JP2009294534A - Map information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information processing apparatus capable of updating map information while suppressing the load of application processing. <P>SOLUTION: The map information processing apparatus includes: a non-volatile storage apparatus 102 having a map information storage area 102a storing map files wherein map information is stored and a map update information storage area 102b storing map update information; a volatile temporary memory 102c temporarily storing information; a provisional update processing means 104a which reads a map file storing map information necessary for application processing from the map information storage area and reads, when the file contains map information which needs to be updated, map update information from the map update information storage area and, by using the map update information, performs provisional update to update the map information and stores it in the temporary memory; and a registration means 104a registering the map information made to be the object of provisional update in the temporary memory as the object of real update. Application processing is performed by using the updated map information stored in the temporary memory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information processing apparatus that processes map information held in a navigation apparatus or the like, and more particularly to a technique for updating map information.

  Conventionally, as a map information processing apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a map update process that performs a map update in parallel with a process for performing navigation control (hereinafter referred to as “navigation process”) and enables a background update. Data creation method, map update method and apparatus are disclosed.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether the map file stored in the storage device has not been updated or has been updated. The map file is rewritten in this order. Also, if it is determined that the map file required for navigation processing has not been updated, the processing for updating the map file in a predetermined order is interrupted, and after the map file required for navigation processing is rewritten, the navigation processing To use.

JP 2006-220524 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above has the following problems. That is, when the map file required for the navigation process is not updated, the map file stored in the storage device is rewritten during the execution of the navigation process, so the load of the navigation process is larger than when the map information is not updated. As a result, the navigation process cannot be executed smoothly. In addition, the user cannot grasp the update status of the map file.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a map information processing apparatus capable of updating map information while suppressing a load of application processing such as navigation processing. Moreover, a means for grasping the update status of the map file is provided to the user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a map information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a map information storage area for storing a map file in which map information is stored, and a map for updating the map information stored in the map file. A nonvolatile storage device provided with a map update information storage area for storing update information, a volatile temporary memory for temporarily storing information, and a map file storing map information necessary for application processing When the map information read from the map information storage area of the storage device and the read map file contains map information that needs to be updated, the map update information is read from the map update information storage area of the storage device, and the read map update information A temporary update processing means for performing a temporary update for updating map information that needs to be updated and storing it in a temporary memory, and a temporary update processing means. Map information the subject of the temporary updating Te and a registration means for registering the temporary memory as an object of the present update processing, it executes the application processing using the updated map information stored in the temporary memory.

  According to the map information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the map information necessary for the application process needs to be updated, the map information is temporarily stored by performing temporary update for updating using the map update information, Since the application process is executed using the temporarily stored map information, it is not necessary to rewrite the map information stored in the map information storage area of the storage device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load of application processing. In addition, since the map information that is subject to temporary update is configured to be registered as the target of this update process, the map in the storage device corresponding to the registered map information when the application processing load is small Information can be updated. As a result, it is possible to update the map information while suppressing the application processing load.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The map information processing apparatus includes a position detection device 100, an input device 101, a storage device 102, an information acquisition device 103, a processor 104, and an output device 105.

  The position detection device 100 detects the current position of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle information terminal to which the map information processing device is applied, using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, and an angular velocity sensor, The position information is sent to the processor 104.

  The input device 101 sends an instruction signal to the processor 104 in accordance with a user operation or instruction. Specifically, although not shown, the input device 101 recognizes the user's voice and outputs an instruction signal based on the voice, a button for outputting the instruction signal by the user's manual operation, or And at least one of other input devices.

  The storage device 102 is configured by a nonvolatile storage device, for example, a hard disk drive using a hard disk as a storage medium. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing storage areas provided in the storage device 102. As the storage areas, a map information storage area 102a, a map update information storage area 102b, and a request history storage area 102c are provided. The map information storage area 102a stores map information. The map update information storage area 102b stores map update information. The request history storage area 102c stores a history of update requests.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a type configuration of map information stored in the map information storage area 102a. Map information is memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 102 by the data format defined for every vehicle-mounted information terminal. In addition, the data format of map information may differ for every vehicle-mounted information terminal.

