VWGoA - Ex. 1004
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 18, 2004 Sheet 1 0f 6
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`S1
`
`HAS AN
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`
`ID ACQUIRING REQUEST BEEN
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`DETECTED?
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`82
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`
`I EXECUTE ID CREATING PROCESS
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`I
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 18, 2004 Sheet 2 0f 6
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
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`ROSSECORD...GWTCETED
`
`ROSNESSPG
`
`GEOMAGNETIC SENSOR
`
`DISTANCE SENSOR
`
`STEERING SENSOR
`
`BEACON SENSOR
`
`GYRO SENSOR
`
`CAR-MOUNTED
`
`APPARATUS
`
`RECORDED
`DATA UNlT
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`61
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`ROSSECORPNDTAnluVAN
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`PROCESSOR
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`FIG. 2
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`3
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 18, 2004 Sheet 3 0f 6
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`A
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`B
`
`2003/3/12
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`13:56:28
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`132° 34' 53" E i
`35°27'35"N
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`ID
`
`ABCDEFG123456
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`FIG. 3
`
`DATE
`
`9(bit)
`
` 0 - 86399
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`
`19(bit)
`LATITUDE
`TIME
`LONGITUDE
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`19(bit)
`17(bit)
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`o - 524287
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`0 - 524287
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`° 0' 0" - 145° 38' 7" :
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`00:00:00 AM - 11 :59:59PM
`0-86399
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`‘1/1-12/3121-365
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`FIG. 4
`
`4
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 18, 2004 Sheet 4 0f 6
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
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`DATE
`
`9(bit)
`
`.
`
`X
`
`TIME
`
`17(bit)
`
`X
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`LONGITUDE
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`19(bit)
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`X
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`LATITUDE
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`19(bit)
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`:
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`ID 54(blt)
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`FIG. 5
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`
`ACQUIRE DATE AND TIME DATA
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`. ACQUIRE COORDINATE DATA
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`‘
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`CALCULATE ID
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`
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`FIG. 6
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`82-1
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`82-2
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`82-3
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`5
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 18, 2004 Sheet 5 0f 6
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`A
`
`B
`
`0
`
`ID
`
`2003/3/12
`
`13:56:28
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`_
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`><(+)
`
`132° 34' 53" E
`35°27'35"N
`
`X +
`
`RANDOM VALUE
`
`ABCDEFG123456
`
`FIG. 7
`
`6
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 18, 2004 Sheet 6 0f 6
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
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`8:353
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`

`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`Nov. 18, 2004
`
`IDENTIFICATION ASSIGNING METHOD AND
`APPARATUS
`
`INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
`
`[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
`2003-114816 filed Apr. 18, 2003 including the specification,
`drawings, and claims is incorporated herein by reference in
`its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates to an identification
`(hereinafter, referred to as ID) assigning method.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`
`In a conventional navigation apparatus mounted on
`[0005]
`a vehicle, such as an automobile, an operator, such as a
`driver, operates a predetermined input unit to designate a
`destination. Then, based on the destination and a present
`position of the vehicle which is detected by a positional
`detecting processor, a route from the present position to the
`destination is found and shown. In this case, the conven-
`tional navigation apparatus finds the route based on map
`data that includes search data and road data and that is stored
`
`in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.
`A map, based on the map data, is displayed on a screen of
`a display unit and route guidance is performed by displaying
`the found route on the map. In addition, at intersections, etc.,
`audio guidance is also performed.
`
`[0006] Furthermore, the conventional navigation appara-
`tus can find various facilities, such as restaurants and hotels,
`based on the map data. In this case, information of a found
`facility is displayed on the screen of the display unit and its
`position is identified. Thus, a route to the found facility may
`be found by setting the found facility as a destination.
`
`[0007] However, since the conventional navigation appa-
`ratus finds a route based on the map data stored in the storage
`medium, it cannot find an appropriate route when a new road
`is open to traffic. When a new facility is built, the navigation
`apparatus cannot find that facility because it is not included
`in the map data. When an existing facility is demolished,
`information of that facility that no longer exists and a route
`to that facility might be displayed. As a result, false infor-
`mation is supplied to the operator.
