111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20020173906Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0173906 A1
`Nov. 21, 2002
`Muramatsu
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
`SYSTEM, AND ONLINE NAVIGATION
`SERVICE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`(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? ..................................................... GOlC 21/26
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 701/207; 340/990; 340/995
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A portable 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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`tion, based on which corresponding icon symbols are indi(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`ately displayed on the screen and are recognizable in view(cid:173)
`ing without using expensive graphic processing.
`
`30
`
`CONTROL STATION
`
`34
`
`SERVER
`
`(SHOP)
`
`60
`
`70
`
`80
`
`CUSTOMER
`DATABASE
`
`MAP
`DATABASE
`
`DESTINATION
`DATABASE
`
`Apple Inc. 1007
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`

`

`FIG.l
`
`30
`
`CONTROL STATION Jc •'
`
`10-1
`
`10-2
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`1
`
`34
`
`SERVER
`
`(SHOP)
`
`CUSTOMER
`DATABASE
`
`60
`
`I
`70
`
`MAP
`DATABASE
`
`I
`DESTINATION I
`
`80
`
`DATABASE
`
`'t:l
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`>
`'t:l -....
`.... 0 =
`= 0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`z
`0
`~
`N
`'"""' ~
`N c c
`
`N
`
`'JJ. =-~
`~ .....
`'"""' 0 ......,
`'"""' 0'1
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`N -c
`
`'"""'
`-..J
`~
`'0 c
`0'1
`>
`'"""'
`
`

`

`FIG. 2
`
`AREA TOKYO CHUO-KU
`NAME
`CLASSIFICATION
`SHOP
`
`Apple
`Beattles
`Casa
`
`RESTAURANT
`
`COMPANY
`
`AI
`Bean
`Candy
`
`URL
`
`LATITUDE
`
`LONGITUDE
`
`TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`03-1234-ocoJ
`03-1234®1
`03-1234®2
`
`03-2345-<XXX)
`03-2345®1
`03-2345®2
`
`wvwv.aople.cojp
`wvwv.beattle.cojp
`wvwv.casa.cojp
`
`wvwv.ai.co,jp
`wvwv.bean.coJp
`wvwv.candy.co.ip
`
`ICON ON
`DISPLAY
`ICON 1 EB
`ICON 2 6.
`ICON 3
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`: I
`I CON 11
`I CON 12 :
`I CON 13 : I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`:
`I CON 21
`ICON 22 :
`ICON 23 :
`
`I
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`z
`0
`~
`N
`'"""' ~
`
`N c s
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`N
`0 .....,
`'"""' 0'1
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`~ c
`'"""'
`;:;!
`'0 c
`0'1
`>
`'"""'
`
`36.14N 140.11E
`31.25N 130.53E
`43.55N 144.12E
`
`38.67N 135.64E
`39.41N 134.41 E
`40.55N 130.40E
`
`38.67N 135.64E
`33.79N 133.37E
`30.79N 132.56E
`
`AOI Corp
`BSinc
`SodaComp
`
`03-3456-<XXX)
`03-3456®1
`03-3456®2
`
`wvwv.aoi.co,jp
`WNW.bs.co,jp
`WNW.soda.co,jp
`
`L__
`
`-----·~--- .. ~ -
`
`--·~ --
`
`..
`
`

`

`FIG.3
`
`_~126
`~
`SP
`
`1~116
`
`MUSIC
`PLAYBACK
`
`122
`
`124
`
`20
`
`\
`
`~12
`
`I
`
`MC I I SP
`WIRELESS H SPEECH
`COMMUNICATION
`CODEC
`
`~
`
`~
`
`'
`
`ROM
`
`RAM
`
`CPU
`
`1d; ~ Jo
`
`OPERATOR
`MANUAL
`INPUT
`106~
`
`GPS MODULE
`
`108~
`
`ELECTRONIC
`COMPASS
`MODULE
`110~
`
`c::118
`DISPLAY
`
`120_S_
`INTERFACE
`(I /F)
`
`~90
`
`'I'
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`z
`0
`~
`N
`'"""' ~
`
`N c s
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`
`~
`0 ......,
`'"""' 0'1
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`~ c
`'"""'
`;:;!
`'0 c
`0'1
`>
`'"""'
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`ICON TYPE
`ICON A
`
`ICON SYMBOL
`
`ICON B
`
`ICON C
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`AZIMUTHAL
`RANGE
`
`345° <8<15°
`
`AZIMUTHAL
`ARROW
`DATA
`
`AZIMUTHAL
`ARROW
`SYMBOL
`
`15° <e<45°
`
`Deg30
`
`45° <0<75°
`
`75° <8<105° Oeg90
`
`OegO u
`!J
`Oeg60 ~
`q
`105° <0<135° Deg 120 ~
`\'y
`165° <0<195° Deg 180 ~
`(l
`t;)
`¢=1
`285° <0<315° Oeg 300 ~
`315° <8<345° Deg330 ~
`
`135° <0<165° Deg 150
`
`195° <0<225° Deg 210
`
`225° <8<255° Deg 240
`
`255° <8<285° Deg 270
`
`

