JP2003130651A - Information terminal device, center server, and method of acquiring map data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to acquire and manage map data conveniently and easily. SOLUTION: The onboard information terminal device 10 includes a memory device 15 for storing map data. The terminal device 10 acquires map data from a center server 40 wirelessly or through a network 50. Map data are designated by a rectangular cell, and are supplied. When storing map data in the memory device 15, for a part which overlap a map represented by map data previously-stored in the memory device 15, the map data are stored as map data previously-stored, or are stored in connection with both the new map data and the map data previously-stored in the memory device 15. Additionally, when acquiring map data, road data around the cells can be concurrently acquired.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and capable of obtaining map data from the outside, a map data acquisition method applied to the information terminal device, and The present invention relates to a center server that transmits the map data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device that displays a map or guides a route to a driver based on stored map data is well known. In such a navigation device, all map data (for example,
Map data of all Japan) is stored in advance, or many map data are rewritten at the same time. Further, in recent years, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-97716, a navigation device transmits a current position and a destination to a center server, and the center server searches for a route from the current position to the destination. hand,
Navigation systems have also been introduced in which map data representing a map along the searched route is transmitted from a center server to a navigation device.

[0003]

However, in the former navigation device described above, it is not possible to newly obtain or update the map data partially, and the user can always obtain all the map data (for example, all over Japan). I had to purchase (map data). Further, according to the latter navigation system, it is possible to partially add and update map data. However, the document presenting this conventional device only describes that the secondary mesh data (map information) including the searched route is transmitted, and the specific mode and management of the transmitted map data are described. Is not described at all.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information terminal device adopting a map data acquisition mode and management convenient for a user,
It is to provide a map data acquisition method and a center server for transmitting the map data.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a structural feature of the present invention is an information terminal device and a information terminal device which have a storage device for storing map data and can obtain map data from the outside. In the map data acquisition method applied to, the map data representing the map in the same section is obtained from the outside in units of square sections, and the obtained map data is stored in the storage unit in units of square sections. I tried to save it.

From another point of view, a feature of the present invention is that in a center server having a map database storing map data and transmitting map data in response to a request from the outside, the center server from the outside Provided is a reading unit for reading out map data representing a map in the same section from a map database in units of a rectangular section in response to a request, and a transmitting section for transmitting the read map data in response to a request from the outside. There is also something.

These rectangular sections are, for example, rectangular or square. Then, these sections may be designated on the information terminal device side or may be designated on another external device. Further, the map data in this case may be only road data representing roads, or may include information representing roads, road types, facilities and the like.

According to this, the section of the map data supplied to the information terminal device or the section of the map data provided from the center server is always a square, and the designation of this square section is, for example, two points on the diagonal line are designated. It is possible to easily specify, for example, and the process of determining the partition is also simplified. Also, when designating this rectangular section, the length of the boundary between the specified section and other sections becomes shorter than the area of the specified section, so combining and matching with the map data that the user already has. Etc., or when synthesizing and matching with map data that the user will obtain in the future, it is possible to reduce the frequency of road disconnection that occurs on the boundary, and the processing such as synthesizing and matching can be done easily. .

Another feature of the present invention is an information terminal device which has a storage device for storing map data and can obtain map data from the outside, and a map data acquisition applied to the information terminal device. In the method, when map data representing a partitioned map is obtained from the outside and the obtained map data is stored in a storage device, the map data represented by the map data already stored in the storage device is overwritten. The portion to be wrapped is to be stored in the storage device as already stored map data.

Also in this case, the map data may be only road data representing roads, or may include information representing roads, road types, facilities and the like.

According to this, management of each section of the map becomes easy. Even if the newly acquired map data is deleted, part of the already acquired map data will not be deleted. Further, even if the newly acquired map data is deleted, it is possible to avoid leaving only the map data representing a complicated shape (shape having unevenness), and a proper route is searched.

