JP2003075177A - Communications navigation device and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently obtain map data during a route search using a communications navigation device. SOLUTION: The communications navigation device and a server device are made communicable with each other via a communications means. The server device receives a route search request from the communications navigation device and creates route information by conducting a route search. Next, the meshes required for traveling along the route searched are specified and the layers required for the meshes are selected, with the layer data of the layers obtained. The layer data and the route information created are transmitted to the communications navigation device which made the route search request. The communications navigation device provides route guidance using the received route information and layer data. In this case, because the mesh data constituting the map data are formed as an assembly of layer data for each of the plurality of layers, the user can efficiently obtain the map data needed for the route guidance, by selecting only the necessary layers for transmission to the navigation device by communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of communication-type navigation devices, and particularly relates to acquisition of map data that accompanies route guidance and route search.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in navigation devices,
Map data is CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Me
mory) or a DVD-ROM (DVD-Read Only Memory) or the like stored in a map data recording medium has been used. That is, the navigation device is a CD-ROM
A map data recording medium drive unit such as a DVD or a ROM is provided, and map data near the vehicle's current position is read from the map data recording medium according to the movement of the vehicle and is used as an LCD monitor or the like mounted near the driver's seat of the vehicle. It was displayed.

However, if such a recording medium is used as the map data supply source, there arises a problem that the map data cannot be updated frequently. The map data is updated according to the development of new road networks such as expressways. In addition to the road data, the map data used in the navigation device includes information about nearby facilities and stores (for example, convenience stores, gas stations). Recently, there is a tendency for new stores to open and old stores to disappear relatively often, so if you always want to get the latest information, you need to frequently replace the map data recording medium. Will be a burden for Also, the map data recording medium is, for example, half a year,
Since a new edition is released every certain period such as one year, even if the latest one is purchased every time, it is often impossible to keep up with the actual update of the store.

Recently, as navigation devices have become more sophisticated, there is a tendency that the amount of incidental data other than road data included in map data increases and becomes complicated. For example, advanced route search and route guidance are required. In order to do so, it becomes necessary to mount a microprocessor capable of high-speed processing on the navigation device. This leads to an increase in device scale and cost.

In order to solve such a problem, a communication type navigation system has recently been proposed. In this communication navigation system, bidirectional wireless communication is used between a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and a service center on a communication network, and map data is transmitted from the service center to the navigation device on the vehicle. The navigation device stores the received map data on a storage medium such as a hard disk, and uses the map data to perform map display and route guidance.
An example of such a communication type navigation device is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Heisei 7-78
No. 262495, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-96644, and the like.

According to such a communication type navigation system, by updating the map database on the service center side, the user can always obtain and use the latest map data by communication.

[0007]

Route search is known as a useful function of navigation devices. The route search is a function of calculating and presenting a traveling route to a destination designated by the user, and the traveling route is basically calculated using map data. In order to travel along the travel route obtained by the route search, the navigation device side needs map data including the travel route.

However, in the communication type navigation device,
The map data is basically acquired from the service center by communication. Therefore, if it is necessary to acquire road data that is paired with all map data including the travel route to the destination by communication, a considerable communication fee may be required, and depending on various situations in which route search is performed, , It is required to efficiently acquire only necessary map data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for efficiently acquiring map data at the time of route search in a communication type navigation device.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a server device configured to communicate with a communication type navigation device via a communication means, a route search request is received from the communication type navigation device, Searching means for executing a route search to create route information of the searched route; layer selecting means for selecting a layer of mesh data required to travel along the searched route based on the route information; Transmission means for transmitting the layer data of the layer and the route information to the communication type navigation device.

The above server device receives the route search request from the communication type navigation device, conducts route search and creates route information. Next, a mesh required for traveling along the search route is specified, necessary layers are selected for the mesh, and layer data of those layers is acquired. Then, the layer data and the created route information are transmitted to the communication type navigation device that has made the route search request. The communication navigation device uses the received route information and layer data to perform route guidance. At this time, since the mesh data that constitutes the map data is configured as a set of layer data for each of a plurality of layers, by selecting only required layers and transmitting them to the navigation device by communication, the user can obtain route guidance. It is possible to efficiently acquire the necessary map data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a server device configured to communicate with a communication type navigation device via a communication means, a route search request is received from the communication type navigation device and a route search is executed. Search means for creating route information of a search route, layer selecting means for selecting a layer of mesh data necessary for traveling along the search route based on the route information, and identification of layer data of the selected layer Information and update information, and transmission means for transmitting the route information to the communication navigation device.

The above server device receives a route search request from the communication type navigation device, performs route search and creates route information. Next, a mesh required for traveling along the search route is specified, and a layer required for the mesh is selected. Then, the identification information and the update information of the layer data of those layers are acquired and transmitted together with the route information to the communication type navigation device that has made the route search request. On the side of the communication navigation device, necessary layer data can be requested to the server device by using the identification information and the update information of the received layer data. Then, route guidance is executed using the received route information and layer data. On this occasion,
Since the mesh data that composes the map data is configured as a set of layer data for each of a plurality of layers, the user can obtain the map data required for route guidance by selecting only the required layers and requesting the server device. Can be acquired efficiently.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication navigation device configured to be communicable with a server device via a communication means, wherein the server device receives a route search request from the communication navigation device. Then, it comprises a transmitting means for executing a route search to create route information of a searched route and transmitting the route information to the communication navigation device, wherein the communication navigation device is based on the route information transmitted from the server device, The apparatus further comprises layer selecting means for selecting a layer of mesh data required to travel along the search route, and requesting means for requesting the layer data of the selected layer to the server device.

The above-mentioned communication type navigation device transmits a route search request to the server device. When a route search is performed on the server device side and route information is transmitted, the navigation device receives this, identifies the mesh required to travel along the searched route, and selects the required layer for that mesh. To do. Then, the layer data of those layers is requested to the server device, and route guidance is executed using the received route information and layer data.
At this time, since the mesh data forming the map data is formed as a set of layer data for each of a plurality of layers, the user can select the required layer and request it to the server device so that the user can obtain the route information. Map data can be acquired efficiently.

In one mode of the above server device or communication type navigation device, the layer selecting means selects layer data of all layers for a mesh including the search route, and for a mesh not including the search route. Select only some layers.

According to this aspect, the map data in the vicinity of the route on which the vehicle actually travels can be displayed in detail,
The communication data can be saved by displaying the map data around it at a rough level such as a main road.

In another mode of the above server device or communication type navigation device, the layer selecting means selects layer data of all layers for meshes within a predetermined range from the destination, and selects layer data outside the predetermined range. For mesh, select only some layers.

According to this aspect, while providing detailed guidance in the vicinity of the destination by using the data of all layers, communication is performed by acquiring only the minimum required layer data in other areas. You can save money.

In another aspect of the server device or the communication navigation device, when the route selection request includes a search condition that a highway or a toll road is not used, Do not select a layer that contains only expressways or toll roads.

According to this aspect, it is possible to save the communication cost by not acquiring the layer that is not used in the route search.

In still another mode of the above server device or communication type navigation device, the layer selecting means, in the case where the purpose of the route search is designated in the route search request, preliminarily sets the route search purpose for each of the purposes. Select only the determined layers.

According to this aspect, for example, in the case of a driving purpose, a logo mark or the like is acquired to provide various kinds of information, and in the case of use such as delivery business, only road data and annotation data are acquired. Only appropriate layers can be acquired according to the purpose, such as saving communication costs.

In still another mode of the above server device or communication type navigation device, when the layer selection means includes a search condition that a specific layer is not used in the route search request, Do not select a layer.

According to this aspect, since only the necessary layers are acquired according to the conditions set by the user at the time of route search, useless communication costs can be saved.

In still another mode of the above server device or communication type navigation device, the layer selection means, when the searched route includes a highway section, a mesh corresponding to the highway section. For, select a layer that contains only road data for expressways.

According to this aspect, by using the highway mode in the expressway section, it is only necessary to acquire the layer including only the data necessary for executing the highway mode, and it is not necessary to acquire the data of the general road. Therefore, the communication cost can be effectively suppressed.

In still another mode of the above-mentioned server device or communication type navigation device, the layer selection means is such that when the route search request specifies an upper limit value of a communication charge required for map data acquisition. , The layer is selected within a range in which the total of communication charges set in advance for each layer does not exceed the upper limit value.

According to this aspect, since communication is performed only within the range specified by the user, it is possible to prevent an unexpectedly large communication cost.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a communication navigation device for a vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as “navigation device”).

[1] Navigation Device FIG. 1 schematically shows the usage status of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the navigation device 7 is mounted on the vehicle 5. The navigation device 7 measures the position of the vehicle by receiving radio waves from the plurality of satellites 4. In addition, the navigation device 7
Connects to the service center 6 using the communication function, downloads the map data and stores it in the internal map data storage unit. The navigation device 7 can execute functions such as route search and route guidance by acquiring necessary map data from the service center 6 as the vehicle progresses.

The service center 6 includes a server 101 and a map database (hereinafter referred to as "DB") 104. The map DB 104 stores map data.
It also stores road data for route search. In response to a request from the navigation device 7, the server 101 acquires necessary map data from the map DB 104 and sends it to the navigation device 7.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the navigation device 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 7 includes an autonomous positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a CD-ROM drive 31, a DVD-ROM drive 32, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, and a communication device. 38, a display unit 40, a voice output unit 50, and an input device 60.

The self-supporting positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11,
The angular velocity sensor 12 and the distance sensor 13 are included. The acceleration sensor 11 includes, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects the acceleration of the vehicle, and outputs acceleration data.
The angular velocity sensor 12 includes, for example, a vibration gyro, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle at the time of changing the direction of the vehicle, and outputs the angular velocity data and the relative azimuth data.

The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse which is a pulse signal generated as the wheels of the vehicle rotate.

The GPS receiver 18 transmits a radio wave 19 that carries downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites that should be used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information. This is the part to receive.

The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22,
ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 and RAM (Random A)
ccessMemory) 24, and is configured to control the entire navigation device 7.

