JP5361648B2 - Navigation device and route display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device allowing the acceleration of the start time of route guidance even in cases where the route guidance is performed by using latest map data, and a method of route display. <P>SOLUTION: In cases where a route to a destination is calculated and displayed in this navigation device, link data and mesh map data are received from a server, the link data specifying a boundary link between the first and latter halves of a server route while the mesh map data passed therethrough with the first half of the server route. The first half of the route from a departure place to the boundary link is searched for by using the mesh map data and displayed. Mesh map data with the second half of the server route passing therethrough are received in parallel with route guidance using the first half of the route. The second half of the route from the boundary link to the destination is searched for by using the map data. The first and second halves of the route searched for are connected together to display a guidance route from the departure place to the destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device and a route display method, and in particular, requests the server to distribute route information to a destination via communication means, and the latest map data of the mesh through which the route searched by the server (server route) passes. The present invention relates to a navigation device and a route display method for receiving a route information from a server and calculating and displaying a route to a destination using the map data.

As a conventional technique, as shown in FIG. 17, a position where a driver (user) UZR exists and a destination set by the user are transmitted from a communication device of an in-vehicle navigation device (not shown) via a wireless communication network, the Internet, or the like. Upload to the SVR, the server calculates the route using the latest map data in consideration of various information such as traffic jam information, weather information, fuel consumption, etc., distributes (downloads) the calculated route to the navigation device, In the navigation device, guidance to the destination is performed along the downloaded route.
However, in the prior art, the map database held on the server side and the user side must match, and there is a problem that the downloaded route (optimum route) cannot be displayed if they do not match. As shown in FIG. 18, the first method for solving such a problem is that the map databases MPDB1, MPDB2, MPDB3,... For each version of the map database held by the users A, B, C,. .., And a route calculation is performed using a predetermined version of the map database according to the user, and the calculated route is downloaded to the user's navigation device. However, in this method, the server needs to maintain and manage a map database for each version, which is a factor that significantly reduces the maintainability on the server side.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the second method for solving the above problem is that the database used in the server SVR is one of the latest map databases NMPDB, and the map database used by the user is the server side. It is a method of providing the route after rewriting to the same latest version. According to this method, since the server side only needs to hold the latest map database, there is no problem with the first method of FIG. 18, the map database can be easily managed, and maintainability can be improved. However, in the second method, the route calculated by the server SVR cannot be reflected on the navigation device unless the map data is updated on the user side, and it takes a long time to start guidance. Will occur. In addition, when the user's map data is updated to the latest map data using the difference data, the difference data (DFD1 to DFD4, DFD1 ′ to DFD8 ′) for updating is updated for each version as shown in FIG. Will be needed. That is, every time a new version of the map database is created, difference data to be updated from the old version to the new version of the map database must be created and prepared. There is a problem that the amount of differential data increases year by year. For example, when the version 2.0 map database was created, four difference data DFD1 to DFD4 were required to update the old version 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 to the latest version 2.0, and the version 3.0 map database was created. In order to update the old versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 to the latest version 2.0, eight difference data DFD1 'to DFD8' are required.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 21, the server SVR updates the user's map database only for the mesh on the route RT (indicated by the rectangle in FIG. 21) from the calculated departure place ST to the destination GL and the mesh adjacent to the mesh. And a method for displaying a route using the map data of the mesh has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
However, with such a conventional technology, as the distance increases, the mesh map data to be downloaded to the user increases, that is, the traffic volume increases.In particular, when the route includes a large city, the traffic volume increases. There is a problem that the communication time becomes long and the time for starting route guidance is delayed.

  Further, as a conventional technique (see Patent Document 3), a route to a destination is searched using map data before update, and a number (1) is sequentially assigned to a section (mesh) through which the route passes from the departure point to the destination. There is a method in which the update map data of the sections whose maps are updated are acquired in numerical order, and the route search is performed again using the acquired updated map data and displayed after the update map data of all sections is acquired. However, this method also has a problem that a route cannot be acquired until updated map data of all sections is acquired, and the route guidance start time is delayed.

JP 2003-75176 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-77095 JP 2004-85245 A

From the above, an object of the present invention is to advance the start time of route guidance even when route guidance is performed using the latest map data.
The object of the present invention is to enable the navigation device to search using the latest map data even if the update of the map data of all meshes along the route (server route) searched by the server using the latest map data is not completed. It is to be able to perform route guidance along the guided route.
It is an object of the present invention to divide a server route into a first half route and a second half route from a starting point to a predetermined link (boundary link), and to search for a route to the link by receiving mesh map data related to the first half route. , Display route guidance, and in parallel with the route guidance, receive mesh map data related to the second half route and search for the route to the destination, map data of all meshes along the server route This is to enable route guidance using the latest map data even if the update is not completed in the navigation device.
An object of the present invention is to determine a link so that a total value of mesh data sizes from a starting point to the predetermined link is equal to or less than a set value.
The object of the present invention is to set the update priority for the mesh used by the server route, so that the navigation device can easily receive the map data of the mesh with high priority as the map data of the mesh related to the first half route. Also, it is possible to easily receive low-priority mesh map data as mesh map data related to the second half route.
The object of the present invention is to provide not only the mesh along the server route (mesh through which the server route passes) but also a mesh close to the mesh to the navigation device so that the route can be automatically recalculated when off-route. It is to be.
The object of the present invention is to divide the map data of the mesh used by the server route to the destination into N times (N ≧ 2), and in parallel with the route guidance based on the received map data, The reception and update, partial route calculation, and route display are performed so that route guidance using the latest map data can be performed even if the route is long distance.

The present invention requests the server to distribute route information to the destination via the communication means, receives the map data of the mesh through which the route searched by the server (server route) passes from the server, and receives the map data. A navigation device that uses and calculates and displays a route to a destination, and a route display method thereof.
Route display method The route display method of the present invention includes a step of receiving link data for specifying a boundary link between a server route in the first half and a server route in the second half of the server and map data of a mesh through which the server route in the first half passes, Searching for and displaying the first half route from the starting point to the boundary link using the map data of the step, receiving the map data of the mesh through which the second half server route passes in parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, Searching for a second half route from the boundary link to the destination using the map data, and displaying the guidance route from the starting point to the destination by combining the searched first half route and the second half route; Yes.
The route display method of the present invention further assigns a priority to each mesh through which the server route passes and a mesh adjacent to the mesh in the server, and the highest priority is given to the map data of the mesh through which the first half server route passes. The navigation device receives the map data of the mesh with high priority and the boundary link data, and searches for and displays the first half route from the departure place to the boundary link using the map data of the mesh. In parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, mesh map data having a low priority is received, the second half route from the boundary link to the destination is searched using the map data, and the searched first half route and second half route are searched. Combine the routes and display the guide route from the starting point to the destination. In this case, in parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, the map data of the mesh of the second half route is received in multiple times in order of priority, each time a partial route is searched, the searched partial route and the searched route To display the guidance route from the departure point to the destination.
In addition, when a priority is assigned to a mesh, a priority of 2 or more is set as a high priority, and if the total value of map data sizes of a plurality of meshes with a high priority is larger than a set value, the map data size The lower priority is excluded from the high priority so that the total value becomes smaller than the set value, and the server sets the high priority, and the server transmits the high priority mesh together with the boundary link to the navigation device.
The route display method of the present invention further includes a list of transit links existing on the latter half of the server route including a highway entry link, a highway exit link, a highway branch link, a branch link to a different general road, and the like. The second half route is calculated in the navigation device so as to be received from the server and via these via links.
In the route display method of the present invention, a link existing at a set distance from the departure point on the server route is determined as the boundary link.

Navigation Device The navigation device of the present invention includes a route information request unit that requests a server to deliver route information to a destination, link data that specifies a boundary link between a server route in the first half of the server and a server route in the second half, and the first half. Receiving unit that receives mesh map data through which the server route passes, and receiving mesh map data through which the latter server route passes to the boundary link using the mesh map data through which the first server route passes. A route search unit that searches for the second half route from the boundary link to the destination using the map data of the mesh through which the second half server route passes, and the boundary from the starting point searched by the route search unit The first half route to the link is displayed and the boundary link The display part that displays the guidance route from the departure point to the destination by combining the latter half route from the route to the destination and the first half route, in parallel with the route guidance by the searched first half route, The receiving unit receives map data of the passing mesh from the server, and includes a control unit that controls the route searching unit to search for the second half route using the map data of the mesh.
The control unit assigns a priority to each mesh through which the server route passes and a mesh adjacent to the mesh, and obtains map data having the highest priority of the map data of the mesh through which the first half server route passes. When receiving from a server, the receiving unit receives high-priority mesh map data and the boundary link data, and the route search unit uses the mesh map data to start the first half from the departure point to the boundary link. In parallel with route guidance by the first half route, the receiving unit receives map data of a mesh with low priority, and the route searching unit uses the mesh map data to control the boundary. Control to search the second half route from the link to the destination.
The control unit divides the map data of the mesh of the latter half route into a plurality of times in order of priority in parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, and the receiving unit receives the map data of the mesh. Each time a partial route is searched, the partial route searched by the display unit and the searched route are combined to display a guidance route from the departure point to the destination.

