JP2003065770A - Map information updating system, map information processing device, and map information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent delay of map information processing and map information updating, and increase of communication costs, to enable the presentation of updating state of the map information and corresponding state to the map information updating, and to enable to update the map information of desired locations. SOLUTION: The map information processing device comprises a map information storage means, an information acquisition means of updated-locations for acquiring the information of updated-locations which displays locations updated on the map information updated from a version to a new one, an updated information acquisition means for acquiring updated information to update data of the updated locations based on the information of updated-locations, and an updating means for updating map information stored in the map information storage means using the updated information acquired by the updated information acquisition means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map information updating system, a map information processing device and a map information providing device, and more particularly to map information used in a mobile body such as a car navigation system, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant and the like. The present invention relates to updating map information handled by the processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 24 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-29.
It is a figure which shows the conventional map information processing apparatus shown by 8429 publication. In FIG. 24, 101 is a map information processing device, 102 is a map data storage device, 103 is an input device,
104 is an output device, 105 and 106 are transmission / reception devices, 1
Reference numeral 07 is an information center, and 108 is a map information database. In the map data storage device 102, the map data provided for each predetermined area is updated to a certain version number and stored. Further, the version number of the map data stored in the map data storage device 102 differs for each area according to the update status in the map information processing device 101, and the map data storage device 102 stores the version number of each area. The update status information for indicating is stored. The map information database 108 stores update information necessary for updating map data from a certain version number to a new version number, and area version number information indicating up to which version number the map data of each area has been updated. ing. Next, the operation will be described. Map information processing device 1
01 periodically acquires the update status information of the map data from the map data storage device 102, and the transmitting / receiving device 105 transmits the information to the information center device 107 via the transmitting / receiving device 106. Based on the received update status information and the area version number information of the map information database 108, the information center apparatus 107 uses which area to update the map data of the area required by the map information processing apparatus 101 to the latest version. Update necessary area information indicating whether or not is required is transmitted to the map information processing apparatus 101 via the transmission / reception devices 106 and 105. It should be noted that this update required area information has coordinate information indicating an area, update date, version information, valid period, etc. for each area. Map information processing device 101
The transmission / reception device 105 obtains update request information for requesting the update information from the area required for the map information processing based on the received update required area information.
The information center apparatus 107 transmits the update information of the area requested by the received update request information to the map information processing apparatus 101 via the transmission / reception apparatuses 106 and 105. The map information storage device 101 uses the map data storage device 1 according to the received update information.
02, the corresponding map data stored in 02 is also updated, and the update status information stored in the map data storage device 102 is also updated, and the map data of the necessary area is acquired from the map data storage device 102 to perform the map information processing. Do.

[0003]

In the conventional map information processing apparatus, it is necessary to send the update status information in order to obtain the information of the area that needs to be updated, and there is a time delay in starting the map information processing and communication. There was a problem that the cost increased. In addition, since coordinate information indicating each area, update date, version information, and highly redundant information such as the effective period is transmitted as the area requiring update, the start of map information processing is delayed and communication cost increases. There was a problem of increase. Also, since information about the scheduled update date is not provided, it is necessary to send update status information on a regular basis, and there is a delay in updating the map information on the map information processing device side relative to the map information update on the map information providing side. There is a problem that the communication cost increases with the occurrence. In addition, for the operator of the map information processing device, the update status of the map information at the provider, the status corresponding to the update of the map information on the map information processing device side, and the map of the location currently subject to map information processing. There is a problem that the operator of the map information processing device cannot know the above state because there is no means for presenting the state corresponding to the information update. Further, there is a problem that the map information of the location desired by the operator cannot be updated because there is no means for selecting the location desired by the operator of the map information processing apparatus.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and prevents delays in map information processing and update of map information and increase in communication costs, and updates the map information and maps. The purpose of the present invention is to enable the presentation of the status corresponding to the information update and the update of the map information of the desired location.

[0005]

In the map information updating system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the map information processing device side is provided with map information storing means for storing map information and a certain version is updated to a new version. Update location information obtaining means for obtaining update location information indicating updated location of the map information, update information obtaining means for obtaining update information for updating the data at the update location based on the update location information, and update information An update means for updating the map information stored in the map information storage means by the update information acquired by the acquisition means is provided, and the map information providing device side has an update location database indicating the update location between the versions of the map data. The update location information providing means for providing the update location information to the map information processing device based on the update location database.

In the map information processing apparatus according to the second configuration of the present invention, the map information storage means for storing the map information and the updated location information indicating the updated location of the map information updated from a certain version to a new version. Stored in the map information storage means by the update location information acquisition means for acquiring the update information, the update information acquisition means for acquiring the update information for updating the data at the update location based on the update location information, and the update information acquired by the update information acquisition means. The updating means for updating the displayed map information is provided.

The map information processing apparatus according to the third structure of the present invention is, in the second structure of the present invention, updated location information for obtaining updated location information indicating an updated location for map information of a desired version number. The acquisition means is provided.

The map information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the second and third aspects of the present invention, which is hierarchical update location information and is update location information of an area in which there is no update location. The update location information acquisition unit is configured to obtain the update location information that does not include the.

The map information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, which holds the update information regarding the data of the update point indicated by the update point information. The update information acquisition means is provided so as not to acquire the updated information when the updated data is already held.

The map information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the update location information acquisition determines the acquisition timing of the update location information based on the scheduled update date. The time designation means and the updated location information acquisition means for acquiring the updated location information at the time designated by the updated location information acquisition timing designating means are provided.

In the map information processing apparatus according to the seventh configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to sixth configurations of the present invention, the version number of the map information stored in the map information storage means is changed. A version number change detecting means for detecting that the version number change detecting means and an update point information acquiring means for acquiring the update point information for the changed version number when the change in the version number is detected by the version number change detecting means are provided. It is a thing.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the map information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the version number change detection means detects a change in the version number, the update location for the changed version number is set. If the information is not held, the updated location information acquisition means for acquiring the updated location information is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information processing apparatus which is changed when the version number change detecting means detects a change in the version number in any one of the seventh and eighth configurations of the present invention. When the update location information for the version number is held, the update location information for the changed version number is acquired at the time designated by the update location information acquisition time designating means.

The map information processing apparatus according to the tenth structure of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to ninth structures of the present invention, further comprising a provider update state presenting means for presenting the update state of the map information of the provider. It is provided.

The map information processing apparatus according to the eleventh structure of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to tenth structures of the present invention, which presents an updated location corresponding state indicating a corresponding state of the map information to the updated location. The update location corresponding state presenting means is provided.

