1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 11111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20030008670Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Katoh
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0008670 Al
`Jan. 9, 2003
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 455/456; 455/457; 340/990;
`340/993
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Satoshi Katoh, Tokyo (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`YOUNG & THOMPSON
`745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
`ARLINGTON, VA 22202
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/157,991
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 31, 2002
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 31, 2001
`
`(JP) ...................................... 2001-164396
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.7 ............................. H04K 3/00; H04Q 7/20;
`G0SG 1/123
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A mobile terminal such as a portable telephone accesses a
`map database server connected to the Internet, and positional
`data, destination, etc. acquired from a GPS receiver mounted
`on the mobile terminal are cataloged in the map database
`server. The results of a search for a route, route indication,
`etc. are received from the map database server in the form
`of a voice, a simplified map, or both a voice and a simplified
`map and are indicated on a display of the mobile terminal.
`By virtue of the above construction, a navigation system can
`be realized which can eliminate the need to update map data,
`is low in price, has no need to provide an installation space,
`has low power consumption, and can be simply and easily
`utilized.
`
`8ASE
`STATION 102
`
`MAP DAT ABASE
`SERVER 106
`
`MAP DATABASE 107
`
`I
`
`_
`
`PORTABLE
`TELEPHONE 101
`G)
`
`ACCESS
`
`- -
`
`@
`
`TRANSII I SS I ON -
`OF I NFO!lMATl ON
`ON POSITION
`INPUT OF -
`DESTINATION
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`VI
`IMAP DATABASE!
`
`@
`VI
`'WRITING OF USER' SI
`ADDRESS
`(PHONE
`NUMBER ETC)
`VI
`
`1@
`I
`
`POSITION
`"'
`AND SEARCH FOR l
`DEST I NA Tl ON
`CZ)
`\I'
`I SEARCH FOR ROUTE ::
`I
`
`~ WRITING OF
`1 CATALOGING OF J@
`
`NOTIFICATION
`OF ROUTE
`
`@
`
`::
`
`NOTIFICATION
`OF ROUTE
`
`~ CONFIRMATION OF I
`POSITION
`1
`
`-
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`OF ROUTE
`:::
`
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`POSIT ION
`1
`I
`
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`OF ROUTE
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`~ CONFIRMATION 0~ 1-
`POSITION
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`I
`
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`
`®
`TRANSM I SS I ON
`OF INFORMATION
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`TRANSM I SS I ON
`OF 1NF01™ATION
`ON POSITION
`@NOTIFiCATION
`OF ROUTE
`
`POINT
`(IN TERMS
`OF DISTANCE.
`CROSSROAD)
`
`POINT
`(IN TERMS
`OF DI STANCE,
`CROSSROAD)
`
`- @
`
`MOVING 1
`
`)
`TRANSMISSION -
`OF INFORMATION
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`
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`
`@
`OEST I NATI ON
`
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`OF 11-lFORMA T I ON
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`.
`
`NOT! FI CA Tl ON
`OF ARRIVAL
`
`~ CONFIRMATION OF I
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`1
`I
`
`Verizon 1021
`U.S. Patent No. 8,213,970
`
`

`

`FIG. 1 PH I OH ART
`
`1 MAP DATABASE SERVER
`l
`
`□ 2 INTERNET
`----·---
`
`3 PROVIDER
`
`5 BASE STATION OF
`PORTABLE TELEPHONE
`••-....... ........
