Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Ohmura et al.
`
`US006125326A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,125,326
`Sep. 26, 2000
`
`[54] NAVIGATION SYSTEM
`
`5,899,956
`
`5/1999 Chan ..................................... .. 701/213
`
`[75] Inventors: Hiroshi Ohmura, Hatsukaichi; Koji
`Hosoda, Hiroshima-ken; Hideaki
`Kikuchi, Hatsukaichi, all of Japan
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4.238218 8/1992 Japan _
`8-318792 12/1996 Japan .
`
`[73] Assigneez Mazda Motor Corporation,
`Hiroshimebken, Japan
`
`[21] Appl NO _ 08/933 341
`
`.
`
`..
`
`,
`
`Primary ExamiIter—William A. Cuchlinski, Jr.
`Assistant Examzner—O'lga Hernandez .
`Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm—S1Xbey, Friedman, Leedom &
`Ferguson, P.C.; Donald R. Studebaker
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Sep. 19, 1997
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`-
`-
`-
`-
`-
`F
`t D t
`P
`t
`A l
`30
`orelgn pp lea Ion non y a a
`[
`]
`Sep. 30, 1996
`[JP]
`Japan .................................. .. 8-259140
`7
`_
`_
`[51] Int. Cl. .............................. .. G01S 3/02,53614327102096
`[52] U S C]
`701/213_ 701/211_ 701007
`'
`'
`701/205? 701/206 342/457f
`’
`’ 455 456’
`/
`_
`[58] Fleld 0f Search ................................... .. 701/213, 211,
`701/207’ 201’ 202’ 205’ 206; 342/457’
`456
`
`’
`
`’
`
`[56]
`
`_
`References Clted
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`’
`
`’
`
`5,887,269
`5,889,943
`
`iwfl’fretetl al' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
`S n e a‘
`gggrllzlzlzeirlfl'
`701/208
`3/1999 Brunts et al. .
`3/1999 11 et al. ............................ .. 340/825.34
`
`A combination of a main navigation apparatus 2 Which is
`?xed to the vehicle and a sub-navigation apparatus 3 Which
`is detachable from the Vehicle, When the sub-navigation
`apparatus 3 is attached, map information and current posi
`tion information is displayed on a main display 25 under
`control of a sub-control unit 1, and state of the vehicle is
`displayed on a sub-display 33. When detaching the sub
`navigation apparatus 3 from the vehicle, area map informa
`tion necessary for Waking outside of the vehicle is trans
`mined from an on_vehicle database 22 to a RAM 32' When
`the sub-navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle, if
`the operation sWitch 36 is turned on, either the sub-display
`33 or a speaker 34 is operated by an sub-navigation unit in
`a saving poWer control mode in Which either the sub-display
`33 or the speaker 34 is operated only for a predetermined
`period of time since the operation sWitch 36 is turned on.
`When information stored in the RAM 32 is not insufficient,
`additional information is transmitted form the on-vehicle
`database 22 via a telephone terminal 37.
`
`18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`III
`
`MAIN DISPLAY
`
`1
`
`37
`
`31a
`
`3
`
`31
`
`GPS
`RECEIVER
`
`32
`
`35b
`
`36
`OPERATION
`SWITCHES
`
`BATTERY
`
`SUB-NAVIGATION
`UNIT
`
`30
`
`I
`
`| HEW
`
`17
`
`ACCESSORIES
`
`2
`
`213;?
`
`13
`
`EXTERNAL
`MONITORS
`
`21
`
`GPS
`RECEIVER
`
`35a
`
`33
`—>' SUB-DISPIJ\Y
`
`34
`SPEAKER
`
`CONTROL
`UNIT
`
`SUENAVIG.
`DEI'ACHMENT
`SWITCH
`
`23
`
`T 24
`\
`GROUND
`COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`VOICE OPERATED
`INTERFACE
`
`14
`
`VOICE COMMUNICATION
`SWITCH
`r- ------ "1 r ————————— -——|
`
`LSPEAKER i ILMICROPHONE i
`
`15
`N
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 26, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`
`6,125,326
`
`F I G.
`
`1
`
`25
`
`IEI 40
`
`‘I
`I
`I
`,
`I
`I
`I
`|
`I
`
`3
`31a
`37 V
`___ ____z:___
`
`I I
`
`-
`I— II
`i
`I
`.
`I32
`I
`I
`I SUB-NAVIGATION
`I
`UNIT
`
`GPS
`RECEIVER
`
`31
`
`36
`%PERéTIOgI
`
`WIT HE
`
`SOLAR
`BATIERY
`
`35b
`
`II
`34
`L___-__________J
`
`SUB-DISPLAY
`
`SPEAKER
`
`.
`
`.
`
`17
`
`ACCESSORIES
`
`M
`
`R—————————‘I
`I
`!
`
`GPS
`
`'
`
`'
`
`21
`
`20
`
`UNIT
`
`I
`
`CONE“
`
`1
`
`SENSORS
`
`DRIVE CONTROL
`APPARATUS
`16
`
`'
`
`DATABA E
`
`-
`
`-
`
`.
`
`CONTROL
`
`SWITCHES
`
`12
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`MAN
`i
`NAVIGATION '
`-
`.
`I
`|
`38
`I 22
`I
`SUB NAVIG
`- I
`I
`I DEE’IfiwENT
`I
`I
`VOICE OPERATED
`VICS
`I
`I
`- INTERFACE
`-
`.
`I v
`|
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`.
`.
`VOICE COMMUNICATION
`I
`I
`___-....SWITCH
`|
`I
`
`24
`
`23
`
`GROUND
`COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`14
`
`15
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 2
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 26,2000
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`6,125,326
`
`FIG. 2
`
`S1
`
`SUB-NAVIG.
`DETECHMENT SWITCH
`TURNED ON?
`
`54 N TURN ON
`SUB-NAVIGATION UNIT
`
`TRANsMIT AREA MAP
`3 5
`” INFORMATION TO RAM
`
`I
`
`56 x DISCONNECT FROM
`CONTROL UNIT
`
`l
`
`37x DETACH SUB-NAVIG.
`
`SWITCH TO DISPLAY ON
`MAIN DISPLAY
`
`/s(2
`
`TURN OFF
`SUB-NAVIGATION UNIT
`
`?3
`
`KEEP CONNECTION To
`coNTRoL UNIT
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 26,2000
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`6,125,326
`
`FIG. 3
`
`MONITOR SWITCH
`TURNED ON?
`
`812 x TURN ON SOLAR
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`l
`
`813x TURN ON SUB-DISPLAY
`
`514“-
`
`TRUN OF
`SOUND CIRCUIT
`
`SOUND SWITCH
`TURNED ON?
`
`818 \_ TURN ON soLAR
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`I
`
`TURN ON
`819 q’ SOUND CIRCUIT
`
`820 W TURN OFF
`SUB-DISPLAY
`
`sj15
`
`TURN OFF SOLAR
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`l 816
`
`[J
`TURN OFF SUB-DISPLAY
`
`821
`f
`TRUN OFF SOLAR
`BATTERY CIRCUIT
`
`I ,J
`
`TRUN OFF
`SOUND CIRCUIT
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 26, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`
`6,125,326
`
`WAIT FOR COMMAND M831
`
`NO
`
`532
`
`YEsl
`
`SWITCH MAIN NAVIG. N333
`TO OUTPUT MODE
`
`RECEIVE POSITION N834
`COOHDINATES
`
`i
`
`OUPUT AREA MAP
`INFORMATION
`
`?/sss
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 26,2000
`
`Sheet 5 0f5
`
`6,125,326
`
`FIG. 5
`
`I T7]
`
`1|
`
`332
`
`Q .0
`‘A 7 1 .P TF
`
`333
`
`10-MINUTE WALK T0
`JANAKA'S HOUSE TO THE EAS
`/'
`335
`
`T I H
`
`t
`
`.M
`\ 334
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 6
`
`

