JPH11257975A - Data transfer system for navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten transfer time by dividing a map data according to a specified method, adding version information thereto, comparing the version information and transferring only a new version of the data thereby eliminating transfer of an unnecessary data. SOLUTION: A navigation system comprises an update data memory section for storing a data from a traffic information center. A map data is divided into specified regions by longitude and latitude lines, for example, and various kinds of data, e.g. a map writing data and hospital position data, are collected. Each data is affixed with a common header including version information. When a user designates a data to be updated and a region, that data us retrieved in the update data memory section or the CD-ROM of the navigation system and a data request signal added with version information is delivered to the traffic information center. And the data is updated only when the version of data in the traffic information center is new.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation system for detecting a current position of a vehicle and guiding the vehicle to a destination, and for inputting map data from outside the vehicle (information center) via a communication line. Regarding the transfer method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An on-vehicle navigation device is a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM (hereinafter, referred to as a map-ROM) on which map data is recorded.
A map data storage device such as a “CD-ROM”, a display device, and a GPS (Global Positioning)
System) A sensor that detects the current position and current direction of the vehicle such as a receiver, a gyro, and a vehicle speed sensor, etc., reads map data including the current position of the vehicle from a map data storage device, and executes the vehicle The map image around the position is drawn on the display screen, and the vehicle position mark (location) is displayed on the display screen in a superimposed manner. By moving the vehicle position mark, it is possible to see at a glance where the vehicle is currently traveling.

[0003] In addition, usually, a car navigation system is equipped with a route guidance function that allows a user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on a road. According to this route guidance function, the lowest cost route from the starting point to the destination using the map data is automatically searched by performing a simulation calculation such as the horizontal search method or the Dijkstra method, and the searched route is guided. The route is stored as a route, and during driving, the guidance route is drawn on the map image in a different color from the other roads and displayed thicker, or displayed on the screen, or a certain distance to the intersection where the vehicle should change the route on the guidance route When approaching the inside, the user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow indicating the course at the intersection where the course is to be changed on the map image and displaying the arrow on the screen.

The cost is a value obtained by multiplying a constant according to a road width, a road type (such as a general road or an expressway), a right turn, a left turn, and the like based on the distance, a predicted traveling time of the vehicle, and the like. , The degree of appropriateness as a guidance route is quantified. Even if there are two routes having the same distance, the cost may be different by specifying, for example, whether or not to use a toll road, whether to prioritize the traveling distance or traveling time, or the like. Become.

A map stored in a map data storage device such as a CD-ROM has a longitude width of an appropriate size according to a scale level such as 1/12500, 1/25000, 1/50000, and 1/100000. Roads and the like are stored as a coordinate set of vertices (nodes) represented by longitude and latitude. A road is formed by connecting two or more nodes, and a portion connecting the two nodes is called a link.

[0006]

In recent years, it has been proposed to send map data from outside the vehicle to a navigation device via a communication line. For example, it is conceivable that the latest map data is stored in a storage device of a predetermined organization (hereinafter, referred to as a traffic information center), and the map data is transferred to a navigation device via an automobile telephone or the like. But,
If all map data is always transferred, it takes a long time to transfer the data, the communication fee increases, and communication traffic is congested.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer method for a navigation system for transferring map data from an information center via a communication line or the like, in which only necessary data is transferred and the data transfer time can be reduced. Is to provide a data transfer method.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus having a second storage device capable of storing the map data from an information center having a first storage device storing the map data. A data transfer method of a navigation device for transferring map data, wherein the map data is divided into regions, and the map data for each region is classified into a plurality of types of data. Area information indicating an area to which the data belongs, and version information indicating an update date or version of the data are added in advance, and the navigation device stores one of the map data stored in the second storage means. When updating a section, the type of data to be updated, regional information, and version information of the data stored in the second storage means are stored in the information. When the information center receives the data type, region information and version information from the navigation device, the information center transmits the data of the corresponding type and region of the map data stored in the first storage means. Comparing the version information and the version information sent from the navigation device,
The problem is solved by a data transfer method for a navigation device, wherein the relevant data and its version information are transferred to the navigation device only when the data stored in the first storage means is newer.

The operation of the present invention will be described below. In the present invention, the map data is divided into regions, and the map data for each region is classified according to the type of data such as data for drawing a map and data for searching for a guide road. Keep it. Then, area information and version information are added to each data.