  The map information stored in the map information storage area 102a includes road information 200, background information 201, name information 202, route guidance information 203, route search information 204, and guidance search information 205. The road information 200 includes data representing road attributes such as name, width, number of lanes, traffic restrictions, road shapes, connection relationships between roads, road shape accuracy, and the like. The background information 201 includes data for displaying map backgrounds such as rivers and seas. The name information 202 includes data for displaying names such as place names in characters. The route guidance information 203 includes data for performing route guidance at an intersection or the like. The route search information 204 includes data for calculating the optimum route to the destination. The guidance search information 205 includes data for searching for an address or a facility.

  The map update information stored in the map update information storage area 102b is acquired from the information acquisition device 103. Map information is updated using the acquired map update information.

  The request history storage area 102c stores update requests made from the main thread 104a to the update thread 104b (both will be described later in detail). The contents of the request history storage area 102c are retained even after the power source of the in-vehicle information terminal is turned off. After the in-vehicle information terminal is restarted, a process involving rewriting of a map file (details will be described later) requested during the previous start-up by reading the update request history stored in the request history storage area 102c Can be executed continuously.

  The information acquisition device 103 is composed of, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, reads map update information stored in an update DVD-ROM (Read Only Memory), and sends it to the processor 104. The processor 104 sends the map update information read from the information acquisition device 103 to the storage device 102 and stores it in the map update information storage area 102b.

  The processor 104 controls the entire map information processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the processor 104. The processor 104 includes a main thread 104a, an update thread 104b, and an internal memory 104c.

  The main thread 104a reads necessary map information from the storage device 102, compares the position detected by the position detection device 100 as the vehicle travels with the map information read from the storage device 102, and determines the current position. Map matching to be estimated, map display for displaying a map around the current position based on map information read from the storage device 102, route search for calculating a route from the departure point to the destination using the map information read from the storage device 102 , Route display for displaying suitable route candidates obtained by route search on the display screen of the output device 105 together with a map, route guidance for guiding from the departure point to the destination according to the preferred route, and facility name as the destination Alternatively, navigation processing such as facility search for searching facilities by genre is executed.

  Further, in the process using these map information, when the map information read from the storage device 102 needs to be updated, a temporary update process (details will be described later) is executed. The temporary update processing means and registration means of this invention are realized by this main thread 104a. In this specification, navigation processing is described as an example of processing using a map. However, the present invention is not limited to navigation processing, and is applied to application processing for realizing various applications using a map. be able to.

  The processor 104 has a multitask processing function, and can operate other processes in parallel with the main thread 104a. An update thread 104b that performs an update process is prepared as a thread that operates in parallel. The priority of the update thread 104b is set low, the CPU idle time included in the processor 104 is monitored, the update thread 104b is activated during the CPU idle time, and the update process involves rewriting the map file (details will be described later) Is executed. In other words, while the processing request for the main thread 104a is in a waiting state, the update processing is automatically stopped. The update processing means of the present invention is realized by the update thread 104b.

  Further, the processor 104 includes a volatile internal memory 104c, temporarily stores map information mainly read from the storage device 102, and is used as a work area for the main thread 104a and the update thread 104b. The internal memory 104c corresponds to the temporary memory of the present invention.

  The output device 105 presents information to the user according to the data output from the processor 104. Specifically, although illustration is omitted, the output device 105 is at least one of a display device that displays a map, a current position, a route, guidance information, and the like, and a voice generation device that gives voice instructions or guidance to the user. It consists of two.

  Next, the file structure of map information will be described. The map information is managed by an area unit obtained by dividing the map area, a hierarchical unit corresponding to the scale, a type unit corresponding to the application, or a combination thereof. In addition, information for determining which layer, map, map, and type of map information of these management units corresponds, information for managing a pointer to a storage location, In addition, map file management information is included as information for managing the update state of each map file. For example, if the update state is “0”, the corresponding map file has been updated (or need not be updated), and “1” indicates that it has not been updated.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a map information file structure, and a plurality of map files MF00, MF01, MF02,... Storing map information, and map file management information AMF00, AMF01, AMF02,. And a map file management file AF in which is stored. The update state of the map file is stored in the latter part of the map file management information AMF00, AMF01, AMF02,... (The part below the comma shown in FIG. 5). In the example shown in FIG. The states are all set to “0” (update completion or update unnecessary).

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the map file MF00 stores map information M0000 and map information management information AM0000 for managing a pointer to the map information. Similarly, the map file MF01 stores map information M0100, M0101,... And map information management information AM0100, AM0101,.

  Next, the file structure of map update information will be described. Map update information is managed in a map information management unit. The map update information includes map update information management information for managing a pointer to the storage position.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a file structure of map update information, and is composed of at least one map update information file D0000, D0001, D0003,. Each map update information file stores map update information.

  The map update information includes map update information management information AD0000, AD0001, AD0003,... For managing the presence / absence of map update information for the map information of the management unit and the pointer to the storage location of the map update information. Yes. Map information for which there is no map update information is map information that does not need to be updated, and map information for which map update information exists is map information that needs to be updated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the map update information management information and the map update information are configured to be stored in one map update information file, but can be configured to be stored in separate files. The map update information can also be configured to be divided into a plurality of files and stored.

Next, the update state of the map file will be described. The following is defined as the update state of the map file.
(A) Unupdated file The map file stores unupdated map information and needs to be updated. FIG. 7 shows an example of unupdated map information. The map information M0100, M0101, M0102, and M0103 stored in the map file MF01 indicates that the map information is not updated.
(B) Updated file All the map information stored in the map file is in an updated state. FIG. 8 shows an example of updated map information. The map information M0100, M0101, M0102 and M0103 stored in the map file MF01 is updated, and map information M0100 ′, M0101 ′, M0102 ′ and M0103 ′ are stored as the map file MF01 ′, respectively. At this time, the map file management information AMF01 is rewritten, and the update state of the map file MF01 ′ is changed to “updated”.

  Next, the operation of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the main process, first, a startup process is executed (step ST11). In this activation process, the processor 104 acquires map update information from the information acquisition device 103 and stores it in the storage device 102. Further, the processor 104 changes the update state included in the map file management information and reflects it in the storage device 102. If the map update information has already been stored and the map file management information has been changed, this processing is not performed.

  Next, the processing request of the main thread is monitored (step ST12). That is, the presence or absence of a processing request for the main thread 104a is monitored. For example, when the operator requests an operation such as a map scroll or a route search, the main thread 104a is requested to process.

  Next, it is checked whether or not there is a processing request for the main thread (step ST13). Specifically, it is checked whether or not there are one or more processing requests for the main thread 104a. If it is determined in step ST13 that there is a processing request for the main thread, the main thread is executed (step ST14). That is, the processor 104 executes the main thread 104a. Thereby, the navigation process is executed. In this navigation process, a map file update for the update thread 104b is requested. Thereafter, the sequence proceeds to step ST16.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST13 that there is no request for the main thread, the update thread is executed (step ST15). That is, the processor 104 stores the request from the main thread 104a in the internal memory 104c by executing the update thread 104b, and sequentially executes processing corresponding to the request. Thereafter, the sequence proceeds to step ST16.

  In step ST16, it is checked whether an end process has occurred. If it is determined in step ST16 that no termination process has occurred, the sequence returns to step ST12 and the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST16 that the termination process has occurred, the termination process is executed (step ST17). In this termination process, a request for the update thread 104b from the main thread 104a stored in the internal memory 104c is stored in the storage device 102.

  Next, the operation of the main thread 104a will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an acquisition process of map information necessary for the navigation process in the main thread 104a. This map information acquisition process is executed as many times as necessary while the in-vehicle information terminal is activated.

  In the map information acquisition process, first, it is checked whether or not the map file has not been updated (step ST21). That is, the processor 104 reads map file management information of necessary map information from the storage device 102 and refers to the read map file management information to check the update state of the map file storing the corresponding map information. . If it is determined in step ST21 that the map file has not been updated, that is, it has been updated, map information is read from the updated file (step ST22). That is, the processor 104 reads the corresponding map information from the updated map file stored in the storage device 102, stores it in the internal memory 104c, and uses the map information stored in the internal memory 104c for navigation processing. To do. Thereafter, the map information acquisition process ends.

  If it is determined in step ST21 that the map file is not updated, it is then checked whether the target map information is not updated (step ST23). That is, the processor 104 checks whether or not the map information to be processed among the map information included in the map file has not been updated. In this step ST23, if it is determined that the target map information is not updated, that is, updated, it is recognized that the update is unnecessary, and the sequence proceeds to step ST22 described above, and the map information is updated from the updated file. Is read.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST23 that the target map information is not updated, the map information is read from the unupdated file (step ST24). That is, the processor 104 reads the corresponding map information from the unupdated file stored in the storage device 102 and expands it in the internal memory 104c.