Another feature of the present invention is an information terminal device which has a storage device for storing map data and can obtain map data from the outside, and obtains map data applied to the information terminal device. In the method, when map data representing a partitioned map is obtained from the outside and the obtained map data is stored in a storage device, the map data represented by the map data already stored in the storage device is overwritten. The wrapping portion is stored in the storage device in association with both the previously stored map data and the acquired map data.

Also in this case, the map data may be only road data representing roads, or may include information representing roads, road types, facilities and the like.

According to this, even when the newly acquired map data is deleted or the already acquired map data is deleted, it is possible to manage such that the overlapping portion is left with each map data. It is possible to avoid leaving only the map data representing a complicated shape (shape having unevenness), and a proper route is searched.

Still another feature of the present invention is an information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and capable of obtaining map data from the outside, wherein the map includes at least roads and facilities within a section. Map data acquisition means for simultaneously acquiring both map data representing the above and road data representing roads in the same section from the outside, and map data saving means for simultaneously saving the acquired map data and road data in a storage device. Has been established.

From another point of view, another feature of the present invention is that it has a map database storing map data representing a map including at least roads and facilities, and the map is stored in response to a request from the outside. In the center server for transmitting data, reading means for reading from the map database both map data representing a map including at least roads and facilities in a section and road data representing roads around the section in response to a request from the outside. And a transmission means for transmitting the read map data and road data in response to a request from the outside.

According to this, it is possible to accurately estimate the current position of the vehicle by map matching between the traveling locus of the vehicle detected from the traveling state and the road represented by the road data while the vehicle is traveling. Then, when the vehicle enters the acquired section, the position of the vehicle can be specified quickly.

In the invention relating to these information terminal devices, various information terminal devices such as an in-vehicle information terminal device, a personal computer, a kiosk terminal device, etc. can be considered as the information terminal device. Furthermore, when map data and / or road data is externally supplied to the information terminal device, the map data and / or road data may be supplied by wireless communication, or the map data and / or road data may be transmitted via a network. Alternatively, the map data and / or the road data may be supplied via a recording medium such as a hard disk, a compact disk, or a memory card.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an information providing system capable of delivering map data according to the same embodiment.

This information providing system includes an in-vehicle information terminal device 10 having a navigation function and a personal computer 2 installed in a user's home or office.
0, a kiosk terminal device 30 and a center server 40 arranged in various places are provided. In-vehicle information terminal device 1
0 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the relay server 60 connected to the center server 40 and the network 50 (for example, the Internet). Personal computer 2
0, the kiosk terminal device 30 and the center server 40 are connected to the network 50.

The in-vehicle information terminal device 10 is arranged in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the vehicle interior, and has an information processing device 11 and an input device 1.
2, a display device 13, various sensors 14, a storage device 15, and a communication device 16. The information processing device 11 is C
The display device 13, the storage device 15 and the communication device 1 are composed of a PU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and execute a program according to signals from the input device 12 and various sensors 14.
Control the operation of 6.

The input device 12 is composed of an operation switch provided near the display device 13, a panel touch switch incorporated in the display device 13 for detecting a touch operation of the display panel, and inputs a driver's instruction. It is a thing.
The display device 13 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, displays characters, figures, maps, etc. on a display panel and visually presents map information, traffic information, etc. to the driver. The various sensors 14 are a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro, a GPS (Glo
bal Positioning System), a position beacon, a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor, a yaw rate sensor, a wheel speed sensor, etc., and is mainly used for detecting the current position of the vehicle.

The storage device 15 comprises a non-volatile recording medium such as a hard disk, a compact disk, a semiconductor memory, a memory card, etc., and various programs including a navigation program (not shown), the map data request program shown in FIG. 2 and various data. I remember. The storage device 15 also includes a drive device for writing and reading data and programs to and from the recording medium. The storage device 15 is provided with a map data memory 15a for storing map data delivered from the center server in particular. The map data memory 15a may be a partial storage area of one recording medium that stores other programs and data together, or may be one recording medium that independently stores only map data.

