JPWO2012032619A1 - Map data processing device, update map data distribution device, map data update system, map data update method - Google Patents

Abstract

The map data processing apparatus includes a storage means for storing map data in which point information relating to each point on the road is classified and set for each link row, and additional point information relating to each point on the added road is provided for each link row. Based on the update map data acquired by the acquisition means, the rewrite means for rewriting part of the point information in the map data, and the rewrite means Update means for storing in the storage means the map data and the updated map data that have been partially rewritten as updated map data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a map data processing device that performs update processing of map data, an updated map data distribution device that distributes updated map data to the map data processing device, and a map having these map data processing device and updated map data distribution device The present invention relates to a data update system and a map data update method in the map data update system.

  Conventionally, various methods and techniques for partially updating map data used in a vehicle navigation apparatus have been proposed. In Patent Document 1, update map data having a data structure suitable for update is generated and updated, and the map data for processing is updated based on the updated map data for update. A technique for efficiently performing partial updating and efficiently performing navigation processing is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-177245 A

  In order to perform partial update of map data by a method as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to once generate update map data, update the map data, and then update the processing map data. An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform partial update of map data without performing such processing.

The map data processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention relates to storage means for storing map data in which point information relating to each point on the road is classified and set for each link row, and to each point on the added road Acquisition means for acquiring updated map data in which additional point information is classified and set for each link row, and rewriting means for rewriting part of the point information in the map data based on the updated map data acquired by the acquisition means And update means for storing the map data in which part of the point information is rewritten by the rewrite means and the updated map data in the storage means as updated map data.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the map data processing device according to the first aspect, the point information in the map data refers to the point information corresponding to the other link sequence for the points shared by the plurality of link sequences. The additional point information in the updated map data includes the first reference information in order to refer to the point information in the map data for a common point between the map data and the updated map data among the points of the added road. The second reference information is preferably included. In this map data processing device, the rewriting means can rewrite the first reference information in the map data based on the second reference information included in the updated map data.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the map data processing device according to the second aspect, the rewriting means makes reference to the additional point information in the map data for a common point between the map data and the updated map data. In addition, it is preferable to rewrite the first reference information.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map data processing device of the second or third aspect, the point information in the map data is predetermined as the first reference information for the points that only one link row has. Is preferably set. In this map data processing device, the rewriting means uses the first reference information from a predetermined value for the points that only one link string has in the map data among the common points between the map data and the updated map data. Can be rewritten.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the map data processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the updated map data preferably includes abolition link information related to a link corresponding to the abandoned road. In this map data processing device, the rewriting means can rewrite and invalidate part of the point information in the map data based on the abolition link information included in the updated map data.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the map data processing device according to the fifth aspect, it is preferable that the updating means delete the abolished link information from the updated map data and store it in the storage means.
The updated map data distribution device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention distributes updated map data for updating the map data in which point information relating to each point on the road is classified and set for each link row. . In this updated map data distribution device, the updated map data is set by adding the additional point information regarding each point of the added road for each link row, and the additional point information in the updated map data is the added road The reference information for referring to the point information in the map data for the common points between the map data and the updated map data is included.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the updated map data distribution device according to the seventh aspect, the updated map data may further include abolition link information regarding a link corresponding to the abandoned road.
A map data update system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a map data processing device that performs processing using map data in which point information relating to each point on a road is classified and set for each link row, and map data And an update map data distribution device that distributes update map data for updating to the map data processing device. In this map data update system, the map data processing device includes storage means for storing map data, acquisition means for acquiring update map data distributed from the update map data distribution apparatus, and update map data acquired by the acquisition means. Based on the above, the rewriting means for rewriting a part of the point information in the map data stored by the storage means, the map data in which a part of the point information is rewritten by the rewriting means and the updated map data are used as the updated map data Updating means for storing in the storage means.
A map data update method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is for updating map data in which point information relating to each point of a road is classified and set for each link row, and Obtain updated map data in which additional point information for each point is classified and set for each link row, rewrite part of the point information in the map data based on the obtained updated map data, and add part of the point information The rewritten map data and the updated map data are stored as updated map data.

  According to the present invention, partial update of map data can be performed efficiently.

It is a block diagram of the navigation system which is an example of application of the map data update system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which is the example of application of the map data processing apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the relationship between the level of map data, a block, and a mesh. It is a figure which shows the example of a format of map data. It is a figure which shows the example of a format of update map data. It is a figure explaining rewriting of the same node offset. It is a figure which shows the example of a format of the map data after an update. It is a flowchart of a map data update process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the function of the navigation apparatus was implement | achieved on the personal computer.

  A map data update system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking a case where the map data update system is applied to a navigation system as an example. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a navigation system that is an application example of a map data update system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a navigation device 1 and a communication terminal 2 mounted on a vehicle 100, a communication network 3, and a distribution server 4. The navigation device 1 and the communication terminal 2 are connected by wired or wireless connection.

  The navigation device 1 detects the position of the vehicle 100, displays a map, and indicates the detected position of the vehicle 100 on the map. When the destination of the vehicle 100 is set by the user, the recommended route to the destination is searched, and the vehicle 100 is guided to the destination according to the searched recommended route. The navigation device 1 stores map data used for executing such processing.

