JP2023026463A - Server device, terminal device, information processing method, information processing system, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system capable of accurately and efficiently collecting information, in a server device, necessary for updating map data used for movement of a navigation device.

SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: a storage section 14 which stores map data VD for movement; an interface 10 which receives verification result or the like corresponding to a feature included in a map from a navigation device S; a processing section 11 which determines whether or not the received verification result coincides with the map data VD; and a recording section 14 which records the verification result or the like when the verification result is determined not to coincide with the map data VD. Verification result or the like is sent from the navigation device S only when photographed data included in the map data stored in the navigation device S is different from the photographed data newly taken by the navigation device S.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present application belongs to the technical fields of server devices, terminal devices, information processing methods, information processing systems, and information processing programs. More specifically, in the technical field of server devices and terminal devices that perform processing related to map information used for movement of moving bodies such as vehicles or people, information processing methods and information processing systems, and information processing programs for the server devices. belongs to

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle to guide the movement of the vehicle has become widely used. In general, a navigation device provides guidance along a route from a starting point to a destination while displaying a map or outputting a guidance voice, for example.

In addition, recently, for example, for places with intersections or large signboards, actual images (including both still images and moving images) of the scenery around the intersections and the signboards themselves actually taken from the driver's line of sight. ) is also displayed together with the map for guidance of the intersection or the like. According to the navigation device that displays such a photographed image, the scenery that the driver can actually see is displayed on a display, for example, and the corresponding point is guided. More convenient and reliable guidance is possible. At this time, as a configuration for providing guidance by displaying a photographed image as described above, image information corresponding to the photographed image may be recorded in association with map information including the location where the photographed image was taken. will be

On the other hand, the scenery, signboards, and the like around the intersection may, of course, change with the passage of time. In this case, due to the change, the contents of the previously photographed photographed image and the actual situation (the contents of the signboard, etc.) are different. As a result, if guidance is given using an old photographed image that differs from the actual situation, it may rather confuse the driver. Therefore, for example, it is necessary to update the image information corresponding to the photographed image included in the map information to the latest one every predetermined period. Conventional techniques for updating such image information are disclosed, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.

At this time, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 below, in order to update the facility information including the photographed image on the center side, a camera mounted on the vehicle for photographing the surroundings is used. More specifically, an image of the facility taken in the past is compared with an image of the facility newly taken by a camera, and if there is a discrepancy between the two, the newly taken image is transmitted to the center. It is supposed to be used for updating the image information.

Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2 below, a model of a signboard image is prepared in advance, and when a signboard that matches the model is photographed by an in-vehicle camera, for example, from a GPS (Global Positioning System) Together with the obtained position information, the newly captured image is recorded as map information.

Japanese Patent No. 4946238 JP-A-2004-151523

However, the techniques described in the above patent documents have the following problems.

First, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the comparison result in the vehicle is negative, the "image information itself" is "always" transmitted to the center, so the number of vehicles equipped with cameras is increasing. When this happens, a large amount of image information is transmitted intensively to the center, resulting in a problem that the amount of communication may become enormous.

In addition, with the technique described in Patent Document 2, there is a possibility that the result of checking a signboard or the like on the vehicle is erroneous, and furthermore, there is a possibility that positional information obtained by GPS also contains an error. Therefore, if the image is recorded as map information as it is in these cases, the accuracy of the map information itself is lowered, and the problem is that it is not suitable for sharing with map information for other vehicles. There is

Therefore, the present application has been made in view of the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a server device, a terminal device, an information processing method, an information processing system, and an information processing program for the server device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides map information storage means for storing map information used for movement of a terminal device, and map information corresponding to the features included in the map information. receiving means for receiving the transmitted feature information when the feature information is transmitted from the terminal device; and feature information storage means for storing the received feature information; The feature information is a combination of the feature information included in the terminal device map information stored in the terminal device that transmitted the feature information and the feature information newly acquired by the terminal device. , is configured to be transmitted from the terminal device only when the terminal device determines that it is different.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 7 provides an information processing system including a terminal device and a server device connected to the terminal device via a network, wherein the server device map information storage means for storing map information used for movement of the terminal device; and when feature information corresponding to features included in the map information is transmitted from the terminal device, The terminal device comprises: receiving means for receiving feature information; and feature information storage means for storing the received feature information. terminal device determination means for determining whether feature information included in the terminal device map information stored in the terminal device differs from feature information newly acquired about the feature in the terminal device, and the terminal device terminal device transmission means for transmitting the feature information to the server device only when it is determined that the feature information included in the map information and the acquired feature information are different. Prepare.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 8 is a terminal device connected to a server device via a network. determination means for determining whether feature information and feature information newly acquired about the feature in the terminal device are different; and the feature information included in the map information; and transmission means for transmitting the feature information to the server device only when it is determined that the feature information is different from the acquired feature information.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 9 is a server device connected to a terminal device, comprising: map information storage means for storing map information used for movement of the terminal device; and an information processing method executed in a server apparatus comprising object information storage means, wherein when feature information corresponding to a feature included in the map information is transmitted from the terminal device, the transmission is performed. a receiving step of receiving received feature information; and a storage control step of storing the received feature information in the feature information storage means. The feature information included in the terminal device map information stored in the terminal device that transmitted the information and the feature information newly acquired by the terminal device are different in the terminal device. is configured to be transmitted from the terminal device only when the

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 10 is a server device connected to a terminal device, comprising: map information storage means for storing map information used for movement of the terminal device; and a computer included in a server device comprising object information storage means, when feature information corresponding to a feature included in the map information is transmitted from the terminal device, the transmitted feature An information processing program for functioning as receiving means for receiving information and storage control means for storing the received feature information in the feature information storage means, wherein the received feature information It is assumed that the feature information included in the terminal device map information stored in the terminal device that transmitted the object information and the feature information newly acquired by the terminal device are different in the terminal device. is configured to be transmitted from the terminal device only when the

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating the contents of map data recorded in the navigation device; FIG. be. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the contents of map data recorded in the server device; FIG. be. 6 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the third embodiment; FIG. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing map data update processing according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the fifth embodiment; FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10A is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to a second modification, where (a) is a flowchart showing update list generation processing, and (b) is a flowchart showing feature data update processing using the update list; is.

Next, the form for implementing this application is demonstrated using FIG. Note that FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server device SV according to the embodiment includes map information storage means 14 , reception means 10 and feature information storage means 15 .

In this configuration, the map information storage means 14 stores map information used for the movement of the terminal device S. FIG.

On the other hand, when the feature information corresponding to the feature included in the map information is transmitted from the terminal device S, the receiving means 10 receives the transmitted feature information.

Thereby, the feature information storage means 15 stores the feature information received by the receiving means 10 .

At this time, the feature information received by the receiving unit 10 includes the feature information included in the terminal device map information stored in the terminal device S that transmitted the feature information, and the feature information newly updated in the terminal device S. is transmitted from the terminal device S only when the terminal device S determines that the terrestrial feature information obtained in the previous step is different.

