JP7241715B2 - Information processing device, route guidance device, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a route guidance device, a program, and an information processing method.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-100000, map information of a mobile body around its own position is stored as first data, and stored as second data in a received data storage unit via wireless communication from a database server to obtain first display data. First display data for the area is generated from the first data read by the generation unit, second display data for the block is generated from the second data read by the second display data generation unit, and second display data for the block is generated from the second data read by the second display data generation unit. and an information processing apparatus that overlays and displays second display data.
[Prior art documents]
[Patent Literature]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-304875

A first aspect of the present invention provides an information processing device. The above information processing apparatus includes, for example, a map information acquisition unit that acquires at least part of a plurality of map data from a map data distribution system via a wireless communication network. The above information processing apparatus includes, for example, an acquisition range specifying unit that specifies a geographical range to be acquired by the map information acquiring unit.

In the information processing apparatus described above, for example, the map data distribution system stores a map data set including a plurality of map data. For example, each of the plurality of map data is map data belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies determined by scale and corresponding to one of one or more sections determined for each hierarchy. For example, map data belonging to two or more hierarchies among multiple hierarchies are vector data.

In the information processing apparatus described above, for example, when acquiring one or more map data corresponding to a section including at least part of the geographical range specified by the acquisition range specifying unit, among the one or more sections, map information acquisition The Department issues a first distribution request requesting distribution of map data belonging to a layer having the largest scale among two or more layers containing map data expressed as vector data, and requests distribution of map data belonging to other layers. It is transmitted to the map data distribution system prior to the requested second distribution request.

In the above information processing device, the map data set includes identification information used to identify each of the plurality of road links in the map data set, and a plurality of road links in a service for distributing additional information superimposed on the map. Correspondence information indicating correspondence with identification information used to identify each of the links may be included. After transmitting the first distribution request and before transmitting the second distribution request, the map information acquisition unit determines, from among the one or more divisions, a division including at least a part of the geographical range identified by the acquisition range identification unit. You may acquire the correspondence information about the road links included in .

In the above information processing apparatus, the identification information used in the service of distributing additional information may be the VICS link ID. In the information processing device described above, the map data belonging to at least one layer among the plurality of layers may be raster data.

The information processing device described above may include a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of the user. In the information processing apparatus described above, the acquisition range specifying unit selects a section for which map data corresponding to the section has not been acquired, among sections for which the positional relationship with the position indicated by the position information satisfies a predetermined condition. A corresponding region may be identified as a geographic area for acquisition processing. A section that satisfies the predetermined conditions includes (i) a section centered at the position indicated by the position information and including at least a portion of an area of a predetermined shape and size; It may include at least one of the section containing the indicated location and the section adjacent to the section.

The information processing apparatus described above may include an input point identification unit that identifies the position of the point input by the user. The above points may include at least one of a user's destination, a user's waypoint, and a point that the user wishes to search or register. In the information processing device described above, the acquisition range specifying unit selects an area that belongs to a specific layer and that includes the position specified by the input point specifying unit as a geographical range to be acquired. can be specified.

The information processing device described above may include a display control unit that causes the display device to display a screen. The information processing device described above may include an operation input unit that receives a user's operation. In the information processing device described above, when the operation input unit receives an operation for moving the map on the screen of the display device, the map information acquisition unit at least causes the display control unit to move the map on the screen of the display device. , the acquisition process may be interrupted, or the acquisition process may not be performed.

In a second aspect of the invention, a route guidance device is provided. Said route guidance apparatus is equipped with the information processing apparatus which concerns on said 1st aspect, for example. The above-described route guidance device includes, for example, a route search unit that acquires at least information indicating the user's destination and searches for a route to the destination.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an information processing method. The above information processing method has, for example, a map information obtaining step of obtaining at least part of a plurality of map data from a map data distribution system via a wireless communication network. The above information processing method has, for example, an acquisition range specifying step of specifying a geographical range to be acquired in the map information acquisition step.

In the information processing method described above, for example, the map data distribution system stores a map data set including a plurality of map data. For example, each of the plurality of map data is map data belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies determined by scale and corresponding to one of one or more sections determined for each hierarchy. For example, map data belonging to two or more hierarchies among multiple hierarchies are vector data.

In the information processing method described above, the map information acquisition step acquires one or more map data corresponding to a section including at least part of the geographical range identified in the acquisition range identification step, out of the one or more sections. , a first distribution request requesting distribution of map data belonging to the layer with the largest scale among two or more layers containing map data expressed as vector data is requested to distribute map data belonging to other layers. transmitting to the map data distribution system prior to the second distribution request to be made.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a program is provided. The program may be a program for causing a computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect. The program may be a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to the third aspect. A computer readable medium storing the above program may be provided. The computer-readable medium may be non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable recording medium.

It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the invention. Subcombinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

An example of the system configuration of the navigation system 100 is shown schematically. An example of the system configuration of the map distribution server 120 is shown schematically. An example of the internal configuration of a storage unit 230 is shown schematically. An example of the data structure of the nth generation data set 322 is shown schematically. An example of the hierarchical structure of the parcel system data set 420 is shown schematically. An example of the data configuration of vector map data 600 is schematically shown. An example of the data structure of the road data 652 is shown roughly. An example of the data structure of the VICS conversion table 658 is schematically shown. An example of the data configuration of raster map data 900 is schematically shown. An example of the system configuration of the route search server 140 is shown schematically. An example of the internal configuration of the storage unit 1030 is shown schematically. An example of the system configuration of the navigation device 182 is shown schematically. An example of the internal configuration of a storage unit 1232 is shown schematically. An example of the internal configuration of the distribution data storage unit 1316 is shown schematically. An example screen 1500 is shown schematically. An example of the update method of map data is shown roughly. An example of a switching method of map data for screen drawing is schematically shown. An example of a switching method of map data for screen drawing is schematically shown. An example of data acquisition processing of the map data management unit 1234 is shown schematically. An example of the internal configuration of the map data management unit 1234 is schematically shown. 1 schematically illustrates an example of basic parcels that are subject to data acquisition processing; 1 schematically illustrates an example of basic parcels that are subject to data acquisition processing; 1 schematically illustrates an example of basic parcels that are subject to data acquisition processing; An example of the procedure of a data acquisition process is shown roughly. Fig. 3 schematically shows another example of base parcels for data acquisition processing; An example of the system configuration of the computer 3000 is shown schematically.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention. In addition, in the drawings, the same or similar parts may be denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description.

[Overview of Navigation System 100]
FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of the system configuration of a navigation system 100. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the navigation system 100 includes a map distribution server 120 , a route search server 140 , a VICS (registered trademark) center 160 , a VICS information transmission device 162 and a vehicle 180 . In this embodiment, vehicle 180 includes navigation device 182 , communication device 184 , receiver device 186 and onboard sensors 188 .

Each part of the navigation system 100 may transmit and receive information to and from each other via the communication network 10 . In this embodiment, the communication network 10 may be a wired communication transmission line, a wireless communication transmission line, or a combination of a wireless communication transmission line and a wired communication transmission line. . The communication network 10 may include a wireless packet communication network, the Internet, a P2P network, a leased line, a VPN, a power line communication line, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication line, a vehicle-to-road communication line, and the like.

The communication network 10 may include (i) a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone network, and (ii) a wireless MAN (for example, WiMAX (registered trademark)), a wireless LAN (for example, WiFi (registered trademark)). ), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), and other wireless communication networks. Wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), and NFC may be examples of short-range wireless communication.

In this embodiment, the map distribution server 120 provides a distribution service for distributing map data to users of the navigation system 100 . For example, the map distribution server 120 stores map data for various regions. The above map data is updated periodically, for example. As a result, highly accurate and fresh map data can be provided.

For example, in response to a request from a navigation device 182 mounted on a vehicle 180, the map distribution server 120 transmits map data of an area indicated by the request to the navigation device 182. FIG. In the conventional navigation device 182, there are limited opportunities to update the maps (sometimes referred to as pre-installed maps) that were installed at the time of product shipment. was desired. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, necessary map data is delivered at the timing requested by the navigation device 182 . As a result, the navigation device 182 uses a highly fresh map (sometimes referred to as a distribution map) distributed from the map distribution server 120 to present the map to the passenger 18 and guide the route. You can

In this embodiment, the route search server 140 provides the user of the navigation system 100 with a guidance service for guiding the route to the destination. For example, in response to a request from the navigation device 182 mounted on the vehicle 180, the route search server 140 transmits to the navigation device 182 route data indicating a route to the destination indicated by the request.

The above-mentioned route data may be point sequence data expressing a route to a destination by a set of position information of a plurality of points on the route. The route data includes (a) point sequence data, (b) (i) road traffic information about at least some points or sections on the route, and (ii) applied to at least some points or sections on the route. Traffic law information indicating traffic laws, (iii) attribute information indicating attributes of roads arranged in at least some points or sections on the route, and (iv) detailed guidance on at least some points on the route and at least one identification of the guidance data for presenting the information to the passenger 18 .

The content of the road traffic information includes, for example, congestion, traffic restrictions, required time, and availability of parking lots. Examples of traffic regulations include regulations caused by accidents, construction works, disasters, weather conditions, and the like. Examples of the guide information include a guide image that illustrates the details of intersections, a guide image that illustrates the details of an entry route from a general road to an expressway, and the like. Examples of road attributes include the type of road, regulations applied to roads, width of roads, structure of roads, and the like.

In this embodiment, the VICS center 160 provides users of the navigation system 100 with road traffic information on roads in various locations. The above road traffic information may be VICS (vehicle information and communication system) (registered trademark) information. According to this embodiment, VICS information is provided to the user of navigation system 100 via VICS information transmitter 162 . Examples of the VICS information transmission device 162 include a broadcasting device, an optical beacon transmission device, and a radio beacon transmission device.

In this embodiment, vehicle 180 carries passenger 18 . The vehicle 180 may be moved by the driver 18 or may be moved by an automatic driving system or a driving assistance system installed in the vehicle 180 . Passenger 18 may be a driver who drives vehicle 180 or an operator who operates navigation device 182 . The operator may be a driver or a passenger other than the driver.

Examples of vehicles 180 include bicycles, automobiles, motorcycles, trains, and the like. Motorcycles include (i) bikes, (ii) tricycles, (iii) Segways (registered trademark), kickboards (registered trademark) with power units, and skateboards with power units. A two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle is exemplified.

In this embodiment, navigation device 182 provides map information to vehicle 180 or passenger 18 . The navigation device 182 provides the vehicle 180 or the passenger 18 with various information regarding the route to the destination. Details of the navigation device 182 will be described later.

In this embodiment, the communication device 184 transmits and receives information between the navigation device 182 and the map distribution server 120 via the communication network 10 . The communication device 184 may transmit and receive information between the navigation device 182 and the route search server 140 via the communication network 10 .

In this embodiment, receiver 186 receives various signals. For example, receiver 186 receives VICS signal 22 output by VICS information transmitter 162 . Receiver 186 may receive GPS signals 24 . Signals received by receiver 186 are output to navigation device 182, for example.

In this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted sensor 188 is mounted on the vehicle 180 and acquires various data regarding the vehicle 180 . In-vehicle sensor 188 may output the acquired data to navigation device 182 . For example, in-vehicle sensors 188 include one or more external sensors for recognizing the environment outside vehicle 180 . In-vehicle sensors 188 may include one or more internal sensors that measure physical quantities related to vehicle 180 . Examples of the external sensor include a camera, a distance measuring sensor, and the like. Examples of internal sensors include rotary encoders, velocity sensors, acceleration sensors, angular velocity sensors, angular acceleration sensors, and the like.

Communication network 10 may be an example of a wireless communication network. The map distribution server 120 may be an example of a map data distribution system. Vehicle 180 may be an example of a mobile object. Vehicle 180 may be an example of an information processing device or a route guidance device. The navigation device 182 may be an example of an information processing device or a route guidance device. The receiving device 186 may be an example of a location information acquisition unit. The in-vehicle sensor 188 may be an example of a position information acquisition unit. Road traffic information may be an example of additional information superimposed on the map.

[Specific configuration of each part of vehicle 180]
Each part of vehicle 180 may be realized by hardware, may be realized by software, or may be realized by hardware and software. At least a part of each part of vehicle 180 may be realized by a control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). At least part of each part of the vehicle 180 may be realized by a personal computer or a mobile terminal. For example, a personal computer or mobile terminal may be used as the user interface of the navigation device 182 . Examples of mobile terminals include mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs, tablets, notebook or laptop computers, wearable computers, and the like.