`
`Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publica-
`[0008]
`tion No. 11-257975, which is incorporated herein by refer-
`ence, discloses a conventional navigation apparatus that
`allows a user to switch the storage medium to one storing
`new map data and that can update the map data by using
`communication means. As a result, it possible to find an
`appropriate route and to find an appropriate facility, even if
`a new road is open to traffic, a new facility is built, or an
`existing facility is demolished.
`
`In the above-described conventional navigation
`[0009]
`apparatus, however, an ID must be set. The navigation
`apparatus can switch the storage medium to one storing new
`map data and/or download new map data. Accordingly, in
`the case of a navigation apparatus in which no ID is set when
`the navigation apparatus is produced in a factory, the navi-
`gation apparatus cannot update the map data.
`
`In some cases, even in a conventional navigation
`[0010]
`apparatus in which the ID is not set, it may be possible to
`enable updating of map data. In this case, however, a royalty
`on the new map data cannot be appropriately collected.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011] As a result, various exemplary embodiments of this
`invention provide, among other things, an ID assigning
`method, that enables a unique ID to be set in an apparatus
`that does not have an ID set therein during the production
`stage. Therefore, updated content, such as various types of
`data and programs, is available to the apparatus without the
`possibility that royalties will not be collected.
`
`[0012] Therefore, various exemplary embodiments of this
`invention provide an ID assigning method, including record-
`ing,
`in an apparatus, content which is made usable by
`recording a release key in the apparatus; recording, in the
`apparatus, ID setting instructions; executing the ID setting
`instructions; and creating an ID distinctive to the apparatus,
`the ID usable to acquire the release key.
`
`[0013] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention
`provide an ID assigning method, including recording, in an
`apparatus, ID setting instructions for creating an ID distinc-
`tive to the apparatus; determining a date and time; deter-
`mining a present position; executing the ID setting instruc-
`tions; and creating the ID based on data representing the date
`and time, and data representing the present position.
`
`[0014] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention
`provide an ID assigning apparatus, including a controller,
`the controller configured to record, in the apparatus, content
`which is made usable by recording a release key in the
`apparatus; record, in the apparatus, ID setting instructions;
`execute the ID setting instructions; and create an ID dis-
`tinctive to the apparatus, the ID usable to acquire the release
`key.
`
`[0015] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention
`provide a storage medium storing a set of program instruc-
`tions executable on a data processing device and usable for
`assigning an ID to an apparatus, the set of program instruc-
`tions including instructions for recording, in the apparatus,
`content which is made usable by recording a release key in
`the apparatus; instructions for recording, in the apparatus, ID
`setting instructions; instructions for executing the ID setting
`instructions; and instructions for creating an ID distinctive to
`the apparatus, the ID usable to acquire the release key.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now
`be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
`wherein:
`
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a
`method setting an ID unique to a car-mounted apparatus
`according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of
`the car-mounted apparatus according to the first exemplary
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 3 shows a first example of a method for
`creating an ID unique to a car-mounted apparatus according
`to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;
`
`8
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`Nov. 18, 2004
`
`[0020] FIG. 4 shows a second example of a method for
`creating an ID unique to the car-mounted apparatus accord-
`ing to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0021] FIG. 5 shows a third example of a method for
`creating an ID unique to the car-mounted apparatus accord-
`ing to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of an
`ID creating process according to the second exemplary
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0023] FIG. 7 shows a method for creating an ID unique
`to a car-mounted apparatus according to a third exemplary
`embodiment of the invention; and
`
`[0024] FIG. 8 shows a method for creating an ID unique
`to a car-mounted apparatus according to a fourth exemplary
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of
`a car-mounted apparatus according to a first exemplary
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, a car-mounted apparatus 14 is
`an apparatus which is mounted on a vehicle, such as a
`passenger car, a truck, a bus, or a motorbike, and which
`functions as a navigation apparatus. The car-mounted appa-
`ratus 14 is a type of computer including arithmetic means,
`such as a CPU and an MPU; storage means, such as a
`semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk; display means,
`such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light
`Emitting Diode); input means, such as a keyboard, a joy-
`stick, a touch panel, push buttons, a rotary dial, and a remote
`controller; and an input/output interface.
