CN101389930B - Map information distribution center and map information distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

For the navigation update history information in each navigation device classified by the navigation ID of the specified navigation device, it corresponds to each block ID given in the approximately 2.5km square area classified by the three allocated road types, and for the current information in the navigation device The version of the stored map information is stored, and the three types of allocated roads include: high standard - such as high standard roads representing national highways and urban highways, common - such as representing three or more digits of national roads, Ordinary roads for major local roads, regional roads, and city roads, and narrow streets—Indicates narrow streets.

Description

Map information distribution center and map information distribution method

technical field

The invention relates to a map information distribution center. More particularly, the present invention relates to a map information distribution center that transmits update information for updating map information to a navigation device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a map information distribution system, and more particularly, to a map information distribution system that transmits update information for updating map information from a map information distribution center to a navigation device.

Background technique

Recently, more and more vehicles have been equipped with navigation devices that provide driving guidance so that drivers can easily reach desired destinations. Here, the navigation device is a device that detects the current vehicle position by a GPS receiver, etc., obtains map data corresponding to the current position from a recording medium (such as DVD-ROM and HDD) or via a network, and displays it on a liquid crystal display. map data. The navigation device is able to know the position where the vehicle is currently driving by observing in passing by reading out map data including the current vehicle position from a recording medium or the like, and displaying a map image of an area near the current vehicle position on a display based on the map data , and display the vehicle position mark added on the map image, and scroll the vehicle map according to the movement of the vehicle or move the vehicle position mark when the map image is fixed on the screen.

Every year, many new roads (newly constructed roads) are constructed all over Japan. As new roads are constructed, existing roads may be removed or the configuration of existing roads may be modified. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly update the map data stored in the navigation device. The map data is updated by, for example, replacing an old DVD with a newly purchased DVD, loading updated map information to a hard disk in a store, or exchanging the contents of a new hard disk based on map data distributed from a map information distribution center.

There have been provided various map information distribution centers in which update information for updating map data stored in the navigation device is automatically distributed to the above-mentioned navigation device. In addition, there are also provided various map information distribution systems in which update information for updating map data stored in the navigation device is automatically distributed to the above-mentioned navigation device from a map information distribution center.

For example, when a navigation device requests differential data for updating map information from a map information distribution center, the navigation device transmits a navigation ID for identifying the above navigation device and a mesh number for updating map information. The above-mentioned map information distribution center compares the version of the grid map information stored in the navigation device with the latest version based on the received navigation ID and grid number, and when the difference data is available, the above-mentioned map information distribution center transmits to the navigation device difference data. Such a map information distribution center is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP-A-2004-125510 (paragraphs 0032 to 0040 and 0046 to 0063, FIGS. 15 to 18 and FIGS. 20 to 29 ).

Also for example, when a navigation device requests distinguishing data for updating map information from a map information distribution center, the navigation device transmits a navigation ID for identifying the above navigation device and a grid number for updating map information. The above-mentioned map information distribution center compares the version of the grid map information stored in the navigation device with the latest version based on the received navigation ID and grid number, and when the difference data is available, the above-mentioned map information distribution center transmits to the navigation device difference data. Such a map information distribution system is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP-A-2004-125510 (paragraphs 0032 to 0040 and 0046 to 0063, FIGS. 15 to 18 and FIGS. 20 to 29 ).

However, the map information distribution center described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP-A-2004-125510 manages map information versions of all roads stored in the navigation device regardless of the kind of roads being high-standard roads, Ordinary roads, such as national highways, urban highways, and single-digit or double-digit national roads, such as national roads with three or more digits, major Local roads, district roads and city roads. For this reason, even if the part of map information related to national highways, urban highways, and single-digit or double-digit national roads has been updated to the latest version of map information, the When using the navigation ID and grid number of the information, it is necessary to send the updated information of all roads, instead of extracting and sending only the minimum amount of difference data to the navigation device. Therefore, there is a problem that the amount of communication data between the map information distribution center and the navigation device becomes large.

Furthermore, in the map information distribution system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP-A-2004-125510, a grid number for updating map information is transmitted from a navigation device to a map information distribution center. There is a problem that the amount of communication data between the navigation device and the map information distribution center becomes large every time the grid number for updating is transmitted. In addition, when the navigation device is updated based on the map information recorded on the storage medium, since the map information distribution center does not know the current version of the map information stored in the navigation device, there is a problem that it is not possible to extract only the minimum amount of The data is distinguished and sent to the navigation device.

Contents of the invention

The advantage of some aspects of the present invention is to provide a map information distribution center that can reduce the amount of communication data with the navigation device, and update the map information history of each road type stored in the navigation device in the map information distribution center. At the time of management, it is possible to extract only the minimum amount of difference data and send this data to the navigation device without including the difference data related to the road category that has been updated.

In addition, some aspects of the present invention are advantageous in that they provide a map information distribution system capable of reducing the amount of communication data when a navigation device requests update of map information from a map information distribution center, and accurately managing the map information during navigation through the map information distribution center. The update history of the map information stored in the device. Another advantage resides in providing a map information distribution system capable of accurately managing update history of map information stored in a navigation device by a map information distribution center even when data in a navigation device is updated based on map information recorded on a storage medium .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect, a map information distribution center is provided, including: a map information storage, storing each version of map information; a version information storage, by associating with identification information identifying each navigation device, for The version information of each road type of the map information stored in the navigation device is stored; the receiving part receives the identification information from the navigation device; the extraction part based on the received identification information, from the version The information storage obtains version information for each road type of map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information, and extracts each road from the map information storage based on the obtained version information for each road type category distinction data against the latest version of the map information; and a transmitting section that transmits the distinction data for each road category extracted by the extraction section to a navigation device corresponding to the identification information received by the reception section.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a map information distribution center according to the first aspect, wherein area update request information is used to request update information corresponding to a predetermined area in the map information, and the area update request is received at the receiving section information and identification data, based on the received identification information, the extraction part obtains the version information corresponding to the predetermined area from the version information of each road type of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification data. version information for each road type, and based on the acquired version information for each road type, distinguishing data for each road type relative to the latest version of map information is extracted from the map information memory.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a map information distribution center according to the first or second aspect, further comprising: a version information updating part, the sending part sends the difference data to the navigation device, and when the receiving part based on the difference data from the navigation device When the device receives the update completion information indicating that the update of the map information is completed, based on the transmitted difference data, the version information update section updates each of the map information stored in the navigation device and stored in the version information memory. The version information of a road type is updated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information distribution center according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the map information is divided into grid units of a predetermined area, and the version information memory is stored in the version information of each road category is stored in a grid unit; and the extracting section extracts distinction data of each road category in the grid unit.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a map information distribution method, comprising: a receiving step, wherein the map information distribution center receives identification information for identifying the navigation device from a navigation device; an extraction step, wherein the map information distribution center is based on the The identification information received in the receiving step obtains version information of each road category of the map information from the version information storage, wherein the map information is stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information, so that based on each obtained version information of a road type, and extract the difference data of each road type relative to the map information of the latest version from the map information storage, wherein the version information storage is associated with the identification information identifying each navigation device, and the navigation device Store the version information of each road type of the map information stored in the map information; and the sending step, wherein the map information distribution center sends the difference data of each road type extracted in the extraction step to the The navigation device corresponding to the identification information received in the receiving step.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a system for distributing map information, comprising: a navigation device that updates map information based on received update information; and a map information distribution center that distributes update information to the navigation device; the navigation device includes: The request data sending part sends update request data for requesting update information of a predetermined area in the map information and identification information identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center; the map information distribution center includes: request data a receiving section for receiving the update request data and the identification data; a map information storage for storing map information of each version; a version information storage for the navigation equipment in the navigation equipment by associating with the identification information of the navigation equipment The stored version information of the map information is stored; the first extracting part, based on the received identification information, obtains from the version information storage the map information in the predetermined area stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information version information, and based on the obtained version information, extract the difference data relative to the latest version of the map information from the map information storage; the first update information sending part, the difference data extracted by the first extraction part and used to first allocation identification information identifying the difference data is transmitted to a navigation device corresponding to the identification information received by the request data receiving section; an identification information receiving section receiving the first allocation identification information and the identification data; and A first version information update controller, based on the received identification information, controls to obtain from the version information storage the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information, and based on the received first version information assigning identification information, controlling to update the version information of the predetermined area selected from the obtained version information; the navigation device further includes: an update information receiving part that receives the difference data and the first assigning identification data; and a first update controller, based on the received difference data, controlling to update the map information of the predetermined area, and when updating the map information of the predetermined area, controlling to update the map information to the map information The distribution center transmits the received first distribution identification information and the identification information.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a map information distribution system according to the sixth aspect, wherein the navigation device further includes: a vehicle state detector for detecting a vehicle state; a destination setting section for setting a destination; and updating a location a memory storing a pre-registered update location; and a flag setting section for setting on/off of a coordinate flag; when the vehicle state detected by the vehicle state detector is engine on, the request data transmission section sending the coordinate flag set to open and the coordinate position of the update location as the update request data; when the vehicle state detected by the vehicle state detector is set as the destination, the request data sending part sends The coordinate flag set to off and the coordinate position of the destination are sent as the update request data; When the coordinate flag and the coordinate position are selected, the area selection part selects the first area centered on the coordinate position as the predetermined area; the request data receiving part receives the coordinate flag and the closed coordinate When the coordinate position is used, the area selection part selects a second area centered on the coordinate position as the predetermined area.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a map information distribution system according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the navigation device further includes: a reader for reading and predetermined information from a storage medium storing map information and second distribution identification data map information related to an assigned area and second assigned identification information identifying the map information; and a second update controller controlling to update the map information of the assigned area based on the map information read by the reader and when updating the map information of the distribution area, control to send the second distribution identification information and identification information read by the reader to the map information distribution center; the map information distribution center also includes : the second extracting part, when the request data receiving part receives the update request data from the communication terminal, wherein the update request data is used to request the update information of the allocated area of the map data, the second extracting part from The map information memory extracts the latest version of the map information of the assigned area; the second update information sending part transmits the map information of the assigned area extracted by the second extracting part and the map information for identifying the assigned area to the communication terminal. second distribution identification information of the map information; and a second version information update controller that, when the identification information receiving section receives the second distribution identification information and the identification data, controls based on the received identification information to obtain from the version information storage the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information; and based on the received second distribution identification information, control to update the selected version information in the obtained version information. the version information of the assigned area; and the communication terminal includes: a recorder for recording the received map information of the assigned area and the Second allocation identification information.

