WO2009125884A1

WO2009125884A1 - Terminal for dynamic data download and storage medium recording that download method program

Info

Publication number: WO2009125884A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyung-Moon Han; Jung-Hwan Lee; Do-Sung Kim
Original assignee: Sk Marketing & Company Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-04-11
Filing date: 2008-04-11
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

The present invention relates a dynamic data downloading terminal and a storage medium recording a method program. According to the present invention, when map information received by accessing a map information system through a network is provided to a user, path guidance is requested to the destination designated together with terminal basic information. It is determined whether to download neighboring map information on the path based on the information transmitted from the map information system, and when the map information is stored in the terminal, the stored map information is displayed on the screen without downloading data, and when it is needed to update the version of the map information stored in the terminal or when the map information is not stored, map information of the path neighboring area can be downloaded at each desired section according to the user' s movement while downloading path information data. Therefore, the terminal' s storage space utility is increased, and the path guidance service is provided to the user with the latest data.

Description

[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Title]

TERMINAL FOR DYNAMIC DATA DOWNLOAD AND STORAGE MEDIUM RECORDING THAT DOWNLOAD METHOD PROGRAM [Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a dynamic data download terminal and a storage medium for recording a method program. More particularly, the present invention relates to a terminal for accessing a map information system through a network and providing received map information to a user, and a storage medium for recording a method program thereof. [Background Art]

A problem with a service having built-in national map data for a conventional terminal is that the service occupies a limited mobile phone storage space by the amount of the national map data irrespective of the user' s will. Therefore, space for storing other multimedia data such as MP3, photos, and VOD in the terminal is relatively reduced, which limits the user' s utilization of the terminal storage space.

Also, the conventional terminal stores the entire national map data, and when attempting to update the map data, the user connects the corresponding terminal to a personal computer (PC) and then updates the entire data. As a result, the user has felt it is not easy to update the map data in the terminal , and hence, the entire update usage rate has been reduced.

Furthermore, since map contents displayed on the terminal are becoming broader and more precise, and are becoming actualized, new map data are consecutively added and data capacity is increased, so the method for the conventional terminal to store and update data generates a more serious problem.

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION] [Technical Problem] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an easy map data update on a terminal.

The present invention has been made in an effort to increase utility of data storage space on the terminal. [Technical Solution] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user, including: a display for displaying the map information on the screen of the terminal so that the user may visually check the map information; a map data storage unit for storing map data transmitted from the map information system; and a controller for acquiring storage space of the map data storage unit based on a capacity defined by the user or a predetermined data capacity, requesting to transmit neighboring map information on a specific area together with terminal basic information, and when neighboring map information is new map information requiring downloading or is stored map information requiring a version update, downloading map information from the map information system, and when the downloaded map information corresponds to the stored map information, controlling the display to display map information stored in the map data storage unit on the screen. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user including a display for displaying the map information on the screen of the terminal so that the user may visually check the map information; a map data storage unit for storing map data transmitted from the map information system; and a controller for acquiring storage space of the map data storage unit based on a capacity defined by the user or a predetermined data capacity, requesting a path guidance service to a designated destination together with terminal basic information, and when neighboring map information on the path is new map information requiring downloading or is stored map information requiring a version update, downloading map information of the path neighboring area for each desired section according to the user' s movement while downloading path information, and when the neighboring map information on the path corresponds to the stored map information, controlling the display to display map information stored in the map data storage unit on the screen.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a storage medium for recording a terminal control method program for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user. The program includes the functions of: a) requesting to transmit neighboring map information on a specific area together with terminal basic information; b) determining whether to download neighboring map information based on information transmitted from the map information system; c) displaying stored map information on the screen without downloading data when the map information is stored in the terminal; and d) downloading data when it is needed to update the version of the map information stored in the terminal or when the map information is not stored.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a storage medium for recording a terminal control method program for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user. The program includes the functions of: a) requesting path guidance to a designated destination together with terminal basic information; b) determining whether to download neighboring map information on the path based on information transmitted from the map information system; c) when the map information is stored in the terminal, displaying the stored map information on the screen without downloading data; and d) when it is needed to update the version of the map information stored in the terminal or when the map information is not stored, downloading map information of the path neighboring area according to the user' s movement while downloading path information data.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for a terminal and a map information system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram for a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a data download method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.4 to FIG. 12 are detai led flowcharts for a data download method and screen shots on a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Best Mode]

With reference to accompanying drawings, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprising" and variations such as "comprises" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. Also, the term of a module in the present specification represents a unit for processing a predetermined function or operation, which can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is connected to a map information system 200 through a network.