  Next, temporary update processing is executed (steps ST25 and ST26). In this temporary update process, first, update information is read (step ST25). That is, the processor 104 reads map update information corresponding to the corresponding map information from the map update information file stored in the storage device 102, and expands the map update information in the internal memory 104c.

  Next, an update process is executed (step ST25). That is, the processor 104 updates the map information read in step ST24 using the map update information read in step ST25, and registers the updated map information in the internal memory 104c.

  Next, registration is performed as a target for this update process (step ST27). That is, the processor 104 requests the update thread 104b to perform the update process for the corresponding map information. This request is registered in the internal memory 104c and executed by the update thread 104b. Thus, the map information acquisition process ends.

  Next, the operation of the update thread 104b will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the update thread 104b. The process shown in FIG. 11 is executed as many times as necessary while the in-vehicle information terminal is activated.

  First, it is checked whether or not there is a registration subject to this update process (step ST31). That is, the update thread 104b refers to the internal memory 104c and checks whether there is a request for the main update process from the main thread 104a. If it is determined in step ST31 that there is no registration subject to the update process, the process of the update thread 104b ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST31 that there is a registration for this update process target, the update process (steps ST32 to ST34) is executed. In this update process, the update thread 104b is activated in the free time of the main thread 104a (a state in which there is no processing request), and a process of rewriting the map file stored in the storage device 102 is executed.

  In this update process, first, map information is read (step ST32). That is, the processor 104 sequentially reads the map information of the target map file from the storage device 102 and registers it in the internal memory 104c. Next, update information is read (step ST33). That is, the processor 104 reads map update information corresponding to target map information from the storage device 102 and registers it in the internal memory 104c.

  Next, an update process is executed (step ST34). That is, the processor 104 updates the map information read in step ST32 with the map update information read in step ST33, and registers the result in the internal memory 104c. The processes in steps ST32 to ST33 are executed for the number of target map information.

  When the above update process is completed, a map file is then written to the storage device (step ST35). That is, the processor 104 writes the updated map information stored in the internal memory 104c into the storage device 102 as a new map file. Thereby, the map information and map information management information for the number of storage are stored in the new map file. Thereafter, the process ends.

  In addition, in the process of step ST32-ST35 mentioned above, when the updated map information is already stored in the internal memory 104c, it can comprise so that these processes may be abbreviate | omitted. As described above, the processing amount of the processor 104 can be reduced by using the internal memory 104c.

  As described above, the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is configured to perform temporary update processing when a map file including map information necessary for navigation processing has not been updated. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the map information after the update is completed while suppressing the load of the navigation processing. In addition, since the update process by the update thread 104b is executed only when the load of the navigation process of the main thread 104a that executes the navigation process is small, the execution of the navigation process is not hindered.

  In addition, this update process can be configured to preferentially execute a map file that stores the temporarily updated map information. According to this configuration, it is possible to give priority to update of a frequently used map file.

  Further, in the termination process, the history of the map file that has been subjected to the temporary update process can be stored in the storage device 102 and used after the restart. According to this configuration, even if the power is turned off, the map file having a high priority can be continuously updated by the update thread 104b after the restart.

  Further, the temporary update process can be configured as follows. That is, map information is managed in units of types such as map units, route guidance, route search or guidance search, among management units such as area units or hierarchical units, and map update information is managed in units of those types. It can also comprise so that it may provide. In the main thread 104a, for example, when displaying a map, the temporary update process can be performed only for the map information necessary for the map display in the map information management unit. Thereby, the processing amount can be further reduced, and the load of the navigation processing can be reduced.

  Further, the file structure of the map information is not limited to the file structure described above, and may be another file structure.

  In addition, the number of times that the main update process request for each map file is made from the main thread 104a to the update thread 104b is recorded, and the update thread 104b is configured as a priority of the update process. it can. According to this structure, it becomes possible to update in order from the map file with high priority which is frequently requested.