According to the ninth aspect, there is provided a method for distributing map information, wherein based on the received update information and update data, the map information distribution center distributes updated map information to the navigation device, the method includes: a request data sending step, wherein the navigation The device sends update request data and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center, wherein the update request data is used to request update information of a predetermined area in the map information; the request data receiving step, wherein Said map information distribution center receives said update request data and said identification information sent in said request data sending step; a first extracting step, wherein said map information distribution center based on said request data receiving step receiving the identification information, obtaining version information of map information of a predetermined area stored in a navigation device corresponding to the identification information from a version information memory that is associated with the identification information identifying the navigation device, storing version information for each road type of map information stored in the navigation device; thereby extracting difference data relative to the latest version of map information from the map information memory based on the obtained version information; first updating an information sending step, wherein said map information distribution center sends the difference data extracted in said first extraction step and first distribution identification information for identifying said difference data to and in said request data receiving step The navigation device corresponding to the received identification information; the update information receiving step, wherein the navigation device receives the distinction data and the first allocation identification data sent in the first update information sending step; the first update control step, wherein the The navigation device updates the map information of the predetermined area based on the difference data received in the update information receiving step; and controls to distribute the map information to the map information distribution center based on the update of the map information of the predetermined area transmitting the received first distribution identification information and said identification information; an identification information receiving step wherein said map information distribution center receives said first distribution identification information and said identification information transmitted in said first update control step; and a first version information update control step, wherein the map information distribution center obtains, from the version information storage, the information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information based on the identification information received in the identification information receiving step. The version information of the map information is thereby controlled to update the version information of the predetermined area selected from the obtained version information based on the received first distribution identification information.

Invention effect

In the map information distribution center according to the first aspect, when receiving identification information for identifying the navigation device from the above-mentioned navigation device, the map information distribution center obtains from the version information storage the version information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information. The version information of each road type of the map information, and based on the obtained version information of each road type, extract the difference data of each road type relative to the latest version of the map information from the map information memory. Then, the map information distribution center transmits the extracted distinction data for each road category to the navigation device corresponding to the identification data.

Since the map information distribution center manages version information for each road category of map information stored in each navigation device, when receiving identification information identifying the above navigation device from the navigation device, each Distinction data of road types. Therefore, when the map information related to the high-standard roads (such as national highways, urban highways, and one-digit or two-digit national roads) stored in the navigation device has been updated to the latest version of map information, since it is possible to extract information related to The minimum difference data related to the map information is updated and sent to the navigation device excluding the difference data related to those high standard roads, so the map information distribution center can reduce the amount of communication data with the navigation device.

In the map information distribution center according to the second aspect, when area update request information and identification information are received, the area update request information is a request for update information corresponding to a predetermined area in the map information, and it is possible to extract information related to the predetermined area. corresponding difference data of each road type, and send the difference data to the navigation device. Therefore, when the navigation device requests update map information to the map information distribution center, since the navigation device only transmits the area update request information requesting the update information and the identification information identifying the above-mentioned navigation device to the map information distribution center, it is possible to further reduce the number of requests for updating. communication data volume.

In the map information distribution center according to the third aspect, the distinguishing data for each road category has been sent to the navigation device, and when the update completion information indicating that the update of the map information is completed is received from the navigation device based on the above distinguishing data, the map information distribution The center updates the version information for each road category of the map information stored in the navigation device.

Therefore, since the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the version information of each road category in the map information stored in the navigation device, it can accurately manage the version information of each road category in the map information currently stored in the navigation device. information.

Furthermore, in the map information distribution center according to the fourth aspect, since the map information is divided into grid units of a predetermined area, and the map information stored in the navigation device is managed by the version information of each road category in the above grid units , and since the difference data for each road category between the map information stored in the navigation device and the map information of the latest version is extracted in the grid unit, the map stored in the navigation device can be precisely managed in the grid unit The update history of the version information of each road category in the information, and the precise management of the version information of each road category in the map information currently stored in the navigation device in grid units.

In the map information distribution method according to the fifth aspect, when the identification information for identifying the navigation device is received from the navigation device, the map information distribution center obtains from the version information storage the version information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information. The version information of each road type of the map information, and based on the obtained version information of each road type, extract the difference data of each road type relative to the latest version of the map information from the map information storage. Then, the map information distribution center transmits the extracted distinction data for each road category to the navigation device corresponding to the identification data.

Since the map information distribution center manages the version information for each road category of the map information stored in each navigation device, when receiving identification information for identifying the above-mentioned navigation device from the navigation device, it can extract and send to the navigation device. The device sends the distinction data for each road type. Therefore, when map information related to high-standard roads (such as national expressways, urban expressways, and one-digit or two-digit national roads) has been updated to the latest version of map information, since the map information distribution center can extract The minimum amount of difference information related to updating map information is sent to the navigation device without including the difference data related to those high-standard roads, so the amount of communication data with the navigation device can be reduced.

In the map information distribution system according to the sixth aspect, the navigation device transmits update request data for requesting update information of map information of a predetermined area and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center.

When receiving the update request data and the identification data, the map information distribution center obtains the version information of the map information of the predetermined area stored in the navigation device corresponding to the above identification information from the version information storage based on the received identification information, and based on the received For the obtained version information, difference data relative to the latest version of the map information is extracted from the map information storage. The map information distribution center transmits the extracted difference data and first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data to the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information.

Upon receiving the distinction data and the first allocation identification data, the navigation device updates the map information of the predetermined area based on the received distinction data. When updating the map information of the predetermined area, the navigation device sends the received first distribution identification information and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center.

When receiving the first distribution identification information and identification data, the map information distribution center obtains the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information from the version information storage based on the received identification information, and based on the received The first distribution identification information updates the version information of a predetermined area selected from the obtained version information.

Since the navigation device requests to send only update request data for requesting update information and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center, communication data can be reduced when the navigation device requests update of map information from the map information distribution center quantity. Since the map information distribution center requests the navigation device to transmit only the extracted difference data and the first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data, the amount of communication data sent for updating map information in the navigation device can be reduced.

Upon receiving the first distribution identification information and the identification information for identifying the navigation device that have been transmitted together with the distinguishing data, the map information distribution center obtains from the version information storage the version information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information. version information of the map information, and update the version information of the predetermined region selected from the obtained version information to the version of the difference data corresponding to the received first distribution identification information. This enables the map information distribution center to precisely manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device, and to precisely manage the version information of the map information currently stored in the navigation device.

Since the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device, when receiving update request data and identification information for identifying the navigation device from the navigation device, it is possible to extract map information for updating the navigation device The minimum amount of difference data, so it is possible to further reduce the amount of communication data sent to update the map information in the navigation device.

In the map information distribution system according to the seventh aspect, when the engine is turned on, the navigation device transmits the coordinate flag set to on and the coordinate position of the update point registered in advance as update request data to the map information distribution center. When receiving the coordinate flag set to open and the coordinate position as the update request data, the map information distribution center sets the first area centered on the coordinate position as the predetermined area for updating the map information. When setting the destination, the navigation device sends the coordinate flag set to off and the coordinate position of the destination as update request data to the map information distribution center. When receiving the coordinate flag set to off and the coordinate position as update request data, the map information distribution center sets the second area centered on the coordinate position as a predetermined area for updating map information.

Since the navigation device requests to transmit only the coordinate flag and the coordinate position set to ON or OFF as update request data to the map information distribution center, it is possible to further reduce the amount of communication data when updating is requested.

In the map information distribution system according to the eighth aspect, when receiving update request data for requesting update information of map information of the distribution area from the communication terminal, the map information distribution center extracts the latest version of map information of the distribution area. The map information distribution center sends the extracted map information of the distribution area and second distribution identification information for identifying the map information to the communication terminal.

When receiving the map information of the allocated area and the second allocation identification information used to identify the map information, the communication terminal records the received map information of the allocated area and the second allocation identification information in the storage medium, so that the navigation device can The reader in reads.

At the same time, the navigation device updates the map information of the assigned area by reading out the map information from the above-mentioned storage medium via the reader. When updating the map information of the distribution area, the navigation device reads the second distribution identification information from the storage medium via the reader, and sends the second distribution identification information and the identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center.

When receiving the second distribution identification information and identification data, the map information distribution center obtains the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information from the version information storage based on the received identification information, and based on the received The second distribution identification information updates the version information of the distribution area selected from the obtained version information.

Thus, by reading the map information from the storage medium and updating the map information of the allocated area, the navigation device can update the map information of the allocated area to the latest version of the map information of the allocated area.

