JP2007078366A - Method of acquiring additional information of map information and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to acquire additional information of latest map information in a shorter time than before neither too much nor too little in the in-vehicle computer storing map information. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided a method of acquiring the additional information of the map information from the server system connected through the network in the vehicle mountable computer storing map information, including the following steps: the step for memorizing the positional information of a vehicle, the step for determining the movable range from the positional information, the step for requiring the additional information of the map information by transmitting the information for specifying the movable range of the vehicle to the server system, and the step for obtaining the additional information of the map information within the movable range of the vehicle from the server system. The program for making the computer perform the method, and the computer to be used for the method are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a method, program, computer, and map information additional information for acquiring map information additional information from a server system connected via a network in a computer that can be mounted on a vehicle storing map information. Relates to a method and system.

  In recent years, computers that can be mounted on vehicles such as a car navigation system using GPS (Global Positioning System) and an in-vehicle PC (hereinafter referred to as an in-vehicle computer) have become widespread as route guidance means to a destination. Such an in-vehicle computer displays a map based on the current position information, guides the driver to the route to the destination, and provides spot information such as sightseeing spots and gas stations around the route. . Map information and spot information are stored in recording media such as DVDs and HDDs, but this type of information is frequently changed and quickly becomes obsolete, so that information needs to be updated.

With regard to such update of map information, a car navigation device and a map information supply device that can acquire new map information when the map information is changed are known. When it is determined that the map information is old, the car navigation device can download and update the map information from the map information supply device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-148051

  However, downloading all the map information that has increased in capacity causes unnecessary network traffic and takes time to acquire the information.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method, a program, and a system that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a method for acquiring additional information of map information from a server system connected via a network in an in-vehicle computer that stores map information. A step of storing vehicle position information; a step of determining a movable range of the vehicle based on the position information; and information identifying the movable range of the vehicle is transmitted to the server system, and the map information A method of requesting the additional information of the computer, and acquiring the additional information of the map information within the movable range of the vehicle from the server system, a program for causing the computer to execute the method, and the method are used. An in-vehicle computer is provided. In this embodiment, the server system provided with the map information additional information database is based on the step of acquiring information specifying the movable range of the vehicle from the in-vehicle computer and the information specifying the acquired movable range. Selecting a map information additional information within the movable range of the vehicle from the map information additional information database, and transmitting the selected additional information to the computer. Provides additional information.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the in-vehicle computer determines the movable range of the vehicle. The server system that has received the information specifying the movable range of the vehicle selects additional information within the movable range of the vehicle and transmits it to the in-vehicle computer. By narrowing down the information to be acquired, the amount of data transferred when acquiring additional information can be reduced. Note that the movable range of the vehicle is determined based on the position information of the vehicle.

  In addition to the movable range of the vehicle, the additional information of the map information to be acquired includes route information such as destinations and routes set in the in-vehicle computer, user preferences (personalized information set by the user) or driver It can be selected based on selection criteria such as information. Furthermore, priority can be set for the selection criteria for these additional information, and the additional information can be acquired according to the priority.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing additional information of map information to an in-vehicle computer connected via a network in a server system provided with an additional information database of map information, the vehicle position information From the in-vehicle computer, determining the movable range of the vehicle based on the position information of the vehicle, and the map information within the movable range of the vehicle from the additional information database of the map information There is provided a method comprising selecting additional information and transmitting the selected additional information to the computer and a system in which the method is used. In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle computer stores the vehicle position information, transmits the vehicle position information to the server system, requests additional information of the map information, and allows the vehicle to move. The additional information of the map information is acquired by a method including the step of acquiring the additional information of the map information within the range from the server system.

  In the present invention, the server system determines the movable range of the vehicle. Upon receiving the vehicle position information, the server system determines a movable range of the vehicle, selects additional information within the range, and transmits the additional information to the in-vehicle computer.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the additional information of the newest map information used with a vehicle-mounted computer can be downloaded in a short time, and the required range information can be provided to a user without excess and deficiency.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the system 10. The system 10 includes an in-vehicle computer 20 and an information providing system 50 that are connected to each other via a network. The in-vehicle computer 20 is, for example, a car navigation system, is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, displays a map based on position information acquired from a GPS satellite, and guides the route to the user. The in-vehicle computer 20 can display spot information such as sightseeing spots and gas stations in association with the displayed map. The information providing system 50 provides the in-vehicle computer 20 with additional information such as the latest map data and spot information.