`
`, -
`
`I
`
`6 PORTABLE
`TELEPHONE
`
`4 PUBLIC TELEPHONE NETWORK
`(TELEPHONE LI NE)
`7 CAR NAVIGATION DEVICE
`
`8 VEHICLE
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 2 of 9
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`US 2003/0008670 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 3 of 9
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 4 of 9
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`F/6. 5
`
`PORTABLE
`TELEPHONE 101
`(j)
`
`BASE
`STATION 102
`- -
`
`ACCESS
`
`TRANSM ISSI ON·
`OF I NFO~MA Tl ON
`ON POSITION
`INPUT OF
`DESTINATION
`
`-
`
`-
`-
`
`-
`-
`
`NOTI Fl OATr ON
`OF ROUTE
`
`NOT I F I CA Tl ON
`OF ROUTE
`
`@
`
`-
`
`MAP DAT ABASE
`SERVER 106
`
`I
`
`MAP DATABASE 107
`I
`I
`I
`l
`
`'
`
`(2)
`1'
`WRITING OF USER'S
`ADDRESS
`(PHONE
`I
`NUMBER ETC)
`I
`VI
`I
`H WRITING OF
`...,
`J
`POSITION
`@IMAP DATABASE!
`'f
`CATALOGING OF
`~ AND SEARCH FOR
`-
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`(L)
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`S301
`
`S302
`
`S303
`
`S304
`
`REQUEST FOR CALL
`INCOMING SERVICE
`
`WRIT ING OF
`USER ADDRESS
`
`CATALOGING OF
`POSITION
`
`CATALOGING OF
`DESTINATION
`
`S305
`
`SEARCH FOR ROUTE
`
`~.;.;.;NO~
`
`IS SEARCH FOR
`ROUTE OK?
`
`S306
`
`MAP
`DATABASE
`
`107
`
`NOTIFICATION
`TO USER
`
`IS NOTIFICATIO
`OK?
`
`YES
`DETECTION OF
`POSIT I ON
`
`ARRIVED AT
`DESTINATION?
`NO
`IS POINT NEAR?
`YES
`lS ROUTE
`CORRECT?
`YES
`INDICATION
`OF ROUTE
`
`S307
`
`$308
`
`S309
`
`S311
`
`S312
`
`S313
`
`END
`
`NO
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`FIB. 7
`
`44 DEST I NA Tl ON
`
`INTERSECTION ~
`
`43
`
`45 INDICATION OF ROUTE
`
`~2---- t
`DIR§~Tt~
`OF TRAVEL
`
`41 CURRENT POSITlON
`
`40 ROAD
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan.9,2003 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`F/6. 8
`
`USER A
`CALL INCOMING
`
`S301
`
`WRITING OF
`S302 ADDRESS OF USER A
`
`S303
`
`CATALOGING OF
`POSITION
`
`CATALOGING OF
`DESTINATION
`
`SEARCH FOR ROUTE
`
`NO
`
`IS SEARCH FOR
`ROUTE DK?
`
`MAP
`DATABASE
`
`107
`
`S306
`
`S307
`
`S308
`
`S514
`
`S309
`
`END
`
`IS NOTIFIGATIO
`OK?
`YES
`ACQUISITION OF
`INFORMATION ON
`POSITION OF
`OTHER USER
`
`DETECTION OF
`POSITION
`
`ARRIVED AT
`DESTINATION ?
`NO
`
`S POI
`
`NO
`
`TE
`IS
`CORRECT?
`YES
`INDICATION
`OF ROUTE
`
`S312
`
`S313
`
`USER B
`CALL INCOMING
`
`WRITING OF
`ADDRESS OF USER A
`
`CATALOGING OF
`POSITION
`
`CATALOGING OF
`DEST! NAT I ON
`
`SEARCH FOR ROUTE
`
`S501
`
`S502
`
`S503
`
`S50
`
`NO
`
`IS NOT IFICATIO
`OK?
`YES
`ACQUISITION OF
`INFORMATION ON
`POSITION OF
`OTHER USER
`
`ARRIVED AT
`DESTI
`
`s POI
`
`IS
`E
`CORRECT?