The map information processing apparatus according to the twelfth configuration of the present invention is the map information processing object according to any one of the second to eleventh configurations of the present invention, in which the map information processing is linked. The processing interlocking state presenting means for presenting the update point corresponding state of is provided.

A map information processing apparatus according to a thirteenth configuration of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the second to twelfth configurations of the present invention, further comprising update information acquisition point designating means for designating a desired point of update information acquisition. It is provided.

In the map information processing apparatus according to the fourteenth structure of the present invention, in the thirteenth structure of the present invention,
An update information required point presenting means for presenting a point where the update information needs to be acquired is provided.

The map information processing apparatus according to the fifteenth structure of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth and fourteenth structures of the present invention, wherein the update information to the latest version is obtained at the location designated by the update information obtaining location designating means. The update information acquisition means is provided for acquiring the update information of the part which is not held or the part which does not hold the data updated to the latest version.

A map information processing apparatus according to a sixteenth configuration of the present invention is the map information processing apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth configurations of the present invention, wherein the required time presenting means for presenting the time required for obtaining the update information or the update information is displayed. The required fee presenting means for presenting the fee required for acquisition is provided.

The map information providing apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention has an update point database indicating the update points between the map data versions, and provides the map information processing apparatus with the update point information based on the update point database. The update location information providing means is provided.

The map information providing apparatus according to the eighteenth structure of the present invention is the update position information according to the seventeenth structure of the present invention, which provides the update position information indicating the update position for the map information of a desired version number. The provision means is provided.

The map information providing apparatus according to the nineteenth structure of the present invention is the map information providing apparatus according to any one of the seventeenth and eighteenth structures of the present invention, wherein the update location information of the area where the update location does not exist is hierarchized. An update location information providing means for providing the update location information that is not included is provided.

The map information providing apparatus according to the twentieth configuration of the present invention is the map information providing apparatus according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth configurations of the present invention, in which the scheduled update date providing means for providing the scheduled update date is provided.

The map information providing apparatus according to the twenty-first configuration of the present invention is the map information providing apparatus according to any one of the seventeenth to twentieth configurations of the present invention, wherein update information capacity providing means for providing information indicating the data capacity of the update information is provided. It is a thing.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a map information updating system for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, A is a map information providing device, and B1 to Bn are a plurality of map information processing devices that transmit and receive updated location information to and from the shared map information providing device A, and have the same configuration. Map information providing device B
1 to Bn, the specific configuration of the map information providing apparatus A is shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
The configuration of the map information providing device B1 is shown to explain
In the figure, 1 is an input device for operating the map information processing device and the like, 2 is a vehicle position detection device for detecting the position of a vehicle equipped with the map information processing device B1 using a GPS receiver or the like, 3 Is a map information storage device that stores map information,
Reference numeral 4 is a transmission / reception device that uses a mobile phone or the like for transmitting / receiving data to / from the map information providing device via a communication network, and 5 is a vehicle position and map information storage device 3 obtained from the vehicle position detection device 2.
Map matching processing for identifying the road on which the vehicle is traveling and the position on the road from the map information of the vehicle, route calculation for calculating the route from the starting value to the destination using the map data of the map data storage device 3, the starting value From the destination to the destination, various navigation processing such as display processing of a map around the vehicle position, and update processing of the map information of the map information storage device 3 based on the update information acquired by the transmission / reception device 4. A data processing device 6 is a transmission / reception device 4
An update information storage device for storing the update information acquired in step 1, the map information updated by the map information processing device 5, and the like, under the control of the data processing device 5, a display of a map, a vehicle position, a route, guidance information, and the like, It is an output device that outputs audio.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the map information providing apparatus A for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,
Reference numeral 10 is a transmission / reception device that transmits / receives data to / from one or more map information processing devices via a communication network, and 11 is an update necessary for updating map information for each version to map information for each newer version. 12 in the update information database that stores information
Is an update location database that stores update location information that indicates the update location of the map information of each version that is newer than that to show the update status of the provider, which is the update status of the map information at the map information provider. , 13 extracts the update location information requested by each map information processing apparatus via the communication network and the transmission / reception apparatus 10, and the update information from the update location database 11 and the update information database 12, and transmits them via the transmission / reception apparatus 10 and the communication network. It is a distribution server provided to each map information processing device.

FIG. 4 shows an example of map information stored in the map information storage device 3. As map information, map management information D
1, various data such as some map data D2 and guidance search data D3. Each map data D2 is provided corresponding to each divided area obtained by dividing the creation range that is the area for which the map information is created.
Stores information representing a map of the corresponding divided area. The map management information D1 has version number information for managing old and new stored information, map data management information for managing the map data D2, information for managing various data other than the map data, and the like. As shown in the figure, the map data D2 includes road data used for map matching and road display, background data for displaying a map background such as rivers and seas, name data for displaying names such as place names, and route guidance. Has route guidance data for route calculation, route calculation data for route calculation, peripheral facility data for searching peripheral facilities, etc., and various attributes related to map data such as information indicating the area, whereabouts of the various types of data. It has a header having information for managing.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the creation range and area division of the map data 15 of FIG. The creation range is a rectangular area, and the area is divided into 16 areas in each of the latitude and longitude directions, and 0 to 1 is assigned to each of the divided latitude and longitude sections.
The coordinate values of 5 are given, and they are referred to as a unit area X coordinate and a unit area Y coordinate, respectively. Each divided area is called a unit area, and (ux, uy) when the unit area X coordinate ux and the unit area Y coordinate uy of the section to which the unit area belongs are called unit area coordinates of the unit area. FIG. 5 shows unit area coordinates (10,
An example of 5) is shown.

FIG. 6 shows a map data management method. FIG. 6A is an example of a management unit area provided for hierarchically managing each unit area, and the creation range of FIG. 5 is divided into four in the latitude direction and the longitude direction, and the divided latitude is divided. The coordinate values of 0 to 3 are assigned to each of the direction and longitude sections, and the respective values are assigned to the management unit area X coordinate and the management unit area Y.
Called coordinates. Further, this divided area is called a management unit area, and the management unit area X coordinate m of the section to which the management unit area belongs
When x is the management unit area Y coordinate my (mx, my)
Is called the management unit area coordinates of the management unit area. FIG. 6A shows an example of unit area coordinates (2, 1). The number of divisions in the latitude direction and the longitude direction of the created range is called the division management number. The unit area included in the management unit area is given unit area coordinates with the unit area coordinates of the unit area at the lower left corner in the management unit area as the origin, and this is called relative unit area coordinates. FIG. 6B shows an example in which relative unit area coordinates are given.
U (ux, uy) indicates a unit area whose unit area coordinates are (ux, uy), and the unit area coordinates included in the management unit area coordinates (2, 1) in FIG. ), The relative unit area coordinates of the unit area are (2, 1).