When at least some of the components that make up the vehicle 180 are implemented by software, the components implemented by the software activate a program that defines the operation of the components in an information processing device with a general configuration. It may be realized by The above information processing device includes, for example, (i) a data processing device having various processors (processors include CPU, GPU, etc.), ROM, RAM, communication interface, etc., and (ii) memory, HDD, etc. and a storage device (including an external storage device). The above information processing apparatus may include input devices such as (iii) keyboards, touch panels, cameras, microphones, various sensors, and GPS receivers, and (iv) output devices such as display devices, speakers, and vibration devices. may

In the information processing device described above, the data processing device or the storage device may store a program. The information processing described in the above program functions as concrete means in which software related to the program and various hardware resources of vehicle 180 cooperate with each other, for example, when the program is read into a computer. do. Then, the specific means described above realizes the calculation or processing of information according to the purpose of use of the computer in this embodiment, thereby constructing the vehicle 180 or each part of the vehicle 180 according to the purpose of use.

The above program may be stored in a computer-readable medium. The above program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The above program may be stored in a computer-readable medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory, hard disk, etc., or may be stored in a storage device connected to a network. The above program may be installed in a computer forming at least part of vehicle 180 from a computer-readable medium or a storage device connected to a network.

A computer mounted on vehicle 180 may function as at least part of each unit of vehicle 180 by executing the above program. A computer mounted on vehicle 180 may execute an information processing method in at least a part of each part of vehicle 180 by executing the above program.

A program for causing a computer mounted on vehicle 180 to function as at least part of each part of vehicle 180 includes, for example, a module that defines at least part of the operation of each part of vehicle 180 . When the above program or module is executed, the above program or module works on a data processing device, an input device, an output device, a storage device, etc. to cause the computer to function as each part of the vehicle 180, or cause the computer to function as the vehicle 180. to execute the information processing method in each part.

The above information processing method has, for example, a map information obtaining step of obtaining at least part of a plurality of map data from a map data distribution system via a wireless communication network. The information processing method described above has, for example, an acquisition range specifying step of specifying a geographical range to be acquired by the map information acquiring unit.

In the information processing method described above, for example, the map data distribution system stores a map data set including a plurality of map data. For example, each of the plurality of map data is map data belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies determined by scale and corresponding to one of one or more sections determined for each hierarchy. For example, map data belonging to two or more hierarchies among multiple hierarchies are vector data.

In the above information processing method, the map information acquisition step acquires one or more map data corresponding to a section including at least part of the geographical range specified by the acquisition range specifying unit, among the one or more sections. , of two or more hierarchies containing map data expressed as vector data, a first distribution request requesting distribution of map data belonging to the hierarchy with the largest scale, and a distribution of map data belonging to other hierarchies. A step of transmitting to the map data distribution system prior to the second distribution request.

In the present embodiment, an example of the navigation device 182 has been described with the case where the navigation device 182 is mounted on the vehicle 180 as an example. However, the navigation device 182 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, navigation device 182 may be mounted on a vehicle.

Examples of mobile bodies include ships, aircraft, and the like, in addition to vehicles. Examples of ships include ships, hovercrafts, personal watercraft, submarines, submersibles, and underwater scooters. Airplanes, airships or balloons, hot air balloons, helicopters, drones, and the like are examples of flying objects.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the system configuration of the map distribution server 120. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the map distribution server 120 includes a communication section 220 , a storage section 230 and a map data management section 240 . In this embodiment, the map data management section 240 has a request reception section 242 and a request response section 244 .

In this embodiment, the communication unit 220 transmits and receives information between the map distribution server 120 and the vehicle 180 via the communication network 10 . The communication unit 220 may transmit and receive information between the map distribution server 120 and the route search server 140 via the communication network 10 .

In this embodiment, the storage unit 230 stores various map information. Details of the storage unit 230 and details of the map information will be described later.

In this embodiment, the map data management section 240 manages map information stored in the storage section 230 . For example, the map data management unit 240 newly creates, updates, enables distribution, stops distribution, and deletes map information. The map data management unit 240 may manage generations of map information. The map data management unit 240 may manage distribution of map information.

As will be described later, the storage unit 230 may store a plurality of types of map information with different creation times or update times. A creation or update time is sometimes referred to as a generation or version. In this case, the map data management unit 240 manages map information for each generation. For example, when the map distribution server 120 distributes two generations of map information, when a new generation of map information is added as the map is updated, the map data management unit 240 stores the map information of the latest generation and the map information of the newest generation. , and the map information of the previous generation are made available for distribution, while the distribution of the map information of the generation two previous is stopped.

Note that the minimum unit for managing creation time and update time is not particularly limited. Examples of the above minimum unit include seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months.

In addition, as will be described later, when the map information is updated, the map distribution server 120 does not transmit the data of all areas included in the map recording range at once, but rather transmits the data according to the situation of the navigation device 182. Data for the defined area is sent each time. For example, the map distribution server 120 transmits to the navigation device 182 data for an area determined according to the position of the navigation device 182, and does not transmit data for areas other than that area. When the vehicle 180 moves and the position of the navigation device 182 changes, the map distribution server 120 transmits to the navigation device 182 data of an area determined according to the new position. In this way, the map data management unit 240 manages data transmission (sometimes referred to as distribution) to the navigation device 182 .

In this embodiment, details of the map distribution server 120 will be described by taking as an example a case where the map distribution server 120 transmits data according to the state of the navigation device 182 . However, the map distribution server 120 is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment, the map distribution server 120 transmits data according to, for example, a contract between the service provider of the map distribution service provided by the map distribution server 120 and the user of the service. For example, at least one of the type, range, precision or accuracy, and freshness of the map provided to the user may be adjusted according to the content of the contract. Examples of the map types include a map represented by vector data, a map represented by raster data, and the like.

In this embodiment, the request receiver 242 receives requests from the navigation device 182 . In this embodiment, the request responder 244 responds to requests from the navigation device 182 .

In one embodiment, the request receiving unit 242 receives from the navigation device 182 a generation transmission request for requesting transmission of information about generations of maps that the map distribution server 120 can distribute. When the request receiving unit 242 receives the generation transmission request, the request responding unit 244 transmits information on map generations that can be distributed by the map distribution server 120 to the navigation device 182 that has transmitted the generation transmission request.

In another embodiment, the request receiving unit 242 receives from the navigation device 182 a map transmission request requesting transmission of a map of a specific area. When the request receiving unit 242 receives the map transmission request, the request responding unit 244 transmits map information of the area indicated by the map distribution request to the navigation device 182 that transmitted the map transmission request. Note that, as will be described later, the map information includes various types of information. The map transmission request may request transmission of a specific type of information among a plurality of types of information included in the map information.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the storage unit 230. As shown in FIG. An example of the map information stored in the storage unit 230 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, taking as an example a case where the n-th generation map information and the (n−1)-th generation map information are in a distributable state. be done. Note that n is an integer of 2 or more.

In this embodiment, the storage unit 230 stores map data and various types of data related to the map data (the term "data" is sometimes used as a generic term for both). In this embodiment, the map recording range is divided into a plurality of sections, and a plurality of map data are prepared to express the features (including virtual ones such as district boundaries) arranged in each section. be done. The storage unit 230 stores a map data set, which is a set of map data corresponding to each of a plurality of sections forming a map recording range.

Various data related to map data include information about at least one of one or more features recorded in the map data. Examples of various data related to map data include guidance data, expressway data, parameter data, guidance search data, and the like. The guidance data is used to present the passenger 18 with detailed guidance information regarding a specific point on the map, as described above. The guidance data may be image data or voice data.

The highway data is used to present the passenger 18 with information about highways or motorways contained within the map's coverage. Expressway data includes a node ID for identifying each node assigned to each of a plurality of points on the expressway, a link ID for identifying each link connecting two adjacent nodes, and at least one and information indicating the name of the node of the part. For example, expressway data includes information indicating the names of nodes assigned to service areas, parking areas, interchanges, junctions, etc. arranged on expressways.

The parameter data stores various parameters used for drawing features on the map. For example, parameters for drawing features on the map as a bird's-eye view map or a three-dimensional map are stored.

Guidance search data is used to search for a specific spot by address, facility name, or the like. The guidance search data may include index information for selecting destinations. The guidance search data may include a search frame for narrowing down the data and point information for storing the information of the search results. The point information stores, for example, information on points (sometimes referred to as POIs) registered by the passenger 18 . Examples of the point information include information indicating the position of the POI, information indicating the name of the POI, and the like.

In this embodiment, the storage unit 230 includes a map data storage unit 320, a guidance data storage unit 330, a highway data storage unit 340, a parameter data storage unit 350, a guidance search data storage unit 360, and management information. and a storage unit 370 . In this embodiment, the map data storage unit 320 stores an n-th generation dataset 322 and an (n−1)-th generation dataset 324 . In this embodiment, the management information storage unit 370 stores generation management information 372 .

In this embodiment, the map data storage unit 320 stores a plurality of map data sets (sometimes referred to as distribution data sets) with different creation times or update times. In this embodiment, the n-th generation dataset 322 may be a map dataset that was created or updated after the creation time or update time of the (n−1)-th generation dataset 324 . The n−1th generation data set 324 is created or updated at a time later than the creation time or update time of the map data set (sometimes referred to as a pre-installed data set) installed when the navigation device 182 was shipped. It may be an updated map dataset.

In this embodiment, the guidance data storage unit 330 stores guidance data. The guidance data storage unit 330 may store one or more guidance data and a data ID for identifying each of the one or more guidance data in association with each other. As a result, for example, the request response unit 244 can acquire the guidance data using the data ID of the guidance data as a key.

In one embodiment, a file storing a plurality of guide data and data IDs of each guide data may be prepared for each generation of the map data set. In this case, a single file that stores a plurality of pieces of guidance data and the data ID of each piece of guidance data corresponds to a single generation map data set.

In another embodiment, a single file that stores a plurality of pieces of guidance data and data IDs of each piece of guidance data may be prepared as a file of guidance data corresponding to a plurality of generations of map data sets. Even in this case, a plurality of files storing a plurality of guide data and the data ID of each guide data may be prepared.

In this embodiment, the expressway data storage unit 340 stores expressway data. The expressway data storage section 340 may store a plurality of expressway data corresponding to each of the plurality of map data sets stored in the map data storage section 320 .

In this embodiment, the parameter data storage unit 350 stores parameter data. The parameter data storage section 350 may store a plurality of parameter data corresponding to each of the plurality of map data sets stored in the map data storage section 320 .

In this embodiment, the guidance search data storage unit 360 stores guidance search data. The guidance search data storage section 360 may store a plurality of guidance search data corresponding to each of the plurality of map data sets stored in the map data storage section 320 .

In this embodiment, the management information storage section 370 stores various information used to manage various data stored in the storage section 230 . As described above, the management information storage section 370 stores the generation management information 372 used for managing permission/prohibition of distribution of the plurality of map data sets stored in the map data storage section 320 .

The generation management information 372 corresponds to a data ID for identifying each of one or more distributable map data sets and information indicating the generation of each map data set (sometimes referred to as generation information). It may be attached information. Examples of the generation information include information indicating the generation or version of the map data set, information indicating the creation time or update time of the map data set, and the like.

According to this embodiment, the map data storage unit 320 stores map data sets of multiple generations. As a result, the map distribution server 120 can distribute data forming part of map data sets of multiple generations.

The storage unit 230 may be an example of a second storage unit. The distribution data set may be an example of a second map data set or a distribution map data set. The pre-in dataset may be an example of a first map dataset or a local map dataset. The nth generation dataset 322 may be an example of a second map dataset or a distribution map dataset. The n-1th generation dataset 324 may be an example of a second map dataset or distribution map dataset.

Note that the n-th generation data set 322 may be an example of a first delivery map data set created or updated at a time later than the creation time or update time of the pre-installed data set. The n-th generation data set 322 may be an example of a second distribution map data set created or updated at a time later than the creation time or update time of the (n−1)th generation data set 324 . The n-1 generation data set 324 may be an example of a first distribution map data set created or updated at a time after the creation time or update time of the pre-in data set. Each map data constituting the n-th generation data set 322 may be an example of the second map data. Each piece of map data that constitutes the n-1 generation data set 324 may be an example of the first map data.

The creation time or update time of the pre-in data set may be an example of the first time. The creation time or update time of the (n−1) th generation data set 324 may be an example of a second time that is later than the first time. The creation time or update time of the n-th generation data set 322 may be an example of a third time that is later than the second time. Generation information may be an example of information indicating creation time or update time.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 230 stores map data sets. The details of the distribution map have been exemplified by exemplifying the case where map data, guidance data, expressway data, parameter data, and guidance search data are stored in different storage units. However, the distribution map is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment, (i) the map data and (ii) at least one of the driving guidance data, the highway data, the parameter data, and the guidance search data are data sets stored in a single data file. can be configured.

Details of the data structure of the n-th generation data set 322 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. FIG. It should be noted that other map datasets such as the n−1 th generation dataset 324 may also have a data structure similar to the n th generation dataset 322 .

FIG. 4 schematically shows an example data structure of the nth generation dataset 322 . In this embodiment, the n-th generation dataset 322 comprises a parcel-based dataset 420 and a region-based dataset 440 .

The parcel data set 420 is used for map drawing, route guidance, and the like in the navigation device 182 . The parcel system data set 420 includes multiple data sets with different modes of expression. Each dataset contains multiple map data. As the mode of expression, the size of the scale is exemplified.

In this embodiment, the parcel data set 420 has a hierarchical structure. According to this embodiment, the map data constituting the parcel system data set 420 has seven levels of level 5, level 4, level 3, level 2, level 1, level 0 and level -1 (referred to as parcel levels). may be used.).

In this embodiment, the data set of level 5 has a small scale of each map data, and the number of pieces of map data constituting the data set is small. As the level becomes smaller, the scale of each map data becomes larger, and the number of pieces of map data constituting the data set also increases. Details of the hierarchical structure of the parcel data set 420 will be described later.

The regional data set 440 is used for route calculation in the navigation device 182 . In this embodiment, the regional data set 440 has a hierarchical structure. According to this embodiment, the route calculation data constituting the region-based data set 440 are divided into seven levels of level 5, level 4, level 3, level 2, level 1, level 0 and level -1 (referred to as region levels). may be used.).

FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of the hierarchical structure of the parcel-based data set 420. As shown in FIG. According to this embodiment, the map recording range is divided into a plurality of sections (sometimes referred to as basic parcels) having substantially the same shape and size based on latitude and longitude, for example. The shape and size of basic parcels vary by level.

For example, in a level 5 data set, the shape and size of base parcels 512 are determined such that a block 510 having a plurality of base parcels 512 covers the entire map coverage. Each of the plurality of map data constituting the data set of level 5 corresponds to each of the plurality of basic parcels 512 . Each map data may be data for representing a map of a geographical area corresponding to the base parcel 512 .

As shown in FIG. 5, in the level 4 data set, each level 5 base parcel 512 is covered by a block 520 having a plurality of base parcels 522 . Each of the plurality of map data constituting the data set of level 4 corresponds to each of the plurality of basic parcels 522 .

Similarly, in the level 3 data set, each level 4 base parcel 522 is covered by a block 530 having a plurality of base parcels 532 . Each of the plurality of map data constituting the data set of level 3 corresponds to each of the plurality of basic parcels 532 .

Similarly, in the level 2 data set, each level 3 base parcel 532 is covered by a block 540 having a plurality of base parcels 542 . Each of the plurality of map data constituting the level 2 data set corresponds to each of the plurality of basic parcels 542 .

Similarly, in the level 1 data set, each level 2 base parcel 542 is covered by a block 550 having a plurality of base parcels 552 . Each of the plurality of map data constituting the level 1 data set corresponds to each of the plurality of basic parcels 552 .

Similarly, in the level 0 data set, each level 1 base parcel 552 is covered by a block 560 having a plurality of base parcels 562 . Each of the plurality of map data constituting the data set of level 0 corresponds to each of the plurality of basic parcels 562 .

In this embodiment, the level 0 base parcel 562 and the level -1 base parcel 572 cover approximately the same geographic area. Each of the plurality of map data forming the level-1 data set may be an enlarged map or detailed map of each of the plurality of map data forming the level-0 data set.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to the present embodiment, each of the plurality of map data constituting the parcel data set 420 belongs to one of the plurality of levels defined by scales, and is defined for each level. Corresponds to one of one or more base parcels. Map data belonging to two or more levels among the plurality of levels may be vector map data (sometimes referred to as vector data). On the other hand, map data belonging to at least one level among the plurality of levels may be raster map data (sometimes referred to as raster data). For example, in this embodiment, the map data from level 5 to level 0 are vector map data, and the map data at level -1 is raster map data.

For example, the map distribution server 120 distributes map data from level 5 to level 0 unless instructed by the user. This greatly reduces the communication capacity. Also, the resource amount of the navigation device 182 used for updating the map is greatly reduced. On the other hand, the map distribution server 120 distributes level-1 map data in response to requests from users. As a result, compared to the case where all the map data included in the map recording range is distributed each time the map is updated, the communication capacity can be reduced, the navigation device 182 resources can be used effectively.

A parcel level may be an example of a hierarchy in data having a hierarchical structure. A base parcel may be an example of a subdivision having a predetermined geographic extent.

FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of the data configuration of vector map data 600. As shown in FIG. As described above, the map data contained in the level 5 through level 0 data sets may be vector map data 600 . In this embodiment, the vector map data 600 may be an example of map data corresponding to each basic parcel.

In this embodiment, vector map data 600 comprises header data 620 , main map data 640 and route guidance data 660 . In this embodiment, main map data 640 has basic data 642 and extended data 644 . In this embodiment, basic data 642 includes road data 652 , background data 654 and name data 656 . In this embodiment, extended data 644 includes VICS translation table 658 .

Header data 620 includes information (sometimes referred to as management record) for handling vector map data 600 by navigation device 182 . Examples of management records include the data sizes of various types of data forming the vector map data 600 .

Primary map data 640 depicts a map of the geographic extent assigned to vector map data 600 . Primary map data 640 includes information for rendering a map of the geographic extent or base parcel assigned to vector map data 600 . The route guidance data 660 includes information in which information indicating a point where the route guidance data is to be output and data ID of the route guidance data output at the point are associated with each other.

Basic data 642 includes the basic data necessary for navigation device 182 to draw a map. The extended data 644 includes various data used by functions other than map drawing (sometimes referred to as extended functions) in the navigation device 182 . Examples of extended functions include a function of superimposing road traffic information on a map.

The road data 652 includes various data regarding roads included in each map. Details of the road data 652 will be described later. The background data 654 includes map background data such as rivers, boundaries of administrative divisions, railways, and the like. The name data 656 includes data in which information indicating the name of the feature included in each map is associated with information indicating the position where the name is displayed.

The VICS conversion table 658 contains VICS link IDs used to identify each of a plurality of road links in the VICS center 160, and information of a plurality of road links (sometimes called parcel links) in each map data set. Correspondence with road link ID used for identifying each is shown. Details of the VICS conversion table 658 will be described later.

As a result, even when the road link IDs assigned to at least some of the road links included in the map recording range are changed due to the update of the map data set stored in the map distribution server 120, the navigation device 182 can associate road link IDs in the map data set with VICS link IDs by using the VICS conversion table 658 . As a result, for example, the navigation device 182 can reflect the road traffic information transmitted by the VICS signal 22 on the map.

Vector map data 600 may be an example of first distribution map data or second distribution map data. The primary map data 640 may be an example of first map data or second map data. The road data 652 may be an example of driving assistance information used in an automatic driving system or a driving assistance system. The VICS conversion table 658 may be an example of correspondence information indicating correspondence between road link IDs and VICS link IDs. A VICS link ID may be an example of identification information used to identify each of a plurality of road links in a service that distributes additional information superimposed on a map. A road link ID may be an example of identification information used to identify each of a plurality of road links in a map data set.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of the data structure of road data 652 included in vector map data 600. As shown in FIG. The road data 652 includes various information regarding each of the one or more roads included in each basic parcel. In this embodiment, the road data 652 stores parcel levels 720, road link IDs 730, shape information 740, and attribute information 750 in association with each other. In this embodiment, the road link ID 730 is represented by a parcel ID 732 and a parcel link ID 734, for example.

The parcel ID 732 is identification information for identifying each basic parcel. A parcel link ID 734 is identification information for identifying a road link representing each of a plurality of roads arranged on each basic parcel.

The shape information 740 is information for representing the shape of each road arranged in each basic parcel. Examples of the shape information include information indicating the start node, end node, link length, etc. of the road link corresponding to each road.

The attribute information 750 is information for representing attributes of each road allocated to each basic parcel. Road attributes include at least one of road type, link type, road structure, regulations applied to roads, and statistics relating to the speed of vehicles traveling on the road.

Examples of road types include general roads, highways, ferry routes, and the like. Types of roads include national highways, urban highways, general national roads, major local roads (prefectural roads), major local roads (designated city roads), general prefectural roads, general city roads in designated cities, introductory roads, It may be subdivided into minor roads, destination-related roads, parking lot-related roads, and the like. General roads may be subdivided into main roads and other guide roads.

Types of links include dummy links, links on the main line where the up and down lines are not separated, links on the main line where the up and down lines are separated, links on connecting roads connecting main lines, links in intersections, links on ramps, A link of a side road on the same route as the main line, a link of a side line such as a service area, and the like are exemplified.

Examples of laws and regulations applied to roads include the direction of travel, upper speed limits, and permission/denial of activation of an automatic driving system or a driving support system. Examples of the road structure include width, number of lanes, method of separating up and down lines, slope, and the like.

The automatic driving system or driving assistance system of the vehicle 180 may control the vehicle 180 using information indicating the type of road, the number of lanes on the road, the upper speed limit of the road, the structure of the road, and the like. For example, when it is permitted to enable the automatic lane change function of the vehicle 180 only on roads that are motorways, have two or more lanes, and are structurally separated from one another. There is

In this case, it is conceivable that the navigation device 182 analyzes an image captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle 180 to determine whether the above requirements are met. However, as the requirements become more complex, it is desired to determine whether the above requirements are fulfilled more accurately and quickly. According to this embodiment, the attribute information 750 is included in the map data distributed from the map distribution server 120, so the navigation device 182 can accurately and quickly determine whether the above requirements are met.

The attribute information 750 may be an example of driving assistance information used in an automatic driving system or a driving assistance system. The attribute information 750 included in each piece of map data forming the n-th generation data set 322 may be an example of second support information. The attribute information 750 included in each piece of map data that constitutes the (n−1) generation data set 324 may be an example of first support information.

FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of the data structure of the VICS conversion table 658 included in the vector map data 600. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the VICS conversion table 658 stores parcel levels 720, road link IDs 730, and VICS link IDs 840 in association with each other. As a result, the road link ID of the road link representing each of the one or more roads included in each basic parcel is associated with the VICS link ID of the road link.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of the data configuration of raster map data 900. As shown in FIG. As mentioned, the map data included in the Level-1 dataset may be raster map data 900 . The raster map data 900 differs from the vector map data 600 in that the main map data 940 is provided instead of the main map data 640 . Main map data 940 is different from main map data 640 in that street map data 952 is provided instead of road data 652 and background data 654 . Street map data 952 may be raster map data that renders in detail the features contained within the geographic extent indicated by each level 0 elementary parcel.

FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of the system configuration of the route search server 140. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the route search server 140 includes a communication section 1020 , a storage section 1030 and a route search section 1040 . In this embodiment, the route search section 1040 has a request reception section 1042 and a request response section 1044 .

In this embodiment, communication unit 1020 transmits and receives information between route search unit 1040 and vehicle 180 via communication network 10 . The communication unit 1020 may transmit and receive information between the map distribution server 120 and the route search server 140 via the communication network 10 .

In this embodiment, the storage unit 1030 stores various map information. The storage unit 1030 acquires and stores map data sets distributed by the map distribution server 120 . When the map data set is updated, the storage unit 1030 acquires the entire updated map data set in a relatively short period of time. The storage unit 1030 may acquire the new map data set all at once, or may acquire the map data set by dividing it. Details of the storage unit 1030 and details of the map information will be described later.

The route search unit 1040 uses the map data stored in the storage unit 1030 to search for a route to the destination in response to a request from the navigation device 182 . Specifically, the request receiving unit 1042 receives from the navigation device 182 a route search request for requesting a route search to the destination. When the request receiving unit 1042 receives the route search request, the request responding unit 1044 transmits route data indicating the route to the destination to the navigation device 182 that transmitted the route search request.

As mentioned above, the route data may include point sequence data. If at least part of the route to the destination includes highways or highways, the route data may include highway data as described above.

