WO2012095974A1

WO2012095974A1 - Map data updater device, map data updater method, map data updater program, and map data updater system

Info

Publication number: WO2012095974A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/050418
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祐樹松本; 肇安達
Original assignee: パイオニア株式会社
Priority date: 2011-01-13
Filing date: 2011-01-13
Publication date: 2012-07-19

Abstract

A map data updater device comprises: a map data for updating acquisition means for acquiring map data for updating which is for updating map data for each prescribed area in a map which is divided into prescribed areas; an update list generation means which is for generating an update list which denotes whether the map data will be updated for each prescribed area in each iteration when the map data is updated one or more times; and a map data updater means for carrying out a process which updates the map data for each prescribed area on the basis of the update list which the update list generation means generates, with the map data for updating which the map data for updating acquisition means acquires. It is thus possible to improve the speed of map data updating.

Description

MAP DATA UPDATE DEVICE, MAP DATA UPDATE METHOD, MAP DATA UPDATE PROGRAM, AND MAP DATA UPDATE SYSTEM

The present invention relates to the technical field of updating map data.

Conventionally, in electronic devices that display a map screen using map data such as a navigation device, the map data is regularly updated. When updating map data, in addition to a method for updating all new map data, a method for updating map data in units of meshes is known.

For example, in Patent Document 1, mesh data and binary difference data are detected based on version information received from a user terminal device, and the time required for updating in the user terminal device is short among the data. An updated map data creation device that selects and outputs one has been proposed. Patent Document 1 also discloses mesh data constituting the latest updated map data, binary difference data extracted using the updated mesh data and old mesh data, and the number of times updated so far. It is proposed to store the version information in association with each other.

WO2010 / 007690 Publication

However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when updating map data with binary difference data continuously, the update speed may be slowed by frequent data storage in the external storage. there were.

Examples of the problem to be solved by the present invention include the above. The present invention provides a map data update device, a map data update method, a map data update program, and a map data update system that can increase the update speed of map data by using a previously created parcel update list. This is the issue.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map data update device for updating map data stored in a storage means, wherein the map data is updated for each predetermined area in a map divided by predetermined areas. Update map data acquisition means for acquiring map data, and an update list for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once Based on the update list generated by the generation unit and the update list generation unit, the map data is updated with the update map data acquired by the update map data acquisition unit for each predetermined area. Map data updating means.

The invention according to claim 6 is a map data update method for updating the map data stored in the storage means, wherein the map data is updated for each predetermined area in a map divided by the predetermined area. An update map data acquisition step for acquiring map data and an update list for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once Based on the update list generated by the generation step and the update list generation step, the map data is updated by the update map data acquired by the update map data acquisition step for each predetermined area. A map data update process.

The invention according to claim 7 is a map data update program executed by a map data update device that includes a computer and updates the map data stored in the storage means, wherein the computer is divided into predetermined areas. The update map data acquisition means for acquiring update map data for updating the map data for each predetermined area, the map for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once Update list generation means for generating an update list indicating whether or not data has been updated, the update acquired by the update map data acquisition means for each predetermined area based on the update list generated by the update list generation means It is made to function as a map data update means for performing a process of updating the map data with the map data.

The invention according to claim 9 is a map data update system comprising a map data update device for updating map data stored in a storage means, and a server device configured to be able to communicate with the map data update device. The server device includes: a first transmission unit configured to transmit update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area to the map data update device in a map divided by a predetermined area; Update list generation means for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the update list is updated at least once, and the update list generation generated by the update list generation means And a second transmission means for transmitting to the map data update device, wherein the map data update device transmits the update transmitted by the server device. Receiving means for receiving the map data and the update list, and updating the map data with the update map data acquired by the receiving means for each predetermined area based on the update list received by the receiving means. Map data updating means for performing the processing.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a navigation device according to the present embodiment. A specific example of parcel data and the like when the map data is updated will be shown. An example of parcel update information is shown. An example of a parcel update list is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the map data update process which concerns on 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the map data update process which concerns on 2nd Example. The schematic structure of the map data update system which concerns on a modification is shown. An example of the parcel update list created by the server device is shown.

In one aspect of the present invention, a map data update device for updating map data stored in a storage means is an update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area in a map divided by a predetermined area. Update map data acquisition means for acquiring the update data, and update list generation means for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once Map data update for performing processing for updating the map data with the update map data acquired by the update map data acquisition means for each predetermined area based on the update list generated by the update list generation means Means.

The above map data update device is suitably used for a navigation device that performs route guidance, for example. The update map data acquisition means acquires update map data for updating the map data for each predetermined area in the map divided by the predetermined area. The map data for update includes data indicating the updated map data itself, data such that map data after update is generated by applying to the map data before update, and the like. The update list generating means generates an update list indicating whether or not the map data for each predetermined area is updated each time when the map data is updated at least once. Specifically, the update list is a list in which information indicating when map data is updated in one area that needs to be updated is collected for all areas that need to be updated. The map data updating means performs a process of updating the map data with the update map data for each predetermined area based on such an update list. According to the map data update device, map data can be appropriately updated for each area by referring to the update list. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the update speed of map data.

