JP4877876B2 - Map information distribution system and map information distribution method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a map information distribution system and a map information distribution method , and more particularly to a map information distribution system and a map information distribution method for distributing update information for updating map information from a map information distribution center to a navigation device. .

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation device is often mounted on a vehicle that provides vehicle travel guidance so that a driver can easily arrive at a desired destination. Here, the navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle with a GPS receiver or the like, acquires map data corresponding to the current position through a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or HDD, or a network, and displays it on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a device that can do. Then, map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from a recording medium or the like, a map image around the current position of the vehicle is drawn based on the map data and displayed on the display device, and the vehicle position mark is overlaid on the map image. You can also see at a glance which point the vehicle is currently driving by scrolling the map image as the vehicle moves, or by fixing the map image to the screen and moving the vehicle position mark I have to.

Here, new roads (new roads) are built every year in Japan. Along with this, the existing road disappears or the shape of the existing road is changed. Therefore, it is necessary to update the map data stored in the navigation device at a certain time interval. Here, the update of the map data can be done by purchasing a new DVD and replacing it with an old DVD, writing map data to the HDD at a store, or updating the contents of the HDD based on map data distributed from a map information distribution center or the like. It is done by rewriting.
Therefore, various map information distribution systems have been proposed in which update information for updating map data stored in the navigation device is automatically distributed from the map information distribution center to the navigation device.

For example, by transmitting the version of the map information currently held from the navigation device to the map information distribution center, the navigation device receives and receives update information for updating the map information from the map information distribution center. There is a map information distribution system configured to distinguish between an updated part and a non-updated part and display the order of update time so as to be visible after updating the map information based on the update information (for example, Patent Documents) 1).
JP 2005-91225 A (paragraphs (0013) to (0040), FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, in the map information distribution system described in Patent Document 1 described above, for example, the newly opened expressway and the widening of the prefectural road, etc. are displayed without distinction. There is a problem that it is difficult to effectively notify the high update contents.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When the navigation apparatus updates the map information based on the update information received from the map information distribution center, the utility value of the user is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide a map information distribution system and a map information distribution method capable of selecting high update contents and effectively notifying them.

In order to achieve the above object, a map information distribution system according to claim 1 includes a navigation device (2) that updates map information based on received update information, and a map information distribution center that distributes update information to the navigation device ( 3) In the map information distribution system (1), the update device transmits the update request information for requesting the update information of the map information to the map information distribution center. The map information distribution center (3) has the update request information receiving means (16) for receiving the update request information, and acquires the update information corresponding to the received update request information. Update information acquisition means (10, 14, 15), update content acquisition means (10, 18) for acquiring update contents corresponding to the acquired update information, Wherein the updates to the corresponding element information point providing means for providing a point indicating the need for notification of the data to be updated to the updated contents on the basis of the (10, 19), together with the update information, and applying the point Distribution control means (10, 16) for controlling the update contents to be distributed to the navigation device, and the navigation device (2) updates and receives the map information based on the received update information. The update control means (23) for controlling to notify the updated content based on the point given to the updated content.

A map information distribution system according to claim 2 includes a navigation device (2) that updates map information based on received update information, a map information distribution center (3) that distributes update information to the navigation device, In the map information distribution system (1), the navigation device (2) includes update request information transmission means (23, 27) for transmitting update request information for requesting update information of the map information to the map information distribution center. The map information distribution center (3) has an update request information receiving means (16) for receiving the update request information, and an update information acquiring means for acquiring the update information corresponding to the received update request information. (10, 14, 15), update content acquisition means (10, 18) for acquiring the update content corresponding to the acquired update information, and the acquired update content The point providing means for providing a point indicating the need for notification of the data to be updated to the updated contents on the basis of the response element data (10, 19), based on the assigned said point each updates respective Priority order assigning means (10) for assigning priorities to the update contents, distribution control means (10, 16) for controlling the update contents to be delivered to the navigation device together with the update information, The navigation device (2) updates the map information based on the received update information, and controls to notify the received update content based on the priority assigned to the update content. It has the update control means (23) to perform.

  The map information distribution system according to claim 3 is the map information distribution system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the distribution control means (10, 16) gives the priority order together with the update information. The update content is controlled to be distributed to the navigation device based on the priority order, and the update control means (23) updates the map information based on the received update information and notifies the received update content. It is characterized by controlling as follows.

  A map information distribution system according to claim 4 is the map information distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the update content relates to a road. The information includes a road type, road change content, and a distance from a predetermined point.

Further, the map information distribution system according to claim 5 is the map information distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the update content relates to a property. The information includes an importance level for notifying the property and a distance from a predetermined point.
The map information distribution system according to claim 6 is the map information distribution system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the navigation device receives only the update information and receives the update contents. If not, the map information is updated based on the received update information, and the section where the map information is updated is notified.

Furthermore, the map information distribution system according to claim 7 is the map information distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the navigation device (2) detects the state of the vehicle The update request information includes own vehicle state detection means (23), destination setting means (24) for setting a destination, and update point storage means (22) for storing update points registered in advance. The transmission means (23, 27) requests update information of map information in the first area centered on the update point when the state of the own vehicle detected by the own vehicle state detecting means is an engine start. Update request information to be transmitted to the map information distribution center, and when the state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state detection means is a destination setting, a map of the second region centered on the destination Request information update information An update request information and transmits the map information distribution center.

The map information distribution method according to claim 8 is a map information distribution method in which the update information is distributed from a map information distribution center to a navigation device that updates the map information based on the received update information. An update request information transmission step for transmitting update request information for requesting update information of map information to the map information distribution center, and the map information distribution center receives the update request information transmitted in the update request information transmission step. An update request information receiving step, an update information acquiring step for acquiring the update information corresponding to the update request information received by the map information distribution center in the update request information receiving step, and the map information distribution center acquiring the update information An update content acquisition step of acquiring update content corresponding to the update information acquired in the step, and the map information distribution center A point awarding step of imparting a point indicating the need for notification of the data to be updated in the update content based on the acquired element information corresponding to the update content in the new content acquisition process,該地view information distribution center said update A distribution control step for controlling the update information given in the point granting step together with the update information obtained in the information acquisition step to be delivered to the navigation device, and the navigation device delivered in the delivery control step An update content receiving step for receiving the update information and the update content to which the points are given, and the navigation device updates the map information based on the update information received in the update content receiving step, and the received update content And an update control step for controlling so as to be notified based on the points given to the update content. Characterized in that was.

Furthermore, the map information delivery method according to claim 9 is the map information delivery method for delivering the update information from the map information delivery center to the navigation device for updating the map information based on the received update information. An update request information transmission step for transmitting update request information for requesting update information of map information to the map information distribution center, and the map information distribution center receives the update request information transmitted in the update request information transmission step. An update request information receiving step, an update information acquiring step for acquiring the update information corresponding to the update request information received by the map information distribution center in the update request information receiving step, and the map information distribution center acquiring the update information An update content acquisition step of acquiring update content corresponding to the update information acquired in the step, and the map information distribution center And point awarding applying a point indicating the need for notification of the data to be updated in the update content based on the acquired element information corresponding to the update content in the new content acquisition process,該地view information distribution center said point A priority order giving step for giving priority to each update content based on the points given to each update content in the giving step, and the update information acquired by the map information distribution center in the update information acquisition step, A distribution control step for controlling the update contents assigned with the priority in the priority order assignment step to be distributed to a navigation device, and the navigation device assigns the update information distributed in the distribution control step and the priority order. Update content receiving step for receiving the updated content, and update information received by the navigation device in the update content receiving step. And updates the map information have, characterized in that the received updates provided with, and update control step of controlling so as to notify based on the priority given to the updates.

In the map information distribution system according to claim 1 having the above configuration, the update request information for requesting the update information of the map information is transmitted from the navigation device to the map information distribution center. Then, the map information distribution center acquires the update information of the map information corresponding to the received update request information. In addition, the map information distribution center, after acquiring the update content corresponding to the update information, gives a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated to the update content based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Then, the map information distribution center distributes to the navigation device the update content to which a point indicating the necessity of notification of the updated data is given together with the update information. On the other hand, the navigation device updates the map information based on the received update information, and notifies the received update content based on a point indicating the necessity of notification of updated data attached to the update content. .

As a result, the update content corresponding to the update information received from the map information distribution center by the navigation device is given a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Therefore, the navigation device can select the update content based on the point indicating the necessity of notification of the updated data added to the received update content, and update the map information. It is possible to select and notify the update content having a high utility value for the user.

In the map information distribution system according to claim 2, update request information for requesting update information of the map information is transmitted from the navigation device to the map information distribution center. Then, the map information distribution center acquires the update information of the map information corresponding to the received update request information. In addition, the map information distribution center, after acquiring the update content corresponding to the update information, gives a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated to the update content based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Subsequently, the map information distribution center gives priority to each update content based on a point indicating the necessity of notification of data to be updated attached to each update content. Then, the map information distribution center distributes the update contents to which the priority is given together with the update information to the navigation device. On the other hand, the navigation device updates the map information based on the received update information, and notifies the received update content based on the priority assigned to the update content.

As a result, the update content corresponding to the update information received from the map information distribution center by the navigation device is given a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Thereafter, a priority is assigned to each update content based on the points given to each update content. For this reason, the navigation device can easily select the update content based on the priority order given to the received update content, and can easily provide the update content having high utility value for the user for the update of the map information. It is possible to select and notify. In addition, the navigation device does not need to perform a process of giving priority to the received update content, and the processing load on the navigation device can be reduced.

  In the map information distribution system according to claim 3, the map information distribution center can distribute the update contents assigned with the priority order to the navigation device based on the priority order. On the other hand, necessary update contents can be selected and distributed, and the amount of data transmission can be reduced.

  Further, in the map information distribution system according to claim 4, when the update content relates to a road, each element information constituting the update content includes a road type, a road change content, a distance from a predetermined point, and the like. Therefore, new high-standard roads such as national highways, urban highways, motorways, general toll roads, single-digit or double-digit high-standard roads close to a predetermined point (for example, a pre-registered home position) are included. It is possible to preferentially notify the user of the opening section and the like, and it is possible to select and effectively notify the update content having a high utility value of the user in consideration of the area where the user lives.

Further, in the map information distribution system according to claim 5, when the update content is related to the property, each element information constituting the update content has an importance level for notifying the property and a distance from the predetermined point. Because it is included, it is possible to preferentially notify the user of a property that is close to a predetermined point (for example, a pre-registered home position) and has a high degree of importance such as a newly established large commercial facility, In consideration of the area where the user lives and the like, it is possible to select an update content having a high utility value for the user and notify it more effectively.
Further, in the map information distribution system according to claim 6, when the navigation device receives only the update information and does not receive the update content, the user notifies the section where the map information has been updated. It is possible to know that the map information has been updated and the section where the map information has been updated.

Further, in the map information distribution system according to claim 7 , the navigation device displays an update point such as a pre-registered home position when the state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state detection means is when the engine is started. Update request information for requesting update information of the first region centered is transmitted to the map information distribution center. For this reason, when the state of the vehicle is the time when the engine is started, a new high-standard road that is close to the renewal point, such as a national highway, a city highway, a motorway, a general toll road, a one-digit or two-digit highway It is possible to preferentially notify the user of highly important properties to be notified, such as opening sections and newly established large commercial facilities, etc., and select the update contents with high user value in consideration of the area where the user lives In addition, it is possible to notify more effectively.
In addition, when the state of the host vehicle detected by the host vehicle state detecting means is the destination setting, the navigation device displays update request information for requesting update information of the second area centered on the destination. Send to the information distribution center. For this reason, when setting a destination, new highway roads close to the destination, urban highways, motorway roads, general toll roads, newly opened sections related to high-standard roads with 1-digit or 2-digit national roads, etc. It is possible to preferentially notify the user of highly important properties to be notified such as large commercial facilities that have been selected, considering the usage status of the user, selecting the update content with high user usage value, and more effective Can be notified.

In the map information distribution method according to claim 8 , update request information for requesting update information of the map information is transmitted from the navigation device to the map information distribution center. Then, the map information distribution center acquires the update information of the map information corresponding to the received update request information. In addition, the map information distribution center, after acquiring the update content corresponding to the update information, gives a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated to the update content based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Then, the map information distribution center distributes to the navigation device the update content to which a point indicating the necessity of notification of the updated data is given together with the update information. On the other hand, the navigation device updates the map information based on the received update information, and notifies the received update content based on the points attached to the update content.

As a result, the update content corresponding to the update information received from the map information distribution center by the navigation device is given a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Therefore, the navigation device can select the update content based on the point indicating the necessity of notification of the updated data added to the received update content, and update the map information. It is possible to select and notify the update content having a high utility value for the user. In addition, the user can easily check the update contents with high utility value.

In the map information distribution method according to claim 9 , update request information for requesting update information of the map information is transmitted from the navigation device to the map information distribution center. Then, the map information distribution center acquires the update information of the map information corresponding to the received update request information. In addition, the map information distribution center, after acquiring the update content corresponding to the update information, gives a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated to the update content based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Subsequently, the map information distribution center gives priority to each update content based on a point indicating the necessity of notification of data to be updated attached to each update content. Then, the map information distribution center distributes the update contents to which the priority is given together with the update information to the navigation device. On the other hand, the navigation device updates the map information based on the received update information, and notifies the received update content based on the priority assigned to the update content.

As a result, the update content corresponding to the update information received from the map information distribution center by the navigation device is given a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated based on the element information corresponding to the update content. Thereafter, a priority is assigned to each update content based on the points given to each update content. For this reason, the navigation device can easily select the update content based on the priority order given to the received update content, and can easily provide the update content having high utility value for the user for the update of the map information. It is possible to select and notify. In addition, the navigation device does not need to perform a process of giving priority to the received update content, and the processing load on the navigation device can be reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a map information distribution system and a map information distribution method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment that is embodied.

  First, a schematic configuration of the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment distributes update information composed of navigation device 2, difference data for updating map information, and update contents to navigation device 2. The map information distribution center 3 and the network 4 are basically configured. The navigation device 2 and the map information distribution center 3 are configured to be able to transmit and receive various types of information via the network 4. The configuration of the navigation device 2 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the map information distribution center 3 includes a server 10, a center side map information DB 14 as an information recording unit connected to the server 10, a navigation update history information DB 15, a center side communication device 16, an update A content DB 18 and a priority DB 19 are provided. In addition, the server 10 includes an arithmetic device that controls the entire server 10, a CPU 11 as a control device, a RAM 12 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 11 performs various arithmetic processes, and a navigation device 2 as described later. Of the map information stored in the navigation device 2 based on the request, the difference data for updating the map information of the predetermined section area to the new version of map information is extracted from the center-side map information DB 14 and each difference data The update content corresponding to is extracted from the update content DB 18, and an internal storage device such as a ROM 13 in which various control programs for performing map information update processing and the like distributed to the navigation device 2 are recorded. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 11.

  In the center-side map information DB 14, update map information 17, which is basic map information for updating the map information created in the map information distribution center 3 and stored in the navigation device 2, is classified for each version. Has been remembered. Further, a part of the map information stored in the current navigation device 2 (for example, an area of 80 km square centered on the current position of the vehicle or a pre-registered home point) or all of the map information is updated. Update information for updating to 17 is also stored. Here, the version is creation time information for specifying the time when the map information is created, and the time when the map information is created can be specified by referring to the version.

  The update map information 17 stored in the center-side map information DB 14 stores various information necessary for route guidance and map display by the navigation device 2, for example, for displaying a map. Map display data, intersection data relating to each intersection, node data relating to node points, link data relating to roads (links) as a kind of facility, search data for searching for a route, POI (Point of points) such as stores that are a kind of facility Store data related to (Interest), search data for searching for points, and the like.

  Here, in particular, the map display data is divided into 4 (length 1/2), 16 (1/4), and 64 (1/8) based on a secondary mesh partitioned by 10 km × 10 km. Each unit is configured so that the data amount of each unit is approximately the same level. The smallest 64 division size unit is about 1.25 km square.

  Node data includes actual road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node point coordinates (positions) set for each road according to the radius of curvature, etc., nodes Node attribute indicating whether or not is a node corresponding to an intersection, connection link number list that is a list of link numbers of links connected to the node, adjacent node that is a list of node numbers of nodes adjacent to the node via the link Data relating to the number list, the height (altitude) of each node point, and the like are recorded.