The terminal 100 connected to the map information system 200 through the network requests map data of a desired area, downloads them, and displays them.

In this instance, the terminal 100 can designate a specific area to request map information on an area neighboring the specific area, or can request path information to a specific destination.

The terminal 100 provides map information of the specific area, the path to the specific destination, and path neighboring map information requested by the user from the map information system 200. When the user requests map information on the same area again, the map information system 200 transmits coordinate information on the corresponding area, and the terminal 100 displays stored map information on the screen based on the corresponding coordinate information.

Also, when the user requests information on the same path again, the map information system 200 transmits path information to the corresponding destination to the terminal 100, and the terminal 100 displays map information on the stored neighboring path on the screen each time the corresponding path is displayed during a trip. The terminal 100 will be described later.

The map information system 200 includes an information providing server 300 and an information managing server 400, and provides map information to the terminal 100.

The map information system 200 provides the coordinates of the requested spot and neighboring map information of the corresponding area when receiving a search request on a neighboring area of a specific area from the terminal 100. When receiving a search request on the same neighboring area from the terminal 100, the map information system 200 transmits the corresponding coordinates of the requested spot, and retransmits no neighboring map information since it is stored in the terminal 100.

Also, when receiving a guidance request to a specific destination from the terminal 100, the map information system 200 transmits a path from the current position to the requested destination, and neighboring map information on the path. When receiving the same path guidance request from the terminal 100, the map information system 200 retransmits the path information to the request destination, and does not retransmit map information on the neighboring area on the path to the terminal 100.

In further detail, the information providing server 300 transmits the information provided by the information managing server 400 to the terminal 100, and the information provided by the terminal 100 to the information managing server 400. The information managing server 400 includes a registration manager 410, a version manager 420, and a map manager 430, and the registration manager 410 manages map registration and checks upload map information and map download information when a request is provided.

The version manager 420 manages the map version and checks map version information. Therefore, when receiving a request from the terminal 100, the version manager 420 compares it with map version information installed in the terminal 100 to check map information of a new version.

The map manager 430 manages the entire map data, and manages map information for each layer and tile.

Here, a tile represents divisions of the entire map area into a plurality of quadrangle fixed areas, a layer indicates a hierarchical structure between meshes, and the mesh has a hierarchy of greater than 2 levels.

When receiving a map information request of a specific area from the terminal 100, the map manager 430 checks the number of map tiles at the specific area and corresponding capacity, and transmits map information on the desired part to the terminal 100 when there is downloadable space.

FIG.2 is a detailed schematic diagram for a terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal 100 includes a map data storage unit 110, a map data registration information storage unit 120, a communication environment checker 130, an input unit 140, a display 150, a controller 160, and a communicator 170.

The communicator 170 communicates with external devices, requests desired information transmission from the map information system 200, and receives corresponding information.

The input unit 140 transmits various signals according to the user' s manipulation of the terminal 100. The display 150 displays map information on the screen of the terminal 100 so that the user may visually check the map information, and displays various data on the screen of the terminal 100.

The map data storage unit 110 stores map data transmitted by the map information system 200 through acquiring predetermined storage space.

The map data registration information storage unit 120 stores map data map version information stored in the map data storage unit 110, includes information on the storage date and storage capacity, and checks tile IDs and number information stored in the map data storage unit 110. The communication environment checker 130 checks the communication environment of the terminal 100, and in detail, it checks whether the current terminal communication network is a 2G network (IS95B), a 3G network (EVDO), or a 3.5G network (HSDPA).

