`Case No. IPR2016-00156
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. - Petitioner
`West View Research, LLC - Patent Owner
`
`1
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26,2000
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`Sheet 1 0f5
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`6,125,326
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`F N G:
`
`1
`
`w
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`ACCESSORIES
`EXTERNAL
`
`IvIONIToRs
`
`21a y
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`13
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`21
`GPS
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`RECEIVER
`
`25
`
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`
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`I
`31a
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`I
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`RECEIVER
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`
`35
`OPERATION
`SWITCHES I
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`
`RAM
`
`35b
`
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`UNIT
`
`I II SUB-NAVIGATION
`I30
`BMTERY
`'
`35a
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`34
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`DRIVE CONTROL
`APPARATUS
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`38
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`SUB NAVIG
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`SWITCH
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`VOICE OPERATED
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`14
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`VOICE COMMUNICATION
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`15
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`2
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26,2000
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`Sheet 2 0f5
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`6,125,326
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`FIG.
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`2
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`START
`
`NO
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`32
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`S1
`
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`SUB-NAVIG.
`DETECHMENT SWITCH
`
`TURNED ON?
`
`
`YES
`
`
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`34
`
`TURN ON
`SUB-NAVIGATION UNIT
`
`TURN OFF
`SUB-NAVIGATION UNIT
`
`3 5
`
`TRANSMIT AREA MAP
`INFORMATION TO RAM
`
`3 3
`
`36
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`DISCONNECT FROM
`CONTROL UNIT
`
`KEEP CONNECTION TO
`CONTROL UNIT
`
`DETACH SUB-NAVIG.
`
`S7
`
`
`
`
`S8
`
`SWITCH TO DISPLAY ON
`MAIN DISPLAY
`
`RETURN
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`3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26,2000
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`Sheet 3 0f5
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`6,125,326
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`FIG.
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`3
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`S11
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`MONITOR SWITCH
`TURNED ON?
`
`
`
`S15
`
`
`
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`S16
`
`TURN OFF SUB-DISPLAY
`
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
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`313
`
`TURN ON SUB-DISPLAY
`
`314
`
`TRUN OF
`SOUND CIRCUIT
`
`S17
`
`
`
`TRUN OFF SOLAR
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`S21
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`S22
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`TRUN OFF
`SOUND CIRCUIT
`
`SOUND SWITCH
`TURNEDON?
`
`N0
`
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`RETURN
`
`4
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2000
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`Sheet 4 0f5
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`6,125,326
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`FIG.
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`4
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`S31
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`
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`S33
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`S34
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`S35
`
`
`
`
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`S32
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`
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`"#1' INPUTTED?
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`YES
`
`SWITCH MAIN NAVIG.
`TO OUTPUT MODE
`
`
`
`RECEIVE POSITION
`COORDINATES
`
`OUPUT AREA MAP
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`
`WAIT FOR COMMAND
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`2313
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`3
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`6
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`6,125,326
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`1
`NAVIGATION SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a navigation system and,
`more particularly, to a portable navigation apparatus com-
`prising a main navigation apparatus which is fixed to a
`vehicle and a sub-navigation apparatus which is detachable
`from the vehicle.
`
`Conventionally, portable navigation apparatuses config-
`ured to be detachable from a vehicle are known (refer to
`Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-238218). In
`such a portable navigation apparatus, a display, a storage
`unit for storing variety of information, a navigation unit
`which calculates and obtains current position data and
`controls to display the current position of a vehicle together
`with map information provided from the storage unit on the
`display, a connection cable to connect an on-vehicle battery
`as a vehicle electric source, and a connector for the afore-
`mentioned cable are integrally configured in a container. The
`portable navigation apparatus can be used on a vehicle by
`connecting to the battery via the connection cable and the
`connector. Further, the portable navigation apparatus can be
`also used in another vehicle by disconnecting the connection
`cable from the battery of the vehicle to which it is connected
`currently, attaching the apparatus to the other vehicle, and
`connecting the connector to the battery of the other vehicle.
`Thus, the portable navigation apparatus is not fixed to a
`specific vehicle, and if it is not needed in a vehicle on which
`the navigation apparatus is currently attached,
`it can be
`moved and used in another vehicle, thereby, improving a
`utilization efliciency of the navigation apparatus.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the aforesaid conventional portable navigation
`apparatus, however, the storage unit storing variety of nec-
`essary information for the navigation apparatus is required,
`which is an obstruction to downsize the apparatus. As a
`result, the size of the apparatus is considerably large as a
`“portable” apparatus. Especially, the storage unit used in the
`navigation apparatus is usually configured with a CD unit
`which includes a plurality of CD-ROMs on which a variety
`of information is recorded, and a reading unit of the
`CD-ROMs. Thus, the storage unit itself is quite large and
`occupies a considerable volume of the navigation apparatus.
