JP2018106035A - Map maintenance device, guiding device, control method, program, and storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map maintenance device capable of preferably automatically creating a list regarding a change point in need of update of map data.SOLUTION: A map maintenance device 1 includes a distribution map DB10. The map maintenance device 1 extracts information on a change point of the distribution map DB10 based on news information D2 received from a server device 4 and the distribution map DB10 to create a change point list Lc. The map maintenance device 1 updates the distribution map DB10 based on the change point list Lc to transmit map data D1 extracted from the distribution map DB10 to an on-vehicle machine 2. The on-vehicle machine 2 performs route guidance based on the received map data D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a map data maintenance technique.

  Conventionally, there is a technique for preparing map data. For example, Patent Literature 1 stores pre-opening information including information related to in-service routes, and map data including in-service and planned in-service routes, and a non-use data version stored as pre-opening information. And an information processing apparatus that determines whether or not the map data corresponding to the pre-opening information can be used by comparing the map data with the data version of the map data.

JP 2014-238471 A

  Closed and opened facilities, new establishments and removals of signs, etc. occur at various points, and it takes time and effort to accurately grasp such information and reflect it in map data. In view of this, a main object of the present invention is to provide a map maintenance device capable of suitably automatically generating a list relating to changes to be updated in map data.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a map maintenance device, wherein information relating to a change in the map data is obtained based on an acquisition unit for acquiring news information, the news information, and map data to be updated. An extraction unit for extracting, and a generation unit for generating a list of the change points.

  The invention according to claim 12 is a control method executed by the map maintenance device, based on the acquisition step of acquiring news information, the news information, and the map data to be updated. An extraction step for extracting information on the changed points, and a generating step for generating a list of the changed points.

  The invention according to claim 13 is a program executed by a computer of a map maintenance device, wherein the map data is based on an acquisition unit for acquiring news information, the news information, and map data to be updated. The computer is caused to function as an extraction unit that extracts information on the change points and a generation unit that generates a list of the change points.

1 is a schematic configuration of a map management system according to an embodiment. The schematic structure of a map maintenance device is shown. It is an example of the data structure of a change point list. It is an example of the data structure of map data. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the update process of a change point list. It is a display example of a news site searched based on the search word “closed”. It is a display example of a news site searched based on the search word “store opening”. It is an example of a display showing the content of contribution by SNS. The post contents when a newly established sign is displayed on a photo posted by SNS are shown. The example of a display of the vehicle equipment which performs a route search is shown.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the map maintenance device obtains information on the change point of the map data based on the acquisition unit for acquiring news information, the news information, and the map data to be updated. An extraction unit for extracting, and a generation unit for generating a list of the change points.

  The map maintenance apparatus includes an acquisition unit, an extraction unit, and a generation unit. The acquisition unit acquires news information. Here, the news information includes web information provided by a news site, web information posted by SNS (Social Networking Service), audio information such as radio, and the like. The extraction unit extracts information relating to changes in the map data based on the news information and the map data to be updated. Here, the changed point is information relating to a change in facilities and other features (including traffic lights, signboards, signs, etc.) registered in the map data. The generation unit generates a list of changes. According to this aspect, the map maintenance apparatus can generate a list of change points to be reflected when updating map data from the news information, and can efficiently improve the update process of the map.

