JP2017078775A - Map information updating system, map information updating method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information updating system, a map information updating method, and a computer program that, when updating map information to new map information, have made it possible to preferentially and properly update an area necessary for a user.SOLUTION: When updating a difference in navigation map information stored in a navigation-side map DB of a navigation device, a map information updating system counts, for each of a plurality of areas, the number of times map images of the areas are displayed on a liquid crystal display, and preferentially updates map information of the area where the map image is counted for a larger number of times to the area where the map image is counted for a smaller number of times (S12 to S15).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information update system, a map information update method, and a computer program for updating map information in area units.

  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). It also has a facility information guidance function that provides information about facilities in various parts of the country. 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) and facilities (new facilities) are constructed every year in Japan. Along with this, existing roads and facilities 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 regarding a new road or a new facility newly created after the map information of the navigation device or the like is created is not registered in the map information. In other words, in a navigation device or the like having map information that does not include a new road, a new road or the like is not a target for route search or travel guidance, so the navigation device or the like searches for a detour route that does not pass through the new road or the like, There are cases where appropriate travel guidance is not performed, such as when a branch point is not guided. In addition, in a navigation apparatus or the like having map information that does not include a new facility, information on the new facility cannot be guided, and on the other hand, a facility that does not exist is displayed on a map image.

  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. Accordingly, the map information is updated with priority given to areas required by the user such as the vicinity of the home or the guidance route. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-20852 proposes a technique for performing difference update using a mesh including a guide route as an update target when a guide route is set in the navigation device.

JP 2014-20852 A (pages 16-18)

Here, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the inclusion of the guidance route is a condition for preferentially updating the map information. Therefore, the map information is preferentially updated for an area where the guidance route is not frequently set. Not. However, even if the guide route is not frequently set, the map information should be preferentially updated for the region corresponding to the following conditions (1) and (2).
(1) An area where a user frequently travels, but often travels to a fixed destination (for example, a workplace), or hardly sets a guide route for reasons such as being bright in geography.
(2) Although the user rarely travels, it is a region in which the user is interested (for example, a region where there are many stores corresponding to the user's hobbies, etc.), display of a map image, acquisition of facility information, etc. The area to do frequently.

  In the technique of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, map information cannot be preferentially updated for facilities that meet the above conditions (1) and (2). The information could not be updated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and when updating map information to new map information, the area required by the user is appropriately prioritized and updated. It is an object to provide a map information update system, a map information update method, and a computer program that are made possible.

In order to achieve the above object, a map information update system according to the present invention comprises a map image display means for displaying a map image on an image display device, and map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information for each area. Map update means for updating the display, and for each of the plurality of areas, display count means for counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed by the map image display means, and the map update means The map information is updated with priority given to areas with a large number of times counted by the display counting means over areas with a small number.
“Updating with priority” includes updating only an area where the counted number is large, and updating an area where the counted number is large at an earlier timing than an area where the number is counted.

  Moreover, the map information update method according to the present invention is a method of performing a map information difference update by giving priority to an area required by the user. Specifically, the map image display means displays the map image on the image display device, and the map update means updates the map information divided into a plurality of areas to a new version of map information in area units. And a step of counting, for each of the plurality of areas, counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed by the map image display means, and the map updating means The map information is updated with priority given to the area where the number of times counted by the display counting means is higher.

  Moreover, the computer program which concerns on this invention is a program which performs the difference update of map information giving priority to the area | region which a user requires. Specifically, the computer includes a map image display means for displaying a map image on the image display device, a map update means for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information for each area, and , For each of the plurality of areas, the map image display means functions as display count means for counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed, and the map update means is operated by the display count means. The map information is updated by giving priority to the area where the number of counted times is large over the area where the number is small.

  According to the map information update system, the map information update method, and the computer program according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, when the map information is updated to new map information, the update is performed using the number of times displayed on the image display device. Since the target area is set, it is possible to appropriately update the area required by the user regardless of whether or not the guide route is set.

It is the schematic block diagram which showed the map information update system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the basic map information hierarchized into the layer of several layers. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the display count number memorize | stored in display count DB. It is the figure explaining the update process of the map information memorize | stored in the navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart of the display count process program which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the driving guidance screen displayed on a liquid crystal display in a navigation apparatus. It is a figure explaining the counting method of the display count number. 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 basically includes a map distribution server 3 arranged in an external center such as a map distribution center 2 and a navigation device 5 installed in a vehicle 4. Have. 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. Note that the map distribution server 3 may be configured to search for a route instead of the navigation device 5. 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 information such as a map update information distribution request and map update information to be described later.

In addition, the navigation device 5 sends the map distribution server 3 to the map distribution server 3 when a specific condition is satisfied (for example, when an ACC (accessory power supply) power supply is turned on or a guide route to the destination is set). A map update information distribution request for updating the map information of a specific area (for example, an area around the user's home or an area where map images are frequently displayed in the navigation device 5) to a new version of map information is transmitted. To do.
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.

Next, the map distribution server 3 included in 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 as an information recording unit connected to the server control ECU 11, and a server side communication device 13.

  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 to be used and the control program, there are provided an internal storage device such as a ROM 23 in which a map information update processing program (see FIG. 9) described later is recorded, a flash memory 24 for storing a program read from the ROM 23, and the like. Yes.

  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, each 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 server-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. Have 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 basic map information 25 has a structure that is hierarchized into a plurality of layers based on the difference in the information amount of the road network. Furthermore, each layer is divided into a plurality of regions (mesh) and stored.

Below, it demonstrates in detail about the basic map information 25 memorize | stored in server side map DB12. The map information stored in the navigation device 5 described later has the same structure.
In the present embodiment, the basic map information 25 is hierarchized into a plurality of layers according to the information amount of the road network as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing basic map information 25 hierarchized into a plurality of layers. In this case, for example, the level 1 hierarchy (hereinafter referred to as layer 1) is map information divided into a plurality of 2 km square meshes, and the level 2 hierarchy (hereinafter referred to as layer 2) is divided into a plurality of 6 km square meshes. The map information is classified, and the level 3 hierarchy (hereinafter referred to as layer 3) is map information divided into a plurality of 16 km square regions. Similarly, there is a level N hierarchy.
The lower-level layer contains more information about the road network than the upper-level layer. For example, the highest-level layer N stores information on highway national highways, exclusive roads, urban highways, and toll roads. Has been. Layer 3 stores information on main roads such as national roads and prefectural roads in addition to the road network included in layer N. In addition to the road network included in layer 3, layer 2 stores information related to the road network related to other general roads excluding narrow streets. In addition to the road network included in layer 2, layer 1 also stores information about detailed road networks related to narrow streets.

  Further, the lower level layer has a narrow coverage area instead of having detailed data, and the upper level layer has a wide coverage area instead of having only coarse data. For example, the lowest level layer 1 has road data for all roads including narrow streets, but covers only the municipality range. On the other hand, the higher layer 3 has only road data of major general roads, but covers the whole of Japan. Further, which level of map information is used when displaying a map image in the navigation device 5 is determined by the display scale of the map image currently set in the navigation device 5. That is, the map image based on the map information of the higher layer is displayed as the display scale of the map image is smaller (displaying a wider area map). For example, when the display scale is 1 / 80,000 (800 m scale) to 1 / 640,000 (6 km scale), a map image based on the map information of layer 3 is displayed, and the display scale is 1/5000 (50 m scale). In the above case, a map image based on the map information of layer 1 is displayed.

  The basic map information 25 also stores data for specifying the parent-child relationship of meshes between layers. For example, data associating the layer 3 mesh with the layer 2 mesh included in the mesh, or data associating the layer 2 mesh with the layer 1 mesh included in the mesh is stored. .

  The shape of the mesh in each level layer, that is, the size of the range covered by each mesh can be determined as appropriate. Further, the number of levels constituting the map data, that is, the number of layer layers can be set as appropriate.

  Then, as will be described later, when there is a navigation device 5 that updates the map information, the server control ECU 11 specifies an area to be updated in the navigation device 5 (hereinafter referred to as an update target area). Then, map update information for updating the map image in the update target area is generated and distributed to the target navigation device 5. 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. The update target area is specified in units of layer 3 mesh (18 km square mesh) based on the frequency with which the map image is displayed in the navigation device 5 as described later.

  The server side communication device 13 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 that is a storage medium, and the map distribution server 3 or a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center. Module 6.

Below, each component which the navigation apparatus 5 has 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.

  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 display count DB 47, a predetermined program, etc. recorded on the hard disk and a hard disk. And a recording head (not shown) which is a driver for writing predetermined data. The data recording unit 32 may be configured to include 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 48 used for travel guidance in the navigation device 5.

  Here, the navigation map information 48 stored in the navigation-side map DB 45 has various information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display including the road network, similar to 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. The navigation map information 48 is hierarchized into a plurality of layers based on the difference in the information amount of the road network as described above, and each layer has a structure divided into a plurality of regions (mesh) (FIG. 2). ).

  Then, the navigation map information 48 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 48 will be described later in detail.

  The version management DB 46 is storage means for recording the version of the navigation map information 48 currently stored in the navigation side map DB 45 for each area. The version management DB 46 is updated as the navigation map information 48 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.

  The display count DB 47 is a storage unit that stores the number of times that the map image of the mesh area is displayed by the liquid crystal display 35 for each mesh included in the map information (hereinafter referred to as a display count number). In this embodiment, the display count is counted in units of layer 3 mesh (18 km square mesh). Specifically, the number of times that at least a part of the map image of the area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 is counted for each mesh of the layer 3. The display count is counted in units of layer 3 meshes, but in addition to the case where a map image is displayed based on the map information of layer 3, maps of layers other than layer 3 (for example, layer 1 and layer 2) Counting is also performed when a map image is displayed according to information. In this case, the display count is counted when at least part of the map image included in the 18 km square area corresponding to the mesh of layer 3 is displayed. However, an upper limit and a lower limit are set for the display scale of the map image to be counted. For example, the display count is counted only when the map image is displayed at a scale of 1 / 640,000 (6 km scale) or more and 1/5000 (50 m scale) or less.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display count number of the map image stored in the display count DB 47. As shown in FIG. 4, the display count DB 47 stores the display count number of the area in association with each mesh included in the layer 3. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the map image “mesh A” is displayed twice on the liquid crystal display 35 so far, and the map image “mesh B” is not displayed so far. In addition, the display count number of the map image memorize | stored in display count DB47 is initialized by a fixed space | interval. For example, the navigation map information 48 is initialized every time the difference is updated or every three months.

  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 display count processing program (see FIG. 6) and a map information update processing program (see FIG. 9) 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 flash memory 54 is also used as a cache memory, and temporarily stores a map image displayed on the liquid crystal display 35. Further, the navigation ECU 33 has various means as processing algorithms. For example, the map image display means displays the map image on the liquid crystal display 35. The map update means updates the navigation map information 48 divided into a plurality of meshes into new version map information in units of meshes. The display counting means counts the number of times that the map image of the area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 for each of the plurality of meshes.

  On the other hand, the operation unit 34 is operated when inputting a departure point as a travel start point and a destination as a travel end point, and has 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 may have a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 35. Moreover, you may have 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. Then, music or video is reproduced based on the read data. In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with HDD and a memory card reader instead of the DVD drive 37. FIG.

  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 server 3, 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 48 stored in the navigation device 5 having the above configuration will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the navigation map information 48 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. The case where the version of the update target area of the map information 48 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 generates the map update information 55 by comparing the basic map information 25 of the version “4” and the version “5” stored in the server-side map DB 12. The map update information 55 may be generated after a request for distribution of the map update information 55 is received from the navigation device 5, but the map update information 55 for updating the map information in units of meshes is generated in advance. It is good also as a structure stored in server side map DB12. When the map update information 55 is stored in the server-side map DB 12 in advance, the mesh map update information 55 included in the update target area after the navigation device 5 requests distribution of the map update information 55. Is extracted from the server-side map DB 12. Note that the map update information 55 generated or extracted in this case is the map information in the update target area in the navigation map information 48 stored in the navigation-side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5 from the version “4” to the version “5”. Is the data to be updated.
Then, the map distribution server 3 distributes the generated or extracted map update information 55 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 55 updates the navigation map information 48 stored in the navigation-side map DB 45 using the received map update information 55. As a result, among the navigation map information 48 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5, the navigation map information 48 in the update target area is updated from the version “4” to the version “5”.

  Next, a display count processing program executed by the navigation device 5 in the map information update system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the display count processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the display count processing program is a program that is executed after the ACC power supply (accessory power supply) of the vehicle 4 is turned on, and counts the number of times the map image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 in units of meshes. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 9 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, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 51 displays a travel guidance screen 61 including a map image 60 on the liquid crystal display 35. Specifically, in S <b> 1, the CPU 51 displays an area to be displayed based on the current position and orientation of the vehicle detected by the current position detection unit 31 and the display scale of the map image currently set in the navigation device 5 ( The map information (hereinafter referred to as a display target area) is read from the map information DB, and a map image 60 generated based on the read map information is drawn on the liquid crystal display 35.

  Note that the display scale of the map image in the navigation device 5 is configured to be appropriately changed based on a user operation using the operation unit 34. For example, the map image 60 is displayed at a scale level selected by the user from among a plurality of levels included in a range from 1/1250 (10 m scale) to 1/2048 million (200 km scale). Further, as to the level of map information to be used when displaying the map image 60 in the navigation device 5, it is determined by the display scale of the map image currently set in the navigation device 5 as described above. For example, when the display scale is 1 / 80,000 (800 m scale) to 1 / 640,000 (6 km scale), the map image 60 based on the map information of layer 3 is displayed.

  When the current position of the vehicle and the display scale of the map image change after the map image 60 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35, the map image 60 is drawn along with the change in the position of the vehicle and the change in the scale. The display target area to be displayed is also changed. In addition to the map image around the current position of the vehicle, it is also possible to display a map image 60 of an arbitrary display target area designated by the user. In addition, a mark indicating the current position of the vehicle, an image indicating a guide route, a POI mark, a place name, a facility name, a background image indicating a water area and a forest area, and the like are also drawn on the map image 60 as necessary.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a travel guidance screen 61 displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 in the navigation device 5. The travel guide screen 61 includes a map image 60 around the current position of the vehicle, a guide route 62 (only when a guide route is set), and a vehicle position mark 63 indicating the current position of the vehicle matched on the map. And various buttons 65-69 for selecting in order to perform a predetermined function with the navigation apparatus 5 are displayed. Then, by referring to the travel guidance screen 61, the user can grasp the facility information and road shape around the current vehicle, the currently set guidance route, and the like.

  Subsequently, in S2, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the display scale of the map image in the current navigation device 5 is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit scale. The lower limit scale is, for example, 1 / 640,000 (6 km scale), and “lower limit scale” means that the map is more detailed than the lower limit scale.

  And when it determines with the display scale of the map image in the present navigation apparatus 5 being more than a predetermined | prescribed lower limit scale (S2: YES), it transfers to S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display scale of the map image in the current navigation device 5 is less than the predetermined lower limit scale (S2: NO), the display is performed without counting the number of times the map image is displayed. The count processing program is terminated. Here, especially when a wide-area map image (for example, a map image of the entire Kanto region or a map image of the entire Japan region) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35, it is often displayed in the process of searching for a specific area from the map image. It is considered that the possibility that the map image of the wide area is displayed because the user wants to visually recognize it is extremely low. In addition, when the number of times the map image is displayed for all areas included in the wide-area map image is counted, it is difficult for the user to narrow down the area where the map information is to be updated. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the display scale of the map image in the current navigation apparatus 5 is less than a predetermined lower limit scale, the number of times the map image is displayed is not counted.

  Next, in S3, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the display scale of the map image in the current navigation device 5 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined upper limit scale. The upper limit scale is, for example, 1/5000 (50 m scale), and the lower limit scale means that the map is wider than the lower limit scale.

  And when it determines with the display scale of the map image in the present navigation apparatus 5 being below a predetermined | prescribed upper limit scale (S3: YES), it transfers to S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display scale of the map image in the current navigation device 5 is larger than the predetermined upper limit scale (S3: NO), the display count is counted without counting the number of times the map image is displayed. Terminate the processing program. Here, especially when a detailed map image (for example, a peripheral image of a specific point) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35, the map is often displayed in the process of searching for a road or facility on the map image. The possibility that the image is displayed because the user wants to visually recognize it is considered to be extremely low. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the display scale of the map image in the current navigation device 5 is larger than a predetermined upper limit scale, the number of times the map image is displayed is not counted.

  In S <b> 4, the CPU 51 specifies the display target area where the map image is currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 35. The display target area corresponds to an area around the current position of the vehicle or an arbitrary area specified by the user, and the size of the display target area varies depending on the display scale of the map image set in the navigation device 5.

  Subsequently, in S5, the CPU 51 specifies a mesh included in the display target area based on the display target area specified in S4. In the present embodiment, as described later, the display count number (the number of times the map image of the mesh area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35) is counted in units of layer 3 mesh (18km square mesh) (S6). In S5, identification is performed using a layer 3 mesh. In addition, a mesh including the entire region in the display target region may be specified, but in the present embodiment, a mesh including at least a part of the region is specified. For example, when the map image of the display target area 70 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35, the mesh A and the mesh B are specified as meshes included in the display target area 70.

  The specifying process of S5 is performed using a map image temporarily stored in the flash memory 54, which is a cache memory. Here, in the navigation device 5, the map image displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 is temporarily stored in the flash memory 54 that is a cache memory. Therefore, the CPU 51 can easily grasp the display target area of the map image previously displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 by referring to the map image stored in the flash memory 54.

  Next, in S6, the CPU 51 counts up the display count for the mesh specified in S5. Note that the current display count is classified for each mesh included in the map information and managed in the display count DB 47 (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the display count is counted in units of layer 3 mesh (18 km square mesh). More specifically, the number of times that at least a part of the map image of the area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 is counted for each mesh of the layer 3. For example, when the map image of the display target area 70 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35, the display count is incremented for the mesh A and the mesh B. The display count is counted in units of layer 3 meshes, but in addition to the case where a map image is displayed based on the map information of layer 3, maps of layers other than layer 3 (for example, layer 1 and layer 2) Counting is also performed when a map image is displayed according to information. In this case, the display count is incremented when at least part of the map image included in the 18 km square area corresponding to the mesh of layer 3 is displayed.

  Then, the CPU 51 updates the difference of the navigation map information 48 by a map information update processing program (see FIG. 9) described later based on the display count number counted in S6. In addition, the display count number of the map image memorize | stored in display count DB47 is initialized by a fixed space | interval. For example, the map information update processing program (see FIG. 9), which will be described later, initializes the navigation map information 48 at a difference update timing or every several months.

  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. 9 is a flowchart of the map information update processing program according to this embodiment. Here, the map information update processing program is executed when the map information is updated in the navigation device 5 (for example, when an ACC (accessory power supply) power source is turned on or a guide route to the destination is set). This is a program for updating the navigation map information 48 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 based on the map update information distributed from the map distribution server 3.

  First, a map information update processing program executed by the CPU 51 of the navigation device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in S11, the CPU 51 reads the display count number for each mesh from the display count DB 47. The display count DB 47 is divided into meshes included in the map information by the above-described display count processing program (FIG. 6) and the display count number (the number of times the map image of the mesh area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35). ) Is stored (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the display count is counted in units of layer 3 mesh (18 km square mesh).

  Next, in S12, the CPU 51 specifies an update target area to be updated in the navigation map information 48 based on the display count number for each mesh read from the display count DB 47 in S11. At that time, the CPU 51 specifies the area to be updated in preference to the area with a large display count number and a small area. Specifically, a predetermined number (for example, 50) of meshes is specified as the update target area in descending order of the display count. In the present embodiment, the update target area is specified in units of layer 3 mesh (18 km square mesh). However, not only the map information of the layer 3 but also the map information of other layers is the update target if it is an area included in the update target area.

  In addition, if an area with a large display count is an update target area with priority over an area with a small display count, the update target area may be specified by other criteria. For example, a mesh having a display count number equal to or greater than a threshold (for example, 10 times or more) may be specified as the update target area. In addition, if an area around the user's home or a guidance route is set, the area around the destination or the area around the guidance route may be included in the update target area.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 13, the CPU 51 transmits a map update information distribution request to the map distribution server 3. The map update information distribution request includes a user ID for identifying the user who has transmitted the distribution request, information on the update target area identified in S12, and information for identifying the current version of the navigation map information 48. included. The current version of the navigation map information 48 is managed by the version management DB 46.

  Next, in S14, 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 48 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 of the navigation device 5 (see FIG. 5). ).

  Thereafter, in S15, the CPU 51 updates the navigation map information 48 stored in the navigation side map DB 45 based on the map update information received in S14. As a result, the map information in the update target area in the navigation map information 48 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> 21, the CPU 21 receives a distribution request for map update information transmitted from the navigation device 5. The distribution request for map update information includes a user ID for identifying a user who has transmitted the distribution request, information on an update target area that is an area for which map information is to be updated, and the navigation apparatus 5 that is the distribution request source. Information specifying the current version of the stored navigation map information 48 is included.

  Next, in S22, the CPU 21 generates map update information for updating the map information of the update target area. The map update information may be generated at the timing of S22 when the map update information is requested from the navigation device 5, but the map update information for updating the map information in mesh units is generated in advance. It is good also as a structure stored in server side map DB12. In that case, in S22, the CPU 21 extracts the mesh map update information included in the update target area from the server-side map DB 12. Since the map update information generation process is already known, the details are omitted.

  Subsequently, in S23, the CPU 21 transmits the map update information generated in S22 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 48 that the navigation device 5 has is updated (S15).

  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 difference update of the navigation map information 48 stored in is performed, the number of times that the map image of the area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 35 is counted for each of a plurality of areas (S6). Since the map information is updated with priority over the few areas (S15), it is possible to appropriately update the area required by the user regardless of whether or not the guide route is set. For example, “(1) An area where a user frequently travels, but often travels to a fixed destination (for example, a workplace), or the area where the guide route is hardly set for reasons such as being bright in geography” Or “(2) An area where the user rarely travels, but is an area in which the user is interested (for example, an area where there are many stores corresponding to the user's hobbies), and display of map images and facility information The map information can be preferentially updated with respect to the “region where the acquisition and the like are frequently performed”.

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 navigation device 5 performs the process of counting the display count for each mesh (S6), but the map distribution server 3 may perform the process. In that case, information specifying the mesh included in the display target area specified in S5 is transmitted from the navigation device 5 to the map distribution server 3, and the map distribution server 3 classifies the information for each user. It is desirable that the display count is managed. Further, in that case, it is desirable that the map distribution server 3 also performs the update target area specifying process (S12).

  In this embodiment, the display count is counted in units of layer 3 meshes (18 km square mesh). However, display counts are in units of other layers (for example, 2 km square mesh or 6 km square mesh). It is good also as a structure which counts. Further, it may be an administrative division unit such as a municipality instead of a mesh unit.

  In the present embodiment, the upper limit scale and the lower limit scale are set as the display scale of the map image to be counted (S2, S3), but only the upper limit scale or only the lower limit scale may be set. Also, the upper limit scale is set to the upper limit of the display scale (for example, 1 / 80,000 (800 m scale)) on which the map image is displayed based on the map information of layer 3, and the lower limit scale is set based on the map information of layer 3. The lower limit of the display scale to be displayed (for example, 1 / 640,000 (6 km scale)) may be used.

  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.
Map image display means (51) for displaying the map image (60) on the image display device (35), and map update means for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information for each area. (51) and display count means (51) for counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed by the map image display means for each of the plurality of areas, the map update means, The map information is updated with priority given to areas with a large number of times counted by the display counting means over areas with a small number.
According to the map information update system having the above configuration, when updating map information to new map information, an area to be updated is set using the number of times displayed on the image display device. Regardless of the setting, it is possible to appropriately update the area required by the user.