FIG. 11 schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the storage section 1030. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the storage unit 1030 includes a map data storage unit 320, a guidance data storage unit 330, an expressway data storage unit 340, a parameter data storage unit 350, a guidance search data storage unit 360, and management information. and a storage unit 370 .

In this embodiment, the map data storage unit 320 stores the n-th generation data set 322, which is the latest map data set, and the n-1th generation data set, which is the previous generation map data set. 324 is different from the storage unit 230 of the map distribution server 120 described with reference to FIG. Regarding other features, the storage unit 1030 and its parts may have the same configuration as the storage unit 230 and its parts. Note that the storage unit 1030 may store the (n−1)th generation data set 324 in the same manner as the storage unit 230 .

FIG. 12 schematically shows an example of the system configuration of the navigation device 182. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, navigation device 182 includes, for example, touch display 1212 and speaker 1214 . The navigation device 182 may include an input/output control section 1222 and a communication control section 1224 . The navigation device 182 may comprise a storage section 1232 and a map data management section 1234 . The navigation device 182 may comprise a position estimator 1242 , a road guider 1244 and a drawing controller 1246 .

In this embodiment, the touch display 1212 displays various screens. For example, touch display 1212 displays a screen containing an image of a map. A route to the destination may be displayed on the screen so as to be superimposed on the map. Various icons for the passenger 18 to operate the navigation device 182 may be arranged on the above screen. The touch display 1212 may draw various screens based on instructions from the drawing control unit 1246 .

Touch display 1212 may have a touch panel for accepting input from passenger 18 . Touch display 1212 may accept passenger 18 touch input. The touch display 1212 receives input from the passenger 18 for operating the navigation device 182, for example.

In one embodiment, passenger 18 inputs through touch input that an icon displayed on touch display 1212 has been selected. As a result, the process associated with the above icon is executed. In other embodiments, the passenger 18 may input an instruction to scroll the map displayed on the touch display 1212 and an instruction to zoom in on the map displayed on the touch display 1212 through touch input. can be entered.

In yet another embodiment, passenger 18 may enter the location of a particular point (sometimes referred to as a designated point) through touch input. A destination, a departure point, a transit point, a POI, and the like are exemplified as the designated point. The position of the designated place may be represented by coordinates, an address or part thereof, or a facility name or building name.

Note that the method of inputting instructions from the passenger 18 is not limited to touch input. In other embodiments, commands from passenger 18 may be input via a keyboard, pointing device, voice input system, eye-gaze input system, gesture input system, or the like.

In this embodiment, the speaker 1214 may output various guidance information by voice. Speaker 1214 may output various guidance information based on instructions from road guidance section 1244 .

The input/output control unit 1222 controls input of information to the navigation device 182 . Also, the input/output control unit 1222 controls the output of information from the navigation device 182 .

For example, the input/output control unit 1222 acquires, from the touch display 1212, information indicating the coordinates of the position of the touch input on the touch display 1212 (sometimes referred to as touch position coordinates). The input/output control unit 1222 outputs information indicating the touch position coordinates to at least one of the map data management unit 1234 and the road guidance unit 1244, for example. The input/output control unit 1222 may output to at least one of the map data management unit 1234 and the road guidance unit 1244 information indicating the content of the instruction from the passenger 18 indicated by the touch input.

Input/output control 1222 may adjust the settings of touch display 1212 . For example, the input/output control unit 1222 sets the sensitivity of the touch panel of the touch display 1212 . More specifically, the input/output control unit 1222 may adjust the detection sensitivity of touch input at each position of the touch display 1212 . Thereby, for example, a dead area in which touch input is not detected can be arranged on at least a part of the touch display 1212 .

The input/output control unit 1222 may acquire the VICS signal 22 and the GPS signal 24 received by the receiving device 186 from the receiving device 186 . The input/output control unit 1222 may output the VICS signal 22 to the road guidance unit 1244, for example. The input/output control section 1222 may output the GPS signal 24 to the position estimation section 1242, for example.

The input/output control unit 1222 may acquire various data output from the vehicle-mounted sensor 188 from the vehicle-mounted sensor 188 . The input/output control unit 1222 outputs, for example, image data output by a camera that captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle 180 to the road guide unit 1244 . The input/output control unit 1222 outputs data such as acceleration and angular acceleration output by the internal sensor to the position estimation unit 1242, for example.

The input/output control unit 1222 may control image output of the touch display 1212 . The input/output control unit 1222 may control audio output of the speaker 1214 .

In this embodiment, the communication control unit 1224 controls communication between the communication device 184 and at least one of the map distribution server 120 and the route search server 140 . The communication control unit 1224 may be a communication interface.

The communication control unit 1224 acquires information (sometimes referred to as communication information) indicating the communication state of the communication network 10 when the map data management unit 1234 acquires map data from the map distribution server 120. good too. The communication control section 1224 may output information indicating the communication state of the communication network 10 to the map data management section 1234 . Examples of the communication state include radio wave intensity, communication speed, delay, and communication stability.

Similarly, the communication control unit 1224 may acquire information indicating the communication state of the communication network 10 when the road guidance unit 1244 acquires route data from the route search server 140 . The communication control section 1224 may output information indicating the communication state of the communication network 10 to the road guidance section 1244 .

The storage unit 1232 stores various map information. Storage unit 1232 stores the pre-in data set described above. When the map data management unit 1234 acquires data constituting the distribution data set from the map distribution server 120, the storage unit 1232 may store the data. Details of the storage unit 1232 will be described later.

A map data management unit 1234 manages map information stored in the storage unit 1232 . In one embodiment, the map data manager 1234 manages map information updates. For example, the map data management unit 1234 acquires at least part of the distribution data set stored in the map distribution server 120 to update the map information.

In another embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 manages map data used for route guidance by the road guidance unit 1244 . In still another embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 manages map data used for map display by the drawing control unit 1246 . Details of the map data management unit 1234 will be described later.

A position estimation unit 1242 estimates the position of the navigation device 182 . The position estimator 1242 may estimate the position of the navigation device 182 based on at least one of (i) the GPS signal 24 and (ii) various data output by the in-vehicle sensor 188, for example.

In this embodiment, the road guide section 1244 presents the passenger 18 with various types of information for road guidance. The above information may be presented to the passenger 18 by displaying a guidance image on the touch display 1212 or may be presented to the passenger 18 by outputting a guidance voice from the speaker 1214 .

In this embodiment, the road guidance unit 1244 (i) uses the position of the vehicle 180 and a map of the surroundings of the vehicle 180 to determine the route to the destination, and uses the map of the surroundings of the vehicle 180 to A free driving mode in which information is presented to the passenger 18; and a route guidance mode in which information about roads around 180 is presented to the passenger 18 .

In the route guidance mode, the road guidance section 1244 guides the route to the destination. For example, the road guidance unit 1244 (i) acquires at least information indicating the destination of the passenger 18 and searches for a route to the destination. (ii) The road guidance unit 1244 acquires information indicating the destination of the passenger 18 and information indicating at least one of one or more transit points and departure points, and based on this information, determines the destination You can search for a route to

In one embodiment, road guidance unit 1244 provides route guidance to passenger 18 based on data stored in storage unit 1232 . In another embodiment, the road guidance unit 1244 provides route guidance to the passenger 18 based on route data transmitted from the route search server 140 .

A drawing control unit 1246 draws an image on the touch display 1212 . The drawing control unit 1246 controls drawing of the screen displayed on the touch display 1212 . The drawing control unit 1246 may control the touch display 1212 to display the map image on the touch display 1212 . For example, the drawing control unit 1246 causes the touch display 1212 to display a screen based on data stored in the storage unit 1232 . The drawing control unit 1246 selects (i) a first drawing mode for drawing a map image based on the map data stored in the pre-installed data storage unit 1314, and (ii) a map image based on the map data stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316. and a second drawing mode for drawing the map image.

The drawing control unit 1246 may control the touch display 1212 to display the guide image on the touch display 1212 . The drawing control unit 1246 may cause the touch display 1212 to display a guidance image corresponding to the position of the vehicle 180 according to an instruction from the road guidance unit 1244, for example.

Passenger 18 may be an example of a user. The touch display 1212 may be an example of a display device or an operation input unit. The input/output control unit 1222 may be an example of a position information acquisition unit or a display control unit. The map data management unit 1234 may be an example of a map information acquisition unit. The position estimation unit 1242 may be an example of a position information acquisition unit. The road guide section 1244 may be an example of a route search section. The drawing control unit 1246 may be an example of a control device or a display control unit.

In this embodiment, the details of the navigation device 182 have been described by taking as an example the case where the passenger 18 operates the navigation device 182 via the touch display 1212 . However, the navigation device 182 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, passenger 18 may operate navigation device 182 via a voice input system, a gesture input system, a gaze input system, or the like.

FIG. 13 schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the storage section 1232. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the storage unit 1232 includes a management information storage unit 1312 , a pre-installed data storage unit 1314 and a distribution data storage unit 1316 . In this embodiment, the pre-installed data storage unit 1314 includes a map data storage unit 1320, a guidance data storage unit 1330, an expressway data storage unit 1340, a parameter data storage unit 1350, and a guidance search data storage unit 1360. have.

In this embodiment, the management information storage unit 1312 stores various information used for managing various data stored in the storage unit 1232 . For example, the management information storage unit 1312 stores information indicating creation time or update time of the m-th generation data set 1322 . The management information storage section 1312 may store information indicating the creation time, update time, or acquisition time of the map data stored in the distribution data storage section 1316 . As described above, the information indicating creation time or update time may be information indicating generation or version.

In this embodiment, the pre-in data storage unit 1314 stores pre-in data. Details of each part of the pre-installed data storage unit 1314 will be described later.

In this embodiment, the distribution data storage unit 1316 stores the data acquired from the map distribution server 120 by the map data management unit 1234 among the data constituting the distribution data set stored in the map distribution server 120 . As described above, according to the present embodiment, for example, the management information storage unit 1312 stores data identification information acquired by the map data management unit 1234 from the map distribution server 120, and information indicating the acquisition time of the data acquired from is associated with and stored. As a result, the data acquired from the map distribution server 120 by the map data management unit 1234 can be managed in association with the information indicating the time at which the data was acquired.

In this embodiment, the map data storage unit 1320 stores an m-th generation dataset 1322 as a pre-in dataset. The mth generation dataset 1322 may have a similar data structure as the nth generation dataset 322 .

In this embodiment, the guidance data storage unit 1330 stores guidance data corresponding to the m-th generation data set 1322 . In this embodiment, the expressway data storage unit 1340 stores expressway data corresponding to the m-th generation dataset 1322 . In this embodiment, the parameter data storage unit 1350 stores parameter data corresponding to the m-th generation dataset 1322 . In this embodiment, the guidance search data storage unit 1360 stores guidance search data corresponding to the m-th generation data set 1322 .

The m-th generation dataset 1322 may be an example of a local map dataset including map data created or updated at a time earlier than the map data constituting the map datasets stored in the map data distribution system. . The pre-in data storage unit 1314 forming the m-th generation data set 1322 may be an example of a first storage unit. The distribution data storage unit 1316 may be an example of a second storage unit.

FIG. 14 schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the distribution data storage unit 1316. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the delivery data store 1316 comprises available delivery data 1420 and updating delivery data 1440 . Examples of usable distribution data 1420 include X generation map data 1422, X generation guidance data 1423, X generation expressway data 1424, and the like. Other examples of available distribution data 1420 include Xth generation parameter data, Xth generation guidance search data, and the like. For example, while the latest map data 1442 update process is being executed, the map data 1442 is not available until the acquisition process of the map data 1442 is completed. Such data in the middle of acquisition processing can be temporarily stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316 as the distribution data 1440 being updated.

FIG. 15 schematically shows an example screen 1500 . In this embodiment, the screen 1500 has a basic function selection area 1520 and a function dependent area 1540 . In this embodiment, an operation selection area 1542 is arranged in the function dependent area 1540 . Further, in this embodiment, a scale change button 1580 , a map update button 1582 , and a map distinguishing icon 1584 are arranged in the function dependent area 1540 .

[Positional Relationship of Elements on Screen 1500]
In this embodiment, the basic function selection area 1520 is arranged outside the function dependent area 1540 . The width of the basic function selection area 1520 may be longer than half the width of the screen.

In this embodiment, operation selection area 1542 is arranged between basic function selection area 1520 and function dependent area 1540 . The width of the operation selection area 1542 may be longer than half the width of the screen. The operation selection area 1542 may be displayed superimposed on the function dependent area 1540 . In another embodiment, the operation selection area 1542 may be arranged in contact with or overlapping the end of the function dependent area 1540 on the side where the basic function selection area 1520 is arranged.

