`US 6,414,630 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Jul. 2, 2002
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Usui
`
`US006414630B1
`
`(54) POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS USED
`FOR A MOBILE OBJECT
`
`5/1994 Sass oo... eee 342/357.08
`5,317,321 A *
`8/1995 Sagers et al. 0... 342/457
`5,442,805 A *
`
`5,689,269 A * 11/1997 Norris ......c ee 342/357.08
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Takashi Usui, Kanagawa (JP)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`
`WO
`
`WO 93/01576
`
`*
`
`1/1993
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/681,374
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 23, 1996
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 2,1995
`
`(UP)
`
`cecesccsssesssesssesssesssesseesseessseseees 7-197739
`
`Tint, C17 ieee ececececeeeseeseeeneeneeeeeeneenneene GOI1S 5/14
`(SL)
`(52) US. Ch oe. 342/357.09; 342/455; 701/208
`(58) Field of Search... 342/375.06, 357.07,
`342/357.08, 357.09, 357.1, 357.13, 455,
`457; 701/208
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1989 Manion... cece 342/30
`4,835,537 A *
`6/1991 Ohta etal... 342/357.07
`5,025,261 A *
`5,153,836 A * 10/1992 Fraughton etal. .......... 701/301
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Gregory C. Issing
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jay H. Maioli
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A position detection apparatus can accurately detect user’s
`own position and other user’s position. The position detec-
`tion apparatus includes a position detecting means (1) for
`detecting user’s own position, a memory means (2) for
`storing therein map information, a transmitting-receiving
`means(4) for transmitting user’s ownidentification data and
`user’s own position information from the position detecting
`means(1) and receiving other user’s identification data and
`other user’s position information and a display means (3)
`supplied with user’own position information from the posi-
`tion detecting means (1), other user’s position information
`from the transmitting-receiving means (4) and the map
`information from the memory means (2) and displaying a
`map on which marks indicating user’s or other user’s
`position or user’s own and other user’s positions are put.
`
`7 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`ét
`
`Input
`External
`
`Information
`
`4s
`
`
`Multiplexing
` User's Own
`Means
`Identification Data
`
`
`
`
`Position
`Transmitting
`
`
`Detecting
`- Receiving
`
`
`
`Means
`Means
`
`
`
`
`User's Own
`Position
`
`Information
`
`
`
`
`Output
`External
` Memory
`Information
`
`
`Means
`
`Map
`
`Information
`Other User's
`Position
`
`
`Information and
`
`
`Identification
`Display
`
`
`
`Means
`Data
`
`
`
`Transmission
`Determining
`Information
`
`FORDEX.1031, p. 1
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 1
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`F/G. 7( PRIOR ART )
`
`Position
`Detecting
`Means
`
`Position
`Information
`
`1
`
`Display
`
`Means
`
`
` Memory
`
`
`Means
`
`Map Information
`
`
`
`
`Signal
`
`
`Receiving
`Processing
`
`
`Unit
`Unit
`
`
` Microcomputer
`
`
`
`FORDEX. 1031, p. 2
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 2
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Lt
`
`
`User’s Own
`Identification
`
`Data
`
`
`
`
`Position
`Transmitting
`Detecting
`
`-Receiving
`
`
`Means
`Means
`
`
`
`
`Means
`
`
`Other User’s
`Map
`Position
`
`Information
`Information
`Data Means
`And
`Identification
`
`Identification
`Data
`Judgement
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Longitude
`
`Sync Bit
`
`Identification
`Data
`
`Latitude
`
`FORDEX.1031, p. 3
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 3
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`e F
`
`ORDEX. 1031, p. 4
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 4
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`
`
`User’s Own
`Position
`
`
`
`Identification
`
`
` User's Own
`Identification
`
`Data
`4
`
`
`
`
`Position
`Transmitting
`
`
`Detecting
`- Receiving
`
`
`
`Means
`Means
`
`Information
`
`
`
`Other User's
`Position
`
`Information and
`
`Identification
`
`Data
`
`Map
`
` Transmission
`
`Determining
`Information
`
`FORDEX. 1031, p. 5
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 5
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`
`
`FORDEX.1031, p. 6
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 6
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`FIG. @
`
`dt
`
`
`
`Input
`External
`
`Information
`
`
`
` 4s