FIG. 7 shows an example of the map data management information included in the map management information of FIG. 4 when the created range, unit area and management unit area are set as shown in FIGS. By using the relative unit area coordinates, the map data of the unit area within the creation range is managed in two layers of the management unit area layer and the unit area layer. In FIG. 7, (a) shows the structure of the map data management information, which shows the creation range information indicating the latitudes at the upper and lower ends of the creation range, the longitudes at the left and right ends, and the number of divisions in the latitude direction and longitude direction of the creation range. Creation range division information shown, management unit information showing the number of division management in the latitude direction and longitude direction, a management unit reference table, and a unit area reference table UT (mx, my) provided corresponding to the management unit area
Have a sequence of. Unit area reference table UT (mx, m
y) corresponds to the management unit area whose management unit area coordinates are (mx, my). (B) shows the structure of the management unit reference table, and the management unit reference table is an array of management unit area records MR (mx, my) provided corresponding to the management unit areas, and the management unit area record MR (mx, my) my) corresponds to the management unit area whose management unit area coordinates are (mx, my), and indicates the location of the unit area reference table UT (mx, my). (C) shows the structure of the unit area reference table, and the unit area reference table is a unit area record UR (ux, u provided corresponding to the unit area in the corresponding management unit area.
y), the unit area record UR (ux, ui) has relative unit area coordinates (ux, u) in the management unit area.
The presence / absence, location, and data size of the map data of the corresponding unit area are shown for the unit area y). When acquiring map data of a desired unit area, the management unit area coordinates and relative unit area coordinates of the management unit area to which the unit area belongs are obtained from the creation area information, the creation area division information, and the management unit information, and the management unit is calculated. Finding the location of the corresponding unit area reference table from the management unit area record corresponding to the area coordinates,
The location of the desired map data is obtained from the unit area record corresponding to the relative unit area coordinates in the unit area reference table. For example, when the map data of the unit area in which the unit area coordinates in FIG. 5 are (10, 5) is acquired, the unit area belongs to the management unit area in which the management unit area coordinates are (2, 1) and its relative unit. Since the coordinates are the area coordinates (2,1), the location of the unit area reference table UT (2,1) is obtained from the management unit area record MR (2,1), and the unit area of the unit area reference table UT (2,1) is calculated. The location of map data is obtained from the record UR (2,1).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the update information database 11, and FIG. 8A shows the structure of the update information database 11. The version update information management information includes the location of each version update information and the version update information. Information for managing the map information. The version numbers of the map information created up to now are Ver0, Ve
r1, Ver2, Ver3, ..., VerN-2, V
erN-1, VerN, Ver0 to VerN
-1 for each version update information UI (Ver
A, VerN) (A = 0, 1, 2, ..., N-1) is arranged as shown in (a), and the inter-version update information UI (VerA, VerA,
VerN) provides map information from the VerA version to the latest version Ve.
It has the update information needed to update to rN. When updating the map information from the VerA version to another newer version VerB, VerA is called the update source version number and VerB is called the update destination version number. (B) is the version update information UI (VerA,
In the example (VerN), it has update information provided for each unit area and update information management information for managing these update information in the same manner as the map data management information of FIG. 7.
(C) is update information, which includes the update source version number and the update destination version number, the management unit area coordinates and the relative unit area coordinates of the unit area, and the map data of the unit area from the VerA version to Ve.
It has difference data that stores information necessary for updating to the rN version.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the update location database 11 in the map information providing apparatus. FIG. 9A shows the structure of the update location database 11 and shows the version update location for managing each version update location information. Management information and Ver0-V
For each version of erN-1, the version update location information UP (V
erA, VerN) (A = 0, 1, 2, ..., N-
1). Version update information UP (VerA, Ve
rN) indicates where the map information is updated from the VerA version to the VerN version. (B) and (c) are examples of the inter-version update location information UP (VerA, VerN) when the creation range, unit area, and management unit area are as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, and the update location management information is updated. The original version number (= VerA), update destination version number (= VerN), and information for indicating the location of each unit area update location information are included. The management unit area update location information is from the version of each management unit area VerA. It is indicated whether or not the version has been updated to the VerN version, that is, whether or not there is an updated version from the VerA version to the VerN version in the data of the type of the map data of the unit area belonging to each management unit area. (Latitude direction division management number (= 4) × longitude direction division management number (= 4)) This is information consisting of bits, and the order of bit arrangement is the longitude direction division management number (= 4) × my + mx (m
Bits of (x = 0 to 3, my = 0 to 3) indicate that the update is not performed if the value of the management unit area whose management unit area coordinates are (mx, my) is 0.
Indicates that the above-mentioned update is being performed. The unit area update location information is provided corresponding to the management unit area, and the unit area update location information UU (mx, my) (mx = 0 to 0).
3, my = 0 to 3) has a management unit area coordinate of (mx, m
y) indicates whether or not the type of data of the map data of each unit area belonging to the management unit area is updated from the VerA version to the VerN version (the number of divisions in the latitude direction (=
4) × number of divisions in the longitudinal direction (= 4)) Information consisting of bits, and the order of bit arrangement is the number of divisions in the longitudinal direction (= 4) ×
Bits that are uy + ux (ux = 0 to 3, uy = 0 to 3) indicate that the above update has not been performed if the value is 0 for the unit area whose relative unit area coordinates are (ux, uy). Indicates that the above-mentioned updating is being performed, and only the unit area update location information corresponding to the updated management unit area is arranged. Therefore, the bit of the management unit area update location information becomes 1. The unit area update location information is placed only for the management unit area
When all management unit areas have been updated, all bits of the management unit area update location information are set to 1 as shown in (c).
All the unit area update location information is arranged, and the management unit area coordinates are (0,0), (2,0), (3,3).
If only the management unit area of is updated, only the 0th, 2nd and 15th bits of the management unit area update location information are 1
And others become 0, and unit area update location information UU (0,
Only 0), UU (2,0) and UU (3,3) are arranged. In this way, the update location information is hierarchized by two layers of the management unit area update location information and the unit area update location information to indicate the presence / absence of update, and the unit area update location information of the management unit area that has not been updated is not placed. As a result, the data size can be reduced, and the transmission time can be shortened when transmitting the version update location information from the distribution server 13 to the data processing device 5, which will be described later.

