JPH10105053A - Navigator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store request map information even with a medium of a small storage capacity by decreasing an occupancy time of an information center when loading requested map information transferred to an on-vehicle navigation device from the information center through a radio communication means. SOLUTION: This device requests an information center 2 for necessary map information through an on-vehicle mobile telephone 26, and receives and loads the requested map information transferred from the information center. In this case, this device receives and loads the request map information in fixed area unit 64, and loads request map information on the following area where the vehicle will be located at a fixed time in a headed direction, and request map information on the next following area is loaded before the previous request map information is erased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device, a storage medium related thereto, and a map information providing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle mainly shows a vehicle position on a map and sets an optimum route to a destination. It has become. Recently, VI
Optical beacon, radio beacon and MF from CS Center
Those that receive traffic information via multiplex broadcasting and can travel around congested roads have also become widespread. Also,
A system in which various types of traffic information can be obtained in real time from an ATIS center or the like using an in-vehicle telephone is also used. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-87234 discloses that even if an in-vehicle navigation device does not have a map database, detailed map information can be obtained from an information center via a road infrastructure. Even if you have a map database,
There is disclosed an apparatus which can display accurate composite map information by obtaining the latest information from an information center.

[0003]

However, among the conventional navigation devices, specific information (traffic information, parking lot information, map information, etc.) is obtained from an external information center or the like.
Since all of the types of obtaining the information obtain the information uniformly, it is difficult for the user to select and obtain only the necessary information. Further, the map information is image information, and it is not practical to store a large amount of map information uniformly in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM because of a limited storage capacity. Further, when the vehicle-mounted navigation device obtains necessary map information from an external information center via a vehicle-mounted wireless communication means (for example, a mobile phone), each vehicle transmits a large amount of map information at a time to the information center. , The connection time of the vehicle with the information center becomes longer by that amount, and a problem occurs that other vehicles cannot connect to the information center during the connection time.

Further, when a vehicle requests a large amount of map information from an information center at one time, the capacity of a CPU and a storage medium mounted on the vehicle increases, resulting in an increase in size. Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art. In the case where the vehicle-mounted wireless communication means requests the map center necessary for the information center and receives the necessary map information, ,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device that can shorten the connection time with an information center and reduce the size of the device body and the storage medium.

Further, according to the present invention, when the navigation device requests the required map information from the information center and receives the required map information by the on-vehicle wireless communication means, the storage capacity can be reduced. It is intended to provide a medium. Further, the present invention shortens the connection time with the vehicle that has requested the map information when transferring the requested map information to the on-vehicle navigation device via the wireless communication means, thereby facilitating the connection with other vehicles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map information providing device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention according to claim 1 requests the required map information from a map information providing source external to the vehicle by means of a vehicle-mounted wireless communication means. A navigation device for receiving and loading requested map information transferred from the map information providing source, receiving and loading the requested map information in predetermined area units, and Then, after loading the required map information of the next area to be loaded, and loading the required map information of the next area, the previous required map information is deleted. The present invention described in claim 2 is the navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is a time when the vehicle is located a predetermined distance before a final end in the traveling direction of the vehicle in the loaded request map information. It is characterized by being.

The present invention described in claim 3 provides the present invention
The above described navigation device is characterized in that the previous required map information is deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed after loading the required map information of the next area. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the navigation device according to the first aspect, wherein the whole area is displayed so that the area where the required map information is loaded and the next area where the required map information is not loaded are included. The area on which the required map information is loaded is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other areas on the entire display. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the navigation device according to the first aspect, wherein when the vehicle is stopped, the loaded area and the requested map information include the next unloaded area. The display is characterized in that, while the vehicle is running, only the area in which the required map information is loaded is enlarged and displayed.

[0008] The present invention described in claim 6 is the first aspect of the present invention.
The navigation device according to the above, when displaying the current position of the vehicle over the loaded request map information,
The present invention is characterized in that the current position of the vehicle is displayed such that the vehicle traveling direction side is larger than the opposite side of the vehicle traveling direction. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the required map information is requested from a map information providing source outside the vehicle by the on-board wireless communication means, and the requested map information transferred from the map information providing source to the navigation device is transmitted. A writable storage medium storing a program to be received and loaded, wherein the program receives and loads the requested map information in a predetermined area unit, and stores the requested map information in a traveling direction of the vehicle at a predetermined time. It is characterized in that the required map information of the area is loaded, the required map information of the next area is loaded, and then the previous required map information is deleted.