The communication environment checker 130 checks communication environment information at the user' s current position when requesting neighboring map information of a specific area from the map information system 200 or requesting path information transmission to a specific destination.

Also, when the communication environment of the terminal 100 is changed because of the user' s movement (e.g., when the user requests to transmit information from the 2G network to the 3G network), the communication environment checker 130 transmits the changed communication environment to the map information system 200. Therefore, the terminal

100 downloads the data or updates the stored data according to the method that is the most suitable for the current communication environment.

When receiving a neighboring map information transmission request for a specific area from the user, the controller 160 transmits current communication environment information and coordinate information of the current position or the destination posit ion as terminal basic information.

When receiving new map information from the map information system

200, the controller 160 determines whether new map information is to be downloaded, whether an additional download is to be performed since the new map information matches the stored map information, or whether an update is to be performed since there is a version information difference between them even though the new map information corresponds to the stored map information, and then requests user confirmation through the display. The controller 160 checks the version of the stored map information and performs the update process for each predetermined period, and in this instance, it can check the version of the map information for respective tiles and can update information.

Further, when the map information requested by the user is new information that is not stored in the map data storage unit 110, the controller 160 determines whether to download information by checking the data capacity information transmitted by the map information system 200 and the available storage space of the map data storage unit.

In this instance, the controller 160 can delete the stored data and download new map information, and can ask the user about whether to delete the data. Also, the stored data deletion rule can be realized as various exemplary embodiments, and for example, the data can be deleted starting from the stored data.

When the user requests path and neighboring map information transmission to the destination, the controller 160 receives path information and map information required for starting a trip, stores them in the map data storage unit 110, and displays them on the screen of the terminal 100 by the display 150.

The controller 160, after starting the trip, downloads and stores required new map information while sequentially deleting the stored map information and riding along the path, and displays the stored map information on the screen of the terminal 100.

In this instance, the controller 160 calculates the moving velocity during the ride to request transmission of neighboring map information. FIG. 4 is a download method by the terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The terminal 100 requests map information on a specific area or neighboring information on the path to a specific destination (SlOl).

The map information system 200 checks map data information on the area requested by the terminal 100 and transmits capacity information of the data to be downloaded to the terminal (S103). When receiving a download confirmation message from the terminal 100 (S105), the map information system 200 transmits the requested map data (S107).

In further detail, as shown in FIG. 4, when an application for the navigation function installed in the terminal 100 is driven (S201), and the user requests map information on a specific area or requests path information transmission to a specific destination, the terminal 100 transmits basic information of the terminal 100 to the map information system 200 (S203). In this instance, the basic information of the terminal

100 includes current communication environment information (e.g. , network state information), current position information of the terminal 100, final destination information, downloadable storage space information, and registration information of the stored map. The map information system 200 transmits download information with reference to the current position' s coordinate or the final coordinate, and in detail, the download information following the current position of the terminal 100 or the communication environment of the destination to the terminal 100 (S205).

When the user checks download information to select approval of downloading, the terminal 100 requests the map information system 200 to download map information on a specific area (S207 and S209).

The terminal 100 stores map information of the corresponding area transmitted by the map information system 200, and displays it on the screen (S211).

As shown in FIG.5, when the terminal 100 transmits basic information of the terminal to the map information system 200 in the case of driving an application, the map information system 200 provides map download information.

In this instance, the terminal 100 notifies the user whether the current map download environment is an EVDO network or a IX network, and requests the map information system 200 to download the data when the user provides approval. FIG.6 is a flowchart of a method for downloading data when the user requests map information of a specific area.

First, the user selects a title search menu to input the title of the desired area (S301 and S302). The user then sequentially and additional Iy selects an area and a job field (S303 and S304) . The terminal 100 requests the map information system 200 to transmit a point of interest (POI) list based on the area title, area, or job field selected by the user to receive it from the map information system 200 (S305 and S306). When the user selects one from among the POI list and selects map displaying, the terminal requests to download the map data near the POI selected by the user (S308 and S309).

The terminal 100 stores the downloaded map information in the map data storage unit 110, displays it on the screen, and request a route plan (RP) from the map information system 200 (S310 and S311).

That is, for example as shown in FIG.7, when the user selects a title search menu on the screen of the terminal 100, inputs Samsung-dong as the title, selects city/state or city/province/district, and transmits the selected one to the map information system 200, as shown in FIG.8 the user receives a POI list such as Samsung-dong Trade Center, Samsung-dong COEX, and Samsung-dong Trade Tower from the map information system 200.

When the user selects Samsung-dong Trade Center and desires to receive map information around Samsung-dong Trade Center, the terminal 100 downloads map information of the corresponding area.

In this instance, when map information of the neighboring area of Samsung-dong Trade Center is stored in the terminal 100, the terminal 100 displays the stored data on the screen without downloading data.

FIG.9 is a detailed flowchart of a method for downloading data when the user requests a path guidance service to a specific destination according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First , when the user requests path guidance to a specific destination, the map information system 200 transmits map information on the requested path section (S401 and S402). The path guidance request and map information of the corresponding section are already described.

The terminal 100 stores the downloaded path and neighboring area map information on the path in the map data storage unit 110 and displays the same on the screen (S403).

As the trip starts, the user enters the corresponding path, and the terminal 100 displays the stored path and the neighboring area map information on the screen, and transmits information through a voice message (S404 and S405) .

In this instance, when the user digresses from the guided path, the terminal 100 retransmits a path guidance request from the digressed point to the destination (S406 and S407), and the map information system 200 transmits the path in the corresponding section and neighboring area information on the path (S408).

The terminal 100 stores the downloaded path and path neighboring area map information in the map data storage unit 110 and displays the same on the screen (S409), displays the stored path and neighboring area map information on the screen, and transmits information through a voice message (S411). In this instance, the terminal 100 deletes the stored previous path and neighboring area map information.

When the user arrives at the destination, the terminal 100 terminates the path guidance service (S411, 412).

That is, for example as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal 100 requests a path, downloads path neighboring map information, or downloads partial map information and downloads remaining information whi Ie driving when the storage space is insufficient.

As shown in FIG. 11, when downloading part of the map information on the path, the terminal 100 downloads new map information each time the path screen displayed on the terminal is changed.

Particularly, when the neighboring area is a crossroads, the map information system 200 transmits 3D map information, and the terminal 100 displays the transmitted 3D map information on the screen to provide more accurate path guidance service at the crossroads.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, terminal and servers and databases configuring the map information system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be added or combined depending on their functions. Further, the 2G network, 3G network, or the 3.5G network has been described as the communication environment of the terminal according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and without being restricted to this, various exemplary embodiments including the 4G network and the 5G network are available according to the development of network techniques.

As described above, efficient path guidance service is provided by using the limited resource of the terminal. That is, not the map data of an undesired area but that of the desired data is stored in the mobi Ie phone to increase the utility of the storage space of the terminal.

Also, since the terminal can receive new map information for each path guidance instance, it can provide the path guidance service to the user with the updated data.

Further, since the stored data can be used for the map information for the same area, the number of undesired system accesses is reduced and the service rate is increased.

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim 1]

A terminal for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user, comprising: a display for displaying the map information on the screen of the terminal so that the user may visually check the map information; a map data storage unit for storing map data transmitted from the map information system! and a controller for acquiring a storage space of the map data storage unit based on a capacity defined by the user or a predetermined data capacity, requesting to transmit neighboring map information on a specific area together with terminal basic information, and when neighboring map information is new map information requiring downloading or is stored map information requiring a version update, downloading map information from the map information system, and when the downloaded map information corresponds to the stored map information, controlling the display to display map information stored in the map data storage unit on the screen.

[Claim 2] The terminal of claim 1, further comprising a map data registration information storage unit for storing registration information of map data stored in the map data storage unit, and wherein the controller determines whether to download map information based on the registration information.

