CA1167942A

CA1167942A - Running guide system

Info

Publication number: CA1167942A
Application number: CA000404997A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Takao Saito; Masakazu Moriyama
Original assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Current assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date: 1981-07-01
Filing date: 1982-06-11
Publication date: 1984-05-22
Also published as: JPS585611A; US4630209A; JPS6319005B2; DE3222693A1; DE3222693C2

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A map included within a predetermined scope is divided into a plurality of blocks, stored in an external memory medium such as a cassette tape, and loaded when deemed necessary. The map as a whole or parts of the map can be arbitrarily selected and indicated through the operation of a keyboard and vocal sight-seeing guidances, etc. corresponding to the indicated pictures are made to be produced.
The control therefor is effected by an electronic device using a microprocessor, and selected maps and necessary words are indicated in indication pictures by means of a cathode ray tube for the like.

Description

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RUNNING GUIDE SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVNTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a suitable running guide system for indicating a map required for the running of a vehicle such as a motor car by use of an electronic unit in accordance with a running area.

2. Description of the Prior Art .
While running through a district being unfamiliar on a motor car, one can turn only to a map book for help. Then, one driving the vehicle must frequently reier to the map book and look for a necessary new~part of the map book as the vehicle contînues to run. The works as descrlbed above are troublesome, and moreover, the safety driving may be hindered because of looking away from due direction.

-SUMMARY aF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is~to provide a running guide systemwhereln a Benerai map and partial maps in the~district of scheduled runing can be arbitrarily selected and indicated by use of electronic means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a running guide system wherein various vocal guidances can be produced corresponding to~the indicated plctures.

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- ~ ~679~2 Accordingly, the invention is broadly claimed herein as a rUnnincJ guide system compxising: means for loading from an external memor~ medium the indlcation data of a plurality of partial maps and a general map including a group of said partlal maps; a memory Eor storing the contents of data loaded by said means; a con-troller for compiling the contents of the memory and feeding the resuIts to indicating means; a keyboard for selecting a picture desired to be indicated and specifying the contents of picture operat:ion; and a central pro-cessing unit for effecting control of said components and input/output control.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is~provided a running guide system com-prising: a tape recorder for reproducingly driving amagnetic tape having recorded therein digital signals corresponding to the indication data of a plurality of partial maps and a general map including a group of said partial maps and vocal signals corresponding to the contents of said partial maps, and emitting said digltal signals; a memory for storing the contents of data fed from said tape recorder; a controller for compiling the contents of said memory and feeding the results to indicating means; a keyboard for selecting a picture ~ desired to be indicated and specifying the contents of picture operation; a central processing unit for effecting control of said componen-ts and input/output control;
amplifying means for amplifying said vocal signals recorded in said magnetic tape and produclng said vocal signals as voices; and a running distance detector for detecting a position where the vehicle is running and feeding the running distance data ~or regulating the timing of producing voices to said central processiny unit.
-Re~erence is now made to the appended drawinys ~for a descrip~ion of preferred embodiments of the invention.
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~ , ' ., ' : ' ~ ~679~2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an arrangement drawing showing the recording method of the cassette tape according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of an indicated picture showing an exarnple of the indicated map according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention;
and Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the process of indicating a map according to the present invention.

It is most convenient for drivers to use maps sectionalized in accordance with clties for the business purposes, and to use maps centered around specific sight-seeing sites for the sight-seeing purposes. Furthermore, when it is desired to run on suF~erhighways, maps of diverging highways centered around interchanges `
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are required. The above-described map data extending over a wide area has become necessary, and hence, it is inadvisable to store the map data in a nonvolatile memory, but, lt is pre~ferable to store same in RANDAM ACCESS MEMORY (hereinafter RAM). When RAM is used, the data or program must be read in from an external memory medium. A cassette tape is most suitable as this external memory medium.
It must be more convenient~that the maps data are recorded into the cassette tapes by the running guide system manufactures and the cassette tapes are supplied by the distrlbutors than the users themselves record the map data into ~he casset~e tapes.