`
`[0027] The car-mounted apparatus 14 may not be mounted
`on a vehicle, or does not need to function as a navigation
`apparatus, and may be any type of apparatus that can use
`content; such as various types of data and programs, by
`updating or setting the content. The car-mounted apparatus
`14 may be, for example, a personal computer, a cellular
`phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) telephone, a
`telephone set of a stationary type, a PDA (Personal Digital
`Assistant), an electronic notebook, a portable information
`terminal, a game machine, a digital television, or the like.
`
`In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the
`[0028]
`car-mounted apparatus 14 is a navigation apparatus mounted
`on a vehicle. In this case, based on search data and map data
`including road data which are stored in a storage medium,
`the car-mounted apparatus 14 can perform, for example,
`finding a route, finding a facility, or the like, displaying a
`map on a display unit 35, which is described later, and
`displaying the found route, facility, or the like, on the map.
`
`[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the car-mounted apparatus 14
`includes, for example, a present position detecting processor
`15, for detecting the present position; a recorded data unit 16
`having recorded road data, or the like; a navigation proces-
`sor 17, for performing various arithmetic processes based on
`input information, such as a navigation process; an input unit
`34, a display unit 35; an audio input unit 36; an audio output
`unit 37; and a communication unit 38. A vehicle speed
`sensor 41 is connected to the navigation processor 17.
`
`[0030] The present position detecting processor 15 con-
`sists of a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 21, a
`geomagnetic sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a steering
`sensor 24, a beacon sensor 25, a gyrosensor 26, and an
`altimeter (not shown). Some of the GPS sensor 21, the
`geomagnetic sensor 22, the distance sensor 23, the steering
`sensor 24, the beacon sensor 25, the gyrosensor 26, and the
`altimeter, may be combined or omitted, if desired, due to
`production cost, resources, or the like.
`
`[0031] The GPS sensor 21 detects the present position on
`the earth by receiving radio waves generated by an artificial
`GPS satellite. By measuring magnetism, the geomagnetic
`sensor 22 detects the vehicle bearing. The distance sensor 23
`detects the distance between predetermined positions on a
`road, or the like. As the distance sensor 23, for example, a
`sensor which measures the number of revolutions of a
`
`vehicle wheel (not shown) and that determines a distance
`based on the measured number of revolutions, a sensor that
`detects a distance by measuring an acceleration and inte-
`grating the acceleration twice, or the like, may be used.
`
`[0032] The steering sensor 24 detects a steering angle. As
`the steering sensor 24, for example, an optical rotary sensor
`or rotary resistance sensor which is provided on a rotating
`part of a steering wheel which is (not shown) an angular
`sensor, or the like, may be used.
`
`[0033] The beacon sensor 25 detects the present position
`by receiving positional information from beacons provided
`along the road. The gyrosensor 26 detects an angular rate of
`rotation of the vehicle, that is, an angle of traverse. As the
`gyrosensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyroscope, a vibrating
`gyroscope, or the like may be used. By integrating the angle
`of traverse detected by the gyrosensor 26, the bearing to
`which the vehicle is directed can be detected.
`
`[0034] The GPS sensor 21 and the beacon sensor 25 can
`each separately detect the present position. By combining
`the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the
`bearing detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22 and the
`gyrosensor 26, the present position can also be detected.
`Also, by combining the distance detected by the distance
`sensor 23 and the steering angle detected by the steering
`sensor 24, the present position can be detected.
`
`[0035] The recorded data unit 16 contains a database
`composed of a map data file, an intersection data file, a node
`data file, a road data file, a photo-data file, and a facility-
`information data file having, for example, recorded facility
`information such as hotels, gas stations, tourist information
`centers, in areas. In addition to route finding data, various
`types of data are recorded in the recorded data unit 16 which
`may be displayed, on the screen of the display unit 35, such
`as a guide map along the found route, characteristic photo-
`graphs at intersections or on the route, the distance to the
`next intersection. Various types of data for outputting pre-
`determined information by the audio output unit 37 are also
`recorded in the recorded data unit 16.
