JP2004354903A - Map information updating system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information updating system which allows a user to judge beforehand whether map information should be updated or not. <P>SOLUTION: The map information updating system 1 comprises a map distribution server 10 and a vehicle terminal 20. The map distribution server 10 transmits one part of the map information in response to a transmission demand. The vehicle terminal 20 receives and displays one part of map information which is transmitted and accepts the decision of the user determined by the display. Further, the vehicle terminal 20 judges whether the map information should be updated or not, based on the decision of the accepted user and, when judging that the map information should be updated, performs the second transmission demand concerning the map information besides the one part of map information which is transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map information updating system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been proposed a map information updating system that receives the latest map information distributed from a center side and updates the map information stored in the vehicle-mounted side. As one of the systems, for example, the vehicle side requests transmission of the latest map information, and the center side extracts difference data between the map information currently stored on the vehicle side and the latest map information in response to the request, A device that distributes the difference data is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-319029
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional system, the in-vehicle side forcibly updates based on the latest map information distributed on demand, so that the user may determine whether to update the map information. There was a problem that the map information could not be updated and the map information was not required.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a map information updating system that allows a user to determine in advance whether to update map information. It is to provide a system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a map distribution server holding map information, a map information transmission request is sent to the map distribution server, and the map information transmitted in response to the transmission request is received and stored. A map information updating system, comprising: a map distribution server that transmits a part of the map information in response to a transmission request; The received part of the map information is received by the receiving means, the received part of the map information is stored in the vehicle-side storage means, and the stored part of the map information is displayed by the display means. Then, the user's decision determined according to this display is received by the input means, and whether the map information is updated is determined by the determination means based on the received decision, and the map information is updated. If it is determined, the control means controls to request another transmission of the map information other than the transmitted partial map information.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the in-vehicle terminal displays a part of the map information transmitted from the map distribution server and prompts the user to determine whether to update the map information. Then, when the user decides to update, control is performed to request again for map information other than some of the map information.
[0008]
In this way, the user is given an opportunity to consider the necessity of updating based on a part of the displayed map information, and the user determines in advance whether to update the map information. It can be carried out.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a map information updating system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the map information updating system 1 of the present embodiment includes a map distribution server 10 that stores map information, and an in-vehicle terminal 20 that requests the map distribution server 10 to transmit map information. ing.
[0011]
The map distribution server 10 is provided in the map distribution company 2 and holds the latest map information. The map distribution server 10 is connected to the in-vehicle terminal 20 via the mobile communication network 3 and transmits map information in response to a transmission request from the in-vehicle terminal 20.
[0012]
Here, the system 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the transmission request is made twice or more at the time of updating the map information once, and the map distribution server 10 transmits the map information by the first transmission request. And transmits map information other than a part of the map information transmitted in the first time in the second or subsequent transmission request. This transmission is performed by the server-side communication device (transmission means) 10a of the map distribution server 10. That is, the server-side communication device 10a provides the map information to the in-vehicle terminal 20 via the mobile communication network 3.
[0013]
The in-vehicle terminal 20 has an in-vehicle communication device (reception unit) 21 that receives map information transmitted in response to a transmission request, and a navigation function that has a navigation function and updates the map information by storing the received map information. Device 22. The in-vehicle terminal 20 also includes a display (display means) 23 for displaying the stored map information, and a switch (input means) 24 for performing various operations. The in-vehicle communication device 21 is, for example, a mobile phone.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the navigation device 22 has an arithmetic processing unit 22a that controls the entire navigation device 22, and a system bus connected to the arithmetic processing unit 22a. The navigation device 22 has various elements connected to the system bus. That is, it has a communication device interface circuit 22b for connecting the in-vehicle communication device 21 and the navigation device 22, and a switch interface circuit 22c for connecting the switch 24 and the navigation device 22.
[0015]
Further, the navigation device 22 receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite, thereby acquiring information on the current position of the vehicle, and a map storage unit for storing map information sent from the map distribution server 10. (Vehicle storage unit) 22e, and a drawing processing unit 22f for performing a drawing process to display an image on the display 23.
[0016]
The navigation device 22 further includes a ROM 22g for storing programs and initial values, a RAM 22h as a work area used by the arithmetic processing unit 22a at the time of calculation, and a real-time clock 22i for counting time.
[0017]
Further, the arithmetic processing unit 22a includes a determination unit 22j and a control unit 22k. The determination unit 22j performs a predetermined determination according to various inputs. The control unit 22k controls the operation of each unit in the navigation device 22.
[0018]
Next, the map information will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of the map information. As shown in the figure, the map information is largely divided into three data: display map data, locator map data, and route search map data.
