JP2011163951A - Navigation device and navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time required before starting guidance of a vehicle in difference update of map data. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation device 1 receives and acquires with a communication terminal 2 updating map data distributed by a distribution server. On the basis of the updating map data, map data remaining stored in an HDD 13 is partially updated. On this occasion, update of the map data with respect to roads being objects of update relevant to a route is performed by having priority to update of the map data with respect to other objects of update irrelevant to a recommended route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and a navigation system having the navigation device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device that receives updated map data from a server or the like and updates the difference of the map data is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-165639 A

  The time required for the difference update of the map data as described above varies depending on the amount of the update map data, and when the data amount is large, it may take several minutes to several tens of minutes. Therefore, if the difference update of the map data is started before the vehicle starts to travel or during the travel, the map data cannot be used until this is completed, and thus the vehicle cannot be guided. Under such circumstances, it is required to shorten the time required for starting the guidance of the vehicle in the map data difference update.

The navigation device according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, and distributes from a distribution server on an update target road associated with at least a vehicle route among update target roads corresponding to a predetermined update range. Acquisition means for acquiring updated map data, and update means for partially updating the map data based on the updated map data. The update means prioritizes update of map data for the update target road related to the route over update of map data for other update target roads.
A navigation system according to the present invention includes the navigation device described above and a distribution server that distributes updated map data to the navigation device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the difference update of map data, the time required to start the guidance of a vehicle can be shortened.

1 is a configuration diagram of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of an update range and an update object road. It is a flowchart at the time of the map data update by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart at the time of the map data update by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

-First embodiment-
A configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This system includes a navigation device 1 and a communication terminal 2 mounted on a vehicle 100, a communication network 3, and a distribution server 4. The navigation device 1 and the communication terminal 2 are connected by wired or wireless connection.

  The navigation device 1 detects the position of the vehicle 100, displays a map, and indicates the detected position of the vehicle 100 on the map. When the destination of the vehicle 100 is set by the user, the recommended route to the destination is searched, and the vehicle 100 is guided to the destination according to the searched recommended route. The navigation device 1 stores map data used for executing such processing.

  The map data stored in the navigation device 1 can be partially updated. When updating the map data, the navigation device 1 acquires the difference between the original map data and the latest map data as updated map data. The updated map data is distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3. Alternatively, the updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 may be recorded in a DVD 5 or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 6 using a personal computer or the like and read by the navigation device 1. The navigation device 1 updates the map data by rewriting the contents of the original map data based on the updated map data acquired as described above.

  The communication terminal 2 performs wireless connection with the communication line network 3 as necessary under the control of the navigation device 1. A distribution server 4 is connected to the communication line network 3. That is, the navigation device 1 is connected to the distribution server 4 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3. When the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3 are wirelessly connected, a radio base station (not shown) included in the communication line network 3 is used. The wireless base stations can wirelessly communicate with the communication terminals 2 in a predetermined communication area around the wireless base stations, and are scattered throughout the country. The communication terminal 2 is a mobile phone, for example. The communication network 3 is constructed by, for example, a mobile phone network or the Internet.

  The distribution server 4 stores the latest map data in various parts of the country. When the administrator managing the distribution server 4 changes the contents of the map that is the basis of the map data, the administrator reflects the change in the map data of the distribution server 4 at a predetermined timing and updates the map data. . When the map data of the distribution server 4 is updated in this way, information on the update date is recorded in the distribution server 4 for each update content.

  When there is a distribution map data distribution request from the navigation device 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3, the distribution server 4 distributes the update map data in response to the distribution request. Alternatively, the update map data may be automatically distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 when the distribution server 4 can distribute the update map data. The updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 in this way is transmitted to the communication terminal 2 via the communication network 3 and is output from the communication terminal 2 to the navigation device 1. Thereby, the update map data is downloaded in the navigation device 1.

  Both the DVD 5 and the USB memory 6 are recording media on which updated map data is recorded. When one of the DVD 5 and the USB memory 6 is set by the user, the navigation device 1 can read the updated map data therefrom. In the DVD 5 and the USB memory 6, for example, updated map data downloaded by a user using a personal computer (not shown) is recorded. In this case, the DVD 5 is a recordable DVD such as a DVD-R. Alternatively, the manufacturer of the navigation device 1 or the like may distribute the DVD 5 or USB memory 6 to users by mail or the like. In this case, the DVD 5 may not be a recordable DVD. Instead of the DVD 5 and the USB memory 6, other types of recording media such as a CD and a memory card may be used.

