JP2002148051A - Car navigation device and map information supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a car navigation device and a map information supply device capable of obtaining new map information with minimum expenditure when map information is changed. A conventional car navigation device including a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3, and a control device 4, a discrimination device 5 for discriminating that map information is old, A connection device 6 for connecting to the map information supply device is added, and when the determination device 5 determines that the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is old, the control device 4 Map information is downloaded from the map information supply device, and the map information storage device 1 is downloaded.
And displays the latest map on the display device 3 using the updated map information. Thus, the user can always use the new map information without replacing the medium storing the map information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car navigation device and a map information supply device for notifying a user of a current position and traffic information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional car navigation device. In FIG. 1, a conventional car navigation device includes a map information storage device 1.
, Current position detection device 2, display device 3, control device 4
And is provided.

The map information storage device 1 includes, for example, a DVD-ROM as a medium for storing map information, and a DVD-RO
It is composed of an M drive device and the like. Current position detection device 2
Is a distance sensor, direction sensor, GPS (Global Positio
ning System) signal receiving device. The display device 3 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Control device 4
Reads the map information stored in the map information storage device 1, draws a map on the display device 3, and displays the current position detected by the current position detection device 2 on the map.

[0004]

In a conventional car navigation system, a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM is used as a medium for storing map information. The user needs to purchase a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM containing new map information, which causes a problem that extra expenses are required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a car navigation device and a map information supply device that can obtain new map information with minimum expenditure when map information is changed. The purpose is to do.

[0006]

A car navigation apparatus according to the present invention is a car navigation apparatus capable of receiving map information from a map information supply apparatus for supplying the map information, the map information storing the map information. Storage means, position detection means for detecting a current position, display means for displaying map information, display control means for displaying map information of the current position detected by the position detection means on the display means, Determining means for determining whether the map information stored in the map information storage means is new or old; and providing the map information when the map information stored in the map information storage means is determined to be old. And updating means for fetching map information from the device and updating the map information in the map information storage means with the map information.

[0007] According to this configuration, when the determination means determines that the current map information is old, the map information is fetched from the map information supply device, and the map information in the map information storage means is updated to the map information. Since the updated map information is displayed, the user can always use the new map information without being aware of it.

Further, in the car navigation device according to the present invention, in the car navigation device described above, the map information stored in the map information storage means is added with information on an area in which the vehicle can travel. When the current position detected by the position detecting means based on the travelable area information is outside the travelable area, the map information stored in the map information storage means is determined to be old information.

According to this configuration, when the map information stored in the map information storage means does not match the actual driving situation, the map information can be automatically updated.

Further, in the car navigation device according to the present invention, in the above car navigation device, a version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage means.
The determination means captures version information of the map information from the map information supply device using the connection means, and compares the captured version information with the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage means. If the version numbers are different, the map information stored in the map information storage means is determined to be old information.

According to this configuration, it is possible to match the map information stored in the map information storage means with the latest map information stored in the map information supply device.

Further, in the car navigation device according to the present invention, in the car navigation device described above, the map information stored in the map information storage means is added with information on an area in which the vehicle can travel, When the current position detected by the detection means is outside the travelable area, version information of the map information is fetched from the map information supply device, and the fetched version information and the version of the map information stored in the map information storage means are read. When the version information is different from the number information, the map information stored in the map information storage means is determined to be old information.

According to this configuration, when the map information stored in the map information storage means does not match the actual driving situation, the map information can be automatically updated, and at the same time, the position of the position detecting device can be changed. Unnecessary download of map information due to erroneous detection or the like can be prevented.

Further, in the car navigation device according to the present invention, in the car navigation device, the discriminating means holds information indicating the importance of the map which the user of the car navigation device wants to automatically update, When importing the version information of the map information from the supply device, a configuration is adopted in which the importance of the map is specified in the map information supply device, and only the version information of the map information having the specified importance or higher is imported.

According to this configuration, of the map information stored in the map information storage means, only the map information having a degree of importance equal to or higher than the importance specified by the user of the car navigation device is updated to the latest map stored in the map information supply device. Information, allowing you to save time and communication costs on updates,
For important maps, the latest map information can be used.

