JP2011133394A - Navigation system, device, and server, and map data updating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system, device, and server, updating the map data or the like even while a route guidance or the like is being performed by allowing an update object of the map data or the like to be updated for each map data or the like and by comparing update information so that the update is performed only for the limited data stored in the navigation device requiring the update, and also to provide a map data updating method. <P>SOLUTION: In the navigation server, data are extracted on the basis of a data acquisition request, and transmitted to the navigation device. In the navigation device, update information transmitted from the navigation server and update information stored in a storage part are compared; a data acquisition request based on the difference is transmitted to the navigation server; the data stored in the storage part corresponding to the data transmitted from the navigation server are discarded; and the received map data are stored in the storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, a navigation device, a navigation server, and a map data update method.

  Conventionally, a technique for performing update processing according to the use of map data has been disclosed.

  For example, in the map data processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, update processing that replaces all data at once according to the type of map data such as map display, location, route search, and route guidance Or a map stored in the storage means to minimize the time during which the navigation function cannot be used, by selecting whether to perform update processing that partially replaces data in response to a map data request from an application, etc. A technique for updating data to the latest map data is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 4307121

  However, the map data processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when all the data is replaced at once, the map update target is the entire area, so that it takes a long time to update the map data. Even if the system is partially replaced, it is assumed that the map data is updated before the start of route guidance by the application, so the navigation function can be used according to the processing capacity and communication environment of the device when updating the map. There was also a problem that time to disappear occurred. In addition, it is desirable that all types of map data are the latest for route guidance. However, in the map data processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when performing route guidance, all types of map data including guidance routes are used. When updating to the latest data, the update processing is performed by combining the batch update and the partial update in accordance with the type of the map data, so that a huge amount of time is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and does not set the update target of map data or the like as map data or the like of all areas, but can be updated for each map data or the like of mesh data, etc. The update information for each data stored on the side is compared with the update information for each latest data stored on the navigation server side, and the comparison is performed to update only the data stored in the navigation device that needs to be updated. To provide a navigation system, a navigation device, a navigation server, and a map data update method capable of updating map data and the like while minimizing the amount of update data and performing route guidance, etc. With the goal.

  In order to achieve such an object, the navigation system of the present invention connects a navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a navigation device including at least the control unit and the storage unit so that they can communicate with each other. In the navigation system, the storage unit of the navigation server includes map data of a map and server side map data storage means for storing update information of the map data, and the control unit of the navigation server includes: A part of the map data based on an update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map data storage means to the navigation device, and a data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device Or extract all from the server-side map data storage means Extraction means, and data transmission means for transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted by the extraction means to the navigation device, wherein the storage unit of the navigation device includes the map data, and Map data storage means for storing the update information of the map data, wherein the control unit of the navigation device receives the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server; and The update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means and the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means The comparison means for comparing the update information with each other to determine whether there is a difference, and the above comparison means When it is determined that there is a difference, an acquisition request transmitting means for transmitting the data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server, and data reception for receiving a part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server And a part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to a part or all of the map data received by the data receiving means, and received by the data receiving means. And a data storage means for storing a part or all of the map data in the map data storage means.

  Further, the navigation device of the present invention is a navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation server including at least a storage unit, and the storage unit of the navigation device includes: Map data storage means for storing map map data and update information of the map data, wherein the control unit is transmitted from the navigation server and stored in the storage unit of the navigation server Corresponding to the update information receiving means for receiving the update information of the data, the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means, and the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means Comparing the update information of the map data stored in the map data storage means From the comparison server that determines whether there is a difference, the acquisition request transmission unit that transmits a data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server when the comparison unit determines that there is the difference, and the navigation server Data receiving means for receiving a part or all of the map data extracted from the storage unit of the navigation server based on the data acquisition request transmitted, and the map data received by the data receiving means A part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to a part or all of the map data is discarded, and a part or all of the map data received by the data receiving means is replaced with the map data storage means And a data storage means for storing the data.

  Further, the navigation server of the present invention is a navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit that are communicably connected to a navigation device including at least a storage unit, and the storage unit of the navigation server includes: Server-side map data storage means for storing map map data and update information of the map data, and the control unit stores the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map data storage means. Update information transmitting means for transmitting to the navigation device, the update information of the map data transmitted by the update information transmitting means, and the map data stored in the storage unit of the navigation device corresponding to the update information A data acquisition request based on the difference from the update information An acquisition request receiving means for receiving, an extraction means for extracting a part or all of the map data from the server-side map data storage means based on the data acquisition request received by the acquisition request receiving means, and the extraction means And data transmission means for transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted by the above-mentioned navigation device.

  Further, the map data update method of the present invention is executed in a navigation system in which a navigation server having at least a control unit and a storage unit and a navigation device having at least a control unit and a storage unit are communicably connected. In the map data update method, the storage unit of the navigation server includes map data of a map and server-side map data storage means for storing update information of the map data, and the storage of the navigation device The unit comprises map data storage means for storing the map data and the update information of the map data, and is stored in the server-side map data storage means executed in the control section of the navigation server. The update information of the map data is transmitted to the navigation device A new information transmitting step, an update information receiving step for receiving the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server, executed in the control unit of the navigation device, and executed in the control unit of the navigation device Stored in the map data storage means corresponding to the update information of the map data received in the update information reception step and the update information of the map data received in the update information reception step. In addition, it is determined that there is the difference in the comparison step for determining whether or not there is a difference by comparing the update information of the map data and the comparison step executed in the control unit of the navigation device. The data acquisition request based on the difference is sent to the navigation server. Based on the request transmission step and the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation server, a part or all of the map data is extracted from the server-side map data storage means. An extraction step, a data transmission step executed in the control unit of the navigation server, for transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted in the extraction step to the navigation device, and the control of the navigation device Received in the data receiving step for receiving part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server and in the data receiving step executed in the control unit of the navigation device. Part of the above map data Alternatively, a part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to the whole is discarded, and a part or all of the map data received in the data receiving step is stored in the map data storage means. And a data storing step for storing.

  The map data update method of the present invention is a map data update method executed in a navigation device having at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation server having at least a storage unit. The storage unit of the navigation device includes map data of a map and map data storage means for storing update information of the map data, and is transmitted from the navigation server executed in the control unit. An update information receiving step for receiving the update information of the map data stored in the storage unit of the navigation server, the update information of the map data received in the update information receiving step, and the update information reception The map data corresponding to the update information of the map data received in step A comparison step for determining whether or not there is a difference by comparing the update information of the map data stored in the storage means, and if it is determined that there is a difference in the comparison step, data based on the difference An acquisition request transmission step of transmitting an acquisition request to the navigation server, and a part or all of the map data extracted from the storage unit of the navigation server based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation server A data receiving step for receiving, a part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to a part or all of the map data received in the data receiving step is discarded, and the data Part or all of the map data received in the receiving step is stored in the map data storage means. Characterized in that it comprises a data storage step of pay, a.