  The map data stored in the navigation device 1 can be updated in whole or in part. When the map data is partially updated, the navigation device 1 acquires the difference between the original map data and the latest map data from the distribution server 4 as updated map data. The updated map data is distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3. The navigation device 1 rewrites a part of the contents of the original map data based on the updated map data acquired from the distribution server 4, merges the map data and the updated map data, and stores them as updated map data. . In this way, the map data is partially updated.

  On the other hand, when updating the map data as a whole, the navigation device 1 reads the latest map data recorded therein from a DVD 5 or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 6 set in advance by the user. Then, the original map data is erased and the latest read map data is stored instead. By replacing the original map data with the latest map data in this way, the map data is updated as a whole. Instead of the DVD 5 and the USB memory 6, other types of recording media such as a CD and a memory card may be used.

  The communication terminal 2 performs wireless connection with the communication line network 3 as necessary under the control of the navigation device 1. A distribution server 4 is connected to the communication line network 3. That is, the navigation device 1 is connected to the distribution server 4 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3. When the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3 are wirelessly connected, a radio base station (not shown) included in the communication line network 3 is used. The wireless base stations can wirelessly communicate with the communication terminals 2 in a predetermined communication area around the wireless base stations, and are scattered throughout the country. The communication terminal 2 is a mobile phone, for example. The communication network 3 is constructed by, for example, a mobile phone network or the Internet.

  The distribution server 4 stores update map data for updating the map data of the navigation device 1 in advance. The updated map data is provided from the map operator at a predetermined timing and stored in the distribution server 4.

  The map operator surveys roads and various facilities (POI: Point Of Interest) in various places in the country, and creates the latest map database at a predetermined timing based on the survey results. The latest map database created in this manner is converted in accordance with a map data format suitable for use in the navigation device 1, recorded in the DVD 5 or USB memory 6, and sent to the user of the navigation device 1. . At this time, it takes a considerable period of time, for example, a period of about six months, from when the map is surveyed by the map operator until the latest map data is sent to the user. For this reason, it is difficult to immediately reflect the map change in the map data of the navigation device 1.

  Therefore, in order to improve the above situation, the map operator creates updated map data to represent only the changed map part in parallel with the creation of the latest map database and format conversion, This is provided to the distribution server 4. The updated map data provided by the map provider is stored in the distribution server 4 and distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 in response to a request from the navigation device 1. In this way, the period from when the map is surveyed by the map operator to when the updated map data can be distributed is significantly shorter than the period required to send the latest map data to the user. can do. That is, it is possible to immediately reflect the map change in the map data of the navigation device 1.

  When there is a distribution map data distribution request from the navigation device 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3, the distribution server 4 distributes the update map data in response to the distribution request. Alternatively, the update map data may be automatically distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 when the distribution server 4 can distribute the update map data. The updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 in this way is transmitted to the communication terminal 2 via the communication network 3 and is output from the communication terminal 2 to the navigation device 1. Thereby, the update map data is downloaded in the navigation device 1.

  Instead of distributing the update map data from the distribution server 4, the update map data may be recorded on the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6. When one of the DVD 5 and the USB memory 6 in which the update map data is recorded is set by the user, the navigation device 1 can read the update map data from there. In this case, the updated map data downloaded by the user using a personal computer (not shown) can be recorded in the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6, for example. Alternatively, the manufacturer of the navigation device 1 or the like may distribute the DVD 5 or USB memory 6 to users by mail or the like.

  Next, the configuration of the navigation device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 1 includes a control unit 10, a vibration gyro 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, a hard disk (HDD) 13, a disk drive 14, a USB interface (I / F) 15, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) reception. Unit 16, display monitor 17, and input device 18.

  The control unit 10 includes a microprocessor, various peripheral circuits, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and executes various processes based on a control program and map data recorded in the HDD 13. Various processes for guiding the host vehicle, that is, the vehicle 100 to the destination are executed by the control unit 10. For example, a destination search process when setting a destination, a recommended route search process to the set destination, a current position detection process of the vehicle 100, various image display processes, and a voice output process during route guidance Etc. are executed. A communication terminal 2 is connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 controls the communication terminal 2, whereby a distribution map data distribution request is made from the navigation device 1 to the distribution server 4 of FIG. 1. The updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 in response to this distribution request is output to the control unit 10 via the communication terminal 2.

  The vibration gyro 11 is a sensor for detecting the angular velocity of the vehicle 100. The vehicle speed sensor 12 is a sensor for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100. Based on the detection results of these sensors, the control unit 10 calculates the movement state of the vehicle 100 at predetermined time intervals, thereby obtaining the amount of movement of the vehicle 100, thereby detecting the current position of the vehicle 100. The

  The HDD 13 is a non-volatile recording medium that can rewrite recorded information. In the HDD 13, information such as a control program and map data for executing the processing as described above in the control unit 10 is recorded.