  Link data includes the width of the road to which the link belongs, the gradient, the cant, the bank, the road surface condition, the number of lanes on the road, the number of lanes decreasing, and the width of the link data. The data indicating the radius, crossing, T-junction, corner entrance and exit, etc. with respect to the corner, data representing the downhill road, uphill road, etc. In addition to roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, etc., data representing toll roads such as national highways, urban highways, general toll roads, and toll bridges are recorded. Furthermore, regarding toll roads, data relating to entrance roads (rampways), toll gates (interchanges) and the like of toll roads are recorded.

The update information for each road type includes high-speed automobile national highways, urban highways, automobiles for every 2.5 km square division unit that divides the secondary mesh divided by 10 km × 10 km into 16 (1/4). From high-standard road divisions consisting of dedicated roads, general toll roads, single-digit or two-digit national roads, general road divisions consisting of three-digit or more national roads, major local roads, prefectural roads, municipal roads, and narrow streets It is divided into narrow street sections to be configured, and each version is stored and managed in the update map information 17.
Hereinafter, a highway national highway, an urban highway, an automobile exclusive road, a general toll road, a one-digit or two-digit national road is referred to as a high-standard road. National roads, major local roads, prefectural roads and municipal roads with more than three digits are called general roads. A street such as a street narrower than a general road is called a narrow street.

  In addition, as search data, data used for searching and displaying a route to a set destination is recorded, and costs for passing through a node (hereinafter referred to as node cost) and roads are configured. Cost data used for calculating a search cost including a cost of a link to be performed (hereinafter referred to as a link cost), route display data for displaying a route selected by the route search on a map of the liquid crystal display 25, and the like. Has been.

  Further, as store data, data on POIs such as hotels, hospitals, gas stations, parking lots, and tourist facilities in each region are recorded together with IDs that identify the POIs. The center-side map information DB 14 also records voice output data for outputting predetermined information by the speaker 26 of the navigation device 2.

  Then, the map information distribution center 3 uses the latest version of the update map information 17 stored in the center-side map information DB 14 at the timing when the request from the navigation device 2 is received, and the navigation device The map information stored in 2 is updated. Specifically, in the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a distribution request for the update map information 17 in the predetermined area from the navigation device 2, the newest version of the map information 17 for update is displayed. The update is performed by extracting the difference data for updating and distributing the difference data to the navigation device 2. Here, as the difference data transmitted to the navigation device 2, all the information including the new road information for identifying the new road of the newest update map information 17 may be transmitted. The minimum necessary information for updating from the map information stored in the current navigation device 2 to the newest update map information 17 (only information on the updated portion including the new road information for identifying the new road) May be sent.

  On the other hand, in the navigation update history information DB 15, information related to the update history in which the map information stored in the navigation device 2 has been updated so far is stored together with the navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2. As the update history, for each link data or node data that specifically configures map information, which version is in a predetermined section (for example, each section divided into 2.5 km × 2.5 km sections). Whether the map information is used is stored, and is updated to a new update history each time the map information of the navigation device 2 is updated.

Further, the update content DB 18 includes the updated road information of the map information corresponding to each difference data stored for each version in the update map information 17 and the coordinate data indicating the POI coordinate position, the updated road information, The specific display contents (see FIGS. 10 and 11) for notifying the update contents regarding the POI are stored.
Further, in the priority DB 19, a distance priority table 51, which will be described later, for determining the priority of the update contents related to the road and POI of the map information corresponding to each difference data stored in the update map information 17 for each version. (See FIG. 3), a road case priority table 52 (see FIG. 4), an update content priority table 53 (see FIG. 5), a property notice importance table 54 (see FIG. 6), and the like are stored.

  The map information distribution center 3 may be operated by any one of an individual, a company, a group, a local government, a government-related organization, or the like, or may be operated by a VICS (registered trademark) center.

  The network 4 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a mobile phone line network, a telephone line network, a public communication line network, a dedicated communication line network, a communication line network such as the Internet, etc. Can be used. A communication system using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, or the like by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, a communication system such as a non-stop automatic fee payment system (ETC) or a narrow area communication system (DSRC) used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS) can also be used.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 2 constituting the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 2 according to the present embodiment has a current location detection processing unit 21 that detects the current position of the host vehicle, and a coordinate position of a home location registered in advance (for example, latitude and longitude). And a data recording unit 22 in which various data are recorded, a navigation control unit 23 that performs various arithmetic processes based on the input information, an operation unit 24 that receives operations from the operator, and an operator When the information such as the map or the map information is updated, information such as the liquid crystal display 25 that displays the updated contents, the speaker 26 that outputs voice guidance related to the route guidance, the traffic information center, the map information distribution center 3, and the like And a communication device 27 that communicates with the center. The navigation control unit 23 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 28 that detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle.

  The components constituting the navigation device 2 will be described below. The current location detection processing unit 21 includes a GPS 31, a geomagnetic sensor 32, a distance sensor 33, a steering sensor 34, a gyro sensor 35 as an azimuth detection unit, and an altimeter (not shown). And the like, and it is possible to detect the current position, direction, distance to a target (for example, an intersection), and the like.

  Specifically, the GPS 31 detects the current location and current time of the vehicle on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites, and the geomagnetic sensor 32 measures the direction of the vehicle by measuring the geomagnetism. The distance sensor 33 detects a distance between predetermined positions on the road. Here, as the distance sensor 33, for example, the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) of the vehicle is measured, a sensor that detects the distance based on the measured rotational speed, the acceleration is measured, and the measured acceleration is 2 A sensor that integrates the times and detects the distance can be used.

  The steering sensor 34 detects the rudder angle of the host vehicle. Here, as the steering sensor 34, for example, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown), a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like is used.

  And the gyro sensor 35 detects the turning angle of the own vehicle. Here, as the gyro sensor 35, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Further, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 35, the vehicle direction can be detected.

  The data recording unit 22 reads an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a storage medium, a navigation side map information DB 37 stored in the hard disk, a predetermined program, and the like, and writes predetermined data in the hard disk. And a recording head (not shown) which is a driver for this purpose. In this embodiment, a hard disk is used as the external storage device and storage medium of the data recording unit 22, but in addition to the hard disk, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk can be used as the external storage device. Also, a memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, etc. can be used as an external storage device.

Here, the navigation-side map information DB 37 stores navigation map information 38 that is used for travel guidance and route search of the navigation device 2 and is to be updated by the map information distribution center 3. Here, the navigation map information 38 is composed of various information necessary for route guidance and map display in the same way as the update map information 17. For example, new road information and a map for specifying each new road are displayed. Map display data for display, intersection data for each intersection, node data for node points, link data for roads (links) as a type of facility, search data for searching for routes, stores as a type of facility, etc. It consists of store data related to POI, search data for searching points, and the like. Since details of each data have already been described, details thereof are omitted here.
The contents of the navigation-side map information DB 37 are updated by downloading update information such as difference data distributed from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation control unit 23 constituting the navigation device 2 is a computing device that performs overall control of the navigation device 2, a CPU 41 as a control device, and working when the CPU 41 performs various types of computation processing. In addition to the RAM 42, which is used as a memory and stores route data when a route is searched, and a control program, a map information update processing program (at the time of engine start and destination setting as described later) ( The internal storage device such as the flash memory 44 that stores the ROM 43 that stores the program read from the ROM 43 and the ROM 43 (see FIG. 7 and the like). As the RAM 42, ROM 43, flash memory 44, etc., a semiconductor memory, a magnetic core or the like is used. As the arithmetic device and the control device, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 41.

  In this embodiment, various programs are stored in the ROM 43, and various data are stored in the data recording unit 22. However, the programs, data, and the like are stored in the same external storage device, memory card. It is also possible to read out a program, data, etc. from the flash memory 44 and so on. Further, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging a memory card or the like.

  Furthermore, the navigation control unit 23 is electrically connected to peripheral devices (actuators) of the operation unit 24, the liquid crystal display 25, the speaker 26, and the communication device 27.

  The operation unit 24 is operated when correcting the current location at the start of travel, inputting a departure point as a guidance start point and a destination as a guidance end point, or searching for information about facilities, and the like. And a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as destination setting buttons. Then, the navigation control unit 23 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. As the operation unit 24, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can be used. Furthermore, it can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 25.

  In addition, the liquid crystal display 25 includes update information of the map information, operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, guidance route from the current location to the destination, guidance information along the guidance route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time Mail, TV programs, etc. are displayed. Instead of the liquid crystal display 25, it is also possible to use a CRT display, a plasma display, or the like, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on the windshield of a vehicle.