`Multiplexing
`Means
` User's Own
`Identification Data
`
`
`
`
`Position
`Transmitting
`Detecting
`
`- Receiving
`
`
`Means
`Means
`
`
`
`
`
`
`User's Own
`Position
`
`Information
`
`
`
`
`Output
`External
`
`Memory
`
`Information
`Identification
`Means
`
`
`Data Judgeme
`6
`
`Means
`
`Map
`
`
`Information
`Other User's
`Position
`Information and
`
`Identification
`
`Data
`
`Transmission
`Determining
`Information
`
`FORDEX.1031, p. 7
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 7
`
`
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`1
`POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS USED
`FOR A MOBILE OBJECT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to a position detection
`The present
`apparatus for use with a mobile object, such as automobiles,
`airplanes or ships.
`FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a conven-
`tional position detection apparatus. This position detection
`apparatus is mounted on a car whenit is in use. A position
`detecting means 1 detects the position of a car and indicates
`a detected position of the car in the form of position
`information comprising latitude and longitude. A memory
`means 2 comprises a CD-ROM (compact disc-read-only
`memory) and a CD-ROM player for reproducing the
`CD-ROM. Map data of every place are stored in the
`CD-ROM. The memory means2 is controlled by detected
`position information from the position detecting means 1
`and position information entered by the operator so that a
`map is selected from the CD-ROM in accordance with
`latitude and longitude of that position information and a
`reduced scale selected by the operator. Selected map infor-
`mation is supplied to a display means 3. Onthe other hand,
`the detected position information from the position detecting
`means 1 also is supplied to the display means 3 and
`displayed on the map as a mark such as an arrow by the
`display means3. AS the display means3, there may be used
`a cathode-ray tube, a liquid-crystal display device, a plasma
`display device, etc.
`A GPSreceiver, which is an example of the position
`detecting means1, will be described with reference to FIG.
`2. Before describing the GPS receiver, a meaning and a
`measuring principle of the GPS will be described below in
`brief. Officially, GPS is referred to as “NAVSTAR/GPS”,
`and “NAVSTAR/GPS”is a combination of capital letters of
`NAVigation system with Time And Ranging/Global Posi-
`tioning System. According to the measuring principle of the
`GPS, delay times of radio waves transmitted to the Earth
`from a plurality of GPS satellites orbiting the Earth are
`measured, and the position of a mobile object is measured by
`obtaining a present position of a mobile object on the Earth
`from the orbits of the GPS satellites. The position of the
`mobile object on the Earth can be obtained by measuring
`distances among the three GPSsatellites and the present
`position of the mobile object on the Earth based on radio
`waves transmitted from the three GPS satellites.
`
`Furthermore, since a common error caused by errors of
`clocks of GPS receivers can be eliminated by measuring
`distances among four GPSsatellites and the present position
`of the mobile object on the Earth, latitude, longitude and
`altitude of the position of the mobile object on the earth can
`be measured.
`
`In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 depicts an antenna for
`receiving radio waves from a GPSsatellite (not shown). A
`microstrip antenna, for example, may be used as the antenna
`10. A reception signal (spectrum diffusion signal) of 1.2 GHz
`or 1.5 GHz received at the antenna 10 is supplied through a
`coaxial cable (not shown) to a receiving unit 11, in whichit
`is converted into an intermediate frequency signal with a
`low frequency. The intermediate frequency signal is sup-
`plied to a signal processing unit 12, in whichit is spectrum-
`inverse-diffused to provide a message signal, a pseudo-
`distance signal and a code control signal. The signal
`processing unit 12 calculates a pseudo-distance by synchro-
`nizing the intermediate frequency signal based on the recep-
`tion signal from the GPS satellite and a PRN (pseudo
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`random noise) code generated therein. The message signal
`and the pseudo-distance signal are supplied to a microcom-
`puter 13, in which they are computed for obtaining the
`present position of the mobile object. Therefore, there are
`obtained position data output (including data such as
`latitude, longitude, altitude, azimuth or speed).
`The microcomputer 13 judges a GPSsatellite which is
`able to receive radio waves at that time based on a clock
`
`signal from a clock circuit 14 belonging to the microcom-
`puter 13 and almanac (calendar) data from the GPSsatellite,
`and supplies the code control signal to the signal processing
`unit 12 based on a judged result thereby to generate the PRN
`code of the GPS satellite capable of receiving the radio
`wave. Then, position information from the output side, 1.e,
`an output terminal 15 of the microcomputer 13 is supplied
`to the display means 3 (see FIG. 1) as described above.
`Whenpeople are going to a destination by their owncars,
`they are communicating with each other through radio
`transmitter-receiver. Further, when a taxi control center
`issues commandsto taxis with radio transmitter-receivers or
`taxis with radio transmitter-receivers communicate with
`
`each other, radio transmitter-receivers are used similarly.
`If the position detection apparatus mentioned in the
`preamble is mounted on the car, then the present position of
`the car with the position detection apparatus mounted
`thereon can be detected clearly. However, only by the radio
`communication,
`it is impossible to accurately detect the
`positions of other cars and taxis.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the aforesaid aspect, it is an object of the
`present invention to provide a position detection apparatus
`which can accurately detect user’own position and other
`user’s position.
`According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
`provided a position detecting apparatus for a mobile object
`which is comprised of position detecting means mounted on
`a first mobile object for detecting a position of the first
`mobile object, transmitting-receiving meansfor transmitting
`position information of the first mobile object detected by
`the position detecting means and receiving position infor-
`mation of a second mobile object
`transmitted from the
`second mobile object, memory means for storing map
`information, and display means supplied with the position
`information of the first mobile object from the position
`detecting means,
`the position information of the second
`mobile object from the transmitting-receiving means and
`map information read out
`from the memory means in
`response to the position information of the first or second
`mobile object and displaying a map on which a mark
`indicative of the position ofthe first mobile object and/or the
`position of the second mobile object is put.
`According to the present invention, user’s own position
`information from the position detecting means, other user’s
`position information from the. transmitting-receiving means
`and the map information from the memory means are
`supplied to the display means and thereby a map with marks
`indicating user’s own position or other user’s position or
`user’s and other user’s position put-thereon is displayed.
`
`BRIEF:DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a conven-
`tional position detection apparatus;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a GPS
`receiver;
`
`FORDEX.1031, p. 8
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 8
`
`
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a position
`detection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of packet commu-
`nication;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of map infor-
`mation displayed on a picture screen of a display means;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a position
`detection apparatus according to a second embodimentof
`the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation used to explain a
`relationship between a service area of a communication
`system and mobile objects; and
`FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a position
`detection apparatus according to a third embodimentof the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`4
`and supplied to the display means 3. Also, the identification
`data is supplied to the display means3 and thereby displayed
`on a map as a mark different in shape and color from user’s
`own position information. Accordingly, identification data
`and position information other than the predetermined iden-
`tification data are rejected by the identification data judge-
`ment means 6. When a distance between user’s own car and
`other user’s car is short, position information of user’s own
`car and position information of other user’s car are displayed
`on the same mapas distinguishable marks A and B as shown
`in FIG. 5. Whenon the other hand such distance is long, they
`are displayed on different maps separately.
`A second embodiment of the present invention will be
`describe with reference to FIG. 6. Before describing the
`second embodimentof the present invention, a relationship
`between a service area of a communication system and
`mobile objects will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
`in FIG. 7, reference numerals 21, 22 depict transmitting-
`receiving antennas of microwave communication system
`disposed with a predetermined distance therebetween. Ref-
`erence numeral 23 depicts a service area for
`the
`Embodiments of the present invention will be described
`transmitting-receiving antennas 21, 22. In the service area
`hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
`23, in order to prevent a communication from being hin-
`Initially, a position detection apparatus according toafirst
`dered by disturbance and interference of radio waves, the
`embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In
`25
`transmission of radio wavesis inhibited withing the service
`FIG. 3,
`the GPS receiver shown in FIG. 2 is used as a
`area. This will be described specifically below. In FIG. 7,
`position detecting means 1. A memory means 2 is a
`reference numeral 24 depicts a car running within the
`CD-ROM in which map information of every place are
`service area 23, and reference numerals 25, 26 denote cars
`stored and a CD-ROMplayer. Position information from
`running outside the service area 23. The cars 25, 26 which
`operator’s car is supplied from the position detecting means
`are running outside the service area 23 are able to transmit
`1 to the memory means 2. Then, the position information
`and receive information therebetween by means of a com-
`and map information selected by the operator are supplied to
`munication device (radio transmitter-receiver). Further,
`a display means 3 such as a cathode-ray tube, a liquid-crystal
`between the car running within the service area 23 and the
`display device or a plasma display. At that time, position
`car running outside the service area 23, e.g., the car 25, the
`information of operator’s car is supplied from the position
`car 25 can transmit information to the car 26 by meansof the
`detecting means 1 to the display means 3 and thereby
`communication device. However, the transmission of infor-
`mation from the car 24 to the car 25 is inhibited.
`displayed as a mark such as an arrow on the map.
`Therefore, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6,
`A transmitting-receiving means 4 having an antenna 5
`transmits the position information from the position detect-
`transmission-inhibited area information is contained in map
`ing means 1 and identification data for operator’s own car
`information stored in CD-ROM of the memory means2.
`Whenacaris in the transmission-inhibited-area, transmis-
`inputted to an input terminal 4f at every predetermined time
`with an interval of several seconds and receives position
`sion is automatically stopped. Specifically, a position detect-
`information from a position detection apparatus of other
`ing means 1 detects position (8, >) of the user’s own car and
`user’s car and identification data for identifying other user’s
`a memory means2 selects map information based on the
`car. These signals thus transmitted and received are spec-
`detected position (8, ). In that case, transmission determin-
`trum diffusion modulation signals of packet signal compris-
`ing information z (when the transmission determining infor-
`ing syncbit, identification data, latitude and longitude. The
`mation z is “1”, transmIssion is permitted, and whenit is
`sync bit is used to synchronize bits when the packet signal
`“Q”, transmission is inhibited) is obtained from the map
`is received. Since a communication based on a spectrum
`information and supplied to a transmitting-receiving means
`diffusion modulation communication is strong against dis-
`4 whose transmission is controlled. Specifically, when the
`turbance and interference from other radio waves, there is
`transmission determining information is inhibited, the trans-
`mission of the user’s own identification data and user’s own
`then the advantage that
`a service area of radio
`communication, 1.e., a range in which radio waves can reach
`can be widened.
`
`The reception signal received by the transmitting-
`receiving means 4 is demodulated and thereby position
`information and identification data of one or a plurality of
`other users’cars are obtained. The position information and
`the identification data are supplied to an identification data
`judgement means6, and the identification data judgement
`means 6 determines whetheror notthe identification data is
`
`predetermined identification data. If it is determined by the
`identification data judgement means6 that the identification
`data is the predetermined identification data, then position
`information of the identification data is supplied to the
`memory means 2 and map information correspondingto the
`position information is read out from the memory means 2
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`position information is transmitted. When the transmission
`determining information is permitted, it is needless to say
`that user’s own identification data and user’s own position
`information are transmitted from the transmitting-receiving
`means4. In FIG. 6, a rest of the arrangementis similarto that
`of FIG. 3 and therefore need not be described in detail.
