JP2011169847A - Navigation device and map data update system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of determining the date when the use of the navigation device starts. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 10 of the navigation device 1 determines whether or not to store as the start date of use of the navigation device 1 based on the information such as a total distance of travel of a vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1. The control part 10 acquires the date of determining when a user starts using the navigation device 1 based on GPS signals received by a GPS receiving part 14, and stores the date as a use start date in HDD 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods are known for prompting a user to update map data in a navigation apparatus that stores map data and performs route guidance based on the map data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a download for updating map data is free for a predetermined number of times so that the user can update the map data to the latest regardless of when the user starts using the navigation device. A navigation device that can be updated is disclosed.

JP 2009-250715 A

  In order to effectively prompt the user to update the map data, it is preferable to instruct the user to update the map data at an appropriate timing based on the date when the user starts using the navigation device. However, in the navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the date when the user disclosed the use of the navigation device cannot be determined.

  A navigation device according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of updating map data, and determines whether or not to store a date acquisition means for acquiring a current date and a use start date of the navigation device. And a use start date storage unit that stores the current date acquired by the date acquisition unit as the use start date when the determination unit determines to store the use start date.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the navigation apparatus which can judge the date when the user started use of a navigation apparatus can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the navigation apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which memorize | stores the date which started using the navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which performs the notification which prompts the update of map data based on the date which started use of the stored navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the method of determining that the user started using the navigation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the map data update system containing the navigation apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention.

  A configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 includes a control unit 10, an HDD 11, a display monitor 12, a gyro sensor 13, a GPS receiving unit 14, an input device 16, and a speaker 17.

  The control unit 10 in FIG. 1 is a part for executing various processes and controls for operating the navigation device 1, and includes a microprocessor, various peripheral circuits, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. Processing described later using the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 4 is also executed by the control unit 10.

  The HDD 11 in FIG. 1 is a non-volatile storage medium and stores various data including map data. Data stored in the HDD 11 is read from the HDD 11 under the control of the control unit 10 as necessary, and is used for various processes and controls executed by the control unit 10. Further, the map data in the HDD 11 can be changed for updating or the like.

  The display monitor 12 in FIG. 1 is a device for displaying various images and videos, and a liquid crystal display or the like is used. The navigation device 1 performs route guidance by displaying a map and the vehicle position on the display monitor 12 based on the control of the control unit 10.

  The gyro sensor 13 in FIG. 1 is a sensor for detecting an angular velocity corresponding to a change in the direction of the vehicle. Based on the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor 13, the direction of the vehicle is obtained. 1 receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and outputs it to the control unit 10. The GPS signal includes the position and transmission time of the GPS satellite that transmitted the GPS signal as information for obtaining the position of the vehicle and the current time. Therefore, the control unit 10 can calculate the current position and the current time of the vehicle based on such information by receiving GPS signals from a predetermined number or more of GPS satellites. The control unit 10 can specify the time change of the current position of the vehicle calculated based on the GPS signal, and can calculate the distance traveled by the vehicle based on the time change of the current position of the vehicle. Note that the distance traveled by the vehicle can be calculated based on a vehicle speed signal output from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle.

  The input device 16 in FIG. 1 is a device for detecting various operations input from the user to operate the navigation device 1 and has various input switches. The user operates the input device 16 to input, for example, the name of a facility or point desired to be set as the destination, select a destination from registered locations registered in advance, or display on the display monitor 12. The displayed map can be scrolled in any direction. The input device 16 can be realized by an operation panel, a remote controller, or the like. Alternatively, the input device 16 may be a touch panel integrated with the display monitor 12.

  The speaker 17 in FIG. 1 outputs various audio information related to vehicle travel under the control of the control unit 10. For example, a route guidance voice for guiding the vehicle to the destination according to the recommended route, various warning sounds, and the like are output.

  In the navigation device 1, the map data stored in the HDD 11 can be updated. The map data may be updated by, for example, a method of updating the difference between the map data stored in the HDD 11 and the latest map data, or a method of replacing the map data file. Data used for updating the map data may use electronic media such as a DVD (not shown) or a USB memory (not shown), or may be downloaded from outside the navigation device 1.

  In the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 10 determines the date when the user starts using the navigation device 1 based on the usage status of the navigation device 1. Then, when a predetermined period, for example, about several months, has passed since the date when the user started using the navigation apparatus 1, a notification is made to prompt the user to update the map data.

  Currently, there is a business model that discounts royalties (consideration) when a map data vendor provides map data to a manufacturer of a navigation device by making a notification that prompts the user to update such map data. In that business model, the navigation device maker, by contract with the map vendor, reliably notifies the user to update the map data when a specified period of time has passed since the user started using the navigation device. I have to do it.

  In order to support this business model, for example, the date when the navigation device was produced or the date when the navigation device was installed in the vehicle on the car manufacturer's production line or car dealer, etc. It can be stored as a date of use start).

  However, in the method of using the date when the navigation device is produced as the start date of use, the specified period may pass before the user starts using the product, for example, when it is in a stock state for a long time. In such a case, immediately after the user starts using the navigation device, the user may be notified of an update, which may make the user feel uncomfortable. The same applies to the case of setting in the production line of a car manufacturer.

  On the other hand, in the method of setting the use start date at the dealer of the card dealer or the navigation device 1, it is practically difficult to thoroughly perform the work of setting the use start date for the card dealer or the dealer. As a result, the navigation device may pass over to the user without setting the use start date, the notification for prompting the update of the map data cannot be performed, and the contract with the map vendor can be protected. Can not.

  Therefore, in the business model described above, there is a demand for a method that can appropriately set a use start date for notifying update of map data and surely prompting for an update. The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment can meet such a demand by the processing described below.

  The control unit 10 determines the use start date of the navigation device 1 based on the use status of the navigation device 1, and gives a notification that prompts to update the map data when a predetermined period (for example, several months) has elapsed from the use start date. A method will be described.

  First, the flow of processing from when the power of the navigation device 1 is turned on until notification for urging update of map data is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process in FIG. 2 is a process that starts when the navigation apparatus 1 is powered on.

  In step S <b> 201 of FIG. 2, the control unit 10 determines whether the use start date of the navigation device 1 is stored in the HDD 11. If the use start date is stored in the HDD 11 when the navigation device 1 is activated in the past, the process proceeds to step S204 in order to execute a process related to a notification for prompting update of the map data. On the other hand, when not memorize | stored, it progresses to step S202 in order to determine whether a use start date is memorize | stored.

  The navigation device 1 may be activated in a state where it is mounted on a vehicle in a card dealer or the like before the user starts using it. In such a situation, it is not appropriate to store the current date when the navigation device 1 is activated for the first time as the use start date because there is a time lag before the user starts using the device. Therefore, the control unit 10 stores the use start date at a timing different from when the navigation device 1 is activated for the first time.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not the use start date is stored in the HDD 11. The control unit 10 makes this determination based on the usage status of the navigation device 1. The usage status of the navigation device 1 here refers to, for example, the distance traveled by the vehicle with the navigation device 1 mounted, the registration status of the user's personal information with respect to the navigation device 1, and the navigation device 1 and the external server. The communication status. The process executed in step S202 will be described later. In step S202, the process continues to wait in step S202 until it is determined that the use start date is stored. When it is determined that the use start date is stored, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S <b> 203, the control unit 10 calculates the current time based on information from the GPS receiving unit 14 and acquires the current date. Then, the acquired current date is stored in a predetermined storage area of the HDD 11 as a use start date. If a use start date is memorize | stored, it will progress to step S204.

  In step S <b> 204, the control unit 10 executes a process of notifying the user to update the map data based on the use start date stored in the HDD 11. This process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process for performing notification for prompting update of the map data with the use start date of the navigation device 1 as an input. The process of FIG. 3 is executed by the control unit 10.

  In step S301, the control unit 10 acquires the current date based on the GPS signal. The current date is stored in the memory of the control unit 10 separately from the use start date. When the current date is acquired, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the control unit 10 calculates a period that has elapsed from the use start date to the current date stored in step S301, and determines whether the elapsed period is equal to or longer than the above-described specified period. If the elapsed period from the use start date is equal to or longer than the specified period, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S303, and otherwise ends the process of FIG.

  In step S303, the control unit 10 notifies the user that the map data is to be updated. This notification is performed by outputting a predetermined image or sound stored in the HDD 11 from the display monitor 12 or the speaker 17. When the notification for urging the update of the map data is performed, the processing in FIG. 3 is terminated.

  Next, a method for determining whether to store the use start date in step S202 of FIG. 2 will be described. Here, as a method for determining whether or not to store the use start date, a method based on the total distance traveled by the vehicle with the navigation device 1 mounted (hereinafter referred to as the total travel distance), to the navigation device 1 A method based on the registration status of personal information of the user and a method based on the communication status with the server 2 will be described.

(Method of judging based on the total travel distance)
First, a method for determining whether to store the use start date based on the total travel distance will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for determining whether or not to store the use start date based on the total travel distance.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the total travel distance of the vehicle is stored in a predetermined storage area of the HDD 11. It is assumed that 0 is stored as an initial value of the total travel distance immediately after the navigation device 1 is manufactured.

  In step S401, the control unit 10 starts measuring the distance traveled by the vehicle. The distance traveled by the vehicle can be calculated, for example, based on the time change of the position of the vehicle calculated from the GPS signal as described above. When the measurement of the distance traveled by the vehicle is started, the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S <b> 402, the control unit 10 updates the total travel distance of the vehicle stored in the HDD 11. First, the control unit 10 reads the data of the total travel distance from the HDD 11, adds the travel distance of the vehicle calculated in step S 401, and stores it again in the HDD 11. When the total travel distance of the vehicle is updated, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, it is determined whether or not the total travel distance stored in the HDD 11 in step S402 exceeds a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance here is desirably a distance that cannot be easily achieved by a test ride with a card dealer. For example, it may be 100 km.

  In step S403, when the total travel distance exceeds the predetermined distance, the control unit 10 returns to the process of FIG. 2 to store the use start date, and proceeds to step S203.

(Method based on user registration status)
Next, a method for determining whether to store the use start date based on the user registration status in the navigation device 1 will be described. When the user uses the navigation device 1, the user can register in advance information such as the user's name and home address in the navigation device 1 for user registration and home registration. When the user performs such registration, assuming that the user starts using the navigation device 1, the current time at that time is acquired and set as the use start date.

  When using the method of storing the use start date based on the registration status of the user, in step S202 of FIG. 2, a screen for performing registration work is displayed on the display monitor 12 or the like via the input device 16. It waits until the information regarding these users is registered. Then, the current date when the user performs a registration act on the navigation device 1 is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S203 in FIG. In step S203 of FIG. 2, the current date is stored in the HDD 11 as the use start date.

(Method based on communication status with server)
As a third method, a method for determining whether or not to store the use start date based on the communication status between the navigation device 1 and an external server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of a configuration of a map data update system including an external server 2 and a navigation device 1 that communicates with the external server 2.

  The navigation device 1 in FIG. 5 is obtained by adding a data communication unit 15 to the configuration example of the navigation device 1 in FIG. Under the control of the control unit 10, the data communication unit 15 performs wireless connection with the communication line network 3 as necessary, and communicates with the server 2 outside. The server 2 is, for example, a data server that provides the navigation device 1 with various content files, update map data, and the like, and can communicate with the navigation device 1 and perform processing for various services. A server 2 is connected to the communication line network 3. That is, the navigation device 1 is connected to the server 2 via the data communication unit 15 and the communication line network 3. When the data communication unit 15 and the communication line network 3 are wirelessly connected, a wireless base station (not shown) included in the communication line network 3 is used. The communication network 3 is constructed by the Internet, for example.

  When using a service or the like provided by the server 2, the navigation device 1 communicates with the server 2 via the communication network 3. In the method of determining based on the communication status between the navigation device 1 and the external server 2, when the navigation device 1 communicates with the server 2 for the first time, the date at that time is used as the use start date of the navigation device 1. Judge to memorize.

  In the method for determining whether or not to store the use start date based on the communication status between the navigation device 1 and the external server 2, the processing in steps S202 and S203 in FIG. Executed. In step S202, the control unit 10 stands by until the navigation device 1 starts communication with the server 2 for the first time. And when the navigation apparatus 1 starts communication with the server 2, the control part 10 acquires the present date based on a GPS signal. In step S203, the current date is stored in the HDD 11 as a use start date.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects are obtained.