  In addition, the speaker 26 outputs, based on an instruction from the navigation control unit 23, the name of the facility that is the selected destination, voice guidance that guides traveling along the guidance route, and the update contents of the map information. . Here, examples of the voice guidance to be guided include “200m ahead, turn right at XX intersection”, “National road XX has been updated”, and the like. Note that as the sound output from the speaker 26, in addition to the synthesized sound, various sound effects and various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory or the like can be output.

  And the communication apparatus 27 is a communication means which communicates with the map information distribution center 3, and the difference between the map information distribution center 3 and the newest update map information 17 in the predetermined area with the map information distribution center 3 as will be described later. Send and receive data and updates. Further, in addition to the map information distribution center 3, for example, traffic information composed of information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, and service area congestion status transmitted from the VICS center or the like is received. It is also possible.

Next, an example of the distance priority table 51 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the distance priority table 51 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3.
Here, the distance priority table 51 is used when determining the priority of the update contents of the difference data as will be described later (see step 114 in FIG. 7), and element information constituting the update contents The distance point with respect to the distance to the property updated from the center position of the target area where the map information is updated is updated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the distance priority table 51 includes a “distance from the center position” that represents the distance from the center position of the target area where the map information is updated to a property such as a road or POI that is updated, and the “ It consists of “distance points” that represent points given to “distance from the center position”.
For example, when the “distance from the center position” is “less than 10 km square”, the “distance point” is given “1” point.

Next, an example of the road case priority table 52 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the road case priority table 52 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3.
Here, the road case priority table 52 is used when determining the priority order of the update contents of the difference data as will be described later (see step 114 in FIG. 7), and the elements constituting the update contents The information stores road case points for each road case representing the type of road such as an urban expressway and an automobile road as information.

As shown in FIG. 4, the road case priority table 52 includes a “road case” indicating a road type such as an urban expressway and an automobile road, and a “road” indicating points given to the “road case”. “Case points”.
For example, when “road case” is “city highway, intercity highway”, “1” points are given to “road case points”.
Note that “road case points” are not given to municipal roads, narrow streets, and the like that are not described in the “road case” of the road case priority table 52.

Next, an example of the update content priority table 53 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the update content priority table 53 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3.
Here, the update content priority table 53 is used when determining the priority order of the update content of the difference data as will be described later (see step 114 in FIG. 7), and the elements constituting the update content The update content point with respect to the update content of the road as information (for example, new opening, etc.) is stored.

As shown in FIG. 5, the update content priority table 53 represents “road update content” indicating a new opening of a road, a fee revision, etc., and points given to the “road update content”. Update content points ”.
For example, when “update content of road” is “newly established route or extended route”, “1” point is given to “update content point”.
It should be noted that “update content points” are not given to road widening, manager changes, etc. that are not described in “road update content” in the update content priority table 53.

Next, an example of the property notice importance level table 54 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the property notice importance level table 54 stored in the priority DB 19 of the map information distribution center 3.
Here, the property notice importance level table 54 is used when determining the priority order of the update contents of the difference data as will be described later (see step 114 in FIG. 7), and the elements constituting the update contents This stores points indicating the necessity of notification given to each property such as newly established POI as information.

As shown in FIG. 5, the property notice importance level table 54 includes “property content” representing each newly established property such as a POI, and points indicating the necessity of notification given to the “property content”. It is composed of “notification importance” stored.
For example, when the “property content” is “large (large commercial facility etc.)”, “1” point is given to the “notification importance”. In addition, when the “property content” is “medium (service area, parking area, etc.)”, “notification importance” is given “2” points. Further, when the “property content” is “small (movie theater, gas station, etc.)”, the “notification importance” is given “3” points.

Next, in the map information distribution system 1 having the above-described configuration, the navigation map information 38 of the navigation side map information DB 37 executed by the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 and the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 is used when the engine is started or when the destination is set. A map information update process executed for automatically updating and then notifying the user of the update contents regarding the new road added by updating the navigation map information 38 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. The navigation map information 38 of the navigation side map information DB 37 executed by the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 and the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 is set when the engine is started or the destination is set. It is a main flowchart which shows the map information update process performed in order to alert | report to the user the update content regarding the new road etc. which are automatically updated at the time and are added by the update of this navigation map information 38 after that. FIG. 8 is a sub-flowchart showing a sub-process of the “update content notification process” of FIG. 7 and 8 are stored in the ROM 43 of the navigation device 2 and the ROM 13 of the map information distribution center 3, and are executed by the CPUs 41 and 11, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 starts in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 11 when the ignition switch is turned on and the engine is started, that is, the accessory (ACC) is turned on. When the navigation device 2 is turned on, the destination has not yet been set, so the home location coordinate data (for example, the latitude and longitude of the home location, etc.) registered in advance in the data recording unit 22 (Hereinafter referred to as “registered home position”), and the coordinate data of the registered home position is stored in the RAM 42 as coordinate data to be transmitted to the map information distribution center 3. The CPU 41 reads the home flag from the RAM 42 and sets the home flag to ON, that is, substitutes “1” for the home flag and stores it in the RAM 42 again. Then, the CPU 41 reads out the coordinate data representing the registered home position and the home flag from the RAM 42, and transmits the coordinate data and the home flag to the map information distribution center 3 together with the navigation identification ID for specifying the navigation device 2.

  In S11, when the destination is set via the operation unit 24, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 stores the coordinate data of the destination in the RAM 42. Further, the CPU 41 reads the home flag from the RAM 42 and sets the home flag to OFF, that is, substitutes “0” for the home flag and stores the home flag in the RAM 42 again. Then, the CPU 41 reads out the coordinate data of the registered home position and the coordinate data of the destination from the RAM 42, reads out the coordinate data of the destination and the home flag from the RAM 42, and displays the coordinates together with the navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2. The data and the home flag are transmitted to the map information distribution center 3.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 coordinates data together with the navigation identification ID for identifying the navigation device 2 transmitted from the navigation device 2 via the center side communication device 16 in S111. And the home flag, the navigation identification ID, coordinate data, and home flag are stored in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads the coordinate data and the home flag again from the RAM 12, and when the home flag is “1”, the first area centering on the coordinate data (in this embodiment, the coordinate data is the center). Is set as a target area from which difference data is extracted. That is, the first area centered on the registered home position is set as a target area from which difference data is extracted.

  Further, the CPU 11 reads the coordinate data and the home flag from the RAM 12 again. When the home flag is “0”, the CPU 11 reads the second area centered on the coordinate data (in this embodiment, an area about 10 km square). Is set as a target area from which difference data is extracted. That is, the second area centered on the destination is set as a target area from which difference data is extracted.

  Subsequently, in S112, the CPU 11 reads out the navigation identification ID received in S111 from the RAM 12, reads out information related to the update history of the navigation device 2 in the target area set in S111 from the navigation update history information DB 15, The current version of the navigation device 2 in each section of the area (for example, in a section of about 2.5 km × 2.5 km) is extracted and stored in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 extracts difference data between the current version and the latest version of the navigation device 2 in each section of the target area from the update map information 17 and stores it in the RAM 12.

Here, an example of the extracted difference data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of difference data extracted in the target area by the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3.
As shown in FIG. 9, in S111, the CPU 11 sets each section B to E of the map information as a target area from which difference data is extracted. And CPU11 reads navigation identification ID from RAM12, reads the information regarding the update log | history of the said navigation apparatus 2 from navigation update log | history information DB15, and memorize | stores the current version information in each division B-E in RAM12. That is, the current version (Ver) of the navigation map information 38 of the navigation device 2 in the target area is that the map information of the section B is version 2, the map information of the sections C and D is version 1, and the map E of the section E It is stored in the RAM 12 that the map information is version 2.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 reads out the latest version (Ver) map information in each of the sections B to E from the update map information 17 and extracts difference data. That is, the CPU 11 extracts the difference data of version 3 as the difference data of the section B and stores it in the RAM 12. Further, the CPU 11 extracts the difference data of version 2 and version 3 as the difference data of the section C and stores it in the RAM 12. Further, the CPU 11 extracts the difference data of version 2 as the difference data of the section D and stores it in the RAM 12. Further, the CPU 11 extracts the difference data of version 3 as the difference data of the section E and stores it in the RAM 12.

