JP2003296348A - Information distribution server device and information distribution server program, terminal device and terminal program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] The present invention is suitable for a driving situation and an activity range of a user according to traveling frequency information generated based on a traveling situation and an activity range of a vehicle used by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information distribution server device, a terminal device, and a program that can extract update data including the quality and quantity of updated information and supply the extracted update data to users. In an information distribution server device for transmitting map information to a terminal device, a base data updating means for updating a map information DB in which the map information is stored in advance; Update information DB1g stored as district information and district frequency information,
Coarse / fine level calculating means 1 for calculating a fine / fine level based on traveling frequency information included in distribution request information from the terminal device
e, search processing means 1f for reading update data corresponding to the calculated coarse / fine level from the update information DB, and transmission / reception means 1c for transmitting the search result to the requesting terminal device
By solving the above problem, the above problem is solved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map information distribution system and map for distributing update data of updated basic data from a distribution center to a fixed or mobile terminal device that stores navigation basic data. The present invention relates to an information distribution program, a map information distribution device, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, map information (base data) is used in navigation using a fixed or mobile terminal device.
Or a CD that stores information such as value-added information
Based on a recording medium such as a ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a hard disk and the current position information detected by using an artificial satellite or the like, map information around the current position is output from the recording medium on the display screen and input or set. GPS (Global Point) to guide you to the selected destination
ing system).

A recording medium storing the above-mentioned map information or information such as value-added information is a CD-ROM or a DV as map information for the whole country or each district in advance.
It is stored in a D-ROM or the like and provided by a third party who distributes map information and the like. After that, if information such as city roads, main roads, bridges, tunnels, shops, resorts, etc. included in the provided map information is changed or corrected,
The user purchases a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM that includes updated data and is newly provided as a version upgrade version from the distribution side. Alternatively, a distribution center (Web server or the like) on the distribution side that manages map information such as update data is accessed and desired update data is selected and downloaded.

On the other hand, the distribution side which supplies the above map information,
By permitting access to a distribution center that distributes map information or update data, users are allowed to download corresponding map information or update data, or map information or update data is supplied. The map information or update data required by the user can be sent to a new CD-ROM or D by notifying the distributor of the information by telephone, FAX, or postcard.
It was stored in a storage medium such as a VD-ROM and supplied.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method of supplying map information or update data, the user must know the map information or the update data and that there is newly updated data.
Or, if it is not notified, the update status of the map information is unknown. Therefore, the user himself / herself obtains the map information already obtained by referring to the homepage provided by the distribution side operated by the provider of the map information at predetermined intervals, or by receiving the notice such as FAX and postcards. I had no choice but to know that there were new updates, etc.

[0006] In order to update the map information stored in the terminal device of the user, the user carries out a series of operations such as selection of update data or acquisition of update data. It sometimes took time to operate, or it took time to perform work related to updating.

Further, the types and types of update data provided from the map information distribution side are created and supplied in a unified manner to all users. Considering this, they are not created or supplied individually. Therefore, it also includes update data regarding a place that the user has never visited or a place that the user has not used. Such update data is supplied as update data although it is not useful for some users. On the other hand, for places where users frequently use and want more detailed information, as mentioned above, update data is created uniformly for all users, so it is recommended Even if there is, more detailed update data is not included.

Therefore, the update data also includes update data that the user does not necessarily want or need, and the time required for downloading the data is long by the amount of the update data. On the other hand, even if the user wants more detailed information, the updated map information cannot be used effectively because the detailed information about the area is not included in the updated data. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the optimum update data according to the basic data of the map information stored by the user and the information such as the traveling condition of the user or the action range. An object of the present invention is to provide a distribution center and a terminal device that can extract and supply update data including the quality and quantity of the data.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information distribution server device for transmitting map information to a terminal device, wherein the map information is stored in a map information database in which the map information is stored in advance. Basic data updating means for updating the basic data constituting the update data, an update information database for storing the update data of the update portion with update identification information, update area information, and area frequency information added, and update data from the terminal device. Corresponding to the distribution request information, the coarse / fine level calculating means for calculating a predetermined coarse / fine level based on the traveling frequency information contained in the distribution request information, and the update data corresponding to the calculated coarse / fine level in the update information database. A search processing unit for reading the search result and a transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting the search result to the requesting terminal device are provided.