The communication device 16 enables wireless communication with the center server 40 or the relay station 60. The communication device 16 includes a center server 40 or a relay station 60.
An antenna 16a that wirelessly communicates with is connected. The vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10 configured in this manner executes the program to obtain a navigation function, an information acquisition function for displaying and displaying various information including a map, and the like.
Achieve various functions.

The personal computer 20 and the kiosk terminal device 30 are also composed of general computer devices including an information processing device, an input device, a display device, a storage device, a communication interface and the like. However, the personal computer 20 is used for personal use, and the kiosk terminal device 30 is used for many people.

The center server 40 is the information processing device 4
1, a storage device 42 and a communication device 43. The information processing device 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the operations of the storage device 42 and the communication device 43 by executing a program.

The storage device 42 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk, a compact disc, and a semiconductor memory, and a drive device for the recording medium. The storage device 42 stores various programs and is mounted on the in-vehicle information terminal device 10 and the personal computer 20. And kiosk terminal device 30
It stores the information you provide to. In particular, this storage device 4
2 has a large capacity and has a map database 42a that stores map data representing a map. The map data is made up of a set representing a map for each predetermined rectangular section (for example, a rectangular section having a rectangular area or a square having a predetermined area), and the on-vehicle information terminal device 10, personal It is provided to the computer 20 and the kiosk terminal device 30.

The communication device 43 is connected to the network 50 by wire and enables wireless communication with the relay station 60 and the in-vehicle information terminal device 10. Communication device 4
An antenna 43a for wireless communication is connected to 3.

In the information providing system thus configured, the in-vehicle information terminal device 10, the personal computer 20, the kiosk terminal device 30 and the center server 4 are provided.
Communication between 0 is performed by the antennas 16a and 43a and the relay station 7
Although it is performed wirelessly by using 0 or by wire through the network 50, since all of these communications are performed by a normal method and have no characteristic, in the following description, When simply saying communication, reception, transmission, etc., it is assumed that an appropriate method of these communication methods is adopted.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. Automatically at the driver's choice or by turning on the ignition switch (not shown)
The information processing device 11 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 10 sequentially reads the map data corresponding to the traveling position of the vehicle among the map data stored in the map data memory 15a in the storage device 15 by executing a program (not shown). Using the read map data, a map is displayed on the display device 13 according to the progress of the vehicle. The traveling position (current position) of the vehicle is detected by signals from various sensors 14, but since it is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Incidentally, if the corresponding map does not exist in the map data memory 15a, naturally no map display is performed.

If the driver inputs a destination using the input device 12 and instructs the route search, the information processing device 11
Executes a route search by executing a program (not shown). In this route search, the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is searched based on the map data stored in the map data memory 15a. And
The information processing device 11 guides the driver to the route to the destination according to the searched route. Also in this case, if the corresponding map data does not exist in the map data memory 15a, the route search from the current position to the destination is not performed.

Next, the acquisition of the map data used for the above-mentioned map display and route guidance will be described. The driver (user) operates the input device 12 to cause the information processing device 11 to execute the map data request program of FIG. The execution of this map data request program is started in step 100, and the information processing device 11
In step 102, the display device 13 displays a question inquiring the driver about the desired range of map data.
In response to the display of this question, the driver operates the input device 12 to indicate the range. There are two ways to specify this range.

The first range designation method is a method of designating a desired area. In designating this area,
As shown in FIG. 3A, the information processing device 11 is a display device 1.
Display multiple squares corresponding to longitude and latitude on 3.
Two points P on the diagonal of the square corresponding to the driver's desired area
1 and P2 are designated using the input device 12. At this time,
Provinces, counties, cities, towns, villages, major roads, railways, rivers,
It is convenient to store data relating to a rough map such as the sea in the map data memory 15a in advance and display these on the display device 13. This allows
A rectangular area is designated by the driver by the longitude and latitude.

