(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2002/0173906 A1
`
` Muramatsu (43) Pub. Date: NOV. 21, 2002
`
`
`US 20020173906A1
`
`(54) PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
`SYSTEM, AND ONLINE NAVIGATION
`SERVICE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`........................... 701/207; 340/990; 340/995
`
`NETWORK
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Toshihiko Muramatsu, Iwata-gun (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
`Intellectual Property Group
`Suite 2800
`
`725 South Figueroa Street
`Los Angeles, CA 90017-5406 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. NO.:
`
`10/145,839
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 14, 2002
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 15, 2001
`
`(JP) .................................... P2001-145484
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G01C 21/26
`
`Aportable communication device comprises a GPS module
`for determining the present position, an electronic compass
`module for detecting an azimuth, a display, and a Wireless
`communicator. Herein, the position information represent-
`ing the destination and present position is transmitted
`towards the navigation server, which in turn provides the
`map information including the destination and present posi-
`tion, based on which corresponding icon symbols are indi-
`cated in the map displayed on the screen. In addition, the
`azimuth is also indicated by an angle departing from a north
`direction Of the map information. Specifically, an azimuthal
`arrOW symbol is displayed in proximity to the icon symbol
`representing the present position in the map, or the icon
`symbol is inclined by the aforementioned angle. Thus, it is
`possible to create images for navigation that are appropri-
`ately displayed on the screen and are recognizable in view-
`ing Without using expensive graphic processing.
`
`
`
`
`50
`
`NAV | GAT | ON
`SERVER
`
`CUSTOMER
`DATABASE
`
`MAP
`DATABASE
`
`60
`
`70
`
`80
`
`
`
`CONTROL STATION
`
`
`
`DEST l NAT ION
`
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10—1
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`CELLULAR PHONE
`
`SERVER (SHOP)
`
`Google 1007
`US. Patent NO. 9,445,251
`
`Google 1007
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 16
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`US 2002/0173906 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 16
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 16
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`ICON TYPE
`
`ICON SYMBOL
`
`ICON B
`
`ICON A
`
`[CON C
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG. 5
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 16
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`US 2002/0173906 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 7 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG. 7
`
`0°
`12 O’ CLOCK
`‘ DIRECTION OF ICON
`
`AZIMUTH 60°
`
`AZIMUTHAL
`
`ARROW SYMBOL
`(Deg 60)
`
`TOSHI
`
`FIG. 15
`
`ICON 1
`ICON 2
`ICON 3
`ICON 10
`
`..........
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 8 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.8
`
`
`
`BY PRESSING KEYS ON OPERATOR MANUAL INPUT,
`
`SELECT ICON FOR DISPLAYING PRESENT POSITION,
`
`
`AND INPUT CLASSIFICATION, NAME, TELEPHONE
`
`
`NUMBER, URL WITH RESPECT TO DESTINATION
`
`200
`
`DIRECT CELLULAR PHONE IN PROGRESSING DIRECTION
`
`2
`
`01
`
`ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN CELLULAR PHONE
`AND POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER TO
`REOUEST GPS MEASUREMENT ON PRESENT POSITION
`
`202
`
`203
`
`RETRIEVE MAP INCLUDING DESTINATION AND
`PRESENT POSITION AT POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
`
`
`DOWNLOAD MAP DATA AND PRESENT POSITION DATA
`FROM POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER,
`WHEREIN PRESENT POSITION DATA ARE STORED IN
`
`COLUMNS (4) AND (5) OF STORAGE
`
`
` 205
`
`204
`
`ACTIVATE ELECTRONIC COMPASS INSTALLED IN CELLULAR PHONE
`TO MEASURE AZIMUTH 0F OFPROGRESSING DIRECTION,
`AND STORE IT IN COLUMN (6) OF STORAGE
`
`SELECT AZIMUTHAL ARROW SYMBOL BELONGING T0
`MEASUREMED RANGE OF AZIMUTH; FOR EXAMPLE,AZZMUTHAL
`ARROW DATA Deg 60 IS SELECTED IN CASE OF 45 <69§§75°
`
`
`DISPLAY PRESENT POSITION DATA AND AZIMUTHAL ARROW DATA
`OVERLAPPED WITH MAP DATA SUCH THAT 12 O'CLOCK DIRECTION
`
`
`OF PRESENT POSITION ICON MATCHES UPPER DIRECTION (NORTH)
`ON MAP, AND STARTING POINT (0 ) FOR COUNTING AZIMUTH
`
`MATCHES WITH 12 O'CLOCK DIRECTION OF PRESENT POSITION ICON
`
`
`
`206
`
`207
`
`
`
`
`AZIMUTH AND
`
`PRESENT POSITION SHOULD BE
`MEASURED AGAIN ?