  Next, the configuration of the navigation device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 1 includes a control unit 10, a vibration gyro 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, a hard disk (HDD) 13, a disk drive 14, a USB interface (I / F) 15, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) reception. Unit 16, display monitor 17, and input device 18.

  The control unit 10 includes a microprocessor, various peripheral circuits, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and executes various processes based on a control program and map data recorded in the HDD 13. Various processes for guiding the host vehicle, that is, the vehicle 100 to the destination are executed by the control unit 10. For example, a destination search process when setting a destination, a recommended route search process to the set destination, a current position detection process of the vehicle 100, various image display processes, and a voice output process during route guidance Etc. are executed. A communication terminal 2 is connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 controls the communication terminal 2, whereby a distribution map data distribution request is made from the navigation device 1 to the distribution server 4 of FIG. 1. The updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 in response to this distribution request is output to the control unit 10 via the communication terminal 2.

  The vibration gyro 11 is a sensor for detecting the angular velocity of the vehicle 100. The vehicle speed sensor 12 is a sensor for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100. Based on the detection results of these sensors, the control unit 10 calculates the movement state of the vehicle 100 at predetermined time intervals, thereby obtaining the amount of movement of the vehicle 100, thereby detecting the current position of the vehicle 100. The

  The HDD 13 is a non-volatile recording medium that can rewrite recorded information. In the HDD 13, information such as a control program and map data for executing the processing as described above in the control unit 10 is recorded. In the map data recorded in the HDD 13, the map is represented by being divided into a plurality of sections in a predetermined distance unit. Each of these compartments is called a mesh. That is, in the navigation device 1, map data is managed in units of meshes.

  In the map data recorded on the HDD 13, each road is divided into predetermined road sections. Each of these road sections is called a link. That is, in the map data, each road is composed of a plurality of links. Each of the links is set with a value called a link cost related to the time required for the vehicle to pass. The point connecting the links is called a node. Each of the nodes has position information expressed using map coordinates. Based on the position information of this node, the position and shape of each road represented on the map are determined.

  The map data recorded in the HDD 13 can be updated as a whole or a set update range by updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 or updated map data read from the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6. For example, when a new road is opened or a new facility is installed, information on the road or facility is provided as updated map data. With this updated map data, the map data is updated by rewriting the contents of the corresponding portion of the map data before the update. The update range is set in units of meshes according to the recommended route of the vehicle by a method described later.

  When a newly opened road passes through the mesh of the update range and reaches other meshes, the information of the road in the update map data is connected not only to the part in the mesh of the update range but also to other roads. Provided up to the point. That is, information up to a point connected to an existing road is provided as updated map data. As a result, roads added in the updated map data are prevented from being interrupted in the middle or from inconsistencies with existing roads.

  It should be noted that different update ranges may be set for the case where the update map data is distributed from the distribution server 4 and the case where the update map data is read from the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6. For example, when the updated map data is distributed from the distribution server 4, a relatively narrow mesh is used as the update range in order to reduce the cost and time of wireless communication by the communication terminal 2. On the other hand, when the update map data is read from the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6, when the user downloads the update map data using a personal computer, a mesh of the update range is set in a relatively wide range, for example, a prefecture unit. Is done. Further, in this case, information other than roads and facilities within the update range, for example, information on new icons can be included in the update map data.

  Although the example in which the map data is recorded on the HDD 13 in the navigation device 1 has been described above, any recording medium other than the HDD may be used as long as it is a rewritable recording medium. For example, a flash memory or the like may be used instead of the HDD.

  The disk drive 14 is a part for reading updated map data recorded on the DVD 5, and has a disk drive mechanism, a pickup mechanism, and the like. When the DVD 5 is set in the disk drive 14, the updated map data recorded on the DVD 5 is read by the disk drive 14 and output to the control unit 10. As a result, the updated map data is read from the DVD 5 in the navigation device 1.

  The USB interface 15 has a slot portion for loading the USB memory 6. When the USB memory 6 is loaded in this slot part, the updated map data recorded in the USB memory 6 is read out by the USB interface 15, subjected to predetermined interface processing, and then output to the control part 10. . As a result, the updated map data is read from the USB memory 6 in the navigation device 1.