As described above, according to the server device SV according to the embodiment, the feature information included in the terminal device map information stored in the terminal device S and the feature information newly acquired by the terminal device S The transmitted feature information is stored only when the received feature information is different from the received feature information.

Therefore, it is possible to accurately and efficiently collect the feature information necessary to update the map information stored in the server device SV.

Next, specific examples corresponding to the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10. FIG. Each embodiment described below is an information processing system in which a plurality of navigation devices mounted on or carried by a moving body such as a vehicle and a server device are connected via a network such as the Internet. It is an example when the embodiment is applied to.

(1) First embodiment
First, a first example corresponding to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing map data update processing according to the first embodiment. At this time, in FIGS. 2, 5(a), and 5(b), for each component of the first embodiment corresponding to each component of the server device SV according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The same member number as each component in SV is used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment includes a server device SV, a plurality of navigation devices S1, a navigation device S2, . device Sn (n is a natural number). The server device SV and each navigation device S1, navigation device S2, . In the following description, the navigation device S1, the navigation device S2, .

In this configuration, each navigation device S has a display 20 such as a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 4 such as an operation button or a remote control, and a guide for movement of the moving object, as shown in FIG. 3(a). A recording unit 9 consisting of a hard disk or the like for non-volatilely recording a database containing map data SD, which will be described later, corresponding to a map displayed at the time, a self-standing sensor such as an acceleration sensor, a GPS sensor, and for collecting traffic information, etc. A sensor unit 6 consisting of a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) (registered trademark) sensor, etc., and an imaging unit such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), for example. It is composed of a camera 7 and a processing unit 8 including a CPU, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. In addition to the map data and the like, the recording unit 9 also records navigation data such as voice data necessary for guiding the movement of the mobile body as non-volatile information.

The processing unit 8 includes an interface 1 , a determination unit 3 and an update unit 5 . At this time, the interface 1, the determination unit 3, and the update unit 5 may be configured by a so-called hardware logic circuit, or correspond to a flowchart showing map data update processing according to a first embodiment, which will be described later. A program may be functionally realized by the CPU in the processing unit 8 reading and executing the program. Further, the camera 7 corresponds to an example of the "imaging means" according to the present application, and the processing unit 8 corresponds to an example of the "detecting means", an example of the "terminal device determination means", and an example of the "determination means" according to the present application. The recording unit 9 corresponds to an example of the "terminal device storage means" and an example of the "storage means" according to the present application, respectively, and the interface 1 corresponds to an example of the "terminal device transmission means" and the "transmission means" according to the present application. Each corresponds to an example of "means".

Next, the map data SD according to the first embodiment recorded in the recording unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 3(b). As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the map data SD recorded in each navigation device S according to the first embodiment includes feature data 90, road data 91, and background data 92. is At this time, the feature data 90 includes data relating to features to be included in the map displayed on the display 20 when guiding the movement of the mobile body.

Here, the "feature" according to the first embodiment refers to an object that is significant in guiding the movement of the moving object, such as a building, a park, an overpass, or other facility, or a signal, sign, crosswalk, or the like. , In principle, refers to things that exist on the road or its surroundings. As the feature data 90, the version in the map data SD of the data indicating the feature identified by the feature ID is associated with a feature ID set in advance for distinguishing from other features. version data indicating the position of the feature, position data including latitude data and longitude data indicating the position of the feature, and feature amount data indicating the feature of the feature quantitatively. An example of the feature amount data is feature amount data extracted by a SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) method, which is an algorithm used for object recognition in an image. The SIFT method is an algorithm conventionally used for object recognition and the like. For example, by recording feature amount data according to the SIFT method instead of image data corresponding to the actual image of the feature, the amount of data can be greatly reduced.

On the other hand, the road data 91 is similar to road data for map data used in a conventional navigation device, and road data indicating roads included on the map is recorded as link data indicating, for example, a plurality of links. ing. The background data 92 is similar to the background data for map data used in a conventional navigation device, and includes backgrounds other than roads and features included on the map (roads in a two-dimensional map). The background data used for drawing the background of the feature) is recorded.

Note that the geographic range of the map recorded in the navigation device S as the map data SD may cover the entire country (for example, Japan) in which the navigation device S is used, or may cover, for example, one prefecture or It may be limited to a partial region such as one region. Further, the version of the feature data 90 and the version of the entire map data SD may match each other, or the version of the entire map data SD and the version of each of the feature data 90 are set separately. can be anything.

On the other hand, the server device SV according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. , a display 12 such as a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 13 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and recorded in each navigation device S connected to the server device SV. and a recording unit 14 comprising a hard disk or the like for nonvolatilely recording a database containing map data VD as master map data used for updating the map data SD. Note that the recording unit 14 corresponds to an example of the map information storage unit 14 and an example of the feature information storage unit 15 of the embodiment, respectively. Further, the processing unit 11 corresponds to an example of the "update means" and an example of the "extraction means" according to the present application. Further, the interface 10 corresponds to an example of a "transmitting means" and an example of an "identification information transmitting means" according to the present application, respectively.

Next, the map data VD according to the first embodiment recorded in the recording unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(b). As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the map data VD recorded in the server device SV according to the first embodiment includes feature data 140, road data 141, and background data 142. ing. At this time, the feature data 140 includes a map displayed on the display 20 of the navigation device S when guiding the movement of the moving object, similar to the feature data 90 of the map data SD recorded in each navigation device S. contains data about the features that should be included in the . That is, the feature data 140 includes version data indicating the version in the map data VD of the data indicating the feature identified by the feature ID associated with the same feature ID as the map data SD, and version data indicating the version of the feature in the map data VD. and position data indicating the position of the feature identified by the object ID are recorded respectively. In addition, actual image data obtained by photographing the feature identified by the feature ID may be recorded. In the following description, the actual image data is simply referred to as "actual image data".

On the other hand, in the road data 141, like the road data 91 of the map data SD recorded in each navigation device S, road data indicating roads included on the map are recorded as link data, for example. The background data 142, like the background data 92 of the map data SD recorded in each navigation device S, is background data used for drawing backgrounds other than roads and features included on the map. ing. The feature data 140, the road data 141, and the background data 141 described above are the master map data for the feature data 90, the road data 91, and the background data 92 recorded in each navigation device S, respectively. It is positioned as

Note that the geographical range of the map recorded in the server device SV as the map data VD may be limited to a certain area like the map data SD used in the navigation device S. However, from the viewpoint that the map data VD is used to generate update data for updating the map data SD recorded in a plurality of navigation devices S, the corresponding geographical range is, for example, one country (for example, Japan).

The version of the feature data 140 and the version of the map data VD as a whole may be identical to each other, similar to the version of the feature data 90 in the navigation device S, or the version of the map data VD as a whole and the version of the feature The version in each data 140 may be set separately.

