JP4456667B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus that acquires map data from a predetermined information center or the like via a communication line such as the Internet and performs navigation processing such as map display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An in-vehicle navigation device reads map data recorded on a storage medium such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) to display a map around a vehicle position, a destination specified by a user, A navigation route such as a route search / guidance process for searching for a travel route to the waypoint and guiding the travel of the vehicle along the extracted travel route is performed.
[0003]
In a general navigation device, a map that is a predetermined segmented area (for example, a rectangular area divided by a predetermined latitude and longitude) is set, and the map data corresponding to the map is set as a minimum unit for processing. Manage data. For example, when displaying a map around the vehicle position, the navigation device reads a plurality of map data corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle position from a DVD or the like, and generates a map display image data. Is going.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Recently, instead of using map data recorded on a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, a predetermined information center or the like and a navigation device are connected via a communication line such as the Internet, and navigation is performed from the information center. Map distribution systems that distribute map data to devices are also being put into practical use.
[0005]
However, in the conventional navigation device, the map data of the leaf is the minimum unit for processing, and therefore the amount of map data of one unit is large, and when acquiring map data via a communication line, a predetermined amount is required. There has been a problem that it takes a long time to acquire the map data necessary for performing the navigation process. As described above, it is not preferable that the time required for acquiring the map data becomes long because problems such as intermittent display of the map image occur.
[0006]
The present invention was created in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can reduce the time required to acquire map data necessary for performing predetermined navigation processing. There is.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the navigation device of the present invention, when acquiring map data via a predetermined communication line, receives map data corresponding to the same segmented area for each processing unit group by the receiving means. The received map data is determined by the reception determination means for the received map data, based on the map data received for each group data. The navigation processing means performs predetermined navigation processing. In addition, group data is divided into groups corresponding to different priorities, One or more group data with different priorities correspond to the same segmented area, Group data Each of Corresponds to the element data corresponding to the background data necessary for displaying the background, the element data corresponding to the road data necessary for route search and route guidance, and the character data necessary to display the character information. Element data corresponding to the facility data necessary for displaying the facility mark. Each group data The lower the priority, the more detailed information is included. By the communication means, the same divided area is received in order from the map data corresponding to the group data having a high priority.
[0008]
Map data corresponding to the same segmented area, that is, the map leaf Group data Since this is received every time Group data It becomes possible to perform navigation processing at the time when each reception is completed, and when map data is acquired via a communication line, time required for acquiring map data necessary for performing predetermined navigation processing is reduced. be able to.
[0009]
For example, high priority Group data Contains the minimum necessary data to perform the prescribed navigation processing, and has a low priority Group data If you include more detailed data in, the priority is high Group data By receiving in order from the map data corresponding to, navigation processing with high necessity can be quickly executed, and thereafter processing based on map data including more detailed information can be performed.
[0010]
Further, the above-described map data is data necessary for map display, and it is desirable that the map display processing related to the divided area corresponding to this map data is performed by the navigation processing means. Since map display processing is the most basic and important function in navigation devices, Group data By receiving the map data corresponding to, it is possible to prevent the function of the map display function from being deteriorated due to the lack of map data.
[0011]
Vehicle position determination means for determining the current position of the vehicle; Group data The reception range setting means for setting the reception range of the vehicle is further provided. Priority of group data to be received For the section area far from the current position Priority of group data to be received It is desirable to receive map data by setting a narrow range. For areas close to the current vehicle position Group data priority By setting a wide range, navigation processing related to the current position of the vehicle can be performed using map data including detailed information. Also, for the segmented area far from the current position of the vehicle Group data priority By narrowing the range, it is possible to reduce the communication cost by reducing the reception amount of map data that is less necessary.
[0012]
In addition, a traveling direction determination unit that determines the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided, and the reception range setting unit determines whether the divided region is along the traveling direction of the vehicle. Priority of group data to be received For a segmented area that has a wide range, and deviates from the direction of travel Priority of group data to be received The map data may be received by setting a narrow range. By determining the traveling direction of the vehicle, the need for future map data can be predicted, so by setting the reception range according to the traveling direction, reliably receiving the map data with high necessity Can do.
[0013]
In addition, route search means for setting a travel route by performing a route search process connecting the destination and the departure point is provided, and a segment area along the travel route set by the route search means by the reception range setting means is provided. Is Priority of group data to be received For a segmented area that is outside the travel route Priority of group data to be received The map data may be received by setting a narrow range. When a predetermined travel route is set, it is considered that there is a high need for map data corresponding to the area along this travel route, so it is necessary to set the reception range according to the travel route. High map data can be received reliably.
[0014]
In addition, a speed detecting means for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle is further provided. When the traveling speed is high, the receiving area setting means sets a range of the segment area to be acquired of the map data so that the traveling speed is When it is late, it is desirable to set the range of the segmented area narrow and receive map data. When the traveling speed is high, the moving distance of the vehicle per unit time becomes large. Therefore, by setting the range of the segment area to be acquired as map data, the map necessary for processing such as map display Data can be secured reliably. On the other hand, when the traveling speed is slow, the moving distance of the vehicle per unit time is small, so by setting the range of the segment area that is the acquisition target of the map data, the map data is received more than necessary. Communication cost can be reduced.
[0015]
In addition, it is desirable to further include a map transmission request unit that transmits a map data transmission request corresponding to the reception range set by the reception range setting unit to the transmission source of the map data. By transmitting a transmission request for map data corresponding to the reception range and having the map data corresponding to this transmission request sent from the transmission source, the required map data can be efficiently acquired.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment is connected to a map distribution server 2 via a predetermined network 3. Note that the network 3 in the present embodiment includes various communication networks such as a general telephone network, a mobile telephone network, and the Internet.
[0017]
The navigation device 1 performs navigation operations such as map display around the vehicle position and route guidance processing. The navigation device 1 and the network 3 are connected using, for example, a mobile phone.
In response to the request sent from the navigation device 1, the map distribution server 2 performs processing for transmitting map data necessary for navigation processing to the navigation device 1.
[0018]
Next, the detailed content of the map data used in the navigation apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of map data used in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment. The map data transmitted from the map distribution server 2 has a rectangular figure leaf separated by a predetermined longitude and latitude as one unit. This map data includes display data necessary for performing map display, road data including information necessary for route search processing, and the like.
[0019]
The map data included in one map leaf is composed of a plurality of group data divided for each predetermined processing unit group, and each group data is given a predetermined priority. In the present embodiment, each group data can be handled as a group of data. As described above, the map data according to the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of group data to which a predetermined priority is given, and therefore data management such as addition and deletion of data can be performed in units of group data. Become.
[0020]
Each group data is composed of a plurality of element data. The contents of these element data are, for example, “element data 1” is background data necessary for displaying the background of buildings, rivers, parks, etc., and “element data 2” is a road necessary for route search, route guidance, etc. Data, “element data 3” displays character data necessary for displaying character information such as place names, road names, and facility names, and “element data 4” displays facility marks indicating locations such as convenience stores and gas stations. The facility data necessary for this is set.
[0021]
The content of information stored in the element data is set according to the priority added to the group data to which each element data belongs. For example, element data 1 including background data will be described. Element data 1 belonging to group data of priority 1 is considered to be particularly necessary as a landmark during driving such as a large park or a famous facility. Information is set. Hereinafter, as the priority added to the group data becomes lower, more detailed information is set in the element data 1.
[0022]
The same applies to element data 2 including road data. For example, in element data 2 belonging to group data of priority 1, information related to main trunk roads such as highways and national roads is set. In the following, as the priority added to the group data becomes lower, roads for storing information such as prefectural roads, municipal roads, narrow streets,... Are set, and more detailed information is set.
[0023]
The same applies to the element data 3 including character data. For example, the element data 3 belonging to the group data of priority 1 includes a representative place name of the land, a road name of the main trunk road, a large park, and a prominent Information about names of facilities is set. Hereinafter, as the priority added to the group data becomes lower, more detailed information is set.
[0024]
The same applies to the element data 4 including the facility data. For example, the element data 4 belonging to the group data having the priority 1 is considered to be particularly necessary as a marker when driving, for example, a convenience store or a gas station. Information is set. Hereinafter, as the priority added to the group data becomes lower, the type of facility for storing information such as restaurants, public facilities, banks,... Is set, and more detailed information is set.
[0025]
Next, the detailed configuration of the navigation device 1 will be described. A navigation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation operation processing unit 10, an operation unit 16, a display unit 18, a vehicle position detection unit 20, a vehicle speed detection unit 22, a data management unit 24, and a communication processing unit 26. .
[0026]
The navigation operation processing unit 10 performs predetermined navigation processing, and includes a map display processing unit 12 and a route search processing unit 14.