In this embodiment, the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542 are spaced apart. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a gap 1544 is provided between the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542 . This greatly reduces erroneous operations by the passenger 18 .

In this embodiment, at the end of the operation selection area 1542 on the basic function selection area 1520 side, a division highlighting line 1572 for dividing and displaying the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542 is arranged. The color or pattern of section highlighting line 1572 is preferably different from the color or pattern of operation selection area 1542 . Thereby, the boundary between the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542 can be visually recognized more clearly. As a result, erroneous operations by the passenger 18 are greatly reduced.

Note that in other embodiments, the section highlighting line 1572 is positioned between the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542 . In yet another embodiment, the section highlighting line 1572 may be arranged at the end of the basic function selection area 1520 on the operation selection area 1542 side.

[Functions of Elements of Screen 1500]
In this embodiment, the basic function selection area 1520 may be an area for the touch panel of the touch display 1212 to accept touch input from the passenger 18 . Basic function selection area 1520 of screen 1500 is provided with basic function selection buttons 1560 for selecting the basic functions of navigation device 182 . A plurality of basic function selection buttons 1560 may be arranged in the basic function selection area 1520 . According to this embodiment, as the basic function selection button 1560, buttons for calling each of the screen display setting function, TV broadcast reception function, audio playback function, FM broadcast reception function, telephone function, and navigation function are arranged. be done.

In this embodiment, a screen corresponding to the called basic function is displayed in the function dependent area 1540 of the screen 1500 . For example, a map image 1510 is displayed in the function dependent area 1540 when the navigation function is invoked.

In this embodiment, the operation selection area 1542 may be an area for the touch panel of the touch display 1212 to accept touch input from the passenger 18 . An operation selection area 1542 of the screen 1500 is provided with an operation selection button 1570 for selecting an operation corresponding to the called basic function. A plurality of operation selection buttons 1570 may be arranged in the operation selection area 1542 .

In this embodiment, scale change button 1580 is provided to accept touch input for changing the scale of map image 1510 displayed in function dependent area 1540 . In this embodiment, the map update button 1582 is provided to accept touch input for executing the distribution data set update process.

In this embodiment, the map distinguishing icon 1584 indicates that the map image 1510 is based on either (i) the pre-installed data set stored in the pre-installed data storage unit 1314 or (ii) the distribution data set stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316. It is provided to determine whether it is displayed as The map image 1510 is displayed based on the pre-installed data set stored in the pre-installed data storage unit 1314, and the map image 1510 is displayed based on the distribution data set stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316. At least one of the color, pattern, shape, and size of the map discrimination icon 1584 may differ between the two.

The basic function selection area 1520 may be an example of a first touch control area for the touch panel to receive a user's touch input. Functional dependent area 1540 may be an example of a map display area. The operation selection area 1542 may be an example of a second touch area for the touch panel to receive a user's touch input. The division highlighting line 1572 may be an example of a division area for dividing and displaying the first touch control area and the second control area. Map discrimination icon 1584 may be an example of an icon.

In the present embodiment, details of an example of the screen 1500 have been described, taking as an example the case where the gap 1544 is provided between the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542 . However, the screen 1500 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the sensitivity of the touch panel of touch display 1212 is adjusted. This suppresses erroneous input by the passenger 18 .

More specifically, for example, the input/output control unit 1222 controls the area on the touch panel of the touch display 1212, (a) (i) between the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542, (ii) basic The sensitivity of the region corresponding to at least one of the vicinity of the end of the function selection region 1520 on the operation selection region 1542 side and (iii) the vicinity of the end of the operation selection region 1542 on the basic function selection region 1520 side is , (b) an area on the touch panel of the touch display 1212, in the basic function selection area 1520, the distance from the end of the operation selection area 1542 on the side of the basic function selection area 1520 satisfies a predetermined condition. Set the sensitivity of the touch panel so that it is lower than the sensitivity of the area corresponding to the part where the touch panel is touched. A portion of the basic function selection area 1520 that satisfies a predetermined condition for the distance from the end of the operation selection area 1542 on the side of the basic function selection area 1520 is, for example, an operation selection area in the basic function selection area 1520 . This is the portion where the distance from the lower end of region 1542 is greater than a predetermined value.

The input/output control unit 1222 is an area on the touch panel of the touch display 1212, (i) between the basic function selection area 1520 and the operation selection area 1542, and (ii) on the operation selection area 1542 side of the basic function selection area 1520. and (iii) near the end of the operation selection area 1542 on the side of the basic function selection area 1520, a dead area that does not accept the user's touch input. You may set the sensitivity of the touch panel as follows. For example, on the touch panel of the touch display 1212, the sensitivity of the touch panel is set so that the area corresponding to the gap 1544 of the screen 1500 becomes a dead area.

FIG. 16 schematically shows an example of a map data update method. FIG. 16 schematically shows an example of a method of updating map data when a route is guided based on a set route 1610. FIG.

According to this embodiment, a geographical range having a predetermined shape and size with reference to the departure point 1612 is set as the target area 1622 to be updated for the map data. When starting point 1612 is used as a reference, for example, a geographical range having a predetermined shape and size centered on starting point 1612 is set as target area 1622 . In this case, the center of target area 1622 coincides with starting point 1612 . Note that the method of setting the target area 1622 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the area of interest 1622 may be set such that a particular location other than the center of the area of interest 1622 coincides with the starting point 1612 . The same applies when a point other than the starting point 1612 is used as a reference.

One or more basic parcels including the target area 1622 are determined as the target parcels 1624 to be subjected to map data update processing. Of the one or more target parcels 1624, at least one of (i) basic parcels for which the latest map data has already been acquired and (ii) basic parcels belonging to a specific parcel level is excluded from the target parcels 1624. may be Also, a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level may be determined as the target parcel 1624 to be subjected to map data update processing.

The determination processing of the target parcel 1624 is executed within a predetermined period after the setting route 1610 is determined, for example. The process of determining the target parcel 1624 may be performed when the set route 1610 is determined. In the process of determining the target parcel 1624, the order of transmission from the map distribution server 120 to the navigation device 182 may be determined. For example, the order in which each of the plurality of basic parcels included in the target parcel 1624 is transmitted is determined based on the parcel level to which each basic parcel belongs.

In this embodiment, a geographical range having a predetermined shape and size with reference to the destination point 1614 is set as the target area 1632 to be subjected to map data update processing. Then, one or more basic parcels including the target area 1632 are determined as target parcels 1634 to be subjected to map data update processing. Of the one or more target parcels 1634, at least one of (i) basic parcels for which the latest map data has already been obtained and (ii) basic parcels belonging to a specific parcel level is excluded from the target parcels 1634. may be Also, a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level may be determined as the target parcel 1624 to be subjected to map data update processing.

The determination processing of the target parcel 1634 is executed within a predetermined period after the setting route 1610 is determined, for example. The target parcel 1634 determination process may be performed when the set route 1610 is determined. In the process of determining the target parcel 1624, the order of transmission from the map distribution server 120 to the navigation device 182 may be determined. For example, the order in which each of the plurality of basic parcels included in the target parcel 1624 is transmitted is determined based on the parcel level to which each basic parcel belongs.

The shape and size of the geographic area used to establish the area of interest 1632 may be the same as the shape and size of the geographic area used to establish the area of interest 1622 . The shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1632 may differ from the shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1622 .

In this embodiment, a geographical range having a predetermined shape and size with reference to each of a plurality of points 1640 located on the set route 1610 is assigned to the target area 1642 to be updated for the map data. set. Then, one or more basic parcels including the target area 1642 are determined as target parcels 1644 to be subjected to map data update processing. Of the one or more target parcels 1644, at least one of (i) a basic parcel for which the latest map data has already been obtained, and (ii) a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level is excluded from the target parcels 1644. may be Also, a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level may be determined as the target parcel 1624 to be subjected to map data update processing.

The determination processing of the target parcel 1644 is executed within a predetermined period after the setting route 1610 is determined, for example. The process of determining the target parcel 1644 may be performed when the set route 1610 is determined. In the process of determining the target parcel 1624, the order of transmission from the map distribution server 120 to the navigation device 182 may be determined. For example, the order in which each of the plurality of basic parcels included in the target parcel 1624 is transmitted is determined based on the parcel level to which each basic parcel belongs.

The shape and size of the geographic area used to establish the area of interest 1642 may be the same as the shape and size of the geographic area used to establish the area of interest 1622 . The shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1642 may differ from the shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1622 .

The shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1642 is such that the area of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1642 is smaller than the area of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1622. may be set as As a result, even when the route is changed, the amount of wasted data can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, a geographical range having a predetermined shape and size with reference to the vehicle position 1650 is set as the target area 1652 to be updated for the map data. Then, one or more basic parcels including the target area 1652 are determined as target parcels 1654 to be subjected to map data update processing. Of the one or more target parcels 1654, at least one of (i) basic parcels for which the latest map data has already been acquired and (ii) basic parcels belonging to a specific parcel level is excluded from the target parcels 1654. may be Also, a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level may be determined as the target parcel 1624 to be subjected to map data update processing.

The determination processing of the target parcel 1654 is executed within a predetermined period after the setting route 1610 is determined, for example. The target parcel 1654 determination process may be performed when the set route 1610 is determined. In the process of determining the target parcel 1624, the order of transmission from the map distribution server 120 to the navigation device 182 may be determined. For example, the order in which each of the plurality of basic parcels included in the target parcel 1624 is transmitted is determined based on the parcel level to which each basic parcel belongs.

The shape and size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1652 may be the same as the shape and size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1652 . The shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1652 may differ from the shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1652 .

The shape or size of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1652 is such that the area of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1652 is larger than the area of the geographic extent used to establish the area of interest 1622. may be set as As a result, the map data of a wider range around the vehicle position 1650 can be updated to the latest map data. Further, as the vehicle 180 travels, the map data stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316 of the navigation device 182 is updated to the latest map data.

For example, the target parcel 1664 indicates a basic parcel that was subject to map data update processing at a time before the target parcel 1654 . As described above, according to the present embodiment, among the data constituting the latest distribution data set stored in the map distribution server 120, the data of the area determined according to the situation of the navigation device 182 is transmitted each time. be done. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the amount of data communication while maintaining the user experience.

In this embodiment, for example, in the process of determining the target parcel 1654, (i) first, a geographical range having a predetermined shape and size with reference to the vehicle position 1650 is selected as the target of the map data update process. and (ii) then all or part of one or more basic parcels including the target area 1652 are determined as target parcels 1654 to be updated for map data. As an example, the details of how the target parcel 1654 is determined have been described. However, the method of determining the target parcel 1654 is not limited to this embodiment.

In another embodiment, (i) one or more base parcels (sometimes referred to as ego-vehicle position parcels) containing the vehicle position 1650 and (ii) a plurality of base parcels adjacent to the base parcel (neighboring parcels). are sometimes referred to as parcels) are selected as target parcels 1654 to be subjected to map data update processing. For example, the parcel-level base parcel corresponding to the scale of the map image 1510 currently displayed on the touch display 1212, the single base parcel containing the ego vehicle position 1650 and the eight base parcels adjacent to the ego vehicle position parcel. base parcels are selected as candidates for subject parcels 1654 .

All of the nine base parcels selected as candidates for the target parcel 1654 may be determined as the target parcel 1654 , and some of the nine base parcels may be determined as the target parcel 1654 . For example, among the above nine basic parcels, (i) basic parcels for which the latest map data have already been acquired, and (ii) basic parcels excluding at least one of basic parcels belonging to a specific parcel level , is determined as the parcel of interest 1654 . Also, among the nine basic parcels, a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level may be determined as the target parcel 1654 .

In the above embodiment, the vehicle position parcel and eight basic parcels adjacent to the vehicle position parcel (sometimes referred to as first-level adjacent parcels) are candidates for the target parcel 1654. was selected as However, the method of selecting basic parcels adjacent to the own vehicle position parcel as candidates for the target parcel 1654 is not limited to the above embodiment.

In another embodiment, 16 basic parcels adjacent to the first level adjacent parcels (sometimes referred to as second level adjacent parcels) are considered as the basic parcels adjacent to the vehicle location parcel. It is selected as a candidate for parcel 1654 . 24 basic parcels adjacent to the second level adjacent parcels (sometimes referred to as third level adjacent parcels) are selected as candidates for the target parcel 1654 as basic parcels adjacent to the vehicle position parcel. may be Similarly, a plurality of basic parcels adjacent to the n−1 level adjacent parcel (that is, the nth level adjacent parcel) are candidates for the target parcel 1654 as basic parcels adjacent to the vehicle position parcel. may be selected as n may be an integer of 2 or greater. The upper limit of n may be any predetermined positive integer.

