JP2002318532A - Map editing and displaying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map editing and displaying device which solves such a problem that a road network in an updated map and in an related area discontinues when a map is updated in the unit of an area, and which enables editing work such as updating the map data, with the road network maintained, as the need arises from a user, or addition/deletion of map data by the user. SOLUTION: In an arithmetic processor 3, update information of the area specified by an input means 2 is obtained via a receiver 1, and also map information relating to the update area is read out from a storage device 4, and the map information is updated by providing a correction operation for maintaining the road network. The updated map information is stored in the storage device 4 and also displayed on an output device 5, thereby a map editing and displaying device can be obtained which can update a map in the unit of an area with the road network maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map editing and displaying device, and is useful, for example, as a map editing and displaying device for vehicle navigation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle navigation device will be described as an example of a map editing and displaying device.

[0003] A conventional map editing and display device for vehicle navigation is provided with means for wirelessly receiving the latest map data of an area requested by a user, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-46379. The user updates the map data stored in advance by the received data to create the latest map data.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional configuration, the road network is connected at the boundary between the area updated by the latest map data and the area related to the road network in the map data held by the user. There was a problem that the boundaries could not be matched, for example, the relationship was broken.

Another problem is that if the user partially changes the road data in the arbitrary map data, consistency between the changed road data and the related road data cannot be obtained. Was.

Further, when the user has partially changed arbitrary map data, the map data of the user change is replaced by updating the map data with the latest map data, and after the update, the user is updated again. Had to change the map data.

Further, in the method of transmitting map data,
When all data relating to the latest map is transmitted as update data, the receiving side consumes a huge amount of data and communication time, and thus has a problem that the map update operation is inefficient.

Furthermore, when the data format of the latest map data to be transmitted is changed, or when each receiving device has a different specification, there is a problem that the contents of the latest map data transmitted cannot be used.

Another problem is that it is difficult to grasp the state of comparison between the update status of each area in the map data held by the user and the update status of each area in the latest map data transmitted.

[0010] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and defines a node for recording a connection relationship between related areas in a road network, and relates to a related area even when an arbitrary area is updated. An object of the present invention is to provide a map editing and displaying device capable of maintaining a road network between regions by a correction function for maintaining consistency with regions.

When the user partially changes the road data in the arbitrary map data, the user defines nodes that can be changed and nodes that cannot be changed, and the peripheral data related by the road data to be changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map editing and displaying device capable of maintaining a road network between road data by making the nodes unchangeable when there is no consistency with the road data.

Furthermore, when the user partially changes arbitrary map data, a means for managing the change history is provided, so that even if the map data held by the user is replaced by the latest map data, the change history is referred to. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a map editing and displaying device capable of restoring data changed by a user to map data.

[0013] Further, by reducing the content of the latest map data to be transmitted to difference information from a reference map, which is the original of the map data, to a map changed so far, the amount of data transmission can be reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map editing and display device capable of performing efficient data updating.

Further, by transmitting a data format or a command for acquiring data together with the latest road data to be transmitted, a receiving device of a different specification can be used without being affected by a change in the data format of the latest road data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map editing device capable of sharing the latest road data.

Further, by presenting to the user a list of update statuses of the map data units obtained by dividing the area in the latest map data and the map information held by the user, the map range to be updated can be easily confirmed. It is an object to provide a simple map editing and display device.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a map editing and displaying apparatus according to the present invention comprises a map data storing means for storing map data used by the apparatus, a map data storage means for storing map data necessary for updating the map, Update information acquisition means for acquiring a format, and reading the map data acquired by the update information acquisition means in accordance with the format acquired by the update information acquisition means and converting the map data into a format for storing the same type of data; It has a configuration including a map updating means for updating the map data stored in the data storage means, and a map display means for displaying the map data stored in the map data storage means.

In the above-mentioned map editing and displaying apparatus, the update information obtaining means further obtains a data conversion program, and converts the map data obtained by the update information obtaining means by the data conversion program obtained by the update information obtaining means. It is characterized in that map data is updated using the converted result.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the road network in the map data is composed of nodes representing nodes and links having the nodes at both ends, and is stored together with connection information between links and attribute information such as traffic regulation. Define.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a map editing and displaying device includes a receiving device 1, an input device 2, and an arithmetic processing device 3.
, A storage device 4 and an output device 5.

