BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a remote controller for controlling the operation
of a navigation system mounted on a vehicle or the like and a navigation system mounted
on a vehicle equipped with the remote controller.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] There has been known a navigation system mounted on a vehicle for detecting a current
position of a vehicle and displaying the detected current position of the vehicle
on a display screen together with a road map of the area surrounding the current position.
In many cases, this kind of navigation system is equipped with a remote controller
for facilitating a user's manipulation of the navigation system. This remote controller
is provided with a plurality of switches for manipulating the navigation system, a
joy stick that can be tilted forward, backward, up an down, and the like.
[0003] While holding this remote controller in one hand, the user depresses switches for
desired manipulations and tilts the joy stick to a specific direction with a thumb,
for example, thereby to manipulate the navigation system in various ways. For example,
by using the remote controller, the user scrolls a map displayed on the screen, changes
the view point of the map, switches over the map from a plan view to a bird's-eye
view, changes the scale of the map, etc.
[0004] In the navigation system, it is convenient if it is possible to carry out various
different manipulations together. For example, it is convenient if it is possible
to carry out a combined operation, such as, the increasing of the scale of the map
while scrolling the map in one direction on the display screen.
[0005] However, it is difficult for a vehicle driver to carry out the tilting of the joy
stick and the depressing of the switches at the same time. This is because as the
vehicle driver must manipulate the steering wheel, the driver has to use a single
hand for manipulating the remote controller. In other words, the driver has to manipulate
the joy stick and the switches with a single hand while holding the remote controller
in the same hand. Accordingly, the manipulation of the joy stick and the switches
has to be done with the thumb of the single hand. As a result, it is difficult to
achieve the above-described combined manipulation.
[0006] GB 2 187 650 A discloses a remote controller comprising an orientation detection means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control apparatus capable
of achieving a combined operation easily and promptly and a navigation system mounted
on a vehicle equipped with this remote control apparatus.
[0008] A remote control apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for
transmitting a control signal that controls the operation of an object to be controlled
to this object. This remote control apparatus has an inclination detector for detecting
an inclination of the remote control apparatus and an output device for outputting
an inclination signal that indicates an inclination of the remote control apparatus
as the control signal.
[0009] According to this remote control apparatus, when a user inclines the remote control
apparatus, this inclination is detected by the inclination detector, and an inclination
signal for indicating this inclination is transmitted to an object to be controlled
as a control signal. Therefore, it is possible to control the operation easily by
the remote control apparatus with one hand without carrying out a complex manipulation
of switches and the like. Further, it is also possible to combine the operation with
manipulation of other switches and the like.
[0010] The remote control apparatus also has a switching device for changing over the control
based on the inclination of the remote control apparatus to valid or invalid. In controlling
the operation based on the inclination of the remote control apparatus, when the user
turns on the switching device, the control becomes valid, and when the user turns
off the switching device, the control becomes invalid. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent an unnecessary control of the operation such as when it is not necessary to
control the operation based on the inclination of the remote control apparatus or
when the remote control apparatus has been dropped by error.
[0011] Further, the navigation system according to the present invention includes a navigation
apparatus for displaying a road map corresponding to road map data and a remote control
apparatus for controlling the display of the navigation apparatus. The remote control
apparatus has an inclination detector for detecting an inclination of the remote control
apparatus and a inclination signal output device for outputting an inclination signal
that indicates an inclination of the remote control apparatus to the navigation apparatus.
The navigation apparatus controls the display of the road map according to the inclination
of the remote control apparatus based on the inclination signal.
[0012] In the navigation system, the display of the road map is controlled by inclining
the remote control apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the above-described
combined manipulation. In the case of manipulating the navigation system during the
driving, the operator can easily manipulates the display while holding the remote
control apparatus in one hand.
[0013] In the vehicle navigation apparatus, the remote control apparatus further has a switching
device for changing over the control based on the inclination of the remote control
apparatus to valid or invalid. In controlling the operation based on the inclination
of the remote control apparatus, when the user turns on the switching device, the
control becomes valid, and when the user turns off the switching device, the control
becomes invalid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary control of the
operation such as when it is not necessary to control the operation based on the inclination
of the remote control apparatus or when the remote control apparatus has been dropped
by error.