`
`
`
`
`208
`
`N0
`
`YES
`
`END
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 9 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`0
`
`FIG.9
`
`ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN CELLULAR PHONE
`AND POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER TO
`REOUEST GPS MEASUREMENT 0N PRESENT POSITION
`
`209
`
`210
`
`
`MAGNIFICATION
`
`OF MAP SHOULD BE
`CHANGED ?
`
`
`211
`YES
`
`
`RETREIVE ENLARGED MAP
`INCLUDING DESTINATION
`AND PRESENT POSITION AT
`
`POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`214
`
`
`DOWNLOAD GPS DATA FROM
`POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
`
`
`T0 UPDATE POSITION DATA IN
`
`
`COLUMNS (4),
`(5) OF STORAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOWNLOAD MAP DATA AND
`
`PRESENT POSITION DATA FROM
`POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER,
`
`WHEREIN PRESENT POSITION DATA
`
`ARE STORED IN COLUMNS
`(4),
`(5) OF STORAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACTIVATE ELECTRONIC COMPASS
`INSTALLED IN CELLULAR PHONE
`TO MEASURE AZIMUTH OF
`PROGRESSING DIRECTION, THUS
`UPDATING VALUE OF
`
`COLUMN (6) OF STORAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`213
`
`
`ACTIVATE ELECTRONIC COMPASS
`
`INSTALLED IN CELLULAR PHONE TO
`MEASURE AZIMUTH OF PROGRESSING
`
`DIRECTION,THUS UPDATING
`
`VALUE OF COLUMN (6) OF STORAGE
`217
`
`212
`
`
`
`UPDATE PRESENT
`
`
`POSITION ICON AND
`AZIMUTHAL ARROW
`
`
`SYMBOL 0N MAP
`
`215
`
`216
`
`END
`
`DOWNLOAD MAP DATA AND PRESENT POSITION DATA FROM POSITIONAL
`INFORMATION CENTER, THUS UPDATING STORED CONTENT OF STORAGE
`
`NEWLY DISPLAYING UPDATED MAP DATA, PRESENT
`POSITION ICON, AZIMUTHAL ARROW SYMBOL ON SCREEN
`
`219
`
`
`
`AZIMUTH AND
`
`
`PRESENT POSITION SHOULD BE
`
`
`MEASURED AGAIN ?
`
`
`
`218
`
`N0
`
`YES
`
`END
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 10 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 11 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.11
`
`
`
`
`
`SETUP OF ICON CHARACTERS
`ON OPERATOR MANUAL INPUT
`
`300
`
`
`
`SETUP OF NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER
`ON OPERATOR MANUAL INPUT
`
`302
`
` 301
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE IN ICON TABLE FOLLOWING DATA:
`(I)
`ICON CODE,DATA
`(2) NAME
`(3) TELEPHONE NUMBER
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 12 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.12
`
`DISPLAY ICON CHARACTERS
`INITIALLY SET ON SCREEN
`
`ARBITRARILY SELECT ICON CHARACTER
`FOR REQUIRED POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`
`READ TELEPHONE NUMBER
`IN CORRESPONDECE WITH ICON CHARACTER CODE
`STORED IN ICON TABLE
`
`MAKING CALL WITH TELEPHONE
`TO ACCESS ITS GPS AND
`ELECTRONIC COMPASS MODULES
`
`403
`
`DOWNLOAD LATITUIDE, LONGITUDE,
`AZIMUTH DATA OF ACCESSED TELEPHONE
`TO CELLULAR PHONE
`
`404
`
`STCRE IN ICON TABLE FOLLOWING DATA:
`(4) LATITUDE DATA
`(5) LONGITUDE DATA
`
`(6) AZIMUTH DATA
`
`405
`
`END
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 13 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.13
`
`500
`
`501
`
`START
`
`
`
`DOWNLOAD LOCAL MAP
`AROUND ACCESSED TELEPHONE
`
`
`BASED ON ITS LATITUDE
`AND LONGITUDE DATA
`
` DISPLAY ICON OVERLAPPED WITH LOCAL MAP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`502
`
`
`DISPLAYED POSITION OF ICON INDICATES
`
`PRESENT POSITION OF ACCESSED TELEPHONE,
`
`
`WHEREIN ANGLE OF INCLINATION OF ICON REPRESENTS
`AZIMUTH DIRECTED BY ACCESSED TELEPHONE.
