JP2008020202A - System and method for distributing map information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information distribution system capable of accurately managing an update history of map information stored in a navigation apparatus at a map information distribution center. <P>SOLUTION: The map information distribution center 3 stores distribution management information constituted of both distribution identification ID for identifying extracted difference data and the difference data in a distribution management information DB 19 and transmits the distribution identification ID and the difference data to the navigation apparatus 2 (S114-S115). The navigation apparatus 2 transmits the received distribution identification ID and navigation identification ID to the map information distribution center 3 in the case that navigation map information 38 is updated on the basis of the received difference data (S12-S16). The map information distribution center 3 reads distribution management information corresponding to the received distribution identification ID from the distribution management information DB 19 and updates update history information specified by the received navigation identification ID (S116-S118). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information distribution system, and more particularly to a map information distribution system that distributes update information for updating map information from a map information distribution center to a navigation device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation device is often mounted on a vehicle that provides vehicle travel guidance so that a driver can easily arrive at a desired destination. Here, the navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle with a GPS receiver or the like, acquires map data corresponding to the current position through a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or HDD, or a network, and displays it on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a device that can do. Then, map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from a recording medium or the like, a map image around the current position of the vehicle is drawn based on the map data and displayed on the display device, and the vehicle position mark is overlaid on the map image. You can also see at a glance which point the vehicle is currently driving by scrolling the map image as the vehicle moves, or by fixing the map image to the screen and moving the vehicle position mark I have to.

Here, new roads (new roads) are built every year in Japan. Along with this, the existing road disappears or the shape of the existing road is changed. Therefore, it is necessary to update the map data stored in the navigation device at a certain time interval. Here, the update of the map data can be done by purchasing a new DVD and replacing it with an old DVD, writing map data to the HDD at a store, or updating the contents of the HDD based on map data distributed from a map information distribution center or the like. It is done by rewriting.
Therefore, various map information distribution systems have been proposed in which update information for updating map data stored in the navigation device is automatically distributed from the map information distribution center to the navigation device.

For example, when requesting difference data for updating map information from the navigation device to the map information distribution center, a navigation identification ID for identifying the navigation device and a mesh number for updating the map information are transmitted. Further, the map information distribution center compares the version of the map information stored in the navigation device for the mesh with the latest version from the received navigation identification ID and mesh number, and if there is difference data, There is a map information distribution system configured to transmit this difference data to a navigation device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-125510 A (paragraphs (0032) to (0040), (0046) to (0063), FIG. 15 to FIG. 18, FIG. 20 to FIG. 29)

  However, in the map information distribution system described in Patent Document 1, the mesh number for updating the map information is transmitted from the navigation device to the map information distribution center. Therefore, if the mesh number to be updated is transmitted each time, the navigation device There is a problem that the amount of communication data between the map information distribution center and the map information distribution center increases. Further, when the navigation device is updated based on the map information recorded in the storage medium, the map information distribution center cannot know the current version of the map information stored in the navigation device, and the minimum necessary There is a problem that differential data with a limited amount of data cannot be extracted and transmitted to the navigation device.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can reduce the amount of communication data when requesting update of map information from the navigation device to the map information distribution center. An object of the present invention is to provide a map information distribution system capable of accurately managing an update history of map information stored in a navigation device in a map information distribution center. Further, even when the navigation device is updated based on the map information recorded in the storage medium, the map information that can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device in the map information distribution center. An object is to provide a distribution system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a map information distribution system according to claim 1 includes a navigation device (2) that updates map information based on received update information, and a map information distribution center that distributes update information to the navigation device ( 3), the navigation device (2) includes update request information for requesting update information of a predetermined area of the map information and identification information for identifying the navigation device. Request information transmitting means (23, 27) for transmitting to the distribution center, wherein the map information distribution center (3) includes request information receiving means (16) for receiving the update request information and identification information; Corresponding to the map information storage means (14) for storing the map information and the identification information of the navigation device, the navigation device Version information storage means (15) for storing version information of stored map information, and a version of map information in a predetermined area stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information based on the received identification information First extraction means (10, 18) for acquiring information from the version information storage means, and extracting difference data from the map information storage means with the latest version of map information based on the acquired version information; First update information for transmitting difference data extracted through the first extraction means and first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data to a navigation device corresponding to the identification information received through the request information receiving means. A transmission means (10, 16), an identification information receiving means (16) for receiving the first distribution identification information and the identification information; Based on the different information, the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the version information storage means, and the version information of the predetermined area in the acquired version information is obtained. First version information update control means (10, 15, 19) for controlling to update based on the received first distribution identification information, wherein the navigation device includes the difference data and the first distribution identification information. And the update information receiving means (27) for receiving the information, and updating the map information in the predetermined area based on the received difference data. First update control means (23) for controlling to transmit the first distribution identification information and the identification information to the map information distribution center. The

  Further, the map information distribution system according to claim 2 is the map information distribution system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device (2) detects the state of the own vehicle (21). ), A destination setting means (24) for setting the destination, an update point storage means (22) for storing the update points registered in advance, and a flag setting means (23) for setting the coordinate flag on or off And the request information transmitting means (23, 27), when the state of the host vehicle detected by the host vehicle state detecting means is an engine start, The coordinate position of the update point is transmitted as the update request information, and when the vehicle state detected by the vehicle state detection means is the destination setting time, the coordinate flag set to OFF and the destination Coordinate position and When the map information distribution center (3) receives the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to ON via the request information receiving means (16), the map information distribution center (3) transmits the update request information. When the first area centered on the coordinate position is selected as the area, and the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to OFF are received via the request information receiving means (16), the predetermined area is It has the area | region selection means (10) which selects the 2nd area | region centering on this coordinate position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, the map information distribution system according to claim 3 is the map information distribution system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the navigation device (2) includes the map information relating to a predetermined distribution area and the map. Based on the reading means (28) for reading the map information and the second distribution identification information from the storage medium (6) for storing the second distribution identification information for identifying information, and the map information read via the reading means. When the map information in the distribution area is updated and the map information in the distribution area can be updated, the second distribution identification information and the identification information read through the reading means are used as the map information. Second update control means (23) for controlling to transmit to the distribution center, and the map information distribution center (3) communicates with the communication terminal device (5) via the request information receiving means (16). Before Second update means (10, 14) for extracting the latest version of map information in the distribution area from the map information storage means when update request information for requesting update information of the distribution area of map information is received. ) And second update information transmission means (10, 10) for transmitting the map information in the distribution area extracted through the second extraction means and the second distribution identification information for identifying the map information to the communication terminal device. 16) and the second distribution identification information and the identification information via the identification information receiving means, the navigation device corresponding to the identification information stores the identification information based on the received identification information. Based on the second distribution identification information received from the version information storage means and the version information of the distribution area in the acquired version information. Second version information update control means (10, 15, 19) for controlling to update and the communication terminal device (5) receives the received map information in the distribution area and the second distribution. It has a recording means (5A) which records the identification information on the storage medium so that the reading means can read it.

In the map information distribution system according to claim 1 having the above configuration, the navigation device transmits update request information for requesting update information of a predetermined area of the map information and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center. To do.
When the map information distribution center receives the update request information and the identification information, the map information distribution center, based on the received identification information, stores the map information of the predetermined area stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information. Version information is acquired from the version information storage means, and difference data with the latest version of map information is extracted from the map information storage means based on the acquired version information. Further, the map information distribution center transmits the extracted difference data and first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data to the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information.

On the other hand, when the navigation device receives the difference data and the first distribution identification information, the navigation device can update the map information in the predetermined area based on the received difference data, and can update the map information in the predetermined area. If received, the received first distribution identification information and identification information for identifying the navigation device are transmitted to the map information distribution center. The map information distribution center receives the first distribution identification information and the identification information. In this case, based on the received identification information, the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the version information storage means, The version information of the predetermined area is updated based on the received first distribution identification information.

  Thus, when requesting update of map information from the navigation device to the map information distribution center, update request information for requesting update information from the navigation device to the map information distribution center and identification information for identifying the navigation device. It is only necessary to transmit, and the amount of communication data at the time of an update request can be reduced. Further, only the difference data extracted from the map information distribution center to the navigation device and the first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data need only be transmitted, and the amount of communication data to be transmitted for updating the map information of the navigation device can be reduced. Can be reduced.

  Further, when the map information distribution center receives the first distribution identification information transmitted together with the difference data and the identification information for identifying the navigation device, the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information stores it. Navigation by obtaining the version information of the map information from the version information storage means and updating the version information of the predetermined area in the obtained version information to the version of the difference data corresponding to the received first distribution identification information The update history of the map information stored in the device can be managed accurately, and the version information of the map information currently stored in the navigation device can be managed accurately.

  Furthermore, since the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device, the update request information and the identification information for identifying the navigation device are received from the navigation device. It is possible to extract the minimum necessary difference data for updating the map information of the navigation device, and further reduce the amount of communication data transmitted to update the map information of the navigation device. Become.

In the map information distribution system according to claim 2, the navigation device, when the engine is started, displays the coordinate flag set on as update request information and the coordinate position of the update point registered in advance as map information. Send to distribution center. When the map information distribution center receives the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to ON as the update request information, the map information distribution center selects the first area centered on this coordinate position as the predetermined area for updating the map information. To do. In addition, when the destination is set, the navigation apparatus transmits the coordinate flag set as OFF as the update request information and the coordinate position of the destination to the map information distribution center. When the map information distribution center receives the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to OFF as the update request information, the map information distribution center selects the second area centered on this coordinate position as the predetermined area for updating the map information. To do.
As a result, the navigation device only needs to transmit the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to ON or OFF as the update request information to the map information distribution center, and the communication data amount at the time of the update request can be further reduced.

Furthermore, in the map information distribution system according to claim 3, when the map information distribution center receives the update request information requesting the update information of the distribution area of the map information from the communication terminal device, the latest information in the distribution area is received. The map information of the version is extracted. The map information distribution center transmits the extracted map information in the distribution area and second distribution identification information for identifying the map information to the communication terminal device.
When the communication terminal device receives the map information in the distribution area and the second distribution identification information for identifying the map information, the communication terminal apparatus obtains the received map information and the second distribution identification information in the distribution area. It is recorded in a storage medium so that it can be read by the reading means of the navigation device.

On the other hand, the navigation device reads map information from the storage medium via the reading means and updates the map information in the distribution area. In addition, when the navigation apparatus can update the map information in the distribution area, the navigation apparatus reads the second distribution identification information from the storage medium via the reading unit, and the second distribution identification information and the navigation apparatus are read. Identification information to be identified is transmitted to the map information distribution center.
When the map information distribution center receives the second distribution identification information and the identification information, the map information version stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information is based on the received identification information. Information is acquired from the version information storage means, and the version information of the distribution area in the acquired version information is updated based on the received second distribution identification information.

As a result, the navigation apparatus can update the map information in the distribution area to the latest version of the map information by reading the map information from the storage medium and updating the map information in the distribution area.
Further, when the navigation apparatus reads the map information from the storage medium via the reading unit and updates the map information in the distribution area, the navigation apparatus reads the second distribution identification information from the storage medium, and this second distribution. By transmitting the identification information and the identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center, the map information distribution center stores the navigation device corresponding to the identification information based on the received identification information. The version information of the map information is acquired from the version information storage means, and the version information of the predetermined area in the acquired version information is updated to the latest version of the map information in the distribution area corresponding to the received second distribution identification information. Even if the navigation device updates the map information via the storage medium by updating, this navigation ® emission device becomes possible to accurately manage the updating history of map information stored in, can be further accurately manage the version information of the map information which the navigation device is currently stored.

  Further, even when the navigation device updates the map information via the storage medium, the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device. When the update request information and the identification information for identifying the navigation device are received, it is possible to accurately extract the minimum necessary difference data for updating the map information of the navigation device. It is possible to further reduce the amount of communication data transmitted to update the information.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a map information distribution system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment that is embodied.

  First, a schematic configuration of the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mechanism of map data version management in the map information distribution center 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a map information distribution system 1 according to this embodiment includes a navigation device 2, a map information distribution center 3 that distributes update information for updating map information to the navigation device 2, and a network 4. And a PC (Personal Computer) 5 owned by the user of the navigation device 2 that can be connected to the network 4 or a store. The navigation device 2 and the map information distribution center 3, and the PC 5 and the map information distribution center 3 are configured to be able to transmit and receive various types of information via the network 4. The configuration of the navigation device 2 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the map information distribution center 3 includes a server 10, a center side map information DB 14 as a map information recording unit connected to the server 10, a navigation update history information DB 15, and a center side communication device. 16, a difference data management DB 18, and a distribution management information DB 19. In addition, the server 10 includes an arithmetic device that controls the entire server 10, a CPU 11 as a control device, a RAM 12 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 11 performs various arithmetic processes, and a navigation device 2 as described later. Of the map information stored in the navigation device 2 based on the request, the update information for updating the map information of the distribution target area to the new version of the map information is extracted from the center-side map information DB 14 and this update information. And an internal storage device such as a ROM 13 in which various control programs for performing a navigation map information update process to be distributed to the navigation device 2 are recorded. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 11.

In the center-side map information DB 14, update map information 17, which is basic map information for updating the map information created in the map information distribution center 3 and stored in the navigation device 2, is classified for each version. Has been remembered. Further, a part of the map information stored in the current navigation device 2 (for example, an area of 80 km square centered on the current position of the vehicle or a pre-registered home point) or all of the map information is updated. The update information (hereinafter referred to as “difference data”) for updating to the latest version stored in 17 is also stored separately for each version.
Here, the version is creation time information for specifying the time when the map information is created, and the time when the map information is created can be specified by referring to the version.

  The update map information 17 stored in the center-side map information DB 14 stores various information necessary for route guidance and map display by the navigation device 2, for example, for displaying a map. Map display data, intersection data relating to each intersection, node data relating to node points, link data relating to roads (links) as a kind of facility, search data for searching for a route, POI (Point of points) such as stores that are a kind of facility Store data related to (Interest), search data for searching for points, and the like.

  Here, in particular, the map display data is divided into 4 (length 1/2), 16 (1/4), and 64 (1/8) based on a secondary mesh partitioned by 10 km × 10 km. Each unit is configured so that the data amount of each unit is approximately the same level. The smallest 64 division size unit is about 1.25 km square.

  Node data includes actual road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node point coordinates (positions) set for each road according to the radius of curvature, etc., nodes Node attribute indicating whether or not is a node corresponding to an intersection, connection link number list that is a list of link numbers of links connected to the node, adjacent node that is a list of node numbers of nodes adjacent to the node via the link Data relating to the number list, the height (altitude) of each node point, and the like are recorded.

  Link data includes the width of the road to which the link belongs, the gradient, the cant, the bank, the road surface condition, the number of lanes on the road, the number of lanes decreasing, and the width of the link data. The data indicating the radius, crossing, T-junction, corner entrance and exit, etc. with respect to the corner, data representing the downhill road, uphill road, etc. In addition to roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, etc., data representing toll roads such as national highways, urban highways, general toll roads, and toll bridges are recorded. Furthermore, regarding toll roads, data relating to entrance roads (rampways), toll gates (interchanges) and the like of toll roads are recorded.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the difference data for each road type is a high-speed automobile for each 2.5 km square division unit that divides the secondary mesh divided by 10 km × 10 km into 16 (1/4). National highways, urban expressways, motorway roads, general toll roads, high-standard road classifications consisting of 1-digit or 2-digit national roads, and general roads consisting of 3-digit national roads, major local roads, prefectural roads, municipal roads It is divided into three distribution road sections, a road section and a narrow street section composed of narrow streets, and is stored and managed in the update map information 17 for each version.
Hereinafter, a highway national highway, an urban highway, an automobile exclusive road, a general toll road, a one-digit or two-digit national road is referred to as a high-standard road. National roads, major local roads, prefectural roads and municipal roads with more than three digits are called general roads. A street such as a street narrower than a general road is called a narrow street.

  Here, in the difference data management DB 18, as will be described later, for each version of the update map information 17, a partition ID (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,...) Are set, and further, a difference data file name representing each difference data for each of the three distribution road sections obtained by dividing each area by road standards is stored. (See FIG. 5).

  In addition, as search data, data used for searching and displaying a route to a set destination is recorded, and costs for passing through a node (hereinafter referred to as node cost) and roads are configured. Cost data used for calculating a search cost including a cost of a link to be performed (hereinafter referred to as a link cost), route display data for displaying a route selected by the route search on a map of the liquid crystal display 25, and the like. Has been.

  Further, as store data, data on POIs such as hotels, hospitals, gas stations, parking lots, and tourist facilities in each region are recorded together with IDs that identify the POIs. The center-side map information DB 14 also records voice output data for outputting predetermined information by the speaker 26 of the navigation device 2.

On the other hand, in the navigation update history information DB 15, navigation update history information related to the update history in which the map information stored in each navigation device 2 has been updated so far is stored together with a navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2. The
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, as the navigation update history information 51 of each navigation device 2, for each “navigation identification ID” that identifies the navigation device 2, a “high standard” representing a high standard road, a general road, The navigation device 2 is currently assigned to the “section ID” that is divided into three distribution road sections of “general” representing the narrow street and “narrow street” representing the narrow street, and is assigned to each 2.5 km square area. The “version” of the map information stored in is stored.

For example, the “version” of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2 whose “navigation identification ID” is “1001” has the distribution road classification “high standard” for the area whose “section ID” is “A”. The map data version of “” is “1”, the map data version of the distribution road classification “general” is “2”, and the map data version of the distribution road classification “narrow street” is “1”. It has become.
Each time the map information of the navigation device 2 is updated as will be described later, the navigation update history information 51 includes the latest “version” corresponding to each “distribution road segment” of each updated “section ID”. It is stored and rewritten with a new update history (see FIG. 4).

Then, the map information distribution center 3 uses the latest version of the update map information 17 stored in the center-side map information DB 14 at the timing when the request from the navigation device 2 is received, and the navigation device The map information stored in 2 is updated.
Specifically, in the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a distribution request for the update map information 17 in the predetermined area from the navigation device 2, the newest version of the map information 17 for update is displayed. The update is performed by extracting the difference data for updating, assigning the “distribution identification ID” to the difference data, and distributing the difference data to the navigation device 2 as described later (see FIG. 4). Here, as the difference data transmitted to the navigation device 2, the minimum necessary “distribution road” for updating the map information stored in the current navigation device 2 to the newest update map information 17. Send information for each category.

  Further, in the distribution management information DB 19, for each “distribution identification ID” assigned to the difference data distributed to the navigation device 2, a “section ID” indicating each section of the distribution target area of this difference data, and each “section” The “version” of each “distribution road segment” updated in “ID” is stored (see FIG. 8).

The map information distribution center 3 may be operated by any one of an individual, a company, a group, a local government, a government-related organization, or the like, or may be operated by a VICS (registered trademark) center.
The network 4 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a mobile phone line network, a telephone line network, a public communication line network, a dedicated communication line network, a communication line network such as the Internet, etc. Can be used. A communication system using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, or the like by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, a communication system such as a non-stop automatic fee payment system (ETC) or a narrow area communication system (DSRC) used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS) can also be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a PC (Personal Computer) 5 owned by a user of the navigation device 2, a store, or the like communicates with the map information distribution center 3 via the network 4 and is updated for each prefecture. The latest version of the map information stored in the information 17 can be received. Further, the PC 5 includes a recording unit 5A that can record the received map information for each prefecture in the CD-ROM 6 as a storage medium so that the navigation device 2 can read the information by the reading unit 28 (see FIG. 3). If it can be read by the reading unit 28 of the navigation device 2, the magnetic disk such as a flexible disk, memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, MD, DVD, MO, IC card, optical card is used instead of the CD-ROM 6. Etc. may be used.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 2 constituting the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a current location detection processing unit 21 that detects the current location of the vehicle and a coordinate position (for example, latitude and longitude) of a home location registered in advance. ) And a data recording unit 22 in which various data are recorded, a navigation control unit 23 that performs various arithmetic processes based on the input information, an operation unit 24 that receives operations from an operator, and an operator On the other hand, a liquid crystal display 25 that displays information such as a map, a speaker 26 that outputs voice guidance related to route guidance, and a communication device 27 that communicates with an information center such as a traffic information center or map information distribution center 3 The reading unit 28 reads a predetermined version of map information recorded in units of prefectures from a CD-ROM 6 as a storage medium. The navigation control unit 23 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 28 that detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle. The reading unit 28 may be configured to be able to read not only the CD-ROM 6 but also map information recorded on a DVD.

  The components constituting the navigation device 2 will be described below. The current location detection processing unit 21 includes a GPS 31, a geomagnetic sensor 32, a distance sensor 33, a steering sensor 34, a gyro sensor 35 as an azimuth detection unit, and an altimeter (not shown). And the like, and it is possible to detect the current position, direction, distance to a target (for example, an intersection), and the like.

  Specifically, the GPS 31 detects the current location and current time of the vehicle on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites, and the geomagnetic sensor 32 measures the direction of the vehicle by measuring the geomagnetism. The distance sensor 33 detects a distance between predetermined positions on the road. Here, as the distance sensor 33, for example, the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) of the vehicle is measured, a sensor that detects the distance based on the measured rotational speed, the acceleration is measured, and the measured acceleration is 2 A sensor that integrates the times and detects the distance can be used.

  The steering sensor 34 detects the rudder angle of the host vehicle. Here, as the steering sensor 34, for example, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown), a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like is used.

  And the gyro sensor 35 detects the turning angle of the own vehicle. Here, as the gyro sensor 35, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Further, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 35, the vehicle direction can be detected.

  The data recording unit 22 reads an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a storage medium, a navigation side map information DB 37 stored in the hard disk, a predetermined program, and the like, and writes predetermined data in the hard disk. And a recording head (not shown) which is a driver for this purpose. In this embodiment, a hard disk is used as the external storage device and storage medium of the data recording unit 22, but in addition to the hard disk, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk can be used as the external storage device. Also, a memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, etc. can be used as an external storage device.

Here, the navigation-side map information DB 37 stores navigation map information 38 that is used for travel guidance and route search of the navigation device 2 and is to be updated by the map information distribution center 3. Here, the navigation map information 38 is composed of various information necessary for route guidance and map display in the same way as the update map information 17. For example, new road information and a map for specifying each new road are displayed. Map display data for display, intersection data for each intersection, node data for node points, link data for roads (links) as a type of facility, search data for searching for routes, stores as a type of facility, etc. It consists of store data related to POI, search data for searching points, and the like. Since details of each data have already been described, details thereof are omitted here.
The contents of the navigation-side map information DB 37 are obtained by downloading update information such as difference data distributed from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27 and updated map information recorded in the CD-ROM 6 described later. Updated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation control unit 23 constituting the navigation device 2 is a computing device that performs overall control of the navigation device 2, a CPU 41 as a control device, and working when the CPU 41 performs various types of computation processing. In addition to the RAM 42 that stores route data when a route is searched, a control program, which is used as a memory, and a navigation map information update processing program that is executed when starting the engine or setting a destination as described later An internal storage device such as a flash memory 44 for storing a ROM 43 storing a program (see FIG. 4 and the like) and a program read from the ROM 43 is provided. As the RAM 42, ROM 43, flash memory 44, etc., a semiconductor memory, a magnetic core or the like is used. As the arithmetic device and the control device, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 41.

  In this embodiment, various programs are stored in the ROM 43, and various data are stored in the data recording unit 22. However, the programs, data, and the like are stored in the same external storage device, memory card. It is also possible to read out a program, data, etc. from the flash memory 44 and so on. Further, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging a memory card or the like.

  Furthermore, the navigation control unit 23 is electrically connected to peripheral devices (actuators) of the operation unit 24, the liquid crystal display 25, the speaker 26, the communication device 27, and the reading unit 28.

  The operation unit 24 is operated when correcting the current location at the start of travel, inputting a departure point as a guidance start point and a destination as a guidance end point, or searching for information about facilities, and the like. And a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as destination setting buttons. Then, the navigation control unit 23 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. As the operation unit 24, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can be used. Furthermore, it can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 25.

  The liquid crystal display 25 also has operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, guidance route from the current location to the destination, guidance information along the guidance route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time, mail, TV program, etc. Is displayed. Instead of the liquid crystal display 25, it is also possible to use a CRT display, a plasma display, or the like, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on the windshield of a vehicle.

  In addition, the speaker 26 outputs a voice guidance that guides the traveling along the guidance route and the name of the facility that is the selected destination based on an instruction from the navigation control unit 23. Here, as voice guidance to be guided, for example, “New road to XX ski area has been updated”, “200m ahead, right at XX intersection” and “National road XX ahead” The route is congested. " Note that as the sound output from the speaker 26, in addition to the synthesized sound, various sound effects and various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory or the like can be output.

  The communication device 27 is a communication unit that communicates with the map information distribution center 3. As will be described later, the latest version of the update map information 17 and the like of the latest version in a predetermined section area with the map information distribution center 3. Send and receive. Further, in addition to the map information distribution center 3, for example, traffic consisting of information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, and service area congestion transmitted from the VICS (registered trademark) center or the like. It is also possible to receive information.

Next, in the map information distribution system 1 having the above-described configuration, the navigation map information 38 of the navigation side map information DB 37 executed by the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 and the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 is used when the engine is started or when the destination is set. A navigation map information update process executed for automatic update will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. The navigation map information 38 in the navigation-side map information DB 37 executed by the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 and the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 is set when the engine is started or the destination is set. It is a flowchart which shows the navigation map information update process performed in order to sometimes update automatically. 4 is stored in the ROM 43 of the navigation device 2 and the ROM 13 of the map information distribution center 3, and is executed by the CPUs 41 and 11, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 starts in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 11 when the ignition switch is turned on and the engine is started, that is, the accessory (ACC) is turned on. When the navigation device 2 is turned on, the destination has not yet been set, so the home location coordinate data (for example, the latitude and longitude of the home location, etc.) registered in advance in the data recording unit 22 (Hereinafter referred to as “registered home position”), and the coordinate data of the registered home position is stored in the RAM 42 as coordinate data to be transmitted to the map information distribution center 3. Further, the CPU 41 reads the home flag (coordinate flag) from the RAM 42 and sets the home flag to ON, that is, substitutes “1” for the home flag and stores it in the RAM 42 again. Then, the CPU 41 reads the coordinate data representing the registered home position and the home flag from the RAM 42, and together with the “navigation identification ID” (for example, the navigation identification ID “1001”) specifying the navigation device 2, the coordinates. The data and the home flag are transmitted to the map information distribution center 3.

  In S11, when the destination is set via the operation unit 24, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 stores the coordinate data of the destination in the RAM 42. Further, the CPU 41 reads the home flag from the RAM 42 and sets the home flag to OFF, that is, substitutes “0” for the home flag and stores the home flag in the RAM 42 again. Then, the CPU 41 reads out the coordinate data of the destination and the home flag from the RAM 42, and transmits the coordinate data and the home flag to the map information distribution center 3 together with the navigation identification ID for specifying the navigation device 2.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 coordinates data together with the navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2 transmitted from the navigation device 2 via the center side communication device 16 in S111. And the home flag, the navigation identification ID, coordinate data, and home flag are stored in the RAM 12.
Then, the CPU 11 reads the coordinate data and the home flag from the RAM 12 again. When the home flag is “1”, the CPU 11 reads the first area (for example, the coordinate data as the center). Is set as a distribution target area from which difference data is extracted. That is, the first area centered on the registered home position is set as a distribution target area from which difference data is extracted.

  Further, the CPU 11 reads the coordinate data and the home flag from the RAM 12 again. When the home flag is “0”, the CPU 11 reads a second area (for example, approximately 10 km square) centered on the coordinate data. Is set as a distribution target area from which difference data is extracted. That is, the second area centered on the destination is set as a distribution target area from which difference data is extracted.

  Subsequently, in S112, the CPU 11 reads the navigation identification ID received in S111 from the RAM 12, and updates the information related to the update history of the navigation device 2 specified by this navigation identification ID in the distribution target area set in S111. Each “distribution road segment” of “high standard”, “general”, and “narrow street” in each section (each mesh) of about 2.5 km × 2.5 km square of this distribution target area is read from the history information DB 15. The current version of each navigation device 2 is extracted and stored in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads the difference data file name representing the latest version of the difference data in each partition of the distribution target area from the difference data management DB 18, and the current version and the latest version of the navigation device 2 in each partition of this distribution target area. The difference data file name from the version is extracted and stored in the RAM 12. Subsequently, the CPU 11 reads the difference data corresponding to each difference data file name from the update map information 17 and stores it in the RAM 12.

Here, the current version and the latest version of the navigation device 2 for each “distribution road segment” of “high standard”, “general”, and “narrow street” in each section (each mesh) of the distribution target area executed by the CPU 11. An example of extracting difference data from the version will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. In order to simplify the description, the distribution target area is divided into two sections of about 2.5 km × 2.5 km square. However, when the distribution target area is 80 km square, the distribution target area is about 2.5 km × 2. The 5 km square section (mesh) is 1024 sections, and when the distribution target area is 10 km square, the section (mesh) of about 2.5 km × 2.5 km square is 16 sections.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the difference data management information 52 stored in the difference data management DB 18 of the map information distribution center 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the navigation update history information 53 stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 of the map information distribution center 3. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of difference data extracted in each section (each mesh) of the distribution target area.

As shown in FIG. 5, the difference data management information 52 stored in the difference data management DB 18 of the map information distribution center 3 includes “section IDs” (A, B, C, D,...), “Difference data file name” representing difference data for updating to the map information of “version 2” which is the latest version stored in the update map information 17 is classified by road standards. It is stored for each of the three distribution road segments.
For example, the “difference data file name” for updating the map information of the section of about 2.5 km square with the “section ID” “A” to “version 2” indicates that the “distribution road classification” indicates the high standard road. It is “2A1” for “high standard” and “2A2” for “general” in which “distribution road classification” represents a general road.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the navigation update history information 53 stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 of the map information distribution center 3 includes each “section ID” (A , B, C, D,...), “High standard” representing the high standard road stored in the navigation device 2 whose “navigation identification ID” is “1001”, and “ Stored is a “version” of map information for each of the three distribution road sections of “general” and “narrow street” representing a narrow street.
For example, the “version” of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2 whose “navigation identification ID” is “1001” has the distribution road classification “high standard” for the area whose “section ID” is “A”. The map data version of “” is “1”, the map data version of the distribution road classification “general” is “2”, and the map data version of the distribution road classification “narrow street” is “1”. It has become.

  When the CPU 11 receives “1001” as the “navigation identification ID” in S111 and stores it in the RAM 12, and sets the sections of the section IDs “A” and “B” as the distribution target areas, First, the “version” for each “distribution road segment” corresponding to each section ID “A” and “B” corresponding to “1001” of the “navigation identification ID” in the navigation update history information 53 is read and stored in the RAM 12. To do. Then, the CPU 11 reads out each “distribution road segment” corresponding to each section ID “A”, “B” from the difference data management information 52, and navigation update history information 53 corresponding to each of these read “distribution road segments”. Judgment processing for determining whether or not each “version” is “version 2” is performed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, when each “version” of the navigation update history information 53 corresponding to each “distribution road segment” read from the difference data management information 52 is not “version 2”, this “distribution” The “difference data file name” corresponding to “road classification” is read from the difference data management information 52, and the difference data file names “2A1”, “2B1”, and “2B2” are sequentially stored in the RAM 12. Subsequently, the CPU 11 reads “difference data” corresponding to the difference data file names “2A1”, “2B1”, and “2B2” from the update map information 17, and navigation with “navigation identification ID” “1001”. The difference data to be distributed to the device 2 is stored in the RAM 12.

Thereafter, in S113, the CPU 11 selects a “distribution identification ID” for identifying the extracted difference data, and stores it in the RAM 12.
In S <b> 114, the CPU 11 updates the “distribution identification ID” that identifies the extracted difference data, each “section ID” that represents each section in the distribution target area corresponding to the difference data, and the update in each section ID. The distribution management information composed of the “version” of each “distribution road segment” is stored in the distribution management information DB 19.

Here, an example of the distribution management information stored in the distribution management information DB 19 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution management information 54 corresponding to each difference data extracted from the distribution target area shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11 selects “T00001” as the “distribution identification ID” for identifying the “difference data” corresponding to the extracted difference data file names “2A1”, “2B1”, and “2B2”. Then, the “T00001” is stored in the “distribution identification ID” of the distribution management information 54. Further, the CPU 11 includes, in the “partition ID” of the distribution management information 54, each section ID “A” representing each section of the distribution target area corresponding to each difference data file name “2A1”, “2B1”, “2B2”, “B” and “B” are stored. In addition, the CPU 11 displays “high standard”, “high” indicating “distribution road classification” corresponding to each difference data file name “2A1”, “2B1”, “2B2” in “distribution road classification” of the distribution management information 54. “Standard” and “General” are stored. Further, the CPU 11 stores each version “2” representing “version” corresponding to each differential data file name “2A1”, “2B1”, “2B2” in “version” of the distribution management information 54.

In S115, the CPU 11 reads out the “difference data” extracted in S112 and the “distribution identification ID” added to the difference data in S113 from the RAM 21, and distributes them to the navigation device 2.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, “difference data” corresponding to each difference data file name “2A1”, “2B1”, “2B2”, and a distribution identification ID “T00001” assigned to this “difference data”. Is distributed to the navigation device 2.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 receives “difference data” and “distribution identification ID” from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27 in S12. The “difference data” and “distribution identification ID” are stored in the RAM 42.
In S13, the CPU 41 reads the received difference data from the RAM 12, and updates the map information of the distribution target area of the navigation map information 38 to the latest version of the map information.
Subsequently, in S14, the CPU 41 performs an update check of map information in the distribution target area of the navigation map information 38, and executes a determination process for determining whether or not there is a map information update error. If there is no map information update error in the distribution target area of the navigation map information 38, that is, if the map information in the distribution target area has been successfully updated (S14: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process of S15. To do. In S15, the CPU 41 reads out the “distribution identification ID” received in S12 from the RAM 42, and specifies the navigation device 2 that has transmitted the “distribution identification ID” to the map information distribution center 3 in S11. At the same time, the information is transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 to notify the update success of the navigation map information 38, and then the process is terminated.

  For example, when there is no map information update error in the section IDs “A” and “B” of the distribution target area of the navigation map information 38 (S14: YES), the CPU 41 determines the distribution identification ID “T00001” received in S12. ”And the navigation identification ID“ 1001 ”for identifying the navigation device 2 transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 in S11 are transmitted to the map information distribution center 3, and notification of successful update of the navigation map information 38 is made. The process ends.

On the other hand, when there is an update error of the map information in the distribution target area of the navigation map information 38, that is, when the update of the map information in the distribution target area fails (S14: NO), the CPU 41 performs the process of S16. Migrate to In S16, the CPU 41 transmits only the “navigation identification ID” for identifying the navigation device 2 transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 in S11 to the map information distribution center 3, and notifies the update failure of the navigation map information 38. Then, the process is terminated.
For example, the CPU 41 transmits only the navigation identification ID “1001” for identifying the navigation device 2 transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 in S11 to the map information distribution center 3, and notifies the update failure of the navigation map information 38. Then, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 receives the notification of the update success or the notification of the update failure of the navigation map information 38 transmitted from the navigation device 2 in S116, After the notification is stored in the RAM 12, the process proceeds to S117.
In S117, the CPU 11 reads this notification from the RAM 12 again, and whether or not the update of the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 has succeeded, that is, whether or not “distribution identification ID” and “navigation identification ID” have been received. A determination process is performed to determine whether or not. When the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID” have not been received, that is, when only the “navigation identification ID” has been received (S117: NO), the CPU 11 determines the “navigation identification ID”. It determines with the update process of the navigation map information 38 in the navigation apparatus 2 specified by having failed, and the said process is complete | finished.
Therefore, for example, when the “navigation identification ID” is “1001”, the navigation update history information 53 (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001” is not updated. .

On the other hand, when the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID” are received (S117: YES), the CPU 11 updates the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by the “navigation identification ID”. Is determined to have succeeded, and the process proceeds to S118.
In S <b> 118, the CPU 11 reads the “distribution identification ID” stored in S <b> 116 again from the RAM 12, reads the distribution management information corresponding to this “distribution identification ID” from the distribution management information DB 19, and stores it in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 uses the “version” of the update history information stored in the update history information DB 15 specified by the “navigation identification ID” stored in S 116 as each “partition ID” of the distribution management information stored in the RAM 12. After rewriting to “version” corresponding to “distribution road classification” and storing it again in the navigation update history information DB 15, the processing ends. Thereby, the update history information specified by this “navigation identification ID” stored in the update history information DB 15 is stored in the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 specified by this “navigation identification ID”. It will definitely match the version information.

Here, an example of the update of the navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 is updated based on the distribution management information 54 shown in FIG.
For example, when the distribution identification ID “T00001” and the navigation identification ID “1001” are received in S116, the CPU 11 determines the distribution identification from the distribution management information 54 (see FIG. 8) stored in the distribution management information DB 19. Each section ID “A”, “B”, “B” corresponding to the ID “T00001” and each version “2”, “2” corresponding to each distribution road classification “high standard”, “high standard”, “general” ”And“ 2 ”are read out and stored in the RAM 12.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 11 obtains the “version” of the update history information 53 (see FIG. 6) stored in the update history information DB 15 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001” stored in S116. Each of the distribution IDs “A”, “B”, “B” of the distribution management information 54 (see FIG. 8) stored in the RAM 12 and the distribution road classifications “high standard”, “high standard”, “general”. The navigation update history information 55 is created by rewriting the versions “2”, “2”, and “2”, and stored again in the navigation update history information DB 15, and then the process ends.
Thus, the update history information 55 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001” stored in the update history information DB 15 is stored in the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001”. It will definitely match the current version information.

Next, in the map information distribution system 1 having the above-described configuration, the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 is based on the updated map information for each prefecture distributed from the map information distribution center 3 to the PC 5 and recorded in the CD-ROM 6. An update process for updating the navigation update history information stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 of the map information distribution center 3 when the map information distribution center 3 is updated will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a storage medium recording process for recording updated map information for each prefecture on the CD-ROM 6 executed between the map information distribution center 3 and the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a storage medium recording process for recording updated map information in units of prefectures on the CD-ROM 6 executed between the map information distribution center 3 and the PC 5 in the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. It is. Each program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is stored in the ROM 13 of the map information distribution center 3 and the ROM 73 (not shown) of the PC 5, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 and the CPU 71 (not shown) of the PC 5. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, the CPU 71 of the PC 5, in S <b> 211, “prefecture data” representing prefectures (for example, Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, Aichi, etc.) selected by the user; A “prefectural unit request signal” for requesting update information (difference data) of the map information of the selected prefecture is transmitted to the map information distribution center 3.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3, in S <b> 311, “prefecture data” representing the prefectures transmitted from the PC 5 via the center side communication device 16 and the map for each prefecture. When a “prefecture unit request signal” requesting update information (difference data) is received, the “prefecture data” is stored in the RAM 12.
Then, the CPU 11 reads this “prefecture data” from the RAM 12 again, sets the prefecture specified by the “prefecture data” as a distribution target area (distribution area) for each prefecture where differential data is extracted, and sets the difference data The latest version of differential data management information in each section in the distribution target area (distribution area) of the prefecture unit is read from the management DB 18 and stored in the RAM 12. Subsequently, the CPU 11 reads each difference data corresponding to each difference data file name of the difference data management information stored in the RAM 12 from the update map information 17 and stores it in the RAM 12.

For example, when the “prefecture data” read from the RAM 12 is “XX prefecture”, the CPU 11 sets “XX prefecture” as a distribution target area (distribution area) for each prefecture from which difference data is extracted. Then, about 2.5 km × 2.5 km square sections (each mesh) in this distribution target area (distribution area) are divided into sections “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”. In this case (see FIG. 14), from the difference data management information 52 (see FIG. 5) stored in the difference data management DB 18, the latest version of the difference data management for each of the partitions “A” to “E”. Information (“version”, “section ID”, “distribution road segment”, “difference data file name”) is sequentially read out and stored in the RAM 12. Therefore, the CPU 11 uses (“version 2”, “section A”, “high-standard road”, “2A1”), (“version 2”, “section A”, “general” as the latest version of differential data management information. , “2A2”),... (“Version 2”, “section E”, “narrow street”, “2E1”) are stored in the RAM 12. Subsequently, the CPU 11 updates the difference data corresponding to the difference data file names “2A1”, “2A2”, “2B1”,... 17 is read out and stored in the RAM 12.
In order to simplify the explanation, each section “A” to “E” is divided into approximately 2.5 km × 2.5 km square sections in “XX prefecture”, which is the distribution target area (distribution area) of each prefecture. 5 sections. Moreover, although “prefecture data” is set to one prefecture “XX prefecture”, a plurality of prefectures may be set as distribution target areas (distribution areas).

Subsequently, in S <b> 312, the CPU 11 selects a “distribution identification ID” that identifies the extracted difference data in units of prefectures, and stores it in the RAM 12.
In S <b> 313, the CPU 11 represents “distribution identification ID” for identifying the extracted difference data for each prefecture, and each section of the latest version of the difference data management information in each section in the distribution target area stored in the RAM 12. Distribution management information for creating PC distribution management information composed of each “section ID”, each “distribution road segment”, and each “version”, and managing difference data for each prefecture distributed to the PC 5 Is stored in the distribution management information DB 19.

Here, an example of the PC distribution management information stored in the distribution management information DB 19 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the PC distribution management information 61 stored in the distribution management information DB 19 in step 313 of FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the CPU 11 selects “P00001” as the “distribution identification ID” for identifying the difference data of the extracted “XX prefecture” in units of prefectures, and the “distribution identification ID” of the PC distribution management information 61. "P00001" is stored. The CPU 11 is difference data management information of the latest version of “XX prefecture” stored in the RAM 12 (“version 2”, “section A”, “high-standard road”, “2A1”), (“version 2 "," Section A "," general "," 2A2 "), ..., (" version 2 "," section E "," narrow street "," 2E1 ") to" section ID "," distribution road classification ”And“ version ”are sequentially read out, sequentially stored in“ section ID ”,“ distribution road classification ”, and“ version ”corresponding to the distribution identification ID“ P00001 ”of the PC distribution management information 61, and stored in the distribution management information DB 19. Remember.
Therefore, “A, A, B,..., E” are sequentially stored in the “section ID” of the PC distribution management information 61 specified by the distribution identification ID “P00001”, and the “distribution road section” is displayed. “High standard, general, high standard,..., Narrow street” are stored in order, and “version” stores version “2” in order.

In S <b> 314, the CPU 11 sets each “section ID” of the latest version of the difference data management information in each section of the distribution target area in the prefecture unit set in S <b> 311, each “distribution road section”, Each difference data corresponding to “ID” and “distribution identification ID” for identifying the difference data in units of prefectures extracted in S312 are read from the RAM 12, distributed to the PC 5, and the process is terminated.
For example, the CPU 11 determines each section ID “A, A, B,..., E” of the difference data management information for each prefecture of “XX prefecture” and each distribution road classification “high standard, general, high standard, .., Narrow street ”and each differential data“ 2A1, 2A2, 2B1,..., 2E1 ”corresponding to each differential data file name“ 2A1, 2A2, 2B1,. After reading the ID “P00001” from the RAM 12 and distributing it to the PC 5, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 71 of the PC 5 sends the “division ID” and the “distribution road” of the difference data management information from the map information distribution center 3 to the prefecture unit via the communication device 27 in S212. When “Division”, each difference data corresponding to each “division ID”, and “distribution identification ID” for identifying the difference data for each prefecture are received, these data are stored in the RAM 72 (not shown). Remember.
In S 213, the CPU 71 sends the “division ID”, the “distribution road classification”, the differential data corresponding to each “division ID” of the received difference data management information for each prefecture, and the prefecture The “distribution identification ID” for identifying the difference data of the unit is sequentially read out from the RAM 72 and is stored in the CD-ROM 6 via the recording unit 5A and the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 via the reading unit 28 as the updated map information of the prefecture unit. After recording so as to be readable, the processing ends.

Here, an example of the updated map information for each prefecture recorded in the CD-ROM 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of updated map information for each prefecture recorded in the CD-ROM 6 in step 213 of FIG.
From the map information distribution center 3 to the PC 5, each section ID “A, A, B,..., E” of the difference data management information for each prefecture “XX prefecture” and each distribution road classification “high standard, general , High standard,..., Narrow street ”, each difference data“ 2A1, 2A2, 2B1,..., 2E1 ”and distribution identification ID“ P00001 ”are distributed, the CPU 71 of the PC 5 12, “P00001” is stored in the “distribution identification ID”, and each section “A, A, B,..., E” is sequentially stored in the “section ID”. "High standard, general, high standard, ..., narrow street" are stored sequentially, and "2A1, 2A2, 2B1, ..., 2E1" are sequentially stored in "difference data" The map information 62 is created, and the updated map information 62 for each prefecture is displayed via the recording unit 5A. The -ROM6, readable record via the CPU41 the reading unit 28 of the navigation apparatus 2.

Next, when the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 is updated based on the updated map information for each prefecture recorded on the CD-ROM 6 created by the storage medium recording process shown in FIG. An update process for updating the navigation update history information stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 of the center 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
13 is stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 of the map information distribution center 3 when the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 is updated via the CD-ROM 6 created by the storage medium recording process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the update process which updates navigation update log information. Each program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is stored in the ROM 43 of the navigation device 2 and the ROM 13 of the map information distribution center 3 and is executed by the CPUs 41 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 13, first, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2, in S <b> 31, each “division ID” in the updated map information for each prefecture recorded in the CD-ROM 6 via the reading unit 28, and each The “distribution road classification” and each difference data corresponding to each “section ID” are read and stored in the RAM 42.
In S <b> 32, the CPU 41 determines that the current version of the map information of the update target area in the prefecture unit of the navigation map information 38 corresponding to each “distribution road section” of each “section ID” stored in the RAM 42 is the RAM 42. Whether the version is older than the latest version of each difference data stored in is determined, and if it is an older version, the difference data is updated based on the corresponding latest version difference data.

Here, an example of updating the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 via the CD-ROM 6 in which the updated map information 62 for each prefecture shown in FIG. 12 is recorded will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 is updated via the CD-ROM 6 in which the updated map information 62 for each prefecture shown in FIG. 12 is recorded.
As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 41 first reads the distribution road classification “high standard” of the section ID “A” of the navigation map information 38 based on the updated map information 62 in units of prefectures read from the CD-ROM 6 and stored in the RAM 42. It is determined whether or not the version for “version 2” is “version 2”. The map information for the category “high standard” is updated to “version 2”.

  Next, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the version for the distribution road section “general” of the section ID “A” of the navigation map information 38 is “version 2” based on the updated map information 62 in units of prefecture stored in the RAM 42. However, in the case of “version 2”, the map information of the distribution road section “general” of the section ID “A” of the navigation map information 38 is not updated. Similarly, the CPU 41, based on the updated map information 62 in units of prefectures stored in the RAM 42, each distribution road section “high standard” “general” and section ID “ Each distribution road classification “high standard”, “general”, “narrow street” of “C” and distribution road classification “narrow street” of the section ID “E” are respectively converted into difference data “2B1”, “2B2”, “2C1”. ”To“ 2C3 ”and“ 2E1 ”, the map information is updated to the latest“ version 2 ”.

  Subsequently, in S33, the CPU 41 performs a check process for checking whether or not there is an update error of the map information by checking the update of the map information of the update target area in the prefecture unit of the navigation map information 38 updated in S32. Execute. And when there is an update error of the map information in the update target area of the prefecture unit of the navigation map information 38, that is, when update of the map information in the update target area of the prefecture unit fails (S33: NO), After informing the user that the update of the map information has failed, the CPU 41 ends the process.

On the other hand, when there is no map information update error in the update target area in the prefecture unit of the navigation map information 38, that is, when the map information in the update target area in the prefecture unit is successfully updated (S33: YES), the CPU 41 , The process proceeds to S34. In S <b> 34, the CPU 41 reads “distribution identification ID” stored in the CD-ROM 6 and stores it in the RAM 42.
For example, when the prefecture-unit updated map information 62 shown in FIG. 12 is stored in the CD-ROM 6, the CPU 42 reads the distribution identification ID “P00001” and stores it in the RAM 42.

Subsequently, in S35, the CPU 41 reads the “distribution identification ID” from the RAM 42 again, and specifies the navigation device 2 that has transmitted the “distribution identification ID” to the map information distribution center 3 in S11. ”To the map information distribution center 3, and after the update of the navigation map information 38 by the CD-ROM 6 is notified, the process is terminated.
For example, the map information distribution center 3 uses the distribution identification ID “P00001” stored in the RAM 42 in S34 and the navigation identification ID “1001” that identifies the navigation device 2 transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 in S11. , The update of the navigation map information 38 by the CD-ROM 6 is notified, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 determines whether or not the notification of the update of the navigation map information 38 is received from the navigation device 2 in S411, that is, “distribution identification ID” and “ Determination processing for determining whether or not “navigation identification ID” has been received is executed. If the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID” have not been received (S411: NO), the CPU 11 ends the process.
Therefore, for example, the navigation update history information 53 (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001” is not updated.

On the other hand, when the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID” are received (S411: YES), the CPU 11 updates the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by the “navigation identification ID”. After determining that the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID” are stored in the RAM 12, the process proceeds to S412.
In S <b> 412, the CPU 11 reads the “distribution identification ID” again from the RAM 12, reads the PC distribution management information corresponding to the “distribution identification ID” from the distribution management information DB 19, and stores it in the RAM 12.

  In S 413, the CPU 11 stores the “version” of the update history information stored in the update history information DB 15 specified by the “navigation identification ID” stored in S 411, and the “version” of the PC distribution management information stored in the RAM 12. After rewriting to “version” corresponding to “section ID” and “distribution road classification” and storing it again in the navigation update history information DB 15, the processing ends. Thereby, the update history information specified by this “navigation identification ID” stored in the update history information DB 15 is stored in the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 specified by this “navigation identification ID”. The current version information updated based on the updated map information stored in the ROM 6 is surely matched.

Here, an example of updating the navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which the navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 is updated based on the PC distribution management information 61 shown in FIG.
For example, when the distribution identification ID “P00001” and the navigation identification ID “1001” are received in S411, the CPU 11 performs the distribution from the PC distribution management information 61 (see FIG. 11) stored in the distribution management information DB 19. Each section ID “A”, “A”, “B”,..., “E” corresponding to the identification ID “P00001” and each distribution road classification “high standard”, “general”, “high standard”, ..., “2”, “2”, “2”,..., “2” corresponding to “narrow street” are read and stored in the RAM 12.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 11 sets the “version” of the update history information 53 (see FIG. 6) stored in the update history information DB 15 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001” stored in S 411. Each section ID “A”, “A”, “B”,..., “E” of the PC distribution management information 61 (see FIG. 11) stored in the RAM 12 and each distribution road classification “high standard”, “general” ”,“ High standard ”,...,“ Narrow street ”versions corresponding to“ 2 ”,“ 2 ”,“ 2 ”,. 63 is created and stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 again, and then the process ends.
Thereby, the update history information 63 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001” stored in the update history information DB 15 is stored in the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation identification ID “1001”. The current version information updated on the basis of the updated map information 62 (see FIG. 12) for each prefecture stored in the CD-ROM 6 is surely matched.

  As described above in detail, in the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 receives the coordinate data and the home flag together with the navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2. When the home flag is ON, the first area centered on the coordinate data of the registered home position is set as the distribution target area, and when the home flag is OFF, the coordinate data of the destination is the center. The second area is set as the distribution target area (S11, S111). Then, the CPU 11 reads out information related to the update history of the navigation device 2 specified by this navigation identification ID in the distribution target area from the navigation update history information DB 15 and also updates the latest version in each partition of the distribution target area from the difference data management DB 18. The difference data file name representing the difference data is read out, and difference data between the current version and the latest version of the navigation device 2 in each section of the distribution target area is extracted (S113). Subsequently, the CPU 11 selects a “distribution identification ID” for identifying the extracted difference data, stores distribution management information including the “distribution identification ID” and the difference data in the distribution management information DB 19, The “distribution identification ID” and the difference data are transmitted to the navigation device 2 (S114 to S115).

On the other hand, when the navigation map information 38 is updated based on the received difference data, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 maps the received “distribution identification ID” and “navigation identification ID” that identifies the navigation device 2 to the map. The information is transmitted to the information distribution center 3 (S12 to S16).
When the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 receives the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID”, the CPU 11 determines that the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 has been updated. The distribution management information corresponding to “ID” is read from the distribution management information DB 19 and the update history information specified by this “navigation identification ID” stored in the update history information DB 15 is updated (S116 to S118).

  Thereby, when requesting the update of the map information from the navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3, the home flag, the coordinate data, and the navigation identification that are set on or off from the navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3. It is only necessary to transmit the ID to the map information distribution center, and the amount of communication data transmitted to update the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 can be reduced.

  When the map information distribution center 3 receives the “distribution identification ID” transmitted together with the difference data and the “navigation identification ID” for identifying the navigation device 2, the distribution management corresponding to the “distribution identification ID” is performed. The navigation is stored in the data recording unit 22 of the navigation device 2 by reading the information from the distribution management information DB 19 and updating the update history information specified by this “navigation identification ID” stored in the update history information DB 15. The update history of the map information 38 can be accurately managed, and the version information of the navigation map information 38 currently stored in the navigation device 2 can be accurately managed.

  Furthermore, since the map information distribution center 3 can accurately manage the update history of the navigation map information 38 stored in the data recording unit 22 of the navigation device 2, the home flag and the update request information are sent from the navigation device 2. When the coordinate data and the navigation identification ID are received, it is possible to extract the minimum necessary difference data for updating the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2, and update the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2. Therefore, the amount of communication data to be transmitted can be further reduced.

  When the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 receives “prefecture data” and “prefecture unit request signal” representing the prefecture from the PC 5, the prefecture specified by the “prefecture data” is to be distributed. As the area, the latest version of the difference data management information in each section in the distribution target area of the prefecture unit is read from the difference data management DB 18 and each difference data is read from the update map information 17 based on this and stored in the RAM 12. Store (S211, S311). Then, the CPU 11 selects a “distribution identification ID” for identifying the extracted difference data for each prefecture, creates PC distribution management information, and distributes the difference data for each prefecture to be distributed to the PC 5. After storing in the distribution management information DB 19 as management information, update information composed of this “distribution identification ID” and difference data of the distribution target area of the prefecture unit is transmitted to the PC 5 (S312 to S314). On the other hand, the PC 5 records the updated map information composed of the received “distribution identification ID” and the difference data of the distribution target area in units of prefectures in the CD-ROM 6 (S212 to S213).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 reads the updated map information from the CD-ROM 6 via the reading unit 28 and updates the navigation map information 38, the CPU 41 reads the “distribution identification ID” from the CD-ROM 6. The navigation device 2 is transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 together with the “navigation identification ID” for specifying the navigation device 2, and the update of the navigation map information 38 by the CD-ROM 6 is notified (S31 to S35). When the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 receives the “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID”, it reads out the PC distribution management information corresponding to the “distribution identification ID” from the distribution management information DB 19. . Then, the CPU 11 corresponds “version” of the update history information stored in the update history information DB 15 specified by this “navigation identification ID” to each “section ID” and “distribution road classification” of the PC distribution management information. The version is rewritten and updated (S411 to S413).

Thereby, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 reads the updated map information from the CD-ROM 6 via the reading unit 28 and updates the navigation map information 38 in the distribution target area in the prefecture unit, thereby distributing the prefecture unit. The navigation map information 38 in the target area can be updated to the latest version of map information.
Further, when the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 reads the updated map information from the CD-ROM 6 via the reading unit 28 and updates the navigation map information 38 in the distribution target area in units of prefectures, the CPU 41 reads the updated map information from the CD-ROM 6. By transmitting the read “distribution identification ID” and the “navigation identification ID” for identifying the navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3, the map information distribution center 3 is specified by the received “navigation identification ID”. Update the “version” of the update history information to the “version” corresponding to each “section ID” and “distribution road classification” of the PC distribution management information corresponding to the received “distribution identification ID”. Thus, even when the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 updates the navigation map information 38 via the CD-ROM 6, It is possible to accurately manage the update history of the navigation map information 38 stored in the second data recording unit 22, and more accurately manage the version information of the navigation map information 38 currently stored in the navigation device 2. Can do.

  Further, even when the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 updates the navigation map information 38 via the CD-ROM 6, the map information distribution center 3 accurately manages the update history of the navigation map information 38 stored in the navigation device 2. Therefore, when the home flag, the coordinate data, and the navigation identification ID are received as the update request information from the navigation device 2, the minimum necessary difference data for updating the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 Can be accurately extracted, and the amount of communication data transmitted to update the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 can be further reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

It is the block diagram which showed the map information delivery system which concerns on a present Example. It is explanatory drawing explaining the mechanism of the version management of the map data in the map information delivery center of a map information delivery system. It is the block diagram which showed the navigation apparatus of the map information delivery system. It is a flowchart which shows the navigation map information update process performed in the map information delivery system, in order to update automatically the navigation map information of navigation side map information DB at the time of engine starting or destination setting. It is a figure which shows an example of the difference data management information stored in difference data management DB of a map information delivery center. It is a figure which shows an example of the navigation update log | history information stored in navigation update log | history information DB of a map information delivery center. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the difference data extracted in each division (each mesh) of a delivery object area. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery management information corresponding to each difference data of the delivery object area shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example which updated the navigation update log | history information shown in FIG. 6 based on the delivery management information shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the storage medium recording process which records the update map information of a prefecture unit performed on CD-ROM performed between a map information delivery center and PC. It is a figure which shows an example of PC delivery management information memorize | stored in delivery management information DB by step 313 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the update map information of the prefecture unit recorded on CD-ROM by step 213 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the update process which updates the navigation update log | history information of the said map information distribution center, when the navigation map information of a navigation apparatus is updated via CD-ROM produced by the storage medium recording process shown in FIG. . It is a figure which shows an example which updated the navigation map information of the navigation apparatus via CD-ROM in which the update map information shown in FIG. 12 was recorded by step 32 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example which updated the navigation update log | history information shown in FIG. 6 based on PC delivery management information shown in FIG. 11 by step 413 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Map information distribution system 2 Navigation device 3 Map information distribution center 4 Network 5 PC
5A Recording section 6 CD-ROM
10 server 11, 41 CPU
12, 42 RAM
13, 43 ROM
14 Center side map information DB
15 Navi update history information DB
16 Center side communication device 17 Update map information 18 Difference data management DB
19 Distribution management information DB
22 data recording unit 23 navigation control unit 27 communication device 28 reading unit 37 navigation side map information DB
38 Navigation map information 51, 53, 55, 63 Navigation update history information 52 Difference data management information 54 Distribution management information 61 PC distribution management information 62 Update map information for each prefecture

Claims (3)

A navigation device for updating the map information based on the received update information;
A map information distribution center for distributing update information to the navigation device;
In the map information distribution system equipped with
The navigation device includes request information transmission means for transmitting update request information for requesting update information of a predetermined area of the map information and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center,
The map information distribution center
Request information receiving means for receiving the update request information and identification information;
Map information storage means for storing map information for each version;
Version information storage means for storing version information of map information stored in the navigation device in correspondence with the identification information of the navigation device;
Based on the received identification information, the version information of the map information of the predetermined area stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the version information storage means, and based on the acquired version information. First extraction means for extracting difference data from the latest map information from the map information storage means;
The first difference data extracted via the first extraction means and the first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data are transmitted to the navigation device corresponding to the identification information received via the request information receiving means. Update information transmission means;
Identification information receiving means for receiving the first distribution identification information and the identification information;
Based on the received identification information, the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the version information storage means, and the version of the predetermined area in the acquired version information First version information update control means for controlling to update based on the first distribution identification information received information;
Have
The navigation device
Update information receiving means for receiving the difference data and the first distribution identification information;
When the map information in the predetermined area is updated based on the received difference data, and the map information in the predetermined area can be updated, the received first distribution identification information and the identification information are updated. First update control means for controlling to transmit to the map information distribution center;
A map information distribution system comprising: The navigation device
Own vehicle state detecting means for detecting the state of the own vehicle;
Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Update point storage means for storing a pre-registered update point;
Flag setting means for setting the coordinate flag on or off;
Have
The request information transmitting means, when the state of the own vehicle detected by the own vehicle state detecting means is an engine start, indicates that the update request information includes the coordinate flag set to ON and the coordinate position of the update point. If the vehicle state detected by the vehicle state detection means is the destination setting time, the coordinate flag set to OFF and the coordinate position of the destination are transmitted as the update request information. And
When the map information distribution center receives the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to ON via the request information receiving means, the map information distribution center selects the first area centered on the coordinate position as the predetermined area. If the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to OFF are received via the request information receiving means, an area selecting means for selecting a second area centered on the coordinate position as the predetermined area is provided. The map information distribution system according to claim 1, comprising: The navigation device
Reading means for reading the map information and the second distribution identification information from a storage medium for storing the map information relating to the predetermined distribution area and the second distribution identification information for identifying the map information;
When the map information in the distribution area is updated based on the map information read through the reading means, and the map information in the distribution area can be updated, the first information read through the reading means is read out. 2 second update control means for controlling to transmit the distribution identification information and the identification information to the map information distribution center;
Have
The map information distribution center
When update request information for requesting update information of the distribution area of the map information is received from the communication terminal device via the request information receiving means, the latest information in the distribution area is received from the map information storage means. A second extraction means for extracting version map information;
Second update information transmitting means for transmitting the map information in the distribution area extracted through the second extracting means and second distribution identification information for identifying the map information to the communication terminal device;
When the second distribution identification information and the identification information are received via the identification information receiving means, the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information based on the received identification information The second version information is obtained from the version information storage means, and the second version information is controlled so as to be updated based on the received second distribution identification information. Renewal control means,
Have
The said communication terminal device has a recording means which records the received map information in the said distribution area | region and said 2nd delivery identification information on the said storage medium so that the said reading means can be read. The map information distribution system according to claim 2.

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