JP2008139091A - Map data updating system, personal digital assistant, map distribution server, navigation system, and map data updating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make information registered by a user included in a retrieval object, in a navigation system, and to select the propriety of disclosing the registering information to a general user. <P>SOLUTION: This personal digital assistant 1 of the present invention is provided with an input part 10 for inputting user information related to a map data, a storage part 13 for storing the input user information as user registration information, and a communication part 17 for transmitting the user registration information as differential information for updating the map data to the navigation system 3 or a map distribution server 2. The user registration information is transmitted from the communication part directly to the navigation system, when not disclosed, and is transmitted to the plurality of navigation systems via the map distribution server, when disclosed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for updating and appending map data used in a navigation device.

  A general navigation device uses a DVD-ROM, HDD (hard disk drive), or map data obtained by communication to search for a route to a destination, and before starting to reach an intersection or branch where guidance is required, It has a function to guide the route by display. Destination candidates used at the time of destination setting and facilities such as landmarks used at the time of route guidance are recorded in the map data. Conventionally, this map data is updated as follows.

  In order to update the map data provided by the DVD-ROM, it can be obtained by updating, purchasing, or the like of the DVD-ROM including the updated map data. However, since the timing and contents at which the user can update the map data depend on the map maker that provides the map data DVD-ROM, the user has to wait for the update of the map data. That is, the user's map data cannot be updated unless updated by the map maker. Therefore, it can be said that the provision format of the map data by DVD-ROM has low responsiveness.

  The update method of the map data stored in the HDD is different from that of a replaceable DVD-ROM disc. For example, the data is updated by rewriting the map data in the HDD by bringing the HDD into a data dealer or a store that provides an updated map. However, with this method, it is necessary to bring in each update, and as with the case of providing a DVD-ROM, the map update timing and contents depend on the map maker, so the user updates the map data. There is no choice but to wait for it. Further, since it is necessary to rewrite data in the HDD, it takes time as compared with the DVD-ROM provision format in which the disk can be replaced.

  There is also a method of updating the map data by acquiring the difference between the updated map data and the map data version by communication and storing it in the storage unit of the navigation device. This method requires relatively little map update time and effort compared to the above-mentioned map providing method using DVD-ROM or HDD that does not perform communication, but the point that the map update timing and contents are passive for the user is different. Absent.

  On the other hand, some proposals for reflecting information created by the user in map data have been made. Patent Document 1 describes a method that can receive address book information from a mobile terminal, search for a corresponding address in a map, and add address book information to a map of a navigation device. Patent Document 2 also updates the map data by linking the current location information determined using GPS to an image taken with a camera attached to a mobile phone and transmitting the image to the map server. It describes how it can be done.

JP 2005-300159 A JP-A-2005-241715

  In the map providing method using the DVD-ROM or HDD, the navigation device cannot guide a newly constructed facility or the like until the updated map is provided by the map maker. At this time, when going to a facility that does not exist on the map data, it is necessary for the user to register the facility as a registration place in advance. Since this registered location is not included in the search target, the user designates the registered location as the destination, or the user memorizes the existence and position of the facility and displays the location of the destination on the map. You had to specify or set other nearby facilities as alternative destinations.

  On the other hand, even if a facility that does not exist on the map but can be a destination is located near the current location, it is not included in the search target, so other candidate locations of the same genre that are far away are recommended. Sometimes. Then, although there is a candidate that can achieve the goal in the vicinity, the user has to set a far destination as an alternative.

  In Patent Document 1, a user can actively register address book information in map data. However, information that can be added to a navigation map from a mobile phone is limited to information constituting the address book, and personal impressions. It is not possible to add notes or notes separately, and the degree of freedom of editing content is low. Since the navigation apparatus does not support the additional registration of new facilities as described above, information registered by the user cannot be included in the search target when searching for a destination. Accordingly, the contents of the map data to be searched remain unupdated, the freshness of information used for search and guidance is not improved, and the user experience is not good.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, image information taken by a user is transmitted to a map distribution server, and the map distribution server updates and distributes map data. In this case, the transmission destination of the user's image information is the map distribution server, and the user's own navigation device is not assumed as the transmission destination. Therefore, it is not possible to update only the map data of the navigation device owned by the user using the user's image information. In other words, even if you want to use the images you have taken privately without publishing them, you cannot choose whether or not to publish them, and they are all made public by the map server and shared by an unspecified number of users. It will end up.

  An object of the present invention is to allow information registered by a user in a navigation device to be included in a search target and to select whether or not to disclose information to be registered to general users.

  The map update system of the present invention includes a portable information terminal and a navigation device. The portable information terminal includes an input unit that inputs user information related to map data, a storage unit that stores the input user information as user registration information, and a communication unit that transmits the user registration information to the navigation device. The navigation device uses a storage unit that stores map data, a communication unit that receives user registration information from the portable information terminal, and update of map data stored in the storage unit using the user registration information received by the communication unit. A differential update unit for performing

  The map update system of the present invention includes a portable information terminal, a map distribution server, and a navigation device. The portable information terminal includes an input unit that inputs user information related to map data, a storage unit that stores the input user information as user registration information, and a communication unit that transmits the user registration information to the map distribution server. The map distribution server receives the user registration information between the storage unit that stores the map data and the portable information terminal, and the communication unit that transmits the update information of the map data between the navigation device and the communication unit. It has a map data update part which updates the map data stored in the memory | storage part using user registration information, or produces the difference information for updating. The navigation device uses a storage unit that stores map data, a communication unit that receives map data or difference information updated from the map distribution server, and a map that is stored in the storage unit using the difference information received by the communication unit. It has a differential update unit for updating data.

  The portable information terminal of the present invention includes a current position determining unit that acquires current position information for determining a current location, an input unit that inputs user information related to map data, and map data using the input user information as user registration information. A storage unit that stores information, an image processing unit that creates a superimposed map image in which user registration information is superimposed on map data using current position information, a display unit that displays the created superimposed map image, and user registration information A communication unit is provided that transmits the difference information for updating the map data to the navigation device.

  The communication unit can further transmit user registration information to a map distribution server, and transmit difference information for updating map data to a plurality of navigation devices via the map distribution server. It is possible to select whether to directly transmit from the communication unit to the navigation device or to transmit via the map distribution server.

  The navigation device of the present invention stores in a storage unit using a storage unit that stores map data, a communication unit that receives user registration information related to map data from a portable information terminal, and user registration information received by the communication unit. A difference updating unit for updating the map data.

  The map distribution server of the present invention receives user registration information relating to map data from a portable information terminal, transmits a map data update information to a navigation device, map data and user registration information received from the portable information terminal. A storage unit to be stored, a user information adoption determination unit that determines whether or not the user registration information is reflected in the map data, and update or update the map data stored in the storage unit using the user registration information The map data update part which creates the difference information for this is provided. And about the user registration information determined to be adopted by the user information adoption decision unit, the map data update unit updates the map data, and transmits the updated map data or the difference information from the communication unit to the navigation device.

  The map data updating method of the present invention registers user registration information related to map data in a portable information terminal, and transmits the user registration information from the portable information terminal to a specific navigation device when the registered user registration information is not disclosed. The specific navigation device updates the map data with the received user registration information. When the registered user registration information is disclosed, the user registration information is transmitted from the portable information terminal to the plurality of navigation devices via the map distribution server, and the plurality of navigation devices transmit the map data using the received user registration information. Update.

  The map data update method of the present invention registers user registration information relating to map data in a portable information terminal, transmits the user registration information from the portable information terminal to the map distribution server, and the map distribution server maps the received user registration information to the map. It is determined whether or not to adopt the data, and if it is determined to be adopted, the map data update information is transmitted to the navigation device, and the navigation device updates the map data with the received update information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the map data used with a navigation apparatus can be updated individually, without waiting for the updated map to be delivered. In addition, since it is possible to select whether or not to disclose the information to be registered to general users, it is possible to create a map personalized by the user.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A 1st Example (Example 1) is a form which updates the map data of the navigation apparatus 3 which a user himself uses using the user registration information registered with the portable information terminal 1. FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a map update system according to the first embodiment. The map update system includes a portable information terminal 1, a map distribution server 2, and a navigation device 3. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described.

  The portable information terminal 1 includes an input unit 10, a GPS receiver 11, a current position determination unit 12, a storage unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a display unit 15, a user information creation unit 16, and a communication unit 17. The input unit 10 is a keyboard, a button, or the like on which the user of the portable information terminal 1 inputs user registration information 132. The GPS receiver 11 is an antenna for receiving data from a GPS satellite, and passes the data received by this receiver to the current position determining means 12. The current position determination means 12 determines the current position from data received from a plurality of GPS satellites and stores the current position information 131 in the storage unit 13.

  The storage unit 13 can store current position information 131, user registration information 132, and map data 133. The current position information 131 is information for uniquely determining the position of the current location using, for example, latitude and longitude, a relative distance from a certain point, an azimuth, and the like, and is created by the current position determination unit 12. Data regarding the current time received from the GPS satellite may be included in the current position information 131. The user registration information 132 is information that the user of the portable information terminal 1 inputs using the input unit 10. For example, information registered by the user about a facility that has been newly constructed or has disappeared. The user registration information 132 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The map data 133 indicates data necessary for route search and guidance, such as roads and facilities. The portable information terminal 1 is often limited in the size of the storage unit 13 and rarely stores map data relating to all points. Therefore, it is common to receive only the map around the point specified by the user, such as the current location or destination, via the communication unit 17 and store it in the storage unit 13 as the map data 133. Can be either.

  The image processing means 14 reads the map data 133 stored in the storage unit 13 to create a map image representing an existing road, facility, etc., and further, a user registration information superimposed image on which the user registration information 132 is superimposed. Or create it. The display unit 15 displays the map image and the user registration information superimposed image, and presents information such as roads and facilities to the user. The user registration information creating unit 16 stores information input by the user using the input unit 10 as user registration information 132 in the storage unit 13 regarding a newly established or changed facility or road. The communication first part 17 mainly communicates with the communication first part 21 of the map distribution server 2. Specifically, position information 131 of the current location and location information such as the destination are transmitted, a map relating to the surroundings of the current location, the destination, and the like, and user registration information 132 is transmitted.

  The GPS receiver 11 can be omitted. In that case, the current position determination means 12 narrows down and displays a partial map including the current position from the entire map, and if the user designates the current position with a cursor or the like, the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the designated position. Can be read and confirmed.

  The map distribution server 2 includes a communication first part 21, a surrounding map extraction / transmission means 22, and a storage unit 23. The communication first part 21 mainly communicates with the communication unit 17 of the portable information terminal 1. It receives location information 131 of the current location and location information such as the destination, and transmits a map relating to the surroundings of the current location and destination. The surrounding map extraction and transmission means 22 cuts out only the surrounding map of the point from the map data 231 using the position information 131 of the current location and the position information such as the destination received via the communication first part 21, the communication first It transmits via the part 21. Accordingly, it is necessary to always store a large amount of map data in the storage unit by receiving only a necessary map in a device that cannot have a large capacity storage unit such as the storage unit 13 of the portable information terminal 1. Disappears.

  The storage unit 23 can store map data 231. The map data 231 is map data relating to the whole world, all Japan, or a certain limited area, and includes information such as roads and facilities related to the area.

  The navigation device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a difference update unit 33. In practice, a general navigation device requires various elements in addition to this component, but this configuration is necessary and sufficient for the purpose of only updating the map. The communication unit 31 communicates with the communication unit 17 of the portable information terminal 1. Specifically, map data and difference information are received.

  The storage unit 32 can store map data 321 and difference information 322. The map data 321 is map data 231 that is stored in the HDD 308 and the DVD-ROM 309 or includes information such as roads and facilities acquired via the communication interface 303. The difference information 322 is the same data as the user registration information 132 stored in the storage unit 13 of the portable information terminal 1 and is difference data to be added to the map data 321.

  The difference update means 33 has a role of reflecting the difference information 322 in the map data 321 so that the difference contents are also taken into account in future destination searches and guidance guidance. When facility information is included in the difference information 322, a unique facility ID is assigned in the map data 321 so that it can be handled in the same manner as an existing facility in the map data 321. Further, when road information is included in the difference information 322, a road ID that is unique in the map data 321 or unique in a mesh that is one rectangular area when the map is divided into a grid is displayed. Allocating and handling the same as the existing road data in the map data 321. When the map data 321 is read from the DVD-ROM drive 309, the difference information 322 is always stored in the storage unit 32 separately from the map data 321. On the other hand, when the map data 321 is read from the HDD 308, the map data 321 may be updated, or the difference information 322 may be stored separately from the map data 321.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the user registration information 132 in FIG. The user registration information 132 is information that the user of the portable information terminal 1 inputs using the input unit 10. For example, if it is desired to register a facility that has been newly constructed or has disappeared, it is registered in the user registration facility information 1321 regarding the facility. In addition, when it is desired to register a road that has been newly constructed or has disappeared, it is registered in the user registration road information 1322 regarding the road.

  The user registration facility information 1321 includes a genre name 400 to which the facility belongs, a facility name 401, presence / absence information 402, position information 403, a registration date 404, a captured image 405, an adjacent road 406, a free composition 407, and the like. . The genre name 400 is a group name for classifying facilities stored in map data, such as convenience stores, amusement parks, parks, and hotels. The facility name 401 is a name for distinguishing the facility from other facilities, such as OO store XX store, △ △ park, and the like. Presence / absence information 402 is a value indicating whether or not the facility exists. For example, if the value of the presence / absence information for a certain facility corresponds to “None”, it means that the facility no longer exists at that location due to business closure or moving.

  The position information 403 represents the location at the time when the facility exists, and includes at least one of the GPS information 4031 and the address name 4032. The GPS information 4031 is data such as latitude and longitude that can be determined by GPS or the like. If information about the current location is registered, the current position information 131 may be stored as it is. Similarly, it may include current time data that can be acquired from GPS satellites. The address name 4032 is a specific address name, and is expressed by a level of detail that can be distinguished from the address name of other facilities, such as XX city ×× town Δchome ○ address × number. The registration date 404 represents the date on which the user registration facility information 1321 is registered, and may have a configuration in which detailed time in hour and minute units are added. The current time data included in the GPS information 4031 may be registered date 404. The captured image 405 is an image obtained by capturing the facility, but is not an essential item. For example, when it is desired to superimpose and display the captured image on a map, the user may explicitly specify it and include it in the user registration information 132. The adjacent road 406 designates a road that is closest to the facility and a road that leads to a parking lot provided in the facility. The road designation method may be either a method of directly designating from the road image of the map data displayed on the display unit 15 or a method of selecting from a list of roads that can be candidates among the displayed map images.

  The free composition 407 is text that can be personally added by the user who has registered the user registration facility information 1321. Here, it is possible to record personal impressions, notes, and the like regarding the facility that are not limited to the category of the adjacent road 406 from the facility name 401.

  On the other hand, the user registered road information 1322 includes a road name 501, a road type 502, presence / absence information 503, a coordinate string 504, a registration date 505, a connected road group 506, restriction information 507, a free composition 508, and the like. The road name 501 is a name for distinguishing the road from other roads, and may be a common name such as XX road, circular X number, and △ Δ bypass. If it is not named, it can be blank and can be specified by the user. The road type 502 is information for distinguishing a national road, a prefectural road, a general road, a toll road, an expressway, and the like. For example, a number such as a prefectural road ○ is also included. The presence / absence information 503 is the same as the presence / absence information 402 regarding the facility, and is a value indicating whether or not the road exists. For example, if the presence / absence information of a certain road corresponds to “present”, it means that the information already exists and the information is added, or that the road is a new road.

  The coordinate point sequence 504 indicates, in order, coordinates at points on both ends of the line segment when the road is represented by a line connected with the line segment. When a road is newly established or when the position is changed, this coordinate point sequence 504 is used to represent the changed road position. The user can designate coordinate points on the map displayed on the display unit 15 by designating specific points, and can create a coordinate point sequence by designating continuously. The registered date 505 represents the date when the user registered road information 1322 was registered, and may have a configuration in which detailed time in hour and minute units are added. In addition, the current time data of the GPS information included in the current position information 131 may be registered date 505. The connected road group 506 is a set of roads that are connected to the roads at branches, intersections, and the like and through which vehicles can physically pass. After specifying the coordinate point sequence 504, the connection road can be directly selected from a list of roads as connection candidates or on a map displayed on the display unit 15. In general, roads that are at the same point and are at the same height are considered to be connected, but a user who confirms the site can select them. On the other hand, when the newly constructed road is an elevated bypass and there is no ramp connecting the elevated road and the lowland road, it is generally considered that the bypass of the elevated part is not connected to the lowland road, but the user selects It shall be possible. The restriction information 507 can be specified when there is information that restricts traffic on the road, such as traffic prohibition of large vehicles, one-way traffic, and time periods during which construction is performed.

  The free composition 508 is a text that can be added personally like the free composition 407 regarding the facility. For example, the free composition 508 is not limited to the category of the restriction information 507 from the road name 501, and the personal impression regarding the road Memos can be recorded.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the portable information terminal 1 in FIG. The portable information terminal 1 includes an input device 101, a display device 102, a CPU 103, a communication interface 104, a GPS receiver 105, a ROM 106, a RAM 107, and an external memory slot 108.

  The input device 101 is a device through which a user inputs information, such as a keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, and a remote controller. The display device 102 is a device that displays information to the user using a liquid crystal display or the like. The CPU 103 executes computations and programs and controls each part. The communication interface 104 is an interface for communicating with the outside via an antenna. The GPS receiver 105 is a communication device that communicates with a satellite and confirms the current position. The ROM 106 is a nonvolatile memory, and stores a control program, fixed data, and the like. The RAM 107 is a volatile memory, loads a program, and stores work data. The external memory slot 108 is a device capable of reading and writing data by mounting an external memory composed of a flash ROM or RAM. Further, the external memory can be inserted into the external memory slot 310 of the navigation device 3 to exchange data with the navigation device 3, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the map distribution server 2 in FIG. The map distribution server 2 includes an input device 201, a CPU 202, a communication interface 203, a ROM 204, a RAM 205, and an HDD 206. The functions of the input device 201 to the RAM 205 are basically the same as those of each device shown in FIG. The HDD 206 is a device that can store a large amount of data, and stores a map and a program.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation device 3 in FIG. The navigation device 3 includes an input device 301, a CPU 302, a communication interface 303, a GPS receiver 304, a ROM 305, a RAM 306, a display device 307, an HDD 308, a DVD-ROM drive 309, and an external memory slot 310. Note that at least one of the HDD 308, the DVD-ROM 309, and the external memory slot 310 is sufficient.

  The DVD-ROM drive 309 is a device that reads data from a disk such as a DVD-ROM in which map data and programs are stored. The external memory slot 310 is a device that can read and write data by mounting an external memory. Other devices are the same as those in FIG. 3 or FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the map data update method according to the first embodiment. Steps S101 to S108 in FIG. 6 show processing in the portable information terminal 1, and steps S109 to S110 show processing in the navigation device 3.

In S <b> 101, the user uses the input unit 10 of the portable information terminal 1 to select a point on which the surrounding map is to be displayed on the display unit 15. If it is desired to display a map around the current position, the process proceeds to S102. If it is desired to display a surrounding map such as a registered location that has already been registered, the process proceeds to S104.
In S102, the GPS receiver 11 is used to receive a plurality of data from GPS satellites.
In S103, the current position determination means 12 determines the current position from data from a plurality of GPS satellites, stores the current position in the current position information 131 of the storage unit 13, and proceeds to S105.
In S104, the location information of the registered place is read to determine the location where the map request is made.

In S <b> 105, a request for a map including a point to be displayed on the display unit 15 is transmitted to the communication first part 21 of the map distribution server 2.
In S <b> 106, the image processing means 14 displays a map image on the display unit 15 based on the map data 133 received from the map distribution server 2 via the communication unit 17.
In S <b> 107, the user inputs information such as a newly established or changed facility or road from the input unit 10 while viewing the map image displayed on the display unit 15 of the portable information terminal 1, and serves as user registration information 132. Store in the storage unit 13.
In S108, the user registration information 132 is directly transmitted from the communication unit 17 to the navigation device 3. At this time, the user registration information 132 is not disclosed and is reflected only in the personally owned navigation device 3.

In S109, the communication unit 31 in the navigation device 3 receives the user registration information 132 from the portable information terminal 1. The received user registration information is stored as difference information 322 in the storage unit 32.
In S <b> 110, the difference update unit 33 additionally updates the difference information 322 in the map data 321. Here, the user registration information (that is, the difference information 322) is not only additionally displayed on the navigation device 3, but also included in a search target when the user performs a destination search or the like. Therefore, at the time of search, the difference information is converted to match the data format of the map data 321 so that the search can be performed from both the map data and the difference information.

  According to the present embodiment, the user registration information 132 registered in the portable information terminal 1 can be personally reflected in the map data 321 of the navigation device 3, and the responsiveness of the map update is improved. At that time, information registered by the user can be included in the search target in the destination search. Moreover, since the map data 321 is updated using the non-public user registration information 132, the update according to the user's preference is possible.

  Next, a second example (Example 2) will be described. In the second embodiment, an external memory is used to pass user registration information between the portable information terminal 1 of FIG. 3 and the navigation device 3 of FIG. For this purpose, both external memory slots 108 and 310 are used.

In Example 2, the flowchart of the map update method of FIG. 6 is changed as follows.
In S108, the user registration information 132 is stored in the external memory via the external memory slot 108 of the portable information terminal 1. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S109.
In S 109, the external memory storing the user registration information 132 is inserted into the external memory slot 310 of the navigation device 3. Then, the navigation device 3 reads the user registration information 132 from the external memory.
Regarding other steps S101 to S107 and S110, the user registration information 132 registered in the portable information terminal 1 can be reflected in the map data 321 of the navigation device 3 in the same steps as in the first embodiment.

  Also in the present embodiment, the user registration information 132 registered in the portable information terminal 1 can be personally reflected in the map data 321 of the navigation device 3, and the responsiveness of the map update is improved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the user registration information 132 is stored in the external memory, when reflecting it to the map data 321 of the navigation device 3, the portable information terminal 1 is not required and only the external memory is required. .

  Next, a 3rd Example (Example 3) provides user registration information to the map delivery server 2, is open | released from the map delivery server 2 to an unspecified many user's apparatus, and map update data is shared. It is.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the map update system according to the third embodiment. The map update system includes a portable information terminal 1, a map distribution server 2, and a navigation device 3. Here, the portable information terminal 1 and the navigation device 3 have the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments, but a new element is added to the map distribution server 2. The user registration information and the hardware configuration of each device are the same as those shown in FIGS.

  The map distribution server 2 includes a communication first part 21, a surrounding map extraction and transmission unit 22, a storage unit 23, a user registration information reception unit 24, a user registration information holding unit 25, a user registration information map acceptance / rejection determination unit 26, and map difference data creation. Means 27, map data distribution means 28, and communication second part 29. In order to facilitate the functional description, the communication first part 21 and the communication second part 29 are separated, but these communication parts may be integrated.

  The communication first part 21 mainly communicates with the communication unit 17 of the portable information terminal 1. Specifically, position information 131 of the current location and location information such as the destination are received, a map relating to the surroundings of the current location, the destination, and the like, and user registration information 132 is received. The surrounding map extraction and transmission means 22 cuts out only the surrounding map of the point from the map data 231 using the position information 131 of the current location and the position information such as the destination received via the communication first part 21, the communication first It transmits via the part 21. Accordingly, it is necessary to always store a large amount of map data in the storage unit by receiving only a necessary map in a device that cannot have a large capacity storage unit such as the storage unit 13 of the portable information terminal 1. Disappears.

  The storage unit 23 can store map data 231, update information 232, difference information 233, and user registration information temporary data 234. The map data 231 is map data relating to the whole world, all Japan, or a certain limited area, and includes information such as roads and facilities related to the area. This map data 231 may be separated from the case of including difference information 233 from the previous version. The update information 232 is individual update information regarding a certain facility, road, etc., and is stored when the result of the user registration information map acceptance / rejection determination means 26 is adopted. Specifically, when the name of the existing XX park is changed to xx park and adoption to the map is decided, the name information before and after the change is stored as the update information 232. The difference information 233 is difference data between a plurality of versions of map data, and the map difference data creating unit 27 collects and creates the update information 232. In a device that already stores map data, it is possible to update the owned map data only by receiving and reflecting only the difference information 233. The user registration information temporary data 234 is data temporarily stored in the storage unit 23 before the determination by the user registration information map acceptance / rejection determination unit 26, and includes uncertain information that is not adopted in the new map.

  The user registration information receiving unit 24 receives the user registration information 132 via the communication first part 21. The received user registration information 132 is transferred to the next user registration information holding means 25. The user registration information holding unit 25 stores the user registration information 132 received by the user registration information receiving unit 24 as user registration information temporary data 234 in the storage unit 23.

  The user registration information map acceptance / rejection determination unit 26 has a function of determining whether or not the user registration information 132 stored as the user registration information temporary data 234 is to be adopted for a new map. When employed, it is stored in the storage unit 23 as update information 232. If not adopted, it is written back as the user registration information temporary data 234 again or discarded. The map difference data creation unit 27 has a role of collecting one or more pieces of update information 232 as difference information 233 at a certain timing. Since the version of the map data owned by the user is various, difference information 233 between the latest version of the map data 231 and various versions is created and stored in the storage unit 23.

  The map data distribution unit 28 transmits at least one of the map data 231 and the difference information 233 to the navigation device 3 via the communication second unit 29, and the map data 321 stored in the storage unit 32 of the navigation device 3. And the role of updating the difference information 322. The second communication unit 29 communicates with the communication unit 31 of the navigation device 3. Specifically, map data or difference information is transmitted, or user registration information set by the navigation device 3 is received.

  The navigation device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a difference update unit 33. The configuration is the same as in the first and second embodiments, but is characterized by the following points.

  The communication unit 31 communicates with the second communication unit 29 of the map distribution server 2. Specifically, map data and difference information are received, but user registration information 323 stored in the navigation device 3 can be transmitted to the map distribution server 2. The difference information 322 in the storage unit 32 is the same data as the difference information 233 stored in the storage unit 23 of the map distribution server 2, and the difference between the updated version of the map data 231 and the version of the map data 321. It is. The user registration information 323 is information registered by the user in the navigation device 3 and has the same contents as the user registration information 132 in the portable information terminal 1.

  That is, when the user provides the user registration information from the portable information terminal 1 or the navigation device 3 to the map distribution server 2, the map distribution server 2 updates the map data 231 based on the received user registration information or creates difference information. Thus, the information is distributed to the navigation device 3 of another user. With such a configuration, the user not only sends the user registration information from the portable information terminal 1 to his / her navigation device for personal use, but also wants to share the user registration information with others later. It can also be applied if you think.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the map update method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a mode in which user registration information is transmitted from the portable information terminal 1 to the map distribution server 2 and distributed from the map distribution server 3 to the navigation device 3.

  Steps S201 to S208 are user information registration processing in the portable information terminal 1. In S208, the registered user registration information 132 is transmitted to the map distribution server 2. Others are the same as steps S101 to S107 in the first embodiment (FIG. 6), and thus description thereof is omitted.

Steps S209 to S215 are processing in the map distribution server 2.
In S <b> 209, the user registration information receiving unit 24 of the map distribution server 2 receives the user registration information 132 via the communication first part 21.
In S 210, the user registration information 132 received by the user registration information holding unit 25 is stored as user registration information temporary data 234 in the storage unit 23.

  In S211, the administrator of the map distribution server 2 uses the user registration information map acceptance / rejection determination unit 26 to determine whether or not to adopt each user registration information temporary data 234 for a new map. If the user registration information temporary data 234 is adopted as new map data, the process proceeds to S212. If not, the process returns to S210 or the user registration information temporary data 234 is discarded.

In S <b> 212, the user registration information temporary data 234 is stored as update information 232.
In S213, the map difference data creation unit 27 collects the update information 232 and creates difference information 233 between versions of the map data.
In S214, the difference information 233 is reflected in the map data 231. Note that this step can be omitted when the update method of the map data 231 is such that the map data 231 is not updated once and only the difference information 232 is increased.
In S <b> 215, the map data distribution unit 28 transmits at least one of the map data 231 or the difference information 232 to the communication unit 31 of the navigation device 3.

  Steps S <b> 216 and S <b> 217 are processes in the navigation device 3, and the map data is updated based on the received map data 231 or difference information 232. Since the contents are the same as those in steps S109 and S110 of the first embodiment (FIG. 6), description thereof is omitted.

  The acceptance / rejection determination by the user registration information map acceptance / rejection determination means 26 in step S211 will be described. This determination can be performed automatically or manually.

  When performing automatically, for example, when data similar to the user registration information temporary data 234 is stored in a predetermined number (threshold) or more, it is determined that the data should be adopted. In this method, since the information that is the basis of the update is information from the user to the last, it cannot be said that the reliability is generally high. However, there is an advantage in that the trouble of updating the map can be saved rather than visiting the site every time there is a change in facility or road.

  On the other hand, when it is performed manually, every time there is a notification of a change of facility or road, a confirmation member visits the site and confirms it and decides whether or not to accept it. Although this method requires time to go to the site each time, the facility and road change notifications are provided by the user, so the map maker itself can reduce the labor of actively capturing changes in the facility and road information. .

  Moreover, the advantages of both can be enjoyed by appropriately using these methods together. For example, when the threshold value is set to 20 cases, when 20 or more similar user registration information 132 are collected, a confirmation member is dispatched to the site, and when the change is confirmed, the method is adopted for the map. It may be.

  According to the third embodiment, the user registration information 132 registered in the portable information terminal 1 can be disclosed to other devices via the map distribution server 2 and shared. In this case, the map maker can get an opportunity to update the map from a local user, and can recognize the presence of the update information.

  Each of the first, second, and third embodiments described above can be implemented alone or in combination. For example, as described in the first and second embodiments, the user registration information is used by itself (when it is not desired to be disclosed to others), and the user registration information is disclosed to others as described in the third embodiment. You can also switch between when you want to share. Specifically, the communication destination from the communication unit 17 of the portable information terminal 1 is set in the communication unit 31 of the user's navigation device 3 in the case of the former (Example 1), and in the case of the latter (Example 3). May be set in the communication first part 21 of the map distribution server 2.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a map update system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the user registration information 132 in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the portable information terminal 1 in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the map delivery server 2 in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus 3 in FIG. The figure which shows the flowchart of the map data update method concerning Example 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the map update system which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a map update method according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Portable information terminal 2 ... Map delivery server 3 ... Navigation apparatus 10 ... Input part 11 ... GPS receiver 12 ... Current position determination means 13 ... Memory | storage part 14 ... Image processing means 15 ... Display part 16 ... User registration information creation means 17 ... Communication unit 21 ... Communication first part 22 ... Surrounding map extraction / transmission means 23 ... Storage unit 24 ... User registration information reception means 25 ... User registration information holding means 26 ... User registration information map acceptance / rejection determination means 27 ... Map difference data creation means 28 ... Map data distribution means 29 ... Communication second part 31 ... Communication part 32 ... Storage part 33 ... Difference update means 108, 310 ... External memory slot 132, 323 ... User registration information 233, 322 ... Difference information.

Claims (10)

In a map update system comprising a portable information terminal and a navigation device, and updating the map data of the navigation device,
The mobile information terminal
An input unit for inputting user information related to map data;
A storage unit for storing input user information as user registration information;
A communication unit for transmitting the user registration information to the navigation device;
The navigation device is
A storage unit for storing map data;
A communication unit that receives user registration information from the portable information terminal;
A map update system comprising a difference update unit for updating map data stored in the storage unit using user registration information received by the communication unit. The map update system according to claim 1, further comprising a map distribution server,
The map distribution server
A storage unit for storing map data;
A communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the portable information terminal;
A map extraction unit for extracting map data around a specified position from map data in the storage unit;
When the portable information terminal requests map data around the current location from the map distribution server,
The map distribution server extracts map data around the current location by the peripheral map extraction unit and distributes the map data to the portable information terminal. In a map update system comprising a portable information terminal, a map distribution server, and a navigation device, and updating the map data of the navigation device,
The mobile information terminal
An input unit for inputting user information related to map data;
A storage unit for storing input user information as user registration information;
A communication unit for transmitting the user registration information to the map distribution server;
The map distribution server
A storage unit for storing map data;
A communication unit that receives the user registration information between the portable information terminals and transmits update information of map data to and from the navigation device;
Using the user registration information received by the communication unit, the map data stored in the storage unit is updated, or has a map data update unit that creates difference information for updating,
The navigation device is
A storage unit for storing map data;
A communication unit for receiving updated map data or difference information from the map distribution server;
A map update system, comprising: a difference update unit that updates map data stored in the storage unit using difference information received by the communication unit. A portable information terminal for updating map data of a navigation device,
A current position determining unit for acquiring current position information for determining the current position;
An input unit for inputting user information related to map data;
A storage unit that stores input user information as user registration information together with map data;
An image processing unit that creates a superimposed map image in which the user registration information is superimposed on map data using the current position information;
A display unit for displaying the created superimposed map image;
A portable information terminal comprising a communication unit that transmits the user registration information as difference information for updating map data to the navigation device. The portable information terminal according to claim 4, wherein
The communication unit can further transmit the user registration information to a map distribution server, and transmit difference information for updating map data to the plurality of navigation devices via the map distribution server.
It is possible to select whether the user registration information is transmitted directly from the communication unit to the navigation device or via the map distribution server. In a navigation device that has map data and searches for a route to a destination,
A storage unit for storing map data;
A communication unit that receives user registration information regarding map data from a portable information terminal;
A navigation apparatus, comprising: a difference updating unit that updates map data stored in the storage unit using user registration information received by the communication unit. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein
As an alternative to or in combination with the communication unit, an external memory slot for mounting an external memory is provided,
The difference updating unit updates the map data stored in the storage unit using the user registration information stored in an external memory mounted in the external memory slot unit. apparatus. In a map distribution server that distributes update information of map data to a navigation device based on user registration information received from a portable information terminal,
A communication unit that receives user registration information related to map data from the portable information terminal and transmits update information of the map data to the navigation device;
A storage unit for storing map data and user registration information received from the portable information terminal;
A user information adoption determination unit for determining whether to reflect the user registration information in map data;
A map data update unit for updating the map data stored in the storage unit using the user registration information or creating difference information for updating,
For the user registration information determined to be adopted by the user information adoption determination unit, the map data update unit updates the map data, and transmits the updated map data or the difference information from the communication unit to the navigation device. A map distribution server characterized by that. In a map data update method for updating map data of a navigation device,
Register user registration information about map data on a mobile information terminal,
If the registered user registration information is not disclosed, the user registration information is transmitted from the portable information terminal to a specific navigation device,
The specific navigation device updates the map data with the received user registration information,
When releasing the registered user registration information, the user registration information is transmitted from the portable information terminal to a plurality of navigation devices via a map distribution server, and the plurality of navigation devices receives map data using the received user registration information. The map data update method characterized by updating. In a map data update method for updating map data of a navigation device,
Register user registration information about map data on a mobile information terminal,
Transmitting the user registration information from the portable information terminal to the map distribution server;
The map distribution server determines whether to use the received user registration information for map data,
If you decide to adopt it, send the map data update information to the navigation device,
A map data update method, wherein the navigation device updates map data with received update information.

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