JP5261439B2 - DATA UPDATE SYSTEM, NAVIGATION DEVICE, AND DATA UPDATE METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data update system or the like that facilitates updating difference of a database with a large data amount wherein data are complicatedly related to each other such as a map database including road network data. <P>SOLUTION: The data update system has a terminal device 1 operated in accordance with a prescribed operation program PG, and server devices 2, 3 providing a difference data file Df for database update to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 is provided with a local storage database 16 configured of an update data format different from a reference data format referred to by the operation program PG and updated by the difference data file Df, and a conversion means 17 for converting data of the local storage database 16 into the reference data format. The server devices 2, 3 are provided with a difference data file output means 44 for output of the difference data file Df to be provided to the terminal device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention includes a navigation device that operates according to a predetermined application program, the data updating system having a server device for providing the difference data file for database updates to the navigation device, and a navigation apparatus used in the data update system, parallel And data update method.

  Up to now, the difference data is transmitted from the server device to the terminal device such as the navigation device, and the terminal device that has received the difference data updates the data using the information that the terminal device already has and the difference information. A technique related to a data update system that performs the above is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

  For example, a data update system described in Patent Document 1 below is an information distribution system including a center device that provides information and a terminal device that receives information from the center device. The center device includes a difference information extraction unit that extracts a difference between information transmitted previously to the terminal device and information to be transmitted, and a transmission unit that transmits the difference information extracted by the difference information extraction unit to the terminal device. It has. In addition, the terminal device includes a receiving unit that receives difference information from the center device, and a display unit that displays the difference information received by the receiving unit together with existing information.

  Here, the difference information is information corresponding to the difference between the traffic information generated earlier and the latest traffic information, for example, regarding traffic information such as traffic jam information and regulation information. And in the terminal device which received such difference information, the existing traffic information which has already been received and stored in the storage unit and the newly received difference information are displayed together on the display unit. Accordingly, it is possible to frequently update traffic information to be displayed on the terminal device, and to reduce the amount of information transmitted from the center device to the terminal device for updating.

JP 2006-84257 A

  The data update system is a system that updates data with a relatively small amount of information such as traffic information. For this reason, if the difference data is generated and transmitted to the terminal device as described above on the server device (center device) side, the data on the terminal device side can be rewritten relatively easily by rewriting existing data to the difference data. Updates can be made.

  However, when updating a database that has a large amount of data, such as a map database including road network data used in a navigation device, and each data is complicatedly related, the received difference data is used. Updating the database is not easy. That is, in such complicated data, since the number of data that needs to be changed in relation to changing one data increases, the number of data included in the difference data also increases. In order to update the database based on such difference data, it is necessary to extract data before update corresponding to a large number of data included in the difference data from a database having a large amount of data. At this time, for example, when updating a database storing road network data, since each data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, each data included in the difference data cannot be easily extracted. There has been a problem that the update process in the terminal device is very complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, until now, when updating a complicated database such as a map database used in a navigation apparatus, it has been common to rewrite and update all data without performing a difference update. However, with such a method, the amount of data necessary for updating becomes enormous, and it becomes difficult to transmit the updating data to the terminal device via a communication network or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not easy to update data frequently, and it is difficult to continuously provide high freshness data to the terminal device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is a database that has a large amount of data, such as a map database including road network data, and each data is complicatedly related. data update system capable of performing the differential update easily, and the navigation apparatus used in the data updating system is to provide a data updating method in parallel beauty.

According to the present invention for achieving the above object, the data updating with a navigation device that operates according to a predetermined application program, and a server device for providing differential data file for updating a database containing road network data in the navigation device The system is characterized in that the navigation device is configured in a data format for update, which is a data format in which each piece of data relating to road network data is arranged in the order of the data type of the road network, and road network data based on the difference data file of added, modified, or the local database is a database that is difference update by performing the deletion, the data of the local storage database after the difference update, the data relating to road network data is the Is an array data format to a connection order of the road network, and a conversion means for converting the reference data format to be referenced by the application program, the server apparatus, the difference data to be provided to the navigation device A differential data file output means for outputting a file , wherein the differential data file includes data representing any update mode of addition, change, or deletion of road network data, and road network data of a portion to be updated; Each of the data constituting the part of the road network data to be updated is arranged separately for each update mode, and each data of the data group divided for each update mode is They are arranged in order of data type .

According to this characteristic configuration, the navigation device includes a local storage database configured in an update data format suitable for differential update by a differential data file, and the local storage database is differentially updated by the differential data file. Therefore, even if the database has a large amount of data and each data is related in a complicated manner, the difference update can be performed relatively easily. Therefore, frequently become the data is easy to differential updated with the differential data file, it is possible to provide a continuously the navigation device data high freshness. Further, since the navigation device includes conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database into a reference data format referred to by the application program, the data format of the local storage database is changed to an update data format. Thus, the influence on the operation of the application program can be suppressed, and the operation performance of the navigation apparatus equivalent to the case where a database in the reference data format is provided can be ensured. In addition, according to this feature configuration, after the entity data to be updated is divided for each update mode, the data format is arranged in the order of the data types in the same manner as the update data format of the local storage database. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform the process of updating the difference of the local storage database using the difference data file.

Further, with this configuration, the data format of the local storage database is set to a format suitable for differential update by the differential data file, and the data converted by the conversion means is suitable for reference by the application program of the navigation device. Format. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform the differential update of the road network data in which the amount of data is large and each data is complicatedly related, and the influence on the operation of the application program can be suppressed. It is possible to ensure the operational performance of the navigation device.

Here, the local storage database has road network data divided into a plurality of sections with a predetermined area on the map as one section, and all of the road networks included in the section for each section. It is preferable that the data is provided in the order of data types of the road network.

Further, the navigation device is configured in the reference data format, provided with a reference database that road network data divided into a plurality of the partition is stored, the reference database by the data converted by said converting means Reference database updating means for updating, wherein the conversion means converts the road network data from the update data format to the reference data format for each section, and converts the reference data format for each section. Road network data is generated, and the reference database update means replaces the road network data in the reference database for each section with the road network data in the reference data format generated by the conversion means. Configure to update the database To be suitable.

With this configuration, the application program can basically operate by referring to a reference database in which data in a reference data format is stored. Therefore, compared to the case where all data referred to by the application program is read from the local storage database and converted by the conversion unit, the processing load by the conversion unit can be reduced, and the operation performance of the navigation device is improved. Can be achieved.

Furthermore, if comprised in this way, the content of the said reference database can be updated for every division according to the content of the said local preservation | save database updated by the said difference data file. Therefore, the application program of the navigation device can operate based on the data after the difference update by the difference data file only by referring to the reference database.

Further, the navigation device has a plurality of the application programs , and the conversion means converts the road network data in one update data format stored in the local storage database , and a plurality of types according to each application program It is preferable that the road network data in the reference data format is generated .

By configuring in this way, each application program can refer to data in a format suitable for each of the plurality of application programs, and the data format of the local storage database that is differentially updated by the differential data file is unified. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, even when the navigation device has a plurality of application programs, there is no need to transmit a differential data file in a format corresponding to each application program, and the data amount of the differential data file can be reduced. Become.

In addition, the navigation device includes a parallel update data storage unit capable of storing data during reference of the reference database by the application program, and the reference database update unit is configured to convert the conversion unit during execution of the application program. Are sequentially stored in the parallel update data storage means, and after the conversion processing by the conversion means is completed, the data stored in the parallel update data storage means is replaced with data of the reference database. It is preferable that the reference database is updated.

If comprised in this way, while referring to the said reference database by the said application program, the conversion process of the data of the local preservation | save database by the said conversion means and the storage of the data after conversion can be performed in parallel. Therefore, it is possible to perform a conversion process that is likely to require a relatively long time in parallel during the operation of the navigation device. In addition, after the conversion process by the conversion unit is completed, the data stored in the parallel update data storage unit is replaced with the data of the reference database, so that the contents of the reference database can be updated in a short time. It becomes.

The front Symbol reference database, the road network data, a map database for navigation that includes a guide for data associated with the road network data, the differential data file, the data representing the mode of updating, It is preferable that the road network data of a portion to be updated and guidance data to be updated are included, and the guidance data in the reference database is updated by the difference data file.

  According to this configuration, the local storage database can be configured not to include guide data, so that the data amount of the local storage database can be reduced. At this time, since the guidance data has a relatively small relationship between the data, it is not particularly difficult to directly update the difference in the data stored in the reference database.

Further, the navigation device is based on the difference data file receiving means for receiving the difference data file and the difference data file for receiving the difference data file provided from the server device and updating the local storage database. And a local storage database updating means for updating the local storage database.

  Further, the server device, based on the local storage database for comparison having the same content as the local storage database, new data receiving means for receiving input of new data, the local storage database for comparison and the new data It is preferable that the apparatus includes a difference data file generation unit that generates a difference data file.

If comprised in this way, the difference data file on the basis of the content of the local storage database of the said navigation apparatus can be easily produced | generated in the said server apparatus based on the input new data.

  Further, the server device generates a new local storage database having the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the contents of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data. Preferably, the difference data file generation means is configured to generate the difference data file based on a difference between the reference local storage database and the new local storage database. .

If comprised in this way, since a difference data file is produced | generated based on the database before and after the update of the same data format as the said local storage database with which the said navigation apparatus is equipped, the format suitable for the update of the said local storage database The difference data file can be generated relatively easily.

Further, according to the present invention, together with receive provision of the differential data file for updating a database containing road network data from a server device, characteristic configuration of a navigation device that operates according to a predetermined application program, each data related to road network data consists of update data format is the road network arranged data format order of data categories, adding the road network data on the basis of the differential data file, change, or a database that is difference update by performing the deletion a local storage database, the data of the local storage database after the difference update, the data relating to road network data is arranged data format to a connection order of the road network, the application program Comprising conversion means for converting the reference data format to be referenced, the result, the difference data file, the additional road network data, and data representing change, or any of the aspects of the update of the deletion, be updated Each of the data constituting the road network data of the portion to be updated is arranged separately for each update mode, and the data group divided for each update mode Each data is arranged in the order of the data type of the road network .

According to this characteristic configuration, the navigation device includes a local storage database configured in an update data format suitable for differential update by a differential data file, and the local storage database is differentially updated by the differential data file. Therefore, even if the database has a large amount of data and each data is related in a complicated manner, the difference update can be performed relatively easily. Therefore, it becomes easy to frequently update the difference with the difference data file, and high freshness data can be continuously obtained. In addition, since the navigation device includes conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database into a reference data format referred to by the application program, the data format of the local storage database is changed to an update data format. Thus, the influence on the operation of the application program can be suppressed, and it is possible to ensure the operation performance equivalent to that provided with a reference data format database. In addition, according to this feature configuration, after the entity data to be updated is divided for each update mode, the data format is arranged in the order of the data types in the same manner as the update data format of the local storage database. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform the process of updating the difference of the local storage database using the difference data file.

Here, the local storage database has road network data divided into a plurality of sections with a predetermined area on the map as one section, and all of the road networks included in the section for each section. It is preferable that the data is provided in the order of data types of the road network.

Here, it is preferable to further add each component related to the navigation device. In addition, the effect in that case is as above-mentioned.

According to the present invention, the data update method for updating the database including the road network data by providing the difference data file from the server device to the navigation device includes the server device and each data related to the road network data. comprising a local database is a database composed of the road network ordered update data format is a data format for data type order, using said navigation device that operates according to the application program, the server device road network Including data representing an update mode of any one of addition, change, or deletion of data, and road network data of a part to be updated, and each data constituting the road network data of the part to be updated, For each update mode Together are arranged separately, each data of the data groups divided every aspect of updating a data file arranged in order of data categories of the road network, the differential data file to be provided to the navigation device output, the navigation device accepts the difference data file, the additional road network data on the basis of the differential data file, change, or the local database and the difference update by performing deletion, the post difference update The data stored in the local storage database is in a data format in which each piece of data related to road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, and is converted into a reference data format referred to by the application program .

According to this characteristic configuration, since the local storage database configured in the update data format provided in the navigation device is configured to perform differential update with the differential data file output from the server device, the amount of data is large, Even in a database in which data is related in a complicated manner, it is possible to update a difference relatively easily. Therefore, frequently become the data is easy to differential updated with the differential data file, it is possible to provide a continuously the navigation device data high freshness. In addition, according to this feature configuration, after the entity data to be updated is divided for each update mode, the data format is arranged in the order of the data types in the same manner as the update data format of the local storage database. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform the process of updating the difference of the local storage database using the difference data file.

Here, the local storage database has road network data divided into a plurality of sections with a predetermined area on the map as one section, and all of the road networks included in the section for each section. the data includes the order of data categories of the road network, the navigation device, the composed of the reference data format, comprising a reference database that road network data divided into a plurality of the partition is stored, the update data The road network data in the reference data format is generated by performing the conversion of the road network data from the format into the reference data format for each section to generate the road network data in the reference data format for each section. The road network data in the reference database is By replacing every serial sections it is preferable that a structure that updates the reference database.

If comprised in this way, according to the content of the said local preservation | save database updated by the difference data file, the content of the said reference database can be updated for every division . Therefore, the application program of the navigation device can operate based on the data after the difference update by the difference data file only by referring to the reference database.

Moreover, the navigational device has a plurality of said application program, said converting the local storage of one stored in the database of update data format road network data, a plurality of types of reference data format corresponding to each application program It is preferable that the road network data is generated .

By configuring in this way, each application program can refer to data in a format suitable for each of the plurality of application programs, and the data format of the local storage database that is differentially updated by the differential data file is unified. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, even when the navigation device has a plurality of application programs, there is no need to transmit a differential data file in a format corresponding to each application program, and the data amount of the differential data file can be reduced. Become.

In addition, the navigation device includes parallel update data storage means capable of storing data while referring to the reference database by the application program. During execution of the application program, the data converted into the reference data format is stored. Sequentially storing in the parallel update data storage means, and after completion of the conversion process to the reference data format, the data stored in the parallel update data storage means is replaced with the data of the reference database to replace the reference database. A configuration for updating is preferable.

If comprised in this way, during the reference of the said reference database by the said application program, the conversion process of the data of a local preservation | save database to the reference data format and the storage of the data after conversion can be performed in parallel. Therefore, it is possible to perform a conversion process that is likely to require a relatively long time in parallel during the operation of the navigation device. In addition, after the conversion to the reference data format is completed, the data stored in the parallel update data storage means is replaced with the data of the reference database, so that the contents of the reference database can be updated in a short time. Is possible.

  Further, the server device includes a comparison local storage database having the same contents as the local storage database, receives input of new data, and stores the difference data file based on the comparison local storage database and the new data. It is preferable that the configuration is generated.

According to this configuration, the server device can easily generate a difference data file based on the contents of the local storage database of the navigation device based on the input new data.

  Further, the server device generates a new local storage database having the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the contents of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data. The difference data file is preferably generated based on the difference between the control local storage database and the new local storage database.

According to this configuration, the difference data file is generated based on the database before and after the update in the same data format as that of the local storage database included in the navigation device. Therefore, the difference in a format suitable for updating the local storage database. Data files can be generated relatively easily.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the data update system which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. Diagram showing the configuration of the navigation program Explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the structure of the reference database Diagram showing a specific example of a road network The figure which shows the specific example of the structure of the road network data of the data format for reference The figure which shows the specific example of the comparison table of the record code | cord | chord of each data, and permanent ID. The figure which shows the concrete example of the constitution of the difference data file The figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the road network data of the data format for an update Flow chart of differential data file generation method Flowchart of method for providing difference data file to navigation device Flow chart of reference database update method in navigation device The block diagram which shows the structure of the data update system which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of the operation | movement method accompanying the update of a local storage database based on 2nd embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the data update system which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. Flowchart of extraction frequency determination and data storage method in reference database according to the third embodiment of the present invention

1. First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the data update system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the terminal device is the navigation device 1. The data update system provides the difference data file Df generated by the difference data generation server 2 from the difference data distribution server 3 to the navigation device 1 and updates the reference database 19 as a map database for navigation. It has become. Therefore, the data update system according to the present embodiment includes the navigation device 1, the differential data generation server 2, and the differential data distribution server 3 as main components. Here, the differential data generation server 2 and the differential data distribution server 3 constitute a server device in the present invention.

  Here, each means which comprises the navigation apparatus 1, the difference data production | generation server 2, and the difference data delivery server 3 performs various processes with respect to the input data by using arithmetic processing units, such as CPU, as a core member. Are implemented by hardware and / or software (program) or both. Each database included in the navigation device 1, the differential data generation server 2, and the differential data distribution server 3 is a hardware configuration of a device having a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory and its drive means. As prepared. In each figure of the present application, “database” is abbreviated as “DB” for simplification. Hereinafter, the configuration of each device will be described in order.

1-1. Configuration for Realizing the Basic Functions of the Navigation Device 1 The navigation device 1 is a navigation system that realizes basic functions such as self-location display, route calculation from the departure point to the destination, route guidance, destination search, and the like. A calculation unit 20, a reference database 19, a self-position detection unit 21, a driver 22, a display operation unit 23, and an audio output unit 24.

  The navigation calculation means 20 is a calculation processing means that operates according to a navigation program PG as an operation program. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the navigation program PG. As shown in this figure, the navigation program PG includes a plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5. In the present embodiment, the navigation program PG has five application programs: a display program PG1, a map matching program PG2, a route calculation program PG3, a guidance program PG4, and a search program PG5. Here, the display program PG1 is a program for displaying a map of the surroundings such as the own position and destination on the display screen of the display operation unit 23, and displaying the own position on the map. The map matching program PG2 is a program for performing a map matching process for matching the own position detected by the own position detecting means 21 on the road of the map. The route calculation program PG3 is a program for calculating a route such as a route from the own position to the destination input by the display operation unit 23, for example. The guidance program PG4 performs a process for guiding an appropriate route by guidance display on the display screen of the display operation unit 23, voice guidance by the voice output unit 24, or the like according to the route to the destination determined by route calculation. It is a program. The search program PG5 is a program for searching for destinations, points for map display, and the like based on addresses, telephone numbers, facility names, genres, and the like. Since the operation processing of the navigation device 1 by these programs is well known, detailed description is omitted. In each of these application programs PG1 to PG5, data (information) stored in the reference database 19 such as road network data Rn and guidance data Gd is used.

  The reference database 19 is a database that stores data in a reference data format that is referred to by the navigation program PG in order to realize the basic functions of the navigation device 1. In this embodiment, the reference database 19 functions as a map database for navigation including road network data Rn and guidance data Gd. The reference database 19 includes a plurality of application program databases in accordance with application programs for a plurality of functions constituting the navigation program PG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the structure of the reference database 19. As shown in this figure, each data such as road network data Rn and guidance data Gd stored in the reference database 19 is stored in accordance with each application program PG1 to PG5, and each of them is an application program database. (Hereinafter referred to as “application database” for simplification.) 19a to 19e. That is, in the present embodiment, the reference database 19 stores a display program database 19a, a map matching program database 19b, a route calculation program database 19c, a guidance program database 19d, and a search program database 19e. ing. Although not shown in the drawing, at least road network data Rn in a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5 is stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. There are also databases that do not have the guidance data Gd, such as the map matching program database 19b. Further, the reference database 19 is provided with a parallel update area Fr as data storage means for parallel update. The parallel update area Fr is an area for storing data for updating the reference database 19 during reference of the reference database 19 by the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. A method of using the parallel update area Fr will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the road network data Rn stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e in the reference database 19 is stored in a predetermined section (section <1> to section <3 shown in FIG. > Etc.) and are divided into a plurality of data. For example, road network data Rn in which a 2.5 km square area is defined as one section and the road network of Japan is divided into a plurality of sections is stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. The guidance data Gd is associated with each of the road network data Rn for each section (eg, guidance data <1> to guidance data <3> shown in FIG. 3), and is stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. Stored. Here, the guidance data Gd is specifically data for display, guidance, search, and the like used in each of the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG, and includes image data, audio data, POI (Point of points). Interest) data is included. Each of these data is stored in association with data related to links, nodes, etc. (see FIG. 4) included in the road network data Rn.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a road network represented by road network data Rn. In the example shown in this figure, there are two link strings, a link string A and a link string B, and each link string A, B includes nodes A1 to A3, B1 to B3 (black circles in FIG. 4) and two nodes. The links A1, A2, B1, and B2 (solid lines in FIG. 4) that connect them, and shape interpolation point groups A1, A2, B1, and B2 (white circles in FIG. 4) that define the shape of each link are configured. ing. The road network data Rn is data representing information constituting each of these link strings. Note that the node A2 of the link row A and the node B2 of the link row B are represented by different positions in FIG. In the road network data Rn, data corresponding to each node is managed for each of the link columns A and B. Therefore, data corresponding to nodes representing the same intersection is provided for each of the link columns A and B. Note that the data corresponding to such a node includes data arrangement information corresponding to other nodes representing the same intersection.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the road network data Rn in the reference data format representing the road network as shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the reference data format is a data format in which each data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network. In the present embodiment, as described above, this road network data Rn is divided into predetermined sections (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3) and section ID data indicating the corresponding section. Is placed at the top. The road network data Rn includes intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data as substantial data constituting the road network data Rn. Here, the intersection data is the coordinate information of the node representing the intersection, the attribute information of the intersection representing the presence or absence of a traffic light or a guide sign, and the hierarchy information indicating to which level of the map display layer the intersection is displayed. Etc. The connection data includes information on which road (link) is connected to the node representing the intersection, necessity of guidance according to the traveling direction at the intersection, information on the presence or absence of restrictions, and the like. The road data includes information on both end nodes of the link representing the road, road type information, width information, lane number information, hierarchical information indicating to which level of the map display layer the road is displayed. Yes. The shape data includes coordinate information of a shape interpolation point group that defines the shape of the link representing the road. These intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data, and road network data Rn in an update data format stored in the local storage database 16 to be described later and road network data Rn included in the difference data file Df are included. Intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data in related data are data representing the same type of content, but there are some differences in specific content, arrangement, and the like. For example, the contents of the road extension data and the intersection extension data in the road network data Rn in the update data format are not separated as independent items in the road network data Rn stored in the reference database 19, and each related data Are included in any of intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data.

  The arrangement of each of these data is in the order of connection of the road network, more specifically, the order of connection of nodes and links constituting each link row for each link row. For example, the data representing the link string A shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the intersection data A1 and connection data A1 corresponding to the node A1 and the road data corresponding to the link A1 connected to the node A1 from the top. A1 and shape data A1 corresponding to the shape interpolation point group A1 of the link A1 are arranged in this order. Next, the intersection data A2 and the connection data A2 corresponding to the node A2 connected to the other end of the link A1, the road data A2 corresponding to the link A2 connected to the node A2, and the shape interpolation point group A2 of the link A2. They are arranged in the order of corresponding shape data A2. In addition, the other link strings such as the link string B have the same data array. As described above, the road network data Rn is divided into predetermined sections and stored in the application databases 19a to 19e. The specific content of each data constituting the road network data Rn differs depending on which of the application databases 19a to 19e is stored, but the data arrangement in the division as shown in FIG. The same applies to any of the application databases 19a to 19e.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the reference database 19 stores a comparison table of record codes and permanent IDs of each data constituting the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of this comparison table. As shown in this figure, the record codes of the data constituting the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, etc. are, as an example, road data “A1”, “A2”, and intersection data “A1”. , “A2” and the like. The presence of this comparison table makes it possible to associate permanent ID data stored in a differential data file Df (see FIG. 7) described later with each data constituting the reference database 19. Therefore, the permanent ID data stored in the difference data file Df and the entity data linked thereto are associated with each data constituting the guidance data Gd of the reference database 19, and the reference database is based on the difference data file Df. The 19 guide data Gd can be updated.

  The own position detection means 21 is a means for detecting the current position of the navigation device 1. For this reason, the self-position detecting unit 21 includes, for example, a GPS receiver, an orientation sensor, a distance sensor, and the like, although not illustrated. And based on the information acquired by these, information, such as the coordinate which shows the present position, a traveling direction, is acquired, and it outputs to the calculating means 20 for navigation. The display operation unit 23 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display device, and a touch panel and operation switches that are linked to the display screen. The audio output unit 24 includes a speaker and an amplifier. The display operation unit 23 and the audio output unit 24 are connected to the navigation calculation means 20 via the driver 22, and display their own position according to the operation of the navigation calculation means 20, route calculation between two points, route guidance, purpose Performs display and audio output for ground search. The display operation unit 23 receives an operation input by the user and outputs the content to the navigation calculation unit 20.

1-2. Configuration for Realizing Update Function of Navigation Device 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 has a configuration for realizing the update function of the reference database 19 in addition to the configuration for realizing the basic function described above. In addition, a communication unit 11, a media playback unit 12, a difference data file reception unit 13, a data selection unit 14, a local storage database update unit 15, a local storage database 16, a conversion unit 17, and a reference database update unit 18 are provided. In this navigation device 1, in order to update the reference database 19, with respect to the road network data Rn, the local storage database 16 is differentially updated based on the differential data file Df provided from the differential data distribution server 3 and updated. The data in the later local storage database 16 is converted into a reference data format, and the reference database 19 is updated. Note that the guidance data Gd such as image data, audio data, POI (Point of Interest) data, and the like has little relation to each other, so the reference database 19 is updated directly based on the difference data file Df. I will do it. Hereinafter, each of these components will be described in detail.

  The difference data file receiving unit 13 is a unit that receives the difference data file Df provided from the difference data distribution server 3. In the present embodiment, the difference data file Df is received via the communication unit 11 or the media playback unit 12. The communication means 11 is configured to be able to receive the difference data file Df wirelessly with the wireless base station 4. As such a wireless communication method, for example, a known communication network such as a mobile phone network or a wireless local area network (LAN) can be used. Further, the communication means 11 communicates with the update terminal 5 possessed by the user or the dealer of the navigation device 1 and the difference data file transmitted to the update terminal 5 via the communication network 6 such as the Internet. It is configured to be able to receive Df. Here, a personal computer or the like can be used as the update terminal 5, and various known wired or wireless communication methods can be used as a communication method between the communication unit 11 and the update terminal 5. . The media playback means 12 is configured to play back the recording media created in the differential data distribution server 3 and read the differential data file Df recorded there. The difference data file accepting unit 13 receives the difference data file Df from the difference data distribution server 3 via the communication unit 11 or reads the difference data file Df from the recording medium by the media reproducing unit 12. Only the difference data file Df of a version newer than the version of the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 is accepted.

  The difference data file Df is a file in which the contents of data to be updated in accordance with the actual road, facility state, etc. are collected as difference data with respect to the contents of the data stored in the reference database 19 of the navigation device 1. It is. As will be described later, the difference data file Df is generated in the difference data generation server 2 based on the local storage database 33 for comparison having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1 and the new data.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the difference data file Df. In the present embodiment, the difference data file Df is created corresponding to each section (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3) of the road network data Rn, and a section ID indicating the corresponding section. Data da is arranged at the head. Further, the difference data file Df has version data db indicating an updated version. The difference data file Df arranges the data to be updated separately for each update mode. Therefore, update mode data dc representing “addition”, “change”, and “deletion” is arranged at the head of the data group for each update mode. Furthermore, the difference data file Df arranges each data of the data group divided for each update mode in the order of the data type. Therefore, data type ID data dd representing the data type of the data group is arranged at the head of the data group for each data type. Then, after this data type ID data dd, permanent ID data of each data and entity data linked thereto are arranged. Note that for the data whose update mode is “deleted”, no new entity data is required, so only permanent ID data is arranged. Here, the permanent ID is a unique ID on the map database unique to each entity data constituting the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd, and is also used in common in the reference database 19 and the local storage database 16.

Here, as data constituting the difference data file Df, there are mainly various data constituting the road network data Rn and various data constituting the guidance data Gd. Specifically, data types relating to network data, which is the main data constituting the road network data Rn, include “intersection data”, “connection data”, “road data”, “shape data”, and the like. Further, there are road extension data and intersection extension data as additional data associated with these network system data and constituting the road network data Rn. Data types related to road extension data include “road name data”, “traffic information related data” for associating traffic information such as VICS with road data, and data types related to intersection extension data include “intersection” “Name data”, “necessity of guidance at an intersection, and“ intersection guidance data ”representing permanent ID data of guidance data Gd constituting the guidance content. As described above, in this embodiment, various data constituting the road network data Rn are represented by “intersection data”, “connection data”, “road data”, “shape data”, “road name data”, “traffic information related data”. , “Intersection name data”, “intersection guidance data”, and the like, and the data for each element type is arranged in the order of the data type. Although the difference data file Df has been described here, the same applies to the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16. Further, the data types related to the guidance data Gd include “image data”, “voice data”, “POI (Point of Interest) data”, and the like. And
A data type ID is assigned to each of these data types and is arranged in the difference data file Df as data type ID data dd.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the data selecting means 14 selects the data in the difference data file Df received by the difference data file receiving means 13 into data relating to the road network data Rn, other guidance data Gd, and the like. It is. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the local storage database 16 is a database for differential update of the road network data Rn. Therefore, the data selection unit 14 sends data related to the road network data Rn selected from the difference data file Df to the local storage database update unit 15. Further, the data selection means 14 sends data related to the guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn to the reference database update means 18.

  The local storage database 16 is a database for updating the difference of the road network data Rn. Therefore, the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 has an update data format different from the reference data format stored in the reference database 19. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the road network data Rn in the update data format. As shown in this figure, the update data format is a data format in which each data is arranged in the data type order. In the present embodiment, as with the reference database 19, the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16 is divided into predetermined sections (see section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3). The section ID data df indicating the corresponding section is arranged at the head. The road network data Rn has version data dg indicating an updated version. Further, the road network data Rn has a header part dh in which address data indicating the arrangement of substantial data constituting the road network data Rn is stored.

  The road network data Rn in the data format for update stored in the local storage database 16 is classified as “intersection data”, “connection data”, There are “road data”, “shape data”, etc., “road name data”, “traffic information related data” etc. for road extension data, “intersection name data”, “intersection guidance data” etc. for intersection extension data is there. The arrangement of these data is in the order of the data type, and data of the same data type is continuously arranged. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, road data A1, road data A2,... And all road data are continuously arranged from the top, and then intersection data A1, intersection data A2,. All the intersection data are continuously arranged, and after that, all the data types are similarly arranged. The header section dh stores address data indicating the data arrangement area for each data type and the arrangement of each data within the same data type. Therefore, the local storage database update unit 15 can obtain the arrangement information of each data in the local storage database 16 by referring to the information stored in the header part dh.

  Similarly to the reference database 19, the local storage database 16 stores a comparison table of record codes and permanent IDs of each data constituting the road network data Rn as shown in FIG. By the presence of this comparison table, the permanent ID data stored in the differential data file Df and the entity data linked thereto are associated with each data constituting the road network data Rn of the local storage database 16, and the difference Based on the data file Df, the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16 can be updated.

  Note that, unlike the reference database 19, the local storage database 16 is not divided according to the application program, but is a single database. Further, the local storage database 16 stores only data related to the road network data Rn, and does not store data related to the guidance data Gd.

  The local storage database update unit 15 is a unit that updates the contents of the local storage database 16 based on the data related to the road network data Rn included in the difference data file Df selected by the data selection unit 14. Here, as described above, section ID data da and df (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are assigned to the difference data file Df and the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16. Therefore, the local storage database update unit 15 updates the road network data Rn for each section using the difference data file Df in which the section ID data da and df match. The update method differs depending on whether the update mode of the data to be updated stored in the differential data file Df is “addition”, “change”, or “deletion”.

  When the update mode is “addition”, the local storage database update unit 15 adds the update target data to the area in which the data of the data type corresponding to the data is stored, and adds the update target data to the address data of the header portion dh. Information indicating the array of the added data is added. Also, the comparison table is updated, and the record code and permanent ID information of the added data is added. When the update mode is “change”, the local storage database update unit 15 first responds from the permanent ID of the data to be updated stored in the differential data file Df based on the comparison table as shown in FIG. Get the record code information of the data to be processed. Then, with reference to the address data of the header part dh included in the road network data Rn of the local storage database 16, information on the storage position of the data to be updated is acquired, and the data to be updated is rewritten. When the update mode is “deletion”, the local storage database update unit 15 first responds from the permanent ID of the data to be updated stored in the difference data file Df based on the comparison table as shown in FIG. Get the record code information of the data to be processed. Then, by referring to the address data of the header part dh included in the road network data Rn of the local storage database 16, information on the storage position of the data to be updated is acquired, and the data to be updated and its address data are deleted. . Also, the comparison table is updated, and the record code and permanent ID information of the deleted data is deleted.

  In addition, when the local storage database 16 is updated with the difference data file Df, the local storage database update unit 15 uses the difference data file as the version data dg of the road network data Rn of the updated section of the local storage database 16. Update to the same version as the version data db (see FIG. 7) of Df.

  The conversion means 17 is a means for converting the data format of the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 from the update data format to the reference data format. Specifically, the conversion means 17 converts the road network data Rn in an update data format in which the data are arranged in the order of data types as shown in FIG. 8, and the data is in the order of connection of the road networks as shown in FIG. A process of converting the road network data Rn in the arranged reference data format is performed. Incidentally, as described above, the reference database 19 is divided into a plurality of application databases 19a to 19e, and road network data Rn in a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5 is included in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. Is stored. In the present embodiment, the conversion means 17 converts the road network data Rn in one update data format stored in the local storage database 16, and a plurality of types of reference data formats corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. The road network data Rn can be generated. In each of the application databases 19a to 19e, the road network data Rn is data divided into predetermined sections (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3). Therefore, the conversion means 17 is configured to perform conversion processing of the road network data Rn from the update data format to the reference data format for each predetermined section.

  The reference database update unit 18 is a unit that updates the reference database 19. In the present embodiment, for the road network data Rn, the reference database 19 is updated using the road network data Rn converted by the conversion means 17. As described above, the conversion unit 17 is configured to perform the conversion process of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section in a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5. Therefore, the reference database update unit 18 converts the road network data Rn in the reference database 19 for each unit of the road network data Rn converted by the conversion unit 17, that is, for each predetermined section of each application database 19a to 19e. Updating is performed by replacing the road network data Rn later. Specifically, for example, when the road network data Rn of the section <1> in the local storage database 16 is converted into a reference data format corresponding to the display program PG1 by the conversion means 17, for example, a display program database. Update is performed by replacing the road network data Rn of the section <1> of 19a with the road network data Rn after the conversion.

  Further, the reference database updating unit 18 directly updates the reference database 19 based on the data related to the guidance data Gd included in the difference data file Df selected by the data selection unit 14 for the guidance data Gd. . Specifically, the reference database updating means 18 first records the corresponding data record code from the permanent ID of the guidance data Gd to be updated stored in the difference data file Df based on the comparison table shown in FIG. Get information about. Then, the corresponding guidance data Gd is extracted from the reference database 19 and updated by rewriting the data based on the actual data stored in the difference data file Df.

  Further, the reference database update unit 18 sequentially stores the data converted by the conversion unit 17 in the parallel update area Fr of the reference database 19 during execution of the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. Then, after the conversion process by the conversion unit 17 is completed, a process of updating the reference database 19 by replacing the data stored in the parallel update area Fr with the data of the reference database 19 is performed. That is, during the execution of the application programs PG1 to PG5 in the navigation calculation means, the predetermined application databases 19a to 19e in the reference database 19 are appropriately referred to by the application programs PG1 to PG5 being executed. On the other hand, since the conversion process of the data format by the conversion unit 17 requires a relatively long time, the converted data is converted into the respective application databases 19a to 19 while performing the conversion process by the conversion unit 17 during the execution of the application programs PG1 to PG5. If the reference database 19 is updated by writing in 19e, there is a possibility that the operation of the application programs PG1 to PG5 being executed may be hindered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, during the execution of any of the application programs PG1 to PG5, the data converted by the conversion means 17 is temporarily stored in the parallel update area Fr, and after the conversion process is completed, A process of updating the reference database 19 by replacing the data stored in the update area Fr with the data of the reference database 19 is performed. As a result, the navigation program PG is operated, and the reference database 19 is simultaneously and concurrently operated while operating the basic functions of the navigation device 1 such as display of the own position, calculation of the route from the departure place to the destination, route guidance, and destination search. Update processing can be performed. The process of replacing the data stored in the parallel update area Fr with the data in the reference database 19 is performed, for example, between the data stored in the parallel update area Fr and the corresponding pre-update data. This can be done by changing the address of the storage area in the storage area.

1-3. Configuration of Differential Data Generation Server 2 The differential data generation server 2 is a server device that performs a process of generating a differential data file Df and providing it to the differential data distribution server 3. As a configuration for executing such processing, the difference data generation server 2 includes an input terminal 31 as a new data receiving unit, a data type determination unit 32, a target local storage database 33, a new local storage database 34, a new local A storage database generation unit 35 and a difference data file generation unit 36 are provided.

  The input terminal 31 is a terminal for accepting input of new data. The new data input here is a specific content to be newly added, changed, or deleted with respect to the contents of the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd stored in the reference database 19 of the navigation device 1. Data. For example, when a new road is actually created, it is necessary for the intersection data, connection data, road data, shape data, and the like constituting the road network data Rn of the portion related to the road, or when the road is newly established. Various image data, audio data, POI data, and the like constituting the guidance data Gd are input from the input terminal 31 as new data. Further, for example, when a road is removed, information specifying various data constituting the road network data Rn of the portion unnecessary for the removal of the road, the guidance data Gd, and the like is input. . As information for designating such data, for example, the permanent ID or identification code of each data can be used. As the input terminal 31, specifically, a personal computer equipped with a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, and the like can be used.

  The data type determination unit 32 is a unit that determines whether the new data input from the input terminal 31 is data related to the road network data Rn, other guidance data Gd, or the like, and selects them. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the local storage database 33 for comparison is a database of road network data Rn having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1, and the new local storage database 34 is a control. The content of the local storage database 33 is updated with new data and is also a database of road network data Rn. Therefore, the data type determination unit 32 sends data related to the road network data Rn selected from the new data to the new local storage database generation unit 35. Further, the data type determination unit 32 sends data related to the guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn to the difference data file generation unit 36.

  The target local storage database 33 is a database having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1. That is, in the control local storage database 33, for example, road network data Rn in an update data format as shown in FIG. 8 is provided for each predetermined section (see section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3). It is stored separately. Similarly to the local storage database 16, the target local storage database 33 stores a comparison table of record codes and permanent IDs of data constituting the road network data Rn as shown in FIG. . The contents of the comparison local storage database 33 are updated so as to match the contents of the new local storage database 34 after the differential data file Df is generated, thereby updating the navigation apparatus updated with the differential data file Df. One local storage database 16 is always maintained to have the same contents. However, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the road network data Rn is stored in the new local storage database 34 only for the sections updated by the new data. Therefore, the road network data Rn stored in the target local storage database 33 is also updated only for the road network data Rn of the section stored in the new local storage database 34. Further, when updating the target local storage database 33, the version data dg (see FIG. 8) for the road network data Rn of the updated section is converted into the version data db ( It is updated so as to be the same version as that shown in FIG.

  The new local storage database 34 is a database having the same data format as that of the control local storage database 33 and having contents updated with the contents of new data input from the input terminal 31. That is, the new local storage database 34 includes road network data Rn in an update data format as shown in FIG. 8, for example, and road network data Rn as shown in FIG. Are stored in each data record record code and permanent ID comparison table. However, as will be described later, the new local storage database generation means 35 updates the road network data Rn for each predetermined section (see section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3) to create a new local storage database 34. To store. Therefore, in the new local storage database 34, only the data regarding the updated section is stored for the road network data Rn. Further, the contents of the comparison table are different from the comparison local storage database 33 in the part updated with the contents of the new data.

  The new local storage database generation means 35 is a means for generating a new local storage database 34 based on the comparison local storage database 33 and the new data input from the input terminal 31. Specifically, the new local storage database generation means 35 stores the data regarding the portion of the road network data Rn input from the input terminal 31 to be added, changed, deleted, etc. in the local storage database 33 for comparison. Convert to the same data format for update. Then, the new local storage database generation means 35 reads the road network data Rn of the section to be updated from the local storage database 33 for comparison, and adds to the content of the road network data Rn using the converted data. Update with changes, deletions, etc. Then, the updated road network data Rn of the section is stored in the new local storage database 34. In response to this, the new local storage database generation means 35 also updates the contents of the comparison table (see FIG. 6) by adding, changing, deleting, etc., and the updated comparison table is updated to the new local storage database 34. To store.

  For example, when a new road is actually created, intersection data, connection data, road data, shape data, and the like constituting the road network data Rn of the portion related to the road are input from the input terminal 31. Therefore, the new local storage database generation means 35 arranges the data format into an update data format, and based on the coordinate information of each data, the contents of the connection data, etc., the partition to be updated from the comparison local storage database 33 The existing road network data Rn is read out, and a process for adding data on a new road to the road network data Rn is performed. At this time, necessary changes or the like are also made to related data in the data constituting the existing road network data Rn. Further, the new local storage database generation means 35 performs a process of assigning a new permanent ID to the newly added data and adding it to the comparison table (see FIG. 6). Further, for example, when a road is removed, information for specifying various data constituting the road network data Rn of a portion that is not required when the road is removed is input from the input terminal 31. Therefore, the new local storage database generation means 35 reads the existing road network data Rn of the section to be updated from the reference local storage database 33, and uses the existing road network data Rn as data that constitutes the unnecessary road network data Rn. Delete from the network data Rn and make necessary changes to related data. Further, the new local storage database generation means 35 also performs a process of deleting the permanent ID for the deleted data from the comparison table (see FIG. 6).

  The difference data file generation means 36 is means for generating a difference data file Df based on the difference between the control local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34. As described above, the control local storage database 33 is a database having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1, and the new local storage database 34 has the same data format as the control local storage database 33. Thus, the database has the contents updated with the contents of the new data input from the input terminal 31. Therefore, by comparing the contents of these two databases and extracting the difference between them, data relating to the road network data Rn constituting the contents of the difference data file Df can be acquired. Further, the difference data file generation means 36 is sent data related to the guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn selected by the data type determination means 32. Therefore, the difference data file generation means 36 includes the data relating to the road network data Rn acquired as the difference between the reference local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34 and the guidance data Gd sent from the data type determination means 32. And the like, and the difference data file Df is generated by combining the data and the like into a data format of a predetermined difference data file Df. The difference data file Df is generated for each predetermined section in accordance with the road network data Rn for the updated section stored in the new local storage database 34.

  Since the specific contents of the difference data file Df have already been described and will not be described in detail, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the difference data file Df includes the section ID data da and the version data db. After that, each data is arranged in the order of data type, divided into update modes such as “add”, “change”, and “delete”. The section ID data da is data representing a section of the road network data Rn to be updated by the difference data file Df, and data indicating the section of the road network data Rn from which the difference data file Df is generated. Is done. Further, the difference data file generation means 36 counts the number of generations of the difference data file Df so far and stores it in a version data storage means (not shown), and a serial number or the like corresponding to the number of generations is used as version data db. Give. In the present embodiment, the number of times such difference data file Df is generated is counted for each section in accordance with the section of the road network data Rn, and the serial number for each section is used as version data db. The permanent ID associated with each entity data is given based on a comparison table (see FIG. 6) stored in the new local storage database 34. The update mode data dc representing the update mode and the data type ID data dd are given based on a table (not shown) provided in the difference data file generation unit 36. Then, the difference data file Df generated by the difference data file generation means 36 is transmitted to the difference data distribution server 3 and stored in the difference database 41.

