Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a receiving section for receiving program via a communication unit, a driving determining section for determining whether a vehicle equipped with the navigation apparatus is running or not if receiving a start request for the program, and an execution control section for activating the program if it is determined that the vehicle is running by the driving determining section and also if the program received by the receiving section is authorized. The executing control section cancels executing the program if it is determined that the vehicle is running by the driving determining section and also if the program received by the receiving section is not authorized.

Abstract: A method for route planning for use with a vehicle navigation system. The method includes the steps of inputting a route origin and route destination on a computer separate from the navigation system, such as a PC. The user also inputs activities or points of interest. The computer then searches a point of interest database which matches the activities inputted by the user and calculates a preferred route from the origin and to the route destination. The preferred route, together with data relating to the points of activity, are then wirelessly transmitted to the navigation system for subsequent display on the navigation system screen.

Abstract: A music delivering apparatus includes a storing unit that stores musical data, a sound collecting unit that collects a voice from outside to output audio data, a reading unit that reads the musical data from the storing unit, a mixer that mixes the audio data with the musical data read out by the reading unit to output sound data, a transmitting unit that transmits the sound data to a client, and a volume control unit that lowers volume of the musical data that is read out by the reading unit and supplied to the mixer while the audio data is supplied to the mixer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing a user's visual perception of map data in a navigation system of the type used in automotive vehicles. A portion of an object, such as a building, is selected on the screen and a perspective view of the three-dimensional map data corresponding to the selected portion of the object is then depicted on the display screen. In a second form, a map is displayed on the display screen together with the route between the current position of the vehicle and a desired vehicle destination. A portion of the route is selected between the current position of the vehicle and the vehicle destination while the expected time for the vehicle to reach the selected portion is then displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A technology for preventing a driver from being distracted even if a navigation operates on an input device in the rear seat. A navigation system, connected to a combination of an output/input devices of a driver and to a combination of an output device and an input device of a fellow passenger, comprises a setting information storage unit storing setting information indicating whether or not information generated is to be output to the output device of the driver and an output processing unit, to the output device of the driver according to the setting information read from the setting information storage unit. When operation information enters from the input device of the fellow passenger, the setting information, stored in the setting information storage unit for the processing, changes to the information indicating that information is not output to the output device of the driver.

Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, in which a DC input voltage can be detected even if switching operation of the power supply unit is stopped. A switching power supply unit includes: a power supply main section switching a DC input voltage inputted from a first power supply to convert the DC input voltage into an AC voltage, and outputting a DC output voltage into a second power supply, the DC output voltage being obtained by transforming and rectifying the AC voltage; and a voltage detection section having a voltage detection transformer, one or more switching elements, and detection signal lines. The voltage detection transformer includes a first transformer coil as a primary winding being intermittently applied with the DC input voltage in response to on/off of the switching element, and a second transformer coil as a secondary winding being connected to the detection signal lines.

Abstract: A contents distributing system capable of reproducing a plurality of contents continuously at the client not to put a waiting time can be provided. A server 100 reads respective contents constituting a group from a memory device 102 and then transmits continuously the contents when such server receives a request for distribution of plural pieces of contents formed into a group. A client 200 stores sequentially the received contents in a buffer 205. An AV outputting portion 206 of the client reads the contents stored in this buffer sequentially from the early stored contents and then reproduces the contents.

Abstract: In a communication-type navigation system for downloading map data according to the present invention, a reduction in the amount of map information to be transferred, correction of a position measured by a GPS, and delivery of advertisements are effected. In this system, a terminal 5 stores rough map data in advance. Then, when detailed map data is required, it is downloaded from a map data delivery center to the terminal 5. Further, together with the map data, GPS correction information is delivered to the terminal 5 from the map data delivery center 80. Still further, coupon information associated with an advertisement is displayed and an electronic mail on the coupon information is issued, by the map data delivery center.

Abstract: A navigation method and system for determining a desired geographic location. An intersection is first inputted by road names after which all intersections within a predetermined geographic area are identified which correspond to the inputted intersection. In the event that the number of identified intersections exceeds a predetermined threshold, additional information is optionally inputted regarding the desired geographic location and thereafter the identified locations are searched to determine the desired geographic location by utilizing the additional information.

Abstract: A technology for preventing a driver from being distracted even if a navigation operates on an input device in the rear seat. A navigation system, connected to a combination of an output/input devices of a driver and to a combination of an output device and an input device of a fellow passenger, comprises a setting information storage unit storing setting information indicating whether or not information generated is to be output to the output device of the driver and an output processing unit, to the output device of the driver according to the setting information read from the setting information storage unit. When operation information enters from the input device of the fellow passenger, the setting information, stored in the setting information storage unit for the processing, changes to the information indicating that information is not output to the output device of the driver.

