JP2005283880A - Map update device and map update method in navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in which time and cost required for updating map data are increased. <P>SOLUTION: A map update client terminal 200 reads the map data stored in a removable HDD 128 and transmits information to be an object of determination whether it should be updated for each area of the map data to a map update server 300 via a network. The map update server 300 specifies an area to be updated of the map data based on such information and informs the map update client terminal 200 of the specified area. The map update client terminal 200 gives priority for each area and sequentially updates the map data in the removable HDD 128 according to the priority in update of the map data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for updating map data, and more particularly to a map update device for updating map data and a map update method in a navigation device.

  At present, automobile terminals using a GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects a position based on a signal from a satellite, that is, a so-called car navigation device is widely used.

Thus, one of the reasons why car navigation devices have become widespread is that they are equipped with functions that are effective for drivers who are operators. For example, the current car navigation system has a function of providing the driver with map data around the searched destination when the driver searches for a destination based on a telephone number, an address, a facility name, or the like. Some have. Further, in Patent Document 1, when a search condition for a travel route and a travel time zone from a departure place to a destination is set by the driver, an optimal route is provided to the driver based on the search condition. Technology is disclosed.
JP 2004-20339 A

  Car navigation systems have become very multifunctional and easy to use, but roads and facilities are newly constructed or rebuilt, so map data is updated accordingly. It should be. If the map data is not updated, the convenience of the multifunctional car navigation device may be impaired. On the other hand, the map data has become very detailed in order to support a multifunctional car navigation device, and the time and cost required for updating the map data have become a problem. Therefore, a mechanism that can easily update the map data is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to provide a map update device that realizes effective update of map data and a map update method in a navigation device.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a map update device. This device is based on a map based on a history of utilization of the map data derived for each region and a history of utilization of the map data derived for each region. A priority order determining unit that determines the priority order of update for each region of data, and a map data updating unit that updates the map data according to the update priority order determined by the priority order determining unit. Thereby, the effective update of map data is realizable.

  The map update device updates map data used in a mobile object, and the use history deriving unit determines the use based on the number of days traveled by the mobile object and the number of access days to map data for each region. Information related to the history may be derived.

  The map data update unit may confirm with the user whether or not to update the map data from an area where the update priority is high. The priority order determination unit may determine an update priority order for each of road information and non-road information included in the map data. As a result, a highly flexible update can be realized.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a map update method in a navigation device. In this method, when updating map data, priorities are set for each region based on the travel history of the moving body, and the map data are sequentially updated according to the priorities.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively update map data.

  First, an outline of the embodiment will be described. The map updating apparatus according to the embodiment assigns priorities for each region based on the travel history of a moving body such as a vehicle in updating map data, and maps data used for navigation according to the priorities. Update sequentially. Thereby, effective update of map data is realized.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of the navigation device 100. The navigation device 100 is a car navigation device, and guides a user who is a driver to a predetermined destination by displaying map data in a removable HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 128 on a screen. The navigation device 100 includes a GPS receiver 102, a gyroscope 104, a vehicle speed sensor 106, a position detector 108, a real time clock module 110, a display device 112 such as a liquid crystal display, a remote control light receiving unit 114, a removable HDD insertion detection unit 116, and a removable HDD. A slot 118 and a control device 124 are provided. The removable HDD 128 loaded in the removable HDD slot 118 includes a map data holding unit 132, and the map data holding unit 132 holds map data 130. The map data 130 includes area map information to be described later for a plurality of areas, and the area map information can be updated for each area. Here, “update of map data” means that the area map information of at least one area among the area map information of a plurality of areas included in the map data 130 is updated.

  The position detector 108 detects the current position, the traveling direction, and the moving speed based on the data supplied from the GPS receiver 102, the gyroscope 104, and the vehicle speed sensor 106. The real time clock module 110 holds the current date and time. The remote control light receiving unit 114 accepts an instruction to start or end navigation, or search for an address or facility name from a user by using a remote controller (not shown). The removable HDD insertion detection unit 116 detects that the removable HDD 128 is inserted into the removable HDD slot 118.

  The control device 124 includes an area specifying unit 136, a data reading unit 138, a date comparison / determination unit 140, an access day update unit 142, an access date update unit 144, and a display unit 146. The control device 124 can read the map data 130 stored in the map data holding unit 132 when the removable HDD 128 is loaded in the removable HDD slot 118. Hereinafter, reading a predetermined area of the map data 130 may be referred to as accessing the area.

  The area specifying unit 136 acquires the current position detected by the position detector 108, refers to the map data 130 in the removable HDD 128, and specifies an area including the current position. In addition, the user receives a search instruction for a destination facility or the like via the remote control light receiving unit 114, and specifies a region including the facility.