[Claim 3] The terminal of claim 2, wherein the registration information includes at least one of map version, storage date, storage capacity, tile IDs, and number information.

[Claim 4]

The terminal of any one of claim 1 to claim 3, further comprising a communication environment checker for checking and providing communication environment information at the user' s current position or destination.

[Claim 5]

The terminal of claim 4, wherein the terminal basic information includes at least one of map version, communication environment information, terminal' s current position information, final destination information, downloadable storage space information, and stored map' s registration information.

[Claim 6]

The terminal of any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the controller checks and updates the stored map information' s version for each predetermined period.

[Claim 7]

The terminal of any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein when requiring to download map information requested by the user, the controller checks data capacity information provided by the map information system and avai lable storage space of the map data storage unit , deletes the stored data, and downloads new map information.

[Claim 8]

A terminal for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user, comprising: a display for displaying the map information on the screen of the terminal so that the user may visually check the map information; a map data storage unit for storing map data transmitted from the map information system; and a controller for acquiring a storage space of the map data storage unit based on a capacity defined by the user or a predetermined data capacity, requesting a path guidance service to a designated destination together with terminal basic information, and when neighboring map information on the path is new map information requiring downloading or is stored map information requiring a version update, downloading map information of the path neighboring area for each desired section according to the user' s movement while downloading path information, and when the neighboring map information on the path corresponds to the stored map information, controlling the display to display map information stored in the map data storage unit on the screen.

[Claim 9]

The terminal of claim 8, further comprising a map data registration information storage unit for storing registration information of map data stored in the map data storage unit, wherein the controller determines whether to download map information based on the registration information.

[Claim 10]

The terminal of claim 9, wherein the registration information includes at least one of map version, storage date, storage capacity, tile IDs, and number information.

[Claim 11]

The terminal of any one of claim 8 to claim 10, further comprising a communication environment checker for checking and providing communication environment information at the user' s current position or destination.

[Claim 12] The terminal of claim 11, wherein the terminal basic information includes at least one of map version, communication environment information, terminal' s current position information, final destination information, downloadable storage space information, and stored map' s registration information.

[Claim 13]

The terminal of any one of claim 8 to claim 10, wherein when requiring to download map information requested by the user, the controller checks data capacity information provided by the map information system and an available storage space of the map data storage unit, deletes the stored data, and downloads new map information.

[Claim 14]

A storage medium for recording a terminal control method program for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user, the program comprising the functions of: a) requesting to transmit neighboring map information on a specific area together with terminal basic information; b) determining whether to download neighboring map information based on information transmitted from the map information system; c) displaying stored map information on the screen without downloading data when the map information is stored in the terminal; and d) downloading data when it is needed to update the version of the map information stored in the terminal or when the map information is not stored.

[Claim 15]

The storage medium of claim 14, further comprising checking and providing the user' s current position or communication environment information at the destination.

[Claim 16]

The storage medium of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the terminal basic information includes at least one of map version, communication environment information, terminal' s current position information, final destination information, downloadable storage space information, and stored map' s registration information.

[Claim 17] The storage medium of claim 14, further comprising checking and updating the version of the stored map information for each predetermined period.

[Claim 18]

The storage medium of claim 14, further comprising when it is needed to download map information requested by the user, checking data capacity information transmitted by the map information system and available storage space of the map data storage unit, deleting the stored data, and downloading new map information.

[Claim 19]

A storage medium for recording a terminal control method program for providing map information received by accessing a map information system through a network to a user, the program comprising the functions of: a) requesting path guidance to a designated destination together with terminal basic information; b) determining whether to download neighboring map information on the path based on information transmitted from the map information system; c) when the map information is stored in the terminal, displaying the stored map information on the screen without downloading data; and d) when it is needed to update the version of the map information stored in the terminal or when the map information is not stored, downloading map information of the path neighboring area according to the user' s movement while downloading path information data.

[Claim 20] The storage medium of claim 19, further comprising when it is needed to download map information requested by the user, checking data capacity information transmitted by the map information system and available storage space of the map data storage unit, deleting the stored data, and downloading new map information.