[0019]
First, the locator map data is used to calculate the current vehicle position, and is composed of, for example, information such as road shapes and travel restrictions. The route search map data is used when performing a route search, and is composed of information such as the connection status between intersections, the distance between intersections, and the average travel speed.
[0020]
The display map data is to be displayed on the display 23 and has, for example, a data structure shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the display map data. The map data for display is divided into meshes of a predetermined size and stored in the map distribution server 10 and the map storage unit 22e. Each mesh is assigned a mesh number, and this mesh number is one of the pieces of information constituting the display map data, as shown in FIG.
[0021]
The display map data includes, in addition to the mesh number, information on a type indicating the display map data, storage addresses of expressways, toll roads, national roads and main roads, the number of expressway links, and links. It is composed of information such as a number, the number of complementary points, and coordinates.
[0022]
The map storage unit 22e includes two areas described below. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the storage area of the map storage unit 22e shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the map storage unit 22e is composed of two areas, a temporary storage area and a regular storage area.
[0023]
The temporary storage area and the regular storage area are both areas for storing map information, but the temporary storage area is for temporarily storing map information. As will be described later, the temporary storage area is configured to store the display map data. On the other hand, in the regular storage area, the map information is not temporarily stored, so that the stored contents are not lost even when the power is turned off, so that not only the display map data but also the locator map data and the route search. It is configured to also store map data for use.
[0024]
In such a map information updating system 1, map information is updated as follows. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the operation of the map information updating system 1 shown in FIG.
[0025]
First, the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 makes a transmission request to receive provision of map information from the map distribution server 10 (ST10). After that, the map distribution server 10 transmits a part of the map information to the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 (ST20). Here, a part of the map information indicates the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle and is information used only for display. That is, a part of the map information transmitted here is map data for display around the current vehicle and does not include locator map data and route search map data.
[0026]
Thereafter, the map storage unit 22e of the in-vehicle terminal 20 stores the received display map data in the temporary storage area, and the in-vehicle terminal 20 requests transmission again (ST30). Here, first, a request for transmitting the locator map data is made. Then, upon receiving this request, map distribution server 10 transmits the locator map data to in-vehicle terminal 20 (ST40). At this point, the display map data around the current position of the vehicle has been transferred and stored in the regular storage area of the map storage unit 22e.
[0027]
After that, the map storage unit 22e of the in-vehicle terminal 20 stores the received locator map data in the regular storage area, and the in-vehicle terminal 20 makes a transmission request to receive the provision of the search map data (ST50). Then, map distribution server 10 transmits the search map data to vehicle-mounted terminal 20 (ST60). The search map data received here is stored in the regular storage area of the map storage unit 22e.
[0028]
Thereafter, the in-vehicle terminal 20 transmits an update completion notification to the map distribution server 10 (ST70). This notification indicates that the update has been properly performed, and also notifies the number of meshes of the updated map information. After this notification, the map distribution server 10 executes a process of collecting a distribution fee for map information in consideration of the number of meshes to be updated. Then, the process ends.
[0029]
As described above, in the present system 1, the map information is not transmitted in a lump, but first, the display map data is transmitted in response to the first transmission request, and the locator is transmitted in response to the second and subsequent transmission requests. Map data and search map data are transmitted.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the in-vehicle terminal 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the detailed operation of the in-vehicle terminal 20. FIG. 7 shows the first half, and FIG. 8 shows the second half. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display 23.
[0031]
First, the position detection unit 22d of the navigation device 22 calculates and finds the current vehicle position based on the GPS signal and the like (ST100). Thereafter, the arithmetic processing unit 22a reads a map around the current position from the map storage unit 22e and copies it to the RAM 22h (ST110).
[0032]
Then, the drawing processing unit 22f expands the data on the RAM 22h into image data and displays the image data on the display 23 (ST120), and further superimposes and displays a car mark indicating the own vehicle position on the displayed map (ST130). ). At this time, a map including a route and the like and a car mark indicating the position of the vehicle are displayed on the display 23 (FIG. 9A).
[0033]
Thereafter, arithmetic processing unit 22a determines whether or not to update the currently displayed map (ST140). Here, whether or not to update the map is determined based on, for example, whether or not the user has performed a switch operation indicating that the map has been updated. If it is determined that the currently displayed map is not updated (ST140: NO), the process returns to step ST100.
[0034]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the currently displayed map is to be updated (ST140: YES), the in-vehicle terminal 20 makes a transmission request via the in-vehicle communication device 21, and transmits the display map data from the map distribution server 10. Wait for. At this time, the display 23 indicates that the latest map around the current position is to be downloaded (FIG. 9B).
[0035]
When the display map data is received, the map storage unit 22e stores the display map data in the temporary storage area (ST150). The above processing corresponds to steps ST10 and ST20 shown in FIG.