When updating a part of the map data stored in the second storage means of the navigation device, the navigation device transmits the type of data to be updated, the area information and the version information to the information center. I do. The information center extracts the data of the area and type corresponding to the signal transmitted from the navigation device from the first storage means, and compares the version information of the data with the version information of the signal transmitted from the navigation device. I do. When the data stored in the first storage means is newer, the data is transferred to the navigation device, and the data stored in the first storage means and the data stored in the second storage means of the navigation device are stored. If the data is the same (or if the data in the first storage means is older), no data is transferred.

As described above, in the present invention, data is transferred only when the data stored in the information center is newer than the data stored in the second storage means of the navigation device. Therefore, unnecessary data transfer can be omitted, and the time required for transferring data can be reduced.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a data transfer method of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle 30 is equipped with a navigation device 31 and a communication device (such as a car phone) 3. on the other hand,
The traffic information center 40 includes a storage device 41 that stores the latest map data. The navigation device 31 transmits and receives data to and from the traffic information center 40 via the communication device 3. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the navigation device 31.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a navigation device main body.
Is a CD-ROM storing map data. Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation unit provided with various operation buttons and the like for operating the navigation device body 10. The operation unit 2 is provided with a joystick used for moving a cursor, a “menu” button, a “decision” button, and the like. 3
Is a communication device described above, and 4 is a GPS receiver that receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and detects the longitude and latitude of the current position of the vehicle. Reference numeral 5 denotes a self-contained navigation sensor. The self-contained navigation sensor 5 includes an angle sensor 5a such as a gyro for detecting a rotation angle of the vehicle, and a traveling distance sensor 5b for generating a pulse at every constant traveling distance. Reference numeral 7 denotes a liquid crystal display device, and the navigation device body 10 displays a map around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 7, guides a route from a departure place to a destination, a vehicle position mark, and other guidance information. Is displayed. Reference numeral 8 denotes a speaker, and the navigation device body 10 transmits various kinds of guidance information to the user via the speaker 8 by voice.

The navigation apparatus main body 10 comprises the following. Reference numeral 17 denotes an update data storage unit for storing map data sent from the traffic information center 40. Reference numeral 11 denotes a buffer memory for temporarily storing map data read from the CD-ROM 1 or the update data storage unit 17. Reference numeral 12 denotes an interface connected to the operation unit 2, 13 denotes an interface connected to the communication device 3, 14 denotes an interface connected to the GPS receiver 4, and 15 denotes an interface connected to the self-contained navigation sensor 5. Reference numeral 16 denotes a control unit. The control unit 16 detects the current position of the vehicle based on information input from the interfaces 14 and 15, and controls the CD-ROM.
1 or predetermined map data from the update data storage unit 17 to the buffer memory 11,
A search is made for a guidance route from the departure place to the destination under the search conditions set by using the map data read out at step (a).

Reference numeral 18 denotes a map drawing unit that generates a map image using the map data read into the buffer memory 11. Reference numeral 20 denotes a guide route storage unit that stores the guide route searched by the control unit 16, and reference numeral 21 denotes a guide route drawing unit that draws a guide route. In the guidance route storage unit 20, all the nodes of the guidance route searched by the control unit 16 are recorded from the starting point to the destination. When displaying the map, the guide route drawing unit 21 reads the guide route information (node sequence) from the guide route storage unit 20 and draws the guide route in a color and line width different from those of other roads.

Reference numeral 19 denotes an operation screen / mark generation unit for generating various menu screens (operation screens) and various marks such as a vehicle position mark and a cursor according to the operation status. Reference numeral 22 denotes an audio signal generator. A plurality of voice messages are recorded in the voice signal generating unit 22 in advance.
A predetermined voice message is output to the speaker 8 according to the signal from the speaker 8.

Reference numeral 23 denotes an image synthesizing unit, which is a map drawing unit 18.
The operation screen / mark generation unit 19 is added to the map image drawn by
Mark, operation screen, and guidance route drawing unit 21 generated by
Are superimposed on the guidance route drawn in the above step and displayed on the display device 7. In the navigation device configured as described above, the control unit 16 detects the current position of the vehicle from the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 4 and the signal input from the self-contained navigation sensor 5. Then, map data around the vehicle is read from the update data storage unit 17 or the CD-ROM 1 and stored in the buffer memory 11. In this case, the control unit 16 gives priority to the map data stored in the update data storage unit 17 and reads the map data from the CD-ROM 1 when there is no corresponding data in the update data storage unit 17. The map drawing unit 18 generates a map image based on the map data read into the buffer memory 11, and displays a map image around the vehicle on the display device 7.