According to this means, map information is stored in advance in the map information database, which is composed of basic data having a predetermined scale (display magnification) such as prefectures and municipalities. When a third party or the like who manages the map information updates the basic data in a predetermined manner, the update data is added with the update identification information, the updated area information, and the area frequency information and stored in the updated information database. afterwards,
The coarse / fine level is calculated based on the traveling frequency information included in the distribution request information from the user's terminal device, the update data according to the calculated coarse / fine level is read from the update information database, and the result is the requesting terminal. Sent to the device.

In addition, in a plurality of terminal devices that receive map information from the information distribution server device, the travel frequency for each predetermined area is calculated based on the basic data forming the map information and the travel history information of the user. A frequency calculation unit,
It is characterized in that a distribution information generating means for generating distribution request information including at least the calculated traveling frequency information and user information, and a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting the distribution request information to the information distribution server device are provided.

With this means, the terminal device calculates the traveling frequency for each district in which the user has traveled, based on the basic data that has already been stored in the map information and the traveling history information of the user. Here, the district may be an action range in which the user travels and has a certain group. As a result, the user's action range and running condition can be specified. As a result, there is too much travel in a district,
On the other hand, data that identifies that there is no traveling in other areas is calculated as traveling frequency information. This traveling frequency information is collected when traveling is started with the terminal device powered on, and when the operation is finished, collection is stopped and the traveling frequency information is calculated from the traveling state such as the action range, stop time and place. May be calculated.
Alternatively, with the terminal device newly turned on,
A predetermined distribution request information may be generated based on the recorded traveling frequency information and user information, and may be transmitted to the information distribution server device as the distribution request information at a certain timing. The transmission request information may be generated before the main power supply of the terminal device is terminated and transmitted to a predetermined information distribution server device.

Further, it is characterized by further comprising update data storage means for storing the update data received according to the result of the transmission, and display processing means for displaying the updated portion together with the basic data.

According to this means, the update data of the basic data received by the terminal device of the user as a result of transmitting the distribution request information to the information distribution center device is stored in the update data storage section provided in the terminal device. . The stored update data is characterized by further including display processing means displayed on the display screen provided in the terminal device together with the already stored basic data.

In addition to the above information distribution server device and terminal device, the present invention can also take other aspects such as an information distribution server program and terminal program, or a recording medium.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an information providing server device and a terminal device will be described as embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the information distribution server device according to the embodiment, and shows the configuration of the information distribution server device that provides basic data or update data to a mobile terminal.

In this figure, the information distribution server device 1
Includes a data processing unit 1d, controls the entire server device, and individually communicates with terminal devices provided in a large number of mobile units using the transmission / reception unit 1c. Then, when the update information is supplied in response to the distribution request request from the mobile body, the created update data is transmitted to the terminal device 4 via the network 3 and the base station 2.

The receiving means 1a receives update data from a third party to which map information including basic data is applicable. Here, the update data is traffic information corresponding to the basic data,
It is information such as road information, public information, store information, and the like, and in addition to information such as changes or corrections to the stored basic data, it may be value-added data, and such information is accepted. The base data update unit 1b associates the base data stored in advance with the district information of the predetermined update data. Further, the latest basic data stored in the storage device 1h is used to edit the update data to be actually sent to the terminal device. A transmission file is created by this processing. The transmission / reception unit 1c individually transmits / receives update data and the like to / from many terminal devices. When the update data is received, the data processing unit 1d stores the received update data in the update information database 1g, calculates the coarse / fine level according to the distribution request information from the user, and calculates the coarse / fine level. The presence or absence of update information according to the level is searched, and the search result is transmitted to the user. The coarse / fine level calculation unit 1e calculates a predetermined coarse / fine level according to the distribution request information of the update data from the terminal device, based on the traveling frequency information included in the distribution request information. The search processing unit 1f reads the update data corresponding to the calculated coarse / fine level from the update information database. The update information database 1g stores update data for basic data. That is, in addition to existing road and facility information, roads newly created by construction, roads that have changed shape, road conditions such as road closures and detours, newly opened stores and other latest information (latest related information Etc.). In addition, the data format of the update data includes, for example, a type flag indicating the type of update data, update date and time, update content, district information, and the like. The map information database 1h stores data that is the basis of map information. Here, basic data corresponding to a plurality of scales or magnifications of each district is stored as map information. When the latest version of the basic data is stored, the same map information up to that point may be overwritten.