  In the navigation device 1, the map data recorded in the HDD 13 is managed by the concept of level, block, and mesh. In the present embodiment, map data is managed by being divided into a predetermined number of levels having different scale ratios. For example, when the level is divided into seven levels, the level of the most detailed scale ratio is set to level 0, and the level of the most extensive map is set to level 6. Each level includes map data having different scale ratios, but the target area is the same for each level. In other words, when the whole of Japan is targeted, the map data of the whole of Japan with different scale ratios is provided for each level. For example, scale level 1/6250 at level 0, scale ratio 1/25000 at level 1, scale ratio 1/100000 at level 2, scale ratio 1/400000 at level 3, scale ratio 1 / 1600,000 at level 4, and scale 5 at level 5. The scale data is 1/6400000, and level 6 has map data of Japan with a scale ratio of 1/128000000. Thus, there are seven sets of map data corresponding to levels 0-6. Level 0 is the lower level and level 6 is the upper level.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the relationship between map data levels, blocks, and meshes. Here, a division example of levels 1 and 2 is shown on behalf of each level. In FIG. 3, the vertical direction of division corresponds to the latitude direction, and the horizontal direction corresponds to the longitude direction.

  Reference numeral 101 indicates an area that is the target of the map data. For example, if map data for the whole of Japan is handled, the area 101 is a range including the whole of Japan. Level 1 and level 2 cover the same range. In level 1, the area 101 is divided into 4 × 4 = 16 blocks 102 and managed. One block 102 is divided into a plurality of meshes 103 and managed. In the present embodiment, management is performed with m × n meshes. Between each block 102, the values of m and n that define the number of divided meshes are the same at the same level.

  In level 2, the area 101 is divided into a plurality of blocks 104 of 2 × 2 = 4 and managed. One block 104 is divided into a plurality of meshes 105 and managed. In this embodiment, management is performed with p × q meshes. Between each block 104, the values of p and 1 that define the number of divided meshes are the same at the same level, similar to m and n described above.

  In level 1 and level 2, the number of blocks obtained by dividing the region 101 and the number of meshes obtained by dividing each block are different. This is because a map with a small scale ratio (large denominator value), that is, a level 2 handling a wide area map, and a map with a large scale ratio (small denominator value) compared to level 2, that is, a narrower area (details). This is because the amount of data to be handled differs from level 1 for handling maps. In this way, appropriate division according to the amount of data handled at each level is performed. However, within the same level, the size of one block and the size of one mesh are the same. The number of divided blocks at each level in FIG. 3 is an example, and is not necessarily limited to this number.

  The block and mesh names are named for convenience in the present embodiment. Therefore, it is not necessarily limited to these names. The mesh may be simply referred to as a partition or a parcel, or the block may be referred to as a first division unit, and the mesh may be referred to as a second division unit. In addition, these blocks and meshes may be said to be geographically divided units.

  In the map data as described above, the roads in each mesh are represented by being divided into predetermined road sections. Each of these road sections is called a link. A connection of a plurality of links is called a link row. That is, in the map data, each road is represented as a link string connecting a plurality of links. Each of the links is set with a value called a link cost related to the time required for the vehicle to pass.

  The points connecting the links, that is, the end points of each link are called nodes. Each of the nodes has position information expressed using map coordinates. Furthermore, in order to accurately express the shape of the road between the nodes, a shape interpolation point having the same position information as the node is set as necessary. Based on the position information of the node and the shape interpolation point, the position and shape of each road represented on the map are determined. That is, in the map data, each link row is composed of a plurality of nodes and shape interpolation points.

  The map data recorded in the HDD 13 can be updated for a predetermined update range by updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 or updated map data read from the DVD 5 or USB memory 6. For example, when a new road is opened or a new facility is installed, information on the road or facility is provided as updated map data. Map data is updated by this updated map data. Furthermore, by replacing the latest map data read from the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6 with the original map data, the map data recorded in the HDD 13 can be updated as a whole.

  When a newly opened road passes through the mesh of the update range and reaches other meshes, the information of the road in the update map data is connected not only to the part in the mesh of the update range but also to other roads. Provided up to the point. That is, information up to a point connected to an existing road is provided as updated map data. As a result, roads added in the updated map data are prevented from being interrupted in the middle or from inconsistencies with existing roads.

  It should be noted that different update ranges may be set for the case where update map data is distributed from the distribution server 4 and the case where update map data is read from the DVD 5 or USB memory 6. For example, when the updated map data is distributed from the distribution server 4, a relatively narrow mesh is used as the update range in order to reduce the cost and time of wireless communication by the communication terminal 2. On the other hand, when the update map data is read from the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6, when the user downloads the update map data using a personal computer, a mesh of the update range is set in a relatively wide range, for example, a prefecture unit. Is done. Further, in this case, information other than roads and facilities within the update range, for example, information on new icons can be included in the update map data.

  Although the example in which the map data is recorded on the HDD 13 in the navigation device 1 has been described above, any recording medium other than the HDD may be used as long as it is a rewritable recording medium. For example, a flash memory or the like may be used instead of the HDD.

  The disk drive 14 is a part for reading the latest map data or updated map data recorded on the DVD 5, and has a disk drive mechanism, a pickup mechanism, and the like. When the DVD 5 is set in the disk drive 14, the latest map data or updated map data recorded on the DVD 5 is read by the disk drive 14 and output to the control unit 10. As a result, the latest map data or updated map data is read from the DVD 5 in the navigation device 1.