FIG. 10 shows an example of request information for the map information processing apparatus to specify information requested to be provided to the map information providing apparatus and the provided information which is the return information. (A) is request information for requesting updated location information, and a request identification code indicating what the request information requires, and a version number of the map information stored in the map information processing apparatus. Have information. (B) is request information for requesting update location information, which is a request identification code indicating what the request information requires, the number of unit areas for specifying the number of desired unit areas, and a desired unit. It has unit area designation information for designating an area, and the unit area designation information has the number of unit areas. (C)
Is unit area designation information, which has version number information indicating the version number, and management unit area coordinates and relative unit area coordinates that specify the unit area. (D) is an example of the update location information returned by the map information providing apparatus to the map information processing apparatus. The return identification code indicating the content of the return, the version number currently being provided, the version number to be updated next time, the next time The provided version number information indicating the scheduled update date of the item has information on the update location between versions. (E) is an example of the update information returned by the map information providing apparatus to the map information processing apparatus. The return identification code indicating the content of the return, the number of update information indicating the number of update information to be transmitted, and the update information to be transmitted. It consists of a line.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the distribution server 13 in the map information providing apparatus. When the map information providing apparatus is activated, in step 14, the transmitting / receiving apparatus 4 on the map information providing apparatus side causes the map information providing apparatus side. Waiting for the request information transmitted to the transmitting / receiving apparatus 10 to be received, if the request information is received, the request information is acquired from the transmitting / receiving apparatus 10, and the request information is updated by the request identification code included in the request information. It is determined whether the request is an information request or an update information request. If it is an update point information request, go to step 15, and if it is an update information request, go to step 16. In step 15, from the distribution point database 12 according to the request information acquired in step 14, the version number VerR (R = 0, 1, 2, ...
.., N-1) to obtain version-to-version update location information UP (VerR, VerN) regarding the update from VerN to VerN. In step 17, the return identification code indicating the update location information, the inter-version update location information acquired in step 15, the version number currently being provided (= VerN), the next update scheduled version number, and the next scheduled update date are displayed. The update location information return is set, and the update location information return is transmitted to the transmission / reception apparatus 4 of the map information processing apparatus requested by the transmission / reception apparatus 10, and the process returns to step 14. In step 16, from the update information database 15 according to the update information acquired in step 14, the version number VerR (R = 0, 1, which is indicated by the version number information of the unit area designation information of the update information).
2, ..., N-1) to obtain the update information of the unit area specified by the unit area specification information of the update information in the version update information UI (VerR, VerN) regarding the update from VerN to VerN. In step 18, the return identification code indicating the update information, the update information acquired in step 16 and the number of pieces of update information indicating the number are set in the update information return, and the map information processing apparatus that has requested the transmission / reception device 14 to transmit the update information. To the transmission / reception device 4 and returns to step 14. As described above, in steps 14 to 18, the map information providing apparatus provides the map information processing apparatus with the update location information, the update information and the provided version number information desired by the map information processing apparatus.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage example of information in the update information storage device 6, and FIG.
In the provided version number information area that stores the provided version number information acquired from the information providing apparatus, the retained version number information area that stores the version number of the map information currently stored in the map information storage device 3, and the map information storage device 3 The update information block is provided corresponding to the retained version number, which is the version number of the stored map information, and the update information block management information for managing these update information blocks is provided. The update information block management information is the update information block. , The corresponding version number of the update block, the location, and the data size. (B) shows an update information block, the update location information area is an area for storing the version update location information obtained from the information providing station, and the update information area is an area for storing the update information obtained from the information providing station. Yes, the update information area management information is information for managing these pieces of update information, and the update information area management information manages the update information in the same manner as in FIG. 7. The presence / absence of update information, the location, and the data size are stored. Also, when referring to or storing the update information block, the update information block corresponding to the version number indicated by the retained version number information area is referenced or stored. It is called a corresponding update information block. The provided version number information area, the retained version number information area, and the update information block management information are initialized when the map information processing device is first activated.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data processing device 5 in the map information processing device.
When the data processing device 5 is activated, first, step 20
At, the acquired version number, which is the version number of the map information stored in the map information storage device 3, is acquired, and the update information storage device 6
It is stored in the retained version number information area. In step 21,
The inter-version update location information from the retained version number acquired in step 20 to the latest version number is acquired. FIG. 14 is a detailed flowchart of step 21. In step 100, it is checked whether or not the provided version number information is already stored in the provided version number information area of the update information storage device 6, and if it is stored, the process proceeds to step 101. If it is not stored, the version update location information is not acquired yet, and the process proceeds to step 102. In step 101, the scheduled update date indicated by the provided version number information stored in the provided version number information area of the update information storage device 6 is compared with the current date. If the current date has passed the scheduled update date, step 102 is performed. If not, the process for acquiring the version update location information information is terminated and step 22
Go to In step 102, the request identification code is used as a code indicating the update location information request, and the retained version number information is used as the retained version number information in the retained version number information area of the update information storage device 6 and the transmission / reception device 4 transmits the request information to the map information providing device. Send to.
In step 103, the transmitter / receiver 4 receives the update location information returned from the map information providing device in response to the request information transmitted in step 102, and receives the provided version number information in the providing version of the update information storage device 6. Stored in the number information area, update the contents of the update location information area of the version information block corresponding to the retained version of the update information storage device 6 to the received version update location information, and terminate the processing of acquiring the version update location information. Go to step 22.

In step 22 of FIG. 13, the process when the version number of the map information stored in the map information storage device 3 is changed is performed. FIG. 15 is a detailed flowchart of step 22. In step 110, the retained version number, which is the version number of the map information stored in the map information storage device 3, is acquired, and the acquired retained version number and the update information storage device 6 are acquired. Compared with the retained version number information area, the version number change processing is terminated if the numbers match, and the process proceeds to step 23. If they do not match, the retained version number information in the update information storage device 6 The contents of the area are updated to the acquired version number and the process goes to step 111. In step 111, the update information block management information in the update information storage device 6 is referred to check the presence / absence of an update information block corresponding to the retained version number. If yes, go to step 112, otherwise go to step 114. In step 112, the update destination version number of the update location information area of the version information corresponding to the retained version of the update information storage device 6 is out of date with respect to the version number of the update version information area of the update information storage device 6 being provided. If so, go to step 114, and if they match, go to step 113. In step 113, the scheduled update date of the version information area provided in the update information storage device 6 is compared with the current date. If the current date has passed the scheduled update date, the process proceeds to step 114. If not, the version number is reached. The change process is terminated and the process goes to step 23. In step 114, similar to steps 102 and 103 of FIG. 14, the inter-version update location information is acquired and stored in the update location information area of the version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage device 6, and the version number changing process is performed. When finished, go to step 23.