The second configuration is as follows.
It has scale change means (51) which changes the scale of the map image (60) displayed on the image display device (35), and the display count means (51) has the map image equal to or larger than a predetermined lower limit scale. The number of times is counted when displayed at a reduced scale.
According to the map information update system having the above-described configuration, especially when a wide-area map image (for example, a map image of the entire Kanto region or a map image of the entire Japan region) is displayed on the image display device, it is excluded from the count target. Based on the above, it becomes possible for the user to appropriately specify the area where the map information needs to be updated.

The third configuration is as follows.
It has a scale change means (51) which changes the scale of the map image (60) displayed on the image display device (35), and the display count means (51) has the map image equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit scale. The number of times is counted when displayed at a reduced scale.
According to the map information update system having the above-described configuration, a detailed map image (for example, only around a specific point) is displayed on the image display device, so that it is excluded from the count target. It is possible to appropriately specify an area that needs to be updated.

The fourth configuration is as follows.
The display counting means (51) counts the number of times at least a part of the map image (60) of the area is displayed by the map image display means (51) for each of the plurality of areas.
According to the map information update system having the above configuration, the user can appropriately specify the area where the map information needs to be updated based on the range of the map image displayed on the image display device.

The fifth configuration is as follows.
A temporary storage means (51) for temporarily storing the map image (60) displayed on the image display device (35) in a cache memory (54), wherein the display counting means (51) The number of times is counted based on the map image stored in the memory.
According to the map information update system having the above configuration, it is possible to accurately specify the range of the map image displayed on the image display device by referring to the map image stored in the cache memory.

The sixth configuration is as follows.
The map information (60) is hierarchized into a plurality of layers based on the information amount of the road network, and is divided into the plurality of areas for each layer. The display counting means (51) The number of times is counted for each area that divides a layer used for displaying a map image of a predetermined scale range.
According to the map information update system having the above configuration, the count is performed in units of meshes of a size suitable for counting the number of times displayed on the image display device among meshes of various sizes set for each layer. The area where the user needs to update the map information can be appropriately specified in units of meshes. In addition, since the area that needs updating of the map information can be specified in the same unit as the area unit that updates the map information, the update process of the map information can be simplified and the processing load on the CPU can be reduced.

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
21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
25 Basic map information 33 Navigation ECU
45 Navi side map DB
47 Display count DB
48 Navi Map Information 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
60 Map image 70 Display target area

Claims (8)

Map image display means for displaying the map image on the image display device;
Map update means for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in area units,
Display count means for counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed by the map image display means for each of the plurality of areas;
The map update unit is a map information update system in which the map information is updated by giving priority to an area having a large number of times counted by the display counting unit over an area having a small number. Scale changing means for changing the scale of the map image displayed on the image display device;
The map information update system according to claim 1, wherein the display counting unit counts the number of times when the map image is displayed at a scale not less than a predetermined lower limit scale. Scale changing means for changing the scale of the map image displayed on the image display device;
3. The map information updating system according to claim 1, wherein the display counting unit counts the number of times when the map image is displayed at a scale smaller than a predetermined upper limit scale.   The said display count means counts the frequency | count that at least one part of the said map image of this area was displayed by the said map image display means for every said some area. Map information update system. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing the map image displayed on the image display device in a cache memory;
The map information update system according to claim 1, wherein the display counting unit counts the number of times based on the map image stored in the cache memory. The map information is hierarchized into a plurality of layers based on the information amount of the road network, and is divided into the plurality of areas for each layer,
The said display count means counts the said frequency | count for every area which divides the layer used for the display of the map image of the predetermined scale range among these several layers. Map information update system. A step of displaying a map image on the image display device by the map image display means;
A step of updating map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in area units;
A display counting means, for each of the plurality of areas, counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed by the map image display means,
The map update means is a map information update method in which the map information is updated by giving priority to an area where the number of times counted by the display counting means is large over an area where the number is small. Computer
Map image display means for displaying the map image on the image display device;
Map update means for updating the map information divided into a plurality of areas into a new version of map information in area units,
A computer program for causing each of the plurality of areas to function as display counting means for counting the number of times the map image of the area is displayed by the map image display means,
The map updating means updates the map information by giving priority to an area where the number of times counted by the display counting means is large over an area where the number is small.

Images