The control unit 16 detects the position of the vehicle based on signals input from the GPS receiver 4 and the self-contained navigation sensor 5 as the vehicle moves, and displays the position on the display device 7 in accordance with the result. The vehicle position mark is superimposed on the map image and displayed, and the vehicle position mark is moved with the movement of the vehicle, or the map image is scroll-displayed. Further, when the user operates the operation unit 2 to set a destination,
The control unit 16 sets the current position of the vehicle as a departure point, and stores map data from the departure point to the destination in the update data storage unit 17 or
The data is read from the D-ROM 1 to the buffer memory 11. Also in this case, the control unit 16 gives priority to the map data stored in the update data storage unit 17, and reads the map data from the CD-ROM 1 when there is no corresponding data in the update data storage unit 17. Then, the control unit 16 uses the map data read to the buffer memory 11 to search for a guidance route from the departure place to the destination. After that, the search result is stored in the guidance route storage unit 20, and the guidance route is superimposed on the map image and displayed. Then, guidance information is output as appropriate as the vehicle travels, and the vehicle is guided along the guidance route to the destination.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of map data stored in the traffic information center. As shown in FIG. 3, the map data is divided into rectangular regions (hereinafter, referred to as “regions”) divided by straight lines parallel to the meridian and the latitude line, and the map data of each region includes a different mesh code ( Regional information: In the example shown in FIG. 3, A11 to A4
4) is added. Similarly, the map data stored in the CD-ROM 1 is divided for each area represented by the mesh code. Traffic Information Center 40
When the map data is transferred, the data is transferred using the data for each area as one unit. Also, the map data
The data of each type shown in Table 1 below are collected and configured.

[0021]

[Table 1]

The map drawing data is data indicating the position and link state of a node for drawing a map image, and the search node data is data indicating the position and link state of a node for searching for a guide route. . The expressway / toll road toll data is data indicating tolls on expressways and other toll roads. POI (Pint Of Inte
rest) data is data for each property, and includes, for example, data of stores on each floor of a building. VICS (VEHI
The CLE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (road traffic information communication system) data is data for displaying VICS information transmitted via FM multiplex broadcasting, an optical beacon, or a radio beacon on a display screen. The parking lot position data is data showing the position of parking lots in various places, the area polygon is data for drawing parks and lakes on the map, the traffic congestion statistics is data showing the locations and times where traffic congestion is likely to occur, the danger zone position The data is data showing places where accidents are likely to occur, the town page is data for enabling searches by telephone number, the intersection enlarged data is data for enlarged display of intersections, and the sightseeing spot data is the location of each tourist spot. Data showing its contents, convenience stores,
The gas station and hospital position data are data indicating the positions of a convenience store, a gas station, and a hospital, respectively.

In the navigation device 31, map data is stored in the update data storage unit 17 or the CD-ROM 1 in a data format as shown in FIG. That is, the map data is composed of the possession list header and the data body. The possession list header indicates the type and storage location of the data stored in the update data storage unit 17 or the CD-ROM 1. By referring to the possession list header, the type of data possessed by the navigation device 31 and its storage location can be known. The data body is classified by data type (map drawing data, POI data, etc.). For example, MAP1 includes map drawing data for one area (for example, A11), and MAP2 includes other map drawing data. The map drawing data for one area (for example, A12) is included, and the POI
1 includes POI data for one area (for example, A11), and POI2 includes POI data for another area (for example, A12). A common header is added to each data, and the common header includes at least information indicating the type of the data (map drawing data, POI data, and the like), version information, a mesh code, and the like.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a data transfer method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart on the navigation device 31 side, and FIG.
It is a flowchart on the 0 side. In the present embodiment, when the user wants to update data, the user first specifies the type of data to be updated. That is, a "menu" button on the operation unit 2 is pressed to display a main menu (not shown), and "update data" is selected on the main menu. Then, a screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 7. The user operates the operation unit 2 to specify data to be updated. For example, when the POI data is to be updated, the joystick is operated to move the cursor to the “POI” position, and the “Enter” button is pressed (step S11).

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a screen for specifying an area to be updated is displayed. When, for example, "designate by place name" is selected on this screen and the "enter" button of the operation unit 2 is pressed, the name of the prefecture is displayed as shown in FIG. When the cursor is moved to, for example, "Tokyo" on this screen and the "Enter" button is pressed, the names of the 23 wards are displayed as shown in FIG. Here, for example, when the cursor is moved to "Shinagawa-ku" and the "Enter" button is pressed, the name of the town in Shinagawa-ku is displayed as shown in FIG. On this screen, move the cursor to "Update this area" and press the "Enter" button to specify "Shinagawa Ward". Move the cursor to the desired town name and press the "Enter" button to specify that town. (Step S12).

When the type and area of the data are designated in this way, the control unit 16 sets the area (1) including the designated area.
Or a plurality of areas) is stored in the update data storage unit 1.
7 or the CD-ROM 1 (database) is checked (step S13), and if it is, the version information of the POI data is obtained (step S14). However, the control unit 16 gives priority to the data stored in the update data storage unit 17, and only stores the POI data stored in the CD-ROM 1 when the corresponding POI data is not stored in the update data storage unit 17. Get version information. The control unit 16 can easily acquire the version information by referring to the common header added to each data.

Thereafter, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 31 transmits a data request signal for requesting data transfer to the traffic information center 40 via the communication device 3 (step S15). The type of data to be updated (POI data in this example), the mesh code of the area to be updated, and the version information of the data stored in the navigation device 31 are added to this data request signal. Is done. If the POI data of the designated area is not present in the update data storage unit 17 and the CD-ROM 1, the process directly proceeds from step S13 to step S15.

The traffic information center 40 receives a data request signal from the navigation device 31 (step S2).
1), it is checked whether or not the requested data is stored in the storage device 41 (step S22). If it is stored in the storage device 41, it is checked whether or not the data request signal has version information (step S23).
If there is, the data is compared with the version information of the data stored in the storage device 41 (step S24). If the data stored in the storage device 41 is newer than the data stored in the navigation device 31, the data is read from the storage device 41 (step S25), and the version information and mesh code of the data are read. At the same time, it transmits to the navigation device 31 (step S26). On the other hand, when there is no version information in the data request signal transmitted from the navigation device 31, the process directly proceeds from step S23 to step S25.

When the version information sent from the navigation device 31 is the same as the version information of the data stored in the storage device 41 (step S24).
From step S26 to step S26), or when the corresponding data is not stored in the storage device 41 (step S22 to step S26).
The traffic information center 40 transmits sky data (a predetermined signal not including map data) to the navigation device 31.

The control unit 16 of the navigation device 31
Data is received from the traffic information center 40 (step S
16) and check whether it is empty data (step S17),
If the data is not empty, the received data is stored in the update data storage unit 17 (step S18). At this time, the version information and the mesh code of the data are simultaneously stored as a common header, and the possession list header is updated as necessary.

On the other hand, the control unit 1 of the navigation device 31
When empty data is sent from the traffic information center 40, a message indicating that there is no need for updating is displayed on the display device 7 (step S19). In the present embodiment, as described above, when the user specifies the type and area of the data to be updated, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 31 updates the update data storage unit 17 or the CD-R.
The version information and mesh code of the corresponding data among the data stored in the OM1 are stored in the traffic information center 40.
Send to Then, the traffic information center 40 compares the version information of the data held by the navigation device 31 with the version information of the data stored in the storage device 41, and only when the data stored in the storage device 41 is newer, Forward. As a result, unnecessary data transfer can be avoided, communication time and communication fee can be reduced, and congestion in communication traffic can be prevented.
Further, the user can easily obtain the latest data.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 12 to 15 are diagrams showing screen display examples in a data transfer method of a navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 4 are referred to. First,
When the user connects a communication line to the traffic information center 40 via the communication device 3, a signal from the traffic information center 40 causes the display device 7 of the navigation device 31 to display the signal shown in FIG.
The screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. Here, the user operates the operation unit 2
When the joystick is operated, the cursor is moved to “information search” and the “enter” button is pressed, the navigation device 31 communicates with the traffic information center 40, and the search screen shown in FIG. Will be displayed. On this screen, for example, when the cursor is moved to “Search by genre” and the “Enter” button is pressed, the navigation device 31 communicates with the traffic information center 40 and the display device 7 displays “Tourist spot”, Genres such as "convenience store", "gas station", "hospital" and "danger zone" are displayed.

