 40 is composed of a telephone 41 on the side of the manufacturer, a telephone 42 on the side of the user, and an exchange 43 connecting them. The telephones 41 and 42 may be omitted. That is, in any case, it suffices if the public telephone line can be used. In the navigation system described above, a telephone 41 on the manufacturer side is connected to the communication device 12 via a communication cable 44, and a telephone 42 on the user side can be connected to the communication device 11 via a communication cable 45. ing. For this reason, the user attaches the communication cable 45 to his own telephone 42.
Connected with your own phone 42 to the manufacturer's phone 4
The program can be updated by directly accessing 1. Therefore, according to this configuration, since the program can be updated using the existing device or facility, the user can easily and economically update the program.

In the second embodiment, the communication between the navigation device 1 and the external storage device 2 is performed by the wireless communication device 30,
Although a configuration example of performing wirelessly using 31 has been described, for example, instead of the wireless communication devices 30 and 31, a mobile phone or a mobile phone may be used to use a wireless public telephone line. With such a configuration, the advantage of the second embodiment is that the program can be updated anytime and anywhere, and the first
The existing device or facility, which is an advantage of the configuration using the public telephone line of the modified example of the embodiment, can be used.

Besides, it is possible to make various design changes within the scope of the present invention.

[0039]

As described above, according to the navigation system of the first aspect, the program stored in the external storage device can be obtained only by connecting the main body and the external storage device with the connecting means. Therefore, the user can easily update the program. In addition, for example, if an external storage device is provided on the manufacturing / sale side of the navigation system, the user does not need to purchase the device in which the program is stored, so that the economic burden can be reduced. Therefore, the user can economically update the program.

Since the program transmitted to the main body is stored in the non-volatile main storage means, the program remains stored even if the main body is powered off. For this reason, it is not necessary to update the program each time the navigation system is used, so that it is possible to provide a navigation system that is very easy for the user to use.

Furthermore, it is judged whether or not there is an error in the program stored in the main storage means, and the function is executed when there is no error, so that the function can be executed accurately. Therefore, a highly reliable navigation system can be constructed. Particularly, according to the navigation system of the second aspect, since the main storage means can be switched to the read-only mode, even if a program runaway occurs accidentally, it is possible to prevent the program runaway from being destroyed. . Therefore, it is possible to provide a navigation system that is very easy for the user to use.

According to the navigation system of the third aspect, even if there is an error in the program stored in the main storage means, if the error can be corrected, the error is corrected and corrected. The function is executed based on the program. That is, if it is correctable, even if there is an error in the program, there is no need to newly update the program, so a navigation system that is easy for the user to use can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram briefly showing a configuration of a navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram briefly showing an internal configuration of a navigation ECU that constitutes a part of the navigation system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen of a display device during operation of the navigation system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of a display device during operation of the navigation system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram briefly showing a configuration of a navigation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system of a modified example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram briefly showing a configuration of a conventional navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Navigation Device 2 External Storage Device 3 Communication Device 5 Navigation ECU 5a CPU 5c Nonvolatile Memory 10 Changeover Switch 11, 12 Communication Device 11a, 12b Connection Ports 13, 44, 45 Communication Cable 20 Program Update Key 21 Program Name Key 30, 31 wireless communication device 40 public telephone line 41, 42 telephone

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A navigation system including an execution means for detecting a current position of a moving body and executing a navigation function of displaying the detected current position together with a map of the surrounding area, the main body including the execution means. An external storage device provided separately from the main body, in which a program for realizing the navigation function is stored in advance, a connecting means for connecting the main body and the external storage device in a transmittable manner, and the connecting means Transmission control means for selecting a desired program from the external storage device and transmitting the selected program to the main body when the main body and the external storage device are connected to each other; A non-volatile main storage means for storing the program transmitted by the means, and a program stored in the main storage means. Error detection means for detecting whether or not there is an error, and the program stored in the main storage means when the error detection means detects that the program stored in the main storage means has no error. A navigation system, comprising: setting means for setting as a new program executed by the executing means. 2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the main storage means can switch between a writing mode and a read-only mode. 3. The error detecting means, when it is detected that the main storage means has an error, a judging means for judging whether or not the error can be corrected, and an error can be corrected by the judging means. 3. The navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit that corrects the error when the determination is made.