Next, the basic data update processing characteristic of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, the target area for updating the basic data is determined based on the history information related to the user's past (for example, the previous day or within a certain period of time) travel history. At this time, the coarse / fine level is determined based on the traveling frequency information for each district and the user information with respect to the basic data received from the user's terminal device. Then, depending on the determined coarseness level, the update data further including or not including the map information of each district of a predetermined scale or magnification is generated and provided to the user. Further, here, based on the time and position of the vehicle stopped by the user on the previous day or within a certain period in the past, it is stored as traveling history information regarding the user's action range and traveling condition. For example, the traveling state (starting and stopping, position information) for every certain distance or every certain time is stored. The position information of the vehicle is detected by the function provided in the terminal device described later. Then, the position information of the vehicle at a certain fixed distance or a fixed time is stored in the data storage unit according to an instruction from the data processing unit in the terminal device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the terminal device according to the embodiment, showing the configuration of the terminal device 4 which receives the provision of update data transmitted from the information distribution server device via the base station 2. There is.

That is, the input unit 4 for inputting the distribution request information requested to the information distribution server device 1 and the information such as the destination and the traveling information from various sensors provided in the vehicle.
a. The GPS unit 4 which receives the radio wave received from the GPS artificial satellite and detects the current position of the terminal device according to the principle of satellite navigation.
b, a transmission / reception unit 4c that transmits the input distribution request information to the host system 2 via the base station 4, a search process for a route to a set destination, and a distribution request for the latest update data Data processing that performs processing or calculation processing of driving frequency for each district based on basic data that constitutes map information and user's driving history information, and processing of generating distribution request information including the calculated driving frequency information and user information The section 4d, the display processing section 4e for displaying the basic data and the updated data, etc. as a visualized map, and the basic data at the current position detected by the GPS section 4b are stored in the CD? It is composed of an external storage unit 4f read out from a recording medium such as a ROM or a DVD, and a data storage unit 4g storing basic data and update data received from the information distribution center 1 or other related information. The data storage unit 4g stores programs and data required for navigation processing. Update data and other information are also stored in the data storage unit 4g.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of coarse / fine information in which the number of plots, the coarse / fine level, and the map scale stored in the map information database 1h shown in FIG. 1 are associated with each other. Note that this coarse and fine information is associated with a coarse and fine level according to the number of plot points included in a region divided by a mesh described later, and further with a map scale of basic data or update data corresponding to the coarse and fine level. It is assumed to be stored in the information database 1h.

In this example, as the item information included in the coarse / fine information, the number of plot points, the coarse / fine level, and the map scale are shown as the items. The coarse and fine levels are associated with each other according to the size of the plot points, and the standard and coarse are determined from the details of the provided basic data and update data. For example, the number of plot points of the coarse and fine information of No. 1 on the first line is “11 or more”, which indicates that the number of plot points of a certain area is large and the area is frequently used. The coarse / fine level in this case is "A", which indicates that the level is high. The map scale is “+2”, which is shown to provide more detailed base data and updated data. Continued No
The same applies to “2” to “5”, and No. on the fourth line
The number of plots of coarse and fine information of "4" is "2 or less",
It is shown that the number of plot points in a certain area is small and the area is not frequently used. The coarse / fine level in this case is “D”, which indicates that the level is low. The map scale is "-1", indicating that the basic data and update data associated with this area will not be provided.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the provision information stored in the map information database 1h shown in FIG. 1 and the provision information in which each coarseness level is associated with each other. Note that this provided information is information about districts separated by meshes, which will be described later, and is traffic information that is traffic information, road information that is road information, public information that is public information, stores that are stores or products, etc. It is assumed that information and the like are associated and stored in the map information database 1h.

In this example, the correspondence between the provided information provided to the user and the coarse and fine levels A to D are shown. Information to be provided is determined according to the level of coarseness determined according to the magnitude of the above-mentioned plot score. For example, it is shown that the “traffic information” of the provided information of No. “1” on the first line is provided when the coarse / fine level is “A” to “C”. It is shown that the "road information" of the provided information of No. "2" in the next second line is provided when the coarse / fine level is "A" to "D". That is, this “road information” indicates that it is information provided at all coarse and fine levels. No. on the next third line
It is shown that the "public information" of the provided information of "3" is provided when the coarse and fine levels are "A" and "B". That is, this "public information" is not information provided at all coarse levels, but is provided to coarse level "B", that is, information provided to users who have a plot score of "6 to 10". It indicates that there is. It is shown that the “store information” of the provided information of No. “4” on the fourth line that follows is provided only when the coarse / fine level is “A”. That is, this "store information"
Is information provided only at a limited coarse level, and the coarse level "A", that is, the plot score is "1".
It indicates that the information is provided only to users having a frequency of "1 or more". Therefore, more detailed information including the store in the area and product information or bargain information handled by the store is provided as update data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of travel history information in which plot points for each predetermined time zone are associated with each action range of the user stored in the data storage unit 4g shown in FIG. . The travel history information is travel history information regarding the number of plot points in a predetermined time zone in each area divided by a mesh to be described later, and the total sum of the number of plot points in each time zone is stored in the data storage unit 4g as traveling frequency information. It is assumed to be remembered.