The above matters are not limited to the method of determining target parcels 1654 . For example, at least one of the target parcel 1624, target parcel 1634, target parcel 1644, and target parcel 1664 described in connection with FIG. determined by the procedure of

An example of a switching method of map data for screen drawing will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. As described above, the drawing control unit 1246 controls (i) the first drawing mode for drawing the map image 1510 on the screen 1500 based on the map data stored in the pre-installed data storage unit 1314, and (ii) the distribution data storage unit 1314. and a second drawing mode for drawing a map image 1510 on the screen 1500 based on the map data stored in 1316 .

17 and 18, basic parcels 1712 and 1714 indicate basic parcels for which the latest map data is stored in the available distribution data 1420 of the distribution data storage unit 1316. FIG. On the other hand, the basic parcel 1716 indicates a basic parcel for which the latest map data is not stored in the available distribution data 1420 of the distribution data storage unit 1316 . For the purpose of simplifying the explanation, in the present embodiment, the case where the basic parcel 1712, the basic parcel 1714, and the basic parcel 1716 have the same parcel level is taken as an example, and the map data switching method for screen drawing is described. An example of is described.

In FIGS. 17 and 18, the determination area 1722 is used by the rendering control unit 1246 to determine in which rendering mode, the first rendering mode or the second rendering mode, the map image 1510 should be rendered. The shape and size of the determination area 1722 are set so that the screen display area 1724 is included inside the determination area 1722 . The shape of determination region 1722 may be determined based on the traveling direction of vehicle 180 . A screen display area 1724 shows a geographic area corresponding to the map displayed on screen 1500 .

As shown in FIG. 17, when the determination area 1722 is arranged inside the basic parcel 1712 and the basic parcel 1714, the drawing control unit 1246 draws the map image 1510 in the second drawing mode. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, when at least part of the determination area 1722 is arranged inside the basic parcel 1716, the drawing control unit 1246 draws the map image 1510 in the first drawing mode.

For example, due to the influence of the communication environment, among the basic parcels that include a specific location or geographical range, the acquisition process of the latest map data corresponding to basic parcels belonging to some parcel levels has not been completed. As vehicle 180 continues to move, a portion of decision region 1722 may be located inside base parcel 1716 . Also, when the input/output control unit 1222 receives an instruction to scroll the map displayed on the touch display 1212 , part of the determination area 1722 can be arranged inside the basic parcel 1716 .

[Overview of Processing for Acquiring Data from Map Distribution Server 120]
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, the map data management unit 1234 acquires data from the map distribution server 120 (sometimes referred to as data acquisition processing). is) will be described in detail. Examples of the data that the map data management unit 1234 acquires from the map distribution server 120 include at least one of (i) map data and (ii) various data related to the map data. The data acquisition process is performed, for example, during the map data update process described above.

FIG. 19 schematically shows an example of data acquisition processing of the map data management unit 1234. As shown in FIG. FIG. 20 schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the map data management section 1234. As shown in FIG. 21, 22, 23 and 24 schematically show an example of a method of determining basic parcels to be acquired. FIG. 24 schematically shows an example of the procedure of data acquisition processing. FIG. 25 schematically shows another example of a method of determining basic parcels to be subjected to data acquisition processing.

As described above, the navigation device 182 uses various data distributed from the map distribution server 120 to display the map image 1510, the set route 1610, and road traffic information. . Therefore, if the data acquisition process by the map data management unit 1234 is delayed, the drawing process of the screen 1500 by the drawing control unit 1246 may be affected. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, at least one of the range of basic parcels targeted for data acquisition processing and the acquisition order of various data related to basic parcels targeted for data acquisition processing is adjusted.

FIG. 19 schematically shows an example of data acquisition processing of the map data management unit 1234. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 adjusts the parcel level for data acquisition processing according to the situation of the navigation device 182 and the positional relationship between the navigation device 182 and the basic parcels.

16, when the road guidance unit 1244 is operating in the route guidance mode, the map data management unit 1234 controls the target parcel 1624, the target parcel 1634, the target parcel 1644, and the target parcel 1654. Get various data related to . As shown in FIG. 19, the map data management unit 1234 acquires data on basic parcels with parcel levels 0 to 5 among the target parcel 1624, target parcel 1634, target parcel 1644, and target parcel 1654.

Similarly, when the road guidance unit 1244 is operating in the free travel mode, the map data management unit 1234 stores the basic parcels (for example, the target parcel 1624 and the target parcel 1634) corresponding to the area around the designated place. Among them, data on basic parcels with parcel levels 0 to 5 are acquired. The map data management unit 1234 also acquires data on basic parcels with parcel levels 0 to 5 among basic parcels (for example, the target parcel 1654) corresponding to the area around the vehicle position. The map data management unit 1234 acquires data related to basic parcels with a parcel level of 0 among the basic parcels (for example, the target parcel 1664) for which the map data management unit 1234 has acquired data in a specific past period. may

As described in connection with FIG. 15, the passenger 18 may touch the scale change button 1580 on the touch display 1212 to request display of the city map. In this case, the map data management unit 1234 acquires data related to basic parcels with a parcel level of -1 among the basic parcels (for example, the target parcel 1654) corresponding to the area around the vehicle position.

12 and 15, the passenger 18 touches the map image 1510 displayed on the touch display 1212 to request scrolling of the map displayed on the touch display 1212. sometimes. For example, the passenger 18 scrolls the map when registering a specific point as a designated point, checking the map, or checking the set route 1610 . Therefore, when scrolling the map is requested, there is a possibility that the already registered designated place is changed or the set route 1610 is changed and tiled. Therefore, in this embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 interrupts the data acquisition process when a map scrolling request is made.

[Overview of map data management unit 1234]
Next, an example of the map data management unit 1234 will be described using FIG. In the present embodiment, details of the map data management unit 1234 will be described by taking as an example the case where the map data management unit 1234 acquires data related to the basic parcels described with reference to FIG. Note that in other embodiments, the map data management unit 1234 can acquire data related to basic parcels other than the basic parcels described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the present embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 includes a target range identification unit 2020, a target parcel determination unit 2040, an acquisition order determination unit 2050, a data acquisition unit 2060, and a setting information storage unit. 2070. In this embodiment, the target range identification unit 2020 has a designated area surrounding parcel identification unit 2022 , a route surrounding parcel identification unit 2024 , and a vehicle surrounding parcel identification unit 2026 .

In this embodiment, the target range identification unit 2020 identifies a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. As described above, in this embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 acquires data regarding basic parcels described with reference to FIG. More specifically, the map data management unit 1234 stores the basic parcels located around the vehicle position, the basic parcels located around the set route, the basic parcels located around the past traveled route, and the specified location. Obtain data about at least one of the base parcels located around the .

In this embodiment, the designated area surrounding parcel identifying unit 2022 identifies an area corresponding to the basic parcel located around the designated area as a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. The specified site surrounding parcel identification unit 2022 may output the parcel IDs of the basic parcels located around the specified site to the target parcel determination unit 2040 as information indicating the geographical range to be subjected to the data acquisition process.

For example, the specified place surrounding parcel identification unit 2022 first acquires information indicating the position of the specified place input to the touch display 1212 by the passenger 18 from the input/output control unit 1222 . As a result, the designated site surrounding parcel identifying unit 2022 can identify the position of the designated site. As described above, a destination, a departure point, a transit point, a POI, and the like are exemplified as the designated point.

Next, the specified place surrounding parcel identifying unit 2022 specifies the area corresponding to the basic parcel including the position of the specified place as a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. The designated area surrounding parcel identification unit 2022 identifies an area corresponding to a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level and including the location of the designated area as a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. may The designated area surrounding parcel identification unit 2022 may output the parcel ID of the basic parcel to the target parcel determination unit 2040 as information indicating the geographical range to be subjected to the data acquisition process.

In this embodiment, the route surrounding parcel identification unit 2024 identifies an area corresponding to a basic parcel located around the route of the vehicle 180 as a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. The route surrounding parcel identification unit 2024 may output parcel IDs of parcels located around the route of the vehicle 180 to the target parcel determination unit 2040 as information indicating the geographical range targeted for data acquisition processing. The route of the vehicle 180 may be a set route, or may be an area corresponding to a basic parcel for which map data was distributed during a specific period in the past (that is, a past route).

In this embodiment, the vehicle surrounding parcel identifying unit 2026 identifies the area corresponding to the basic parcel located around the vehicle 180 as the geographical range to be subjected to the data acquisition process. The vehicle surrounding parcel identifying unit 2026 may output the parcel IDs of the basic parcels located around the vehicle 180 to the target parcel determining unit 2040 as information indicating the geographical range targeted for the data acquisition process.

For example, the vehicle surrounding parcel identifying unit 2026 first acquires information indicating the estimated position of the vehicle 180 from the position estimating unit 1242 . The vehicle surrounding parcel identification unit 2026 outputs the area corresponding to the basic parcel whose positional relationship with the estimated position satisfies a predetermined condition as a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. The vehicle surrounding parcel identifying unit 2026 may output the parcel IDs of the basic parcels located around the vehicle 180 to the target parcel determining unit 2040 as information indicating the geographical range targeted for the data acquisition process. Information indicating the predetermined conditions is stored in the setting information storage unit 2070, for example.

In one embodiment, the base parcel that satisfies the predetermined condition is a base parcel centered on the estimated position of the vehicle 180 described above and including at least a portion of an area of a predetermined shape and size. you can As such basic parcels, for example, one or more basic parcels forming the target parcel 1654 are exemplified.

In another embodiment, the basic parcels that satisfy the above-described predetermined conditions may include the vehicle position parcel containing the estimated position of the vehicle 180 and adjacent parcels adjacent to the vehicle position parcel. . Examples of such base parcels are described below.

In this embodiment, the target parcel determination unit 2040 acquires information indicating the geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing from each unit of the target range identification unit 2020 . The information indicating the geographical range to be subjected to the data acquisition process may be (i) a basic parcel belonging to a specific parcel level, and may be the parcel ID of the basic parcel included in the geographical range; ) Parcel IDs of all base parcels included in the geographic area.

The target parcel determination unit 2040 determines a basic parcel for which the map distribution server 120 is requested to transmit data, from among one or more basic parcels included in the geographical range targeted for the data acquisition process. For example, the target parcel determination unit 2040 acquires data (for example, map data of the latest generation) related to the basic parcels among the one or more basic parcels included in the geographical range specified by the target range specifying unit 2020. A basic parcel that has not been registered is determined as a basic parcel for which the map distribution server 120 is requested to transmit data. As a result, of the one or more basic parcels included in the geographical range specified by the target range specifying unit 2020, the area corresponding to the basic parcel for which data related to the basic parcel has not been acquired becomes the target of the data acquisition process. Specified as a geographic area.

In this embodiment, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 determines the order in which the data acquisition unit 2060 acquires data from the map distribution server 120 . Acquisition order determination section 2050 outputs information indicating the acquisition order of the data to data acquisition section 2060 .

In one embodiment, when the target parcel determiner 2040 determines to acquire data on one or more basic parcels, the acquisition order determiner 2050 assigns priority to each of the one or more basic parcels. In another embodiment, when the map distribution server 120 stores (i) map data and (ii) various data related to the map data for each basic parcel, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 determines the type of data. Give priority to each. The priority may be a continuous numerical value or a gradual division.

More specifically, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 first acquires from the target parcel determination unit 2040 parcel IDs of one or more basic parcels for which data transmission requests to the map distribution server 120 have been determined. Next, the acquisition order determining unit 2050 determines the order of acquiring the data related to the one or more basic parcels based on predetermined settings or rules.

As predetermined settings or rules, (i) data on basic parcels belonging to a specific parcel level are acquired before data on basic parcels belonging to other parcel levels, (ii) specific types of parcels The data is obtained before other types of data, (iii) the data about the base parcel that contains the particular location or the base parcel that includes at least part of the particular geographic extent is the data about the other base parcels; (iv) a combination of these is exemplified. Information indicating predetermined settings or rules is stored in the setting information storage unit 2070, for example.