According to the present invention, even when route guidance is performed using the latest map data, the route guidance start time can be advanced.
According to the present invention, even if the update of the map data of all meshes along the route (server route) searched by the server using the latest map data is not completed, the navigation device uses the latest map data to According to the present invention, the server route is divided into a first half route and a second half route from the starting point to a predetermined link (boundary link), and mesh map data related to the first half route is received and the map route data is received. The route to the link is searched, displayed and route guidance is performed. In parallel with the route guidance, mesh map data related to the latter half route is received to search for the route to the destination. Even if the update of the map data of all meshes is not completed in the navigation device, the guide route searched using the latest map data It is possible to route guidance along the.
According to the present invention, by setting the update priority to the mesh through which the server route passes, the navigation apparatus can easily receive the map data of the mesh with high priority as the map data of the mesh related to the first half route, and The map data of the mesh with low priority can be easily received as the map data of the mesh related to the second half route.
According to the present invention, not only the mesh along the server route (the mesh through which the server route passes) but also the mesh close to the mesh is provided to the navigation device, so there is an off route during actual route guidance. Can also automatically recalculate routes.
According to the present invention, the map data of the mesh used by the latter half server route to the destination is divided into N times (N ≧ 2), and in parallel with the route guidance based on the received map data, unreceived map data Since the reception and update, partial route calculation, and route display are performed, route guidance using the latest map data can be performed even if the route is a long distance.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to the present invention. It is sequence explanatory drawing between the navigation apparatus (navigation) 2 and the server 1 in the route display of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the mesh list which the server produced. It is explanatory drawing of the partial link list which the server produced. It is a block diagram of a server. It is processing explanatory drawing of a server when the delivery request | requirement of route information is from a navigation apparatus. It is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus of this invention. It is an example of a route display. This is a processing flow of the navigation device from when a route distribution request is sent to the server until the latest map data up to the first partial link (boundary link) is stored in the map database. It is a processing flow of the navigation device from when the first half route is calculated until the latest map data to the destination is stored in the map database. It is explanatory drawing of an update priority. It is mesh list explanatory drawing at the time of giving the update priority. When the update priority is given to the mesh, it is a processing flow of the navigation apparatus until the latest map data of the mesh from the server to the first partial link is received and stored in the map database. It is a partial modification of the process of FIG. This is a processing flow of the navigation apparatus from when the first half route is calculated until the latest map data to the destination is stored in the map database when the update priority is given to the mesh. It is a processing flow which distributes map data divided into several times in order of priority. It is explanatory drawing of a 1st prior art. It is explanatory drawing of the problem of 1st prior art. It is explanatory drawing of a 2nd prior art. It is explanatory drawing of the problem of 2nd prior art. It is description of a 3rd prior art.

(A) Outline of the Present Invention FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to the present invention, which includes a center server system (server) 1, an in-vehicle navigation device 2, a hot spot 3, and the Internet 4.
The in-vehicle navigation device 2 can communicate with the server system 1 of the center via the hot spot 3 and the Internet 4 arranged along the road. The in-vehicle navigation device 2 can also be configured to communicate with the center server system 1 via a base station (not shown) and the Internet 4 via a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone. The in-vehicle navigation device 2 requests the server system 1 to calculate a route to the destination, and performs route guidance control based on the route information received from the server system 1.

FIG. 2 is a sequence explanatory diagram between the navigation device 2 and the server 1 in the route display of the present invention.
When the destination is set, the navigation device 2 calculates and displays a recommended route to the destination using map data existing in its own database (S10). However, this route has not been created using the latest map data. Therefore, when the user requests a route search based on the latest map data possessed by the server (step S11), the navigation device 2 distributes the route information to the destination to the server 1 with the departure point information and the destination information. Is requested (step S12). Server 1 (1) calculates the route from the departure point to the destination using the latest map data (called server route), (2) creates a mesh list of meshes that the server route passes, (3) A link existing at a predetermined distance (for example, 10 km) from the departure point, a transit link having a characteristic existing after the link, for example, an expressway entry link, an expressway exit link, an expressway branch link, or a different general road A list of via links including a branch link (hereinafter referred to as a partial link list) is created (step S13). As shown in Fig. 3, the mesh list is associated with the mesh number, (1) a flag indicating whether the mesh is within 10 km from the starting point, 2) mesh size (map data size of the mesh), etc. Contains. As shown in FIG. 4, the partial link list includes (1) a link identifier, (2) type information of the partial link, etc. in correspondence with the partial link number (routed link number).