In one aspect of the above map data update device, the map data update means uses the map data for update each time for each predetermined area when the map data is updated two or more times. It is updated in stages, and based on the update list, it is determined whether the update performed on the map data is an intermediate update or a final update, and the update is an intermediate update In some cases, the updated map data is stored in a temporary storage means different from the storage means, and when the update is the last update, the updated map data is stored in the storage means. .

In this aspect, when the map data is updated twice or more, the map data updating means updates the map data step by step using the update map data for each predetermined area. In this case, for each area, the map data updating means determines whether the update performed on the map data is an intermediate update or a final update based on the update list, and the update is in progress. In the case of the update, the updated map data is stored in the temporary storage means, and in the case where the update is the last update, the updated map data is stored in the storage means. That is, the map data updating means temporarily stores the map data (that is, intermediate data) generated by the update in the middle in a temporary storage means such as a RAM, and the map data generated by the last update (that is, the final data). Map data) is stored in a storage means such as an external storage device.

According to the above map data update device, in a situation where it is necessary to update the map data a plurality of times, the intermediate data generated by the update in the middle is appropriately stored in the temporary storage means and stored in the temporary storage means. Updates can be sequentially performed using the intermediate data. Thereby, compared with the structure which memorize | stores intermediate data in an external storage apparatus etc., the update speed of map data can be accelerated | stimulated.

Preferably, in the above map data update device, the update map data acquisition means acquires binary difference data indicating a difference between the map data before update and the map data after update, as the update map data, The map data update means updates the map data by performing a process of reflecting the binary difference data on the map data before the update.

Preferably, for the first update, the map data updating means performs a process of reflecting the binary difference data for the first time on the map data stored in the storage means, and for the second and subsequent updates. Then, the map data stored in the temporary storage means is subjected to processing for reflecting the binary difference data after the previous binary difference data in order from the previous data. In other words, the map data update means updates the map data stepwise by applying the binary difference data one by one in order starting from the previous update.

In another aspect of the map data update device, an area of the temporary storage means necessary for temporarily storing the map data generated by the intermediate update based on the update list is defined as the map. A means for securing data before updating is further provided. Thereby, the map data generated by the update in the middle can be appropriately stored in the temporary storage means.

In another aspect of the present invention, a map data update method for updating map data stored in a storage means is provided for updating map data for updating map data for each predetermined area in a map divided by predetermined areas. An update map data acquisition step for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once; The map data update is performed for updating the map data with the update map data acquired by the update map data acquisition step for each predetermined area based on the update list generated by the update list generation step. A process.

In another aspect of the present invention, a map data update program that is provided in a map data update device that includes a computer and updates map data stored in a storage means, the computer in a map divided by a predetermined area, Update map data acquisition means for acquiring update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area, update of the map data for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once Update list generation means for generating an update list indicating the presence or absence of the update map data for the update acquired by the update map data acquisition means for each predetermined area based on the update list generated by the update list generation means To function as map data updating means for performing processing for updating the map data.

The map data update method and the map data update program can also improve the update speed of the map data.

Note that the map data update program can be suitably handled in a state of being recorded on a recording medium.

Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention, a map data update system comprising a map data update device that updates map data stored in a storage means, and a server device configured to be able to communicate with the map data update device, The server device includes: a first transmission unit configured to transmit update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area to the map data update device in a map divided by predetermined areas; Update list generation means for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when updated one or more times, and the update list generation generated by the update list generation means, Second transmission means for transmitting to the map data update device, wherein the map data update device is used for the update transmitted by the server device. The map data is updated with the update map data acquired by the receiving means for each predetermined area based on the receiving means for receiving the figure data and the update list, and the update list received by the receiving means. Map data updating means for performing processing. The map data update system can also improve the update speed of map data.

In one aspect of the map data update system, the map data update means of the map data update device is necessary for updating the map data in the update list based on the map data stored in the storage means. Specific information is specified, and the map data is updated based on the specified information. According to this aspect, since there is no need to prepare an update list for each map data update device on the server device side, the server device side is compared with a configuration in which an update list for each map data update device is prepared on the server device side. It is possible to reduce the processing load.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation apparatus.

[Navigation device]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the navigation apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a self-supporting positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, an audio output. A unit 50 and an input device 60 are provided.

The self-supporting positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13, and functions as a self-supporting positioning sensor. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects vehicle acceleration, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse composed of a pulse signal generated with the rotation of the vehicle wheel.

The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1.

The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13, and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

The CPU 22 corresponds to an example of “update map data acquisition means”, “update list generation means”, and “map data update means” in the present invention (details will be described later). The RAM 24 corresponds to an example of “temporary storage means” in the present invention.