[0036]
After the storage, the display 23 updates the display contents based on the received and stored display map data (ST160). At this time, a new route or the like is displayed on the display 23 (FIG. 9C). Therefore, the user is given an opportunity to consider whether information such as a new route to be displayed is necessary in the future. Then, the user determines whether or not to update the map information held by the map storage unit 22e of the in-vehicle terminal 20 at present, and notifies the in-vehicle terminal 20 by operating the switch 24.
[0037]
Thereafter, the determination unit 22j of the arithmetic processing unit 22a determines again whether to update the map information (ST170). Here, whether or not to update the map is determined based on a switch operation performed by the user after step ST160. As described above, the switch 24 functions not only to perform various operations but also to receive a user's decision regarding whether to update the map information.
[0038]
Then, when it is determined that the map information is not updated (ST170: NO), the drawing processing unit 22f returns from the state where the display map data is displayed to the display content before the display (ST180). That is, the drawing processing unit 22f redraws the map using the original display data, and causes the display 23 to display the original map (FIG. 9A).
[0039]
After that, the arithmetic processing unit 22a deletes the display map data stored in the temporary storage area of the map storage unit 22e (ST190). Then, the process returns to step ST100. As described above, in the present embodiment, the display map data that is a part of the map information is received and presented to the user, and the user is given an opportunity to determine whether to update the map information. Then, when the user determines that there is no need for updating, the processing related to updating is interrupted. If the update has not been performed, only the processing of steps ST10 and ST20 shown in FIG. 6 is performed, and the processing after step ST30 is not performed.
[0040]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the map information is to be updated (ST170: YES), the arithmetic processing unit 22a updates the display map data around the current position being displayed (FIG. 8: ST200). That is, the display map data is transferred from the temporary storage area to the regular storage area and stored. At this time, the latest map is continuously displayed on the display 23 (FIG. 9D).
[0041]
Thereafter, the in-vehicle terminal 20 makes another transmission request for the map information other than the transmitted part of the map information, and waits for transmission of data from the map distribution server 10. Here, the map information other than a part of the map information is map information other than the display map data, and specifically refers to the locator map data. The transmission request is made under the control of the control unit 22k. That is, when the determination unit 22j determines that the map information is to be updated (“YES” in step ST170), the control unit 22k performs control so as to request transmission again.
[0042]
Then, upon receiving the locator map data, the map storage unit 22e stores the locator map data in the regular storage area (ST210). The process of step ST210 corresponds to steps ST30 and ST40 shown in FIG.
[0043]
Thereafter, the in-vehicle terminal 20 makes a transmission request and waits for data transmission from the map distribution server 10. Here, the in-vehicle terminal 20 waits for transmission of search map data as map information other than some map information. Also, the transmission request here is performed under the control of the control unit 22k, similarly to the request for the locator map data. That is, the control unit 22k controls to make a further transmission request based on the determination result of the update by the determination unit 22j.
[0044]
Then, upon receiving the search map data, the map storage unit 22e stores the search map data in the regular storage area (ST220). This means that the update of the map information has been completed. After the update, the process returns to step ST100 in FIG.
[0045]
When these processes are completed, the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 transmits an update completion notification to the map distribution server 10 as shown in step ST70 of FIG. Upon receiving the update completion notification, the map distribution server 10 performs a collection process.
[0046]
As described above, when the map distribution server 10 transmits a part of the map information in response to the first transmission request, the map distribution server 10 does not execute the collection process of the map information distribution fee, but performs the collection process after receiving the update completion notification. Execute For this reason, the user must carefully purchase the map information after referring to the display map data without collecting the map information distribution fee just because the user has once requested the transmission of the map information. It will be possible to determine whether or not it is.
[0047]
The timing at which the map distribution server 10 executes the collection process is not limited to the time when the update completion notification is received, and may be after the second or third transmission request is received.
[0048]
Here, the update completion notification and collection processing will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the update completion notification and collection processing. The collection process is performed based on the map information distribution fee and the billing destination information. The information is determined by the user ID, the number of purchased meshes, and the unit price of the meshes included in the update completion notification. Therefore, the in-vehicle terminal 20 adds the information of the user ID and the number of meshes to the update completion notification for notifying the completion of the update, and transmits the notification to the map distribution server 10.
[0049]
Next, each information will be described. The user ID is for identifying the in-vehicle terminal 20 that has updated the map information, and is information used when determining a billing destination. The number of purchased meshes indicates the number of meshes that have been updated correctly without any error or the like in the in-vehicle terminal 20, and is information used when calculating a map information distribution fee. In addition, the map information distribution fee is obtained by multiplying the number of purchased meshes by the unit price of the mesh stored in the map distribution server 10 in advance.