[0010] The present invention described in claim 8 provides the present invention according to claim 7.
In the storage medium described above, the predetermined time is a time at which the vehicle is located a predetermined distance before a final end in the traveling direction of the vehicle in the loaded request map information. The present invention described in claim 9 is the storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the program loads the requested map information of the next area a predetermined time before the previous requested map information is deleted. It is characterized by: According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the seventh aspect, the program includes an area in which the required map information is loaded and a next area in which the required map information is not loaded. Is displayed in such a manner that the area in which the required map information is loaded can be distinguished from other areas on the entire display.

The present invention described in claim 11 is the storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the program is arranged so that the loaded area and the requested map information are not loaded when the vehicle is stopped. The entire area is displayed so as to include the area, and only the area loaded with the required map information is enlarged and displayed while the vehicle is running. Claim 12
The present invention described in claim 7 is the storage medium according to claim 7, wherein when the program displays the current position of the vehicle superimposed on the loaded request map information, the vehicle traveling direction is the vehicle traveling direction. The present position of the vehicle is displayed so as to be larger than the opposite side of the vehicle. The present invention according to claim 13 is a map information providing apparatus for transferring requested map information to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via wireless communication means, wherein the requested map information is transferred in a predetermined area unit, It is characterized in that the requested map information of the next area located in the traveling direction of the vehicle is transferred at the time.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As described above, the present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted navigation device or a personal computer at home.
The user selects only necessary map information (image information for display, service information, map part image information, etc.) and obtains it from an external information center or the like via communication means. A portable and writable large-capacity storage medium called a disk (IC card, CD-ROM, MO, PD, DV
D) etc., and this storage medium is used in an in-vehicle navigation device to realize a comfortable car life. Such an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an overall system related to creating an original map according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the entire system includes a personal computer 1 placed in a home (home) or office, an information center 2 for providing various map information necessary for driving a vehicle, and a VICS FM multiplex broadcasting equipment 4 (which may be an optical beacon, a radio beacon, or an in-vehicle mobile phone), a vehicle 6 equipped with a navigation device, a GPS satellite 8 for providing position information for detecting the current position of the vehicle, various maps. It is composed of a portable writable mass storage medium 10 for storing.

Here, the writable mass storage medium 10 is
It is a removable disk such as an IC card, a CD-ROM, an MO, a PD, and a DVD.
A D (Digital Versatile Disc) 10 will be described as a typical example of a large-capacity writable storage medium. The basic concept underlying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, first, by using a personal computer 1 at home or the like, only map information considered necessary is selected and obtained from outside, and this map information is edited and processed to obtain original map information. Is created. At this time, commercially available map information is used as the base map information, and other necessary information is obtained from the above-mentioned information center 2 via the communication means. The base map information may be obtained from the information center 2. Furthermore, this DVD10
May include personal information of the user in addition to the map information. Thereafter, when actually required, the user inserts the DVD 10 into a navigation device mounted on the vehicle 6 and uses the stored information as necessary.

Also, a DV storing original map information
In addition to using the personal computer 1 at home or the like, D10 can also be created by a navigation device mounted on the vehicle 6 via a mobile phone or the like. Traffic information (traffic jam information and parking lot information) and various service information (restaurant information, etc.) include real-time information, so if you need to obtain such information, ,
It will be obtained by an in-vehicle navigation device.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire system of the on-vehicle navigation device. In FIG. 2, a navigation device 12 mounted on a vehicle 6 includes a navigation device body 14, an optical beacon communicator 15 capable of bidirectional communication with an optical beacon, and a centralized control unit (TDM) 1.
6, multi-display 18, head-up display 20, voice interaction switch 22 (speaker 22a, microphone 22b) for voice input and output of driver,
It comprises an operation switch 24, a mobile phone 26 for requesting necessary map information from the external information center 2 and receiving the requested map information from the information center 2, a DVD 10 for storing map information and the like.