  In addition, for the map file that includes the map information that has undergone the temporary update process, if the update process does not start even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a correction is made to lower the priority of the map file final update process in the update process. Can be configured. Moreover, it can also be configured to be temporarily excluded from the target of the update process. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid updating the map file that happens to be used and prioritize updating the frequently used map file.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The configuration of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is the same as that of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. However, in the map information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the update thread 104b further functions as intermediate processing means of the present invention.

  In the map information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the following is added to the update state of the map information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment as the update state of the map file. That is, when some map information stored in the unupdated file is updated, it is saved in another intermediate file as shown in FIG. For example, the map information M0101 stored in the map file MF01 is updated to the map information M0101 'and stored in the storage device 102 as the intermediate file MF0101. At this time, the map information management information AM0101 stored in the map file MF01 is rewritten to AM0101 ”and changed to indicate the intermediate file MF0101.

  Next, the operation of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining map information acquisition processing necessary for navigation processing by the main thread 104a according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This map information acquisition process is executed as many times as necessary while the in-vehicle information terminal is activated. In addition, in the following, in the step which performs the process same as the acquisition process of the map information in the map information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 demonstrated with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the code | symbol used in FIG. The same reference numerals are attached to simplify the description.

  In the map information acquisition process, first, it is checked whether or not the map file has not been updated (step ST21). If it is determined in step ST21 that the map file has not been updated, that is, it has been updated, map information is read from the updated file (step ST22). Thereafter, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST21 that the map file is not updated, it is then checked whether the target map data is not updated (step ST23). If it is determined in this step ST23 that the map file has not been updated, that is, it has been updated, it is recognized that updating is not necessary, and the sequence proceeds to step ST22 described above, and map information is read from the updated file. It is.

  If it is determined in step ST23 that the map file is not updated, map information is read from the unupdated file (step ST24). Next, temporary update processing is executed (steps ST25 and ST26). Next, registration is performed as an intermediate processing target (step ST42). That is, the processor 104 requests the update thread 104b to perform intermediate processing of the map information updated in step ST26. This request is registered in the internal memory 104c and executed by the update thread 104b. Thus, the map information acquisition process ends.

  If it is determined in step ST23 that an intermediate file exists, map information is read from the intermediate file (step ST43). That is, the processor 104 reads the corresponding map data from the intermediate file and expands it in the internal memory 104c. The map information read here has been updated. Thus, the map information acquisition process ends.

  In the temporary update process, the map information not used in the navigation process is not rewritten for the map file stored in the storage device 102. Only the map information necessary for the navigation process is updated by a minimum process using the internal memory 104c.

  Next, the operation of the update thread 104b will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the update thread 104b. The process shown in FIG. 14 is executed as many times as necessary while the in-vehicle information terminal is activated. In the following, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 11 are given to the steps for performing the same processes as those in the map information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The explanation will be simplified.

  First, it is checked whether or not there is an intermediate processing target registration (step ST51). That is, the update thread 104b refers to the internal memory 104c and checks whether there is a request for intermediate processing from the main thread 104a. If it is determined in step ST51 that there is no intermediate processing target registration, it is checked whether or not there is a registration for the current update processing target as in the map information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment (step ST51). ST31). If it is determined in step ST31 that there is no registration subject to this update process, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST31 that there is a registration for this update process target, this update process (steps ST32 to ST35) is executed. Next, the map file is written to the storage device (step ST35). Thereafter, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step ST51 that there is an intermediate processing target registration, then intermediate processing (steps ST52 and ST53) is performed. In the intermediate process, first, map information is read from the internal memory (step ST52). That is, the update thread 104b reads map information registered in the internal memory 104c. The map information read here is updated map information that has been provisionally updated in the main thread 104a.

  Next, the intermediate file is written to the storage device (step ST53). That is, the update thread 104b writes, as an intermediate file, the map information that has been read from the internal memory 104c and updated by the temporary update in step ST52.

  When the above intermediate process is completed, registration is then performed as the update process target (step ST54). That is, the map file storing the map information that has been subjected to the intermediate processing is registered in the internal memory 104c as the subject of the update processing. The request for this update process is executed in the update thread 104b. Thereafter, the process ends.

  As described above, according to the map information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the load of navigation processing by the main thread 104a is small, the intermediate file saving process to the storage device 102 and the like are performed in the background. By doing so, the navigation process by the main thread 104a is not affected. In addition, by leaving the map information that has undergone the temporary update process as an intermediate file, it is not necessary to perform the temporary update process when the map information is used again during the execution of the navigation process by the main thread 104a. The load of navigation processing can be reduced.

