JP2002267734A - Positioning device, method of setting positioning interval, and method of notifying operation period - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a positioning-incapable condition from being generated caused by an insufficient battery capacity during use in an intermittent positioning mode, in a portable GPS equipment. SOLUTION: A target date and hour desired to be operated by the intermittent positioning mode are set by a user (SA1), and a time up to the time, that is, an operation period is calculated (SA2). A voltage is measured to calculate the residual capacity of a battery (SA3), and a positioning interval executable in the operation period is computed (SA4) to be set as a positioning interval in the intermittent positioning mode (SA5). Only an input of the target date and hour required to set the operation period and the like are enough to be operated by the user when operated in the intermittent measuring mode, to set the positioning interval in response to the residual capacity of a power source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a positioning device that measures its own position using positioning information sent from a GPS satellite or the like, a positioning interval setting method thereof, and an operation period notification method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a positioning device using a GPS (Global Positioning System) for receiving a radio wave from a satellite and measuring a current position includes, for example, a positioning device used for a car navigation system and a portable device. In a portable positioning device, a large-capacity battery such as a car navigation system cannot be used as a power source, and charging cannot be performed while the device is being carried. Therefore, there is a limit to how long the continuous use time can be extended.
This becomes remarkable because the usable batteries also become smaller.

[0003] For this reason, generally, in a portable positioning device, the remaining capacity of a power supply (battery) is displayed at the time of use, and the user is made to predict the operable time thereafter. Also, unlike the car navigation system, by providing an intermittent positioning mode that performs position measurement at fixed time intervals as a positioning mode, position measurement can be performed continuously for a longer time while suppressing power consumption. I have.

[0004]

However, even if the remaining capacity of the power supply is displayed as described above, the user of the positioning device can determine how long the user can actually use the device. difficult. For this reason, even during operation in the intermittent positioning mode, position measurement may not be possible due to insufficient battery capacity before the operation period (time) scheduled by the user has elapsed.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and is a positioning device capable of preventing occurrence of a positioning impossible state due to a shortage of battery capacity during use in an intermittent positioning mode. And a positioning interval setting method and an operation period notification method.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning apparatus for receiving positioning information transmitted from a satellite and measuring a self-position based on the positioning information. Means, and acquisition means for acquiring remaining amount information indicating the remaining capacity of the power supply that supplies the driving power of the positioning means,
A storage unit for storing a reference power consumption of the power supply required for one measurement operation of the self-position by the positioning unit, a setting unit for setting an operation period in an intermittent measurement mode requested by a user, and the obtaining unit Based on the obtained remaining amount information, the operation period set by the setting unit, and the reference consumption capacity stored in the storage unit, an interval calculation unit that calculates a positioning interval executable in the operation period; And a positioning interval setting unit that sets the positioning interval calculated by the interval calculating unit as a positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode.

In such a configuration, when the operation period in the intermittent measurement mode requested by the user is set by the setting unit, the interval calculation unit calculates a positioning interval that can be executed in the set operation period. Is automatically set as the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode by the positioning interval setting means. Therefore, in the operation in the intermittent measurement mode, the user can set the positioning interval according to the remaining power of the power supply only by performing the operation required for setting the operation period.

Further, in the positioning device according to the second aspect, the setting means includes an input means for inputting a target date and time at which a user ends the operation in the intermittent measurement mode, and a target input by the input means. And a period calculating means for calculating the operation period from the date and time.

Therefore, when operating in the intermittent measurement mode, the user can set the positioning interval according to the remaining capacity of the power supply only by inputting the target date and time to end the use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning device which receives positioning information sent from a satellite, measures a self-position based on the positioning information, and supplies driving power for the positioning device. Acquiring means for acquiring remaining amount information indicating a remaining capacity of a power supply to be performed; storage means for storing a reference power consumption capacity of the power supply required for one measuring operation of the self-position by the positioning means; Setting means for allowing a user to set a positioning interval at which the means performs a measuring operation; remaining amount information obtained by the obtaining means; a positioning interval set by the setting means; and a reference stored in the storage means. A period calculating means for calculating an operation period during which the positioning means can perform the measuring operation at the positioning interval based on the consumed capacity; and a table for notifying a user of the operation period calculated by the calculating means. It was that a unit.

