US6807482B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Navigation apparatus and navigation method
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 2003-02-03
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Granted: 2004-10-19
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Expires: 2023-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A navigation apparatus includes a notification unit for, in a case where a route searching unit cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of a destination, notifying users that the route searching unit cannot carry out route searching for the area in the vicinity of the destination when a physical quantity associated with a relationship between the current position of a vehicle determined by a current position determination unit and the destination is less than a preset reference value.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichiro Utsumi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A navigation apparatus comprising: a current position determination means for determining a current position of the vehicle; a storage means for storing map data; a route searching means for searching for a route from a place of departure to a destination by referring to the map data stored in said storage means; a guidance means for outputting instructions to guide a user toward guidance targets on the route searched for by said route searching means; and a notification means for, in a case where said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of the destination, outputting a notification to the user that said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for the area in the vicinity of the destination when a physical quantity is determined to be less than a preset reference value, thereby indicating that the vehicle is approaching the destination, the physical quantity being associated with a relationship between the current position of the vehicle determined by said current position determination means and the destination, wherein the notification means is operable to output the notification before the guidance means finishes outputting the instructions, if the physical quantity is determined to be less than the preset reference value before the instructions corresponding to a last one of the guidance targets is output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A navigation apparatus comprising: a current position determination means for determining a current position of the vehicle; a storage means for storing map data; a route searching means for searching for a route from a place of departure to a destination by referring to the map data stored in said storage means; a guidance means for outputting instructions to guide a user toward guidance targets on the route searched for by said route searching means; and a notification means for, in a case where said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of the destination, outputting a notification to the user that said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for the area in the vicinity of the destination when a physical quantity is determined to be less than a preset reference value, thereby indicating that the vehicle is approaching the destination, the physical quantity being associated with a relationship between the current position of the vehicle determined by said current position determination means and the destination, wherein the notification means is operable to output the notification before the guidance means finishes outputting the instructions, if the physical quantity is determined to be less than the preset reference value before the instructions corresponding to a last one of the guidance targets is output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a case where said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of a via point, said notification means notifies users that said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for the area in the vicinity of the via point when a quantity associated with a relationship between the current position determination means and the via point is less than a preset reference value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said physical quantity is either a distance between the current position of the vehicle determined by said current position determination means and the via point or a time required for the vehicle to travel from the current position of the vehicle to the via point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said physical quantity is either a distance between the current position of the vehicle determined by said current position determination means and the destination or a time required for the vehicle to travel from the current position of the vehicle to the destination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a setting means for accepting an update of the present reference value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said setting means accepts an update of the present reference value only when both the current position of the vehicle and the destination or the via point are not displayed simultaneously on an on-screen map.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said notification means also makes a notification about a reason why said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of the destination when making a notification that said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for the area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said notification means also makes a notification that said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of the destination and a notification about a reason why said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for the area when said route searching means finishes searching for the route.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a means for searching for a facility located in the vicinity of the destination or a via point when said route searching means cannot carry out route searching for an area in the vicinity of the destination or the via point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said notification means displays notifications on a display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said notification means outputs notifications by voice from a speaker.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a means for enabling or disabling said notification means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
172 words
A navigation method comprising the steps of: determining a current position of a vehicle; searching for a route from a place of departure to a destination by referring to map data; outputting instructions to guide a user toward guidance targets on the route searched for; and in a case where route searching cannot be carried out for an area in the vicinity of the destination, outputting a notification to users that route searching cannot be carried out for the area in the vicinity of the destination when a physical quantity is determined to be less than a preset reference value, thereby indicating that the vehicle is approaching the destination, the physical quantity being associated with a relationship between the current position of the vehicle and the destination, wherein the notification outputting step outputs the notification before the instruction outputting step is finished outputting the instructions, if physical quantity is determined to be less than the preset reference value before the instructions corresponding to a last one of the guidance targets is output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
172 words
A navigation method comprising the steps of: determining a current position of a vehicle; searching for a route from a place of departure to a destination by referring to map data; outputting instructions to guide a user toward guidance targets on the route searched for; and in a case where route searching cannot be carried out for an area in the vicinity of the destination, outputting a notification to users that route searching cannot be carried out for the area in the vicinity of the destination when a physical quantity is determined to be less than a preset reference value, thereby indicating that the vehicle is approaching the destination, the physical quantity being associated with a relationship between the current position of the vehicle and the destination, wherein the notification outputting step outputs the notification before the instruction outputting step is finished outputting the instructions, if physical quantity is determined to be less than the preset reference value before the instructions corresponding to a last one of the guidance targets is output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The navigation method according to claim 13 , wherein said physical quantity is either a distance between the current position determination means and the destination or a time required for the vehicle to travel from the current position of the vehicle to the destination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
A navigation method for a vehicle comprising the steps of: searching for a route from a place of departure to a destination using map data; determining a current position of the vehicle; guiding a user toward guidance targets on the route searched for; determining a physical quantity according to the current position of the vehicle; determining that route searching is unavailable for an area to be searched by the searching step; and notifying a user that that route searching is unavailable for the area when the physical quantity is less than a preset reference value, wherein the notifying step notifies the user before the guiding step finishes guiding the user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
A navigation method for a vehicle comprising the steps of: searching for a route from a place of departure to a destination using map data; determining a current position of the vehicle; guiding a user toward guidance targets on the route searched for; determining a physical quantity according to the current position of the vehicle; determining that route searching is unavailable for an area to be searched by the searching step; and notifying a user that that route searching is unavailable for the area when the physical quantity is less than a preset reference value, wherein the notifying step notifies the user before the guiding step finishes guiding the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The navigation method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of setting the preset reference value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The navigation method of claim 15 , further comprising changing the preset reference value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-19 | 2008-04-19 | 2008-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-19 | 2012-04-19 | 2012-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-19 | 2016-04-19 | 2016-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |