JP2015042957A - Map information update system, map information update device, map information update method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information update system, a map information update device, a map information update method and a computer program capable of updating an area necessary for a user as an object in a timing necessary for the user.SOLUTION: In the case of updating navigation map information 47 stored in a navigation side map DB 45 of a navigation device 5, the travel history of a user as the update object of the map information is accumulated and stored in association with travel conditions when traveling based on the travel history is performed (S12), and travel probability by which a user travels in an area under each travel condition is calculated for each of areas included in the map information on the basis of the stored travel history of the user (S13), and an update object area where the map information is updated is specified on the basis of the travel probability of each area corresponding to the travel conditions of the user when the map information is updated (S34), and the map information is updated with the specified update object area as an object (S24).

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information update system, a map information update device, a map information update method, and a computer program that update map information stored in a storage medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation device is often mounted on a vehicle that provides vehicle travel guidance so that a driver can easily arrive at a desired destination. Here, the navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle by a GPS receiver or the like, acquires map information corresponding to the current position through a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or HDD or a network, and displays it on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a device that can do. In addition, the navigation device has a route search function for searching for an optimum route from a departure point (for example, the current position of the host vehicle) to the set destination when a desired destination is set. It also has a travel guidance function for guiding travel according to the route (guide route). In recent years, some mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers, and the like have functions similar to those of the navigation device.

  Here, new roads (new roads) are built every year in Japan. Along with this, existing roads disappear, branch points are added, and the shapes of existing roads and branch points are changed. At this time, there is a problem that information relating to a newly created road or the like newly created after the map information of the navigation device or the like is not registered in the map information. That is, in a navigation device having map information that does not include a new road, etc., the new road is not a target for route search or travel guidance, so the navigation device etc. searches for a detour guide route that does not pass through the new road, etc. In some cases, appropriate travel guidance such as no guidance of branch points is not performed.

  In order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to update the map information included in the navigation device or the like. In addition, when updating map information, in order to reduce the communication cost and processing burden related to the update, the map information of the navigation device is not rewritten with new map information, but only the map information at the necessary location. So-called differential update is performed.

  However, even if it is a difference update, performing a difference update of the corresponding part every time a new road or the like is added nationwide has a large communication cost and processing burden. Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-361188 proposes a technique for setting an area that is frequently used by a user, such as the vicinity of a home, as an estimated usage range, and performing a difference update particularly for the estimated usage range. Yes. Another prior art also proposes a technique for performing differential update with an area around the destination as an update target when the destination is set.

JP 2004-361188 A (page 6-7, FIG. 5)

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 or the like, the vehicle does not travel more frequently than the surroundings of the home and is not set as a destination, but an area with a relatively high traveling frequency (for example, purchase of work or daily necessities). In some cases, the area including supermarkets etc., which is subject to renewal, was not subject to renewal.

  On the other hand, if an area that is frequently traveled only at a specific time (for example, around a ski resort in winter) is subject to renewal throughout the year, the area will be renewed even when the user does not travel clearly. As a result, communication costs and processing burdens related to renewal increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and when the map information stored in the storage medium is updated to new map information, the user needs it at the timing required by the user. A map information update system, a map information update device, a map information update method, and a computer program are provided that can be updated for an area to be updated and that can reduce communication costs and processing burdens related to the update. For the purpose.

  To achieve the above object, a map information update system (1), a map information update device (1), a map information update method, and a computer program according to the present invention update map information for a specified update target area. A system, an apparatus, a map information update method for updating map information using the system and apparatus, and a computer program for realizing the following on the apparatus and system. Specifically, the map update means (21, 51) for updating the map information (47) divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in units of areas, and the user to be updated for the map information A travel history storage means (21, 51) for accumulating and storing the travel history in association with a travel condition when traveling based on the travel history is performed, and the user's travel history stored by the travel history storage means Based on the travel probability calculation means (21, 51) for calculating the travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information, and the map update means When the map information is updated, the travel condition acquisition means (21, 51) for acquiring the user's travel condition when the map information is updated, and the previous acquired by the travel condition acquisition means Update target area specifying means (21, 51) for specifying an update target area to be updated by the map update means based on a travel probability for each area corresponding to a travel condition, the map update means The map information is updated for the update target area specified by the update target area specifying means.

  According to the map information update system, the map information update device, the map information update method, and the computer program according to the present invention having the above configuration, when the map information stored in the storage medium is updated to new map information, the update is performed. Since the update target area is set using the travel probability for each area corresponding to the travel conditions of the user when performing the operation, it is possible to update the area required by the user at the timing required by the user Become. As a result, it is possible to reduce the communication cost and processing burden related to the update.

It is the schematic block diagram which showed the map information update system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the travel history memorize | stored in travel history DB. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure explaining the update process of the map information memorize | stored in the navigation apparatus. 4 is a flowchart of a travel history update processing program according to the present embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the driving | running probability calculated in a driving | running | working history update process program. It is a flowchart of the map information update process program which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, based on one embodiment which materialized the map information update system concerning the present invention, it explains in detail, referring to drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of the map information update system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a map information update system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a map information update system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a map distribution server 3 that is a map information update device arranged in an external center such as a map distribution center 2, and navigation installed in a vehicle 4. The apparatus 5 is basically composed of the apparatus 5. In the present embodiment, the map information is stored and the navigation apparatus 5 installed in the vehicle 4 is used as a terminal for updating the stored map information based on the data distributed from the map distribution server 3. Although described, a terminal other than the navigation device 5 may be used as long as the terminal has a storage medium storing map information. For example, instead of the navigation device 5, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like may be used.

  Here, the map distribution server 3 updates the old version of the map information stored in the navigation device 5 to a new version of map information reflecting newly established or abolished roads and facilities ( Hereinafter, it is a server that performs generation of map update information) and distribution of the generated map update information. In addition, as the update method of map information, all the map information memorize | stored in the navigation apparatus 5 is rewritten and updated (henceforth all update), and only the required part of map information is rewritten and updated (henceforth, There is a method called differential update. In this embodiment described below, an example in which map information is updated by differential update will be described.

  The navigation device 5 is installed in the vehicle 4 traveling on each road in the country, displays a map around the vehicle position based on stored map information, and searches for and searches for a route to a set destination. This is an in-vehicle device that provides travel guidance based on the route. Here, the map distribution server 3 and the navigation apparatus 5 use a vehicle communication module 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as a communication module 6) such as a mobile phone or a DCM mounted in advance on the vehicle 4, and thereby via the network 7. It is configured to be able to communicate in both directions, and transmits and receives various types of information such as a travel history, a map update information distribution request, travel conditions, and map update information, which will be described later.

In addition, the navigation device 5 has a specific area (for example, for example, with respect to the map distribution server 3 when a specific condition is satisfied (for example, when an ACC is turned on or a guide route to a destination is set). New version of map information for 80km square area centered on the user's home, 10km square area centered on the set destination, and area determined to have high driving probability under current driving conditions) A request for distribution of map update information for updating to is sent.
Further, when the navigation apparatus 5 receives the map update information from the map distribution server 3 in response to the transmitted distribution request, the navigation apparatus 5 updates the map information to be stored based on the received map update information. The details of the map information update process will be described later.

  In particular, in the map information update system 1 according to the present embodiment, each time the vehicle 4 travels, a travel history (specifically, information that identifies the traveled route) related to the travel and the travel conditions under which the travel is performed. (Specifically, the travel date and time, the surrounding environment at the time of travel, the number of passengers) are associated with each other and transmitted from the navigation device 5 to the map distribution server 3. On the other hand, the map distribution server 3 stores the travel history and the travel conditions transmitted from the navigation device 5 in the DB together with the ID that identifies the transmission source user. When the map distribution server 3 receives a map update information distribution request from the navigation device 5 as described below, the map distribution server 3 uses the travel history and travel conditions stored in the DB to determine the current travel conditions of the user who wants to update. The area where it is determined that the user's travel probability is high is specified, and map update information for updating the area is created and distributed.

