JP2004354149A - Map data delivery method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map data delivery method capable of automatically notifying users of the presence or absence of map data updates on roads used by the user and on their peripheral regions and providing the update map data on the regions required by the user. <P>SOLUTION: A vehicle-mounted navigation system 1 transmits a present location of a vehicle to a map data delivery center 30. The map date delivery center 30 checks whether map data on the present location of the vehicle and its periphery is updated or not. In the case that it is updated, update contents information indicating update contents is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted navigation system 1. The vehicle-mounted navigation system 1 displays the update contents on a display device at the reception of the update contents information and stands by for the selection of the user as to whether map data is to be purchased or not. When the user purchases the map data, map data on the corresponding region in a map database stored in HDD is rewritten into updated map data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map data distribution method for distributing map data from a map data distribution center to a vehicle-mounted navigation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The in-vehicle navigation device includes a map storage device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recording map data, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and a vehicle such as a gyro, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and a vehicle speed sensor. It has a vehicle position detecting device for detecting the position and the current direction. Then, the map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from the map storage device, a map image around the current position of the vehicle is drawn based on the map data and displayed on the display device, and the vehicle position mark (location) is displayed. It is displayed over the map image, and the map image is scrolled according to the movement of the vehicle, or the map image is fixed on the screen and the vehicle position mark is moved to determine where the vehicle is currently traveling. It is easy to understand at a glance.
[0003]
In addition, usually, the in-vehicle navigation device is equipped with a route guidance function that enables a user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on a road. According to this route guidance function, the lowest cost route from the starting point to the destination is automatically searched by performing a simulation calculation such as the horizontal search method or the Dijkstra method using the map data, and the searched route is guided. It is stored as a route, and during driving, the guidance route is displayed in a different color from the other roads and is drawn thick, or when the vehicle approaches an intersection where the route on the guidance route should be changed The user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow indicating the course at the intersection where the course should be changed on the map and displaying the arrow on the screen.
[0004]
The cost is a value obtained by multiplying a constant based on a road width, a road type (such as a general road or an expressway), a right turn, a left turn, and the like based on the distance, a predicted traveling time of a vehicle, and the like. Is a numerical value of the degree of appropriateness. Even if there are two routes having the same distance, the cost differs depending on whether the user specifies, for example, whether to use a toll road, or gives priority to distance or time.
[0005]
By the way, new roads (new roads) are being constructed every year. In addition, the existing road disappears or the shape of the existing road is changed. For this reason, the map data needs to be updated from time to time. Conventionally, map data is updated by, for example, purchasing a DVD on which new map data is recorded and replacing it with an old DVD.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-267457 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-48574
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since a storage medium such as a DVD containing map data is relatively expensive, there is a problem that a user's financial burden increases. In addition, a storage medium such as a DVD generally stores map data for the whole country, but users often use only map data for a limited area. For this reason, the user may feel wasteful in purchasing even map data of an area that is not actually used. Furthermore, even if a new road is opened after purchasing a storage medium, data of the new road cannot be obtained unless the next map data is updated.
[0008]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-267457 (Patent Literature 1) stores data of a new road to be opened (data such as a road shape and a scheduled opening date) in a storage medium such as a DVD in advance and stores the data on a newly opened road. An on-vehicle navigation device is shown in which a new road is displayed in the same manner as a normal road after the day has passed, and can be used for searching for a guidance route. However, the data of the new road that can be stored in the storage medium in advance is only the data of the road whose road shape and scheduled opening date have been determined at the time of creating the map data.
[0009]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-48574 (Patent Document 2) proposes a map data distribution system that distributes the latest map data from a map data distribution center to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via a communication line. In this map data distribution system, the on-vehicle navigation device uses a new road drawn based on the data of the new road distributed from the map data distribution center to generate a map image drawn by map data stored in a DVD or the like. It is displayed superimposed on the top. However, in this system, since the old road is displayed together with the newly constructed road, it is not possible to cope with a case where the shape of the existing road changes due to the newly constructed road. Further, it is necessary for the user himself to specify an area for updating the map data, which is complicated.
[0010]
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of automatically notifying whether or not a road used by a user and an area around the road have been updated, and providing the latest map data of an area required by the user. Is to provide a delivery method.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is to provide a map data distribution method for distributing map data from a map data distribution center to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via a communication line, wherein the vehicle-mounted navigation device transmits road information used by the vehicle to the map data distribution device. The map data distribution center transmits to the center, and checks whether or not the map data of the road used by the vehicle and the surrounding area is updated based on the information sent from the on-vehicle navigation device, and updates the updated map. When there is data, the update content information indicating the update content is transmitted to the on-vehicle navigation device, and the in-vehicle navigation device displays an update content guide on the display device based on the update content information, and purchases the map data. The problem is solved by a map data distribution method characterized by waiting for a user's selection as to whether or not to perform.