In the configuration described above, the interface 1 of each navigation device S controls the input/output of data via the network W between the server device SV under the control of the processing unit 8, the recording unit 9, the sensor unit 6 and the input/output of data to/from the camera 7. Then, the determination unit 3 and the update unit 5 of the processing unit 8 acquire necessary information based on the information preset in the navigation device S indicating whether the update is possible or based on the operation of the operation unit 4 by the user (driver or the like). While displaying on the display 20, the map data update process according to the embodiment is executed. At this time, the feature data 90 and the like recorded in the recording section 9 are read out as necessary and provided to the map data updating process by the determining section 3 and the like. Under the control of the processing unit 8 , the camera 7 captures an image of the front, side, or rear of the vehicle or the like in which the navigation device S is mounted, and outputs photographed data corresponding to the image to the processing unit 8 . Further, the processing unit 8 executes navigation processing for guiding the movement of the moving body on which the navigation device S is mounted based on the current position data and traffic information etc. output from the sensor unit 6, and also performs a first navigation process described later. A map data update process according to the embodiment is executed.

At this time, the processing unit 8 of each navigation device S controls the camera 7 (in other words, the navigation device S itself) based on the current position data output mainly from the sensor unit 6 and the direction data indicating the moving direction of the moving body. ) on the map and the shooting direction of the camera 7 can be calculated/estimated. If the moving object is a vehicle, the installation position and installation direction of the camera 7 in the vehicle can be input in advance and used to calculate/estimate the shooting direction. Based on these facts, the processing unit 8 can calculate/estimate whether or not each feature on the map is in a position and direction that can be photographed by the camera 7 at that time. .

On the other hand, the interface 10 of the server device SV controls input/output of data via the network W between each navigation device S under the control of the processing unit 11 . Then, the processing unit 11 displays necessary information on the display 12 based on the user's (administrator's) operation on the operation unit 13, and executes the map data update process according to the first embodiment. At this time, the feature data 140 and the like recorded in the recording unit 14 are read as necessary and supplied to the map data updating process by the processing unit 11, or are read from each navigation device S under the control of the processing unit 11. It is updated by the transmitted photographed data and the like.

Next, map data update processing according to the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. The map data update process is a process of updating the map data SD recorded in each navigation device S using the map data VD recorded in the server device SV as master map data. Execution is centered on the unit 8 and the processing unit 11 of the server device SV.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the map data update process according to the first embodiment, the processing unit 8 of the navigation device S causes the camera 7 to update the map data for each preset movement distance, preset position, or time, for example. It is monitored whether or not there is a possibility that any of the surrounding features has been photographed (step S1). At this time, as described above, the processing unit 8 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the feature on the map located around the moving object is in a position and direction that can be photographed by the camera 7 at that time. It is monitored while calculating each time.

In the monitoring in step S1, if there is no possibility that any feature has been photographed (step S1; NO), the processing unit 8 continues the monitoring of the possibility of photographing the feature in step S1. On the other hand, if there is a possibility that any feature has been photographed in the monitoring in step S1 (step S1; YES), then the determination unit 3 of the processing unit 8 determines that the feature is likely to have been photographed. The feature amount indicated by the feature amount data (see FIG. 3B) is collated with the feature amount corresponding to the feature reflected in the photographed data actually output from the camera 7 (step S2 ), and it is determined whether or not there is a difference between them (step S3).

If there is no difference between the two in the determination of step S3 (step S3; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S1 to monitor the possibility of photographing the feature. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the two feature amounts are different (step S3; YES), the processing unit 8 notifies that fact (matching result indicating mismatch) via the interface 1. It is transmitted to the server device SV (step S4). At this time, the processing unit 8 displays the features collated in steps S2 and S3, and together with the feature data 90 including at least the version data, the corresponding position data, and the date and time of the latest version upgrade (update), The matching result is transmitted to the server device SV. Here, the fact that the collation result is transmitted from the navigation device S to the server device SV means that if the feature photographed in the monitoring in step S1 is a signboard, the content of the signboard has been changed. , means that there is a high possibility that it is necessary to update the feature data 90 corresponding to the feature.

Next, the processing unit 8 determines whether update data for updating the map data SD of the navigation device S, which is transmitted from the server device SV in response to the collation result transmitted by the processing of step S4, has been received. is determined (step S5). If the update data is not received in the judgment of step S5 (step S5; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S1 to monitor the possibility of photographing the feature. On the other hand, if update data has been received in the determination of step S5 (step S5; YES), the processing section 8 uses the received update data to update the corresponding portion of the map data SD (step S6).

After that, the processing unit 8 determines whether or not to end the map data updating process according to the first embodiment as the navigation device S by, for example, turning off the power of the navigation device S (step S7). If the map data update process is terminated in the determination of step S7 (step S7; YES), the processing section 8 terminates the process as it is. ; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S1 and monitors the possibility of photographing the feature.

Next, the map data update process according to the first embodiment in the server apparatus SV corresponding to the map data update process according to the first embodiment in the navigation apparatus S described above will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the processing unit 11 of the server device SV is powered on in the map data update process according to the first embodiment, for example, the mismatch from any navigation device S is detected. It is monitored whether or not a collation result to that effect has been received (step S10). In the monitoring of step S10, if the matching result is not received from any of the navigation devices S (step S10; NO), the processing unit 11 continues monitoring the reception of the matching result.

On the other hand, when receiving the collation result from one of the navigation devices S in the monitoring of step S10 (step S10; YES), the processing unit 11 generates the collation result based on the received collation result. It is determined whether or not it is necessary to update the map data SD including the feature data 90 of the feature captured when the image was captured (see steps S2 and S3 above) (step S11). Specifically, the determination in step S11 includes, for example, the contents of the version data and position data of the feature data 90 transmitted together with the matching result (see FIG. 3B), and the corresponding feature data 90. are compared with the contents of the version data and position data of the feature data 140 in the recording unit 14 (see FIG. 4(b)). If they match, it is determined that there is no need for updating. Further, even if the feature data 140 corresponding to the feature data 90 transmitted together with the collation result does not exist in the recording unit 14, it is determined that the update is necessary.

If it is determined in step S11 that there is no need to update the map data SD (step S11; NO), the processing unit 11 returns to step S10 to continue monitoring the reception of the collation result. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that there is a need to update the map data SD (step S11; YES), the processing unit 11 updates the map data VD corresponding to the feature data SD to be updated (for example, The update data including the map data 140 corresponding to the map data 90 to be updated is generated and transmitted to the navigation device S that has transmitted the collation result (step S12). In the navigation device S that has received this update data, the processes of steps S5 to S7 are then executed.

After that, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV determines whether or not to end the map data update process according to the first embodiment as the server device SV by, for example, turning off the server device SV ( step S13). If the map data update process is terminated in the determination of step S13 (step S13; YES), the processing section 11 terminates the process as it is. ; NO), the processing unit 11 returns to step S10 to continue monitoring the reception of the collation result.

