JP2009103702A - Map display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine whether transmission or reception of information is to be performed between an information center and a map display device, and to perform transmission or reception of the information, according to the determination result. <P>SOLUTION: This map display device (15) updates the map data stored in a storage means, by acquiring the latest map data from an information center (10). The map display device (15) includes a transmitting means for transmitting information regarding a departure position and a destination position to the information center;a receiving means for receiving, from the information center;a predicted arrival time and a route distance in a route, from the departure position to the destination position which are retrieved by the information center, according to the latest map data; and a display means that displays the received predicted arrival time and the route distance and a button for acquiring the latest map data from the information center. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device.

  In a vehicle-mounted map display device having a conventional navigation function, route search, route guidance, and the like, which are functions of the navigation system, are performed using map data stored in a disk of the vehicle-mounted device. However, since the road is updated year after year as the disk of the in-vehicle device becomes old, roads that are newly opened and roads that are to be abolished are not stored as data in the disk. There was a problem that necessary guidance could not be provided or the latest highway tolls could not be accommodated. In order to solve such a problem, it has been proposed to use the latest data on a server via a server on the Internet. In addition, in order to improve communication charges and communication time, it has also been proposed to limit data to be acquired (Patent Document 1).

In the conventional vehicle-mounted map display device, the data on the OBE side is compared with the data on the server side to determine whether the data on the OBE side is new or old, and necessary data is acquired, or the purpose set by the user By acquiring data along the route for the ground, the acquired data is limited to reduce the amount of data acquired via the network.
JP 2001-84493 A

  However, since the validity of the information to be acquired cannot be determined on the user side, there is a problem that communication costs are incurred even when unnecessary data is acquired. For example, for the destination set by the user, if the route calculated on the server side and the route calculated on the OBE side are exactly the same, there is no problem even if the OBE side data is old, so it is useless to acquire the data Communication costs are incurred. Similarly, even if some routes are different, if the route does not change much, acquiring data will incur unnecessary communication costs.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and determines whether or not to transmit or receive information between an information center and a map display device, and transmits or receives information according to the determination result. With the goal.
For this purpose, the present invention provides a map display device that acquires the latest map data from an information center and updates the map data stored in the storage means, and a transmission means for transmitting a departure place and a destination to the information center; Receiving means for receiving an estimated arrival time and a travel distance in a route from the departure place to the destination searched from the information center based on the latest map data in the information center; and the received estimated arrival time and And display means for displaying a travel distance and displaying a button for acquiring the latest map data from the information center.
Further, the present invention provides a map display device that acquires the latest map data from an information center and updates the map data stored in the storage means, and a transmission means for transmitting a starting point and a destination to the information center; A receiving means for receiving an estimated arrival time and a travel distance in a route from the departure place to the destination searched from the information center based on the latest map data in the information center; and stored in the storage means A route search means for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination based on map data, a calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time and a journey distance in the route searched by the route search means, and the reception The difference between the estimated arrival time and the calculated estimated arrival time, and the difference between the received journey distance and the calculated journey distance are respectively calculated. Difference calculating means, and a display means for displaying the calculated difference in estimated arrival time and difference in travel distance and displaying a button for acquiring the latest map data from the information center. And

  According to the present invention, the user can determine whether or not to obtain the latest map data from the information center while confirming the estimated arrival time and travel distance in the route searched by the latest map data. Therefore, the user can clearly understand the merit of acquiring the latest map data from the information center, and can be satisfied and acquire the map data from the information center.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a map display system according to this embodiment.
The system of this embodiment includes, for example, a transmission unit that transmits destination data to the information center, a search unit that searches for a route to the destination, and a determination unit that determines whether to receive map data from the information center. And a map display device (on-vehicle terminal device) comprising a request means for requesting transmission of map data to the information center when it is determined to be received, a search means for searching for a route based on the received destination data, and a map display The information center comprises a transmission means for transmitting map data to the map display device when a transmission request is received from the apparatus, and the map data is received by comparing the path searched by the determination means with the path received from the information center. Whether or not to do so is determined.

  The information center 10 includes a control device 11 that performs route search processing, terminal identification processing for communication, and the like, a map database 12 that includes the latest map data, and transmission / reception means 13, and each in-vehicle terminal device 15 via a network 14. When there is a request from the in-vehicle terminal device, a service is provided that provides the latest map data and a search route in response to the request. The map database 12 stores all the latest information about roads such as updated roads, newly opened roads, and the latest toll road charges. The control device 11 responds to a request from the in-vehicle terminal device, and the control device 11 receives the map database 12. Search for a route and search for it. The control device 11 holds registered identification information of the in-vehicle terminal, specifies the terminal based on the identification data, and provides map data.

  The in-vehicle terminal device 15 stores map data on a disk. When the destination is input, the in-vehicle terminal device 15 performs a route search to the destination, and has a function of displaying and guiding the searched route on a map. is there. Since the map data on the disc remains the old data unless it is replaced with a new one, the route desired by the user may not be searched in some cases. In such a case, there are some users who want to replace the disk, some users do not want to replace the disk, and users who do not want to replace the disk but want a better route. When the information center 10 requests the latest map data by sending the location (the current vehicle position detected by the current position detection device or the point input by the user) or the destination to the information center 10 through the network, the information center 10 searches for a route, and the user For example, map data and a search route are downloaded to the in-vehicle terminal device 15.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of map data included in the in-vehicle terminal device.
Map data includes all data management information for managing all data, display data management information for referring to data classified for each function, guidance data management information, search data management information, search data management information, etc. Display data (road data for display on a map display device, etc.), guidance data (intersection names, caution points data, road name data, road name voice data, etc.), search data (network of roads used for search) Data), search data (facility name, telephone number, address, etc.).

Next, since the map data on the disk of the in-vehicle terminal device is old, a mode of acquiring new map data from the information center will be described below.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a network data acquisition area.
The network data means the map data possessed by the information center side, and the actual data unit of the map describes, for example, data within a range obtained by dividing the real world into rectangular areas as shown in the figure. . Therefore, the information on the departure point and destination is transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device to the center side, and the map data (display data, guidance data, search data) of the region including the departure point and destination (the region surrounded by the solid line in the figure) is displayed. , Search data, etc.) from the information center, it is possible to perform route guidance and guidance in the in-vehicle terminal device. In this case, for example, it is possible to share functions such that the search is performed on the information center side, the data is received, and only the guidance is performed on the in-vehicle terminal device side. That is, after searching in the information center, the search route is transmitted to the in-vehicle terminal device, and only the guidance data is transmitted from the information center to the in-vehicle terminal device in the data acquisition area shown in FIG. , Can give guidance.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the data acquisition method in the case where the data held on the information center side and the in-vehicle terminal device side have already acquired.
Already acquired area A (rectangular area indicated by a broken line) indicates an area where data has been previously acquired from the information center. In the in-vehicle terminal device, the road acquired from the information center is stored in a storage means such as a hard disk or a memory. Retained together with data version information. When sending information on the departure and destination points and newly acquiring information from the information center, the version information (date, model number, etc.) is compared in the in-vehicle terminal device, and the data of the same version and the same area The map data of the different part is not acquired, and the map data of the different part is updated only when the version is different or the area is different. In the illustrated example, when a rectangular area B indicated by a solid line including the starting point and the destination is an acquisition candidate, if the data version of the area overlapping the broken line area A is the same, the area C where the areas A and B do not overlap Only the difference data, that is, the data difference is acquired. By adopting such an acquisition method, the amount of data can be reduced, so that reduction in communication costs, improvement in communication response, or improvement in search response and guidance response can be expected.

Next, an example will be described in which a communication cost and communication time necessary for data acquisition are presented to the user and a means for determining whether to acquire data is determined.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for presenting the communication cost and communication time to the user, which is predicted when data is acquired from the information center, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication parameter setting screen.
As shown in FIG. 5, since the communication cost and communication time are displayed on the screen of the in-vehicle terminal device, and the user knows the charge and time for communication, whether or not data should be acquired by communication beforehand Judgment can be made. At the same time, “YES” and “NO” are displayed on the screen together with a message “Are you sure you want to communicate?”, So you can select whether or not to acquire. Further, since communication parameters (communication cost, communication speed, etc.) change with the changing times, a screen for setting communication cost and communication speed per minute as shown in FIG. 6 is prepared. This setting may be performed by the user or automatically set from the information center. When this parameter is set, communication cost and communication time are determined from the communication data amount.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining data acquisition when there is a new or abolished road, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining road correspondence between data versions.
Since the map data on the information center side is always rewritten with the latest data, there are roads that have been updated or newly established, but there are no abolished roads. On the other hand, the map data on the in-vehicle terminal device side has been updated or newly established. There may be abandoned roads. In such a case, the information on the departure point and the destination is sent from the in-vehicle terminal device to the center side, the route search is performed on the information center side, the information is transmitted to the in-vehicle terminal device side, and the received route is owned by the in-vehicle terminal device side. Compare roads in the map data or compare the route received by searching the route on the in-vehicle terminal device side with the route searched by itself, in the information center and not in the in-vehicle terminal device, or in the information center The vehicle-mounted terminal device explicitly presents a certain road so that the user can select data acquisition from the information center.