Next, the server 1 distributes the created mesh list, partial link list, and map database version to the navigation device 2 (step S14). When the navigation device 2 receives the mesh list, the navigation device 2 checks whether each mesh within 10 km in the mesh list exists in its own map database, and if it exists, the version is the same. Then, the mesh to be requested for distribution to the server is determined (step S15). That is, (1) if the flag is “1” (within 10 km) and the map data of the mesh does not exist in your map database, or (2) if the flag is “1” (within 10 km) If the version of the map data of the mesh existing in its own map database is old, it is determined that these meshes (1) and (2) are meshes that are requested to be delivered to the server.
The navigation device 2 requests the server 1 to distribute the mesh map data determined in step S15 (database update request up to 10 km: step S16), and the server distributes the requested mesh latest map data to the navigation device. (Step S17). Thereby, the navigation apparatus 2 updates the old map data of each mesh with the received latest map data of each mesh (DB update: step S18).
Thereafter, the navigation device 2 uses the updated updated map to calculate a route (first half route) to a link (referred to as the first partial link) that is 10 km from the departure point (step S19). The first half route to the link is displayed on the display unit (step S20). Since the second half route between the first partial link and the destination has not yet been calculated, for example, these are connected by a straight line and displayed.

  Thereafter, the navigation device 2 performs a process of receiving, from the server 1, mesh map data through which the latter server route passes in parallel with continuing the route guidance along the former route. That is, the navigation device 2 checks whether each mesh outside the 10 km range in the mesh list received in step S14 exists in its own map database, and if it exists, the version is the same. To determine the mesh to be distributed to the server. That is, (1) if the flag is “0” mesh (mesh outside the 10 km range) and the map data of the mesh does not exist in your map database, or (2) the flag is “0” mesh (10 km If the version of the map data of the mesh existing in its own map database is old, it is determined that these meshes (1) and (2) are meshes that are requested to be delivered to the server. Then, the navigation device 2 requests the server 1 to distribute the determined mesh map data (remaining DB update request: S21), and the server 1 distributes the requested latest map data of the mesh to the navigation device 2 (step). S22). Thereby, the navigation apparatus 2 updates the old map data of each mesh with the received latest map data of each mesh (DB update: step S23).

Thereafter, the navigation device 2 calculates a route (second half route) from the first partial link of 10 km to the destination using the updated latest map (step S24), and thereafter, the calculated second half route and the first half route are calculated. Are combined to display a guide route from the departure point to the destination (step S25).
The second half route is calculated so as to pass through the partial links (highway entry links, highway exit links, highway branch links, branch links to different general roads, etc.) included in the partial link list received in step S14. To do. In this way, the navigation device 2 can match the calculated route with the server route calculated by the server.

(B) First Embodiment (a) Server FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a server. A server main body 11 having a processor configuration, a map database 12 storing the latest map data, and a communication interface for controlling communication with the Internet. Unit 13 and information storage unit 14. The information storage unit 14 includes (1) first partial link information HLK that identifies the first partial link, and (2) link characteristics listed in the partial link list (highway entry link, highway exit link, highway branch) Link, partial link specifying information LKI for storing a link to a different general road, etc.), and (3) mesh priority information MPI for defining a criterion for giving a mesh update priority to be described later.

FIG. 6 is a process explanatory diagram of the server 1 when a route information distribution request is issued from the navigation device. The server 1 monitors whether or not a route distribution request has been received from the navigation device 2 (step 101). If received, the route from the departure point to the destination (server route) included in the route distribution request is updated to the latest map. Calculation is performed using the data (step 102). Next, referring to the head link specific information HLK, the link on the server route 10 km from the departure point is determined as the head partial link (step 103), and the partial link constituting the route after the head partial link is obtained. A partial link list (FIG. 4) including the first partial link is created (step 104). When the creation of the partial link list is completed, a list of meshes through which the server route passes and meshes close to the mesh (see FIG. 3) is created (step 105). As shown in FIG. 3, the mesh list includes a flag indicating whether or not the mesh is within 10 km from the starting point and a mesh size in association with the mesh number.
Thereafter, the server distributes the created partial link list, mesh list, and map database version to the navigation device 2 (step 106).
In the above, the top partial link HLK is defined as the link on the server route 10km from the departure point. The reason is that 10km is the distance traveled for 5 minutes when traveling at 120km / h. If the data transfer rate is 1Mbps (WIMAX), the map data of all meshes between Tokyo and Osaka in 5 minutes (50M Byte). As a result, the map data of all meshes between Tokyo and Osaka can be received while guiding along the first half route when driving at 120 km / h to the first partial link HLK, and to the destination in Osaka It becomes possible to calculate the route. Note that the distance to the first partial link HLK is not limited to 10 km, and the distance to the first partial link HLK can be varied according to the distance to the destination.