  The data reading unit 138 reads the map data 130 of the area specified by the area specifying unit 136. The date comparison / determination unit 140 determines whether the date of the device use date (hereinafter simply referred to as “today”) supplied from the real-time clock module 110 matches the date of accessing the area. When accessing the area for the first time on the day, the access day update unit 142 adds “1” to the number of access days held in the area map access day field described later. When accessing the area for the first time on the day, the access date update unit 144 updates the access date held in the area map last access date field, which will be described later, to today's date. The display unit 146 displays the map data 130 of the specified area on the display device 112.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of the map data 130. The map data 130 is national map information 400, and has fields of national header information 402 and first to fifth area map information 404a to 404e. The national header information 402 includes fields for national area related information 406 and a national last update date 408. In the national area related information 406, information indicating a correlation between adjacent areas is recorded. The national last update date 408 records the date on which at least one of the first to fifth regional map information 404a to 404e was last updated.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the area map information 404. The area map information 404 has fields of area header information 410, road information 412 and non-road information 414. The area header information 410 has fields of area map definition information 416, area map last update date 418, and area information access history 420. The area information access history 420 includes fields of area map access days 422 and area map last access date 424.

  The road information 412 is network information such as roads and intersections constituting a region, for example. The non-road information 414 is information including, for example, a destination in the area, an address of a facility that can serve as a landmark, a telephone number, and the like.

  The area map definition information 416 includes information such as latitude, longitude, and shape for each area. In the area map last update date 418, the date when the area map information 404 for each area was last updated is recorded.

  In the area map access days 422, the number of access days for accessing the road information 412 or the non-road information 414 is recorded. In the area map last access date 424, the date of the last access to the road information 412 or the non-road information 414 is recorded.

  FIG. 4 shows a processing flow of the navigation device 100 configured as described above. The remote control light receiving unit 114 receives an instruction for starting navigation from the user (S10). The navigation device 100 starts navigation (S12). The removable HDD insertion detection unit 116 detects whether or not the removable HDD 128 is loaded in the removable HDD slot 118. If it is not loaded (N in S14), the navigation is terminated. If it is loaded (Y in S14), the position detector 108 detects the current position (S16), and the control device 124 performs an area map reading process (S18).

  FIG. 5 shows a process flow of the area map reading process. When the user does not use the search function via the remote control light receiving unit 114 (N in S24), the region specifying unit 136 specifies a region including the current position (S26). The data reading unit 138 reads the road information 412 of the area map information 404 of the specified area (S28). When the above-described search function is used (Y in S24), the region including the facility to be searched is specified (S30), and the data reading unit 138 specifies the region specifying unit 136. The non-road information 414 of the local area map information 404 is read (S32). At this time, the road information 412 of the area may be read out.

  The date comparison / determination unit 140 determines whether the area map last access date 424 of the area map information 404 of the read area coincides with today's date read from the real-time clock module 110 (S34). When the date comparison / determination unit 140 determines that the two match (Y in S34), the area map reading process ends. When it is determined that they do not match (N in S34), the access day update unit 142 adds “1” to the access days of the area map access days 422 of the read area map information 404 of the area (S36). The access date update unit 144 updates the date stored in the area map last access date 424 to today's date (S38).

  Returning to FIG. 4, the display unit 146 displays at least one of the read road information 412 or non-road information 414 of the area on the display device 112 (S20). The control device 124 determines whether or not the navigation end instruction has been given by the user via the remote control light receiving unit 114, and when there is no end instruction (N in S22), the processing after the current position detection is repeated. When there is an end instruction (Y in S22), the navigation is ended. The processing flow of the navigation device 100 has been described above.

  FIG. 6 shows a map update system 10 including a map update client terminal 200 and a map update server 300. The map update client terminal 200 is a terminal device such as a personal computer. The map update client terminal 200 is connected to the map update server 300 via the network 12. The map update client terminal 200 can be loaded with a removable HDD 128 that is a rewritable recording medium, and reads and updates the map data recorded in the removable HDD 128. As described above, the removable HDD 128 is loaded into the navigation device 100 and used.

  The network 12 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a communication network that transmits and receives predetermined data according to a communication standard such as TCP / IP.