`

`1
`NAVIGATION SYSTEM
`
`6,125,326
`
`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 ?xed to a
`vehicle and a sub-navigation apparatus Which is detachable
`from the vehicle.
`Conventionally, portable navigation apparatuses con?g
`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 con?gured 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 ?xed to a
`speci?c 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 ef?ciency 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 con?gured 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.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`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
`?guring 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 ?xed 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 con?gured in the sub-navigation apparatus.
`According to the con?guration described in 1), the navi
`gation system is con?gured With the combination of the
`main navigation apparatus Which is ?xed 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 con?gured
`With, e.g., RAM Without using CD-ROM, and the like. As a
`result, it is possible to con?gure the sub-storage means in
`much smaller siZe than the main storage means in the main
`navigation unit Which is con?gured 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
`con?guration 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 con?guration 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
`con?guration described in 1), a control unit for collectively
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 7
`
`

`

`3
`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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`6,125,326
`
`4
`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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`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 speci?cally.
`7) Further, in the present invention, in the con?guration
`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 con?guration 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 con?guration described in 8), since the
`exclusive electric poWer source is provided, it is possible to
`obtain information, such as a current position, from the
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 8
`
`

`

`6,125,326
`
`5
`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 con?gure 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 con?guration 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 con?gure 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 con?guration
`described in 8) or 9), the exclusive electric source has a solar
`battery.
`According to the con?guration 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 con?guration
`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 speci?cally.
`12) Further, in the present invention, in the con?guration
`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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`6
`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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`described in 12) is more clearly speci?ed, 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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`described in 14) is more clearly speci?ed, 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 con?guration 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 con?guration
`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 con?guration-described in 16), When the
`portable navigation apparatus is detached from the vehicle,
`
`ZTE Exhibit 1011 - 9
`
`

`

`6,125,326
`
`7
`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 con?guration
`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 con?guration 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 con?gured 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 ?gures thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying draWings, Which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of the speci?cation, 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 con?guration of a
`control circuit of a navigation system according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a ?oWchart of a control sequence When detach
`ing a sub-navigation apparatus from a vehicle;
`FIG. 3 is a ?oWchart 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 ?oWchart 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.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`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 ?xed to the vehicle (abbreviated as “main
`
`65
`
`8
`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 speci?cally, 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 Wa