[0014] In the vehicle navigation apparatus, the navigation apparatus controls the view point
angle of the road map to be displayed according to the inclination of the remote control
apparatus based on an inclination signal output from the remote control apparatus.
The navigation apparatus may control the scroll of the road map according to the inclination
of the remote control apparatus based on the inclination signal. Further, the navigation
apparatus may set the scale of the road map to be displayed according to the inclination
of the remote control apparatus based on the inclination signal. With the above arrangement,
the user can easily carry out in one hand the control of the view point angle of the
road map, the scrolling of the road map or the setting of the scale of the road map.
[0015] In the vehicle navigation apparatus, the remote control apparatus may further have
a joy stick that can be tilted to a plurality of directions and a joy stick signal
output device for outputting to the navigation apparatus a joy stick signal according
to the tilt of the joy stick. In this case, the navigation apparatus controls the
view point angle of the road map to be displayed according to the inclination of the
remote control apparatus based on the inclination signal output from the remote control
apparatus, and controls the scroll of the road map based on the joy stick signal.
With the above arrangement, the user can easily carry out a combined operation of
the control of the view point angle of the road map and the control of the scroll
of the road map.
[0016] Further, the navigation apparatus may control the view point angle of the road map
to be displayed based on the inclination signal output from the remote control apparatus
and may set the scale of the road map to be displayed based on the joy stick signal.
With the above arrangement, the user can easily carry out a combined operation of
the control of the view point angle of the road map and the setting of the scale of
the road map.
[0017] Further, the navigation apparatus may control the scroll of the road map based on
the inclination signal and control the view point angle of the road map to be displayed
based on the joy stick signal. With the above arrangement, the user can easily carry
out a combined operation of the control of the scroll of the road map and the control
of the view point angle of the road map.
[0018] Further, the navigation apparatus may control the scroll of the road map based on
the inclination signal and set the scale of the road map to be displayed based on
the joy stick signal. With the above arrangement, the user can easily carry out a
combined operation of the control of the scroll of the road map and the setting of
the scale of the road map.
[0019] Further, the navigation apparatus may set the scale of the road map to be displayed
based on the inclination signal and control the scroll of the road map based on the
joy stick signal. With the above arrangement, the user can easily carry out a combined
operation of the control of the scroll of the road map and the setting of the scale
of the road map.
[0020] Further, the navigation apparatus may set the scale of the road map to be displayed
based on the inclination signal and control the view point angle of the road map to
be displayed based on the joy stick signal. With the above arrangement, the user can
easily carry out a combined operation of the control of the view point angle of the
road map and the setting of the scale of the road map.
[0021] In the vehicle navigation apparatus, the remote control apparatus further includes
switches, a switch signal output device for outputting a switch signal to the navigation
apparatus according to the switching operation, and a selecting device for selecting
an output of an inclination signal from the inclination signal output device and an
output of a switch signal from the switch signal output device. Accordingly, the user
can suitably select a method of manipulating the remote control apparatus based on
the status of using the remote control apparatus.
[0022] In the vehicle navigation apparatus, the navigation apparatus changes the inclination
signal according to the time during which the inclination of the remote control apparatus
is held. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a more complex manipulation by merely
inclining the remote control apparatus.
[0023] The nature, utility, and further feature of this invention will be more clearly apparent
from the following detailed description with respect to preferred embodiments of the
invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings briefly described
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the overall structure of a navigation system
relating to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a top plan view for showing the external structure of a remote controller
relating to the present embodiment;
FIG. 2B is a side view for showing the external structure of the remote controller
relating to the present embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for showing the internal structure of the remote controller
relating to the present embodiment;
FIG. 4A is a view for showing one example of a bird's eye display on a display screen;
FIG. 4B is a view for showing a view point of a bird's-eye view; and
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for showing a processing to be carried out by the navigation
apparatus based on the operation of the remote controller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] There will be explained below a preferred embodiment of the present invention with
reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a navigation system equipped
with a remote controller of the present invention and mounted on a vehicle will be
explained.