`Further, in the aforesaid conventional portable navigation
`apparatus, since only the connection cable used to connect
`to an on-vehicle battery and the connector are provided,
`although it can be detachable from a vehicle, it cannot be
`used unless being attached to a vehicle. Therefore, it is
`inconvenient since the navigation apparatus cannot be used
`when it is detached from the vehicle. In other words, the
`conventional portable navigation apparatus is essentially for
`using on a vehicle, therefore,
`it cannot be used in such
`manner that a user drives the vehicle to a destination,
`detaches the navigation apparatus from the vehicle to use it
`for obtaining map information and current position infor-
`mation while walking. It is possible to provide a battery for
`exclusive use by the conventional navigation apparatus,
`however, since the required capacity of the battery for the
`navigation apparatus is quite large, both the size and weight
`of the battery are also large, which causes increase in size
`and weight of the navigation apparatus. As described above,
`in order to obtain map information and current position
`information from the navigation apparatus when the user
`uses it outside of the vehicle, a battery for exclusive use by
`the navigation apparatus is necessary in addition to the
`navigation apparatus itself designed to be used on a vehicle.
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`The present invention has been made in consideration of
`the above situation, and has as its object to reduce the size
`of a navigation apparatus which is detachable from a
`vehicle, and increase availability and convenience by con-
`figuring the navigation apparatus for use independently
`when it is detached from the vehicle.
`
`In order to overcome the aforesaid problems and attaining
`the foregoing object, a navigation system of the present
`invention comprises
`1) a main navigation apparatus which is fixed to a vehicle
`and runs by a vehicle electric source and a sub-navigation
`apparatus which is detachable from the vehicle. The main
`navigation apparatus has: a main display; main storage
`means for storing various kinds of information including
`map information; and a main navigation unit for calculating
`current position data of the vehicle and outputting the
`calculated current position data to the main display together
`with the map information. The sub-navigation apparatus
`has: information output means for outputting information;
`sub-storage means to which information is written; an
`electric source for exclusive use by the sub-navigation
`apparatus; a sub-navigation unit for providing current posi-
`tion data via the information output means; and operation
`switches for operating the sub-navigation unit, and are
`integrally configured in the sub-navigation apparatus.
`According to the configuration described in 1), the navi-
`gation system is configured with the combination of the
`main navigation apparatus which is fixed to a vehicle and the
`sub-navigation apparatus which is detachable from the
`vehicle. The main navigation apparatus implements normal
`navigation function which provides map information and
`current position information, for instance, upon connection
`to the vehicle electric source. As for the sub-navigation
`apparatus,
`information can be written to the sub-storage
`means and it is not necessary to store the various information
`in advance which is different from the main storage means.
`Therefore, the sub-storage means can be simply configured
`with, e.g., RAM without using CD-ROM, and the like. As a
`result, it is possible to configure the sub-storage means in
`much smaller size than the main storage means in the main
`navigation unit which is configured with, e.g., a CD unit,
`thereby, down-sizing the sub-navigation apparatus.
`Furthermore, since the electric source is provided in the
`sub-navigation apparatus,
`the sub-navigation apparatus is
`used by itself when it is detached from the vehicle.
`2) Further, in the present invention, in addition to the
`configuration described in 1), the navigation system further
`comprises a control unit for collectively controlling the
`vehicle, wherein, when the sub-navigation apparatus is
`attached to the vehicle, the control unit is connected to the
`information output means, and the control unit provides
`vehicle state information on state of the vehicle via the
`
`information output means.
`According to the configuration described in 2), when the
`sub-navigation apparatus is attached to the vehicle,
`its
`information output means is connected to the control unit in
`the vehicle for controlling various kinds of controls, such as
`vehicular control, and outputs vehicle state information,
`such as operation state of air conditioner and states of oil
`pressure and water temperature, for a user. Accordingly, it is
`possible to effectively use the sub-navigation apparatus
`when it is attached to the vehicle and the main navigation
`apparatus,
`thereby utilization efficiency of the sub-
`navigation apparatus improves.