Here, in addition to the navigation display, the multi-display 18 displays a meter, an external monitor, a warning, and an audio. In addition to the navigation display, the head-up display 20 displays a vehicle speed, a warning display, an inter-vehicle distance, and the like. The operation switch 24 is used by the driver to change such various kinds of display contents. Further, by the voice interaction switch 22,
Such an operation is also possible. Further, the mobile phone 26 for obtaining information from outside is not limited to this, and may be a vehicle-mounted car phone or other wireless communication means. In such a navigation device 12, the navigation device body 1
4 requests the map information required for the information center 2 by the mobile phone 26, receives the necessary map information transferred from the information center 2 by the mobile phone 26 in response to the request, and
Store in VD10. In addition to this, the FM multiplex broadcasting equipment 4 (or an optical beacon or a radio beacon) transmits
Traffic information (traffic jam, construction, accident, parking lot information, etc.) as S information is obtained and stored, or necessary information is obtained from information stored in the DVD 10 in advance. The obtained information is output to the central control unit 16 and displayed on the multi-display 18 and the head-up display 20. At this time, a voice explanation may be given by the voice interaction switch 22.

Here, the head-up display 20
Is an image on a windshield, which is very effective for safety because a driver can see necessary information without distracting his / her eyes. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vehicle, specifically showing a navigation device mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 3 shows the navigation device body 14 and the centralized control unit (TD
M) 16, a multi-display device 18, a head-up display 20, a voice guide speaker 22a and a microphone 22b, and an operation switch 2 constituting a voice dialogue switch 22 for voice input and output of a driver.
4, a mobile phone 26 and a DVD 10 are shown. In addition to the above, the vehicle 6 has, on the dash panel side in front of the cabin, a data drive device 28 for inserting the DVD 10 and a RAM storing personal information such as a seat position.
A RAM card device 30 for inserting a card is provided.

On the other hand, on the rear side of the vehicle 6, a mobile phone antenna 32 and a VICS-compatible FM multiplex broadcast tuner 3 are provided.
4, an FM antenna 36, a GPS antenna 38 for obtaining position information from a GPS satellite 8, and a DVD changer 40 are mounted. Next, a method of creating an original DVD storing information required by the user will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of selecting necessary information using a vehicle-mounted navigation device. First, the information center 2 manages various map information including base map information and service information. As the base map information, there are "Chugoku-Shikoku version", "Hiroshima city house map", "Kyushu version", "National main highways (national version)" as shown in Fig. 4, etc. There is information (sightseeing information / restaurants, etc.).
Of these map information, the user requests only the map information necessary for the user from the information center 2 using the on-board mobile phone 26 as described above. , The requested map information is transferred, and the navigation device 24
The request map information is received and loaded on the DVD 10.

In addition, an original DV is used on the personal computer 1 at home.
The same applies to the case where D is created. However, when transferring a large amount of information via the communication means, the use of the personal computer 1 at home may cause interruption during data transfer as compared with the case of using the on-board navigation device. Furthermore, since a high-speed communication line such as an optical cable or a high-speed modem is used, high-speed communication is possible. For this reason, when acquiring a large amount of map information including image information such as base map information, it is necessary to use a personal computer 1 at home to prevent interruption during data transfer and to reduce communication costs. Is desirable. On the other hand, when it is desired to store real-time information such as traffic information (traffic congestion, road regulation, parking lot fullness information), it is general to use the on-vehicle navigation device 12 on the go.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in step S1, a base map is first selected. Specifically, for example, if the user lives in Hiroshima City, only the map data that the user deems necessary is included in the base map information of the "Chugoku-Shikoku version" and the base map information of the "Hiroshima City Housing Map". Is selected as the base map (see FIG. 4). Next, in step S2, the user selects an additional map determined to be necessary. In this case, for example, "Kyushu version"
Only the map data that the driver deems necessary among "national highways nationwide (national version)" is selected as an additional map. Next, in step S3, a database that the driver considers necessary, for example, a part of "tourist information / restaurant" is selected from various service information including traffic information.
At this time, if the personal computer 1 is at home, the remaining capacity of the DVD 10 is displayed on the display screen as shown in FIG. For this reason, the personal computer operator can determine whether more data can be stored. Therefore, when another data is to be further stored, the process returns to step S1 and the same operation is performed. On the other hand, if additional storage is not possible due to the remaining capacity or if it is determined that storage of necessary information has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S5, where the “base” selected in these steps S1, S2, and S3 is selected. map",
The data of the “additional map” and the “service information” are stored, and the creation of the original DVD 10 is completed.

Next, the contents of the base map information, traffic information, and various kinds of service information stored as the map information in this manner will be specifically described with reference to FIG. These pieces of map information are input in a predetermined format and stored in a database so that they can be used in a navigation device. These pieces of information always include an "area" indicating the location, and for information requiring an accurate location such as service information, include "coordinates" indicating the location. Here, this “coordinate” is defined as longitude (East
Minute ○ second) and latitude (north latitude ○ degree ○ minute ○ second). As described above, since the “area” and the “coordinates” are included in the database, the service information and the like are superimposed and displayed on the base map, so that the position can be accurately displayed. ing.

As described above, these databases can be obtained from the information center 2 via the communication means. The information center 2 functions as an information provider and merely manages these databases, and each data provider updates the data of the data as necessary. With reference to FIG. 7, only representative ones of these databases will be described. A is "base map information", which includes "scale" and "area", "scale" represents a plurality of base map information having different scales, and "area" is the base map information. Area. B is “traffic information” and includes “area”, “traffic regulation”, and “congestion information”. Further, except for the “base map information” and the “traffic information”, all are service information, “accommodation facilities” represented by C, “shopping” represented by D, and “restaurants represented by E”. And the like.

A specific description will be given. “Accommodation facilities” represented by C include “Area”, “Category”, “Name”, “Location”, “Contact information”, “Accommodation fee”, “Capacity”, “Facility”, “Parking lot” (Presence / capacity), "Introduction article",
“Image image” and “coordinates” are included. “Shopping” represented by D includes “area”, “classification”, “store name”, “products”, “location”, “contact information”, “business hours / regular holidays”, “parking lot”. (Presence / accommodation number) "," Introduction article "," Image image "and" Coordinate "
Is included. In addition, the "restaurant" represented by E
“Area”, “Category”, “Store name”, “Location”, “Contact information”, “Business hours / regular holidays”, “Price range”, “Capacity”, “Parking lot (presence / capacity)”, "menu",
“Introduction article”, “image image”, and “coordinates” are included.

The service information further includes “financial institution”, “GS (gas station)”, “parking lot”,
"Medical institutions", "convenience stores (convenience stores)", "public institutions" (including "city halls", "police stations" and "fire stations"), "sports facilities"("skiing","skating") , “Gymnasium / pool”, “Golf”, “Bowling”, “Tennis court”, etc.), “Amusement” (“Amusement park”, “Movie theater”, “Park” and “Zoo / botanical garden / aquarium” Etc.), "transportation" (including "JR / private railways", "route buses", "airplanes", "highways" and "ships"), "houses", "cultural facilities"(" Museums, museums, and libraries), and tourist information
(Including "hot spring", "kua house", and "sightseeing spots"). Here, the “house” information is information for indicating the position of an individual house, a company office, or the like.

FIG. 8 shows the “restaurant” represented by E in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing specific contents of various types of information included in the database of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, "area",
The specific contents of "classification", "shop name", "location" ... and "coordinates" are entered in a predetermined format and stored in a database, and "coordinates" are represented by longitude and latitude. Have been. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing display contents on a display and an operation method when the various kinds of information are selected as necessary to create the original DVD 10. This work can be performed by both the personal computer 1 at home and the navigation device 12 mounted on the vehicle. When using the personal computer 1 at home, "O"
The instruction such as "K" is performed by using a mouse, and when the in-vehicle navigation device 12 is used, the instruction is performed by pressing a touch panel on a display.

Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIG. T
Reference numeral 1 denotes a “main menu” initially displayed on the display, which is used for information selection. The creator first specifies necessary items from “map”, “service information” and “traffic information” with a mouse,
Specify "OK". In the T1 “main menu”, usually, the creator first specifies “map”. Here, the “map” corresponds to the “base map information” in FIG. When "CANCEL" is specified, the screen returns to the previous screen. When "map" is designated in "main menu" of T1 and then "OK" is designated, the screen shifts to the next screen, T2. Next, the creator selects an area on the screen of T2. Reference numeral 50 denotes a page break display, in which a page in the front-back direction can be selected. Here, for example, if "Kyushu" is designated and then "OK" is designated, the screen moves to T3 which is the "next screen". The worker can use this T
In the screen of No. 3, a selection is made as to whether or not to store.
When "store" and "OK" are designated, loading of the map information relating to "Kyushu" is started and stored in the DVD 10, and this storage is maintained thereafter. On the other hand, when "do not store" and "OK" are designated, loading of the map information relating to "Kyushu" is started and temporarily stored, but is automatically deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed. The creator can return to the “main menu” of T1 by designating “CANCEL” as necessary. T
When “Details” is designated on the screen 2, the screen shifts to a screen of T4 which is “Detailed menu of Kyushu”. When “Fukuoka Prefecture” and “Details” are specified on this T4 screen,
Move to the screen of T5 which is "Detailed menu of Fukuoka Prefecture". T
When “Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi” and “OK” are designated on the screen 5, the screen moves to T3 which is the “next screen”, and the map information on “Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi” is stored as described above. . Thus, first, the base map information is stored.