`YES
`INDICATION
`OF ROUTE
`
`NO
`
`S506
`
`$507
`
`S508
`
`S515
`
`S509
`
`S512
`
`S513
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 9, 2003 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`F/6. 9
`
`CURRENT
`POSITION
`OF USER B 41B
`
`43 INTERSECTION
`
`44 DESTINATION
`
`48 ROAD
`
`·~
`42
`DIRECTION
`OF TRAVEL
`
`45 INDICATION OF ROUTE
`
`41A
`CURRENT
`POSITION
`OF USER A
`
`40 ROAD
`
`

`

`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`Jan.9,2003
`
`1
`
`NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The invention relates to a navigation system using
`a mobile terminal such as a portable telephone ( cellular
`phone).
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In recent years, a car navigation system has spread
`[0002]
`wherein positional information of a moving vehicle is
`acquired, for example, by radio waves from an artificial
`satellite or self-contained navigation and, based on the
`positional information, for example, map information data,
`the current position of the vehicle, and a recommendation
`route to a destination are displayed on a real-time basis.
`
`In utilizing the above car navigation system, how(cid:173)
`[0003]
`ever, an expensive device for the car navigation system
`should be purchased and mounted on the vehicle, and
`electric wiring should then be carried out. In recent years, an
`easily removable portable device is on the market. The
`easily removable portable device, however, cannot be easily
`purchased by consumers for cost reasons and further
`requires to ensure a space for mounting the device. In
`addition, the conventional car navigation system has a
`problem that the power consumption of the device body is
`so large that a large burden is imposed on the battery of the
`vehicle.
`
`[0004] Furthermore, in the above car navigation system,
`the map data is generally supplied in the form of a recording
`medium such as CD-ROM. Therefore, in order to always use
`the latest road information which changes momentarily, a
`recording medium such as CD-ROM, in which the latest
`map information has been recorded, should be purchased as
`occasion demands. Therefore, not only the device body cost
`but also the cost for updating the map information as
`occasion demands incurs, and, in addition, this involves
`troublesome work such as updating to the latest map data.
`
`[0005] To overcome these problems, a car navigation
`device, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 has been proposed
`which reads the latest map data from a predetermined map
`database through a predetermined transmission medium.
`FIG. 1 shows a car navigation system described in Japanese
`Patent Laid-Open No. 255022/1998. This car navigation
`device is an example of the construction of an information
`provision system which supplies map data to a car naviga(cid:173)
`tion device 7 mounted on a vehicle 8.
`
`In this information provision system, a map data
`[0006]
`base server 1 storing map data is connected to the Internet
`2, and a provider 3, which performs a service of connection
`to the Internet 2 to users who utilize a public telephone
`network ( a telephone line) 4, is connected to the Internet 2
`and the public telephone network (telephone line) 4. A
`portable telephone base station 5 connected to the public
`telephone network 4 performs communication with a por(cid:173)
`table telephone 6 using radio waves as the transmission
`medium.
`
`In the above construction, the map data, together
`[0007]
`with the date on which the map data is cataloged in the
`database, is stored in the database. Further, in the car
`
`corresponding to the map data, is stored. The date data in the
`database is compared with the date data in the car navigation
`device 7. Based on the results of comparison, the map data
`and date data in the car navigation device 7 are respectively
`updated using the map data and date data in the database to
`update the old map data to new map data.
`
`[0008] The conventional car navigation system, however,
`involves a problem that, even when the update of only old
`map data is contemplated, an operation for comparison of
`the date data to update the map is necessary.
`
`[0009] Further, the price is high, a space for installation
`should be provided, and, in addition, the power consumption
`is large. Due to these disadvantages, the conventional car
`navigation system has not been extensively utilized.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to
`provide a navigation system which unnecessitates the opera(cid:173)
`tion for the update of map data, is inexpensive, and can
`eliminate the need to provide any installation space, has
`small power consumption, and can be simply utilized.