In this example, a plurality of time zones are assigned to each predetermined area, the number of plot points for each time zone is stored, and the stored total number of plots in a day in the area is stored. . In addition, regarding the district, the plot points for each district are to be collected as traveling history information at predetermined time zones based on basic data described later. That is, the district information “A” of No. “1” on the first line
“1” indicates that the plot score is “0” in the time zone “0:00 to 6:00”, the plot score is “0” in the time period “6:00 to 12:00”, and the plot score is “12:01 to 18:00”. The number of plot points is "0", "18:01 to 24: 0"
This indicates that the travel history information has a plot score of "0" at "0", and that the travel frequency information has a total (total number of plots) of "0".
That is, as the traveling frequency information of the area “A1”,
It is indicated that the date and time is an area where the vehicle is not driven. District information “A” of No. “2” on the second line that follows
“2” indicates that the plot score is “0” in the time zone “0:00 to 6:00”, the plot score is “3” in “6:00 to 12:00”, and the plot score is “12:00 to 18:00”. The number of plot points is "3", "18:01 to 24: 0"
It is shown that it is the travel history information in which the number of plots in "0" is "0", and that it is the travel frequency information in which the total (total number of plots) is "6".
Similarly, the traveling history information and the traveling frequency information of the above items are stored in the data storage unit 4g for Nos. "3" to "49" of the traveling frequency information thereafter.

The traveling frequency information stored here is collected by various sensors provided in the vehicle and detected by the input unit 4a as input information such as traveling history information. And
Based on the basic data forming the map information and the user's travel history information, it is stored as travel history information of each predetermined time zone in each of "A1" to "G7". The total sum of the collected travel history information for each district is calculated as travel frequency information and stored in the data storage unit 4g in association with a predetermined time zone of the district information. In addition, the calculated traveling frequency information and user information are generated as distribution request information and are stored in the data storage unit 4g in association with the district information. The process of collecting the travel history information and the process of calculating the travel frequency information are processed by the data processing unit 4d. Then, the distribution request information is transmitted to the information distribution server device by the transmission / reception unit 1c at a predetermined timing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of update data for the basic data stored in the update information database 1g shown in FIG. It should be noted that this update data is associated with the type of updated information, the update date and time, the update content, the district information, and the coordinate information, in association with each other,
stored in g.

In this example, a third party or the like who manages the map information updates the basic data in a predetermined manner, the corresponding update data is transmitted, and the reception means 1a shown in FIG. 1 receives the update data. The received update data is subjected to predetermined registration processing in the data processing unit 1d, and then stored in the update information database 1g. For example, the type of update data of No. “1” in the first row is “traffic”, and the update date and time is “2002/03”.
/ 01 10:00 ", the updated content is" Closing ", the district information is" A5 ", and the coordinate information is" (a
, B1) (a2, b2) ". The type of update data for No. “2” in the next second line is “traffic”, and the update date and time is “2002/03/01”.
8:05 ”, the update content is“ detour ”, the district information is“ D2 ”, and the coordinate information of the update data is“ (a
3, b3) (a3, b3) ". Similarly, for the subsequent update data Nos. "3" to "6", the update data of the above items are stored in the update information database 1g.