As described above, according to the map data update process according to the first embodiment, the feature data 90 corresponding to the surrounding features included in the map data SD for movement and the new The photographed feature data and the feature data are compared, and when it is determined that there is a difference between the two, the feature data 90 is transmitted to the server device SV. Then, only when update data is transmitted from the server device SV corresponding to the transmitted feature data 90, the map data SD is updated using the update data.

Therefore, in the server device SV, the feature data 90 for updating the map data VD can be collected accurately and efficiently. Further, the map data SD of the navigation device S is updated only by using the update data generated by determining the necessity of updating in the server device SV, so that the map data SD is updated in a centralized and accurate manner. be able to. Further, since the map data SD is updated only when there is a difference between the feature data and update data is transmitted, the map data SD is updated while reducing the amount of information exchanged with the server device SV. can do. Furthermore, since the map data SD is updated by the update data corresponding to the transmitted feature data 90, it is possible to update the map data SD according to the route and the area along which the navigation device S moves.

In addition, since the collation result in the navigation device S (see steps S2 to S4 in FIG. 5) and the position data indicating the position of the corresponding feature are included in the feature data 90 transmitted to the server device SV ( (See FIG. 3(b)), it is possible to update the map data SD by specifying the feature that has changed using position data with a small amount of data.

Furthermore, since the feature data 90 includes the feature amount data of the photographed data of the corresponding features, it is possible to accurately identify the changed features using the photographed data and update the map data SD. can.

Furthermore, it is determined whether or not there is a difference between the map data 90 recorded in the recording unit 9 and the feature amount data in the photographed data of the features newly photographed by the camera 7. Presence or absence of the difference can be accurately determined.

In the above-described first embodiment, when the map data SD used in a plurality of navigation devices S are compared, the generation (version) of the map data SD as a whole may differ from each other. There may be incompatibilities between In such a case, as the map data VD of the server device SV, a plurality of map data VD are recorded for each generation of the map data SD, and the update data is generated/transmitted for each generation. It is desirable to

Also, when moving images are used as photographed data, the collation processing in each navigation device S (see steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 5) is performed by using continuous still images for a plurality of frame images as the photographed data. In this case, the transmission of the matching result to the server device SV (see step S4 in FIG. 5) is performed by, for example, a predetermined range that may include the calculated/estimated position where the feature to be photographed will be photographed as a moving image. is set in advance, and is preferably performed after the current position of the moving object leaves the range.

This is because the collation processing is continuously performed for a plurality of frame images within the predetermined range, and the collation result is generated after the above range is exceeded. That is, in the collation process, it is not always possible to obtain a correct collation result in a short period of time. In this case, unless the moving object moves out of the above range, a correct matching result cannot be obtained using the actual data of the moving image.

In this case, although it depends on the method of the matching process, if a positive matching result (a matching result indicating that the feature amount data match) is obtained even once within the above range, generally the step S3 is performed. The determination result is "NO". On the other hand, it is conceivable that the determination result of step S3 becomes "YES" after the moving body has left the range.

In addition to the case where the determination result of step S3 using the actual data of the moving image is "NO" statistically at a predetermined rate or more, the verification process in which the determination result is "YES" is performed. method can also be used. In this case, even if the current position of the mobile object is within the above range, the collation result may be sent to the server device SV.

(2) Second embodiment
Next, a second example, which is another example corresponding to the embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the second embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing system according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the member numbers used in the description of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment will be used to describe the operation and the like of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and detailed explanations are omitted.

In the above-described map data update process according to the first embodiment, when the server device SV determines that there is a need to update the map data SD of the navigation device S (see step S11 in FIG. 5; YES), it is immediately dealt with. The updated data is transmitted to the navigation device S. On the other hand, in the map data update process according to the second embodiment described below, when the server device SV determines that there is a need to update the map data SD, the navigation device first notifies only that fact. S, and after that, when the navigation device S requests update data, the corresponding update data is sent from the server device SV.

That is, in the map data update process according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the process from step S1 to step S4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Based on the collation result sent, the processing of steps S10 and S11 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed in the server device SV.

If it is determined in step S11 that there is a need to update the map data SD (step S11; YES), then the processing unit 11 of the server device SV sends an update necessity notification to the effect that the update is required. is transmitted to the navigation device S that has transmitted the collation result in the monitoring of step S10 (step S20). After that, the processing unit 11 monitors whether or not an update request requesting the update has been sent from the navigation device S that has sent the update necessity notification (step S21). When the update request is not sent from the navigation device S in the monitoring of step S21 (step S21; NO), the processing section 11 returns to step S10 to monitor the reception of the collation result. On the other hand, when the update request has been transmitted in the monitoring of step S21 (step S21; YES), the processing unit 11 performs the update including the map data VD corresponding to the update target feature data SD corresponding to the update request. Data is generated and transmitted to the navigation device S that has transmitted the collation result (step S12). After that, the processing unit 11 executes the process of step S13 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

In response to this, the processing unit 8 of the navigation device S, which has transmitted the collation result in the process of step S4, next determines whether or not the update necessity notification transmitted from the server device SV has been transmitted in the process of step S20. is monitored (step S15). If the update necessity notification is not received in the monitoring of step S15 (step S15; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S1 to monitor the possibility of photographing the feature. On the other hand, in the determination of step S15, if the update necessity notification transmitted from the server device SV is received (step S15; YES), the processing unit 8 displays on the display 20, for example, the user of the navigation device S. (Driver, etc.) is notified of the necessity of updating the map data SD, and whether or not the update is indicated based on, for example, an operation using the operation unit 4 or a setting of the navigation device S. (step S16, step S17). If the operation is not executed in the determination of step S17 (step S17; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S1 to monitor the possibility of photographing the feature. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that an operation to update the corresponding map data SD has been performed (step S17; YES), the processing unit 8 transmits the update request corresponding to the update to the server device SV ( step S18).

After that, the processing unit 8 executes the processing of steps S5 to S8 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 to update the map data SD.

As described above, according to the map data update process according to the second embodiment, in addition to the operational effects of the map data update process according to the first embodiment, an operation to update using the operation unit 4 can be performed. When executed in the navigation device S (step S17 in FIG. 6; YES), the update data received from the server device SV is used to update the map data SD. The map data SD can be updated according to.

(3) Third embodiment
Next, a third example, which is still another example corresponding to the embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the third embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing system according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the member numbers used in the description of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment will be used to describe the operation and the like of the information processing system according to the third embodiment. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and detailed explanations are omitted.

In each of the map data update processes according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the map data SD of each navigation device S is updated by transmitting update data from the server device SV. On the other hand, in the third embodiment described below, in addition to updating the map data SD, the map data VD recorded in the server device SV is updated using the photographed data captured by the navigation device S. configuration.