A system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50 and an input device 60 are mutually connected via a bus line 30. It is connected to the.

The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

The data storage unit 36 is configured by, for example, an HDD or a flash memory, and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data, map information, and facility data. The data storage unit 36 has a map database in which map data and the like are stored. The data storage unit 36 corresponds to an example of a storage unit in the present invention, and is hereinafter also referred to as “external storage device”.

The communication device 38 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and acquires information distributed from a server such as a VICS center via the communication interface 37.

The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map information from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map information read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on the display screen. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and can display image information that can be displayed immediately. A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 functions as an image display unit, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal size of about 5 to 10 inches and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

The audio output unit 50 is a D / A (Digital) for audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31 or DVD-ROM 32, BD-ROM, RAM 24 or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20. to Analog) D / A converter 51, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from D / A converter 51, and the amplified audio analog signal is converted into audio and output into the vehicle And a speaker 53.

The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is disposed around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

[Map data update method]
Next, the basic concept of the map data update method performed by the navigation device 1 will be described.

Basically, the navigation device 1 acquires update map data for updating the map data for each predetermined area in the map divided by the predetermined area, and uses the acquired update map data to obtain the predetermined map data. Update the map data for each area. Hereinafter, an area (predetermined area) obtained by dividing the map is appropriately referred to as “parcel”, and map data in each parcel is appropriately referred to as “parcel data”. In other words, “parcel data” is “mesh data”. In addition, in the case where such a word “parcel data” is used as the map data before being updated, this is appropriately referred to as “old parcel data”. On the other hand, when the word “parcel data” is used as the updated map data, it is appropriately referred to as “new parcel data”.

In one example, the navigation device 1 uses, as the above-described update map data, parcel data (hereinafter referred to as “updated parcel data”) indicating the updated map data in each parcel. Map data is updated for each parcel using “Parcel data”. In this method, new parcel data is generated by rewriting old parcel data with updated parcel data for each parcel whose map data has been changed. Hereinafter, such a map data update method is referred to as a “first map data update method”.

In another example, the navigation device 1 uses the parcel data (that is, binary difference data) indicating the difference between the old parcel data and the new parcel data in each parcel as the above-described update map data. Update the data. In this method, new parcel data is generated by applying binary difference data to old parcel data for each parcel whose map data has been changed. Hereinafter, such a map data update method is referred to as a “second map data update method”.

Compared to the first map data update method described above, the second map data update method does not prepare the entire parcel data for each parcel data, and shows a binary difference indicating the difference between the old parcel data and the new parcel data. Since the difference data is used, the amount of data used for updating the map data can be reduced. However, in the second map data update method, new parcel data is generated by applying binary difference data to the old parcel data, so the old parcel data is required when updating.

The parcel data is divided into a predetermined area for each of a plurality of different scales to form a hierarchical structure, and it is desirable that the parcel data has a correspondence relationship between the hierarchies. The predetermined area may be a uniform range for each layer, or may be a range according to the amount of data. Parcel data includes drawing data and the like. Note that as the update map data other than the parcel data, there is region data including data for route calculation. The region data is data divided by a predetermined area different from the parcel data. In the present embodiment, the update of the parcel data including the drawing data will be described, but the same update is possible for the region data.

Binary difference data is data obtained by extracting the difference between the new parcel data and the old parcel data, which is replaced for each update. Specifically, the binary difference data is data extracted by comparing the differences between the parcel data for each layer constituting the parcel between the binary data. According to this, it is possible to extract the difference with the change amount minimized, and the update data amount can be greatly reduced.

For example, parcel data is composed of elements such as road data indicating a road shape, background data indicating a background screen, and name data for displaying characters. The binary difference data is data obtained by comparing the changed road data, background data, and name data between the binary data from the parcel data including the changed portion, and extracting the difference data. Note that the binary difference data may be data extracted as a difference by comparing the binary data together without dividing the parcel data into elements.

Next, an update list used when the navigation device 1 updates the map data in the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the navigation device 1 updates an update list (hereinafter referred to as a “parcel update list”) indicating whether or not map data is updated for each parcel at each time when the map data is updated at least once. Create That is, in the present embodiment, the navigation device 1 indicates whether or not the map data has been updated in each parcel for each time the map data is updated (first time, second time, third time, etc.). A parcel update list in which information is associated is created, and map data is updated using the parcel update list. Details of the map data update method using the parcel update list will be described later.