The receiving device 1 receives map data and other information from outside the map editing and displaying device, and is realized by an FM receiver or a modem.

The input device 2 is used by a user to input a range of a map to be displayed, contents to be updated, and the like to the main body of the map editing and displaying device.

The arithmetic processing unit 3 controls the map editing and displaying apparatus in accordance with a program described in advance.

The storage device 4 is a device for storing map data, and is realized by a data rewritable recording device and its driving device.

The output device 5 presents the map data stored in the storage device 4 and the processing result of the arithmetic processing device 3 to the user. The output device 5 visually outputs information and a sound. It is realized by the output speaker.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for updating a map by correcting an adjacent area in the first embodiment, and the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart.

First, in step 21, the update of map data is started by a user's instruction or communication from the center, and map update information is obtained.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 22, wherein a map update process is performed. The update information acquired in step 21 is used for updating the map here, and the process is executed by replacing the corresponding portion with the map data stored in units of regions or adding data.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 23, wherein it is determined whether or not the adjacent area needs to be corrected. This determination is made in step 22
Is performed by checking whether or not the data replaced by the above includes the boundary node of the region. If the correction of the adjacent region is necessary, the process proceeds to step 24, and if the correction is not necessary, the process proceeds to step 25.

In step 24, the adjacent area correction processing is performed, and the area boundary data of the adjacent area with respect to the area boundary data replaced in step 22 is replaced so as not to lose consistency of connection information and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the adjacent area is corrected. In FIG. 3, an area A is an area changed by the update processing, and an area B is an adjacent area. Reference numeral 31 denotes a boundary node before being changed by the update, 32 denotes a boundary node in an adjacent area corresponding to the boundary node 31, 33 denotes a node after the update of the boundary node 31, and 34 denotes a node after the boundary node 32 is corrected. is there.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the boundary node is changed, the boundary node in the corresponding adjacent area is corrected,
The connection relationship between the areas is maintained.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 25, at which it is checked whether or not there is another area which needs to be updated. If there is, an operation returns to the step 22 to repeat the processing. Is terminated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the correction is also performed for the adjacent area of the map data updated on a region basis, so that the map data can be updated without impairing the road connection information and the like. Is done.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a procedure for updating a map by correcting between layers in the second embodiment, and the operation will be described according to the flowchart.

First, the processing from step 21 to step 24 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the map is updated in units of regions and adjacent regions are corrected.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 41, wherein it is determined whether or not a correction between layers is necessary. This determination is made in step 22
The process is performed by checking whether or not there is another layer of map data including the area updated in step. If the correction between layers is necessary, the process proceeds to step 42, and if not, the process proceeds to step 25.

In step 42, an inter-layer correction process is performed. The correction between the hierarchies is performed by extracting areas in other hierarchies including the area updated in step 22 and updating data corresponding to the updated portion in step 22 in each extracted area. .

Next, proceeding to step 43, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to correct the adjacent area for each area updated in step 42 in the same manner as in step 23. If correction is necessary, step 44 is executed. If it is not necessary, go to step 25.

In step 44, similar to step 24, the adjacent regions are corrected for each region updated in step 42.

In step 25, it is checked whether or not there is another area that needs to be updated. If there is, the process returns to step 22 to repeat the processing. If not, the update of the map data is terminated. You.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when map data has a plurality of hierarchies, inter-hierarchical correction is performed, so that there is no inconsistency between map data hierarchies. Can be updated.

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for updating the map for each road number in the third embodiment, and the operation will be described in accordance with the flowchart.

First, similarly to the first embodiment, information for updating the map is obtained in step 21.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 61, wherein a road-based information classification process is performed. In this process, the update information acquired in step 21 is classified for each road number. FIG.
Shows an example in which update information is classified for each road number.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 22, wherein the map data is updated as in the first embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, since the data is updated according to the update information for each road number classified in step 61, the map update processing is performed on a plurality of areas at the same time.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 62, wherein it is checked whether or not the road information to be updated remains. If the road information to be updated remains, the process returns to the step 22 to repeat the process. Is terminated.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the data is updated for each road number, even if the same road extends over a plurality of areas, the continuity is maintained without losing continuity. The map data is updated.