In step 23 of FIG. 13, operation information for operating the map information processing apparatus, such as a map display scale, a scrolling instruction of the displayed map, a destination selection instruction and a route calculation instruction, is input from the input device 1. . In step 24, the vehicle position detection device 2 acquires the current position of the vehicle. In step 25, the unit area to be processed which is a unit area required for the navigation processing is determined from the operation information obtained in step 23, the current position of the vehicle obtained in step 24, etc., and their management unit area coordinates, Calculate relative unit area coordinates. In step 26, it is checked whether or not each processing target unit area obtained in step 25 has been updated by referring to the inter-version update location information of the version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage device 6 and updated. The processing target unit area is the primary request unit area, and its management unit area coordinates are
Calculate relative unit area coordinates. The primary request unit area obtained here is a processing target unit area and indicates a location where the map information of the latest version of the provider is updated with respect to the number of retained versions. In step 27, the retained version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage device 6 is referred to, the presence or absence of the update information of each primary request unit area obtained in step 26 and the update destination version number are checked, and the update information does not exist. The unit area or the unit area whose update destination version number is older than the update destination version number of the inter-version update location information is set as the request unit area, and the number of these unit areas, the management unit area coordinates, and the relative unit area coordinates are obtained. Through the above steps, as the new update information to be acquired in the primary request unit area, a unit area having no update information or an old version number of update information is obtained. In step 28, the update identification code is the code indicating the update information request, the number of unit areas obtained in step 27 is the unit area number in the unit area designation information, and the management unit area coordinates obtained in step 27 is the unit area designation information. , Relative unit area coordinates to update information storage device 6
The request information in which the retained version number in the retained version number information area is set is transmitted to the map information providing apparatus by the transmission / reception apparatus 4. In step 29, the transmitter / receiver 4 receives the update information returned from the map information providing device in response to the request information transmitted in step 28, and receives the received update information in the update information storage device 6 The update information area management information is updated while being stored in the update information area of the block. When the update information cannot be acquired due to communication failure or the like, the output device 7 presents the unit area to the operator of the map information processing device. In step 30,
The map data of the processing target unit area obtained in step 26 is acquired from the map information storage device 3. In step 31,
Among the map data acquired in step 30, if the update information of the unit area is present in the retained version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage device 6, the map data is updated by the difference data of the update information. In step 32, a predetermined navigation process is performed using the map data obtained in step 30 and not updated in step 31 and the map data updated in step 31. In step 33, the instruction of the operator of the map information processing apparatus is acquired from the input device 1, and it is determined whether or not the update status is required to be displayed.
4 and go to step 20 if update status presentation is not required
Then, the above process is repeated. In step 34,
The output device 7 presents the presence / absence of an update in each unit area based on the inter-version update location information in the update location information area of the version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage device 6.
Thereby, the provider update status can be presented to the operator of the map information processing apparatus. FIG. 16 is a presentation example of the provider update state, in which the unit area indicated by a dotted line like a is not updated, and the unit area indicated by a thick line like b or c is updated. Indicates that. Step 35
Then, in the update information block corresponding to the version number held in the update information storage device 6, a unit area in which update information is present and the update destination version number matches the update destination version number of the inter-version update location information is obtained, and the obtained unit area Is presented by the output device 7. This allows the operator of the map information processing apparatus to be presented with an updated location correspondence state indicating how much updated location can be handled, that is, at which location the map information processing based on the newly updated map information is possible. it can. FIG. 16 is a presentation example of the update state, and shows that the unit area that is presented by being superimposed on the provider update state presented in step 34 and filled in as in c corresponds to the degree update location.

Then, the process returns to step 20, and the above process is repeated. Step 100 shown in FIG. 14 as described above.
-10 to 3, it becomes possible to acquire the version update location information without transmitting the update location correspondence status to the map information providing device, and the version update location information corresponding to the number of retained versions is not held or the update date has passed. It is possible to acquire the version update location information and the provided version number information only while the map information is being provided, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of communication with the map information providing device and to perform map information processing without delay. In addition, the above step 11
When the whole map information stored in the map information storage device 3 is changed to a new version by 0 to 114, the version update location information corresponding to the version can be acquired, and the previous version map information is restored again. In this case, only when the scheduled update date has passed, new version update location information for that version can be acquired, communication with the map information providing device can be suppressed, and map information processing can be performed without delay. You can Further, in steps 25 to 31, the update information of the location updated at the location necessary for the map information processing is acquired and the map information is updated, and the map information processing based on the latest map information is enabled. Also,
In step 29, it is possible to present that the update information could not be obtained and inform the operator of the map information processing apparatus that the map information processing will be performed using the map information before the update. Further, in steps 33 to 35, the operator of the map information processing apparatus is presented with the provider update status and the update location correspondence status, and how the map information processing apparatus can cope with the latest update of the map information. I can tell you

Embodiment 2. In FIG. 17, (a) is
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing an update information block used in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, an update map data area for storing update map data is added to the update information block of FIG. 12B, The update information area management information is the information for managing the above update map data in addition to the update information. The update information area management information manages the update information in the same manner as in FIG. 6, and the unit area record includes the presence / absence of the update information of the corresponding unit area, the location, the data size, the presence / absence of the update map data, the location, and the data size. I am trying to store it. 17B is an example of update map data, which is obtained by updating with the update source version number and the update destination version number, the management unit area coordinates and relative unit area coordinates of the unit area, and the update information of the unit area. Have map data.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operation of the data processing device 5 in the second embodiment, and steps 40, 41, 42 showing the processing of steps 27, 30, 31, 32, 35 of the flow chart of FIG. Four
The processing is replaced with the processing of Nos. 4 and 45, and step 43 is added. In step 40, the update information and update map data of the retained version number corresponding update information block in the update information storage device 6 are referred to, and the update information and update map data of each primary request unit area obtained in step 26 and the update map data are updated. Check the previous version number and request the unit area where both update information and update map data do not exist, or the unit area where the update information or the update destination version number of the update map data is older than the update destination version number of the version update location information. The number of these unit areas as areas,
The management unit area coordinates and the relative unit area coordinates are obtained. According to the above steps, new update information should be acquired in the primary request unit area. A unit area having neither update information nor update map data, a unit area having update information with an outdated version number, an old version. A unit area having updated map data of different edition numbers can be obtained.