The map display processing unit 12 performs a process of generating map image data necessary for displaying a map around the vehicle position. The route search processing unit 14 performs a process of searching for a guidance route (traveling route) connecting a predetermined departure place and destination.
[0027]
The operation unit 16 includes various operation keys such as a joystick for instructing the left / right / up / down direction and a setting key for confirming an item at the cursor position on the display screen, and navigation signals according to the operation state of the keys are navigated. Output to the operation processing unit 10.
[0028]
The display unit 18 displays various images such as a map image around the host vehicle based on the image data output from the navigation operation processing unit 10.
The vehicle position detection unit 20 includes, for example, a GPS receiver, a distance sensor, an angle sensor, and the like, detects the vehicle position, and outputs this together with the positioning time.
[0029]
The vehicle speed detection unit 22 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is installed.
The data management unit 24 predicts the necessity of map data based on the current position of the vehicle, and performs processing for acquiring necessary map data from the map distribution server 2. A reception range setting unit 32, a transmission request output unit 34, a reception determination unit 36, and a map memory 38 are provided.
[0030]
The traveling direction determination unit 30 acquires the detection result output from the vehicle position detection unit 20, and determines the traveling direction of the vehicle based on the current vehicle position and the vehicle position before one sampling time ΔT.
The reception range setting unit 32 sets the reception range of the map data based on the current vehicle position, the traveling direction of the vehicle, the vehicle speed, the presence / absence of a guidance route, and the like.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting a reception range of map data when a guide route is not set. When the guide route is not set, the reception range setting unit 32 sets map data of a map leaf included in a predetermined area around the vehicle position G and along the traveling direction D of the vehicle as an acquisition target. . The reception range setting unit 32 further divides the predetermined area set along the traveling direction D of the vehicle into a plurality of areas (hereinafter referred to as “divided areas”) according to the distance from the vehicle position G. To do. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the predetermined area along the traveling direction D of the vehicle is further divided into three divided areas a1 to a3, as expressed by varying the hatching density. Note that the number of divided regions is not limited to three as described above, and can be arbitrarily set.
[0032]
Then, the reception range setting unit 32 sets a wide reception range of the group data included in the map data of the leaf for the map corresponding to the region close to the vehicle position G, and is included in the region far from the vehicle position G. For chart leaves, the group data reception range is set narrow. For example, assuming that priority levels 1 to 5 are added to the group data included in the map data of each figure, the reception range setting unit 32 (1) has group data for the divided area a1. Priority 1 to Priority 5, (2) Group data reception range Priority 1 to Priority 3, and (3) Group data reception range Priority divide area a3 The reception range of the group data is set in such a manner that only 1 is set. Accordingly, the reception range is set wider as the area along the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the reception range is set narrower as the area is out of the traveling direction.
[0033]
The number of priorities added to the group data and the setting contents of the reception range of the group data in each divided area are not limited to the above-described example, and can be arbitrarily set.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for setting a reception range of map data. FIG. 4 shows an example of setting the reception range when the vehicle speed is higher than the example shown in FIG. 3 described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the predetermined region along the traveling direction D of the vehicle is set wider by extending in the direction along the traveling direction D as the vehicle speed increases. In other words, the predetermined area along the traveling direction D of the vehicle becomes a narrow area having a shape close to a circle centered on the vehicle position G as shown in FIG.
[0034]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting a reception range of map data when a guide route is set. When the guidance route is set, the reception range setting unit 32 sets map data of a map leaf included in a predetermined area around the vehicle position G and along the predetermined guidance route R as an acquisition target. . The reception range setting unit 32 further divides the predetermined area set along the guidance route R into a plurality of divided areas a1 to a3 according to the distance from the vehicle position G, and group data corresponding to each divided area. Set the reception range. Thereby, the reception range is set wider as the area along the guidance route R, and the reception range is set narrower as the region is away from the guidance route R.
[0035]
The transmission request output unit 34 compares the reception range set by the reception range setting unit 32 with the map data already stored in the map memory 38 for each map leaf, and sends a transmission request based on the difference. Identify the group data that needs to be done and create a map data transmission request.
