JP2005004138A - Map data distribution and display method, map data distribution device, on-vehicle information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distribution method of map data which can reduce unnecessary communication charges. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of performing the distributing of map information data along a recommendation route 54 which connects from the present location 52 to a destination 53, a user specifies that a map from the present location 52 to a course place 56 is unnecessary using an on-vehicle machine. In an information distribution center, a cut-out range about a range from the course place 56 to the destination 56 is established and map information data in areas of the cut-out range 57 is distributed to the on-vehicle machine. Communication time is shortened by reducing an amount of map information data to be distributed to the machine in this manner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for distributing map data to an in-vehicle information terminal such as a navigation device by communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is known a navigation device that receives map data along a guide route from a set current location to a destination using a mobile phone or the like, and displays a map around the guide route using the received map data (Patent Document). 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-318118 A
[0004]
The navigation device of Patent Document 1 may receive even map data in a useless range. Therefore, communication charges unnecessary for the user may occur.
[0005]
The present invention provides a map data distribution method capable of reducing unnecessary communication charges.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The map data distribution method according to the invention of claim 1 sets the current location and destination of the vehicle, sets a recommended route connecting the set current location to the destination, and map data about a part of the recommended route And a recommended route is set based on the request, a cutout area within a predetermined distance from the recommended route is set for a partial range, and map data in the cutout region is distributed.
The invention of claim 2 is the map data distribution method of claim 1, wherein at least one waypoint is set, setting of a recommended route connecting the set current location to the destination via the waypoint, and the waypoint One of the above is used as a guidance start point, and the distribution of map data for the range from the guidance start point to the destination is requested among the recommended routes, and the recommended route is set based on the request and the guidance is started. For the range from the point to the destination, a cutout area within a predetermined distance from the recommended route is set, and map data in the cutout area is distributed.
The invention according to claim 3 stores the map data distributed by the map data distribution method according to claim 1 or 2, and based on the stored map data when the vehicle approaches the guidance start point and reaches the cutout area. To display a map.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map data display method of the third aspect, when the vehicle reaches the cutout area, the route from the position of the vehicle to the guidance start point is displayed on the map.
The map data distribution method according to the invention of claim 5 is a map data distribution method for distributing map data based on a recommended route connecting from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, and a recommended route connecting from the current location of the vehicle to the destination. And determine whether there is an overlap between the current recommended route connecting the destination from the current current location and the past recommended route included in the map data distributed in the past When there is an overlapping portion, a cutout region within a predetermined distance from the current recommended route is set for a range excluding the overlapped portion, and map data in the cutout region is distributed.
A map data distribution method according to the invention of claim 6 is a map data distribution method for distributing map data based on a recommended route connecting the current location of a vehicle to a destination, storing map data distributed in the past, The current location, destination and at least one waypoint of the current vehicle are set, and for each singularity which is one of the set current location, destination or waypoint, each singularity is stored in the stored map data. It is determined whether it is on the past recommended route included, the current recommended route setting that connects from the set current location to the destination via the waypoint, and determined not to be on the past recommended route Distribution of map data for a range including all singular points that have been determined and including singular points determined to be on the past recommended route closest to those singular points. In addition to setting the current recommended route, the range from the singular point determined to be on the past recommended route to the singular point determined not to be on the past recommended route is within a predetermined distance from the current recommended route. Is set, and map data in the cutout area is distributed.
An in-vehicle information terminal according to a seventh aspect of the present invention connects a current location detecting means for detecting a current location of a vehicle, a destination setting means for setting a destination for setting a recommended route of the vehicle, and a current location to a destination. Map request means for requesting the setting of a recommended route and the distribution of map data for a part of the recommended route to the outside is provided.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the on-vehicle information terminal according to the seventh aspect, the destination setting means further sets at least one waypoint, and the map requesting means takes the current location to the destination via the waypoint The setting of the recommended route to be connected and the distribution of map data about the range from the guidance start point to the destination in the recommended route are requested to the outside using any one of the waypoints as the guidance start point.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the storage means for storing the map data distributed from the outside in response to the request from the map request means, and the vehicle approaches the guidance start point and is cut out And display means for displaying a map based on the map data stored in the storage means when reaching the area.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal according to the ninth aspect, the display means displays a route from the position of the vehicle to the guidance start point on a map when the vehicle reaches the cutout area.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map data distribution apparatus comprising: a route setting unit that sets a recommended route that connects a current location of a vehicle to a destination; a map distribution unit that distributes map data based on the recommended route; and a route setting unit. Judge whether there is an overlap between the current recommended route connecting the destination from the set current current location and the past recommended route included in the map data distributed in the past by the map distribution means Map distribution, comprising: a determination unit; and a region setting unit configured to set a cutout region within a predetermined distance from the current recommended route for a range excluding the overlapped portion when the determination unit determines that there is an overlapping portion. The means distributes the map data in the cut-out area set by the area setting means when it is determined by the determination means that there is an overlapping portion. That.