  That is, a search is performed on the information center side from the information of the departure point and destination transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device, and the search route, that is, the road attribute on the route, the road shape, etc. is transferred to the in-vehicle terminal device via communication. Compare the data for specifying the road type, attribute, shape, etc. regarding the searched route received from the information center with the road type, attribute, shape, etc. of the map data owned by the in-vehicle terminal device, and the most appropriate road If there is no suitable road, the road is newly established or abolished. It is displayed separately from the route. As a result of such a comparison, the new roads are displayed separately in FIG. Searching for a matching road is possible by comparing the shape and attributes of the road in this way, but if there is a server that manages various data, it is also possible to inquire about the road to that server. . For example, as shown in FIG. 8, on the server side, if there is data on the correspondence between the disk version number and each road number data such as data A, data B, and data C, the vehicle will be mounted on the road in the route. The search shown in FIG. 7 may be performed by searching the server side for a road that is newly established or abolished for data stored in the disk of the terminal device and communicating the road to the in-vehicle terminal device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of performing route search on both the information center side and the in-vehicle terminal device side, comparing both routes, and selecting whether to acquire data.
The departure point and the destination are transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device to the information center, and the route search is performed at the same departure point and destination on both the information center side and the in-vehicle terminal device side. Then, the main routes of both search routes, the toll road charges included in the routes, the estimated arrival time, the characteristics such as the travel distance (route outline) are acquired and displayed, and the routes are compared based on these display data. . In the figure, what is displayed as the net side is the data received for the route searched by the information center on the in-vehicle terminal device side, and what is displayed as the navigation side is the data for the route searched for by the in-vehicle terminal device. is there. Then, along with the route comparison, “YES” or “NO” is displayed along with a message “Are you sure you want to communicate” on the screen, and it can be selected whether or not to acquire. In this way, since the route outline is compared and notified as map data, the user can understand the merit received by comparing the charge, time, distance of the trip, etc., and can be convinced to communicate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which necessary conditions and parameters are exchanged between the information center side and the in-vehicle terminal device side in order to unify the search results.
In the example shown in the figure, the search conditions include the coordinates of the departure and destination points, pay priority, ferry use, etc., and the search parameter (link weight) indicates the weight of high speed, pay, prefectural road, general road, etc. The coefficient and the search parameter (weight between links) are obtained by converting the signal weight, the right turn weight, and the left turn weight into a distance. Since such conditions and parameters may change depending on the function of the in-vehicle terminal device and the target user layer, it is desirable to make the same conditions as in the in-vehicle terminal device side when searching on the information center side. Therefore, by transmitting the search conditions and parameters as shown in FIG. 10 to the information center side, the information center side search can be performed under the same conditions as the in-vehicle terminal device side search. Thereby, both search paths can be compared. In addition, when only the search route of the information center is shown, since it is necessary to be consistent with the in-vehicle terminal device side, exchange of search conditions and parameters is indispensable. Note that this communication may be returned not only from the in-vehicle terminal device to the information center side but also from the information center side to the in-vehicle terminal device side so that the in-vehicle terminal device side matches the information center side.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the exchange of conditions and parameters between the in-vehicle terminal device and the information center.
1. When the in-vehicle terminal device transmits the destination data to the information center, the in-vehicle terminal device also transmits the navigation program identification information (program version information).
2. The information center compares the stored identification information of the navigation program and the received identification information of the navigation program of the in-vehicle terminal device, and determines whether or not the search parameters should be the same.
3. If it is determined that the search parameters should be the same, the information center is instructed to transmit the search parameters to the in-vehicle terminal device.
4). Upon receiving this instruction, the in-vehicle terminal device transmits a search parameter to the information center.
5). The information center searches for a route using the received search parameter.

  The in-vehicle terminal device may determine whether or not the search parameters in step 2 should be the same. That is, the in-vehicle terminal device may compare the identification information of the program received from the information center with the identification information of the program included in the in-vehicle terminal device. In contrast to the case of FIG. 11, the in-vehicle terminal device may be adapted to the search parameter or search program of the information center. In this case, the information center transmits a search parameter and a search program to the in-vehicle terminal device, and the in-vehicle terminal device performs a route search based on the received information. The information center and the in-vehicle terminal device may be the same instead of the parameters. In the case of a program, it may be transmitted together with a matching program, a map display program, etc., or only a search program may be transmitted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow related to the map data acquisition described with reference to FIGS.
The map disk version at the server (information center) is acquired from the server (step S1), and it is determined whether or not the vehicle-mounted device (vehicle-mounted terminal device) has the same version data as the server in the data near the departure point and destination. (Step S2). If there is the same version of data, the route search is performed only by the vehicle-mounted device (step S3). If there is no data of the same version in step S2, a route search is performed using the server data (step S4), and the server search route is received on the vehicle-mounted device side (step S5). Next, the communication amount of the map data used by the server is acquired, and the unit price is multiplied to display the cost when the map data is received (steps S6 and S7). Next, it waits for a user selection as to whether or not to receive the map data of the server (step S8). If it is selected not to receive, the process ends, and if it is selected to receive, the map data used in the server. Among them, the part not received by the vehicle-mounted device is received (step S9).

  In addition, it is determined whether or not the map data is obtained by receiving the search route in steps S5 to S9, and instead of receiving the map data when selected, the route outline of the search route (the toll road included in the route) ), The route information, the estimated arrival time, the travel distance, etc.), and whether or not the route is received from the route outline. If so, the map data of the searched route in the map data (display data and guidance data in FIG. 2) ) May be received.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a processing flow related to the map data acquisition explained in FIG.
The map disk version at the server is acquired from the server (step S11), and it is determined whether or not the on-board device has the same version data as the server among the data near the departure point and destination (step S12). If there is the same version of data, the route search is performed only with the vehicle-mounted device (step S13). If there is no data of the same version in step S12, a route search is performed using the server data (step S14), and the server search route is received on the vehicle-mounted device side (step S15). Next, the distance between the on-vehicle device route and the server route, the travel time, and the like are displayed (step S16). Note that only the difference may be displayed for the distance and travel time. Next, it waits for a user selection as to whether or not to receive the map data of the server (step S17). If it is selected not to receive, the process ends, and if it is selected to receive, the map data used in the server. Among them, the part not received by the vehicle-mounted device is received (step S18).

  Further, it is determined whether or not the map data is obtained by receiving the search route in steps S15 to S18. Instead of receiving the map data when selected, the route outline of the search route (the toll road included in the route) Fare, estimated time of arrival, travel distance, etc.), determine whether or not to receive from the route overview, and if so, receive route data (display data and guidance data in FIG. 2) Good.

  By the way, when a route search is independently performed on the information center side (server side) and the vehicle-mounted terminal device (vehicle-mounted device) side, the network-side route and the vehicle-mounted device-side route may be different as shown in FIG. The server can update the latest data frequently, but the in-vehicle device obtains data from the disk etc., so only the roads at the time when the disk etc. is subject to investigation (stored time) are considered in the search. This is because it cannot be done. Therefore, the search is performed on both the OBE side and the server side, and the cost and response required to acquire new data from the server are compared with the routes calculated independently by both the server and the OBE. An example of automatically determining whether or not to acquire data and requesting data when it is determined to acquire will be described below.

First, the weight of the search route will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 15, a, b, c, d, e, and f are called nodes and usually represent intersections. The section between a and b is called a link and expresses a road. The weight is based on the distance of the road, multiplied by a certain multiplication factor in consideration of the type of road such as high speed, national highway, and prefectural road, and the width of the road. A penalty is added because it is necessary to slow down the speed of passing. In this example, the weight is 10 between a and b, the weight is 15 between bc, the weight is 25 between dd, the weight is 12 between cd, the weight is 30 between ce, and the weight is between de. 15. In the route search, the shortest route is obtained based on such weighting. Route 1 in the figure passes through a, b, c, e, and f, so the weight accumulation is 60, and route 2 passes through a, b, d, e, and f, so the weight accumulation is 55. Since the weight is smaller, route 2 is selected.