[0036]
Further, the transmission request output unit 34 determines the difference between the reception range set by the reception range setting unit 32 and the map data stored in the map memory 38 in order to identify group data that needs to be transmitted. As a result of the determination, if group data in a range wider than the set reception range is stored in the map memory 38, the map memory 38 is instructed to discard this excess group data.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the processing contents performed by the transmission request output unit 34. The cube shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to a figure having a bottom surface. In the map data of this figure, the amount of group data requested to be acquired according to the reception range and the map memory 38 are actually stored. The difference with the amount of group data being expressed is conceptually expressed.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 6A, when the group data (results) already stored in the map memory 38 is less than the request level indicated by the reception range, the transmission request output unit 34 Requests transmission of group data corresponding to the difference between the requested level and the actual result. For example, if the acquisition of the group data with the priority levels 1 to 3 is requested and the group data with the priority levels 1 to 2 is already stored in the map memory 38, the transmission request output unit 34 pays attention. A predetermined transmission request indicating that transmission of group data of priority 3 is requested is created with respect to the illustrated leaf.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 6B, when there is more group data (results) already stored in the map memory 38 than the request level indicated by the reception range, the transmission request output unit 34 The map memory 38 is instructed to discard the group data corresponding to the difference between the required level and the actual result. For example, if acquisition of priority 1 group data is requested and group data with priorities 1 to 3 are already stored in the map memory 38, the transmission request output unit 34 is focused. With respect to the leaf, the map memory 38 is instructed to discard the group data having the priorities 2 and 3.
[0040]
The reception determination unit 36 receives the map data transmitted from the map distribution server 2 and received by the communication processing unit 26, and determines whether the reception in units of group data has been completed. Further, the reception determination unit 36 stores the map data in the map memory 38 in the order from the reception of each group data. The map memory 38 stores map data output from the reception determination unit 36.
[0041]
The communication processing unit 26 performs communication processing necessary for the navigation operation processing unit 10 to send and receive data to and from the map distribution server 2 via the network 3. Specifically, the communication processing unit 26 transmits a map data transmission request output from the transmission request output unit 34 to the map distribution server 2 or from the map distribution server 2 in response to the map data transmission request. Performs processing to receive transmitted map data.
[0042]
The network 3 described above corresponds to a communication line, the communication processing unit 26 corresponds to a communication unit, the reception determination unit 36 corresponds to a reception determination unit, and the navigation operation processing unit 10 corresponds to a navigation processing unit. Further, the vehicle position detection unit 20 is a vehicle position determination unit, the reception range setting unit 32 is a reception range setting unit, the travel direction determination unit 30 is a travel direction determination unit, the route search processing unit 14 is a route search unit, The detection unit 22 corresponds to the speed detection unit, the transmission request output unit 34, and the communication processing unit 26 correspond to the map transmission request unit.
[0043]
The navigation device of the present embodiment has such a configuration, and next, an operation procedure when acquiring map data necessary for navigation processing from the map distribution server 2 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device 1 when map data is acquired.
[0044]
The reception range setting unit 32 sets the reception range of the group data based on the current vehicle position, the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the like (step 100).
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the process shown in step 100. The reception range setting unit 32 acquires the detection result of the vehicle position from the vehicle position detection unit 20 (step 200), and acquires the detection result of the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed detection unit 22 (step 201). In addition, the reception range setting unit 32 acquires the determination result of the traveling direction of the vehicle from the traveling direction determination unit 30 (step 202).
[0045]
Next, the reception range setting unit 32 determines whether or not a predetermined guidance route is set by the route search processing unit 14 (step 203).
If the guide route is set, an affirmative determination is made in step 203, and the reception range setting unit 32 receives group data along the guide route in consideration of the vehicle speed corresponding to the current vehicle position. A target area is set (step 204). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 described above, a predetermined reception target area is set along the guidance route.
[0046]
If the guide route is not set, a negative determination is made in step 203, and the reception range setting unit 32 corresponds to the current vehicle position and takes the vehicle speed along the traveling direction of the vehicle. An area for receiving group data is set (step 205). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 described above, a predetermined reception target area is set along the traveling direction of the vehicle.
When a predetermined reception target area is set by the processing shown in step 204 or step 205, the reception range setting unit 32 sets the reception range of group data for each figure corresponding to the reception target area (step 206).
[0047]
When the reception range of the group data is set for each leaf by the series of steps described above, the transmission request output unit 34 sets the reception range of the group data set by the reception range setting unit 32 and the map at that time. The contents of the map data stored in the memory 38 are compared to identify the group data that needs to be acquired (step 101), and the group data that is no longer needed is specified and the map memory 38 is instructed to discard it. (Step 102). The specific contents of the processing shown in step 101 and step 102 are as described in FIG.