In such a configuration, when the user sets the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode, the period calculating means calculates the operation period during which the positioning means can perform the measuring operation at the set positioning interval, and this is calculated. The user is notified by the display means. Therefore, the user can know the period during which operation is possible in the intermittent measurement mode only by setting the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode.

Further, in the positioning device according to the fourth aspect, the power source is a secondary battery, and the remaining amount acquired by the acquisition unit along with the measuring operation by the positioning unit immediately after charging of the secondary battery is completed. Remaining amount information storage means for storing information;
Timer means for measuring the required time required for the measuring operation of the positioning means; integrating means for integrating the required time measured by the time measuring means; an integration result of the required time integrated by the integrating means; A deterioration degree calculating means for calculating a deterioration degree of the capacity of the secondary battery based on the remaining amount information stored in the amount information storage means and the remaining amount information newly obtained by the obtaining means; Display means for informing the user of deterioration information indicating the calculation result of the calculation means.

In such a configuration, every time the position is measured, the position is measured by the deterioration degree calculating means, and the result is notified to the user by the display means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning interval setting method comprising the steps of: receiving positioning information transmitted from a satellite, and measuring a self-position based on the positioning information; In the method of setting the positioning interval in the measurement mode, a step of setting an operation period in the intermittent measurement mode requested by a user, and the set operation period and a remaining capacity of a power supply for supplying driving power of the positioning unit Calculating a positioning interval that can be performed during an operation period based on the reference power consumption of the power source required for one self-position measurement operation by the positioning unit; and calculating the calculated positioning interval in an intermittent measurement mode. And setting the positioning interval.

According to this method, when operating in the intermittent measurement mode, the user can set the positioning interval according to the remaining capacity of the power supply only by performing the operation required for setting the operation period. .

Further, in the operation period notification method according to the present invention, the intermittent operation of the positioning apparatus having the positioning means for receiving the positioning information sent from the satellite and measuring the self-position based on the positioning information is performed. A method of notifying a user of an operation period usable in a measurement mode, comprising the steps of causing a user to set a positioning interval in an intermittent measurement mode, supplying the set positioning interval, and driving power of the positioning unit. Calculating an operation period during which the positioning means can perform the measurement operation at the positioning interval based on the remaining capacity of the power source and the reference power consumption capacity of the power source required for one self-position measurement operation by the positioning means. And informing the user of the calculated operation period.

According to this method, the user can know the period during which the apparatus can be operated in the intermittent measurement mode only by setting the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a positioning device 1 according to the present invention. This positioning device 1
This is a wristwatch-type GPS receiver using a small battery as a power supply, and has the following configuration. The positioning device 1 is mainly composed of a CPU 2, and the CPU 2 includes a GPS circuit 3, a key input circuit 4, a clock circuit 5, a power supply circuit 6, a display circuit 7,
ROM 8 and RAM 9 are connected to each other.

The GPS circuit 3 is a positioning means of the present invention,
An L1 band radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite is received by a planar antenna 10 and amplified and demodulated to decode satellite data such as ephemeris information and almanac information, ie, positioning information, and to determine a current position based on the decoded data. The position measurement for calculating (latitude / longitude) is performed, and the obtained positioning data is sent to the CPU 2. The key input circuit 4 switches between a clock mode operating as a clock and an operation mode such as a GPS mode for measuring (positioning) the current position, and a plurality of keys used by the user to operate the positioning device 1 such as input of numbers and katakana. , And generates an operation signal according to the operation of each switch and sends it to the CPU 2. The clock circuit 5 has a calendar function and counts time, and sends date and time data indicating the current date and time to the CPU 2.

The power supply circuit 6 sends power from a secondary battery 11 such as a lithium battery to the CPU 2 and other circuits (not shown). Further, the CPU 2 functions as an acquisition unit of the present invention.
In response to the request from, the voltage of the secondary battery 11 is measured, and the measured voltage is sent to the CPU 2 as battery voltage data as remaining amount information indicating the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11. The display circuit 7 is a display means of the present invention, and is constituted by a liquid crystal display and a drive circuit for driving the liquid crystal display. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display. For example, in the clock mode, the current date and time and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 11 are displayed, and in the GPS mode, the latitude and longitude and the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 11 are displayed.