(B) Navigation Device FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the navigation device of the present invention. The destination setting unit 21 sets the destination GL, and the destination holding unit 22 holds the set destination. The own vehicle position calculation unit 23 calculates the own vehicle position using the output signals of the GPS receiver 24 and the autonomous navigation sensor (vehicle speed sensor, gyro, etc.) 25. The route calculation unit 26 calculates a route from the departure point ST to the destination GL, the route drawing unit 27 draws the calculated route, and the monitor 28 superimposes the route on the map around the own vehicle drawn separately. Are displayed (FIG. 8A). In addition, as shown by the dotted line in the latest map, there is a route that can be recommended from the obtained route, but this route cannot be obtained from old map data.
In this state, when a route search based on the latest map data possessed by the server is requested by a user operation, the route distribution request unit 29 outputs a route distribution request including the departure point ST and the destination GL, and server communication The unit 30 transmits the route distribution request to the server.
The server distribution information storage unit 31 receives and stores server distribution information downloaded by the server 2 in response to the route distribution request. That is, when the server 2 receives the route distribution request, it creates a partial link list (FIG. 4) and a mesh list (FIG. 3) as described in FIG. 6, and downloads the map database version as server distribution information together with these lists. The server distribution information receiving unit 31 stores the server distribution information.

  The map database 32 holds map data in mesh units, and the version is recorded in the map data. The server distribution mesh determination unit 33 refers to the mesh list (FIG. 3) received from the server and stored in the server distribution information storage unit 31, and for each mesh within 10km, the map data of the mesh is the own map. If it exists in the database 32 or if it exists, it is checked whether the version of the map data is the same, and the mesh to be distributed to the server is determined. That is, (1) if the flag is “1” (within 10 km) and the map data of the mesh does not exist in your map database, or (2) if the flag is “1” (within 10 km) If the version of the map data of the mesh existing in its own map database is old, it is assumed that these meshes are meshes that are requested to be delivered to the server, and are listed in the mesh request list. The mesh distribution request unit 34 requests the server 2 to distribute each mesh existing in the mesh request list created by the server distribution mesh determination unit 33 via the server communication unit 30. Accordingly, since the server 2 downloads the latest map data of the requested mesh, the server distribution information storage unit 31 temporarily stores the latest map data of the mesh, and the mesh update unit 35 stores the latest map data. The old map data in the map database 32 is updated.

  When the rewriting of the map database 32 is completed, the partial link providing unit 36 extracts the first partial link (a link existing 10 km from the departure point) included in the partial link list stored in the server distribution information storage unit 31; Input to the route calculator 26. Thereby, the route calculation unit 26 calculates the route from the departure point to the top partial link (first half route) using the latest map data, and inputs the calculated route to the route drawing unit 27. The route drawing unit 27 draws the first half route up to the first partial link and displays it on the monitor 28. However, since the second half route between the first partial link and the destination has not yet been calculated, for example, these are connected by a straight line and displayed. (FIG. 8 (B)).

  Thereafter, the navigation device 2 performs a process of receiving, from the server 1, mesh map data through which the latter server route passes in parallel with continuing the route guidance along the former route. That is, the server distribution mesh determination unit 33 refers to the mesh list stored in the server distribution information storage unit 31, and for each mesh outside the 10km range in the mesh list, whether the mesh exists in its own map database. If it exists, it is checked whether the versions are the same, and the mesh requested to be delivered to the server is determined. For example, if (1) the flag is “0” mesh (mesh outside the 10 km range) and the map data of the mesh does not exist in your map database, or (2) the flag is “0” mesh (10 km If the version of the map data of the mesh existing in its own map database is old, it is assumed that these meshes are meshes that are requested to be delivered to the server, and are listed in the mesh request list.

The mesh distribution request unit 34 requests the server 2 to distribute each mesh existing in the mesh request list created by the server distribution mesh determination unit 33 via the server communication unit 30. Accordingly, since the server 2 downloads the latest map data of the requested mesh, the server distribution information storage unit 31 temporarily stores the latest map data of the mesh, and the mesh update unit 35 stores the latest map data. The old map data in the map database 32 is updated.
When the rewriting of the map database 32 is completed, the partial link providing unit 36 inputs a partial link other than the top partial link included in the partial link list stored in the server distribution information storage unit 31 to the route calculation unit 26. The route calculation unit 26 calculates a route (second half route) via the partial link input from the first partial link to the destination, connects the latter half route to the calculated first half route, and inputs the route to the route drawing unit 27. . Thereby, the route drawing unit 27 generates a route from the departure place to the destination and displays it on the monitor 28 (FIG. 8C). Thereafter, route guidance to the destination can be performed along the drawn route.