`
`ON SCREEN BASED ON CONTENTS OF
`ICON TABLE STORING FOLLOWING DATA:
`(I)
`ICON CODE,DATA
`(4) LATITUDE DATA
`(5) LONGITUDE DATA
`(6) AZIMUTH DATA
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 14 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.14
`
`
`
`600
`
`ARBITRARILY SELECT ICON (ICON I)
`BY CURSOR KEY 0N SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`601
`
`
`DESIGNATE RAM ADDRESS (RX, C3),
`
`AND READ CELLULAR PHONE NUMBER
`WITH RESPECT TO ARBITRARILY SELECTED
`ICON;|N CASE OF ICON I,
`RAM ADDRESS
`
`(RI, C3)
`IS DESIGNATED
`
`
`
`MAKE CALL BY SENDING CELLULAR PHONE
`NUMBER '090-1234-0000’ OF RAM ADDRESS
`
`
`(RI, C3) TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`
`602
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 15 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 16 0f 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
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`
`

`

`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM,
`AND ONLINE NAVIGATION SERVICE IN
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`to portable navigation
`invention relates
`[0002] This
`devices and systems, and online navigation services in
`wireless communication systems. Specifically, this inven-
`tion relates to portable communication devices such as
`cellular phones having navigation functions, navigation
`servers for providing online navigation services, and navi-
`gation systems for providing online navigation services as
`requested by portable communication devices connected
`with networks in wireless communications.
`
`[0003]
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0004] Conventionally, so-called map information ser-
`vices are known as a typical example of navigation services,
`which are provided online via networks. That is, when the
`user who has a prescribed contract for receiving a certain
`navigation service operates
`a portable communication
`device such as a cellular phone to designate an item of ‘map’
`on the screen, the prescribed server or service station sends
`corresponding map data to the portable communication
`device.
`
`[0005] Recently, various types of navigation devices are
`developed and sold on the market. A typical example of the
`navigation device contains a GPS receiver (where ‘GPS’
`stands for ‘Global Positioning System’) and provides com-
`munication functions via networks. Hence, the user of the
`navigation device is able to confirm his/her present position
`on the map that is downloaded thereto.
`
`Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei
`[0006]
`7-91970 discloses a portable navigation device that contains
`a GPS device and an electronic compass, wherein the map
`displayed on the screen is rotated in such a way that its
`azimuth substantially matches the azimuth detected by the
`electronic compass. This publication discloses two types of
`processing for rotating the map on the screen. That is, the
`map is rotated on the screen by image processing, or the
`display is mechanically rotated by itself.
`
`[0007] The conventional map information service does not
`provide indications of the destination and present position
`with respect to the portable communication device. Hence,
`the user of the portable communication device is unable to
`confirm his/her present position and destination on the map
`displayed on the screen. Therefore, it cannot be used as a
`guide or guidance for the user of the portable communica-
`tion device.
`
`[0008] The user of the navigation device having a com-
`munication function, which was actually sold on the market,
`may be able to confirm his/her present position and desti-
`nation on the map displayed on the screen. However, the
`navigation device does not provide a function of notifying
`the user of his/her direction, i.e., azimuth thereof Therefore,
`the user should make some efforts to rotate the device with
`
`reference to an appropriate (land) mark and to establish an
`azimuth match.
`
`In the above, the user would easily make a mistake
`[0009]
`in establishing an azimuth match, and it may take a long time
`
`for the user to determine the optimal path towards the
`destination. In addition, the conventional navigation devices
`may be difficult to operate and cause problems in manual
`operations for users of a certain age. Further, the conven-
`tional navigation devices require the users to change direc-
`tions thereof and to establish azimuth matches prior to actual
`uses. Hence, it may be difficult for the users to properly hold
`the navigation devices and to view the screens.