`
`Intersection data, node data, and road data are
`[0036]
`recorded in the intersection data file, the node data file, and
`the road data file, respectively. Based on the intersection
`data, the node data, and the road data, road conditions are
`displayed on the screen. The intersection data includes
`intersection types, that is, for example, data about whether
`traffic lights are installed at an intersection. Also, the node
`
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`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`Nov. 18, 2004
`
`data constitutes at least the positions and shapes of roads in
`the map data recorded in the map data file, and includes data
`representing actual road bifurcations (including intersec-
`tions and T-junctions), node points, and links connecting
`node points. The node points represent at least bending
`points on the roads.
`
`[0037] The road data includes data concerning the roads
`themselves, such as, for example, widths, gradients, cants,
`altitudes, banks, surface conditions, the numbers of lanes,
`points at which the number of lanes decreases, and points at
`which road widths narrow. In the case of express highways
`and arterial roads, for oncoming lanes, separate road data
`items are stored and processed as a pair of roads. For
`example, in the case of arterial roads each having four or
`more lanes, the road data is processed, wherein road data
`items for inbound lanes and outbound are respectively stored
`as separate roads. Corner data includes data concerning, for
`example, curvature radii,
`intersections, T-junctions, and
`comer entries.
`In addition, road attributes include data
`concerning, for example, crossing places, express-highway
`entry/exit ramp ways, express-way tollgates, descending
`surfaces, ascending surfaces, and road types (e.g., national
`routes, principal local roads, ordinary roads, express high-
`ways).
`
`[0038] The navigation processor 17 includes a processor
`31 for controlling the entirety of the car-mounted apparatus
`14, a RAM 32 which is used as a working memory when the
`processor 31 performs various arithmetic processes, and a
`ROM 33 as a recording medium in which, in addition to
`control programs, various programs, for example, for find-
`ing routes to destinations, performing traveling guidance on
`the route, determining particular sections, and finding loca-
`tions and/or facilities are recorded. The navigation processor
`17 connects to the input unit 34, the display unit 35, the
`audio input unit 36,
`the audio output unit 37, and the
`communication unit 38. The navigation processor 17 per-
`forms various processes such as, for example, finding routes
`to destinations, performing traveling guidance on the route,
`determining particular sections, and finding locations and/or
`facilities. Some of the audio input unit 36, and the audio
`output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 may be
`combiner or omitted, if desired, due to production cost,
`resources, or the like.
`
`[0039] The recorded data unit 16 and the ROM 33 include
`magnetic cores and semiconductor memories (not shown).
`Various recording media, such as, for example, magnetic
`tapes, magnetic disks, magnetic drums, CD-ROMs, CD-R/
`Ws, MDs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-R/Ws, DVD-RAMs, optical
`disks, MOs, IC cards, optical cards, memory cards, and stick
`memories, can be used as the data-recorded unit 16 and/or
`the ROM 33. The recording media may be installed in the
`car-mounted apparatus 14 beforehand, or may be easily
`replaced by a user, or the like.
`
`[0040] The communication unit 38 transmits and receives
`various types of data to/from, for example, an FM transmit-
`ter, a telephone network,
`the Internet, a cellular phone
`network, or the like. The communication unit 38 receives,
`for example, various types of data such as, for example, road
`information concerning traffic jams, which is received by an
`information sensor or the like (not shown), traffic accident
`information, and D-GPS information detecting detection
`error of the GPS sensor 21.