  In S113, the CPU 11 notifies the coordinate data representing the updated road and POI coordinate position of the map information corresponding to each extracted difference data, and the updated display regarding the updated road and POI. The contents are read from the update contents DB 18, and a road notification information table 61 that is a list of notification information related to roads and an article notification information table 62 that is a list of notification information related to properties are created and stored in the RAM 12.

Here, the road notification information table 61, which is a list of notification information regarding roads, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a road notification information table 61 that is a list of notification information related to roads created in step 113 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the road notification information table 61 includes a “section” representing each section of the target area, “Ver” representing a version of difference data in each section, and a map corresponding to each difference data of each version. It is composed of “coordinates” representing the coordinate position of one end point or intermediate point of the updated section of the road for which the information has been updated, and “specific display contents” representing the notification content regarding the updated road.
For example, when the coordinate position of one end point or middle point of the updated section of the road in which the map information corresponding to the version 3 difference data of the section B is updated is (X2, Y2), the road notification information table 61 “B” is stored in “Partition”, “3” is stored in “Ver”, and “(X2, Y2)” is stored in “Coordinates”. In the “specific display contents” of the road notification information table 61, the specific display contents regarding the road corresponding to the difference data of the version 3 of the section B are read from the update content DB 18 and stored. That is, “XX Expressway △△ ～ ◇◇ is free” is stored.

The property notification information table 62, which is a list of notification information related to properties, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the property notification information table 62 that is a list of notification information related to the property created in step 113 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the property notification information table 62 includes a “section” representing each section of the target area, “Ver” representing a version of difference data in each section, and a map corresponding to each difference data of each version. It consists of “coordinates” representing the coordinate position of the property whose information has been updated, and “specific display content” representing the notification content regarding the updated property.
For example, if there are two updated properties of map information corresponding to the difference data of version 3 of section B, and each coordinate position is (X12, Y12), (X13, Y13), the property notification information table Each “B” is stored in 62 “partition”, each “3” is stored in “Ver”, and “(X12, Y12)” and “(X13, Y13)” are stored in “coordinates”. Further, in the “specific display content” of the property notification information table 62, the specific display content related to the property corresponding to the difference data of the version 3 of the section B is read from the update content DB 18 and stored. That is, “△△ service area (SA) added” and “XX junction (JC) added” are stored.

  Subsequently, in S114, the CPU 11 reads the road notification information table 61 from the RAM 12, and based on each “specific display content” for notifying the update content regarding the road, the “road case point” and “update content point” of each notification information. Is read out from the road case priority table 52 and the update content priority table 53 stored in the priority DB 19 and stored in the road notification information table 61. Further, the CPU 11 reads out the coordinate data stored in the RAM 12 in S111, calculates the distance from the coordinate data, that is, the center position of the target area to the “coordinate” of each notification information, and the “distance point corresponding to this distance”. Is read from the distance priority table 51 stored in the priority DB 19 and stored in the road notification information table 61.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the “specific display content” corresponding to the difference data of the version 3 of the section B of the road notification information table 61 is the notification information “XX motorway”, the road “1” points are read out from the priority table 52 as “road case points” and stored in the road notification information table 61. Further, when the “specific display content” corresponding to the difference data of the version 3 of the section B in the road notification information table 61 is the notification information of “Free between Δ △ to ◇◇”, the update content priority table “2” points are read out from 53 as “update content points” and stored in the road notification information table 61. Further, when the “coordinate” corresponding to the version 3 difference data of the section B of the road notification information table 61 is the notification information “(X2, Y2)”, the coordinate data stored in the RAM 12 in S111 is read out, A distance from the coordinate data to “(X2, Y2)” is calculated. When this distance is less than 10 km square from the center position of the target area, “1” point is read from the distance priority table 51 as “distance point” and stored in the road notification information table 61. .

  It should be noted that the “road case point” and “update content point” of each notification information are stored in the priority DB 19 based on each “specific display content” for notifying the update content regarding the road in the road notification information table 61. If it cannot be read from the road case priority table 52 and the update content priority table 53, the CPU 11 determines that the priority of the notification information is low and deletes it from the road notification information table 61. Accordingly, the update information regarding municipal roads and narrow streets, and notification information regarding road widening and manager changes are deleted from the road notification information table 61.

  Further, in S114, the CPU 11 reads the property notification information table 62 from the RAM 12, and sets the “notification importance” of each notification information based on each “specific display content” for notifying the update content related to the property, the priority DB 19 Are read from the property notice importance level table 54 and stored in the property notice information table 62. Further, the CPU 11 reads out the coordinate data stored in the RAM 12 in S111, calculates the distance from the coordinate data, that is, the center position of the target area to the “coordinate” of each notification information, and the “distance point corresponding to this distance”. Is read from the distance priority table 51 stored in the priority DB 19 and stored in the property notification information table 62.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the “specific display content” corresponding to the difference data of version 3 of the section B of the property notification information table 62 is the notification information of “△△ service area (SA)”. Then, “2” points are read as “notification importance” from the property notification importance level table 54 and stored in the property notification information table 62. If the “coordinate” corresponding to the difference data of version 3 of section B in the property notification information table 62 is the notification information “(X12, Y12)”, the coordinate data stored in the RAM 12 in S111 is read out. A distance from the coordinate data to “(X12, Y12)” is calculated. When this distance is 10 km square or more to less than 60 km square from the center position of the target area, “2” points are read from the distance priority table 51 as “distance points”, and the property notification information table 62 Stored in

It should be noted that the “notification importance” of each notification information based on each “specific display content” for notifying the update contents regarding the property in the property notification information table 62 is obtained from the property notification importance table 54 stored in the priority DB 19. If it cannot be read, the CPU 11 determines that the priority of the notification information is low and deletes it from the property notification information table 62. Therefore, the notification information regarding the updated contents regarding the small restaurant or the restaurant is deleted from the property notification information table 62.

  Thereafter, in S115, the CPU 11 determines the priority of each notification information regarding the road and POI in which the map information corresponding to each extracted difference data is updated based on the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information table 62. 14 is created and stored in the RAM 12. In this embodiment, the priority of the notification information related to the road is determined to be higher than the priority of the notification information related to the property (POI) (see FIG. 14).

First, a method for determining the priority order of each piece of notification information regarding roads stored in the road notification information table 61 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for calculating the total number of points of each notification information related to the road. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the priority-ordered notification information table 63 in which the pieces of notification information stored in the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information table 62 are stored in order of priority.
As shown in FIG. 12, first, the CPU 11 reads the number of points of “road case points”, “update content points”, and “distance points” of each piece of notification information related to roads stored in the road notification information table 61. A value obtained by squaring the number of points is added to calculate the total number of points, and the result is stored in the RAM 12.

Then, the CPU 11 extracts the notification information related to the establishment and extension of the road as “specific display contents” from the road notification information table 61 so that the priority of the notification information with the smallest total number of points becomes the first. Then, after sorting in ascending order of the total number of points, “Road” is stored in “Section” of the notification information table 63 with priority stored in the RAM 12, and the order sorted in “Priority” is stored. The “specific display contents” of each notification information are stored in order.
Subsequently, the CPU 11 extracts the notification information related to the charge of “specific display contents” from the road notification information table 61 so that the notification information with the smallest total number of points has the first priority. After sorting in ascending order of the total number of points, the “classification” in the priority-ordered notification information table 63 stores “charge” in the “classification” following the notification information of “road”, and is sorted into “priority order”. The order is continuously stored, and “specific display contents” of each notification information are stored in this sort order.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the “specific display contents” in which “classification” in the notification information table with priority 63 is “road” and “priority” is “1” is the road shown in FIG. 10. Update the section between “XX Expressway △△ IC ～ □□ IC” in “Specific display contents” corresponding to the difference data of version 3 of section E where the total number of points in the notification information table 61 is “6”. Was recorded. Further, the “particular” of the notification information table with priority 63 is “fee” and the “priority order” is “third” “specific display content”, and the general points of the road notification information table 61 shown in FIG. The “specific display contents” corresponding to the difference data of version 3 of the section B where the number becomes “6” points is stored as “XX Expressway △△ ～ ◇◇ made free”.

