JP2013108820A - Navigation system, map information update method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for making an update request for map information at a frequency according to necessity of updating map information.SOLUTION: A navigation system outputs an update request for map information recorded in a recording medium to a control device of map information, for updating the map information by update information output by the control device, acquires point related information about points through which its own vehicle has traveled, and when the point related information includes change suggesting update of the map information, outputs the update request more frequently than before the change suggesting update of the map information is generated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system capable of updating map information, a map information updating method, and a program.

  Conventionally, various techniques for updating map information referred to by a navigation system used in a vehicle or the like have been developed. For example, in Patent Document 1, stop position data is transmitted from the vehicle to the center when the vehicle has been powered off for a predetermined time (such as 2 hours), and the map information around the stop position data at the center. A technique for updating map information when it is determined that the update amount of the map has reached a predetermined value or more is disclosed.

JP 2008-101943 A

In the prior art, useless communication could not be suppressed. That is, in the prior art, even if the probability that the map information stored in the center in the navigation system is updated is low, the communication between the navigation system and the center is performed and the frequency is high, which is useless. Communication occurs frequently. Even if the map information is transmitted from the center to the center when the update amount of the map information around the stop position data becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined amount as in Patent Document 1 described above, the stop position data is transmitted from the navigation system to the center. The communication for transmitting is still frequent. That is, in Patent Document 1, when the vehicle is turned off for a predetermined time, the stop position data is transmitted to the center. The predetermined time is, for example, 2 hours. In an aspect in which the vehicle is parked in the parking lot at night and the vehicle is used again in the daytime, the stop position data is transmitted from the navigation system to the center substantially every time the vehicle is used. In general, the map information is not frequently updated. For example, since the map information is not updated every day, the map information is requested to be updated every time the vehicle is used. Even so, most of the communication is wasted.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for making a map information update request at a frequency according to the necessity of updating the map information.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a configuration for outputting a map information update request recorded on a recording medium to a map information management device and updating the map information with the update information output by the management device. The frequency at which the update request is output is varied based on the point-related information regarding the point where the vehicle has traveled. Specifically, when a change that suggests updating of map information occurs in point-related information, the frequency of update requests is increased more than before a change that suggests updating of map information occurs.

  When the map information is updated, the road or feature to be updated has actually changed compared to the previous one, so that the road or feature point or Some change should occur in the surrounding points. That is, when the map information is updated, a change suggesting the update of the map information actually appears at or near the update point. Therefore, if information that can suggest the update of the map information is acquired as the spot related information in association with the spot, the map information is updated when there is a change that suggests the update of the map information in the spot related information. By increasing the frequency of the update request, the frequency of the map information update request can be increased in a state where the probability that the map information has been updated is relatively increased. As a result, it is possible to make a map information update request at a frequency according to the necessity of updating the map information.

  Here, the navigation system only needs to be able to execute navigation processing such as route guidance using the map information recorded in the recording medium. When the map information is updated by the map information management device, At least updated information can be acquired from the management apparatus and used for navigation processing. And the update of the said map information is performed according to an update request, and the said update request is performed according to the output frequency of the update request fluctuate | varied according to point relevant information.

  The point-related information acquisition unit only needs to be able to acquire point-related information regarding the point where the vehicle has traveled. That is, it is only necessary to be able to acquire information related to a point where the vehicle has traveled and information that can change the content of the information by updating the map information. And what is necessary is just to be comprised so that it can be considered that the change of the said point relevant information has suggested the update of map information.

  In addition, the point related information is information related to the point where the vehicle has traveled, and the information related to the point where the vehicle actually traveled or the vicinity of the point (area within the predetermined range from the point) is used as the point related information. It can be configured by information indicating one or a combination of a feature, a feature state, a vehicle state, or the like that may change when the map information related to the point or the surrounding of the point is updated. Therefore, it is preferable that the point-related information is acquired in a process in which the vehicle is actually traveling in a section including the point.

  The update request frequency changing means may increase the frequency at which an update request is output when there is a change in the location-related information that suggests an update of the map information than before a change that indicates an update of the map information occurs. I can do it. That is, a configuration in which whether or not a change that suggests updating of map information has occurred in the spot-related information is identified by comparing the predetermined information to be compared with the spot-related information and the spot-related information. To do. When comparing the spot-related information with the comparison target, the latest spot-related information and the past spot-related information may be compared, or the latest spot-related information and predefined reference information (for example, a map) Information included in the information) may be compared. Further, the point related information may be one type of information, or may be a plurality of types of information. When point-related information is acquired for multiple types of objects, it may be determined whether there is a change that suggests updating map information for each type of point-related information, or multiple types of point-related information. It may be determined whether or not the overall change of the image suggests updating of the map information.

  Furthermore, when changing the output frequency of the update request, if the output frequency of the update request can be changed so that the frequency at which the update request is output is higher than before the change suggesting the update of the map information occurs. Of course, it is possible to change the output frequency of the update request so that the frequency at which the update request is output is reduced when there is a change that does not suggest updating the map information in the point related information. After the update, the update request output frequency may be returned to the default value (the update request output frequency may be decreased).