  The map data updating method of the present invention is a map data updating method executed in a navigation server having at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation device having at least a storage unit. The storage unit of the navigation server includes map data of a map and server side map data storage means for storing update information of the map data, and the server side map data storage executed in the control unit An update information transmission step of transmitting the update information of the map data stored in the means to the navigation device, the update information of the map data transmitted in the update information transmission step, and the update information The update information of the map data stored in the storage unit of the navigation device An acquisition request reception step for receiving a data acquisition request based on the difference from the navigation device, and a part or all of the map data based on the data acquisition request received at the acquisition request reception step. An extraction step of extracting from the data storage means; and a data transmission step of transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted in the extraction step to the navigation device.

  The navigation system of the present invention is a navigation system in which a navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a navigation device including at least the control unit and a storage unit are connected to be communicable, The storage unit of the navigation server includes road network data and server side road network data storage means for storing update information of the road network data, and the control unit of the navigation server includes the server side road network data. Update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information of the road network data stored in the storage means to the navigation device, and part or all of the road network data based on a data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device Extraction means for extracting from the server-side road network data storage means; and data transmission means for transmitting a part or all of the road network data extracted by the extraction means to the navigation device. The storage unit includes a road network data storage unit that stores the road network data and the update information of the road network data, and the control unit of the navigation device transmits the road transmitted from the navigation server. Update information receiving means for receiving the update information of the network data, the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving means, and the update of the road network data received by the update information receiving means Information A comparison means for determining whether or not there is a difference by comparing the update information of the road network data stored in the corresponding road network data storage means, and a case in which the difference is determined by the comparison means An acquisition request transmitting means for transmitting the data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server, a data receiving means for receiving a part or all of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server, and the data receiving means. The road network received by the data receiving means is discarded by discarding part or all of the road network data stored in the road network data storage means corresponding to part or all of the road network data received by Some or all of the data Data storage means for storing data in the data storage means.

  In the navigation system according to the present invention, in the navigation system described above, the navigation device further includes an output unit, and the control unit of the navigation server includes a route search including at least a destination transmitted from the navigation device. A guide route satisfying the condition is searched using the road network data stored in the server-side road network data storage means, and a route search means for generating guide route data, and the guide generated by the route search means. Guidance route data transmission means for transmitting route data to the navigation device, and the control unit of the navigation device includes guidance route data reception means for receiving the guidance route data transmitted from the navigation server; At least the above guide route By the route guidance information based on the over data is output via the output unit, characterized by comprising further a route guidance means for performing route guidance, the.

  In the navigation system of the present invention, in the above navigation system, the navigation device further includes an output unit, and the control unit of the navigation device selects a guide route that satisfies a route search condition including at least a destination, A route search unit that searches using the road network data stored in the road network data storage unit and generates guide route data, and outputs route guidance information based on at least the guide route data via the output unit. Accordingly, route guidance means for performing route guidance is further provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, the navigation server transmits the update information stored in the storage unit to the navigation device, and stores a part or all of the map data based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device. The map data is extracted from the map, part or all of the extracted map data is transmitted to the navigation device, the navigation device receives the update information transmitted from the navigation server, and the received update information corresponds to the update information. The update information stored in the storage unit is compared to determine whether there is a difference. If it is determined that there is a difference, a data acquisition request based on the difference is transmitted to the navigation server and transmitted from the navigation server. A storage unit that receives part or all of the map data to be received and corresponds to part or all of the received map data Discard some or all of the stored map data, it can store a part or all of the received map data in the storage unit. Thus, the present invention can determine the update of the map data stored in the storage unit of the navigation device by transmitting / receiving update information with a small data size, so that the map data for drawing with a large data size in the map data update of the navigation device Therefore, the communication load between the navigation server and the navigation device can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the navigation server transmits the update information of the road network data stored in the storage unit to the navigation device, and a part of the road network data based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device. Alternatively, all or all of the extracted road network data is extracted from the storage unit and transmitted to the navigation device, and the navigation device receives and receives the update information of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server. The updated information of the road network data is compared with the updated information of the road network data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the received updated information of the road network data to determine whether there is a difference. If it is determined that the data acquisition request is based on the difference, Part of the road network data that is transmitted to the gate server, receives part or all of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server, and is stored in the storage unit corresponding to part or all of the received road network data Alternatively, all or all of the received road network data can be stored in the storage unit. Thus, the present invention can determine the update of the road network data stored in the storage unit of the navigation device by transmitting / receiving update information with a small data size, so that the road network data with a large data size in the road network data update of the navigation device can be determined. Therefore, the communication load between the navigation server and the navigation device can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, the navigation server searches for a guidance route that satisfies the route search condition including at least the destination transmitted from the navigation device, using the road network data stored in the storage unit. Data is generated, the generated guidance route data is transmitted to the navigation device, the navigation device receives the guidance route data transmitted from the navigation server, and at least the route guidance information based on the guidance route data is output via the output unit. Route guidance can be executed. Accordingly, the present invention has an effect that the map data held in the navigation device can be updated at the same time while performing route guidance with the navigation device.

  Further, according to the present invention, the navigation device searches for a guide route satisfying a route search condition including at least the destination using the road network data stored in the storage unit, generates guide route data, Route guidance can be executed by outputting route guidance information based on the guidance route data via the output unit. Accordingly, the present invention has an effect that a route search can be performed on the navigation device side using the latest road network data transmitted from the server side.

  In the above description, the navigation system of the present invention has been described as an example. However, the navigation apparatus, the navigation server, and the map data update method also have the same effect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation system in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of update information comparison processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the update information comparison process in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the present embodiment.

  Embodiments of a navigation system, a navigation device, a navigation server, a map data update method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[Navigation system configuration]
First, an example of the configuration of the navigation system in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation system in the present embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system according to the present embodiment schematically includes a navigation server 200 including at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206, a position acquisition unit 112, and an output unit (display unit 114 and audio). The navigation device 100 including at least the output unit 118), the input unit 116, the control unit 102, and the storage unit 106 is communicably connected. As an example, the communication includes remote communication such as wired / wireless communication via the network 300. Each part of these navigation systems is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

[Configuration of Navigation Server 200]
Here, in FIG. 1, the navigation server 200 transmits the update information stored in the storage unit 206 to the navigation device 100 and, based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100, part or all of the map data. It has a function of extracting from the storage unit 206 and transmitting a part or all of the extracted map data to the navigation device 100. The navigation server 200 is connected to the navigation apparatus 100 through the communication control interface unit 204 via the network 300 so as to be communicable with each other, and includes a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206. The control unit 202 is a control unit that performs various processes, and performs map data transmission and the like. The communication control interface unit 204 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line, a telephone line, etc., and performs communication control between the navigation server 200 and the network 300. Has the function to perform. That is, the communication control interface unit 204 has a function of communicating data with the navigation device 100 or the like via a communication line.