  The map update client terminal 200 reads map data stored in the removable HDD 128 and sends information to be determined for whether to update for each region to the map update server 300 via the network 12. Based on such information, the map update server 300 identifies an area where the map data should be updated, and notifies the map update client terminal 200 of it. The map update client terminal 200 prioritizes each region in updating map data, and sequentially updates the map data of the removable HDD 128 according to the priority.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration of the map update system 10 including the map update client terminal 200 and the map update server 300. The map update client terminal 200 has a map table setting unit 210 for setting a map table for determining a priority order to be updated for each region, and a map data update for updating the map data 130 based on the map table. Unit 250, real-time clock module 110 that holds the current date and time, control unit 230 that transmits a part of map data 130 in removable HDD 128 to map update server 300 according to an instruction from the user, and map table that holds a map table A holding unit 226 is provided.

  The control unit 230 includes a header information acquisition unit 232, a transmission unit 233, and an instruction reception unit 234. The instruction receiving unit 234 receives a map table setting instruction from the user via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) (not shown). Similarly, an update instruction for the map data 130 is accepted. The header information acquisition unit 232 acquires the national header information 402 of the map data 130 held in the map data holding unit 132 or the regional header information 410 for each region. The transmission unit 233 transmits the information acquired by the header information acquisition unit 232 to the map update server 300 via a network or the like.

  The map update server 300 includes an update instruction unit 310 and a master map data holding unit 302. The master map data holding unit 302 holds the master map data 303, and the data structure is the same as that of the map data 130 except that it does not have the area information access history 420. The update instruction unit 310 includes a header information reading unit 304 and an update determination unit 306. The header information reading unit 304 acquires the national header information 402 of the master map data 303 stored in the master map data holding unit 302 or the regional header information 410 for each region.

  The update determination unit 306 includes the national last update date 408 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “update date D1”) of the national header information 402 of the map data 130 supplied from the control unit 230 and the national header information 402 of the master map data 303. It is determined whether or not to update the map data 130 based on the nationwide last update date 408 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “update date D2”). When the national last update date 408 of the map data 130 is older than the national final update date 408 of the master map data 303, the map data 130 is updated. Similarly, the area map last update date 418 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “update date D3”) of the area header information 410 of the map data 130 supplied from the control unit 230 and the area map last update date 418 of the master map data 303 ( Hereinafter, it is determined whether or not the map data 130 is updated for each region based on “update date D4”. When the area map last update date 418 of the map data 130 is older than the area map last update date 418 of the master map data 303, the map data 130 is updated.

  The map table setting unit 210 sets predetermined various parameters in the map table stored in the map table holding unit 226. The map table setting unit 210 includes a usage history deriving unit 214 and a priority order determining unit 224. The usage history deriving unit 214 includes a flag setting unit 216, a travel day setting unit 218, an access day setting unit 220, and an access rate deriving unit 222.

  The flag setting unit 216 sets “0” or “1” in the latest version flag field of the map table described later. “1” indicates the latest version, and “0” indicates the old version. Similarly, the travel days setting unit 218 similarly sets the number of days (hereinafter simply referred to as “travel days”) between the current date and the area map last update date 418 of the map data 130 in the travel days column of the map table described later. . Similarly, the access days setting unit 220 sets the number of access days for accessing the map data 130 for each region in the access days column of the map table described later.

  The access rate deriving unit 222 derives an access rate based on the number of days traveled and the number of access days, and similarly sets it in the access rate column of the map table described later.

  The access rate is a value obtained by dividing the number of access days by the number of travel days in percentage, and is the frequency of accessing the area. In areas where the access rate is high, that is, areas where the user travels relatively well, the necessity for updating map data is high. On the other hand, in areas where the access rate is low, that is, where the user does not travel relatively, the necessity for updating map data is low. That is, the update of the map data can be made more efficient by preferentially updating the areas that are highly necessary for updating for the user and updating the areas that are not necessary for updating. Furthermore, the update time of the map data can be shortened by updating only the regions where the necessity for updating is high and not updating the regions where the necessity for updating is low. Further, when the billing service is performed according to the update data amount of the map data, the cost can be reduced by not updating the region where the necessity for update is low.

  The priority order determination unit 224 determines the update priority order for each region of the map data 130 based on the access rate. The higher the access rate, the higher the update priority.

  The map data update unit 250 includes a priority order search unit 252, a data update unit 254, an update date setting unit 256, and a reset unit 258. The priority order search unit 252 acquires the map table stored in the map table holding unit 226, searches the area map information 404 in descending order of update priority, and notifies the data update unit 254 of the area. At this time, the map data update unit 250 confirms with the user whether or not to update the map data 130 from an area having a high update priority. The user notifies the map data updating unit 250 whether or not to update via the instruction receiving unit 234.