(C) Processing of the navigation device ・ Storage processing of the latest map data up to the top partial link FIG. 9 shows the process from sending the route distribution request to the server to storing the latest map data up to the top partial link in the map database. It is a processing flow of a navigation apparatus.
When a route search by the server based on the latest map data is requested from the user, the navigation device 2 transmits a route distribution request including the departure place and the destination to the server. (Step 201). Then, the server distribution information downloaded by the server 2 in response to the route distribution request is received and stored (step 202), the number of meshes existing in the mesh list included in the received server distribution information is M, and i = 1 (step 203).
Next, it is checked whether the 10 km flag of the i-th mesh is “1” (step 204). If the flag is “0” and the mesh is out of the 10 km range, i is incremented (i + 1 = i, step 208), i> M is checked (step 209), and if i ≦ M, the processing from step 204 is continued.

On the other hand, in step 204, if the flag is “1” and the mesh is within the 10 km range, it is checked whether the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database (step 205). The map data of the second mesh is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 207), and the processing after step 208 is executed thereafter. In step 205, if the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database, it is checked whether the version of the map data is the same as the version notified from the server (step 206). If the process after 208 is not the same and is old, the map data of the i-th mesh is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 207). Run.
Thereafter, the processing in steps 204 to 209 is repeated, and if i> M in step 209, the navigation device 2 requests the listed mesh from the server 1 (step 210), and the latest map received from the server. The old map data in the map database is rewritten with the data (step 211).

FIG. 10 is a processing flow of the navigation device from when the first half route is calculated until the latest map data to the destination is stored in the map database. The navigation device 2 performs a process of receiving, from the server 1, mesh map data through which the latter server route passes in parallel with continuing the route guidance along the former route.
That is, the navigation device 2 refers to the mesh list received from the server 1 in step 202, sets the number of meshes existing in the mesh list to M, and sets i = 1 (step 301).
Next, it is checked whether the 10 km flag of the i-th mesh is “0” (step 302). If the flag is “1” and the mesh is within the 10 km range, i is incremented (i + 1 = i, step 306), i> M is checked (step 307), and if i ≦ M, the processing from step 302 is continued.

On the other hand, in step 302, if the flag is “0” and the mesh is outside the 10 km range, it is checked whether the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database (step 303). The map data of the second mesh is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 305), and the processing after step 306 is executed. In step 303, if the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database, it is checked whether the version of the map data is the same as the version notified from the server (step 304). If the process after 306 is not the same and is old, the map data of the i-th mesh is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 305). Run.
Thereafter, the processing in steps 302 to 307 is repeated, and if i> M in step 307, the navigation device 2 requests the listed mesh from the server 1 (step 308) and receives the latest map received from the server. The old map data in the map database is rewritten with the data (step 309).

(C) Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the server 1 adds a flag for specifying whether the mesh is in the mesh list (FIG. 3) within the 10 km range or outside the 10 km range. However, an update priority can be added to the mesh instead of the flag.
(A) Update Priority FIGS. 11 (A) and 11 (B) are explanatory diagrams of update priority, and the head partial link is assumed to exist on a server route 10 km from the departure point. The update priority is determined according to the following criteria. That is,
1) The update priority of the mesh that the server route passes from the departure point ST to the first partial link is 0,
2) A mesh within the range of 10km around the starting point, and the priority of the mesh for automatic reroute search (for reroute) during route search and off-route is 1.
3) The update priority of the mesh that the server route passes from the first partial link to the 10th partial link is 2,
4) The priority of the mesh for reroute during off-route from the first partial link to the 10th partial link is 3,
5) The update priority of the mesh that the server route passes from the 10th partial link to the destination is 4,
6) The mesh within the range of 10km around the destination, the priority of the mesh for route search and automatic reroute search during off-route is 5,
7) The priority of the mesh for automatic reroute search during off-route from the 10th partial link to the destination 10km is 6,
It is.
As described above, when the server 1 receives a route distribution request from the navigation device (step 101 in FIG. 6), the server 1 calculates the server route from the departure point to the destination (step 102), and then the mesh through which the server route passes. 11A and 11B, the update priority is given (step 105), and the mesh list shown in FIG. 12 is created and distributed to the navigation device (step 106).

(B) Processing of the navigation device-Storage processing of the latest map data up to the top partial link FIG. 13 shows that the latest map data of the mesh up to the top partial link is received from the server when the update priority is given to the mesh. It is a processing flow of the navigation apparatus 2 until it stores in a map database.
When a route search by the server based on the latest map data is requested from the user, the navigation device 2 transmits a route distribution request including the departure place and the destination to the server. (Step 401). Then, the server distribution information downloaded by the server 2 in response to the route distribution request is received and stored (step 402), and the number of meshes existing in the mesh list included in the received server distribution information is M, and i = 1 (step 403).
Next, it is checked whether the update priority of the i-th mesh is 0 (step 404). If the update priority is not 0, it is not a mesh through which the server route passes from the departure point ST to the first partial link. i is incremented (i + 1 = i, step 408), i> M is checked (step 409), and if i ≦ M, the processing from step 204 is continued.