The ROM 8 stores C necessary for controlling the positioning device 1.
A control program relating to a data processing procedure by the PU2 is stored. The ROM 8 is a storage unit of the present invention.
, For example, the reference consumption capacity of the secondary battery 11 consumed by the GPS circuit 3 in one positioning operation in the GPS mode. The CPU 2 functions as each unit such as the setting unit of the present invention by operating based on the control program. The RAM 9 is a work memory of the CPU 2 and stores past positioning data (latitude / longitude) measured and observed in the GPS mode as necessary, and is also used by the CPU 2 to control a positioning device described later. By storing the voltage data of the next battery 11 and the like, it functions as the remaining amount information storage means of the present invention.

The positioning device 1 is provided with modes such as a single measurement and an intermittent measurement as the GPS mode. The one-time measurement is a mode in which the positioning operation is performed at any time according to the operation of the user and the measured latitude and longitude of the current position are displayed. The intermittent measurement is a mode in which the same operation as the one-time measurement is performed at a fixed time interval (positioning interval), as described in the related art. In the present embodiment,
Prior to using the intermittent measurement mode, the user can select two types of setting modes: a positioning interval automatic setting for automatically setting the positioning interval, and a positioning interval setting for setting a desired positioning interval. I have. Hereinafter, the operation of the positioning device 1 according to the two types of setting modes will be described.

(Positioning interval automatic setting mode) FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the CPU 2 when the user selects the positioning interval automatic setting mode.

When such a mode is selected, the CPU 2 first allows the user to set a target date and time for ending the operation in the intermittent measurement mode, that is, whether to perform measurement in the intermittent measurement mode (step SA1). ), The time from the current date and time to the set target date and time, that is, the operation period, is calculated and temporarily stored in the RAM 9 (step SA2).
Next, the battery voltage of the secondary battery 11 is measured by the power supply circuit 6, and the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11 is calculated from the measurement result (step SA3). This is performed using the data relating to the discharge characteristics indicating the relationship between the voltage and the free capacity of the secondary battery 11 shown in FIG. 3 and stored in the ROM 8 in advance (step SA3).

Subsequently, the remaining capacity obtained here and RO
Based on the above-mentioned reference consumption capacity stored in advance in M8 and the operation period stored in step SA2, a positioning interval that can be performed in the operation period is calculated (step S2).
A4). This calculation is performed by, for example, once calculating the number of times of positioning that can be performed with the remaining capacity, and dividing the operation period by the calculated number of times of positioning. Therefore, the positioning interval acquired here is short when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11 is large, and is long when the remaining capacity is small. And CP
U2 stores the calculated positioning interval in RAM 9 as setting data together with the target date and time as the positioning interval in the operation period in the intermittent measurement mode (step SA5). Thereafter, the mode is shifted to the intermittent measurement mode, and the intermittent positioning is started.

Thus, the intermittent positioning is performed at the set positioning interval until the target date and time set by the user. That is, the user can automatically set the positioning interval according to the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11 that can be executed in the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode only by inputting the target date and time described above. Therefore, during use in the intermittent positioning mode, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a positioning impossible state due to insufficient capacity of the secondary battery 11, and as a result, it is possible to improve the use environment of the positioning device 1.

In this embodiment, the user sets (inputs) a target date and time for ending the operation in the intermittent measurement mode.
Although the case of performing the operation is described, the user may directly input the operation period in the intermittent measurement mode. The user may be allowed to select either the target date and time or the operation period.

(Positioning interval setting mode) FIG. 4 shows the CPU 2 when the positioning interval setting mode is selected by the user.
6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the first embodiment.

When such a mode is selected, the CPU 2 first allows the user to set the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode (step SB1), and then measures the battery voltage of the secondary battery 11, and from the measurement result, The remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11 is calculated (step SB2). Also in this case, the data on the discharge characteristics in FIG. 3 is used. Next, based on the remaining capacity calculated here, the positioning interval set by the user, and the above-described reference consumption capacity stored in the ROM 8, the position measurement is performed using the power of the remaining capacity. The last date and time when the intermittent measurement mode is operable when the measurement is performed at intervals is calculated (step SB3). This calculation, for example, once calculates the number of times of positioning that can be performed from the remaining capacity and the reference consumption capacity, obtains an operation period that can be performed by multiplying the calculated number of times of positioning by the positioning interval, and obtains the date and time at that time. Is calculated by calculating the date and time after the elapse of the operation period. Therefore, the date and time acquired here is far if the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11 is large, and conversely if the remaining capacity is small.

