JP2006065246A - Method and system for map data update of car navigation device, car navigation device, and map information server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain only necessary updated map data through simple operation at a low communication cost. <P>SOLUTION: A car navigation device searches for a route under search conditions that an user indicates by using its own map data and transmits the used search conditions, a predicted travel distance and version information of used map data, to a map information server. The map information server calculates a predicted travel distance by making a route search with the same search conditions and the same algorithm by using updated map data. When there is a difference between the two predicted travel distances, version information of section map data of areas along the route searched for by the server is compared with version information received from the car navigation device and map difference data for matching the section map data of the car navigation device with the section map data of the server are extracted and transmitted to the car navigation device to update the map data of the car navigation device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing updated map data from a map information server to a car navigation device that performs route search and route guidance from a current position of a vehicle to a destination.

  In recent years, car navigation devices that display the current position of a vehicle on a map or search for an optimal travel route to a destination and guide a driver have become widespread. In order to perform such vehicle current position display, route search, and route guidance, the car navigation system has detailed electronic map data divided into sections. This map data includes map data for drawing for drawing a map within a predetermined range centered on the own vehicle position detected using a GPS receiver or the like, and road data for searching for an optimum travel route to the destination. It consists of marks indicating the locations of various facilities on a map, facility data for introducing these facilities, and the like.

  Such map data is obtained by a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or a recording device, or recently by a method of downloading to an HDD via a communication line. However, the actual road network is constantly changing as new roads are opened and closed. Therefore, it is necessary to update the map data once obtained in order to reflect such a latest road condition. If neglected, there will be inconveniences such as guidance of a conventional roundabout route or guidance of a route through a closed road in spite of a newly opened shortcut.

  Such updating of map data is usually performed by exchanging the storage media in an apparatus that uses map data while being stored in a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD. On the other hand, an apparatus that stores and uses map data in an HDD often employs a method of acquiring and updating map data of a category requiring update from a map information center via a communication line.

  As a map updating technique using such a communication line, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a car navigation device periodically receives and updates updated map data from a map information center. However, in such a method of regularly receiving updated map data, since the amount of map data is large, the communication takes time and the communication cost increases. In addition, there is a problem that the expense of the user is increased by receiving update data that is less necessary.

  In Patent Document 2, the latest version information of map data is received from the map information center at a predetermined timing, and only a new version of map data is transmitted from the map information center by comparison with the version of map data in the navigation device. The technology to be received is disclosed. However, if a new version of map data is frequently received at a predetermined timing, the communication time becomes longer. In addition, there is a problem that it is expensive to purchase unnecessary map data.

Further, in Patent Document 3, a route search request from a communication type navigation device is received at a map information center, and a route searched by executing a route search at the center side, necessary map identification information and update information are sent to the navigation device. Send back. The navigation device compares the received necessary map identification information and update information with the map information owned by itself, determines the map that needs to be updated, and requests the map information center to send the updated map data to update it. Technology is disclosed. However, this method requires at least four data exchanges between the navigation device and the map information center in order to obtain updated map data. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time to obtain the updated map data and the communication cost increases due to an increase in the amount of communication.
JP-A-08-95488 JP 2004-108834 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-77095

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the prior art, and its object is to make it possible to obtain only the update map data having a high necessity with a simple operation and at a low communication cost. .

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problem is a method for updating map data held by a car navigation device, using the map data held by the car navigation device according to a search condition designated by a user. The map information server includes a first stage for performing a route search to the destination, a search condition used by the car navigation device for the route search, a predicted travel distance based on the searched route, and version information of the used map data. The second stage of transmission and the map information server performs route search by the same route search algorithm using the updated map data held by itself under the same conditions as the search conditions sent from the car navigation device. 3 and the predicted mileage by the route that the map information server has searched for and received from the car navigation device. Compared to the predicted mileage, if both match, it is not necessary to update the map data. If there is a difference between the two, the divided map of the area along the route searched by itself Comparing the version information of the data with the version information of the section map data of the same area held by the car navigation device, the map difference data for matching the section map data of the section of the car navigation device with the own section map data A fourth stage of extracting and transmitting to the car navigation device that the extracted map difference data and the map data need to be updated; and when the map difference data is transmitted, the car navigation device receives it And a fifth step of updating the corresponding portion of the map data held by itself with the map difference data. A map data update method of ® emission devices.

The version means the version number (hereinafter the same in this specification).
According to such a map data update method, the map data along the route searched by the map information server from the determination result of the match / mismatch between the two predicted travel distances for the searched route and the map held by the car navigation device It is possible to easily determine the same / non-identity with the data. Moreover, since the map difference data sent from the map information server is only the difference data necessary for traveling to the destination according to the searched route, the car navigation device obtains unnecessary map data and extra costs. No longer pay. Further, the communication between the car navigation apparatus and the map information server at the time of the update has an advantage that the communication cost can be reduced because only one round trip is required.

Further, in the map data update method for the car navigation device according to claim 1, when the map data is updated in the fifth stage, the map data after the update is provided. And a sixth step of performing a route search again under the same search conditions as in the first step and presenting the result to the user.
If the route search is executed again based on the map data updated in this way, the optimum travel route based on the latest map data is presented to the user.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the map data update method for the car navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the version information of the used map data is the entire map data at the time of acquiring the entire map data. The version information added to the version information and the version information about each of the segmented map data updated thereafter.

  In this way, if one version information attached to the entire map at the time of acquisition of map data and version information about the segmented map data updated thereafter are transmitted, all of the car navigation device possessed by the map information server side You can know the version information about the map data. Further, according to this method, the amount of version information transmitted from the car navigation device to the map information server can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map data updating method for a car navigation device according to the first or second aspect, the version information of the used map data is version information for all the segmented map data. It is characterized by being.
In this way, if the version information of all the map data held by the car navigation device is transmitted, the map information server accurately grasps the version information about all the divided map data held by the car navigation device. Can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map data update system possessed by the car navigation device, wherein the map information server that provides the updated map data communicates with the car navigation device that receives the provided update map data. Connected via a network,
The car navigation device includes a route search unit that searches for a route to a destination using map data held by the user according to a search condition instructed by a user, a predicted travel distance by a route searched by the route search unit, Search result transmitting means for transmitting the search condition and version information of the used map data to the map information server via the communication network, and map difference data for updating the map data from the map information server. If it is sent, it will be received and updated to update its own map data, and if there is no need to update, update map data to inform the user Means, and
The map information server uses the same map as the search condition sent from the search result transmission means, and uses the updated map data held by itself, and the same route as the route search means of the car navigation device The server side route search means for performing a route search by the search algorithm, the predicted travel distance by the route searched by the server side route search means and the predicted travel distance sent from the search result transmission means are compared. If there is a difference, the map data need not be updated. If there is a difference between the two, the version information of the section map data of the area along the route searched by the server side route search means and the search result transmission. The section map data of the area of the car navigation device is automatically compared with the version information of the section map data of the same area sent from the means. A map difference data extraction and transmission means for extracting map difference data for matching with the segmented map data and transmitting to the car navigation device that the extracted map difference data and the map data need to be updated. It is the map data update system of the car navigation device characterized.
According to such a map data update system, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 can be obtained.