Here, the type of update data stored in the update information database 1g is information provided according to the above-mentioned coarseness level, and the type of update data is "traffic".
In this case, the traffic information is provided when the coarseness level is "A", "B" and "C". At that time, the update data is provided according to the user information including the traveling frequency information and the transmission request date and time information included in the distribution request information from the user's terminal device, based on the registered update date and time and district information. The Rukoto. That is, in an area where the frequency of use by users is low, the coarseness level is low, and thus update information having low relevance is not provided. On the other hand, if the area is frequently used by users, the coarseness level is high, so that the relevant update information is provided. Regarding the timing of providing the update data, the date and time information included in the distribution request information from the user's terminal device is compared with the information on the update date and time when the update data was received, and only the latest update data of the relevant district information is obtained. It will be provided to the user.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. In the following, in the plurality of terminal devices 4 that receive the map information from the information distribution server device 1, the input unit 4 is used.
The input information collected from various sensors provided in the vehicle, input from a, the current position detected by the GPS unit 4b, the basic data which is the map information stored in the external storage unit 4f, and the data storage unit 4g. Based on the updated data and the like, the data processing unit 4d displays the basic data and the updated data as a visualized map, and also based on the basic data that constitutes the map information and the collected travel history information of the user. An example will be described in which the traveling frequency for each predetermined area is calculated, the distribution request information is generated from the calculated traveling frequency information and the user information, and the distribution request information is transmitted to the information distribution server device 1. .

FIG. 7 is an example of basic data and update data displayed on the display processing unit 4e of the terminal device 4. By the data processing unit 4d of the user's terminal device 4, basic data which is map information stored in the external storage unit 4f, update data stored in the data storage unit 4g, and the input unit 4
Based on the input information collected by the various sensors provided in the vehicle input to a and the current position detected by the GPS unit 4b, the data processing unit 4d displays the basic data and the update data as a visualized map. The current position of the terminal device is displayed on the display processing unit 4e.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the map displayed by the display processing unit 4e is internally diagonally 1 on the horizontal axis.
.About.7, the vertical axis is divided by a mesh consisting of the ranges A to G, and each range is identified as each district information. The range delimited by the district information is further associated with the corresponding latitude and longitude, and the position information of the user's vehicle collected by the input unit 4a and the GPS unit 4b is traveled as shown in FIG. The time information is added as history information and stored in the data storage unit 4g. Further, at this time, the update data, which is information provided by the terminal device 4 according to the coarse / fine level that has already been received from the information distribution server device 1, is also displayed.

FIG. 8 is an example showing the traveling history information regarding the vehicle of the user, which is sequentially recorded in the display processing unit 4e of the terminal device 4. In this example, a two-dimensional mesh of basic data is used. The horizontal axis of the map of the entire basic data is 1
7, the vertical axis is divided into two-dimensional meshes A to G.
Then, the two-dimensional mesh to which the vehicle position belongs is selected for each certain time zone, and the vehicle position (plot point) in each selected mesh is set as the storage area of the area. As a result, the relationship between the districts with relatively high driving frequency and the districts with relatively low driving frequency is known. Then, the terminal device 4 calculates the traveling frequency information for each district based on the traveling history information and transmits the traveling frequency information to the information distribution center, so that the terminal device 4 responds to the action range and traveling situation of the vehicle of the user, that is, the utilization. It is possible to receive update data with an appropriate range and delivery amount, and it is possible to set optimum update data according to the user's action range and running state.

Now, the information distribution server device 1 receives the distribution request information including the traveling frequency information and the user information from the user's terminal device 4 at a predetermined timing by the transmission / reception unit 1c, and the received distribution request information. The coarse level calculating unit 1e calculates the coarse level based on the above, the update data adapted to the information level is read from the update information DB 1g by the search processing unit 1f, and the search result including the read update data is obtained from the request source. The case of transmitting to the terminal device 4 will be described as an example.

Here, the information distribution server device 1 calculates the coarse / fine level for detecting the update data to be provided, from the total plot number of the traveling frequency information in each district received from the terminal device 4 as described above. The calculation of the coarse / fine level will be described in more detail by taking the case of the district information “B2” as an example. The district information “B2” is No in FIG.
As indicated by "9", the traveling frequency information, which is the sum of the traveling history information, is "23", and based on the traveling frequency information "23" in this district information "B2", the coarse / fine level shown in FIG. And a map measure of the updated data provided is required. In this example, since the number of plot points is "23", the coarse / fine level is "A" and the map scale is "+2".
Therefore, the map data of a more detailed scale is provided than the map scale provided standardly (coarse level is “standard”).