The interface 21 is the acceleration sensor 1
1, angular velocity sensor 12, distance sensor 13, and GPS
The interface operation with the receiver 18 is performed. Then, from these, in addition to the vehicle speed pulse, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, etc. are input to the system controller 20. CPU2
2 controls the entire system controller 20. RO
The M23 has a non-volatile memory or the like (not shown) in which a control program or the like for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 readably stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60, and provides a working area for the CPU 22.

System controller 20, CD-ROM
The drive 31, the DVD-ROM drive 32, the data storage unit 36, the communication interface 37, the display unit 40, the audio output unit 50, and the input device 60,
They are connected to each other via a bus line 30.

CD-ROM drive 31 and DVD-R
Under the control of the system controller 20, the OM drive 32 receives music data from the CD 33 and the DVD 34,
Content data such as video data and a control program corresponding to each process described below are read and output. In addition,
Only one of the CD-ROM drive 31 and the DVD-ROM drive 32 may be provided, or the CD and D
A VD compatible drive may be provided.

In the present invention, the map data is
As a general rule, the pre-installed version and the one acquired from the service center 6 by communication are used, but the map data stored in the CD-ROM 33 and the DVD-ROM 34 can be read and used. Has been done. In particular, discs for special projects other than general map data (for example, golf course maps, ski resort maps, tour plan guides for sightseeing spots, etc.)
When using the CD-ROM drive 31 or DV
The D-ROM drive 32 can be preferably used.

The data storage unit 36 is a unit that mainly stores map data. The map data is acquired by a pre-installation process which will be described later, and the service center 6 can be used as needed while the vehicle is traveling.
And are stored in the data storage unit 36.
The data storage unit 36 may be a CD if necessary.
-ROM drive 31 or DVD-ROM drive 3
It is also possible to store audio data and video data read from No. 2 and map data of the disc of the above-mentioned project.

The communication device 38 is, for example, a mobile phone, and is configured to be able to download map data from the service center 6 via the communication interface 37 that constitutes a modem or the like.

The display unit 40 displays various display data under the control of the system controller 20. 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 VRAM.
A buffer memory 42 including a memory such as (Video RAM) for temporarily storing image information that can be immediately displayed, and a display such as a liquid crystal or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on the image data output from the graphic controller 41. A display control unit 43 for controlling the display of the display 44 and a display 44 are provided. Display 44
Is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal 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 of audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31, the DVD-ROM 32, the RAM 24 or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20.
D / A converter 5 that performs (Digital to Analog) conversion
1, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies a voice analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified voice analog signal into voice and outputs the voice. There is.

The input device 60 is used to input various commands and data, such as keys, switches, buttons, remote controllers,
It is composed of a voice input device and the like. The input device 60 is
It is arranged around the front panel of the main body of the vehicle-mounted electronic system mounted in the vehicle and the display 44.

[2] Pre-Install System Next, a system for pre-installing map data will be described below. In principle, the communication-type navigation device 7 of the present invention acquires map data from the service center 6 by communication, but when installing the device, it is necessary to prepare a relatively large amount of data, and all of this data is communicated. If this is done, the burden on the user of communication costs will increase. Therefore, when introducing the navigation device 7,
For example, the map data of an area that is relatively frequently used, such as near the home, is stored in advance in the data storage unit 36 of the navigation device 7 (this process is referred to as "pre-installation"), and thereafter necessary. Accordingly, an efficient method of connecting to the service center 6 and acquiring necessary map data is adopted. This eliminates the need to download a large amount of map data by communication when the navigation device 7 is used.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of the system for executing the pre-installation process. As shown in FIG. 3, the store 8 and the service center 6 are connected via a communication network 103. The store 8 is a navigation system store, and is, for example, a car dealer or a car accessories store.

The server 101 of the service center 6 acquires necessary map data from the map DB 104 in response to a request from the store 8 and sends it to the store 8 through the communication network 103.

A pre-installed terminal 102 connected to the communication network 103 is installed in the store 8. The pre-installed terminal 102 transmits a request for map data to be pre-installed in the user's navigation device 7 to the service center 6, receives corresponding map data, and temporarily stores it in an internal memory or the like. Then, the map data is stored in the data storage unit 36 of the navigation device 7.

There are several ways to store map data from the pre-installed terminal 102 to the data storage unit 36 of the navigation device 7. One method is that the pre-installed terminal 102 stores map data in a DVD-RAM,
This is a method of temporarily storing in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a card type storage medium, inserting it into the drive device of the navigation device 7, and storing it in the data storage unit 36.

When the data storage unit 36 is composed of a removable medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk, the map data is stored in such a medium from the pre-installed terminal 102 and then the medium is presented to the user. It can also be provided. The user simply attaches the medium to his or her navigation device 7, and the pre-installation of the map data is completed. According to this method, the storage medium in which the map data for pre-installation is stored is provided to the user by means such as mailing, so that the user does not need to visit the sales shop 8 for pre-installation. In addition to that, the map data is stored in the data storage unit 36 by wirelessly communicating with the pre-installed terminal 102 using infrared rays or the like by using the communication function of the navigation device 7, or by performing data communication by connecting a data line. Can be made.

[3] Map Data Next, the map data will be described. In the present invention, the mesh data is used in the normal map display mode or guidance mode of the navigation device 7.

(1) Mesh data Map data is created in units of a predetermined geographical area divided into a plurality of sections having a predetermined area. This unit is called "mesh", and the map data corresponding to one mesh is called "mesh data". Therefore, the map data is a set of mesh data.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a state where a map of a certain area along the sea is divided into a plurality of meshes. In FIG. 4, a line 111 indicates a coastline, the right side of which is a water area (sea) and the left side is land. The area in the upper left of Fig. 4 is a mountain. The line 110 indicates a road.

This area is divided into a plurality of meshes M defined in a grid as map data. In FIG. 4, the identification number (M11
~ M55) are shown. The mesh data is prepared for each mesh shown in FIG. The x and y coordinates in FIG. 4 correspond to longitude and latitude, respectively.

The map shown in FIG. 4 is of a specific scale, and mesh data is created for each of a plurality of scales. The map of Japan has been prepared with a plurality of scales, but the map is divided into a plurality of meshes for each scale and mesh data is prepared.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of the mesh data. The mesh data used by the navigation device 7 of the present invention is composed of seven layers (data layers), and each layer can be processed independently. That is, it is possible not only to acquire and use all seven layers for one mesh, but also to select and acquire and use some arbitrary layers.

Of these, the first to fourth layers are road data, specifically vector data indicating roads on the map. The first layer is data on intercity expressways, and includes data on major expressways connecting cities such as Tomei Expressway and Central Expressway. The second layer is data on major roads and expressways, and includes data on national highways, major prefectural roads, and urban expressways such as the capital expressway. The third layer is general road data,
It includes road data associated with national and prefectural roads. Further, the fourth layer is data of narrow streets, and the narrow streets mean roads having a smaller scale than the general roads of the third layer.

The fifth layer contains annotation data. The annotation data is data corresponding to characters, symbols, marks, etc. displayed on the map, and includes the character data and the map sign of the facility. Place names, addresses, intersection names, station names, etc. are displayed in characters in the map displayed by the navigation device, and the character data is data of these characters.
In addition, facilities such as schools, hospitals and post offices may be displayed as map symbols on the map, and these are included in the data indicating the map sign of the facilities.

The sixth layer contains background data. The background data is data indicating areas other than roads in the area displayed as a map. The map displayed on the navigation device 7 shows the state of the vicinity in addition to the road. For example, if there is a pond along the road, an image showing the pond is displayed, and if it is a map of the city, geographical divisions are displayed.
These are included as background data.

The seventh layer contains logo mark data. The logo mark is a mark indicating a store such as a convenience store or a gas station.

As described above, the mesh data is basically constructed as a set of independent data (hereinafter, also referred to as "layer data") for seven layers.

However, each data may not exist depending on the area to which the mesh corresponds. For example, for mesh data of areas where intercity expressways do not pass,
The first layer is not included. Further, for example, the mesh M55 shown in FIG. 4 is a completely sea area,
There are no facilities or shops. Therefore, the mesh M55
The mesh data of No. does not include road data of the first to fourth layers, annotation data of the fifth layer, logo mark data of the seventh layer, etc., but only background data of the sixth layer. In the case of the mesh M55, the entire area is displayed in blue, which indicates that it is the sea, as a map display.
Only background data for that is included.

As can be understood from this, the data amount of each mesh data differs for each mesh. For example, the meshes M43 and M34 shown in FIG. 4 have a plurality of roads intersecting each other and further include a coastline, so that the amount of data included in the mesh data is large. On the other hand, the mesh data amount of the mesh M55, which is a completely sea area, and the mesh M11, which is a completely mountain area (no road exists), is small.

Also, in the mesh data corresponding to one mesh, the data amount differs for each layer. For example, since there are not so many intercity expressways included in one mesh, the data amount of the first layer is not so large in general. On the other hand, in an urban area where buildings are densely populated, the number of ordinary roads and narrow streets is large, and thus the data amount of the third layer and the fourth layer corresponding to one mesh may be large. Basically, the amount of road data increases as the number of roads included in one mesh increases. Further, in a downtown area where shops and the like are crowded, the data amount of the fifth layer including the annotation data and the seventh layer including the logo mark becomes large.

With respect to the layer data, the average amount of data possessed by each can be statistically specified to some extent. For example, it is possible to statistically understand to some extent the numerical value of the average data amount of the first layer and the average data amount of the fourth layer, which will be described later. Can be used for efficient map acquisition.

In this way, the map data is created as a plurality of mesh data for each scale, and one mesh data is configured as a set of a plurality of layer data. The process of acquiring map data is also performed in units of layer data of mesh data. That is, the layer data of the necessary mesh data is received from the service center 6, and the data storage unit 3 of the navigation device 7 is received.
By storing the map data in the navigation device 6, the necessary map data is accumulated in the navigation device 7.

(2) Data Structure in Map DB FIG. 6 conceptually shows the data structure of map data stored in the map DB 104 in the service center 6. As described above, the map data is a set of mesh data prepared for each specific scale, and the mesh data is a set of a plurality of layer data. In the following description, "mesh data" refers to the entire data corresponding to one mesh, and "layer data" refers to the data of a specific layer forming the mesh data.