The second range designation method is to designate two points at which the vehicle is to be run, such as the starting point and the destination. In this case, the rough map is displayed on the display device 13 as described above, and the driver can operate the input device 12 to specify two points (the starting point S and the destination G). Further, two points can be designated by inputting a facility name or the like using the input device 12. Especially 2
Regarding the starting point of the points, the current position of the vehicle detected by the various sensors 14 can be adopted.

After the processing of step 102, the information processing apparatus 11 determines in step 104 whether the range designation method in step 102 is area designation (first designation method). The case where the range designation method is area designation will be described first. In this case, in step 104, it is determined to be “Yes”, and in step 106, of the four azimuths (four sides) of the designated area, the azimuth adjacent to the possession area is detected. That is, the map data memory 15a normally stores the map data already acquired from the center server 40. Then, in this step 106, the map data already stored in the map data memory 15a is examined, and in the map represented by the map data, the step 10
It is determined whether there is an adjacent azimuth among the four azimuths of the specified rectangular partition by the process of 2. In the detection of adjacent azimuths, when only one side of one azimuth is in contact with the holding area, a part of the sides is regarded as the adjacent azimuth.

This point will be specifically described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the area A1 in FIG. 4A is designated by the processing in step 102. On the other hand, it is assumed that the map data of the area A2 has already been stored in the map data memory 15a. In this case, since the west direction of the area A1 (the left direction in the drawing) is in contact with the area A2, this west direction is determined to be the adjacent direction in step 106. This will be described in detail later, but when the map data is provided from the center server 40, the requested map data of the area A1 and the road data around the area A1 are also provided. This is because it is already present in the map data memory 15a and is unnecessary.

After the processing of step 106, the information processing apparatus 11 determines in step 108 whether or not the adjacent azimuth is detected by the processing of step 106.
If the adjacent azimuth is detected, in step 108, "Y
es ”and proceeds to step 110. Step 1
In 10, the information processing device 11 transmits a map data request to the center server 40 via the communication device 16. In the request for the map data, information indicating the area designated by the process of step 102 (that is, information indicating two points P1 and P2) and the step 1
Information indicating the adjacent azimuth detected by the determination processing of 06 is transmitted to the center server 40.

On the other hand, in the center server 40, the communication device 43 receives the request for the map data from the in-vehicle information terminal device 10, and causes the information processing device 41 to execute the map data providing program of FIG. The execution of this map data providing program is started in step 200,
The information processing device 41 receives the request for the map data, that is, the information indicating the designated area and the adjacent azimuth in step 202. Then, in step 204, it is determined whether or not the map data request specifies an area. In this case, since the request is for map data by area designation, it is determined to be “Yes” in step 204, and the process proceeds to step 208.

In step 208, the information processing device 41 reads map data representing the map of the designated area from the map database 42a in the storage device 42. This map data includes information indicating roads, information indicating road types (for example, highways, toll roads, one-way roads, etc.), information indicating facilities (restaurants, gas stations, stations, etc.). Has been.

After the processing of step 208, step 2
At 10, the road data adjacent to the designated area is read from the map database 42a. In reading road data adjacent to the designated area, roads outside the designated area and in contact with directions other than the adjacent directions transmitted from the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10 extend over a predetermined distance in the map database 42a. Information that represents the road that is cut out from the map represented by is determined as adjacent road data.
However, if all four azimuths of the adjacent directions, that is, the four azimuths of the designated area, are in contact with the map represented by the map data already stored in the map data memory 15a, the map database 42a of the adjacent road data is displayed. Readout from is omitted. Note that this adjacent road data does not include information indicating the type of road, facilities, etc., and is a small amount of data.

After the processing of step 210, the information processing device 41 transmits the map data and the road data read from the map database 42a to the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10 via the communication device 43 in step 212. Then, in step 214, the execution of this map data providing program ends.

On the other hand, in the in-vehicle information terminal device 10,
In step 114, the information processing apparatus 11 receives the map data and the adjacent road data transmitted from the center server 40. As described above, when the four directions of the designated area are in contact with the map represented by the map data already stored in the map data memory 15a,
Only the map data is transmitted and received between the center server 40 and the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10, and the adjacent road data is not transmitted and received.

