Abstract: A drive plan producing device includes a contents database for storing associated data including geographical point names for a plurality of contents, a base contents determining unit which determines base contents used in a drive plan producing process based on an input by a user, a candidate place determining unit which refers to the contents database to determine the geographical point name associated with the base contents as a candidate place of driving, and a presenting unit which presents the determined candidate place to the user. Based on the input by the user, certain contents are determined as base contents. The base contents are used as a base for the production of the drive plan. By referring to the contents database, the geographical point name associated with the base contents is obtained, and it is determined as the candidate place and presented to the user. The user can select a drive plan by selecting one of the candidate places.

Abstract: An navigation apparatus records a deviation point as a new search point for activating a rerouting function during a route guidance process. When the deviation point exists along or near a set route, it is predicted that a vehicle will travel away from the set route at the deviation point. When a current location is within a predetermined distance from the deviation point, the rerouting function is activated to automatically search for a new route starting from the deviation point.

Abstract: A certain amount of basic map data is installed into the map data storage medium in the navigation apparatus at the time of initial setting or the like (this process will be hereinafter referred to as “pre-install”), and thereafter the user connect to the map data providing center to download necessary data according to need. Thus, the present invention offers efficient method of obtaining map data in the communication-type navigation system.

Abstract: An information retrieving apparatus is advantageously used in a voice operation of a vehicle navigation system. The apparatus includes a storage unit for storing the plural pieces of the candidate information composing a hierarchical structure including m hierarchies (m is a natural number not less than 2), and the apparatus retrieves a target information from the hierarchical structure. The apparatus includes an input unit for inputting information, a judging unit for judging a correspondence of the inputted information with one of the plural pieces of the candidate information and for judging the hierarchy of the candidate information if the correspondence is obtained, and a retrieving unit for retrieving one of the plural pieces of the candidate information as a target information based on a judged result of the judging unit.

Abstract: An navigation apparatus records a deviation point as a new search point for activating a rerouting function during a route guidance process. When the deviation point exists along or near a set route, it is predicted that a vehicle will travel away from the set route at the deviation point. When a current location is within a predetermined distance from the deviation point, the rerouting function is activated to automatically search for a new route starting from the deviation point.

Abstract: An electronic system is provided with: an information outputting apparatus (20, 40, 50) having an output device (40, 50) for outputting a content information including at least one of an audio information and a video information; and a navigation apparatus (10, 18, 20, 40, 50, 60), which is equipped with an input device (60) for inputting a destination in a movement of a movable body. A controlling apparatus (20) for controlling the electronic system is provided with: a selecting device (20) for selecting the content information to be outputted during the movement of the movable body until an arrival at the destination, on the basis of the destination inputted by the input device; and an output controlling device (20) for controlling the output device so as to output the content information selected by the selecting device, during the movement of the movable body until the arrival at the destination.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided with: an operation section that selects a scheduled route along which a vehicle is scheduled to move; a system controller that searches for a different route while the vehicle is moving along the scheduled route, the different route serving to reach a destination for which the mobile unit moves along the scheduled route, and compares the searched different route with the scheduled route for movement of the vehicle from a current position of the vehicle onward; and a display section that gives notice of a comparison result obtained by the controller.

Abstract: A certain amount of basic map data is installed into the map data storage medium in the navigation apparatus at the time of initial setting or the like (this process will be hereinafter referred to as “pre-install”), and thereafter the user connect to the map data providing center to download necessary data according to need. Thus, the present invention offers efficient method of obtaining map data in the communication-type navigation system.

Abstract: A drive plan producing device includes a contents database for storing associated data including geographical point names for a plurality of contents, a base contents determining unit which determines base contents used in a drive plan producing process based on an input by a user, a candidate place determining unit which refers to the contents database to determine the geographical point name associated with the base contents as a candidate place of driving, and a presenting unit which presents the determined candidate place to the user. Based on the input by the user, certain contents are determined as base contents. The base contents are used as a base for the production of the drive plan. By referring to the contents database, the geographical point name associated with the base contents is obtained, and it is determined as the candidate place and presented to the user. The user can select a drive plan by selecting one of the candidate places.

Abstract: An electronic system is provided with: an information outputting apparatus (20, 40, 50) having an output device (40, 50) for outputting a content information including at least one of an audio information and a video information; and a navigation apparatus (10, 18, 20, 40, 50, 60), which is equipped with an input device 60) for inputting a destination in a movement of a movable body. A controlling apparatus (20) for controlling the electronic system is provided with: a selecting device (20) for selecting the content information to be outputted during the movement of the movable body until an arrival at the destination, on the basis of the destination inputted by the input device; and an output controlling device (20) for controlling the output device so as to output the content information selected by the selecting device, during the movement of the movable body until the arrival at the destination.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided with: an operation section that selects a scheduled route along which a vehicle is scheduled to move; a system controller that searches for a different route while the vehicle is moving along the scheduled route, the different route serving to reach a destination for which the mobile unit moves along the scheduled route, and compares the searched different route with the scheduled route for movement of the vehicle from a current position of the vehicle onward; and a display section that gives notice of a comparison result obtained by the controller.