  In one aspect of the map maintenance apparatus, the extraction unit extracts at least one of a target, a position, a date, and a change mode in which a change related to the change point has occurred from the news information. Thereby, the map maintenance apparatus can suitably collect information necessary for updating the map data in the list of changes to be generated.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance device, the acquisition unit receives news information searched based on one or more keywords from news information that can be acquired via a communication network. According to this aspect, the map maintenance device can suitably acquire news information including content related to the changes in the map data and efficiently generate a list of changes.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance device, the map maintenance device further includes a reliability determination unit that determines the reliability of the change point, and the generation unit adds the reliability information to the change point list. include. According to this aspect, the map maintenance device can suitably include the reliability of the information related to the change generated by the news information in the change list.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance apparatus, the reliability determination unit determines the reliability based on information regarding a source of news information obtained by extracting information regarding the change point. By this aspect, the map maintenance apparatus can determine suitably the reliability of the information regarding a change point.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance device, the reliability determination unit increases the reliability corresponding to the change as the number of news information regarding the change is larger. Thus, the map maintenance device can accurately determine the reliability by determining the reliability related to the change point according to the number of related news information.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance device, the map maintenance device may change changes to be reflected in the map data from the list of changes generated by the generation unit based on the reliability determined by the reliability determination unit. A map update unit for determining points is further provided. According to this aspect, the map maintenance device can suitably maintain the reliability of the map data.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance apparatus, the extraction unit extracts information on a traffic light or a sign as information on the change point based on an image included in the news information. According to this aspect, the map maintenance device can preferably register changes related to traffic lights and signs in the list of changes.

  In another aspect of the map maintenance device, the acquisition unit acquires at least one of news site or social networking site display information, or audio information related to broadcast audio, as the news information. Thereby, the map maintenance apparatus can acquire suitably the news information used as the object which extracts the information regarding a change point.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guidance device performs guidance based on the map data updated by the map maintenance device, and is a facility to which reliability information is added in the map data or a site other than the facility. When performing guidance on an object, a warning unit that outputs a warning based on the reliability is provided. According to this aspect, the guidance device can notify the user of the reliability of the target facility or feature, and can suitably use the information on the changed point with insufficient reliability.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by the map maintenance device, based on an acquisition step of acquiring news information, the news information, and map data to be updated, An extraction step of extracting information on the change points of the map data, and a generation step of generating a list of the change points. By executing this control method, the map maintenance device can generate a list of changes to be reflected at the time of updating the map data from the news information, and can efficiently improve the update process of the map.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer of the map maintenance apparatus, based on an acquisition unit that acquires news information, the news information, and map data to be updated. The computer is caused to function as an extraction unit that extracts information about the change points of the map data and a generation unit that generates a list of the change points. By executing this program, the computer can generate a list of changes to be reflected at the time of updating the map data from the news information, and can efficiently improve the update process of the map. Preferably, the program is stored in a storage medium.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of map management system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a map management system according to the present embodiment. The map management system includes a map maintenance device 1 that updates and distributes map data, a plurality of in-vehicle devices 2 that move with each vehicle, and a server device 4.

  The map maintenance device 1 stores the distribution map DB 10 and extracts the map data “D1” from the distribution map DB 10 and transmits it in response to a request from the in-vehicle device 2. The map data D1 may be partial map data around the vehicle position of the in-vehicle device 2 or difference information for updating the map DB 20 of the in-vehicle device 2 to the latest information. The map maintenance device 1 can communicate with the server device 4 via a communication network such as the Internet, and information related to news (also referred to as “news information D2”) stored in the server device 4 based on a predetermined keyword. It functions as a crawler that searches and collects. Here, the news information D2 corresponds to, for example, various display information such as a website or SNS that can be displayed by a browser or the like, and radio audio information distributed by a podcast or the like. Then, the map maintenance device 1 is based on the news information D2 received from the server device 4, and a list of changes related to the facilities and the features other than the facilities from the latest update time of the distribution map DB 10 (also referred to as “change list Lc”). Create and store).

  The in-vehicle device 2 is a stationary terminal or a portable terminal, and receives the map data D1 from the map maintenance device 1 and stores it. The in-vehicle device 2 performs route search to the destination set by the user, guidance based on the set route, and the like based on the received map data D1 and the like. The in-vehicle device 2 is an example of the “guide device” in the present invention.

  The server device 4 is a web server that stores various information of an HTML document relating to news and transmits information specified by a URL from a client such as the map maintenance device 1 according to a predetermined protocol such as HTTP. In FIG. 1, only one server device 4 is illustrated, but actually, a plurality of server devices 4 can communicate with the map maintenance device 1 and the like.

[Configuration of server device]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the map maintenance device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the map maintenance device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 15, and a display unit 16. These elements in the map maintenance apparatus 1 are connected to each other via a bus line.

  The communication unit 11 communicates various data with the in-vehicle device 2 based on the control of the control unit 15. In the present embodiment, when the communication unit 11 receives an acquisition request for the map data D1 from the in-vehicle device 2, the communication unit 11 transmits the map data D1 extracted from the distribution map DB 10 to the in-vehicle device 2. Further, the communication unit 11 performs data communication with the server device 4 that manages display information or audio information related to news based on the control of the control unit 15 and receives the news information D2.

  The storage unit 12 stores a program for controlling the operation of the map maintenance device 1 and holds information necessary for the operation of the map maintenance device 1. The storage unit 12 stores a distribution map DB 10 and a change point list Lc for updating the distribution map DB 10. The input unit 13 is an interface that accepts various inputs by the user, and corresponds to, for example, a button, a touch panel, a keyboard, a voice input device, and the like. The input unit 13 supplies the generated input signal to the control unit 15. The display unit 16 displays predetermined information based on the control of the control unit 15.

  The control unit 15 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the map maintenance device 1. In the present embodiment, the control unit 15 analyzes the news information D <b> 2 received from the server device 4, thereby generating a change point list Lc. Further, the control unit 15 updates the distribution map DB 10 with the change point list Lc based on the input to the input unit 13 or the like. Moreover, the control part 15 extracts map data D1 from distribution map DB10, and transmits to the vehicle equipment 2 by the communication part 11, when the communication part 11 receives the predetermined | prescribed request signal from the vehicle equipment 2. FIG. In this case, the above-mentioned request signal includes, for example, the own vehicle position information of the in-vehicle device 2 and / or the latest update date / time information of the map DB 20, and the control unit 15 determines the distribution map DB 10 based on such information. To extract map data D1 to be distributed. The control unit 15 is an example of the “acquisition unit”, “extraction unit”, “generation unit”, “reliability determination unit”, “map update unit”, and “computer” that executes the program according to the present invention. .

[data structure]
Next, specific examples of the data structure of the change list Lc and the map data D1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the change point list Lc. The change point list Lc mainly includes items of “list number”, “position”, “status”, “change date / time”, “reliability”, “type”, and “name”. Here, the “list number” indicates an identification number assigned to each record in the change point list Lc. “Position” indicates latitude and longitude indicating a point where a change is estimated to have occurred. The “status” indicates a change mode of the facility to be changed. “Change date and time” indicates the date and time when the change is or is estimated to be performed. “Reliability” indicates the reliability regarding the information of the change point indicated by the corresponding record. In the example of FIG. 3, the reliability is a five-level evaluation value with the maximum being “5”. “Type” indicates the type (category) of the facility or the like whose status has been changed, and “Name” indicates the name of the facility or the like whose status has been changed.

  The map maintenance device 1 generates each record of the change point list Lc shown in FIG. 3 based on the news information D2 received from the server device 4. The process for generating the change point list Lc will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an example of the data structure of the map data D1. The map data D1 shown in FIG. 4 includes facility information and road data. The facility information mainly includes position information, name information, type information, and reliability information.

  For example, the reliability information is included in the facility information corresponding to the record of the change point list Lc whose reliability is less than a predetermined level (for example, the maximum value “5”) in the facility information. The reliability information mainly includes information of each item such as “status”, “change date / time”, and “reliability” registered in the change point list Lc. For example, when the map maintenance device 1 reflects the record of the change list Lc whose “status” is extinguished and the “reliability” is less than a predetermined degree in the distribution map DB 10, the facility information of the target facility is distributed to the distribution map. Instead of completely erasing from the DB 10, the above reliability information is added to the facility information. A method for utilizing the reliability information will be described later.

[Change list generation processing]
(1) Process overview

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the process for generating the change point list Lc executed by the map maintenance device 1. The map maintenance apparatus 1 repeatedly executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the map maintenance device 1 searches for news information D2 necessary for generating a record of the change list Lc based on a predetermined keyword (also simply referred to as “search word”), and the searched news information. D2 is received from the server device 4 (step S101). That is, the map maintenance device 1 collects news information D2 necessary for generating a record of the change point list Lc from a predetermined search word using a known search engine or the like. Here, the above-described search words are, for example, “closed”, “opened”, “opened”, “opened”, etc., and are determined in advance based on a personal method or a known learning technique.

  Thereafter, the map maintenance device 1 specifies the name, position, date and time of change of the facility where the status has changed or is scheduled to be changed from the news information D2 received from the server device 4 (step). S102). Details of the specifying process in step S102 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the map maintenance device 1 determines whether or not the status change relating to the facility or the like identified in step S102 has been reflected in the distribution map DB 10 (step S103). That is, the map maintenance apparatus 1 determines whether or not the status change of the facility or the like in which the status has been changed or planned to be changed is reflected in the distribution map DB 10 in step S103. And the map maintenance apparatus 1 complete | finishes the process of a flowchart, without updating the change point list | wrist Lc, when the change regarding the facilities etc. which were identified in step S102 has been reflected in distribution map DB10 (step S103; Yes).

  On the other hand, if the map maintenance device 1 determines that the change related to the facility or the like identified in step S102 is not reflected in the distribution map DB 10 (step S103; No), it updates the change point list Lc (step S104). That is, the map maintenance apparatus 1 generates or updates a record of the change point list Lc corresponding to the facility specified in step S102. At this time, the map maintenance apparatus 1 sets the reliability for the facility or the like specified in step S102 according to the source of the news information D2 used in step S102.

  Here, a specific example (first example to third example) of update processing of the change point list Lc to the distribution map DB 10 will be described.

  In the first example, the map maintenance device 1 reflects only the record of the change point list Lc whose reliability is equal to or higher than a predetermined level in the distribution map DB 10 when the distribution map DB 10 is updated. Thereby, the map maintenance apparatus 1 can ensure suitably the reliability of distribution map DB10. Note that the update timing described above may be a timing determined at predetermined time intervals, for example, or may be a predetermined timing based on a user input.

  In the second example, instead of or in addition to the first example, the map maintenance device 1 has, for example, the record of the change point list Lc whose reliability is less than the predetermined level, Reliability information (see FIG. 4) indicating the reliability, the status after the change (such as closing a store), and the date and time of the status change is added to the facility information of the facility. An example of using the reliability information will be described later.

  In the third example, the map maintenance device 1 reflects the change point list Lc in the distribution map DB 10 with the record of the change point list Lc designated by the user input. In this case, for example, the administrator of the map maintenance device 1 reflects only the record of the change list Lc for the facility or the like in which the status change can be actually confirmed in the distribution map DB 10. In this case, the map maintenance device 1 accepts input from the input unit 13 when there are items (for example, position, reliability, etc.) of the change list Lc that cannot be specified from the news information D2. Information necessary for updating the distribution map DB 10 may be acquired as appropriate.

  Note that the map maintenance device 1 has changed the status of the facility or the like designated in the change point list Lc from the in-vehicle device 2 having a camera that captures the front scenery of the vehicle for the above-described status change confirmation work. You may receive the image which image | photographed the position (it is also called a "change candidate point"). In this case, the map maintenance device 1 may acquire the above-described image by transmitting an image transmission request to the vehicle-mounted device 2 existing around the change candidate point. And the map maintenance apparatus 1 displays the image which image | photographed the change candidate point acquired from the vehicle equipment 2, for example on the display part 16, and the administrator of the map maintenance apparatus 1 confirms the presence or absence of the change in a change candidate point Accept. In another example, the map maintenance device 1 acquires the communication status of the WiFi (registered trademark) at the change candidate point from the in-vehicle device 2 or another device, and detects the new occurrence or disappearance of the WiFi spot, thereby changing the location. The disappearance or occurrence of the facility at the candidate point may be determined.

  Moreover, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is an example, and the process procedure applicable to this invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of searching for news information D2 based on the search word in step S101, the map maintenance device 1 crawls a specific news site and receives it as news information D2, and for each news information D2, a specific process based on step S102 May be performed.

(2) Specific Example of Generation Process of Change Point List Lc Next, a specific example of the specific process in step S102 of FIG. 5 will be described.

  FIG. 6A is a display example of a news site searched based on the search word “Closed”. In this example, in step S101 of FIG. 5, the map maintenance apparatus 1 receives the news site display information shown in FIG. 6A from the server apparatus 4 as news information D2 based on the search word “closed”.

  In this case, the map maintenance device 1 uses an element such as a word (also referred to as “list generation element WE”) necessary for generating a record of the change list Lc from the character string of the news site shown in FIG. To extract. Specifically, the map maintenance device 1 generates a list generation element WE from a character string of a news site shown in FIG. 6A, which represents information such as when, where, what, and what will happen. Extract as

  FIG. 6B is a display example of the above-described news site in which the list generation element WE is clearly shown. In the example of FIG. 6B, each list generation element WE is surrounded by alternate long and short dash line frames 3A to 3G for convenience of explanation. In this case, the map maintenance device 1 uses a proper noun “XX ramen ΔΔ store” (see alternate long and short dash lines 3A and 3D) and a list generation element that indicates the name of a facility whose status is changed (that is, closed or opened). Extract as WE. In addition, the map maintenance device 1 extracts “closed” (see alternate long and short dash lines 3B, 3C, and 3G) as a list generation element WE that represents a status change. Further, the map maintenance device 1 extracts “xx prefecture xx city xx1-1” (see the alternate long and short dash line 3E), which is a word estimated to represent an address, as a list generation element WE representing a position. Further, the map maintenance device 1 extracts “December 20” (refer to the alternate long and short dash line 3F) that is estimated to represent the date and time as a list generation element WE that represents the status change date and time.

  And the map maintenance apparatus 1 produces | generates the 1st record of the change list Lc shown in FIG. 3 based on the extracted element WE for list production | generation etc. FIG. Specifically, the map maintenance device 1 sets “(X1, Y1)” registered in the item “position” as the list generation element WE “xx prefecture xx city xx1-1” as latitude and longitude. It is specified by converting to. Further, the map maintenance device 1 specifies “disappearance” registered in the item “status” based on “closed” which is a list generation element WE indicating a change in status. Further, the map maintenance device 1 identifies “December 20, 2016” registered in the item “change date / time” based on “December 20”, which is the list generation element WE indicating the status change date / time. Further, the map maintenance apparatus 1 identifies “4” to be registered in the item “reliability” based on the news site sender (in this case, “xx newspaper”) shown in FIG. In this case, for example, the map maintenance device 1 stores in advance a table in which a source such as a news site is associated with a corresponding reliability, and determines the reliability with reference to the table. In addition, the map maintenance device 1 sets “restaurant” registered in the item “type” to the word “ramen” in “XX ramen △ Δ store” which is a list generating element WE indicating the name of the facility whose status is changed. ”. Further, the map maintenance device 1 specifies “XX ramen ΔΔ store” to be registered in the item “name” based on the list generating element WE “XX ramen ΔΔ store”.

  The map maintenance apparatus 1 generates a list generation element WE related to the same facility “XX ramen ΔΔ store” again after generating a record related to the facility “XX ramen ΔΔ store” in the change list Lc in FIG. When extracted from the news information D2, the list generation element WE of the news information D2 having higher reliability based on the transmission source may be preferentially reflected in the record of the change point list Lc. In addition, when the news maintenance information D2 represents content that does not conflict with each other (for example, when the content is related to the closing of “XX ramen ΔΔ store”), the map maintenance device 1 sets the reliability to either one of them. You may set higher than reliability. For example, when the news information D2 of the sender with the reliability “2” and the news information D2 of the sender with the reliability “3” represent the same content, the map maintenance device 1 stores the corresponding change point list Lc. The reliability of the record may be set to a value higher than “3” (for example, “5” which is a sum of these reliability levels). Thus, the map maintenance apparatus 1 may set the reliability of the corresponding change point list Lc higher as the number of news information D2 representing the same content is larger.