`
`[0011] According to the first feature of the invention, there
`is provided a navigation system using a mobile terminal held
`by a movable body such as a person ridden in a vehicle, a
`walker or the like, map data stored in a server on the Internet
`being loaded into the mobile terminal to display a moving
`route of the movable body on the mobile terminal, said
`navigation system comprising: a first memory provided in
`the mobile terminal, for storing the loaded map data of the
`server; a display provided in the mobile terminal, for dis(cid:173)
`playing the map data, stored in the first memory, in the form
`of a voice and/or an image or the like; a first control unit
`provided in the mobile terminal, for sending the identifica(cid:173)
`tion number, current position, and destination of the mov(cid:173)
`able body to the server; a second memory provided in the
`server, for storing the map data; and a second control unit
`provided in the server, for, upon the input of the identifica(cid:173)
`tion number, the current position, and the destination of the
`movable body through the first control unit, reading map
`data containing the current position and the destination from
`the second memory and, based on the identification number,
`sending the map data to the mobile terminal.
`
`In the navigation system, preferably, Internet read(cid:173)
`[0012]
`ing means is built in the mobile terminal and the mobile
`terminal utilizes the Internet reading means to indicate the
`map data, sent from the server, on the display.
`
`In the navigation system, preferably, the mobile
`[0013]
`terminal acquires information on the current position
`through a GPS (global positioning system) receiver and
`sends the information on the current position from the first
`control unit to the server every time when a predetermined
`period of time has elapsed or every time when the mobile
`terminal has moved by a predetermined distance.
`
`In the navigation system, preferably, upon the
`[0014]
`receipt of a request for search for a route from the mobile
`terminal, the server makes a search for a recommendation
`route from the current position to the destination and stores
`the map data, which has been found as the result of the
`search, in the second memory through the second control
`
`

`

`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`Jan.9,2003
`
`2
`
`[0015]
`In the navigation system, preferably, upon the
`receipt of information on the current position from the
`mobile terminal every time when a predetermined period of
`time has elapsed or every time when the mobile terminal has
`moved by a predetermined distance, the server compares,
`through the second control unit, the current position with the
`position of the mobile terminal stored in the second memory
`for each predetermined time or each predetermined distance
`to judge whether or not the mobile terminal has moved
`according to the recommendation route stored in the second
`memory and, every time when the mobile terminal has
`arrived at a predetermined point, sends map data containing
`a route, through which the mobile terminal is to be traveled,
`from the second control unit to the mobile terminal.
`
`[0016]
`In the navigation system, preferably, the predeter(cid:173)
`mined point is the time when the mobile terminal has
`approached a branching point such as an intersection or a
`junction of three roads, the time when the mobile terminal
`has moved by a predetermined period of time, or the time
`when the mobile terminal has moved by a predetermined
`distance.
`
`[0017]
`In the navigation system, preferably, upon the
`receipt of information on the current position from the
`mobile terminal every time when a predetermined period of
`time has elapsed or every time when the mobile terminal has
`moved by a predetermined distance, the server compares,
`through the second control unit, the current position with the
`positions of the mobile terminal stored in the second
`memory for each predetermined time or each predetermined
`distance and, as a result, when the route of the mobile
`terminal has been found to be in the state of deviation from
`the recommendation route stored in the second memory, the
`server makes again a search for a recommendation route
`from the current position to the destination, stores the map
`data in the second memory through the second control unit
`and further sends the map data to the mobile terminal.
`
`[0018]
`In the navigation system, preferably, upon the
`receipt of information on the current position from the
`mobile terminal every time when a predetermined period of
`time has elapsed or every time when the mobile terminal has
`moved by a predetermined distance, the server compares,
`through the second control unit, the current position with the
`position of the destination stored in the second memory for
`each predetermined time or each predetermined distance
`and, when the current position corresponds to the position of
`the destination stored in the second memory, the server
`informs the mobile terminal of the arrival of the mobile
`terminal at the destination stored in the second memory
`through a voice, an image, or both a voice and an image.