That is, in the map data update process according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the process from step S1 to step S6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed in one of the navigation devices S. In parallel with this, in the server device SV according to the third embodiment, the processes of steps S10 to S13 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 are executed.

Next, when the processing unit 11 of the server device SV according to the third embodiment determines that there is no need to update the map data SD in the determination in step S11 (step S11; NO), the processing unit 11 in step S10 It is determined whether or not the photographed data related to the verification process (see steps S2 and S3) corresponding to the verification results transmitted in the monitoring should be transmitted to the navigation device S that transmitted the verification results (step S27). . The determination processing in step S27 will be described in detail later.

If it is determined in step S27 that the photographed data relating to the matching process corresponding to the received matching result is not to be transmitted (step S27; NO), the processing unit 11 returns to step S10 to continue monitoring the receiving of the matching result. . On the other hand, if the photographed data is to be transmitted in the determination of step S27 (step S27; YES), the processing unit 11 issues a photographed data request requesting the corresponding navigation device S to transmit the photographed data to the server device SV. is transmitted (step S28). Next, the processing section 11 monitors whether or not the photographed data corresponding to the photographed data request has been transmitted from the navigation device S (step S29). In the monitoring of step S29, for example, if the photographed data is not transmitted even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S29; NO), the processing unit 11 performs the processing of step S28 to transmit the photographed data request to the navigation device S again. back to On the other hand, in the monitoring of step S29, if the desired photographed data has been transmitted (step S29; YES), the transmitted photographed data is used to use the map data VD (more specifically, map data VD). The corresponding feature data 140) within is updated (step S30). After that, the processing unit 11 proceeds to the determination of step S13 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

In response to this, the processing unit 8 of the navigation device S monitors whether or not the request for photographed data has been transmitted from the server device SV after updating the portion of the map data SD by the processing of step S6 ( step S25). If no photographed data request is sent in the monitoring of step S25 (step S25; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S1 to monitor the possibility of photographing the feature. On the other hand, in the determination of step S25, if the request for photographed data transmitted from the server device SV is received (step S25; YES), the processing unit 8 receives the photographed data corresponding to the received request for photographed data (in other words, the above step The photographed data photographed by the process of S1) is transmitted to the server apparatus SV (step S26), and then the processing section 8 proceeds to the determination of step S7 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Next, the determination processing of step S27 in the processing unit 11 of the server device SV will be specifically described.

In the determination of step S27, for example, when the determination result of step S11 is "NO", it is necessary to immediately transmit the photographed data related to the collation result transmitted in the monitoring of step S10. It is conceivable to determine (above step S27; YES). That is, the contents such as the version data and the position data of the feature data 90 transmitted together with the matching result, and the contents such as the version data and the position data of the feature data 140 in the recording unit 14 corresponding to the relevant feature data 90. are matched, it is determined that the photographed data needs to be transmitted. In this case, it is possible to update the map data VD recorded in the server device SV because the collation result indicating that they do not match although the version data of the two match. determine that it is viable.

Further, other conditions may be imposed in addition to the case where the determination result of step S11 is "NO". More specifically, it is a collation result of a feature that is not included in the map data 140 of the map data VD, or a collation result of a feature that is being collected as the feature data 140. (In other words, for a feature for which sufficient data has already been collected, transmission of the photographed data corresponding to that feature may not be requested) may be added to the condition.

Here, the feature that is "collecting data" as the feature data 140 relates to the possibility that the collation result received in the monitoring of step S10 is incorrect. That is, in the matching process (see steps S2 and S3 above) in the navigation device S according to the embodiment, the features of the features to be matched may temporarily become unable to be correctly matched only at a certain timing. In , even if the features to be matched are unchanged, the matching result may be inconsistent (in other words, the matching result may be erroneous). At this time, the above-mentioned condition "cannot be collated correctly" is, for example, when there is an obstacle in the photographing range of the camera 7, when the feature itself is under construction and cannot be photographed because it is hidden, or when the ground is For example, when an object is exposed to direct sunlight and cannot be photographed clearly. In such a case, it is considered appropriate for the server device SV to update the feature data VD so-called "statistically". In other words, until a certain number of data is collected as a population as the data included in the feature data 140, the data is treated as a series of data, and the data is treated as an “update candidate target in the feature data 140”. It is treated (managed) as

Another condition for the determination in step S27 is, for example, updating of the feature data VD using at least a plurality of acquired data from the timing when the acquisition of the data in the server device SV as the feature data 140 ends. is determined (see steps S27 and S29), the feature corresponding to the feature data 140 to be determined does not match from another navigation device S. Even if step S3; see YES) is transmitted, it is conceivable that the photographed data is unnecessary.

Further, as the determination in step S27, the following five conditions may be weighted into consideration.
(I) Performance and shooting conditions of the camera 7 (so-called camera parameters)
(II) Shooting date and time, weather, direction and position of the camera 7 (estimation of how features are captured)
(III) Whether or not the feature is likely to cause matching errors in the navigation device S (if there is data indicating this)
(IV) Load status of the processing unit 11 of the server device SV and load status of the network W (V) Communication status such as past transmission of matching results from each navigation device S Among these, the above (I) and (II) By adding the consideration condition of , it is possible to estimate the appearance of the feature in the photographed data and the "accuracy" of the matching process corresponding to it. In addition, by adding the consideration condition of (III) above, a statistical result such as "the accuracy of matching processing is generally low" may be obtained from examples of past matching results. These "accuracies" can be used as a basis for determining whether or not it is worth acquiring the corresponding photographed data in the server device SV. can be determined. On the other hand, due to other load conditions in the information processing system SS, there are cases where it is difficult to update the map data VD at present or it is judged to be inappropriate (in terms of service). By adding consideration conditions (V) and (V), it can be one of the criteria for determining not to transmit the photographed data when it is "difficult or unreasonable to do so at present".

Further, in the update process of the map data VD using the photographed data in step S30, the update process may be automatically executed by the processing unit 11, or may be transmitted (step S30). (See S29; YES) By displaying the photographed data on the display 12, the user (administrator, etc.) of the server apparatus SV may make a decision.

As described above, according to the map data update process according to the third embodiment, in addition to the operational effects of the map data update process according to the first embodiment, only when there is a request for photographed data from the server apparatus SV. Since the photographed data is transmitted from the navigation device S to the server device SV, the photographed data can be supplied to the server device SV for updating the map data VD, etc., while reducing the amount of data related to communication on the network W, for example. can be made

(4) Fourth embodiment
Next, a fourth example, which is still another example corresponding to the embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the fourth embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing system according to the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the member numbers used in the description of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment will be used to describe the operation and the like of the information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, and detailed explanations are omitted.

In each of the above-described map data update processes according to the first to third embodiments, actual data photographed by the camera 7 of any of the navigation devices S is used to update the feature data 90 included in the map data SD. Differences and similarities with the actual situation of the feature are collated (see steps S2 and S3 above). On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment described below, based on the current position data and the like from the sensor unit 6 of the navigation device S, the road data 91 in the map data SD and the current position of the mobile object equipped with the navigation device S are determined. The position is collated, and the road data 91 is updated as necessary.