  Further, the output frequency of the update request may be increased by a certain amount, or the increase amount may be adjusted depending on the change of the spot related information. As an example of the latter, point-related information is acquired for a plurality of observation targets, and the observation target in which a change that suggests updating of map information in the point-related information occurs among the plurality of observation targets. An update request is obtained so that the degree of increase in the output frequency of the reference update request increases as the sum of the hints for the target object increases. It is good also as a structure which increases a frequency.

  That is, it is set as the structure which acquires several point relevant information from which an observation object differs. Also, if the observation target is different, the probability that the map information is updated when the observation target is changed is also different. Therefore, if the degree of suggestion indicating the high probability that the map information has been updated is previously associated with the point-related information for each observation target, the map information is updated to the point-related information among the plurality of observation targets. It can be considered that the probability that the map information has been updated increases as the sum of the hints associated with the observation target in which the suggested change has occurred. Therefore, the map information is updated as the probability that the map information is updated increases by increasing the frequency of the update request so that the degree of increase with respect to the output frequency of the reference update request increases as the sum of the hints increases. It can be configured to be easy.

  Here, the observation target may be a real feature or a physical phenomenon in the feature. When real features are to be observed, the features themselves may be observed, such as road signs and road irregularities, and the degree of congestion derived from the number of vehicles on the road per unit time, etc. The feature situation may be the observation target. Examples of the physical phenomenon in the feature include the vehicle speed of the vehicle. In any case, when a change occurs in the observation target compared to the comparison target (previous state or reference state), the probability that the change is attributed to the update of the map information is compared for each observation target. As long as it can be defined.

  Furthermore, as point related information, it is good also as a structure which acquires the information which shows the road sign which exists on the road where the vehicle drive | worked or the circumference | surroundings of the said road. In this configuration, when the road sign is changed as compared with the map information recorded on the recording medium, it is considered that a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the point related information. That is, the map information related to the road sign is defined by specifying the location of the actual road sign. Therefore, if the road sign observed in the vehicle traveling process does not match the map information, the road sign or The road on which the road sign exists is changed. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the output frequency of the update request can be increased when the probability that the map information is updated is high. When determining whether or not the road sign has changed compared to the map information, it may be determined whether or not the observed road sign is different from the road sign indicated by the map information. It may be determined whether or not the used road sign does not exist in the map information (a new road sign).

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which acquires the traffic information regarding the road where the vehicle drive | worked as point relevant information. In this configuration, when the statistical information about road traffic indicated by the map information recorded on the recording medium is different from the traffic information, it is considered that a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the point related information. That is, if traffic information such as the degree of traffic congestion is statistically calculated for each point (for each section) on the road, it can be statistically defined that the traffic information at the point is in a specific state. For example, the degree of congestion at a specific point can be defined as statistically congested. Of course, you may perform statistics for every time when performing statistics.

  As described above, when the traffic information statistics for each point are defined as statistical information, if there is no change in the road or the facility around the point or the point, the traffic state at the point or the point is statistical. It can be estimated that it is similar to the state indicated by the information. On the other hand, if the traffic condition at the point or around the point is different from the state indicated by the statistical information, there has been a change in the road or facility around the point or around the point (so the map information should be updated) State). Therefore, by acquiring traffic information related to the road on which the vehicle has traveled and increasing the output frequency of the update request when the acquired traffic information differs from the statistical information, the probability that the map information has been updated can be increased. When it is high, the output frequency of the update request can be increased.

  In addition, the frequency | count of acquiring the traffic information used as a comparison object can assume various frequency | counts. For example, traffic information acquired a few times (for example, about 1-3 times) and statistical information may be compared, or traffic information acquired a large number of times (for example, about 10 times) and statistical information may be compared. Also good. That is, in the former, it is determined whether the traffic information has suddenly changed with respect to the statistical information. In the latter, it is determined whether the traffic information has constantly changed with respect to the statistical information. It will be judged. Of course, the degree of change between the two may be different, and the period for acquiring the traffic information to be compared may be defined instead of the number of times the traffic information is acquired.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which acquires the operation | movement information of the vehicle on the road where the vehicle drive | worked as point relevant information. In this configuration, when the latest motion information changes more than a predetermined amount with respect to the past motion information, it is considered that a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the point related information. That is, when the road and the features around the road change, the speed of the vehicle and the degree of vibration of the vehicle change, so if the behavior of the vehicle changes compared to the past, the road and the surroundings of the road change ( Therefore, it can be estimated that the map information is to be updated. Therefore, when the operation information as the spot related information is acquired, the information is recorded on the recording medium, and if the latest operation information and the past operation information are compared, the map information when there is a predetermined amount of change in both It can be considered that a change suggesting an update has occurred. And when both have the change of predetermined amount, it is set as the structure which increases the output frequency of an update request, When the probability that map information was updated is high, the output frequency of an update request can be increased.