Next, when the creator specifies "traffic information" and "OK" in the "main menu" of T1, the screen normally moves to T5 via the screens of T2 and T4. Operated. On this T5 screen,
The creator selects the area for which he wants to know "traffic information" and selects "O
K ”. After this, the screen is the “next screen” T
Then, if necessary, a selection is made as to whether or not to store the information on the screen of T3. Since the "traffic information" is real-time information, the "traffic information" is usually specified by the navigation device 12 mounted on the vehicle. Next, returning to the "main menu" of T1, specifying "service information" and "OK", the screen shifts to the "service information setting detailed menu" of T6.
Here, if the creator wants to obtain some pieces of service information, he designates “macro setting” in order to simplify the operation. In this case, the screen moves to the next “macro setting menu” of T7. In this “macro setting menu” of T7, the creator can select “travel”, “business”
And "AUDODO" (other information is also displayed on the subsequent pages) and the like, and "OK" is specified. Here, “travel” includes “accommodation facilities” and “tourist information” shown in FIG. 7, and “business” includes “house information” shown in FIG. Is set in advance so as to include the "sports facility" shown in FIG. Next, the screen moves to, for example, T5 via T2 and T4, and a necessary area is selected. After this,
The screen moves to T3, and the selected area is stored in the navigation device body 14. In this manner, in the “macro setting menu”, the area of the service information of the specified specific group is selected in advance.

Next, the screen returns to the "service information setting detailed menu" of T6. Here, the creator designates “individual setting”, and the screen shifts to “service information selection menu” of T8. Here, if “macro setting” has already been selected in T6 and an area of service information of a specific group has been stored, the creator selects “restaurant” in the “service information selection menu” in T8. And "details" can be specified, but if no such service information area is stored,
Before designating "restaurants" and "details", it is necessary to store the area. For this reason, the creator must move the screen to T5 via T2 and T4 by specifying a specific service, for example, “restaurant” and “OK”, and store the necessary area. In this way,
First, an area of service information of a specific group or an area of specific service information is selected and stored in the navigation device body 14 in advance.

Thereafter, the operator designates, for example, "restaurant" and "details" in the "service information selection menu" of T8. In this case, the screen moves to “Detailed menu of restaurant” in T9. If, for example, “Japanese food” and “details” are designated in the “restaurant details menu” of T9, the screen shifts to the “Japanese details menu” of T10.
In this T10 "Detailed menu of Japanese food", "Udon ・
When "soba", "memory", and "OK" are designated, it is determined that the service information of the restaurant related to "udon / soba" in the selected area is the load target information. Thereafter, the screen returns to the previous screen, “Detailed Restaurant Menu” of T9. In the “Detailed Restaurant Menu” of T9, for example, “Western food”, “memory”, and “OK”
Is specified, it is determined that the service information of the restaurant related to “Western food” in the selected area is the load target information. When “all”, “memory”, and “OK” are designated at T9, it is determined that the information of all the genres of the restaurant is the load target information.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to T11 on the next screen. This T1
1 is for further selecting the load target information in association with service information related to “parking lot”. At T11, the creator selects “only a certain place”,
When "memory" and "OK" are designated, information that has already been determined to be the information to be loaded (here, service information of a restaurant related to "udon / soba" in T10 and "Western food" in T9) Out of service information), only a certain restaurant on parking is selected as load target information. Thereafter, the screen moves to the next screen T12. This T
The case of the screen 12 is the same as the case of the screen of T11,
For example, if the business hours “17:00 to 23:00”, “memory”, and “OK” are specified, “17:00 to 23: 00
Only the restaurants operating in "" are further selected as the information to be loaded.