(Embodiment 4) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a partial map data update by the user according to the fourth embodiment, and the operation will be described according to the flowchart.

First, in step 22, a map update process is performed by the user instructing a change.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 81, wherein a judgment of an update instruction is made. This judgment is made by checking whether or not the designated change includes a preset fixed node. Here, if no fixed node is included, the change content specified by the user is replaced in step 82, and if the fixed node is included, the map data is not changed.

Next, in step 83, it is checked whether or not there is a next change instruction from the user. If there is, the process returns to step 22 to repeat the processing. If not, the update of the map data is ended. .

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the fixed nodes are managed by the device, it is possible to prevent the main road network from being interrupted by unnecessary changes by the user.

In the fourth embodiment, the consistency of the map is ensured by prohibiting the change of the information on the fixed node. However, when the user moves the boundary node of the area, the above-mentioned second embodiment is performed. As in the first embodiment, consistency can be ensured by automatically changing the boundary node of the corresponding adjacent area.

Further, by setting a change permission flag for each component of the map data, it is possible to prevent the user from being given more change rights than necessary and to ensure the consistency of the map.

(Fifth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The map data is provided to the user after being corrected periodically by the manufacturer or the seller.
In the fifth embodiment, this is defined by the term “version upgrade”.

In the version upgrade of the map, addition / deletion of a road, correction of a shape, correction of traffic regulation information, etc. are performed, but the ratio of the update data amount to the total map data amount is generally low. Therefore, it is not efficient to replace all map data every time the version is upgraded. In particular, when the transmitted update data is received, the amount of transmitted data becomes enormous, which leads to waste of time and cost required for updating the map.

The fifth embodiment mainly provides a map editing and display device that can efficiently update a map by using difference information from a reference map generated with version upgrade. Purpose.

In version upgrade of map data having a road network structure defined in the first embodiment, addition / deletion of links, correction of link shapes, correction of traffic regulation information, etc. are performed. For example, FIG. 8 shows a state where links are sequentially added to the map data with the three-stage version upgrade. FIG. 8A is the first map provided by the manufacturer or the distributor, and is defined as a version 0 map. (B) of FIG. 8 is a map provided after version 0, and has a content obtained by adding a link A to (a). This is defined as a version 1 map. FIG. 8C is a map provided after the version 1 map, and is data in which a link B is added to FIG. 8B. This is defined as a version 2 map. 8D is a map provided after the version 2 map, and FIG.
Is the data of the content with the link C added. This is defined as a version 3 map.

As described above, a description will be given of the processing contents for updating the map currently held by the user to the latest version of the map when the map data is provided by the map manufacturer or distributor. I do.

First, on the transmitting side, the map of version 0 is used as a reference map, and the difference between this reference map and the map of version 3 which is the newest map is obtained. As a result, difference information including only data such as roads and landmarks updated along with the version upgrade is created. FIG. 9A shows the difference information thus created.

Next, by transmitting the difference information thus created, the map data currently held by the user is upgraded to the version 3 map.
However, in this case, the contents of the data to be rewritten differ depending on whether the version of the map data held by the user is version 0, version 1, or version 2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a map updating process using difference information according to the fifth embodiment, and a description will be given with reference to this flowchart.

First, in step 101, data to be updated is sequentially read from the created difference information.

Next, the routine proceeds to step 102, where step 101
It is determined whether or not the update target indicated by the difference information read in exists in the map before the update. If the update target does not already exist in the map before the update, the process proceeds to step 103, and if it exists, the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 103, the map held by the user is updated to the latest map by actually using the difference information. FIG. 9B shows the map before updating, and FIG. 9C shows the updated map. In FIG. 9C, links B 'and C' are links newly added by updating the map. The link A ′ is a link included in the difference information, but was not required to be added in the current update because it already existed in the map before the update.