That is, in the map data update process according to the fourth embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. (step S35), and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (step S36). Here, the fact that there is a difference between the two in the determination of step S36 (step S36; YES) means that the moving object is moving on a new road that is not included in the road data 91, for example.

If there is no difference between the two in the determination of step S36 (step S36; NO), the processing unit 8 returns to step S35 and continues collation with the road data 91. FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the two are different (step S36; YES), the processing unit 8 checks the collation result to that effect (that the vehicle is located on a road that is not in the road data 91, and the current position data at that time) is transmitted to the server device SV via the interface 1 (step S4). After that, the processing unit 8 performs the processing of steps S5 to S7, steps S25 and S26 in the flow chart shown in FIG.

At this time, in the process of step S5, the update data for updating as new road data different from the road data 91 is received, and the new road data is updated by the process of step S6 using it. . The photographed data to be transmitted to the server device SV as the process of step S26 is the photographed data of the features near the road taken by the camera 7 during the matching process of steps S35 and S36. The photographed data may be, for example, the photographed data of the feature photographed by the camera 7 immediately before it is determined that the two do not match in the determination in step S36 (see step S36; YES), or the mismatched data. Either the photographed data of the feature photographed immediately after the determination is made or the photographed data of the feature photographed during the determination is transmitted.

On the other hand, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV in the map data update process according to the fourth embodiment is basically similar to the processing unit 11 of the server device SV in the map data update process according to the third embodiment. Steps S10 to S13 and steps S27 to S30 are executed.

At this time, in the determination of step S11, the processing unit 11 determines whether or not the road data 141 including the current position included in the verification result received in the monitoring of step S10 is included in the map data VD. judge. If the road data 141 including the current position included in the matching result is included in the map data VD, it is transmitted to the navigation device S as update data (step S11; YES and step S12). ).

In addition, in the determination process of step S27, the processing unit 11 performs the determination process of step S10 immediately when the determination result of step S11 is "NO", similarly to the determination process of step S27 as the third embodiment. It is conceivable that it is necessary to transmit photographed data relating to the verification result transmitted during monitoring (step S27; YES). That is, if there is no road data at the position indicated by the current position data or the like transmitted together with the collation result (see step S11; NO), it is determined that the photographed data needs to be transmitted. In this case, the server has received a collation result indicating that the moving body is moving even though there is no road on the map corresponding to the position indicated by the transmitted current position data. It is determined that it is necessary to update the road data of the map data VD recorded in the device SV.

Further, if the determination result of step S11 is "NO", i) the collation result is for a road not included in the road data of the map data VD, as in the case of the third embodiment, or It may be configured such that the photographed data is transmitted when the condition that the data as the new road data is the collation result for the feature for which data is being collected is further satisfied. It should be noted that the meaning of "collecting data" in this case is the same as in the case of the third embodiment. Furthermore, as the determination in step S27, the five consideration conditions described in the third embodiment may be weighted.

Furthermore, as the process of step S30 of the fourth embodiment, the map data VD including the new road data is updated using the transmitted photographed data.

As described above, according to the map data update process according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the map data update processes according to the first and third embodiments, the map data SD using the update data And since the new road data is updated while the navigation device S is moving, it is possible to move using the updated map data SD and new road data.

(5) Fifth embodiment
Next, a fifth example, which is still another example corresponding to the embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing map data update processing according to the fifth embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing system according to the fifth embodiment is basically the same as that of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following explanation, the member numbers used in the explanation of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment will be used to explain the operation and the like of the information processing system according to the fifth embodiment. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and detailed explanations are omitted.

In each of the map data update processes according to the first to fourth embodiments described above, various data (for example, photographed data, etc.) acquired by one of the navigation devices S are used to record the data in the navigation device S. The existing map data SD or the map data VD recorded in the server device SV is updated. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment described below, the road data 91 of the map data SD is updated based on the guidance point data indicating the guidance points included in the route for movement guidance set in the navigation device S. configuration.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in the map data update process according to the fifth embodiment, the processing unit 8 of the navigation device S determines a route indicating a route for guiding the movement of the mobile body on which the navigation device S is mounted. Data is set by, for example, a predetermined route search method (step S40). This route data includes departure point data indicating the position of the starting point, etc. of the above route, destination data indicating the position of the destination point, etc. of the above route, and the positions of guide points to be routed to the destination. It contains guidance point data to indicate.

Next, the processing unit 8 transmits, for example, guide point data among the route data generated by the process of step S40 to the server device SV (step S41). At this time, the destination data may be transmitted at the same time. After that, the processing unit 8 executes the processing from step S5 to step S7 in the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, the processing unit 8 receives update data for the guide point data transmitted by the process of step S41 from the server device SV when it is transmitted (step S5; YES), and uses the received update data. to update the map data SD (step S6).

On the other hand, in the map data update process according to the fifth embodiment, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV receives the guide point data and the like from one of the navigation devices S when, for example, the server device SV is powered on. It monitors whether or not it has been done (step S45). In the monitoring of step S45, if no guidance point data or the like is received from any navigation device S (step S45; NO), the processing unit 11 continues monitoring reception of the guidance point data or the like.

On the other hand, if the guidance point data and the like are received from any of the navigation devices S in the monitoring of step S45 (step S45; YES), then the processing unit 11 determines the guidance point based on the received guidance point data and the like. By searching the map data VD for the guide points included in the data, etc., and confirming whether or not new feature data 140, etc., are recorded for the guide points, etc., the feature data for the guide points, etc. It is determined whether or not the map data SD including 90 needs to be updated (step S11).

When it is determined that there is no need to update the map data SD in the determination of step S11 as the fifth embodiment (step S11; NO), the processing section 11 returns to step S10 to receive the guidance point data and the like. continue to monitor On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that there is a need to update the map data SD (step S11; YES), the processing unit 11 updates the map data corresponding to the guidance point data in the feature data SD to be updated. The update data including the guide point data of the VD is generated and transmitted to the navigation device S that has sent the guide point data and the like (step S12). In the navigation device S that has received this update data, the processes of steps S5 to S7 are then executed.

After that, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV executes the process of step S13 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the map data update process according to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the operational effects of the map data update process according to the first embodiment, the update of the map data SD using the update data is performed for route setting. , the updated map data SD can be used to set a travel route and provide guidance using the route.

Here, in the above-described map data update process according to the fifth embodiment, as a result, there are many cases in which the data of facilities that serve as targets (guide points) in guidance using a route are updated. For example, based on the type of facility serving as a guidance point, it is determined whether or not the map data SD regarding other facilities within a certain geographical range from the route or the destination has been updated (see step S56 in FIG. 9). ) and its update. More specifically, for example, for recommended tourist facilities (spots) and evacuation facilities, it may be determined whether or not the corresponding map data SD has been updated. In addition, it is also possible to configure such that the certain geographical range in this case is changed based on the type of the other facility.