  The past motion information to be compared with the latest motion information may be past statistics or motion information acquired at a specific time in the past. Further, the predetermined amount that is regarded as a change that suggests updating of the map information may be defined in advance as a predetermined amount with which the probability that the map information is updated becomes a significant probability.

  Furthermore, the method of increasing the frequency at which an update request is output when there is a change suggesting the update of map information in the point related information related to the point where the vehicle has traveled as in the present invention is also a program or method. Applicable. In addition, the system, program, and method as described above may be realized as a single device, or may be realized by using components shared with each unit provided in the vehicle when realized by a plurality of devices. It can be assumed and includes various aspects. For example, it is possible to provide a navigation system, method, and program including the above-described devices. Further, some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the invention can be realized as a recording medium for a program for controlling the system. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

It is a block diagram which shows a navigation system. (2A) is an update request frequency change process, and (2B) is a flowchart showing an update request process and a map information transmission process. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the sum of suggestion degrees, and the output frequency of an update request.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of navigation system:
(2) Map information update program processing:
(2-1) Update request frequency change process:
(2-2) Update request process and map information transmission process:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of navigation system:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system mounted on a vehicle. A vehicle according to the present embodiment (C shown in FIG. 1) includes a navigation system 10. The navigation system 10 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and a program stored in the ROM can be executed by the control unit 20. In this embodiment, a navigation program can be executed as one of the programs, and the navigation program is composed of a plurality of program modules that realize various functions associated with the navigation processing. In the present embodiment, a map information update program 21 is provided as one of the program modules. The map information update program 21 causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring the updated map information when the updated map information is accumulated in the map information management apparatus 110 that manages the map information. It is a program module.

  The vehicle according to the present embodiment includes a GPS receiver 41, a vehicle speed sensor 42, a gyro sensor 43, a camera 44, a vibration sensor 45, and a communication unit 46. The GPS receiver 41 receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite and outputs a signal indicating a signal for calculating the current position of the vehicle via an interface (not shown). The control unit 20 acquires this signal and acquires the current position of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 42 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the wheels provided in the vehicle. The control unit 20 acquires this signal via an interface (not shown) and acquires the vehicle speed. The gyro sensor 43 detects angular acceleration about turning in the horizontal plane of the vehicle, and outputs a signal corresponding to the direction of the vehicle. The control unit 20 acquires this signal and acquires the traveling direction of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 42, the gyro sensor 43, and the like are used for correcting the current position of the vehicle specified from the output signal of the GPS receiver 41. Further, the current position of the vehicle is appropriately corrected based on the travel locus of the vehicle.

  The camera 44 is attached to the vehicle so as to include a road on which the vehicle is traveling, and generates and outputs image information indicating an image of a feature existing on the road on which the vehicle is traveling. The control unit 20 can acquire the image information through an interface (not shown), and can detect a road sign (for example, paint) formed on the road based on the image information.

  The vibration sensor 45 outputs a signal corresponding to vehicle vibration (variation in a direction perpendicular to the road surface). The control unit 20 acquires the signal via an interface (not shown) and detects the degree of vibration. The vibration sensor 45 only needs to be able to detect the vibration of the vehicle, and various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and a sensor for detecting the height of the suspension can be employed.

  The communication unit 46 includes a circuit that communicates with each of the map information management device 110 and the traffic information management device 120 (not shown) outside the vehicle, and the control unit 20 transmits the map information management device via the communication unit 46. 110, can communicate with the traffic information management device 120.

  The map information management apparatus 110 records and holds map information on a recording medium (not shown), and the map information is stored at a predetermined timing (for example, every predetermined period) according to changes in roads and facilities around the road. Updated. Also, version information is associated with the map information, and when the map information is updated, version information indicating the updated version is associated with the updated information that is the updated map information.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 20 outputs a map information update request to the map information management apparatus 110 via the communication unit 46 in accordance with the update request output frequency described later. The update request includes version information corresponding to the latest version of the map information (map information 30a described later) held in the vehicle. That is, the map information 30a recorded on the recording medium can be in a state in which update information is added to the map information generated at an early stage. Therefore, when update information is added, it is associated with the latest update information. Version information is output together with the update request.

  When the map information management apparatus 110 receives the update request, the version information included in the update request is compared with the version information of the map information recorded on the recording medium of the map information management apparatus 110. Then, when the version of the map information recorded on the recording medium of the map information management device 110 is newer, the map information management device 110 extracts the map information not held on the vehicle side and transmits it as update information. To do. The control unit 20 waits to receive the update information transmitted from the map information management apparatus 110 via the communication unit 46, and adds the received update information to the existing map information when the update information is received. To update the map information.

  The traffic information management device 120 displays traffic information indicating the degree of congestion for each road section (the average amount of vehicles for each road section) based on sensor information installed around the road, probe information transmitted from the vehicle, and the like. A device that generates and transmits. That is, the traffic information management device 120 transmits traffic information indicating the degree of congestion for each road section in response to a predetermined timing or a request from a vehicle. The control unit 20 can acquire the traffic information via the communication unit 46 and specify the degree of congestion for each road section.