Further, a method for determining the priority order of each piece of notification information related to the properties stored in the property notification information table 62 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for calculating the total number of points of each piece of notification information related to a property.
As shown in FIG. 13, first, the CPU 11 reads the number of points of “notification importance” and “distance point” of each piece of notification information related to the property stored in the property notification information table 62, and squares this number of points. The total values are calculated by adding these values and stored in the RAM 12.
Then, the CPU 11 sorts the pieces of notification information in the property notification information table 62 in the order of decreasing the total points so that the notification information with the smallest total points has the first priority, and then notifies the prioritized notifications. In the information table 63, “property” is followed by notification information of “charge”, “property” is stored in the “category”, and the order sorted in “priority order” is continuously stored. The “specific display content” is stored.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the “partition” of the notification information table 63 with priority ranking is “property” and the “priority ranking” is “sixth” “specific display content”, the property shown in FIG. The “specification display contents” “□□□ facility added” corresponding to the difference data of version 2 of the section C where the total number of points in the notification information table 63 is “2” is stored.

In S116, the CPU 11 reads the navigation identification ID stored in the RAM 12 in S111, and for the navigation device 2 corresponding to the navigation identification ID, the difference data of the target area stored in the RAM 12 in S113 and the above-described navigation data. The notification information table with priority order 63 created in S115 is read from the RAM 12 and transmitted. If the notification information table with priority order 63 is not created in S115, the CPU 11 reads only the difference data of the target area stored in the RAM 12 in S113 and transmits it to the navigation device 2.
Further, the CPU 11 ends the process after changing the current version in each section of the target area of the navigation device 2 stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 to the latest version.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 sends the target area (80 km square centered on the registered home position or the destination centered) from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27 in S12. When the difference data and the notification information table with priority order 63 are received, the difference data and the notification information table with priority order 63 are stored in the RAM.
Subsequently, in S13, the CPU 41 reads the received difference data from the RAM 12, and updates the map information of the target area of the navigation map information 38 to the latest version of the map information.
Then, in S14, after executing a sub-process (see FIG. 8) of “update content notification process” described later, the process ends.

Next, sub-processing of “update content notification processing” in which the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 notifies the user of the updated content of the navigation map information 38 updated based on the received difference data will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, in S <b> 21, the CPU 41 executes determination processing for determining whether or not the notification information table with priority order 63 has been received and stored in the RAM 42 in S <b> 12. When the notification information table with priority order 63 is stored in the RAM 42 (S21: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process of S22. In S22, the CPU 41 reads the received notification information table 63 with priority from the RAM 42, and whether or not “road” or “fee” is stored in the “classification” of the notification information table 63 with priority, that is, A determination process for determining whether or not the received difference data includes update information with a high utility value related to the road is executed.

  When “road” or “fee” is stored in the “classification” of the notification information table 63 with priority (S22: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process of S23. In S23, the CPU 41 reads the “specific display content” having the first “priority” in the notification information table 63 with priority order, and the entire update section of the navigation map information 38 corresponding to the “specific display content”. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25. Further, the CPU 41 displays this “specific display content” on the liquid crystal display 25, notifies the user of the update content with high utility value, ends the sub-process, and returns to the main flowchart.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the “classification” of the received notification information table 63 with priority ranking is “road”, the “priority ranking” is “1”, and the “specific display content” is “XX Expressway”. In the case of “△△ IC to ▽▽ IC updated”, the CPU 41 reads the updated map information of “XX Expressway △△ IC to ▽▽ IC” from the navigation map information 38, A map on which the entire road 72 between ΔΔIC to ▽▽ IC of the highway expressway 71 enters is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25. Then, the road 72 between ΔΔIC and ▽▽ IC is displayed so as to emerge, so that it can be distinguished from other parts. At the same time, the CPU 41 displays the “specific display contents” “XX highway expressway between △△ IC ～ ▽▽ IC” on the lower edge of the liquid crystal display 25 to display a specific example. Announce update contents. It should be noted that this “specific display content” “XX highway expressway ΔΔIC to ▽▽ IC updated” may be notified by voice through the speaker 26. Further, the color or brightness of the road 72 between ΔΔIC and ▽▽ IC may be changed and displayed in an identifiable manner.
As a result, the user knows that “XX Expressway △△ IC ～ ▽▽ IC”, which is located in the 80km square centered at the registered home position or 10km square centered at the destination, has been newly opened. Can do.

  On the other hand, if “road” and “fee” are not stored in the “classification” of the notification information table 63 with priority in S22, that is, if “property” is stored in the “classification” (S22). : NO), CPU41 transfers to the process of S24. In S24, the CPU 41 reads the “specific display content” having the first “priority” in the notification information table 63 with priority order, and displays a map on which the entire property corresponding to the “specific display content” is displayed on the liquid crystal display. Displayed on the device 25. Further, the CPU 41 displays this “specific display content” on the liquid crystal display 25, notifies the user of the update content with high utility value, ends the sub-process, and returns to the main flowchart.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, “Property”, “Priority” is “No. 1”, and “Specific display contents” is “XX Expressway” in “Classification” of the received notification information table 63 with priority. In the case of “△△ SA added”, the CPU 41 displays on the liquid crystal display 25 a map including the entire newly opened Δ △ service area (SA) 75 of the XX expressway 74. Then, this ΔΔSA75 is displayed so as to emerge and is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other parts. At the same time, the CPU 41 displays the “specific display content” “XX highway expressway ΔΔSA” on the lower edge of the liquid crystal display 25 to notify the specific update content. . It should be noted that this “specific display content” “XX Expressway ΔΔSA has been added” may be notified by voice through the speaker 26. Further, the color, brightness, etc. of ΔΔSA75 may be changed so as to be identifiable.
As a result, the user can know that “XX Expressway ΔΔSA”, which exists in the 80 km square centered at the registered home position or the 10 km square centered at the destination, has newly opened.

  On the other hand, if the notification information table 63 with priority order is not stored in the RAM 42 in S21, that is, if only the difference data is received from the map information distribution center 3 (S21: NO), the CPU 41 performs the process of S25. Migrate to In S25, the CPU 41 reads the coordinate data (for example, latitude and longitude) of the registered home position from the data recording unit 22, and the corresponding section of the received difference data is a section within 80 km square centered on the registered home position. A determination process for determining whether or not the update information is to be updated is executed.

  When the received difference data is update information for updating a section within 80 km square centered on the registered home position (S25: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process of S26. In S26, the CPU 41 reads the coordinate data of the registered home position again from the data recording unit 22, and displays a map around the registered home position (for example, a 2.5 km square centering on the registered home position) on a liquid crystal display. Displayed on the device 25. Further, the CPU 41 displays a notification indicating that the map information around the registered home position has been updated on the liquid crystal display 25, and then ends the sub-process and returns to the main flowchart.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the received difference data is update information for updating a section within 80 km square centered on the registered home position (S25: YES), the CPU 41 centers on the registered home position. A 2.5 km square map 76 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 and a home mark 77 indicating the registered position of the home is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25. At the same time, the CPU 41 displays on the lower edge of the liquid crystal display 25 that "information around the home has been updated" and updated the map information for the section within 80 km square centered on the registered home position. Is notified. In addition, you may be made to alert | report this "information around the home was updated" via the speaker 26. FIG.
Thereby, the user can know that the map information regarding the municipal roads and narrow streets around the registered home position has been updated.

  On the other hand, when the received difference data is update information for updating a section outside the 80 km square centered on the registered home position, that is, the received difference data is centered on a destination that is 80 km or more away from the registered home position. In the case of update information for updating a section within 10 km square (S25: NO), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process of S27. In S27, the CPU 41 displays the entire Japan map on the liquid crystal display 25. Further, the CPU 41 displays a notification indicating that the navigation map information 38 has been updated on the liquid crystal display 25, then ends the sub-process and returns to the main flowchart.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the received difference data is update information that updates a section within 10 km square centered at a destination that is 80 km or more away from the registered home position (S25: NO), the CPU 41 The entire Japan map 79 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25. At the same time, the CPU 41 displays “Map information has been updated” on the lower edge of the liquid crystal display 25, indicating that the map information of the section outside the 80 km square centered on the registered home position has been updated. Inform. Note that this “map information has been updated” may be notified by voice through the speaker 26.
Thereby, the user can know that the map information stored in the navigation map information 38 has been updated.