`
`[0019]
`In the navigation system, preferably, upon the
`receipt of information on the current position from the
`mobile terminal every time when a predetermined period of
`time has elapsed or every time when the mobile terminal has
`moved by a predetermined distance, the server compares,
`through the second control unit, the current position with the
`original position or predetermined position of the mobile
`terminal stored in the second memory for each predeter(cid:173)
`mined time or each predetermined distance, calculates travel
`information such as the time required in travel, the travel
`distance, and the average speed between the original posi(cid:173)
`tion or the predetermined position, stored in the second
`
`tion in the second memory, and further sends map data,
`containing an area ranging from the original position or the
`predetermined position to the destination, to the mobile
`terminal.
`
`[0020]
`In the navigation system, preferably, the map data
`in the server contains information on town including stores
`and institutions around the current position.
`
`[0021]
`In the navigation system, preferably, the town
`information is obtained by displaying a predetermined link
`destination on the display of the mobile terminal and select(cid:173)
`ing the link destination or by inputting a predetermined
`address through key operation to connect the mobile termi(cid:173)
`nal to a database server or a home page other than the server
`connected to the Internet.
`
`[0022]
`In the navigation system, preferably, the map data
`sent from the second control unit to the mobile terminal
`comprises a voice, an image, or both a voice and an image.
`
`[0023]
`In the navigation system, preferably, the server
`periodically updates the map data stored in the second
`memory.
`
`[0024]
`In the navigation system, preferably, upon the
`receipt of a request from the mobile terminal as a first mobile
`terminal for the display of the position of another mobile
`terminal as a second mobile terminal in the map data being
`currently displayed, the server searches the second memory
`for the positional information of the second mobile terminal
`and, when information on the second mobile terminal has
`been found to be stored in the second memory, the server
`informs the second mobile terminal of that the first mobile
`terminal has requested the display of the position of the
`second mobile terminal in the map data being currently
`displayed and, upon the receipt of the permission to display
`the position of the second mobile terminal, the server reads,
`from the second memory, map data comprising positional
`data of the second mobile terminal added to the map data
`being currently indicated on the display of the first mobile
`terminal, sends the read map data to the first mobile termi(cid:173)
`nal, and, in addition, sends, to the second mobile terminal,
`the same map data as sent to the first mobile terminal
`through the second control unit of the server.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail in
`conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:
`
`[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the
`construction of the conventional car navigation system;
`
`[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the construction of the navigation system using a
`mobile terminal according to the invention;
`
`[0028] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the con(cid:173)
`struction of a mobile terminal;
`
`[0029] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the con(cid:173)
`struction of a map database server;
`
`[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a
`first preferred embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a
`
`

`

`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`Jan.9,2003
`
`3
`
`[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second preferred
`embodiment of the invention;
`[0033] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth preferred
`embodiment of the invention; and
`[0034] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a simplified map in the fourth preferred embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0035] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be
`explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`[0036] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the
`construction of the navigation system using a mobile termi(cid:173)
`nal according to the invention.
`
`[0037] The navigation system using a mobile terminal
`according to the preferred embodiment of the invention
`comprises: a portable telephone 101 as a mobile terminal; a
`portable telephone base station 102 for performing voice
`signal/data communication with the portable telephone
`through radio waves; a provider 104 connected to the
`portable telephone base station 102 through a public tele(cid:173)
`phone network 103; and a map database server 106 con(cid:173)
`nected to the Internet 105.
`
`[0038] The portable telephone 101 has a function as a
`conventional telephone and, in addition, is provided with a
`GPS (global positioning system) receiver for acquiring
`accurate positional information. An Internet reading soft(cid:173)
`ware for access to the map database server 106 is also
`mounted.
`
`[0039] FIG. 3 shows a mobile terminal 101. The mobile
`terminal 101 comprises: a memory 11 for storing loaded
`map data of the map database server 106; a display 12 for
`displaying map data in the memory 11 through voices,
`images, etc.; a control unit 13 for sending, for example,
`identification number and current position of the portable
`terminal to the map database server 106; a key operating part
`14 for inputting, for example, letters of the destination or the
`like; and a GPS receiver 15. The display 12 can indicate both
`voices and images. Voices are output from a speaker, and
`images are output on a display screen.