  For example, in an environment where the time and cost for updating the map data are limited, it is determined that the user does not need to update the low priority area during the process of updating the areas in order from the high priority area. There are things to do. Therefore, it is meaningful to confirm with the user whether or not to update the region in order from the region with the highest priority. Thereby, the effective update of map data is realizable.

  The data update unit 254 acquires the area map definition information 416, the road information 412 and the non-road information 414 corresponding to the area notified by the priority order search unit 252 from the master map data 303, and updates the map data 130 for that part. To do. Further, the map update server 300 obtains the update priority, and updates the update priority by determining whether the update should be performed in consideration of the line speed used by the user and the data amount of the area to be updated. You may go.

  The update date setting unit 256 reads today's date from the real-time clock module 110 and sets the date as the local map last update date 418 in the map data. The reset unit 258 resets the number of access days corresponding to the number of days of access to the local map 422 in the map data.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the map table stored in the map table holding unit 226. The area map information name column 500 holds the name of area map information. Information for specifying area map information such as an identification number may be held. The latest version flag column 502 holds the state of whether the area map information is the latest version or the old version. As described above, “1” means the latest version and “0” means the old version. The travel days column 504 holds the travel days. The access days column 506 holds the access days of the days when the area map information is accessed. As described above, the access rate column 508 holds a value obtained by dividing the number of access days by the number of days traveled in percentage. The update priority column 510 holds the update priority for each region. As illustrated, the higher the access rate, the higher the update priority.

  In the first data 512, the first area map information is an old version, the access rate calculated based on 100 days of travel and 30 days of access is 30%, and the update priority is the first. Indicates that there is. In the second data 514, the second area map information is the latest version and does not need to be updated. Therefore, the travel date, the access date, the access rate, and the update order are not set.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of map table setting processing in the map update system 10. The control unit 230 receives a map table update instruction from the user (S48). The header information acquisition unit 232 refers to the national header information 402 of the map data 130 of the map data holding unit 132 and acquires the update date D1 (S50). The transmission unit 233 sends the update date D1 to the map update server 300. The header information reading unit 304 refers to the national header information 402 of the master map data 303 and acquires the update date D2 (S52). The update determination unit 306 compares the update date D1 and the update date D2 to determine whether or not to update (S54). When the update determination unit 306 determines that the update date D1 is newer than the update date D2 (Y in S54), the update of the map table is terminated. When it is not determined that the update date D1 is newer than the update date D2 (N in S54), it is determined whether or not the update is performed for each region.

  The header information acquisition unit 232 refers to the region header information 410 for each region of the map data 130 in the map data holding unit 132, and acquires the update date D3 (S56). The transmission unit 233 sends the update date D3 to the map update server 300. The header information reading unit 304 refers to the regional header information 410 for each region of the master map data 303 and acquires the update date D4 (S58). The update determination unit 306 compares the update date D3 and the update date D4 to determine whether or not to update (S60). When the update determination unit 306 determines that the update date D3 is newer than the update date D4 (Y in S60), the flag setting unit 216 sets “1” in the latest version flag field 502 (S64). It is determined that the local map data 130 is not updated.

  When the update determination unit 306 does not determine that the update date D3 is newer than the update date D4 (N in S60), the flag setting unit 216 sets “0” in the latest version flag field 502 (S62). It is assumed that the area map information 404 of the area is updated.

  The traveling day setting unit 218 obtains today's date from the real-time clock module 110, calculates the traveling day, and sets it in the traveling day column 504 (S66). The access day setting unit 220 reads the area map access day 422 of the map data held in the map data holding unit 132 and sets it in the access day column 506 (S68). The access rate deriving unit 222 derives the access rate according to the above calculation based on the travel days and the access days, and sets it in the access rate column 508 (S70).

  The update instruction unit 310 determines whether or not the map table has been set for all regions (S72), and when there are regions to be set (N in S72), the processing from S56 is performed. When setting of the map table is completed for all regions (Y in S72), the priority order determination unit 224 determines the update priority for each region of the map data (S74), and sets the priority in the update priority column 510. Set. The flow of map table setting processing in the map update system 10 has been described above.

  FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing for updating the map data 130 in the map update system 10. The priority order search unit 252 first searches the map table for the area map information 404 having the first update priority, and notifies the map update server 300 of the area (S80). The instruction receiving unit 234 receives an instruction relating to the update of the area map information from the user (S82), and when instructed not to update, the update of the map data 130 is terminated (N in S84). When instructed to update (Y in S84), the data update unit 254 acquires the area map definition information 416, road information 412 and non-road information 414 of the master map data 303 corresponding to the area, and maps The data is updated (S86).

  The update date setting unit 256 acquires today's date from the real-time clock module 110 and sets the date as the regional map last update date 418 in the map data 130 (S88). The reset unit 258 resets the area map access days 422 in the map data to “0” (S90). It is determined whether or not the map table has been set for all areas (S92). If there is an area where the map table should be set (N in S92), the map data 130 for the area with the next highest priority is updated. Do. When the setting of the map table is completed for all regions (Y in S92), the update of the map data 130 is terminated. The flow of the update process of the map data 130 in the map update system 10 has been described above.

Example 2
In the first embodiment, the map update client terminal 200 includes the usage history deriving unit 214, the priority order determining unit 224, and the map data updating unit 250. However, in the second embodiment, the map update server 300 includes these configurations. And Thereby, the burden of updating the map data in the map update client terminal 200 can be reduced.

Example 3
In the second embodiment, the map update server 300 includes the usage history deriving unit 214, the priority order determining unit 224, and the map data updating unit 250. However, in the third embodiment, the navigation device 100 includes these configurations. . At this time, a transceiver capable of bidirectional communication is provided inside the navigation device 100. This transceiver is controlled by the control device 124. According to the third embodiment, the user can update the map data based on the priority order through the navigation device while traveling, and the convenience for the user is enhanced.

Example 4
In the first embodiment, the map update client terminal 200 includes the usage history deriving unit 214, the priority order determining unit 224, and the map data updating unit 250. However, each of the navigation device 100, the map update client terminal 200, and the map update server 300 is provided. Shall be provided one by one. In addition, one of the navigation device 100, the map update client terminal 200, and the map update server 300 includes two configurations of the usage history deriving unit 214, the priority order determining unit 224, and the map data updating unit 250, and the other one One has a configuration other than the two configurations described above. As a result, the processing for updating the map data can be distributed, and as a result, the load can be distributed.

Example 5
In the first embodiment, the access days update unit 142 adds “1” to the access days when either the road information 412 or the non-road information 414 is accessed. As the fifth embodiment, the access days update unit 142 sets the access days for each of the road information 412 and the non-road information 414, and updates each access day when each is accessed. At this time, the map table holding unit 226 stores a map table for road information 412 and a map table for non-road information 414. The map table is set by the same processing as in the embodiment. The priority determination unit 224 determines the update priority for each of the road information and the non-road information included in the map data 130. The map data update unit 250 can implement highly flexible map data update by independently updating the map data based on the priorities of the road information and the non-road information.

  The correspondence of the structure which concerns on this invention and an Example is illustrated. The “map update device” corresponds to the navigation device 100, the map update client terminal 200, or the map update server 300, the “use history derivation unit” corresponds to the use history derivation unit 214, and the “priority determination unit” determines the priority order. Corresponding to the unit 224, the “map data updating unit” corresponds to the map data updating unit 250.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment, the navigation apparatus 100 can be loaded with the removable HDD 128. However, as a modification, the navigation apparatus 100 may be loaded with a readable / writable recording medium. At this time, the navigation apparatus 100 is provided with a slot into which the recording medium is loaded and an insertion detection unit that detects that the recording medium is inserted into the slot. Thereby, the same effect in an Example can be enjoyed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of map data. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of area map information. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of an area map read-out process. It is a figure which shows the map update system containing the map update client terminal and map update server which concern on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map update system containing the map update client terminal and map update server which concern on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the map table stored in the map table holding | maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of the setting of the map table in the map update system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process of the update of the map data in the map update system which concerns on Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Navigation apparatus, 130 Map data, 200 Map update client terminal, 214 Usage history derivation part, 224 Priority order determination part, 250 Map data update part, 300 Map update server, 404 Area map information, 412 Road information, 414 Non-road information 422 Area map access days, 504 Travel days column, 506 Access days column, 508 Access rate column, 510 Update priority column.

Claims (5)

A usage history deriving unit for deriving information related to the usage history for each region of the map data for each region;
Based on information related to the use history of map data derived for each region, a priority determining unit that determines the priority of update for each region of map data;
A map data update unit that updates map data according to the update priority determined by the priority determination unit;
A map update device comprising:   The map update device updates map data used in a mobile unit, and the usage history derivation unit is based on the number of days traveled by the mobile unit and the number of access days to map data for each region. The map updating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to the usage history is derived.   The map update device according to claim 1, wherein the map data update unit confirms with the user whether or not to update the map data from an area where the update priority is high.   The map update apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the priority determination unit determines the update priority for each of road information and non-road information included in the map data. .   A map update method in a navigation device, wherein, in updating map data, priorities are assigned to each region based on a travel history of a moving body, and the map data is sequentially updated according to the priorities.

Images