Abstract: In a remote control apparatus, for achieving remote control of an on-vehicle equipment, in accordance with a request received from a terminal other than the on-vehicle equipment, wherein a request receiver portion 101 receives control content from a stationary-type terminal 301 or a portable-type terminal 302, thereby registering it into a control information DB 105, while corresponding it to ID information of a user thereof. Upon receipt of the ID information from the on-vehicle equipment 20, a control information transmitter portion 102 transmits the control information depending upon the control content, being registered in the control information DB 105 corresponding thereto, to the on-vehicle equipment 20. With this, the on-vehicle equipment 20 is controlled in accordance with the control content, which was received from the user in advance, remotely.

Abstract: A communications-type car navigation system including a vehicle-mounted terminal and a server. When transferring, to the terminal, the result of a route searching which the server has performed, the server transfers the data that will satisfy the requirements of a route guiding method which the user wishes. Also, the server transfers the route data that has been compressed. Concerning the map data as well, the server transfers only the necessary attributes thereof. Moreover, the following conditions allow the operability to be enhanced: the selection of a map transferring method and the route guiding method where the driving state has been taken into consideration, and the selection of a guiding unit which the user wishes.

Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, in which a DC input voltage can be detected even if switching operation of the power supply unit is stopped. A switching power supply unit includes: a power supply main section switching a DC input voltage inputted from a first power supply to convert the DC input voltage into an AC voltage, and outputting a DC output voltage into a second power supply, the DC output voltage being obtained by transforming and rectifying the AC voltage; and a voltage detection section having a voltage detection transformer, one or more switching elements, and detection signal lines. The voltage detection transformer includes a first transformer coil as a primary winding being intermittently applied with the DC input voltage in response to on/off of the switching element, and a second transformer coil as a secondary winding being connected to the detection signal lines.

Abstract: To improve operability of screen switching of native APs and virtual machine APs. It is an information processing device capable of executing native APs described in a native code and JavaAPs described in a Java (registered trademark) bytecode. A key event processing unit manages a current mode. It also decides display or non-display of each of images generated by the native APs and images generated by the Java APs according to the current mode which is managed. It further changes the current mode which is managed according to a type of a key event received from a key driver. A graphics driver superimposes and outputs the images decided to be displayed in predetermined order.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a receiving section for receiving program via a communication unit, a driving determining section for determining whether a vehicle equipped with the navigation apparatus is running or not if receiving a start request for the program, and an execution control section for activating the program if it is determined that the vehicle is running by the driving determining section and also if the program received by the receiving section is authorized. The executing control section cancels executing the program if it is determined that the vehicle is running by the driving determining section and also if the program received by the receiving section is not authorized.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus has a simple map installed therein. When a map is desired, it is checked whether or not a map of a desired place exists in the simple map. If it exists, the map of the desired place is loaded from the simple map, or if it does not exist, the map of the desired place is downloaded from a navigation server.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to execute a program installed additionally on an in-vehicle unit, realizing improved visual recognition while the vehicle is driving. A program 7 to be installed additionally is downloaded along with its attribute data 8 from the service center system 10 into the program administrating section 202 of the in-vehicle unit, and they are managed in relation to each other. When the program is executed, the vehicle condition 1 is compared with the attribute data 8 related to the program and the program operation is controlled accordingly. When executing a program installed additionally on an in-vehicle unit, visual recognition of the display screen can be maintained even while the vehicle is driving.

Abstract: A music delivering apparatus includes a storing unit that stores musical data, a sound collecting unit that collects a voice from outside to output audio data, a reading unit that reads the musical data from the storing unit, a mixer that mixes the audio data with the musical data read out by the reading unit to output sound data, a transmitting unit that transmits the sound data to a client, and a volume control unit that lowers volume of the musical data that is read out by the reading unit and supplied to the mixer while the audio data is supplied to the mixer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a boost switching power supply with low switching loss. The boost switching power supply of the present invention includes a coil portion 3a and a first diode 4 that are serially connected between one terminal of a DC power source 2 and one terminal of a first capacitor 5 for smoothing, a first switching element 8 connected between a node A where the coil portion 3a and the first diode 4 are connected and the other terminal of the DC power source 2, a second magnetic element 7 and a second switching element 9 that are serially connected between the node A and the other terminal of the DC power source 2, and a second diode 10 and a second capacitor 11 that are serially connected between a node where the second magnetic element 7 and the second switching element 9 are connected and the node A.

Abstract: In a communication-type navigation system for downloading map data according to the present invention, a reduction in the amount of map information to be transferred, correction of a position measured by a GPS, and delivery of advertisements are effected. In this system, a terminal 5 stores rough map data in advance. Then, when detailed map data is required, it is downloaded from a map data delivery center to the terminal 5. Further, together with the map data, GPS correction information is delivered to the terminal 5 from the map data delivery center 80. Still further, coupon information associated with an advertisement is displayed and an electronic mail on the coupon information is issued, by the map data delivery center.