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~ ~679~l2 The recording method of the cassette tape preferably follows the method shown in Fig. 1, for example. One track of the tape has recorded therein image data and another track voice data. In the head portion of the tape, "SPACE" repre-senting a non-recorded section is provided, which is followed by "MENUE" storing the map data 20 indicating what section of a general map corresponds to a partial map shown in Fig. 2. Further, after providing another "SPACE" after the map data 20, partial maps 21, 23, 24, 25 and so on are recorded in the tape9 and further, when a sight-seeing site or sites are included in "MENUE" 20, the data of sight-seeing maps 31 and 32 are recorded as well. Particularly, when a sight-seeing map is indicated, it is desirable to prepare a vocal sight-seeing guidance along with the indication of the map. For this purpose, vocal data (human voices are recorded as they are) are recorded simultaneously with the sight-seeing map data, and reproduction of the vocal sight-seeing guidance is star~ed simultaneously with the indication of the sight-seeing map. The above-described data from the external memory medium is loaded to the running guide system, and description will now be given of the arrangement thereof with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 3 is~a block diagram showing the embodiment of the present invention.

The core of the system is a central process unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") 1, to which are connected through a bus line 2 a variety of components essential for constituting a computer ir~cluding a nonvolatile memory (hereinafter ROM) 3, a volatile memory (RAM) 4, a cathode ray tube (hereinafter CRT) controller S and cRr 6. In addltlon, CRT may be replaced by liquid crystal, a fluorescent indicating tube, plasma, electroluminescence or the like. Additionally, connected to CPU 1 as the external components are a cassette tape recorder 7, a keyboard ~ - 3 -, .

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8 and a vehicle speed pulse generator 9. The cassette tape recorder may have two tracks to four tracks, amon~ which one track is used for voice. An output signal from this voice track is amplified by an amplifier 101 and then, actuates a speaker 11. Another track from the remaining track or ~racks is used for map data recorded in a predetermined format. This cassette tape recorder 7 is connected to an input/
output (hereinafter I/O) interface 13 being of a peripheral IC through a cassette interface 12. In the case of Kansas City Standard for example, the cassette interface 12 modulates an output signal from I/O 13 at a transfer speed of aboùt 300 to 4800 baud and demodulates an output signal from the cassette tape recorder 7 (In this case, the output si~nal is emitted from IjO 13 as a serial signal~. The keyboard 8 has keys for specifying necessary city maps, sight-seeing maps, MENUE and the like, a key specialized for erasing picture, keys for 26 alphabet letters, keys for numerals 0 to 9 and so forth, encodes a key input in an encoder 14, converts it into an ASCII code for example, and feeds it I/O 13. Further, the vehicle speed pulse ~enerator 9 generates pulse signals commensurate to the rotation of a tire of the vehicle, and generates the pulse signals only during runmng of the vehicle.
A running distance can be found from ~he number of the pulse si~nals fed from this vehicle speed pulse generator 9.

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ROM 3 incorporates therein a monitor program? a program for processing the map date, and programs for processing data from the externally connected components, controlling the cassette tape recorder 7 and processlng indications.

RAM 4 temporarily stores the data recorded in the cassette tape, and comprises a memory losing the stored contents by being reset due to power-off {i.e., ignltion vvitch o l) 1r the ejectlon of the cassette tape and all of the contents , .
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~ ~7g42 are cleared. The CRT controller 5 comprises a bus controller, a character genèrator, a signal converter, a synchronous signal generator and the like, and the contents of data selected by the keyboard ~ is indicated in CRT 6. In this case, the indication of the map may be made by dark or light tint of mono-color patterns, or color patterns of eight or sixteen colors, and colors, a contraction scale and the like are determined in accordance with the size of CRT. In the case of using a color CRT of 6 in. as CRT 6 for example, the picture area is 11205 x 83.0, if the indication resolving power is 256 x 192 dots at the maximum, then the scope of 49152 dots becomes the contents of map which can be indicated. Description will hereunder be given of action by the above-described arran8ement.