  FIG. 7A is a display example of a news site searched based on the search word “store opening”. In this example, in step S101 of FIG. 5, the map maintenance apparatus 1 receives the news site display information shown in FIG. 7A from the server apparatus 4 as news information D2 based on the search word “store opening”.

  In this case, similarly to the examples of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the map maintenance apparatus 1 uses a list necessary for generating a record of the change list Lc from the character string of the news site shown in FIG. The generation element WE is extracted. FIG. 7B is a display example of the above-described news site in which the list generation element WE is clearly shown. In the example of FIG. 7B, each list generation element WE is surrounded by alternate long and short dash lines 3H to 3P. In this case, the map maintenance device 1 uses the proper noun “Ox Mart” (see the alternate long and short dash lines 3H, 3K, and 3P) and the list generation element WE that represents the name of the facility where the status is changed (that is, closed or opened). Extract as Further, the map maintenance device 1 extracts “open shop” (see the alternate long and short dash line 3J) and “open” (see the alternate long and short dash line 3O) as the list generation element WE representing the status change. Furthermore, the map maintenance device 1 is a list representing the position of the map image 3N schematically showing the opening location of the word “Δ × Ekimae” (see alternate long and short dash lines 3I and 3L) and ○ × Mart as the address determination elements. Extracted as a generation element WE. Further, the map maintenance device 1 extracts “20th of this month” (refer to the alternate long and short dash line 3M) that is estimated to represent the date and time as a list generation element WE that represents the date and time of status change.

  And the map maintenance apparatus 1 produces | generates the 2nd record of the change list Lc shown in FIG. 3 based on the extracted element WE for list | wrist etc. which were extracted. Specifically, the map maintenance device 1 identifies “(X2, Y2)” to be registered in the item “position” based on the word “Δ × in front of the station” which is the list generation element WE indicating the position and the map image 3N. To do. In this case, for example, the map maintenance device 1 recognizes the map around the △ × station square from the distribution map DB 10 and performs matching between the map recognized from the distribution map DB 10 and the map image 3N, thereby enhancing the map image 3N. The latitude and longitude of the area 3R is calculated. Further, the map maintenance device 1 identifies “occurrence” registered in the item “status” based on “opening” and “open” which are the list generation elements WE indicating the status change. Further, the map maintenance device 1 identifies “December 22, 2016” registered in the item “change date / time” based on “22nd of this month” which is the list generation element WE indicating the status change date / time. Further, the map maintenance device 1 specifies “3” to be registered in the item “reliability” based on the news site sender (in this case, “X newspaper”) shown in FIG. Further, the map maintenance device 1 sets “supermarket” to be registered in the item “type” as a word in “Ox Mart” which is a list generation element WE indicating a facility name with a status change (that is, closed or opened). Estimate based on “mart”. Furthermore, the map maintenance device 1 specifies “◯ × mart” to be registered in the item “name” based on the above-described list generation element WE “◯ × mart”.

  FIG. 8A is a display example showing the posted content by the SNS of the manager of “XX ramen ΔΔ store”. FIG. 8B is a display example showing the contents posted by the SNS of the user of “XX ramen ΔΔ store”.