  In the process of steps ST31 to ST35 (main update process), if an intermediate file storing updated map information exists, the intermediate file can be read instead of these processes. Thus, by performing the map file main update process using the intermediate file, the processing amount of the main update process can be reduced.

  Further, the file structure of the map information is not limited to the file structure described above, and may be another file structure.

  Furthermore, if the intermediate processing is not started even after a predetermined time has elapsed with respect to the map information that has undergone the temporary update processing, it can be configured to perform a correction that lowers the priority of the intermediate processing of the map information in the update processing. Further, the intermediate process can be temporarily excluded from the target of the update process.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The configuration of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as that of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 or 2 except for the storage area provided in storage device 102. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a storage area of the storage device 102, which is configured by adding a use history information storage area 102d to the storage area of the map information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. . In the map information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment, the processor 104 functions as priority setting means of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention configured as described above will be described. The main process of this map information processing apparatus is different only in the process performed in step ST11 of the main process of the map information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in step ST11, the processor 104 further reads use history information stored in the use history information storage area 102d of the storage device 102 and stores it in the internal memory 104c.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the use history information creation process. This use history information creation processing is the acquisition of map information of the map information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 or the acquisition of map information of the map information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. Executed after processing is complete.

  In the use history information creation processing, first, navigation processing using map information is executed (step ST61). That is, in the main thread 104a, navigation processing using map information read from the map file is executed. Specifically, processing such as map display, map matching, route search, route guidance or guidance search is performed.

  Next, usage information is generated (step ST62). That is, usage information related to the map information used in step ST61 is generated. For example, the number of uses of map information and the number of accesses to a map file in which map information is stored are used as use information. Thereby, it is possible to know map information and map files that are frequently used in the navigation processing.

  Further, in the map display, the display time per display scale is measured and used as usage information. Thereby, the display scale frequently used by the user can be known. In map matching, the number of times of travel for each area or route is used as usage information. Thereby, it becomes possible to know an area or a route where the vehicle travels frequently. In the route search, the area set as the departure point and the destination, the area obtained by subtracting the route line, and the route are used as usage information. This makes it possible to know the frequently used area and route. In the guidance search, a type such as an area to be searched, a restaurant, or a parking lot is used as usage information. Thereby, it becomes possible to know the frequently searched area and type.

  Next, usage history information is changed (step ST63). That is, the usage history information stored in the internal memory 104c is updated with the usage information generated in step ST62. Thus, the use history information creation process ends.

  In the end process of step ST17 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the usage history information stored in the internal memory 104c is stored in the usage history information storage area 102d of the storage device 102. Thus, when the in-vehicle information terminal is activated again, new usage history information is written in past usage history information by reading the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage area 102d of the storage device 102. In addition, it becomes possible to accumulate.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing priority order setting processing performed in the map information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. This priority setting process is executed before the processing of the update thread 104b shown in FIG. 11 or FIG.

  In the priority setting process, first, usage history information is acquired (step ST71). That is, the processor 104 acquires the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage area 102d of the storage device 102, and stores it in the internal memory 104c.

  Next, an update priority is set for each map file (step ST72). That is, the processor 104 refers to the use history information stored in the internal memory 104c, and sets the priority of the map file from the use frequency of the map information. For example, a high priority is set for a map file that stores frequently used map information, and a low priority is set for a map file that is not. Moreover, the priority of the map file of the display scale used frequently is set high. Moreover, the priority of the map file relevant to the area and route which drive | work frequently is set high. Moreover, the priority of the map file related to the area and type frequently searched is set high. Moreover, the priority of the map file related to the area where the route line is frequently drawn and the route is set high. Then, the priority order of the map file is set according to the set priority.

  Next, an update process is executed (step ST73). That is, the update thread 104b is activated and the map file main update process (the process shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 14) is started in the background of the main thread 104a in accordance with the priority set in step ST72.

  As described above, according to the map information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, since it is configured to determine the priority order of the map file for performing this update processing from the past use history of map information, It is possible to preferentially update map files that are frequently used. As a result, when the map information is used in the main process, the temporary update process becomes unnecessary, and the load of the navigation process can be reduced.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the configuration of the map information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a priority order presentation function for presenting the priority order to the user is added to the output device 105 of the map information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. Is the same as the configuration of the map information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. However, in the map information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the processor 104 functions as priority order editing means of the present invention.