  The storage unit 206 is a fixed disk device such as an HD (Hard Disk), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and various databases and tables (a server-side map database 206a, a server-side road network database 206b, a route search, etc. An information database 206c and a guidance database 206d).

  Among these components of the storage unit 206, the server-side map database 206a is map data storage means for storing map map data and update information of the map data. Here, the map data stored in the server-side map database 206a is, for example, map data meshed in accordance with the scale (for example, JIS standard first to third region division mesh data, 100m mesh data, etc.). ) Or other outdoor map data. Here, the meshed map data stored in the server-side map database 206a may be mesh data having a region where adjacent meshes partially overlap each other. The server-side map database 206a may store outdoor map data such as road maps and route maps in the whole country and each region. Further, the server-side map database 206a further stores indoor map data such as a floor guide map regarding a building having height information (for example, a multilevel parking lot) and an underground structure (for example, an underground parking lot). May be. The map data stored in the server-side map database 206a includes features displayed on the map (for example, buildings such as buildings, houses and stations, roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, contour lines, coast lines, lake shore lines, etc. Shape data of the water line, sea, rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, parks and outdoor facilities, administrative boundaries, administrative districts, districts, etc.), notes displayed on the map (for example, location names, Address, phone number, facility name such as shop, park, station, name including famous name such as famous place, historic site, river, lake, bay, mountain, forest, name of road, bridge, tunnel, route name, point information, Note data such as word-of-mouth information, and symbols displayed on the map (for example, map symbols such as mountains, historic sites, temples, schools, hospitals, factories, cemeteries, gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, etc. post office Store signs, road signals, toll road entrances, toll gates, service areas, parking areas, interchanges, parking lots, stations, hotels, museums, museums, etc. Data such as data may be included. The map data stored in the server-side map database 206a may be map drawing image data in a raster format, a vector format, or the like. These outdoor map data and indoor map data are stored in advance in the server-side map database 206a, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically downloads the latest data from an external device or the like via the network 300. The outdoor map data and indoor map data stored in the server-side map database 206a may be updated. Here, the update information may be an update status table, a version table, or the like that records the update date and time, version (generation), etc. for each map data (for example, mesh data). In addition, the update information further includes an update status table, a version table, and the like that record the update date and time, version, and the like for each configuration data constituting the map data such as shape data, annotation data, and symbol data included in each map data. You may go out. In addition, the update information may further include an update status table, a version table, or the like that records the update date and time, version, and the like for each piece of individual data included in each configuration data.

  The server-side road network database 206b is road network data storage means for storing road network data and update information of the road network data. Here, the road network data stored in the server-side road network database 206b is network data that defines a traffic network such as a road network. For example, node data of a node that is a node on a road network expression such as an intersection And network data expressed by a combination of link data of links that are road sections between nodes. The node data may include a node number, position coordinates such as latitude and longitude, a node type, the number of links to be connected, a connection node number, an intersection name, and the like. The link data includes link number, type of road to be connected, route number of national road, prefectural road, city road, etc., important route information, attribute information of administrative area where link exists, link length, road service status, abnormal Traffic restrictions such as traffic restrictions, vehicle weight restrictions, vehicle height restrictions, width, road width classification, number of lanes, speed limit, in-link attributes such as overpasses, tunnels and bridges, and names etc. Good. These road network data are stored in advance in the server-side road network database 206b, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically provides the latest data via an external device (for example, map data) via the network 300. The road network data downloaded from the map providing server or the like and stored in the server-side road network database 206b may be updated.

  The route search information database 206c includes route search information including traffic regulation data, timetable data of transportation facilities, and usage fee data used by the control unit 202 when creating a guide route, and the route search information. Route search information storage means for storing the update information. Here, the traffic regulation data stored in the route search information database 206c is data that defines various traffic regulations. For example, in order to ensure road safety, traffic closure, road traffic, etc. Information such as prohibition of entry of ordinary vehicles by a community zone or the like, or prohibition of entry of ordinary vehicles due to a connection path to private land may be included. In addition, the timetable data stored in the route search information database 206c may be information representing timetables of transportation facilities such as trains, airplanes, buses, streetcars, ropeways, monorails, cable cars, and ships. Good. In addition, the usage fee data stored in the route search information database 206c includes, for example, usage fees, automobiles, etc. that are generated when using each transportation such as trains, airplanes, buses, streetcars, ropeways, monorails, cable cars, and ships. Information such as fuel charges consumed when traveling by motorcycles and tolls of toll roads such as national highways and automobile roads, etc., even when the control unit 202 calculates transportation expenses Good. Further, the route search information database 206c may store position information such as latitude and longitude information of facilities and the like existing on a map used for route creation when traveling by car, motorcycle, bicycle, walking, or the like. These traffic regulation data, timetable data, and usage fee data are stored in advance in the route search information database 206c, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically sends the latest data to the outside via the network 300. The route search information downloaded from the device or the like and stored in the route search information database 206c may be updated.

  The guidance database 206d is guidance data storage means for storing guidance data (voice guidance data, display guidance data, etc.) output on the guidance route. Here, the guidance database 206d is associated with “turning to the left at the next intersection” associated with the direction of travel at a branching point or the like on the guidance route, or “when the current position approaches the destination” Voice guidance data such as “Nearly around the destination” is stored, and this voice guidance data is used when the control unit 102 of the navigation device 100 executes voice guidance as will be described later. The guidance database 206d stores display guidance data such as a turn-by-turn (TBT) associated with the traveling direction at a branch point on the guidance route, a guidance that the current position is close to the selected facility, and the like. The display guidance data is used when the control unit 102 of the navigation device 100 executes the display guidance as will be described later. Here, the TBT is an arrow navigation that displays guidance such as a right or left turn on the screen.

  The control unit 202 has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and necessary data. And the control part 202 performs the information processing for performing various processes with these programs. The control unit 202 is functionally conceptually configured to include an update information transmission unit 202a, an acquisition request reception unit 202b, an extraction unit 202c, a data transmission unit 202d, a route search unit 202e, and a guidance route data transmission unit 202f. .

  Among these, the update information transmission unit 202a is an update information transmission unit that transmits the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map database 206a to the navigation device 100. Here, the update information transmission unit 202a may further transmit update information of road network data stored in the server-side road network database 206b to the navigation device 100. Further, the update information transmission unit 202a may further transmit update information of the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c to the navigation device 100. The update information transmission unit 202a may transmit update information to the navigation device 100 in response to a request from the user of the navigation device 100, or may periodically transmit update information to the navigation device 100. The update information may be transmitted to the navigation device 100 at the timing.

  The acquisition request receiving unit 202b is an acquisition request receiving unit that receives a data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100.