`
`[0040] The portable telephone base station 102 functions
`to communicate with the portable telephone 101 through
`radio waves and is connected to the public telephone net(cid:173)
`work 103.
`
`[0041] The provider 104 is connected to the Internet 105
`through the public telephone network 103 and provides a
`service of connection of the public telephone network 103
`and the Internet 105 to users of the public telephone network
`103.
`
`[0042] FIG. 4 shows a map database server 106. The map
`database server 106 is connected onto the Internet 105, and
`map information is stored in a map database 107 in the
`server. The map database server 106 comprises; a memory
`21 for recording user's address (telephone number or inher(cid:173)
`ent identification label of the portable telephone 101); and a
`control unit 22 which functions, for example, to make a
`search for the position of the mobile terminal 101, i.e., to
`
`search for the route, and to automatically inform the mobile
`terminal or the like of data, i.e., to automatically send data.
`[0043] The operation of the first preferred embodiment of
`the invention will be explained in conjunction with FIG. 5.
`[0044] A person (user), who wishes to utilize the naviga(cid:173)
`tion system according to the invention, first utilizes the
`Internet reading software loaded on the portable telephone
`101 to gain access from the portable telephone 101 as the
`mobile terminal to the map database server 106 through the
`base station 102 (step 1).
`[0045] Upon the receipt of the request for the start of
`service through the base station 102, the public telephone
`network 103, and the provider 104, the map database server
`106 records the transmitted user's address (telephone num(cid:173)
`ber or inherent identification label of the portable telephone
`101) on a recording medium, for example, a hard disk,
`within the map database server 106 (step 2).
`[0046] Subsequently, positional information (latitude and
`longitude) is sent from the GPS receiver built in the portable
`telephone 101 to the map database server 106 (step 3). The
`map database server 106 records the information and
`accesses the map database 107 to grasp the current position
`of the user (portable telephone 101) (step 4).
`[0047] Next, the user sends information on destination in
`a predetermined format, for example, code number, tele(cid:173)
`phone number of the destination, or address (step 5).
`[0048] The map database server 106 records the received
`information on the destination, searches the map database
`107 for the destination (step 6), and, based on the user's
`(portable telephone 101) current position and destination,
`searches the map database 107 for a recommendation route
`(step 7) and informs the user (portable telephone 101) of the
`result, for example, through a voice (step 8).
`[0049] Subsequently, as soon as the user (portable tele(cid:173)
`phone 101) starts to move (step 9), the positional informa(cid:173)
`tion is successively acquired by the GPS receiver built in the
`portable telephone 101 and the map database server 106 is
`informed of the positional information every time when the
`user has moved by a predetermined time or distance (step
`10). At that time, rather than the transmission of the posi(cid:173)
`tional information by the portable telephone through con(cid:173)
`nection to the line, the addition of the positional information
`to an identification signal, which is automatically sent by the
`portable telephone, can offer an advantage that this signal is
`received, for example, by the base station which automati(cid:173)
`cally sends the signal to the map database server, whereby
`the necessity of maintaining the line in a connected state can
`be eliminated.
`[0050] Every time when the user (portable telephone 101)
`has approached a predetermined point, for example, a
`branching point such as an intersection, or when a prede(cid:173)
`termined time has elapsed or when the user has moved by a
`predetermined distance (step 11), the map database server
`106 automatically informs, for example, through a voice, the
`user (portable telephone 101) of a recommendation route,
`through which the user (portable telephone 101) is to be
`traveled, determined based on the positional information and
`the route information (step 12). Thereafter, for each point,
`the same operation as described above is repeated to guide
`the user (portable telephone 101) to the destination (steps 13
`
`

`

`US 2003/0008670 Al
`
`Jan.9,2003
`
`4
`
`[0051] Finally, as soon as the user (portable telephone
`101) arrives at the destination (step 15), the map database
`server 106 confirms the arrival of the user (portable tele(cid:173)
`phone 101) at the destination based on the positional infor(cid:173)
`mation and the route information and informs the user
`(portable telephone 101) of the arrival at the destination.