`3) Further, in the present invention, in addition to the
`configuration described in 1), a control unit for collectively
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`6,125,326
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`controlling the vehicle is provided, and, when the sub-
`navigation apparatus is attached to the vehicle,
`the sub-
`storage means is connected to the control means, and the
`control unit controls to transmit area map information of a
`predetermined area whose substantial center is the current
`position of the vehicle on the basis of the current position
`data of the vehicle calculated by the main navigation unit
`from the main storage means to the sub-storage means in
`response to an instruction to detach the sub-navigation
`apparatus from the vehicle.
`According to the configuration described in 3), when the
`sub-navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle in
`order to use it outside of the vehicle, the area map infor-
`mation around the current position of the vehicle is trans-
`mitted from the main storage means of the main navigation
`apparatus to the sub-storage means of the sub-navigation
`apparatus on the basis of the current position data of the
`vehicle at the time detaching the sub-navigation apparatus.
`Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the map information of
`the current position of the user and its surrounding areas
`from the sub-navigation apparatus when the user is walking
`outside of the vehicle. Furthermore, since only necessary
`information is written to the sub-storage means of the
`sub-navigation apparatus each time detaching the sub-
`navigation apparatus from the vehicle, a memory of small
`capacity, such as RAM, is enough for the sub-storage means,
`thereby the sub-storage means is down-sized.
`4) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 1) or 3),
`the sub-navigation means further
`comprises a connection unit for connecting to telephone
`communication means, and the main navigation means
`further comprises a ground communication unit capable of
`performing reception and transmission from/to the sub-
`navigation apparatus via the telephone communication
`means. Further, the main navigation unit transmits informa-
`tion stored in the main storage means to the sub-storage
`means via the telephone communication means in response
`to a transmission instruction by one of the operation
`switches of the sub-navigation unit.
`According to the configuration described in 4), when the
`sub-navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle in
`order to use it while walking outside of the vehicle, it is
`possible to obtain navigation information, such as map
`information, from the main storage means on the vehicle via
`the telephone communication means when needed.
`Accordingly,
`it
`is unnecessary to store various kinds of
`information in the sub-storage means nor providing record-
`ing medium, such as CD-ROM, to the sub-navigation appa-
`ratus. Thus, a memory of small capacity, such as RAM, is
`enough for the sub-storage means, thereby the sub-storage
`means is down-sized. Especially,
`if the user carries the
`sub-navigation apparatus to whose sub-storage means the
`area map information around the vehicle position at the time
`detaching the sub-navigation apparatus is written, and walks
`beyond the area where the area map information covers, and
`when new map information is necessary, or if the user is in
`the area within the stored map information, but when the
`user needs more detailed information, information can be
`obtained from the main storage means on the vehicle via the
`telephone communication means, which increases availabil-
`ity and convenience.
`5) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 1), the sub-navigation apparatus and the main
`navigation apparatus respectively have GPS receivers for
`receiving signals from GPS satellites, and the GPS receiver
`of the sub-navigation apparatus and the GPS receiver of the
`main navigation apparatus are provided at separate positions
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`from each other on the vehicle. And, when the sub-
`navigation apparatus is attached to the vehicle,
`the GPS
`receiver of the sub-navigation apparatus is connected to the
`main navigation unit, and the main navigation unit calcu-
`lates the current position data of the vehicle on the basis of
`signals from the GPS satellites received by the GPS receiv-
`ers of the main and sub-navigation apparatuses.
`According to the configuration described in 5), when the
`sub-navigation apparatus is attached to the vehicle, calcu-
`lation of the current-position data of the vehicle is performed
`in the main navigation apparatus on the basis of signals from
`the GPS satellites received by both of the GPS receivers of
`the main and sub-navigation apparatuses, more accurate
`current position data can be obtained comparing to a case
`where the current position data is calculated on the basis of
`GPS signals received by only one GSP receiver of the main
`navigation apparatus. Furthermore, since the GPS receivers
`are placed at separate positions from each other, such as at
`a front part of the vehicle and a rear part of the vehicle, more
`accurate current position data can be obtained.
`6) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 1), the information output means has both or
`either a sub-display whose screen size is smaller than that of
`the main display, and/or a sound output unit. Accordingly,
`the contents of information outputted by the information
`output means is determined specifically.
`7) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 1), the information output means has a sub-
`display whose screen size is smaller than that of the main
`display. And, when the sub-navigation apparatus is detached
`from the vehicle,
`the sub-navigation unit
`is run by the
`exclusive electric source and reduces displayed amount per
`unit area on the sub-display so as to be smaller than that on
`the main display.