When it is determined in step 108 that the answer is "No", that is, there is no adjacent azimuth, the information processing apparatus 11 executes the transmission process of step 112. In the transmission process of step 112, the in-vehicle information terminal device 1
From 0 to the center server 40, the information indicating the adjacent direction is not transmitted, but only the information indicating the designated area is transmitted.

In this case, in the center server 40, the information processing device 41 reads the adjacent road data concerning the four azimuths of the area designated by the process of step 210 from the map database 42a, and the process of step 212. Then, the adjacent road data regarding the four directions is transmitted together with the map data of the designated area. Also in this case, the in-vehicle information terminal device 10 receives the map data and the adjacent road data in four directions by the process of step 114.

Next, a case where the range for which map data is requested is designated by the starting point S and the destination G in step 102 will be described. In this case, in the in-vehicle information terminal device 10, the information processing device 11 executes the step 1
It is determined to be “No” at 04 and the process proceeds to step 112. In step 112, unlike the case of the above-mentioned area, the information indicating the starting point S and the destination G is transmitted to the center server 40 as the request information of the map data.

On the other hand, in the center server 40, after the information processing apparatus 41 receives the request for map data in step 202, it determines “No” in step 204, and proceeds to step 206. In step 206, the route search process is executed using the information indicating the starting point S and the destination G. In this route search, the map data stored in the map database 42a is referred to, and a route with a low route cost (a route with the most advantageous conditions such as the shortest distance, a low toll, and a wide road) is searched. Is determined as a search route. Then, in this step 206, as shown in FIG. 3A, a square area (illustrated pattern portion) including this route is determined.

After the process of step 206, the processes of steps 208 and 210 described above are executed, the map data and the adjacent road data are read out and transmitted to the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10. In this case, since the area is determined on the side of the center server 40, it is possible to check the adjacency relationship between the determined area and the holding area stored in the map data memory 15a of the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10. In this case, the adjacent road data in step 210 is read from the map database 42a for the four azimuths of the determined area.

The map data and the adjacent road data (which may be only map data) transmitted from the center server 40 to the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10 by the above-described processing are stored in the map data memory 15a in the storage device 15. . That is, the information processing apparatus 11 executes the processing relating to the overlap of steps 116 and 118 after the processing of the step 114, and thereafter, the map data and the adjacent road data (only the map data) transmitted in the step 120. (In some cases) is written in the map data memory 15a, and the execution of this map data request program is ended in step 122. The steps 116 and 118
The processing regarding the overlap of will be described later in detail.

Map data memory 15a for the map data and adjacent road data (may be only map data)
In writing in, each time the map data and the adjacent road data are acquired, the acquisition date, management information indicating the area of the acquired map data, and the like are attached. In other words,
The map data in the map data memory 15a is managed for each area when the map data and the adjacent road data are acquired, and additions, deletions, changes, etc. can be made for each area of the acquired map data except for the overlapping portion. Done.

As described above, the user (driver) sends the map data from the center server 40 to the car information system 1.
In the case of obtaining 0, the area of the map data provided in the area designation by the processing of step 102 or the area determination by the processing of step 206 is as shown in FIG.
It is always specified as a square as shown in. By designating such a rectangular area, the user (driver) can easily designate the area and the center server 40 can determine the area, and the map data can be conveniently obtained for each area.

The designation of such a rectangular area means that the length of the boundary (boundary length) between the designated area and another area is made shorter than the area of the designated area. This is clear when comparing with the case where map data (map data along the search route) necessary for the search route connecting the starting point S and the destination G is obtained as shown in FIG. 3 (B). Will be. By shortening the boundary length with respect to the area in this way, combination with the map data already stored in the map data memory 15a, matching, or combination with map data to be obtained from the center server 40 in the future,
When matching or the like is attempted, it is possible to reduce the frequency of road disconnection that occurs on the boundary, and it is possible to easily carry out the processing such as combining and matching.