  As described above in detail, in the map information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 receives the coordinate data and the home flag together with the navigation identification ID that identifies the navigation device 2. When the home flag is ON, the difference data of the first area centered on the coordinate data of the registered home position is extracted, and when the home flag is OFF, the first data centered on the destination coordinate data is extracted. The difference data of the two areas is extracted (S111 to S112). Further, the CPU 11 extracts notification information for notifying each update content related to the road and the property for each section of the difference data of the first region or the second region from the update content DB 18 and extracts the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information. A table 62 is created (S113). Then, the CPU 11 stores the distance priority table 51, road case priority stored in the priority DB 19 for each notification information related to roads in the road notification information table 61 and each notification information related to properties in the property notification information table 62. Points are assigned based on the table 52, the update content priority table 53, and the notification importance table 54 (S114). Moreover, CPU11 adds the value which squared each point number attached | subjected to each notification information regarding the road of the road notification information table 61 and each notification information regarding the property of the property notification information table 62, and each total point number is each obtained. The priority order of each notification information regarding roads and POIs is determined, and the priority-ordered notification information table 63 is created (S115). Then, the CPU 11 transmits the extracted difference data of the first region or the second region and the notification information table with priority 63 to the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation identification ID (S116).

  Accordingly, each “specific display content” of the notification information table 63 with priority order transmitted from the map information distribution center 3 to the navigation device 2 includes the distance priority table 51, the road case priority table 52, and the update content. Based on the priority table 53 and the notice importance table 54, the “specific display content” regarding the road rating, the road change content, and the property content is selected, and each point attached to the selected “specific display content” The total number of points is calculated by adding the values obtained by squaring the numbers, and the priority of each “specific display content” is determined based on the total number of points. For this reason, it becomes possible for the map information distribution center 3 to select the “specific display content” of the update content with high user utility value and transmit it to the navigation device 2 to the navigation device. In addition, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 notifies the user of the “specific display contents” of the priority order among the “specific display contents” in the notification information table 63 with priorities, thereby using the user. It is possible to effectively notify the update content having the highest value.

  Further, each “specific display content” related to the road in the notification information table with priority order 63 is determined from the center position of the target area based on the distance priority table 51, the road case priority table 52, and the update content priority table 53. The total number of points is calculated by adding the squares of the number of points related to the distance, road rating, and road changes, and the priority of each "specific display content" related to the road based on this total number of points Has been determined. For this reason, the navigation device 2 is based on each “specific display content” of the notification information table 63 with priority order, and it is close to the center of the target area on the highway automobile national road, city expressway, automobile exclusive road, general toll. It is possible to preferentially notify the user of newly opened sections related to high-standard roads such as roads, single-digit or double-digit national roads, and select update contents with high user-use value in consideration of the area where the user lives Thus, it is possible to notify effectively.

  Further, each “specific display content” related to the property in the notification information table with priority order 63 is based on the distance priority table 51 and the notification importance table 54, and the distance from the center position of the target area and the notification importance. The total number of points is calculated by adding a value obtained by squaring the number of points, and the priority of each “specific display content” related to the property is determined based on the total number of points. For this reason, the navigation device 2 is based on each “specific display content” of the notification information table 63 with priority order, and the importance level for notifying the newly established large commercial facility which is close to the center in the target area. It is possible to preferentially notify the user of a property with a high price, and it is possible to select an update content having a high utility value for the user in consideration of the area where the user lives and to notify the user more effectively.

  In addition, when the ignition switch is turned on and the engine is started, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 includes the coordinate data of the registered home position together with the navigation identification ID for specifying the navigation device 2 and the home flag set to ON. Is transmitted to the map information distribution center 3 (S11). For this reason, when the engine is started, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 causes the high-speed automobile national highway, urban highway, automobile exclusive road, general toll road, single-digit or double-digit high-standard road close to the registered home position. It is possible to preferentially notify users of highly important properties such as newly opened sections and newly established large-scale commercial facilities, etc., and update contents with high user value in consideration of the area where the user lives And can be notified more effectively.

  Further, when the destination is set, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 sends the destination coordinate data and the home flag set to OFF to the map information distribution center 3 together with the navigation identification ID for specifying the navigation device 2. Transmit (S11). Therefore, when the destination is set, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 causes the high-speed automobile national road, urban expressway, automobile exclusive road, general toll road, single-digit or two-digit high-standard road close to the destination. It is possible to preferentially notify users of highly important properties such as newly opened sections and newly established large commercial facilities, etc., and update contents with high user value in consideration of user usage And can be notified more effectively.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the following may be used.

  (A) In the above step 116, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 transmits only the first “specific display content” of the priority in the notification information table 63 with priority to the navigation device 2 together with the difference data. It may be. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 2 can notify a user of the update content with the highest use value of the received difference data. Further, the communication data amount between the map information distribution center 3 and the navigation device 2 can be reduced, and the communication time can be shortened.

  (B) Further, in step 22 above, each “specific display content” of the notification information table with priority 63 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 in the order of priority, and the “specific display content” selected by the user is displayed. The updated portion of the map information corresponding to the above may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 so as to be identifiable. Thereby, the user can confirm all the specific display contents of the updated part of the navigation map information 38 updated by the received difference data, and can easily confirm the desired updated part.

  (C) Further, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 creates a notification information table with priority 63 based on the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information table 62 in which each point is stored, The notification information table with priority order 63 is transmitted to the navigation device 2, but the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information table 62 in which each point is stored together with the difference data may be transmitted to the navigation device 2. Good.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, first, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 executes the process of S11 in S211.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 11 of the map information distribution center 3 executes the processes of S111 to S114 in S411 to S414.
In step S415, the CPU 11 reads out the difference data of the target area extracted in step S412 from the RAM 12, and transmits the difference data to the navigation device 2. At the same time, the CPU 11 stores the road notification information table 61 (see FIG. 10) storing the “road case points”, “update content points”, and “distance points” created in S414, “notification importance”, and “distance points”. And the property notification information table 62 (see FIG. 11) stored therein is read from the RAM 12 and transmitted to the navigation device 2 corresponding to the navigation identification ID. Thereafter, the CPU 11 ends the processing after changing the current version in each section of the target area of the navigation device 2 stored in the navigation update history information DB 15 to the latest version.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, in S212, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 sends the target area (80 km square centered on the registered home position or the destination centered) from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27. 10 km square.), Road notification information table 61 storing “road case points”, “update content points”, “distance points”, “notification importance”, “distance points” When the stored property notification information table 62 is received, the difference data, the road notification information table 61, and the property notification information table 62 are stored in the RAM.
In S213, the CPU 41 executes the process in S13.

Subsequently, in S214, the CPU 41 executes the process of S115. Specifically, the CPU 41 reads the number of points of “road case points”, “update content points”, and “distance points” of each piece of notification information related to roads stored in the road notification information table 61, and the number of points. Are added to each other, and the total number of points is calculated and stored in the RAM.
Then, the CPU 41 extracts the notification information related to the establishment and extension of the road with “specific display contents” from the road notification information table 61 so that the priority of the notification information with the smallest total number of points becomes the first. In addition, after sorting in the order of the total number of points, “Road” is stored in “Section” of the notification information table with priority 63 stored in the RAM 42 (see FIG. 14), and the order sorted in “Priority” is displayed. Store the “specific display contents” of each notification information in the sort order.

  Subsequently, the CPU 41 extracts the notification information related to the charge for “specific display content” from the road notification information table 61, so that the priority of the notification information with the smallest total number of points is the first. After sorting in ascending order of the total number of points, “charge” is stored in the “classification” in the “classification” of the notification information table 63 with priority ranking (see FIG. 14) following the notification information of “road”. Are stored in succession, and “specific display contents” of each notification information are stored in this sort order.

Subsequently, the CPU 41 reads the number of points of “notification importance” and “distance point” of each piece of notification information related to the property stored in the property notification information table 62, and adds a value obtained by squaring the number of points. The total number of points is calculated and stored in the RAM 42.
Then, the CPU 41 sorts the pieces of notification information in the property notification information table 62 in the order of decreasing the total number of points so that the priority of the notification information with the smallest total number of points becomes first, and then gives notifications with priorities. In the information table 63 (see FIG. 14), “Property” is stored in the “Segment” following the notification information of “Charge”, and the order sorted in “Priority” is continuously stored. The “specific display content” of each notification information is stored in the sort order.
Therefore, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 creates the notification information table 63 with priority created in S115 and stores it in the RAM 42 in S214.
Thereafter, in S215, after executing the sub-process (see FIG. 8) of the “update content notification process” executed in S14, the CPU 41 ends the process.