  In this case, the map maintenance device 1 receives the display information related to the SNS posting shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B as the news information D2 from the server device 4 based on the search word “Closed”. In this case, for example, in the case of FIG. 8A, the map maintenance device 1 extracts the character strings “XX Ramen ΔΔ store”, “December 20”, “Closed”, etc. as the list generation element WE. . Similarly, in the case of FIG. 8B, the map maintenance device 1 extracts the character strings “XX ramen ΔΔ store”, “20th of this month”, “closed”, and the like as the list generation element WE. Then, the map maintenance device 1 specifies the contents of each item to be registered in the change point list Lc such as the change date, status, and name based on the extracted list generation element WE. Preferably, the map maintenance device 1 may determine the reliability to be reflected in the change point list Lc based on the account information of the posting source of the SNS. For example, when the account of the SNS posting source shown in FIG. 8A is an authenticated account, the map maintenance apparatus 1 sets the reliability higher than the account of the SNS posting source that is not authenticated. . Moreover, the map maintenance apparatus 1 may set the reliability based on the name of the account that posted the SNS. In that case, for example, the map maintenance device 1 stores a table in which the account name and the reliability are associated with each other in advance in the storage unit 12 of the map maintenance device 1, and refers to the table to determine the reliability. Set. In another example, the map maintenance device 1 receives information on the reliability to be set by making an inquiry specifying the target account name to the server device 4 in which the table is stored.

  As described above, the map maintenance device 1 can suitably generate the change point list Lc also by receiving information based on the posting by the SNS from the server device 4 as the news information D2.

  Next, a specific example of the process of generating the change point list Lc when a feature such as a traffic signal, a sign, or a signboard attached around the road is changed will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows the content of posting when a sign newly provided is displayed on a photo posted by SNS. In the example of FIG. 9, a photograph 40 recently taken by a poster “Δ × Taro” is included in the posted content website.

  In this case, the map maintenance apparatus 1 recognizes from the photograph 40 that there is a sign 41 prohibiting a left turn from a known image recognition technique. Furthermore, the map maintenance apparatus 1 estimates the position and shooting date / time of the sign 41 by referring to the position information and date / time information of the shooting position, which is metadata included in the photograph 40, for example. Note that the map maintenance device 1 analyzes a sentence or the like posted together with the photograph 40, and if there is a word related to the place where the photograph 40 was taken, estimates the position of the sign 41 based on the word. Also good. Then, the map maintenance device 1 refers to the distribution map DB 10 and determines whether or not a left turn prohibition sign is registered at the position indicated by the position information included in the photograph 40. In the example of FIG. 9, the map maintenance device 1 determines that the sign is not registered in the distribution map DB 10, and records the change point list Lc of the list number “L003” for the sign (see FIG. 3). Generate.

  Similarly, the map maintenance apparatus 1 detects a feature to be registered in the distribution map DB 10 such as a traffic light or a signboard in a photograph posted by the SNS, and information corresponding to the detected feature is not registered in the distribution map DB 10. In some cases, a record of the change list Lc corresponding to the detected feature may be generated. Further, the map maintenance device 1 determines that the feature has disappeared when the feature posted in the distribution map DB 10 does not exist in the photograph posted by the SNS, and the change list regarding the disappearance of the feature Lc records may be generated.

  Instead of the examples of FIGS. 6 to 9, the map maintenance device 1 may generate the change point list Lc based on audio data such as radio broadcast. For example, the map maintenance device 1 receives voice information of radio voice related to news from the server device 4 through the communication unit 11, recognizes the voice information by a known voice recognition technique, and converts it into a sentence. The change point list Lc is generated by performing the same process as in the example of FIG. Note that the map maintenance device 1 may directly receive radio waves of radio broadcasts and generate the change point list Lc by using sentences obtained by similarly recognizing voice based on the received radio waves. Thus, the map maintenance apparatus 1 may generate the change point list Lc by using not only display information obtained via the Internet or the like but also audio information.

[Guidance based on reliability]
A utilization example of the reliability information described in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 10 shows a display example of the in-vehicle device 2 that performs a route search based on the map data D1 reflecting the change point list Lc of FIG. In this example, when the map maintenance device 1 updates the distribution map DB 10 based on the change point list Lc, there is a record of the change point list Lc with a reliability indicating the disappearance of the facility (closed) of less than “5”. In this case, instead of deleting the facility information of the facility, reliability information indicating the reliability, the status after the change (closed), the date and time of the status change, etc. is added to the facility information. .