[0026] At first, the overall structure of the navigation system relating to the embodiment
will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. The navigation system shown in FIG. 1
includes a remote controller 1 and a navigation apparatus 10. The navigation apparatus
10 includes a main controller 11, a map memory 12, a position detector 13, a ROM 14,
a RAM 15, a display 16, a speaker 17, and a signal receiver 18. The remote controller
1 is an apparatus for transmitting a control signal according to infrared rays to
the signal receiver 18.
[0027] In the above structure, the position detector 13 includes a vehicle speed sensor
for detecting a move quantity of a vehicle, an azimuth sensor using a gyroscope or
the like for detecting an azimuth change quantity of the vehicle, a GPS (Global Positioning
System) receiver for receiving a wave from a GPS satellite, and detects a current
position of the vehicle based on output signals from these units.
[0028] The map memory 12 is a memory of a large memory capacity for storing road map data.
A CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM is used for the map memory 12. The road map stored in the map
memory 12 includes road data, name data, background data, etc. The current position
of the vehicle detected by the position detector 13 is collated with the road map
data, and is corrected by a map matching processing or the like.
[0029] The display 16 displays the map data in various ways under the instruction of the
main controller 11. The current position of the vehicle is superimposed on the map
data and is displayed as a car mark. This display 16 is structured by, for example,
a CRT, a liquid crystal display device, or the like. From the speaker 17, guide information
along the route of the vehicle is output in voice.
[0030] The main controller 11 controls the overall operation of the navigation system, and
is structured by a CPU and the like. The main controller 11 reads out a control program
stored in the ROM 14 and executes the program, and carries out a processing by temporarily
storing processing data in the RAM 15. Further, the main controller 11 reads out the
map data from the map memory 12 and obtains current position data from the position
detector 13, to carry out various data correction processing and to control outputs
to the display 16 and the speaker 17.
[0031] The remote controller 1 is means for the user to set functions by manipulating various
switches. The remote controller 1 generates control signals and transmits these signals
by infrared rays. The signal receiver 18 then receives the infrared rays, and the
main controller 11 decides the control signal to carry out a desired setting. In the
present embodiment, in addition to the operation by using various switches, an inclination
detector of the remote controller 1 detects an inclination of the remote controller
to generate a corresponding control signal.
[0032] The structure and functions of the remote controller 1 will be explained next with
reference to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 3. FIG. 2A is a top plan view for showing the
remote controller 1, FIG. 2B is a side view for showing the remote controller 1, and
FIG. 3 is a view for showing the internal structure of the remote controller 1.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the remote controller 1 is provided with various
kinds of switches for the user to carry out a desired manipulation of the navigation
apparatus 10. More specifically, on the front surface of the remote controller 1,
there are provided a menu switch 21, a current position switch 22, a joy stick 23,
a sensor direct switch 24, a scale change switch 25 and a view angle change-over switch
26. A first trigger switch 27 and a second trigger switch 28 are provided on the side
surface of the remote controller 1. The functions of these parts will be described
later.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 1 incorporates an inclination detector
31 for detecting an inclination angle of the remote controller 1 when the user inclines
the remote controller 1. The user can manipulate the remote controller 1 by inclining
it instead of using the above-described switches.
[0035] In FIG. 3, the remote controller 1 includes the inclination detector 31, a control
portion 32 for collectively controlling the overall operation of the remote controller
1, a manipulating portion 33 corresponding to the above-described switches, a memory
34 for storing data necessary for the processing, a power source portion 35 such as
a battery or the like for supplying power to the remote controller 1, a signal generator
36 for generating a control signal corresponding to the manipulation of the manipulating
portion 33, and an output portion 37 for irradiating infrared rays modulated based
on the control signal.