`
`[0041] Various programs and data for use with the car-
`mounted apparatus 14 can be transmitted from an informa-
`tion center (an Internet server, a navigating server, or the
`like) to a plurality of base stations (such as an Internet
`provider terminal, a communication station connected to the
`communication unit 38 through a telephone line, a commu-
`nication line, or the like), and can be further transmitted
`from each base station to the communication unit 38. In the
`
`case of using this type of system, when at least part of the
`program and data transmitted from each base station is
`received, the processor 31 can download the received part to
`a readable/writable memory,
`for example, a recording
`medium such as the RAM 32, a flash memory, or a hard disk,
`and can perform various processes based on the data by
`activating the program. In this case, for example, the pro-
`gram and data can be recorded in different recording media
`(i.e., the different base stations) and can be recorded in a
`single recording medium in the car-mounted apparatus 14.
`
`the
`In addition, by using a personal computer,
`[0042]
`program and data transmitted from the information center
`can be downloaded to a recording medium such as a memory
`card, a flexible disk, or the like, which is removable from the
`personal computer. Then, when the recording medium is
`transfixed to the car-mounted apparatus 14, by activating the
`program, various processes can also be performed based on
`the data.
`
`[0043] The input unit 34 is used for, for example, correct-
`ing a position at the start of traveling and for inputting a
`destination, and includes, for example, operation keys, push
`buttons, a jog dial, and a cross key which are provided on the
`main body of the car-mounted apparatus 14. The input unit
`34 may be a remote controller. When the display unit 35 is
`a touch panel, it is preferable that the touch panel includes
`operation switches displayed on the screen of the display
`unit 35, such as operation keys and an operation menu. In
`this case, similarly to an ordinary touch panel, inputting can
`be performed by pressing (touching) the operation switches.
`
`[0044] Displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 are,
`for example, operation guidance, an operation menu, opera-
`tion-key guidance, routes from the present position to a
`destination, and information of guidance along the routes.
`As the display unit 35, a CRT display, a liquid crystal
`display, an LED display, a plasma display, a hologram
`display unit that projects a hologram on a front glass, or the
`like, can be used.
`
`[0045] The audio input unit 36 may be a microphone or the
`like (not shown), and can input necessary information
`through speech. The audio output unit 37 further includes a
`speech synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and informs
`the operator by outputting, from the speaker, speech infor-
`mation,
`for example, guidance information and speed-
`change information, which is synthesized by the speech
`synthesizer. In addition to the speech synthesized by the
`speech synthesizer, various sounds, various types of guid-
`ance information recorded beforehand as sound on a tape or
`in a memory, or the like, may also be output from the
`speaker.
`
`[0046] Various types of data can be recorded in the data-
`recorded unit 16, and various programs can be recorded in
`the ROM 33. According to this embodiment, content, such
`as the data recorded in the recorded data unit 16 and the
`
`programs recorded in the ROM 33, can be updated. For
`
`10
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`

`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`Nov. 18, 2004
`
`example, by using the communication unit 38 to download
`content, such as new versions of data and programs, from the
`information center, old version content, such as the data
`previously recorded in the recorded data unit 16 and the
`programs, recorded in the ROM 33, may be updated.
`
`In addition, the old version content, such as the
`[0047]
`data recorded in the data-recorded unit 16 and the programs
`recorded in the ROM 33 may also be updated by connecting,
`a removable recording medium with, for example, the new
`version data and programs, recorded therein, such as a
`magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-
`ROM, a CD-R/W, an MD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R/W, a
`DVD-RAM, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, a memory
`card, or a stick memory, to an interface (not shown) included
`in the car-mounted apparatus 14.
`
`[0048] Furthermore, when the data-recorded unit 16 or the
`ROM 33 includes a removable recording medium, such as a
`magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-
`ROM, a CD-R/W, an MD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R/W, a
`DVD-RAM, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, a memory
`card, or a stick memory, and content, such as data and
`programs, is recorded in the removable recording medium,
`at least a part of that content may be updated by replacing
`the removable recording medium with a removable record-
`ing medium having new version of the content recorded
`therein.
`
`In this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that,
`[0049]
`in the ROM 33 or another storage means, an ID for identi-
`fying the car-mounted apparatus 14 is not recorded. Con-
`ventionally, when it is necessary to set an ID in an apparatus
`such as a navigation apparatus, the ID can be recorded in a
`nonvolatile storage means, such as the ROM 33, during
`production. In the car-mounted apparatus 14 in this exem-
`plary embodiment, however, it is assumed that no ID is set.