[0048]
Next, the transmission request output unit 34 creates a predetermined transmission request in order to acquire the group data specified in step 101. The transmission request created by the transmission request output unit 34 is transmitted to the map distribution server 2 by the communication processing unit 26 (step 103).
[0049]
When the map distribution server 2 transmits the map data in group data units in the order based on the priority added to each group data in response to the transmission request, the communication processing unit 26 transmits the transmitted map data. Is received (step 104).
The reception determination unit 36 receives the map data received by the communication processing unit 26, and determines whether or not the reception in units of group data has been completed (step 105). While reception in units of group data is not completed, a negative determination is made in step 105. In this case, the process returns to step 104 described above, and the map data reception process and subsequent processes are continued.
[0050]
When reception in units of group data is completed, an affirmative determination is made in step 105, and the reception determination unit 36 stores the group data for which reception has been completed in the map memory 38 (step 106).
Next, the reception determination unit 36 determines whether or not the reception of all the map data transmitted in response to the transmission request has been completed (step 107). While the reception of the entire map data is not completed, a negative determination is made in step 107. In this case, the process returns to step 104 described above, and the map data reception process and subsequent processes are continued.
[0051]
When the reception of all the map data has been completed, an affirmative determination is made in step 107, and a series of processing ends.
Next, an operation procedure of the navigation apparatus 1 when displaying a map image using the map data stored in the map memory 38 by the above-described procedure will be described.
[0052]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device 1 when displaying a map image.
The map display processing unit 12 in the navigation operation processing unit 10 reads the map data of the map corresponding to the current vehicle position from the map memory 38 (step 300).
[0053]
Next, the map display processing unit 12 determines whether or not all priority group data included in the read map data of each leaf is present (step 301).
If all the group data does not exist, a negative determination is made in step 301, and the map display processing unit 12 reads only the group data existing at that time and displays a map image using this (step). 302). Specifically, the map display processing unit 12 generates image data necessary for displaying the map image and outputs it to the display unit 18, and the map image is displayed on the screen of the display unit 18.
[0054]
Next, the map display processing unit 12 examines the contents of the map data stored in the map memory 38, and determines whether or not group data necessary for map display has been newly added (step 303). If no group data is newly added, a negative determination is made. In this case, the determination shown in step 303 is repeated.
[0055]
If group data is newly added, an affirmative determination is made in step 303, and the map display processing unit 12 reads the added group data and updates the content of the map image using this (step). 304).
Thereafter, the map display processing unit 12 determines whether or not all the group data has been prepared (step 305). If not, the map display processing unit 12 makes a negative determination and returns to step 303 to add new group data. The processing after the determination of whether or not it has been performed is repeated. If all the group data is ready, an affirmative determination is made in step 305 described above, and a series of processing ends.
[0056]
In step 301 described above, if group data of all priorities exist, an affirmative determination is made. In this case, the map display processing unit 12 displays a map image using all the existing group data. Perform (step 306).
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image. FIG. 10A is a display example of a map image when only high-priority group data exists and the low-priority group data is not yet stored in the map memory 38. In this case, based on each element data included in the high priority group data, a main road such as a highway or a national road, a facility mark 100 indicating the location of a gas station as a mark at an intersection, and a map image are displayed. A map image that includes information such as map information 104 indicating the location of a representative place name 102 (character string “△△ machi”) in the area where the golf course “△△ country club” as a well-known facility is located. It is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10 (A), in the present embodiment, even when all the data included in the map data of the target leaf is not available, Map display can be performed using existing group data. In particular, as described above, the group data is received in order from the highest priority according to the priority added to each, and is stored in the map memory 38. Therefore, the group data with the higher priority is used. Thus, it is possible to promptly display a map image in which relatively highly necessary information is included.
[0057]
FIG. 10B is a display example of a map image when group data with low priority is newly added. In this case, more detailed information is included in the map image shown in FIG. 10A and the content is updated. Specifically, roads such as prefectural roads and city roads are displayed in addition to the main roads, and facility marks 106 and 108 indicating the locations of various facilities and other map information 110 (location of “XX Swamp”) Etc. are included. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the group data with low priority is received and stored in the map memory 38, a map image including more detailed information is displayed based on the group data. .
[0058]
Thus, since the navigation apparatus 1 of this embodiment receives the map data corresponding to the same figure leaf for every predetermined group data, when acquiring map data via the predetermined network 3, When reception for each group data is completed, navigation processing such as map display can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required to acquire the map data necessary for performing the predetermined navigation process.