1-4. Configuration of Difference Data Distribution Server 3 The difference data distribution server 3 is a server device that performs processing for providing the navigation device 1 with the difference data file Df generated by the difference data generation server 2. As a configuration for executing such processing, the differential data distribution server 3 includes a differential database 41 and a distribution unit 42 as a differential data file output unit 44 that outputs a differential data file Df to be provided to the navigation device 1. And media creation means 43.

  The difference database 41 is a database that stores the difference data file Df generated by the difference data generation server 2. In the difference database 41, all the difference data files Df generated so far by the difference data generation server 2 are stored. That is, the difference database 41 stores one or more versions of the difference data file Df for each section in accordance with the road network data Rn.

  The distribution unit 42 is a unit for distributing the difference data file Df to the navigation device 1. In the present embodiment, the distribution means 42 is configured to be able to distribute the differential data file Df to the navigation device 1 via the radio base station 4 or via the communication network 6 and the update terminal 5. Further, the media creation means 43 is configured to be able to record the difference data file Df stored in the difference database 41 on the recording medium Me in accordance with an instruction from an operation means (not shown) of the difference data distribution server 3. A method of providing the difference data file Df by the difference data distribution server 3 will be described in detail later using a flowchart.

1-5. Method for Generating Difference Data File Next, a method for generating the difference data file Df by the difference data generation server 2 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the difference data generation server 2, first, when input of new data is received by the input terminal 31 (step # 01: Yes), the data type determination unit 32 determines whether the new data is data related to the road network data Rn. It is determined whether or not (step # 02). Then, the data related to the road network data Rn (step # 02: Yes) is sent to the new local storage database generation means 35, and the new local storage database generation means 35 generates a new local storage database 34 (step # 03). ). On the other hand, for the guidance data Gd and the like other than the data related to the road network data Rn (step # 02: No), the process of step # 03 is not performed. If the new data includes both the road network data Rn and other guidance data Gd and the like, the data relating to the road network data Rn is selected and stored in the new local storage database generation means 35. Sending and guiding data Gd and the like are sent to the difference data file generating means 36.

  Next, the difference data file generation means 36 generates a difference data file Df based on the difference between the comparison local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34 (step # 04). Then, the generated difference data file Df is transmitted to the difference data distribution server 3 and stored in the difference database 41 (step # 05). Thereafter, the contents of the control local storage database 33 are updated so as to match the new local storage database 34 (step # 06). Above, the production | generation process of the difference data file Df by the difference data generation server 2 is complete | finished.

1-6. Method for Providing Difference Data File Next, a method for providing the difference data file Df to the navigation device 1 by the difference data distribution server 3 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the difference data distribution server 3, first, the distribution unit 42 determines whether or not communication with the navigation device 1 is possible (step # 11). In addition, the delivery means 42 communicates with the navigation apparatus 1 via the wireless base station 4, the communication network 6, and the update terminal 5 as described above. If communication with the navigation device 1 is possible (step # 11: Yes), then the distribution means 42 stores the road network data stored in the local storage database 16 for the navigation device 1. Rn version information is requested (step # 12). At this time, on the navigation device 1 side, the version data dg of the road network data Rn for each section stored in the local storage database 16 is read, and the difference data distribution server 3 is used as version information of the road network data Rn for each section. Send to.

  On the other hand, the distribution means 42 acquires the latest version information of the difference data file Df of each section based on the version data db of each difference data file Df stored in the difference database 41 (step # 13). Then, the distribution means 42 compares the latest version information of the difference data file Df of each section acquired in step # 13 with the version information of the road network data Rn for each section received from the navigation device 1, and the version is It is determined whether or not they are the same (step # 14). At this time, version comparison is performed for each section using the difference data file Df having the same section ID data da and df (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and the road network data Rn. If the versions are not the same (step # 14: No), that is, if the latest version of the difference data file Df for the same section is newer than the version of the road network data Rn of the navigation device 1, the road network data. All the differential data files Df that are newer than the version of Rn are transmitted to the navigation device 1. On the other hand, if the versions are the same (step # 14: Yes), that is, if the latest version of the difference data file Df for the same section is the same as the version of the road network data Rn of the navigation device 1, the difference Since there is no need to update the data file Df, the process ends without transmitting the differential data file Df.

  Further, in the differential data distribution server 3, when the distribution means 42 is not in a state where communication with the navigation device 1 is possible (step # 11: No), next, an operation (not shown) of the differential data distribution server 3 is performed. It is determined whether or not there is a media creation request from the means (step # 16). If there is a media creation request, all the difference data files Df stored in the difference database are recorded on the recording medium Me (step # 17). The recording medium Me on which the differential data file Df created in this way is recorded is sent to the user of the navigation apparatus 1 or a handling company by mail or the like. The process ends here.

1-7. Method for Updating Reference Database 19 in Navigation Device 1 Next, a method for updating the reference database 19 in the navigation device 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the navigation device 1, first, when the differential data file receiving unit 13 receives the differential data file Df (step # 21: Yes), the data selecting unit 14 converts the data in the received differential data file Df into the road Selection is made into data relating to the network data Rn, other guidance data Gd and the like (step # 22). The guidance data Gd other than the data related to the road network data Rn is sent to the reference database update means 18 (step # 22: No), and the reference database update means 18 uses the data to guide data Gd in the reference database 19. Etc. are directly updated (step # 23). On the other hand, the data relating to the road network data Rn (step # 22: Yes) is sent to the local storage database update means 15, and the local storage database update means 15 updates the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 ( Step # 24).

  Next, the navigation device 1 determines whether or not the navigation program PG is being executed in the navigation calculation means 20 (step # 25). If the navigation program PG is not being executed (step # 25: No), the conversion means 17 uses the road network data Rn read from the local storage database 16 as reference data corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. The road network data Rn is converted into the format (step # 26). Then, the reference database update unit 18 sequentially updates the contents of the application databases 19a to 19e of the reference database 19 with the converted road network data Rn (step # 27). On the other hand, when the navigation program PG is being executed (step # 25: Yes), the conversion means 17 uses the road network data Rn read from the local storage database 16 as reference data corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. The road network data Rn is converted into the format (step # 28). Then, the reference database update means 18 sequentially stores the converted road network data Rn in the parallel update area of the reference database 19 (step # 29). Then, until all the conversion processing of the road network data Rn to be subjected to the conversion process of step # 28 is completed (step # 30: No), the processes of steps # 28 and # 29 are performed. Is completed (step # 30: Yes), the reference database 19 is updated by replacing the data stored in the parallel update area Fr with the data of the reference database 19 (step # 31). The process ends here.

2. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the data update system according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment does not have the reference database 19 and includes a temporary storage area 27 instead. The navigation device 1 extracts necessary data from the local storage database 16 by the data extraction means 25 in accordance with requests from the application programs PG1 to PG5 when the navigation program PG is executed by the navigation calculation means 20, and the conversion means. 17 is converted into a reference data format and stored in the temporary storage area 27. Then, the application programs PG1 to PG5 refer to data such as road network data Rn in the reference data format temporarily stored in the temporary storage area 27. In addition, since the reference database 19 is not provided in the present embodiment, the local storage database 16 also stores guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn. Since the navigation device 1 does not include the reference database 19, the capacity required for storage means such as a hard disk drive provided in the navigation device 1 can be reduced. The configurations of the differential data generation server 2 and the differential data distribution server 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment except for points that are not particularly described. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

2-1. Configuration of Navigation Device 1 Different from First Embodiment As described above, in this embodiment, the data stored in the local storage database 16 is not only the road network data Rn but also other data such as the guidance data Gd. Stored. Here, the storage state of the guidance data Gd is the same as the storage state in the reference database 19 in the first embodiment, and each data constituting the guidance data Gd is included in the road network data Rn. It is stored in association with data of links, nodes, etc. (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the navigation device 1 does not include the data selection unit 14, and all the information included in the difference data file Df received by the difference data file reception unit 13 is sent to the local storage database update unit 15. Then, the contents of the local storage database 16 are updated by the local storage database update unit 15 based on the data such as the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd included in the difference data file Df. The updating of the road network data Rn at this time is the same as in the first embodiment. The update of the guidance data Gd is the same as the update of the guidance data Gd in the reference database 19 in the first embodiment.