  In the preferred embodiment, a high-speed wireless network is used for data transfer to the in-vehicle computer 20. For example, when a wireless USB or a wireless LAN is installed in a convenience store or a gas station, and a user stops there, the in-vehicle computer 20 obtains the latest information from the information providing system 50 via the wireless network. be able to.

FIG. 2 shows the functions of the in-vehicle computer 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. The in-vehicle computer 20 includes an input unit 201, a storage unit 202, a determination unit 203, a request unit 204, an acquisition unit 205, an update unit 206, a map information database 207, and a display control unit 208.

The input unit 201 receives position information indicating the position of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle computer 20 is mounted, remaining fuel information indicating the remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle, fuel consumption information indicating the fuel consumption of the vehicle, and the information providing system 50. Various information such as selection criteria for narrowing down additional information of map information is acquired.

As for the position information, for example, the in-vehicle computer 20 can be automatically acquired by autonomous navigation based on GPS, a gyro sensor, and map matching. However, the user specifies a position such as an address or a zip code from the input screen of the in-vehicle computer. It may be possible to directly input information that can be obtained.

For the remaining fuel, if the vehicle has a function that can provide various sensing information (travel distance, speed, fuel remaining amount, etc.) to the in-vehicle computer 20 via the in-vehicle network, The in-vehicle computer 20 can automatically acquire the remaining fuel information. When the vehicle does not have such a function, the in-vehicle computer 20 may acquire the remaining fuel by causing the user to input information such as the amount of fuel supply. The fuel consumption can be calculated by dividing the travel distance by the fuel consumption corresponding to the travel distance.

The additional information selection criterion is a specification for narrowing down the additional information of the map requested to be transmitted to the information providing system 50. Even if the amount of data transfer for receiving the additional information of the map information is limited to the information within the movable range of the vehicle, the amount of data transfer is considerably increased when all the information is received. In order to complete reception of information while a user is shopping or refueling at a convenience store or a gas station where a high-speed wireless network is installed, it is necessary to reduce the amount of data. Also, the user may want to acquire only the type of information that he is interested in, not the additional information of all map information. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to set a reference for narrowing down information to be received.

Specifically, the user can set the following selection criteria for the in-vehicle computer 20.
(1) Even within the movable range of the selected vehicle considering route information such as destination and route, information ahead of the destination, information from the current position to the opposite direction to the destination, to the destination Information on areas far from the route (for example, more than 3 km away from the route) is often not useful to the user. Therefore, when the user thinks that such information is not necessary, it can be specified to exclude these information from the additional information of the received map information.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which information to be downloaded is narrowed down by selecting information in consideration of route information. The vehicle is heading to destination D via route R and is currently at point P. Based on the movable distance L of the vehicle calculated from the remaining fuel, the movable range C of the vehicle is inside a circle having a radius L with the current position P as the center. By excluding the information ahead of the destination D, the information in the direction opposite to the destination, and the information of the area away from the route to the destination, the in-vehicle computer 20 acquires only the information in the limited range F I can do it. That is, the in-vehicle computer 20 can display the latest map data, spot information, etc. within the range F, and can also display the roads, gas stations, etc. newly created within the range F on the map.

(2) A selected user based on user preferences can specify that the selected type of information is to be displayed or not displayed. For example, for each category of classified information such as map data, a gas station, a convenience store, a restaurant, a tourist spot, etc., the user can specify whether or not the information of each category is necessary. In addition, it is possible to specify the information on the point where the additional information of the map information can be received, that is, the necessity of the location information of the gas station or convenience store where the high-speed wireless network is installed. Thereby, the user can acquire the additional information of new map information as needed. In addition, for example, in the case of a gas station, the details of the gas station that the user is a member of, or in the case of a tourist spot, such as a hot spring or a ski resort, will suit the user's purpose. You may make it possible to specify.

The user can specify one or more of the above selection criteria. In addition, the user can set a priority for the selection criterion. Thereby, the vehicle-mounted computer 20 acquires the additional information of map information in an order from a high priority information. Therefore, even when the time spent in a convenience store or the like where a wireless network is installed is short and all information to be acquired cannot be downloaded and acquired, the in-vehicle computer 20 obtains information with high priority. It becomes possible. The priority can be determined based on relative criteria such as high level, medium level, and low level.

FIG. 4 is an example of an input screen for selection criteria. The user designates an information category desired to be acquired and its priority from the displayed information categories. In this example, the user designates acquisition of additional information related to map data, a gas station, a convenience store, a restaurant, and a point where information can be received. In addition, the user sets the priority of additional information related to map data, gas stations, and information receiving points to “high”, the priority of information related to convenience stores to “medium”, and the priority of information related to restaurants. “Low” is set.