A mesh code (M11, M12, ...) As an identification number of the mesh is given to each mesh data. In addition, each layer data is represented as a mesh code to which a layer number is added. That is, the mesh code M11-1 indicates the data of the first layer of the mesh M11, and the mesh code M11-2 indicates the mesh M11.
11 shows the second layer data of 11. Then, one layer data is composed of a data file which is a substantial part of the map data, and scale information and update information which are attribute information of each layer data.

The mesh data is prepared for each scale, and thus each layer data is associated with the scale information of the mesh. Also, the update information is information for determining whether the layer data is old or new,
In this example, the update date of the mesh data is shown. As described above, since map data can be processed in layer data units, if only layer data with a certain mesh is updated, only that layer data will have a new update date. Other than the update date, other information such as map version information can be used as the update information. The layer data can be updated by comparing the update information of each layer data.

(3) Configuration of Data Storage Unit FIG. 7 schematically shows the configuration of the data storage unit 36 in the navigation device 7. Data storage unit 36
Includes a pre-installed data storage unit 70, a cache memory unit 71, and a mesh code storage unit 72 as components related to the storage of map data.

Preinstalled data storage unit 70
Is a unit for storing the above-mentioned preinstalled map data. The pre-installed data storage unit 70 can store map data for wide area display, such as the national version of Japan, as default data. This map data for wide area display is considerably coarser than the mesh data used for normal route guidance, etc., but some level of information required for highway mode etc. should be included. You can

Further, the cache memory unit 71 is
After pre-installation, the navigation device 7 is a unit for storing the map data acquired from the service center 6 by communication as necessary. Since the data storage unit 36 has a limit on the data capacity, when the cache memory unit 71 becomes full with mesh data sequentially acquired from the service center 6, for example, old mesh data or a mesh with a low frequency of use is used. Data is erased in order to secure new storage space.

Further, the mesh code storage unit 72
Is a unit for temporarily storing a mesh code necessary for obtaining and updating mesh data.

As described above, the data storage unit 36 can store music data other than map data, but that portion is not directly related to the present invention, so the illustration thereof is omitted.

[4] Map Data Acquisition Process Next, the map data acquisition process according to the present invention will be described. The map data update process described below acquires the latest map data (mesh data or layer data) related to the travel route obtained by the search when the user who uses the navigation device 7 executes the route search. Is. The route search process is basically executed by the server 101 in the service center 6. Further, since the route search process itself is a known process, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As a premise of the following description, the map data of a predetermined range is already preinstalled in the preinstalled data storage unit 70 of the navigation device 7 used by the user, and the navigation device 7 is used thereafter. As a result, it is assumed that the map data of a certain area is accumulated in the cache memory unit 71.

(1) First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the map data acquisition processing according to the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, when a route search is performed, when a user specifies a certain condition or the like to instruct the route search, the route obtained by the search (hereinafter,
It is called a “search route”. ), The appropriate mesh data or layer data is added to the server 101 according to the condition.
Is provided to the navigation device 7.

In the present invention, the mesh data is composed of a plurality of layers as described above, and processing can be performed for each layer data of each layer. Therefore, when the route guidance is provided according to the searched route, only the data of the layer required by the navigation device 7 is communicated by the server 10
If it is acquired from No. 1, the acquisition of map data can be made efficient, and the communication cost required for acquisition of map data can be reduced.

FIG. 8 is a process flow chart of the data acquisition process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, first, the user of the navigation device 7 operates the input device 60 to call the route search function, specify a departure place and a destination of the route search, and further specify a route search condition and the like as necessary. Then, a route search request is made (step S1). In general, the departure point of the route search is often automatically set to the current position of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 7, in which case the user must specify only the destination. Becomes

The server 101 uses the map DB 104 based on the information about the starting point and the destination included in the route search request.
A route search is performed using the road data inside. Here, the server 101 efficiently acquires the mesh data and the layer data related to the search route by utilizing the characteristics of the mesh data configured as a set of a plurality of layer data according to various methods described later. Then, based on the route information obtained by the search, the mesh necessary for traveling on the searched route is specified, and the necessary mesh data or layer data is acquired from the map DB 104 (step S3). Next, the server 101 transmits the mesh data and the layer data thus obtained to the navigation device 7 together with the route information obtained by the route search (step S4).

The navigation device 7 receives the route information, the mesh data and the layer data and executes route guidance based on them (step S5).

Next, some methods for efficiently obtaining mesh data and layer data regarding a search route will be described in order.

The first method obtains mesh data including all layers for the mesh including the search route, and the mesh adjacent to the mesh including the search route is, for example, the second layer. This is a method to obtain only a little rough road data.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an example thereof. In FIG. 9, the numerical values (<1-2>, <1-> shown in each mesh)
7>, etc.) indicates which layer the layer data is acquired. As illustrated, layer data of all layers from the first layer to the seventh layer is acquired for the mesh including the search route 127. On the other hand, for the mesh around the mesh that does not include the search route but includes the search route, for example, data of only the first and second layers, that is, only the highway and the main road is acquired.