Next, the map distribution server 3 constituting the map information update system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the map distribution server 3 includes a server control ECU 11, a server side map DB 12 and a travel history DB 13 as information recording units connected to the server control ECU 11, and a server side communication device 14.

  The server control ECU 11 (electronic control unit) is an electronic control unit that performs overall control of the map distribution server 3. The CPU 21 as an arithmetic device and a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to the RAM 22 and control program to be used, a ROM 23 in which a travel history update program (see FIG. 5) and a map information update processing program (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, are recorded, a flash that stores programs read from the ROM 23 An internal storage device such as a memory 24 is provided. The server control ECU 11 constitutes various means as processing algorithms together with a control unit of the navigation device 5 described later. For example, the map update means updates the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information for each area. The travel history storage means accumulates and stores the travel history of the user, whose map information is to be updated, in association with the travel conditions when traveling based on the travel history. The travel probability calculation means calculates the travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information based on the user travel history stored in the travel history storage means. When the map information is updated by the map update unit, the travel condition acquisition unit acquires the user's travel condition when performing the update. The update target area specifying unit specifies an update target area to be updated by the map update unit based on the travel probability for each area corresponding to the travel condition acquired by the travel condition acquiring unit. When roads and facilities throughout the country are newly established or abolished, new map information reflecting them is registered based on the input operation of the administrator. In addition, when roads and facilities throughout the country are newly established or removed, there are also means for registering new map information reflecting such information based on the input operation of the administrator.

  The server-side map DB 12 has basic map information 25, which is the latest map information that is registered based on input data and input operations from the outside and is updated when the map information stored in the navigation device 5 is updated. The storage means is stored by being divided for each version and each area (for example, every secondary mesh). Here, the version is creation time information for specifying the time when the map information is created, and the time when the map information is created can be specified by referring to the version. In addition to the latest version of the basic map information 25, the old version of the basic map information 25 is stored in the center-side map DB 12 separately for each version and area.

  Here, the map information stored in the navigation device 5 and the basic map information 25 have basically the same configuration, and various kinds of information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display including the road network. It consists of information. For example, link data regarding roads (links), node data regarding node points, intersection data regarding each intersection, point data regarding points such as facilities, map display data for displaying a map, search data for searching for a route, points It consists of search data and the like for searching.

  The travel history DB 13 is a storage unit that stores a travel history of a user who is a target of map update. Here, in the map information update system 1 according to the present embodiment, every time the vehicle 4 travels, a travel history (specifically, information for specifying the traveled route) related to the travel and the travel conditions under which the travel has been performed. (Specifically, the travel date and time, the surrounding environment at the time of travel, the number of passengers) are associated with each other and transmitted from the navigation device 5 to the map distribution server 3. Then, the map distribution server 3 stores the travel history and the travel conditions transmitted from the navigation device 5 in the travel history DB 13 together with the ID that identifies the transmission source user.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a user's travel history stored in the travel history DB 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the travel history DB 13 stores the travel history of the user in association with the travel conditions. For example, it is memorized that the user with the user ID “abc123” drove from the link a to the link h in a sunny weather on September 1, 2012 with one driver without a passenger. Yes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the travel date and time, the weather during travel, and the number of passengers are associated as travel conditions, but other conditions may be associated. For example, conditions such as the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle and whether or not the luggage is loaded on the roof of the vehicle may be associated. The travel date and time may be classified by season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and time zone (morning, noon, night) instead of a specific date.

  Then, the server control ECU 11 determines that the travel probability of the user is high in the current travel conditions of the user who desires to update the map information, based on the travel history and travel conditions stored in the travel history DB 13 as will be described later. Specify the area to be used. Then, map update information for updating the specified area (hereinafter referred to as update target area) is created and distributed to the navigation device 5 of the target user. The map update information is data for differentially updating the map information of the update target area to the new version of the map information among the map information stored in the navigation device 5. Further, the update target area is specified in units of secondary mesh, for example.

  The server side communication device 14 is a communication device for communicating with the navigation device 5 via the network 7. Here, as the network 7, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a mobile phone network, a telephone network, a public communication network, a dedicated communication network, a communication network such as the Internet Etc. can be used. A communication system using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, or the like by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, a communication system such as a non-stop automatic fee payment system (ETC) or a narrow area communication system (DSRC) used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS) can also be used.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 5 mounted on the vehicle 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment includes a current position detection unit 31 that detects the current position of the vehicle 4 on which the navigation device 5 is mounted, and a data recording unit 32 that records various data. A navigation ECU 33 that performs various arithmetic processes based on the input information, an operation unit 34 that receives operations from the user, a liquid crystal display 35 that displays a guide route to a map and a destination for the user, Communication that communicates between the speaker 36 that outputs voice guidance related to route guidance, the DVD drive 37 that reads a DVD as a storage medium, and the map distribution center 2 or VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center. Module 6.

Below, each component which comprises the navigation apparatus 5 is demonstrated in order.
The current position detection unit 31 includes a GPS 41, a vehicle speed sensor 42, a steering sensor 43, a gyro sensor 44, and the like, and can detect the current vehicle position, direction, vehicle traveling speed, current time, and the like. . Here, in particular, the vehicle speed sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting a moving distance and a vehicle speed of the vehicle, generates a pulse according to the rotation of the driving wheel of the vehicle, and outputs a pulse signal to the navigation ECU 33. And navigation ECU33 calculates the rotational speed and moving distance of a driving wheel by counting the pulse which generate | occur | produces. In addition, it is not necessary for the navigation device 5 to include all the four types of sensors, and the navigation device 5 may include only one or a plurality of types of sensors.

  Further, the data recording unit 32 reads out an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a recording medium, a navigation side map DB 45, a version management DB 46, a predetermined program, and the like recorded on the hard disk, and stores predetermined data on the hard disk. And a recording head (not shown) which is a driver for writing. The data recording unit 32 may be configured by a memory card, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD, instead of the hard disk.

  Here, the navigation side map DB 45 is a storage means for storing navigation map information 47 used for route search and guidance in the navigation device 5.

  Here, the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 is composed of various information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display including the road network, as with the basic map information 25 described above. For example, link data regarding roads (links), node data regarding node points, intersection data regarding each intersection, point data regarding points such as facilities, map display data for displaying a map, search data for searching for a route, points It consists of search data and the like for searching.

  Then, the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 is updated to a new version of map information by rewriting the data of the corresponding location to new data based on the map update information distributed from the map distribution server 3. Is done. The specific update process of the navigation map information 47 will be described later in detail.

  The version management DB 46 is storage means for recording the version of the navigation map information 47 currently stored in the navigation side map DB 45 for each area. The version management DB 46 is updated as the navigation map information 47 is updated to a new version of map information based on the map update information distributed from the map distribution server 3. Further, the version management DB 46 may be configured to be provided in the map distribution server 3.

  On the other hand, the navigation ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 33 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire navigation device 5, and includes a CPU 51 as an arithmetic device and a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 51 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to the RAM 52 for storing route data when a route is searched, a control program, a travel history update program (see FIG. 5) and a map information update processing program (see FIG. 7) described later. ) Etc. are recorded, and an internal storage device such as a flash memory 54 for storing a program read from the ROM 53 is provided.

  The operation unit 34 is operated when inputting a departure point as a travel start point and a destination point as a travel end point, and includes a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as various keys and buttons. Then, the navigation ECU 33 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. The operation unit 34 can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 35. Moreover, it can also be comprised with a microphone and a speech recognition apparatus.

  Further, the liquid crystal display 35 has a map image including a road, traffic information, operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, guidance route from the departure point to the destination, guidance information along the guidance route, news, weather forecast, Time, mail, TV program, etc. are displayed. Instead of the liquid crystal display 35, HUD or HMD may be used.

  In addition, the speaker 36 outputs voice guidance for guiding traveling along the guidance route based on an instruction from the navigation ECU 33 and traffic information guidance.

  The DVD drive 37 is a drive that can read data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD. Based on the read data, music and video are reproduced, the map information DB 45 is updated, and the like.

  The communication module 6 is a communication device for receiving information such as map update information, route information, and traffic information transmitted from the map distribution center 2, VICS (registered trademark) center, probe center, and the like. For example, a mobile phone or DCM is applicable.

Next, update processing of the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation device 5 having the above configuration will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation device 5 is updated in the map information of a predetermined update target area, and the navigation stored in the navigation-side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5 is used. A case where the version of the update target area of the map information 47 is “4” and the latest version of the update target area of the basic map information 25 owned by the map distribution server 3 is “5” will be described.
In this case, the map distribution server 3 creates the map update information 65 by comparing the version “4” stored in the center side map DB 12 with the basic map information 25 of the version “5”. Further, when the map update information 65 is created, a process for checking an error in the created map update information 65 is also performed. The map update information 65 generated in this case is the map information in the update target area from the version “4” to the version “5” in the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation-side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5. And the data to be updated.
Then, the map distribution server 3 distributes the generated map update information 65 to the navigation device 5 that is the distribution request source. On the other hand, the navigation device 5 that has received the map update information 65 updates the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation-side map DB 45 using the received map update information 65. As a result, among the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5, the navigation map information 47 in the update target area is updated from the version “4” to the version “5”.

  Next, a travel history update processing program executed by the map distribution server 3 and the navigation device 5 in the map information update system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the travel history update processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the travel history update processing program is executed when the travel of the vehicle 4 is completed, and stores the travel history of the user in the travel history DB 13 of the map distribution server 3 and travel conditions based on the stored travel history. This is a program that calculates the travel probability that the user travels in the area for each of a plurality of areas (for example, secondary meshes) included in the map information. The programs shown in the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 and 7 below are stored in the RAM and ROM provided in the navigation device 5 and the map distribution server 3 and are executed by the CPU 21 or the CPU 51.

  First, a travel history update processing program executed by the CPU 51 of the navigation device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 51 determines the travel history (specifically, information for specifying the traveled route) related to the travel performed in the vehicle 4 and the travel conditions for the travel. (Specifically, the travel date and time, the surrounding environment during travel, and the number of passengers) are associated with each other and transmitted to the map distribution server 3. The travel history also includes a user ID that identifies the user who is the transmission source. The process of S1 may be executed not only every time the vehicle travels but every predetermined interval (for example, every 24 hours or every time when ACC is turned on). In that case, the information regarding the travel history of all the travels performed within a predetermined interval is transmitted.

  Next, a travel history update processing program executed by the CPU 21 of the map distribution server 3 will be described. First, in S <b> 11, the CPU 21 receives a travel history transmitted from the navigation device 5. Note that the travel history includes information related to the travel conditions and the user ID that identifies the user who is the transmission source.

  Subsequently, in S12, the CPU 21 cumulatively stores the travel history and the travel conditions received in S11 together with the user ID for specifying the transmission source user in the travel history DB 13 (see FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, in S13, the CPU 21 determines, based on the travel history of the transmission source user stored in the travel history DB 13, the travel probability that the transmission source user travels the area for each travel condition, in a plurality of areas included in the map information. Calculate every time. In the present embodiment, the area as a calculation unit is a secondary mesh.

Specifically, the driving probability for each driving condition and for each area is calculated by the following equation (1).
Travel probability = Number of travels in the area under the travel conditions / Total number of travels in the travel conditions (1)

Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the calculated travel probability.
For example, when the total number of times of traveling with no passengers in the sunny daytime (AM 6: 00 to PM 6:00) in spring (March to May) is 100 times, of which mesh A is When the number of times of traveling is 45, the traveling probability calculated for the mesh A under the above traveling condition is “45%”. In addition, the total number of times the vehicle ran without a passenger during a sunny daytime (AM 6: 00 to PM 6:00) in summer (June to August) is 180 times, of which mesh E When the number of times of traveling is 0, the traveling probability calculated for the mesh E under the traveling condition is “0%”. Similarly, the travel probability is calculated for all areas constituting the map information for each travel condition. As a result, it is possible to accurately specify an area with a high probability that the user will travel from the past travel history. The travel probability calculated in S13 is classified for each user and stored in a storage medium such as the flash memory 24.