Then, the type of the provided information shown in FIG. 4 is determined based on the coarse / fine level “A”. In this example, since the coarseness level is "A", "traffic information", "road information", "public information", and "store information" are
This is the type of update data provided to the user. afterwards,
The update data corresponding to the type of update data is the update information DB
The search processing unit 1f processes a search as to whether it is stored in 1g. Here, in the update information DB 1g, as described above, the update data as shown in FIG. 6 is stored with the update date and time. Therefore, the date and time information included in the delivery request information from the user is determined, and only the latest update data corresponding to the coarse level is read from the update information DB 1g among the information associated with the type of update data to be provided. Becomes In this example, the coarseness level is “A”, and the information of the update data provided is the update data indicated by “traffic information”, “road information”, “public information”, and “store information”. Furthermore, the target update date and time of the update data provided to the user is “2002/03/01”.
It is indicated that the update data regarding the district information “B2” is the update data of Nos. “1” and “3” if the update data is “0:01” or later. The update data read out here is transmitted to the user by the transmitting / receiving unit 1c as update data that is the result of the search.

Then, in the terminal device 4 of the user, the transmission / reception unit 4c receives the update data, and the received update data is stored in the data storage unit 4g. After that, the corresponding update data is read along with the reading process of the basic data, and is displayed by the display processing unit 4e on a display or the like not shown.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the updated portion of the update data read from the update data storage unit 4g for storing the update data received as a result of the transmission is displayed together with the basic data stored in the external storage unit 4f. Is shown. In this example, No. “1” and No in FIG. 6 are set as detailed update data together with the basic data in the district information “B2”.
Update data 13 “New Year sale” associated with “3”
“Currently being held” and the update data 14 “closed road mark” are displayed on the display 12. Also, the scale of the map will be displayed at a scale higher than the standard.

Finally, an example of a flow chart for realizing the operations of the terminal device 4 and the information distribution server device 1 in the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 shows that the user terminal device 4 calculates traveling frequency information based on the collected traveling history information, and generates distribution request information including the calculated traveling frequency information and user information. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for transmitting the generated distribution request information to the information distribution server device 1. When this flowchart is started, the following processing will be executed.

[S1] The input unit 4a causes the data storage unit 4g to sequentially store the traveling condition for each predetermined time zone as a plot score based on the traveling information and the basic data collected from various sensors provided in the vehicle. . (See Figure 5)
The plot score stored for each district is collected as a plot score by identifying that the vehicle was stopped for a certain period of time, and associating the number of times of the stop with each time zone.

[S2] The data processing unit 4d has the input unit 4a.
Based on the information from, or the operation status of the terminal device 4,
It is determined whether the navigation operation has been completed. As a result of the determination, the travel information and GPS collected by the input unit 4a
When it is determined that the vehicle is still in the traveling state based on the position information and the like collected by the unit 4b, the process returns to step S1 to continue collecting the traveling history information for each time zone in each district. In other cases, it is determined that the traveling has ended, and the process proceeds to step S3 to execute the traveling frequency information generation processing.

[S3] The data processing unit 4d proceeds to step S
The total sum of plot points for each time zone in each area is calculated as the total number of plots in the area based on the traveling history information for each time zone, which is collected in 2 and stored in the data storage section 4g, and the data storage section 4 g of each district information is stored in association with each other.

[S4] The data processing unit 4d proceeds to step S
Distribution request information with the total number of plots in each district stored in 3 and identification information (user information, basic data identification information, etc.) regarding the user who uses the terminal device, and date and time information provided in the terminal device 4 or the vehicle. Is generated.

[S5] The transmission / reception unit 4c transmits the transmission request information generated in step S4 to the information distribution server device 1 registered in the user's terminal device, and ends the transmission request information transmission process.

According to the above-mentioned processing, the above-mentioned function is shown in FIG.
It can be provided by the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the update data acceptance process of the information distribution server device 1 according to the embodiment. When this flowchart is started, the following processing will be executed.

[S10] The accepting means 1a accepts update data corresponding to the map information database 1h from a third party who manages map information and other additional information related to the update data. Here, update data means traffic information related to road closure or detour information, road information related to the opening of new roads, bridges, tunnels, etc., public information related to road construction, stores included in basic data, etc. Store information related to newly opened stores and bargain information.

[S11] The data processing unit 1d stores the basic data corresponding to the update data input in step S10 and other information about the basic data in the map information database 1h, or updates the data. It is determined whether other information regarding the update data is already stored in the update information database 1g. The basic data corresponding to the input update data, and other information about the basic data, or when the update data and other information about the update data exist, the process proceeds to step S13, and the updated part information Is added as related information. In other cases, the process proceeds to step S12 and is stored in the update information database 1g as new update data.