When the route guidance is performed according to the searched route, in the vicinity of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, the user may want to refer not only to the intercity expressway and the main road but also to the general road and, in some cases, the narrow street. is there. Further, if there are facilities and shops along the road on which the vehicle is traveling, they are also effective guidance information. Therefore, it is preferable to acquire the data of all layers for the mesh including the search route.

On the other hand, not the mesh including the searched route but the mesh adjacent to it is displayed for convenience in the route guidance, but since it does not drive in the area corresponding to the mesh, it is roughly the main road. Data is enough. Therefore, in the surrounding mesh, for example, layer data of only the first and second layers can be acquired, and the communication cost required to acquire the map data can be suppressed.

The second method obtains data of all layers for meshes within a predetermined range from the destination of route search, and for other meshes, for example, coarsely only the first and second layers are acquired. This is a method of acquiring map data.

The vicinity of the destination designated by the user in the route search is an area in which the user is most interested, and roads at detailed levels such as the third and fourth layers are provided so that the destination can be quickly and surely arrived. It is preferable to execute the route guidance using all of the data, the annotation data of the fifth layer, the logo mark of the seventh layer, and the like. On the other hand, in the stage before reaching the vicinity of the destination, usually, the vehicle often travels on a relatively large road (for example, an expressway or a main road), so that the narrow street data of the fourth layer is not necessary so much. Therefore, outside the predetermined range from the destination, only the road data of the relatively large road is acquired, and the road data of the small road, the note data, the logo mark, etc. are omitted as necessary, so that the layer data to be acquired can be obtained. Can be reduced.

As an application of this, mesh data of all layers is acquired not only in the destination but also in the predetermined range around the departure point and / or the transit point (intersection where the direction is changed while the route is in progress). You can This is because it is preferable to display detailed map data and provide route guidance, since transit points and the like are important points in the progress of the route.

In the third method, when the user specifies not to use a highway / toll road as a condition for route search, the layer (for example, the first layer) including such an unused road is It is not to acquire. This also makes it possible to reduce the amount of data acquired by communication.

The fourth method is a case where the user specifies the communication fee required for acquiring the map data required for the searched route at the time of searching the route. For example, if the user specifies a certain upper limit for the communication charge required to acquire the map data required for route search, the necessary map data will be acquired within the range not exceeding the communication charge. . Therefore, according to the first method or the second method, the mesh data is sequentially acquired from the vicinity of the starting point or the destination, and the acquisition of the data is stopped when the communication charge reaches the designated charge. .

As described above, since the approximate amount of layer data of each layer corresponding to one mesh can be grasped statistically, one mesh for each of the first to seventh layers. The communication charge required to acquire the layer data corresponding to can be roughly calculated. Therefore, the layer data is sequentially acquired according to the first or second method or the like, and the acquisition of the data is ended when the designated communication charge is reached.

The fifth method is a method of causing a user to specify a required layer at the time of route search and acquiring only data of the layer specified by the user. Depending on the user, there is an individual request such that the data (fourth layer) on the narrow street is unnecessary or the logo mark (seventh layer) is unnecessary because he / she does not want to go through a narrow road, for example.
Therefore, if the user specifies a necessary layer or an unnecessary layer at the time of route search and acquires the data of only the required layer along the search route, the data of the extra layer is not acquired. Communication costs can be saved.

The sixth method is a method of acquiring only necessary layers in consideration of the purpose of traveling. Have the user specify the purpose of travel when searching for a route, for example, in the case of travel or driving, obtain background data (6th layer), logo mark (7th layer), etc. Can make unnecessary layers not to be acquired according to the purpose, such as acquiring only road data (first to fourth layers) and annotation data (fifth layer).

The seventh method is to use the highway mode on the expressway in route guidance when the searched route includes the expressway, and to use the highway mode layer (first and second layers) on the expressway. This is a method of acquiring layer data of only (layer).

The highway mode is a display mode that can be used when a vehicle equipped with the navigation device 7 is traveling on a highway (or a predetermined toll road, etc.), and no map data is displayed. Only information about interchanges, service areas, parking areas, etc. on the highway on which the vehicle is traveling is displayed briefly.

Even when using the highway mode, in order to detect whether the vehicle is surely traveling on the highway and the position on the highway, the road of the highway is detected. Certain data such as data, interchanges, and service area location information are required. However, while driving on a highway, road data of ordinary roads and narrow streets, information on stores existing along the ordinary roads, logos, etc. are not necessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the communication cost by acquiring only the layer (for example, the first and second layers) including the road data of the expressway that is the minimum required to execute the highway mode.

As described above, according to the present invention, the mesh data is composed of a plurality of layers, and the data can be acquired in units of layers. Therefore, when searching for a route, only the data of the layers required according to various situations can be obtained. As a result, the communication cost can be saved.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the map data acquisition processing of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the above-described first embodiment, the server 101 responds to a route search request from the user.
After performing the route search, the server 101 determines the mesh data or layer data to be acquired according to the search route (step S3 in FIG. 8). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the navigation device 7 determines the mesh data or layer data to be acquired according to the search route.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of the map data acquisition processing of the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, the user operates the navigation device 7 to call the route search function,
A departure point and a destination, and a search condition as necessary are designated (step S11), and a route search request is issued to the server 101.
To (step S12).