Furthermore, by assigning an identifier such as a user ID to each user, each user must make a specification that suits his / her purpose and interest even when the vehicle is used by a plurality of users. Can do. For example, when the user starts using the in-vehicle computer 20, the user identifier is input to the in-vehicle computer 20 by causing the in-vehicle computer 20 to read a card or the like that is manually input or stores a user ID. The in-vehicle computer 20 stores the additional information selection criterion set by the user in association with the user ID.
By enabling the selection of information as described above, it is possible to reduce the amount of data to be transferred and display information that meets each user's request.

  The storage unit 202 stores various information such as vehicle position information, remaining fuel information, fuel consumption information, and additional information selection criteria input to the input unit 201.

The determination unit 203 determines a movable range of the vehicle based on the vehicle position information stored in the storage unit 202. The movable range is a range of distance that can be moved starting from the position of the vehicle. When the remaining fuel information and fuel consumption information can be used, the movable distance can be calculated by dividing the remaining fuel amount by the fuel consumption. When the remaining fuel information and fuel consumption information cannot be used, a certain distance (for example, 100 km) from the position of the vehicle may be set as a movable range. The determination unit 203 stores the determined vehicle movable range information in the storage unit 202.

The request unit 204 extracts the movable range information and the additional information selection criterion information (personalized information) determined by the determination unit 203 from the storage unit 202 and transmits them to the information providing system 50. More specifically, with respect to the position information, latitude / longitude information indicating the current position, latitude / longitude information indicating the movable range, and direction information (for example, north The request unit 204 transmits "00", "04" for the east, "08" for the south, and "12" for the west) to the information providing system 50. Regarding the personalized information, the request unit 204 transmits information on the category and priority of information that the user wants to receive to the information providing system 50.
In the initial communication with the information providing system 50, the in-vehicle computer 20 transmits a model identification code indicating the model, version, and the like to the information providing system 50. Thereby, the information providing system 50 can provide data in a format suitable for the model of the in-vehicle computer 20.

The acquisition unit 205 receives additional information of the map information selected by the information providing system 50 based on the information transmitted from the request unit 204 from the information providing system 50.

The update unit 206 reflects the information in the map information database 207 in response to the acquisition unit 205 receiving additional map information from the information providing system 50. As a result, the map information database 207 holds the latest map information for the movable range of the vehicle.

The map information database 207 stores map data and spot information. In order to be able to update the map data and spot information, an updatable storage medium such as a DVD or HDD is used.

  The display control unit 208 takes out the map information from the map information database 207 and displays it on the display screen of the in-vehicle computer 20.

  FIG. 5 shows the functions of the information providing system 50 classified into functional blocks. The information providing system 50 includes an acquisition unit 501, a storage unit 502, a selection unit 504, an additional information database 505, a transmission history storage unit 506, and a transmission unit 507.

The acquisition unit 501 acquires movable range information and additional information selection criterion information transmitted from the in-vehicle computer 20.

  The storage unit 502 stores the vehicle movable range information and additional information selection criterion information acquired by the acquisition unit 501.

On the basis of the movable range information and additional information selection criteria information stored in the storage unit 502, the selection unit 503 receives the in-vehicle computer 20 from the additional information database 504 that stores map data and spot information such as sightseeing spots and restaurants. The additional information of the map information to be transmitted to is selected and extracted. That is, the selection unit 503 selects information that is within the specified latitude / longitude range and that the user designates as necessary. At that time, the transmission history information stored in the transmission history storage unit 506 is searched, and if the selected information includes information already transmitted to the in-vehicle computer 20, the transmitted information is transmitted. Remove from target. Thereby, duplicate transmission can be prevented.

The transmission history storage unit 506 stores information transmitted to the in-vehicle computer 20 and a transmission date. By searching the transmission history storage unit 506 based on the selected information and the last update date, it can be determined whether the selected information has been sent to the in-vehicle computer 20. The selection unit 503 requests the transmission unit 506 to transmit the selected information, and stores the transmitted information and the transmission date in the transmission history storage unit 506.

The transmission unit 506 transmits the selected additional information to the in-vehicle computer 20 according to the designated priority.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing in which the in-vehicle computer 20 acquires additional information of map information from the information providing system 50. The in-vehicle computer 20 determines whether or not the area can communicate (S600). On the condition that communication is not possible (S600: NO), it is repeated periodically to determine whether or not the area can communicate. On the other hand, on condition that the area is communicable (S600: YES), the input unit 201 acquires vehicle position information (S601), remaining fuel information (S602), and fuel consumption information (S603). . These pieces of information can be acquired in an arbitrary order, and can also be acquired in parallel. The determination unit 205 determines the movable range of the vehicle in response to acquiring the vehicle position information, the remaining fuel information, and the fuel consumption information (S604). The request unit 204 receives the movable range information from the determination unit 203, extracts the additional information selection criterion from the storage unit 202, and transmits it to the information providing system 50 (S605).

  In response to the acquisition unit 501 of the information providing system 50 receiving the movable range information and the additional information selection criterion from the in-vehicle computer 20 (S606), the selection unit 603 transmits from the additional information database 504 based on the information. Map data and spot information (additional information of map information) to be selected are selected (S608). The transmission unit 606 transmits the additional information of the selected map information to the in-vehicle computer 20 according to the designated priority (S609), and stores a transmission history for the transmitted information (S610).

  In response to the acquisition unit 205 of the in-vehicle computer 20 receiving the additional information of the map information from the information providing system 50 (S611), the update unit 206 receives the additional map information stored in the map information database 207. Update using the information (S612).

FIG. 7 shows the functions of the in-vehicle computer 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. The in-vehicle computer 20 includes an input unit 701, a storage unit 702, a request unit 704, an acquisition unit 705, an update unit 706, a map information database 707, and a display control unit 708. The difference between the in-vehicle computer 20 in the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the in-vehicle computer 20 in the present embodiment does not have the determining unit 203 of the in-vehicle computer 20 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle computer 20 does not determine the movable range of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the in-vehicle computer 20 uses the information providing system 50 from the request unit 704 to obtain the vehicle position information acquired by the input unit 201, the remaining fuel information, the fuel consumption information, and the selection criteria extracted from the storage unit 702. Send to. Other components of the in-vehicle computer 20 in the present embodiment are the same as those of the in-vehicle computer 20 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 shows the functions of the information providing system 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. The information providing system 50 includes an acquisition unit 801, a storage unit 802, a determination unit 803, a selection unit 804, an additional information database 805, a transmission history storage unit 806, and a transmission unit 807. The information providing system 50 in the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the information providing system 50 in the present embodiment has a determination unit 803 in addition to the components of the information providing system 50 in the first embodiment. It is. In the present embodiment, the information providing system 50 determines the movable range of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 803 of the information providing system 50 determines the movable range of the vehicle based on the vehicle position information acquired by the acquisition unit 801. When the remaining fuel information and the fuel consumption information can be used, it is possible to determine the movable range of the vehicle with higher accuracy by using these information. Other components of the information providing system 50 in the present embodiment are the same as those of the information providing system 50 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of processing in which the in-vehicle computer 20 in the second embodiment of the present invention acquires additional information of map information from the information providing system 50. In the present embodiment, since the in-vehicle computer 20 does not determine the movable range of the vehicle, the request unit 704 receives the vehicle position information, remaining fuel information, fuel consumption information, and additional information selection criteria from the storage unit 702. The information is taken out and transmitted to the information providing system 50 (S905). In response to the acquisition unit 801 of the information providing system 50 receiving vehicle position information and the like from the in-vehicle computer 20 (S906), the determination unit 803 determines the movable range of the vehicle based on these information (S907). ). Other steps in the flowchart in the present embodiment are the same as those in the information providing system 50 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 that functions as the in-vehicle computer 20 or the information providing system 50. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001 and a main memory 1003 connected to a bus 1002. Removable storage (external storage system capable of exchanging recording media) such as hard disk devices 1013 and 1030, CD-ROM devices 1026 and 1029, flexible disk device 1020, MO device 1028 and DVD-ROM device 1031 is an IDE controller 1025. Are connected to the bus 1002 via the SCSI controller 1027 and the like. For example, the hard disk devices 1013 and 1030 may function as the map information databases 207 and 707 shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 or the additional information databases 505 and 805 or the transmission history storage units 506 and 806 shown in FIGS. Good.

  A storage medium such as a flexible disk, MO, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM is inserted into the removable storage. In these storage media, the hard disk devices 1013 and 1030, and the ROM 1014, a code of a computer program for carrying out the present invention can be recorded by giving instructions to the CPU or the like in cooperation with the operating system. The computer program is executed by being loaded into the main memory 1004. The computer program can be compressed or divided into a plurality of pieces and recorded on a plurality of media. The operations that the program causes the information processing apparatus 100 to perform are the same as the operations in the in-vehicle computer 20 and the information providing system 50 described with reference to FIGS.

  The information processing apparatus receives input from a user interface device such as a keyboard 1006 and a mouse 1007 via a keyboard / mouse controller 1005. The information processing apparatus 100 is connected via a DAC / LCDC 1010 to a display device 1011 for presenting visual data to the user.

  The information processing apparatus can connect to a network via a network adapter 1018 (Ethernet (R) card or token ring card) or the like, and can communicate with other computers.

  From the above description, the information processing apparatus 100 suitable for realizing the in-vehicle computer 20 or the information providing system 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus such as a mainframe, a workstation, a normal personal computer, or the like. It will be easily understood that these can be realized by a combination thereof. However, these constituent elements are examples, and not all the constituent elements are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  Various modifications such as combining a plurality of machines with each hardware component of the information processing apparatus 100 used in the embodiment of the present invention and allocating and executing functions to them can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art. Of course. These modifications are naturally included in the concept of the present invention.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the system 10. FIG. 2 shows the functions of the in-vehicle computer 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing how information to be acquired is narrowed down based on route information. FIG. 4 shows an example of an input screen for additional information selection criteria. FIG. 5 shows the functions of the information providing system 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing in which the in-vehicle computer 20 in the first embodiment of the present invention acquires additional information of map information from the information providing system 50. FIG. 7 shows the functions of the in-vehicle computer 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. FIG. 8 shows the functions of the information providing system 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention classified into functional blocks. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of processing in which the in-vehicle computer 20 in the second embodiment of the present invention acquires additional information of map information from the information providing system 50. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 that functions as the in-vehicle computer 20 or the information providing system 50.

Explanation of symbols

10 system 20 in-vehicle computer 50 information providing system 100 information processing apparatus 201 input unit 202 storage unit 203 determination unit 204 request unit 205 acquisition unit 206 update unit 207 map information database 208 display control unit 501 acquisition unit 502 storage unit 504 selection unit 505 Additional information database 506 Transmission history storage unit 507 Transmission unit 701 Input unit 702 Storage unit 704 Request unit 705 Acquisition unit 706 Update unit 707 Map information database 708 Display control unit 801 Acquisition unit 802 Storage unit 803 Determination unit 804 Selection unit 805 Additional information database 806 Transmission history storage unit 807 Transmission unit D Destination R Route P Current position L Moveable distance C Moveable range

Claims (11)

In a computer that can be installed in a vehicle that stores map information, a method for acquiring additional information of map information from a server system connected via a network,
Storing vehicle position information;
Determining a movable range of the vehicle based on the position information;
Transmitting information identifying the movable range of the vehicle to the server system, and requesting additional information of map information;
Obtaining additional information of the map information within the movable range of the vehicle from the server system. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing the remaining fuel information of the vehicle, wherein the movable range of the vehicle is determined based on the position information of the vehicle and the remaining fuel information. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a specified selection criterion to the server system, wherein the additional information of the map information is selected based on the selection criterion. The method according to claim 3, wherein the selection criterion is route information set in the computer. The method of claim 3, wherein the selection criterion is a user preference set on the computer. The method according to claim 3, wherein the selection criterion is driver information set in the computer. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the additional information of the selected map is obtained according to a priority associated with the selection criteria. The program which makes a computer system perform each step contained in the method of Claim 1 thru | or 7. A computer that can be installed in a vehicle that stores map information,
A storage unit for storing the acquired vehicle position information;
A determination unit that determines a movable range of the vehicle based on the position information;
A request unit that transmits information identifying the movable range to the server system and requests additional information of the map information;
And an acquisition unit that acquires additional information of the map information within a movable range of the vehicle from the server system. In a server system provided with an additional information database of map information, a method for providing additional information of map information to a computer that can be mounted on a vehicle connected via a network,
Obtaining vehicle position information from the computer;
Determining a movable range of the vehicle based on the position information of the vehicle;
Selecting additional information of map information within the movable range of the vehicle from the additional information database of the map information;
Transmitting the selected additional information to the computer;
Including methods. A system for providing additional information of map information to a computer that can be mounted on a vehicle connected via a network,
Additional information database of map information,
A storage unit for storing vehicle position information acquired from the computer;
A determination unit that determines a movable range of the vehicle based on the position information of the vehicle;
A selection unit for selecting additional information of the map information within the movable range of the vehicle from the additional information database of the map information;
A transmission unit for transmitting the selected additional information to the computer;
Including system.

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