The in-vehicle information terminal according to the invention of claim 12 displays a map based on the map data distributed from the map data distribution device of claim 11.
An in-vehicle information terminal according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides a current position detecting means for detecting and setting a current position of a vehicle, a destination for setting a recommended route for the vehicle, and a destination setting means for setting at least one waypoint And storage means for storing map data distributed from the outside based on the recommended route, and each of the singularities for the singularity that is one of the set current location, destination, or waypoint is stored. Judgment means for determining whether or not it is on the past recommended route included in the map data, setting of the current recommended route connecting the set current location to the destination via the waypoint, and past recommendations Includes all singularities that are determined not to be on the route, and distribution of map data for ranges that include singular points that are determined to be on the past recommended route closest to those singularities. Requested is intended and a map request means.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
-First embodiment-
A map information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A car navigation device (hereinafter referred to as an in-vehicle device) 100 and a communication terminal 200 mounted on the vehicle 1 are connected to each other by Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication. The communication terminal 200 is connected to the information distribution center 400 via the mobile communication network 300 under the control of the in-vehicle device 100. At this time, radio waves for mobile communication, which are different from wireless communication using the Bluetooth method, are used. The information distribution center 400 receives various requests from the in-vehicle device 100 transmitted from the communication terminal 200, transmits various information such as map data to the communication terminal 200 according to the request content, and supplies the information to the in-vehicle device 100. . Further, the communication terminal 200 can be connected to another communication terminal (not shown), a fixed telephone, or the like via the mobile communication network 300 to transmit and receive voice and various information. As the communication terminal 200, a mobile phone having a Bluetooth communication function, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), or the like is used.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device 100. The current location detection device 101 that detects the current location of the vehicle 1 includes, for example, an orientation sensor 101a that detects a traveling direction of the vehicle 1, a vehicle speed sensor 101b that detects a vehicle speed, a GPS sensor 101c that detects a GPS signal from a GPS satellite, and the like. The control circuit 102 includes a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, and performs various controls by executing a control program stored in the ROM 103 using the RAM 104 as a work area. The image memory 105 stores image data to be displayed on the display monitor 106. The image data includes road map drawing data and various graphic data, and displays map information on the display monitor 106 based on map data transmitted from the information distribution center 400 shown in FIG. On the display monitor 106, a screen for various settings of the in-vehicle device 100, for example, a screen for setting a communication terminal to be used is displayed. Note that a touch panel is used as the display monitor 106, and the user inputs a destination of a vehicle, selects various processes, and the like by selecting an arbitrary position on the screen with a finger or the like.
[0009]
The nonvolatile memory 107 is a memory that stores various types of information such as map data received from the information distribution center 400. The nonvolatile memory 107 can hold the stored data even when the power of the in-vehicle device 100 is turned off. For this, for example, a flash memory or the like is used. The Bluetooth communication device 108 is a device that performs Bluetooth communication with the communication terminal 200. Via the Bluetooth communication device 108, the communication terminal 200 is controlled from the in-vehicle device 100, and various data are transmitted and received between the control circuit 102 and the communication terminal 200.
[0010]
FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing the configuration of the information distribution center 400. The information distribution center 400 is connected to the mobile communication network 300 via the external interface 401. The request reception server 402 receives a request for route search or the like sent through the external interface 401 and requests each server described later to execute each process such as a route search request and a map request. In addition, the processing result output from each server is output to the external interface 401.