In step 104, it is determined whether or not difference information to be read still remains. If there is no difference information to be read, the map update process is terminated. Conversely, if there is still difference information, step 1 is executed.
Returning to step 01, the difference information is newly read out, and the processing from step 102 to step 104 is repeated until there is no more difference information to be read.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, by updating the map using the difference information between the reference map and the latest map, the transmission amount of data generated at the time of updating, and The updating process can be minimized, and the version can be easily and efficiently updated even if different versions of the map are used for each user.

(Embodiment 6) Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The sixth embodiment mainly provides a map editing and display device that can efficiently update a map by using difference information from a reference map generated with version upgrade. Purpose.

When the map is updated as shown in FIG. 8 (version 0 to version 3), the difference information between the map data of each version is sequentially provided from the map manufacturer or distributor. The map update process of the user will be described.

FIG. 11A shows the data difference between the map of version 0 and the map of version 1, which is defined as difference information 1. FIG. 11B shows a data difference between the version 1 map and the version 2 map, which is defined as difference information 2. Further, FIG.
Indicates the data difference between the version 2 map and the version 3 map, which is defined as difference information 3. The map provider sequentially transmits such difference information between the versions.

When the map is updated using the difference information transmitted as described above, the difference information required for updating the data is selected depending on the version of the map held by the user. .

For example, if the version of the map currently held is version 0, the difference information 1
To update the data, and then obtain the difference information 2 to update the data. And finally, the difference information 3 is obtained and the data is updated.

When the version of the map currently held is version 1, first, the difference information 2 is obtained and the data is updated, and subsequently, the difference information 3 is obtained and the data is updated. Do.

When the version of the map currently held is version 2, only the difference information 3 is obtained and the data is updated.

FIGS. 11D and 11E show map data before and after updating, for example, when the user updates the version 1 map to the version 3 map. 11B. In FIG. 11E, a link B ′ indicates a link added by the difference information 2, and a link C ′ indicates a link added by the difference information 3.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, by updating only the map by extracting only necessary data from the difference information group provided with the version upgrade, The transmission and rewriting of the generated data volume can be minimized, and even if a different version of the map is used for each user,
Version upgrade can be performed easily and efficiently.

(Embodiment 7) Hereinafter, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

There are two types of updating of the map data, one that is periodically performed by the map manufacturer or distributor and one that is performed individually by the map user. In the seventh embodiment, the former update mode is defined as “version upgrade”, and the latter update mode is defined as “customization”.

In the map version upgrade, addition / deletion of a road, correction of a shape, correction of traffic regulation information, and the like are performed. On the other hand, in addition to adding and deleting landmarks as landmarks,
Addition / deletion of a road, correction of a road shape, and the like are performed.

However, even if the user customizes the map in the past, if the map is replaced with a new one by the version upgrade, the contents changed by the user so far may be deleted. There is. For this reason, each time the user upgrades the map, the user needs to redo the customization.
Also in this case, if the road added by customization is officially added to the map data by this version upgrade, the customized data or the upgraded data will be given priority to the map data. It is necessary to determine whether or not to update.

A seventh object of the seventh embodiment is to provide a map editing and display device capable of efficiently updating a map by matching the two types of map updating modes. .

The contents for customizing the map having the road network structure defined in the first embodiment include addition / deletion of roads, correction of road shapes, addition / deletion of landmark data.
Deletion is possible.

For example, a description will be given of a processing procedure when an attempt is made to newly add a link L as shown in FIG. 12B to a road network as shown in FIG. First, the map to be updated is displayed on the screen. Next, by using the operation switch, the node N which is both ends of the link to be added is set.
1. The coordinates of N2 are indicated on the screen. An intersection node N at which the newly added link L intersects with the existing link
1. Input traffic regulation information in N2. That is,
If there are traffic restrictions such as no entry or no left or right turn between any links that make up this intersection,
Add attribute information to that effect. By operating a switch for prompting the user to input update data, a link L having both ends of nodes N1 and N2 having coordinate values specified on the screen is added to the road network. In this case, by registering the actual distance of the added link, the time required for passing, and the like, the link can be used for a route search process for automatically finding an optimal route in an arbitrary section.