Thereafter, the screen returns to the "service information selection menu" of T8. The creator repeats the same operation as in the case of the above-mentioned "restaurant" in other services "financial institution", "convenience store", "GS (gas station)" and the like as necessary, Load target information can be selected. After selecting the load target information in this way, the creator designates “start loading” on the “service information selection menu” of T8. By specifying this “load start”, the loading of the load target information selected before this is started. That is, the load target information (requested map information) transferred from the information center 2 is received by the mobile phone 26 or the like, and the information is stored in the DVD 10. Also, T9, T
“Load start” is also provided on the screens of 10, T11 and T12. When “load start” is designated on these screens, loading of the load start information selected before this is started.

Further, T8, T9, T10, T11, T
In each of the screens 12, when “store” and “OK” are designated, the information selected on this screen is stored, and the storage is maintained thereafter. on the other hand,
If "OK" is selected without specifying "Remember",
The information selected on the screen is temporarily stored, but is automatically deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this way, the user can appropriately select the necessary information,
Then, the production of the original DVD 10 is completed. Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, the in-vehicle navigation device 12 requests required map information to the information center 2 via the in-vehicle mobile phone 26, and the requested map information transferred from the information center 2 is transmitted. In the embodiment of the present invention, when receiving and loading, the requested map information is received and loaded in a predetermined area unit, and the used and unnecessary map information is deleted.

This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a DVD which is a storage medium mounted on a vehicle is used.
Reference numeral 10 stores base map information in advance, and in this state, traffic information and service information (information on gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, etc.) in an area in front of the vehicle in the traveling direction are stored in units of area. Center 2 to mobile phone 26
To receive and load. As shown in FIG. 10, reference numeral 60 denotes a display screen of the navigation device 12 that is displayed while the vehicle is stopped. On the display screen 60, base map information including the current position 62 of the vehicle is displayed. In addition, almost at the center of the display screen 60,
A boundary line 66 indicating the area 64 in which the service information is loaded and stored is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10, in this area 64, service information of gas stations 68, 70, 72, a convenience store 72, a restaurant 74, and the like are displayed superimposed on the base map information. This area 64
Is distinguished from other areas by a boundary line 66, so that the user can read the area 6 in which the service information is loaded.
0 and other areas where the service load has not been loaded can be easily identified.

FIG. 11 shows a display screen of the navigation device 12 while the vehicle is running. This display screen 80
Is an enlarged display of the service information loaded area 64 surrounded by the boundary 66 shown in FIG. 10 over the entire screen. Thus, the user can drive the vehicle while viewing only the area 64 in which the service information is loaded on the display screen. In the conventional navigation device, the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the map information so as to be located substantially at the center of the display screen. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
When displaying 2 in a superimposed manner, the current position 62 of the vehicle is displayed such that the traveling direction of the vehicle is larger than the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this way, by displaying the current position 62 of the vehicle, the map information in the area 64 loaded with the service information can be effectively used.

FIG. 11 shows a virtual line 82.
This virtual line 82 is a line used in the navigation device main body 14 without being displayed on the actual screen, and is set inside by a predetermined distance from the boundary 66 of the area 64. At a predetermined time when the vehicle enters the virtual line 82, the navigation device 12
To request the information center 2 for required service information in the next area, and starts loading the service information of the next area transferred from the information center 2. As described above, the virtual line 82 is a line that is used as a reference in terms of time and distance for the navigation device 12 to start loading service information in the next area. The position of the imaginary line 82 is determined based on the running speed of the vehicle, the load time of the requested service information, etc. The distance is set just before the boundary 66, which is the end of the area 64. This virtual line 8
2, the arrival time (predetermined time) of the vehicle is also determined corresponding to the predetermined distance.

After the loading of the service information of the next area is completed, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the service information of this area 66 is deleted, and the loaded service information of the next area is displayed on the base map information. They are displayed in layers.
According to such an embodiment of the present invention, the service information, which is the requested map information, is received and loaded in a predetermined area unit, and the loaded information is erased after it has been used up. Relatively small storage media can be used. Further, since the service information is requested to the information center 2 in units of area, the communication connection time between the vehicle side and the information center side is shortened. As a result, the occupation time of one vehicle of the information center is reduced, and other vehicles can be easily connected to the information center.

Further, since the vehicle side loads the service information, which is the necessary map information for each area, it is possible to reduce the capacities of the on-vehicle CPU and the storage medium, thereby achieving downsizing.