  The extraction unit 202c is an extraction unit that extracts part or all of the map data from the server-side map database 206a based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100. Here, the extraction unit 202c may further extract part or all of the road network data from the server-side road network database 206b based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100. Further, the extraction unit 202c may further extract part or all of the route search information from the route search information database 206c based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100.

  The data transmission unit 202d is a data transmission unit that transmits a part or all of the map data extracted by the extraction unit 202c to the navigation device 100. Here, the data transmission unit 202d may further transmit a part or all of the road network data extracted by the extraction unit 202c to the navigation device 100. In addition, the data transmission unit 202d may further transmit a part or all of the route search information extracted by the extraction unit 202c to the navigation device 100.

  Further, the route search unit 202e searches for a guide route satisfying a route search condition including at least the destination by using the road network data stored in the server-side road network database 206b, and generates route guide data. It is. Here, the route search condition may be input by the user of the navigation device 100 via the input unit 116. Further, the route search unit 202e may further search for a guide route that satisfies the route search condition including at least the destination by using the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c. Further, the route search unit 202e may search for a guide route from the departure point to the destination that satisfies the route search condition including the departure point and the destination. Further, the route search unit 202e searches for a guide route from the current position of the user of the navigation device 100 to the destination based on the current position information received from the navigation device 100, which satisfies the route search condition including at least the destination. Also good. In addition, when the route search condition further includes a transit point, the route search unit 202e may search for a guide route that passes through the transit point.

  The guide route data transmission unit 202f is a guide route data transmission unit that transmits the guide route data generated by the route search unit 202e to the navigation device 100.

[Configuration of Navigation Device 100]
In FIG. 1, the navigation device 100 receives update information transmitted from the navigation server 200, and receives the received update information and the update information stored in the storage unit 106 corresponding to the received update information. In comparison, it is determined whether there is a difference. If it is determined that there is a difference, a data acquisition request based on the difference is transmitted to the navigation server 200, and part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server 200 , Discard part or all of the map data stored in the storage unit 106 corresponding to part or all of the received map data, and store part or all of the received map data in the storage unit 106 It has functions such as storing. The navigation device 100 is, for example, a commercially available information processing device such as a desktop or notebook personal computer, a portable navigation device such as a mobile phone, PHS, or PDA. In the present embodiment, the navigation device 100 may be an in-vehicle information processing terminal that performs car navigation. Here, for example, the navigation device 100 is supplied with electric power from the vehicle, is detachably fixed to the vehicle main body such as a dashboard by an attachment or the like, does not have a large capacity storage in the device main body (local), and Signals (for example, vehicle speed pulse, fuel consumption, etc.) can also be acquired, a communication module is built in, and communication is possible with the navigation server 200 and the like via the network 300 within the communication range. It may be a device that can be downloaded from the navigation server 200 and updated. In addition, the navigation device 100 includes a position acquisition unit 112 having a GPS function, an IMES function, and the like so that the current position can be acquired in real time. In addition, the navigation device 100 includes an output unit including at least a display unit 114 and an audio output unit 118. Here, the display unit 114 is a display unit (for example, a display or a monitor configured from a liquid crystal, an organic EL, or the like) that displays map data received from the navigation server 200. The voice output unit 118 is voice output means (for example, a speaker) that outputs voice guidance data and the like as voice. In addition, the navigation device 100 includes an input unit 116 (for example, a key input unit, a touch panel, a keyboard, a microphone, etc.) for inputting route search conditions. The input / output control interface unit 108 controls the position acquisition unit 112, the display unit 114, the input unit 116, the audio output unit 118, and the like.

  Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may be, for example, a position acquisition unit that receives a position information signal transmitted from the position transmission device 500. Here, the position transmitting device 500 may be a GPS device that transmits a position information signal (GPS signal), and IMES that enables indoor positioning using a position information signal having characteristics similar to those of the GPS signal. It may be an IMES device that implements (Indoor Message System) technology. The IMES technology is a system developed from the framework of the quasi-zenith satellite, which is a positioning satellite system. Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a GPS repeater that transmits a GPS signal received outdoors indoors. Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a small transmission device that is arbitrarily installed on each floor of a building (for example, a multilevel parking lot) or an underground structure (for example, a tunnel, an underground parking lot). Good. In addition, self-position information (position ID etc.) according to an installation place is allocated to this small transmitter. When the navigation device 100 enters the communicable range, the navigation device 100 receives the self-position information transmitted from the small transmitter as a position information signal. The communication method at this time may be, for example, various short-range wireless methods such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag system and Bluetooth (registered trademark), an infrared communication method, and the like. Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a wireless LAN access point. In the present embodiment, the control unit 102 may calculate position information including latitude, longitude, and height information from the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 112. Further, the position acquisition unit 112 may acquire access point identification information by receiving a wireless LAN signal or the like. In the present embodiment, the control unit 102 may acquire the position information by specifying the position of the access point from the identification information unique to the access point acquired by the position acquisition unit 112.

  In addition, the position acquisition unit 112, for example, based on the direction information such as the traveling direction of the navigation device 100 detected by the direction sensor, the distance information detected by the distance sensor, and the map data, the user of the navigation device 100 You may acquire the positional information which shows a present position. Here, a geomagnetic sensor that detects the absolute traveling direction of the navigation device 100 and an optical gyro that detects the relative traveling direction of the navigation device 100 may be used as the direction sensor. In addition, the direction sensor may be an electronic compass that can acquire information on the direction and inclination by combining a geomagnetic sensor and an acceleration sensor. Further, when the navigation device 100 is an in-vehicle information processing terminal, the distance sensor may generate a pulse signal in proportion to the number of rotations of the axle and detect a movement distance in proportion to the number of pulse signals. Further, when the navigation device 100 is an in-vehicle information processing terminal, the position acquisition unit 112 may acquire position information indicating the own vehicle position from inter-vehicle communication of a communication device mounted on each vehicle.

  The communication control interface unit 104 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line, a telephone line, etc., and communicates between the navigation device 100 and the network 300. It has a function to perform control. That is, the communication control interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with the navigation server 200 or the like via a communication line. The network 300 has a function of mutually connecting the navigation device 100 and an external device such as the navigation server 200, and includes, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network (including a mobile terminal line network and a general telephone line network), and the like. It may be an intranet, power line communication (PLC), or the like.

  The storage unit 106 is a storage unit such as a large-capacity storage unit such as an HD or an SSD and / or a small-capacity high-speed memory (for example, a cache memory) configured using an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like. Various databases, files and tables (such as a map data file 106a, a road network data file 106b, a route search information file 106c, a guidance data file 106d, and a guidance route data file 106e) are stored. Also good. Here, the storage unit 106 may temporarily store various files and the like.

  Among these, the map data file 106a is map data storage means for storing map data and update information of the map data.

  The road network data file 106b is road network data storage means for storing road network data and update information of the road network data.