`

`FIG.6
`
`ICON TABLE
`
`(1)
`
`(2)
`
`ICON TYPE
`
`NAME
`
`(3)
`CELLULAR PHONE
`NUMBER
`
`(4)
`
`(5)
`
`(6)
`
`LATITUDE
`
`LONGITUDE
`
`AZIMUTH
`
`ICON A Toshi Muramatsu
`
`090-1234-5678
`
`36. 14N
`
`140. 11 E
`
`47°
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`z
`0
`~
`N
`'"""' ~
`
`N c s
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`0'1
`0 ......,
`'"""' 0'1
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`~ c
`'"""'
`;:;!
`'0 c
`0'1
`>
`'"""'
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG. 7
`
`oo
`12 0' CLOCK
`• D I RECT I ON OF I CON
`
`-·
`AZIMUTHAL
`ARROW SYMBOL
`(Deg 60)
`
`TOSHI
`
`FIG. 15
`
`ICON 1
`
`ICON 2
`
`ICON 10
`
`ICON 3
`
`I~ I · · · · · · · · · · ~
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.8
`
`START
`..
`INPUT, ~200
`BY PRESSING KEYS ON OPERATOR MANUAL
`ICON FOR DISPLAYING PRESENT POSITION,
`SELECT
`AND
`INPUT CLASSIFICATION, NAME, TELEPHONE
`NUMBER, URL WITH RESPECT TO DESTINATION
`t
`I DIRECT CELLULAR PHONE
`IN PROGRESSING DIRECTION
`'f
`ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN CELLULAR PHONE ~202
`AND POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER TO
`REQUEST GPS MEASUREMENT ON PRESENT POSITION
`_t_
`INCLUDING DESTINATION AND
`RETRIEVE MAP
`PRESENT POSITION AT POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
`t
`DOWNLOAD MAP DATA AND PRESENT POSITION DATA ~204
`FROM POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER,
`WHEREIN PRESENT POSITION DATA ARE STORED
`IN
`COLUMNS (4) AND (5) OF STORAGE
`..
`·~205
`IN CELLULAR PHONE
`INSTALLED
`ACTIVATE ELECTRONIC COMPASS
`TO MEASURE AZIMUTH OF OFPROGRESSING DIRECTION,
`AND STORE IT IN COLUMN (6) OF STORAGE
`..
`SELECT AZIMUTHAL ARROW SYMBOL BELONGING TO
`MEASUREMED RANGE OF AZIMUTH; FOR EXAMPLE.AZZMUTHAL
`IN CASE OF 45 < e < 75°
`ARROW DATA Deg 60 IS SELECTED
`'
`DISPLAY PRESENT POSITION DATA AND AZIMUTHAL ARROW DATA
`OVERLAPPED WITH MAP DATA SUCH THAT 12 O'CLOCK DIRECTION
`ICON MATCHES UPPER DIRECTION
`OF PRESENT POSITION
`(NORTH)
`ON MAP, AND STARTING POINT (0 ) FOR COUNTING AZIMUTH
`MATCHES WITH 12 O'CLOCK DIRECTION OF PRESENT POSITION
`ICON
`
`201
`
`~203
`
`r-- 206
`
`~ 207
`
`208
`
`AZIMUTH AND
`PRESENT POSITION SHOULD BE
`MEASURED AGAIN ?
`YES
`B
`
`NO
`
`( END )
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 9 of 16
`FIG.9
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN CELLULAR PHONE
`AND POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER TO
`REQUEST GPS MEASUREMENT ON PRESENT POSITION
`
`209
`
`NO
`
`RETREIVE ENLARGED MAP
`INCLUDING DESTINATION
`AND PRESENT POSITION AT
`POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
`
`214
`DOWNLOAD GPS DATA FROM
`POSITIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
`TO 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
`
`ACTIVATE ELECTRONIC COMPASS
`INSTALLED
`IN CELLULAR PHONE TO
`MEASURE AZIMUTH OF PROGRESSING
`DIRECTION, THUS UPDATING
`VALUE OF COLUMN (6) OF STORAGE
`217
`213
`DOWNLOAD MAP DATA AND PRESENT POSITION DATA FROM POSITIONAL
`INFORMATION CENTER. THUS UPDATING STORED CONTENT OF STORAGE
`
`UPDATE PRESENT
`POSITION
`ICON AND
`AZIMUTHAL ARROW
`SYMBOL ON MAP
`
`215
`
`212
`
`216
`
`NEWLY DISPLAYING UPDATED MAP DATA. PRESENT
`POSITION ICON, AZIMUTHAL ARROW SYMBOL ON SCREEN
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`0
`~
`
`.
`0
`~
`~
`
`LJ.... o:z:
`0
`z -
`01-
`-<C
`1- :z:
`<-
`01-- (/.)
`Ou..J zo
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.ll
`
`ICON CHARACTERS
`SETUP OF
`ON OPERATOR MANUAL
`INPUT
`
`300
`
`SETUP OF NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER
`ON OPERATOR MANUAL INPUT
`
`ICON TABLE FOLLOWING DATA:
`IN
`STORE
`(1)
`ICON CODE,DATA
`(2) NAME
`(3) TELEPHONE NUMBER
`
`301
`
`302
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.12
`
`r--/401
`
`~ 402
`
`START
`t
`DISPLAY
`ICON CHARACTERS ~400
`INITIALLY SET ON SCREEN
`J
`ICON CHARACTER
`ARBITRARILY SELECT
`FOR REQUIRED POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`_t
`READ TELEPHONE NUMBER
`IN CORRESPONDECE WITH
`ICON CHARACTER CODE
`STORED
`IN
`ICON TABLE
`J
`MAKING CALL WITH TELEPHONE ~403
`TO ACCESS ITS GPS AND
`ELECTRONIC COMPASS MODULES
`J
`DOWNLOAD LATITUIDE, LONGITUDE,
`AZIMUTH DATA OF ACCESSED TELEPHONE
`TO CELLULAR PHONE
`t
`ICON TABLE FOLLOWING DATA:
`IN
`STORE
`(4) LATITUDE DATA
`(5) LONGITUDE DATA
`(6) AZIMUTH DATA
`
`r--/404
`
`~4 05
`
`+
`END
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.13
`
`START
`
`+
`DOWNLOAD LOCAL MAP ~ 500
`AROUND ACCESSED TELEPHONE
`BASED ON ITS LATITUDE
`AND LONGITUDE DATA
`
`DISPLAY ICON OVERLAPPED WITH LOCAL MAP
`ON SCREEN BASED ON CONTENTS OF
`ICON TABLE STORING FOLLOWING DATA:
`(1)
`ICON CODE,DATA
`(4) LATITUDE DATA
`(5) LONGITUDE DATA
`(6) AZIMUTH DATA
`
`~501
`
`ICON INDICATES
`DISPLAYED POSITION OF
`PRESENT POSITION OF ACCESSED TELEPHONE,
`WHEREIN ANGLE OF INCLINATION OF
`ICON REPRESENTS
`AZIMUTH DIRECTED BY ACCESSED TELEPHONE.
`
`rJ02
`
`( END
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`FIG.14
`
`START
`J
`(ICON 1) ~600
`ARBITRARILY SELECT ICON
`BY CURSOR KEY ON SCREEN
`~
`DESIGNATE RAM ADDRESS (Rx, C3),
`AND READ CELLULAR PHONE NUMBER
`WITH RESPECT TO ARBITRARILY SELECTED
`ICON; IN CASE OF
`ICON 1. RAM ADDRESS
`(Rl, C3)
`IS DESIGNATED
`
`~ 601
`
`~
`MAKE CALL BY SENDING CELLULAR PHONE ~ 602
`NUMBER '090-1234-0000' OF RAM ADDRESS
`(Rl, C3) TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`~
`END
`
`