`According to the configuration described in 7), when the
`sub-navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle, the
`sub-navigation unit controls to reduce displayed amount per
`unit area on the sub-display. Since the amount of data to be
`processed in the sub-navigation unit is small, energy con-
`sumption from the exclusive electric source is lowered.
`Accordingly, an electric source of small capacity is enough
`for the exclusive electric source, which down-sizes the
`exclusive electric source as well as the overall sub-
`
`navigation apparatus. In addition, although the screen size of
`the sub-display is smaller than that of the main display, since
`the displayed amount is reduced, it is not hard to view the
`displayed content on the sub-display.
`8) Further, in the present invention, a portable navigation
`apparatus which is detachable from a vehicle comprises: an
`electric source for exclusive use by the portable navigation
`apparatus;
`information output means; storage means,
`capable of being rewritten, for storing map information; a
`navigation unit for controlling the information output means
`to provide at least current position information; and opera-
`tion switches used for operating the navigation unit. The
`navigation unit is connected to a vehicle electric source
`when the portable navigation apparatus is attached to the
`vehicle and connected to the exclusive electric source when
`
`the portable navigation apparatus is detached from the
`vehicle, and the navigation unit starts controlling the infor-
`mation output means after the portable navigation apparatus
`is moved to an energy saving mode in which control load on
`the information output means is reduced.
`According to the configuration described in 8), since the
`exclusive electric power source is provided, it is possible to
`obtain information, such as a current position, from the
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`portable navigation apparatus when a user carries the por-
`table navigation apparatus while walking outside of the
`vehicle by detaching it from the vehicle. In addition, when
`the portable navigation apparatus is detached from the
`vehicle, the navigation unit starts controlling the information
`output means after the portable navigation apparatus moves
`to an energy saving mode, thereby control load for output-
`ting information from the information output means is
`reduced and the amount of data to be processed is also
`reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the exclu-
`sive electric source with an electric source of small capacity.
`As a result, the portable navigation apparatus is down-sized,
`thus, convenience of the portable navigation apparatus when
`it is used outside of the vehicle increases.
`
`9) Further, in the present invention, a portable navigation
`apparatus which is detachable from a vehicle comprises: an
`electric source for exclusive use by the portable navigation
`apparatus;
`information output means; storage means,
`capable of being rewritten, for storing map information; a
`navigation unit for controlling the information output means
`to provide at least current position information; and opera-
`tion switches used for operating the navigation unit. The
`navigation unit is connected to a vehicle electric source
`when the portable navigation apparatus is attached to the
`vehicle and connected to the exclusive electric source which
`
`is isolated from the vehicle electric source when the portable
`navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle, and the
`navigation unit starts controlling the information output
`means after the portable navigation apparatus is moved to an
`energy saving mode in which power consumption from the
`exclusive electric source is limited.
`
`According to the configuration described in 9), since the
`exclusive electric power source is provided, similarly to the
`apparatus described in 8),
`it
`is possible to obtain
`information, such as a current position, from the portable
`navigation apparatus when a user carries the portable navi-
`gation apparatus while walking outside of the vehicle by
`detaching it from the vehicle. In addition, when the portable
`navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle, the navi-
`gation unit starts controlling the information output means
`after the portable navigation apparatus moves to an energy
`saving mode,
`thereby the power consumption from the
`exclusive electric source is limited. Accordingly, it is pos-
`sible to configure the exclusive electric source with an
`electric source of small capacity. As a result, similarly to the
`apparatus described in 8), the portable navigation apparatus
`is down-sized, thus, convenience of the portable navigation
`apparatus when it is used outside of the vehicle increases.
`10) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 8) or 9), the exclusive electric source has a solar
`battery.
`According to the configuration described in 10), when the
`portable navigation apparatus is used outside of the vehicle,
`electric power is generated from solar rays, and the like, thus
`the size and weight of the exclusive electric source are
`reduced, thereby the size and weight of the overall apparatus
`are also reduced.
`
`11) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 8) or 9), the information output means includes
`both or either a display and/or a sound output unit.
`Accordingly, the contents of information outputted by the
`information output means is determined specifically.