Further, in the car navigation device according to the present invention, in the car navigation device described above, when a version information of the map information is notified from the map information supply device, the discriminating means sets the map information stored in the map information storage means. Is compared with the version information notified from the map information supply device, and when the version numbers are different, it is determined that the map information stored in the map information storage means is old information. Take the configuration.

According to this configuration, it is possible to receive a notification when an important map is updated in the map information supply device. Map information can be used.

[0018] The map information supply device of the present invention includes a map information storage means for storing map information, a connection means for connecting to a car navigation device via an electric communication line, and the map information supply device in response to a request from the car navigation device. A transmission means for transmitting the map information stored in the map information storage means is provided.

According to this configuration, the car navigation device can function as a map information supply device.

Further, in the map information supply device according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned map information supply device, a version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage means, and the transmission means receives the information from the car navigation device. A configuration is employed in which version information of the map information stored in the map information storage means is transmitted in response to a request.

According to this configuration, the car navigation device can function as a map information supply device.

In the map information supply apparatus according to the present invention, in the map information supply apparatus, importance is added to the map information stored in the map information storage means, and the transmission means transmits a notification from the car navigation apparatus. A configuration is adopted in which only version number information added to map information having a degree of importance equal to or higher than the importance of the given map is transmitted.

According to this configuration, the car navigation device can function as a map information supply device.

Further, in the map information supply device of the present invention, in the above-mentioned map information supply device, the transmitting means holds the importance of the map to be notified when updated, and Is updated, the version number information of the map information is notified to the car navigation device via the connection means.

According to this configuration, the car navigation device can function as a map information supply device.

A map information updating system for a car navigation device according to the present invention has a configuration including the car navigation device and a map information supply device.

A recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium used for a car navigation system capable of receiving map information from a map information supply apparatus for supplying map information, and a map information storage means for storing map information. And a computer for controlling each of the position detecting means, the map information storing means and the displaying means, and a computer for controlling the position detecting means, the map information storing means and the displaying means. Display control means for displaying the current position detected by the position detection means together with a map on the display means; determining means for determining whether the map information stored in the map information storage device is new or old; When it is determined that the map information is old, the latest map information is fetched from the map information supply device, and the map information is added to the map information. The program for functioning as a updating means for updating the map information in the storage means and wherein the storing.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The gist of the present invention is to automatically update (download) old map information from a map information supply device so that a user can store a medium in which map information is stored. This means that new map information is always available without replacement.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information supply device. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in FIG. 11 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this figure, a car navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment determines a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3, a control device 4, and that map information is old. And a connection device 6 for connecting to the map information supply device. The map information storage device 1 includes a rewritable DVD-RAM and a DVD-RAM drive device.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the map information supply device 110 includes a map information storage device 11 and a control device 12.
And a connection device 13 for connecting to the car navigation device 100. The operation of the map information updating system composed of the car navigation device 100 and the map information supply device 110 as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the discriminating device 5 is operated by the map information storage device 1.
It is determined that the map information stored in the file is old (step 101). In response to this, the control device 4 transmits a map information transmission request to the map information supply device 110 through the connection device 6 (step 102). The map information transmission request includes the area information of the map determined to be old by the determination device 5.

In the map information supply device 110, when receiving the map information transmission request through the connection device 13, the control device 12 reads the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 11, Transmission to the navigation device 100 (Step 10
3).

In the car navigation device 100,
The control device 4 receives the map information via the connection device 6 (step 104). When the transmission of the map information is completed in the map information supply device 110, the control device 12 transmits the completion of the map information transmission to the car navigation device 100 through the connection device 13 (step 105).

In the car navigation device 100,
When receiving the completion of the map information transmission through the connection device 6, the control device 4 determines whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection device 2 is within the range of the map information (step 106). If the current position is within the range of the map information,
After waiting for a predetermined time (step 107), it is determined again whether the current position is within the range of the map information (step 1).
06). If the current position is out of the range of the map information,
The map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is updated, and a map is displayed on the display device 3 using the updated map information (step 108).

The operations in steps 106 and 107 are performed in consideration of the possibility that the user may be confused if the map of the running area is suddenly updated. However, it goes without saying that the effect of the map information updating system does not change.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discrimination device 5 and the connection device 6 are provided in the car navigation device 100.
Is provided, the discriminating device 5 is able to store the map information
When it is determined that the map information stored in the car information is old, the user can connect to the map information supply device 110 through the connection device 6 and download and update the map information from the map information supply device 110. As compared with the apparatus, there is an excellent effect that new map information can be used without replacing a medium storing the map information.