`
`[0010] The portable navigation device disclosed by the
`aforementioned publication requires complicated graphic
`processing, which may be expensive, in order to electroni-
`cally ensure rotation of the map displayed on the screen by
`the prescribed image processing. In addition, it requires a
`complicated mechanism, which may be expensive, in order
`to ensure mechanical rotation of the display.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the invention to provide a portable
`[0011]
`communication device that is easy to operate for users of all
`ages and that can display a clear and recognizable navigation
`image on the screen without using ‘expensive’ graphic
`processing. Herein, the portable communication device hav-
`ing a navigation function is applicable to navigation sys-
`tems, in particular, wireless communication networks incor-
`porating servers for providing online navigation services.
`
`[0012] Aportable communication device such as a cellular
`phone has a connectibility with a navigation server for
`providing a prescribed navigation service online
`as
`requested over a network. The portable communication
`device of this invention comprises a GPS module for receiv-
`ing signals from GPS satellites to determine the present
`position, which can be two-dimensionally defined using the
`latitude and longitude, an electronic compass module for
`detecting an azimuth, a display for displaying various data
`on the screen, and a wireless communicator. It is character-
`ized by unique navigation display controls in association
`with the navigation server over the network such as the
`Internet. That is, the portable communication device trans-
`mits position information representing the destination and
`present position to the navigation server by the wireless
`communicator, and then it receives and downloads from the
`navigation server the map information including the desti-
`nation and present position, based on which icon symbols
`representing the destination and present position are respec-
`tively indicated in the map displayed on the screen. In
`addition, the azimuth is also indicated by an angle departing
`from a north direction of the map information. Specifically,
`the azimuth is indicated by displaying an azimuthal arrow
`symbol in proximity to the icon symbol representing the
`present position in the map, wherein an appropriate azi-
`muthal arrow symbol is selected from among a plurality of
`azimuthal arrow symbols, which are allocated to a plurality
`of azimuthal ranges respectively. Alternatively, the azimuth
`is indicated by inclining the icon symbol representing the
`present position by the angle departing from the north
`direction of the map information.
`
`[0013] Thus, it is possible to create images for navigation
`that are appropriately displayed on the screen and are
`recognizable in viewing without using expensive graphic
`processing. Hence, users of all ages are able to easily handle
`and operate navigation functions on the portable communi-
`cation device.
`
`

`

`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] These and other objects, aspects, and embodiments
`of the present invention will be described in more detail with
`reference to the following drawing figures, in which:
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall
`configuration of a navigation system in accordance with a
`preferred embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0016] FIG. 2 shows an example of a list of destination
`data that are registered with a destination server connected
`with a navigation server shown in FIG. 1;
`
`[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal
`configuration of a cellular phone shown in FIG. 1;
`
`[0018] FIG. 4 shows examples of icon symbols displayed
`on the screen;
`
`[0019] FIG. 5 shows examples of azimuthal arrow data
`representing azimuthal arrow symbols displayed on the
`screen;
`
`[0020] FIG. 6 shows an example of the content of an icon
`table that is stored in a RAM of the cellular phone;
`
`[0021] FIG. 7 shows an example of an icon symbol that is
`displayed together with an azimuthal arrow symbol on the
`screen;
`
`[0022] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first part of a
`navigation process executed by the cellular phone;
`
`[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second part of the
`navigation process executed by the cellular phone;
`
`[0024] FIG. 10 shows an example of an image displayed
`on the screen in such a way that an icon symbol and an
`azimuthal arrow symbol are displayed together in relation to
`an indication of a destination on an enlarged map;
`
`[0025] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an initial setup
`process for an icon table;
`
`[0026] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a position infor-
`mation setup process for the icon table;
`
`[0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an icon display
`process;
`
`[0028]
`
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a call process;
`
`[0029] FIG. 15 shows examples of icon symbols that are
`set in connection with icon codes;
`
`[0030] FIG. 16 shows an example of the content of the
`icon table that is set in the RAM of the cellular phone; and
`
`[0031] FIG. 17 shows an example of an image displayed
`on the screen such that icon symbols are each inclined and
`placed at different positions on the map.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0032] This invention will be described in further detail by
`way of examples with reference to the accompanying draw-
`ings.
`
`[0033] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an overall navi-
`gation system in accordance with the preferred embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`[0034] The navigation system shown in FIG. 1 employs a
`cellular phone (or portable telephone) as an example of a
`portable communication device, which can be constituted as
`a personal computer, notebook computer, PDA terminal
`(‘PDA’ stands for ‘Personal Digital Assistant’), and the like.