Further, in providing the map data for each area of the vehicle-mounted information terminal device 10 from the center server 40, as shown in FIG.
By the processing of 12, the adjacent road data is also provided as additional information. By obtaining the adjacent road data in this way, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the current position of the vehicle by the information processing device 11. In detecting the current position of the vehicle, as described above, the detected values of various sensors 14 such as the geomagnetic sensor, the gyro, the GPS, the position beacon, the vehicle speed sensor, the steering angle sensor, the yaw rate sensor, the wheel speed sensor, and various algorithms are used. Used. One of the algorithms is map matching. This method uses a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor,
A vehicle's past relative locus (travel locus starting from a certain point) by means of a yaw rate sensor, wheel speed sensor, etc.
If there is a route on the map that matches this relative travel route, it is highly possible that the vehicle is located on the route on the map, and the current position of the vehicle is estimated by this. is there.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the adjacent road data of the designated or determined area A1 is the map data memory 1
If it is stored in 5a, the position of the vehicle can be quickly specified when the vehicle enters the area A1. That is, the trajectory X of the vehicle before the vehicle enters the area A1,
The current position Y of the vehicle can be specified by matching with the road on the map represented by the adjacent road data.

Next, the processing relating to the above-mentioned overlap will be described. In the in-vehicle information terminal device 10, the information processing device 11 is represented by the map represented by the map data received from the center server 40 and the map data already stored in the map data memory 15a in step 116. It is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion (overlapping portion) in the map. If there is no overlapping portion, it is determined to be “No” in step 116, and in step 120, the map data and the adjacent road data received from the center server 40 are stored in the map data memory 15a as described above.

If there is an overlapping portion, step 1
When it is determined to be “Yes” at 16, the overlap processing of step 118 is executed. Also for this overlap processing, the first and second overlap processing are presented.

In the first overlap processing, among the maps represented by the newly acquired map data (hereinafter referred to as new map data), the map data already stored in the map data memory 15a (hereinafter referred to as existing map data). Map data (hereinafter referred to as "map data") that represents a portion overlapping the map (hereinafter referred to as "overlap map data") is to be processed so as to be managed as a part of the existing map data. Explaining with reference to FIG.
It is assumed that the existing map data represents the map of the portion A2 indicated by the dark pattern in FIG. 5A, and the new map data represents the map of the portion B2 indicated by the light pattern in FIG. 5B. The overlapping portion is C2.

In this case, in the processing of step 118, first, the map data relating to the part A2 is read from the map data memory 15a, and the map data representing the overlapping part C2 in the map data from the center server 40 is used as the part A2. Rewrite and overlap part C
The map data representing 2 belongs to the part A2. Then, the map data regarding the overlapping portion C2 is deleted from the portion B2 represented by the new map data, and the new map data is made a portion surrounded by a thick line frame in FIG. 5C.

Then, in step 120, the updated existing map data is stored in the map data memory 15a under the management based on the management information when the existing map data was obtained. In this case, map data memory 1
The updated existing map data is overwritten on the old existing map data previously stored in 5a. On the other hand, the new map data B2 from which the map data relating to the overlap portion C2 has been deleted is provided with management information indicating the date of this acquisition, the area of the acquired map data (inside the thick line frame in FIG. 5C), and the like. Then, it is stored in the map data memory 15a.

As a result, when the map data is deleted from the map data memory 15a for each acquisition unit of the map data, the updated existing map data remains because even if the new map data B2 is deleted. When the starting point S and the destination G are designated as shown in FIG. 5D, the search route is determined by using the portion A2 represented by the updated existing map data. Thereby, a proper route is searched.

On the other hand, if the overlapping portion C2 of the portion A2 represented by the existing map data is simply updated by the new map data, when the new map data is deleted, FIG. As shown in E), only the existing map data with the overlap portion C2 deleted is left in the map data memory 15a. As a result, when the departure point S and the destination G are designated as shown in FIG. 5 (E), the route search is performed based on the deleted map. As a result, according to the present embodiment, even in the route search, the detour route as shown in FIG. 5 (E) is not searched.