[0036]

As described above, according to the navigation apparatus of the present invention, when the required map information is requested from the information center and the required map information is received by the on-board radio communication means, the information center and Connection time can be shortened, and the capacity of the apparatus main body and the storage medium can be reduced. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the storage medium of this invention, when a navigation apparatus requests | requires the required map information from an information center and receives this required map information by a vehicle-mounted radio | wireless communication means, size reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, according to the map information providing device of the present invention, when transferring the requested map information to the in-vehicle navigation device via the wireless communication means,
Reduce the connection time with the vehicle that requested the map information,
Connection with other vehicles can be facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an overall system related to creating an original map according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire system of a navigation device mounted on a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vehicle, specifically showing a navigation device mounted on the vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of selecting necessary information using a vehicle-mounted navigation device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for creating an original DVD.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen displaying the remaining capacity of the DVD.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a database managed by an information center.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing specific contents of various types of information included in the “restaurant” database in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view showing display contents and an operation method on a display when an original DVD is created by selecting various information as needed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen of the navigation device when the vehicle is stopped.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen of the navigation device while the vehicle is running.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 Information center 6 Vehicle 10 Storage medium (DVD) 12 Navigation device 14 Navigation device main body 15 Optical beacon communication device 16 Centralized control unit 18 Multi-display 20 Head-up display 22 Voice interaction switch 24 Operation switch 26 Mobile phone 60 Display screen 62 Current position of vehicle 64 Unit area where service information is loaded 66 Boundary line 80 Display screen 82 Virtual line

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device for requesting necessary map information from a map information providing source outside a vehicle by a vehicle-mounted wireless communication means, and receiving and loading requested map information transferred from the map information providing source. Receiving and loading the required map information in predetermined area units, loading the required map information of the next area located in the traveling direction of the vehicle at a predetermined time, and loading the required map information of the next area. A navigation device for erasing required map information before the navigation device. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is a time when the vehicle is located a predetermined distance before a final end of the loaded request map information in the traveling direction of the vehicle. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the previous required map information is deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed after loading the required map information of the next area. 4. The whole area is displayed so as to include the area in which the required map information is loaded and the next area in which the required map information is not loaded. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is displayed so as to be distinguished from other areas. 5. When the vehicle is stopped, the loaded area and the requested map information are displayed so as to include the next unloaded area. When the vehicle is running, the requested map information is loaded. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein only the area is enlarged and displayed. 6. The vehicle current position is displayed such that the vehicle traveling direction is larger than the vehicle traveling direction opposite to the vehicle traveling direction when displaying the current position of the vehicle superimposed on the loaded request map information. 2. The navigation device according to 1. 7. A program for requesting necessary map information from a map information providing source outside the vehicle by a vehicle-mounted wireless communication means, and receiving and loading requested map information transferred from the map information providing source to a navigation device. Is a writable storage medium storing the request map information in a predetermined area unit and loads the request map information, and at a predetermined time, requests map information of a next area located in a traveling direction of the vehicle. A storage medium for loading, loading the requested map information of the next area, and then deleting the previous requested map information. 8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined time is a time at which the vehicle is located a predetermined distance before a final end of the loaded request map information in the traveling direction of the vehicle. 9. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the program loads the requested map information of the next area a predetermined time before erasing the previous requested map information. 10. The program displays the whole area so as to include the area where the required map information is loaded and the next area where the required map information is not loaded, and loads the required map information on the entire display. 8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the displayed area is displayed so as to be distinguished from other areas. 11. The program, when the vehicle is stopped,
8. The display according to claim 7, wherein the whole area is displayed so as to include the loaded area and the next area where the required map information is not loaded, and only the area where the required map information is loaded is enlarged and displayed while the vehicle is running. Storage medium. 12. The program, when displaying the current position of the vehicle superimposed on the loaded request map information, sets the current position of the vehicle so that the vehicle traveling direction side is larger than the opposite direction of the vehicle traveling direction. The storage medium according to claim 7, which is displayed. 13. A map information providing device for transferring requested map information to a vehicle-mounted navigation device via a wireless communication means, wherein the requested map information is transferred in a predetermined area unit, and a traveling direction of the vehicle is determined at a predetermined time. A map information providing apparatus for transferring requested map information of a next area located in a map area.