(1) The navigation device 1 of the present embodiment stores map data in the HDD 11 and acquires the current date from the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 14. The navigation device 1 of this embodiment determines whether or not to store the current date as the use start date of the navigation device 1 based on the total distance traveled by the vehicle in which the vehicle is mounted (step of FIG. 2). S202 and FIG. 4), the current date when it is determined to be stored as the use start date is stored in the HDD 11 (step S203 in FIG. 2). Thereby, the date when the user started using the navigation apparatus 1 can be determined.

(2) When the total travel distance traveled by the vehicle on which the vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted exceeds a predetermined distance, the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment stores the date at that time as the use start date of the navigation device 1 (FIG. 4). Steps S401 to S403). As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from determining that the user has started using the vehicle while testing the vehicle with a card dealer or the like, and to notify the user that the map data is to be updated immediately after the user actually starts using the vehicle. Can be prevented.

(3) The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment determines that the use of the navigation device 1 is started when the user performs user registration, home registration, or the like for the navigation device 1. By linking with processing executed when the user uses the navigation device such as user registration and home registration, a highly accurate use start date can be set without increasing the burden on the user.

(4) The navigation device 1 of the present embodiment determines that the use of the navigation device 1 is started when wireless communication is performed for the first time with the server 2 that provides various services. Thereby, a highly accurate use start date can be set, without increasing a user's burden.

(5) After the use start date is set, the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment makes a notification that prompts the user to update the map data when several months have elapsed from the use start date. As a result, the notification for prompting the update of the map data is executed, and the contract in the business model described above can be adhered to.

  The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.

(1) In the above embodiment, three types of methods have been described as methods for determining whether to store the use start date. However, the method of determining whether to store the use start date is not limited to these three types. For example, in the first method, instead of the total travel distance, the determination may be made based on the distance traveled continuously by the vehicle from when the navigation device 1 is turned on until it is turned off. Good. In this case, when the distance traveled continuously from when the navigation device 1 is turned on until it is turned off exceeds a predetermined distance, for example, 5 km, it is determined that the current time is stored as the use start date. do it.

(2) Alternatively, when the navigation device 1 is turned on, the message “Do you want to use the navigation device?” Is displayed along with the message “Yes” or “No”, and the user is prompted via the input device 16. Any one of the options may be selected. In this case, when “Yes” is selected, it may be determined that the date at that time is stored as the use start date. Also, instead of the above message and options, a password input screen for allowing the user to use the navigation device is displayed, and when the password is input, the current date is stored as the start date of use. Also good. In this case, a password for performing a product test on the production line may be set in advance separately from the above password, and the start date of use may not be stored when the password is input.

(3) In the method for determining whether to store the use start date based on the total travel distance described with reference to FIG. 4, the date when the total travel distance exceeds a predetermined distance is defined as the use start date. did. However, when the navigation device 1 is mounted in advance when the vehicle is manufactured, the date when the user purchased the vehicle from the card dealer may be stored as the use start date by the following method.

  The navigation device 1 can identify whether the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is mounted is in a card dealer based on the current position of the vehicle and map data. When the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 stops at the card dealer, the date at that time is acquired from the GPS signal and stored in the HDD 11. The stored date is updated every time the vehicle stops at the card dealer. And when the above-mentioned total travel distance or continuous travel distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the date on which the car dealer that was last stored in the HDD 11 was stopped, the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 was mounted passed to the user's hand Think of it as the start date of use. Thereby, when selling with the navigation apparatus 1 mounted in the vehicle, the precision of the use start date memorize | stored can be improved. In addition, you may perform the above processes for facilities other than a card dealer. For example, a vehicle manufacturing factory, an automobile importer, and the like can be targeted.