[0012]
In the present invention, the map data distribution center uses the roads used by the user's vehicle (for example, the current position of the vehicle, the road with a driving history, the road to the destination, the road around the home, etc.) and the area around it. It is checked whether or not the map data has been updated. If the map data has been updated, the updated content information indicating the updated content is transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device.
[0013]
When receiving the update content information from the map data distribution center, the in-vehicle navigation device displays the update content guide on the display device and waits for the user to select whether or not to purchase the map data. In other words, when the map data of the road used by the user and the surrounding area is updated, the user is notified of the update content from the map data distribution center and can determine whether the content is useful for the user. it can. As a result, unnecessary purchase of unnecessary map data can be avoided, and costs can be reduced.
[0014]
In an in-vehicle navigation device, for example, a map database is stored in a rewritable storage medium, and when a signal permitting updating is received from a map data distribution center, the updated map data is stored in a map of a corresponding region in the map database. It is preferable to save over the data. As a result, the current road shape is correctly drawn on the map even when the existing roads disappear or the shape is changed.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a map data distribution system that realizes a map data distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
The map data distribution system includes a vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 and a map data distribution center 30 that distributes map data to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1. The map data distribution center 30 is accessible from the in-vehicle navigation device 1 via communication means such as the Internet.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the on-vehicle navigation device 1. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a communication device capable of communicating with the map data distribution center 30, and reference numeral 3 denotes an operation unit provided with various operation buttons and the like for operating a navigation device body 10 described later.
[0019]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a GPS receiver that receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and detects the longitude and latitude of the current position of the vehicle. Reference numeral 6 denotes a self-contained navigation sensor. The self-contained navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor 6a such as a gyro that detects a vehicle rotation angle, and a traveling distance sensor 6b that generates a pulse at every constant traveling distance.
[0020]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying an image. The navigation device main body 10 displays a map around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 7, and displays a guidance route from a departure place to a destination. The vehicle position mark and other guidance information are displayed. Reference numeral 9 denotes a speaker for providing guidance information to the user by voice.
[0021]
The navigation device main body 10 includes the following. An HDD (hard disk drive) 11 is capable of reading and writing data.
[0022]
In the HDD 11, as shown in FIG. 3, a map storage area for storing a map database composed of map data used for drawing a map image and route guidance, and map data (updated) distributed from the map data distribution center 30. And a temporary storage area for temporarily storing map data. The map database stored in the map storage area of the HDD 11 is a set of map data for each block divided by a predetermined latitude width and longitude width. Version information is added to the map data for each block, and the version information allows the update date of the map data for each block to be known. Note that the map data includes not only road data used for drawing maps and route guidance, but also landmark data for displaying stores and other buildings on the map that serve as markers for route guidance. ing.
[0023]
13 is an interface connected to the operation unit 3, 14 is an interface connected to the communication device 2, 15 is an interface connected to the GPS receiver 5, and 16 is an interface connected to the self-contained navigation sensor 6.
[0024]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a buffer memory for temporarily storing map data read from the HDD 11, and reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit constituted by a microcomputer. The control unit 18 detects the current position of the vehicle based on signals input from the interfaces 15 and 16, reads map data of a predetermined block from the HDD 11 to the buffer memory 17, and reads map data read to the buffer memory 17. Various processes are executed, such as searching for a guidance route from the departure place to the destination under the search conditions set by using. Further, the control unit 18 is provided with a memory 18a that stores an ID (identification) code unique to the in-vehicle navigation device (or the user).
[0025]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a map drawing unit which draws a map image using the map data read into the buffer memory 17, and 21 draws various menu screens (operation screens) and various marks such as a vehicle position mark and a cursor according to the operation status. It is an operation screen / mark drawing unit to be operated.
[0026]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a guidance route storage unit that stores the guidance route searched by the control unit 18, and reference numeral 23 denotes a guidance route drawing unit that draws the guidance route. The guidance route storage unit 22 stores all nodes of the guidance route searched by the control unit 18 from the departure place to the destination. The guide route drawing unit 23 reads the guide route information (node sequence) from the guide route storage unit 22 and draws the guide route information (node row) in a color and thickness different from those of other roads.