(6) Sixth embodiment
Finally, a sixth example, which is still another example corresponding to the embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing map data update processing according to the sixth embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing system according to the sixth embodiment is basically the same as that of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the member numbers used in the description of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment will be used to describe the operation and the like of the information processing system according to the sixth embodiment. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, and detailed explanations are omitted.

In each of the map data update processes according to the first to fourth embodiments described above, various data (for example, photographed data, etc.) acquired by one of the navigation devices S are used to record the data in the navigation device S. The existing map data SD or the map data VD recorded in the server device SV is updated. On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment described below, the map data SD is updated based on the route data indicating the route set in the navigation device S and the like.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in the map data update process according to the sixth embodiment, the processing unit 8 of the navigation device S executes the process of step S40 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Next, the processing unit 8 transmits the route data itself generated by the process of step S40 to the server device SV (step S50). The timing of transmission in step S50 may be, for example, immediately after the route is searched, or after the user (driver or the like) of the navigation device S approves the search result.

After that, the processing unit 8 monitors whether or not the re-search result corresponding to the transmitted route data and the corresponding update data have been transmitted from the server device SV (step S51). When the re-search result or the like is not transmitted in the monitoring of step S51 (step S51; NO), the processing unit 8 proceeds to the processing of step S52 described later, and uses the route data generated by the processing of step S40. route guidance for moving objects.

On the other hand, in the monitoring of step S51, if the re-search result or the like has been transmitted (step S51; YES), the processing unit 8 updates the map data SD using the transmitted update data (step S6 ), and route guidance for the moving body is performed using the route data included in the re-search result (step S52). After that, the processing unit 8 executes the process of step S7 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the map data update process according to the sixth embodiment, the processing unit 11 of the server device V receives the route data from one of the navigation devices S when, for example, the server device SV is powered on. It monitors whether or not (step S55). In the monitoring of step S55, if route data is not received from any of the navigation devices S (step S55; NO), the processing unit 11 continues monitoring the reception of the route data.

On the other hand, when the above route data is received from one of the navigation devices S in the monitoring of step S55 (step S55; YES), the processing unit 11 next based on the received route data indicates the route data. Verification is made as to whether or not the route is optimal in light of the map data VD recorded in the server device SV at that time (step S56). More specifically, the processing unit 11 performs a new route search using the departure point data and the destination data included in the transmitted route data, and finds the same content as the route data received in the monitoring of step S55. Determine whether or not it is a route. At this time, it is also determined whether or not there is a road that has already become unusable among the routes searched by the navigation device S. Then, if the content of the route data received in the monitoring of step S55 is the same as the content of the newly searched route (step S56; NO), the processing unit 11 returns to step S55 to start receiving the route data. Continue monitoring. In this case, the fact that the route data are the same may be transmitted to the navigation device S that has transmitted the route data in the monitoring of step S55.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S56 that the contents of both route data are different (step S56; YES), the processing unit 11 uses the route data indicating the newly searched route as the re-search result in the monitoring of step S55. The route data is transmitted to the navigation device S that has transmitted it (step S57). At this time, if the route data received in the monitoring of step S55 includes a road that is already unusable, the processing unit 11 also transmits that fact and related update data. After that, the processing unit 11 executes the process of step S13 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the above-described map data update process according to the sixth embodiment, if there is not enough update data to update the map data SD of the navigation device S only with the re-search results and the like transmitted from the server device SV, the navigation device The processing unit 8 of S obtains the insufficient update data (for example, the missing road data 91, etc.) from the server device SV again and acquires it, and uses it to update the map data SD. good too.

Further, in the map data update process according to the sixth embodiment described above, the route data transmitted from the navigation device S (see step S50 above) includes supplementary information such as directions to proceed on roads and changes due to time zones. may be included. Further, the supplementary information may include version data of the road data 91 indicating the guidance point included in the route data. In this case, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV determines whether or not the map data VD including the incidental information is the latest. may be sent to the navigation device S to update the map data SD.

As described above, the map data update process according to the sixth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the map data update process according to the fifth embodiment.

Next, a modified example according to the embodiment will be described.

(7) First modification
First, the first modified example will be explained. In the above-described first to third embodiments, for example, the camera 7 shoots the feature for each preset movement distance or time to perform verification. It is also possible to configure so that feature matching is performed during guidance using the route for the moving object being guided.

More specifically, in general, during route guidance, easy-to-understand information on surrounding features is included for each guidance point. For example, guidance such as "Turn left at the intersection 30 meters ahead, XX (facility name)" is provided by voice. At each intersection, there are usually a plurality of facilities that can be candidates for guidance facilities at each corner. are selected as facilities for guiding points along the route. The data of these guidance facilities and their candidate facilities are known when the route is set. Also, after setting a guide point, when the user approaches the guide point, the facility to be actually used for guidance may be determined from among the facilities around the guide point.

Therefore, when approaching a certain guide point, a matching process between one facility to be used for guidance at the guide point, or a plurality of facilities including candidates thereof, with the map data SD (see steps S2 and S3 above). can be considered. In this case, the collation process is performed using photographed data within a range in which the facility can be photographed by the camera 7 in principle, and which can be calculated/estimated to be used for the collation process. In this case, a geographical range for matching may be set in advance. Then, transmission to the server device SV using the collation result is performed, for example, after moving out of the geographical range.

As a result of transmission to the server device SV, when the update data for the facility is transmitted from the server device SV, the update data is used to update the map data SD of the navigation device S (step S6). reference).

According to the configuration of the first modified example described above, it is possible to intensively update the map data SD about the facilities used for guiding the moving body, and to suppress the amount of communication with the server device SV.

(8) Second modification
Next, a second modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . Note that FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing map data update processing according to the second modification. The hardware configuration of the information processing system according to the second modification is basically the same as that of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the member numbers used in the description of the information processing system SS according to the first embodiment will be used to describe the operation and the like of the information processing system according to the second modified example.

In each of the embodiments and the first modification described above, the update process of the map data SD or the map data VD is started when the server device SV receives the collation result from one of the navigation devices S. At this time, the corresponding feature data 140 or feature data 90 may not be updated for a long period of time due to various reasons, such as when the feature exists in a place where people rarely stop by. This is particularly undesirable for the map data VD positioned as master map data.

Therefore, in the map data update process according to the second modified example, the server device SV identifies a feature whose corresponding feature data 140 is not updated for a long period of time. feature data is collected and the feature data 140 is updated. Note that the map data update process according to the second embodiment is, for example, a process that is executed as an interrupt process when the map data update process according to each embodiment is set as the main routine. Further, as the feature data 140 according to the second modification, time data indicating the timing at which they are updated is recorded in the recording unit 14 for each feature in association with each feature ID.