  The data extraction means 25 is means for extracting necessary data from the local storage database 16 in accordance with requests from the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. In the present embodiment, the data extraction unit 25 extracts the road network data Rn for each predetermined section and the guidance data Gd associated therewith from the local storage database 16 as a minimum unit. Therefore, for example, when a route from the current location to a predetermined destination is set by the user in the navigation device 1, the data extraction unit 25 uses the section including the periphery of the current location, the section including the periphery of the destination, and the current location. The road network data Rn, guidance data Gd, and the like of the section including the periphery of the route to the destination are extracted from the local storage database 16 as necessary data. For example, when the route to the destination is not set, the data extraction unit 25 extracts the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd of the section including the current location from the local storage database 16 as necessary data. The data extracted by the data extraction unit 25 is sent to the conversion unit 17.

  The conversion unit 17 converts the data such as the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd extracted by the data extraction unit 25 into a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5. In the present embodiment, the conversion unit 17 performs conversion into a reference data format corresponding to all the application programs PG1 to PG5 regardless of the individual execution states of the application programs PG1 to PG5. The converted road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like after the conversion are stored in the temporary storage area 27. Until the reference by the navigation program PG is completed, the navigation program PG can be referred to. For example, when the set route is changed, the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like for the sections that are no longer referred to by the navigation program PG are deleted from the temporary storage area 27. For example, even when the navigation apparatus 1 is powered off, the data stored in the temporary storage area 27 is deleted.

2-2. Operation Method Associated with Database Update in Navigation Device 1 Next, an operation method associated with the update of the local storage database 16 in the navigation device 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In this navigation device 1, when the difference data file receiving means 13 receives the difference data file Df (step # 41: Yes), the information included in the difference data file Df is sent to the local storage database updating means 15 to be sent locally. The storage database update unit 15 updates the contents of the local storage database 16 (step # 42). When there is a request from the navigation program PG (step # 43: Yes), the data extraction means 25 is selected from the local storage database 16 according to the request from each application program PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. Necessary data is extracted as described above (step # 44). Then, the conversion unit 17 converts the data such as the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd extracted by the data extraction unit 25 from the update data format to the reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5. (Step # 45).

  The data after the conversion in step # 45 is stored in the temporary storage area 27 (step # 46). Until the reference by the navigation program PG is completed (step # 47: No), the converted data remains stored in the temporary storage area 27 and can be referred to by the navigation program PG. Thereafter, when the reference by the navigation program PG is completed (step # 47: Yes), the converted road network data Rn and the data such as the guidance data Gd stored in the temporary storage area 27 are deleted (step # 47). # 48). At this time, data can be erased for each predetermined section. Therefore, when the set route is changed, the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd and the like for the section that is no longer referred to by the navigation program PG are deleted from the temporary storage area 27, but the reference is performed. It is possible to keep the data stored in the temporary storage area 27 without erasing the data for the divided sections. Note that, for example, when the navigation apparatus 1 is turned off, all data stored in the temporary storage area 27 is deleted. The process ends here.

3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the data update system according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration according to the second embodiment, but the data of the reference database 19 and the reference database update unit 18 and the local storage database 16 are extracted. The second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that an extraction frequency determination unit 26 that determines the frequency extracted by the unit 25 is provided. In this navigation device 1, data extracted frequently by the data extraction unit 25 is determined by the extraction frequency determination unit 26, and such data is referred to in the reference data format after conversion by the conversion unit 17. By being stored in 19, the load of conversion processing by the conversion means 17 is reduced. In addition, about the structure of the difference data production | generation server 2 and the difference data delivery server 3, it is the same as that of said 1st and 2nd embodiment. Other points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

3-1. Configuration of Navigation Device 1 Different from Second Embodiment As described above, the navigation device 1 according to this embodiment includes the reference database 19, the reference database update unit 18, and the extraction frequency in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment. Judgment means 26 is provided. Here, the extraction frequency determination means 26 is a means for determining the frequency with which data in the local storage database 16 is extracted by the data extraction means 25 in accordance with a request from the navigation program PG. In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the data extraction means 25 extracts the road network data Rn for each predetermined section and the guidance data Gd associated therewith from the local storage database 16 as a minimum unit. To do. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the extraction frequency determination means 26 counts the number of times the road network data Rn is extracted for each predetermined section, and compares the number of extractions with a predetermined threshold value N to determine the extraction frequency. It has a possible configuration. Specifically, although not shown, the extraction frequency determination unit 26 includes a counting unit that counts the number of extractions of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section, and an extraction number storage unit that stores the counting result. Yes. Each time the road network data Rn is extracted by the data extraction unit 25, the extraction frequency determination unit 26 adds 1 to the number of extractions of the road network data Rn of the extracted section. When the count result of the number of extractions stored in the extraction number storage means exceeds the threshold value N, the extraction frequency of the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd associated therewith is high for the section. judge.

  The road network data Rn, guidance data Gd, and the like that are determined to have a high extraction frequency by the extraction frequency determination unit 26 are stored in the reference database 19 in the reference data format converted by the reference database update unit 18 by the conversion unit 17. To store. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like determined as having a high extraction frequency by the extraction frequency determination means 26 are stored in the reference database 19.

3-2. Extraction Frequency Determination and Data Storage Method in Reference Database 19 Next, FIG. 15 shows an extraction frequency determination and data storage method in the reference database 19, which is a specific operation method in the navigation device 1 according to this embodiment. This will be described based on a flowchart. In this navigation apparatus 1, when the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd associated therewith are extracted by the data extraction means 25 (step # 51: Yes), the extraction frequency determination means 26 is extracted. 1 is added to the number of extractions of the road network data Rn of the section, and the number of extractions is stored in the extraction number storage means (step # 52). Then, the extraction frequency determination unit 26 determines whether or not the number of extractions stored in the extraction number storage unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value N (step # 53). Here, if the number of extractions is less than the threshold value N (step # 53: No), it is determined that the extraction frequency is low, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the number of extractions is equal to or greater than the threshold value N (step # 53: Yes), it is determined that the extraction frequency is high, and the reference database update unit 18 stores the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like. The data is stored in the reference database 19 in the reference data format after conversion by the conversion means 17 (step # 54). The process ends here.

4). Other Embodiments (1) The specific configurations of the road network data Rn in the reference data format and the update data format, the difference data file Df, etc. described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and these data Of course, it is possible to make this configuration different from the above-described embodiments.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the contents of the comparison local storage database 33 of the difference data generation server 2 are updated so as to match the contents of the new local storage database 34 after the difference data file Df is generated. The case has been described as an example. At this time, it is possible to delete the contents of the reference local storage database 33 before the update, but it is also preferable to store the contents in the reference local storage database 33 together with the version data. one of. In such a configuration, a plurality of versions of the road network data Rn are stored in the reference local storage database 33 for each predetermined section.

(3) In each of the embodiments described above, the difference data generation server 2 generates the new local storage database 34 based on the new data, and performs the difference based on the difference between the comparison local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34. The configuration for generating the data file Df has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the difference data generation server 2 is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, a configuration in which the differential data generation server 2 generates the differential data file Df from the new data and the comparison local storage database 33 without generating the new local storage database 34 is also a preferred embodiment. One.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the difference data generation server 2 generates the difference data file Df based on at least the new data and the reference local storage database 33 has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the server device of the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, the data corresponding to the difference data file Df can be directly input by the input terminal 31 or the like and stored in the difference database 41. In this case, in addition to the structure equivalent to the difference data distribution server 3 in each of the above embodiments, the server device can be configured to include only difference data receiving means.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the server device is configured by the difference data generation server 2 and the difference data distribution server 3 has been described. However, the configuration of the server device is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the function of the difference data generation server 2 and the function of the difference data distribution server 3 are integrated into one server device is also one preferred embodiment.

(6) In each of the above embodiments, the navigation program PG as an operation program includes a plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5, and the reference database 19 includes application databases 19a to 19e corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. An example has been described. However, the configuration of the operation program and the reference database 19 according to the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the data stored in the reference database 19 may be constituted by data of one type of reference data format, and may not be divided into a plurality of databases. Further, it is not necessary for the operation program to include a plurality of application programs.

(7) In the first embodiment, the local storage database 16 is a database related to the road network data Rn, and the reference data 19 is directly updated based on the difference data file Df for the guidance data Gd. Described as an example. However, as in the second and third embodiments, data such as the guidance data Gd is also stored in the local storage database 16, and the road network data Rn and the guidance data in the local storage database 16 are stored by the difference data file Df. A configuration in which the data Gd is updated is also one preferred embodiment.

(8) In the second embodiment, the data extraction means 25 is configured to extract the road network data Rn for each predetermined section and the guidance data Gd associated therewith from the local storage database 16 as a minimum unit. Was described as an example. However, the configuration of the data extraction means 25 is not limited to this. Therefore, the data extraction means 25 extracts, for example, the road network data Rn for each predetermined area composed of a plurality of sections and the guidance data Gd associated therewith as a minimum unit, or stores them in the local storage database 16. It is also a preferred embodiment to extract all the road network data Rn, guidance data Gd, and the like. Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the data constituting the road network data Rn around the set route and the guidance data Gd associated therewith are extracted regardless of the predetermined section.