`12) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 8) or 9), the information output means includes
`a display and a sound output unit, and the navigation unit
`turns on either the display or the sound output unit
`in
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`response to an information output instruction from one of
`the operation switches when the portable navigation appa-
`ratus is detached from the vehicle, and information is
`provided from either the display or the sound output unit
`which is turned on.
`
`According to the configuration described in 12), when the
`portable navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle,
`information is outputted either from the display or the sound
`output unit in response to the information output instruction
`from one of the operation switches, and the navigation unit
`controls to stop providing electric power to the non-selected
`information output means. Accordingly, control load on the
`navigation unit is reduced, power consumption from the
`exclusive electric source is limited.
`
`13) Further, in the present invention, the configuration
`described in 12) is more clearly specified, and when the
`portable navigation apparatus is disconnected from the
`vehicle, the navigation unit turns off the display and turns on
`the sound output unit in response to the information output
`instruction from one of the operation switches, and infor-
`mation is outputted as sound output from the sound output
`unit.
`
`According to the configuration described in 13), when the
`portable navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle,
`power supply to the display which requires larger amount of
`data to be processed by the navigation unit and consumes
`more electric power than the sound output unit is stopped,
`and information is outputted from the sound output unit.
`Thereby, the amount of data to be processed is reduced and
`the energy consumption is limited.
`14) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 8) or 9), when the portable navigation apparatus
`is detached from the vehicle, the navigation unit provides
`information via the information output means in response to
`reception of an information output instruction from one of
`the operational switches.
`According to the configuration described in 14), when the
`portable navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle,
`information is outputted by the information output means in
`response to reception of the information output instruction,
`and supply of electric energy to the information output
`means is stopped when the operation switch is not operated.
`Thus, the amount of data to be processed in the navigation
`unit is reduced and energy consumption is limited.
`15) Further, in the present invention, the configuration
`described in 14) is more clearly specified, and the operation
`switches are momentary contact
`type switches, and the
`navigation unit controls to turn on the information output
`means during the operation switch is on.
`According to the configuration described in 15), electric
`power is supplied to the information output means from the
`exclusive electric source during the operation switch is
`operated, and when the operation switch is released, power
`supply is automatically stopped. Thus, control load on the
`navigation unit is reduced and energy consumption from the
`exclusive electric source is automatically limited.
`16) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 8) or 9), the information output means has a
`display, and, when the portable navigation apparatus is
`detached from the vehicle, the navigation unit controls to
`display information on the display in response to reception
`of an operation instruction from one of the operation
`switches and stops displaying on the display after a prede-
`termined period of time has lapsed.
`According to the configuration-described in 16), when the
`portable navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle,
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`information is displayed on the display in response to
`reception of the operation instruction from the operation
`switch and the display stops displaying after a predeter-
`mined period of time has lapsed unless new operation
`instruction is received, and power supply to the display is
`stopped. Accordingly, energy consumption from the exclu-
`sive electric source is positively limited, in addition, since
`the navigation unit does not have to keep controlling the
`display, the amount of data to be processed by the navigation
`unit is reduced.
`
`17) Further, in the present invention, in the configuration
`described in 1), the information output means has a display,
`and, when the portable navigation apparatus is detached
`from the vehicle,
`the navigation unit reduces displayed
`amount per unit area on the display than the displayed
`amount on the display when the portable navigation appa-
`ratus is attached to the vehicle.
`
`According to the configuration described in 17), when the
`portable navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle,
`the navigation unit controls to reduce displayed amount per
`unit area on said display, thereby the amount of data to be
`processed in the navigation unit
`is reduced and energy
`consumption from the exclusive electric source is limited. In
`addition, when the display is configured with a portable
`display of small screen size, since the displayed amount is
`reduced, it is not hard to view the displayed content on the
`display.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will be apparent from the following description taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
`reference characters designate the same or similar parts
`throughout the figures thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodi-
`ments of the invention and, together with the description,
`serve to explain the principles of the invention.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
`control circuit of a navigation system according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control sequence when detach-
`ing a sub-navigation apparatus from a vehicle;
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operational control sequence
`of a display and a speaker of the sub-navigation apparatus
`when the sub-navigation apparatus is detached from the
`vehicle;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control sequence when trans-
`mitting information from the vehicle to the sub-navigation
`apparatus when the sub-navigation apparatus is detached
`from the vehicle; and
`FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a displayed
`content of the display of the sub-navigation apparatus when
`the sub-navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
`described in detail in accordance with the accompanying
`drawings.