`
`In the navigation system of FIG. 1, a cellular
`[0035]
`phone 1 issues a navigation request via the Internet ‘40’, by
`which a navigation server 50 provides a prescribed naviga-
`tion service. The navigation server 50 is facilitated in the
`prescribed positional information center for providing posi-
`tion information as requested. In addition, the navigation
`server 50 also provides various functions as a GPS station.
`
`[0036] The GPS station performs measurement (triangu-
`lation) calculations based on prescribed signals (or data)
`from GPS satellites, wherein the data of the GPS satellites
`are originally received by the cellular phone 1 (or mobile
`station), from which they are transmitted to the GPS station.
`Then, the GPS station sends calculation results back to the
`cellular phone 1. Herein, the GPS station can employ the
`D-GPS system (where ‘D’ stands for ‘Differential’), wherein
`it sends error correction data to the mobile station perform-
`ing measurement calculations to correct errors. Alterna-
`tively, the GPS station employs the E-GPS system (where
`‘E’ stands for ‘Enhanced’), wherein it performs measure-
`ment calculations based on the signals of GPS satellites
`originally received by the mobile station, so that calculation
`results are sent back to the mobile station. If the mobile
`
`station has a capability of accurately determining the posi-
`tion thereof to some extent, there is no need to provide a
`GPS station for the mobile station (e.g., cellular phone 1).
`
`[0037] The cellular phone 1 communicates with one of
`base stations 10-1, 10-2,
`.
`.
`.
`, which are provided in the
`prescribed service area, wherein these base stations are
`pivotally managed under the control of a control station 30.
`
`[0038] The control station 30 is connected with the Inter-
`net 40 via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 32.
`
`[0039] The navigation server 50 is connected with the
`Internet 40, wherein it provides connections with various
`sites, namely, a customer database 60, a map database 70,
`and a destination database 80. A server 34 that is provided
`in the prescribed shop and the like is also connected with the
`Internet 40.
`
`[0040] The customer database 60 stores in advance cus-
`tomer data (e.g., names and telephone numbers of custom-
`ers) for specifying customers who have had contracts to
`receive navigation services. The map database 70 stores in
`advance map data that represent a variety of maps.
`
`[0041] The destination database 80 stores in advance
`destination data (e.g., names of shops, their latitude and
`longitude information, etc.)
`for specifying destinations,
`which may be designated by the cellular phone 1.
`
`[0042] FIG. 2 shows an example of a list of destination
`data that are registered with the destination database 80.
`Each list is provided for each area, for example, ‘Tokyo
`Chuo-ku’ area in case of FIG. 2. The destination data
`
`provide ‘fixed’ information data such as ‘classification’,
`‘name’, ‘telephone number’, and ‘URL (Uniform Resource
`Locator)’. Destinations are classified into shops, restaurants,
`and companies in case of FIG. 2. In addition, there are also
`provided other information data such as ‘latitude’ and ‘lon-
`
`

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`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`gitude’ of each destination as well as icon data displayed on
`the screen. As the icon data, prescribed combinations of icon
`codes and icon symbols are registered. The icon codes are
`denoted as ‘icon 1’, ‘icon 2’, .
`.
`.
`, in FIG. 2.
`
`[0043] The navigation server 50 receives from the cellular
`phone 1 its customer data, present position data, and signals
`of GPS satellites to provide the following functions.
`
`(1) To make a confirmation (or decision) as to
`[0044]
`whether or not the customer data (e.g., subscriber’s
`telephone number) specifying the user of the cellular
`phone 1 is registered with the customer database 60.
`
`(2) To create a map including the present posi-
`[0045]
`tion of the cellular phone 1 based on the present
`position data (i.e., latitude and longitude information)
`given from the cellular phone 1 in accordance with map
`data, or to create a map including the present position
`of the cellular phone 1 and the position of the pre-
`scribed shop, which is determined based on the latitude
`and longitude information of the prescribed shop (or
`destination) retrieved from the destination database 80.
`
`(3) To perform measurement calculations based
`[0046]
`on the signals of GPS satellites and to transmit calcu-
`lation results to the cellular phone 1 (or mobile station).