In this way, the overlapping portion C2
The reason for keeping the existing map data under control is that the user normally holds basic map data and additionally stores the map data of the special portion from the center server 40 little by little. Then, when a part of the stored map data is deleted in order to obtain information other than the map, the special part as added is often deleted.

The second overlap processing is to put the portion C2 relating to the overlap map data under the control of both the existing map data and the new map data.
The second overlap processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the portion indicated by the dark pattern in FIG.
A portion indicated by a thin pattern in (B) is a portion B2 related to the new map data, and an overlapping portion is C2.

In this case, in the processing of step 118, first, the existing map data relating to the portion A2 is read from the map data memory 15a, the map data representing the overlapping portion C2 is deleted from the existing map data, and the same is deleted. Management information when the existing map data (dark pattern portion of FIG. 6A) is written in the storage data memory 15a is added only to the remaining portion (dark pattern portion of FIG. 6B). Also, the new map data obtained this time (Fig. 6 (B)
The map data representing the overlapping part C2 is deleted from the thin pattern part) and the remaining part (Fig. 6 (B)) is deleted.
The management information relating to the new map data is added only to the right part surrounded by the frame line). Furthermore, as the management information regarding the overlap portion C2, the management information of both the existing map data and the new map data is added.
The above-mentioned addition of the management information of the overlap portion C2 means that the map data of the overlap portion C2 is placed under the simultaneous management of both the existing map data and the new map data.

Then, in step 120, the existing map data excluding the overlapping portion C2, the new map data excluding the overlapping portion C2, and the map data relating to the overlapping portion C2 are added to the map data together with their respective management information. It is stored in the memory 15a. In this case, the old existing map data previously stored in the map data memory 15a is overwritten with the map data relating to the overlapping portion C2, and the new map data corresponding to the portion B2 excluding the overlapping portion C2 is written. Added.

As a result, the obtained map data is stored in the map data memory 15a for each unit of obtaining the map data.
The case of deleting from will be described. When the user deletes the newly acquired map data, since the above-mentioned overlap portion C2 is also under the control of the existing map data, only the newly acquired portion B2 excluding the overlap portion C2 is deleted. The map data regarding the portion A2 shown in FIG. 6C is left in the map data memory 15a. When the user deletes the existing map,
The above-mentioned overlap portion C2 is also under the management of the new map data, so the overlap portion C2
Only the existing part A2 except the part A2 is deleted, and the map data on the part B2 shown in FIG. 6D is left in the map data memory 15a. Therefore, also in this case, it is possible to avoid that only the map data representing the complicated shape is left, and an appropriate route is searched for in the route search as described above. Further, the second overlap processing can be applied even if the existing map data is not the basic map data described in the first overlap processing.

In the above description, the in-vehicle information terminal device 1
Map database 42 of the center server 40 using 0
Although the map data stored in "a" is acquired, the map data stored in the map database 42a of the center server 40 can be acquired using the personal computer 20 and the kiosk terminal device 30. In this case, a portable recording medium such as a compact disc or a memory card may be used as the storage device. Also in these cases, the center server 40 may be accessed to execute the map data request program shown in FIG. However, in this case, since the various sensors 14 are not provided, it is not possible to designate the current position of the vehicle as the starting point. If the kiosk terminal device 30 is provided with a map database, the map data may be acquired from the database without accessing the center server 40.

The above-described embodiment can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a map data request program executed by the vehicle-mounted information terminal device of FIG. 1 and a map data providing program executed by a center server.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a section of map data provided from a center server to an in-vehicle information terminal device, and FIG. 3B is a section assumed for comparison with the case of FIG. It is a figure.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing sections for explaining map data and additional information (road data) provided from the center server to the in-vehicle information terminal device.