(Embodiment 2) A car navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention comprises a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3 shown in FIG.
In the car navigation device according to the first embodiment including the control device 4, the determination device 5, and the connection device 6, runnable area information is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 1. Configuration. FIG. 4 shows an example of map information stored in the map information storage device 1 in the car navigation device according to the present embodiment.

The map information supply apparatus according to the present embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG.
A map information storage device 11, a control device 12, and a connection device 13 for connecting to a car navigation device shown in FIG.
And the same configuration as that of the map information supply device according to the first embodiment.

The operation of the map information updating system composed of the car navigation device and the map information supply device described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the car navigation system,
The determination device 5 determines whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection device 2 is within the running area stored in the map information storage device 1 (Step 201). If the current position is within the runnable area, wait for a certain time (step 202),
It is determined again whether or not the current position is within the running area (step 201). If the current position is outside the running area, the determination device 5 determines that the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 1 is old (step 203). The subsequent operation from step 204 to step 210 is performed in step 102 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The operation is the same as that from step 108 to step 108. In response to the completion of the update of the map information as described above, the determination device 5 determines again whether the current position is within the running area (step 201).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the car navigation device, the running position information is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 1, so that the determination device 5 can determine the current position. When the current position detected by the detection device 2 is outside the runnable area, the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is determined to be old, and the map stored in the map information storage device 1 is determined. When the information does not match the actual driving situation, there is an excellent effect that the map information can be automatically updated.

(Embodiment 3) A car navigation system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention comprises a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3 shown in FIG.
In the car navigation device according to the first embodiment including the control device 4, the determination device 5, and the connection device 6, the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is assigned a version number. It has become. FIG. 6A shows an example of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1.

The map information supply device according to the present embodiment has a structure shown in FIG.
A map information storage device 11, a control device 12, and a connection device 13 for connecting to a car navigation device shown in FIG.
In the map information supply device according to the first embodiment, the map information stored in the map information storage device 11 is provided with a version number. FIG. 6 (2)
FIG. 1 shows an example of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11.

The operation of the map information updating system composed of the car navigation device and the map information supply device as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the car navigation system,
The determination device 5 transmits a version information transmission request to the map information supply device via the connection device 6 (step 301). In the map information supply device, the control device 12 includes a connection device 13
When a version information transmission request is received through the server, the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11 is read and transmitted to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 302).

In the car navigation device, the discriminating device 5 receives the version number information through the connecting device 6 (step 303). At this time, the discriminating apparatus 5 can download only the version information of the map information of the area where the map information is to be updated by adding the area information of the area where the map information is to be updated to the version information transmission request. . When the transmission of the version information is completed, the control device 12 transmits the completion of the transmission of the version information to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 304).

In the car navigation device, when the discrimination device 5 receives the completion of the version information transmission through the connection device 6, the discrimination device 5 verifies the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 and the version downloaded from the map information supply device. The number information is compared (step 305). Map information storage device 1
When the version information of the map information stored in the map information matches the version information downloaded from the map information supply device, the determination device 5 determines that the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is the latest. To end the processing.

When the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is different from the version information downloaded from the map information supply device, the determination device 5 determines that the map information of the region having the different version is old. (Step 306). The subsequent operation from step 307 to step 313 is performed in step 102 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The operation is the same as that from step 108 to step 108.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the car navigation device and the map information supply device, the version number information is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 and the map information storage device 11, respectively. As a result, the discrimination device 5 connects to the map information supply device through the connection device 6 to download the version information of the map information, and supplies the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 and the map information supply. By comparing the version information downloaded from the device with the version information, if the version information is different, it is determined that the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 1 is old, and is stored in the map information storage device 1. There is an excellent effect that the obtained map information can be matched with the latest map information stored in the map information supply device.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, only the map information of "6-3 Hikarinooka, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa" has a different version number. Therefore, the car navigation device uses only this map information from the map information supply device. to download.

(Embodiment 4) A car navigation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention comprises a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3 shown in FIG.
In the car navigation device of the first embodiment including the control device 4, the determination device 5, and the connection device 6, as in the case of the car navigation device of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. Runnable area information is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 1, and the map stored in the map information storage device 1 as shown in FIG. The version number is added to the information.

The map information supply device of the present embodiment is connected to the map information storage device 11, the control device 12, and the car navigation device shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the map information supply device of the third embodiment. The map information supply device according to the first embodiment, which comprises a connection device 13 for
As shown in FIG. 6, a version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 11.

The operation of the map information updating system composed of the car navigation device and the map information supply device as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the car navigation device,
The determination device 5 determines whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection device 2 is within the running area stored in the map information storage device 1 (Step 401). If the current position is within the runnable area, wait for a certain time (step 402),
It is determined again whether or not the current position is within the running area (step 401). If the current position is outside the running area, the determination device 5 transmits a version information transmission request to the map information supply device via the connection device 6 (step 403).

In the map information supply device, the control device 12
Receives the version information transfer request through the connection device 13, reads the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11, and transmits it to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 404). . In the car navigation device, the determination device 5 receives the version number information through the connection device 6 (step 405).
At this time, the area information is added to the version information transmission request, and only the version information of the map information of the area is transmitted and received.

When the transmission of the version information is completed in the map information supply device, the control device 12 transmits the transmission of the version information to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 406). In the car navigation device, the discriminating device 5 receives the completion of the version number information transmission through the connecting device 6. In response to this, the discriminating device 5 compares the version information of the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 1 with the version information of the region downloaded from the map information supply device (step 407).

When the version information of the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 1 matches the version information of the area downloaded from the map information supply device, the discriminating device 5
Determines that the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 1 is the latest, and determines again whether or not the current position is within the runnable area (step 401). If the version information of the map information of the area stored in the map information storage device 1 is different from the version information of the area downloaded from the map information supply device, the determination device 5 determines that the map information of the region is old. A decision is made (step 408). Subsequent step 409
Steps 415 to 415 are performed in steps 102 to 108 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The operation is the same as that described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the car navigation device, similarly to the car navigation device of the second embodiment, the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 corresponds to the actual driving situation. When they do not match,
The version information can be downloaded from the map information supply device at the same time as the map information can be automatically updated, and whether the map information stored in the map information storage device differs from the map information stored in the map information storage device is determined. Is determined, the download of the map information is performed, so that there is an excellent effect that unnecessary download of the map information due to the erroneous position detection of the current position detection device 1 can be prevented.

(Fifth Embodiment) A car navigation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3 shown in FIG.
In the car navigation device according to the first embodiment including the control device 4, the determination device 5, and the connection device 6, as in the case of the car navigation device according to the third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. The version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 1, and the discrimination device 5 is configured to hold a map update request level. FIG. 9A illustrates an example of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1.

The map information supply device according to the present embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG.
In the map information supply device according to the first embodiment including the map information storage device 11, the control device 12, and the connection device 13 for connecting to the car navigation device shown in FIG. Similarly to the information supply device, a version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 11 as shown in FIG.
Is added to the map information stored in the map information. FIG. 9B shows an example of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11.

The operation of the map information updating system composed of the car navigation device and the map information supply device as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the car navigation device,
The determination device 5 transmits a version information transmission request to the map information supply device via the connection device 6 (step 301). At this time, a map update request level is added to the version information transmission request. In the map information supply device, the control device 12
When a version information transmission request is received through the connection device 13, only the version of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11 with respect to the map information of importance level equal to or higher than the map update request level added to the version information transmission request The number information is read and transmitted to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 302).

In the car navigation device, the discriminating device 5 receives the version number information through the connecting device 6 (step 303). When the transmission of the version information is completed in the map information supply device, the control device 12 transmits the transmission of the version information to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 304). In the car navigation device, when the discrimination device 5 receives the version information transmission completion through the connection device 6, the discrimination device 5 compares the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 with the version information downloaded from the map information supply device. Are compared (step 305).

When the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 matches the version information downloaded from the map information supply device, the discriminating device 5 sets the map stored in the map information storage device 1 It is determined that the information is the latest, and the process ends. When the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is different from the version information downloaded from the map information supply device, the determination device 5 determines that the map information of the area having the different version is old ( Step 306).
The subsequent operation from step 307 to step 313 is performed in step 1 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The operation from 02 to step 108 is the same.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the car navigation device, the discrimination device 5 holds the map update request level, and the map information supply device stores the map information stored in the map information storage device 11. In the car navigation device, the discrimination device 5 transmits the version information transmission request to which the map update request level is added, so that the control device 12 in the map information supply device Since version information is transmitted only for map information with the specified importance or higher, only map information with the specified importance or higher can be matched with the latest map information stored in the map information server, and updated. This has an excellent effect that the latest map information can be used for important maps while reducing the time and communication cost required.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 9A, in the car navigation system of the third embodiment, “6-1 Hikarinooka, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa” and “6-3 Hikarinooka, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa”.
The map information is downloaded from the map information supply device. In the car navigation device of the fifth embodiment, if the map update request level is set to “B”, the importance level is set to “A” and “Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture”. Only the map information of "Hikarinooka 6-3" is downloaded from the map information supply device.

For example, in a map information supply device, the importance of a region that is particularly necessary for a navigation device, such as a region where a national road is running, is set high, and in a car navigation device, a map update request level is set. By setting the setting to a high value and setting to always transmit the version number transmission request after turning on the power of the car navigation device, the car navigation device according to the fifth embodiment has a map of an area which is considered to be particularly necessary for the navigation device. It is possible to use only the information such that it matches the map information stored in the map information supply device after the power is turned on.

(Embodiment 6) A car navigation device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention comprises a map information storage device 1, a current position detection device 2, a display device 3 shown in FIG.
In the car navigation device according to the first embodiment including the control device 4, the determination device 5, and the connection device 6, as in the case of the car navigation device according to the third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. The configuration is such that a version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage device 1.

The map information supply device according to the present embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG.
A map information storage device 11, a control device 12, and a connection device 13 for connecting to a car navigation device shown in FIG.
In the map information supply device according to the first embodiment configured to include: the map information stored in the map information storage device 11 as shown in FIG. In addition, a version number and a degree of importance are added to, and the control device 12 further holds a map update notification level.

The operation of the map information updating system composed of the car navigation device and the map information supply device described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the map information supply device, of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11, map information having an importance level equal to or higher than the map update notification level is updated (step 601). In response to this, the control device 12
A version information transmission notification is transmitted to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 602). In the car navigation device, when the discrimination device 5 receives the version information transmission notification through the connection device 6, it transmits a version information transmission confirmation through the connection device 6 (step 603).

In the map information supply device, the control device 12
Receives the version information transmission confirmation via the connection device 13, reads the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 11, and transmits it to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 604). ). In the car navigation device, the determination device 5 receives the version number information through the connection device 6 (step 60).
5).

When the transmission of the version information is completed in the map information supply device, the control device 12 transmits the completion of the transmission of the version information to the car navigation device through the connection device 13 (step 606). In the car navigation device, when the discrimination device 5 receives the completion of the version information transmission through the connection device 6, the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 and the version information received from the map information supply device are received. Are compared with each other (step 607).

When the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 matches the version information received from the map information supply device, the determination device 5 stores the map information in the map information storage device 1. It is determined that the updated map information is the latest, and the process ends. When the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage device 1 is different from the version information received from the map information supply device, the determination device 5 determines that the map information of the area having the different version is old ( Step 608). The subsequent operation from step 609 to step 615 is as follows.
The operation is the same as the operation from step 102 to step 108 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the map information supply device, when the map update notification level is held in the control device 12 and a map having an importance level higher than the map update notification level is updated. The notification from the map information supply device to the car navigation device has an excellent effect that important maps can be promptly used with the latest map information after being updated in the map information supply device.

In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration using a rewritable storage device as the map information storage device 1 is shown. It is also possible to provide a storage device for storing only the map information (hereinafter referred to as the latest map information storage device), and read out the updated map information from the latest map information storage device.

In each of the above embodiments, the supply of map information may be performed via the Internet. In this case, whether the connection device 6 of the car navigation device 100 has a communication function such as a mobile phone or a PHS,
Alternatively, it has an interface function for connecting to an existing mobile phone or PHS. Map information supply device 11
0 has a function of downloading when the car navigation device 100 requests map information via the Internet.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing the car navigation device with a discrimination device that discriminates that the map information stored in the map information storage device is old, when the discrimination device discriminates that the map information is old, it connects to the map information supply device. Thus, it is possible to always download new map information without being conscious of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the map information updating system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of map information stored in a map information storage device of a car navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the map information updating system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of map information stored in a map information storage device of a car navigation device and a map information supply device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the map information updating system according to the third and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the map information updating system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of map information stored in a map information storage device of a map information supply device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the map information updating system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional car navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 map information storage device 2 current position detection device 3 display device 4 control device 5 determination device 6 connection device 11 map information storage device 12 control device 13 connection device 100 car navigation device 110 map information supply device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09B 29/00 G09B 29/00 Z

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A car navigation device capable of receiving map information from a map information supply device that supplies map information, wherein the map information storage means stores map information, and a position detection means detects a current position. Display means for displaying map information; display control means for displaying map information of the current position detected by the position detection means on the display means; and old and new map information stored in the map information storage means. Determining means for determining whether the map information stored in the map information storage means is old, fetching map information from the map information supply device, and adding the map information to the map information. Updating means for updating the map information in the map information storage means. 2. The map information stored in the map information storage means includes information on an area in which the vehicle can travel, and the determination means includes a current position detected by the position detection means based on the travelable area information. 2. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein when the location is outside the travelable area, the map information stored in the map information storage means is determined to be old information. 3. A version number is added to the map information stored in the map information storage means, and the discriminating means fetches the version number information of the map information from the map information supply device using the connection means. The version information is compared with the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage means. If the version numbers are different, the map information stored in the map information storage means is old information. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made as follows. 4. The map information stored in the map information storage means includes information on an area where the vehicle can travel, and the determination means determines that the current position detected by the position detection means is outside the travelable area. In the case, the version information of the map information is fetched from the map information supply device, and the fetched version information is compared with the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage means. 4. The car navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the map information stored in said map information storage means is determined to be old information. 5. The discriminating means holds information indicating the degree of importance of a map that the user of the car navigation device wants to automatically update. When the version information of the map information is taken from the map information supply device, 5. The car navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the map information supply device specifies the importance of the map, and fetches only version information of the map information having the specified importance or higher. 6. Upon receiving notification of version information of map information from the map information supply device, the determination unit receives the version information of the map information stored in the map information storage unit and the notification from the map information supply device. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the map information is compared with version number information, and if the version numbers are different, it is determined that the map information stored in the map information storage means is old information.
The car navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A map information storage means for storing map information; a connection means for connecting to a car navigation device via an electric communication line; and a map information storage means stored in the map information storage means in response to a request from the car navigation device. Transmitting means for transmitting map information, and a map information supply device. 8. The map information stored in the map information storage means is added with a version number, and the transmission means responds to a request from the car navigation device to store the map information stored in the map information storage means. 8. The map information supply device according to claim 7, wherein version information of the information is transmitted. 9. The map information stored in the map information storage means is assigned a degree of importance, and the transmitting means is configured to transmit the version number added to the map information having a degree of importance equal to or higher than the importance of the map notified from the car navigation device. The map information supply device according to claim 8, wherein only the information is transmitted. 10. The transmission means holds the importance of a map to be notified when the map information is updated, and when the map information having the importance or more is updated, the information is transmitted to the car navigation device via the connection means. 10. The map information supply device according to claim 9, wherein version information of the map information is notified. 11. A car navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a car navigation device according to any one of claims 7 to 1.
0. A map information updating system for a car navigation device, comprising: the map information supply device according to any one of the above items. 12. A recording medium for use in a car navigation device capable of receiving map information from a map information supply device for supplying map information, wherein the map information storage means for storing map information, The computer of a car navigation device comprising: a position detecting means for detecting; a display means for displaying map information; and a computer for controlling each of the position detecting means, the map information storage means and the display means. A display control means for displaying the current position detected by the map together with the map on the display means, a determination means for determining whether the map information stored in the map information storage device is new or old, and the determination means determining that the map information is old. When it is determined, the latest map information is fetched from the map information supply device, and the map information in the map information A recording medium storing a program for functioning as updating means for updating information.