The invention according to claim 6 is the map data update system for the car navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the map data update means of the car navigation device updates the map data. The route search means performs a re-search of the route to the destination using the updated map data and presents the result to the user.
According to such a map data update system, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 2 can be obtained.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the map data update system for the car navigation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the version information of the used map data is the entire map data at the time of acquiring the entire map data. The version information added to the version information and the version information about each of the segmented map data updated thereafter.
According to such a map data update system, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 3 is obtained.

The invention described in claim 8 is the map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the version information of the used map data is version information for all the segmented map data. It is characterized by being.
According to such a map data update system, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 4 is obtained.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a car navigation device having map data for navigation, and searches for a route to a destination using map data held by the user in accordance with a search condition designated by the user. Search result transmission for transmitting to the map information server via the communication network the route search means to perform, the predicted travel distance by the route searched by the route search means, the search condition, and the version information of the map data used If the map difference data for updating the map data is transmitted from the map information server, it is not necessary to update that the map difference data is received and updated by updating its own map data. A car navigation device comprising map data updating means for notifying the user of the fact that the fact is transmitted. It is.

  In this way, if the estimated travel distance by the searched route is sent to the map information server in addition to the search conditions for the route search performed by the car navigation device and the version information of the used map data, the map information server side Update the map data held by the car navigation device by calculating the predicted mileage by performing route search under the same search conditions using the latest map data and comparing it with the predicted mileage sent from the car navigation device It is possible to easily determine whether or not there is a necessity. Further, since the communication with the map information server at the time of updating the map data only needs to be performed once each for transmission and reception, the communication time can be shortened and the communication cost can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 10 is the car navigation device according to claim 9, wherein the route search means when the map data update means of the car navigation apparatus updates map data. Is characterized in that it uses the updated map data to re-search the route to the destination and present the result to the user.
If the route search is executed again based on the map data updated in this way, the optimum travel route based on the latest map data is presented to the user.

The invention according to claim 11 is the car navigation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the version information of the used map data refers to the entire map data when the entire map data is acquired. It is characterized by the version information attached and the version information about each piece of map data updated thereafter.
According to such a car navigation apparatus, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 3 is obtained.

The invention according to claim 12 is the car navigation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the version information of the used map data is version information for all the segmented map data. Features.
According to such a car navigation device, the same effect as that of the fourth aspect of the invention can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 13 is a map information server that distributes updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation, under the same conditions as the search conditions sent from the car navigation device. Server-side route searching means for searching for a route using the same route search algorithm as the car navigation device using the updated map data held by itself, and a predicted travel distance based on the route searched by the server-side route searching means And the predicted mileage sent from the car navigation device, and if the two match, there is no need to update the map data. Version information of the division map data of the area along the route searched by the car navigation device and the version information The map difference data for comparing the section map data of the section of the car navigation device with the section map data of its own is extracted by comparing with the version information of the section map data of the same section, and the extracted map difference A map information server comprising map difference data extraction and transmission means for transmitting to the car navigation device that data and map data need to be updated.

  In this way, the route search is executed using the latest map data updated under the same conditions as the search conditions of the route search performed by the car navigation device, and the predicted travel distance by the searched route is sent from the car navigation device. When compared with the predicted travel distance, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the map data held by the car navigation device needs to be updated. In addition, by comparing the version information of the section map data of the area along the searched route with the version information of the same section map data received from the car navigation device, it is possible to easily identify the section map data that needs to be updated. The map difference data necessary for updating can be easily extracted.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for updating map data held by a car navigation device, wherein the map information server is provided with an ID of segmented map data that can be updated for the car navigation device and its version information. And the car navigation device receives and stores it, and the car navigation device performs route search to the destination using map data held in accordance with the search conditions designated by the user. And the ID of the section map data of the area along the route searched by the route search and the ID received in the seventh stage are compared, and the version map of the map map data with the matching ID is old and new If the version received in the seventh step is newer and the segment map data with the ID can be updated, An eighth stage of requesting the map information server to transmit data, and a map information server in response to the request to transmit updated segmented map data of the requested segmented map data to the car navigation device; A map of the car navigation device comprising: a step 9 and a tenth step in which the car navigation device receives the segmented map data transmitted in the ninth step and updates its own map data. This is a data update method.

Here, the ID of the section map data refers to an index such as a number, a symbol, and a code for specifying the section map data (hereinafter the same in this specification).
According to such a map data updating method, it is possible to obtain only the updated segmented map data for the segmented map data of the area along the searched route. Accordingly, unnecessary updated map data that is not used immediately is not obtained, which is effective in suppressing acquisition costs and communication costs.

The invention according to claim 15 is the map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 14, wherein the map data is updated in the tenth stage when the map data is updated. The method further includes a tenth step of using the map data and performing a route search again under the same search conditions as in the eighth step and presenting a result to the user.
If the route search is executed again based on the map data updated in this way, the optimum travel route based on the latest map data is presented to the user.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map data update system possessed by the car navigation device, wherein the map information server that provides the updated map data communicates with the car navigation device that receives the provided update map data. Connected via a network,
The map information server is requested in response to a request from the car navigation device, an updateable map information providing means for transmitting an ID of the updatable divided map data and version information thereof to the car navigation device. Updated map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to the ID,
The car navigation device uses the updatable map information storage means for receiving and storing the information transmitted by the updatable map information providing means, and the map data held according to the search conditions specified by the user. The route search means for performing the route search up to, and the ID of the section map data of the area along the route searched by the route search and the ID sent from the updatable map information providing means are compared, and the matched ID If the version received from the updatable map information providing means is newer than the new and old versions of the segmented map data, the updated segmented map data corresponding to the ID is transmitted as the map information. Update segment map data transmission request means for requesting the server, and receiving the segment map data transmitted in response to the request A map data updating means for updating the Figure, a map data updating system of the car navigation system, characterized in that it comprises a.
According to such a map data update system, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 14 can be obtained.