`
`[0050] The operation of the car-mounted apparatus 14 will
`now be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an exem-
`plary embodiment of an operation of a method for setting a
`unique ID in the car-mounted apparatus according to the first
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`an operation is
`[0051] According to this example,
`described for a case in which map data, as the data recorded
`in the recorded data unit 16,
`is updated. The operator
`purchases a DVD-ROM as a recording medium having new
`version map data recorded therein and replaces a DVD-
`ROM having old version map data. It is assumed that, in the
`DVD-ROM, a program for setting a unique ID in the
`car-mounted apparatus 14 is also recorded as an ID setting
`program. It is also assumed that the new version map data
`recorded in the DVD -ROM is prevented from being directly
`read by the navigation processor 17 in the car-mounted
`apparatus 14. However, by inputting a predetermined release
`key, the DVD-ROM can be read by the navigation processor
`17.
`
`[0052] First, the operator purchases a DVD-ROM having
`the new version map data recorded therein. Then,
`the
`operator removes the DVD-ROM with the old version map
`data, which is the recording medium in the recorded data
`unit 16. The disk may be removed by, for example, pressing
`an ejection button on the car-mounted apparatus 14. Next,
`the operator places, in the recorded data unit 16, the pur-
`chased DVD-ROM with the new version map data. Accord-
`
`ingly, the program for setting the unique ID is read from the
`DVD-ROM and is activated by the navigation processor 17.
`
`[0053] When the ID setting program is actuated, a setting
`screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. The
`setting screen includes a start switch, and the operator
`operates the input unit 34 to select the start switch. For
`example, when the display unit 35 is a touch panel, the
`operator selects the displayed start switch by pressing
`(touching) it. This allows the navigation processor 17 to
`determine that an ID acquiring request has been detected, so
`that the navigation processor 17 executes an ID creating
`process in accordance with the program.
`
`In the ID creating process in this exemplary
`[0054]
`embodiment, a randomly extracted code is created as an ID.
`The code is created based on a numeric value randomly
`acquired from 64-bit numeric data, and is formed by a
`combination of characters, such as numbers and letters, and
`symbols. The created ID is set as an ID for using the
`DVD-ROM having the new version data recorded therein.
`
`[0055] The set ID is displayed on the screen of the display
`unit 35. The operator records the displayed ID, writes it on
`a predetermined form, and sends the form to a sales man-
`agement center for the purchased DVD-ROM by means
`such as mailing. The ID is registered in the sales manage-
`ment center. Although an administrator of the sales man-
`agement center is,
`for example, a manufacturer of the
`DVD-ROM, a sales agent, or the like, the administrator may
`be one entrusted by the manufacturer, the sales agent, or
`anyone else.
`
`[0056] Then, a recording medium storing a predetermined
`release key is sent back from the sales management center
`to the operator by means such as mailing. The operator sets,
`in the data-recorded unit 16, the recording medium storing
`the release key, whereby the release key is read by the
`navigation processor 17. The release key enables the navi-
`gation processor 17 to read the new version map data
`recorded in the DVD-ROM.
`
`[0057] The above-described exemplary process is summa-
`rized below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1.
`
`[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, first, in step 81, a determi-
`nation is made whether or not an ID acquiring request has
`been detected. If the request has been detected, the process
`proceeds to step 82. If not, the car-mounted apparatus 14 is
`on standby (i.e., returns to step 81). Then, in step 82, the ID
`creating process is executed.
`
`[0059] The set ID may be posted from the operator to the
`sales management center by means such as e-mail, fac-
`simile, or telephone. Also, when the release key is a code
`formed by a combination of characters, such as numbers,
`letters, and symbols,
`it may be posted from the sales
`management center to the operator by means such as e-mail,
`facsimile, or telephone. In this case, when the release key is
`set such that the operator operates the input unit 34 to input
`the code,
`the navigation processor 17 can read the new
`version map data.