The present invention contemplates to specifically satisfy the following respective functions, and detailed description thereof will be given from item to item.

(a) Indication of the maps (b) Vocal sight seeing guidance ~ In indicating the maps, the process shown in Fig. 4 is followed. Now, the cassette tape covering the districts of the scheduled running course is inserted into the cassette tape recorder 7, and then, a play button "PLAY" of the tape recorder~is pressed to start~the tape. The operahon~described above brings about the reproduction process. T here should be no problem when a tape recorder specialized for use in the running gulde~system.~ However, when an ordinary audio tape recorder is used, sometimesj a music tape may be played by mlstake, and hence, it is necessary to judge the type of the~tape. 1udgement as to whether it ls a music tape or not lS made based on the fact that the tape, which has recorded the digital signals, ~ ~7~

is modulated to two types of frequencies, i.e., high and low. In other words, the judgement is made based on whether these frequencies are continuously generated for a predetermined period of time. In the case of the music tape, CPU 1 does not make any further process, and the contents, which have been recorded, are continuously reproduced. Consequently, the operator makes judgement to discontinue it or not. On the other hand, in the case of the map data tape, the tape is forcedly rewound irrespective of what portion the tape reproduction point is present at, and is set at the starting point. This position is the starting point of ~he tape head portion shown in Fig. 1, and upon completion of setting, reproduction is started.
The cassette tape recorder 7 obtains a tape judging signal S J from the cassette interface 12. CPU incorporated in the cassette tape recorder 7 controls rewinding and reproductlon based on this tape judglng signal SJ.

As the reproduction of the tape progresses, the data in the "MENUE"
portion is loaded, and at the same time, the vocal contents which have been recorded are produced from a speaker 11. Upon completion of the read-in of the data of the "MENUE" portion, CPU 1 feeds PAUSE signal (Sp) to the cassette tape recorder 7, whereby ~the tape is stopped in movement to be brought into a state of pause.
When a tape read error occurs during this tape load, error~ data is indicated in CRT 6, and simultaneously, CPU 1 feeds a control signal Sc to the cassette tape to rewind it.

Upon completion of the read-in of the "MENUE" portion,- such an indication that "Is 'MENUE' indication necessary?" is made in CRT 6, whereby a key-in operation .
of "YES" or "NO" by use of the keyboard 8 is required from an operator such as the dr~ver. ~lf the operator does key-in of "YES", then everything in the map 20 .
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1 1~7!~2 shown in Fig. 2 is indicated. Then, the operator does key-in by use of alphabets the number of map desired from among the partial maps ((~), (~), (~) or ~) in the examples of the drawing) or the name of city itself. If indication of City NAGOYA and therearound is required for example, then, the alphabets enclosed by quotation marks as in "N", "A", "G", ~'~t "Y", "A" are successively keyed in.
Or, in place of the alphabets, a number corresponding to the alphabets, e.a., (~) corresponding to City NAGOYA in Fig. 2 is usable. Narnely, "5" and "3" are keyed -in. Further, if the drawing of diverging highways is requiredj then "B" i9 keyed in before the name of palce or the number of the map. Firstly, "B'i is k.eyed in, then, one spacing is made, and "N", "A", "G", "O", "Y", "A" or "5", "3" are keyed ~
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When the indicated map becomes unnecessary and must be erased3 the map may be erased by the pressing of "CLEAR" key for example. Furthermore, :
when it is desired to indicate a`map immediately ahead of the map indicated at present, I.e., the map number (~) following th.e map number ~), the renewal can be effected by the pressing of 'iNEXT" key. In this case, the ir,struction of renewal may be given regardless of the sequential order. To meet this situation, when a city name or a map numbe- is fed, CPU 1 feeds to the cassette tape recorder 7 a searching command instructing that what number counted from the head of the tape or counted in the forward or rearward direction from a specified map number located in the intermediate portion is to be indicated. The cassette tape recorder 7 skips the cassette~tape to the position of the map thus searched.