The invention according to claim 17 is the map data update system for the car navigation device according to claim 16, wherein the map data update means of the car navigation device updates the map data. The route search means performs a re-search of the route to the destination using the updated map data and presents the result to the user.
If the route search is executed again based on the map data updated in this way, the optimum travel route based on the latest map data is presented to the user.

  The invention according to claim 18 is a car navigation device having map data for navigation, and receives and stores the ID of the updatable divided map data transmitted from the map information server and its version information. Updateable map information storage means, route search means for searching for a route to a destination using map data held in accordance with a search condition designated by the user, and along a route searched by the route search The section map data ID of the area is compared with the ID stored in the updatable map information storage means, and the map map data storage means that can be updated by comparing the old and new versions of the matched map ID map data. If the version stored in is newer, the map information server needs to transmit the updated segmented map data corresponding to the ID. An updated segmented map data transmission requesting unit, and a map data updating unit that receives the segmented map data transmitted in response to the request and updates its own map data. is there.

  According to such a car navigation device, it is possible to obtain only updated segmented map data for segmented map data of an area along the searched route. Accordingly, unnecessary updated map data that is not used immediately is not obtained, which is effective in suppressing acquisition costs and communication costs.

Further, the invention according to claim 19 is the car navigation device according to claim 18, wherein when the map data update means updates the map data, the route search means uses the updated map data. It is used to perform a re-search of the route to the destination and present the result to the user.
If the route search is executed again based on the map data updated in this way, the optimum travel route based on the latest map data is presented to the user.

  The invention according to claim 20 is a map information server that distributes updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation, and includes an ID of segmented map data that can be updated with respect to the car navigation device. Updateable map information providing means for transmitting the version information, and update map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data of the requested segmented map data in response to a request from the car navigation device. And a map information server characterized by comprising:

According to such a map information server, it is possible to easily notify the car navigation device with a small amount of data by transmitting the ID of the updateable segmented map data. In addition, since only the updated segment map data corresponding to the ID requested from the car navigation device is transmitted, and the segment map data not required by the car navigation device is not transmitted, the communication time is shortened.

  The invention according to claim 21 is a method for updating map data possessed by a car navigation device, wherein the map information server stores an area range designated in advance by a user, and at least one of the area ranges. A step of determining whether or not the partial map data including a part needs to be updated, and the updated partial map data of the divided map data that needs to be updated by the determination from the map information server to the car navigation device A map data update method for a car navigation device, comprising: a step of transmitting; and a step of updating the segment map data with data received by the car navigation device that has received the transmission of the updated segment map data is there.

  According to such a map data update method, the user can only register a frequently used area range in the map information server, and when the segmented map data including the area range is updated. It becomes possible to automatically obtain the updated segmented map data.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for updating map data possessed by a car navigation device, wherein the map information server stores an area range designated in advance by a user, and at least of the area ranges. A step of determining whether or not the partial map data including a part needs to be updated, a step of notifying the ID of the divided map data that needs to be updated by the determination to the car navigation device, and receiving the notification The car navigation device presents the report information to the user, and the car navigation device receives an instruction from the user and transmits the ID selected by the user from the report information to the map information server to update correspondingly. Requesting transmission of the sorted map data, and updating the sorted map data corresponding to the ID received by the map information server in response to the request. And transmitting to the over navigation device, a map data updating method of a car navigation system which comprises a the steps of updating the partition map data by the data car navigation apparatus receives that received the transmission.

  According to such a map data update method, the user can register a frequently used area range in the map information server only when the update data is generated in the segmented map data including the range. You can quickly find out the facts. Then, it is possible to determine which area of the map data has been updated based on the updated ID of the segment map data, and to obtain the segment map data only when it is determined to be necessary.

The invention according to claim 23 is the map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the area range is specified by an ID of the division map data.
According to such designation by ID, the area range desired by the user can be easily specified.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map data update method for a car navigation device according to the twenty-first or twenty-second aspect, the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified point. It is characterized by that.
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range, for example, around the home or around the workplace.

The invention according to claim 25 is the map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from the designated route. It is characterized by.
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range such as from home to work.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map data update system possessed by the car navigation device, wherein the map information server for providing the update map data communicates with the car navigation device for receiving the update map data. Connected via a network,
The map information server includes an area range storage means for storing an area range designated by the user in advance, and an area range for determining whether or not the segmented map data including at least a part of the area range needs to be updated. Map update presence / absence determining means, and update map data providing means for transmitting the updated segmented map data of the segmented map data required to be updated by the determination to the car navigation device,
The car navigation device is a map data update system for a car navigation device, comprising map data update means for receiving the updated segmented map data transmitted and updating the map data of the car navigation device.

  According to such a map data update method, the user only needs to register the area range desired to be monitored in the map information server, and when the segmented map data including the area range is updated, it is updated. It becomes possible to automatically obtain and update the division map data.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map data updating system possessed by a car navigation device, wherein a map information server that provides updated map data and a car navigation device that receives the provision of updated map data communicate with each other. Connected via a network,
The map information server includes an area range storage means for storing an area range designated by the user in advance, and an area range for determining whether or not the segmented map data including at least a part of the area range needs to be updated. In response to a request from the car navigation apparatus, a map update presence / absence determination means, an area range map update information reporting means for reporting the ID and version information of the segmented map data that needs to be updated by the determination, to the car navigation apparatus Update map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to the designated ID,
The car navigation device includes an area range map update information presenting means for presenting the report information from the area range map update information notifying means to the user, and an ID selected by the user from the report information in response to a user instruction. Update data transmission request means for requesting transmission of the corresponding updated segmented map data by transmitting to the map information server and receiving the updated segmented map data transmitted in response to the request A map data update system for a car navigation device, comprising:

  According to such a map data update method, the user can receive a notification that the segmented map data including the range has been updated only by registering the area range desired to be monitored in the map information server. it can. And it becomes possible to obtain and update the required updated map data at an early stage.

The invention according to claim 28 is the map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the area range is specified by an ID of the segmented map data.
According to such designation by ID, the area range desired by the user can be easily specified.

The invention according to claim 29 is the map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from a designated point. It is characterized by that.
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range, for example, around the home or around the workplace.

Further, the invention according to claim 30 is the map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from the designated route. It is characterized by.
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range such as from home to work.

  The invention according to claim 31 is a map information server that distributes updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation, and stores an area range specified in advance by a user. Means, a zone range map update presence / absence judging unit for judging whether or not the segment map data including at least a part of the zone range needs to be updated, and update of the segment map data that needs to be updated by the judgment An updated map data providing means for transmitting the segmented map data to the car navigation device.