  Next, a map information update processing program executed by the map distribution server 3 and the navigation device 5 in the map information update system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the map information update processing program according to this embodiment. Here, the map information update processing program is executed at the timing of updating the map information in the navigation device 5 (for example, when ACC is turned on or when the destination setting operation is performed), and from the map distribution server 3. This is a program for updating the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 based on the distributed map update information.

  First, the map information update processing program executed by the CPU 51 of the navigation device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in S21, the CPU 51 acquires the current traveling condition (that is, the traveling condition when updating the map) of the vehicle 4 on which the navigation device 5 is mounted. The travel conditions acquired include the travel date and time, the surrounding environment during travel, and the number of passengers. For example, the travel date and time is acquired by the GPS 41. In addition, the surrounding environment at the time of traveling is acquired by a detection result of a sensor installed in the vehicle 4 or communication with an external center. The presence / absence of a passenger is acquired from the operating state of the seat belt, the image taken by the in-vehicle camera, and the detection result of the weight sensor installed on the seat.

  Next, in S <b> 22, the CPU 51 transmits a map update information distribution request to the map distribution server 3. The distribution request for map update information includes a user ID for identifying the user who has transmitted the distribution request, information on the travel conditions acquired in S21, and information for identifying the current version of the navigation map information 47. It is. The current version of the navigation map information 47 is managed by the version management DB 46.

  Subsequently, in S23, the CPU 51 receives the map update information transmitted from the map distribution server 3 in response to the distribution request. The map update information is data for updating the map information in the update target area from the current version to the new version among the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5 (see FIG. 4). ). Further, the update target area is specified based on the current travel condition and the travel history stored in the travel history DB 13 in the map distribution server 3 as described later (S34).

  Thereafter, in S24, the CPU 51 updates the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 based on the map update information received in S23. As a result, the map information in the update target area in the navigation map information 47 is rewritten with new data contents and updated to a new version of map information.

  Next, a map information update processing program executed by the CPU 21 of the map distribution server 3 will be described.

  First, in S <b> 31, the CPU 21 receives a map update information distribution request transmitted from the navigation device 5. The map update information distribution request is stored in the user ID that identifies the user who has transmitted the distribution request, information on the current running conditions of the distribution request source user, and the distribution request source navigation device 5. Information specifying the current version of the navigation map information 47 is included.

  Next, in S <b> 32, the CPU 21 acquires a travel probability corresponding to the current travel condition of the distribution requesting user among the travel probabilities calculated in the above-described travel history update processing program (FIG. 5). For example, if the current driving condition of the user of the distribution request source is August 1, 2013, in the state of one driver who does not have a passenger and the weather is sunny, “Summer (June- The travel probability corresponding to the travel conditions of “August), daytime (AM 6: 00 to PM 6:00), clear, no passengers” is acquired.

  Subsequently, in S33, the CPU 21 compares the travel probability acquired in S32 with a predetermined threshold value for each area, and determines whether there is an area having a travel probability equal to or greater than the threshold value. Note that the threshold value used as a determination criterion in S33 can be set as appropriate and is stored in the RAM 22 or the like. If the threshold value is set low, the update target area is widened, and the probability that the user will be disadvantaged by the old map information is reduced, while the communication cost and processing burden related to the update are increased. On the other hand, if the threshold value is set high, the update target area is narrowed, and the probability that the user will be disadvantaged by old map information increases, while the communication cost and processing burden related to the update can be reduced. For example, the threshold is 30%.

  If it is determined that there is an area with a running probability equal to or greater than the threshold (S33: YES), the process proceeds to S34. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no area having a driving probability equal to or greater than the threshold (S33: NO), the map information update processing program is terminated without updating the navigation map information 47.