  The route search information file 106c is route search information storage means for storing route search information including traffic regulation data, timetable data of transportation facilities, and usage fee data, and update information of the route search information.

  The guidance data file 106d is guidance data storage means for storing guidance data (voice guidance data, display guidance data, etc.) output on the guidance route.

  The guide route data file 106e is guide route data storage means for storing guide route data.

  The control unit 102 includes an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, a program defining various processing procedures, and necessary data. And the control part 102 performs the information processing for performing various processes by these programs. The control unit 102 has an update information receiving unit 102a, a comparing unit 102b, an acquisition request transmitting unit 102c, a data receiving unit 102d, a data storing unit 102e, a route searching unit 102f, a guide route data receiving unit 102g, and a functional concept. A route guidance unit 102h is provided.

  The update information receiving unit 102 a is an update information receiving unit that receives update information of map data transmitted from the navigation server 200. Here, the update information receiving unit 102a may further receive road network data update information transmitted from the navigation server 200. Further, the update information receiving unit 102a may further receive update information of route search information transmitted from the navigation server 200.

  The comparison unit 102b also includes map data update information received by the update information receiving unit 102a and map data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to the map data update information received by the update information receiving unit 102a. It is a comparison means which compares with update information of and determines whether there is any difference. Here, the comparison unit 102b further updates the road network data file 106b corresponding to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a. It may be determined whether or not there is a difference by comparing with the update information of the road network data stored in. Further, the comparison unit 102b further stores the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the route search information file 106c corresponding to the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a. The update information of the stored route search information may be compared to determine whether there is a difference.

  The acquisition request transmission unit 102c is an acquisition request transmission unit that transmits a data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server 200 when the comparison unit 102b determines that there is a difference.

  The data receiving unit 102d is a data receiving unit that receives part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server 200. Here, the data receiving unit 102d may further receive part or all of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server 200. The data receiving unit 102d may further receive part or all of the route search information transmitted from the navigation server 200.

  Further, the data storage unit 102e discards part or all of the map data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to part or all of the map data received by the data receiving unit 102d, and the data receiving unit 102d It is a data storage means for storing part or all of the received map data in the map data file 106a. Here, a part of the map data is, for example, difference data that is changed (that is, updated) in the map data received by the data receiving unit 102d as compared with the map data stored in the map data file 106a. It is. Further, the data storage unit 102e further includes map data corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the map data corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving unit 102a. When it is determined that there is a difference from the update information of the map data stored in the file 106a, the map data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving unit 102a. The update information may be discarded and the map data update information received by the update information receiving unit 102a may be stored in the map data file 106a. Further, the data storage unit 102e further discards part or all of the road network data stored in the road network data file 106b corresponding to part or all of the road network data received by the data receiving unit 102d, A part or all of the road network data received by the data receiving unit 102d may be stored in the road network data file 106b. Further, the data storage unit 102e further corresponds to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a by the comparison unit 102b. When it is determined that there is a difference from the update information of the road network data stored in the road network data file 106b, the road network data file 106b corresponding to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a is stored in the road network data file 106b. The update information of the stored road network data may be discarded, and the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a may be stored in the road network data file 106b. Further, the data storage unit 102e further discards part or all of the route search information stored in the route search information file 106c corresponding to part or all of the route search information received by the data receiving unit 102d, Part or all of the route search information received by the data receiving unit 102d may be stored in the route search information file 106c. Further, the data storage unit 102e further corresponds to the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a by the comparison unit 102b. When it is determined that there is a difference from the update information of the route search information stored in the route search information file 106c, the route search information file 106c corresponding to the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a is stored in the route search information file 106c. The update information of the stored route search information may be discarded, and the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a may be stored in the route search information file 106c.

  The route search unit 102f is a route search means for searching for a guide route satisfying a route search condition including at least the destination using the road network data stored in the road network data file 106b and generating guide route data. is there. Here, the route search condition may be input by the user of the navigation device 100 via the input unit 116. Further, the route search unit 102f may further search for a guide route that satisfies the route search condition including at least the destination by using the route search information stored in the route search information file 106c. In addition, the route search unit 102f may search for a guide route from the departure point to the destination that satisfies the route search condition including the departure point and the destination. In addition, the route search unit 102f satisfies the route search condition including at least the destination, and the user of the navigation device 100 based on the current position information calculated from the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 112 by the control unit 102. A guide route from the current position to the destination may be searched. When the route search condition further includes a transit point, the route search unit 102f may search for a guide route that passes through the transit point. The route search unit 102f may further store the generated guide route data in the guide route data file 106e.

  The guide route data receiving unit 102g is guide route data receiving means for receiving guide route data transmitted from the navigation server 200. Here, the guide route data receiving unit 102g may further store the received guide route data in the guide route data file 106e.

  The route guidance unit 102h is route guidance means for executing route guidance by outputting route guidance information based on at least guidance route data via an output unit. Here, the guide route data may be route data of a guide route that is input via the input unit 116 and satisfies the route search condition including at least the destination. The route guidance unit 102h may execute route guidance by outputting route guidance information based on the map data, the guidance route data, and the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100 via the output unit. . Here, the current location information of the user of the navigation device 100 may be, for example, location information calculated from the location information signal received from the location transmission device 500 by the location acquisition unit 112, and may be input by the user. 116 may be position coordinates or the like about the current position input via 116, or may be vehicle position information or the like. Also, the route guidance unit 102h may execute route guidance by causing the display unit 114 to display route guidance information including a display screen in which the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100 is superimposed on the guidance route data. Good. In addition, the route guide unit 102h causes the display unit 114 to display route guide information including a display screen in which the guide route data and / or the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100 is superimposed on the map data. Route guidance may be executed. The route guidance unit 102h may output the guidance data via the output unit. For example, the route guidance unit 102h outputs the voice guidance data associated with the traveling direction at the guidance point such as a branch point on the guidance route included in the guidance data via the voice output unit 118, thereby providing the route guidance. The route guidance may be executed by causing the display unit 114 to display route guidance information including a display screen of display guidance data such as TBT included in the guidance data.

  Above, description of an example of a structure of the navigation system in this embodiment is finished.

[Navigation system processing]
Next, an example of the processing of the navigation system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[Processing (1)]
Processing (part 1) of the navigation system in the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the update information transmission unit 202a of the navigation server 200 transmits the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map database 206a to the navigation device 100 at an arbitrary timing (Step SA-1). ). Here, the update information transmission unit 202a may further transmit update information of road network data stored in the server-side road network database 206b to the navigation device 100. Further, the update information transmission unit 202a may further transmit update information of the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c to the navigation device 100. Note that the update information transmission unit 202a may periodically transmit update information to the navigation device 100. Arbitrary timing means that the latest data (that is, map data, road network data, route search information, etc.) is downloaded by the control unit 202 via the network 300 and stored in the storage unit 206. May be the timing at which is updated.