`
`[0047] FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the
`cellular phone 1 shown in FIG. 1. The cellular phone 1 of
`FIG. 3 comprises a CPU 100, a ROM 102, a RAM 104, an
`operator manual input section 106, a GPS module 108, an
`electronic compass module 110, a wireless communication
`section 112, a speech CODEC (i.e., coder-decoder) 114, a
`music playback section 116, a display 118, an interface (I/F)
`120, a microphone (MC) 122, an earpiece speaker 124, and
`an incoming call speaker 126. The ROM 102 stores in
`advance various kinds of programs and fixed data. The CPU
`100 executes programs to control various sections and
`blocks of the cellular phone 1, thus providing telephone
`functions as well as functions as the game device and music
`player.
`
`[0048] Specifically, the ROM 102 stores fixed data such as
`music data representing incoming call melodies, and appli-
`cation programs for the game software in addition to the
`aforementioned programs. In addition, the ROM 102 also
`stores icon data, azimuthal arrow data, and other fixed data.
`The icon data (see FIG. 4) represent icon symbols (or icon
`characters), which are displayed on the screen to provide
`personal position information for the user of the cellular
`phone 1. The azimuthal arrow data (see FIG. 5) represent
`azimuthal directions, which are displayed on the screen in
`proximity to the icon symbols (see FIG. 7).
`
`[0049] As the icon symbols, the ROM 2 stores ‘icon A’,
`‘icon B’, and ‘icon C’, each of which can be used as a
`representation of the present position of the cellular phone 1,
`for example.
`
`[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the complete azimuthal range
`of 360° is divided into twelve angular ranges each including
`30°. These angular ranges are registered with the ROM 102
`as twelve azimuthal arrow data, namely, Deg 0, Deg 30, Deg
`60, Deg 90, Deg 120, Deg 150, Deg 180, Deg 210, Deg 240,
`Deg 270, Deg 300, and Deg 330. Specifically, the azimuthal
`arrow data provide the following angular ranges respec-
`tively.
`
`[0051] Deg 0: 345°§0<15°
`
`[0052] Deg 30: 15°§0<45°
`
`[0053] Deg 60: 45°§0<75°
`
`[0054] Deg 90: 75°§0<105°
`
`[0055] Deg 120: 105°§0<135°
`
`[0056] Deg 150: 135°§0<165°
`
`[0057] Deg 180: 165°§6<195°
`
`[0058] Deg 210: 195°§0<225°
`
`[0059] Deg 240: 225°§0<255°
`
`[0060] Deg 270: 255°§0<285°
`
`[0061] Deg 300: 285°§0<315°
`
`[0062] Deg 330: 315°§0<345°
`
`[0063] Therefore, twelve azimuthal arrow symbols, each
`of which is revolved in a clockwise direction by 30°, are
`provided to represent the aforementioned twelve azimuthal
`arrow data respectively.
`
`[0064] The RAM 104 stores various data, which are
`downloaded to the cellular phone 1 via the Internet 40, as
`well as various music data which are input from the external
`audio device and the like. The RAM 104 provides an icon
`table (see FIG. 6), having columns (1)-(6), which stores
`personal data (e.g., name) for specifying individual persons,
`phone data (e.g.,
`telephone number) for specifying tele-
`phones of individual persons, and position information (e. g.,
`GPS position information) of these telephones in relation to
`arbitrary icon symbols. In addition,
`the RAM 104 also
`provides a user setup data storage area, and a work area for
`the CPU 100.
`
`[0065] The operator manual input section 106 provides a
`start key and an end key that are used to start and end a
`conversation or telephone communication, numeric keys,
`cursor keys, function keys, and a power key.
`
`[0066] The GPS module 108 receives from three or more
`GPS satellites the prescribed signals for use in measurement
`of positioning, so that it sends data representing the received
`signals to the GPS station, which in turn performs measure-
`ment calculations. Then, calculation results produced by the
`GPS station are sent back to the cellular phone 1, in which
`they are stored in the prescribed area of the RAM 104 to
`update its content under the control of the GPS module 108.
`
`[0067] The electronic compass 110 detects the azimuth of
`the cellular phone 1 by itself every prescribed time period,
`thus producing azimuth data. Alternatively, the electronic
`compass 110 normally detects the azimuth of the cellular
`phone 1 by itself, thus producing azimuth data. The azimuth
`data are stored in the prescribed area of the RAM 104 to
`update its content under the control of the electronic module
`110.
`
`[0068] The wireless communication section 112 receives
`signals via an antenna 20 and modulates them. In addition,
`the wireless communication section 112 modulates signals
`and transmits them in the air via the antenna 20.
