Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Navigation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-03
2004-01-06
Camby, Richard M. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Navigation
C701S208000, C701S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06675089
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile information processing system, a mobile information processing method, and a storage medium storing a mobile information processing program, for guiding a mobile object along a travel route based on PIM (Personal Information Manager) data which has been input and set in advance, or for automatically updating the personal information manager data based on the traveling status of the mobile object.
In the prior art, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-86195, for example, discloses a mobile information processing system of this type in which a navigation device combined with an electronic mail device is installed in a vehicle, so that a message indicating the position of the user's vehicle can be transmitted to an external mail server while electronic mail data from the external mail server can be received by the on-vehicle electronic mail device and displayed on a screen.
Possible types of information that may be handled when using a mobile object such as a vehicle include, in addition to electronic mail data as in the prior art, personal information manager data such as one's schedule. The personal information manager data can be either set in the mobile object or input from outside the mobile object to be stored in a memory, so that the data can be read out so as to be displayed or otherwise reported as necessary. This may be convenient for a traveling salesperson, for example, who can then easily check the travel schedule when the salesperson needs to travel around and visit different places one after another to attend meetings, etc.
In such a case, however, the personal information manager data is typically data that is obtained by inputting and setting schedule items. Simply displaying or reporting the data such as schedule items will not be so convenient in cases where the data is used in a mobile object.
An object of the present invention is to improve the method of processing personal information manager data in cases where the personal information manager data is used in a mobile object so as to make better use of the personal information manager data and to improve the convenience for the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the object described above, the present invention utilizes the fact that the position of a mobile object can be identified by navigation control for guiding the mobile object along a travel route, and uses the position data of the personal information manager data in association with the actual positions through which the mobile object travels, so as to guide, based on the position data and received traffic information, the mobile object along the travel route according to the position data of the personal information manager data, or to automatically update the personal information manager data based on the traveling status data of the mobile object guided along the travel route.
Specifically, a mobile information processing system of the present invention includes: a computer for setting personal information manager data including position data; and a navigation device for receiving traffic information and guiding a mobile object along a travel route, wherein the navigation device is configured so as to guide the mobile object along the travel route based on the personal information manager data which has been set through the computer and in association with the position data.
With this configuration, the personal information manager data including the position data is set through the computer. Based on the received traffic information and the personal information manager data, which has been set through the computer, the navigation device guides the mobile object along the travel route in association with the position data of the personal information manager data. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately guide the mobile object along the travel route according to the position data of the personal information manager data, which has been set through the computer, thereby improving the convenience for the user in cases where personal information manager data is used in a mobile object.
The computer is configured so as to set the personal information manager data in association with time data. The navigation device is preferably configured so as to determine whether the mobile object can arrive at a scheduled position by a scheduled time based on the time data and the position data which have been set through the computer and the traffic information, and to give a predetermined notification when it is determined that timely arrival is not possible.
In this way, when it is expected that the mobile object cannot arrive at the scheduled position by the scheduled time, the user can be notified, in advance, of the possibility of being late, whereby the user can more easily address the situation.
In such a case, the navigation device is configured so as to set a predetermined extra time when determining whether the mobile object can arrive at the scheduled position by the scheduled time. In this way, the user is given the extra time for addressing the situation.
The navigation device may be configured so as to give a notification either via calling by voice or via e-mail when it is determined that the mobile object cannot arrive at the scheduled position by the scheduled time. In this way, the user can suitably select the form of notification to be either calling by voice or e-mail depending upon the circumstances, thereby further improving the convenience for the user.
The navigation device may be configured to set an alternative travel schedule when it is determined that the mobile object cannot arrive at the scheduled position by the scheduled time. In this way, the mobile object may be able to arrive at the scheduled position by the scheduled time with the alternative travel schedule, thereby improving the convenience for the user.
The computer may be provided outside the mobile object and configured so as to transmit the personal information manager data which has been set through the computer to the navigation device. In this way, since the personal information manager data is set through the computer outside the mobile object to be transmitted to the navigation device, it is not necessary to set the personal information manager data in the mobile object, and it is only necessary to provide the navigation device in the vehicle, thereby simplifying the configuration of the system on the mobile object side.
In such a case, the computer may be configured so as to set a travel route of the mobile object and to transmit data of the travel route to the navigation device. In this way, since the travel route of the mobile object is set through the computer outside the mobile object, and the data of the travel route is transmitted to the navigation device, the navigation device no longer needs the function of setting the travel route of the mobile object, and only needs the function of guiding the mobile object along the travel route, thereby simplifying the navigation device.
The navigation device may be configured so that an item of the personal information manager data associated with a current navigation control operation is selected and reported by a predetermined switch operation. In this way, the user can know about the personal information manager data item associated with the current navigation control operation through a simple switch operation, thereby improving the convenience for the user.
The navigation device may be configured so as to update the traffic information stored therein by receiving current traffic information at regular intervals of a predetermined time period, or the navigation device may be configured so as to update the traffic information by receiving current traffic information in response to a switch operation. With these configurations, it is possible to appropriately set the timing at which to update the traffic information. Particularly, with the former configuration, the traffic information is updated periodically by
Hirabayashi Shigefumi
Uchida Norihiko
Camby Richard M.
Mazda Motor Corporation
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Studebaker Donald R.
LandOfFree
Mobile information processing system, mobile information... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mobile information processing system, mobile information..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mobile information processing system, mobile information... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3230638