[0027]
An audio output unit 24 supplies an audio signal to the speaker 9 based on a signal from the control unit 18. Reference numeral 25 denotes an image synthesizing unit, which superimposes on the map image drawn by the map drawing unit 19 various marks drawn by the operation screen / mark drawing unit 21, the operation screen, the guidance route drawn by the guidance route drawing unit 23, and the like. And outputs it to the display device 7.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a database of the map data distribution center 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the map data distribution center 30 has a map database 31 and a user database 32. The map database 31 stores nationwide map data (updated map data) divided into blocks, and the map data for each block is constantly updated to the latest one. However, these update map data are provided with a key, and cannot be used as normal map data unless the key is released using a key release code as described later. Further, the update map data is added with update content information indicating the update content and version information of the map data. The update content information includes, for example, link data indicating the shape of the newly constructed road, and data such as the name of the newly constructed road, the date of opening, and the completion plan.
[0029]
The user database 32 stores data such as a user's name, address, telephone number, account number for performing payment, ID code, password, and the like, as user information registered in the map data distribution center 30 in advance. I have.
[0030]
Hereinafter, in the map data distribution method according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5 shows an operation performed by the in-vehicle navigation device 1 until map data (update map data) is received from the map data distribution center 30 and stored in the HDD 11. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown.
[0031]
First, when the in-vehicle navigation device 1 is activated, the control unit 18 reads the ID code from the memory 18a and transmits it to the map data distribution center 30 via the communication device 2 in step S11.
[0032]
When the map data distribution center 30 receives the ID code from the in-vehicle navigation device 1 in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, in which the received ID code is compared with the ID code stored in the user database 32, and the user is identified. Identify. Thereby, the communication connection process between the in-vehicle navigation device 1 and the map data distribution center 30 is completed, and thereafter the connection is maintained until the power of the in-vehicle navigation device 1 is turned off. In the map data distribution center 30, when the ID code sent from the in-vehicle navigation device 1 is not registered in the user database 32, for example, a message prompting registration is transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device 1. The process is performed. Here, it is assumed that the user ID code is registered in the user database 32.
[0033]
After transmitting the ID code in step S11, the in-vehicle navigation device 1 proceeds to step S12 and detects the current position of the vehicle based on signals from the GPS receiver 5 and the self-contained navigation sensor 6. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13, and the data of the current position of the vehicle is transmitted to the map data distribution center 30. At this time, the control unit 18 also transmits to the map data distribution center 30 the version information of the map data of the block at the current position of the vehicle and the map data of the blocks around the block among the map data stored in the HDD 11.
[0034]
When the map data distribution center 30 receives the data of the current position of the vehicle and the version information of the map data from the on-vehicle navigation device 1 in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24. Then, the map database 31 is searched, and the version information of the map data received from the in-vehicle navigation device 1 is compared with the version information of the map data of the corresponding block in the map data stored in the map database 31. Check whether the map data has been updated. Based on the result, the map data distribution center 30 transmits a signal indicating whether or not the map data has been updated to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1.
[0035]
In the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1, upon receiving a signal indicating whether or not map data has been updated from the map data distribution center 30 in step S14, the process proceeds to step S15. If there is no update of the map data, the process returns from step S15 to step S12. For example, after the vehicle has traveled a certain distance, the current position of the vehicle is detected again. The version information of the position and the map data is transmitted. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the map data has been updated, the process proceeds to step S16, where a map data distribution request signal is transmitted to the map data distribution center 30.
[0036]
When the map data distribution center 30 receives the map data distribution request signal from the in-vehicle navigation device 1 in step S25, the process proceeds to step S26. Then, the update map data of the corresponding block is read from the map database 31 and transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device 1. However, as described above, the update map data is provided with a key, and cannot be used as it is as normal map data. The update map data is added with update content information indicating the update content of the map data and version information.
[0037]
Upon receiving the update map data from the map data distribution center 30 in step S17, the in-vehicle navigation 1 proceeds to step S18, and stores the update map data in the temporary storage area of the HDD 11.
[0038]
In this manner, the update map data is stored in the temporary storage area of the HDD 11 of the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1. In this case, it is preferable to display a message such as “updated map data has been received” at the corner of the screen.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process from when the update map data is stored in the HDD 11 to when the update guide is displayed to the user.