  Accordingly, the “specific display contents” of the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information table 62 transmitted from the map information distribution center 3 to the navigation device 2 are the distance priority table 51, the road case priority table, and the like. 52, “specific display content” regarding the road case, the road change content, and the property content is selected based on the update content priority table 53 and the notification importance table 54, and the selected “specific display content” “Road grade points”, “update content points”, “distance points”, and “notification importance” are added. Then, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 calculates the total number of points by adding the values obtained by squaring the number of points in the road notification information table 61 and the property notification information table 62, and assigns priorities based on the total number of points. The priority of each “specific display content” stored in the notification information table 63 is determined. For this reason, the CPU 41 of the navigation device 2 notifies the user of the “specific display contents” in the priority order among the “specific display contents” of the notification information table 63 with priority order, thereby notifying the user. It becomes possible to effectively notify the update contents having the highest utility value.

It is the block diagram which showed the map information delivery system which concerns on a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the navigation apparatus of the map information delivery system. It is a figure which shows an example of the distance priority table stored in priority DB of a map information delivery center. It is a figure which shows an example of the road case priority table stored in priority DB of a map information delivery center. It is a figure which shows an example of the update content priority table stored in priority DB of a map information delivery center. It is a figure which shows an example of the property notification importance degree table stored in priority DB of a map information delivery center. In the map information distribution system, the navigation map information in the navigation side map information DB is automatically updated when the engine is started or the destination is set, and then executed to notify the user of the updated content added by updating the navigation map information. It is a main flowchart which shows the map information update process to perform. FIG. 8 is a sub-flowchart showing a sub process of “update content notification process” of FIG. 7. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the difference data which CPU of the map information delivery center extracted in the target area. It is a figure which shows an example of the road notification information table produced in step 113. It is a figure which shows an example of the property notification information table produced in step 113. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of calculating the total number of points of each notification information regarding a road. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of calculating the total number of points of each notification information regarding a property. It is a figure which shows an example of the notification information table with a priority which stored each notification information stored in the road notification information table and the property notification information table in order of priority. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the liquid crystal display which notifies the update content with the priority of the update information which concerns on a road. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the liquid crystal display which notifies the update content with the 1st priority among the update information which concerns on a property. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the liquid crystal display which notifies the update of map information at the time of receiving only the difference data within 80 km square centering on a registration home position. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the liquid crystal display which notifies the update of map information at the time of receiving only the difference data outside 80 km square centering on a registration home position. In the map information distribution system according to another embodiment, the navigation map information in the navigation side map information DB is automatically updated when the engine is started or the destination is set, and then the update contents added by updating the navigation map information are updated by the user. It is a main flowchart which shows the map information update process performed in order to alert | report.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map information distribution system 2 Navigation apparatus 3 Map information distribution center 4 Network 10 Server 11, 41 CPU
12, 42 RAM
13, 43 ROM
14 Center side map information DB
15 Navi update history information DB
16 Center side communication device 17 Update map information 18 Update content DB
19 Priority DB
22 data recording unit 23 navigation control unit 25 liquid crystal display 27 communication device 37 navigation side map information DB
38 Navigation Map Information 51 Distance Priority Table 52 Road Case Priority Table 53 Update Content Priority Table 54 Property Notification Importance Table 61 Road Notification Information Table 62 Property Notification Information Table 63 Priority Notification Information Table

Claims (9)

A navigation device for updating the map information based on the received update information;
A map information distribution center for distributing update information to the navigation device;
In the map information distribution system equipped with
The navigation device
Update request information transmitting means for transmitting update request information for requesting update information of the map information to the map information distribution center;
The map information distribution center
Update request information receiving means for receiving the update request information;
Update information acquisition means for acquiring the update information corresponding to the received update request information;
Update content acquisition means for acquiring update content corresponding to the acquired update information;
And point providing means for providing a point indicating the need for notification of data to be updated to the updated contents on the basis of the acquired element information corresponding to the update content,
A distribution control means for controlling the update information to which the points are given together with the update information to be distributed to the navigation device;
Have
The navigation device has update control means for controlling to update the map information based on the received update information and to notify the received update content based on the points given to the update content. A featured map information distribution system. A navigation device for updating the map information based on the received update information;
A map information distribution center for distributing update information to the navigation device;
In the map information distribution system equipped with
The navigation device
Update request information transmitting means for transmitting update request information for requesting update information of the map information to the map information distribution center;
The map information distribution center
Update request information receiving means for receiving the update request information;
Update information acquisition means for acquiring the update information corresponding to the received update request information;
Update content acquisition means for acquiring update content corresponding to the acquired update information;
And you point providing means for providing a point indicating the need for notification of data to be updated to the updated contents on the basis of the acquired element information corresponding to the update content,
Priority order assigning means for giving a priority order to each update content based on the points given to each update content;
A distribution control means for controlling the update information to be distributed to the navigation device together with the update information;
Have
The navigation device includes update control means for updating the map information based on the received update information, and controlling the received update content to be notified based on the priority assigned to the update content. Map information distribution system characterized by The distribution control means controls the update information to be distributed to the navigation device based on the priority order, together with the update information.
The map information distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the update control means updates the map information based on the received update information, and controls to notify the received update contents.   The element information includes a road type, a road change content, and a distance from a predetermined point when the update content is related to a road. Map information distribution system.   5. The element according to claim 1, wherein, when the update content is related to a property, the element information includes an importance level for notifying the property and a distance from a predetermined point. Map information distribution system. When the navigation device receives only the update information and does not receive the update content, the navigation device updates the map information based on the received update information, and updates the map information. 6. The map information distribution system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein notification is provided. The navigation device
Own vehicle state detecting means for detecting the state of the own vehicle;
Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Update point storage means for storing a pre-registered update point;
Have
The update request information transmitting means requests update information of map information in the first area centered on the update point when the state of the own vehicle detected by the own vehicle state detecting means is an engine start. When the update request information is transmitted to the map information distribution center and the state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state detection means is the destination setting time, the map information of the second area centering on the destination map information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 update request information and transmits the map information distribution center that requests updated information. In the map information distribution method for distributing the update information from the map information distribution center to the navigation device that updates the map information based on the received update information,
An update request information transmitting step in which the navigation device transmits update request information for requesting update information of the map information to the map information distribution center;
An update request information receiving step in which the map information distribution center receives the update request information transmitted in the update request information transmitting step;
An update information acquisition step in which the map information distribution center acquires the update information corresponding to the update request information received in the update request information reception step;
An update content acquisition step in which the map information distribution center acquires update content corresponding to the update information acquired in the update information acquisition step;
A point granting step for giving a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated to the update content based on the element information corresponding to the update content acquired by the map information distribution center in the update content acquisition step;
A distribution control step for controlling the map information distribution center to distribute the update contents given the points in the point granting step to the navigation device together with the update information obtained in the update information obtaining step;
An update content receiving step in which the navigation device receives the update information distributed in the distribution control step and the update content to which the points are given;
Update control for controlling the navigation device to update the map information based on the update information received in the update content receiving step and to notify the received update content based on the points given to the update content Process,
A map information delivery method characterized by comprising: In the map information distribution method for distributing the update information from the map information distribution center to the navigation device that updates the map information based on the received update information,
An update request information transmitting step in which the navigation device transmits update request information for requesting update information of the map information to the map information distribution center;
An update request information receiving step in which the map information distribution center receives the update request information transmitted in the update request information transmitting step;
An update information acquisition step in which the map information distribution center acquires the update information corresponding to the update request information received in the update request information reception step;
An update content acquisition step in which the map information distribution center acquires update content corresponding to the update information acquired in the update information acquisition step;
A point granting step for giving a point indicating the necessity of notification of data updated to the update content based on the element information corresponding to the update content acquired by the map information distribution center in the update content acquisition step;
A priority order assigning step in which the map information distribution center assigns a priority to each update content based on the points given to each update content in the point giving step;
A distribution control step for controlling the map information distribution center to distribute the update content given the priority in the priority order assignment step to the navigation device together with the update information obtained in the update information acquisition step;
An update content receiving step in which the navigation device receives the update information distributed in the distribution control step and the update content to which the priority is given;
Update that controls the navigation device to update the map information based on the update information received in the update content reception step, and to notify the received update content based on the priority assigned to the update content Control process;
A map information delivery method characterized by comprising:

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