`This ends the service (step 16).
`
`[0052] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the
`map database server 106. The operation of the map database
`server will be explained in more detail with reference to the
`flow chart.
`
`[0053] At the outset, upon access from the user (portable
`telephone) regarding a request for service through the Inter(cid:173)
`net reading software (step S301), the map database server
`temporarily records the address number of the user on a
`medium, for example, a hard disk, within the database server
`until the simplified navigation system service according to
`the invention is completed (step S302). Here the purpose of
`recording the address number of the user (portable tele(cid:173)
`phone) is to automatically send a route indication or the like
`to the user (portable telephone) during service in the sub(cid:173)
`sequent operation.
`
`[0054] Subsequently, positional information (latitude and
`longitude) is sent from the GPS device built in the portable
`telephone of the user to the map database server, the map
`database server records the information and accesses the
`map database 107 to grasp the current position of the user
`(portable telephone) (step S303).
`
`[0055] Next, the user (portable telephone) sends informa(cid:173)
`tion on destination in a predetermined format, for example,
`code number, telephone number of the destination, or
`address, and the map database server records the received
`information on the destination (step S304). In addition, the
`map database server searches the map database 107 for the
`destinations and, based on the user's (portable telephone)
`current position and destination, searches the map database
`107 for a recommendation route (step 5305). The map
`database server repeatedly searches the map database for a
`route until the search for a route is completed in step S306.
`Upon the completion of the search for the route, the map
`database server informs the user (portable telephone) of the
`result of the search for the route, for example, through a
`voice according to step S307 and step S308.
`
`[0056] Next, the user (portable telephone) moves accord(cid:173)
`ing to the route recommended by the map database server.
`In this case, every time when the user has moved by a
`predetermined distance or when a predetermined period of
`time has elapsed, the map database server acquires, from the
`GPS device built in the user's portable telephone, the
`positional information and accesses the map database 107 to
`grasp the current position of the user (portable telephone)
`(step S309).
`
`[0057] The map database server compares the current
`position of the user (portable telephone) with the destination
`to judge whether or not the user (portable telephone) has
`arrived at the destination (step S310). Here when the arrival
`of the user (portable telephone) at the destination could have
`been confirmed, the map database server informs the user
`(portable telephone) of the arrival at the destination, for
`example, through a voice to end the processing. When the
`
`tion, the map database server judges whether or not the user
`(portable telephone) has approached a designated point (step
`S311). Here the point refers to, for example, a branching
`point such as an intersection, the case where the user has
`moved by a predetermined distance, or the case where a
`predetermined period of time has elapsed,
`
`In the step S311, when the result of the judgment
`[0058]
`is such that the user (portable telephone) does not approach
`the point, step S309 ( detection of position), step S310
`(confirmation of arrival at destination), and step S311 Qudg(cid:173)
`ment on whether or not the user has approached point) are
`repeated until the user approaches the point. When the
`approach of the user (portable telephone) at the point could
`have been confirmed in step S311, judgment is further
`carried out, in step S312, on whether or not the current
`position of the user (portable telephone) has deviated from
`the recommendation route,
`
`[0059] When the result of the judgment is such that the
`current position of the user (portable telephone) has deviated
`from the recommendation route, the operation is returned to
`the search for a route in step S305. In this case, the map
`database server again searches the map database for a
`recommendation route from the current position of the user
`(portable telephone) to the destination, and the guide is
`resumed according to the new route. When the route could
`have been judged to be proper in step S312, the map
`database server informs, in step S313, the user (portabl