  In S <b> 34, the CPU 21 specifies an update mode area that is an update target of the navigation map information 47. Specifically, the travel probability acquired in S32 is referred to, and an area having a travel probability equal to or higher than a threshold is set as an update target area. For example, when the travel probability shown in FIG. 6 is calculated for the user who has transmitted the distribution request, the current user travel condition is “spring, daytime, clear, no passenger”, and When the threshold is 30%, mesh A, mesh B, and mesh F are specified as the update target area.

  In S35, the CPU 21 generates map update information for updating the map information of the update target area specified in S34. The map update information generated in S35 updates the map information in the update target area from the current version to the latest version in the navigation map information 47 stored in the navigation device 5 that is the distribution request source. It is data. Since the map update information generation process is already known, the details are omitted.

  Subsequently, in S36, the CPU 21 transmits the map update information generated in S35 to the navigation device 5 that is the transmission source of the map update information distribution request. As a result, in the navigation device 5 that has received the map update information, the navigation map information 47 that the navigation device 5 has is updated (S24).

  As explained in detail above, in the map information update system 1 according to the present embodiment, the map information update method by the map information update system 1, and the computer program executed by the map information update system 1, the navigation side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5 is used. When the navigation map information 47 stored in the map information is updated, the travel history of the user who is the update target of the map information is accumulated and stored in association with the travel conditions when travel is performed based on the travel history. (S12) Based on the stored user's travel history, the travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition is calculated for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information (S13), and the update is performed. An update pair that acquires the user's travel condition (S31) and updates the map information based on the travel probability for each area corresponding to the acquired travel condition. Since the area is specified (S34) and the map information is updated for the specified update target area (S24), it is possible to update the area required by the user at the timing required by the user. It becomes. As a result, it is possible to reduce the communication cost and processing burden related to the update.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the map distribution server 3 performs the storage history storage process of S12, the calculation process of the travel probability of S13, and the update target area specifying process of S34. However, the navigation apparatus 5 performs the configuration. It is also good. In that case, it is desirable that the finally specified update target area is transmitted from the navigation device 5 to the map distribution server 3 together with a distribution request for map update information.

  In the present embodiment, the map distribution server 3 is configured to calculate the travel probability every time the travel history is received from the navigation device 5 (S13). However, the timing for calculating the travel probability performs the determination process of S33. Anytime before the timing. Further, if it is executed at a timing after the processing of S32, only the driving probability corresponding to the current driving condition of the user who requests the distribution of the map update information may be calculated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, three conditions of travel date and time, surrounding environment at the time of travel, and the number of passengers are used as the travel conditions of the user, but only one or two conditions may be used as the travel conditions. Furthermore, other conditions may be used as running conditions. For example, conditions such as the amount of luggage mounted on the vehicle and whether or not the luggage is mounted on the roof of the vehicle may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the update target area is specified in units of secondary mesh, but the unit for specifying the area may be other than the unit of secondary mesh. For example, it may be an administrative division unit such as a municipality.

  In this embodiment, the update target area for updating the map information is an area that is determined to have a high travel probability in the current travel conditions of the user who wants to distribute the map update information. An area around the home or an area around the set destination may be added to the target.

  In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the navigation device 5 is used as a terminal that stores map information and updates the map information stored based on data distributed from the map distribution server 3. Instead of the navigation device 5, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like may be used.

  Moreover, although the Example which actualized the map information update system which concerns on this invention was demonstrated above, the map information update system can also have the following structures, and there exists the following effect in that case.

For example, the first configuration is as follows.
The update target area specifying unit compares a travel probability for each area corresponding to the travel condition acquired by the travel condition acquiring unit with a predetermined threshold, and specifies an area having the travel probability equal to or higher than the threshold as the update target area. It is characterized by that.
According to the map information update system having the above-described configuration, the map information can be updated especially for an area where the user has a high probability of traveling at the time of updating, and thus the area required by the user is updated. Can be performed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the probability that the user will be disadvantaged by the old map information, and it is possible to reduce the communication cost and processing burden related to the update.