Next, the CPU 2 displays the calculated operable date and time on the liquid crystal display of the display circuit 7 (step S2).
B4) The user is asked to confirm whether or not the change is necessary (Step S)
B5). Here, if there is a need to change, the flow returns to step SB1, and the user is required to reset the positioning interval. If there is no need to change (YES in step SB5), the operable date and time obtained at that time is The last date and time when the intermittent measurement mode is performed is stored in the RAM 9 as setting data together with the positioning intervals (step SB6). Thereafter, the mode is shifted to the intermittent measurement mode, and the intermittent positioning is started.

As a result, the intermittent positioning at the positioning interval set by the user is performed until the date and time set automatically. That is, the user can know the feasible date and time according to the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 11 only by setting the desired positioning interval, and at the same time, automatically set it as the actual last day of operation. be able to. Therefore, also in this case, during use in the intermittent positioning mode, the secondary battery 11
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of the positioning impossible state due to the insufficient capacity of the positioning device 1, and as a result, it is possible to improve the use environment of the positioning device 1.

In the present embodiment, not only the user is notified of the available date and time, but also it can be automatically set as the last operation date. The user may only be notified. Even in such a case, since the user can set the positioning interval after confirming the last day of operation, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. However, the usability can be further improved by automatically setting the last operation day as in the present embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, an operable period that can be implemented may be notified or set instead of the last operation day of the intermittent positioning mode described above.

(Other Operations) In the positioning device 1, during the positioning operation in the GPS mode including the above-described intermittent positioning mode, the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 11 is determined by the liquid crystal display of the display circuit 7 as follows. Is displayed on the container.

In the following, during positioning operation in the GPS mode, C
The processing procedure related to the display of the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 11 executed by the PU 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the GPS mode is set, the CPU 2 sets the GPS mode only when it is the first positioning after charging is completed (step SC1).
YES), the voltage of the secondary battery 11 is measured, and stored in the RAM 9 as an initial voltage value (step SC
2) Start measuring time,
The longitude is calculated and displayed (step SC3). During this time, the time required for the positioning operation (positioning required time) is measured, and if the battery is not in a charged state (NO in step SC4), the positioning time is integrated in the work area of the RAM 9; The data is sequentially stored (step SC5).

Next, the voltage of the secondary battery 11 is measured to calculate the amount of discharge, that is, the actually used battery capacity (step SC6). Here, if there is no deterioration of the secondary battery 11,
The used capacity estimated from the integrated value of the positioning required time matches the actual capacity. However, when the deterioration of the secondary battery 11 progresses and the discharge characteristic indicating the relationship between the voltage and the free capacity of the secondary battery 11 shown in FIG. 3 becomes the characteristic shown by the broken line in FIG. The obtained free space is larger than the expected used space. From such a viewpoint, in the following step SC7, the voltage value measured in step SC6 and RA
Based on the integrated value of the positioning required time stored in M9 and the initial voltage value, for example, a capacity obtained by subtracting the expected used capacity from the integrated value of the required time from the initial capacity corresponding to the initial voltage value is predicted. The remaining capacity is calculated, and the ratio of the actual remaining capacity to the predicted remaining capacity in a state where the secondary battery 11 is not deteriorated is calculated according to a predetermined procedure. Then, the calculated ratio is displayed (step SC8), and the processing at the time of each positioning operation ends. The ratio is indicated by a number or an indicator that visually indicates the number.

Thus, the user can know the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 11 when using the GPS mode, and can replace the secondary battery 11 early. Therefore, usability is improved.

[0037]

As described above, in the present invention,
When operating in the intermittent measurement mode, the user can set the positioning interval according to the remaining power of the power supply simply by inputting the target date and time required for setting the operation period. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a positioning impossible state due to a shortage of battery capacity during use in the intermittent positioning mode. As a result, the use environment of the positioning device can be improved.