Here, for example, when the cursor is moved to "sightseeing spot" and the "Enter" button is pressed, the navigation device 31 communicates with the traffic information center 40, and the display device 7 displays, as shown in FIG. A screen for specifying the area to search is displayed. When "designate by place name" is selected on this screen, the area can be designated in substantially the same manner as in the procedure shown in FIGS. On the other hand, the user moves the cursor to a desired region (for example, Kanto region) of the Japan map displayed in the column of "Specify on map", and presses "OK".
When the button is pressed, communication with the traffic information center 40 is performed, and a map of the Kanto region is displayed on the display device 7 as shown in FIG. When the cursor is moved to a desired position on the map and the "OK" button is pressed, the navigation device 31 communicates with the traffic information center 40, and the display device 7 displays an enlarged map of the area at the cursor position. Is done. In this way, the user specifies the area by displaying a map of the area that the user wants to update on the screen.

When an area is specified, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 31 updates the version information of the sightseeing area data when the sightseeing area data of the area including the specified area is stored in the update data storage unit 17. And the mesh code are transmitted to the traffic information center 40. In addition, when the sightseeing spot data is not stored in the update data storage unit 17,
The version information and the mesh code of the sightseeing spot data stored in the CD-ROM 1 are transmitted to the traffic information center 40.

When the traffic information center 40 receives the version information of the sightseeing spot data and the mesh code from the navigation device 31, it compares it with the version information of the sightseeing spot data of the area stored in the storage device 41.
If the data stored in the storage device 41 is newer, the data of the sightseeing spot, the version information of the data, and the mesh code are transmitted to the navigation device 31.

The navigation device 31 stores the sightseeing spot data sent from the traffic information center 40 in the update data storage unit 17. Then, using the data, a sightseeing spot in the designated area is searched, and the result is displayed on the display device 7. On the other hand, in the traffic information center 40, if the version information of the tourist spot data sent from the navigation device 31 and the version information of the tourist spot data stored in the storage device 41 are the same, the traffic information center 40 The empty data is transmitted to 31. The navigation device 31 includes the traffic information center 4
When the vacant data is received from 0, the sightseeing spot data stored in the update data storage unit 17 is stored.
Using the sightseeing spot data stored in, a sightseeing spot in a designated area is searched, and the result is displayed on the display device 7.

In the present embodiment, when there is new data in the traffic information center 40, the new data is transferred from the traffic information center 40 and the navigation device 31
When the data of the traffic information center 40 is the same as the data of the navigation device 31, the search is performed using the data of the navigation device 31. As a result, unnecessary data transfer can be avoided, communication time and communication cost can be reduced, and congestion in communication traffic can be prevented. Further, the user can always search using the latest data.

Note that the traffic information center 4
The data transferred from 0 and stored in the update data storage unit 17 can also be used for searching when the communication line is not connected to the traffic information center 40. Further, in the present embodiment, the sightseeing spot data has been described, but the map drawing data, the search data, and other data can be updated in the same manner as in the above example.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 16 to 19 show screen display examples in a data transfer method of a navigation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 4 are referred to. In the present embodiment, the user specifies an area in which data is to be updated. That is, first, the user operates the operation unit 2
Is pressed to display a menu screen (not shown) on the display device 7, select a predetermined item, and press the "Enter" button. Then, for example, FIG.
The "Specify region to update data" screen shown in is displayed.

When the user selects, for example, "Rectangle range designation" and presses the "Enter" button on the region designation screen for updating data, a map screen and cursor 50 are displayed on the display device 7 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Here, when the user operates the joystick to move the cursor 50 to a desired position and presses the “Enter” button, a start point mark 51 is displayed at the cursor position at that time, as shown in FIG. Then, when the cursor 50 is moved, a rectangle (shown by a broken line in the figure) whose size is determined by the start point mark 51 and the cursor 50 is displayed. The user operates the joystick while looking at the display screen, and moves the cursor 50 so that the area in which data is to be updated falls within the rectangle.
After moving, press the "OK" button. Then,
As shown in FIG. 19, an end point mark 52 is displayed at the cursor position at that time, and a start point mark 51 and an end point mark 52 are displayed.
A rectangular area having a diagonal of is selected.

When the range is selected in this manner, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 31 searches for data in the corresponding area, and extracts data type and version information. Then, communication with the traffic information center 40 is started via the communication device 3, and the type, version information, and mesh code of the extracted data are transmitted. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a signal transmitted from the navigation device 31 to the traffic information center 40. This signal has, as headers, information indicating that the signal is used for communication with the traffic information center 40 and information indicating the number of transmission data. After that, information indicating the type of data possessed by the navigation device 31, version information thereof, mesh codes and the like are added by the number of data.