  The USB interface 15 has a slot portion for loading the USB memory 6. When the USB memory 6 is loaded in the slot portion, the latest map data or updated map data recorded in the USB memory 6 is read by the USB interface 15 and a predetermined interface process is performed. 10 is output. As a result, the latest map data or updated map data is read from the USB memory 6 in the navigation device 1.

  The GPS receiver 16 receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and outputs it to the controller 10. The GPS signal includes information on the position and transmission time of the GPS satellite that transmitted the GPS signal as information for obtaining the position of the vehicle 100 and the current time. Therefore, by receiving GPS signals from a predetermined number or more of GPS satellites, the current position and current time of the vehicle 100 can be calculated based on these pieces of information. Based on the current position of the vehicle 100 calculated based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 16 and the current position of the vehicle 100 calculated based on the detection results of the vibration gyro 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12 described above. Thus, the final current position of the vehicle 100 is obtained.

  The display monitor 17 is a device for displaying various screens in the navigation device 1 and is configured using a liquid crystal display or the like. The display monitor 17 displays a map screen. The contents of the screen displayed on the display monitor 17 are determined by screen display control performed by the control unit 10. The display monitor 17 is installed at a position where the user can easily see, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle 100 or in the instrument panel.

  The input device 18 is a device for a user to perform various input operations for operating the navigation device 1 and includes various input switches. The user operates the input device 18 to input, for example, the name of a facility or point desired to be set as a destination, select a destination from registered locations registered in advance, or display a map in an arbitrary direction. Or scroll. The input device 18 can be realized by an operation panel, a remote controller, or the like. Alternatively, the input device 18 may be realized by a touch panel integrated with the display monitor 17.

  When the user operates the input device 18 to set the destination, the navigation device 1 searches for a route to the destination where the total of the link costs is minimized based on the link cost set in the map data, for example. The route is set as a recommended route. The recommended route set in this way is displayed on the map in a display form distinguishable from other roads. Thereafter, the navigation device 1 displays a map around the current location, and guides the vehicle 100 to the destination according to the set recommended route.

  Next, the format of map data used in the navigation device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a format example of map data recorded in the HDD 13 in the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, road data for representing roads among the map data recorded in the HDD 13 includes road data header 401, boundary area 402, ferry data 403, planned road data 404, narrow road 2 data 405, Narrow road 1 data 406, general road 3 data 407, general road 2 data 408, general road 1 data 409, main local road data 410, prefectural road data 411, national road data 412, highway data 413 and dummy link data 414 ing. In the HDD 13, road data having such a configuration is recorded for each mesh.

  The road data header 401 is data for referring to the ferry data 403 to the dummy link data 414 in the road data. The intersection total number 421, the ferry data header 422, the planned road data header 423, the narrow road 2 data header 424, Road 1 data header 425, general road 3 data header 426, general road 2 data header 427, general road 1 data header 428, main local road data header 429, prefectural road data header 430, national road data header 431, expressway data header 432 and A dummy link data header 433 is provided.

  The total number of intersections 421 is data representing the total number of intersections included in the road data. The ferry data header 422 to the dummy link data header 433 are data representing the recording position and the number of link columns in the map data of the corresponding data, and correspond to the data of the ferry data 403 to the dummy link data 414, respectively. .

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the ferry data header 422 as a representative of the ferry data header 422 to the dummy link data header 433. The ferry data header 422 has an offset 446 and a link string number 447. The offset 446 is data indicating the head address of the position where the ferry data 403 is recorded in the map data. The navigation device 1 can refer to the ferry data 403 in the map data by referring to the data at the address specified by the offset 446. The link string number 447 is data indicating the number of link strings included in the ferry data 403. The planned road data header 423 to the dummy link data header 433 also have the same configuration as the ferry data header 422, respectively.

  The boundary area 402 is a data area for separating the road data header 401 and the ferry data 403 to the dummy link data 414, and a predetermined value is set with a predetermined number of bits.

  The ferry data 403 to the dummy link data 414 are data in which the roads included in the road data are collectively expressed in link row units, and are set for each road type. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the national road data 412 on behalf of the ferry data 403 to the dummy link data 414. The national road data 412 includes data of each link string (here, the link string L1 to the link string Ln) included in the road data. Reference numeral 441 represents data of the link string L1, and reference numeral 442 represents data of the link string Ln. The ferry data 403 to prefectural road data 411, high-speed toll data 413, and dummy link data 414 also have the same configuration as the national road data 412. That is, the ferry data 403 is for the ferry route, the planned road data 404 is for the road under construction, the narrow road 2 data 405 and the narrow road 1 data 406 are for the narrow road, the general road 3 data 407, the general road 2 data 408, and General road 1 data 409 is the general road, main local road data 410 is the main local road, prefectural road data 411 is the prefectural road, highway data 413 is the highway, dummy link data 414 is the dummy link The data of each link row included is included. Note that the dummy link represented by the dummy link data 414 is set as necessary in a place other than the road in the map data for the purpose of route search or the like.

  FIG. 4 shows a data configuration of the link row L1 included in the national road data 412 as a representative example. The data of the link string L1 indicated by reference numeral 441 has a link string size 451, an element score 452, a link attribute 453, a road name offset 454, and a route number 455. The link string size 451 is data representing the data size of the link string L1. The element number 452 is data representing the number of element points included in the link row L1, that is, the total number of nodes and shape interpolation points. The link attribute 453 is data representing the link attribute of the link row L1, and represents, for example, the type of road or whether it corresponds to a special road (tunnel, bridge, elevated, etc.). The road name offset 454 is data indicating the head address of the position where the road name data of the link string L1 is recorded in the map data. The route number 455 is data representing the route number of the road corresponding to the link row L1.

  The data of the link string L1 indicated by reference numeral 441 further includes the inter-level integrated link number, point information, and height information data for each node (here, node N1 to node Ns) constituting the link string L1. doing. Reference numeral 456 represents a link corresponding to the node N1, reference numeral 457 represents an inter-level integrated link number of the link corresponding to the node Ns, reference numeral 458 represents node N1, and reference numeral 459 represents point information of the node Ns. Reference numeral 460 represents the height information of the node N1, and reference numeral 461 represents the height information of the node Ns.

  FIG. 4 shows a data configuration of the point information 458 for the node N1 as a representative example of the point information of each node. The point information 458 includes attribute 1 and X coordinate data indicated by reference numeral 471, attribute 2 and Y coordinate data indicated by reference numeral 472, the same node offset 473, a guidance offset 474, and a link number 475. Data of reference numerals 471 and 472 are data indicating the attribute of the node N1 and the coordinates on the map. The attributes of the node N1 indicated by these data include, for example, the start address of the position where the point information of the node adjacent to the node N1 in the link string L1 is recorded in the map data, the presence / absence of one-way traffic, its direction, width, Whether the point information of the node N1 is valid or invalid.

  The same node offset 473 is data indicating a head address of a position where point information corresponding to another link sequence is recorded in the map data when the node N1 is shared by a plurality of link sequences. The navigation device 1 can refer to the point information of the node N1 included in the link sequence other than the link sequence L1 by referring to the data at the address specified by the same node offset 473. The guidance offset 474 is data indicating the head address of the position where the guidance data for the node N1 is recorded in the map data. The navigation apparatus 1 can perform voice output and information display necessary for guiding the vehicle 100 to the destination by referring to the data of the address specified by the guidance offset 474. The link number 475 is data indicating the link number corresponding to the node N1.

  The map data stored in the HDD 13 in the navigation device 1 has the configuration as described above. Thereby, for example, as indicated by reference numerals 458 and 459, point information regarding each node of the road is classified and set for each link string.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format example of updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 in order to update the map data represented in the format of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the updated map data includes an additional road data header 501, a boundary area 502, additional ferry data 503, additional planned road data 504, additional narrow road 2 data 505, additional narrow road 1 data 506, and additional general roads. 3 data 507, additional general road 2 data 508, additional general road 1 data 509, additional main local road data 510, additional prefectural road data 511, additional national road data 512, additional highway data 513, additional dummy link data 514 and abolition link data 515.

  The additional road data header 501 to the additional dummy link data 514 are data set for each link row of the road newly added from the original road data in the latest map database. These data have the same data structure as the road data header 401 to the dummy link data 414 in FIG. 4 except that the interrupt position 576 is newly provided. On the other hand, the abolition link data 515 that is not provided in the map data of FIG. 4 is data set for each link of the road that has been abolished (deleted) from the original road data in the latest map database.

  The additional road data header 501 includes an intersection total number 521 representing the total number of intersections of the added roads, and a ferry data header 522 to a dummy link data header 533 respectively corresponding to the additional ferry data 503 to the additional dummy link data 514. Have For example, as with the ferry data header 422 in FIG. 4, the ferry data header 522 includes an offset 546 that indicates the start address of the position where the additional ferry data 503 is recorded in the map data, and the link string included in the additional ferry data 503. And a link string number 547 indicating the number.

  The additional ferry data 503 to the additional dummy link data 514 are set corresponding to each link row of the road newly added from the original road data in the latest map database. For example, the national road data 512 includes data of each newly added national highway link string (here, link string K1 to link string Kp). Reference numeral 541 represents data of the link string K1, and reference numeral 542 Represents data of the link string Kp. Among them, for example, the data of the link string K1 indicated by reference numeral 541 is similar to the data of the link string L1 indicated by reference numeral 441 in FIG. 4, the link string size 551, the number of element points 552, the link attribute 553, the road name offset 554, and the route number. Further, each node (here, node M1 to node Mt) constituting the link string K1 has inter-level integrated link number, point information, and height information data. Reference numeral 556 represents a link corresponding to the node M1, reference numeral 557 represents an integrated link number between levels of the link corresponding to the node Mt, reference numeral 558 represents node M1, and reference numeral 559 represents point information of the node Mt. Reference numeral 560 represents the height information of the node M1, and reference numeral 561 represents the height information of the node Mt.

  The point information 558 for the node M1 includes the same data as the point information 458 for the node N1 in FIG. 4, that is, data 571 and 572 indicating the attribute of the node M1 and coordinates on the map, the same node offset 573, the guidance offset 574, and the link. It has the number 575. The point information 558 further has an interrupt position 576. The interrupt position 576 is data indicating the head address of the position where the point information of the node M1 is recorded in the original map data when the node M1 is common between the original map data and the updated map data. . The navigation device 1 can refer to the point information of the node M1 included in any one of the link rows in the original map data by referring to the data of the address designated at the interrupt position 576.

  The abolished link data 515 includes a link number 543 that represents the total number of links corresponding to abolished roads, and an abolished link number that represents a preset link number for each link (in this case, from the abolished link number D1). Data of the abolition link number Dq). The code | symbol 544 represents the data of the abolition link number D1, and the code | symbol 545 represents the data of the abolition link number Dq.

  The updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 has the configuration as described above. Thereby, as indicated by reference numerals 558 and 559, for example, point information regarding each node of the added road is classified and set for each link string.

  In the following description, point information included in the original map data, such as point information 458 and 45 in FIG. 4, is simply referred to as point information. On the other hand, like the point information 558 and 559 in FIG. 5, the point information included in the updated map data is referred to as additional point information.

  When the navigation device 1 obtains the updated map data as shown in FIG. 5 from the distribution server 4, the navigation device 1 rewrites a part of the map data as shown in FIG. 4 stored in the HDD 13 based on the updated map data. That is, the rewriting process for the added road and the rewriting process for the deleted road are executed.

  In the rewriting process for the added road, the navigation device 1 uses the interrupt position data as indicated by reference numeral 576 in FIG. 5 for each node common to the original map data among the roads added in the updated map data. Each is referred to, and the data of the same node offset as shown by the corresponding reference numeral 473 in FIG. 4 is rewritten based on the contents. That is, the point information indicated by the interrupt position is specified in the original map data for each of the additional point information of the updated map data representing each node. Then, the value of the same node offset included in the identified point information is rewritten to a value indicating the start address of the additional point information in the updated map data. Thereby, the same node offset is rewritten so that the additional point information is referred to in the original map data.

  The rewriting of the same node offset as described above will be described using a specific example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the map data (road data) before update, a link string L1 indicating a part thereof at 71 and a link string L2 indicating a part thereof at 72 share the node A. Suppose you were. In this case, the value of the same node offset included in the point information representing the node A in the link string L1 indicates the position of the point information representing the node A in the link string L2. Similarly, the value of the same node offset included in the point information representing the node A in the link row L2 indicates the position of the point information representing the node A in the link row L1.

  Here, it is assumed that a link string L3 indicating a part thereof is added to the reference numeral 73 in the updated map data, and the node A included in the link string L3 is common to the link strings L1 and L2. In this case, the value of the interrupt position in the additional point information representing the node A in the link string L3 in the updated map data indicates the position of the point information representing the node A in the link string L2. On the other hand, the value of the same node offset indicates the position of the point information representing the node A of the link string L1.

  When such updated map data is acquired in the navigation device 1, in the original map data, the value of the same node offset in the point information of the node A in the link row L2 indicated by the interrupt position of the updated map data is the link. The value is rewritten to a value indicating the position of the additional point information of the node A in the column L3. As a result, in the updated map data obtained by merging the rewritten map data and the updated map data, as shown in FIG. 6, point information representing a common node A for each of the link strings L1, L2, and L3, or Additional point information is sequentially referred to. Therefore, it can be represented by the updated map data that the link strings L1, L2, and L3 are connected to each other in the node A.

  Note that, for a node that has only one link string in the original map data, a predetermined value indicating that it is not shared is set as the value of the same node offset in the point information of that node. When a link string is added to such a node using updated map data, the added point information in the updated map data has the same value indicating the position of the point information in the original map data for each of the same node offset and interrupt position. Is set. Then, by rewriting the same node offset, the value of the same node offset in the point information of the original map data is rewritten from a predetermined value to a value indicating the position of the additional point information.

  On the other hand, in the rewriting process for the deleted road, the navigation device 1 refers to the abolition link number data as indicated by reference numerals 544 and 545 in FIG. 5, and based on the contents, the corresponding point information in FIG. Rewrite a part of. That is, based on the abolition link number, the point information of the node corresponding to the abolition link is specified in the original map data. Then, among the attribute information included in the identified point information, the flag indicating whether the point information is valid or invalid is rewritten and invalidated. Thereby, the point information of the deleted road is rewritten so that it is not used in the original map data.

  When the rewriting process described above is performed, the navigation device 1 merges the rewritten map data with the updated map data. At this time, the abolished link data 515 that is no longer necessary in the updated map data is deleted and merged with the rewritten map data. The merged map data is stored in the HDD 13 as updated map data and used in the subsequent processing.

  7 is a diagram showing a format example of updated map data obtained by merging the map data of FIG. 4 and the updated map data of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the updated map data includes road data header 401 to dummy link data 414 similar to FIG. 4, and additional road data header 501 to additional dummy link data 514 similar to FIG. ing. In FIG. 7, the value of the same node offset 473 is rewritten from the original value by the rewriting process as described above.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the map data update process executed when the map data is updated as described above. When the user performs a predetermined operation using the input device 18 to instruct the navigation device 1 to update the map data, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 10, the control unit 10 acquires updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4. At this time, the control unit 10 makes a distribution map data distribution request to the distribution server 4 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3. The updated map data can be acquired by receiving the updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 via the communication network 3 in response to the distribution request by the communication terminal 2. Instead of acquiring the update map data distributed from the distribution server 4, the update map data recorded on the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6 may be acquired.

  In step S20, the control unit 10 refers to the abolished link data in the updated map data acquired in step S10, that is, the data related to the link corresponding to the abolished road. Here, the abolition link numbers as indicated by reference numerals 544 and 545 in FIG. 5 are referred to as the abolition link data.

  In step S30, the control unit 10 invalidates the abolition link in the original map data based on the data referred to in step S20. Here, the abolition link is invalidated by rewriting a specific flag in the point information indicated by the data of the abolition link referred to in step S20 to invalidate the point information. By this step S30, the rewriting process for the deleted road is performed.

  In step S40, the control unit 10 refers to the interrupt position data for the node in common with the original map data in the updated map data acquired in step S10. Here, for each of the additional point information included in the update map data, the interrupt position data as indicated by reference numeral 576 in FIG. 5 is referred to.

  In step S50, the control unit 10 replaces the same node offset in the original map data based on the data referenced in step S40. Here, the same node offset value is replaced by rewriting the value of the same node offset included in the point information indicated by the data referred to in step S40 to the value indicating the start address of the additional point information in the updated map data. By this step S50, the rewriting process for the added road is performed.

  In step S60, the control unit 10 merges the original map data rewritten by the processes in steps S30 and S50 with the updated map data acquired in step S10. Here, the abolished link data used in step S20 is deleted from the updated map data and merged with the rewritten original map data. If the merged map data is recorded in the HDD 13 as updated map data, the control unit 10 ends the flowchart of FIG. 8 and completes the map data update process.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects are obtained.

(1) The navigation device 1 acquires updated map data by the processing of the control unit 10 (step S10), and a part of point information in the original map data stored in the HDD 13 based on the updated map data. Is rewritten (steps S30 and S50). The original map data and the updated map data in which part of the point information is rewritten in this way are stored in the HDD 13 as updated map data (step S60). Since it did in this way, since map data can be updated only by rewriting a part of original map data, the partial update of map data can be performed efficiently.

(2) The point information in the original map data includes information for referring to the corresponding point information in other link strings for a node shared by a plurality of link strings, like the same node offset 473 in FIG. On the other hand, the additional point information in the updated map data is based on the point information about the common node between the original map data and the updated map data among the nodes of the added road, as indicated by the interrupt position 576 in FIG. Information for reference in the map data. The control unit 10 refers to the interrupt position information in the updated map data (step S40), and performs the process of step S50 based on the updated map data, thereby rewriting the same node offset information in the original map data. Since it did in this way, the part which needs to be rewritten among original map data can be specified reliably and easily based on update map data, and can be rewritten.

(3) In step S30, the control unit 10 rewrites the same node offset information so that the additional point information is referred to in the original map data for the common nodes between the original map data and the updated map data. I made it. Thereby, when the road connected with the road contained in the original map data is added, map data can be rewritten so that the connection relation of each road is represented appropriately.

(4) For the point information in the original map data, a predetermined value indicating that the point information is not shared with other link strings is set as the same node offset for the points possessed by only one link string. . In this regard, the control unit 10 rewrites the same node offset information from the value in step S30. Thereby, in the case where a road that branches off from the original road that was not branched until then is added, the map data can be rewritten so that the connection relationship of each road is appropriately represented.

(5) The additional point information in the updated map data includes abolition link information related to the link corresponding to the abandoned road, such as abolition link numbers 544 and 545 in FIG. The control unit 10 refers to the abolished link information in the updated map data (step S20), and performs the process of step S30 based on the updated map data, thereby rewriting and invalidating a part of the point information in the original map data. Since it did in this way, when some roads are deleted from the road contained in the original map data, map data can be rewritten so that the point information of the road may not be used in the updated map data.

(6) In step S60, the control unit 10 deletes the abolished link information from the updated map data and stores it in the HDD 13. Thereby, unnecessary information can be deleted in the updated map data, and the data amount can be compressed.

-Modification-
In the map data in the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6 as updated map data, for example, when three link strings L1, L2, and L3 share the same node A, the link string L1 The point information of the node A refers to the point information of the node A of the link row L2, the point information of the node A of the link row L2 refers to the point information of the node A of the link row L3, and the point A of the node A of the link row L3 The information represents the connection relationship of each link row by referring to the point information of the node A in the link row L1. In other words, each link row is connected by a circular reference method in which the point information of one link row is sequentially referred to from the point information of one link row and finally returns to the point information of the original link row. It was decided to express the relationship. However, instead of using such a reference method, the connection relationship of each link row may be represented by a mutual-type reference method in which the point information of one other link row is referred to from the point information of one link row. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when three link strings L1, L2, and L3 share the same node A, the point information of the node A of the link string L1 is the point information of the node A of the link strings L2 and L3. The point information of the node A of the link string L2 refers to the point information of the node A of the link string L1 and L3, and the point information of the node A of the link string L3 refers to the point information of the node A of the link string L1 and L2. By referencing, the connection relationship of each link row can be expressed.

  In addition, when the mutual format reference method as described above is adopted, when rewriting the same node offset in the rewriting process for the added road, all of the link strings corresponding to the other roads to which the road is connected, The value of the same node offset of the point information representing that node must be rewritten. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, in order to add the link string L3 that shares the node A with the link strings L1 and L2, the same node offset value in the point information of the node A is set for each of the link strings L1 and L2. It is necessary to rewrite. Therefore, the interrupt position in the additional point information for the node A in the link string L3 includes a value representing the position of the point information of the node A in the link string L1 and a value representing the position of the point information in the node A in the link string L2. Each is preferably set.

  In the embodiment described above, the head address of the position where the reference point point information or the additional point information is recorded is recorded in the original map data or the updated map data as the same node offset or interrupt position. did. On the other hand, the link number of each link corresponding to the abolished road is recorded in the updated map data as the abolished link number. However, these recording methods may be used interchangeably. That is, the link number corresponding to the reference point information or additional point information is recorded at the same node offset or interrupt position, and the point information of the node corresponding to the abandoned road is the original map The head address of the position recorded in the data can be recorded. Alternatively, any recording method may be used.

  The update of the map data using the updated map data as described above can be continuously performed a plurality of times with respect to the original map data. Further, the entire map data can be updated every predetermined period, for example, every six months, and the updated map data can be distributed and updated partially during a predetermined period, for example, every month. In this case, after the entire map data is updated, the updated map data is distributed to the latest updated map data to perform partial update, and the old map data before update is partially updated. May be excluded.

  The format of each map data shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Point information related to each node of the road is classified and set for each link row, and part of the point information of the original map data can be rewritten based on the updated map data, and the updated map data and updated As long as the map data can be merged and used as updated map data, the map data may have any structure.

  The functions of the navigation device 1 as described above may be realized on a personal computer. FIG. 9 shows the state. The personal computer 200 that stores the same map data as the navigation apparatus 1 and functions as a map data processing apparatus by executing a predetermined program is distributed from the updated map data distribution apparatus 300 via the Internet 301. Map data can be received. The updated map data distribution device 300 has the same function as the distribution server 4 in FIG. 1 and can distribute updated map data to the personal computer 200. When the personal computer 200 acquires the update map data distributed by the update map data distribution device 300, the personal computer 200 can update the stored map data by executing the map data update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. . Instead of the personal computer 200, various information devices such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and a PND (Personal Navigation Device) may be used.

  The embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Moreover, you may use combining said embodiment and a modified example suitably.

1: navigation device, 2: communication terminal, 3: communication network, 4: distribution server,
5: DVD, 6: USB memory, 10: control unit, 11: vibration gyro,
12: Vehicle speed sensor, 13: HDD, 14: Disk drive,
15: USB interface, 16: GPS receiver, 17: display monitor,
18: input device, 100: vehicle

Claims (10)

Storage means for storing map data in which point information relating to each point on the road is classified and set for each link row;
Acquisition means for acquiring updated map data in which additional point information regarding each point of the added road is classified and set for each link row;
Rewriting means for rewriting a part of the point information in the map data based on the updated map data obtained by the obtaining means;
A map data processing apparatus comprising: map data in which a part of the point information is rewritten by the rewriting means; and update means for storing the updated map data in the storage means as updated map data. The map data processing device according to claim 1,
The point information in the map data includes first reference information for referring to corresponding point information of another link sequence for a point shared by a plurality of link sequences,
The additional point information in the updated map data is a reference for referring to the point information in the map data for a common point between the map data and the updated map data among the points of the added road. 2 reference information,
The rewriting means rewrites the first reference information in the map data based on the second reference information included in the updated map data. In the map data processing device according to claim 2,
The rewriting means rewrites the first reference information so that the additional point information is referred to in the map data for a common point between the map data and the updated map data. In the map data processing device according to claim 2 or 3,
For the point information in the map data, a predetermined value is set as the first reference information for the points that only one link row has,
The rewriting means rewrites the first reference information from the predetermined value for a point that only one link string has in the map data among points common to the map data and the updated map data. . In the map data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The updated map data includes obsolete link information regarding links corresponding to obsolete roads,
The rewriting means rewrites and invalidates a part of the point information in the map data based on the abolition link information included in the updated map data. The map data processing apparatus according to claim 5,
The update means deletes the abolished link information from the updated map data and stores it in the storage means. An update map data distribution device that distributes update map data for updating map data in which point information relating to each point on a road is classified and set for each link row,
In the updated map data, the additional point information regarding each point of the added road is classified and set for each link row,
The additional point information in the updated map data is a reference for referring to the point information in the map data for a common point between the map data and the updated map data among the points of the added road. Contains information. In the update map data distribution device according to claim 7,
The updated map data further includes abolition link information regarding a link corresponding to the abandoned road. A map data processing device that performs processing using map data in which point information relating to each point on the road is classified and set for each link row, and updated map data for updating the map data. A map data update system having an update map data distribution device for distributing to
The map data processing device comprises:
Storage means for storing the map data;
Obtaining means for obtaining updated map data distributed from the updated map data distribution device;
Rewriting means for rewriting part of the point information in the map data stored by the storage means based on the updated map data acquired by the acquisition means;
Updating means for storing the map data in which a part of the point information is rewritten by the rewriting means and the updated map data as updated map data in the storage means. A map data update method for updating map data in which point information about each point on a road is classified and set for each link row,
Get updated map data in which additional point information about each point of the added road is classified and set for each link column,
Based on the acquired updated map data, a part of the point information is rewritten in the map data,
The map data in which part of the point information is rewritten and the updated map data are stored as updated map data.

Images