5 (A) to 5 (E) are diagrams showing sections for explaining update and deletion of map data provided from the center server to the vehicle-mounted information terminal device.

6A to 6D are diagrams showing partitions for explaining update and deletion of map data provided from the center server according to the modified example of FIG. 5 to the in-vehicle information terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... In-vehicle information terminal device, 20 ... Personal computer, 30 ... Kiosk terminal device, 40 ... Center server,
50 ... Network, 60 ... Relay station, 11, 41 ... Information processing device, 12 ... Input device, 13 ... Display device, 14 ... Various sensors, 15, 42 ... Storage device, 15a ... Map data memory, 42a ... Map database, 16, 43 ... Communication device, 16a, 43a ... Antenna.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C032 HB11 HB22 HB24 HD30                 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC02                       AC09 AC14                 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB13 CC12 EE02                       FF04 FF05 FF12 FF13 FF22                       FF27 FF33

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and capable of obtaining the map data from the outside, wherein map data representing a map within the same block is externally divided in units of rectangular blocks. An information terminal device, comprising: a map data acquisition unit to be acquired from the map data storage unit; and a map data storage unit to store the acquired map data in the storage device in units of the rectangular section. 2. A map data acquisition method which is applied to an information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and acquires map data from the outside, wherein a map in the same block is expressed in units of rectangular blocks. A method for obtaining map data, characterized in that map data is obtained from the outside, and the obtained map data is stored in the storage device in units of the rectangular section. 3. A center server having a map database storing map data and transmitting map data in response to a request from the outside, wherein the same partition is used as a unit of a rectangular partition in response to the request from the outside. A center server, comprising: a reading unit that reads out map data representing a map in the map database from the map database; and a transmitting unit that transmits the read map data in response to a request from the outside. 4. An information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and capable of obtaining map data from the outside, and a map data obtaining means for obtaining map data representing a partitioned map from the outside. A map data storage means for storing the acquired map data in the storage device; and a map data storage means for storing the map data,
Regarding the portion overlapping with the map represented by the map data already stored in the storage device,
An information terminal device, comprising: a storage mode control unit that controls the map data storage unit so as to store the already stored map data in the storage unit. 5. A map data acquisition method, which is applied to an information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and acquires map data from the outside, wherein map data representing a partitioned map is acquired from the outside, And when the acquired map data is stored in the storage device, as for the portion overlapping with the map represented by the map data already stored in the storage device, A map data acquisition method, characterized in that the map data is stored in the storage device. 6. An information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and capable of obtaining map data from the outside, and a map data obtaining means for obtaining map data representing a partitioned map from the outside. A map data storage means for storing the acquired map data in the storage device, and a map data storage means for storing the map data,
Regarding the portion overlapping with the map represented by the map data already stored in the storage device,
An information terminal, comprising: a storage mode control means for controlling the map data storage means so as to store in the storage device in association with both the already stored map data and the obtained map data. apparatus. 7. A map data acquisition method applied to an information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data, wherein map data representing a partitioned map is obtained from the outside by a map data acquisition method for inputting map data from the outside, And when the acquired map data is stored in the storage device, with respect to the portion overlapping with the map represented by the map data already stored in the storage device, the previously stored map data and A method for obtaining map data, characterized in that the map data is stored in the storage device in association with both of the obtained map data. 8. An information terminal device having a storage device for storing map data and capable of obtaining map data from the outside, comprising: map data representing a map including at least roads and facilities in the partition; Map data acquisition means for simultaneously acquiring both road data representing the surrounding roads from the outside, and map data storage means for simultaneously storing the acquired map data and road data in the storage device. Information terminal device. 9. A center server having a map database storing map data representing a map including at least roads and facilities and transmitting map data in response to a request from the outside, in accordance with the request from the outside. Reading means for reading from the map database both map data representing a map including at least roads and facilities in the section and road data representing roads around the section, and reading the read map data and road data from the outside. A center server provided with a transmitting means for transmitting in response to a request.