  According to such a map information server, when the segment map data including the area range specified by the user is updated, the updated segment map data can be immediately transmitted to the car navigation device, and the user can It is possible to automatically obtain and update the updated segment map data without performing almost any operation.

  According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information server that distributes updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation, and stores an area range specified in advance by a user. Means, an area range map update presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the segment map data including at least a part of the area range needs to be updated, and an ID of the segment map data that needs to be updated by the judgment And an area map update information reporting means for reporting the version information to the car navigation device, and an updated map for transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to the specified ID in response to a request from the car navigation device And a data providing means.

  According to such a map information server, when the divided map data including the area range designated by the user is updated, it is possible to immediately notify the user's car navigation device to that effect. The user also receives the notification, and can update the required segmented map data by obtaining it at an early stage with a simple operation.

The invention according to claim 33 is the map information server according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the area range is specified by an ID of the division map data.
According to such designation by ID, the area range desired by the user can be easily specified.

The invention according to claim 34 is characterized in that, in the map information server according to claim 31 or 32, the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from a designated point. .
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range, for example, around the home or around the workplace.

The invention according to claim 35 is characterized in that, in the map information server according to claim 31 or 32, the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from the designated route.
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range such as from home to work.

  According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation device having map data for navigation, the area range notifying means for notifying the map information server of the area range specified by the user, and the map information server. A car navigation device comprising: map data update means for receiving updated updated map data and updating its own map data.

  According to such a car navigation device, the user only needs to report and register the frequently used area range from the car navigation device to the map information server, and when the segmented map data including the range is updated. Can automatically obtain and update the updated segmented map data.

  The invention as set forth in claim 37 is a car navigation device provided with map data for navigation, wherein an area range notifying means for notifying a map information server of an area range designated by a user, at least of the area ranges. Map information update necessity presenting means for receiving notification information from the map information server indicating that the partial map data including a part needs to be updated and presenting the notification information to the user, and receiving the instruction from the user An update data transmission request means for requesting transmission of the corresponding updated segmented map data by transmitting the ID of the segmented map data selected by the user from the information to the map information server, and transmitted in response to the request Car navigation system comprising: map data updating means for receiving updated segmented map data and updating own map data It is a down apparatus.

  According to such a car navigation device, the user can update the segmented map data including the area range only by a simple operation of reporting and registering the area range through which the user frequently passes to the map information server. You can receive a report of what has been done. And it becomes possible to obtain and update the required updated map data at an early stage.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the car navigation device according to the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh aspect, the area range is specified by an ID of the division map data.
According to such designation by ID, the area range desired by the user can be easily specified.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the car navigation device according to the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh aspect, the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from a designated point. And
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range, for example, around the home or around the workplace.

According to a 40th aspect of the present invention, in the car navigation device according to the 36th or 37th aspect, the area range is designated as an area within a predetermined distance range from the designated route. To do.
According to such a designation method, it is possible to easily designate a frequently used area range such as from home to work.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a map data update system for a car navigation apparatus according to the present invention. The map data update method will also be described with reference to FIG.

  The map data update system 1 includes a car navigation device 2 and a map information server 20. Although only one set of car navigation devices is shown in the figure, there are usually a plurality of car navigation devices. The map information server 20 and the car navigation apparatus 2 are connected via a communication network 15 so that they can communicate wirelessly. As the communication network 15, in this embodiment, a cellular phone network 16 and the Internet 17 connected thereto are used.

The car navigation device 2 includes a control circuit 3, a GPS receiver 4, an operation switch group 5, a display device 6, an audio output device 7, a communication device 8, and a magnetic disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 9. .
The control circuit 2 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the car navigation device 2 and is mainly composed of a microcomputer. Inside the CPU, RAM, ROM, I / O interface (not shown) are connected. A bus, power supply, etc. are provided.

  The GPS receiver 4 receives a signal from a GPS artificial satellite and transmits it to the control circuit 3. Based on the information, necessary arithmetic processing is performed in the control circuit 3 to calculate the current position of the vehicle. . The operation switch group 5 is a means for inputting various information such as commands and data to the control circuit 3, and is composed of, for example, a touch switch or a remote control switch formed on a color liquid crystal display.

The display device 6 is for displaying a road map, a current position of the vehicle, a route search result, route guidance, a map update guidance to be described later, and the like, and is configured by a color liquid crystal display, for example. The voice output device 7 is used to transmit output information from the control circuit 3 to the driver instead of artificial voice, and is used, for example, to transmit route guidance by voice.
The communication device 8 is for wireless communication with the map information server 20 described above, and communicates with the map information server 20 via the antenna 10, the base station 18 of the mobile phone network, the mobile phone network 16, and the Internet 17 connected thereto. To do.

  In the HDD 9, a map database storing purchased map data and various programs for operating the car navigation device 2 are stored in advance. This program includes a program for executing a general car navigation function in addition to a program for exerting the functions of the present invention described later, for example, a function for calculating a current position based on a signal from the GPS receiver 4 A map matching processing function that positions the calculated current position on the map, a route search function that searches for a route from the current position to the destination in response to designation of the destination or waypoint, and a guidance route according to the route search result A program for executing a route guidance function for displaying and guiding on a map screen, a function for receiving road traffic information from VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) and notifying a driver is included.

  In addition to the devices as described above, the car navigation device 2 is attached with a distance sensor for detecting the moving distance, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed, a gyroscope for detecting the direction of the vehicle, and the like as necessary.

  The map information server 20 includes a control device 21 and an HDD 22. The HDD 22 stores an updated map database that stores the latest updated map data. In addition, the HDD 22 also stores a program for operating the control device 21 configured by a computer.

  The map database is a database that stores nationwide map data (map information). Map data is stored as a collection of a large number of segmented map data obtained by dividing a national map into rectangular areas by straight lines parallel to meridians and latitudes. The map data includes map drawing data, road data, facility guide information data, and the like.

  The map drawing data is data for drawing a map as a background when displaying a vehicle position, a travel route, and the like on the display device 6. The facility guide information data is a collection of guide information of various facilities such as tourist facilities, restaurants, and gas stations that exist along the travel route.

  The road data represents road connection relations, and is important data used for route search and route guidance in addition to drawing a road on a background map. In the road data, intersections, turning points, dead ends, and the like of each road are defined as nodes, roads between the respective nodes are defined as links, and road links are configured by connecting the links. Each link stores various information such as preceding and following nodes, link connection information, link length, road width, road type, toll, and traffic regulation as attributes.

  These map drawing data, road data, facility guide information data, and the like are usually stored in regions. The method of dividing the area does not need to be common to each data, and does not need to be divided into rectangular areas. However, in this specification, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that these data are divided and stored in the same region division, and a set of these data for one divided division is referred to as division map data.

Next, the map data update procedure of this embodiment under such a configuration will be described separately for each embodiment.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a processing flow of the first embodiment for updating map data performed by the control circuit 3 of the car navigation device 2 and the control device 21 of the map information server 20. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to this flow.

  In the first step S1 on the car navigation device 2 side, the user inputs route search conditions. The route search conditions are input by operating the operation switch group 5 of the car navigation device 2 to input the starting point, waypoint, destination and other conditions, for example, whether the expressway is used, whether the toll road is used, etc. To do. Note that the “pointing mark” outside the frame in step S1 indicates a user operation (the same applies hereinafter).

  In response to the input of the route search condition, in step S2, the car navigation apparatus 2 executes a route search to the destination using the map database held in its own HDD 9. The route search is performed using the Dijkstra method or a conventionally known search method based on the road data stored in the map database. In the case of the Dijkstra method, the route cost is calculated using the link connection information included in the road data, and the route to the destination is set by the link connection that minimizes the calculated route cost.

  When the route to the destination is determined, the predicted travel distance when traveling along the route is calculated (step S3). The predicted travel distance is obtained by integrating the lengths of the links on the route determined as the link connection. The length of each link is stored as a link attribute in the road data.

  In the subsequent step S4, the calculated predicted travel distance, the search conditions used for the route search in step S2, and the version information of the map data used for it are transmitted to the map information server 20. The version information in this case may be the version information of all the segment map data currently owned by the car navigation device 2, or the version given to the entire map data (a set of segment map data) at the time of the first purchase. The information may be a combination of version information about the segmented map data updated thereafter. If the version information of the entire map data and the version information of the segment map data updated thereafter are found, the map information server 20 side knows the version information of all the segment map data currently owned by the car navigation device 2. Because you can.

  On the map information server 20 side, the information transmitted from the car navigation device 2 in step S4 is received and stored (step T1). Then, using the road data stored in the updated map database stored in its own HDD 22 in step T2, the car navigation device 2 executes a route search under the same conditions as the search conditions used in step S2. . The route search logic in this case is the same as that on the car navigation device 2 side.

In the map information server 20, when a new road is opened or an existing road is abolished, related segmented map data is updated. Accordingly, the latest map data is stored in the updated map database, and a route search is performed using the latest map data in step T2. When the route is determined by the route search, the predicted travel distance along the route is calculated in the same manner as in step S3 (step T3).

  In the subsequent step T4, the predicted travel distance value calculated in step T3 is compared with the predicted travel distance value calculated in the car navigation device 2 and received in step T1. If the two predicted travel distance values are equal, the process proceeds to step T5. The equal value means that the section map through which the searched route passes and the road data of the section map data are equal. In this case, it is determined that there is no need to update the map data held by the car navigation device 2, and the car navigation device 2 is notified that there is no map to be updated. The car navigation device 2 receives the information (step S6), informs the user that there is no need to update the map by the display device 6 and the audio output device 7 (step S7), and ends.

  If the two predicted mileage values are not equal in step T4, the process proceeds to step T6. That the values of the two predicted travel distances are not equal means that the map data held by the car navigation device 2 and the map data held by the map information server 20 are not the same. In this case, the map information server 20 compares the version information of the section map data through which the searched route passes with the version information of the same section map data held by the car navigation device 2 received in step T1, and the section that needs to be updated. Identify map data.

  And the map difference data about the division identified as needing update is extracted and transmitted to the car navigation apparatus 2 (step T6). The map difference data includes map data for updating the segmented map data held by the car navigation device 2 for the identified segment to the same as the updated segmented map data held by the map information server 20. means.

  The method of updating the map data may be the same as the conventional method. When updating is performed by replacing the previous segmented map data with the new segmented map data, the map difference data is the entire new version of the segmented map data for the segment. When updating the data by deleting unnecessary data in the previous segmented map data and adding newly required data, the map difference data is newly added to the information specifying the data to be deleted. Combined with the data to be added.

  The car navigation device 2 side receives the transmitted map difference data (step S8), and updates its own map data (step S9). Subsequently, using the updated own map data, a route search is performed under the same conditions as in step S2 (step S10), and the search result and the fact that the map data has been updated are displayed on the display device 6. To inform the user and exit. The update of the map data and the route search are completed by the processing as described above.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in order to determine whether the two predicted travel distances for the searched route match or not, the car navigation apparatus holds map data along the route searched by the map information server from the determination result. It is possible to easily determine whether or not the map data is identical. Moreover, since the map difference data sent from the map information server is only the difference data necessary for traveling to the destination according to the searched route, the car navigation device obtains unnecessary map data and extra costs. No longer pay. In addition, the communication between the car navigation apparatus and the map information server at the time of the update has only one round trip, so there is an advantage that the communication cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a processing flow of the second embodiment for updating map data performed by the control circuit 3 of the car navigation device 2 and the control device 21 of the map information server 20.
In the first step A1 on the car navigation device 2 side, a transmission request for information regarding updatable map data is transmitted to the map information server 20. This request may be input so that the user operates the operation switch group 5 to issue a transmission request, or may be automatically issued when the car navigation device 2 starts up when the power is turned on. .

  Here, the transmission request for information regarding updatable map data refers to inquiring whether there is data that can be updated with respect to the map data held by the car navigation device 2. Since the map data is usually divided into a large number of divided map data and stored in the map database, it is the same as inquiring whether or not there is divided map data to be updated.

  The map information server 20 receives the request (step B1), extracts the ID of the updatable divided map data and its version information from its own update map database, and transmits it to the car navigation device 2 (step B2). Updatable segmented map data means that the map information server 20 stores version information of each segmented map data contained in the entire map data when the car navigation device 2 first purchased the entire map data. This refers to segmented map data that is subsequently updated on the map information server 20 side.

  The transmission in step B2 is performed in response to the request from the car navigation device 2 in step A1 and step B1, but the map information server 20 does not receive the request from the car navigation device 2 and the map information server 20 You may make it transmit spontaneously, for example, when a part of map data which self holds are updated.

On the car navigation device 2 side, the transmitted ID of the updatable divided map data and its version information are received and stored in the HDD 9 (step A2).
Thereafter, when performing a route search, the user inputs a route search condition by operating the operation switch group 5 (step A3). The route search conditions are the same as those described in the first embodiment, such as a departure point, a waypoint, and a destination. If the route search condition is input, the car navigation device 2 performs route search using the map data held by itself (step A4).

  In subsequent Step A5, it is checked whether or not there is updated map data for the segmented map data through which the searched route passes. The check first checks whether the same ID as that of the segmented map data through which the searched route passes is included in the information stored in step A2, and then if the same ID exists. For example, it is determined by determining whether or not the version corresponding to the ID is newer than the corresponding version of the corresponding map data. If the version of the ID stored in step A2 is newer, updated map data for that ID exists.

  If it is determined that the updated map data does not exist, the result of the search in step A4 is displayed on the display device 6 (step A6), and the process ends. If it is determined that the updated map data exists, the ID of the determined map data that can be updated is transmitted to the map information server 20 to request transmission of the updated map data (step A7).

  The map information server 20 side receives the request (step B3), extracts the updated segmented map data corresponding to the sent ID from the updated map database, and transmits it to the car navigation device 2 (step B4).

  The car navigation device 2 receives the transmitted segmented map data for update (step A8), and updates its own map data with the data (step A9). When the update is completed, the route search is performed again using the updated map data under the same conditions as in step A4 (step A10). Then, the search result and the fact that the map data has been updated are displayed on the display device 6 and the process ends. The update of the map data and the route search are completed by the processing as described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain only updated segmented map data for segmented map data of an area along the searched route. Accordingly, unnecessary updated map data that is not used immediately is not obtained, which is effective in suppressing acquisition costs and communication costs.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a processing flow of the third embodiment for updating map data performed by the control circuit 3 of the car navigation device 2 and the control device 21 of the map information server 20.

  This embodiment is updated when the user has registered in advance in the map information server 20 a range of areas that the user frequently passes, such as near the home or near the office, and update data is generated in the segmented map data including the area range. In this embodiment, the segmented map data is transmitted to the car navigation device 2 and updated.

  In the first step C1 on the car navigation device 2 side, the user operates the operation switch group 5 to input an area range for monitoring whether or not update data has been generated. In response to the input, the car navigation device 2 transmits information specifying the area range to the map information server 20 (step C2). The map information server 20 receives the transmitted area range and stores it in the HDD 22 (step D1). The registration of the area range to the map information server 20 is performed in response to the transmission from the car navigation device 2 as described above, and a document describing the area range is given to the administrator of the map information server 20 by the user. There may be a method of sending and registering manually.

  This area range can be designated by designating the ID of the section map data including the area desired to be monitored, such as the vicinity of the home or the vicinity of the workplace. As another specification method, it may be specified as a predetermined point such as a home or work place or an in-circle area having a predetermined radius centered on a predetermined latitude and longitude point. Further, for example, it may be specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a predetermined route from home to work. In this case, the route is represented by a link connection, and the coordinate position of each link is stored as a link attribute. Therefore, the distance range designated from the link is regarded as the designated area range.

  When the map information server 20 updates the map data due to the opening of a new road or the like, the updated segmented map data includes at least part of the area range registered and stored in step D1. It is determined whether or not (step D2). If it is included, the updated segment map data of the segment is transmitted to the car navigation device 2 (step D3).

  The car navigation device 2 receives the updated segmented map data transmitted (step C3), updates its own map data (step C4), and informs the user that it has been updated (step C5). )finish. Thereby, the update of the map data generated in the registered area range is completed.

  According to such a map data update method, only the operation of registering a frequently used area range in the map information server, and when the update data is generated in the divided map data including the range, the updated classification The map data is immediately transmitted to the car navigation device 2 for updating. Therefore, the user can always obtain the latest map data by a simple operation of registering a desired area range.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a processing flow of the fifth embodiment for updating map data performed by the control circuit 3 of the car navigation device 2 and the control device 21 of the map information server 20. This embodiment is a modified embodiment of the third embodiment described above. In the third embodiment, when the divided map data including the area range registered on the map information server 20 side is updated, the updated divided map data is immediately transmitted to the car navigation device 2.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the segment map data is updated, first, only the updated segment map data ID and version information are transmitted to the car navigation device 2, and a request from the car navigation device 2 side is sent. In response, the updated segmented map data is transmitted.

  In the processing flow of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 for processing in such an embodiment, steps D2a and D2b are provided on the map information server 20 side with respect to the processing flow of FIG. Steps C2a, C2b, C2c, and C2d are added.

  When update data is generated in the section map data including the area range registered in step D2 on the map information server 20 side, the section map data ID and version information are transmitted to the car navigation device 2 in step D2a. To do. The car navigation device 2 that has received the transmission notifies the user of the received information by displaying it on the display device 6 (step C2a). The user determines whether or not to obtain updated segmented map data by viewing it, and inputs the determination result by operating the operation switch group 5 (step C2b).

  If there is an input indicating that the updated segmented map data is not obtained, the process ends without doing anything. If an input to obtain is made, the process proceeds to step C2d, and the ID of the segmented map data designated by the user is transmitted to the map information server 20. The map information server 20 receives the transmitted ID (step D2b), extracts updated segmented map data corresponding to the designated ID from the updated map database, and transmits it to the car navigation device 2 (step D3).

  According to such a map data update method, the user can register a frequently used area range in the map information server, and when update data is generated in the segmented map data including the range, You can quickly find out the facts. Then, it is possible to determine which area of the map data has been updated based on the updated ID of the segmented map data, and to obtain the segmented map data only when it is determined to be necessary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the following means described in the claims are configured by the following components. The route searching means is configured by a program stored in the HDD 9 that searches for a route by the control circuit 3, the map database, the operation switch group 5, the display device 6, the Dijkstra method, or the like. The search result transmitting means includes a control circuit 3, a communication circuit 8, and a program for transmitting the search result. The map data update means includes the control circuit 3, the communication device 8, a map database, and a map update program. The server side route search means is configured by a control device 21, an update map database, and a route search program stored in the HDD 20. The map difference data extraction / transmission means includes a control device 21, an updated map database, and a map difference data extraction program stored in the HDD 20. The updatable map information providing means includes a control device 21, an update map database, and an updatable map information providing program. The updated map data providing means includes a control circuit 21, an updated map database, and an updated map data providing program. The updatable map information storage means includes the control circuit 3, the HDD 9, the communication device 8, and the updatable map information storage program. The area range storage means includes a control device 21, an HDD 22, and an area area storage program. The area range map update presence / absence determination means includes a control device 21, HDD 22, an update map database, and an area range map update presence / absence determination program. The area range map update information notification means includes a control device 21 and an area range map update information notification program. The area range map update information presentation means includes a control circuit 3, a display device 6, a communication device 8, and an area range map update information providing program. The update data transmission request means includes a control circuit 3, an operation switch group 5, a communication device 8, and an update data transmission request program. The area range notification means includes a control circuit 3, an operation switch group 5, a communication device 8, and an area range notification program. The map information update necessity presentation means includes a control circuit 3, a display device 6, a communication device 8, and a map information update necessity presentation program.

It is a figure showing the whole map data update system composition concerning the present invention. It is a processing flow of the car navigation apparatus and map information server which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a processing flow of the car navigation apparatus and map information server which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a processing flow of the car navigation apparatus and map information server which concern on 3rd Embodiment. It is a processing flow of the car navigation apparatus and map information server which concern on 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

In the drawings, 1 is a map data update system, 2 is a car navigation device, 3 is a control circuit, a GPS receiver, 5 is an operation switch group, 6 is a display device, 7 is an audio output device, 8 is a communication device, and 9 is an HDD. , 15 is a communication network, 20 is a map information server, and 21 is a control device.

Claims (40)

A method for updating map data held by a car navigation device,
A first stage in which a car navigation device searches for a route to a destination using map data held in accordance with a search condition designated by the user;
A second stage in which the car navigation device transmits the search condition used for the route search, the predicted travel distance by the searched route, and the version information of the used map data to the map information server;
A third stage in which the map information server performs a route search by the same route search algorithm using the updated map data held by itself under the same conditions as the search conditions sent from the car navigation device;
The map information server compares the predicted distance traveled by the route that the map information server has searched with the predicted distance traveled from the car navigation system. If the two match, the map data does not need to be updated. If there is, the version information of the section map data of the area along the route searched by the self and the version information of the section map data of the same area held by the car navigation device are compared, and A fourth step of extracting map difference data for matching the segmented map data with its own segmented map data, and transmitting to the car navigation device that the extracted map difference data and the map data need to be updated;
When the map difference data is transmitted, the car navigation device receives it and updates a corresponding portion of the map data held by the car navigation device with the map difference data. A map data update method for a car navigation device.   When the map data is updated in the fifth stage, the updated map data is used, the route search is performed again under the same search conditions as in the first stage, and the result is presented to the user. The map data updating method for a car navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising a sixth step.   The version information of the map data used is the version information attached to the whole map data at the time of obtaining the whole map data, and the version information about each divided map data updated thereafter. The map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 1 or 2.   3. The map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the version information of the used map data is version information for all of the segmented map data. A map data update system owned by a car navigation device,
A map information server that provides updated map data and a car navigation device that receives the updated map data are connected via a communication network.
The car navigation device includes route search means for searching for a route to a destination using map data held by the user according to a search condition instructed by a user,
A search result transmission unit that transmits the predicted travel distance by the route searched by the route search unit, the search condition, and the version information of the used map data to the map information server via the communication network;
When map difference data for updating the map data is transmitted from the map information server, it is received and updated to update its own map data, and there is no need for updating. Map data updating means for notifying the user of the fact when it is transmitted,
The map information server uses the same map as the search condition sent from the search result transmission means, and uses the updated map data held by itself, and the same route as the route search means of the car navigation device Server-side route searching means for performing route search by a search algorithm;
Comparing the predicted travel distance according to the route searched by the server side route search means and the predicted travel distance sent from the search result transmission means, if the two match, there is no need to update the map data If there is a difference between the two, the version information of the section map data of the area along the route searched by the server side route search means and the version information of the section map data of the same area sent from the search result transmission means And the map difference data for matching the segmented map data of the area of the car navigation device with its own segmented map data is extracted, and the extracted map difference data and the map data need to be updated are extracted. A map difference data extraction / transmission means for transmitting to the navigation device;   When the map data update means of the car navigation device has updated the map data, the route search means uses the updated map data to re-search for the route to the destination and obtain the result. The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the map data update system is presented to a user.   The version information of the map data used is the version information attached to the whole map data at the time of obtaining the whole map data, and the version information about each divided map data updated thereafter. The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 5 or 6.   The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the version information of the used map data is version information for all of the segmented map data. A car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Route search means for searching for a route to a destination using map data held by the user according to a search condition designated by the user;
Search result transmission means for transmitting the predicted travel distance by the route searched by the route search means, the search condition, and the version information of the used map data to a map information server via a communication network;
When map difference data for updating map data is sent from the map information server, it is received and updated to update its own map data, indicating that there is no need for updating A car navigation device comprising map data updating means for notifying a user of the fact when it has been done.   When the map data update means of the car navigation device has updated the map data, the route search means uses the updated map data to re-search for the route to the destination and obtain the result. The car navigation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the car navigation apparatus is presented to a user.   The version information of the map data used is the version information attached to the whole map data at the time of obtaining the whole map data, and the version information about each divided map data updated thereafter. The car navigation device according to claim 9 or 10.   The car navigation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the version information of the used map data is version information about all the segmented map data. A map information server for delivering updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Server-side route searching means for performing a route search by the same route search algorithm as the car navigation device using the updated map data owned by the self under the same conditions as the search conditions sent from the car navigation device;
The predicted mileage by the route searched by the server side route search means is compared with the predicted mileage sent from the car navigation device, and if both match, there is no need to update the map data. If there is a difference between them, the version information of the section map data of the area along the route searched by the server side route search means and the version information of the section map data of the same section sent from the car navigation device are obtained. In comparison, the map difference data for matching the segmented map data of the area of the car navigation device with its own segmented map data is extracted, and the fact that the extracted map difference data and the map data need to be updated is extracted. A map information server comprising map difference data extraction and transmission means for transmitting to a navigation device. A method for updating map data held by a car navigation device,
A map information server that transmits the updatable map map ID and version information to the car navigation device, and the car navigation device receives and stores the seventh stage;
An eighth stage in which the car navigation device searches for a route to the destination using map data held in accordance with a search condition designated by the user;
The section map data ID of the area along the route searched by the route search is compared with the ID received in the seventh step, and the section map data of the matching ID is compared with the old and new versions. If the version received in the seventh step is newer, an eighth step of requesting the map information server to transmit the updateable segment map data of the ID segment map data;
A ninth stage in which the map information server transmits the updated version of the segmented map data of the requested segmented map data to the car navigation device in response to the request;
A car navigation apparatus comprising: a tenth stage in which the car navigation apparatus receives the segmented map data transmitted in the ninth stage and updates its own map data;   When the map data is updated in the tenth stage, the updated map data is used, the route search is performed again under the same search conditions as in the eighth stage, and the result is presented to the user. 15. The map data updating method for a car navigation device according to claim 14, further comprising a tenth step. A map data update system owned by a car navigation device,
A map information server that provides updated map data and a car navigation device that receives the updated map data are connected via a communication network.
The map information server includes an updatable map information providing means for transmitting the ID of the updatable map data and version information thereof to the car navigation device;
In response to a request from the car navigation device, updated map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to the requested ID,