[S12] The basic data updating unit 1b determines whether new items of data including "type", "update date / time", "update contents", and "district information" according to the result of the determination in step S11. Correspond.

[S13] Based on the result of the determination in step S11, the basic data updating section 1b determines whether the basic data or the updated data already stored, or other information related to each of these data, It causes the information to be updated to be overwritten, modified, or added with related information.

[S14] The data processing unit 1d uses the data and information updated in steps S12 and S13 as "type", "update date and time", "update content", and "district information" as shown in FIG. Are sequentially stored in association with the item consisting of ".

[S15] The data processing unit 1d determines whether or not all of the updated data received in step S10 have been processed. If there is unprocessed updated data, the process returns to step S11 to accept. It is determined whether or not the basic data corresponding to the updated data thus obtained exists. If there is no unprocessed update data, the process ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the delivery request information acceptance process of the information delivery server device 1 in the embodiment. When this flowchart is started, the following processing will be executed.

[S20] The acceptance unit 1a accepts the distribution request information transmitted from the terminal device 4 at a predetermined timing.

[S21] The data processing unit 1d causes the traveling frequency information in each district included in the basic data to be extracted from the received distribution request information.

[S22] The coarse / fine level calculating section 1e, based on the total number of plots, which is the traveling frequency information of each district extracted in step S21, corresponds to the coarse / fine level "A".
The map scale or magnification relating to “D” and the map information to be provided is determined. (See FIG. 3) [S23] The coarse / fine level calculation unit 1e determines whether the coarse / fine levels have been set for all district information of the basic data included in the traveling frequency information, and the unprocessed district information is If it exists, the process returns to step S22, and the coarse / fine level setting process is performed on the remaining travel frequency information. In other cases, the process proceeds to step 25, and the update data stored in the update information database 1g is read.

[S24] The data processing unit 1d instructs the search processing unit 1f to read the update data corresponding to the coarseness level in each area based on the provision information and the information on the coarseness level shown in FIG. Database 1
read from g. At that time, the date / time information included in the distribution request information is compared with the update date of the update data shown in FIG. 6, and the update data after the date / time information included in the distribution request information is read.

[S25] The data processing unit 1d determines whether or not the update information database 1g stores update data of an area corresponding to an area with high traveling frequency.
If the update data of the corresponding area is not stored, the process is terminated, and if the update data of the corresponding area is stored, the process proceeds to step S26, and the process of determining the next coarseness level is performed.

[S26] The data processing unit 1d determines whether or not the update data including the corresponding district information is of the type corresponding to the coarseness level. This determination is made on the basis of the information provided and the information of each coarse / fine level shown in FIG. 4, and if the update data corresponding to the coarse / fine level is not stored, the process is terminated and the update data of the corresponding coarse / fine level is obtained. If is stored, the process proceeds to step S27, and if there is unprocessed update data,
Returning to step S24, unprocessed update data is read. In other cases, the update data is transmitted to the terminal device 4 of the user.

[S27] The transmitter / receiver 1c operates in step S2.
The update data extracted in 6 is transmitted to the terminal device that requested the distribution request information, and the process ends.

According to the above processing, the above-mentioned function can be realized by
It can be provided by the embodiment shown in FIG.

Finally, the above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In that case, the processing contents of the functions that the information distribution server device and the terminal device should have are
It is described in a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and by executing this program on a computer, the above processing is realized by the computer. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic recording devices and semiconductor memories. When distributing to the market, CD? ROM (Compact Disk Read
Only Memory) or floppy (registered trademark) disks, etc., to store and distribute the program in a portable recording medium,
It can be stored in a storage device of a computer connected via a network and transferred to another computer via the network. When the program is executed by the computer, the program is stored in a hard disk device or the like in the computer, loaded into the main memory and executed.

(Supplementary Note 1) In the information distribution server device for transmitting map information to the terminal device, basic data updating means for updating basic data constituting the map information in the map information database in which the map information is stored in advance, An update information database that stores the update data of the update portion by adding update identification information, update district information, and district frequency information, and the delivery request information according to the delivery request information of the update data from the terminal device. A coarse / fine level calculating means for calculating a predetermined coarse / fine level based on the included traveling frequency information, a search processing means for reading update data corresponding to the calculated coarse / fine level from the update information database, and a request for the search result. An information distribution server device, comprising: a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting to the original terminal device.