`<First Embodiment>
`
`In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit for
`collectively controlling a vehicle; 2, a main navigation
`apparatus which is fixed to the vehicle (abbreviated as “main
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`navig.”, hereinafter); and 3, a sub-navigation apparatus
`which is portable and detachable from the vehicle
`(abbreviated as “sub-navig.”, hereinafter).
`The control unit 1 includes a microcomputer, and collec-
`tively controls a drive control apparatus 16, various acces-
`sories 17, a main display 25, and a sub-display 33, for
`example,
`in response to detection signals from various
`sensors 11, operation instructions from various control
`switches 12,
`information from an external monitor 13,
`information from a main navigation unit 20 which will be
`explained later, and instructions from a voice communica-
`tion switch 15 via a voice operated interface 14.
`More specifically, the control unit 1 controls the drive
`control apparatus 16, such as an anti-skid brake system
`(ABS), a four wheel steering (4WS) system, a four 3, wheel
`drive (4WD) system, and an electric gasoline injection (EGI)
`system, in response to the detection signals from the various
`sensors 11, such as a speed sensor and an engine speed
`sensor, which detect a running state and a traveling state of
`the vehicle, as well as controls operation of the various
`accessories 17, such as a power window, a door lock, wipers,
`and air conditioner,
`in response to operation instructions
`from the various control switches 12. Further, the control
`unit 1 controls to display a vehicle interval distance, a
`proximity warning message, obstacle information, etc. on
`the sub-display 33 on the basis of information from the
`external monitors 13, such as an automatic tracking unit
`using a laser radar and rear and front monitor cameras, as
`well as controls to display road map information, current
`position information, route guidance information, and traffic
`information, etc. on the main display 25 on the basis of
`information from the main navigation unit 20 which will be
`explained later, further controls to display character infor-
`mation of traffic information by FM multiplex broadcast,
`radio wave beacon and light beacon on the sub-display 33.
`Upon performing the above controls,
`the control unit 1
`notifies the driver of proximity warning and traffic jam
`information by voice outputted from a speaker of the voice
`communication switch 15 after converting the information
`to sound via the voice operated interface 14 and prompts a
`driver to perform corresponding operation.
`The main navig. 2 includes the main navigation unit 20
`which calculates the current position data and performs
`various controls of the main navig. 2, a global positioning
`system (GPS) receiver 21, an on-vehicle database 22, such
`as CD-ROMs and digital video disks (DVD), on which road
`map information, etc., is recorded, the main display 25, a
`vehicle information and control system unit (abbreviated to
`“VICS unit”), hereinafter) 23, and a ground communication
`unit 24, configured with an on-vehicle telephone,
`for
`example, for communicating via telephone communication
`means.
`
`The GPS receiver 21 receives signals from a number of
`GPS satellites via a GPS antenna 21a, and inputs data for
`calculating latitude and longitude of a current position on the
`basis of the signals from the satellites to the main navigation
`unit 20. Further,
`the on-vehicle database 22 is basically
`configured with CD-ROMs and a reading unit. The
`CD-ROMs are recorded with road map information, and
`service information for showing buildings which can be
`landmarks on streets, gas stations, tourist attractions, busi-
`ness hours of stores, telephone numbers, etc. Further, the
`VICS unit 23 includes respective receivers for the FM
`multiplex broadcast and the radio wave beacon, and a light
`beacon sensor for performing bidirectional communication
`with the light beacon by using light signals. The VICS unit
`23 receives traffic information (VICS information) from a
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`9
`traffic information center, which is an information base, via
`FM multiplex broadcast, radio wave beacon, or light beacon
`as information propagation medium, and inputs the received
`information to the main navigation unit 20. The ground
`communication unit 24 is able to receive emergency vehicle
`information of emergency vehicles, such as a police car, an
`ambulance and a fire truck, and emergency information,
`such as a traffic accident and a fire, propagated via radio
`wave of a specific frequency in a frequency range for ground
`radio-communication, in addition to telephone communica-
`tion means.
`
`The main navigation unit 20 calculates position coordi-
`nate data, such as latitude and longitude of the current
`position, on the basis of data from the GPS receiver 21 and
`data from the GPS receiver 31 of the sub-navig. 3, which
`will explained later, having the same configuration as the
`GPS receiver 21. Further,
`the main navigation unit 20
`controls to display a road map image on the basis of rode
`map data, for example, read from the on-vehicle database 22
`and service information, such traffic signals and gas stations,
`on the main display 25, and also controls to display a mark
`indica