In step 41, the update information block corresponding to the retained version number of the update information storage device 6 is referred to, and step 25
Obtain the unit areas other than those for which the update destination version number of the update map data of each processing target unit area that was obtained in step 3) matches the update destination version number of the version update location information, and map the map data of those unit areas It is acquired from the information storage device 3. By the above steps, the map data of the unit area that has not been updated or the version number of the updated map data is old can be obtained. Step 4
In step 2, the update information area management information of the update information block corresponding to the retained version number of the update information storage device 6 is referred to, and step 4
In the map data acquired in step 1, the update information of the unit area is present, the map data is updated by the difference data of the update information, and the updated map data corresponds to the version number of the update information storage device 6. The update information block is stored in the update map data area, the update map data area is updated, the update information used for the above update of the update information area is deleted from the update information area, and the update information area management information is updated. . At step 43, the update information block corresponding to the retained version number of the update information storage device 6 is referred to,
Updated map data in which the update destination version number of each process target unit area update map data obtained in step 25 matches the update destination version number of the inter-version update location information is obtained, and those map data are acquired. Through the above steps, updated map data updated to the latest version in the unit area to be processed can be obtained. In step 44, the map data obtained in step 41 and not updated in step 42, the map data updated in step 42, and step 43
Predetermined navigation processing is performed using the map data obtained in. In step 45, in the update information block corresponding to the version number held in the update information storage device 6, the update destination version number of the update information matches the update destination version number of the inter-version update location information or the update destination version of the update map data. A unit area whose number matches the update destination version number of the inter-version update location information is obtained and presented by the obtained unit area output device 7. This allows the operator of the map information processing apparatus to be presented with the updated location corresponding state. As described above, in steps 25 to 44, the update information of the location updated at the location where the map information processing is required is acquired, the map information is updated, and the updated map information is stored in the update information storage device 6 and becomes unnecessary. The update information is deleted from the update information storage device 6, and the update processing when reusing the map information at the updated location is unnecessary, and the map information processing is performed quickly.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the distribution server 13 in the map information providing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In response to the request information in which the request identification in FIG. It is intended to be provided. A determination when the request identification is the update information capacity request is added to the processing of step 10 of the flowchart of FIG. 11, and when the request identification is the update information capacity request, the process proceeds to step 15, and steps 15 and 16 are executed. It was added. In step 15, from the update information database 11 according to the request information acquired in step 10, the version number VerR (R = 0, 1, 2, ..., Shown by the version number information of the unit area designation information of the update information).
Inter-version update information U regarding update from N-1) to VerN
The data size of the update information of the unit area specified by the unit area specification information of the update information in I (VerR, VerN) is acquired, and the update information data of all the unit areas specified by the update information acquired in step 10 is acquired. Find the sum of the sizes. In step 16, the return identification code of the update information capacity return illustrated in FIG. 20 is used as a code indicating the update information capacity, the total data size obtained in step 15 is used as the update information capacity, and this update information capacity return is performed by the transmission / reception device 10. Is transmitted to the transmission / reception device 4 of the map information processing device requested by, and the process returns to step 10.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data processing device 5 according to the third embodiment, which is obtained by adding step 50 to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of step 50. In step 120, it is confirmed using the output device 7 and the input device 1 whether or not the operator of the map information processing device desires to collectively obtain the update information. Then, when batch acquisition is performed, the process proceeds to step 121. When batch acquisition is not performed, the update information batch acquisition process is terminated and the process proceeds to step 22. Step 12
In 1, the unit area that has been updated is presented to the operator of the map information processing apparatus by the output apparatus 7 by referring to the version update location information of the version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage apparatus 6. In step 122, the update information storage device 6
The unit area in which the update-destination version number of the update information matches the update-destination version number of the inter-version update location information is referred to by the output device 7 and the operator of the map information processing device is referred to. To present. In step 123, the operator of the map information processing apparatus obtains the unit areas included in the area desired by the operator of the map information processing apparatus from the input apparatus 1, and obtains the management area unit coordinates and the unit area coordinates thereof. . In step 124, in the unit area obtained in step 123, the update destination version number of the update information of the retained version number corresponding update information block of the update information storage device 6 matches the update destination version number of the inter-version update location information. Existing unit areas, the number of them, the management area unit coordinates, and the unit area coordinates are obtained. In step 125, the update identification code is a code indicating the update information capacity request, the number of unit areas obtained in step 124 is the unit area number in the unit area designation information, and the management unit area obtained in step 124 is the unit area designation information. The transmission / reception device 4 transmits request information in which the coordinate, the relative unit area coordinate, and the retained version number of the retained version number information area of the update information storage device 6 are set to the map information providing device. In Step 126, Step 1
The transmission / reception device 4 receives the update information capacity return returned from the map information providing apparatus in response to the request information transmitted in 25, and acquires the update information capacity in the update information capacity return. In step 127, the time and fee required to acquire the update information from the information providing station are calculated based on the update information capacity obtained in step 126, and the output device 7 presents the charge to the operator of the map information processing device. In step 128, whether or not to confirm the area selected in step 123 as the area desired by the operator of the map information processing apparatus is input from the input device 1, and if confirmed, the procedure proceeds to step 129.
Otherwise, go to step 123. Step 129
Then, the update identification is used as the update information request, the number of unit areas obtained in step 124 is set as the unit area number in the unit area designation information, and the management unit area coordinates, the relative unit area coordinates obtained in step 124 are set as the unit area designation information, The transmission / reception device 4 transmits request information in which the retained version number in the retained version number information area of the update information storage device 6 is set to the map information providing device. In step 130, the transmission / reception device 4 receives the update information returned from the map information providing device in response to the request information transmitted in step 125, and the received update information is stored in the update information storage device 6 corresponding to the retained version number. The update information area management information is stored while being stored in the update information area of the block, the update information batch acquisition process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step 22. As described above, the operator of the map information processing apparatus is presented with the provider update status, the update location corresponding status, the time required to acquire the update information of the selected location, and the fee, and the operator displays the presented information. It is possible to obtain the update information at a desired location with reference.

Fourth Embodiment 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data processing device 5 according to the fourth embodiment, and steps 121 and 122 of the flowchart of FIG.
The processing of step 140 is step 140. Step 1
At 40, the version information corresponding to the retained version number in the update information storage device 6 is referred to, and in the unit area being updated indicated by the inter-version update location information in the update location information area,
A unit area that does not hold the update information in the update information area,
Alternatively, unit areas whose update destination version number of the update information in the update information area is older than the update destination information of the inter-version update location information in the update location information area are obtained, and these unit areas are operated by the output device 7 of the map information processing device. Present to the person. In this way, the location of the updated information is presented to the operator of the map information processing apparatus.