[0036] The inclination detector 31 detects a forward, backward or leftward or rightward
inclination of the remote controller 1 along the longitudinal direction of the main
body of the remote controller 1, and outputs a detection signal proportional to this
inclination angle. In other words, when the user has inclined the main body of the
remote controller 1 along a specific direction by holding the main body of the remote
controller 1 in one hand, this enables a desired manipulation to be carried out such
as the scroll of the map displayed on the display surface, for example. A detection
signal corresponding to an inclination angle output from the inclination detector
31 is output to the control portion 32, and is transmitted to the navigation apparatus
10 from the output portion 37 through the signal generator 36.
[0037] The relation between the inclination angle in the inclination detector 31 and the
control quantity of manipulation corresponding to this inclination angle may be set
suitably. For example, the control quantity may be set variable in detail according
to the inclination angle. Alternatively, the control may be carried out based on only
three values in the horizontal status, the upward inclined status and the downward
inclined status.
[0038] The range of the inclination angle of the inclination detector 31 may be set free
to some extent. However, it is not possible to take an extremely large range as it
is restricted to within the range where infrared rays can reach the signal receiver
18 of the navigation system at least from the output portion 37.
[0039] On the other hand, the user can carry out a desired manipulation by inclining the
main body of the remote controller 1 as described above while carrying out other manipulations
with various switches as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B at the same time. In other words,
when the user has depressed the menu switch 21, various menus necessary for the navigation
are displayed on the display screen of the display 16. When the current position switch
22 is depressed, the above-described car mark for showing the current position of
the vehicle is displayed on the display screen together with the map of the surrounding
area. The view angle change-over switch 26 changes over a view point angle of the
map displayed on the display screen. When a 2D switch 26b is depressed, the view point
angle is changed over to a top plan view, and when a 3D switch 26a is depressed, the
view point angle is changed over to a bird's eye view. The scale change switch 25
is for enlarging or reducing the scale of the map on the display screen. When a wide
switch 25a is depressed, the scale of the map is reduced to display a wide area, and
when an enlarge switch 25b is depressed, the map is enlarged and a narrow area is
displayed.
[0040] When the joy stick 23 is tilted, the map on the display screen can be scrolled to
a predetermined direction. In other words, when the joy stick 23 is tilted forward,
backward, or leftward or rightward, the map is scrolled in the tilted direction. While
the joy stick is kept tilted, the map continues to scroll at a predetermined speed.
A determining switch 23a is provided at the head of the joy stick 23. This switch
is depressed to determine a desired item selected from the above-described various
menus of the navigation.
[0041] In the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described various switches and
the joy stick 23, as a manipulation of the inclination of the remote controller main
body, it is also possible to change over the view point angle of the map on the display
screen, in a similar manner to that of the view angle change-over switch 26. In other
words, it is possible to display a top plan view of the map as viewed from the above
and a bird's-eye view of the map as viewed from a slant angle by changing over between
these views. This view point angle is changed by linking it to the size of a detection
signal of the inclination detector 31.
[0042] There will be described below a case of changing over the view point angle of the
map corresponding to the inclination angle when the inclination detector 31 has been
inclined upward or downward along the longitudinal direction of the remote controller
1, without taking into account changes in lateral directions of the map.
[0043] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views for explaining one example of a bird's-eye view. A
display screen shown in FIG. 4A corresponds to a bird's-eye view when the map is looked
at from above the map at a view point angle of θ as shown in FIG. 4B. In this case,
when the view point angle θ is 90 degrees, the above-described top plan view is obtained.
When the upper part of the main body of the remote controller 1 is inclined downward,
the view point angle θ becomes smaller. On the other hand, when the upper part of
the main body of the remote controller 1 is inclined upward, the view point angle
θ becomes larger. With this arrangement, it is possible to move the view point of
the map on the display screen linked with the inclination of the main body of the
remote controller 1 with a sense of piloting an airplane.