Conversely, a processing procedure when the link L is to be deleted from the road network as shown in FIG. First, the map to be updated is displayed on the screen. Next, a link L to be deleted is indicated on the screen using an operation switch, and a switch for prompting the user to confirm the input of update data is operated. By operating the input confirmation switch, the link L specified on the screen is deleted from the road network. In this case, the attribute information on the deleted link L is also deleted at the same time. To correct the shape of a link already recorded in the road network, the link may be deleted once and a link having the corrected shape may be newly added according to the above-described method.

Next, a processing procedure for adding landmark data LM as shown in FIG. 12C to the map will be described. First, the map to be updated is displayed on the screen. Next, the landmark LM to be added
Is selected from the database as shown in FIG.
Further, using the operation switch, the user specifies the coordinates of the addition of the landmark LM on the screen, and operates the switch for prompting the user to confirm the update data input. By operating this input confirmation switch, the landmark LM selected from the database
Is added to the coordinates specified on the screen. Also, in this case, if attribute information relating to the point where the landmark LM is added is added, it is possible to call up the attribute information later.

On the other hand, a processing procedure for deleting the landmark LM from the map as shown in FIG. 12C will be described. First, the map to be updated is displayed on the screen. Next, a landmark LM to be deleted is indicated on the screen using an operation switch, and a switch for prompting the user to confirm update data input is operated. By operating the input confirmation switch, the landmark LM existing on the coordinates specified on the screen is deleted. In this case, the attribute information on the deleted landmark LM is also deleted.

It is to be noted that the content of the data update by the map customization is recorded as history data having a structure as shown in FIG. 14, for example. When the map data is replaced with a new one according to the version upgrade, the customizing process is automatically performed based on the history data. Hereinafter, the flow of the automatic customization process using the history data performed in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 1501, the customization data is read out in order from the history data in which the customization history of the user is recorded.

Next, in step 1502, step 15
It is determined whether the update target indicated by the history data read in 01 exists in the new map data. That is, when the user has added a link to the map before the version upgrade, it is determined whether the road data corresponding to the added link has been formally added to the map data by the current version upgrade. Perform
The determination in this case is made by comparing the node coordinates representing the both end points of the link added by the customization with the node coordinates representing the both end points of the link existing in the upgraded new map. If the customized object exists in the new map data, the process proceeds to step 1503; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 1504.

At step 1503, it is determined which of the contents of the customization and the contents of the upgraded new map data is to be preferentially updated. The determination in this case is automatically performed by the user presetting the determination criterion based on the target of the data to be updated and the content of the update. If it is determined that the map is to be updated with priority given to the customization data, the process proceeds to step 1504. If the content of the upgraded new map is prioritized, the process proceeds to step 1505.

At step 1504, the map is actually customized according to the history data.

Next, in step 1505, it is determined whether or not history data to be read still remains.
If there is no history data to be read, the map update processing is terminated. Conversely, if there is still history data, the flow returns to step 1501 to newly read history data, and the processing from step 1502 to step 1505 Is repeated until there is no history data to be read.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to match the regular version upgrade by the map provider with the personal customization performed by the user, The map data can be updated easily and efficiently.

In the seventh embodiment, the priority between the user update data and the maker update data is automatically determined. However, when performing the update process, either the user update data or the maker update data is used. The user may be given a selection right as to whether or not to prioritize the map data, and the map data may be updated interactively using the selection result.

Embodiment 8 Hereinafter, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The eighth embodiment aims at presenting the update status of the map data unit divided into one or more areas to the user.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying the update status of the map according to the eighth embodiment, and the operation will be described in accordance with the flowchart.

First, in step 1601, a range for displaying the update status of the map data is set from a user input or the like. In the next step 1602, a search is made for map data in the range requested to be displayed. Thereby, map data of one or a plurality of map areas is searched. Subsequently, the searched map data is read out in step 1603 together with update information such as the update date.

At step 1604, the boundaries of the map area are displayed, and the map is displayed after the area range is colored or patterned based on the update information such as the update date for each area. FIG. 17 is a display example in which the map update information and the map are simultaneously displayed. For example, in this example, the background of the map is shown in a darker color (or pattern) as the area of the update date is older.