On the other hand, if the flag is “0” in step 204, the server route passes from the departure point ST to the first partial link, so check whether the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database. If it does not exist (step 405), the i-th mesh map data is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 407), and the processing after step 408 is executed. In step 405, if the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database, it is checked whether the version of the map data is the same as the version notified from the server (step 406). If the process after 408 is not the same and is old, the map data of the i-th mesh is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 407). Run.
Thereafter, the processing of steps 404-409 is repeated, and if i> M in step 409, the navigation device 2 requests the listed mesh from the server 1 (step 410), and the latest map data received from the server. To rewrite the old map data in the map database (step 411).

In the above, the mesh requested to be distributed for the mesh with the update priority 0 (mesh with the highest update priority) is determined, but the mesh with the update priority 0 or 1 (mesh with the highest update priority) is distributed. It can also be requested. Further, when a mesh for which a distribution request is made for a plurality of update priorities, for example, meshes with update priorities of 0 and 1, is obtained, and the total mesh size of the obtained meshes is smaller than the set size, the latest of the obtained meshes If the map data is requested from the server and the total value is larger than the set size, the mesh for which the distribution request is made only for the mesh with the update priority 0 may be determined. FIG. 14 is a processing flow in such a case, and is inserted between steps 409 and 410 in FIG. However, in step 407, it is assumed that meshes with update priorities 0 and 1 are listed in the required mesh list. In step 409, if i> M, the navigation device 2 is listed in the mesh request list. If the total value is larger than the set value (step 451), if not, the map data of the update priority 0 and 1 is requested to the server 1 in step 410. (Step 410). On the other hand, if it is larger, a mesh having a lower priority than the mesh request list (mesh with update priority = 1) is deleted (step 452), and the remaining map data of update priority 0 is requested to the server (step 410). . In this way, even when the departure place is a large city with a large amount of mesh map data, only the mesh map data with update priority 0 is distributed to shorten the distribution time and delay the start of calculation of the first half route. If the departure place is an area where the mesh map data amount is small, it is off during guidance along the first half route by distributing map data with update priority 0 and 1. You can reroute even if you route.

FIG. 15 is a processing flow of the navigation device from when the first half route is calculated until the latest map data to the destination is stored in the map database. The navigation device 2 performs a process of receiving, from the server 1, mesh map data through which the latter server route passes in parallel with continuing the route guidance along the former route.
That is, the navigation device 2 refers to the mesh list received from the server 1, sets the number of meshes existing in the mesh list to M, and sets i = 1 (step 501).
Next, it is checked whether the update priority of the i-th mesh is other than 0 (1 to 6) (step 502), the update priority = 0, and the server route passes from the departure point ST to the first partial link. If i is equal to M, i is incremented (i + 1 = i, step 506), and i> M is checked (step 507). If i ≦ M, the processing from step 502 is continued.

On the other hand, if the update priority is other than 0 (1 to 6) in step 502, it is checked whether the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database (step 503). The map data of the second mesh is listed in the mesh request list as a request to the server (step 505), and the processing after step 506 is executed. In step 503, if the map data of the i-th mesh exists in the map database, it is checked whether the version of the map data is the same as the version notified from the server (step 504). If it is not the same and old, list the i-th mesh map data as a request to the server in the mesh request list (step 505). Run.
Thereafter, the processing in steps 502 to 507 is repeated, and if i> M in step 507, the navigation device 2 requests the listed mesh from the server 1 (step 508) and receives the latest map received from the server. The old map data in the map database is rewritten with the data (step 509).

・ Process to distribute mesh map data in N times In the above explanation, in the example of distributing mesh map data that passes through the second half route with low update priority in parallel with route guidance by the first half route at one time However, it is distributed in multiple times in order of priority, and a partial route is calculated using the distributed map data, and the calculated partial route and the calculated route are combined to guide from the departure point to the destination. You can also display the route.
FIG. 16 is a processing flow in such a case, and it is assumed that the latest map data of meshes with update priorities 0 and 1 has already been received for the first half route calculation.
When the calculation of the first-half route using the latest map data of update priority 0 and 1 is completed, the navigation device requests the latest map data of meshes of priority 2 and 3 from the server by the same process as in FIG. If the reception is completed (step 601), a partial route from the first partial link HLK to the tenth partial link is calculated using the latest map data of the priority 2 and 3 meshes, and the calculated partial route and The calculated routes are combined and displayed (step 602). Next, the latest map data of the priority 4 mesh is requested to the server by the same processing as in FIG. 15 and if the reception is completed (step 603), the 10th map using the latest map data of the priority 4 mesh is used. A partial route from the partial link to the destination is calculated, and the calculated partial route and the calculated route are combined and displayed (step 604). Finally, the latest map data of meshes with priorities 5 and 6 is requested from the server by the same process as in FIG. 15, and the process ends when the reception is completed (step 605).
In the above embodiment, it has been described that the latest map data of the mesh exists in the map database of the navigation device, and if it does not exist, the latest map data of the mesh is distributed from the server. The present invention can also be applied when distributing the latest map data of all meshes to the navigation device.

