JP3956713B2 - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a car navigation system that enables a user to spend idle time such as in a traffic jam or waiting time for a person happily or meaningfully.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A car navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile generally calculates a recommended route to a destination specified by a user, a location function that detects the position of the host vehicle and displays it on a display device in a superimposed manner with a road map. And a route guidance function for guiding by display (and voice).
[0003]
By the way, when riding in a vehicle, for example, when commuting, traveling, going home, etc., it often happens that the vehicle is involved in a traffic jam, and there is a case of waiting for a person in the vehicle. In such a case, the vehicle passenger (the user of the car navigation device) will have a spare time that feels timeless or boring, but in conventional car navigation devices, In such a vacant time in the vehicle, a map screen having no change is only displayed on the display device. Therefore, if a function capable of happily or meaningfully spending the free time in the vehicle can be added to the car navigation device, it can be highly useful.
[0004]
Incidentally, JP 2001-165676 A, which is related to the earlier application of the present applicant, describes amusement such as yearbook, quiz, news, event information, etc. in the waiting time for the user such as during program loading or route calculation. There is shown a car navigation device in which timely information is displayed on a display device. However, the technique disclosed in this publication does not take into account the idle time for the user during traffic jams or waiting time.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a car navigation system that allows a user to enjoy idle time in a vehicle such as in a traffic jam or waiting time for people in a fun or meaningful manner. It is in.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the car navigation system according to the present invention accesses a communication center via a communication means on the side of a car navigation device main body mounted on a vehicle based on a user's operation, and obtains a desired quiz. Downloads problem data such as learning data including data and questions and outputs the data to a display device, and enables execution of a quiz / learning mode in which answer data input by the user is transmitted to the communication center. Based on the answer data, the center side is configured to send the correct answer and scoring result of the question to the car navigation device body, and further, the car navigation device body side sets a study start time for outputting the downloaded question data. User can set in advance and automatically switch to quiz / learning mode at that time. Those constructed as (invention of claim 1).
[0007]
According to this, the user (vehicle occupant) of the car navigation device main body can output the quiz and learning data acquired from the communication center to the display device by operation, and further, by inputting the answer The answer data is transmitted to the communication center, and the correct answer and scoring result of the problem is transmitted from the communication center. In this case, the problem data can be output to the display device when the user desires, such as in a traffic jam or waiting time, and the user wants to enjoy a quiz or study with learning data. Problem data can be obtained. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect of allowing the user to have a free time in the vehicle such as in a traffic jam or waiting time for a person in a fun or meaningful manner.
[0008]
At this time, the server of the communication center is maintained by the company as a sponsor, and as compensation, the problem data can include data for advertising the company (invention of claim 2). According to this, the service can be received at a low cost for the user, and the advertising effect corresponding to the service can be obtained for the company. In addition, as a mode of promotion of this company, various modes are possible such as displaying a quiz about the company, displaying a company character or the like on a problem data display screen, displaying a company name on a title screen or the like. .
[0009]
In addition, if the user is given a privilege or a prize according to the scoring result from the communication center, the enjoyment for the user can be increased and it becomes more effective (invention of claim 3). In this case, when a company is a sponsor, it is possible to give a prize or the like related to the company, and the advertising effect can be further enhanced.
[0010]
And it is desirable that the above-mentioned problem data output or answer data input in the car navigation device body is executed on condition that the vehicle speed is zero (the invention of claim 4). As a result, the user cannot operate while the vehicle is traveling, and safety related to traveling can be ensured. Of course, it is possible to achieve the intended purpose of allowing the user to have a fun or meaningful time in the free time in the vehicle such as in a traffic jam or waiting time for people.
[0011]
Furthermore, if the car navigation device body has a speech synthesis function, the problem data may be output together (invention of claim 5), and the car navigation device body has a speech recognition function. In what is provided, it is possible to input the answer data by the user by voice (invention of claim 6). In either case, it is easier for the user to use and more effective than the case of only output by display or the case of enabling input only by key operation.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a car navigation system according to the present embodiment. This system comprises a communication center 1 and a car navigation device body 3 mounted on a vehicle (automobile) 2. At this time, as will be described later, the car navigation device body 3 is provided with a communication device, and is configured to be able to communicate with the communication center 1 (data transmission / reception).
[0013]
Although not shown in detail, the communication center 1 is provided with a server having a communication function and a database function. The server stores problem data such as quiz data and learning data including questions. ing. In this case, the quiz consists of, for example, four-choice questions, many are prepared for each genre, and the learning data is also various, such as various qualification tests and language studies such as English. Prepared for courses. As will be described later, the learning data includes lecture data and practice question (question) data.
[0014]
As will be described later, the communication center 1 (server) transmits necessary problem data to the car navigation apparatus body 3 in response to an access from the car navigation apparatus body 3. In addition, when answer data is received from the car navigation device main body 3, scoring is performed, and correct answers and scoring results are transmitted (replyed). Furthermore, in the case of a quiz, for example, a prize or a privilege is given to a user who has given a high score.
[0015]
In the present embodiment, the communication center 1 (server) is maintained by the advertising fee, for example, with a plurality of companies 4 as sponsors. As a price, the above problem data includes sponsors. It contains data for advertising the companies that became. In this case, the cost for communication (communication fee), the cost required for prizes, etc. are covered by the advertising fee. The user can communicate with the communication center 1 by registration, and the address of the user's home 5 is registered in the communication center 1 at that time.
[0016]
On the other hand, FIG. 2 schematically shows an electrical configuration of the car navigation apparatus body 3. Here, the car navigation device main body 3 includes a control device 6, a position detector 7, a map data input device 8, an operation switch group 9, a voice input device 10, a voice output device 11, for example, a display device comprising a full-color liquid crystal display. 12, an internal storage device 13 for storing necessary data, an external recording medium 14 such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, a communication device 15 constituting a communication means, an external sensor such as a vehicle speed sensor or an outside air temperature sensor mounted on the vehicle 2 The group 16 is connected.
[0017]
The control device 6 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, timer, a bus line for connecting them, and the like, and has various functions as a car navigation device as will be described later. It has come to be realized. The position detector 7 includes a geomagnetic sensor 17, a distance sensor 18, a gyroscope 19, and a GPS receiver 20 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites, which are in any known configuration.
[0018]
Since the sensors 17 to 20 of the position detector 7 have errors having different properties, the control device 6 is configured to be used while interpolating, based on the inputs of the sensors 17 to 20. Thus, the current position, traveling direction, speed, travel distance, etc. of the vehicle 2 are detected with high accuracy. Depending on the accuracy, the position detector may be constituted by a part of the above-described sensors 17 to 20, and in addition to the above, a rotation sensor for steering and a wheel sensor for each rolling wheel may be employed. is there.
[0019]
The map data input device 8 is composed of a map data recording medium such as a DVD on which various data such as road map data and accompanying mark data, so-called map matching data are recorded, and a drive device for reading these data. Is done. The operation switch group 9 includes a mechanical switch provided in the vicinity of the screen of the display device 12 and a touch panel provided on the screen of the display device 12, and the user operates the operation switch group 9 to operate it. Various settings and input can be performed. Although not shown, a remote controller having the same function as the operation switch group 9 is also provided.
[0020]
On the screen of the display device 12, a map around the current position of the vehicle 2 is normally displayed, and a current location mark and a travel history path indicating the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 are superimposed on the display. It is displayed. Further, when the route guidance (route guidance) function is executed, the route to be traveled, the destination mark, and the like are displayed superimposed on the map. Furthermore, the display device 12 displays an input screen for the user to make various inputs such as a destination, various messages, and the like. In the quiz / learning mode described later, Question data, correct answer data, and the like are displayed.
[0021]
The voice input device 10 includes a microphone for inputting voice, a voice recognition device for recognizing input voice data, and the like. A user inputs a destination, inputs various commands by voice, and will be described later. You can enter answers in the quiz / learning mode. The voice output device 11 is composed of a voice synthesizer that generates synthesized voice, a speaker that outputs voice, and the like. For route guidance, for example, guidance by voice output such as “the intersection is 200 m ahead is left”, quiz / learning mode Voice output of problem data is made.
[0022]
The communication device 15 is, for example, a mobile phone that is detachably connected to the car navigation device body 3 and is controlled by the control device 6 in the quiz / learning mode to transmit / receive data to / from the communication center 1. It functions as a communication means to perform.
[0023]
The control device 6 realizes a location function that knows the current position of the vehicle 2 by its software configuration, and also recommends a recommended route to the destination based on the input of the destination by the user, for example, the well-known Dijkstra method A route guidance function that calculates and guides using the is realized. The control device 6 is switched to the quiz / learning mode based on the user's operation, and performs processing such as accessing the communication center 1 and downloading desired problem data.
[0024]
At this time, as will be described later in the explanation of the operation, the control device 6 displays the downloaded problem data on the display device 12 or outputs the voice by the voice output device 11, and the user inputs an answer to this ( When key operation or voice input is performed, the answer data is transmitted to the communication center 1. After that, the correct answer of the problem and the data of the scoring result are received from the communication center 1 and displayed on the display device 12.