`
`invention will be
`A third embodiment of the present
`described with reference to FIG. 8. While user’s own
`identification data and position information are transmitted
`by the transmitting-receiving means4 and the antenna 5 and
`other user’s identification data and position information are
`received by the transmitting-receiving means 4 and the
`antenna 5 in the first and second embodiments shown in
`FIGS. 3 and 6, according to the third embodiment shown in
`FIG. 8, any one of an audio signal, a video signal with or
`
`FORDEX. 1031, p. 9
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 9
`
`
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`5
`without an audio signal, a facsimile signal and a text data
`signal or a plurality of external information are transmitted
`and received. Therefore, user’s own position information
`from the position detecting means 1, user’s own identifica-
`tion data from the terminal 4s and inputted external infor-
`mation from the terminal 47 are multiplexed by a multiplex-
`ing means 7 and supplied to the transmitting-receiving
`means4 and thereby transmitted from the antenna 5. Further,
`there is provided a separating means 8. A multiplexed signal
`of one or a plurality of other users’position information,
`other user’s identification data and outputted external infor-
`mation received by the antenna 5 and the transmitting-
`receiving means 4 is supplied to and separated by the
`separating means 8, whereby the outputted external infor-
`mation is outputted from an output terminal 87 and other
`user’s position information and other user’s identification
`data are supplied to the identification data judgement means
`6. In FIG. 8, a rest of the arrangement is similar to that of
`FIG. 3 and therefore need not be described in detail.
`User’s own and other user’s own (one or a plurality of)
`position information and identification data may be fixed or
`movable.
`
`Accordingto the first invention, since the position detec-
`tion apparatus includes the position detecting means for
`detecting user’s own position, the memory meansfor storing
`therein map information, the transmitting-receiving means
`for transmitting user’s own identification data and user’s
`ownposition information from the position detecting means
`and receiving other user’s identification data and other
`user’s position information and the display meansfor receiv-
`ing user’s own position information from the position
`detecting means, other user’s position information from the
`transmitting-receiving means and the map information from
`the memory meansand displaying a map on which marks
`indicating user’s own position or other user’s position or
`user’s and other user’s positions are indicated, it is possible
`to obtain the position detection apparatus which can accu-
`rately detect not only user’s own position but also other
`user’s position. Therefore, if user and other user are both
`mobile objects, i.e., cars and they are going to a common
`destination by their cars, the user and other user can know
`user’s or other user’s wrong course. Accordingly, if the user
`and other user can communicate with each other by an audio
`signal, it becomes easy to correct the user’s or other user’s
`wrong course. When the present invention is applied to the
`taxi service control system in whichthe taxi service control
`center issues commandsto a plurality of taxis or a delivery
`service control center issues commandsto a plurality of
`delivery service tracks, the taxi service control center and
`the delivery service control center side can accurately con-
`firm the positions of the taxis and the delivery service tracks
`so that the taxis service control center and the delivery
`service control center can issue commands moreeasily.
`According to the second invention, in the position detec-
`tion apparatus according to the first
`invention,
`the
`transmission-inhibited area information is contained in the
`map information stored in the memory means. When the
`user’s position lies in the transmission-inhibited area, the
`transmission of user’s position is inhibited by supplying the
`transmission-inhibited information from the memory means
`to the transmitting-receiving means. Therefore, in addition
`to the effects achieved by the first invention, whenthe user’s
`position lies in the transmission-inhibited area, the trans-
`mission of user’s identification data and user’s position
`information from the transmitting-receiving means can be
`inhibited automatically.
`According to the third invention,in the position detection
`apparatus according to the present invention, since user’s
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`ownidentification data and user’s own position information
`and other information from the position detecting meansare
`transmitted and other user’s identification data, other user’s
`position information and other user’s other information are
`received by the transmitting-receiving means,in addition to
`the effects achieved by the first
`invention,
`it becomes
`possible to transmit and receive other information.
`Therefore, when user and other user are both mobile objects,
`e.g., cars and they are going to a common destination by
`cars, since the user or other user can know user’s or other
`user’s wrong course, if the user and other user can commu-
`nicate with each other by an audio signalor the like through
`transmission and reception of other information,
`then it
`becomespossible for user and other user to communicate
`with each other without providing radio transmitter and
`receiver separately.
`Having described preferred embodiments of the invention
`with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be
`understood that the invention is not limited to those precise
`embodiments and that various changes and modifications
`could be effected therein by one skilled in the art without
`departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined
`in the appended claims.
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. A position detecting apparatus for a mobile object
`comprising:
`position detecting means mounted ona first mobile object
`for detecting a position of said firs: mobile object;
`transmitting-receiving means for
`transmitting position
`information of said first mobile object detected by said
`position detecting means and receiving position infor-
`mation of a second mobile object transmitted from said
`second mobile object;
`memory meansfor storing map information; and
`display means supplied with said position information of
`said first mobile object from said position detecting
`means, the position information of said mobile object
`from said transmitting-receiving means and map Infor-
`mation read out from said memory means in response
`to said position information of one of said first and
`second mobile objects and for displaying a map on
`which a mark indicative of the position of said first
`mobile object and/orthe position of said second mobile
`object is put, wherein
`said transmitting-receiving means transmits the position
`information of said first mobile object detected by said
`position detecting means and identification data of said
`first mobile object and receives the position informa-
`tion of said second mobile object and identification data
`of said second mobile object transmitted from said
`second navigation object, and
`said position detection apparatus includes identification
`data judging means for supplying the position infor-
`mation of said second mobile object to said memory
`means when said identification data judging means
`determines that the identification data of said second
`
`mobile object is predetermined identification data.
`2. A position detection apparatus for a mobile object as
`claimed in claim 1, wherein when said identification data
`judging means determinesthat the identification data of said
`second mobile object is said predetermined identification
`data,
`then the identification data of said second mobile
`object is supplied to said display means and said second
`mobile object is displayed on said display means with a
`mark different from that of said mobile object.
`3. A position detection apparatus for a mobile object as
`claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitting-receiving
`
`FORD EX.1031, p. 10
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 10
`
`
`
`US 6,414,630 B1
`
`7
`meanstransmits the position information ofsaid first mobile
`object, the identification data of said mobile objects and
`other information, and receives the position information of
`said second mobile object, the identification data of said
`second mobile object and other information.
`4. A position detection apparatus for a mobile object as
`claimed in claim 3, wherein said other information is audio
`information.
`5. A position detection apparatus for a mobile object as
`claimed in claim 1, wherein when a distance between said
`first and second mobile object is relatively short, said marks
`indicating said first and second mobile objects are displayed
`on the same map, and whena distance betweensaidfirst and
`second mobile objects is relatively long, said marks indi-
`cating said first and second mobile objects are respectively
`displayed on different maps.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`8
`6. A position detection apparatus for a mobile object as
`claimed in claim 1, wherein the map information stored in
`said memory means contains information of transmission-
`inhibited area in which a transmissionis inhibited, and when
`said first mobile object lies in said transmission-inhibited
`area, the information of said transmission-inhibited area is
`supplied from said memory means to said transmitting-
`receiving means thereby to inhibit a transmission operation
`of said transmitting-receiving means.
`7. A position detection apparatus for a mobile object as
`claimed in claim 1, wherein said position detecting means
`obtains information of position, latitude and longitude of
`said first mobile object by receiving radio waves from a
`plurality of satellites.
`
`FORD EX.1031, p. 11
`
`FORD EX. 1031, p. 11
`
`