Although the map information storage device 3 and the update information storage device 6 are separate storage devices in the first to fourth embodiments, they may be the same storage device as long as they are writable storage devices. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the difference data is used as the update information, but the result data obtained by the update may be used. Moreover, Embodiments 1 to 4
In the above, the map data is not hierarchized, but the map data may be hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies. Also,
In the first to fourth embodiments, the map data is managed and updated on a map-data basis. However, the map data is divided into several pieces according to various types of data, and each piece is managed independently.
You may make it update. Moreover, Embodiments 1 to 4
In the above, although the unit area and the management unit area are rectangular, they may have any shape. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the version update information has two layers, but it may have three or more layers. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the version update information is acquired when the scheduled update date has passed, but may be acquired after the scheduled update date is approached. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the required information is designated for each unit area in the update information request, but the designation information regarding the area that is not required hierarchically and is designated in the same manner as the version update location information. May not be included. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the required information is designated for each unit area in the request for the update information, but the designation information regarding the area that is not required hierarchically is designated by the same method as the version update location information. May not be included. Further, in the third to fourth embodiments, the required area is specified for each unit area in the request for the update information capacity, but is specified hierarchically by the same method as the version update location information, and the specification regarding the unnecessary area. The information may not be included. In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, the fee required to acquire the update information may be presented when the update information is acquired.

[0048]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the map information storage means for storing the map information and the updated location information indicating the updated location of the map information updated from a certain version to a new version are acquired. Stored in the map information storage means by the update location information acquisition means, the update information acquisition means for obtaining the update information for updating the data at the update location based on the update location information, and the update information obtained by the update information acquisition means. A map information processing device having an updating means for updating the map information is provided, and an update location database showing an update location between versions of the map data is provided, and the update location information is provided to the map information processing apparatus based on the update location database. By constructing a map information update system characterized by comprising a map information providing device having an update location information providing means to be provided, map information processing can be performed without delay. The effect of enabling the cost reduction of the start to communicate cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the map information storage means for storing the map information and the update location information for indicating the updated location of the map information updated from a certain version to a new version are updated. Map information stored in the map information storage means by the location information acquisition means and the update information acquisition means for obtaining update information for updating the data at the update location based on the update location information and the update information obtained by the update information acquisition means It is possible to start the map information processing without delay because it is possible to acquire the version update location information without sending the information indicating the update location correspondence status to the map information providing device as in the conventional case. There is an effect that a map information processing device having a lower cost can be obtained.

According to the third configuration of the present invention, in the second configuration of the present invention, the update location information acquisition means for acquiring the update location information indicating the update location for the map information of the desired version number. Since the update location information for the desired version number is acquired, only the update location information suitable for the version number of the map information processing device can be acquired, and the map information processing can be started without delay and the communication cost can be reduced. There is an effect that a cheaper map information processing device can be obtained.

According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second and third configurations of the present invention, the update location information is hierarchized and does not include the update location information of the area where the update location does not exist. Since the updated location information acquisition means for acquiring the updated location information is provided, there is an effect that map information processing can be started without delay and a map information processing apparatus with lower communication cost can be obtained.

According to the fifth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth configurations of the present invention, regarding the data of the update location indicated by the update location information, the update information is held or updated. Since the update information acquisition means is provided so as not to acquire the update information when the already stored data is already held, there is an effect that a map information processing device having a lower communication cost can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fifth aspects of the present invention, the update location information acquisition time designating means for determining the acquisition location of the update location information based on the scheduled update date. Also, since the update location information acquisition means for acquiring the update location information at the time designated by the update location information acquisition timing designating means is provided, the map information can be updated without delay and the communication cost is lower. The information processing device can be obtained.

According to the seventh configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to sixth configurations of the present invention, it is detected that the version number of the map information stored in the map information storage means is changed. Since the version number change detecting means and the update point information acquiring means for acquiring the update point information for the changed version number when the change in the version number is detected by the version number change detecting means are provided, the map Even if the version number of the information is changed, there is an effect that the map information processing apparatus that can acquire the update information without delay is obtained.

According to the eighth structure of the present invention, in the seventh structure of the present invention, when the version number change detecting means detects a change in the version number, the update state information for the changed version number is held. If not, since the update location information acquisition means for acquiring the update location information is provided, there is an effect that a map information processing apparatus having a lower communication cost can be obtained without obtaining unnecessary update information.

According to the ninth structure of the present invention, in any one of the seventh and eighth structures of the present invention, when the version number change detecting means detects the change of the version number, the changed version number is detected. When the update location information for is held, the update location information for the changed version number is acquired at the time designated by the update location information acquisition timing designating means.
Even if the version number of the map information is changed, there is an effect that a map information processing device can be obtained which can acquire the update information without delay.

According to the tenth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to ninth configurations of the present invention, the provider update state presenting means for presenting the update state of the map information of the provider is provided. There is an effect that a map information processing device can be obtained in which the operator of the map information processing device can recognize the location where the map information is updated.

According to the eleventh configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to tenth configurations of the present invention, the update location for presenting the update location corresponding status indicating the status corresponding to the update location of the map information. Since the correspondence state presenting means is provided, there is an effect that the operator of the map information processing device can obtain the map information processing device which can recognize the portion where the map information and the updated portion of the map information can be dealt with.

According to the twelfth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to eleventh configurations of the present invention, the update location of the portion which is the target of the map information processing is linked with the map information processing. Since the processing interlocking state presenting means for presenting the corresponding state is provided, the operator of the map information processing apparatus can immediately recognize that the update of the map information is not reflected in the currently obtained map information processing result. There is an effect that the device can be obtained.

According to the thirteenth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the second to twelfth configurations of the present invention, the update information acquisition location designating means for designating the location where the update information is desired to be obtained is provided. There is an effect that a map information processing apparatus capable of acquiring update information desired by an operator of the map information processing apparatus is obtained.

According to the fourteenth configuration of the present invention, in the thirteenth configuration of the present invention, the update information required point presenting means for presenting the point where the update information needs to be obtained is provided.
There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a map information processing device in which an operator of the map information processing device can easily select update information at a desired position.

According to the fifteenth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the thirteenth and fourteenth configurations of the present invention, the update information to the latest version is held at the location designated by the update information obtaining location designating means. Since the update information acquisition means is provided to acquire the update information of the missing part or the part that does not have the data updated to the latest version, a map with lower communication cost without acquiring unnecessary update information The information processing device can be obtained.

According to the sixteenth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth configurations of the present invention, it is necessary time acquisition means for presenting a time required for acquisition of update information or acquisition of update information. Since the required fee presenting means for presenting the fee is provided, it is possible to obtain the map information processing apparatus capable of notifying the required time and the fee in advance when acquiring the update information desired by the operator of the map information processing apparatus. .