[0025]
Further, in this embodiment, the control device 6 constantly monitors the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor in the external sensor group 16 and outputs (displays) problem data to the display device 12 on condition that the vehicle speed is zero. In addition, operations (input of answer data and the like) are made possible. Accordingly, when problem data or the like is displayed on the display device 12 and the vehicle speed exceeds a certain value, a message such as “Cannot be operated while driving” is displayed on the display device 12 and then the screen is switched to the map screen. It has become. When the vehicle speed becomes 0 (the vehicle 2 stops), the original screen is restored again.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to specific examples shown in FIGS. First, the flowchart of FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure including a user operation executed on the car navigation device body 3 side when learning data is downloaded during execution of the quiz / learning mode. Here, a specific example is given of a case where the user wants to study UML qualification acquisition, for example.
[0027]
Now, it is assumed that the user uses the vehicle 2 for commuting and is involved in a traffic jam from about 8 o'clock every morning from Monday to Friday. Therefore, the user uses the time to study in the car. In this case, the user can set the study start time (the time to output the downloaded learning data) in advance, and at that time, the car navigation device body 3 automatically enters the quiz / learning mode. It is designed to switch.
[0028]
That is, the user operates the operation switch group 9 of the car navigation apparatus body 3 to set a study time (for example, every morning at 8:00) (step S1). Next, the communication center 1 is accessed via the communication device 15 by operating the operation switch group 9, and desired problem data (in this case, learning data related to studying UML qualification acquisition) is selected (step S2). Then, the learning data selected from the communication center 1 is downloaded (step S3). As described above, the learning data includes lecture data and practice question (question) data.
[0029]
After such learning data is downloaded, the set time is reached, and the power of the navigation device body 3 is turned on at that time (the engine of the vehicle 2 is activated) (step S4). Yes), the mode is automatically switched to the quiz / learning mode and the study is started (step S5). In this case, lecture data is output first, and this output is performed by both display on the display device 12 and sound output by the sound output device 11.
[0030]
4 and 5 show a specific example of the screen of the display device 12 at that time, and the display device 12 has a menu list screen of lecture contents as shown in FIG. 4 following the title screen. Is displayed. At this time, a voice explaining the contents of the screen (for example, “From now on, start a simple UML course. Please select an arbitrary list. LESSON1 ...”, etc.) is output.
[0031]
When the user selects one of the lists by touch panel operation or voice input, the lecture content screen is displayed. FIG. 5 shows a lecture content screen when the user selects “LESSON 1”. The lecture content is displayed on the display device 12 and the lecture content is explained by voice. If the list or lecture content does not fit on one screen, the user touches the “next page” to move to the next screen. Although not shown, a sponsor name and the like are displayed on the title screen, and the company 4 is promoted.
[0032]
When the lecture is performed in this way, in the next step S6, the user selects whether to perform a practical problem. When it is selected that no practical problem is to be performed (No in step S6), the quiz / learning mode ends. On the other hand, when it is selected that the practice question is to be performed (Yes in Step S6), the practice question data is output (Step S7), and the user answers the question (Step S8). FIG. 6 shows a specific example of a practice question output screen, in which questions are asked in a four-choice method over a plurality of questions (only one is shown). At the same time, the problem can be read out by voice.
[0033]
Further, the user's answer to this can be made by touch operation on the touch panel or voice input. When all the questions are answered (Yes in step S9), the answer data is transmitted to the communication center 1 via the communication device 15 (step S10). Then, scoring is performed at the communication center 1, and the correct answer of the problem and the data of the scoring result (pass / fail judgment) are transmitted to the navigation apparatus body 3. When the navigation device body 3 receives the data from the communication center 1 (step S11), the correct answer and pass / fail judgment is displayed on the display device 12 (step S12).
[0034]
Although not shown in this flowchart, as described above, in this quiz / learning mode, on the condition that the vehicle speed of the vehicle 2 is 0, display on the display device 12 and output of data by voice, In addition, operations such as input of answer data can be performed. That is, the user can study only when the vehicle 2 is stopped due to a traffic jam, thereby ensuring the safety in traveling of the vehicle 2.
[0035]
As a result, the user can perform the desired study using the navigation device body 3 in a so-called free time in a vehicle such as in a traffic jam, and the time that may be wasted can be changed to a meaningful time. is there. In addition, here, a case where there is a traffic jam is taken as an example, but the same study can be performed during idle time such as waiting time for people. Of course, it is possible to study by accessing the communication center 1 at any time without setting the start time.