  In the example of FIG. 10, after receiving the map data D <b> 1 from the map maintenance device 1, the in-vehicle device 2 accepts an input designating the facility “XX Ramen ΔΔ store” as the destination. The in-vehicle device 2 refers to the reliability information of the facility information corresponding to the facility “XX Ramen ΔΔ store” from the map data D1 having the data structure shown in FIG. It is determined that there is a possibility that the status of XX Ramen △△ Shop has changed to “Disappeared”. In addition, when the map maintenance device 1 updates the distribution map DB 10 with the change point list Lc, the reliability of the first record in the change point list Lc regarding the closing of “XX ramen ΔΔ store” is less than “5”. Therefore, instead of deleting the facility information of “XX ramen ΔΔ store”, information registered in the change list Lc such as reliability is added to the facility information as reliability information. The in-vehicle device 2 has a relatively high reliability of “4” in the five stages of reliability included in the referenced reliability information. Therefore, there is a possibility that the designated facility “XX Ramen △△ store” may be closed. A high message is displayed on the warning window 70 and confirmation buttons “YES” and “NO” are displayed.

  As described above, the in-vehicle device 2 preferably uses the information of the change point list Lc whose reliability is low enough to be fully reflected in the distribution map DB 10 and the map data D1 by referring to the reliability information. By notifying the possibility of changing the status according to the degree, it is possible to improve user convenience.

  As described above, the map maintenance apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the distribution map DB 10. And the map maintenance apparatus 1 extracts the information regarding the change point of distribution map DB10 based on the news information D2 received from the server apparatus 4, and distribution map DB10, and produces | generates the change point list Lc. Thereby, the map maintenance apparatus 1 can automatically collect information related to changes in the distribution map DB 10 necessary when updating the distribution map DB 10 and store the information as a change list Lc.

1 Map maintenance device 2 In-vehicle device 4 Server device 10 Distribution map DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Communication part 12 Memory | storage part 13 Input part 15 Control part 16 Display part

Claims (14)

An acquisition unit for acquiring news information;
Based on the news information and the map data to be updated, an extraction unit that extracts information on the changes in the map data;
A generator for generating a list of the changes;
A map maintenance device.   The map maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts, from the news information, at least one of a target, a position, a date, and a change mode in which a change related to the change point has occurred.   The map maintenance device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition unit receives news information searched based on one or more keywords from news information that can be acquired via a communication network. A reliability determination unit that determines the reliability of the change point;
The map maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit includes the reliability information in the change list.   The map maintenance device according to claim 4, wherein the reliability determination unit determines the reliability based on information on a source of news information obtained by extracting information on the change point.   The map maintenance device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the reliability determination unit increases the reliability corresponding to the change point as the number of news information regarding the change point increases.   The map update part which determines the change point which should be reflected in the said map data from the list of the said change point which the said production | generation part produced | generated based on the reliability judged by the said reliability determination part. The map maintenance device according to claim 1.   The map update unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a map update unit that includes information on reliability determined by the reliability determination unit in the map data when the map data is updated from the list of changes. Map maintenance equipment.   The map maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the extraction unit extracts information relating to a traffic light or a sign as information relating to the change point, based on an image included in the news information.   The map according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the news information, at least one of display information of a news site or a social networking site, or audio information regarding audio to be broadcast. Maintenance equipment. A guide device that provides guidance based on map data updated by the map maintenance device according to claim 8,
A guidance device including a warning unit that outputs a warning based on the reliability when performing guidance regarding a facility to which reliability information is added in the map data or a feature other than the facility. A control method executed by the map maintenance device,
An acquisition process for acquiring news information;
Based on the news information and the map data to be updated, an extraction step for extracting information on the changes in the map data;
Generating a list of the changes;
A control method. A program executed by the computer of the map maintenance device,
An acquisition unit for acquiring news information;
Based on the news information and the map data to be updated, an extraction unit that extracts information on the changes in the map data;
A program that causes the computer to function as a generation unit that generates the list of changes.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 13.

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