Here, the reason for using the parcel update list and a specific example of the parcel update list will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of parcel data and the like when map data is updated. Here, the case where map data is updated every month is illustrated. 2A illustrates map data in May, FIG. 2B illustrates map data in June, and FIG. 2C illustrates map data in July. . In FIG. 2A, an area as indicated by reference numeral 101 represents one parcel. Also, a number shown at the upper left in each parcel as indicated by reference numeral 102 indicates an ID for identifying the parcel (hereinafter referred to as “parcel ID”). The parcel ID is used, for example, when creating a parcel update list.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the first map data is created in May and the map data is updated in June and July. Specifically, in June, it is assumed that a change for adding the road 103 has been made. In this case, as shown in the hatched area 104 in FIG. 2B, the map data is updated for the parcels whose parcel IDs are “4”, “5”, and “6”. Next, in July, it is assumed that a change for adding the road 105 has been made. In this case, as shown in the hatching area 106 in FIG. 2C, the map data is updated for the parcels whose parcel IDs are “2”, “5”, and “8”.

By the way, when the map data is updated in the navigation device 1, when the latest map data is supplied every predetermined period (for example, every month), there is no particular problem as long as the user updates the latest map data every month. However, depending on the user, it may be possible to update several months at a time. When updating for several months using the second map data update method described above, for example, when updating the map data from May to July as shown in FIG. For the parcel data that composes the map data, all the parcels that need to be updated in June are updated to the data for June, and then in July for all the parcels that need to be updated in July Update to the minute data.

However, when the second map data update method as described above is performed, the update time may be long. The reason is as follows. In the example shown in FIG. 2, in order to create the parcel data for July, the parcel data for June is required. In this case, the created parcel data for June is temporarily stored. It is necessary to keep. Generally, map data may have a capacity of several GB, and even if the changed parcel is 1%, it will have a capacity of about several tens of megabytes. Will be difficult. For this reason, the parcel data is inevitably held in an external storage device such as an HDD or a flash memory. However, since the external storage device has a slower writing speed than the RAM, the update time tends to be longer.

In this embodiment, the map data is updated using the parcel update list as described above in order to solve the above-described problems. The parcel update list is information indicating whether or not the map data for each parcel is updated each time when the map data is updated at least once. Specifically, the parcel update list includes information indicating when map data is updated in any one parcel that needs to be updated (hereinafter referred to as “parcel update information”). Is a list of all required parcels.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of parcel update information. As shown in FIG. 3, in the parcel update information, the update presence /

absence flags

1, 2,..., N indicating whether map data is updated correspond to the parcel ID of one parcel for which map data has been updated. It is attached. The update presence / absence flag is created each time the map data is updated (specifically, it is created as many times as the map data is updated regardless of whether or not one parcel corresponding to the parcel ID has been updated). In addition, they are arranged according to the update order of the map data. Specifically, the update presence / absence flag with a small number indicates a previous update in time, and the update presence / absence flag with a large number indicates a later update in time.

For example, if map data is updated every month, an update flag is created on a monthly basis. When the example shown in FIG. 2 is applied, the update presence / absence flag 1 indicates whether or not the map data is updated in June, and the update presence / absence flag 2 indicates whether or not the map data is updated in July. It will be. Further, for example, when the map data is updated, the update presence / absence flag is set to “TRUE”, and when the map data is not updated, the update presence / absence flag is set to “FALSE”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a parcel update list in which parcel update information as described above is collected for parcels that require map data update. Here, a parcel update list created when map data is updated as shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated. In the example shown in FIG. 2, map data is updated for parcels whose parcel IDs are “2”, “4”, “5”, “6”, and “8”, so only these parcels are targeted. The updated parcel list is created.

The update presence / absence flag 1 indicates whether or not map data is updated in each parcel for June. Specifically, the update presence / absence flag is “TRUE” for the parcels with parcel IDs “4”, “5”, and “6”, and the update presence / absence flag for the parcels with parcel IDs “2” and “8”. Is “FALSE”. The update presence / absence flag 2 indicates whether or not the map data in each parcel is updated for July. Specifically, the update presence / absence flag is “TRUE” in parcels with parcel IDs “2”, “5”, and “8”, and the update presence / absence flags are in parcels with parcel IDs “4” and “6”. Is “FALSE”.

The parcel update list as described above is created by the navigation device 1 in the following procedure, for example. In one example, the navigation apparatus 1 includes all the parcels that require updating of map data based on the acquired map data for update (including update parcel data and / or binary difference data, and so on). The parcel update list is determined for each identified parcel by determining whether or not the map data is updated each time the map data is updated (that is, for each parcel, when the update is performed). Create In another example, the navigation device 1 refers to such information when the header of the acquired map data for update contains information indicating which parcel map data has been updated. To create a parcel update list. In this example, the navigation device 1 creates a parcel update list by integrating the information in the header of the update map data acquired at each time the map data is updated.

The parcel update list created as described above may be stored in the RAM 24 in the navigation device 1 or stored in the data storage unit 36 (that is, an external storage device) in the navigation device 1. May be. However, it is desirable to store the parcel update list in the data storage unit 36 in order to avoid re-creation of the parcel update list due to, for example, power failure.

In addition, although the example which updates the map data every month was shown above, it is not limited to this. For example, map data may be updated every two months or every three months, not every month, and map data may be updated every year or week instead of every month. It may be done. Further, the map data need not be updated periodically. The parcel update list is created according to the update timing of such map data.

Hereinafter, specific examples (first example and second example) of the above-described map data update method will be described.

[First embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the first map data update method is used. Specifically, the navigation device 1 updates the map data based on the first map data update method while referring to the parcel update list created as described above. In this case, the navigation device 1 identifies the latest updated parcel data by referring to the parcel update list for each of the parcels for which the map data has been updated, and the old parcel data is identified by the identified latest updated parcel data. Update the map data by rewriting. “Latest updated parcel data” here means the newest data among the two or more updated parcel data (that is, the updated parcel data at the time of the latest update) when two or more updates are performed. If the update is performed only once, it means updated parcel data at the time of the update (the same applies hereinafter). In addition, basically, the time when the update is performed in each parcel is different, so the time when such latest update parcel data is obtained tends to be different in each parcel, in other words, the update corresponding to the latest update parcel data. The number of presence / absence flags tends to be different.

With reference to FIG. 5, the map data update process according to the first embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the first embodiment. This process is realized by the CPU 22 of the navigation device 1 executing a program stored in advance.

In one example, the process is performed when the user inputs an instruction to update the map data in a state where the update map data is stored in advance in the data storage unit 36 in the navigation device 1 (a predetermined button). Etc.). In another example, the process is started when a storage medium (for example, an SD card) in which update map data is stored in advance is inserted or connected to the navigation device 1. In this example, a storage medium in which update map data downloaded from a server device by a user using a PC or the like, or a storage medium in which a map data updater stores update map data (for the user) Provided) is used.

First, in step S101, the CPU 22 acquires update map data. In this case, the CPU 22 acquires updated parcel data for all parcels for which map data has been updated. For example, the CPU 22 acquires updated parcel data stored in the data storage unit 36 and updated parcel data stored in a storage medium inserted / connected to the navigation device 1. Then, the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the CPU 22 creates a parcel update list based on the update map data acquired in step S101. In one example, the CPU 22 specifies all the parcels that need to be updated based on the obtained update map data, and updates each time the map data is updated for each specified parcel. A parcel update list is created by determining whether or not there is. In another example, when information indicating which parcel map data has been updated is included in the header of the obtained update map data, the CPU 22 refers to such information, Create a parcel update list. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the CPU 22 acquires one parcel update information included in the parcel update list. For example, the CPU 22 acquires parcel update information for the parcel ID having the smallest number in the parcel update list. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the CPU 22 acquires the latest update presence / absence flag for the parcel update information acquired in step S103 (or step S109 described later). That is, the CPU 22 acquires an update presence / absence flag corresponding to the latest update. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the map data is updated based on the update presence / absence flag. For example, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the update presence / absence flag is “TRUE”. If the map data is updated (step S105; Yes), the process proceeds to step S107.

On the other hand, if the map data is not updated (step S105; No), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the CPU 22 acquires a previous update presence / absence flag. That is, the CPU 22 acquires an update presence / absence flag corresponding to the previous update in terms of time. Then, the process returns to step S105, and it is determined again whether map data has been updated. By repeating the processes of steps S105 and S106 until it is determined that there is an update of the map data in this way, the update presence / absence flag when the latest update is performed for the corresponding parcel is specified. As a result, the latest updated parcel data is specified for the corresponding parcel.

In step S107, the CPU 22 generates new parcel data based on the updated parcel data. Specifically, the CPU 22 generates new parcel data based on the updated parcel data corresponding to the update presence / absence flag specified by the processes of steps S105 and S106 (that is, the latest updated parcel data described above). In this case, the CPU 22 generates new parcel data by rewriting old parcel data with the updated parcel data. Then, the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, the CPU 22 stores the new parcel data generated in step S107 in the data storage unit 36 as an external storage device. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, the CPU 22 acquires the parcel update information next to the parcel update information that has been processed as described above. For example, in the parcel update information arranged according to the parcel ID, the CPU 22 acquires parcel update information for the parcel next to the parcel that has been subjected to the above processing. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the CPU 22 determines whether there is parcel update information. That is, in step S109, it is determined whether or not the next parcel update information has been acquired. If there is next parcel update information (step S110; Yes), the process returns to step S104. In this case, for the parcel corresponding to the next parcel update information, processing for generating and storing new parcel data is performed in the above-described procedure. On the other hand, when there is no next parcel update information (step S110; No), the process ends. By repeatedly performing the processing of steps S104 to S110, processing for generating and storing new parcel data is performed for all parcels for which map data has been updated.

According to the first embodiment described above, by executing the first map data update method using the parcel update list, the latest updated parcel data can be appropriately specified for each parcel, and the map data It is possible to improve the update speed.

In the parcel update list described above, for all parcels for which map data has been updated, information indicating whether or not the map data has been updated is included for each time the map data is updated (for example, FIG. 4). reference). Thus, it is not limited to using the parcel update list which has the information which shows the presence or absence of update about all the times when update of map data was performed. In another example, a parcel update list having only information for specifying the latest update parcel data to be applied to each parcel should be used for every parcel for which map data has been updated. it can. For example, it is possible to use a parcel update list in which information indicating which month's update parcel data is to be rewritten is finally associated with all parcels for which map data has been updated. This is because the first map data update method uses a method of replacing the old parcel data in each parcel with the updated parcel data, so that it is not necessary to use information about each update. Because it is good.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second map data update method is used instead of the first map data update method. That is, in the second embodiment, the navigation device 1 updates the map data using the binary difference data while referring to the parcel update list created as described above.

Specifically, when the map data is updated twice or more, the navigation device 1 updates the map data step by step using the binary difference data for each parcel for which the map data has been updated. I will do it. In this case, the navigation device 1 determines, for each parcel, whether the update performed on the map data is an intermediate update or a final update based on the parcel update list, and the update is in progress. If the update is the last update, the updated map data is stored in the RAM 24, and if the update is the last update, the updated map data (new parcel data) is stored in the data storage unit 36. That is, the navigation device 1 temporarily stores the new parcel data (hereinafter referred to as “intermediate data”) generated by the update in the middle in the RAM 24, and generates the new parcel data ( Hereinafter, “final parcel data” is appropriately stored in the data storage unit 36 as an external storage device.

Specifically, for the first update, the navigation device 1 compares the old binary data stored in the data storage unit 36 with the latest binary differential data (the update time of the stored binary differential data is (Corresponding to the oldest data) is reflected. Then, for the second and subsequent updates, the navigation device 1 compares the previous binary difference data with respect to the old parcel data stored in the RAM 24 (corresponding to the new parcel data generated by the previous update). A process of reflecting the subsequent binary difference data in order from the previous data is performed. In other words, the navigation device 1 updates the map data stepwise by applying one by one from the previous binary difference data, going back to the previous update.

In addition, when performing the 2nd map data update method as mentioned above, the navigation apparatus 1 is required in order to temporarily store the new parcel data generated by the update before the map data is updated. An area on the RAM 24 is secured. Thereby, the new parcel data generated by the update in the middle can be appropriately stored in the RAM 24.

Next, the map data updating method according to the second embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the examples shown in FIGS.

According to the parcel update list shown in FIG. 4, referring to the first row, it can be seen that the parcel with the parcel ID “2” needs to be updated in July. Therefore, the navigation device 1 updates the map data by performing a process of reflecting the binary difference data of July on the old parcel data for the parcel with the parcel ID “2”. Similarly, since the parcel with the parcel ID “4” needs to be updated in June, the navigation apparatus 1 uses the binary difference data for June for the parcel with the parcel ID “4”. Map data is updated by performing a process of reflecting the old parcel data. By sequentially performing such processing on all the rows (that is, all parcels) in the parcel update list, the update to the map data for July is completed.

Here, paying attention to the parcel whose parcel ID is “5”, it can be seen that the update is necessary in both June and July. For such parcels, the navigation device 1 first performs the update for June by performing processing for reflecting the binary difference data for June to the old parcel data. According to the parcel update list, it is determined that the update in June is an update in the middle. Therefore, the navigation apparatus 1 temporarily stores the new parcel data obtained in the update in June in the RAM 24. In other words, the new parcel data obtained by the update in June is only intermediate data, and its capacity is also equivalent to one parcel (several KB to several tens KB), so the navigation device 1 stores the new parcel data. It is temporarily held on the RAM 24.

After that, the navigation device 1 performs the process of reflecting the binary difference data for July on the new parcel data (new parcel data obtained by the update in June) stored in the RAM 24, so that the data for July is obtained. Update. According to the parcel update list, the update in July is determined to be the last update, that is, the new parcel data obtained by the update in July is the final parcel data. The new parcel data is stored in the data storage unit 36 as an external storage device.

As described above, by sequentially updating in units of parcels, it is not necessary to store parcel data (intermediate data) obtained in the middle of updating on an external storage device. That is, according to the second embodiment, intermediate data can be appropriately stored on the RAM 24. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to speed up the update time as compared with the configuration in which the intermediate data is stored on the external storage device.

Also, according to the second embodiment, the memory used for the update can be completed with one parcel. This means that every time one parcel is updated, new parcel data for that parcel is saved in the external storage device, so the used memory can be released and the memory can be reused at the next parcel update. Because it can.

Next, the map data update process according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the second embodiment. This process is also realized by the CPU 22 of the navigation device 1 executing a program stored in advance. Note that this processing is also started at the same timing as described in the first embodiment.

Since the processing of steps S201 to S203 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S103 shown in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Here, the process after step S204 is demonstrated.

In step S204, the CPU 22 acquires the update presence / absence flag 1 for the parcel update information acquired in step S203 (or step S212 described later). That is, the CPU 22 acquires an update presence / absence flag corresponding to the latest update. Then, the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the map data is updated based on the update presence / absence flag. For example, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the update presence / absence flag is “TRUE”. If there is an update of map data (step S205; Yes), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, when there is no update of map data (step S205; No), a process progresses to step S209. In this case, the subsequent steps S206 to S208 are not performed.

In step S206, the CPU 22 acquires old parcel data. Specifically, when the current update is the first update, the CPU 22 acquires the old parcel data stored in the data storage unit 36, and when the current update is the second or later update. Acquires the old parcel data temporarily stored in the RAM 24. Then, the process proceeds to step S207.

In step S207, the CPU 22 generates new parcel data by performing processing for applying the binary difference data corresponding to the update presence / absence flag used in the current update to the old parcel data acquired in step S206. . Then, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the CPU 22 stores the new parcel data generated in step S207 in the RAM 24. Then, the process proceeds to step S209.

In step S209, the CPU 22 acquires an update presence / absence flag immediately after the update presence / absence flag having been subjected to the above-described processing. That is, the CPU 22 acquires an update presence / absence flag corresponding to the update one time later. Then, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the CPU 22 determines whether there is an update presence / absence flag. That is, in step S209, it is determined whether an update presence / absence flag has been acquired.

If there is an update presence / absence flag (step S210; Yes), the process returns to step S205. Here, the situation where it is determined in step S210 that there is an update presence / absence flag corresponds to a situation where the update of the map data is in progress. For this reason, in this case, the processes of steps S205 to S210 described above are performed again. By repeatedly performing the processing of steps S205 to S210 as described above, the map data is sequentially updated for one parcel according to all the update presence / absence flags of the parcel update information.

On the other hand, if there is no update presence / absence flag (step S210; No), the process proceeds to step S211. Here, the situation where it is determined in step S210 that there is no update presence / absence flag corresponds to the case where the update performed this time is the last update. That is, this corresponds to a situation in which the update of the map data corresponding to all the update presence / absence flags included in the parcel update information is completed for one parcel. Therefore, in step S211, the CPU 22 stores the new parcel data (corresponding to final parcel data) stored in the RAM 24 in the data storage unit 36 as an external storage device. Then, the process proceeds to step S212.

In step S212, the CPU 22 acquires the parcel update information next to the parcel update information that has been subjected to the above-described processing. For example, in the parcel update information arranged according to the parcel ID, the CPU 22 acquires parcel update information for the parcel next to the parcel that has been subjected to the above processing. Then, the process proceeds to step S213.

In step S213, the CPU 22 determines whether there is parcel update information. That is, in step S212, it is determined whether or not the next parcel update information has been acquired. If there is next parcel update information (step S213; Yes), the process returns to step S204. In this case, for the parcel corresponding to the next parcel update information, processing for generating and storing new parcel data is performed in the above-described procedure. On the other hand, when there is no next parcel update information (step S213; No), the process ends. By repeatedly performing the processing in steps S204 to S213, processing for generating and storing new parcel data is performed for all parcels for which map data has been updated.

According to the second embodiment described above, by executing the second map data update method using the parcel update list, the map data is generated by updating in the middle in a situation where the map data needs to be updated a plurality of times. The obtained parcel data (intermediate data) can be appropriately stored on the RAM 24, and the update can be sequentially performed using the intermediate data stored in the RAM 24. Thereby, the update speed of map data can be increased compared with the structure which preserve | saves intermediate data on an external storage apparatus.

[Modification]
In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to the navigation device 1. In the modification, the present invention is applied to a map data update system including the navigation device 1 and the server device. Specifically, the modified example is different from the above-described embodiment in that the server device, not the navigation device 1, creates the parcel update list. That is, in the modification, the navigation device 1 receives the parcel update list created by the server device and updates the map data based on the parcel update list.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a map data update system 200 according to a modification. The map data update system 200 mainly includes the navigation device 1 and the server device 300. The navigation device 1 and the server device 300 are connected via a network 302, and information is transmitted and received. The configuration of the navigation device 1 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 1).

The server device 300 transmits update map data (including updated parcel data and / or binary difference data) to the navigation device 1. Further, the server device 300 creates a parcel update list and transmits the parcel update list to the navigation device 1. The update map data and the parcel update list are stored in the database 301 or the like.

Although only one navigation device 1 is shown in FIG. 7, the server device 300 actually transmits / receives information to / from a plurality of navigation devices 1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a map data update method according to the modification will be specifically described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a parcel update list created by the server device 300. Here, only parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described. Processing that is not particularly described is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

The server apparatus 300 creates only one parcel update list from the first version of map data to the latest version of map data. For example, when the first map data is created in May, and thereafter the map data is updated every month, and the latest update is performed in December, the server apparatus 300 is shown in FIG. As described above, only one parcel update list storing the parcel update information for each parcel from June to December is created. The server device 300 transmits the created parcel update list to the navigation device 1 and stores it in the database 301.

When the navigation device 1 receives the parcel update list from the server device 300, the navigation device 1 identifies information necessary for updating the map data in the parcel update list. Specifically, the navigation device 1 checks the version of the map data stored in the data storage unit 36 or the like, thereby updating the month from the corresponding version from among a plurality of update presence / absence flags included in the parcel update list. The update presence / absence flag corresponding to the above is specified. Thereafter, the navigation device 1 updates the map data by the same method as that shown in the above-described embodiment based on the specified update presence / absence flag. For example, when the map data stored in the navigation device 1 is August version data, as shown in FIG. 8, the navigation device 1 starts from September 12 in the received parcel update list. The parcel update information up to the month (information corresponding to the update presence / absence flags 4 to 7) is specified as information to be used for update, and the map data is updated using the specified parcel update information.

According to the modification described above, the navigation device 1 side can appropriately specify information necessary for updating the map data in the parcel update list, so that each of the plurality of navigation devices 1 on the server device 300 side. There is no need to prepare a parcel update list. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the server device 300 side as compared with a configuration in which a parcel update list is prepared for each of the plurality of navigation devices 1 on the server device 300 side.

In the above-described embodiments and modifications, an example in which the present invention is applied to the navigation device 1 has been shown, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to electronic devices that display a map screen using map data in addition to the navigation device 1. For example, the present invention can be applied to a portable terminal device (such as a smartphone) having a call function.

As described above, the embodiments are not limited to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the modifications described above, and do not contradict the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. The range can be changed as appropriate.

The present invention can be used for a navigation device including a PND and a portable terminal device such as a cellular phone.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 10 Self-supporting positioning apparatus 20 System controller 22 CPU
24 RAM
36 Data storage unit 200 Map data update system 300 Server device

Claims

A map data update device for updating map data stored in a storage means,
Update map data acquisition means for acquiring update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area in a map divided by a predetermined area;
Update list generating means for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once;
Map data updating means for performing processing for updating the map data with the update map data acquired by the update map data acquiring means for each of the predetermined areas based on the update list generated by the update list generating means. And a map data updating device.
The map data updating means
When the map data is updated twice or more, the map data is updated step by step using the update map data for each predetermined area,
Based on the update list, it is determined whether the update performed on the map data is an intermediate update or a final update,
When the update is an intermediate update, the updated map data is stored in a temporary storage means different from the storage means, and when the update is the last update, the updated map data The map data updating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores the information.
The update map data acquisition means acquires binary difference data indicating the difference between the map data before update and the map data after update as the map data for update,
The map data update device according to claim 2, wherein the map data update unit updates the map data by performing a process of reflecting the binary difference data on the map data before the update. .
The map data updating means
For the first update, the map data stored in the storage means is subjected to a process of reflecting the previous binary difference data,
For the second and subsequent updates, the map data stored in the temporary storage means is processed to reflect the binary difference data after the previous binary difference data in order from the previous data. The map data update device according to claim 3, wherein:
Based on the update list, further comprising means for securing an area of the temporary storage means necessary for temporarily storing the map data generated by the intermediate update before the map data is updated. The map data update device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the map data update device is characterized in that:
A map data update method for updating map data stored in a storage means,
An update map data acquisition step for acquiring update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area in a map divided by a predetermined area;
An update list generating step for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once;
Based on the update list generated by the update list generation step, a map data update step is performed for updating the map data for each predetermined area by the update map data acquired by the update map data acquisition step. A map data updating method comprising:
A map data update program executed by a map data update device comprising a computer and updating map data stored in a storage means,
The computer,
Update map data acquisition means for acquiring update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area in a map divided by a predetermined area;
Update list generating means for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once;
Map data updating means for performing processing for updating the map data with the update map data acquired by the update map data acquiring means for each of the predetermined areas based on the update list generated by the update list generating means. A map data update program characterized in that it is made to function as.
A recording medium in which the map data update program according to claim 7 is recorded.
A map data update system having a map data update device for updating map data stored in a storage means, and a server device configured to be communicable with the map data update device,
The server device
In a map divided by a predetermined area, a first transmission means for transmitting update map data for updating map data for each predetermined area to the map data update device;
Update list generating means for generating an update list indicating whether or not the map data is updated for each predetermined area at each time when the map data is updated at least once;
Second update means for transmitting the update list generation generated by the update list generation means to the map data update device,
The map data update device includes:
Receiving means for receiving the update map data and the update list transmitted by the server device;
Map data updating means for performing processing for updating the map data with the update map data acquired by the receiving means for each predetermined area based on the update list received by the receiving means. A featured map data update system.
The map data update means of the map data update device specifies information necessary for updating the map data in the update list based on the map data stored in the storage means, and uses the specified information as the specified information. The map data update system according to claim 9, wherein the map data is updated based on the map data.