In one embodiment, the acquisition order determining unit 2050 determines that map data belonging to a parcel level with the largest scale among two or more parcel levels including map data expressed as vector data is map data belonging to other parcel levels. Based on the rule that the parcel is acquired earlier than the basic parcel, the order of acquiring the data on one or more basic parcels to be processed for data acquisition is determined. For example, when a plurality of pieces of map data relating to basic parcels belonging to parcel levels from level 0 to level 5 are included in the target of the data acquisition process, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 determines the road data relating to basic parcels belonging to the parcel level of level 0. 652 determines the acquisition order of the data so that it is acquired before other data. The acquisition order of basic parcels belonging to parcel levels from level 1 to level 5 is not particularly limited.

In another embodiment, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 selects data to be acquired based on a rule that a specific type of data belonging to a specific parcel level is acquired before other data. Determine the order of acquiring the above basic parcel data. For example, when a plurality of map data related to basic parcels belonging to parcel levels from level 0 to level 5 are included in the target of the data acquisition process, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 The order of data acquisition is determined so that the road data 652 is acquired, then the VICS conversion table 658 for the base parcel belonging to the level 0 parcel level is acquired, and then data belonging to other parcel levels is acquired. do. The acquisition order of basic parcels belonging to parcel levels from level 1 to level 5 is not particularly limited.

In the case where data relating to one or more basic parcels belonging to another parcel level is acquired, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 determines the VICS conversion table of each basic parcel after the road data 652 of all basic parcels is acquired. The data acquisition order may be determined such that 658 is acquired. In the case where data relating to one or more basic parcels belonging to another parcel level is acquired, the acquisition order determining unit 2050, after acquiring the road data 652 of a specific basic parcel, performs VICS of the specific basic parcel. The data acquisition order may be determined so that the conversion table 658 is acquired, then the road data 652 of another basic parcel is acquired, and then the VICS conversion table 658 of the other basic parcel is acquired. .

In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 2060 acquires at least one of (i) map data and (ii) various data related to the map data from the map distribution server 120 via the communication network 10 . In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 2060 adjusts the data acquisition range and acquisition order according to, for example, the situation of the navigation device 182 described with reference to FIG. The data acquisition unit 2060 stores various data acquired from the map distribution server 120 in the distribution data storage unit 1316 .

As described in connection with FIG. 3, the map distribution server 120 stores distribution data sets. 4 and 5, the distribution dataset includes a plurality of map data (eg, vector map data 600 or raster map data 900). Each of the plurality of map data includes basic data 642 and VICS conversion table 658 .

As described in connection with FIG. 5, each of the plurality of map data belongs to one of the plurality of parcel levels. Also, the scale is different for each parcel level. For example, each parcel level is defined by a scale. Each of the plurality of map data is map data of an area corresponding to one of one or more basic parcels defined for each parcel level.

In this embodiment, the map data belonging to two or more parcels among the multiple parcel levels are vector data. In the embodiment described in connection with FIG. 5, the map data belonging to the six parcel levels from level 0 to level 5 (eg, basic data 642 or road data 652) are vector data. Similarly, map data belonging to at least one hierarchy among a plurality of parcel levels is raster data. In the embodiment described in connection with FIG. 5, the map data belonging to parcel level-1 (eg, street map data 952) is raster data.

More specifically, the data acquisition unit 2060 first acquires from the acquisition order determination unit 2050 the parcel ID of the basic parcel to be subjected to the data acquisition process and the information on the data acquisition order. The information about the data acquisition order may be information indicating the order in which the data of each basic parcel is acquired, or may be information indicating the priority of each basic parcel.

As described above, the acquisition order determining unit 2050, for example, among two or more parcel levels including map data expressed as vector data, determines that the map data belonging to the parcel level with the largest scale belongs to another parcel level. Based on the rule that the data is acquired before the map data, the order of acquiring the data related to one or more basic parcels to be processed for data acquisition is determined. In this case, the data acquisition unit 2060, for example, sends the first distribution request requesting distribution of the basic data 642 or the road data 652 of the basic parcel belonging to the parcel level with the largest scale to the basic parcel belonging to another parcel level. is sent to the map distribution server 120 prior to the second distribution request requesting distribution of the basic data 642 or the road data 652. As a result, for example, the basic parcel basic data 642 or road data 652 belonging to the level 0 parcel level can be obtained before the basic parcel basic data 642 or road data 652 belonging to other parcel levels.

After transmitting the first delivery request and before transmitting the second delivery request, the data acquisition unit 2060 requests delivery of the VICS conversion table 658 of the basic parcel belonging to the parcel level with the largest scale. The request may be sent to map distribution server 120 . As a result, for example, after the basic parcel basic data 642 or road data 652 belonging to the parcel level of level 0 is obtained, the VICS conversion table 658 of the basic parcel belonging to the parcel level of level 0 is obtained. Basic data 642 or road data 652 belonging to the parcel level may be obtained.

In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 2060 may interrupt the data acquisition process or delay the execution of the data acquisition process depending on the situation of the navigation device 182 . For example, when the input/output control unit 1222 receives an instruction to scroll the map displayed on the touch display 1212, the data acquisition unit 2060 controls at least the drawing control unit 1246 to move the map on the screen of the touch display 1212. The data acquisition process may be interrupted or delayed while the process for obtaining data is being performed. As a result, consumption of communication resources can be suppressed. Also, the amount of communication data can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the setting information storage unit 2070 stores various settings related to data acquisition processing. For example, the setting information storage unit 2070 stores information indicating conditions for identifying a geographical range to be subjected to data acquisition processing. The setting information storage unit 2070 may store information indicating settings or rules regarding the data acquisition order.

The target range specifying unit 2020 may be an example of an acquisition range specifying unit, a position information acquiring unit, or an input point specifying unit. The designated area surrounding parcel identification unit 2022 may be an example of an acquisition range identification unit or an input point identification unit. It may be an example of the route peripheral parcel identification unit 2024 and the acquisition range identification unit. The vehicle surrounding parcel identification unit 2026 may be an example of an acquisition range identification unit or a position information acquisition unit. The data acquisition unit 2060 may be an example of a map information acquisition unit.

The data acquisition processing may be an example of acquisition processing by the map information acquisition unit. Information indicating the estimated position of vehicle 180 or navigation device 182 may be an example of position information. The position of vehicle 180 may be an example of the position of navigation device 182 or passenger 18 . The estimated position of vehicle 180 may be an example of the estimated position of navigation device 182 or passenger 18 .

[Example of data acquisition processing by the map data management unit 1234]
21, 22, 23, and 24, the map data management unit 1234 acquires data on a target area 1652 set around the vehicle position 1650 as an example. will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the map data management unit 1234 takes as an example the case where the data regarding the basic parcel including part of the determination area 1722 is acquired earlier than the data regarding the basic parcel including part of the target area 1652. Details of the data acquisition process will be described.

FIG. 21 shows the positional relationship between the target parcel 1654 and the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 . In this embodiment, the target area 1652 is larger than the determination region 1722 and the determination region 1722 is arranged inside the target area 1652 . As described above, parcels of interest 1654 are made up of one or more base parcels that encompass at least a portion of area of interest 1652 . In this embodiment, the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 is composed of one or more basic parcels including at least part of the determination area 1722 . As described above, the data for base parcels contained in pre-fetched parcels 2124 are obtained before data for other base parcels contained in target parcels 1654 .

FIG. 22 shows the hierarchical structure of basic parcels included in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 . As described with reference to FIG. 19, in this embodiment, basic parcels belonging to any of the parcel levels from level 0 to level 5 are subject to data acquisition processing. In FIG. 22, the basic parcels 2220 forming the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 are shaded. As shown in FIG. 22, the base parcel 2220 is the base parcel that corresponds to the decision area 1722 of the real ground surface 2200 at each parcel level. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the data acquisition processing for the basic parcels 2240 not shaded is started after the data acquisition processing for the basic parcels 2220 that make up the pre-acquisition parcels 2124 is completed.

FIG. 23 shows changes in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 as the vehicle 180 moves. For the purpose of simplifying the explanation, in FIG. 23, the basic parcels belonging to the level 0 parcel level are taken as an example to explain the fluctuations of the basic parcels that make up the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 as the vehicle 180 moves. .

As shown in FIG. 23, vehicle 180 is located at host vehicle position 2312 at time t2. At this time, the basic parcel 2322 , the basic parcel 2324 and the basic parcel 2326 are included in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 . Thereafter, vehicle 180 moves, and vehicle 180 is positioned at own vehicle position 2314 at time t4. At this time, the basic parcel 2326 , the basic parcel 2342 and the basic parcel 2344 are included in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 . On the other hand, the basic parcels 2322 and 2324 and the basic parcel 2346 adjacent to the basic parcel 2344 are not included in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 .

In this case, data for base parcel 2326 has already been obtained at time t2. As such, it may be excluded from prefetch parcels 2124 .

FIG. 24 shows an example of data acquisition processing when the map data management unit 1234 acquires data regarding the target area 1652 . According to this embodiment, first, in S2410, a geographical range to be processed for obtaining the latest generation map data is determined. For example, the vehicle surrounding parcel identification unit 2026 identifies a target area 1652 positioned around the vehicle 180 as a geographical range to be subjected to the above data acquisition processing. Next, the vehicle surrounding parcel identification unit 2026 selects basic parcels belonging to any of the parcel levels from level 0 to level 5 among a plurality of basic parcels including at least a part of the target area 1652 to be subjected to data acquisition processing. is selected as a candidate for the base parcel to be.

Next, in S2420, the target parcel determination unit 2040 executes a map version check. For example, the target parcel determination unit 2040 requests the map distribution server 120 to transmit information indicating the generation of the latest distribution data set currently stored in the map distribution server 120 . When receiving the information indicating the generation of the latest distribution data set from the map distribution server 120, the target parcel determination unit 2040 determines the generation of the latest distribution data set stored in the map distribution server 120 and the distribution data storage. The generation of the distribution data set stored in section 1316 is compared.

Next, in S2430, the target parcel determination unit 2040 determines basic parcels to be subjected to data acquisition processing from among the one or more basic parcels selected as candidates for data acquisition processing in S2410. In S2420, if the generation of the latest distribution dataset stored in the map distribution server 120 matches the generation of the distribution dataset stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316, the target parcel determination unit 2040 performs S2410. Among the one or more basic parcels selected as candidates for the data acquisition process, those for which the latest generation map data have not been acquired are determined as basic parcels to be subjected to the data acquisition process. On the other hand, in S2420, if the generation of the latest distribution data set stored in the map distribution server 120 does not match the generation of the distribution data set stored in the distribution data storage unit 1316, the target parcel determination unit 2040 , S2410, all basic parcels selected as candidates for data acquisition processing are determined as basic parcels to be subjected to data acquisition processing.

Next, in S2440, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 determines the acquisition order of the one or more basic parcels determined as targets of the data acquisition process in S2430. According to this embodiment, the acquisition order determination unit 2050 arranges data so that one or more basic parcels included in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124 are acquired earlier than other basic parcels included in the target parcel 1654. Determine the acquisition order.

Next, in S2450, the data acquisition unit 2060 requests the map distribution server 120 to transmit data regarding one or more basic parcels included in the pre-acquisition parcel 2124. FIG. After that, the data acquisition unit 2060 requests the map distribution server 120 to send data on the remaining basic parcels included in the target parcel 1654 .

According to this embodiment, the map of the area corresponding to the screen display area 1724 is preferentially acquired. As a result, when the drawing control unit 1246 draws the map image 1510, there is a high possibility that the latest generation of map data acquisition processing has ended. As a result, the frequency of switching between the pre-installed map data and the distribution map data when rendering the map image 1510 can be reduced.

FIG. 25 schematically shows another example of a method of determining basic parcels to be acquired. According to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 21, the case where the data of the basic parcel corresponding to the determination area 1722 is acquired before the data of other basic parcels included in the target parcel 1654 is taken as an example. , the details of the map data management unit 1234 have been described. In this embodiment, the data of the own vehicle position parcel 2522 and the adjacent parcel 2524 are acquired prior to the data of other basic parcels included in the target parcel 1654, which has been described with reference to FIG. It differs from the embodiment. With respect to features other than the above differences, this embodiment may have a similar configuration to the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example computer 3000 upon which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. A portion of vehicle 180 may be implemented by computer 3000 . A portion of navigation device 182 may be implemented by computer 3000 . For example, the controller of navigation device 182 is implemented by computer 3000 . The controller of the navigation device 182 is, for example, at least one of an input/output control unit 1222, a communication control unit 1224, a storage unit 1232, a map data management unit 1234, a position estimation unit 1242, a road guidance unit 1244, and a drawing control unit 1246. Prepare.