The second configuration is as follows.
The traveling condition is a combination of one or more of the traveling date and time, the surrounding environment during traveling, and the number of passengers.
According to the map information update system having the above-described configuration, it is possible to accurately specify an area having a high probability that the user travels from the past travel history in consideration of the travel conditions of the user when performing the update.

The third configuration is as follows.
The travel probability calculating means calculates, for each travel condition, a ratio of the number of times of traveling in the area to the total number of times traveled according to the travel condition as the travel probability of the area.
According to the map information update system having the above-described configuration, it is possible to accurately specify an area having a high probability of the user traveling based on a specific numerical value from the past traveling history. As a result, it is possible to easily compare the travel probabilities for each area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map information update system 2 Map distribution center 3 Map distribution server 4 Vehicle 5 Navigation apparatus 11 Server 12 Server side map DB
13 Travel history DB
21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
25 Basic map information 33 Navigation ECU
45 Navi side map DB
47 Navi Map Information 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM

Claims (7)

Map update means for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in area units,
Travel history storage means for accumulating and storing the travel history of the user to be updated of the map information in association with the travel conditions when travel by the travel history is performed;
Travel that calculates a travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information based on the travel history of the user stored by the travel history storage unit Probability calculation means;
When the map information is updated by the map update unit, a travel condition acquisition unit that acquires the travel condition of the user when performing the update;
Update target area specifying means for specifying an update target area to be updated by the map updating means, based on the driving probability for each area corresponding to the driving conditions acquired by the driving condition acquiring means,
The map update means updates the map information for the update target area specified by the update target area specification means. The update target area specifying means includes:
Comparing the travel probability for each area corresponding to the travel condition acquired by the travel condition acquisition means with a predetermined threshold;
The map information update system according to claim 1, wherein an area having the driving probability equal to or higher than the threshold is specified as the update target area.   The map information update system according to claim 1, wherein the travel condition is a combination of one or more of a travel date and time, a surrounding environment during travel, and the number of passengers.   The travel probability calculation means calculates, as the travel probability of the area, the ratio of the number of times of traveling in the area to the total number of times of traveling according to the travel condition for each travel condition. The map information update system according to claim 3. Map update means for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in area units,
Travel history storage means for accumulating and storing the travel history of the user to be updated of the map information in association with the travel conditions when travel by the travel history is performed;
Travel that calculates a travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information based on the travel history of the user stored in the travel history storage unit Probability calculation means;
When the map information is updated by the map update unit, a travel condition acquisition unit that acquires the travel condition of the user when performing the update;
Update target area specifying means for specifying an update target area to be updated by the map updating means, based on the driving probability for each area corresponding to the driving conditions acquired by the driving condition acquiring means,
The map update unit updates the map information with respect to the update target area specified by the update target area specifying unit. A map update step for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in area units,
A travel history storage step for accumulating and storing the travel history of the user to be updated of the map information in association with the travel conditions when travel is performed according to the travel history;
Travel that calculates a travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information based on the travel history of the user stored in the travel history storage step A probability calculating step;
When the map information is updated by the map update step, a travel condition acquisition step of acquiring the user's travel conditions when performing the update;
An update target area specifying step for specifying an update target area to be updated by the map update step based on a travel probability for each area corresponding to the travel condition acquired by the travel condition acquiring step;
The map update step updates the map information for the update target area specified by the update target area specification step. On the computer,
A map update function that updates map information divided into multiple areas into a new version of map information for each area,
A travel history storage function for accumulating and storing a travel history of a user who is an update target of map information in association with a travel condition when travel is performed according to the travel history;
Travel that calculates a travel probability that the user travels in the area for each travel condition for each of the plurality of areas included in the map information based on the travel history of the user stored by the travel history storage function Probability calculation function,
When updating the map information by the map update function, a travel condition acquisition function for acquiring the user's travel conditions when performing the update,
A computer for realizing an update target area specifying function for specifying an update target area to be updated by the map update step based on a travel probability for each area corresponding to the travel condition acquired by the travel condition acquiring function. A program,
The map update function updates the map information for the update target area specified by the update target area specifying function.

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