  The GPS receiver 16 receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and outputs it to the controller 10. The GPS signal includes information on the position and transmission time of the GPS satellite that transmitted the GPS signal as information for obtaining the position of the vehicle 100 and the current time. Therefore, by receiving GPS signals from a predetermined number or more of GPS satellites, the current position and current time of the vehicle 100 can be calculated based on these pieces of information. Based on the current position of the vehicle 100 calculated based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 16 and the current position of the vehicle 100 calculated based on the detection results of the vibration gyro 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12 described above. Thus, the final current position of the vehicle 100 is obtained.

  The display monitor 17 is a device for displaying various screens in the navigation device 1 and is configured using a liquid crystal display or the like. The display monitor 17 displays a map screen. The contents of the screen displayed on the display monitor 17 are determined by screen display control performed by the control unit 10. The display monitor 17 is installed at a position where the user can easily see, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle 100 or in the instrument panel.

  The input device 18 is a device for a user to perform various input operations for operating the navigation device 1 and includes various input switches. The user operates the input device 18 to input, for example, the name of a facility or point desired to be set as a destination, select a destination from registered locations registered in advance, or display a map in an arbitrary direction. Or scroll. The input device 18 can be realized by an operation panel, a remote controller, or the like. Alternatively, the input device 18 may be realized by a touch panel integrated with the display monitor 17.

  When the user operates the input device 18 to set the destination, the navigation device 1 searches for a route to the destination where the total of the link costs is minimized based on the link cost set in the map data, for example. The route is set as a recommended route. The recommended route set in this way is displayed on the map in a display form distinguishable from other roads. Thereafter, the navigation device 1 displays a map around the current location, and guides the vehicle 100 to the destination according to the set recommended route.

  Next, a method for updating map data in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the navigation device 1 downloads updated map data from the distribution server 4 and updates the map data. That is, the case where the updated map data is read from the DVD 5 or the USB memory 6 to update the map data will be described.

  When the navigation apparatus 1 of this embodiment makes a distribution map data distribution request to the distribution server 4, the information on the current position and destination of the vehicle 100 is transmitted to the distribution server 4 together with the version information of the map data. To do. The distribution server 4 searches for a recommended route of the vehicle 100 based on the latest map data based on these pieces of information, and sets an update range according to the recommended route. Then, an update target road that needs to be updated in the set update range is determined, and the update map data is distributed to the navigation device 1 for the update target road.

  When the updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 is received, the navigation device 1 partially updates the map data recorded in the HDD 13 based on the updated map data. At this time, the navigation device 1 preferentially updates the map data for the update target road related to the recommended route, and then updates the map data for the update target road not related to the recommended route.

  The update target road related to the recommended route is the road that is connected to the recommended route among the update target roads that include the road data in the distributed update map data, or within the expected deviation range for the recommended route. It is a road included in. This deviation range may be determined when searching for a recommended route in the distribution server 4, or may be determined in the navigation device 1 before starting update of map data. For example, a predetermined range around the recommended route can be set as the deviation range. This deviation range may be changed according to the length of the recommended route, the traveling speed of the vehicle 100, the density of the road, the traffic jam situation, and the like.

  An example of the update range and update target road determined in the distribution server 4 is shown in FIG. When the information about the current location 21 and the destination 22 is transmitted from the navigation device 1 at the time of the distribution map data distribution request, the distribution server 4 searches for a recommended route 23 connecting the current location 21 and the destination 22. When the recommended route 23 is searched, the meshes 41 to 44 are set as the map data update range for the recommended route 23. The meshes 41, 42, and 43 are meshes through which the recommended route 23 passes. The mesh 44 is a mesh adjacent to any two or more meshes (here, meshes 42 and 43) among the meshes 41 to 43 through which the recommended route 23 passes. Thus, the update range of the map data corresponding to the recommended route 23 is set. Note that the update range setting method described above is merely an example, and the update range may be set by other methods.

  When the update range corresponding to the recommended route 23 is set as described above, the distribution server 4 responds to the update range based on the version information of the map data transmitted from the navigation device 1 when the update map data is requested to be distributed. Update map data to be extracted. That is, the version of the map data that the navigation device 1 has and the version of the latest map data that the distribution server 4 has are compared within the update range, and the map data of the road corresponding to these differences is extracted as the update map data. In the example of FIG. 3, the data of each road shown with the codes | symbols 31-39 shall be extracted as update map data. As shown in FIG. 3, the roads 31 to 35 are connected to the recommended route 23, and the roads 36 to 39 are not connected to the recommended route 23.