[0044] Further, the function of the inclination detector 31 is controlled by the first trigger
switch 27 and the second trigger switch 28 provided on the side surface of the remote
controller 1. The first trigger switch 27 and the second trigger switch 28 function
as the switching means of the present invention. In other words, it is possible to
allocate functions such that when the remote controller 1 is inclined by depressing
only the first trigger switch 27, the above-described change-over of the view point
angle is carried out and that other function is allocated to the second trigger switch
28. For example, the second trigger switch 28 can be allocated with the function corresponding
to the above-described scale change switch 25 according to a detection signal of the
inclination detector 31 when the second trigger switch 28 is depressed. Alternatively,
the second trigger switch 28 can be allocated with the function of audio sound volume
control having no relation with the navigation. As explained above, by providing the
trigger switches 27 and 28, it is possible to prevent the remote controller 1 from
being manipulated erroneously by inclination when it is not necessary to manipulate
the remote controller 1. At the same time, it is possible to select a plurality of
manipulations.
[0045] In the present embodiment, it is also possible to manipulate the inclination detector
31 by using the sensor direct switch 24 in a similar manner. In other words, as shown
in FIG. 2A, the sensor direct switch 24 is structured to be able to be moved forward
or backward by the user. Corresponding to the forward or backward move of the sensor
direct switch 24, it is possible to output a detection signal similar to that obtained
when the remote controller 1 is inclined in upward or downward direction. Accordingly,
the user can also change over the view point angle of the map on the display screen
as described above by moving forward or backward the sensor direct switch 24. Thus,
the user can select the method of manipulating the remote controller 1 according to
the user's preference. It is also possible to use the conventional method of manipulating
the remote controller 1.
[0046] The processing to be carried out in the navigation system based on the manipulation
of the remote controller 1 will be explained next with reference to a flowchart shown
in FIG. 5. This processing is carried out according to the control program stored
in the ROM 14 in the main controller 11 of the navigation system main body. The explanation
will be made of the case where a single manipulation depending on the inclination
angle of the remote controller 1 is carried out or a combined manipulation with other
manipulation is carried out.
[0047] When the processing has been started, at step S1, the inclination angle of the remote
controller 1 is detected. In other words, a detection signal corresponding to the
inclination angle of the remote controller 1 is transmitted at a suitable timing.
This transmitted detection signal reaches the main controller 11 from the output portion
37 of the remote controller 1 through the signal receiver 18 of the navigation system.
Therefore, the main controller 11 reads this detection signal and obtains the inclination
angle.
[0048] At step S2, the main controller 11 makes a decision as to whether the remote controller
1 is horizontal or is inclined, based on the inclination angle obtained at the step
S1. When the remote controller 1 is horizontal as a result of the decision made (YES
at the step S2), a manipulation depending on the inclination angle is not carried
out. Therefore, the process then returns to the step S1, and a similar processing
is repeated. On the other hand, when the remote controller 1 is inclined (NO at the
step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. By determining a suitable threshold value,
for example, it is possible to make a decision as to whether the remote controller
1 is horizontal or is inclined according to the relative size of the inclination angle
as compared with the threshold value.
[0049] At the step S3, a decision is made as to whether the first trigger switch 27 or the
second trigger switch 28 has been depressed or not, based on the detection signal
from the remote controller 1. When none of the trigger switches has been depressed
as a result of the decision made (NO at the step S3), a manipulation depending on
the inclination angle is not carried out. Therefore the process then returns to the
step S1, and a similar processing is repeated. On the other hand, when the first trigger
switch 27 or the second trigger switch 28 has been depressed (YES at the step S3),
the process proceeds to step S4.
[0050] At the step S4, based on the detection signal from the remote controller 1, a decision
is made as to whether other manipulation has been carried out or not, that is, whether
various kinds of switches have been depressed or the joy stick 23 has been tilted
or not. When no other manipulation has been carried out as a result of the decision
made (NO at the step S4), the process proceeds to step S5 to carry out a single manipulation.
On the other hand, when other manipulation has been carried out as a result of the
decision made (YES at the step S4), the process proceeds to step S6 to carry out a
combined manipulation.
[0051] At the step S5, a single manipulation depending on the inclination angle of the remote
controller 1 is carried out. When the first trigger switch 27 has been depressed in
response to the decision made at the step S3, the view point angle of the map on the
display screen is changed depending on the inclination angle. When the second trigger
switch 28 has been depressed, a predetermined manipulation is carried out such as,
for example, an enlargement or a reduction of the scale of the map depending on the
inclination angle.