  And the update information receiving part 102a of the navigation apparatus 100 receives the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server 200 (step SA-2). Here, the update information receiving unit 102a may further receive road network data update information transmitted from the navigation server 200. Further, the update information receiving unit 102a may further receive update information of route search information transmitted from the navigation server 200.

  And the comparison part 102b of the navigation apparatus 100 memorize | stores in the map data file 106a corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving part 102a, and the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving part 102a. It is determined whether or not there is a difference by comparing the updated information of the map data (step SA-3). Here, the comparison unit 102b further updates the road network data file 106b corresponding to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a. It may be determined whether or not there is a difference by comparing with the update information of the road network data stored in. Further, the comparison unit 102b further stores the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a and the route search information file 106c corresponding to the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a. The update information of the stored route search information may be compared to determine whether there is a difference.

  Here, an example of the update information comparison process will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of update information comparison processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the update information comparison process in the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the comparison unit 102 b of the navigation device 100 includes update information including update date and time for each mesh data transmitted from the navigation server 200 and a mesh stored in the map data file 106 a of the navigation device 100. By comparing the update information consisting of the update date and time for each data, it is detected that the mesh data of mesh numbers 1, 2, and 8 has been updated to the latest version (updated in April 2009), and the mesh number It is determined that there is a difference between the mesh data of 1, 2, and 8.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the comparison unit 102b of the navigation device 100 uses version information for each piece of configuration data (shape data, annotation data, symbol data, etc.) included in the mesh data transmitted from the navigation server 200. And the update information consisting of version information for each piece of configuration data (shape data, note data, symbol data, etc.) included in the mesh data stored in the map data file 106a of the navigation device 100, Detecting that the shape data included in the mesh data of mesh number 1 has been updated to the latest version (version 3.0), determining that there is a difference in the shape data included in the mesh data of mesh number 1, Included in mesh data of mesh numbers 1, 2, 7, and 8 It is detected that the data is updated to the latest version (version 3.0), it is determined that there is a difference in the note data included in the mesh data of mesh numbers 1, 2, 7, and 8, and mesh number 1 It is detected that the symbol data included in the mesh data of 2, 8 is updated to the latest version (version 3.0), and there is a difference in the symbol data included in the mesh data of mesh numbers 1, 2, 8 It is determined that there is.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the comparison unit 102b of the navigation device 100 updates the map data update information received by the update information receiving unit 102a in step SA-3 and the map data update information received by the update information receiving unit 102a. Is compared with the update information of the map data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to (No at Step SA-3), the process is terminated. Here, the comparison unit 102b further corresponds to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a in step SA-3 and the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a. If it is determined that there is no difference by comparing the update information of the road network data stored in the road network data file 106b to be executed (step SA-3: No), the processing may be terminated. Further, the comparison unit 102b further corresponds to the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a in step SA-3 and the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a. When it is determined that there is no difference by comparing with the update information of the route search information stored in the route search information file 106c (step SA-3: No), the process may be terminated.

  On the other hand, the acquisition request transmission unit 102c of the navigation device 100 corresponds to the update information received by the update information reception unit 102a and the update information received by the update information reception unit 102a by the comparison unit 102b in step SA-3. When it is determined that there is a difference by comparing the update information stored in the map data file 106a, the road network data file 106b, or the route search information file 106c (step SA-3: Yes), Based on the data acquisition request (for example, all data acquisition request, difference data acquisition request, etc.) is transmitted to the navigation server 200 (step SA-4).

  Then, the acquisition request receiving unit 202b of the navigation server 200 receives the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100 (step SA-5).

  Then, the extraction unit 202c of the navigation server 200 extracts part or all of the map data from the server-side map database 206a based on the data acquisition request received by the acquisition request receiving unit 202b (step SA-6). Here, a part of the map data is, for example, the server-side map database 206a corresponding to the map data stored in the map data file 106a as compared with the map data stored in the map data file 106a of the navigation device 100. May be difference data that is changed (that is, updated) in the map data stored in the map. Further, the extraction unit 202c may further extract part or all of the road network data from the server-side road network database 206b based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100. Further, the extraction unit 202c may further extract part or all of the route search information from the route search information database 206c based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4 again, the map data extraction processing will be specifically described. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the extraction unit 202 c of the navigation server 200 includes the update information transmitted from the navigation server 200 and the navigation when the map data includes shape data, annotation data, and symbol data. Based on the data acquisition request based on the difference from the update information stored in the map data file 106a of the apparatus 100, all of the mesh data of the mesh number 1 (shape data, annotation data, and symbol data) is converted to the mesh number 2, A part of the mesh data of 7 and 8 (note data and symbol data of mesh number 2, note data of mesh number 7, note data and symbol data of mesh number 8) may be extracted from the server-side map database 206a. .

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the data transmission unit 202d of the navigation server 200 transmits a part or all of the map data extracted by the extraction unit 202c to the navigation device 100 (step SA-7). Here, the data transmission unit 202d may further transmit a part or all of the road network data extracted by the extraction unit 202c to the navigation device 100. In addition, the data transmission unit 202d may further transmit a part or all of the route search information extracted by the extraction unit 202c to the navigation device 100.

  Then, the data receiving unit 102d of the navigation device 100 receives part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server 200 (step SA-8). Here, the data receiving unit 102d may further receive part or all of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server 200. The data receiving unit 102d may further receive part or all of the route search information transmitted from the navigation server 200.

  Then, the data storage unit 102e of the navigation device 100 discards a part or all of the map data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to a part or all of the map data received by the data receiving unit 102d. Map data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving unit 102a, part or all of the map data received by the receiving unit 102d is stored in the map data file 106a. The update information of the map data received by the update information receiving unit 102a is stored in the map data file 106a (step SA-9). Further, the data storage unit 102e further discards part or all of the road network data stored in the road network data file 106b corresponding to part or all of the road network data received by the data receiving unit 102d, Part or all of the road network data received by the data receiving unit 102d is stored in the road network data file 106b, and the road network data file 106b corresponding to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a. The update information of the stored road network data may be discarded, and the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving unit 102a may be stored in the road network data file 106b. Further, the data storage unit 102e further discards part or all of the route search information stored in the route search information file 106c corresponding to part or all of the route search information received by the data receiving unit 102d, Part or all of the route search information received by the data receiving unit 102d is stored in the route search information file 106c, and the route search information file 106c corresponding to the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a is stored. The update information of the stored route search information may be discarded, and the update information of the route search information received by the update information receiving unit 102a may be stored in the route search information file 106c.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4 again, the map data storage processing will be specifically described. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the data storage unit 102 e of the navigation device 100 stores the mesh number 1 transmitted from the navigation server 200 when the map data is composed of shape data, annotation data, and symbol data. All of the mesh data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to all of the mesh data (shape data, annotation data, and symbol data) is discarded, and all of the mesh data transmitted from the navigation server 200 is stored in the map data file. It may be stored in 106a. In addition, the data storage unit 102e of the navigation device 100, for example, is a part of mesh data of mesh numbers 2, 7, and 8 transmitted from the navigation server 200 (note data and symbol data of mesh number 2, note of mesh number 7). Part of the mesh data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to the data (note data and symbol data of mesh number 8) is discarded, and a part of the mesh data transmitted from the navigation server 200 is stored in the map data file 106a. It may be stored. In addition, the data storage unit 102e of the navigation device 100, for example, does not update the mesh data of mesh numbers 2, 7, and 8 transmitted from the navigation server 200 (the shape data of mesh number 2, the shape of mesh number 7). All of the mesh data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to all (shape data, annotation data, and symbol data) including the data, symbol data, and mesh number 8 shape data) are discarded, and the navigation server 200 All of the transmitted mesh data may be stored in the map data file 106a. In addition, the data storage unit 102e of the navigation device 100 is updated, for example, among all the mesh data (shape data, annotation data, and symbol data) of mesh numbers 2, 7, and 8 transmitted from the navigation server 200. A part of the mesh data stored in the map data file 106a corresponding to the portion (note data and symbol data of mesh number 2, note data of mesh number 7, note data and symbol data of mesh number 8) is discarded and navigation is performed. One piece of mesh data which is an updated part (note data and symbol data of mesh number 2, note data of mesh number 7, note data and symbol data of mesh number 8) of all mesh data transmitted from server 200 May be stored in the map data file 106a.