`

`FIG.16
`
`ICON TABLE
`(1)C1
`
`(2)C2
`
`ICON TYPE
`
`PERSONAL NAME
`
`R1
`R2
`R3
`
`ICON 1 Toshi Toshi Muramatsu
`ICON 2 Masa Masa Yamaha
`ICON 3 Taka
`Taka Nomura
`
`(5) C5
`(4) C4
`(3) C3
`CELLULAR PHONE LATITUDE LONGITUDE
`NUMBER
`090-1234-0000
`36. 14N
`140. 11E
`090-1234-0001
`31.25N
`130.53E
`090-1234-0002
`43.55N
`144. 12E
`
`(6) C6
`
`AZIMUTH
`
`80°
`120°
`175°
`
`R10
`
`ICON 10 Tom
`
`Tom Yamada
`
`090-1234-0010
`
`38.67N
`
`135. 64E
`
`-
`
`~--
`
`40°
`
`-
`
`I
`_I
`
`I
`
`!
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`z
`0
`~
`N
`'"""' ~
`
`N c s
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`'"""' Ul
`0 ......,
`'"""' 0'1
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`~ c
`'"""'
`;:;!
`'0 c
`0'1
`>
`'"""'
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 21, 2002 Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`1-
`(I)
`<(
`u.J
`:I::
`1-
`0::::
`0 z
`
`...,_
`...,_
`:I::
`1-
`0::::
`0 z
`
`l (cid:173)en
`u.J
`:s:
`:I::
`1-
`0::::
`0 z
`
`t
`t
`
`1-
`Cl)
`<(
`u.J
`
`l (cid:173)en
`u.J s:
`!
`!
`
`1-
`(I)
`<(
`u.J
`:I::
`1-
`::::::>
`0
`Cl)
`
`--'>
`--'>
`:I::
`1-
`::::::>
`0
`(I)
`
`l (cid:173)en
`u.J
`:s:
`:I::
`1-
`::::::>
`0
`(I)
`
`

`

`US 2002/0173906 A1
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`1
`
`PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM,
`AND ONLINE NAVIGATION SERVICE IN
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] This
`to portable navigation
`invention relates
`devices and systems, and online navigation services in
`wireless communication systems. Specifically, this inven(cid:173)
`tion relates to portable communication devices such as
`cellular phones having navigation functions, navigation
`servers for providing online navigation services, and navi(cid:173)
`gation systems for providing online navigation services as
`requested by portable communication devices connected
`with networks in wireless communications.
`
`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(cid:173)
`tional navigation devices require the users to change direc(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] Conventionally, so-called map information ser(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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.
`
`[0006]
`Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei
`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(cid:173)
`tion device.
`
`[0008] The user of the navigation device having a com(cid:173)
`munication function, which was actually sold on the market,
`may be able to confirm his/her present position and desti(cid:173)
`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.
`
`[0009]
`In the above, the user would easily make a mistake
`in establishing an azimuth match, and it may take a long time
`
`[0011]
`It is an object of the invention to provide a portable
`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(cid:173)
`ing a navigation function is applicable to navigation sys(cid:173)
`tems, in particular, wireless communication networks incor(cid:173)
`porating servers for providing online navigation services.
`
`[0012] A portable 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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`nation and present position, based on which icon symbols
`representing the destination and present position are respec(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`cation device.
`
`

`

`US 2002/0173906 Al
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`2
`
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`ings.
`
`[0033] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an overall navi(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`tion service. The navigation server 50 is facilitated in the
`prescribed positional information center for providing posi(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`ing measurement calculations to correct errors. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively, the GPS station employs the E-GPS system (where
`'E' stands for 'Enhanced'), wherein it performs measure(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`tomer data (e.g., names and telephone numbers of custom(cid:173)
`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-
`
`

`

`US 2002/0173906 Al
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`3
`
`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.
`
`[0044]
`(1) To make a confirmation (or decision) as to
`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.
`
`[0045]
`(2) To create a map including the present posi(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`scribed shop, which is determined based on the latitude
`and longitude information of the prescribed shop (or
`destination) retrieved from the destination database 80.
`
`[0046]
`(3) To perform measurement calculations based
`on the signals of GPS satellites and to transmit calcu(cid:173)
`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 (1/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(cid:173)
`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 X,
`'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(cid:173)
`tively.
`
`[0051] Deg 0: 345°~8<15°
`
`[0052] Deg 30: 15°~8<45°
`
`[0053] Deg 60: 45°~8<75°
`
`[0054] Deg 90: 75°~8<105°
`
`[0055] Deg 120: 105° ~ 8<135°
`
`[0056] Deg 150: 135° ~ 8<165°
`
`[0057] Deg 180: 165°~8<195°
`
`[0058] Deg 210: 195°~8<225°
`
`[0059] Deg 240: 225° ~ 8<255°
`
`[0060] Deg 270: 255° ~ 8<285°
`
`[0061] Deg 300: 285°~8<315°
`
`[0062] Deg 330: 315°~8<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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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 Al
`
`Nov. 21, 2002
`
`4
`
`124. In addition, the speech CODEC 114 performs com(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`ally connects together the CPU 100, ROM 102, RAM 104,
`operator manual input section 106, GPS module 108, elec(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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