When the sight-seeing sites such as MAP 31 or 32 (ISE-SHIMA (~, HAMANAKO (~)) is~indicated by the key-in operation, the running distance of ' ~' : :

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the vehicle is calculated based on the data from the vehicle speed cletector 9, and the sight-seeing guidance by images are indicated in CRT 6 and the vocal sight-seeing guidance is produced from the speaker 11 in accordance with the running distance based on the results of the calculation as described above.

As has been described hereinabove, according to the present invention, even in case where a lar~e amount of data such as maps are required due to the use of the external memory medium including cassette tapes, indication of a map required by the driver and the like may be quickly effected, and both the picture indication and the vocal guidance may be simultaneously performed for the sight-seeing guidance. As a result, the fatigue, etc. of the driver may be reduced to a considerable extent and the safety drive may be furthered as well.

It should be apparent to those skilled In the art that the above-described ernbodimen~ represents but one cf the many possible specific embodiments of the present invention. ~ Numerous and varied other embodiments can be devised by those skihed in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present nven~ion.

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A running guide system comprising:

means for loading from an external memory medium the indication data of a plurality of partial maps and a general map including a group of said partial maps;
a memory for storing the contents of data loaded by said means;

a controller for compiling the contents of the memory and feeding the results to indicating means;

a keyboard for selecting a picture desired to be indicated and specifying the contents of picture operation; and a central processing unit for effecting control of said components and input/output control.

2. A running guide system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said external memory medium is a cassette tape.

3. A running guide system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selection of a picture desired to be indicated is performed by specifying a required map number through said keyboard.

4. A running guide system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selection of a picture desired to be indicated is performed by specifying a required city name or a required district name through said keyboard.

5. A running guide system as set forth in claim 1, wherein words asking of necessity of indicating a general map putting together a plurality of partial maps are indicated in said indicating means prior to the selection of a picture desired to be indicated.

6. A running guide system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said contents of picture operation is the erasing of the picture being indicated.

7. A running guide system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said contents of picture operation is the indication of a general map putting together a plurality of partial maps in place of the picture being indicated.

8. A running guide system comprising:
a tape recorder for reproducingly driving a magnetic tape having recorded therein digital signals corresponding to the indication data of a plurality of partial maps and a general map including a group of said partial maps and vocal signals corresponding to the contents of said partial maps, and emitting said digital signals;
a memory for storing the contents of data fed from said tape recorder;

a controller for compiling the contents of said memory and feeding the results to indicating means;

a keyboard for selecting a picture desired to be indicated and specifying the contents of picture operation;

a central processing unit for effecting control of said components and input/output control;

amplifying means for amplifying said vocal signals recorded in said magnetic tape and producing said vocal signals as voices; and a running distance detector for detecting a position where the vehicle is running and feeding the running distance data for regulating the timing of producing voices to said central processing unit.

9. A running guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the selection of a picture desired to be indicated is performed by specifying a required map number through said keyboard.

10. A running guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said selection of a picture desired to be indicated is performed by specifying a required city name or a required district name through said keyboard.

11. A running guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein words asking of necessity of indicating a general map putting together a plurality of partial maps are indicated in said indicating means prior to the selection of a picture desired to be indicated.

12. A running guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said contents of picture operation is the erasing of the picture being indicated.

13. A running guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said contents of picture operation is the indication of a general map putting together a plurality of partial maps in place of the picture being Indicated.

14. A funning guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the contents of the vocal signals recorded in said magnetic tape are a sight-seeing guidance.

15. A running guide system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said indicating means is a cathode ray tube.