  When comparing the route weight (weight S) obtained by searching on the server and the route weight (weight C) obtained on the vehicle-mounted device side, the route weight obtained on the server is more Since the merit of performing communication is great when it is very small, it is desirable to perform communication (acquire data) only in this case. Therefore, the demerits of communication are converted into weights.

Communication charge conversion weight = A x charge T
Communication time conversion weight = B x time T
Here, the charge T and time T are determined by the amount of data acquired from the information center, and A and B are weight conversion coefficients. The communication parameters can be set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 6. However, conversion factors such as a charge, time, and travel distance when setting a route are set on the route setting screen shown in FIG. 16, for example. In the example shown in the figure, the charge 1 yen is converted into a distance of 0.3 m, the time 1 second is converted into 5.0 m, and the difference 1 m in the travel distance is converted into 0.5 m. This conversion factor depends on what the user places importance on in the route search. In this way, when communication is actually performed, it is determined whether communication is performed according to the following equation.

Communication charge conversion weight + Communication time conversion weight <Weight C-Weight S
That is, (weight C−weight S) represents the merit of data acquisition, and if this is larger than the conversion weight between the charge and time, it is better to perform communication.

  Furthermore, the demerit of the communication fee can be determined by comparing with the improvement effect of the toll road fee. In other words, if the route charge (charge S) on the server and the route charge (charge C) obtained by the in-vehicle device are used, the following determination can be considered.

Fee T <Fee C-Fee S
(Charge C-Charge S) is a reduction in expenditure due to data acquisition. If this is larger than the data acquisition fee, it is better to communicate.

  Furthermore, the determination can be made by comparing the disadvantage of the communication time with the improvement effect of the estimated arrival time to the destination. That is, assuming that the estimated arrival time (time S) on the server and the estimated arrival time (time C) of the route obtained by the vehicle-mounted device, the following determination can be considered.

Time T <Time C-Time S
(Time C-Time S) is an effect of improving the estimated arrival time, and if this is longer than the communication time for acquiring data, it is better to perform communication.

  Summarizing the determinations so far, it can be generalized by the following determination.

A * ((charge C-charge S) -charge T) + B * ((time C-time S) -time T) <(weight C-weight S)
That is, if the merit of the route by the data acquisition is larger than the conversion weight between the charge and the time, there is a merit of performing communication. If it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the data request is made to the information center. Instead of automatically requesting when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the determination result may be notified so that the user can select a data request.

  In the above example, it is determined whether or not the data is acquired on the vehicle-mounted device side, but this determination function is also given to the information center side, and the advantages of data acquisition and the conversion weights of charges and time are calculated. Comparison may be made to automatically determine whether or not to acquire data. In this case, since the on-vehicle device side automatically determines whether or not there is a merit of data acquisition simply by transmitting the destination data and the search route, the processing burden on the on-vehicle device side can be reduced. In addition to the above determination method, the toll road charge included in the route of the map display device is compared with the toll road charge included in the information center route to obtain an improvement fee by the information center route, and the improvement fee The communication fee required to receive the information center route may be compared to determine whether or not there is a merit in acquiring the map data.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the in-vehicle terminal device.
Input device 1 for inputting information related to route guidance such as a departure point and destination, current position detection device 2 for detecting information related to the current position of the host vehicle, map data, navigation data necessary for route search, route guidance Necessary display / voice guidance data, information storage device 3 in which a program (application and / or OS) for performing guidance such as map display, route search, voice guidance, etc. is recorded, and map as navigator processing means Display processing, route search processing, display / voice guidance processing necessary for route guidance, and central processing unit 4 for controlling the entire system, information relating to vehicle travel, such as road information and traffic information, Information transmission / reception device 5 that detects information related to the current position of the vehicle and transmits / receives information related to the current position, and route guidance And a display and a speaker other output device 6 for outputting that information.

  The input device 1 has a function of selecting a map and inputting a destination, or instructing the central processing device 4 to perform navigation processing at the driver's will. As means for realizing the function, a remote controller such as a touch switch or a jog dial for inputting a destination by a telephone number or coordinates on a map or requesting route guidance can be used. In addition, the input device includes a device for performing dialogue by voice input, and functions as a voice input device. In addition, a recording card reader for reading data recorded on an IC card or a magnetic card can be added. In addition, an information center that accumulates data necessary for navigation and provides information via a communication line at the request of the driver, and a portable type having data such as map data, destination data, simple maps, and building shape maps A data communication device for exchanging data with an information source such as an electronic device can also be added.