  Map information 30a and update frequency information 30c are recorded in advance on a recording medium 30 provided in the vehicle. Also, these pieces of information can be corrected during the execution process of the navigation program. Further, in the course of executing the navigation program, the spot related information 30 b is generated and recorded in the recording medium 30. The map information 30a includes node data indicating the position of the node corresponding to the end point of the road on which the vehicle travels, shape interpolation point data indicating the position of the shape interpolation point for specifying the shape of the road between the nodes, the nodes The link data indicating the connection of the link is included.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the map information 30a includes road signs (such as paint indicating speed and traveling direction) formed on the road section indicated by the link data and road sign data indicating the position of the road sign. Yes. Further, the map information 30a is associated with statistical data indicating the past average degree of congestion on the road section indicated by the link data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the map information 30a is configured by map information generated at an initial stage, or by a state in which update information is added to the map information. Version information corresponding to the information generation timing is associated with the initially generated map information 30a and update information. That is, version information indicating the initial version is associated with the set of initially generated map information 30a. When new map information is generated, the set of difference information with respect to existing information is added to the set of difference information. On the other hand, version information indicating a new version is associated. That is, the map information 30a is associated with version information so that the latest version in the map information 30a recorded on the recording medium 30 can be specified.

  The update frequency information 30c is information indicating the frequency at which the control unit 20 outputs an update request for the map information 30a to the map information management apparatus 110 via the communication unit 46, and the default update request output frequency (standard Update frequency information 30c indicating the output frequency of the update request is generated in advance and recorded on the recording medium 30. Note that the output frequency of the default update request in the present embodiment is once / two months, and the output frequency of the update request can be corrected in the course of executing the navigation program.

  The control unit 20 updates the map information 30a by executing the map information update program 21 included in the navigation program. When the probability that the map information management apparatus 110 has updated the map information is high, an update request is issued. A process of correcting so as to increase the output frequency is executed. In order to execute this process, the map information update program 21 includes a point-related information acquisition unit 21a, an update request frequency change unit 21b, and an update control unit 21c.

  The point-related information acquisition unit 21a is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring the point-related information 30b related to the point where the vehicle has traveled. That is, the control unit 20 is information related to the point where the vehicle has traveled by the processing of the point-related information acquisition unit 21a, information that can change in response to the update of the map information, and Information that can be regarded as a change in content suggesting an update of the map information 30a is acquired as the point-related information 30b.

  That is, when the map information is updated in the map information management device 110, the road or feature to be updated has actually changed compared to the previous one, so that the road or feature to be updated changes. Some change should occur at the road or feature point or its surrounding points. Therefore, by observing an event that can be the change, it is possible to observe a change that suggests updating the map information.

  Specifically, the control unit 20 generates point-related information 30 b indicating the result of observing a predetermined observation target, and records it in the recording medium 30. In the present embodiment, the vehicle is configured to observe the observation target while the vehicle actually travels, and the controller 20 observes the observation target when recording the spot related information 30b on the recording medium. The point where the vehicle traveled is associated with the point-related information 30b. In addition, the observation target in the present embodiment is a road sign on a road on which the vehicle has traveled, a degree of traffic congestion in a road section on which the vehicle has traveled, and an operation of the vehicle on the road on which the vehicle has traveled.

  The update request frequency changing unit 21b increases the frequency at which an update request is output when a change suggesting the update of the map information occurs in the spot related information 30b than before the change indicating the update of the map information occurs. This is a module for causing the control unit 20 to realize the function. That is, the control unit 20 refers to the spot-related information 30b, and when a predetermined change has occurred in the spot-related information 30b as a change that suggests updating of the map information, a change that suggests updating of the map information occurs. Correction is made so that the frequency is higher than the update frequency information 30c before the occurrence.

  In this embodiment, the suggestion degree which shows the degree which suggests the update of map information for every kind of observation object is defined beforehand. That is, if the observation target for acquiring the spot-related information 30b regarding the spot is different, the probability that the map information is updated when the observation target is changed is also different. Therefore, if the probability of the update of map information is defined in advance based on statistics, estimation, etc., the suggestion level is defined so that the higher the probability, the higher the suggestion level, and the map information is associated with the observation target. When there is a change in the point related information 30b that suggests updating of the map information, the map information is updated as the sum of the degree of suggestion about the observation target observed to define the point related information 30b increases. It can be considered that the probability increases. Therefore, the map information 30a is updated as the probability that the map information is updated increases by increasing the frequency of the update request so that the degree of increase with respect to the output frequency of the reference update request increases as the sum of the hints increases. It can be configured to be easy to be done.