The traffic information center 40 checks whether or not the corresponding data is stored in the storage device 41 based on the signal transmitted from the navigation device 31. If it is stored, the version information sent from the navigation device 31 is compared with the version information of the data stored in the storage device 41, and the data stored in the storage device 41 is newer. Only in this case, the data, its version information, and the mesh code are transmitted to the navigation device 31. In this manner, the version information of the data stored in the navigation device 31 is compared with the version information of the data stored in the storage device 41 for all types of data transmitted from the navigation device, 41
Only when the data stored in is newer, the data, its version information and the mesh code are transferred to the navigation device.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when the user specifies an area in which data is to be updated, version information of all data in the area included in the area is sent to the traffic information center 40, and The center 40 compares the data stored in the navigation device 31 with the data stored in the storage device 41, and if the data stored in the storage device is newer, the new data and its version information are navigated. Since the data is transferred to the device 31, all data in the designated area is updated to the latest data.

Also in this embodiment, when the data stored in the navigation device 31 is the latest data, unnecessary data is not transferred, the communication time is short, the communication cost is low, and congestion of communication traffic is prevented. Is done. When "designate polygon" is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of points are designated on the map displayed on the display device 7. Then, the data of the area included in the polygonal region connecting the points is to be updated. FIG.
When “point designation” is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 6, one point is designated on the map displayed on the display device 7. Then, data in an area within a certain range centered on the designated position is to be updated. Then, similarly to the above, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 31 transmits the data type, the version information, and the mesh code of the area to be updated to the traffic information center 40, and the traffic information center 40 stores the data in the storage device 41. Only when the data stored in the storage device 41 is newer than the version information of the stored data, the data is read from the storage device 41 and transferred to the navigation device 31 together with the version information.

[0045]

As described above, according to the method of the present invention, map data is divided into regions, and map data for each region is classified into data for each type. Further, region information and version information are added to the data for each type. Then, when trying to update the map data stored in the second storage means of the navigation device,
The type of the data to be updated and the region information and version information of the data are transmitted to the information center. The information center searches the first storage means for data of the area and type corresponding to the signal sent from the navigation device, and compares the version information of the data with the version information of the signal sent from the navigation device. do it,
Only when the data stored in the first storage means is newer, the data is transferred to the navigation device.
Therefore, unnecessary data transfer can be omitted, and the time required for transfer can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data transfer method of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a navigation device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of map data stored in a traffic information center.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a data format of map data stored in a navigation device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart on the navigation device side of the data transfer method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart on the traffic information center side of the data transfer method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 4) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 5) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram (part 4) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram (part 4) illustrating a screen display example in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a signal transmitted from the navigation device to the traffic information center in the data transfer method of the navigation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CD-ROM, 2 operation unit, 3 communication device, 4 GPS receiver, 5 self-contained navigation sensor, 7 display device, 10 navigation device, 11 buffer memory, 12-15 interface, 16 control unit, 17 update data storage unit, 18 map drawing unit, 19 operation screen / mark generation unit, 20 guidance route storage unit, 21 guidance route drawing unit, 23 voice synthesis unit, 31 navigation device, 40 traffic information center, 41 storage device.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Data of a navigation device for transferring the map data from an information center having a first storage device storing the map data to a navigation device having a second storage device capable of storing the map data. A transfer method, wherein the map data is divided into regions, the map data for each region is classified into a plurality of types of data, and each type of data indicates a region to which the data belongs. Area information and version information indicating an update date or version of the data are added, and the navigation apparatus updates the map data when updating a part of the map data stored in the second storage means. Transmitting the type of data, regional information, and version information of the data stored in the second storage means to the information center; Receiving the data type, area information and version information from the navigation device, the map information stored in the first storage means and the version information of the corresponding type and area data and the navigation device. And comparing the version information sent from the first device with the data stored in the first storage means and transferring the relevant data and its version information to the navigation device only when the data is newer. Data transfer method for navigation device. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map image display means displays a map image using the map data stored in the second storage means, and an area to be updated is displayed by the map image display means. 2. A data transfer method for a navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising an update area designating means for designating using a map image. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the map data stored in said second storage means includes a data type, a region information, and a data type for each type of area designated by said update area designation means. Transmitting the version information to the information center; and receiving the data type, the regional information, and the version information from the navigation device, the information center corresponds to the map data stored in the first storage unit. The version information of the data of the type and the area is compared with the version information sent from the navigation device, and only when the data stored in the first storage means is newer, the corresponding data and its version are compared. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein information is transferred to the navigation device. Method of transferring data ® emission devices.