Programs installed on the computer 3000 cause the computer 3000 to function as one or more "parts" of operations or one or more "parts" of an apparatus according to embodiments of the invention, or to and/or cause the computer 3000 to perform processes or steps of processes according to embodiments of the present invention. Such programs may be executed by CPU 3012 to cause computer 3000 to perform certain operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

Computer 3000 according to this embodiment includes CPU 3012 , RAM 3014 , graphics controller 3016 , and display device 3018 , which are interconnected by host controller 3010 . Computer 3000 also includes input/output units such as communication interface 3022 , hard disk drive 3024 , DVD-ROM drive 3026 and IC card drive, which are connected to host controller 3010 via input/output controller 3020 . The computer also includes legacy input/output units such as ROM 3030 and keyboard 3042 , which are connected to input/output controller 3020 via input/output chip 3040 .

The CPU 3012 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 3030 and RAM 3014, thereby controlling each unit. Graphics controller 3016 retrieves image data generated by CPU 3012 into a frame buffer or the like provided in RAM 3014 or itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on display device 3018 .

Communication interface 3022 communicates with other electronic devices over a network. Hard disk drive 3024 stores programs and data used by CPU 3012 within computer 3000 . DVD-ROM drive 3026 reads programs or data from DVD-ROM 3001 and provides programs or data to hard disk drive 3024 via RAM 3014 . The IC card drive reads programs and data from IC cards and/or writes programs and data to IC cards.

ROM 3030 stores therein programs that are dependent on the hardware of computer 3000, such as a boot program that is executed by computer 3000 upon activation. Input/output chip 3040 may also connect various input/output units to input/output controller 3020 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, and the like.

A program is provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM 3001 or an IC card. The program is read from a computer-readable storage medium, installed in hard disk drive 3024 , RAM 3014 , or ROM 3030 , which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by CPU 3012 . The information processing described within these programs is read by computer 3000 to provide coordination between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing information operations or processing according to the use of computer 3000 .

For example, when communication is performed between the computer 3000 and an external device, the CPU 3012 executes a communication program loaded into the RAM 3014 and sends communication processing to the communication interface 3022 based on the processing described in the communication program. you can command. Under the control of the CPU 3012, the communication interface 3022 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 3014, the hard disk drive 3024, the DVD-ROM 3001, or an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data. Data is transmitted to the network, or received data received from the network is written in a receive buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

In addition, the CPU 3012 causes the RAM 3014 to read all or necessary portions of files or databases stored in external recording media such as a hard disk drive 3024, a DVD-ROM drive 3026 (DVD-ROM 3001), an IC card, etc. Various types of processing may be performed on the data in RAM 3014 . CPU 3012 may then write back the processed data to an external recording medium.

Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on recording media and subjected to information processing. CPU 3012 performs various types of operations on data read from RAM 3014, information processing, conditional decisions, conditional branching, unconditional branching, and information retrieval as specified throughout this disclosure and by instruction sequences of programs. Various types of processing may be performed, including /replace, etc., and the results written back to RAM 3014 . Also, the CPU 3012 may search for information in a file in a recording medium, a database, or the like. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 3012 selects the first attribute from among the plurality of entries. search for an entry that matches the specified condition of the attribute value of the attribute, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby determine the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition An attribute value of the associated second attribute may be obtained.

The programs or software modules described above may be stored in a computer readable storage medium on or near computer 3000 . In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, whereby the above program can be transferred via a network. provided to the computer 3000;

The blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams in the above embodiments may represent steps in the process in which the operations are performed or "portions" of devices responsible for performing the operations. Certain steps and "sections" may be provided with dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium, and/or computer readable instructions provided with computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium. It may be implemented by a processor. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and/or analog hardware circuitry, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and/or discrete circuitry. Programmable circuits, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs), etc., perform AND, OR, EXCLUSIVE OR, NOT AND, NOT OR, and other logical operations. , flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

A computer-readable storage medium may comprise any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, such that a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon may be illustrated in flowchart or block diagram form. It will comprise an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing specified operations. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer readable storage media include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory) , electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, memory stick , integrated circuit cards, and the like.

The computer readable instructions may be assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or object oriented programming such as Smalltalk, JAVA, C++, etc. language, and any combination of one or more programming languages, including conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. good.

Computer readable instructions are used to produce means for a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or programmable circuits to perform the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagrams. A general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processor, locally or over a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc., to execute such computer readable instructions. It may be provided in the processor of the device or in a programmable circuit. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. In addition, matters described with respect to a specific embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as long as they are not technically inconsistent. Also, each component may have features similar to other components with the same name but different reference numerals. It is clear from the description of the scope of claims that forms with such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

The execution order of each process such as actions, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, the specification, and the drawings is particularly "before", "before etc., and it should be noted that they can be implemented in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if the description is made using "first," "next," etc. for the sake of convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. not a thing

10 Communication Network 18 Passenger 22 VICS Signal 24 GPS Signal 100 Navigation System 120 Map Distribution Server 140 Route Search Server 160 Center 162 VICS Information Transmission Device 180 Vehicle 182 Navigation Device 184 Communication Device 186 receiving device, 188 vehicle-mounted sensor, 220 communication unit, 230 storage unit, 240 map data management unit, 242 request reception unit, 244 request response unit, 320 map data storage unit, 322 n-th generation data set, 324 n-1th generation data set generation data set 330 guidance data storage unit 340 expressway data storage unit 350 parameter data storage unit 360 guidance search data storage unit 370 management information storage unit 372 generation management information 420 parcel data set 440 region system dataset, 510 blocks, 512 basic parcels, 520 blocks, 522 basic parcels, 530 blocks, 532 basic parcels, 540 blocks, 542 basic parcels, 550 blocks, 552 basic parcels, 560 blocks, 562 basic parcels, 572 basic parcels, 600 vector map data, 620 header data, 640 main map data, 642 basic data, 644 extension data, 652 road data, 654 background data, 656 name data, 658 VICS conversion table, 660 route guidance data, 720 parcel level, 730 roads Link ID, 732 Parcel ID, 734 Parcel link ID, 740 Shape information, 750 Attribute information, 840 VICS link ID, 900 Raster map data, 940 Main map data, 952 City map data, 1020 Communication unit, 1030 Storage unit, 1040 Route search unit 1042 request reception unit 1044 request response unit 1212 touch display 1214 speaker 1222 input/output control unit 1224 communication control unit 1232 storage unit 1234 map data management unit 1242 position estimation unit 1244 road guidance unit , 1246 drawing control unit, 1312 management information storage unit, 1314 pre-in data storage unit, 1316 distribution data class storage unit 1320 map data storage unit 1322 m-th generation data set 1330 guidance data storage unit 1340 expressway data storage unit 1350 parameter data storage unit 1360 guidance search data storage unit 1420 distribution data 1422 map data , 1423 Guidance data, 1424 Expressway data, 1440 Delivery data, 1442 Map data, 1500 Screen, 1510 Map image, 1520 Basic function selection area, 1540 Function dependent area, 1542 Operation selection area, 1544 Gap, 1560 Basic function selection button , 1570 operation selection button, 1572 division emphasis line, 1580 scale change button, 1582 map update button, 1584 map discrimination icon, 1610 set route, 1612 departure point, 1614 destination point, 1622 target area, 1624 target parcel, 1632 target area, 1634 target parcel 1640 point 1642 target area 1644 target parcel 1650 own vehicle position 1652 target area 1654 target parcel 1664 target parcel 1712 basic parcel 1714 basic parcel 1716 basic parcel 1722 judgment area 1724 screen Display area 2020 Target range identification unit 2022 Designated site surrounding parcel identification unit 2024 Route surrounding parcel identification unit 2026 Vehicle surrounding parcel identification unit 2040 Target parcel determination unit 2050 Acquisition order determination unit 2060 Data acquisition unit 2070 Setting Information storage unit 2124 advance acquisition parcel 2200 ground surface 2220 basic parcel 2312 own vehicle position 2314 own vehicle position 2322 basic parcel 2324 basic parcel 2326 basic parcel 2342 basic parcel 2344 basic parcel 2522 own vehicle position parcel, 2524 adjacent parcel, 3000 computer, 3001 DVD-ROM, 3010 host controller, 3012 CPU, 3014 RAM, 3016 graphic controller, 3018 display device, 3020 input/output controller, 3022 communication interface, 3024 hard disk drive, 3026 DVD-ROM drive, 3030 ROM, 3040 input/output chip, 3042 keyboard

Claims (10)

a map information acquisition unit that acquires at least part of the plurality of map data from a map data distribution system that stores a map data set including a plurality of map data via a wireless communication network;
an acquisition range specifying unit that specifies a geographical range to be acquired by the map information acquisition unit;
with
each of the plurality of map data is map data belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies defined by a scale and corresponding to one of one or more divisions defined for each hierarchy;
map data belonging to two or more hierarchies among the plurality of hierarchies are vector data;
map data belonging to the lowest layer among the plurality of layers is raster map data;
map data belonging to a layer one level above the raster map data among the plurality of layers is vector data;
The map information acquisition unit
When acquiring one or more map data corresponding to a section including at least part of the geographical range specified by the acquisition range specifying unit, among the one or more sections,
(a) A first distribution request requesting distribution of map data belonging to a layer having the largest scale among the two or more layers containing map data represented as vector data, and distributing map data belonging to other layers. is transmitted to the map data distribution system prior to the second distribution request requesting
(b) requesting map data belonging to a layer immediately above the raster map data prior to distributing the raster map data;
Information processing equipment. The map data set includes identification information used to identify each of the plurality of road links in the map data set, and identification of each of the plurality of road links in a service for distributing additional information superimposed on the map. Further includes correspondence information indicating the correspondence with the identification information used to
After transmitting the first distribution request, and before transmitting the second distribution request, the map information acquisition unit is configured to, at least, map the geographical range specified by the acquisition range specifying unit among the one or more sections. obtaining the correspondence information about the road links included in the partition including at least a part;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . wherein the identification information used in the service for distributing the additional information is a VICS link ID;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. further comprising a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of the user;
The acquisition range specifying unit selects an area corresponding to a section for which map data corresponding to the section has not been acquired among the sections whose positional relationship with the position indicated by the position information satisfies a predetermined condition, Identifying as the geographical range subject to the acquisition process,
The section that satisfies the predetermined condition includes (i) a section centered at the position indicated by the position information and including at least a portion of an area having a predetermined shape and size, and (ii) the Including at least one of a section containing the position indicated by the position information and a section adjacent to the section,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further comprising an input point identification unit that identifies the position of the point input by the user,
The acquisition range specifying unit specifies, as the geographical range to be subjected to the acquisition process, an area corresponding to a section belonging to a specific hierarchy and including the position specified by the input point specifying unit. ,
The point includes at least one of the user's destination, the user's waypoint, and the point that the user wishes to search or register,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a display control unit for displaying a screen on a display device;
an operation input unit that receives a user's operation;
further comprising
The map information acquisition unit
When the operation input unit receives an operation for moving the map on the screen of the display device,
interrupting the obtaining process or not executing the obtaining process at least while the display control unit is executing the process for moving the map on the screen of the display device;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. map data belonging to at least one layer among the plurality of layers is raster data;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ;
a route search unit that acquires at least information indicating a user's destination and searches for a route to the destination;
A route guidance device. A program for describing a computer as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . a map information acquiring step of acquiring at least part of the plurality of map data from a map data delivery system storing a map data set including the plurality of map data via a wireless communication network;
an acquisition range specifying step of specifying a geographical range to be acquired in the map information acquisition step;
has
each of the plurality of map data is map data belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies defined by a scale and corresponding to one of one or more divisions defined for each hierarchy;
map data belonging to two or more hierarchies among the plurality of hierarchies are vector data;
map data belonging to the lowest layer among the plurality of layers is raster map data;
map data belonging to a layer one level above the raster map data among the plurality of layers is vector data;
The step of acquiring map information includes:
When obtaining one or more map data corresponding to a section including at least a part of the geographical range identified in the acquisition range identification step among the one or more sections,
(a) A first distribution request requesting distribution of map data belonging to a layer having the largest scale among the two or more layers containing map data represented as vector data, and distributing map data belonging to other layers. sending to the map data distribution system prior to a second distribution request requesting
(b) requesting map data belonging to a layer immediately above the raster map data before distributing the raster map data;
including,
Information processing methods.

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