  The distribution server 4 distributes the extracted data of the roads 31 to 39 to the navigation device 1 as updated map data. At this time, the data of the recommended route 23 may be transmitted together. When the updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 is received by the navigation device 1, the navigation device 1 starts updating the map data.

  Among the roads 31 to 39 to which the update map data has been distributed by the distribution server 4, the navigation device 1 is data of the update target road related to the recommended route 23, here, the roads 31 to 35 connected to the recommended route 23 as described above. The map data is preferentially updated. Note that the update of the map data is not yet started for the update target road data not related to the recommended route 23, that is, the roads 36 to 39 not connected to the recommended route 23.

  When the update of the map data for the roads 31 to 35 is completed, the navigation device 1 starts guiding the vehicle 100 according to the recommended route 23. For example, the recommended route 23 can be determined in the navigation device 1 by receiving information on the recommended route 23 when the updated map data is distributed from the distribution server 4. Alternatively, the navigation device 1 may search for the recommended route 23 based on the map data of the HDD 13 that has been updated for the roads 31 to 35 as described above.

  After the guidance of the vehicle 100 is started, the navigation device 1 starts updating the map data for the remaining updated map data, that is, the roads 36 to 39 not connected to the recommended route 23. When the update of the map data for the roads 36 to 39 is completed, the navigation device 1 completes the update of the map data.

  A flowchart of the processing described above is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the left flowchart shows the processing contents of the navigation device 1, and the right flowchart shows the processing contents of the distribution server 4. When the user performs a predetermined operation using the input device 18 to instruct the navigation device 1 to update the map data, execution of the flowchart shown on the left side of FIG.

  In step S10, the control unit 10 detects the current location, that is, the current position of the vehicle 100, based on the outputs from the vibration gyro 11, the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the GPS receiving unit 14 as described above.

  In step S <b> 20, the control unit 10 sets the destination of the vehicle 100. Here, when the user performs a predetermined operation using the input device 18 to specify the type, name, address, etc. of the facility to be set as the destination, the corresponding facility is based on the map data recorded in the HDD 13. Is searched and the facility is set as the destination. Alternatively, a destination set as a destination may be selected from registered locations registered in advance, or a point set as a destination on a map may be designated.

  In step S <b> 30, the control unit 10 transmits a map data update request to the distribution server 4. This update request is transmitted from the navigation device 1 to the distribution server 4 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication line network 3. At this time, as described above, the version information of the map data recorded in the HDD 13, the current location information detected in step S10, and the destination information set in step S20 are transmitted to the distribution server 4 together with the update request. . In addition, when the map data of HDD13 has been partially updated in the past, it is preferable to include information indicating the update contents in the version information of the map data.

  When an update request is transmitted from the navigation device 1 in step S30, the distribution server 4 starts executing the flowchart shown on the right side of FIG. 4 accordingly. In step S110, the distribution server 4 receives the update request from the navigation device 1 transmitted in step S30. At the same time, the destination and current location information transmitted together with the update request is also received.

  In step S120, the distribution server 4 searches for a recommended route of the vehicle 100 based on the latest map data based on the destination and current location information received together with the update request in step S110.

  In step S130, the distribution server 4 extracts updated map data based on the recommended route searched in step S120. Here, an update range corresponding to the recommended route is set by the method as described above, and data of all update target roads corresponding to the update range is extracted as update map data. That is, the data of each update target road related to the recommended route and the data of each update target road not related to the recommended route are extracted with respect to the set update range. At this time, data other than the road to be updated, such as facility data, may be extracted together.

  In step S140, the distribution server 4 distributes the updated map data extracted in step S130 to the navigation device 1. The updated map data is transmitted from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 via the communication network 3 and the communication terminal 2. At this time, the recommended route data may be transmitted together as described above. After executing Step S140, the distribution server 4 ends the flowchart on the right side of FIG.

  When the updated map data is distributed from the distribution server 4 in step S140, the control unit 10 receives the updated map data in step S40. When the recommended route data is transmitted from the distribution server 4 together with the updated map data, the recommended route data is also received. Thereby, the update map data is acquired in the navigation device 1.

  In step S50, the control unit 10 starts updating the map data for the update target road related to the recommended route based on the updated map data received in step S40. The update of the map data for the update target road related to the recommended route is performed with priority over the update of the map data for the other update target roads.

  In step S60, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the update of the map data started in step S50 is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S50 to continue updating the map data, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S <b> 70, the control unit 10 starts guiding the vehicle 100. Here, as described above, the recommended route used for guiding the vehicle 100 can be determined based on the recommended route information received together with the updated map data from the distribution server 4 in step S40. Alternatively, the navigation device 1 may search for a recommended route without receiving the recommended route information from the distribution server 4.