[0040]
When the update map data including the information on the newly constructed road is stored in the HDD 11, the control unit 18 of the in-vehicle navigation device 1 checks the distance between the vehicle and the newly constructed road in step S31. Then, when the vehicle approaches the new road to a distance of, for example, 1 km or less, the process proceeds to step S32, and the control unit 18 reads the update content information added to the update road data, and as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. The new road is superimposed on the map image displayed on the display device 7 and displayed. As shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, when the key of the update map data is not released, the new road is displayed as a broken line (or a semi-transparent line) in the on-vehicle navigation device 1. Also, the update map data cannot be used for searching for a guidance route or route guidance.
[0041]
Next, in step S33, the control unit 18 displays an update content guide on the display device 7 based on the update content information added to the update road data. The example shown in FIG. 7 is the update content guidance before the opening of the new road. In FIG. 7, the name of the newly established multi-level intersection, the scheduled opening date and the completion schedule are displayed as the updated content guidance. The example shown in FIG. 8 is an update content guide after the new road is opened. In FIG. 8, the update content guide shows the name of a newly-created multi-level intersection, a message indicating that it is open, a completion plan and a map. Displays the price of the data.
[0042]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S34, and the control unit 18 checks whether the vehicle is separated from the new road by a certain distance (for example, 500 m) or more. If the vehicle is separated from the new road by a certain distance or more, the control unit 18 moves to step S35. The display of the new road and the display of the updated content information are stopped.
[0043]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when there is a new road around the current position of the vehicle, the update content guidance is automatically displayed on the display device 7, and the user is notified of the existence of the new road.
[0044]
Hereinafter, the processing when the user purchases the map data will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the map data can be purchased only after the new road is opened. In the following example, it is assumed that the new road has already been opened and that the update map data is stored in the temporary storage area of the HDD 11.
[0045]
In step S41, the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 monitors whether the vehicle is stopped based on the output of the distance sensor 6b or another sensor. When it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the control unit 18 reads the update content information added to the update map data stored in the temporary storage area of the HDD 11, and displays a map data purchase guidance screen as shown in FIG. indicate.
[0046]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S43, and when the user operates the operation unit 3 and selects “Yes” while the purchase guidance screen is displayed, the process proceeds to step S44, and the control unit 18 determines whether the password input screen ( (Not shown). Here, when the user inputs a password registered in the map data distribution center 30 in advance from the operation unit 3, the process proceeds to step S45, where the control unit 18 transmits an update request signal indicating the user's purchase intention, an ID code and a password. Is transmitted to the map data distribution center 30. If the user selects “No” in step S43, the display of the purchase guidance screen is stopped, and the purchase processing of the map data ends.
[0047]
When the map data distribution center 30 receives the update request signal, the ID code, and the password from the in-vehicle navigation device 1 in step S51, the process proceeds to step S52, where the ID code and the password are registered in advance by referring to the user database 32. Check if they match. Here, it is assumed that the ID code and the password match those registered in advance.
[0048]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S53, and the map data distribution center 30 transmits the key release code to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 as a signal for permitting the update.
[0049]
Upon receiving the key release code in step S46, the in-vehicle navigation device 1 proceeds to step S47 to release the key of the update map data using the received key release code. Then, the process shifts to step S48, and the map data is overwritten and stored on the map data of the corresponding block in the map database. Thus, the updated map data can be used for searching for a guidance route and route guidance.
[0050]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a road based on updated map data. As shown in FIG. 11, when the user purchases the update map data, the map database of the HDD 11 is updated and the newly established road is displayed. Also, when the shape of an existing road changes due to a new road, the road on the map is displayed in a shape that matches the actual road shape.
[0051]
If the user selects "No" in step S43, the display of the purchase guidance screen is stopped, but the update map data stored in the HDD 11 is not deleted. Therefore, whenever the vehicle is stopped, the user can display the purchase guidance screen again by performing a predetermined operation.
[0052]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when there is a new road around the current position of the vehicle, the user is automatically notified of the existence of the new road. Then, it is possible to purchase updated map data any time after the new road is opened. In this case, the user can check the update content by looking at the update content guide displayed on the display device 7 and determine whether or not the map data is for the area necessary for the user. As a result, it is possible to eliminate waste of purchasing unused data.
[0053]
In the above-described embodiment, the map data can be purchased only after the new road has been opened. However, it is also possible to make a reservation for the purchase of the map data even before the new road is opened. In this case, for example, the map data distribution center 30 stores the ID code and the password of the purchaser, performs the settlement procedure on the day when the new road is opened, and performs the first communication with the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 after the opening day. After the connection, the key release code is transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device 1.