[0011]
The map distribution server 403 stores map data in a storage medium such as a hard disk, and in accordance with a map request from the request reception server 402, searches for corresponding map data from the stored map data and outputs it to the request reception server 402. To do. The route search server 404 searches for the corresponding route according to the route search request from the request reception server 402 based on the vehicle position information from the location information search server 405, the traffic information database from the traffic information server 406, and the like. Is output. The position information search server 405 also has a function of searching for facility information in the vicinity of a predetermined point. The traffic information server 406 holds a database of current traffic information. The customer DB server 407 holds personal data of customers who own the vehicle-mounted device 100 and updates the personal data according to the usage status of the information distribution center 400. The personal data includes, for example, billing information.
[0012]
FIG. 4 shows a data flow when a route search request is made. When the destination is set by the user operating the display monitor 106, the in-vehicle device 100 issues a route search request. A route search request issued from the in-vehicle device 100 is transmitted to the information distribution center 400 via the communication terminal 200 and the mobile communication network 300. The route search request received at the information distribution center 400 passes through the external interface 401 and then is input to the request reception server 402, where the content is recognized. The request reception server 402 first makes a route search request to the route search server 404. The route search server 404 performs a route search based on the vehicle position information from the position information search server 405 and the traffic information from the traffic information server 406, and returns a route search result to the request reception server 402. The request reception server 402 that has received the route search result from the route search server 404 then outputs a map request for the route to the map distribution server 403. The map distribution server 403 extracts map information obtained by cutting out a certain range along the route by a method to be described later, from the stored map data, and returns the map information to the request reception server 402.
[0013]
In this way, the request reception server 402 that has obtained the map information outputs the route guidance data and map information data of the route search result to the external interface 401. The output data is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 100 via the mobile communication network 300 and the communication terminal 200. The in-vehicle device 100 displays the transmitted information as an image and provides it to the user. In this way, a series of processing for route search is completed.
[0014]
FIG. 5 shows a method of cutting out a map in a cutout region within a predetermined distance from a set range along the set route, that is, a recommended route. When the destination is set in the in-vehicle device 100, the route search server 404 sets the current location 52 and the destination 53, and sets a recommended route 54 connecting between them by a well-known route search calculation process. The map distribution server 403 sets the cutout range 55 in the recommended route 54 as a portion within a certain range from the recommended route 54, for example, a range indicated by shading in the drawing. In addition, a wider range is set around the current location 52 and the destination 53 than on other routes. The map data in the area of the cutout range 55 is extracted for each mesh of the mesh 51 obtained by dividing the map into predetermined ranges, and distributed from the information distribution center 400 to the in-vehicle device 100 as map information data.
[0015]
Based on the map information data thus distributed, the in-vehicle device 100 displays a map within a predetermined distance from the recommended route on the display monitor 106 and guides the user to the destination. However, it may not be necessary for the user to display a map for all of the recommended routes. For example, when the user has set a stopover on the recommended route and the user is familiar with the route from the current location to the stopover, it is not necessary for the user to display a map between them. In such a case, the communication fee for receiving the map data from the current location to the transit location is useless for the user.
[0016]
Therefore, if the user specifies a range that does not require a map when distributing map data along the recommended route from the current location to the destination, the map data in that range is not distributed. FIG. 6 is an example showing the range of the map cut out at this time. The route search server 404 sets the current location 52 and the destination 53 by the destination and waypoint set in the in-vehicle device 100 as in FIG. At the same time, a waypoint 56 is set on the recommended route.
[0017]
When setting the destination in the in-vehicle device 100, the user sets a waypoint by operating the display monitor 106, which is a touch panel, and sets the waypoint as a guidance start point. This specifies that a map from the current location to the transit location is not required. The information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 to the information distribution center 400 via the communication terminal 200 and the mobile communication network 300 together with the route search request. The map distribution server 403 sets the cutout range 57 of the map as shown in the figure based on the recommended route set in the route search server 404 and the information of the range that does not require the map sent from the in-vehicle device 100. This cutout range 57 is set as a portion within a certain range from the recommended route 54 between the waypoint 56 and the destination 53. In addition, a wider range is set around the waypoint 56 and the destination 53 than on other routes. The map data in the area of the cutout range 57 is extracted for each mesh of the mesh 51 obtained by dividing the map into predetermined ranges, and distributed from the information distribution center 400 to the in-vehicle device 100 as map information data.
[0018]
The distributed map information data is stored by the in-vehicle device 100. The in-vehicle device 100 does not display a map while the vehicle moves from the current location 52 to the waypoint 56. When the vehicle moves from the current location 52 and approaches the waypoint 56 and reaches within a predetermined distance in which the map data is distributed, that is, within the range of the cutout range 57, the recommended route 54 starts from the recommended map information data. A map within a certain range is automatically displayed on the display monitor 106. In this way, the user is guided to the destination using the waypoint 56 as the guidance start point. At this time, it is preferable to automatically search a route for guiding the vehicle from the position of the vehicle at the time when the map is displayed to the guidance start point, that is, the waypoint 56, and to display the route on the map. .
[0019]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the in-vehicle device 100 for the contents described above. This processing flow is executed when the destination and waypoint are set by the user and a route search request is made. In step S1, whether or not to start route guidance to the destination from the current vehicle position is selected based on the user's operation. When the user selects not to start from the own vehicle position, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, a guidance start point for starting route guidance to the destination is set. Here, the waypoint 56 in FIG. 6 is set as the guidance start point. When a plurality of waypoints are set for the user, one of the waypoints is selected based on the user's operation and set as a guidance start point.
[0020]
In step S3, a route search request from the current location to the destination is made to the information distribution center 400. The information distribution center 400 sets a recommended route in response to a route search request from the in-vehicle device 100 and distributes map information data around the recommended route to the in-vehicle device 100. In the present embodiment, in the route search request performed in step S3, map distribution is requested only for the range from the guidance start point set in step S2 to the destination set by the user. Here, the distribution of the map from the waypoint 56 to the destination 53 in FIG. 6 is requested.
[0021]
The route search request made in step S3 is issued from the Bluetooth communication device 108 of FIG. 2 to the communication terminal 200 by Bluetooth communication and transmitted to the information distribution center 400 via the communication terminal 200 and the mobile communication network 300. In this way, the information distribution center 400 that has received the route search request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 sets the recommended route 54 connecting the current location 52 and the destination 53 by the route search server 403 as described above. Then, a cutout range 57 within a predetermined distance from the recommended route 54 is set between the waypoint 56 and the destination 53, and map information data included therein is extracted by the map distribution server 404. The map information data extracted in this way is distributed from the information distribution center 400 to the in-vehicle device 100 in response to the route search request in step S3.
[0022]
In step S4, the map information data distributed from the information distribution center 400 between the waypoint 56 and the destination 53, that is, the map information data of the cutout range 57 is received. The received map information data is stored in the in-vehicle device 100. In step S <b> 5, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has reached the predetermined distance where map information data is distributed from the guidance start point, that is, the cutout range 57. If the vehicle has moved from the current location 52 and has reached the cutout range 57, the process proceeds to step S6. Otherwise, step S5 is repeatedly executed until it reaches within a predetermined distance.
[0023]
In step S6, the route from the vehicle position at that time to the guidance start point, that is, the route from the waypoint 56 in FIG. 6 is searched based on the distributed map data. This route search is performed by a well-known route search calculation process in the same manner as when the recommended route is set in the route search server 403. In step S7, a map is displayed based on the distributed map information data. At this time, the route to the waypoint 56 searched in step S6 is displayed superimposed on the map. After executing step S7, the processing flow of FIG. 7 is terminated, and the route guidance to the destination is performed based on the displayed map.
[0024]
On the other hand, when the user selects to start route guidance from the own vehicle position in step S1, the process proceeds to step S8. At this time, in the route search request made in step S8, a map distribution request for the entire recommended route from the current location 52 to the destination 53 in FIG. In the information distribution center 400, the recommended route 54 is set accordingly, the map cutout range 55 is set for the entire recommended route 54, and the map information data included therein is distributed. The in-vehicle device 100 receives the map information data distributed in step S9, and displays a map in step S10 based on the received map information data. After step S10 is executed, the processing flow of FIG. 7 is terminated, and the route guidance to the destination is performed based on the displayed map.
[0025]
According to the embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not the route guidance is started from the own vehicle position (step S1). If the route guidance is not started from the own vehicle position, any one of the set waypoints is guided. As a start point (step S2), in the route search request from the vehicle position to the destination, a distribution request for map information data is made only for the range from the guidance start point to the destination (step S3). In the information distribution center that has received this distribution request, a cutout range is set from the guidance start point to the destination, and map information data within this cutout range is distributed. Since it did in this way, since the amount of map information data to distribute can be reduced and communication time can be shortened by not distributing the amount of map information data of the range which a user does not need, unnecessary communication charges can be reduced.
Further, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has arrived within a predetermined distance from the set guidance start point (step S5), and if it has reached, the route from the vehicle position at that time to the guidance start point is searched. (Step S6) The route is displayed on the map (Step S7). Since it did in this way, when approaching a guidance start point, the map which shows the path | route to a guidance start point can be displayed automatically, and a user can be guide | induced to a guidance start point exactly.
[0026]
In the first embodiment, the map is automatically displayed when the vehicle reaches the map cutout range within a predetermined distance from the guidance start point. However, the map may be displayed under other conditions. For example, the map can be displayed only when the vehicle is within the map cutout range and the vehicle has reached the recommended route. Alternatively, the conditions can be further narrowed down so that the map is displayed only when it is within the map cutout range and reaches the recommended route from the guidance start point to the destination. One of a plurality of conditions may be selectable by the user.
[0027]
-Second Embodiment-
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, when map information data has already been distributed and map information data is distributed along a recommended route to a newly set destination, an unnecessary communication fee is reduced by reducing the data amount. Reduce. The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0028]
When the current location and the destination are set in the in-vehicle device 100, a recommended route is set in the information distribution center 400 as described above, and a clipping range within a predetermined distance is set from the recommended route, and map information data is distributed. The Here, a recommended route (past recommended route) 54 connecting the current location (past current location) 52 and the destination 53 shown in FIG. 8 is set, and the map information data of the cutout range 55 along the route is already distributed. It shall be.
[0029]
Thereafter, it is assumed that the vehicle has moved from the past current location 52 to the current current location 58 and made a route search request from here to the destination 53. By this route search request, a current recommended route 59 that connects the current location 58 to the destination 53 is set. The newly set current recommended route 59 and the past recommended route 54 partially overlap as shown in FIG.
[0030]
In such a case, a relay point 60 is set at a point where the current recommended route 59 and the past recommended route 54 intersect, and a predetermined range along the current recommended route 59 is set for the range from the current current position 58 to the relay point 60. A cutout range 61 within the distance is set. Map information data within the cutout range 61 is distributed from the information distribution center 400 to the in-vehicle device 100. The in-vehicle device 100 performs predetermined processing along the recommended route 59 based on the newly distributed map information data in the cutout range 61 and a part of the map information data in the cutout range 55 already distributed in the past. Display a map within range. At this time, the map information data in the range from the relay point 60 to the destination 53 among the map information data in the cutout range 55 that has already been distributed is used.
[0031]
In this way, when there is an overlapping part between the recommended route set in the past and the newly set recommended route, the map information data is distributed only for the non-overlapping part. Thereby, the amount of communication data can be reduced. Note that the destinations are not necessarily the same in the recommended route set in the past and the newly set recommended route. If there is an overlapping portion, the amount of communication data can be reduced by not distributing the map information data of that portion.
[0032]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed in the information distribution center 400 when the map information data is distributed from the information distribution center 400 to the in-vehicle device 100 with respect to the contents described above. In step S21, it is determined whether or not a new route search request is made from the in-vehicle device 100. When a route search request is made, the process proceeds to step S22. As described above, the route search request is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100 to the information distribution center 400 via the communication terminal 200 and the mobile communication network 300 when the destination is set in the in-vehicle device 100. . The destination set at this time may be the same as the destination set in the past. When the destination is the same as the previously set destination and the current location, that is, the starting point of the route search is different, the newly made route search request is called a reroute request. Here, it is assumed that a reroute request from the current location 58 to the destination 53 shown in FIG. 8 is made.
[0033]
In step S22, based on a route search request from the in-vehicle device 100, a recommended route from the current location to the destination is set by a well-known route search calculation process. In step S22, the recommended route 59 shown in FIG. 8 is set. In the next step S23, it is determined whether or not there is an overlap between the recommended route newly set in step S22 and the previously set recommended route, that is, the recommended route in the already distributed map information data. judge. If there is an overlapping part, a relay point is set at the point where both intersect at step S24. That is, the relay point 60 shown in FIG. 8 is set. After that, in step S25, a cutout range 61 within a certain distance along the recommended route 59 is set for the range from the current current position 58 to the relay point 60. After executing Step S25, the process proceeds to Step S27.
[0034]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that there is no overlapping portion in the recommended route, the process proceeds to step S26, and the cutout range from the current location to the destination is set in the same manner as described in FIG. At this time, the communication data amount is not reduced. After executing step S26, the process proceeds to step S27.
[0035]
In step S27, map information data included in the cutout range set in step S25 or S26 is extracted. Thereafter, in step S28, the extracted map information data is distributed to the in-vehicle device 100. After execution of step S28, the processing flow of FIG. 9 is terminated. Based on the map information data distributed in this way, the in-vehicle device 100 displays a recommended route from the current location to the destination and a map around it, and guides the vehicle to the destination.
[0036]
According to the embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion between the newly searched recommended route and the recommended route in the already distributed map data (step S23). In this case, a relay point is set at a point where both intersect (step S24). And map information data is extracted about the part which does not overlap from the present location to a relay point (step S25, S27), and it was made to deliver (step S28). Since it did in this way, new map information data can be distributed except the part which is common with the map information data already distributed. Therefore, the amount of map information data to be distributed can be reduced and the communication time can be shortened, so that unnecessary communication charges can be reduced.
[0037]
In the second embodiment, an example in which there is an overlap between the relay point and the destination has been described, but the overlap may be other than this. For example, the present invention is also applied to the case where the overlapping portion is from the current location to the relay point, the case where two relay points are overlapped, or the case where there is overlap in all sections from the current location to the destination. Applicable.
[0038]
In the second embodiment, the information distribution center 400 searches for the current recommended route, sets a relay point, and distributes map information data from the current current location to the relay point, so that there is no duplication. Only partial map information data is distributed. However, the in-vehicle device 100 may request the information distribution center 400 to distribute only a portion of the map information data that does not overlap when a route search request is made. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a route point 62 is set in the past recommended route 54, and a route from the current current location 58 to the destination 53 via the route point 62 is the current recommended route 63. Consider the case where it is set. At this time, it is obvious that both recommended routes overlap between the route 62 and the destination 53 when the route 62 and the destination 53 are set in the current recommended route 63. Therefore, such a case can be determined by the in-vehicle device 100 and the information distribution center 400 can be requested to distribute map data only for the range from the current current location 58 to the waypoint 62 at the time of a route search request.
[0039]
Note that the overlapping parts of the map are not limited to the destination and the closest waypoint as described above, but between the waypoint and the waypoint, between the current location and the waypoint, or multiple points There are various cases such as overlapping parts. In various cases as described above, only the map information data of the non-overlapping portion can be requested from the in-vehicle device 100 to the information distribution center 400 by the same method as described above. Specifically, for each of the set current location, destination, and waypoint (hereinafter collectively referred to as a singular point), each in-vehicle device 100 determines whether it is on a past recommended route stored. Determine for singularities. And only in the range that includes all singular points that are not on the past recommended route and that includes singular points that are on the past recommended route that is closest to all singular points that are not on the past recommended route. A request is made to distribute map information data from 100 to the information distribution center 400. By doing in this way, it can request | require that map information data are delivered only about the part which does not overlap with the past recommended path | route.
[0040]
Each embodiment described above is an example of a navigation device that receives and displays a distributed map by a wirelessly connected communication terminal. However, the present invention is connected to the communication terminal by wired communication to map data. It can also be applied to in-vehicle information terminals that are distributed.