[0052] At the step S6, in addition to the manipulation depending on the inclination angle
of the remote controller 1, a combined manipulation depending on the manipulation
of the switches and the joy stick 23 decided at the step S4 is carried out. In other
words, when the joy stick 23 has been tilted, the map displayed on the display screen
is scrolled to a predetermined direction together with the processing at the step
S5. In this case, it is possible to add changes to the view point angle of the map
or to reduce or enlarge the scale of the map, while scrolling the map to a desired
direction on the display screen.
[0053] As explained above, according to the present embodiment, the user can carry out the
manipulation of the remote controller 1 such as the changes of the view point angle
of the map on the display screen by only inclining the inclination detector 31 provided
on the remote controller 1 while holding the remote controller 1 in one hand. Therefore,
it is possible to improve the controllability of the navigation system. Particularly
when the navigation system is mounted on the vehicle, it is very useful. Further,
as the presence or absence of the manipulation of the inclination detector can be
set and the object to be manipulated can be set by the trigger switches 27 and 28,
it is possible to further improve the convenience. Furthermore, as it is possible
to carry out a combined manipulation such as the scrolling of the map by tilting the
joy stick 23 and the depressing of other switches at the same time, a desired manipulation
can be done promptly.
[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the explanation has been made of the case where
the view point angle of the map on the display screen is changed over corresponding
to the inclination angle of the inclination detector 31 when the first trigger switch
27 has been depressed. However, it is also possible to allocate the control of the
scrolling or the scale changes to the switch-over of the inclination angle of the
inclination detector 31 Similarly, the controls allocated to the switch-over of the
inclination angle of the inclination detector 31 when the second trigger switch 28
has been depressed, the joy stick 23 and the sensor direct switch 24 respectively
are not limited to those explained in the above-described embodiment. For example,
it is possible to allocate the control of the view point angle of the map, or the
scale changes to the joy stick 23.
[0055] Further, it has been explained that the first trigger switch 27 and the second trigger
switch 28 are provided as switching means on the remote controller 1 of the above-described
embodiment. However, the number of these switches is not limited. Depending on the
using status of the remote controller 1, it is not necessary to provide trigger switches.
Further, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the joy stick
23 and the sensor direct switch 24 are not provided.
[0056] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the explanation has been made of the
case where the navigation system is controlled by the remote controller 1. However,
this case is not limited, and it is also possible to use the remote control apparatus
of the present invention to other devices. For example, the present invention can
also be applied to the remote control apparatus to be used in the television apparatus
or the video player. In this case, it is possible to control the adjustment of sound
volume, the quick feeding and winding back of the object corresponding to the inclination
angle of the remote control apparatus.
[0057] Further, in the above-described embodiment, for carrying out the manipulation depending
on the inclination angle of the remote controller 1, it is also possible to change
the operation speed of the object to be manipulated according to the time period while
the user is keeping the remote controller 1 inclined by depressing the first trigger
switch 27 or the second trigger switch 28. For example, in the case of changing the
view point angle of the map on the display screen, it may be so controlled that the
move of the view point angle of the map becomes gradually faster with the lapse of
time while the remote controller 1 is being kept inclined in the state that the first
trigger switch 27 is being depressed. Alternatively, in the case of carrying out a
quick feeding of a film of a video player, it may be so controlled that the speed
of the quick feeding becomes gradually faster with the lapse of time when the remote
controller 1 is being kept inclined in the state that the second trigger switch 28
is being depressed. With the above-described arrangement, the user can carry out a
desired manipulation more promptly after a lapse of some time while it is possible
to carry out a manipulation involving a fine adjustment at the beginning. As a result,
it is possible to further improve the controllability. Such a function can be realized
by appropriately changing the control signal supplied from the remote controller 1
to the navigation apparatus 10 as infrared rays, according to a time period during
which the inclination of the remote controller 1 is maintained.