  In the update processing of the map data and the like from step SA-1 to step SA-9, the map data (for example, the map data held in the memory) processed in the navigation device 100 rather than the conventional update of the map data or the like. For example, the route guidance unit 102h of the navigation device 100 is received from the navigation server 200 during the processing from step SA-1 to step SA-9, or the route search unit. The route guidance may be continuously performed based on the guidance route data generated by 102f and stored in the guidance route data file 106e (for example, the display unit 114 continuously displays the display screen and the voice is displayed). Voice guidance may be provided at the output unit 118).

[Processing (2)]
The processing (part 2) of the navigation system in the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the control unit 102 of the navigation device 100 sends an update information acquisition request for data stored in the storage unit 106 input by the user via the input unit 116 to the navigation server 200. Transmit (step SB-1).

  Then, the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 receives the update information acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device 100 (step SB-2).

  Then, the update information transmission unit 202a of the navigation server 200 transmits the update information of the map data stored in the server side map database 206a to the navigation device 100 in response to the update information acquisition request received by the control unit 202 (step) SB-3). Here, the update information transmission unit 202a further transmits the update information of the road network data stored in the server side road network database 206b to the navigation device 100 in response to the update information acquisition request received by the control unit 202. Also good. Further, the update information transmission unit 202a may further transmit update information of the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c to the navigation device 100 in response to the update information acquisition request received by the control unit 202. .

  The processing from step SB-4 to step SB-11 is the same as step SA-2 to step SA-9 of the above-described processing (part 1), and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Above, description of an example of the process of the navigation system in this embodiment is finished.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims other than the above-described embodiments. It may be done.

  In addition, among the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including registration data for each processing, parameters such as search conditions, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings Can be changed arbitrarily.

  Further, regarding the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200, each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

  For example, the processing functions provided in each device of the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200, in particular, the processing functions performed by the control unit 102 and the control unit 202 are all or any part of the processing functions. (Central Processing Unit) and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a recording medium to be described later, and is mechanically read by the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200 as necessary. That is, the storage unit 106 such as the ROM or the HD, the storage unit 206, and the like store computer programs for giving instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS and performing various processes. This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM, and constitutes a control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

  The computer program may be stored in the navigation apparatus 100 and an application program server connected to the navigation server 200 via an arbitrary network 300, and all or part of the computer program is stored as necessary. It can also be downloaded.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, and may be configured as a program product. Here, the “recording medium” is an arbitrary “portable physical medium” such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, or the like. It includes a “communication medium” that holds a program in a short period of time, such as a communication line or a carrier wave in the case of transmitting a program via a network 300 typified by a LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

  The “program” is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. Note that the “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, and functions are achieved in cooperation with a separate configuration such as a plurality of modules and libraries or a separate program represented by the OS. Including things. Note that a well-known configuration and procedure can be used for a specific configuration for reading a recording medium, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device described in the embodiment.

  Storage unit 106 and various databases stored in storage unit 206 (map data file 106a, road network data file 106b, route search information file 106c, guidance data file 106d, guidance route data file 106e, server side map database 206a, server-side road network database 206b, route search information database 206c, guidance database 206d, etc.) are storage means such as memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as HD, flexible disks, optical disks, etc. And various programs, tables, databases, web page files, etc. used for providing websites.

  Further, the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200 may be configured as an information processing device such as a known personal computer or workstation, and may be configured by connecting any peripheral device to the information processing device. Also good. The navigation apparatus 100 and the navigation server 200 may be realized by installing software (including programs, data, and the like) that causes the information processing apparatus to realize the method of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the specific form of distribution / integration of the devices is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part of them may be functional or physical in arbitrary units according to various additions or according to functional loads. Can be distributed and integrated.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the update target of map data or the like can be updated for each map data or the like such as mesh data instead of the map data or the like of the entire area. The update information for each data stored on the side is compared with the update information for each latest data stored on the navigation server side, and the comparison is performed to update only the data stored in the navigation device that needs to be updated. To provide a navigation system, a navigation device, a navigation server, and a map data update method capable of updating map data and the like while minimizing the amount of update data and performing route guidance, etc. It is extremely useful in various fields such as information devices that support navigation and information processing fields. .

100 Navigation device 102 Control unit
102a Update information receiver
102b comparator
102c Acquisition request transmission unit
102d data receiver
102e Data storage unit
102f Route search unit
102g Guide route data receiver
102h Route guidance unit 104 Communication control interface unit 106 Storage unit
106a Map data file
106b Road network data file
106c Route search information file
106d Guidance data file
106e Guide route data file 108 Input / output control interface unit 112 Position acquisition unit 114 Display unit 116 Input unit 118 Voice output unit 200 Navigation server 202 Control unit
202a Update information transmission unit
202b Acquisition request receiver
202c extraction unit
202d data transmitter
202e route search unit
202f Guide route data transmission unit 204 Communication control interface unit 206 Storage unit
206a Server-side map database
206b Server-side road network database
206c route search information database
206d Guide database 300 Network 500 Position transmitter

Claims (9)