(Supplementary Note 2) In a plurality of terminal devices that receive map information from the information distribution server device, the travel frequency for each predetermined area is calculated based on the basic data forming the map information and the travel history information of the user. And a transmission / reception unit that transmits the distribution request information to the information distribution server device. A terminal device characterized by the above.

(Additional remark 3) An additional data storage means for storing the updated data received according to the result of the transmission, and a display processing means for displaying the updated portion together with the basic data are added. The terminal device described.

(Supplementary Note 4) An information distribution server program for transmitting map information to a terminal device, which is a basic data update function for updating basic data constituting the map information in a map information database in which the map information is stored in advance. And an update information database function for storing the update data of the update portion with update identification information, update district information, and district frequency information stored therein, and distribution of the update data from the terminal device according to the distribution request information. A coarse / fine level calculating function for calculating a predetermined coarse / fine level on the basis of traveling frequency information included in the request information; a search processing function for reading update data according to the calculated coarse / fine level from the update information database function; An information distribution server program for realizing a computer with a transmission / reception function of transmitting a search result to a requesting terminal device. .

(Supplementary Note 5) A plurality of terminal programs for receiving map information from the information distribution server device, wherein the traveling frequency for each predetermined area is based on the basic data constituting the map information and the traveling history information of the user. A travel frequency calculation function, a distribution information generation function for generating distribution request information including at least the calculated travel frequency information and user information, and a transmission / reception function for transmitting the distribution request information to the information distribution server device. A terminal program that makes a computer realize.

(Additional remark 6) The additional remark 5 for causing the computer to realize an update data storage function for storing the update data received as a result of the transmission and a display processing function for displaying the updated portion together with the basic data. Terminal program.

[0073]

As described above in detail, the map information distribution system including the information distribution server device and the plurality of terminal devices according to the present invention has a function of turning on / off the power of the terminal device.
An inquiry for update data is automatically made at any timing of turning off or starting / ending of the navigation function. Therefore, even if you do not know the update status of the map information, the necessary update data does not require the user's troublesome operation, and it takes time to enter the update data.
Alternatively, the work related to updating is simplified and shortened.

Further, since the update data to be provided is determined according to the history information that the user has traveled, it is possible to obtain the update data of the optimum data amount and the appropriate area, type and scale, and the updated map. It becomes possible to utilize information effectively.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information distribution server device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a definition example regarding coarse and fine information according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a definition example regarding provision information and a coarse / fine level in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a case diagram relating to traveling history information in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a case diagram regarding update data in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a case diagram of a basic data screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a case diagram of a travel history screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process of collecting travel history information according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of update data reception processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of update data extraction processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a case diagram of a display screen of update data according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Information distribution server device 1a Reception means 1b Infrastructure data update unit 1c Transceiver 1d Data processing unit 1e Coarse level calculation unit 1f Search processing unit 1g Update information database 1h Map information database 2 base stations 3 network 4-1-2 Terminal device 11-12 Map information display screen

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G08G 1/137 G08G 1/137 G09B 29/00 G09B 29/00 A 29/10 29/10 A F term ( Reference) 2C032 HB11 HB22 HC08 HC30 HD03 HD26 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC02 AC06 AC14 AC17 AC20 5B075 KK07 ND06 NR02 NR20 PQ05 UU14 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB05 BB13 BB15 FF05 FF22 FF27 FF32

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information distribution server device for transmitting map information to a terminal device, and basic data updating means for updating basic data constituting the map information in a map information database in which the map information is stored in advance; An update information database that stores partial update data with update identification information, update district information, and district frequency information stored therein, and is included in the delivery request information according to the delivery request information of the update data from the terminal device. A coarse / fine level calculating means for calculating a predetermined coarse / fine level on the basis of traveling frequency information, a search processing means for reading update data corresponding to the calculated coarse / fine level from the update information database, and a search result as a request source. An information distribution server device, comprising: a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting to a terminal device. 2. A plurality of terminal devices for receiving map information from an information distribution server device, wherein a travel frequency for each predetermined area is calculated based on basic data constituting the map information and user's travel history information. A frequency calculation unit; a distribution information generation unit that generates distribution request information including at least the calculated traveling frequency information and user information; and a transmission / reception unit that transmits the distribution request information to the information distribution server device. Characterized terminal device. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising update data storage means for storing update data received according to the result of the transmission, and display processing means for displaying the updated portion together with the basic data. Terminal equipment.