[0041]
The present invention is not limited to the components used in the above embodiment, and any configuration may be used as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the map information data in an unnecessary range is not distributed by the user, and new map information data is distributed except for the portion common to the map information data already distributed. . Since it did in this way, the amount of map information data to distribute can be reduced, communication time can be shortened, and an unnecessary communication charge can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a map information distribution system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information distribution center
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data flow when a route search request is made
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method of cutting out a map within a certain range along a route.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of cutting out a map within a certain range along a route except for a range where a map is not necessary.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow when a route search request is made in the in-vehicle device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method of cutting out a map within a certain range along a route excluding a range overlapping with map information data distributed in the past.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow at the time of map information data distribution in the information distribution center.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overlapping portion between a route of map information data distributed in the past and a newly set route;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 vehicle
100 On-board machine
200 Communication terminal
300 Mobile communication network
400 Information distribution center

Claims (13)

Set the vehicle's current location and destination,
Requesting the setting of a recommended route connecting the set current location to the destination, and distribution of map data for a part of the recommended route,
Based on the request, set the recommended route and set a cutout area within a predetermined distance from the recommended route for the partial range,
A map data delivery method comprising delivering map data in the cutout area. The map data distribution method according to claim 1,
Set at least one waypoint,
Setting of a recommended route that connects the set current location to a destination via a waypoint, and using any one of the waypoints as a guidance start point, from the guidance start point to the destination of the recommended route Request distribution of map data for a range of
Based on the request, set the recommended route, and set a cutout area within a predetermined distance from the recommended route for the range from the guidance start point to the destination,
A map data delivery method comprising delivering map data in the cutout area. Storing the map data distributed by the map data distribution method of claim 1 or 2,
A map data display method, comprising: displaying a map based on the stored map data when the vehicle approaches the guidance start point and reaches the cutout area. In the map data display method of Claim 3,
A map data display method for displaying a route from the position of the vehicle to the guidance start point on the map when the vehicle reaches the cutout area. A map data distribution method for distributing map data based on a recommended route connecting the current location of a vehicle to a destination,
Set a recommended route from the vehicle's current location to the destination,
Determining whether or not there is an overlap between the current recommended route connecting the destination from the set current current location and the past recommended route included in the map data distributed in the past,
Map data distribution characterized by setting a cutout area within a predetermined distance from the current recommended route for a range excluding the overlapped part when there is an overlapping part, and delivering map data in the cutout area Method. A map data distribution method for distributing map data based on a recommended route connecting the current location of a vehicle to a destination,
Remember the map data delivered in the past,
Set the current vehicle's current location, destination and at least one waypoint,
For each singular point that is any one of the set current location, destination, and waypoint, it is determined whether each of the singular points is on a past recommended route included in the stored map data. And
Including the current recommended route setting from the set current location to the destination via the waypoint, and all the singular points determined not to be on the past recommended route, and the singular points Requesting distribution of map data for a range including singular points determined to be on the closest recommended route in the past,
Based on the request, set the current recommended route, and set a clipping region within a predetermined distance from the current recommended route for the range,
A map data delivery method comprising delivering map data in the cutout area. Current location detection means for detecting the current location of the vehicle;
Destination setting means for setting a destination for setting a recommended route of the vehicle;
An in-vehicle information terminal comprising map requesting means for requesting the setting of a recommended route connecting the current location to a destination and distribution of map data for a partial range of the recommended route. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 7,
The destination setting means further sets at least one waypoint;
The map request means sets a recommended route that connects the current location to a destination via a waypoint, and uses any one of the waypoints as a guidance start point, from the guidance start point of the recommended route. An in-vehicle information terminal that requests the distribution of map data about a range to a destination to the outside. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 7 or 8,
Storage means for storing map data distributed from the outside in response to a request by the map request means;
An in-vehicle information terminal comprising: display means for displaying a map based on map data stored by the storage means when the vehicle approaches the guidance start point and reaches the cutout area. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 9,
The in-vehicle information terminal characterized in that the display means displays a route from the position of the vehicle to the guidance start point on the map when the vehicle reaches the cutout area. Route setting means for setting a recommended route connecting the current location of the vehicle to the destination;
Map distribution means for distributing map data based on the recommended route;
There is an overlapping portion between the current recommended route connecting the destination from the current current location set by the route setting unit and the past recommended route included in the map data distributed in the past by the map distribution unit. Determination means for determining whether or not,
When it is determined by the determination means that there is an overlapping part, the area setting means for setting a cutout area within a predetermined distance from the current recommended route for the range excluding the overlapping part,
The map distribution device distributes the map data in the cutout area set by the region setting unit when the map distribution unit determines that there is an overlapping portion by the determination unit. An in-vehicle information terminal that displays a map based on map data distributed from the map data distribution device according to claim 11. Current location detection means for detecting and setting the current location of the vehicle;
Destination setting means for setting a destination for setting a recommended route of the vehicle and at least one waypoint;
Storage means for storing map data distributed from outside based on the recommended route;
For each singular point that is any one of the set current location, destination, and waypoint, it is determined whether each of the singular points is on a past recommended route included in the stored map data. Determination means for
Including the current recommended route setting from the set current location to the destination via the waypoint, and all the singular points determined not to be on the past recommended route, and the singular points An in-vehicle information terminal comprising map request means for requesting the distribution of map data for a range including a singular point determined to be on the closest past recommended route to the outside.

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