[0054]
In the above-described embodiment, when the vehicle approaches the new road, the map data distribution center 30 transmits the update map data to which the update guide information is added to the in-vehicle navigation device 1. When approaching the road, only the update guidance information may be transmitted, and the map data for update may be transmitted after receiving the update request signal from the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1.
[0055]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which it is automatically checked whether there is a new road near the current position of the vehicle. However, there is a road that has been used by the user and a new road exists in the vicinity thereof. It is also possible to check whether or not. For example, some in-vehicle navigation devices have a function of storing a traveling locus of a vehicle. In the case of such an in-vehicle navigation device, the data of the trajectory of the vehicle and the version of the map data are transmitted to the map data distribution center 30, and the map data distribution center 30 checks whether or not the map data of the corresponding block is updated. Then, the notification may be sent to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1.
[0056]
Further, the vehicle navigation system 1 may be configured to automatically search for a new road within a certain range from a point set as a home in the in-vehicle navigation device 1 and notify the user.
[0057]
Furthermore, when the navigation route to the destination is searched for by the on-vehicle navigation device 1, the navigation route and the version of the map data of the surrounding area are transmitted to the map data distribution center 30. It may be arranged to check whether or not the map data of the guide route and the surrounding area is updated, and notify the in-vehicle navigation device 1.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the map data distribution method of the present invention, the map data distribution center uses the roads used by the user's vehicle (for example, the current position of the vehicle, the road with the travel history, and the road to the destination). And the roads around the home) and the map data of the surrounding area are updated. If the map data is updated, the updated content information indicating the updated content is transmitted to the on-vehicle navigation device. Upon receiving the update content information from the map data distribution center, the navigation device displays the update content guide on the display device and waits for the user to select whether or not to purchase the map data. Thus, when the map data of the road used by the user and the surrounding area is updated, the user is notified of the update content from the map data distribution center, and determines whether the content is useful for the user. Can be. Therefore, it is possible to avoid waste of purchasing unnecessary map data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a map data distribution system that realizes a map data distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a beta base stored in an HDD.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a database of a map data distribution center.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device from receiving map data (updated map data) from the map data distribution center and storing the map data in the HDD.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process from when the update map data is stored in the HDD to when an update guide is displayed to the user;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an update content guide displayed on a display device;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the update content guidance displayed on the display device.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a user purchases map data.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map data purchase guidance screen;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a road based on updated map data.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... car navigation system,
2. Communication device,
3. Operation unit,
5 ... GPS receiver,
6… Self-contained navigation sensor,
7. Display device,
10. Navigation device body,
11 HDD (Hard Disk Drive),
17 ... buffer memory,
18 ... Control unit,
18a ... memory,
19: Map drawing unit,
21 ... operation screen / mark drawing unit
22 ... guidance route storage unit,
23: guidance route drawing unit,
25 ... Image synthesis unit
30 ... Map data distribution center
31 ... Map database,
32 ... User database.

Claims (6)

In a map data distribution method for distributing map data from a map data distribution center to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via a communication line,
The in-vehicle navigation device transmits information on a road used by the vehicle to the map data distribution center,
The map data distribution center checks whether there is an update of the map data of the road used by the vehicle and the surrounding area based on the information sent from the on-vehicle navigation device, and when there is updated map data, Transmitting update content information indicating the update content to the in-vehicle navigation device,
A method of distributing map data, wherein the in-vehicle navigation device displays update content guidance on a display device based on the update content information and waits for a user's selection of whether to purchase map data. The method according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle navigation device stores a map database in a rewritable storage medium. The in-vehicle navigation device transmits a signal requesting update of map data to the map data distribution center when the user selects purchase of map data, and after receiving a signal permitting update from the map data distribution center, 3. The map data distribution method according to claim 2, wherein the updated map data is overwritten on map data of a corresponding area in the map database. The on-vehicle navigation device distributes at least one information of a current position of the vehicle, a road having a driving history, a road to a destination, and a road around a home as the information of the road used by the vehicle. The method according to claim 1, wherein the map data is transmitted to a center. The map data distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the map data distribution center transmits the update map data with a key set to the vehicle-mounted navigation device together with the update content information. When the map data distribution center receives an update request signal indicating an intention to purchase map data from the on-vehicle navigation device, the map data distribution center transmits a key release code for releasing the key to the on-vehicle navigation device. A method for distributing map data according to claim 5.

Images