  In step S80, the control unit 10 updates the map data for the road to be updated that is not related to the recommended route, based on the updated map data received in step S40. If the update of the map data by step S80 is completed, the control part 10 will complete | finish the flowchart on the left side of FIG.

  According to 1st Embodiment described above, there exists the following effect.

(1) The navigation device 1 acquires the updated map data distributed by the distribution server 4 in step S140 by the process of the control unit 10 (step S40), and is stored in the HDD 13 based on the updated map data. Map data is partially updated (steps S50 and S80). At this time, the update of the map data for the update target road related to the recommended route (step S50) is performed with priority over the update of the map data for other update target roads not related to the recommended route (step S80). Since it did in this way, update of the map data required for the guidance of the vehicle can be performed with priority, and the guidance of the vehicle can be started immediately thereafter, so the time required to start the guidance of the vehicle in the difference update of the map data It can be shortened.

(2) The distribution server 4 extracts update map data for all the update target roads corresponding to the set update range (step S130), and distributes this to the navigation device 1 (step S140). The navigation device 1 uses the updated map data distributed from the distribution server 4 in this manner to update the map data for the update target road related to the route in step S50, and after this is completed, starts the processing in step S80. The map data for the update target road not related to the recommended route is updated. Since it did in this way, map data can be updated later also about the update object road which is not necessary for guidance of a vehicle and is not related to a recommended route.

(3) After completing the update of the map data for the update target road related to the route in Step S50, the navigation device 1 updates the map data for the update target road not related to the recommended route in Step S80. Then, vehicle guidance based on the recommended route is started (step S70). Since it did in this way, after the update of map data is completed about the update object road relevant to the recommended route required for guidance of vehicles, guidance of vehicles can be started immediately.

(4) The navigation device 1 detects the current position of the vehicle 100 (step S10), sets the destination of the vehicle 100 (step S20), and requests the distribution server 4 to update the information on the destination and the current position. And transmitted together (step S30). The distribution server 4 searches for the recommended route of the vehicle 100 based on the information on the destination and the current position thus transmitted (step S120), and based on the searched recommended route, the update range and the update target road are determined in step S130. Determine and extract the updated map data to be distributed. Since it did in this way, the optimal recommended route with respect to the set destination can be searched using the newest map data memorize | stored in the delivery server 4. FIG.

(5) In step S140, the distribution server 4 updates the update map data for the update target road connected to the recommended route or the update target road existing within a predetermined deviation range from the recommended route as the update target road related to the recommended route. Is distributed to the navigation device 1. The navigation device 1 acquires this updated map data in step S40. Since it did in this way, the update object road relevant to a recommended route can be determined appropriately, and update map data can be distributed.

-Second Embodiment-
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, when a distribution map data distribution request is made to the distribution server 4, information on the current position and destination of the vehicle 100 is transmitted from the navigation device 1 to the distribution server 4. The example in which the distribution route 4 searches the recommended route and sets the update range based on the information has been described. In contrast, in the present embodiment, an example in which the update range is set in the navigation device 1 will be described. The configuration of the navigation system and the configuration of the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. Therefore, these descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the navigation device 1 and the distribution server 4 in this embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, processing steps having the same contents as those in the flowchart according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 4. In the following, description of the processing of the same step number as in FIG. 4 is omitted unless particularly necessary.

  In step S21, the control unit 10 of the navigation device 1 searches for a recommended route using the map data before update stored in the HDD 13 based on the current location detected in step S10 and the destination set in step S20. Do. In addition, since the recommended route searched here is based on the map data before update, there is a possibility that it is not an optimum route. Therefore, here, the search is performed as a provisional recommended route, and when the update of the map data is completed for the update target road related to the recommended route, the recommended route is updated using the updated map data. This update of the recommended route will be described later.

  In step S22, the control unit 10 sets an update range on the map based on the current location detected in step S10 and the destination set in step S20. Here, based on the temporary recommended route searched in step S21, an update range is set in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Or you may set an update range only based on the position of a present location and a destination, without using the search result of step S21.

  In step S30, the control unit 10 transmits a map data update request to the distribution server 4 as in FIG. In the present embodiment, the map data version information recorded in the HDD 13 and the update range information set in step S22 are transmitted to the distribution server 4 together with the update request.