  In order to realize such a configuration, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the spot related information 30b for all observation targets at each spot. The observation target in which a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred is identified as the target of interest, and the control unit 20 obtains the sum of the suggestion about the target of interest and is associated in advance with the sum of the suggestion The update frequency information 30c is modified so that the update request output frequency is obtained. In the present embodiment, a comparison target for determining whether or not there is a change in the spot related information 30b is determined in advance for each observation target observed to acquire the spot related information 30b, and the control unit 20 Then, by comparing the predetermined comparison target with the latest point-related information 30b, it is specified whether or not the point-related information 30b has changed to suggest the update of the map information.

  In the present embodiment, with the above configuration, the update frequency information 30c is changed so that the update request is output more frequently than immediately before when the sum of suggestion levels increases compared to immediately before, and the sum of suggestion levels is increased. The update frequency information 30c is changed so that the frequency at which the update request is output is decreased more than when the update request is decreased.

  The update control unit 21c refers to the update frequency information 30c, and outputs an update request for the map information 30a to the map information management device 110 at the output frequency of the update request indicated by the update frequency information 30c. This is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a process of receiving update information output by the device 110 in response to the update request, adding the received update information to the map information 30a, and updating the map information 30a. Details of the output of the update request and the update of the map information 30a will be described later.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to increase the output frequency of the update request output by the control of the control unit 20 when the update of the map information is suggested. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the frequency of the update request for the map information 30a in a state where the probability that the map information managed by the map information management apparatus 110 is updated is relatively increased, and according to the necessity for the update of the map information 30a. It is possible to make an update request for the map information 30a at a high frequency and to obtain the update information at an early stage when the map information is updated.

(2) Map information update program processing:
(2-1) Update request frequency change process:
Next, the processing of the map information update program will be described in detail. FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the update request frequency change process, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the update request process in the vehicle and the map information transmission process executed by the map information management apparatus 110 in accordance with the update request process.

  The update request frequency changing process shown in FIG. 2A is executed at a predetermined timing (for example, timing when the navigation system 10 is activated in the vehicle). In the update request frequency change process, the control unit 20 acquires the spot related information by the process of the spot related information acquisition unit 21a (step S100). That is, the control unit 20 acquires image information indicating an image captured by the camera 44 by the process of the spot related information acquisition unit 21a, performs a process such as pattern matching on the image information, and the road on which the vehicle has traveled. An image showing a road sign (such as paint indicating speed and traveling direction) is extracted. When the image indicating the road sign is extracted, the control unit 20 records the information indicating the road sign in the recording medium 30 as the point related information 30b in association with the information indicating the point where the road sign is observed.

  In addition, the control unit 20 acquires the traffic information of the road on which the vehicle has traveled through the communication unit 46 through the processing of the point related information acquisition unit 21a, and associates the information with the information indicating the position of the road section 30b. To the recording medium 30. In other words, the congestion degree for each road section can be analyzed.

  Further, the control unit 20 acquires the output information of the vehicle speed sensor 42 by the process of the point related information acquisition unit 21a, and associates the information indicating the vehicle speed of the vehicle with the information indicating the point where the vehicle speed is observed. Information is recorded on the recording medium 30 as information 30b. In addition, the control unit 20 acquires the output information of the vibration sensor 45 by the processing of the point related information acquisition unit 21a, and associates the information indicating the vibration of the vehicle with the information indicating the point where the vibration is observed. Information is recorded on the recording medium 30 as information 30b.

  Next, the control part 20 acquires the suggestion degree for every observation object by the process of the update request frequency change part 21b (step S105). That is, the control unit 20 is configured to determine, for each road section, whether or not a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the point related information 30b, and the points included in the determination target road section are associated with each other. The point related information 30b is acquired.

  When the spot related information 30b associated with the spot included in the road section to be determined is acquired, the control unit 20 sets the comparison target for each observation target corresponding to the spot related information 30b and sets the spot related information 30b. Whether or not a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred. In the present embodiment, determination by comparing the spot-related information 30b acquired when the vehicle travels at a certain point in time and the spot-related information 30b acquired when the vehicle travels at the spot. And the reference information defined in advance are determined.

  When the observation target is a road sign, the control unit 20 compares the road sign data included in the map information 30a with reference information. When the observation target is the degree of congestion for each road section, the control unit 20 compares the statistical data included in the map information 30a with reference information. Furthermore, when the observation target is vehicle motion information (vehicle speed and vibration), the control unit 20 compares the point-related information 30b acquired in the past.

Specifically, when the spot related information 30b indicating a road sign is acquired as the spot related information 30b associated with the spot included in the road section to be determined, the control unit 20 indicates the spot related information 30b. It is determined whether or not there is road sign data associated with information indicating a point that can be regarded as the same point as the point of the road sign (for example, a point within a predetermined distance from the point of the road sign). And when it determines with the said road sign data existing, the control part 20 determines whether the road sign which the point relevant information 30b differs from the road sign which road sign data shows. When it is determined that the road sign indicated by the point-related information 30b is different from the road sign indicated by the road sign data, the control unit 20 acquires the suggestion degree 6 based on Table 1 below. When it is not determined that the road sign indicated by the point related information 30b is different from the road sign indicated by the road sign data, the degree of suggestion regarding the road sign is set to zero.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined that there is road sign data associated with information indicating a point that can be regarded as the same point as the point of the road sign indicated by the point related information 30b, the road sign data of the map information 30a is This indicates that there was no existing road sign at the point. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 20 considers that the road sign is newly provided at the point of the road sign indicated by the point related information 30b, and acquires the suggestion degree 5 based on Table 1.