The server 101 uses the map DB 104 based on the information about the starting point and the destination included in the route search request.
A route search is performed using the map data and the like inside to create route information (step S13), and the route information is transmitted to the navigation device 7 (step S14).

The navigation device 7 receives the route information and determines the mesh data or layer data necessary for executing the route guidance according to the searched route (step S15). Here, the navigation device 7
Determines the mesh data or layer data to be acquired by using any one or combination of the above-described first to seventh methods and requests the server 101 (step S1).
6).

The server 101 acquires the requested mesh data or layer data from the map DB 104 (step S17) and sends it to the navigation device 7 (step S18). The navigation device 7 receives the mesh data and the layer data, and executes route guidance based on them and the previously received route information (step S19).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the navigation device 7 determines the mesh data or layer data necessary for traveling along the searched route based on the route information and requests them to the server 101.

In the second embodiment, step S
The processes of 16 to S18 can be individually performed while traveling according to the route guidance, instead of being performed at once. In that case, the mesh code of the mesh data or the layer data specified in step S15 is temporarily stored in the mesh code storage unit 72. Then, referring to the mesh code storage unit 72 during route guidance, the mesh code is individually designated when the mesh data or the layer data is needed, and the server 101 is designated.
The mesh data or layer data may be requested to sequentially acquire the necessary mesh data or layer data.

(3) Third Embodiment In the above first and second embodiments, all the necessary mesh data or layer data is acquired from the server 101 according to the search route. It is also possible that some of the data has already been acquired in the data storage unit 36 of the navigation device 7. In that case, the navigation device 7 will acquire only the necessary mesh or layer data that is not in the data storage unit 36. Even if the required mesh or layer data is present in the data storage unit 36, it must be updated to the latest data if it is old data. The third embodiment relates to map data acquisition / update processing in such a case.

The map data acquisition / update process according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a process flow chart in the map data acquisition / update process of the third embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process of step S25 of FIG.

First, the user of the navigation device 7
The input device 60 is operated to call the route search function, and the starting point and destination of the route search are designated (step S2
1) A route search request is made (step S22).

The server 101 uses the map DB 104 based on the information of the departure place and the destination included in the route search request.
A route search is performed using the road data inside. Then, based on the route information obtained by the search, the mesh data or layer data necessary for traveling on the searched route is specified. This processing is performed by any one of the above-mentioned first to seventh methods or a combination thereof. Then, the mesh code and update information of the specified mesh data or layer data are acquired from the map DB 104 (step S23). Note that, unlike the first embodiment,
Here, only the mesh code and the update information are acquired, and the mesh data or the layer data itself is not acquired.

Next, the server 101 transmits the route information thus prepared and the mesh code and update information of the necessary mesh data or layer data to the navigation device 7 (step S24).

The navigation device 7 receives the route information, the mesh code of the necessary mesh data or layer data, and the update information, and stores them in the pre-installed data storage unit 70 and the cache memory unit 71 in the data storage unit 36. The stored information is checked by comparing it with the existing mesh data and layer data (step S25).

A method of checking stored information is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 12, first, the navigation device 7 determines whether mesh data or layer data corresponding to the received mesh code already exists in the data storage unit 36 (step S30). Then, when the received mesh code includes a mesh code which is not yet stored in the data storage unit 36 (step S30; No), the mesh code is stored in the mesh code storage unit 72 shown in FIG. It is stored (step S32).

Furthermore, when the mesh data or layer data corresponding to the received mesh code is already stored in the data storage unit 36 (step S3
0; Yes) The update information received together with the mesh code is compared with the update information of the mesh data or layer data stored in the data storage unit 36 (step S31). The data storage unit 36
If the update information of the mesh data or layer data stored therein is older, the mesh code is stored in the mesh code storage unit 72. If the mesh data or layer data in the data storage unit 36 is newer, it is not necessary to update the map data.
The process ends as it is. This process is repeated for each mesh data or layer data.

Thus, when the navigation device 7 completes the check of the mesh information in step S25, the mesh code of the mesh data or the layer to be acquired from the service center 6 in order to travel to the destination according to the searched route is the mesh code. It is in a state of being stored in the storage unit 72. In this case, the mesh code stored in the mesh code storage unit 72 includes mesh data or layer data that does not exist in the data storage unit 36 and mesh data or layer data that exists in the data storage unit but has old data. It becomes the mesh code of.

Returning to FIG. 11, the navigation device 7
The mesh code stored in the mesh code storage unit 72 is designated, and a request for corresponding mesh data is transmitted to the server 101 (step S26).

The server 101 acquires the requested mesh data from the map DB 104 (step S27) and transmits it to the navigation device 7 (step S28). As a result, in the navigation device 7, all the latest map data necessary for traveling to the destination according to the searched route are prepared, and route guidance is started according to the searched route (step S29).

Thus, at the time of executing the route search, it is possible to efficiently acquire only the data necessary for guiding the route according to the searched route.

The processing in steps S26 to S28 is
Rather than performing all at once, refer to the mesh code storage unit 72 while traveling according to route guidance, specify mesh codes individually when required, request mesh data to the server 101, and sequentially update mesh data. It can also be configured to do so.