The car navigation device includes an updatable map information storage unit that receives and stores information transmitted by the updatable map information providing unit;
Route search means for searching for a route to a destination using map data held in accordance with a search condition designated by the user;
The section map data ID of the area along the route searched by the route search is compared with the ID sent from the updatable map information providing means. If the version received from the updatable map information providing means is newer than that, the updated divided map data transmission requesting means for requesting the map information server to transmit the updated divided map data corresponding to the ID. When,
A map data update system for a car navigation device, comprising: map data update means for receiving the segmented map data transmitted in response to the request and updating the map data of itself.   When the map data update means of the car navigation device has updated the map data, the route search means uses the updated map data to re-search for the route to the destination and obtain the result. The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 16, wherein the map data update system is presented to a user. A car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Updateable map information storage means for receiving and storing the ID and version information of the updatable segmented map data transmitted from the map information server;
Route search means for searching for a route to a destination using map data held in accordance with a search condition designated by the user;
The section map data ID of the area along the route searched by the path search is compared with the ID stored in the updatable map information storage means. If the version stored in the updatable map information storage means is newer than the old and new, the updated segmented map data transmission requesting the map information server to transmit the updated segmented map data corresponding to the ID Request means;
A car navigation apparatus, comprising: map data update means for receiving the segmented map data transmitted in response to the request and updating the map data of itself.   When the map data updating means updates the map data, the route searching means performs a re-search of the route to the destination using the updated map data and presents the result to the user. The car navigation apparatus according to claim 18. A map information server for delivering updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Updatable map information providing means for transmitting the ID of the updatable map data and its version information to the car navigation device;
A map information server, comprising: updated map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data of the requested segmented map data in response to a request from the car navigation device. A method for updating map data held by a car navigation device,
The map information server stores the area range designated by the user in advance,
Determining whether there is a need to update the segmented map data including at least a part of the area range; and
Transmitting the updated segmented map data of the segmented map data that needs to be updated by the determination from the map information server to the car navigation device;
A method for updating map data of a car navigation device, comprising: updating the segment map data with data received by the car navigation device that has received the transmission of the updated segment map data. A method for updating map data held by a car navigation device,
The map information server stores the area range designated by the user in advance,
Determining whether there is a need to update the segmented map data including at least a part of the area range; and
A step of notifying the car navigation device of the ID and version information of the segmented map data that needs to be updated by the determination;
The car navigation device that has received the report presents the report information to the user;
The car navigation device receives an instruction from the user, sends the ID selected by the user from the notification information to the map information server, and requests transmission of the corresponding updated segmented map data;
Transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to the ID received by the map information server in response to the request to the car navigation device;
Updating the segmented map data with the data received by the car navigation apparatus that has received the transmission.   23. The map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the area range is specified by an ID of the division map data.   The map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified point.   The map data update method for a car navigation device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified route. A map data update system owned by a car navigation device,
A map information server that provides updated map data and a car navigation device that receives the updated map data are connected via a communication network.
The map information server includes an area range storage means for storing an area range designated in advance by a user;
An area range map update presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the update of the divided map data including at least a part of the area range has occurred;
Update map data providing means for transmitting the updated segment map data of the segment map data that needs to be updated by the determination to the car navigation device,
The car navigation device comprises map data updating means for receiving the updated segmented map data transmitted thereto and updating the map data of the car navigation device. A map data update system owned by a car navigation device,
A map information server that provides updated map data and a car navigation device that receives the updated map data are connected via a communication network.
The map information server includes an area range storage means for storing an area range designated in advance by a user;
An area range map update presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the update of the divided map data including at least a part of the area range has occurred;
Area range map update information reporting means for reporting to the car navigation device the ID and version information of the segmented map data that needs to be updated by the determination;
In response to a request from the car navigation device, an updated map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to a specified ID,
The car navigation device includes an area range map update information presentation unit that presents the notification information from the area range map update information notification unit to a user;
An update data transmission request means for requesting the transmission of the corresponding updated segmented map data by receiving the user's instruction and transmitting the ID selected by the user from the notification information to the map information server;
A map data update system for a car navigation device, comprising: map data update means for receiving updated segmented map data transmitted in response to the request and updating the map data of the map.   28. The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the area range is designated by an ID of the division map data.   28. The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified point.   28. The map data update system for a car navigation device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified route. A map information server for delivering updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Area range storage means for storing the area range designated by the user in advance;
An area range map update presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the update of the divided map data including at least a part of the area range has occurred;
A map information server, comprising: updated map data providing means for transmitting to the car navigation device updated segmented map data of the segmented map data that needs to be updated by the determination. A map information server for delivering updated map data to a car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Area range storage means for storing the area range designated by the user in advance;
An area range map update presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the update of the divided map data including at least a part of the area range has occurred;
Area range map update information reporting means for reporting to the car navigation device the ID and version information of the segmented map data that needs to be updated by the determination;
A map information server, comprising: updated map data providing means for transmitting updated segmented map data corresponding to a specified ID in response to a request from the car navigation device.   33. The map information server according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the area range is designated by an ID of the division map data.   The map information server according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified point.   The map information server according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from the specified route. A car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Area range reporting means for reporting the area range specified by the user to the map information server;
A car navigation device comprising: map data updating means for receiving updated segmented map data transmitted from the map information server and updating its own map data. A car navigation device having map data for navigation,
Area range reporting means for reporting the area range specified by the user to the map information server;
Map information update necessity presenting means for receiving report information from the map information server that the map map data including at least a part of the area range needs to be updated and presenting the report information to the user;
An update data transmission requesting means for requesting transmission of the corresponding updated segmented map data by transmitting the ID of the segmented map data selected by the user from the notification information in response to the user's instruction to the map information server;
A car navigation device comprising: map data updating means for receiving updated segmented map data transmitted in response to the request and updating the map data of the vehicle.   38. The car navigation device according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the area range is designated by an ID of the division map data.   38. The car navigation device according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified point. 38. The car navigation device according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the area range is specified as an area within a predetermined distance range from a specified route.

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