Specifically, in the map data update process according to the second modification, first, features corresponding to feature data 140 that have not been updated for a long period of time are identified and listed at regular intervals. In the following description, this list will be referred to as an "updated list". This update list is nonvolatilely recorded in the recording unit 14 of the server device SV.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11(a), as the map data update process according to the second modification, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV detects the timing set in advance as the timing to identify the feature data 140 that has not been updated for a long time. has arrived (step S60). As the timing to be specified at this time, the processing unit 11 periodically sets an interval of, for example, once every several weeks as the timing to be specified.

If the timing to be specified has not arrived in the monitoring of step S60 (step S60; NO), the processing unit 11 returns to the original main routine. On the other hand, when the timing to be specified has arrived in the monitoring of step S60 (step S60; YES), the processing unit 11 next determines whether or not the listing process has been completed for all features (step S61), if completed (step S61; NO), return to the original main routine.

On the other hand, if there is a feature for which the listing process has not been completed (step S61; YES), the processing unit 11 next reads from the recording unit 14 the time data indicating the most recent update timing for that feature. (Step S62), next, it is determined whether or not the current time is the time when a predetermined period (for example, about several weeks) has passed since the read update timing (Step S63). If it is determined in step S63 that the current time is not the time when the predetermined period has passed (step S63; NO), the processing unit determines that the feature data 140 corresponding to the feature does not need to be listed for updating. 11 returns to the original main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S63 that the current time has passed the predetermined period (step S63; YES), the processing unit 11 adds the feature to the update list (step S64), and then adds the next feature to the update list (step S64). The feature ID is incremented by "1" (step S65) so as to repeat the process after step S61 for the object, and the process proceeds to step S61. By repeating the above steps S60 to S65 for all features, an update list including features corresponding to the feature data 140 that has not been updated for the predetermined period is generated.

Next, the process of updating the feature data 140 using the update list will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 11(b). As shown in FIG. 11B, as the process of updating the feature data 140 according to the second embodiment, the processing unit 11 of the server apparatus SV performs the update list generation process shown in FIG. , whether or not there is any communication from any of the navigation devices S (step S70). The communication in step S70 includes not only the reception of the verification result in each of the above embodiments, but also other communication that can identify the navigation device S that is the transmission source. If there is no communication in the determination of step S70 (step S70; NO), the processing section 11 returns to the original main routine. On the other hand, if there is any communication in the determination of step S70 (step S70; YES), the processing unit 11 next identifies whether or not the navigation S, which is the communication source, supports updating of the feature data 140 ( Step S71), if it does not correspond (step S71; NO), it returns to the original main routine.

On the other hand, in the identification of step S71, if the communicating navigation device S supports updating of the feature data 140 (step S71; Whether or not the route (route data) is set is determined using, for example, the collation result received as described above (step S72). If a route has been set in the navigation device S in the determination of step S72 (step S72; YES), the processing unit 11 determines a feature on the set route or in an area along the route, The features currently included in the update list are listed by the corresponding feature IDs (step S73). On the other hand, in the determination of step S72, if the route is not set (step S72; NO), the processing unit 11 determines, for example, a predetermined geographical location centered on the current position of the mobile body on which the navigation device S is mounted. The features currently included in the update list, which are either within the range or within the administrative division to which the current position belongs, are identified by the corresponding feature IDs and listed (step S74).

Next, the processing unit 11 sends data corresponding to the list (including the corresponding feature ID) generated by the process of step S73 or the process of step S74 to the navigation device S communicating in the monitoring of step S70. (step S75).

Note that the processing unit 8 of the navigation device S that has received the data receives the feature data 90 recorded by the navigation device S with respect to the feature whose feature ID is included in the list corresponding to the received data. Alternatively, the feature data 90 accompanied by the photographed data taken by the camera 7 or the like of the navigation device S is transmitted to the server device SV.

After transmitting the data corresponding to the list generated by the process of step S73 or the process of step S74, the processing unit 11 of the server device SV receives the feature data 90 corresponding to the list from the navigation device S of the transmission destination. It monitors whether or not it has been transmitted (step S76). In the monitoring of step S76, if the corresponding feature data 90 has not been transmitted (step S76; NO), the processing unit 11 returns to the original main routine. The unit 11 uses the contents of the transmitted feature data 90 to update the feature data 140 of the corresponding feature (the feature data 140 that has not been updated for a long time) and the map data VD related thereto. (step S77). After that, the processing unit 11 returns to the original main routine. By executing the processing of steps S70 to S77 described above every time some kind of communication with the navigation device S is performed, the feature data 140 that is not updated for the predetermined period of time is transferred from the map transmitted from the navigation device S to the map transmitted from the navigation device S. It will be updated with data 50 .

According to the map data updating process according to the second modification described above, a feature whose corresponding feature data 140 is not updated for a specified period of time is extracted, and a Since the map data VD including the feature data 140 is updated using the transmitted feature data 90, the map data VD can be updated for each prescribed period.

As described with reference to FIG. 11(a), in addition to periodically checking all the features and creating a list each time, another example of generating the update list is to first check all the features, for example. A (temporary) update list may be generated for each feature and updated individually for each feature.

More specifically, for example, in the update list that is first created once, the processing unit 11 arranges the feature data 140 in descending order of the updated date and time, and updates the feature data 140 for each feature (that is, updates the feature data 140 from the navigation device S). (updating using the feature data 90) is performed as needed. Then, when one feature data 140 is updated, the order of the feature data 140 in the existing update list is changed based on the updated date and time. In this way, it is possible to maintain the state in which the update list is recorded in the recording unit 14 so that the new and old of the update date and time can be identified at a glance.

In addition, in the update list created first, the processing unit 11 sequentially expands the range of the feature data 140 to be updated so as to sequentially include items whose latest update dates and times are later in time at regular intervals. A method of using the feature data 90 from the navigation device S to update the feature data 140 to be updated at that time is also conceivable.

Furthermore, programs corresponding to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 are recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk or hard disk, or obtained via a network such as the Internet, and are transferred to a general-purpose microcontroller. It is also possible to cause the microcomputer or the like to function as the processing section 8 and the processing section 11 according to the embodiment by reading the program into a computer or the like and executing it.

10 receiving means (interface)
11 processing unit 14 map information storage means (recording unit)
15 feature information storage means 90, 140 feature data 91, 141 road data 92, 142 background data S terminal device SS information processing system S1, S2, Sn navigation device SV server device W network SD, VD map data

Claims (1)

map information storage means for storing map information used for movement of the terminal device;
receiving means for receiving the transmitted feature information when the feature information corresponding to the feature included in the map information is transmitted from the terminal device;
feature information storage means for storing the received feature information;
with
The feature information to be received includes feature information included in terminal device map information stored in the terminal device that transmitted the feature information, and feature information newly acquired in the terminal device. and are transmitted from the terminal device only when the terminal device determines that and are different from each other.

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