`
`[0060] The data to be updated may be data other than the
`map data, for example, data stored in the intersection data
`file, the node data file, the road data file, the photo-data file,
`and/or the facility data file. Furthermore, instead of the data,
`a program, such as, for example, the navigation program,
`can be updated.
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2004/0228489 A1
`
`Nov. 18, 2004
`
`[0061] The recording medium having the new version data
`and programs recorded therein may be one other than a
`DVD-ROM. For example,
`it may be a magnetic tape, a
`magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-ROM, a CD-R/W, an
`MD, a DVD-R/W, a DVD-RAM, an optical disk, an M0, an
`IC card, a memory card, a stick memory, or the like.
`[0062] Also, when the car-mounted apparatus 14 can
`communicate with the information center and can download
`
`data and programs from a server such as an Internet server,
`a navigating server, or the like, which is provided in the
`information center, the car-mounted apparatus 14 can also
`download new version data and programs from the server. In
`this case, a program for setting the unique ID can be
`downloaded together with the new version data and pro-
`grams.
`
`[0063] The set ID is transmitted from the car-mounted
`apparatus 14 to the information center. The information
`center functions as a sales management center of the new
`version data and programs. After the ID is registered in the
`information center, the release key is transmitted from the
`information center to the car-mounted apparatus 14, and is
`set in the car-mounted apparatus 14. This enables the navi-
`gation processor 17 in the car-mounted apparatus 14 to use
`the downloaded new version data and programs.
`[0064] This exemplary embodiment may be applied to
`cases other
`than updating of data and programs. For
`example, this embodiment can be also applied to a case in
`which completely new data and programs are set. Therefore,
`the setting of an ID by using the program for setting a unique
`ID, registration of the ID in the sales management center,
`and the setting of a release key sent from the sales manage-
`ment center enable use of the completely new data and
`programs.
`
`[0065] Content that is set or updated in the car-mounted
`apparatus 14 may be content other than data and programs,
`for example, music, video images, news, television pro-
`grams, or mail magazines. For example, when the car-
`mounted apparatus 14 can communicate with the informa-
`tion center through an Internet server, a navigating server, or
`the like, music, video images, news, television programs,
`and/or mail magazines are delivered to the car-mounted
`apparatus 14. Similarly, a program for setting a unique ID
`may be downloaded with the delivered music, video images,
`news, television programs, and/or mail magazines as well.
`The set ID is then transmitted from the car-mounted appa-
`ratus 14 to the information center and is registered in the
`information center, which functions as a sales management
`center. As a result, a release key transmitted from the
`information center and is set in the car-mounted apparatus
`14. The release key makes it possible to use the downloaded
`content.
`
`in this exemplary embodi-
`[0066] As described above,
`ment, when content, such as data and programs, is updated
`or newly set for use in the car-mounted apparatus 14, a
`unique ID can be created and set in the car-mounted appa-
`ratus 14. After the ID is registered in the sales management
`center or the like, a release key is sent. By setting the release
`key in the car-mounted apparatus 14, the content can be
`used.
`
`[0067] Accordingly, even when no ID is set in the car-
`mounted apparatus 14 during production, a unique ID can be
`set. As a result, content can be used without causing failure
`in collecting royalties.
`
`In other words, if the car-mounted apparatus 14
`[0068]
`belonging to the operator is a model in which an ID is set in
`the production stage, a service that needs ID management,
`such as content updating, can be used by the operator. Also,
`if a manufacturer, a seller, or the like, of the car-mounted
`apparatus 14 provides a service, such as content updating, to
`the operator who possesses a model of the car-mounted
`apparatus 14 in which no ID is set in the production stage,
`ID management can be performed, thus ensuring collection
`of royalties in both cases.
`
`[0069] A second exemplary embodiment of the invention
`will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. For those
`structures identical to those described in the first embodi-
`ment,
`identical
`reference numerals are used and their
`descriptions are omitted. Also, the operation and advantages
`identical to those in the f