[0059]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the map data acquisition procedure when the map image around the vehicle position is displayed following the progress of the vehicle has been described, but the cursor position on the map image using the operation unit 16 is described. Even when the map image is scrolled by moving in the desired direction, the map data can be acquired in the same manner as described above. In this case, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 described above, the cursor position on the map image is set as the vehicle position (corresponding to step 200), the vehicle speed is set based on the scroll speed (corresponding to step 201), and the operation is performed. By setting the traveling direction based on the scroll direction instructed using the unit 16 (corresponding to step 202), the reception range of the group data can be set.
[0060]
In the above-described embodiment, the difference between the map data reception range set by the reception range setting unit 32 and the map data stored in the map memory 38 is obtained, and the group data corresponding to this difference is distributed to the map. If the map distribution server 2 contains map data that has been acquired from the server 2 but has been updated to a newer content than the map data stored in the map memory 38, the map data with the new content is also included. You may make it acquire. Specifically, when the map distribution server 2 transmits the map data, a predetermined time stamp indicating the update date and time may be assigned to each group data. When the map data is transmitted / received, the time stamp given to the group data already received by the navigation device 1 and the time stamp given to the group data held by the map distribution server 2 at that time If the two are different, the map distribution server 2 may transmit new group data to the navigation device 1.
[0061]
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the predetermined navigation processing can be performed every time reception in units of group data is completed. However, reception in units of element data included in each group data is completed. A predetermined navigation process may be made possible every time.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since map data corresponding to the same segmented area is received for each predetermined processing unit group, navigation processing is performed when reception for each processing unit group is completed. It is possible to reduce the time required to acquire the map data necessary for performing the predetermined navigation process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of map data used in the navigation device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting a reception range of map data when a guide route is not set.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for setting a reception range of map data.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting a reception range of map data when a guide route is set.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the content of processing performed by a transmission request output unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when acquiring map data.
8 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the process shown in step 100. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when displaying a map image.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Navigation device
2 Map distribution server
3 network
10 Navigation operation processing unit
12 Map display processing section
14 Route search processing unit
20 Vehicle position detector
22 Vehicle speed detector
24 Data Management Department
26 Communication processing unit
30 Traveling direction determination unit
32 Reception range setting section
34 Transmission request output section
36 Reception determination unit
38 Map memory

Claims (6)

A navigation device that obtains map data via a predetermined communication line and performs navigation processing,
A communication means for receiving the map data corresponding to the same segmented area in units of group data divided for each processing unit group;
About the map data received by the communication means, reception determination means for determining whether or not the reception for each group data has been completed,
Navigation processing means for performing the navigation processing based on the map data received for each group data,
The group data is grouped according to different priorities,
One or a plurality of the group data having different priorities correspond to the same divided area,
To display element data corresponding to background data necessary for displaying the background, element data corresponding to road data necessary for route search and route guidance, and character information in each of the plurality of group data Includes element data corresponding to the character data required for and element data corresponding to the facility data necessary to display the facility mark,
Each group data includes more detailed information as the priority becomes lower,
The navigation device, wherein the communication means receives the same divided area in order from the map data corresponding to the group data having a high priority. In claim 1,
Vehicle position determination means for determining the current position of the vehicle;
The priority range of the group data to be received is set to be wide for the partitioned area close to the current position, and the priority range of the group data to be received is set for the partitioned area far from the current position. A reception range setting means for setting a narrow reception range;
A navigation device further comprising: In claim 1,
Traveling direction determination means for determining the traveling direction of the vehicle;
A priority range of the group data to be received is set broadly for the partitioned area along the traveling direction, and a priority range of the group data to be received for the partitioned area that is out of the traveling direction A reception range setting means for setting a reception range to set a narrow,
A navigation device further comprising: In claim 1,
A route search means for setting a travel route by performing a route search process connecting the destination and the departure point;
For the segmented area along the travel route set by the route search means, the priority range of the group data to be received is set broadly, and the segmented region that is out of the travel route is to be received. A reception range setting means for setting a reception range for narrowly setting the priority range of the group data;
A navigation device further comprising: In any one of Claims 2-4,
It further comprises speed detecting means for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception range setting means sets the area of the segmented area wide when the traveling speed is fast and narrows the area of the segmented area when the traveling speed is slow. In any one of Claims 2-5,
A navigation apparatus, further comprising: a map transmission request unit that transmits a transmission request for the map data corresponding to the reception range set by the reception range setting unit to a transmission source of the map data.

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