  Next, among the operations of the map information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, priority setting processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This priority setting process is executed before the processing of the update thread 104b shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. In the following, the steps for performing the same processing as the priority order setting processing executed by the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 are used in FIG. The same reference numerals are used to simplify the description.

  In the priority setting process, first, usage history information is acquired (step ST71). Next, an update priority is set for each map file (step ST72). Next, the priority order is presented (step ST81). That is, the processor 104 sends data indicating the priority set in step ST72 to the output device 105. As a result, the priority order is displayed on the output device 105 and presented to the user. FIG. 19 is an example of a screen showing the priority order presented to the user. Areas, route names or items used in the past indicated by the usage history information are displayed in order of frequency.

  Next, it is checked whether or not update has been selected (step ST82). That is, it is checked whether the user has instructed editing using the input device 101 with respect to the priority order displayed on the output device 105. In step ST82, in the example shown in FIG. 19, when “start update in priority order” or “confirm on map” is selected by the input device 101, it is recognized that no update is selected, When “change priority item” is selected, it is recognized that update has been selected.

  If it is determined in this step ST82 that the update is selected, that is, if “change priority item” is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 19, the priority order is changed (step ST83). Specifically, the screen changes to a priority order edit screen, and the priority order is changed in accordance with a user instruction. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST82 that the update is not selected, for example, if “start update in priority order” is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 19, the process in step ST83 is skipped.

  Next, update processing is started (step ST73). That is, the update process is started, and the related map file main update process is started in accordance with the displayed priority order. Thus, the priority order setting process ends.

  20 to 22 are examples of editing screens for performing priority order editing operations. As shown in FIG. 20, when the cursor is moved to “display history” on the editing screen, “50 m to 100 m scale”, “200 m to 500 m scale”, “10 m to 25 m scale”, etc. are displayed in a list format. Is displayed. When the user selects “200 m to 500 m scale” from the displayed list, for example, a message “Do you want to update the related data of the selected item with priority?” Is displayed. When the user selects “Yes” in this state, the priority order of the map file including the map information of “200 m to 500 m scale” is increased.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the cursor is moved to "travel history" on the editing screen, "Mita City, Hyogo Prefecture", "National Route 176", "Chinese Route Kobe Sanda IC-Chugoku Expressway Takarazuka IC", ...・ Etc. are displayed in list format. When the user selects, for example, “Chinese Express Kobe Mita IC to Chugoku Expressway Takarazuka IC” from the displayed list, a message “Do you want to preferentially update the related data of the selected item?” Is displayed. In this state, when the user selects “Yes”, the priority order of the map file including the map information related to “Chugoku Expressway Kobe Sanda IC to Chugoku Expressway Takarazuka IC” increases.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the cursor is moved to “Search History” on the editing screen, “Hyogo Prefecture / Fast Food”, “Hyogo Prefecture / Address”, “Osaka Prefecture / Parking Lot”, etc. are listed. Displayed in the format. When the user selects “Osaka Prefecture / Parking” from the displayed list, a message “Do you want to preferentially update the related data of the selected item?” Is displayed. In this state, when the user selects “Yes”, the priority order of the map file including the map information of “Osaka Prefecture / Parking” increases. The priority order can be edited even after the update thread 104b is activated.

  As described above, according to the map information processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the priority order is determined from the past use history and presented to the user, and the user can change the priority order. Since it comprised, it becomes possible to preferentially update the map file which a user desires, and generation | occurrence | production of the temporary update process in a main process can be suppressed.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
The configuration of the map information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is that a map update status display function is added to the output device 105 of the map information processing apparatus according to the first or third embodiment. Except for this, the configuration of the map information processing apparatus according to the first or third embodiment is the same.

  Next, the operation of the map information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described. When the input device 101 instructs to display the map update status, the screen changes to a map update status display screen. That is, the processor 104 sequentially acquires the update status of the map file from the map file management information stored in the storage device 102 and sends it to the output device 105. The output device 105 displays the update status on the display screen based on the update status of the map file received from the processor 104.

  FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show an example of a map update status display screen. Based on the map file management information, it is determined whether or not the map file has been completely updated, and information corresponding to the determination result is displayed on the display screen of the output device 105. For example, the map information area in which an unupdated map file is stored in the area is gray, the map information area in which all the map information files in the area have been updated or not updated is white, and the update processing is performed in the area The map information area in which the map file is stored is displayed with shading. FIG. 24 shows that it is possible to identify that the update of the map file has progressed since the update status shown in FIG. 23 has elapsed.

  The output device 105 has a function of displaying an update status for each display scale, and can be configured to select a display scale for displaying the update status using the input device 101. Further, the output device 105 has a function of displaying an update status for each application such as a map display or a route search, and is configured to select an application for which the update status is to be displayed using the input device 101. You can also.

  FIG. 25 shows another example of the display screen of the update state. In this example of the display screen, the update targets are displayed in a list format according to the priority order. In this case, according to the update state of a map file, it displays so that the update state for every item can be identified. For example, all map files including map information related to “Mita City, Hyogo Prefecture—50 m scale to 100 m scale” have been updated and are displayed in white. The map file containing the map information related to “Hyogo Prefecture / Fast Food” is in the process of being updated in the background and is displayed in shades. The map file including the map information related to “National Route 176” has not started this update process by the background. Or, since there is an unupdated map file, it is displayed in gray.

  In the map information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment described above, the update state is identified based on whether or not the map file main update process is completed. However, the update state including the presence or absence of the intermediate file is identified. It can also be configured.

  As described above, according to the map information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which part of the map information stored in the storage device 102 has not been updated and which part has been updated. Can be presented to the user.

  In the map information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 4 as well, if the map file storing the map information necessary for the main process is not updated (update is necessary), the map information is obtained by the temporary update process. Can be updated.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the map information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory area provided in the memory | storage device of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the classification structure of the map information used with the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the processor of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the file structure of the map information used with the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the file structure of the map update information used with the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the unupdated map information in the map information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the updated map information in the map information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main process for controlling operation | movement of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the acquisition process of the map information required for the navigation process in the main thread of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the update thread | sled of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the file structure of the map information used with the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the acquisition process of the map information required for the navigation process by the main thread of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the update thread | sled of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory area provided in the memory | storage device of the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the usage log information creation process in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the priority in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the priority in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which shows the priority shown to a user in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the edit screen for performing priority order edit operation in the map information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the edit screen for performing priority editing operation in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the edit screen for performing priority order edit operation in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen before the update displayed in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen after the update displayed in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen of the update state displayed in the map information processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  100 position detection device, 101 input device, 102 storage device, 103 information acquisition device, 104 processor, 105 output device.

Claims (7)

Nonvolatile storage provided with a map information storage area for storing a map file storing map information and a map update information storage area for storing map update information for updating the map information stored in the map file Equipment,
Volatile temporary memory for temporarily storing information;
When a map file storing map information necessary for application processing is read from the map information storage area of the storage device, and the map information that needs to be updated is included in the read map file, the map of the storage device Temporary update processing means for reading the map update information from the update information storage area, performing temporary update for updating the map information that needs to be updated using the read map update information, and storing the temporary update memory in the temporary memory;
Registering means for registering the map information that is temporarily updated in the temporary update processing means in the temporary memory as the target of the current update process;
A map information processing apparatus that executes application processing using updated map information stored in the temporary memory. When the application processing load is small, the map information registered in the temporary memory as the target of this update process is read from the map information storage area of the storage device, and the read map information is stored in the map update information storage of the storage device Update processing means for executing update processing for updating the map information read from the area and rewriting the map information stored in the map information storage area with the updated map information is provided. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 2. The map information according to claim 1, further comprising intermediate processing means for storing the map information stored in the temporary memory by the temporary update processing means in the storage device as an intermediate file when the application processing load is small. Processing equipment. A use history information storage area provided in a storage device for storing the use history of map information used in application processing as use history information;
Priority order setting means for setting a priority order for executing this update process with reference to the use history information stored in the use history information storage area,
3. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the update processing means executes the update processing in accordance with the priority order set by the priority order setting means. 5. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an output device that outputs the priority order set by the priority order setting means. 6. The map information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising priority order editing means for changing the priority order output to the output device. The output device identifies the map information stored in the map file subjected to the update process or the map information stored in the intermediate file, and displays the update status. The map information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images