As described above, the map and its update status are displayed in a superimposed manner and presented to the user, thereby completing one process.

By the above processing, the update status of the map data is presented to the user for each of the divided areas, so that it is possible to assist the user in determining the map range to be updated. Also, when the map is updated in map area units, it can be easily confirmed that the map data has been updated.

In the eighth embodiment, the update date is used as the update information. However, any information indicating the newness of the map update may be used. For example, the update date and time and the update number (I
D) or a map version.

Embodiment 9 Hereinafter, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the map editing and displaying device includes a receiving device 1, an input device 2, an arithmetic processing device 3, a storage device 4, an output device 5, and a position detecting device 6.

The position detecting device 6 calculates the current position of the vehicle,
It is sent to the map editing and display device.

The receiving device 1 receives information such as map data and congestion / regulation data from outside the map editing and displaying device, and is realized by an FM receiver or a modem.

The input device 2 is used by a user to input a range of a map to be displayed, contents to be updated, and the like to the main body of the map editing and displaying device.

The arithmetic processing unit 3 controls the main body of the map editing and displaying device according to a program described in advance.

The storage device 4 is a device for storing map data, and is realized by a data rewritable recording device and its driving device.

The output device 5 presents the map data stored in the storage device 4 and the processing result of the arithmetic processing device 3 to the user. The output device 5 visually outputs information and a sound. It is realized by the output speaker.

The operation of the map updating and displaying apparatus according to the ninth embodiment configured as described above will be described below. Although the ninth embodiment can be realized by hardware, a case in which processing is performed by software using a microcomputer or the like will be described here.

The ninth embodiment aims at making it possible for an old receiver to use data in a new format in a map information transmission service or a traffic jam / regulation information transmission service in which the data format is likely to change frequently. And

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying a map and traffic jam / regulation information according to the ninth embodiment. The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a configuration example of transmission data will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 20, the portion surrounded by the rectangle on the left is the whole image of the transmission data, and is thus composed of a record definition part for defining the format of the data and the substance of the data. For example, in order to express data of a newly opened road, the following record definition (Table 1) is performed.

[0120]

[Table 1]

Here, it is assumed that the record ID, the item ID, and the unit code are strictly defined in advance. That is, each ID and code need to be assigned a code for all possible variations.

The actual data is stored after the record ID and the number of records are recorded following the record definition section. For example, when five new roads are added, five and one with a record ID of 1 are recorded after being recorded as 1 and 5.

In step 1901, transmission data such as map update information and traffic / regulation information sent from an external device is received. Next, in step 1902, format information is acquired, and the type and format of the data included in the transmission data are recognized.

Based on this format, step 19
In step 03, the entity of the transmission data is read from the size of the record definition part to determine the recording location of the entity of the data, and is converted into a format for storing the same type of data internally.
For example, the size, recording order, unit, and the like of each item are converted. In step 1904, the internal data in the same range as the transmission data is updated with the converted data. As a result, the road data and the traffic congestion / regulation data are updated to the latest data.

In step 1905, based on the map information and the like updated in the above steps, information specified by the user,
That is, map data, traffic congestion / regulation, and the like in the range requested to be displayed are searched. Then, the information searched in the last step 1906 is displayed and presented to the user, thereby completing one process. Thereafter, every time the transmission data is received, the processing from step 1901 to step 1906 is repeated.

By the above processing, the transmission data can be read out based on the format information in the transmission data. Therefore, even if the transmission data format is changed after the user obtains the map editing and displaying device, the transmission data can be read out. Can be used.

In the ninth embodiment, the data is read out after the format information is unconditionally read. However, once the format information is read out, the format update date and the like are stored. It is also possible to judge whether the format information held from the data can be used, and if it can be used, use the held format information to skip reading the format information from the transmission data. is there.

(Embodiment 10) Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention configured similarly to the ninth embodiment will be described.