`
`[0069] The speech CODEC 114 decodes speech signals
`from the wireless communication section 112, so that the
`decoded speech signals are supplied to the earpiece speaker
`
`

`

`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`124. In addition, the speech CODEC 114 performs com-
`pressive coding on speech signals that are picked up by the
`microphone 122, so that the compressed speech signals are
`supplied to the wireless communication section 112.
`
`[0070] The music playback section 116 supplies the
`speaker 126 with an incoming call melody, which is used to
`notify the user of a reception of an incoming call. Alterna-
`tively, the music playback section 116 plays back the music
`data stored in the ROM 102 or the RAM 104, so that the
`speaker 126 produces the corresponding incoming call
`melody.
`
`[0071] The display 118 displays various kinds of data
`including map information on the screen. The display 118 is
`constituted as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example.
`The interface 120 provides an input terminal (not shown) by
`which the cellular phone 1 is connected with an external
`audio device (not shown). Thus,
`the cellular phone 1 is
`capable of receiving from the external audio device the
`prescribed music data, which are then stored in the RAM
`104.
`
`[0072] The cellular phone 1 provides a bus 90 that mutu-
`ally connects together the CPU 100, ROM 102, RAM 104,
`operator manual input section 106, GPS module 108, elec-
`tronic compass module 110, wireless communication section
`112, speech CODEC 114, music playback section 116,
`display 118, and interface 120.
`
`[0073] Next, the overall operation of the aforementioned
`navigation system will be described with reference to flow-
`charts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. That is, the cellular phone
`1 starts to perform a navigation process shown in FIGS. 8
`and 9 upon manual operation of keys. In step 200, the user
`operates keys of the operator manual input section 106 to
`select a desired icon symbol that is displayed on the screen
`to indicate the present position of the cellular phone 1. In
`addition, the user also operates keys of the operator manual
`input section 106 to designate a destination by specifying its
`classification, name,
`telephone number, or URL. For
`example, when the user operates the operator manual input
`section 106 to select ‘icon A’ shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6, the
`icon A is entitled in the icon type (1) of the icon table in the
`RAM 104 (see FIG. 6).
`[0074] Then, the user holds and turns the cellular phone 1
`in his/her progressing direction in step 201. In step 202, the
`user operates the cellular phone 1 to make an access to the
`navigation server 50 facilitated in the positional information
`center to request
`it
`to perform measurement calculation
`processing based on measurement results produced by the
`GPS module 108. Herein, the cellular phone 1 activates the
`GPS module 108 to provide position information (i.e.,
`latitude and longitude information) representing the present
`position of the cellular phone 1.
`
`[0075] Concretely speaking, the GPS module 108 receives
`from three or more GPS satellites the prescribed signals for
`positional measurement, so that the corresponding data are
`transmitted to the navigation server 50 of the positional
`information center. Then,
`the GPS module 108 receives
`from the navigation server 50 measurement calculation
`results, based on which the position information (latitude
`and longitude information) representing the present position
`of the cellular phone 1 can be obtained.
`
`[0076] Upon receipt of the prescribed signals from the
`cellular phone 1, the navigation server 50 retrieves from the
`
`map database 70 the map information including the desti-
`nation and present position of the cellular phone 1 in step
`203.
`
`In step 204, the cellular phone 1 downloads from
`[0077]
`the navigation server 50 the map information including the
`destination and present position thereof as well as the
`position information (latitude and longitude information)
`representing the present position thereof In the cellular
`phone 1, the map information is stored in the prescribed area
`of the RAM 104, while the position information is stored in
`the columns (4) and (5) of the icon table (see FIG. 6) of the
`RAM 104. Every time new information data are downloaded
`to and stored in the cellular phone 1, the aforementioned
`contents of the RAM 104 are updated.
`
`the cellular phone 1 activates the
`In step 205,
`[0078]
`electronic compass module 110 to detect
`the azimuth
`thereof, thus producing azimuth data. The azimuth data are
`stored in the column (6) of the icon table (see FIG. 6) of the
`RAM 104. In step 206, azimuthal arrow data is selected in
`correspondence with the azimuthal range which the detected
`azimuth belongs to and is selected from the ROM 102.
`
`[0079] For example, when the detected azimuth belongs to
`the azimuthal range of 45° é 0<75°, the azimuthal arrow data
`‘Deg 60’ is correspondingly selected and is read from the
`ROM 102.
`
`In step