When updating the map information of the distribution area by reading the map information from the storage medium via the reader, the navigation device reads the second distribution identification information from the storage medium, and transmits the second distribution identification information and the user ID to the map information distribution center. To identify the identification information of the navigation device. Therefore, when receiving the identification data, the map information distribution center obtains the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information from the version information storage, and assigns the version information of the predetermined area selected from the obtained version information to The information is updated to the latest version of the map information of the allocation area corresponding to the received second allocation identification information. Even when the navigation device updates the map information via the storage medium, the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device, and precisely manage the version information of the map information currently stored in the navigation device.

Since the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device even if the map information is updated by the navigation device via the storage medium, the amount of communication data transmitted for updating the map information in the navigation device can be further reduced , and when receiving update request data and identification information for identifying the navigation device from the navigation device, the minimum amount of difference data for updating map information in the navigation device can be accurately extracted.

In the map information distribution method according to the ninth aspect, the navigation device transmits update request data for requesting update information of map information of a predetermined area and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center.

Upon receiving the update request data and the identification data, the map information distribution center obtains the version information of the map information of the predetermined area stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information from the version information storage based on the received identification information, and based on the For the obtained version information, difference data relative to the latest version of the map information is extracted from the map information storage. The map information distribution center transmits the extracted difference data and first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data to the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information.

When receiving the difference data and the first allocation identification data, the navigation device updates the map information of the predetermined area based on the received difference data. When updating the map information of the predetermined area, the navigation device sends the received first distribution identification information and identification information for identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center.

When receiving the first distribution identification information and identification data, the map information distribution center obtains the version information of the map information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the identification information from the version information storage based on the received identification information, and based on the received The version information of the predetermined area selected from the obtained version information is updated.

Since the navigation device requests to send only update request data for requesting update information and identification information identifying the navigation device to the map information distribution center, communication data volume can be reduced when the navigation device requests update of map information from the map information distribution center. Since the map information distribution center sends only the extracted difference data and the first distribution identification information for identifying the difference data to the navigation device, it is also possible to reduce the amount of communication data sent for updating map information in the navigation device.

When receiving the first distribution identification information and the identification information for identifying the navigation device that have been transmitted together with the difference data, the map information distribution center obtains from the version information storage the version information stored in the navigation device corresponding to the received identification information. version information of the map information, and update the version information of the predetermined region selected from the obtained version information to the version of the difference data corresponding to the received first distribution identification information. The map information distribution center can precisely manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device, and precisely manage the version information of the map information currently stored in the navigation device.

Since the map information distribution center can accurately manage the update history of the map information stored in the navigation device, when receiving update request data and identification information identifying the navigation device from the navigation device, it is possible to extract the minimum Since the amount of difference data can be further reduced, the amount of communication data to be transmitted for updating map information in the navigation device can be further reduced.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a map information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a diagram showing a version management scheme of map data in a map information distribution center in a map information distribution system;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a navigation device in the map information distribution system;

Fig. 4 is in map information distributing system, when engine starts or when setting destination, carry out the flow chart of navigation map information updating process, with automatic update in navigation map information basis;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of difference data management information stored in a difference data management database in the map information distribution center;

6 is a diagram showing an example of navigation update history information stored in a navigation update history information database in the map information distribution center;

FIG. 7 is a diagram describing an example of difference data of each block (grid) of the extracted allocation area;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of allocation management information corresponding to each part of the allocation area distinction data shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of updated navigation update history information shown in FIG. 6 based on the allocation management information shown in FIG. 8;

Fig. 10 is a flow chart of the storage medium recording process, which is used to record the updated map information by region on the CD-ROM executed by the map information distribution center and PC;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of PC allocation management information stored in the allocation management information database in step S313 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of updated map information recorded on the CD-ROM by region in step S213 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the update process of the navigation update history information in the above-mentioned map information distribution center when the CD-ROM created in the storage medium recording process shown in FIG. 10 updates the navigation map information in the navigation device;

FIG. 14 is a diagram describing an example of updating navigation map information in a navigation device via a CD-ROM in which the update shown in FIG. 12 is recorded in step 32 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 map information; and

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the updated navigation update history information shown in FIG. 6 based on the PC allocation management information shown in FIG. 11 in step 413 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 .

Detailed ways

A specific example of one embodiment of the map information distribution center and map information distribution system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An outline of the structure of a map information distribution system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 . FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a map information distribution system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram describing a version management scheme of map data in the map information distribution center 3 .

As shown in Figure 1, the map information distribution system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is mainly configured with: a navigation device 2; a map information distribution center 3, which distributes update information for updating map information to the navigation device 2; a network 4; and a personal computer (PC) 5, which is connectable to the network 4 and owned by the user of the navigation device 2, a store, or the like. The navigation device 2 and the map information distribution center 3, and the PC 5 and the map information distribution center 3 are configured to transmit and receive various types of information via the network 4, respectively. The structure of the navigation device 2 is described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3 .

As shown in Figure 1, map information distribution center 3 has: server 10; Center map information database 14, as the map information recording part that is connected with server 10; Navigation update historical information database 15; Central communication equipment 16; Difference data management database 18 ; and distribution management information database 19 . The server 10 has a CPU 11 as a computing device, and a controller to control the entire server 10, when the CPU 11 executes various computing processes, a RAM 12 used as a job memory, and an internal memory such as a ROM 13 for storing Various control programs, to run the process of updating the navigation map information described later, for example, extract update information from the center map information database 14, and be used to update the map information of the assigned area to the navigation device 2 according to the request from the navigation device 2. The map information of the new version among the map information stored in the map information, and the update information added with the distribution ID for identifying the update information is assigned to the navigation device 2 . Instead of the CPU 11, an MPU or the like may be used.

The center map information database 14 stores update map information 17 which is created by the map information distribution center 3 and is the basis of map information classified by version when updating map information stored in the navigation device 2 . In addition, the center map information database 14 stores update information (hereinafter, referred to as difference data) for converting a part of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2 (for example, 80 km centered on the current vehicle position or a pre-registered home position). square area) or all are updated to the latest version classified by version stored in the update map information 17.

Here, the version indicates creation time data to designate when the map information is created. Thus, it is possible to identify the time when the map information was created by referring to the version.

The update map information 17 stored in the center map information database 14 stores various information necessary for route guidance and map display of the navigation device 2, including, for example, map display data for displaying maps, intersection data about intersections , node data about nodes, link data (link data) about roads (links) of a facility, search data for searching routes, store data about points of interest (POI) such as stores as a facility and place search data to search for places.

In particular, for the map display data, 4 divided blocks (1/2 length), 16 divided blocks (1/4 length), and 64 divided blocks of 10km×10km blocks based on the secondary grid (1/8 length) is configured for cells, and the cells of each geographical area are set to have approximately the same level of data volume. The size of the smallest 64 divided block units is about 1.25 km square.

For the node data, the stored data includes data related to: branch roads (including crossroads and T-shaped intersections) in actual roads, coordinates of nodes set for each road at predetermined time intervals according to the radius of curvature, etc. (position), node attribute indicating whether a node corresponds to an intersection, a list of the number of connected links as a list of the number of links connecting links and nodes, a list of the number of adjacent nodes which is a list of the number of nodes of adjacent nodes passing through the link and the height (elevation) of each node.

For link data, the stored data includes data relating to the link configuring the road, such as width, slope, slope, embankment, road condition, number of lanes, end of any lane , the location of any road narrowing, and railroad crossings that intersect the road (which road is associated with the link); data associated with a corner, such as radius of curvature, intersection, T-shape Entrances and exits of intersections and curves; data related to road attributes, such as downhill and uphill; and data related to road types, including national expressways, urban expressways, general Toll roads and toll roads of toll bridges, and ordinary roads and narrow streets including national roads and local roads. In addition, for toll roads, the stored data includes entrance and exit roads of toll roads (ramps) and toll gates (interchanges).

As shown in FIG. 2 , the distinguishing data of each road type is managed in each block of approximately 2.5 km square, each block of the approximately 2.5 km square being the 10 km × 10 km block of the above-mentioned secondary grid. 16 divided blocks (1/4 length); block road types are divided into three allocated road types, that is, high-standard road types, including: national expressways, urban expressways, freeways (freeways), ordinary toll roads and One-digit and two-digit national roads; common road categories, including: three-digit or higher-digit national roads, major regional roads, local roads, and city roads; and narrow street categories including narrow streets; and these Block data is stored in the update map information 17 by version.

Hereinafter, national highways, urban highways, free highways, ordinary toll roads, and national roads with one-digit and two-digit numbers are referred to as high-standard roads. National roads, major regional roads, local roads, and city roads with three or more digits are called ordinary roads. Roads in urban areas and roads narrower than ordinary roads are called narrow streets.

The difference data management database 18 is managed in the following manner by setting the block ID of each area of the approximately 2.5km square in each version of the updated map information 17 as described later (such as A of 16 areas in Fig. 2 ). , B, C, D, E, F, G, H, etc.), and a distinction data file name storing each part of distinction data representing each area further classified by the three assigned road categories of the road standard (See Figure 5).

As for the search data, the stored data is used when searching and displaying a route about a set destination, and includes data such as cost data used to calculate a cost including passing nodes (hereinafter referred to as node cost) and search costs of link costs (hereinafter referred to as link costs) of the configured roads, the route display data are used to display a route selected by performing a route search on a map displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 .

For store data, the stored data includes data related to POIs such as hotels, hospitals, gas stations, parking lots, and tourist facilities in each area, and IDs to identify POIs. The above-mentioned center map information database 14 also stores audio output data to output predetermined data from the speaker 26 in the navigation device 2 .

At the same time, the navigation update history information database 15 stores the update history information of the map information stored in each navigation device 2 and the navigation ID for identifying the navigation device 2. The update history of the map information is updated to date .

As shown in Figure 2, the navigation update history information 51 in each navigation device 2 stores the version of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2, which corresponds to each of the blocks allocated to the approximately 2.5km square area. A block ID classified by the navigation ID specifying the navigation device 2 and divided into three types of allocated roads, ie, high standard indicating a high standard road, ordinary indicating an ordinary road, and narrow street indicating a narrow street.

For example, in the area of the block ID A, the version of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2 with the navigation ID 1001 is: version 1 for the map data in the high-standard assigned road category, and version 1 for the normal Version 2 for the map data in the assigned road category, and version 1 for the map data in the assigned road category for narrow streets.

Whenever the map information in the navigation device 2 is updated as described later, by storing the latest version corresponding to the assigned road category of each updated block ID, the navigation update history information 51 is renewed into a new update history (see FIG. 4).

When requested by the navigation device 2, the map information distribution center 3 updates the map information stored in the navigation device 2 with the latest version of the update map information 17 stored in the center map information database 14.

More specifically, in the map information distribution system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, when the navigation device 2 requests distribution of the updated map information 17 of the predetermined area, by extracting the difference for updating the latest version of the updated map information 17 data, and discriminating data and additional distribution IDs are assigned to the navigation device 2 to be updated as will be described later (see FIG. 4 ). For the difference data sent to the navigation device 2, in order to update from the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2 to the latest version of the updated map information 17, only the minimum amount of data in each category of allocated roads may be sent.

For each allocation ID added to the distinguishing data allocated to the navigation apparatus 2, the allocation management information database 19 stores a block ID representing each block in the area where the distinguishing data is allocated, and an allocated road for each block ID An updated version of the species (see Figure 8).

The map information distribution center 3 can be operated by arbitrary individuals, commercial companies, organizations, local governments and government-affiliated organizations, and VICS (registered trademark) centers.

For the network 4, a communication system of a telecommunication network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, a mobile phone network, a telephone line network, a public telecommunication network, a private communication network, and the Internet can be used. Such a communication system using communication satellite (CS) broadcasting and broadcasting satellite (BS) broadcasting through broadcasting satellites, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, and FM multiplex broadcasting may also be used. In addition, such a communication system such as an electronic toll collection system (ETC) and a dedicated short-range communication system (DSRC) used in an intelligent transportation system (ITS) may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer (PC) 5 owned by a user of the navigation device 2, a shop, etc. is configured to receive information stored by area in the update map information 17 by communicating with the map information distribution center 3 via the network 4. Distribution of the latest version of map information. The PC 5 has a recorder 5A that records the received map information by region on a CD-ROM 6 as a storage medium so as to be read by a reader 28 in the navigation device 2 (see FIG. 3 ). As long as it can be read by the reader 28 in the navigation device 2, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk, a memory card, a magnetic tape, a magnetic drum, MD, DVD, MO, an IC card, an optical card, etc. can be used instead of the CD-ROM 6.

Next, an outline of the structure of the navigation device 2 included in the map information distribution system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the navigation device 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3, the navigation device 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention includes: a current position detection processor 21, which detects the current position of the vehicle; a data recorder 22, wherein records the coordinates of the pre-registered original position (eg, longitude and latitude) and various types of data; a navigation controller 23, which performs various arithmetic processing based on the input data; an operation section 24, which accepts operations performed by the operator; a liquid crystal display 25, which displays data such as a map to the operator; Loudspeaker 26, outputs the audio guidance relevant with route guidance; Communication device 27, communicates with information center (for example, traffic information center) and map information distribution center 3; With reader 28, reads from CD-ROM 6 as storage medium Retrieves predetermined versions of map information recorded by region. The navigation controller 23 is coupled with a vehicle speed sensor 29 that detects the driving speed of the vehicle. The reader 28 may be configured to read recorded map information and the like not only from the CD-ROM 6 but also from a DVD.

Components included in the navigation device 2 are described in more detail next. The current position detection processor 21 includes: a GPS 31, a geomagnetic sensor 32, a distance sensor 33, a steering sensor 34, a gyro sensor (gyro sensor) 35 as a direction detector, and an altimeter (not shown), and can detect the current position of the vehicle and directions, distances to landmarks (e.g. intersections), etc.

More specifically, the GPS 31 detects the current position and current time of the vehicle on the ground by receiving radio waves emitted from satellites; the geomagnetic sensor 32 detects the direction of the vehicle by measuring geomagnetic conditions; the distance sensor 33 detects a predetermined point on the road distance between etc. For the distance sensor 33, for example, a sensor that measures a rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) based on the measured rotational speed and detects a distance, and a sensor that measures acceleration and double integrates the measured acceleration to obtain a distance may be used.

The steering sensor 34 detects a rudder angle of the vehicle. For the steering sensor 34, for example, an optical rotation sensor and a rotation resistance sensor connected to a rotating part of a steering wheel (not shown), and an angle sensor connected to the wheel may be used.

The yaw sensor 35 detects a traverse angle. For the gyro sensor 35, for example, a pneumatic gyroscope and a vibratory gyroscope can be used. The direction of the vehicle may be detected in conjunction with the steering angle detected by the yaw sensor 35 .

The data recorder 22 has: as the hard disk (not shown) of external storage device and storage medium, the navigation map information database 37 stored in the hard disk, and the record head that writes predetermined data and reads predetermined program etc. to hard disk as driver (not shown). Although a hard disk is used as the external storage device and storage medium of the data recorder 22 in the first embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk may also be used as the external storage device in addition to the hard disk. Likewise, memory cards, magnetic tapes, magnetic drums, CDs, MDs, DVDs, optical discs, MOs, IC cards, optical cards, etc. can also be used as external storage devices.

The navigation map information database 37 stores navigation map information 38 which is used for route guidance and route search of the navigation device 2 and is likewise updated by the map information distribution center 3 . The navigation map information 38 is similar to the update map information 17 and includes various information required for route guidance and map display, for example, new road data for identifying newly built roads, map display data for displaying maps, and Intersection data related to intersections, node data about nodes, link data about roads (links) of a facility, search data for searching routes, points of interest (POI) (such as a store as a facility) store data for , and place search data to search for places. Since the details of various data have already been described, their details are omitted here.

The content of the navigation map information database 37 is updated by downloading such update information as distinguishing data distributed from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27, or by updating map information recorded on the CD-ROM 6 described later.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the navigation controller 23 included in the navigation device 2 has: a CPU 41 as a computing device and a controller that controls the entire navigation device 2; a RAM 42 for performing various calculation processes at the CPU 41 memory, and to store route data etc. when searching for a route; ROM 43, in addition to the control program, stores the navigation map information update process (for example, see Fig. 4) program; and internal storage device, such as flash memory 44, in order to store the program read from ROM 43. For RAM 42, ROM 43, and flash memory 44, for example, semiconductor memories and magnetic cores can be used. For computing devices and control devices, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 41.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, although various programs are stored in the above-mentioned ROM 43 and various types of data are stored in the above-mentioned data recorder 22, the programs and data can also be stored from the same external storage device, memory card etc. to read and store in the above-mentioned flash memory 44. In addition, the above programs and data can be updated by replacing the memory card or the like.

The navigation controller 23 described above is electrically coupled with peripheral devices (actuators) of the operation section 24 , liquid crystal display 25 , speaker 26 , communication device 27 and reader 28 .

For example, when the current position is corrected at the start of driving, when a start point as a navigation start point and a destination as a navigation end point are input, and when data related to facilities is searched, the operation section 24 operates, and the operation Section 24 has a plurality of operation switches (not shown), such as various keys and destination setting buttons. The navigation controller 23 controls to perform various corresponding operations according to signals output by pressing the switches. For the operation section 24, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote controller for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, and a stylus can be used. A touch panel connected to the front surface of the liquid crystal display 25 may be configured for the operation section 24 .

The liquid crystal display 25 displays an operation guide, an operation menu, a key guide, a guidance route from a current position to a destination, guidance information along the guidance route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time, mail, TV programs, and the like. Instead of the liquid crystal display 25, a CRT display, a plasma display, etc., and a holographic image device that projects a holographic image onto a windshield of a vehicle may be used.

The speaker 26 outputs voice guidance as the selected destination and the name of the facility for driving guidance along the guidance route according to an instruction from the navigation controller 23 . For the voice guidance, for example, "the new road to the selected ski area has been updated", "200 meters ahead, turn right at the ABC intersection" and "the national road No. N ahead is blocked". In addition to synthesized speech, the sound output from the speaker 26 includes various sound effects and various guide information pre-recorded on tape and memory.

The communication device 27 is a part that communicates with the map information distribution center 3, and transmits and receives the latest version of the update map information 17 of a predetermined block area through the map information distribution center 3, as described later. In addition to the map information distribution center 3, for the communication device 27, it is also possible to receive traffic information sent from, for example, a VICS (registered trademark) center, including: traffic jam information, traffic control information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, and information about Information on service area congestion, etc.

Next, describe with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 9, in the map information distributing system 1 that has above-mentioned structure, when engine starts or when setting destination, by the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 and the CPU in the map information distributing center 3 11 Execute the process of updating the navigation map information to automatically update the navigation map information 38 in the navigation map information database 37.

Fig. 4 is that in the map information distribution system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, when the engine is started or when the destination is set, the update navigation is performed by the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 and the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 map information, to automatically update the flow chart of the process of navigating map information 38 in the navigating map information database 37. The programs indicated by the flowchart in FIG. 4 are stored in the ROM 43 in the navigation device 2 and in the ROM 13 in the map information distribution center 3, and are executed by the respective CPUs 41 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 11, when the engine is started by turning on the ignition switch, more specifically, when the accessory (ACC) is turned on to provide power to the navigation device 2, without setting any In the case of the destination, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 first reads the coordinate data of the predetermined original position (for example, the latitude and longitude of the original position, hereinafter referred to as the registered original position) from the data recorder 22, and sends the registered The coordinate data of the original position is stored in the RAM 42 as the coordinate data sent to the map information distribution center 3 . The CPU 41 also reads out a home flag (coordinate flag) from the RAM 42 and sets the home flag on, more specifically, assigns a value of 1 to the home flag, and stores it in the RAM 42 again. The CPU 41 reads out the coordinate data representing the registered original position and the original flag from the RAM 42, and sends the above-mentioned coordinate data and the original flag to the map information distribution center 3, and the navigation ID (for example, navigation ID) for identifying the above-mentioned navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3. ID 1001).

At S11, when the destination is set through the operation section 24, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 stores the coordinate data of the above destination into the RAM 42. The CPU 41 reads out the original flag from the RAM 42, and sets the above-mentioned original flag off, and more specifically, assigns the value 0 to the original flag, and stores it in the RAM 42 again. The CPU 41 reads the coordinate data of the destination and the original flag from the RAM 42, and sends the coordinate data and the original flag to the map information distribution center 3, as well as the navigation ID for identifying the above-mentioned navigation device 2.

Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 4, when receiving the coordinate data and the original flag sent from the navigation device 2 and the navigation ID in order to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2 via the central communication device 16 at S111, the CPU in the map information distribution center 3 11. Store the above-mentioned navigation ID, coordinate data and original flags in RAM 12.

The CPU 11 reads out the above-mentioned coordinate data and the original flag from the RAM 12 again. When the value of the original flag is 1, the CPU 11 sets a predetermined area centered on the coordinate data as a first area (for example, an area of about 80 km square centered on the coordinate data) as an allocated area for extracting distinguishing data . More specifically, the first area centered on the registered home position is set as the allocated area for extracting the difference data.

The CPU 11 reads out the above-mentioned coordinate data and the original flag from the RAM 12 again. When the value of the original flag is 0, the CPU 11 sets a predetermined area centered on the coordinate data as a second area (for example, an area of about 10 km square centered on the coordinate data) as an allocated area for extracting the distinguishing data . More specifically, the second area centered on the destination is set as the allocated area for extracting the distinguishing data.

In S112, the CPU 11 reads the navigation ID received in the above S111 from the RAM 12, and reads information related to the update history of the navigation device 2 of the assigned area set in the above S111 from the navigation update history information database 15, the navigation device 2 Recognized by the navigation ID, extract the current version of the navigation device 2 in the assigned road categories of high standard, ordinary and narrow streets in each block (grid) of approximately 2.5 km square in the assigned area, and store them to RAM 12. The CPU 11 reads the difference data file name representing the latest version of the difference data in each block in the allocated area from the difference data management database 18, and extracts the current version in each block in the allocated area in the navigation device 2. and the latest version of the difference data file names, and store them to RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the difference data corresponding to each difference data file name from the update map information 17, and stores them in the RAM 12.

With reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7, in the allocation road category of high standard, common and narrow street in each block (grid) in the extraction by CPU 11 is specifically described, the current version of navigation device 2 and the latest An instance of difference data between versions. To simplify the illustration, the allocation area is set as 2 square blocks of approximately 2.5 km. However, when the allocated area is a square of 80 km, 1024 blocks (grids) each approximately 2.5 km square are included. When the allocated area is a 10 km square, 16 blocks (grids) each approximately 2.5 km square are included.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the difference data management information 52 stored in the difference data management database 18 in the map information distribution center 3 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the navigation update history information 53 stored in the navigation update history information database 15 in the map information distribution center 3 . FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of difference data extracted in each block (grid) of an allocation area.

As shown in FIG. 5, for each block ID (A, B, C, D, etc.) used to represent each block of about 2.5km square, in the difference data management database 18 stored in the map information distribution center 3 The difference data management information 52 stores a difference data file name indicating difference data updated to map information of the latest version (Version 2 classified by road standards for assigning road types) stored in the update map information 17 .

For example, the difference data file name for updating the map information of a block of approximately 2.5 km square with block ID A to version 2 is 2A1 for high standard representing the assigned road category of high standard roads and 2A1 for high standard representing normal Distribution of road is generally 2A2 of road type.

As shown in FIG. 6, for each block area of approximately 2.5 km square with block ID (A, B, C, D, etc.), according to high standard representing high standard roads, normal and normal roads representing ordinary roads, Three types of allocated roads representing narrow streets of narrow streets, the navigation update history information 53 stores the version of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2, wherein the navigation update history information 53 is stored in the navigation update of the map information distribution center 3 In the historical information database 15, the navigation device 2 has a navigation ID 1001.

For example, the version of the map information currently stored in the navigation device 2 having the navigation ID 1001 is 1 for the map data in the high-standard assigned road category and 2 for the map data in the ordinary assigned road category , which is 1 for map data in the assigned road category for narrow streets.

The CPU 11 receives the data as the navigation ID 1001 in the above S111, and stores it in the RAM 12. When the blocks with the block IDs A and B are set as allocation areas, the CPU 11 reads out each of the blocks corresponding to the blocks with the block IDs A and B (corresponding to the navigation ID 1001) from the navigation update history information 53. Allocate versions of road types and store them to RAM 12. The CPU 11 reads out each assigned road category corresponding to the blocks having the block IDs A and B from the differentiated data management information 52, and judges that it is in the navigation update history information 53 corresponding to each of the read assigned road types. is version 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the version of the navigation update history information 53 corresponding to each assigned road category read out from the difference data management information 52 is not version 2, the CPU 11 reads the information corresponding to the difference data management information 52 from the difference data management information 52. Each assigns a different data file name corresponding to the road type, and stores the different data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2 in the RAM 12 in sequence. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the difference data corresponding to the difference data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2 from the update map information 17, and stores them in the RAM 12 as difference data to be distributed to the navigation device 2 having the navigation ID 1001.

In S113, the CPU 11 selects an allocation ID for identifying the extracted difference data, and stores it in the RAM 12.

In S114, the CPU 11 stores the allocation management information including the allocation ID for identifying the extracted difference data, each area for indicating the allocation area corresponding to the difference data, into the allocation management information database 19. The block ID of the block, and an updated version of each assigned road category for each block ID.

Referring to FIG. 8, an example of distribution management information stored in the distribution management information database 19 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one example of allocation management information 54 corresponding to the extracted distinction data for each part of the allocation area shown in FIG. 7 .

As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11 selects the data T00001 as the distribution ID for identifying the difference data corresponding to the extracted difference data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2, and stores the above-mentioned data T00001 as the distribution ID of the distribution management information 54. . The CPU 11 stores the block IDs A, B, and B representing the areas of the allocation area corresponding to the distinguishing data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2 as the block IDs of the allocation management information 54, respectively. piece. The CPU 11 stores, as the allocated road types of the allocation management information 54, high-standard, high-standard, and ordinary types of allocated roads, which represent allocated roads corresponding to the distinction data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2, respectively, as the allocated road types of the allocation management information 54. type. The CPU 11 stores version 2 corresponding to the difference data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2 as the version of the allocation management information 54.

In S115, the CPU 11 reads out the difference data extracted in S112 and the allocation ID supplied to the difference data in S113 from the RAM 12, and assigns them to the navigation device 2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11 assigns to the navigation device 2 the difference data corresponding to the difference data file names 2A1, 2B1, and 2B2, and the distribution ID T00001 provided to the difference data.

Simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 4, when receiving distinguishing data and distributing ID from map information distributing center 3 via communication device 27 in S12, CPU 41 in navigation device 2 stores distinguishing data and distributing ID in RAM 42.

At S13, the CPU 41 reads out the received difference data from the RAM 12, and updates the map information of the assigned area in the navigation map information 38 to the latest version of the map information.

Then, at S14, the CPU 41 checks the update of the map information of the assigned area in the navigation map information 38, and judges whether there is any error in the updated map information. When there is no error in the update map information of the assigned area in the navigation map information 38, more specifically, when the update of the map information of the assigned area is successful (S14: Yes), the CPU 41 proceeds to the process in S15. At S15, the CPU 41 reads out the distribution ID received in S12 from the RAM 42, sends the distribution ID and the navigation ID used to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3 in the above S11, and sends the map information The distribution center 3 notifies the update of the navigation map information 38 successfully, and then completes the relevant process.

For example, when there is no error in the update of the map information in the block IDs A and B of the distribution area in the navigation map information 38 (S14: Yes), the CPU 41 sends the distribution ID T0001 received at S12 and the distribution ID T0001 that has been received in S11 above. The navigation ID 1001 in order to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2 sent to the map information distribution center 3 notifies the map information distribution center 3 that the update of the navigation map information 38 is successful, and then completes the relevant process.

Meanwhile, when an error occurs in the map information of the assigned area in the update navigation map information 38, more specifically, when the update of the map information of the assigned area fails (S14: No), the CPU 41 carries out the process in S16. In S16, the CPU 41 notifies the map information distribution center 3 that the update of the navigation map information 38 has failed by only sending the navigation ID that has been sent to the map information distribution center 3 in the above S11 to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2, and then completes the relevant process .

For example, the CPU 41 notifies the map information distribution center 3 that the update of the navigation map information 38 has failed by only sending the navigation ID 1001 that has been sent to the map information distribution center 3 in the above S11 to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2, and then completes the relevant process .

Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 4, when receiving at S116 the notification that the navigation map information 38 that sends from navigation equipment 2 is updated successfully or fails, CPU 11 in map information distribution center 3 stores above-mentioned notification to RAM 12, then carries out The process in S117.

At S117, the CPU 11 reads out the notification again from the RAM 12, and judges whether the update of the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 is successful, more specifically, judges whether the distribution ID and the navigation ID have been received. When the distribution ID and the navigation ID are not received, more specifically, when only the navigation ID is received (S117: NO), the CPU 11 judges that the update of the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 identified by the above-mentioned navigation ID has failed , and complete the relevant process.

Therefore, for example, when the above-mentioned navigation ID is 1001, the navigation update history information 53 (see FIG. 6 ) corresponding to the navigation device 2 identified by the navigation ID 1001 is not updated.

Meanwhile, when receiving distribution ID and navigation ID (S117: Yes), CPU 11 judges that the updating of navigation map information 38 in navigation device 2 identified by above-mentioned navigation ID has succeeded, and carries out the process in S118.

In S118, the CPU 11 reads out the allocation ID stored in S116 from the RAM 12 again, and reads out the allocation management information corresponding to the allocation ID from the allocation management information database 19, and stores them in the RAM 12. CPU 11 renews the updated version of the historical data stored in the navigation update history information database 15 specified by the navigation ID stored in S116 into a version corresponding to the block ID of each allocated road category and allocated management information stored in RAM 12 , and then store them again in the navigation update history information database 15, and complete the related process. Thus, the update history data stored in the update history database 15 specified by the navigation ID can be reliably consistent with the current version information stored in the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation ID.

An example of updating navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 . FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the updated navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 based on the allocation management information 54 shown in FIG. 8 .

For example, when receiving the allocation ID T00001 and the navigation ID 1001 at the above-mentioned S116, the CPU 11 reads out the allocation road types corresponding to high standard, high standard, and common from the allocation management information 54 stored in the allocation management information database 19 (see FIG. 8 ). Corresponding versions 2, 2 and 2, and block IDs A, B and B corresponding to the above allocation ID T00001, and storing them to RAM 12.

As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 11 renews (renews) the version of the update history data 53 (see FIG. 6) stored in the update history database 15 specified by the navigation ID 1001 stored in S116 to be compatible with the high standard, high standard and high standard. Versions 2, 2, and 2 corresponding to common allocation road types, and block IDs A, B, and B stored in allocation management information 54 (see FIG. 8 ) stored in RAM 12 to create navigation update history information 55, And store them again in the navigation update history information database 15, and then complete the related process.

Thereby the update history data 55 specified by the navigation ID 1001 stored in the update history database 15 can be reliably consistent with the current version information stored in the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation ID 1001.

Next, in the map information distribution system 1 having the above-mentioned structure, it is described with reference to FIGS. The process of updating the navigation update history information stored in the navigation update history information database 15 in the navigation update history information database 15. The updated map information has been distributed to the PC 5 from the map information distribution center 3 and recorded to the CD-ROM 6.

First, the storage medium recording process of recording and updating map information by area on the CD-ROM 6 performed by the map information distribution center 3 and the PC 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

Fig. 10 is in the map information distribution system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, by the map information distribution system 3 and PC 5 execution by map information distribution system 3 and PC 5 on CD-ROM 6 record the flow chart of the storage medium recording update map information by region. The program shown in the flow chart among Fig. 10 is stored in ROM 13 among the map information distribution center 3 and ROM 73 (not shown) in the PC 5, and in the CPU 11 and the PC 5 in the map information distribution center 3 CPU 71 (not shown) executes.

As shown in Figure 10, at S211, the CPU 71 in the PC 5 first sends to the map information distribution center 3 the area data and An area unit request signal for requesting updating information (discrimination data) of map information for each selected area.

Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 10, when in S311 via central communication equipment 16, when receiving the region data and the region unit request signal for representing the region, the region unit request signal is used as an update of the map information sent from PC 5 by region In response to a request for information (differential data), the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 stores the area information in the RAM 12.

The CPU 11 reads out the area data again from the RAM 12, sets the area designated by the above area data as an area allocated by area to extract the distinguishing data, and then reads out the area allocated by area (distributed by area) from the distinguishing data management database 18 as described above. area) of the latest version of the differentiated data management information for each block, and store them in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the difference data corresponding to the difference data file names in the difference data management information stored in the RAM 12 from the update map information 17, and stores them in the RAM 12.

For example, when the area data read from the RAM 12 is about the X area, the CPU 11 sets the X area as an area allocated by area (assigned area) to extract the distinguishing data. When the block (grid) of approximately 2.5km square in the allocated area (allocated area) is A, B, C, D, and E (see FIG. 14 ), the difference that the CPU 11 stores from the difference data management database 18 The data management information 52 (see FIG. 5 ) sequentially reads out the latest version of the difference data management information (version, block ID, assigned road type, and difference data file name) corresponding to each block whose block ID is A to E. , and store them into RAM 12. Therefore, CPU 11 will read the data of "Version 2, Block A, High Standard, 2A1", "Version 2, Block A, Normal, 2A2", ... "Version 2, Block E, Narrow Street, 2E1" The difference data management information as the latest version is stored in RAM 12. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the difference data corresponding to the difference data file names 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, .

To simplify the description, tiles of about 2.5 km square in the X area set as the area allocated by area (allocation area) are set as 5 tiles with tile IDs A to E. Although the area data is set as one area such as the X area, a plurality of areas may be set as allocated areas (assigned areas).

At S312, the CPU 11 selects an allocation ID for identifying the extracted distinction data by region, and stores it in the RAM 12.

In S313, the CPU 11 creates PC allocation management information, and stores it in the allocation management information database 19 as allocation management information for managing the distinction data allocated to the PC 5 by region, wherein the PC allocation management information includes: Distinguishing the distribution ID of the extracted distinguishing data by region to indicate the block ID of each block, the distribution road type in the latest version of the distinguishing data management information of each block in the assigned region stored in the RAM 12 and version.

An example of PC allocation management information stored in the allocation management information database 19 is described with reference to FIG. 11 . FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of PC allocation management information 61 stored in the allocation management information database 19 in S313 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 .

As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 11 selects P00001 as the distribution ID for identifying the extracted distinction data in the X region by region, and stores P00001 as the distribution ID of the PC distribution management information 61. The CPU 11 sequentially reads out the block ID, the type of assigned road, and the version from the latest version of the management information of the distinction data of the X region stored in the RAM 12 as "version 2, block A, high standard, 2A1", "version 2, Block A, Common, 2A2", ... "Version 2, Block E, Narrow Street, 2E1", and manage by storing them sequentially as block ID, assigned road category, and PC corresponding to assigned ID P00001 The versions of the information 61 are stored in the distribution management information database 19.

Therefore, as the PC allocation management information 61 designated by the allocation ID P00001, the CPU 11 stores data of A, A, B, ... E sequentially as block IDs as high standard, normal, high standard of the types of allocated roads , ... data for narrow streets, and data 2 as version in that order.

In S314, the CPU 11 reads from the RAM 12 the block ID of the latest version of the differentiated data management information in each block in the area allocated by area set in the above S311, the type of assigned road, and the difference corresponding to the block ID. data, and the allocation ID extracted in S312 to identify the distinguishing data by region, and then distribute them to the PC 5, and complete the related process after the distribution.

For example, the CPU 11 reads out from the RAM 12, among the district-by-district data management information in the X district, block IDs A, A, B, ... E, high standard, normal, high standard, ... narrow streets Allocate the road category, the distinction data 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, ... 2E1 corresponding to the distinction data file names 2A1, 2A2, 2B1, ... 2E1, and the allocation ID P00001, and then assign them to the PC 5, and in the allocation Then complete the relevant process.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10, when the block ID and distribution road type of the difference data management information by area are received from the map information distribution center 3 via the communication device 27 at S212, the difference data corresponding to the block ID, and the When identifying the distribution IDs of the distinguishing data by region, the CPU 71 in the PC 5 stores these data into the RAM 72 (not shown).

In S213, the CPU 71 sequentially reads out from the RAM 72 the received block ID and the allocated road type of the regionally differentiated data management information, the differentiated data corresponding to the block ID, and the allocated ID for specifying the differentiated data by region , and they are stored in CD-ROM 6 by region via recorder 5A, so that they can be read by region by CPU 41 in navigation device 2 via reader 28 to update map information, and then complete the relevant process.

An example of recording and updating map information by region on the CD-ROM 6 is described with reference to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of recording update map information by area on the CD-ROM 6 in S213 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 10 .

When, as shown in FIG. 12, the block ID "A, A, B, ... E" of the regionally differentiated data management information of the X region is distributed from the map information distribution center 3 to the PC 5, the road type "high standard" is distributed , normal, high standard, ... narrow street", distinguishing data "2A1, 2A2, 2B1, ... 2E1", and assigning ID P00001, the CPU 71 in the PC 5 creates and updates map information 62 by area, which will P00001 is stored as the allocation ID, "A, A, B, ... E" is stored as the block ID in sequence, "high standard, normal, high standard, ... narrow street" is stored as the allocation road category in sequence, and "2A1 , 2A2, 2B1, ... 2E1" are stored as difference data in turn, and record and update map information 62 by region on CD-ROM6 via recorder 5A, so that they can be read by CPU 41 in navigation device 2 via reader 28 Pick.

Next, when updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 based on the update map information recorded on the CD-ROM 6 equipped in the storage medium recording process shown in FIG. 10 by region, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, The update procedure of the navigation update history information stored in the navigation update history information database 15 in the map information distribution center 3 described above will be described.

Fig. 13 is when updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 via the CD-ROM 6 equipped in the storage medium recording process shown in Fig. 10, the navigation update history information database 15 in the above-mentioned map information distribution center 3 Flowchart of the update process for the navigation update history information stored in . The program described in the flowchart in FIG. 13 is stored in the ROM 43 in the navigation device 2 and the ROM 13 in the map information distribution center 3, and executed by the respective CPUs 41 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 13 , at S31, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 reads out the block ID, the distribution road type, and the map information corresponding to the block ID from the updated map information recorded on the CD-ROM 6 by region via the reader 28 at S31. and store them in RAM 42.

In S32, the CPU 41 judges whether, in the navigation map information 38 corresponding to each assigned road type of the block ID stored in the RAM 42, the current version of the map information of the area allocated by area is more accurate than the current version of the map information stored in the above-mentioned RAM 42. The latest version of some distinction data is early. When the version is earlier, the CPU 41 updates the map information based on the corresponding difference data of the latest version.

An example of the updated navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 via the CD-ROM 6 is described with reference to FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 12, the update map information 62 is recorded in the CD-ROM 6 by region.

FIG. 14 is a diagram describing an example of the updated navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 via the CD-ROM 6. As shown in FIG. 12, the updated map information 62 is recorded in the CD-ROM 6 by region.

As shown in Figure 14, CPU 41 first reads out from CD-ROM 6 and is stored in RAM 42 based on the update map information 62 by region, and judges that it corresponds to the high-standard allocation road type in the block ID A in the navigation map information 38 is version 2. When the version is not version 2, the CPU 41 updates the map information corresponding to the high standard assigned road category in the block ID A in the navigation map information 38 to version 2 based on the distinction data 2A1 stored in the RAM 42.

Next, the CPU 41 judges whether the version corresponding to the common assigned road type in the block ID A in the navigation map information 38 is version 2 based on the updated map information 62 by region stored in the RAM 42. When the version is version 2, the map information of the usual assigned road types in the block ID A in the navigation map information 38 is not updated. The CPU 41 updates the high standard and normal in the block ID B in the navigation map information 38 based on the distinction data 2B1, 2B2, 2C1 to 2C3, and 2E1, respectively, in a similar manner based on the update map information 62 by region stored in the RAM 42. The map information of the assigned road types of the block ID C, the map information of the assigned road types of the high standard, ordinary and narrow streets in the block ID C, and the map information of the assigned road types of the narrow streets in the block ID E.

In S33, the CPU 41 checks the update of the map information of the areas allocated by regions in the navigation map information 38 updated in the above S32, and judges whether there is any error in the updated map information. When there is an error in the update of the map information of the area allocated by area in the navigation map information 38, more specifically, when the update of the map information in the area allocated by area fails (S33: NO), the CPU 41 notifies the user of the map The information update failed and the related process is completed.

Simultaneously, when there is no error in the update of the map information of the area allocated by area in the navigation map information 38, more specifically, when the update of the map information in the area allocated by area is successful (S33: Yes), the CPU 41 performs process in S34. In S34, the CPU 41 reads out the distribution ID stored in the CD-ROM 6, and stores it in the RAM 42.

For example, when the CD-ROM 6 stores and updates map information 62 by region as shown in FIG.

At S35, the CPU 41 reads out the distribution ID again from the RAM 42, and sends the distribution ID and the navigation ID that has been sent to the map information distribution center 3 in the above S11 and recognizes the above-mentioned navigation device 2 to the map information via the CD-ROM 6. The distribution center 3 notifies the update of the navigation map information 38, and then completes the related process.

For example, the CPU 41 transmits the distribution ID P00001 stored in the RAM 42 in S34 and the navigation ID 1001 for identifying the above-mentioned navigation device 2 and has been sent to the map information distribution center 3 in the above S11, via the CD-ROM 6 The update of the navigation map information 38 is notified to the map information distribution center 3, and then the related process is completed.

Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 13, in S411, the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 judges whether to have received the notification of updating the navigation map information 38 from the navigation device 2, and more specifically, judges whether the distribution ID and the navigation map information have been received. ID. When the distribution ID and the navigation ID are not received (S411: NO), the CPU 11 completes the related process.

Therefore, for example, the navigation update history information 53 (see FIG. 6 ) corresponding to the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation ID 1001 is not updated.

Simultaneously, when receiving distribution ID and navigation ID (S411: Yes), CPU 11 judges that the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by above-mentioned navigation ID has been updated, and distribution ID and navigation ID are stored to RAM 12, Then proceed to the process in S412.

At S412, the CPU 11 reads out the allocation ID from the RAM 12 again, reads out the PC allocation management information corresponding to the allocation ID from the allocation management information database 19, and stores them in the RAM 12.

In S413, the CPU 11 replaces the update history data version stored in the navigation update history information database 15 specified by the navigation ID stored in S411 with each allocation road category and block in the PC allocation management information stored in the RAM 12. The version corresponding to the ID, then store them again in the navigation update history information database 15, and complete the relevant process. Thereby the update history data stored in the update history database 15 specified by the navigation ID can be reliably consistent with the current version information stored in the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation ID, wherein based on the current version information stored in the CD-ROM 6 Update map information has updated navigation map information.

An example of the update navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 is described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 15 . FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the updated navigation update history information 53 shown in FIG. 6 based on the PC allocation management information 61 shown in FIG. 11 .

For example, when receiving the distribution ID P00001 and the navigation ID 1001 in the above S411, the CPU 11 reads out the PC distribution management information 61 stored in the distribution management information database 19 that corresponds to the block ID data "A, A, B, ... E " and the corresponding version " 2, 2, 2, ... 2 " (referring to Fig. 11) of distribution road category " high standard, common, high standard, ... narrow street ", and they are stored to RAM 12, wherein The block ID data "A, A, B, ... E" and the allocated road type "high standard, normal, high standard, ... narrow street" correspond to the above-mentioned allocated ID P0001.

As shown in Figure 15, the CPU 11 replaces the version of the update history data 53 (see Figure 6) stored in the update history database 15 specified by the navigation ID 1001 stored in S411 with the block ID "" stored in the RAM 12. A, A, B, ... E" and the version "2, 2, 2, ... 2" corresponding to the assigned road category "High Standard, Normal, High Standard, ... Narrow Street" and assign them again Store in the update history database 15, and then complete the related process.

Thereby the update history data 63 specified by the navigation ID 1001 stored in the update history database 15 can be reliably consistent with the current version information stored in the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 specified by the navigation ID 1001, wherein based on the CD- The update map information 62 (referring to Fig. 12) stored by region in the ROM 6 updates the navigation map information.

As described above, in the map information distribution center 3 of the first embodiment of the present invention, when receiving the coordinate data and the original flag and the navigation ID of the designated navigation device 2, in the case where the original flag is turned on, the CPU 11 will register as The first area centered on the coordinate data of the original position is set as the allocated area, and when the original flag is turned off, the CPU 11 sets the second area centered on the coordinate data of the destination as the allocated area (S11 and S111). The CPU 11 reads out the data related to the update history of the assigned area in the navigation 2 designated by the navigation ID from the navigation update history information database 15, and the usage in the assigned road types of the high standard, ordinary, and narrow streets in the navigation device 2. With the current version of each block (grid) of about 2.5km square in the area subject to distribute, and read the difference data file name from the difference data management database 18, the difference data file name is represented in Each of the blocks in the allocation area is allocated the latest version of the difference data in the road category to extract the difference data between the current version in the navigation device 2 and the latest version of each block in the allocation area, (S113). Next, the CPU 11 selects the allocation ID for identifying the extracted distinction data, and sets the allocation management information including the allocation ID, the block ID corresponding to the distinction data for each block indicating the allocation area, and the allocation ID in each area. The updated version of the allocated road category in the block ID is stored in the allocation management information database 19, and then the allocated ID and distinction data are sent to the navigation device 2 (S114 to S115).

Simultaneously, when updating the navigation map information 38 based on the difference data received, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 sends the distribution ID received and the navigation ID in order to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3 (S12 to S16 ).

When receiving the distribution ID and the navigation ID, the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 judged that the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 had been updated, and read out the distribution management information corresponding to the distribution ID from the distribution management information database 19 , and the version of the update history data stored in the update history database 15 specified by the navigation ID is replaced with a version corresponding to the distribution road category and the block ID in the distribution management information, to the version stored in the update history database 15 The update history data specified by the navigation ID is updated (S116 to S118).

When receiving the coordinate data and the original flag and the navigation ID from the navigation device 2, the map information distribution center 3 can read out the difference data file name from the difference data management database 18, and the difference data file name is used to represent each in the distribution area. The difference data of the latest version of the allocated road category of the block to extract the difference data between the current version of the navigation device 2 in each block in the allocated area and the latest version of each allocated road category, and transmit them To the navigation device 2, the version information of the navigation map information 38 stored in each navigation device 2 is managed in units of high standard, ordinary and narrow streets of about 2.5km square block (grid) . When the map information in the high-standard distribution road category in each block of the navigation map information 38 stored in the data recorder 22 of the navigation device 2 has been updated to the latest version, the high-standard distribution road category and the national highway Highways, urban highways, national roads with one or two digits, etc., the map information distribution center 3 can extract and send to the navigation device 2 the minimum amount of difference data related to the update of the assigned road types for ordinary and narrow streets, without Includes map information related to high standards. It is thereby possible to reduce the amount of communication data with the navigation device 2 .

When the navigation device 2 requests the difference data from the map information distribution center 3, it is only necessary to send the original flag, coordinate data and navigation ID from the navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3 as update request data. Thereby, the amount of communication data transmitted for updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 can be further reduced.

When receiving the distribution ID that has been sent together with the distinguishing data and the navigation ID specifying the navigation device 2, the map information distribution center 3 reads out the distribution management information corresponding to the distribution ID from the distribution management information database 19, and updates the history The update history data version specified by the navigation ID stored in the database 15 is updated with a version corresponding to each block ID and allocated road type of the allocated management data. Thereby, it is possible to accurately manage the update history of the version information in each assigned road category corresponding to each block ID of the navigation map information 38 stored in the data recorder 22 of the navigation device 2, and accurately manage the update history related to the current version information in the navigation device 2. Each block ID of the stored navigation map information 38 corresponds to version information in each assigned road category.

As described above in detail, in the map information distribution system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, when the coordinate data and the original flag and the navigation ID of the specified navigation device 2 are received, in the case where the original flag is turned on, the map information The CPU 11 of the distribution center 3 sets the first area centered on the coordinate data of the registered original position as the distribution area, and when the original flag is turned off, the CPU 11 sets the second area centered on the coordinate data of the destination is the allocation area (S11 and S111). The CPU 11 extracts the difference between the current version in the navigation device 2 and the latest version of each block of the allocated area by reading out data related to the update history of the allocated area in the navigation 2 specified by the navigation ID from the navigation update history information database 15. and extract the difference data file name from the difference data management database 18, which is used to represent the difference data of the latest version of the block in the allocation area (S113). Next, the CPU 11 selects the distribution ID for identifying the extracted difference data, and stores the distribution management information including the distribution ID and the difference data in the distribution management information database 19, and then transmits the distribution ID and the difference data to the navigation device 2 ( S114 to S115).

Simultaneously, when updating the navigation map information 38 based on the difference data received, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 sends the distribution ID received and the navigation ID in order to identify the above-mentioned navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3 (S12 to S16).

When receiving the distribution ID and the navigation ID, the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 judged that the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 had been updated, and read out the distribution management information corresponding to the distribution ID from the distribution management information database 19 , to update the update history data specified by the navigation ID stored in the update history database 15 (S116 to S118).

When the navigation device 2 requests the map information distribution center 3 to update the map information, it is only necessary to send the original flag, coordinate data and navigation ID set to on or off from the navigation device 2 to the map information distribution center 3 . It is thereby possible to reduce the amount of communication data transmitted to update the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 .

When receiving the distribution ID that has been sent together with the distinguishing data and the navigation ID specifying the navigation device 2, the map information distribution center 3 updates the distribution management information in the update by reading out the distribution management information corresponding to the distribution ID from the distribution management information database 19. The update history data specified by the navigation ID stored in the history database 15 . It is thereby possible to precisely manage the update history of the navigation map information 38 stored in the data recorder 22 of the navigation device 2 and to precisely manage the version information of the navigation map information 38 currently stored in the navigation device 2 .

Since the map information distribution center 3 can accurately manage the update history of the navigation map information 38 stored in the data recorder 22 of the navigation device 2, when receiving the original flag, coordinate data and navigation ID from the navigation device as update request data, The minimum amount of difference data for updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 can be extracted. Thereby, the amount of communication data transmitted for updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 can be further reduced.

When receiving from PC 5 regional data for representing regions and regional unit request signals, the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 sets the region designated by the region data as the distribution region, and reads out the distribution by region from the difference data management database 18 The latest version of the difference data management information of each block in the region, based on the read difference data management data, read each part of the difference data from the update map information 17, and store them in the RAM 12 (S211 and S311) . The CPU 11 selects the distribution ID for identifying the extracted distinguishing data by region, creates PC distribution management data, stores it in the distribution management information database 19 as distribution data management data, and manages the distinguishing data distributed to the PC 5 by region, Then, update information of the allocation ID and the distinction data including the area allocated by area is sent to the PC 5 (S312 to S314). Simultaneously, the PC 5 records the received allocation ID and updated map information including the distinction data of the areas allocated by area to the CD-ROM 6 (S212 to S213).

At the same time, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 reads out the update map information from the CD-ROM 6 via the reader 28, and when the navigation map information 38 is updated, by reading the distribution ID from the CD-ROM 6 and using it to The navigation ID of identification navigation device 2 is sent to map information distribution center 3 together, and updates navigation map information 38 (S31 to S35) by CD-ROM 6 notification. When receiving the distribution ID and the navigation ID, the CPU 11 in the map information distribution center 3 reads out the PC distribution management information corresponding to the distribution ID from the distribution management information database 19. The CPU 11 updates by updating the version of the update history data stored in the update history database 15 specified by the navigation ID to a version corresponding to each block ID and assigned road category in the PC assignment management information (S411 to S413).

The CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 can update the navigation map information 38 of the area allocated by area by reading out the updated map information from the CD-ROM 6 via the reader 28, and updating the navigation map information 38 of the area allocated by area For the latest version of map information.

When updating the navigation map information 38 of the area allocated by area by reading out the updated map information from the CD-ROM 6 via the reader 28, the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 sends the map information distribution center 3 the information from the CD-ROM 6 to the map information distribution center 3. The assigned ID and the navigation ID for identifying the navigation device 2 are read out. Therefore, the map information distribution center 3 updates by renewing the version of the update history data specified by the received navigation ID to a version corresponding to each block ID and distribution road category of the PC distribution management information, which PC distribution management information The information corresponds to the received distribution ID. With the map information distribution center 3, even when the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 updates the navigation map information 38 via the CD-ROM 6, the update of the navigation map information 38 stored in the data recorder 22 of the navigation device 2 can be accurately managed history, and even more precisely manage version information of the navigation map information 38 currently stored in the navigation device 2.

Since the map information distribution center 3 can accurately manage the update history of the navigation map information 38 stored in the navigation device 2, even when the CPU 41 in the navigation device 2 updates the navigation map information 38 via the CD-ROM 6, when from the navigation device 2 When receiving the original flag, coordinate data, and navigation ID as update request data, it is also possible to accurately extract the minimum amount of difference data for updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2. Thereby, the amount of communication data transmitted for updating the navigation map information 38 in the navigation device 2 can be further reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can naturally be made within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. a map information distribution center, comprising:

Map information memory, store renewal cartographic information, this renewal cartographic information is the cartographic information basis when upgrading the cartographic information stored in navigator by version classification, and, distinguishes data is stored according to road category, the cartographic information of this distinguishes data for by the map information update be stored in described navigator being the latest edition by version classification stored in described renewal cartographic information in this map information memory;

Version information storage, by being associated with the identifying information of each navigator of identification, stores the version information of each road category of the described cartographic information stored in described navigator;

Store the distinguishes data management database of distinguishes data management information, described distinguishes data management information stores the distinguishes data filename representing distinguishes data;

Receiving unit, receives described identifying information from described navigator;

Extraction parts, based on received identifying information, the version information of each road category of the cartographic information stored the described navigator corresponding with described identifying information is obtained from described version information storage, and whether the version information judging each road category obtained is up-to-date version, if not up-to-date version, then reading with being judged as from described distinguishes data management information is not described distinguishes data filename corresponding to the road category of up-to-date version, then the distinguishes data corresponding with described distinguishes data filename is extracted from described map information memory, with

Transmitting portion, is sent to the described navigator corresponding with the identifying information that described receiving unit receives by the distinguishes data extracted by described Extraction parts.

2. map information distribution center according to claim 1, when described receiving unit have received described identifying information and area update solicited message from described navigator, based on received identifying information, described Extraction parts obtains the version information of each road category corresponding with presumptive area from the version information of each road category of the cartographic information stored the described navigator corresponding with described identifying information, and whether the version information judging each road category obtained is up-to-date version, if not up-to-date version, then reading with being judged as from described distinguishes data management information is not described distinguishes data filename corresponding to the road category of up-to-date version, then the distinguishes data corresponding with described distinguishes data filename is extracted from from described map information memory, wherein, described area update solicited message is for asking the lastest imformation corresponding with presumptive area described in described cartographic information.

3. map information distribution center according to claim 1 and 2, also comprises version information renewal part,

When described transmitting portion sends the described distinguishes data of each road category to described navigator, and described receiving unit based on described distinguishes data from described navigator receive renewal that expression completed map information update complete information time, described version information renewal part, based on sent described distinguishes data, upgrades the version information of each road category of the described cartographic information stored in the described navigator be stored in described version information storage.

4. map information distribution center according to claim 1 and 2, wherein

Described cartographic information is divided into the grid cell of presumptive area,

Described version information storage stores the version information of each road category described in described grid cell; With

Described Extraction parts extracts the described distinguishes data in described grid cell.

5. a map information distribution method, comprising:

Receiving step, wherein map information distribution center is from the identifying information of navigator reception in order to identify described navigator;

Extraction step, wherein based on the identifying information received at described receiving step, described map information distribution center obtains the version information of each road category of the cartographic information stored the described navigator corresponding with described identifying information from version information storage, and judge that whether the version information of each road category that obtains is the up-to-date version by version classification, if not up-to-date version, it is not distinguishes data filename corresponding to the road category of up-to-date version that the distinguishes data management information then stored from the distinguishes data management database of described map information distribution center reads with being judged as, then the distinguishes data corresponding with described distinguishes data filename is extracted from from map information memory, wherein said version information storage is by being associated with the identifying information of each navigator of identification, be used for storing the version information of each road category of the described cartographic information stored in described navigator, described map information memory stores renewal cartographic information, this renewal cartographic information is the cartographic information basis when upgrading the cartographic information stored in navigator by version classification, and, described map information memory is the distinguishes data of the cartographic information of latest edition according to the road category map information update stored for being stored in navigator, with

Forwarding step, the distinguishes data extracted in described extraction step is sent to the described navigator corresponding with the described identifying information received in described receiving step by wherein said map information distribution center.