  That is, since the map information 30a regarding the road sign is defined by specifying the location of the actual road sign, if the road sign observed in the course of traveling of the vehicle does not match the map information 30a, the road information has a high probability. This means that the sign and the road on which the road sign existed have been changed. Therefore, by comparing the point-related information 30b related to the road sign with the road sign data included in the map information 30a, it is determined whether or not a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the point-related information 30b. When the probability that map information is updated in the map information management apparatus 110 is high, the output frequency of update requests can be increased. When it is considered that a road sign is newly established, there is no existing road sign at the location of the road sign. On the other hand, when it is determined that the road sign is different, an existing road sign exists at the point of the road sign. And, the former is smaller in the probability that the road sign is acquired by misrecognition at the point where the existing road sign exists and the probability that the road sign is acquired by misrecognition at the point where the existing road sign does not exist. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the suggestion degree of the former is set larger than that of the latter.

  When the spot-related information 30b indicating the degree of congestion of the road section is acquired as the spot-related information 30b associated with the spot included in the road section to be determined, the control unit 20 refers to the map information 30a, and Get statistical data for road segments. And the control part 20 determines with the degree of traffic congestion having changed rapidly, when the traffic congestion degree which the point relevant information 30b acquired most recently has changed more than predetermined amount with respect to the traffic congestion degree which statistical data shows. When it is determined that the congestion degree has changed rapidly, the control unit 20 acquires the suggestion degree 4 based on Table 1.

  Furthermore, the control unit 20 refers to the past history of the point-related information 30b indicating the degree of congestion in the road section to be determined, and the congestion level of the point-related information 30b acquired the most recent predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times). If both indicate that a predetermined amount or more of traffic has occurred, the control unit 20 determines that the road section to be determined is chronically congested. Then, when it is determined that the determination target road section is chronically congested, the control unit 20 acquires the suggestion degree 3 based on Table 1. In addition, when it is not determined that the degree of congestion has suddenly changed in the road section to be determined and is not determined to be chronically congested, the degree of suggestion regarding the degree of congestion is 0.

  In other words, if the degree of congestion is statistically calculated for each point (for each section) on the road, it can be statistically defined that the congestion level at the point is in a specific state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the statistical information on the degree of congestion indicated by the statistical data included in the map information 30a is different from the traffic information as the point-related information 30b actually acquired by the vehicle, the map is displayed on the point-related information 30b. It is configured to assume that a change suggesting an update of information has occurred.

  Then, when the traffic congestion level indicated by the point-related information 30b is suddenly changed with respect to the statistical data included in the map information 30a, for example, it is estimated that the traffic flow has changed suddenly due to a new road and the traffic flow has changed rapidly. be able to. Furthermore, it can be estimated that measures such as construction of a bypass road will be taken in the future in order to eliminate the chronically congested road section. Therefore, both of them are configured to acquire the suggestion level as an update of map information is suggested, while the former is a situation where changes in actual roads are estimated, while the latter is a situation where future roads etc. Since the change is estimated, in the present embodiment, the degree of suggestion of the former is set larger than that of the latter.

  When the point related information 30b indicating the vehicle speed of the point is acquired as the point related information 30b associated with the point included in the determination target road section, the control unit 20 indicates the vehicle speed in the determination target road section. With reference to the past history of the related information 30b, it is determined whether or not the latest vehicle speed has changed by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the average of the past vehicle speeds. And when it determines with the latest vehicle speed having changed more than predetermined amount with respect to the average of the past vehicle speed, the control part 20 acquires the suggestion degree 2 based on Table 1. FIG. When it is not determined that the latest vehicle speed has changed by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the average of the past vehicle speeds, the suggestion regarding the vehicle speed is set to zero.

  When the point-related information 30b indicating the vibration of the vehicle at the point is acquired as the point-related information 30b associated with the point included in the determination-target road section, the control unit 20 determines the vehicle in the determination-target road section. With reference to the past history of the point-related information 30b indicating the vibration, it is determined whether or not the vibration of the latest vehicle has changed by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the average of the vibration of the past vehicle. When it is determined that the latest vehicle vibration has changed by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the average of the past vehicle vibrations, the control unit 20 acquires the suggestion degree 1 based on Table 1. When it is not determined that the most recent vehicle vibration has changed by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the average of the past vehicle vibrations, the suggestion regarding the vehicle vibration is zero.

  In other words, when the road changes, the vehicle speed and the degree of vibration of the vehicle change according to the change, so if the operation of the vehicle changes compared to the past, it is estimated that the road has changed, and the suggestion level is Set to 2 or 1. The vehicle speed can be easily changed by the driver's operation, and the degree of vibration can be changed by road construction etc. without changing the map information. It is configured to be smaller than the target, and the suggestion corresponding to the vibration is smaller than the vehicle speed.

  When the suggestion degree for each observation target is acquired as described above, the control unit 20 acquires the sum of the acquired suggestion degrees, and is calculated when the update request frequency change process shown in FIG. 2A is executed last time. It is determined whether or not the sum of the suggestion levels has changed as compared with the sum of the suggested suggestion degrees (step S110). When it is determined in step S110 that the sum of suggestion levels has changed, the control unit 20 corrects the update frequency information 30c so that the update request output frequency corresponds to the sum of suggestion levels ( Step S115). On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S110 that the suggestion sum has changed, the control unit 20 skips step S115.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the output frequency of the update request corresponding to the sum of the suggestion levels is set in advance so that the output frequency of the update request increases as the sum of the suggestion levels increases. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the sum of suggestion levels and the output frequency of update requests in the present embodiment. In the figure, the sum of the suggestion levels is shown in the upper part, and the output frequency of the update request is shown in the lower part. When the suggestion sum is 0, the output frequency of the update request is the default value of once / two months. is there. On the other hand, when the sum of the suggestion levels is the highest, the sum is 16 (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 6: since both the suggestion levels 6 and 5 are not established), and the output frequency of the update request in this case is 1 time / 2 days. The output frequency of the update request changes from once every two months to once every two days in accordance with the change of the suggestion sum from 0 to 16. With such a correspondence relationship, it is possible to configure so that the output frequency of the update request increases as the suggestion sum increases.

(2-2) Update request process and map information transmission process:
Next, the update request process and the map information transmission process shown in FIG. 2B will be described. In FIG. 2B, a flowchart of the update request process is shown on the left side and a map information transmission process is shown on the right side, and the flow of information transmitted and received by each process is indicated by broken arrows. The control unit 20 executes an update request process by the update control unit 21c every time the navigation system 10 is activated. Moreover, the map information management apparatus 110 performs a map information transmission process for every fixed period (for example, 100 ms) by the control part which is not shown in figure.

  In the update request process, the control unit 20 acquires the update frequency information 30c by the process of the update control unit 21c (step S200). Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the update period indicated by the update frequency information 30c has elapsed after the previous update of the map information 30a (step S205). In other words, the update frequency information 30c indicates a period during which one update request is made as shown in FIG. Therefore, the control unit 20 records the update time every time the map information 30a is updated with the update information, and whether the update period indicated by the update frequency information 30c has elapsed from the time closest to the present among the update times. Determine whether or not. In step S205, if it is not determined that the update period indicated by the update frequency information 30c has elapsed since the previous map information 30a was updated, steps S210 to S220 are skipped and the update request process is terminated. That is, the update request process is terminated without outputting the update request.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S205 that the update period indicated by the update frequency information 30c has elapsed after the previous update of the map information 30a, the control unit 20 outputs an update request (step S210). That is, the control unit 20 outputs information indicating an update request and version information of the map information 30a to the map information management apparatus 110 via the communication unit 46.

  The map information management apparatus 110 determines whether or not an update request has been received in the map information transmission process (step S300). If it is not determined in step S300 that the update request has been received, step S305, S310 is skipped and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 has executed the process of outputting the update request in step S210 described above, the map information management apparatus 110 determines in step S300 that the update request has been received. In this case, the map information management apparatus 110 extracts update information to be transmitted to the vehicle that has output the update request (step S305). That is, the map information management apparatus 110 compares the version information included in the update request with the version information of the map information recorded on the recording medium of the map information management apparatus 110, and records it on the recording medium of the map information management apparatus 110. When the version of the map information that has been updated is newer, map information of a newer version than the version indicated by the version information included in the update request is extracted as update information. And the map information management apparatus 110 transmits the said update information (step S310). If it is determined in step S305 that the version of the map information recorded on the recording medium of the map information management apparatus 110 is not newer, the update information is not extracted and step S310 is also skipped.

  When the update information is transmitted, the vehicle control unit 20 receives the update information via the communication unit 46 (step S215), and updates the map information 30a (step S220). That is, by adding the update information to the map information 30a, the navigation process is performed using the map information 30a including the update information when the navigation process is executed thereafter. In the above configuration, the update frequency information 30c is referred to by the processing of steps S200 and S205, and the update request is output at the output frequency of the update request indicated by the update frequency information 30c. When a change suggesting that has been updated has occurred, the output frequency of the update request can be increased. Therefore, the update of the map information 30a can be completed earlier as the probability that the map information 30a is updated is higher.

(3) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, and an update request is output when there is a change that suggests updating of map information in the point related information related to the point where the vehicle has traveled as in the present invention. As long as the frequency to be performed is increased, various embodiments can be adopted. For example, the navigation system 10 may be fixedly mounted on the vehicle, or the portable navigation system 10 may be brought into the vehicle and used.