(4) In the method for determining whether or not to store the use start date based on the communication status with the server 2 described above, the use start date is stored in the HDD 11 of the navigation device 1 and the control unit 10 updates the map data. Controlling the timing of notification to prompt. However, it may be the server 2 that stores the use start date and manages the timing of notification for prompting update of the map data. The notification at that time is performed as follows, for example. First, the navigation apparatus 1 acquires the date when the first communication with the server 2 was started based on the GPS signal. The acquired current date is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication line network 3 as the use start date. The server 2 stores the transmitted use start date. The server 2 transmits information for notifying the navigation device 1 to update the map data after a predetermined period has elapsed from the stored use start date. Then, the navigation device 1 makes a notification that prompts updating of the map data according to the information transmitted from the server 2. By doing in this way, it is not necessary for the navigation device 1 to perform the process of step S305 in FIG. 3, and the load on the navigation device 1 can be reduced. When the navigation device 1 and the server 2 start communication for the first time, the current date managed inside the server 2 may be used instead of the navigation device 1 sending the use start date to the server 2. .

(5) Various methods for determining whether or not to store the use start date described in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used singly or in any combination of a plurality of methods. It may be used. When used in combination, the use start date may be stored when any of the determination conditions is satisfied, or the use start date may be stored when all of the adopted determination conditions are satisfied. It may be memorized.

(6) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the navigation device 1 stores the production date in the HDD 11 in advance, and notifies the map data to be updated based on the stored production date. You may adjust the period until it performs. For example, the control unit 10 further stores the date of production in the HDD 11, calculates the date when the above-mentioned specified period has elapsed with the date of production as the reference date, and stores the date as the reference date in the HDD 11. To do. Then, when the use start date is stored according to each of the above embodiments and modifications, it is determined whether or not the use start date has passed the stored reference date. When it is determined that the calculated reference date has passed, the period from the use start date to the notification for prompting the update is made shorter than the specified period. By doing so, it is possible to adhere to the contract for performing the notification for promoting the update in the business model described above. Note that the start date of use is kept stored, and the notification for prompting the update of the map data need not be performed. Further, other processing may be performed using the use start date. For example, you may perform the advertisement of a vehicle or a navigation apparatus according to a use start date, or the setting change of the navigation apparatus 1. FIG.

  Each embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 Server 3 Communication network 10 Control part 11 HDD
12 Display Monitor 13 Gyro Sensor 14 GPS Reception Unit 15 Data Communication Unit 16 Input Device 17 Speaker

Claims (13)

A navigation device mounted on a vehicle and capable of updating map data,
Date acquisition means for acquiring the current date;
Determining means for determining whether to store a use start date of the navigation device;
A navigation apparatus comprising: a use start date storage unit that stores the current date acquired by the date acquisition unit as the use start date when the determination unit determines to store the use start date. . The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether to store the use start date based on a distance traveled by the vehicle. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the use start date is stored when a total travel distance of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance. The navigation device according to claim 2 or 3,
The determination means determines that the use start date is stored when a continuous travel distance of the vehicle from when the navigation device is turned on until it is turned off exceeds a predetermined distance. Navigation device. The navigation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A stop date storage means for storing a date when the vehicle stops at a predetermined facility,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the use start date storage unit stores a date stored in the stop date storage unit as the use start date instead of the current date acquired by the date acquisition unit. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines to store the use start date when a user performs a predetermined operation on the navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an input operation for registering information about the user. The navigation device according to claim 6 or 7,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an input operation for registering information related to the user's home. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is a password input operation set in advance. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The navigation device can wirelessly communicate with an external server,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use start determination means determines that the use start date is stored when the navigation apparatus performs wireless communication with the server for the first time. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The navigation apparatus further comprising a notification means for notifying the updating of the map data when a predetermined first period has elapsed from the use start date stored by the use start date storage means. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein
Reference date calculation means for calculating a reference date according to the production date of the navigation device is further provided,
The said notification means changes a said 1st period into a 2nd period shorter than a said 1st period, when the said use start date is a date after the said reference date, The navigation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle and capable of updating map data;
A map data update system composed of a server capable of communicating with the navigation device,
The server
Use start date storage means for storing the date when the navigation device first communicates with the server as the use start date;
A notification instructing unit for instructing the navigation device to execute a notification to update the map data when a predetermined period has elapsed from the use start date stored by the use start date storage unit;
The navigation device
A map data update system comprising: a notification means for notifying the user to update the map data when the notification instruction means instructs execution of the notification to update the map data.

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