  In step S130, the distribution server 4 extracts updated map data as in FIG. Here, the update map data is extracted based on the information of the update range transmitted from the navigation device 1 together with the update request. That is, the navigation device 1 extracts the update target road data corresponding to the update range set in step S22 as the update map data. The updated map data extracted in this way is distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 in the subsequent step S140.

  In step S61, the control unit 10 of the navigation device 1 searches in step S21 based on the map data in the HDD 13 updated in step S50, that is, the map data partially updated for the update target road related to the recommended route. Update the temporary recommended route. When the temporary recommended route is updated in this way, guidance of the vehicle 100 is started in step S70 based on the updated recommended route. Then, in the subsequent step S80, the map data for the update target road not related to the recommended route is updated.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the navigation device 1 detects the current position of the vehicle 100 (step S10), sets the destination of the vehicle 100 (step S20), and updates based on these. A range is set (step S22). This update range information is transmitted to the distribution server 4 together with the update request (step S30). The distribution server 4 determines the update target road based on the update range information thus transmitted from the navigation device 1 and extracts the update map data to be distributed (step S130). Since it did in this way, even if it does not search a recommended route by the delivery server 4, the optimal update range can be set in the navigation apparatus 1. FIG.

-Modification-
In each of the first and second embodiments described above, update map data is distributed from the distribution server 4 to the navigation device 1 for only the update target road related to the recommended route among the update target roads corresponding to the update range. You may make it do. That is, the update map data can be distributed to the update target road related to the route, and the update map data can not be distributed to the update target road not related to the route. In this case, the process of step S80 is omitted in the flowcharts of FIGS. Even in this case, similar to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to preferentially update the map data necessary for guiding the vehicle, and then immediately start guiding the vehicle. Therefore, in the map data difference update, the time required to start the vehicle guidance can be shortened.

  Moreover, in each embodiment described above, an example in which the map data of the navigation device 1 is updated by providing the navigation device 1 with the difference between the map data before update and the latest map data as updated map data will be described. did. However, instead of doing this, it is also possible to provide the navigation map 1 with a portion that overlaps the map data before the update, and provide it to the navigation device 1 and record it in the HDD 13.

  Each embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Further, the above embodiments and modification examples may be used in appropriate combination.

1: navigation device, 2: communication terminal, 3: communication network, 4: distribution server,
5: DVD, 6: USB memory, 10: control unit, 11: vibration gyro,
12: Vehicle speed sensor, 13: HDD, 14: Disk drive,
15: USB interface, 16: GPS receiver, 17: display monitor,
18: input device, 100: vehicle

Claims (8)

A navigation device mounted on a vehicle,
Storage means for storing map data;
Obtaining means for obtaining update map data distributed from a distribution server for at least an update target road associated with a route of the vehicle among update target roads corresponding to a predetermined update range;
Updating means for partially updating the map data based on the updated map data;
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the update unit performs update of the map data for an update target road related to the route in preference to update of the map data for another update target road. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The distribution server distributes the update map data to all the update target roads corresponding to the update range,
The said update means updates the said map data with respect to the update object road which is not related to the said route, after the update of the said map data with respect to the update object road relevant to the said route is completed. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
After the updating means completes the update of the map data for the update target road related to the route, prior to updating the map data for the update target road not related to the route, based on the route A navigation apparatus further comprising vehicle guidance means for starting guidance of a vehicle. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The distribution server distributes the update map data to update target roads related to the route among update target roads corresponding to the update range, and updates the update target roads not related to the route. A navigation device characterized by not delivering map data. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Destination setting means for setting the destination of the vehicle;
Position detecting means for detecting a current position of the vehicle;
Further comprising transmission means for transmitting information on the destination and the current position to the distribution server,
In the distribution server, the route is searched based on the information on the destination and the current position transmitted by the transmission unit, and the update range and the road to be updated are determined based on the searched route. Navigation device characterized by being made. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Destination setting means for setting the destination of the vehicle;
Position detecting means for detecting a current position of the vehicle;
Update range setting means for setting the update range based on the destination and the current position;
Transmission means for transmitting information of the update range to the distribution server,
In the distribution server, the road to be updated is determined based on information on the update range transmitted by the transmission unit. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The acquisition unit obtains update map data distributed from the distribution server for an update target road connected to the route or an update target road existing within a predetermined range from the route as an update target road related to the route of the vehicle. A navigation device characterized by acquiring. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A navigation system, comprising: a distribution server that distributes the updated map data to the navigation device.

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