In the tenth embodiment, in a map information transmission service or a congestion / regulation information transmission service in which a data format is likely to be frequently changed, data of a new format can be used even by an old receiver. With the goal.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying a map and traffic jam / regulation information according to the tenth embodiment. The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a configuration example of transmission data will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 22, the portion surrounded by the rectangle on the left is the whole image of the transmission data, and is composed of a command definition part that defines a method of accessing data and an entity of the data. For example, in order to express data of a newly opened road, a command definition as shown in (Table 2) is performed below.

[0132]

[Table 2]

However, here, as shown in the following (Table 3), each command ID and the contents (function, argument, return value, unit, etc.) are transmitted to the transmission data transmission device and the map editing and display device as its reception device. It is assumed that they are defined between

[0134]

[Table 3]

The code for describing the command is composed of elements as shown in the following (Table 4).

[0136]

[Table 4]

The function of executing such a code is provided in a map editing and displaying device as a receiver of transmission data, and the operation will be described below.

First, in step 2101, transmission data such as map update information and traffic / regulation information sent from an external device is received. In the next step 2102, the command code version required to read the data is checked,
Determines whether the code that the device already has can be used. If the built-in code of the device is usable, proceed to step 2103; otherwise, proceed to step 21.
In 07, the command code is read out, and in step 2108
Update the built-in code and the version number at the same time. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 2103.

At step 2103, transmission data is read out using a command code built into the apparatus.
The operation here basically reads the updated data as many times as the number of updated data, as in the previous embodiment. However, the difference from the previous embodiment is that Creation of new data or the like by arithmetic processing from a data item is performed in a command. This makes it possible to easily update internal data in the next step 2104.

Then, in step 2105, information specified by the user, that is, map data, traffic congestion / regulation, etc. in the range requested to be displayed is searched. Then, in the last step 2106, the map is displayed and presented to the user, thereby
The processing of the times is ended. Thereafter, every time the transmission data is received, the processing from step 2101 to step 2106 is repeated.

According to the above processing, the transmission data can be read based on the command information for reading data in the transmission data. Therefore, the transmission data format is changed after the user obtains the map editing display device. The transmission data can be used even if it is done.

[0142]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, there is provided a means for transmitting a data format or data acquisition command together with the latest map information and updating the map using this information. With this arrangement, even if the data format of the latest map information is changed, the latest map information can always be used without depending on the hardware specifications of the receiving device of the user, so that the cost can be reduced for updating the map of the user A map editing and display device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a map editing and displaying device according to first to eighth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the map editing and displaying device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view exemplifying correction of an adjacent area according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the map editing and displaying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the map editing and displaying device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process in which the update information is classified for each road number;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the map editing and displaying device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a process in which update information is sequentially added to map data in the map editing and displaying devices according to the fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of sequentially adding to the map data using the difference information according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process of sequentially adding to map data using difference information in the map editing and displaying apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a process of changing a map by a user in the map editing and displaying apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view exemplifying a database recording landmarks and the like in the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a structure of history data according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the map editing and displaying device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary view showing a display of a map update status in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a map editing and displaying device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a structure of transmission data according to the embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the map editing and displaying device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a structure of transmission data according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 input device 2 receiving device 3 arithmetic processing device 4 storage device 5 output device 6 position calculating device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) G08G 1/137 G08G 1/137 (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Suzuki 1006 Kazuma Kazuma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. In-house (72) Inventor Hisaya Fukuda 1006 Kazuma, Kazuma, Osaka Pref.F-term (reference) in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. BB05 EE18 FF03 FF12 FF13 FF22 FF32 FF40

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Map data storage means for storing map data used by an apparatus, update information obtaining means for obtaining map data and a format required for map update, and map data obtained by the update information obtaining means Map updating means for reading out according to the format acquired by the update information acquiring means, converting the data into a format for storing the same kind of data, and then updating the map data stored in the map data storing means; and A map editing and display device comprising a map display means for displaying map data stored in the means. 2. The update information obtaining means further obtains a data conversion program, and uses the result obtained by converting the map data obtained by the update information obtaining means by the data conversion program obtained by the update information obtaining means. 2. The map editing and displaying device according to claim 1, wherein data is updated.