A navigation system in which a navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit are connected to be communicable,
The storage unit of the navigation server includes:
Server-side map data storage means for storing map data of the map and update information of the map data;
With
The control unit of the navigation server is
Update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map data storage means to the navigation device;
Based on a data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device, extraction means for extracting a part or all of the map data from the server-side map data storage means;
Data transmitting means for transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted by the extracting means to the navigation device;
With
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Map data storage means for storing the map data and the update information of the map data;
With
The control unit of the navigation device includes:
Update information receiving means for receiving the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server;
The update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means and the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means. A comparison means for comparing the update information and determining whether there is a difference;
An acquisition request transmitting means for transmitting the data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server when the comparing means determines that there is the difference;
Data receiving means for receiving part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server;
The map received by the data receiving means is discarded by discarding part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to part or all of the map data received by the data receiving means. Data storage means for storing part or all of the data in the map data storage means;
A navigation system characterized by comprising: A navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation server including at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Map data storage means for storing map map data and update information of the map data;
With
The control unit
Update information receiving means for receiving the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server and stored in the storage unit of the navigation server;
The update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means and the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to the update information of the map data received by the update information receiving means. A comparison means for comparing the update information and determining whether there is a difference;
An acquisition request transmitting means for transmitting a data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server when the comparing means determines that there is the difference;
Data receiving means for receiving a part or all of the map data extracted from the storage unit of the navigation server based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation server;
The map received by the data receiving means is discarded by discarding part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to part or all of the map data received by the data receiving means. Data storage means for storing part or all of the data in the map data storage means;
A navigation device comprising: A navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation device including at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the navigation server includes:
Server-side map data storage means for storing map data of the map and update information of the map data;
With
The control unit
Update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map data storage means to the navigation device;
A data acquisition request based on a difference between the update information of the map data transmitted by the update information transmitting means and the update information of the map data stored in the storage unit of the navigation device corresponding to the update information Acquisition request receiving means for receiving from the navigation device,
Extraction means for extracting a part or all of the map data from the server-side map data storage means based on the data acquisition request received by the acquisition request receiving means;
Data transmitting means for transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted by the extracting means to the navigation device;
A navigation server comprising: A map data update method executed in a navigation system in which a navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit are communicably connected,
The storage unit of the navigation server includes:
Server-side map data storage means for storing map data of the map and update information of the map data;
With
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Map data storage means for storing the map data and the update information of the map data;
With
An update information transmission step for transmitting the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map data storage means to the navigation device, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation server;
An update information receiving step for receiving the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation device;
Corresponding to the update information of the map data received in the update information reception step and the update information of the map data received in the update information reception step executed in the control unit of the navigation device A comparison step of comparing the update information of the map data stored in the map data storage means to determine whether there is a difference;
An acquisition request transmission step for transmitting a data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server when it is determined in the comparison step that is executed in the control unit of the navigation device;
An extraction step of extracting a part or all of the map data from the server-side map data storage means based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device, executed in the control unit of the navigation server;
A data transmission step of transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted in the extraction step to the navigation device, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation server;
A data receiving step for receiving a part or all of the map data transmitted from the navigation server, executed in the control unit of the navigation device;
A part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to a part or all of the map data received in the data receiving step executed in the control unit of the navigation device. A data storage step of discarding and storing a part or all of the map data received in the data reception step in the map data storage means;
The map data update method characterized by including. A map data update method executed in a navigation device having at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation server having at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Map data storage means for storing map map data and update information of the map data;
With
Executed in the control unit,
An update information receiving step for receiving the update information of the map data transmitted from the navigation server and stored in the storage unit of the navigation server;
The map stored in the map data storage means corresponding to the update information of the map data received in the update information receiving step and the update information of the map data received in the update information receiving step A comparison step of comparing the update information of the data to determine whether there is a difference;
When it is determined that there is the difference in the comparison step, an acquisition request transmission step of transmitting a data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server;
A data receiving step for receiving a part or all of the map data extracted from the storage unit of the navigation server based on the data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation server;
A part or all of the map data stored in the map data storage means corresponding to a part or all of the map data received in the data receiving step is discarded and received in the data receiving step A data storage step of storing a part or all of the map data in the map data storage means;
The map data update method characterized by including. A map data update method executed in a navigation server having at least a control unit and a storage unit, communicably connected to a navigation device having at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the navigation server includes:
Server-side map data storage means for storing map data of the map and update information of the map data;
With
Executed in the control unit,
An update information transmission step of transmitting the update information of the map data stored in the server-side map data storage means to the navigation device;
Data acquisition based on a difference between the update information of the map data transmitted in the update information transmission step and the update information of the map data stored in the storage unit of the navigation device corresponding to the update information An acquisition request receiving step for receiving a request from the navigation device;
Based on the data acquisition request received in the acquisition request receiving step, an extraction step of extracting a part or all of the map data from the server-side map data storage means;
A data transmission step of transmitting a part or all of the map data extracted in the extraction step to the navigation device;
The map data update method characterized by including. A navigation system in which a navigation server including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit are connected to be communicable,
The storage unit of the navigation server includes:
Server-side road network data storage means for storing road network data and update information of the road network data;
With
The control unit of the navigation server is
Update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information of the road network data stored in the server-side road network data storage means to the navigation device;
Based on a data acquisition request transmitted from the navigation device, extraction means for extracting part or all of the road network data from the server-side road network data storage means;
Data transmission means for transmitting a part or all of the road network data extracted by the extraction means to the navigation device;
With
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Road network data storage means for storing the road network data and the update information of the road network data;
With
The control unit of the navigation device includes:
Update information receiving means for receiving the update information of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server;
The update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving means and the road network data storage means corresponding to the update information of the road network data received by the update information receiving means A comparison means for comparing the updated information of the road network data to determine whether there is a difference;
An acquisition request transmitting means for transmitting the data acquisition request based on the difference to the navigation server when the comparing means determines that there is the difference;
Data receiving means for receiving part or all of the road network data transmitted from the navigation server;
A part or all of the road network data stored in the road network data storage means corresponding to a part or all of the road network data received by the data receiving means is discarded and received by the data receiving means. Data storage means for storing part or all of the road network data in the road network data storage means;
A navigation system characterized by comprising: The navigation system according to claim 7, wherein
The navigation device is
An output unit;
The control unit of the navigation server is
A route for searching for a guide route satisfying a route search condition including at least a destination transmitted from the navigation device, using the road network data stored in the server-side road network data storage means, and generating guide route data Search means;
Guidance route data transmission means for transmitting the guidance route data generated by the route search means to the navigation device;
Further comprising
The control unit of the navigation device includes:
Guide route data receiving means for receiving the guide route data transmitted from the navigation server;
Route guidance means for executing route guidance by outputting route guidance information based on at least the guidance route data via the output unit;
A navigation system, further comprising: The navigation system according to claim 7, wherein
The navigation device is
An output unit;
The control unit of the navigation device includes:
A route search unit that searches for a guide route satisfying a route search condition including at least a destination using the road network data stored in the road network data storage unit, and generates guide route data;
Route guidance means for executing route guidance by outputting route guidance information based on at least the guidance route data via the output unit;
A navigation system, further comprising:

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