According to the seventeenth structure of the present invention, the update location database having the update location between the version numbers of the map data is provided, and the update location providing the update location information to the map information processing device based on the update location database. Since the information providing means is provided, it is not necessary to receive information indicating the updated location correspondence state from the map information processing device as in the conventional case, and the map information processing device can perform the map information processing without delay and reduce the communication cost. There is an effect that a map information providing device that enables it can be obtained.

According to the eighteenth configuration of the present invention, in the seventeenth configuration of the present invention, the update location information providing means for providing the update location information indicating the update location for the map information of the desired version number is provided. Since it is provided, it is possible to provide only the update location information suitable for the version number of the map information processing device, and the map information processing device can perform the map information processing without delay,
There is an effect that a map information providing device that can reduce the communication cost can be obtained.

According to the nineteenth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the seventeenth and eighteenth configurations of the present invention, the hierarchical update location information does not include the update location information of the area where the update location does not exist. Since the updated location information providing means for providing the updated location information described above is provided, a map information providing apparatus that enables map information processing without delay on the map information processing apparatus side and communication cost reduction can be obtained. effective.

According to the twentieth configuration of the present invention, in any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth configurations of the present invention, the scheduled update date providing means for providing the scheduled update date is provided. Therefore, the map information processing apparatus side There is an effect that a map information providing apparatus that can update map information without delay and reduce communication costs can be obtained.

According to the twenty-first configuration of the present invention, in any one of the seventeenth to twentieth configurations of the present invention, the update information capacity providing means for providing the information indicating the data capacity of the update information is provided. There is an effect that a map information providing apparatus capable of presenting the required time for acquiring update information and the required fee in advance on the map information processing apparatus side can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information updating system for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a map information processing apparatus for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a map information providing device for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing map information for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a map data creation range and area division for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a map data management method for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing map data management information, a management unit reference table, and a unit area reference table for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an update information database, inter-version update information, and update information for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an update location information database and version update location information for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a request information for explaining the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, unit area designation information, update location information return,
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the return of update information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the distribution server for explaining the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing storage information and update information blocks in an update information storage device for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the data processing device for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the data processing device for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of the data processing device for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing a presentation example by an output device in a provider update state for explaining Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing an update information block and update map data for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of the data processing device for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the distribution server to explain Embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention.

[Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a configuration diagram showing update information capacity return for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation of the data processing device for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data processing device for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation of the data processing device for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional map information processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

A map information providing device, B1 to Bn map information processing device, 1 input device, 2 vehicle position detecting device, 3 map information storage device, 4 transmission / reception device, 5 data processing device, 6 update information storage device, 7 output device, 1
0 transmitting / receiving device, 11 update information database, 12
Update location database, 13 Delivery server.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masaharu Umezu             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomoya Ikeuchi             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C032 HB11 HB25 HC08 HC11                 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC02 AC06 AC14                       AC18                 5B050 AA08 BA10 BA17 CA05 CA08                       FA19 GA08                 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB15 EE10 FF05                       FF13 FF22 FF25 FF27 FF32

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A map information storage means for storing map information, an updated location information acquisition means for obtaining updated location information indicating an updated location of map information updated from a certain version to a new version, and updated location information. A map having update information acquisition means for acquiring update information for updating the data at the update location based on the update information and update means for updating the map information stored in the map information storage means with the update information acquired by the update information acquisition means. Map information including an information processing device, an update location database indicating an update location between versions of map data, and update location information providing means for providing update location information to the map information processing apparatus based on the update location database A map information updating system characterized by comprising a providing device. 2. A map information storage means for storing map information, an updated location information acquisition means for obtaining updated location information indicating an updated location of map information updated from a certain version to a new version, and updated location information. An update information acquisition means for acquiring update information for updating the data at the update location based on the update information and an update means for updating the map information stored in the map information storage means by the update information acquired by the update information acquisition means. Characteristic map information processing device. 3. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the update location information acquisition means acquires update location information indicating an update location for a desired version of the map information. 4. The update location information is obtained by hierarchizing the update location information acquisition means and not including the update location information of an area where the update location does not exist. The map information processing device according to any one of Items 2 and 3. 5. With respect to the data at the update location indicated by the update location information, the update information acquisition means does not obtain the update information when the update information is held or when the updated data is already held. The map information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein 6. An update location information acquisition timing designating means for determining the acquisition timing of update location information based on the scheduled update date,
The map information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the update location information acquisition means acquires the update location information at a time designated by the update location information acquisition timing designating means. 7. A version number change detection means for detecting that the version number of the map information stored in the map information storage means is changed, and the update location information acquisition means is provided by the version number change detection means. 7. The map information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein when the change is detected, the update location information for the changed version number is acquired. 8. The update location information acquisition means acquires the update location information when the version number change detection means detects a change in the version number and does not have the update location information for the changed version number. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein
The map information processing device described in. 9. The update location information acquisition means specifies the update location information acquisition timing when the version number change detection means detects a change in the version number and holds the update location information for the changed version number. 9. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the updated location information for the changed version number is acquired at a time designated by the means. 10. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a provider update state presenting means for presenting an update state of the map information of the provider. 11. The map information according to any one of claims 2 to 10, further comprising an update point correspondence state presenting means for presenting an update point correspondence state showing a state of correspondence of the map information to the update point. Processing equipment. 12. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a processing interlocking state presenting unit that interlocks with the map information processing and presents an updated portion corresponding state of a portion targeted for the map information processing. The map information processing device described in Crab. 13. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising update information acquisition location designating means for designating a location desired to obtain update information. 14. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising update information required location presenting means for presenting a location where the update information needs to be acquired. 15. An update information acquisition means is used to update a location designated by the update information acquisition location designation means that does not have update information to the latest version or a location that does not have data updated to the latest version. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the map information processing apparatus acquires information. 16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising a required time presenting means for presenting a time required for acquiring the update information or a required fee presenting means for presenting a charge required for acquiring the update information. The described map information processing device. 17. An update location database showing update locations between versions of map data, and update location information providing means for providing update location information to a map information processing device based on the update location database. Map information providing device. 18. The map information providing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the update location information providing means is configured to provide update location information indicating an update location for the map information of a desired version number. 19. The update location information is provided so as not to include the update location information of the area where the update location does not exist in the update location information in which the update location information providing means is hierarchized. The map information providing device according to any one of 18 and 19. 20. The map information providing device according to claim 17, further comprising a scheduled update date providing means for providing a scheduled update date. 21. The map information providing device according to claim 17, further comprising update information capacity providing means for providing information indicating a data capacity of the update information.