Although the above description exemplifies a highway, the above embodiment can be similarly applied to a highway mode or a toll road capable of displaying the same. After the "highway" in this specification, the above-mentioned toll roads and the like are included.

The above embodiment is the case where the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to a communication type navigation device for other moving bodies such as ships and airplanes. It is possible to Further, it can be applied to a portable navigation device carried by a person.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With the route search, it is possible to efficiently acquire and update necessary map data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a usage situation of a communication type navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the communication type navigation device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a configuration of a system for executing a pre-installation process.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a state in which an area is divided into a plurality of meshes.

FIG. 5 shows a structure of map data (mesh data).

FIG. 6 shows an example of mesh data stored in a map DB and information accompanying it.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the configuration of a data storage unit in the navigation device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a map data acquisition process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a first method of acquiring mesh data or layer data.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of map data acquisition processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of map data acquisition / update processing according to the third embodiment.

12 is a flowchart of a stored information check process in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 satellites 5 vehicles 6 service centers 7 Communication type navigation device 10 Independent positioning device 18 GPS receiver 20 system controller 31 CD-ROM drive 32 DVD-ROM drive 36 data storage unit 37 Communication interface 38 Communication device 40 display unit 50 voice output unit 60 input device 70 Pre-installed data storage unit 71 cash memory unit 72 Mesh code storage unit 101 server 102 Pre-installed terminal 103 communication network 104 map database

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takanaga Takenaga             1-7-1, Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo             Inside Clement P Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB05 HB11 HB22 HB25                       HC08 HC13 HD16                 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC02                       AC06 AC08 AC13 AC14 AC18                       AC20                 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB13 BB15 FF04                       FF05 FF13 FF25 FF27 FF33

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A server device configured to be communicable with a communication type navigation device through a communication means, receiving a route search request from the communication type navigation device, executing a route search, and obtaining route information of a search route. Search means for creating, layer selection means for selecting a layer of mesh data necessary for traveling according to the search route based on the route information, layer data of the selected layer and the route information for the communication type Transmitting means for transmitting to the navigation device,
A server device comprising: 2. A server device configured to be communicable with a communication type navigation device through a communication means, receiving a route search request from the communication type navigation device, executing a route search, and obtaining route information of a search route. Search means to be created, based on the route information, layer selection means for selecting a layer of mesh data required to travel according to the search route, identification information and update information of the layer data of the selected layer, and And a transmission unit that transmits the route information to the communication navigation device. 3. The layer selecting means selects layer data of all layers for a mesh including the search route, and selects only a part of layers for a mesh not including the search route. The server device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The layer selecting means selects layer data of all layers for meshes within a predetermined range from a destination, and selects only some layers for meshes outside the predetermined range. The server device according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The layer selecting means does not select a layer including only a highway or a toll road when the route search request includes a search condition that a highway or a toll road is not used. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized in that. 6. The layer selecting means, when the purpose of the route search is designated in the route search request, selects only a layer predetermined for each of the purposes. The server device according to 1 or 2. 7. The layer selecting means does not select a layer when a search condition that a particular layer is not used is included in the route search request, and the layer is not selected. The server device described. 8. The layer selecting means, when the searched route includes an expressway section, selects a layer including only road data of the expressway for a mesh corresponding to the expressway section. The server device according to claim 1 or 2. 9. The layer selection means, when the route search request specifies an upper limit of communication charges required for map data acquisition, the total of the communication charges preset for each layer. 9. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the layer is selected within a range that does not exceed the upper limit value. 10. A communication navigation device configured to communicate with a server device via a communication means, wherein the server device receives a route search request from the communication navigation device and executes a route search. A route for creating a search route to transmit to the communication navigation device, the communication navigation device, based on the route information transmitted from the server device,
A communication-type navigation comprising: a layer selection unit that selects a layer of mesh data necessary for traveling along the search route; and a request unit that requests the layer data of the selected layer to the server device. apparatus. 11. The layer selecting means selects layer data of all layers for a mesh including the search route, and selects only a part of layers for a mesh not including the search route. The communication navigation device according to claim 10. 12. The layer selecting means selects layer data of all layers for meshes within a predetermined range from a destination, and selects only some layers for meshes outside the predetermined range. Claim 10
The communication navigation device according to. 13. The layer selecting means does not select a layer including only a highway or a toll road if the route search request includes a search condition that a highway or a toll road is not used. The communication navigation device according to claim 10, wherein the communication navigation device is a navigation device. 14. The layer selecting means, when the purpose of the route search is specified in the route search request, selects only a layer predetermined for each of the purposes. 10. The communication navigation device according to item 10. 15. The layer selecting means does not select a layer if a search condition that a specific layer is not used is included in the route search request. Communication navigation device. 16. The layer selecting means, when a highway section is included in the searched route, selects a layer including only road data of the highway for a mesh corresponding to the highway section. The communication-type navigation device according to claim 10. 17. The layer selection means, when the route search request specifies an upper limit value of the communication charge required for map data acquisition, a total of the communication charges preset for each layer. 17. The communication type navigation device according to claim 10, wherein the layer is selected within a range that does not exceed the upper limit value.