[0036]
Next, the flowchart of FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure when quiz data is downloaded during execution of the quiz / learning mode. Now, when the vehicle 2 is involved in a traffic jam, for example, during a vacation with a family member or a returnee, the user can enjoy a quiz in the car. That is, the user sets the car navigation device body 3 to the quiz / learning mode by operating the operation switch group 9, accesses the communication center 1 via the communication device 15, and selects desired quiz data (step S21).
[0037]
Then, the selected quiz data is downloaded from the communication center 1 (step S22). Then, the output of quiz data is performed (step S23), and this output is also performed by both the display on the display device 12 and the sound output by the sound output device 11. FIG. 8 shows a specific example of a quiz screen when a quiz is selected. Again, quiz questions are given over a plurality of questions in a four-choice method. In addition, for example, by displaying the character C unique to the company 4 on this screen, the company 4 can be advertised.
[0038]
On the other hand, the user answers (step S24), but this answer can also be made by touch operation of the touch panel or voice input. When all the questions are answered (Yes in step S25), the answer data is transmitted to the communication center 1 via the communication device 15 (step S26). Then, scoring is performed at the communication center 1 and a prize is given to the high scorer. However, the correct answer of the quiz and the data of the scoring result (presence / absence of prize acquisition) are transmitted to the navigation apparatus body 3. become.
[0039]
When the navigation device body 3 receives the data from the communication center 1 (step S27), the correct answer and the presence / absence of a prize are displayed on the display device 12 (step S28). When a prize is acquired, for example, the prize is delivered to the address of the user's home 5 registered in advance at a later date. Instead of prizes, some kind of privilege may be given, and the sponsor's company 4 can be advertised with these prizes and privileges. Also in this case, the output of the quiz data and the input of the answer are performed under the condition that the vehicle speed of the vehicle 2 is zero.
[0040]
Thus, the user can enjoy the quiz using the navigation device body 3 together with the family and friends in the free time in the vehicle such as in a traffic jam, and can enjoy the time involved in the traffic jam happily. . In addition, since a prize (privilege) is given according to the scoring result for the answer to the quiz, the enjoyment for the user can be increased and it becomes more effective.
[0041]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data communication between the communication center 1 and the car navigation device body 3 allows the problem data to be displayed on the display device 12 when the user desires such as traffic jam or waiting time. It can be output by voice, and desired problem data can be obtained, for example, a user wants to enjoy a quiz or wants to study with learning data. As a result, there is an excellent effect that the user can have a joyful or meaningful time in the vehicle such as in a traffic jam or waiting time for people.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, a mobile phone is used as the communication means (communication device 15). However, various devices can be used as long as they can transmit and receive data to and from the communication center. Yes, communication using light may be performed. Further, communication may be performed through the Internet. Further, the configuration of the car navigation apparatus main body can be applied as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention, for example, the present invention can be applied to a device that does not have voice output or voice input functions. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a car navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a car navigation device main body. Flowchart showing the processing procedure when downloading data for use [Fig. 4] Diagram showing a specific example of a menu list screen for lecture content [Fig. 5] Diagram showing a specific example of a lecture content screen [Fig. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when downloading quiz data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a quiz screen.
In the drawings, 1 is a communication center, 2 is a vehicle, 3 is a car navigation device body, 4 is a company, 6 is a control device, 7 is a position detector, 9 is an operation switch group, 10 is a voice input device, and 11 is a voice output. Device, 12 is a display device, 15 is a communication device (communication means), and 16 is an external sensor group.

Claims (6)

A communication center including a server for storing problem data such as learning data including quiz data and questions;
A car navigation device body mounted on a vehicle and accessible to the communication center via communication means;
The car navigation apparatus main body, and outputs to the display device to download the desired issue data from the communication center based on a user operation, quizzes and learning for transmitting answer data input by said user to said communication center Mode execution is enabled ,
The communication center is configured to transmit the correct answer of the problem and the scoring result to the car navigation device body based on the answer data ,
The car navigation device main body is configured such that a user can preset a study start time for outputting the downloaded problem data, and automatically switches to the quiz / learning mode at that time. Car navigation system characterized by that. 2. The car navigation system according to claim 1, wherein maintenance of the server of the communication center is performed by a company as a sponsor, and the problem data includes data for advertising the company. The car navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a privilege or prize according to the scoring result is given to the user from the communication center. 4. The car navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the output of the question data or the input of answer data in the car navigation device main body is enabled on condition that the vehicle speed is zero. . 5. The car navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the car navigation device body has a voice synthesis function, and voice output of the problem data is also performed. 6. The car navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the car navigation device main body has a voice recognition function, and the answer data can be input by voice.

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