  Furthermore, the road sign to be observed is not limited to the road sign formed on the road, and may be configured to detect the road sign attached to the pillars installed around the road with a front camera or the like. Further, the spot-related information 30b is information relating to a spot where the vehicle has traveled, and may be information relating to a spot where the vehicle actually traveled or the vicinity of the spot (an area within a predetermined range from the spot). Therefore, it can be configured by information indicating the feature, the state of the feature, the state of the vehicle, and the like that can change when the map information related to the point or the vicinity of the point is updated. For example, the construction information indicating a point where road construction or the like is performed is acquired as part of the traffic information. And it is good also as a structure which increases the output frequency of an update request | requirement, when it changes into the state which is not acquired from the state from which the construction information which shows that the construction of the road etc. is being performed at a certain point. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which acquires the regulation information regarding a road, the holding information of an event, etc., and excludes the point relevant information 30b acquired in the period when regulation or an event is performed as an exception.

  Furthermore, the configuration for changing the output frequency of the update request is not limited to the configuration in which the increase amount is adjusted depending on the change in the point-related information 30b, and for example, a configuration in which a certain amount is increased or decreased may be employed. Furthermore, after the map information 30a is updated, the output frequency of the update request may be returned to the default value, or the output frequency of the update request may be reduced. Furthermore, when determining whether or not the degree of congestion has changed abruptly, traffic information may be acquired a plurality of times, and for example, the average degree of congestion indicated by the traffic information may be compared with statistical information. However, in this case, the number of traffic information acquisitions when determining whether or not there is chronic traffic congestion is less than the number of traffic information acquisitions when determining whether or not the degree of congestion has suddenly changed. Configured. For example, the number of traffic information acquisitions is set to about 10 in order to determine whether or not the traffic is chronically congested, and the number of traffic information acquisitions is determined to determine whether or not the degree of traffic congestion has changed abruptly. A configuration of about 1 to 3 times can be adopted.

  Further, the past motion information to be compared with the latest motion information may be statistics (average, etc.) of past motion information as described above, or may be motion information acquired at a specific time in the past. May be.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Navigation system, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Map information update program, 21a ... Point related information acquisition part, 21b ... Update request frequency change part, 21c ... Update control part, 30 ... Recording medium, 30a ... Map information, 30b ... Point-related information, 30c ... Update frequency information, 41 ... Reception unit, 42 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 43 ... Gyro sensor, 44 ... Camera, 45 ... Vibration sensor, 46 ... Communication unit, 110 ... Map information management device, 120 ... Traffic Information management device

Claims (7)

A navigation system that outputs an update request for map information recorded on a recording medium to the map information management device, and updates the map information with update information output by the management device,
Point-related information acquisition means for acquiring point-related information regarding the point where the vehicle has traveled;
Update request frequency changing means for increasing the frequency at which the update request is output when a change suggesting the update of the map information occurs in the point related information, compared to before the change suggesting the update of the map information occurs When,
A navigation system comprising: The point related information acquisition means acquires the point related information for a plurality of observation targets,
The update request frequency changing means identifies, as a target of observation, an observation target in which a change suggesting the update of the map information has occurred in the point related information among the plurality of observation targets, and is associated with the target of interest The frequency of the update request is acquired such that the degree of suggestion indicating the high update probability of the map information is obtained, and the degree of increase with respect to the output frequency of the reference update request increases as the sum of the hints for the target object increases. Increase the
The navigation system according to claim 1. The point related information acquisition means acquires information indicating a road sign existing on or around the road on which the vehicle has traveled as the point related information,
The update request frequency changing means, when the road sign has changed compared to the map information recorded on the recording medium, the point related information has changed to suggest the update of the map information I reckon,
The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2. The point-related information acquisition means acquires traffic information related to a road on which the vehicle has traveled as the point-related information,
The update request frequency changing means suggests that the map information is updated in the point-related information when the traffic information is different from the statistical information about the road traffic indicated by the map information recorded in the recording medium. It is considered that a change has occurred,
The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The point-related information acquisition means acquires operation information of the vehicle on a road on which the vehicle has traveled as the point-related information,
The update request frequency changing means regards that a change suggesting an update of the map information has occurred in the point related information when the latest operation information has changed by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the past operation information. ,
The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A map information update method for outputting an update request for map information recorded in a recording medium to the map information management device, and updating the map information with update information output by the management device,
A point-related information acquisition step of acquiring point-related information regarding a point where the vehicle has traveled;
An update request frequency changing step for increasing the frequency at which the update request is output when a change suggesting the update of the map information occurs in the point related information, compared to before the change indicating the update of the map information occurs. When,
The map information update method characterized by including. A map information update program for outputting a map information update request recorded in a recording medium to the map information management device, and causing a computer to realize a function of updating the map information with the update information output by the management device. There,
A point-related information acquisition function for acquiring point-related information about a point where the vehicle has traveled,
An update request frequency change function for increasing the frequency at which the update request is output when a change suggesting the update of the map information occurs in the point-related information, compared to before the change indicating the update of the map information occurs When,
A map information update program characterized by having a computer realize the above.

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