  The current position detection device 2 obtains the current position information of the vehicle including height information using a satellite navigation system (GPS), and detects the traveling direction of the vehicle in absolute direction by using, for example, geomagnetism. Absolute azimuth sensor, relative azimuth sensor that detects the traveling azimuth of the vehicle in a relative azimuth by using, for example, a steering sensor or a gyro sensor, for example, a speed / distance sensor that detects the cruising speed and mileage of the vehicle from the rotational speed of the wheel And a sensor for detecting the current position information including the height information by detecting the acceleration of the vehicle.

  The information storage device 3 is an external storage device that stores navigation programs and data, and includes, for example, optical disks such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, magnetic disks such as floppy disks and hard disks, and magneto-optical disks such as MO. ing. The program includes a program for performing processing such as route search, a processing program as shown in the flowchart described in the present embodiment, a display output control necessary for route guidance, a program for interactive guidance by voice input, and Data necessary for this, a program for performing voice output control necessary for voice guidance, and data necessary for the program are stored. Data to be stored includes map data, road data, place name data including administrative division names and area names, search data, searched route data, guidance data, map matching data, destination data, memory point data, travel data It consists of files such as history data, facility data, image data of branching points such as intersections, genre-specific data, landmark data, etc., and stores all data necessary for the navigation device. These data can be downloaded from the information center and updated. The information storage device may store only data and the program may be stored in the central processing unit.

  The central processing unit 4 includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a flash memory that reads and stores a program from the information storage device 3, a ROM that stores a program (program reading means) that performs a program check and update process for the flash memory, Point coordinates of the set destination, road name code No. The RAM is a RAM that temporarily stores searched route guidance information and the like and data being processed. In addition to this, a frame memory for storing data to be displayed on an output device such as a display, interactive processing by voice input from the input device 1, or an information storage device based on a voice output control signal from the CPU 3. A speech processor that synthesizes speech, phrases, single sentences, sounds, etc. read from 3 and converts them to analog signals and outputs them to a speaker, a communication interface for exchanging input / output data by communication, and a current position detection device 2 is provided with a sensor input interface for capturing the sensor signal 2 and a clock for entering the date and time in the internal diagnosis information. Note that a program for performing the above-described update processing may be stored in an external storage device.

  All of the program according to the present embodiment and other programs for executing navigation may be stored in the external storage device, or a part or all of these programs may be stored in the ROM on the main body side. Various navigation functions are realized by inputting data and programs stored in the external storage device as external signals to the central processing unit of the navigation device main body and performing arithmetic processing.

  Also, some or all of the program according to the present embodiment, other programs for executing navigation, and map data are communicated from an information center (Internet server, navigation server) to a plurality of base stations (Internet provider terminals and vehicles). The central processing unit 4 on the terminal side receives the information transmitted from the base station by the information transmitting / receiving device, and reads / writes in the central processing unit 4 (for example, RAM, flash memory, etc.) Various navigation functions may be realized by downloading to a hard disk) and executing the program. Here, the program may be stored in a flash memory, and the map data may be stored in a separate readable / writable memory so that the map data is stored in a RAM, or may be stored in the same readable / writable memory. May be. Or, download a part or all of the program and map data from the information center to a removable storage medium (for example, an IC card, a magnetic card, or a flexible disk) with a personal computer at home, and connect the storage medium to the central processing unit 4. Various navigation functions may be realized by executing a program in the storage medium.

  The navigation device according to the present embodiment reads a program from an external storage device as described above, a relatively large-capacity flash memory for reading a program downloaded from an information center or the like, and a program (program for performing CD startup processing) A small-capacity ROM storing the reading means) is incorporated. The flash memory is a non-volatile storage means that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. Then, as a CD booting process, a program of ROM that is a program reading means is activated to check the program stored in the flash memory, and the disk management information stored in the information storage device 3 is read. The program loading process (update process) is performed based on this information and the state of the flash memory.

  The information transmitter / receiver 5 is a GPS receiver that obtains information using a satellite navigation system (GPS), VICS (road traffic information communication) for obtaining information using FM multiplex broadcasting, radio wave beacons, optical beacons, and the like. System) It is composed of a data transmitting / receiving device for bidirectionally communicating information with an information center and other vehicles by using a receiving device, a mobile phone, a personal computer and the like.

  The output device 6 has a function of outputting guidance information by voice and / or a screen when the driver needs it, and printing out data subjected to navigation processing by the central processing unit 4. As means for this, a memory for expanding and rendering data processed by the central processing unit 4 and data stored in the information storage unit 3 on a screen, a display for displaying image data rendered in the memory, and the central processing unit 4 A printer that prints out the data processed in step 1 and data stored in the information storage device 3, a speaker that outputs route guidance by voice, and the like.

  The display is composed of a simple liquid crystal display or the like, and is expanded and drawn based on map display data and guide data processed by the central processing unit 4 and drawn intersection enlarged view screen, destination name, time, distance, progress Display directional arrows, etc. The image data to be displayed on the display is binary image data (bitmap data), using a communication line that uses map display data and guide data processed by the central processing unit 4 in serial communication, etc. The communication line is also received, developed in the memory in the output device 6 and rendered, and then the designated display range is displayed on the display screen.

  This display is provided in an instrument panel in the vicinity of the driver's seat, and the driver can check the current location of the host vehicle and obtain information on the route from now on by looking at the display. In addition, a head-up display that makes it possible to view the display without lowering the driver's eyes through a half mirror in which the guide screen of the display is embedded in the windshield of the automobile may be provided. Alternatively, a tablet including a touch panel, a touch screen, or the like may be used as a display screen of the display, and a point input, a road input, or the like may be performed by touching the screen or tracing the screen.

It is a block diagram explaining the map display system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map data which a vehicle-mounted terminal device has. It is explanatory drawing of a network data acquisition area. It is a figure explaining the acquisition method of the data which the information center side hold | maintains, and the data already acquired by the vehicle-mounted terminal device side. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which presents a communication expense and communication time estimated when acquiring data from an information center to a user. It is a figure which shows a communication parameter setting screen. It is a figure explaining data acquisition in case there is a new construction or an abolition road. It is a figure explaining the road correspondence between data versions. It is a figure explaining the example which performs route search by both the information center side and the vehicle-mounted terminal device side, compares both routes, and selects whether to acquire data. It is a figure which shows the example which exchanges required conditions and parameters between both in order to unify the search result of the information center side and the vehicle-mounted terminal device side. It is a figure explaining exchange between conditions and parameters between an in-vehicle terminal unit and an information center. It is a figure explaining the processing flow relevant to map data acquisition. It is a figure explaining the processing flow relevant to map data acquisition. It is a figure which shows a different route when route search is independently performed on the server side and the vehicle-mounted device side. It is a figure explaining the weight in route search. It is a figure which shows a conversion factor setting screen. It is a figure which shows embodiment of a vehicle-mounted terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information center, 11 ... Control apparatus, 12 ... Map database, 13 ... Transmission / reception means, 14 ... Network, 15 ... In-vehicle terminal device.

Claims (3)

In the map display device for obtaining the latest map data from the information center and updating the map data stored in the storage means,
A transmission means for transmitting the starting point and destination to the information center;
Receiving means for receiving an estimated arrival time and a travel distance in a route from the departure place to the destination searched from the information center based on the latest map data in the information center;
Display means for displaying the received estimated arrival time and travel distance, and displaying a button for acquiring the latest map data from the information center;
A map display device comprising: Route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination based on map data stored in the storage means;
A calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time and a travel distance in the route searched by the route search means;
The display means displays the received estimated arrival time and journey distance, and the calculated estimated arrival time and journey distance, respectively, and obtains the latest map data from the information center. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein: In the map display device for obtaining the latest map data from the information center and updating the map data stored in the storage means,
A transmission means for transmitting the starting point and destination to the information center;
Receiving means for receiving an estimated arrival time and a travel distance in a route from the departure place to the destination searched from the information center based on the latest map data in the information center;
Route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination based on map data stored in the storage means;
A calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time and a travel distance in the route searched by the route search means;
A difference between the received estimated arrival time and the calculated estimated arrival time; and difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the received travel distance and the calculated travel distance;
Display means for displaying the calculated difference in estimated arrival time and difference in travel distance, and displaying a button for acquiring the latest map data from the information center;
A map display device comprising:

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