[0050]
Next, processing related to map display will be further described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process relating to the map display process. First, when displaying a map, the arithmetic processing unit 22a determines a mesh number necessary for drawing (ST300). This determination is performed based on information on the own vehicle position detected by the position detection unit 22d. .
[0051]
Then, arithmetic processing unit 22a determines whether or not the display map data of the mesh number exists in the temporary storage area (ST310). For example, when this drawing process is executed as steps ST120 and ST130 shown in FIG. 7, it is determined that the drawing does not exist in the temporary storage area (ST310: NO), and the map of the regular storage area is transferred to the RAM 22h. (ST320).
[0052]
On the other hand, when this drawing process is being executed as step ST160 shown in FIG. 7, it is determined that the image is present in the temporary storage area (ST310: YES), and the map of the temporary storage area is transferred to RAM 22h (ST330). . Then, after steps ST320 and ST330, the drawing processing unit 22f executes a drawing process using the display map data on the RAM 22h (ST330).
[0053]
As described above, according to the map information updating system 1 according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle terminal 20 determines whether to display a part of the map information transmitted from the map distribution server 10 and update the user with the display. Is urging. Then, when the user decides to update, control is performed to request again for map information other than some of the map information.
[0054]
In this way, the user is given an opportunity to consider the necessity of updating based on a part of the displayed map information, and the user determines in advance whether to update the map information. It can be carried out.
[0055]
Further, when the determination unit 22j determines that the map information is not updated, a part of the map information stored in the map storage unit 22e is deleted, so that unnecessary information can be deleted and the memory can be effectively used. .
[0056]
In addition, since the map distribution server 10 executes the collection process of the map information distribution fee after receiving the transmission request again, the user pays only for the information appropriate for the user, and wasteful communication costs are reduced. Can be reduced.
[0057]
Further, at the stage where some map information is transmitted in response to the transmission request, the map distribution server 10 does not execute the process of collecting the map information distribution fee, so that the user can download the map information without paying the distribution fee. It can be determined whether or not to update.
[0058]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not to update the map information based on a switch operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be configured to determine whether or not to update information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a map information updating system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the vehicle-mounted terminal shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of map information.
FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory diagram of display map data.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a storage area of a map storage unit shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram schematically showing an operation of the map information updating system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the in-vehicle terminal, showing a first half part.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the in-vehicle terminal, showing a latter half part.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a display.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an update completion notification and collection process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process relating to a map display process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Map information update system 10 Map distribution server 10a Server-side communication device (transmission means)
20: In-vehicle terminal 21: In-vehicle communication device (receiving means)
22e: map storage unit (vehicle storage unit)
22j... Judgment part (judgment means)
22k ... control unit (control means)
23 Display (display means)
24 ... Switch (input means)

Claims (7)

A map distribution server that holds map information, and an in-vehicle terminal that makes a map information transmission request to the map distribution server, and updates the map information by receiving and storing the map information transmitted in response to the transmission request. In the map information update system consisting of
The map distribution server,
In response to the transmission request, has a transmission means for transmitting a part of the map information,
The in-vehicle terminal,
Receiving means for receiving a part of the map information transmitted by the transmitting means,
Onboard storage means for storing a part of the map information received by the receiving means,
Display means for displaying a part of the map information stored by the vehicle-side storage means,
Input means for receiving a user's decision, which is determined along with the display of some map information by the display means,
Determining means for determining whether to update the map information based on the user's decision received by the input means,
Control means for controlling so as to request retransmission of map information other than a part of the transmitted map information when it is determined that the map information is updated by the determination means. Update system. 2. The map information updating system according to claim 1, wherein the part of the map information is information that indicates the vicinity of a current position of a vehicle on which the onboard terminal is mounted and is used only for display. When the determination unit determines not to update the map information based on the user's decision accepted by the input unit, deleting the partial map information stored in the vehicle-side storage unit. The map information updating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When the determination unit determines that the map information is not updated based on the user's decision accepted by the input unit, the partial map information is displayed from the state in which the partial map information is displayed. The map information updating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display content is restored to the display content before the display. The map information updating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the map distribution server executes a collection process of a map information distribution fee after receiving the transmission request again. 6. The map distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the map distribution server does not execute a process of collecting a map information distribution fee at a stage of transmitting some of the map information in response to the transmission request. 7. Map information update system described in. A map distribution server that holds map information, and an in-vehicle terminal that makes a map information transmission request to the map distribution server, and updates the map information by receiving and storing the map information transmitted in response to the transmission request. In the map information update system consisting of
The map distribution server transmits a part of the map information in response to the transmission request,
The in-vehicle terminal receives and displays a part of the transmitted map information, accepts a user's decision determined by this display, and updates the map information based on the accepted user's decision. A map information update system which determines whether or not to update the map information and, if it is determined to update, requests another transmission of map information other than some of the transmitted map information.

Images