1 Server 2 Car navigation system 3 Hot spot 4 Internet

Claims (10)

Request the server to distribute route information to the destination via communication means, receive the map data of the mesh that the route searched by the server (server route) passes from the server, and use the map data to receive the destination In the route display method for calculating and displaying the route to the navigation device,
Receive link data that identifies the boundary link between the server route in the first half of the server and the server route in the second half and the map data of the mesh that passes through the server route in the first half.
Search and display the first half route from the starting point to the boundary link using the map data of the mesh,
Receive the map data of the mesh that the server route of the second half passes in parallel with the route guidance by the first half route,
Search the latter half route from the boundary link to the destination using the map data, and display the guidance route from the departure point to the destination by combining the searched first half route and the latter half route,
A route display method characterized by that. In the server, priorities are assigned to each mesh that the server route passes and meshes adjacent to the mesh, and the priority of the map data of the mesh that the first half server route passes is maximized,
The navigation device receives the map data of the mesh with high priority and the boundary link data, searches for and displays the first half route from the departure point to the boundary link using the map data of the mesh, and routes based on the first half route In parallel with the guidance, low-priority mesh map data is received, the second half route from the boundary link to the destination is searched using the map data, and the searched first half route and second half route are combined to start. Display a guide route from the place to the destination,
The route display method according to claim 1, wherein: Receive from the server a list of transit links existing on the server route in the latter half, including highway approach links, highway exit links, highway branch links, branch links to different general roads, etc.
Calculate the second half route in the navigation device so as to go through these via links.
3. The route display method according to claim 1, wherein the route is displayed. The boundary link is a link on a server route that exists at a set distance from the departure place.
3. The route display method according to claim 1, wherein the route is displayed. When the priority of 2 or more is a high priority, and the total value of the map data sizes of the plurality of meshes with the high priority is larger than the set value, the total value of the map data size is made smaller than the set value. Excluding the lower priority from the high priority and setting it as the high priority, the server sends the high priority mesh to the navigation device together with the boundary link,
The route display method according to claim 2, wherein: The navigation device receives the map data of the mesh of the latter half route divided into multiple times in order of priority in parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, searches for the partial route each time it is received, and has already searched for the searched partial route and Combine the routes to display a guide route from the starting point to the destination.
The route display method according to claim 2, wherein: Request the server to distribute route information to the destination via communication means, receive the map data of the mesh that the route searched by the server (server route) passes from the server, and use the map data to receive the destination In the navigation device that calculates and displays the route to
A route information request unit that requests the server to deliver route information to the destination,
Receives link data specifying the boundary link between the server route in the first half of the server and the server route in the second half and the map data of the mesh through which the first server route passes, and also receives the map data of the mesh through which the second server route passes. Receiver,
A route to the boundary link is searched using the map data of the mesh that the first half server route passes, and the second half from the boundary link to the destination using the map data of the mesh that the second half server route passes. A route search unit for searching for routes,
The route search unit displays the first half route from the starting point searched for to the boundary link, and combines the second half route from the boundary link to the destination with the first half route to provide a guide route from the starting point to the destination. Display section to display,
In parallel with the route guidance by the searched first half route, the receiving unit receives the map data of the mesh through which the latter server route passes from the server, and the route searching unit uses the mesh map data of the second half route. A navigation device comprising: a control unit that controls to search for a vehicle. When priority is given to each mesh through which the server route passes and meshes adjacent to the mesh, and map data having the highest priority of map data of the mesh through which the first half server route passes is received from the server. The control unit
The receiving unit receives high-priority mesh map data and the boundary link data, and the route search unit uses the mesh map data to control to search for the first half route from the departure point to the boundary link. And
In parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, the receiving unit receives the map data of the low priority mesh, and the route search unit uses the mesh map data of the second half route from the boundary link to the destination. Control to explore,
The navigation device according to claim 7. The boundary link is a link on a server route that exists at a set distance from the departure place.
The navigation device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The control unit divides the map data of the mesh of the latter half route into a plurality of times in order of priority in parallel with the route guidance by the first half route, and the receiving unit receives the map data of the mesh. Each time a partial route is searched and the partial route searched by the display unit is combined with the searched route to control to display a guidance route from the starting point to the destination.
The navigation device according to claim 7.

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