(9) In the second embodiment, the conversion means 17 performs the conversion to the reference data format corresponding to all the application programs PG1 to PG5 regardless of the execution state of the application programs PG1 to PG5. A case has been described as an example. However, the structure of the conversion means 17 is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, when only a part of the application program currently being executed is present, the conversion means 17 is preferably configured to convert only the application program being executed into a reference data format. This is one of the embodiments.

(10) In the second embodiment, the case where the reference database 19 is not provided has been described as an example. However, in addition to the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, the configuration includes a reference database 19 that is not updated. This is also a preferred embodiment. In such a configuration, the navigation program PG refers to the reference database 19 for data that has not been updated by the differential data file Df, and uses data extracted from the local storage database 16 for data that has been updated by the differential data file Df. It can be configured to be converted and referred to by the conversion means 17.

(11) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the terminal device is the navigation device 1 and the data update system is a system that updates the map database for navigation has been described as an example. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to updating various types of databases in addition to updating the map database used for the navigation device 1 or the like.

  The present invention can be used in a data update system that updates a database of a terminal device that operates according to a predetermined operation program, such as a navigation device.

1: navigation device 2: difference data generation server 3: difference data distribution server 13: difference data file reception means 15: local storage database update means 16: local storage database 17: conversion means 18: reference database update means 19: reference database 20 : Navigation computing means 25: data extracting means 26: extraction frequency determining means 31: input terminal (new data receiving means)
33: Target local storage database 34: New local storage database 35: New local storage database generation means 36: Difference data file generation means 44: Difference data file output means Rn: Road network data Gd: Guidance data Df: Difference data file Fr: Parallel update area (data storage means for parallel update)
PG: Navigation program (operation program)
PG1 to PG5: Application program

Claims (21)

A data updating system comprising a navigation device that operates according to a predetermined application program, and a server device for providing differential data file for updating a database containing road network data in the navigation device,
The navigation device is configured in an update data format that is a data format in which each piece of data related to road network data is arranged in the order of the data type of the road network, and addition, change of road network data based on the difference data file , or A local storage database that is a database that is differentially updated by performing deletion, and data of the local storage database after the differential update is a data format in which each data related to road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, Conversion means for converting to a reference data format referred to by the application program ,
The server device includes a differential data file output unit that outputs the differential data file to be provided to the navigation device ,
The difference data file includes data representing an update mode of addition, change, or deletion of road network data and road network data of a part to be updated, and the road network of the part to be updated. A data update system in which each data constituting the data is arranged separately for each update mode, and each data of the data group divided for each update mode is arranged in the order of the data type of the road network . The local storage database has road network data divided into a plurality of sections with a predetermined area on the map as one section, and all the data of the road network included in the section for each section, The data update system according to claim 1, wherein the data update system is provided in the order of data types of the road network. The navigation device is configured in the reference data format, provided with a reference database that road network data divided into a plurality of the partition is stored, and updates the referential database by the data converted by said converting means Provided with a reference database update means,
The conversion means performs the conversion of the road network data from the update data format to the reference data format for each section to generate road network data in the reference data format for each section,
The reference database update unit updates the reference database by replacing road network data in the reference database for each section by road network data in the reference data format generated by the conversion unit. 2. The data update system according to 2. The navigation device has a plurality of said application program,
2. The conversion unit converts road network data in one update data format stored in the local storage database , and generates road network data in a plurality of types of reference data formats corresponding to each application program. 4. The data update system according to any one of items 1 to 3 . The navigation device includes parallel update data storage means capable of storing data during reference of the reference database by the application program,
The reference database update unit sequentially stores the data converted by the conversion unit in the parallel update data storage unit during execution of the application program, and after the conversion processing by the conversion unit is completed, The data update system according to claim 3, wherein the reference database is updated by replacing data stored in the data storage means with data of the reference database. Before Symbol reference database, the road network data, a map database for navigation that includes a guide for data associated with the road network data,
The difference data file includes data representing an update mode, road network data of a part to be updated, and guidance data to be updated,
The data update system according to claim 3 or 5 , wherein the reference data in the reference database is updated by the difference data file. The navigation device, the differential and the differential data file receiving means for receiving data files, the difference local database updating means, any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an updating said local database based on the data file The data update system described in the section. The server device includes: a local storage database for comparison having the same contents as the local storage database; new data receiving means for receiving input of new data; and the difference data based on the local storage database for comparison and the new data data updating system according to any one of claims 1 7 comprising a differential data file generating means for generating a file, a. The server device generates a new local storage database having the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the content of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data. It further comprises a local storage database generation means,
9. The data update system according to claim 8 , wherein the difference data file generation unit generates the difference data file based on a difference between the reference local storage database and the new local storage database. With receiving the provision of the differential data file for updating a database containing road network data from a server device, a navigation device that operates according to a predetermined application program,
By configuring each data related to road network data in an update data format that is a data format arranged in the order of the data type of the road network, and adding, changing, or deleting road network data based on the difference data file The data stored in the local storage database, which is a database to be differentially updated, and the data in the local storage database after the differential update is a data format in which each data related to road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, and is referred to by the application program Conversion means for converting to a reference data format ,
The difference data file includes data representing an update mode of addition, change, or deletion of road network data and road network data of a part to be updated, and the road network of the part to be updated. A navigation device in which each data constituting the data is arranged separately for each update mode, and each data of the data group divided for each update mode is arranged in the order of the data type of the road network . The local storage database has road network data divided into a plurality of sections with a predetermined area on the map as one section, and all the data of the road network included in the section for each section, The navigation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the navigation apparatus is provided in order of data type of the road network . Consists of the reference data format, provided with a reference database that road network data divided into a plurality of the partition is stored, the reference database updating means for updating the referential database with data converted by said converting means Prepared,
The conversion means performs the conversion of the road network data from the update data format to the reference data format for each section to generate the road network data in the reference data format for each section,
The reference database update unit updates the reference database by replacing road network data in the reference database for each section by road network data in the reference data format generated by the conversion unit. 11. The navigation device according to 11 . A plurality of said application program,
And the converting means, according to claim 10, wherein converting the road network data stored one of the update data format to the local database, and generates a plurality of types of road network data in the reference data format corresponding to each application program The navigation device according to any one of 12 to 12 . A parallel update data storage means capable of storing data during reference of the reference database by the application program;
The reference database update unit sequentially stores the data converted by the conversion unit in the parallel update data storage unit during execution of the application program, and after the conversion processing by the conversion unit is completed, The navigation device according to claim 12 , wherein the reference database is updated by replacing the data stored in the data storage means with the data of the reference database. Wherein the differential data file receiving means for receiving differential data file, according to any one of the difference and the local database updating means for updating at least the local database based on the data file, from claim 10 comprising a 14 Navigation device. A data update method for updating a database including road network data by providing a difference data file from a server device to a navigation device,
The navigation system comprising: the server device; and a local storage database that is a database configured in an update data format that is a data format in which each piece of data related to road network data is arranged in the order of the data type of the road network, and operates according to an application program Using the device,
The server device includes data representing an update mode of addition, change, or deletion of road network data, and road network data of a part to be updated, and road network data of a part to be updated Each data constituting the data file is arranged for each update mode, and each data of the data group divided for each update mode is a data file arranged in the order of the data type of the road network, Outputting the difference data file to be provided to the navigation device;
The navigation device receives the differential data file, add the road network data on the basis of the differential data file, change, or the local database and the difference update by performing deletion, the local database after the difference update Is a data format in which each piece of data relating to road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, and is converted into a reference data format referred to by the application program . The local storage database has road network data divided into a plurality of sections with a predetermined area on the map as one section, and all the data of the road network included in the section for each section, In order of the data type of the road network,
The navigation device is configured in the reference data format, comprising a reference database that road network data divided into a plurality of said compartments are stored,
The road network data in the reference data format for each section is generated by converting the road network data from the update data format to the reference data format for each section, and the generated reference data The data update method according to claim 16, wherein the reference database is updated by replacing road network data in the reference database for each section by using road network data in a format. The navigation device has a plurality of the application programs,
18. The road network data in one update data format stored in the local storage database is converted, and road network data in a plurality of types of reference data formats corresponding to each application program is generated. Data update method. The navigation device, the comprises a parallel updating data storage means capable of storing data by the application program during reference of the referential database, during execution of the application program sequentially said converted into the reference data format data Data stored in the parallel update data storage means, and after the conversion to the reference data format is completed, the reference database is updated by replacing the data stored in the parallel update data storage means with the data of the reference database. The data update method according to claim 17 . The server device includes a comparison local storage database having the same contents as the local storage database, receives input of new data, and generates the difference data file based on the comparison local storage database and the new data. The data update method according to any one of claims 16 to 19 . The server device generates a new local storage database in the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the content of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data, The data update method according to claim 20 , wherein the difference data file is generated based on a difference between the control local storage database and the new local storage database.

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