In another invention, the user can know the period during which operation is possible in the intermittent measurement mode only by setting the positioning interval in the intermittent measurement mode. Therefore,
Since the user can confirm the operation period in the intermittent measurement mode and set the positioning interval, it prevents the occurrence of a positioning impossible state due to insufficient battery capacity during use in the intermittent positioning mode It is possible to do. As a result, the use environment of the positioning device can be improved.

In addition to the above, in the device of claim 4,
Each time the position measurement is performed, the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery is calculated and notified to the user, so that usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a CP when a positioning interval automatic setting mode is selected.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of U.

FIG. 3 is a discharge characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a voltage and a free capacity in a secondary battery.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU when a positioning interval setting mode is selected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU for displaying a degree of deterioration of a secondary battery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Positioning apparatus 2 CPU 3 GPS circuit 4 Key input circuit 6 Power supply circuit 7 Display circuit 8 ROM 9 RAM 11 Secondary battery

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Positioning means for receiving positioning information sent from a satellite and measuring its own position based on the positioning information, and remaining information indicating the remaining capacity of a power supply for supplying driving power to the positioning means. Acquisition means for acquiring; storage means for storing the reference power consumption of the power supply required for one measurement operation of the self-position by the positioning means; and setting means for setting an operation period in an intermittent measurement mode required by a user. Calculating a positioning interval that can be executed during the operation period based on the remaining amount information acquired by the acquisition unit, the operation period set by the setting unit, and the reference consumption capacity stored in the storage unit. A positioning apparatus comprising: an interval calculating unit; and a positioning interval setting unit that sets a positioning interval calculated by the interval calculating unit as a positioning interval in an intermittent measurement mode. 2. The input means for inputting a target date and time at which the user ends the operation in the intermittent measurement mode,
2. The positioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a period calculating unit that calculates the operation period from the target date and time input by the input unit. 3. Positioning means for receiving positioning information sent from a satellite and measuring its own position based on the positioning information, and remaining information indicating the remaining capacity of a power supply for supplying driving power to the positioning means. An acquisition unit for acquiring, a storage unit for storing a reference power consumption of the power supply required for one measurement operation of the self-position by the positioning unit, and a positioning interval for causing the positioning unit to perform the measurement operation in the intermittent measurement mode. Setting means for allowing the user to set, based on the remaining amount information acquired by the acquiring means, the positioning interval set by the setting means, and the reference consumption capacity stored in the storage means, the positioning means performs the positioning. It is characterized by comprising a period calculating means for calculating an operation period during which a measurement operation can be performed at intervals, and a display means for notifying a user of the operation period calculated by the calculating means. Place device. 4. A remaining amount information storage unit that stores the remaining amount information acquired by the acquisition unit along with a measurement operation by the positioning unit immediately after charging of the secondary battery is completed, and the power source is a secondary battery; A timer for measuring the required time required for the measuring operation of the positioning means; an integrating means for integrating the required time measured by the timer; an integration result of the required time integrated by the integrating means; Remaining amount information stored in the amount information storage means,
A deterioration degree calculating means for calculating a degree of deterioration of the capacity of the secondary battery based on the remaining amount information newly obtained by the obtaining means; and deterioration information indicating a calculation result of the deterioration degree calculating means to a user. 4. The positioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for notifying. 5. A method for setting a positioning interval in an intermittent measurement mode in a positioning device provided with positioning means for receiving positioning information sent from a satellite and measuring a self-position based on the positioning information. Setting the operation period in the intermittent measurement mode requested by the user, the set operation period, the remaining capacity of the power supply that supplies the driving power of the positioning unit, and one measurement of the self-position by the positioning unit A step of calculating a positioning interval that can be performed during an operation period based on the reference power consumption of the power supply required for operation; and a step of setting the calculated positioning interval as a positioning interval in an intermittent measurement mode. Positioning interval setting method. 6. A positioning apparatus provided with positioning means for receiving positioning information sent from a satellite and measuring a self-position based on the positioning information, and informing a user of an operation period usable in an intermittent measurement mode. A method for allowing a user to set a positioning interval in an intermittent measurement mode, a set positioning interval, a remaining capacity of a power supply for supplying driving power of the positioning means, and one time by the positioning means. From the step of calculating an operation period during which the positioning means can perform the measurement operation at the positioning interval based on the reference power consumption capacity of the power source required for the measurement operation of the self-position, and the step of informing the user of the calculated operation period. An operation period notification method, characterized in that: