JP2008090518A - Data update system, terminal device, server device, and data update method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data update system for easily performing the difference update of a database in which mutual data are correlated with one another in a complicated manner, and for relatively reducing the data amount of the whole database installed in a terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal device 1 operating according to a predetermined operation program PG includes: a local storage database 16 formed by an update data format different from a reference data format to be referenced by the operation program PG, and updated by a difference data file Df; a means 25 for extracting necessary data from the local storage database 16 according to a request from the operation program PG; and a means 17 for converting the data in the extracted local storage database 16 into the reference data format. The server devices 2 and 3 have a means 44 for outputting the difference data file Df for database update to be supplied to the terminal device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data update system having a terminal device that operates according to a predetermined operation program, and a server device that provides a differential data file for database update to the terminal device, and a terminal device and server used in the data update system The present invention relates to an apparatus and a data update method.

  Up to now, the difference data is transmitted from the server device to the terminal device such as the navigation device, and the terminal device that has received the difference data uses the information already possessed and the difference information to update the data. A technique related to a data update system that performs the above is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

  For example, a data update system described in Patent Document 1 below is an information distribution system including a center device that provides information and a terminal device that receives information from the center device. The center device includes a difference information extraction unit that extracts a difference between information transmitted previously to the terminal device and information to be transmitted, and a transmission unit that transmits the difference information extracted by the difference information extraction unit to the terminal device. It has. In addition, the terminal device includes a receiving unit that receives difference information from the center device, and a display unit that displays the difference information received by the receiving unit together with existing information.

  Here, the difference information is information corresponding to a difference between the traffic information generated earlier and the latest traffic information, for example, regarding traffic information such as traffic jam information and regulation information. And in the terminal device which received such difference information, the existing traffic information which has already been received and stored in the storage unit and the newly received difference information are displayed together on the display unit. Accordingly, it is possible to frequently update traffic information to be displayed on the terminal device, and to reduce the amount of information transmitted from the center device to the terminal device for updating.

JP 2006-84257 A

  The data update system is a system that updates data with a relatively small amount of information such as traffic information. Therefore, if the difference data is generated and transmitted to the terminal device as described above on the server device (center device) side, the data on the terminal device side can be rewritten relatively easily by rewriting existing data to the difference data. Updates can be made.

  However, when updating a database that has a large amount of data, such as a map database including road network data used in a navigation device, and each data is complicatedly related, the received difference data is used. Updating the database is not easy. That is, in such complicated data, since the number of data that needs to be changed in relation to changing one data increases, the number of data included in the difference data also increases. In order to update the database based on such difference data, it is necessary to extract data before update corresponding to a large number of data included in the difference data from a database having a large amount of data. At this time, for example, when updating a database storing road network data, since each data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, each data included in the difference data cannot be easily extracted. There has been a problem that the update process in the terminal device is very complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, until now, when updating a complicated database such as a map database used in a navigation apparatus, it has been common to rewrite and update all data without performing a difference update. However, with such a method, the amount of data necessary for updating becomes enormous, and it becomes difficult to transmit the updating data to the terminal device via a communication network or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not easy to update data frequently, and it is difficult to continuously provide high freshness data to the terminal device.

  On the other hand, for example, in a terminal device such as a navigation device, in order to facilitate the differential update of the map database, when the configuration includes a differential update database, it coexists with the normal map database referenced by the operation program of the terminal device. If it is set as the structure made to do, the whole data amount of the database with which a terminal device is provided will necessarily increase. However, if the total amount of data in the database increases, it is necessary to provide a storage device with a large capacity in the terminal device, which may cause an increase in the size and cost of the terminal device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is a database having a large amount of data, such as a map database including road network data, and each of which is complicatedly related to each other. A data update system capable of relatively easily reducing the total data amount of the database provided in the terminal device while enabling easy differential update, and a terminal device, a server device used in the data update system, and To provide a data update method.

  According to the present invention for achieving the above object, a characteristic configuration of a data update system having a terminal device that operates according to a predetermined operation program and a server device that provides a differential data file for database update to the terminal device, The terminal device is configured in an update data format different from a reference data format referred to by the operation program, and a local storage database updated by the differential data file, and the local storage according to a request from the operation program Data extraction means for extracting necessary data from the database, and conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database extracted by the data extraction means into the reference data format, the server device, The difference data file to be provided to the terminal device In that it comprises a differential data file output means for outputting yl.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the terminal device includes a local storage database configured in an update data format suitable for update by a differential data file, and the local storage database is updated by the differential data file. Even in the case of a database having a large amount of data and complicatedly related to each other, it is possible to relatively easily perform differential update. Therefore, it becomes easy to frequently update the data with the difference data file, and it becomes possible to continuously provide high freshness data to the terminal device. In addition, since the necessary data is extracted from the local storage database according to the request from the operation program and converted into the reference data format, the terminal device stores the data in the reference data format in advance. It is not always necessary to provide a database for storing data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the entire data amount of the database provided in the terminal device. Further, since the terminal device includes conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database into a reference data format referred to by the operation program, the data format of the local storage database is set as an update data format. Thus, the influence on the operation of the operation program can be suppressed, and the operation performance of the terminal device equivalent to that provided with a database in a reference data format can be ensured.

  Here, the terminal device sets a predetermined condition regarding the number of times of extraction by the data extraction means for each of a reference database that can be referred to by the operation program and a plurality of data stored in the local storage database. Extraction number determination means for determining whether or not the data is satisfied, and data determined by the extraction number determination means to satisfy the predetermined condition are stored in the reference database in the reference data format after conversion by the conversion means And a reference database updating means.

  If comprised in this way, the data which satisfy | fills predetermined conditions about the frequency | count referred to by the said operation program will be stored in the said reference database in the reference data format referred by the said operation program. As a result, the operation program can operate with reference to the reference database without performing conversion by the conversion means, for example, on data having a high reference frequency and a high reference frequency. Therefore, compared to the case where all data referred to by the operation program is read from the local storage database and converted by the conversion unit, the processing load by the conversion unit can be reduced, and the operation performance of the terminal device is improved. Can be achieved. On the other hand, for data that does not satisfy the predetermined condition for the number of times referred to by the operation program, the necessary data is extracted from the local storage database according to the request from the operation program, and is converted into a reference data format. It becomes possible to keep the total data amount of the database provided in the terminal device relatively small.

  Further, in order for the terminal device to receive the difference data file provided from the server device and update the local storage database, the terminal device includes a difference data file receiving unit that receives the difference data file; It is preferable to include a local storage database update unit that updates the local storage database based on the difference data file.

  Further, the server device, based on the local storage database for comparison having the same content as the local storage database, new data receiving means for receiving input of new data, the local storage database for comparison and the new data It is preferable that the apparatus includes a difference data file generation unit that generates a difference data file.

  If comprised in this way, the difference data file on the basis of the content of the local storage database of the said terminal device can be easily produced | generated in the said server apparatus based on the input new data.

  Further, the server device generates a new local storage database having the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the contents of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data. Preferably, the difference data file generation means is configured to generate the difference data file based on a difference between the reference local storage database and the new local storage database. .

  If comprised in this way, since a difference data file is produced | generated based on the database before and after the update of the same data format as the said local storage database with which the said terminal device is equipped, the format suitable for the update of the said local storage database The difference data file can be generated relatively easily.

  Further, it is preferable that the operation program has a plurality of application programs, and the conversion means converts the data in the local storage database into a reference data format corresponding to each application program.

  With this configuration, each application program can refer to data in a format suitable for each of a plurality of application programs, and the data format of the local storage database updated by the differential data file is unified. It becomes possible. Therefore, even when the operation program has a plurality of application programs, there is no need to transmit a differential data file in a format corresponding to each application program, and the data amount of the differential data file can be reduced. Become.

  Further, the terminal device is a navigation device, and the local storage database is a database for differential update of road network data, and the data extraction means extracts road network data for each predetermined section from the local storage database. It is preferable to adopt a configuration to do so.

  If comprised in this way, the road network data stored in the said local preservation | save database can be extracted and converted for every predetermined division, and can be referred with the said operation program. Therefore, the operation program of the navigation device can refer to data in an appropriate range according to arithmetic processing such as guidance and route search.

  Further, the terminal device is a navigation device, the local storage database is a database for differential update of road network data, and the reference data format is the road network data, each data constituting this is a road Preferably, the update data format is a data format in which the data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of data types.

  With this configuration, the data format of the local storage database is in a format suitable for updating by the difference data file, and the data converted by the conversion means is in a format suitable for reference by the operation program of the navigation device. can do. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform the difference update of the road network data in which the amount of data is large and each data is complicatedly related, and the influence on the operation of the operation program can be suppressed. It is possible to ensure the operational performance of the navigation device.

  The difference data file includes data representing an update mode and road network data of a part to be updated, and each data constituting the road network data of the part to be updated is arranged in order of data type. It is preferable that the data format is configured.

  If comprised in this way, after the substance data used as update object will be divided for every update mode, it will become the data format arranged in order of the data type like the update data format of the above-mentioned local preservation database. Thus, it is possible to relatively easily perform the process of updating the difference of the local storage database using the difference data file.

  Further, a characteristic configuration of a data update system according to the present invention, which includes a navigation device that operates according to a plurality of application programs, and a server device that provides the navigation device with a differential data file for updating a database including road network data. The navigation device is configured in an update data format different from the reference data format referenced by each application program, and is updated according to a request from each application program and a local storage database updated by the differential data file. Data extraction means for extracting necessary data from the local storage database, and data of the local storage database extracted by the data extraction means are used for each application program. And a converting means for converting the reference data format corresponding to the server apparatus lies in having a differential data file output means outputting the differential data file to be provided to the navigation device.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the navigation device includes a local storage database configured in an update data format suitable for updating with a differential data file, and the local storage database is updated with the differential data file. It is possible to relatively easily perform a differential update of a database including road network data in which a large amount of data is associated with each other in a complicated manner. Therefore, it becomes easy to frequently update the data with the difference data file, and it becomes possible to continuously provide the freshness data to the navigation device. Further, since the necessary data is extracted from the local storage database in accordance with the request from each application program and converted into the reference data format, the navigation device stores the data in the reference data format in advance. It is not always necessary to have a database to keep it. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the total data amount of the database included in the navigation device. Further, since the navigation device includes conversion means for converting the data in the local storage database into a reference data format referred to by each application program, the data format of the local storage database is changed to an update data format. As a result, the influence on the operation of each application program can be suppressed, and the operation performance of the navigation device equivalent to the case where a database having a reference data format corresponding to each application program is provided can be ensured. Further, since the conversion means converts the data in the local storage database into a reference data format corresponding to each application program, each application program refers to data in a format suitable for each of the plurality of application programs. It is possible to make the data format of the local storage database updated by the difference data file one. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit a differential data file in a format corresponding to each of a plurality of application programs, and the data amount of the differential data file can be reduced.

  Here, the reference data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, and the update data format is related to the road network data. It is preferable that the data constituting each of the data is in a data format arranged in the data type order.

  If comprised in this way, the data format of the said local preservation | save database will be a format suitable for the update by the said difference data file, The format suitable for the reference by each application program of the said navigation apparatus for the data after the conversion by the said conversion means It can be. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform differential update of a database including road network data in which a large amount of data is associated with each other in a complicated manner, and the influence on the operation of each application program is suppressed. It is possible to ensure the operational performance of the navigation device.

  Further, the characteristic configuration of the terminal device that receives the difference data file for database update from the server device and operates according to a predetermined operation program is the reference data format referred to by the operation program. A local storage database configured in different update data formats and updated by the differential data file; data extraction means for extracting necessary data from the local storage database in accordance with a request from the operation program; and the data extraction Conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database extracted by the means into the reference data format.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the terminal device includes a local storage database configured in an update data format suitable for updating with a differential data file, and the local storage database is configured to update with the differential data file. Even in the case of a database having a large amount of data and complicatedly related to each other, it is possible to relatively easily perform differential update. Therefore, it becomes easy to frequently update the data with the difference data file, and it becomes possible to continuously provide high freshness data to the terminal device. In addition, since the terminal device is configured to extract necessary data from the local storage database according to a request from the operation program and convert the data into a reference data format, the data in the reference data format is stored in advance. It is not always necessary to have a database to keep it. Therefore, the terminal device can suppress the entire data amount of the database. Further, since the terminal device includes a conversion unit that converts the data in the local storage database into a reference data format referred to by the operation program, the data format of the local storage database is set as an update data format. Thus, the influence on the operation of the operation program can be suppressed, and the operation performance of the terminal device equivalent to that provided with a database in a reference data format can be ensured.

  Here, it is preferable to further add each configuration related to the terminal device. In addition, the effect in that case is as above-mentioned.

  Further, the feature configuration of the navigation device that receives the difference data file for updating the database including the road network data from the server device and operates according to a plurality of application programs according to the present invention is referred to by each application program. And a local storage database that is updated by the differential data file, and necessary data is extracted from the local storage database in accordance with a request from each application program. A data extraction unit; and a conversion unit that converts the data of the local storage database extracted by the data extraction unit into a reference data format corresponding to each application program.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the navigation device includes a local storage database configured in an update data format suitable for updating with a differential data file, and the local storage database is updated with the differential data file. It is possible to relatively easily perform a differential update of a database including road network data in which the amount of data is large and each data is complicatedly related. Therefore, it becomes easy to frequently update the data with the difference data file, and it becomes possible to continuously provide the freshness data to the navigation device. Further, since the navigation device is configured to extract necessary data from the local storage database in accordance with a request from each application program and convert the data into a reference data format, the data in the reference data format is stored in advance. It is not always necessary to have a database to keep track of. Therefore, the navigation device can reduce the total data amount of the database. Further, the navigation device includes conversion means for converting the data in the local storage database into a reference data format referred to by each application program, so that the data format of the local storage database is an update data format. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence on the operation of each application program, and it is possible to ensure the operation performance equivalent to that provided with a database in a reference data format corresponding to each application program. Further, since the conversion means converts the data in the local storage database into a reference data format corresponding to each application program, each application program refers to data in a format suitable for each of the plurality of application programs. It is possible to make the data format of the local storage database updated by the difference data file one. Therefore, it is not necessary to receive provision of a differential data file in a format corresponding to each of a plurality of application programs, and it is possible to reduce the data amount of the differential data file that is provided.

  Further, the reference data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network, and the update data format is related to the road network data. It is preferable that each data to be configured has a data format arranged in order of data type.

  If comprised in this way, the data format of the said local preservation | save database will be a format suitable for the update by the said difference data file, and the format suitable for the reference by each application program of the said navigation apparatus for the data after the conversion by the said conversion means It can be. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily perform differential update of a database including road network data in which a large amount of data is associated with each other in a complicated manner, and the influence on the operation of each application program is suppressed. It is possible to ensure the operational performance of the navigation device.

  According to the present invention, a data update method for updating a database by providing a differential data file from a server device to a terminal device includes a reference data format referred to by the server device and a predetermined operation program. And the terminal device comprising a local storage database configured in a different data format for update, the server device outputs the difference data file to be provided to the terminal device, the terminal device Accepting a differential data file, updating the local storage database with the differential data file, extracting necessary data from the local storage database according to a request from the operation program, and extracting the extracted data into the reference data format And refer to the converted data by the operation program It lies in the fact that the function.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the local storage database configured in the data format for update provided in the terminal device is configured to be updated with the differential data file output from the server device. Even if the databases are complicatedly related to each other, it is possible to update the difference relatively easily. Therefore, it becomes easy to frequently update the data with the difference data file, and it becomes possible to continuously provide high freshness data to the terminal device. In addition, since the necessary data is extracted from the local storage database in accordance with a request from the operation program, converted into a reference data format and referred to by the operation program, the terminal device uses the reference data format. It is not always necessary to provide a database for storing the data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the entire data amount of the database provided in the terminal device. Further, since the data stored in the local storage database is converted into a reference data format referred to by the operation program and referred to, the operation program obtained by changing the data format of the local storage database to the update data format is used. The operation performance of the terminal device equivalent to that provided with the database in the reference data format can be ensured.

  Here, the terminal device includes a reference database that can be referred to by the operation program, and for each of a plurality of data stored in the local storage database, a predetermined number of times extracted according to a request from the operation program It is preferable to determine whether or not the above condition is satisfied and store the data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition in the reference database after being converted into the reference data format.

  If comprised in this way, the data which satisfy | fills predetermined conditions about the frequency | count referred to by the said operation program will be stored in the said reference database in the reference data format referred by the said operation program. Thereby, the operation program can operate by referring to the reference database without converting the data having a high frequency of reference and a high reference frequency into the reference data format. Therefore, compared with the case where all data referred to by the operation program is read from the local storage database and converted to the reference data format, the load of the conversion process can be reduced, and the operation performance of the terminal device Improvement can be achieved. On the other hand, for data that does not satisfy the predetermined condition for the number of times referred to by the operation program, the necessary data is extracted from the local storage database according to the request from the operation program, and is converted into a reference data format. It becomes possible to keep the total data amount of the database provided in the terminal device relatively small.

  Further, the server device includes a comparison local storage database having the same contents as the local storage database, receives input of new data, and stores the difference data file based on the comparison local storage database and the new data. It is preferable that the configuration is generated.

  According to this configuration, the server device can easily generate a difference data file based on the content of the local storage database of the terminal device based on the input new data.

  Further, the server device generates a new local storage database having the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the contents of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data. It is preferable that the difference data file is generated based on the difference between the control local storage database and the new local storage database.

  According to this configuration, the difference data file is generated based on the database before and after the update in the same data format as that of the local storage database included in the terminal device, so the difference in a format suitable for updating the local storage database Data files can be generated relatively easily.

1. Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a basic form of a data update system, which is a premise of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. Unlike the first and second embodiments of the present invention, which will be described later, this data update system does not include the data extraction means 25. The contents of the reference database 19 are updated with the data in the reference data format converted by the conversion means 17. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the data update system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the terminal device is the navigation device 1. The data update system provides the difference data file Df generated by the difference data generation server 2 from the difference data distribution server 3 to the navigation device 1 and updates the reference database 19 as a map database for navigation. It has become. Therefore, the data update system according to the present embodiment includes the navigation device 1, the differential data generation server 2, and the differential data distribution server 3 as main components. Here, the differential data generation server 2 and the differential data distribution server 3 constitute a server device in the present invention.

  Here, each means which comprises the navigation apparatus 1, the difference data generation server 2, and the difference data delivery server 3 performs various processes with respect to the input data by using arithmetic processing units, such as CPU, as a core member. Are implemented by hardware and / or software (program) or both. In addition, each database included in the navigation device 1, the differential data generation server 2, and the differential data distribution server 3 is a hardware configuration of a device having a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory and its drive means. As prepared. In each figure of the present application, “database” is abbreviated as “DB” for simplification. Hereinafter, the configuration of each device will be described in order.

1-1. Configuration for Realizing the Basic Functions of the Navigation Device 1 The navigation device 1 is a navigation system that realizes basic functions such as self-location display, route calculation from the departure point to the destination, route guidance, destination search, and the like. A calculation unit 20, a reference database 19, a self-position detection unit 21, a driver 22, a display operation unit 23, and an audio output unit 24.

  The navigation calculation means 20 is a calculation processing means that operates according to a navigation program PG as an operation program. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the navigation program PG. As shown in this figure, the navigation program PG includes a plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5. Here, the navigation program PG has five application programs: a display program PG1, a map matching program PG2, a route calculation program PG3, a guidance program PG4, and a search program PG5. Here, the display program PG1 is a program for displaying a map of the surroundings such as the own position and destination on the display screen of the display operation unit 23, and displaying the own position on the map. The map matching program PG2 is a program for performing a map matching process for matching the own position detected by the own position detecting means 21 on the road of the map. The route calculation program PG3 is a program for calculating a route such as a route from the own position to the destination input by the display operation unit 23, for example. The guidance program PG4 performs a process for guiding an appropriate route by guidance display on the display screen of the display operation unit 23, voice guidance by the voice output unit 24, or the like according to the route to the destination determined by route calculation. It is a program. The search program PG5 is a program for searching for destinations, points for map display, and the like based on addresses, telephone numbers, facility names, genres, and the like. Since the operation processing of the navigation device 1 by these programs is well known, detailed description is omitted. In each of these application programs PG1 to PG5, data (information) stored in the reference database 19 such as road network data Rn and guidance data Gd is used.

  The reference database 19 is a database that stores data in a reference data format that is referred to by the navigation program PG in order to realize the basic functions of the navigation device 1. Here, the reference database 19 functions as a map database for navigation including road network data Rn and guidance data Gd. The reference database 19 includes a plurality of application program databases in accordance with application programs for a plurality of functions constituting the navigation program PG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the structure of the reference database 19. As shown in this figure, each data such as road network data Rn and guidance data Gd stored in the reference database 19 is stored according to each application program PG1 to PG5, and each of them is an application program database. (Hereinafter referred to as “application database” for simplification.) 19a to 19e. That is, in the reference database 19, a display program database 19a, a map matching program database 19b, a route calculation program database 19c, a guidance program database 19d, and a search program database 19e are stored. Although not shown in the drawing, at least road network data Rn in a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5 is stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. There are also databases that do not have the guidance data Gd, such as the map matching program database 19b. Further, the reference database 19 is provided with a parallel update area Fr as data storage means for parallel update. The parallel update area Fr is an area for storing data for updating the reference database 19 during reference of the reference database 19 by the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. A method of using the parallel update area Fr will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the road network data Rn stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e in the reference database 19 is for each predetermined section (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3). It is considered as a plurality of divided data. For example, road network data Rn in which a 2.5 km square area is defined as one section and the road network of Japan is divided into a plurality of sections is stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. The guidance data Gd is associated with each of the road network data Rn for each section (eg, guidance data <1> to guidance data <3> shown in FIG. 3), and is stored in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. Stored. Here, the guidance data Gd is specifically data for display, guidance, search, and the like used in each of the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG, and includes image data, audio data, POI (Point of Point). Interest) data is included. Each of these data is stored in association with data related to links, nodes, etc. (see FIG. 4) included in the road network data Rn.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a road network represented by road network data Rn. In the example shown in this figure, there are two link strings, a link string A and a link string B, and each link string A, B includes nodes A1 to A3, B1 to B3 (black circles in FIG. 4) and two nodes. Link A1, A2, B1, B2 (solid line in FIG. 4) connecting them, and shape interpolation point groups A1, A2, B1, B2 (white circles in FIG. 4) that define the shape of each link. ing. The road network data Rn is data representing information constituting each of these link strings. Note that the node A2 of the link row A and the node B2 of the link row B are nodes having different positions in FIG. In the road network data Rn, data corresponding to each node is managed for each of the link columns A and B. Therefore, data corresponding to nodes representing the same intersection is provided for each of the link columns A and B. Note that the data corresponding to such a node includes data arrangement information corresponding to other nodes representing the same intersection.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the road network data Rn in the reference data format representing the road network as shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the reference data format is a data format in which each data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network. As described above, the road network data Rn is divided into predetermined sections (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3), and section ID data indicating the corresponding section is arranged at the head. ing. The road network data Rn includes intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data as substantial data constituting the road network data Rn. Here, the intersection data is the coordinate information of the node representing the intersection, the attribute information of the intersection representing the presence or absence of a traffic light or a guide sign, and the hierarchy information indicating to which level of the map display layer the intersection is displayed. Etc. The connection data includes information on which road (link) is connected to the node representing the intersection, necessity of guidance according to the traveling direction at the intersection, information on the presence or absence of restrictions, and the like. The road data includes information on both end nodes of the link representing the road, road type information, width information, lane number information, hierarchical information indicating to which level of the map display layer the road is displayed. Yes. The shape data includes coordinate information of a shape interpolation point group that defines the shape of a link representing a road. These intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data, and road network data Rn in an update data format stored in the local storage database 16 described later and road network data Rn included in the difference data file Df are included. Intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data in related data are data representing the same type of content, but there are some differences in specific content, arrangement, and the like. For example, the contents of the road extension data and the intersection extension data in the road network data Rn in the update data format are not separated as independent items in the road network data Rn stored in the reference database 19, and each related data Are included in any of intersection data, connection data, road data, and shape data.

  The arrangement of each of these data is in the order of connection of the road network, more specifically, the order of connection of nodes and links constituting each link row for each link row. For example, the data representing the link string A shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the intersection data A1 and connection data A1 corresponding to the node A1 and the road data corresponding to the link A1 connected to the node A1 from the top. A1 and shape data A1 corresponding to the shape interpolation point group A1 of the link A1 are arranged in this order. Next, the intersection data A2 and the connection data A2 corresponding to the node A2 connected to the other end of the link A1, the road data A2 corresponding to the link A2 connected to the node A2, and the shape interpolation point group A2 of the link A2. They are arranged in the order of corresponding shape data A2. In addition, the other link strings such as the link string B have the same data array. As described above, the road network data Rn is divided into predetermined sections and stored in the application databases 19a to 19e. The specific content of each data constituting the road network data Rn differs depending on which of the application databases 19a to 19e is stored, but the data arrangement in the division as shown in FIG. The same applies to any of the application databases 19a to 19e.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the reference database 19 stores a comparison table of record codes and permanent IDs of each data constituting the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of this comparison table. As shown in this figure, the record codes of the data constituting the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, etc. are, as an example, road data “A1”, “A2”, and intersection data “A1”. , “A2” and the like. The presence of this comparison table makes it possible to associate permanent ID data stored in a differential data file Df (see FIG. 7) described later with each data constituting the reference database 19. Therefore, the permanent ID data stored in the differential data file Df and the entity data linked thereto are associated with each data constituting the guidance data Gd of the reference database 19, and the reference database is based on the differential data file Df. The 19 guide data Gd can be updated.

  The own position detection means 21 is a means for detecting the current position of the navigation device 1. For this reason, the self-position detecting means 21 includes, for example, a GPS receiver, an orientation sensor, a distance sensor, and the like, although illustration is omitted. Then, based on the acquired information, information such as the coordinates indicating the current position and the traveling direction is acquired and output to the navigation calculation means 20. The display operation unit 23 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display device, and a touch panel, operation switches, and the like linked to the display screen. The audio output unit 24 includes a speaker and an amplifier. The display operation unit 23 and the voice output unit 24 are connected to the navigation calculation unit 20 via the driver 22, and display their own position according to the operation of the navigation calculation unit 20, route calculation between two points, route guidance, purpose Performs display and audio output for ground search. The display operation unit 23 receives an operation input by the user and outputs the content to the navigation calculation unit 20.

1-2. Configuration for Realizing Update Function of Navigation Device 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 has a configuration for realizing the update function of the reference database 19 in addition to the configuration for realizing the basic function described above. In addition, a communication unit 11, a media playback unit 12, a difference data file reception unit 13, a data selection unit 14, a local storage database update unit 15, a local storage database 16, a conversion unit 17, and a reference database update unit 18 are provided. In this navigation device 1, in order to update the reference database 19, with respect to the road network data Rn, the local storage database 16 is differentially updated based on the differential data file Df provided from the differential data distribution server 3 and updated. The data in the later local storage database 16 is converted into a reference data format, and the reference database 19 is updated. Note that the guidance data Gd such as image data, audio data, POI (Point of Interest) data, and the like has little relation to each other, so the reference database 19 is updated directly based on the difference data file Df. I will do it. Hereinafter, each of these components will be described in detail.

  The difference data file receiving means 13 is a means for receiving the difference data file Df provided from the difference data distribution server 3. Here, the difference data file Df is received via the communication unit 11 or the media playback unit 12. The communication means 11 is configured to be able to receive the difference data file Df wirelessly with the wireless base station 4. As such a wireless communication method, for example, a known communication network such as a mobile phone network or a wireless local area network (LAN) can be used. Further, the communication means 11 communicates with the update terminal 5 possessed by the user or the dealer of the navigation device 1 and the difference data file transmitted to the update terminal 5 via the communication network 6 such as the Internet. It is configured to be able to receive Df. Here, a personal computer or the like can be used as the update terminal 5, and various known wired or wireless communication methods can be used as a communication method between the communication unit 11 and the update terminal 5. . The media playback means 12 is configured to play back the recording media created in the differential data distribution server 3 and to read the differential data file Df recorded there. The difference data file accepting unit 13 receives the difference data file Df from the difference data distribution server 3 via the communication unit 11 or reads the difference data file Df from the recording medium by the media reproducing unit 12. Only the difference data file Df of a version newer than the version of the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 is accepted.

  The difference data file Df is a file in which the contents of data to be updated in accordance with the actual road, facility state, etc. are collected as difference data with respect to the contents of data stored in the reference database 19 of the navigation device 1. It is. As will be described later, the difference data file Df is generated in the difference data generation server 2 based on the comparison local storage database 33 having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1 and the new data.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the difference data file Df. Here, the difference data file Df is created corresponding to each section (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3) of the road network data Rn, and section ID data da indicating the corresponding section. Is placed at the top. Further, the difference data file Df has version data db indicating an updated version. The difference data file Df arranges data to be updated separately for each update mode. For this reason, update mode data dc representing different types of “addition”, “change”, and “deletion” is arranged at the head of the data group for each update mode. Furthermore, the difference data file Df arranges each data of the data group divided for each update mode in the data type order. Therefore, data type ID data dd representing the data type of the data group is arranged at the head of the data group for each data type. Then, after this data type ID data dd, permanent ID data of each data and entity data linked thereto are arranged. Note that for the data whose update mode is “deleted”, no new entity data is required, so only permanent ID data is arranged. Here, the permanent ID is a unique ID on the map database unique to each entity data constituting the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd, and is also used in common in the reference database 19 and the local storage database 16.

  Here, as data constituting the difference data file Df, there are mainly various data constituting the road network data Rn and various data constituting the guidance data Gd. Specifically, data types related to network system data, which is main data constituting the road network data Rn, include “intersection data”, “connection data”, “road data”, “shape data”, and the like. Further, there are road extension data and intersection extension data as additional data associated with these network system data and constituting the road network data Rn. Data types related to road expansion data include “road name data”, “traffic information related data” for associating traffic information such as VICS with road data, and data types related to intersection extension data include “intersection” “Name data”, “necessity of guidance at an intersection, and“ intersection guidance data ”representing permanent ID data of guidance data Gd constituting the guidance content. As described above, in the present embodiment, various data constituting the road network data Rn are “intersection data”, “connection data”, “road data”, “shape data”, “road name data”, “traffic information related data”, The data is classified into element types such as “intersection name data” and “intersection guide data”, and the data for each element type is arranged in the order of the data type. Although the difference data file Df has been described here, the same applies to the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16. Further, the data types related to the guidance data Gd include “image data”, “voice data”, “POI (Point of Interest) data”, and the like. A data type ID is assigned to each of these data types, and the data type ID data dd is arranged in the difference data file Df.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the data selection means 14 selects the data in the difference data file Df received by the difference data file reception means 13 into data relating to the road network data Rn, other guidance data Gd, and the like. It is. As will be described later, here, the local storage database 16 is a database for differential update of the road network data Rn. Therefore, the data selection unit 14 sends data related to the road network data Rn selected from the difference data file Df to the local storage database update unit 15. Further, the data selection means 14 sends data related to the guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn to the reference database update means 18.

  The local storage database 16 is a database for differential update of the road network data Rn. Therefore, the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 has an update data format different from the reference data format stored in the reference database 19. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the road network data Rn in the update data format. As shown in this figure, the update data format is a data format in which each data is arranged in the data type order. Here, as with the reference database 19, the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16 is divided into predetermined sections (see section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3) and corresponds. The section ID data df indicating the section is arranged at the head. The road network data Rn has version data dg indicating an updated version. Further, the road network data Rn has a header portion dh in which address data indicating the arrangement of substantial data constituting the road network data Rn is stored.

  The road network data Rn in the data format for update stored in the local storage database 16 is classified as “intersection data”, “connection data”, There are “road data”, “shape data”, etc., “road name data”, “traffic information related data” etc. for road extension data, “intersection name data”, “intersection guidance data” etc. for intersection extension data is there. These data are arranged in the order of data type, and data of the same data type is continuously arranged. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, road data A1, road data A2,... And all road data are continuously arranged from the top, and then intersection data A1, intersection data A2,. And all the intersection data are continuously arranged, and after that, all the data types are similarly arranged. The header section dh stores address data indicating the data arrangement area for each data type and the arrangement of each data within the same data type. Therefore, the local storage database update unit 15 can obtain the arrangement information of each data in the local storage database 16 by referring to the information stored in the header part dh.

  Similarly to the reference database 19, the local storage database 16 stores a comparison table of record codes and permanent IDs of each data constituting the road network data Rn as shown in FIG. By the presence of this comparison table, the permanent ID data stored in the differential data file Df and the entity data associated therewith are associated with each data constituting the road network data Rn of the local storage database 16, and a difference is made. Based on the data file Df, the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16 can be updated.

  Note that, unlike the reference database 19, the local storage database 16 is not divided according to the application program, but is a single database. The local storage database 16 stores only data related to the road network data Rn, and does not store data related to the guidance data Gd.

  The local storage database update unit 15 is a unit that updates the contents of the local storage database 16 based on the data related to the road network data Rn included in the difference data file Df selected by the data selection unit 14. Here, the section ID data da and df (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are assigned to the difference data file Df and the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16 as described above. Therefore, the local storage database update unit 15 updates the road network data Rn for each section using the difference data file Df in which the section ID data da and df match. The update method differs depending on whether the update mode of the data to be updated stored in the differential data file Df is “addition”, “change”, or “deletion”.

  When the update mode is “addition”, the local storage database update unit 15 adds the update target data to the area in which the data of the data type corresponding to the data is stored, and adds the update target data to the address data of the header portion dh. Information indicating the array of the added data is added. Also, the comparison table is updated, and the record code and permanent ID information of the added data is added. When the update mode is “change”, the local storage database update unit 15 first responds from the permanent ID of the data to be updated stored in the differential data file Df based on the comparison table as shown in FIG. Get the record code information of the data to be processed. Then, with reference to the address data of the header part dh included in the road network data Rn of the local storage database 16, information on the storage position of the data to be updated is acquired, and the data to be updated is rewritten. When the update mode is “deletion”, the local storage database update unit 15 first responds from the permanent ID of the data to be updated stored in the difference data file Df based on the comparison table as shown in FIG. Get the record code information of the data to be processed. Then, by referring to the address data of the header part dh included in the road network data Rn of the local storage database 16, information on the storage position of the data to be updated is acquired, and the data to be updated and its address data are deleted. . Also, the comparison table is updated, and the record code and permanent ID information of the deleted data is deleted.

  In addition, when the local storage database 16 is updated with the difference data file Df, the local storage database update means 15 uses the version data dg (see FIG. 8) of the road network data Rn of the updated section of the local storage database 16. Then, the difference data file Df is updated so as to have the same version as the version data db (see FIG. 7).

  The conversion means 17 is a means for converting the data format of the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 from the update data format to the reference data format. Specifically, the conversion means 17 converts the road network data Rn in the update data format in which each data is arranged in the data type order as shown in FIG. 8, and each data is in the order of connection of the road network as shown in FIG. A process of converting the road network data Rn into the arranged reference data format is performed. Incidentally, as described above, the reference database 19 is divided into a plurality of application databases 19a to 19e, and road network data Rn in a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5 is included in each of the application databases 19a to 19e. Is stored. Here, the conversion means 17 converts the road network data Rn in one update data format stored in the local storage database 16, and a plurality of types of reference data format road networks corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. Data Rn can be generated. In each of the application databases 19a to 19e, the road network data Rn is data divided into predetermined sections (section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3). Therefore, the conversion means 17 is configured to perform conversion processing of the road network data Rn from the update data format to the reference data format for each predetermined section.

  The reference database update means 18 is means for updating the reference database 19. In this embodiment, for the road network data Rn, the reference database 19 is updated using the road network data Rn converted by the conversion means 17. As described above, the conversion unit 17 is configured to perform the conversion process of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section in the reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5. Therefore, the reference database update unit 18 converts the road network data Rn in the reference database 19 for each unit of the road network data Rn converted by the conversion unit 17, that is, for each predetermined section of each of the application databases 19a to 19e. Updating is performed by replacing with the later road network data Rn. Specifically, for example, when the road network data Rn of the section <1> in the local storage database 16 is converted into a reference data format corresponding to the display program PG1 by the conversion means 17, for example, a display program database. Update is performed by replacing the road network data Rn of the section <1> of 19a with the road network data Rn after the conversion.

  Further, the reference database updating unit 18 directly updates the reference database 19 based on the data related to the guidance data Gd included in the difference data file Df selected by the data selection unit 14 for the guidance data Gd. . Specifically, the reference database updating unit 18 first records the corresponding data record code from the permanent ID of the guidance data Gd to be updated stored in the difference data file Df based on the comparison table shown in FIG. Get information about. Then, the corresponding guidance data Gd is extracted from the reference database 19 and updated by rewriting the data based on the actual data stored in the difference data file Df.

  Further, the reference database update unit 18 sequentially stores the data converted by the conversion unit 17 in the parallel update area Fr of the reference database 19 during execution of the application programs PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. Then, after the conversion process by the conversion unit 17 is completed, a process of updating the reference database 19 by replacing the data stored in the parallel update area Fr with the data of the reference database 19 is performed. That is, during the execution of the application programs PG1 to PG5 in the navigation calculation means, the predetermined application databases 19a to 19e in the reference database 19 are appropriately referred to by the application programs PG1 to PG5 being executed. On the other hand, since the conversion process of the data format by the conversion unit 17 requires a relatively long time, the converted data is converted into the respective application databases 19a to 19 while performing the conversion process by the conversion unit 17 during execution of the application programs PG1 to PG5. If the reference database 19 is updated by writing in 19e, there is a possibility that the operation of the application programs PG1 to PG5 being executed may be hindered. Therefore, during the execution of any of the application programs PG1 to PG5, the data converted by the conversion means 17 is temporarily stored in the parallel update area Fr, and stored in the parallel update area Fr after the conversion process is completed. A process of updating the reference database 19 by replacing the data thus obtained with the data of the reference database 19 is performed. As a result, the navigation program PG is operated, and the reference database 19 is simultaneously operated in parallel while operating the basic functions of the navigation device 1 such as display of the own position, calculation of the route from the departure place to the destination, route guidance, and destination search. Update processing can be performed. The process of replacing the data stored in the parallel update area Fr with the data in the reference database 19 is performed, for example, between the data stored in the parallel update area Fr and the corresponding pre-update data. This can be done by changing the address of the storage area in the storage area.

1-3. Configuration of Differential Data Generation Server 2 The differential data generation server 2 is a server device that performs a process of generating a differential data file Df and providing it to the differential data distribution server 3. As a configuration for executing such processing, the difference data generation server 2 includes an input terminal 31 as a new data receiving unit, a data type determination unit 32, a target local storage database 33, a new local storage database 34, a new local A storage database generation unit 35 and a difference data file generation unit 36 are provided.

  The input terminal 31 is a terminal for accepting input of new data. The new data input here is a specific content to be newly added, changed, or deleted with respect to the content of the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd stored in the reference database 19 of the navigation device 1. Data. For example, when a new road is actually created, it is necessary for the intersection data, connection data, road data, shape data, and the like constituting the road network data Rn of the portion related to the road, or when the road is newly established. Various image data, audio data, POI data, and the like constituting the guidance data Gd are input from the input terminal 31 as new data. For example, when the road is removed, information specifying various data constituting the road network data Rn and guidance data Gd and the like which are unnecessary when the road is removed is input. . As information for designating such data, for example, the permanent ID or identification code of each data can be used. As the input terminal 31, specifically, a personal computer equipped with a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, and the like can be used.

  The data type determination unit 32 is a unit that determines whether the new data input from the input terminal 31 is data related to the road network data Rn, other guidance data Gd, or the like, and selects them. As will be described later, here, the local storage database 33 for comparison is a database of road network data Rn having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1, and the new local storage database 34 is a local local database for comparison. The contents of the storage database 33 are updated with new data, which is also a database of road network data Rn. Therefore, the data type determination unit 32 sends data related to the road network data Rn selected from the new data to the new local storage database generation unit 35. Further, the data type determination unit 32 sends data related to the guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn to the difference data file generation unit 36.

  The target local storage database 33 is a database having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1. That is, in the reference local storage database 33, for example, road network data Rn in the update data format as shown in FIG. It is stored separately. Similarly to the local storage database 16, the target local storage database 33 stores a comparison table of record codes and permanent IDs of each data constituting the road network data Rn as shown in FIG. . The contents of the comparison local storage database 33 are updated to match the contents of the new local storage database 34 after the differential data file Df is generated, thereby updating the navigation apparatus updated with the differential data file Df. One local storage database 16 is always maintained to have the same contents. However, as will be described later, the road network data Rn is stored in the new local storage database 34 only for the section updated by the new data. Therefore, the road network data Rn stored in the target local storage database 33 is also updated only for the road network data Rn of the section stored in the new local storage database 34. Further, when the target local storage database 33 is updated, the version data dg (see FIG. 8) for the road network data Rn of the updated section is converted into the version data db ( It is updated so as to be the same version as that shown in FIG.

  The new local storage database 34 is a database having the same data format as the control local storage database 33 and having contents updated with the contents of the new data input from the input terminal 31. That is, the new local storage database 34 includes road network data Rn in an update data format as shown in FIG. 8, for example, and road network data Rn as shown in FIG. Is stored with a record code of each data and a comparison table of permanent IDs. However, as will be described later, the new local storage database generation unit 35 updates the road network data Rn for each predetermined section (see section <1> to section <3> shown in FIG. 3) to create a new local storage database 34. To store. Therefore, in the new local storage database 34, only the data regarding the updated section is stored for the road network data Rn. Further, the contents of the comparison table are different from the comparison local storage database 33 in the part updated with the contents of the new data.

  The new local storage database generation means 35 is a means for generating a new local storage database 34 based on the comparison local storage database 33 and the new data input from the input terminal 31. Specifically, the new local storage database generation means 35 stores the data regarding the portion of the road network data Rn input from the input terminal 31 to be added, changed, deleted, etc. in the local storage database 33 for comparison. Convert to the same data format for update. Then, the new local storage database generation means 35 reads the road network data Rn of the section to be updated from the local storage database 33 for comparison, and adds to the content of the road network data Rn using the converted data. Update with changes, deletions, etc. Then, the updated road network data Rn of the section is stored in the new local storage database 34. Correspondingly, the new local storage database generating means 35 updates the contents of the comparison table (see FIG. 6) by adding, changing, deleting, etc., and updates the updated comparison table to the new local storage database 34. To store.

  For example, when a new road is actually created, intersection data, connection data, road data, shape data, and the like constituting the road network data Rn of the portion related to the road are input from the input terminal 31. Therefore, the new local storage database generation means 35 arranges the data format into an update data format, and based on the coordinate information of each data, the contents of the connection data, etc., the partition to be updated from the comparison local storage database 33 The existing road network data Rn is read out, and a process for adding data on a new road to the road network data Rn is performed. At this time, necessary changes or the like are also made to related data in the data constituting the existing road network data Rn. Further, the new local storage database generation means 35 performs a process of assigning a new permanent ID to the newly added data and adding it to the comparison table (see FIG. 6). Further, for example, when a road is removed, information for designating various data constituting the road network data Rn of a portion that becomes unnecessary when the road is removed is input from the input terminal 31. Therefore, the new local storage database generation means 35 reads the existing road network data Rn of the section to be updated from the comparison local storage database 33, and uses the existing road network data Rn as the data constituting the portion of the road network data Rn that becomes unnecessary. It is deleted from the network data Rn and necessary changes are made to related data. Furthermore, the new local storage database generation means 35 also performs a process of deleting the permanent ID for the deleted data from the comparison table (see FIG. 6).

  The difference data file generation means 36 is means for generating a difference data file Df based on the difference between the control local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34. As described above, the control local storage database 33 is a database having the same contents as the local storage database 16 of the navigation device 1, and the new local storage database 34 has the same data format as the control local storage database 33. Thus, the database has the contents updated with the contents of the new data input from the input terminal 31. Therefore, by comparing the contents of these two databases and extracting the difference between them, data relating to the road network data Rn constituting the contents of the difference data file Df can be acquired. Further, the difference data file generation means 36 is sent data related to the guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn selected by the data type determination means 32. Therefore, the difference data file generation means 36 includes the data relating to the road network data Rn acquired as the difference between the comparison local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34, and the guidance data Gd sent from the data type determination means 32. And the like, and the difference data file Df is generated by combining the data related to the data into the data format of the predetermined difference data file Df. The difference data file Df is generated for each predetermined section in accordance with the road network data Rn for the updated section stored in the new local storage database 34.

  The specific contents of the difference data file Df are as described above and will not be described in detail. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the difference data file Df is stored after the section ID data da and the version data db. , “Addition”, “change”, “deletion”, and the like, and each data is arranged in order of data type. The section ID data da is data representing a section of the road network data Rn to be updated by the difference data file Df, and data indicating the section of the road network data Rn from which the difference data file Df is generated. Is done. Further, the difference data file generation means 36 counts the number of generations of the difference data file Df so far and stores it in a version data storage means (not shown), and a serial number or the like corresponding to the number of generations is used as version data db. Give. Note that the number of times such difference data file Df is generated is counted for each section in accordance with the section of the road network data Rn, and the serial number for each section is used as version data db. The permanent ID associated with each entity data is given based on the comparison table (see FIG. 6) stored in the new local storage database 34. The update mode data dc representing the update mode and the data type ID data dd are given based on a table (not shown) provided in the difference data file generation unit 36. Then, the difference data file Df generated by the difference data file generation means 36 is transmitted to the difference data distribution server 3 and stored in the difference database 41.

1-4. Configuration of Difference Data Distribution Server 3 The difference data distribution server 3 is a server device that performs processing for providing the navigation device 1 with the difference data file Df generated by the difference data generation server 2. As a configuration for executing such processing, the differential data distribution server 3 includes a differential database 41 and a distribution unit 42 as a differential data file output unit 44 that outputs a differential data file Df to be provided to the navigation device 1. And media creation means 43.

  The difference database 41 is a database that stores the difference data file Df generated by the difference data generation server 2. In the difference database 41, all the difference data files Df generated so far by the difference data generation server 2 are stored. That is, the difference database 41 stores one or more versions of the difference data file Df for each section in accordance with the road network data Rn.

  The distribution unit 42 is a unit for distributing the difference data file Df to the navigation device 1. Here, the distribution means 42 is configured to be able to distribute the differential data file Df to the navigation device 1 via the radio base station 4 or via the communication network 6 and the update terminal 5. Further, the media creation means 43 is configured to be able to record the difference data file Df stored in the difference database 41 on the recording medium Me in accordance with an instruction from an operation means (not shown) of the difference data distribution server 3. A method of providing the difference data file Df by the difference data distribution server 3 will be described in detail later using a flowchart.

1-5. Method for Generating Difference Data File Next, a method for generating the difference data file Df by the difference data generation server 2 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the difference data generation server 2, first, when input of new data is received by the input terminal 31 (step # 01: Yes), the data type determination unit 32 determines whether the new data is data related to the road network data Rn. It is determined whether or not (step # 02). Then, the data related to the road network data Rn (step # 02: Yes) is sent to the new local storage database generation means 35, and the new local storage database generation means 35 generates a new local storage database 34 (step # 03). ). On the other hand, for the guidance data Gd and the like other than the data related to the road network data Rn (step # 02: No), the process of step # 03 is not performed. If the new data includes both the road network data Rn and other guidance data Gd and the like, the data relating to the road network data Rn is selected and stored in the new local storage database generation means 35. Sending and guiding data Gd and the like are sent to the difference data file generating means 36.

  Next, the difference data file generation means 36 generates a difference data file Df based on the difference between the comparison local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34 (step # 04). Then, the generated difference data file Df is transmitted to the difference data distribution server 3 and stored in the difference database 41 (step # 05). Thereafter, the contents of the control local storage database 33 are updated so as to match the new local storage database 34 (step # 06). Above, the production | generation process of the difference data file Df by the difference data production | generation server 2 is complete | finished.

1-6. Method for Providing Difference Data File Next, a method for providing the difference data file Df to the navigation device 1 by the difference data distribution server 3 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the difference data distribution server 3, first, the distribution unit 42 determines whether or not communication with the navigation device 1 is possible (step # 11). In addition, the delivery means 42 communicates with the navigation apparatus 1 via the wireless base station 4, the communication network 6, and the update terminal 5 as described above. If communication with the navigation device 1 is possible (step # 11: Yes), then the distribution means 42 stores the road network data stored in the local storage database 16 for the navigation device 1. Rn version information is requested (step # 12). At this time, on the navigation device 1 side, the version data dg of the road network data Rn for each section stored in the local storage database 16 is read, and the difference data distribution server 3 is used as version information of the road network data Rn for each section. Send to.

  On the other hand, the distribution means 42 acquires the latest version information of the difference data file Df of each section based on the version data db of each difference data file Df stored in the difference database 41 (step # 13). Then, the distribution means 42 compares the latest version information of the difference data file Df of each section acquired in step # 13 with the version information of the road network data Rn for each section received from the navigation device 1, and the version is It is determined whether or not they are the same (step # 14). At this time, version comparison is performed for each section using the difference data file Df having the same section ID data da and df (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and the road network data Rn. If the versions are not the same (step # 14: No), that is, if the latest version of the difference data file Df for the same section is newer than the version of the road network data Rn of the navigation device 1, the road network data. All the difference data files Df that are newer than the version of Rn are transmitted to the navigation device 1. On the other hand, if the versions are the same (step # 14: Yes), that is, if the latest version of the difference data file Df for the same section is the same as the version of the road network data Rn of the navigation device 1, the difference Since there is no need to update the data file Df, the process ends without transmitting the differential data file Df.

  Further, in the differential data distribution server 3, when the distribution means 42 is not in a state where communication with the navigation device 1 is possible (step # 11: No), next, an operation (not shown) of the differential data distribution server 3 is performed. It is determined whether or not there is a media creation request from the means (step # 16). If there is a media creation request, all the difference data files Df stored in the difference database are recorded on the recording medium Me (step # 17). The recording medium Me on which the differential data file Df created in this way is recorded is sent to the user of the navigation apparatus 1 or a handling company by mail or the like. The process ends here.

1-7. Method for Updating Reference Database 19 in Navigation Device 1 Next, a method for updating the reference database 19 in the navigation device 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the navigation device 1, first, when the differential data file receiving unit 13 receives the differential data file Df (step # 21: Yes), the data selecting unit 14 converts the data in the received differential data file Df to the road. Selection is made into data relating to the network data Rn, other guidance data Gd and the like (step # 22). The guidance data Gd other than the data related to the road network data Rn is sent to the reference database update means 18 (step # 22: No), and the reference database update means 18 uses the data to guide data Gd in the reference database 19. Etc. are directly updated (step # 23). On the other hand, the data relating to the road network data Rn (step # 22: Yes) is sent to the local storage database update means 15, and the local storage database update means 15 updates the road network data Rn stored in the local storage database 16 ( Step # 24).

  Next, the navigation apparatus 1 determines whether or not the navigation program PG is being executed in the navigation calculation means 20 (step # 25). Here, when the navigation program PG is not being executed (step # 25: No), the conversion means 17 uses the road network data Rn read from the local storage database 16 as reference data corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. The road network data Rn is converted into the format (step # 26). Then, the reference database updating unit 18 sequentially updates the contents of the application databases 19a to 19e of the reference database 19 with the converted road network data Rn (step # 27). On the other hand, when the navigation program PG is being executed (step # 25: Yes), the conversion means 17 uses the road network data Rn read from the local storage database 16 as reference data corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. The road network data Rn is converted into a format (step # 28). Then, the reference database update means 18 sequentially stores the converted road network data Rn in the parallel update area of the reference database 19 (step # 29). Then, until all the conversion processes of the road network data Rn to be subjected to the conversion process of step # 28 are completed (step # 30: No), the processes of steps # 28 and # 29 are performed, and the conversion process Is completed (step # 30: Yes), the reference database 19 is updated by replacing the data stored in the parallel update area Fr with the data of the reference database 19 (step # 31). The process ends here.

2. First Embodiment of the Present Invention Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the data update system according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment does not have the reference database 19 and includes a temporary storage area 27 instead. The navigation apparatus 1 extracts necessary data from the local storage database 16 by the data extraction means 25 in accordance with a request from the navigation program PG when the navigation calculation means 20 executes the navigation program PG. The data is converted into a reference data format and stored in the temporary storage area 27. Then, the application programs PG1 to PG5 refer to data such as road network data Rn in the reference data format temporarily stored in the temporary storage area 27. In addition, since the reference database 19 is not provided in the present embodiment, the local storage database 16 also stores guidance data Gd other than the road network data Rn. Since the navigation device 1 does not include the reference database 19, the amount of data in the database included in the navigation device 1 can be reduced, and thus the capacity required for storage means such as a hard disk drive of the navigation device 1 can be reduced. The configuration can be reduced. The configurations and operation methods of the differential data generation server 2 and the differential data distribution server 3 are the same as in the basic mode. Also, the other configurations are the same as those in the basic mode described above unless otherwise described. Hereinafter, the difference from the basic mode will be mainly described.

2-1. Configuration of Navigation Device 1 Different from Basic Mode As described above, in this embodiment, the local storage database 16 stores not only road network data Rn but also other data such as guidance data Gd. Here, the storage state of the guidance data Gd is the same as the storage state in the reference database 19 in the above basic form, and each data constituting the guidance data Gd is road network data in the local storage database 16. It is stored in association with data of links, nodes, etc. (see FIG. 4) included in Rn. Therefore, the navigation device 1 does not include the data selection unit 14, and all the information included in the difference data file Df received by the difference data file reception unit 13 is sent to the local storage database update unit 15. Then, the contents of the local storage database 16 are updated by the local storage database update means 15 based on the data relating to the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, etc. included in the difference data file Df.

  The update of the road network data Rn at this time is the same as that in the basic mode. That is, the local storage database update unit 15 updates the road network data Rn in the local storage database 16 for each partition using the difference data file Df in which the partition ID data da and df match. The update method at this time is, as described in the basic mode, the update mode of the data to be updated stored in the difference data file Df is “addition”, “change”, “deletion”. It depends on which one it is. In addition, when the local storage database 16 is updated with the difference data file Df, the local storage database update means 15 uses the version data dg (see FIG. 8) of the road network data Rn of the updated section of the local storage database 16. Then, the difference data file Df is updated so as to have the same version as the version data db (see FIG. 7).

  Further, the update of the guidance data Gd in the local storage database 16 is the same as the update of the guidance data Gd in the reference database 19 in the basic form. That is, the local storage database update unit 15 firstly updates the guidance data Gd to be updated stored in the differential data file Df based on the comparison table as shown in FIG. 6 stored in the local storage database 16. The record code information of the corresponding data is acquired from the permanent ID. Then, the corresponding guidance data Gd is extracted from the local storage database 16 and updated by rewriting the data based on the actual data stored in the difference data file Df.

  The data extraction means 25 is means for extracting necessary data from the local storage database 16 in accordance with a request from the navigation program PG. In the present embodiment, the data extraction unit 25 extracts the road network data Rn for each predetermined section and the guidance data Gd associated therewith from the local storage database 16 as a minimum unit. In the present embodiment, the data extraction unit 25 extracts road network data Rn, guidance data Gd, and the like of the required sections in accordance with requests from each of the plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5. Specifically, for example, the display program PG1 requests data of a section including the periphery of the predetermined point as necessary data in order to display a map around the predetermined point such as its own position and destination. In addition, for example, the map matching program PG2 requests data of a section including the periphery of the own position as necessary data in order to perform map matching of the own position. Further, for example, the route calculation program PG3 sets a route including the periphery of the current location, a partition including the periphery of the destination, and a route periphery between the current location and the destination in order to set a route from the current location to the predetermined destination. Request the data of the containing partition as necessary data. Similarly, the guidance program PG4 and the search program PG5 also request data for sections necessary for arithmetic processing by the respective programs. The data extraction means 25 extracts the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, etc. of all sections required by the application programs PG1 to PG5 from the local storage database 16 in accordance with requests from the application programs PG1 to PG5. To do. Then, the data extracted by the data extraction unit 25 is sent to the conversion unit 17.

  The conversion unit 17 converts the data such as the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd extracted by the data extraction unit 25 into a reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5. In the present embodiment, the conversion unit 17 refers to all the application programs PG1 to PG5 for all the data extracted by the data extraction unit 25 regardless of the individual execution states of the application programs PG1 to PG5. It is assumed that conversion to a data format for use (here, five types of reference data formats) is performed. The converted road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like after the conversion are stored in the temporary storage area 27. Until the reference by the navigation program PG is completed, the navigation program PG can be referred to. For example, when the set route is changed, the sections required by the application programs PG1 to PG5 such as the route calculation program PG3 are also changed. Accordingly, the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like for the sections that are no longer referred to by the application programs PG1 to PG5 are deleted from the temporary storage area 27. For example, even when the navigation apparatus 1 is powered off, the data stored in the temporary storage area 27 is deleted. In addition, when the setting route is changed as described above, the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd for the sections newly requested by the application programs PG1 to PG5 are extracted by the data extraction unit 25. The data is converted into a reference data format by the conversion means 17 and stored in the temporary storage area 27.

2-2. Operation Method Associated with Database Update in Navigation Device 1 Next, an operation method associated with the update of the local storage database 16 in the navigation device 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In this navigation device 1, when the difference data file receiving means 13 receives the difference data file Df (step # 41: Yes), the information included in the difference data file Df is sent to the local storage database updating means 15 to be sent locally. The storage database update unit 15 updates the contents of the local storage database 16 (step # 42). When there is a request from the navigation program PG (step # 43: Yes), the data extraction means 25 is stored in the local storage database 16 according to the request from each application program PG1 to PG5 of the navigation program PG. From the above, necessary data is extracted as described above (step # 44). Specifically, the data extraction means 25 extracts road network data Rn, guidance data Gd, and the like of necessary sections in accordance with requests from each of the plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5. Then, the conversion unit 17 converts the data such as the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd extracted by the data extraction unit 25 from the update data format to the reference data format corresponding to each application program PG1 to PG5. (Step # 45).

  The data after the conversion in step # 45 is stored in the temporary storage area 27 (step # 46). Until the reference by the navigation program PG is completed (step # 47: No), the converted data remains stored in the temporary storage area 27 and can be referred to by the navigation program PG. Thereafter, when the reference by the navigation program PG is completed (step # 47: Yes), the converted road network data Rn and the data such as the guidance data Gd stored in the temporary storage area 27 are deleted (step # 47). # 48). At this time, data can be erased for each predetermined section. Therefore, when the set route is changed, the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like for the section that is no longer referred to by the navigation program PG are deleted from the temporary storage area 27, but the reference is performed. It is possible to keep the data stored in the temporary storage area 27 without erasing the data for the divided sections. Note that, for example, when the navigation apparatus 1 is turned off, all data stored in the temporary storage area 27 is deleted. The process ends here.

3. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the data update system according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration according to the first embodiment, but the data in the reference database 19 and the reference database update unit 18 and the data stored in the local storage database 16 are extracted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes an extraction number determination unit 26 that determines whether or not a predetermined condition for the number of extractions by the unit 25 is satisfied. In this navigation apparatus 1, the extraction number determination unit 26 determines data satisfying a predetermined condition with respect to the number of times extracted by the data extraction unit 25, and such data is converted into reference data after conversion by the conversion unit 17. By storing the data in the reference database 19 in a format, the load of the conversion process by the conversion means 17 is reduced. In addition, about the structure and operation | movement method of the difference data generation server 2 and the difference data delivery server 3, it is the same as that of the said basic form and 1st embodiment. Other points of the configuration that are not particularly described are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

3-1. Configuration of Navigation Device 1 Different from First Embodiment As described above, the navigation device 1 according to this embodiment includes the reference database 19, the reference database update means 18, and the number of extractions in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. Judgment means 26 is provided. Here, the extraction number determination unit 26 satisfies a predetermined condition regarding the number of times of extraction by the data extraction unit 25 according to a request from the navigation program PG for each of a plurality of data stored in the local storage database 16. It is means for determining whether or not. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the data extraction means 25 extracts the road network data Rn for each predetermined section and the guidance data Gd associated therewith from the local storage database 16 as a minimum unit. To do. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the extraction number determination means 26 determines that the extraction number for each of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold N as the predetermined condition. It is said. Therefore, in this example, although not shown in the drawings, the extraction number determination unit 26 includes a counting unit that counts the number of extractions of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section, an extraction number storage unit that stores the counting result, and an extraction number. Condition determining means for determining whether or not the number of extractions of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section stored in the storage means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value N. Here, the threshold value N is preferably set to a natural number of about 2 to 5, for example. As a result, it is possible to select road network data Rn of a section having a high number of extractions by the data extraction means 25 and having a high reference frequency from the navigation program PG and store it in the reference database 19. Each time the road network data Rn is extracted by the data extraction unit 25, the number-of-extractions determination unit 26 adds 1 to the number of extractions of the road network data Rn of the extracted section. Then, when the condition determination means determines that the count result of the number of extractions stored in the extraction number storage means exceeds the threshold value N, the road network data Rn and the guidance data associated therewith for the section It is determined that a predetermined condition for the number of extractions such as Gd is satisfied.

  The road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like that are determined to satisfy the predetermined condition regarding the number of extractions by the extraction number determination unit 26 are converted into a reference data format converted by the conversion unit 17 by the reference database update unit 18. Store in the reference database 19. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reference database 19 stores only the road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like of the sections that are determined by the extraction number determination unit 26 to satisfy a predetermined condition regarding the number of extractions. It will be. Also in the present embodiment, the reference database 19 includes a plurality of application databases 19a to 19e (see FIG. 3) according to the plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5. The format of data stored in the reference database 19 is a plurality of reference data formats corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5.

  In addition to the navigation program PG, the navigation computing unit 20 of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage data table Tb that is a table representing data stored in the reference database 19. In this example, the stored data table Tb is data representing a list of sections such as road network data Rn and guidance data Gd stored in the reference database 19, specifically, section ID data of each section (see FIG. 5). ). Therefore, the navigation computing unit 20 refers to the stored data table Tb by the navigation program PG, so that data information stored in the reference database 19, specifically, the road network stored in the reference database 19 is stored. Information on sections such as data Rn and guidance data Gd can be acquired. The navigation program PG operates by referring to the reference database 19 for the data stored in the reference database 19, and for other data from the local storage database 16 as in the first embodiment. It operates by referring to the data extracted and converted into the reference data format by the conversion means 17.

3-2. Extraction Count Determination and Data Storage Method in Reference Database 19 Next, FIG. 15 shows an extraction count determination and data storage method in the reference database 19, which is a specific operation method in the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. This will be described based on a flowchart. In this navigation apparatus 1, when the road network data Rn and the guidance data Gd associated therewith are extracted by the data extraction means 25 (step # 51: Yes), the extraction number determination means 26 is extracted. 1 is added to the number of extractions of the road network data Rn of the section, and the number of extractions is stored in the extraction number storage means (step # 52). Then, the number-of-extractions determination unit 26 determines whether the number of extractions stored in the number-of-extractions storage unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value N (step # 53). Here, if the number of extractions is less than the threshold value N (step # 53: No), it is determined that the predetermined condition for the number of extractions is not satisfied (the number of extractions is large), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the number of extractions is equal to or greater than the threshold value N (step # 53: Yes), it is determined that a predetermined condition for the number of extractions is satisfied (the number of extractions is small), and the reference database update unit 18 The road network data Rn, the guidance data Gd, and the like are stored in the reference database 19 in the reference data format converted by the conversion means 17 (step # 54). The process ends here.

4). Other Embodiments (1) The specific configurations of the road network data Rn in the reference data format and the update data format, the difference data file Df, etc. described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and these data Of course, it is possible to make this configuration different from the above-described embodiments.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the contents of the comparison local storage database 33 of the difference data generation server 2 are updated so as to match the contents of the new local storage database 34 after the difference data file Df is generated. The case has been described as an example. At this time, it is possible to delete the contents of the reference local storage database 33 before the update, but it is also preferable to store the contents in the reference local storage database 33 together with the version data. one of. In such a configuration, the comparison local storage database 33 stores a plurality of versions of road network data Rn for each predetermined section.

(3) In each of the embodiments described above, the difference data generation server 2 generates the new local storage database 34 based on the new data, and performs the difference based on the difference between the comparison local storage database 33 and the new local storage database 34. The configuration for generating the data file Df has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the difference data generation server 2 is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, a configuration in which the differential data generation server 2 generates the differential data file Df from the new data and the comparison local storage database 33 without generating the new local storage database 34 is also a preferred embodiment. One.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the difference data generation server 2 generates the difference data file Df based on at least the new data and the reference local storage database 33 has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the server device of the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, data corresponding to the difference data file Df can be directly input by the input terminal 31 or the like and stored in the difference database 41. In this case, in addition to the structure equivalent to the difference data distribution server 3 in each of the above-described embodiments, the server device can be configured to include only difference data receiving means.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the server device is configured by the difference data generation server 2 and the difference data distribution server 3 has been described. However, the configuration of the server device is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the functions of the differential data generation server 2 and the functions of the differential data distribution server 3 are integrated into one server device is also one preferred embodiment.

(6) In each of the above embodiments, the navigation program PG as an operation program includes a plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5, and the reference database 19 includes application databases 19a to 19e corresponding to the application programs PG1 to PG5. The case has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the operation program and the reference database 19 according to the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the data stored in the reference database 19 may be configured by data of one type of reference data format, and may not be divided into a plurality of databases. Further, the operation program does not need to include a plurality of application programs.

(7) In the first embodiment, the data extraction unit 25 is configured to extract the road network data Rn for each predetermined section and the guidance data Gd associated therewith from the local storage database 16 as a minimum unit. Was described as an example. However, the configuration of the data extraction means 25 is not limited to this. Therefore, the data extraction means 25 extracts, for example, the road network data Rn for each predetermined area composed of a plurality of sections and the guidance data Gd associated therewith as a minimum unit, or stores them in the local storage database 16. It is also a preferred embodiment to extract all the road network data Rn, guidance data Gd, and the like. Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the data constituting the road network data Rn around the set route and the guidance data Gd associated therewith are extracted regardless of the predetermined section.

(8) In the first embodiment, the conversion means 17 applies all the data extracted by the data extraction means 25 to all the application programs PG1 to PG5 regardless of the execution state of each application program PG1 to PG5. The case where it is the structure which converts to the corresponding reference data format (5 types of reference data formats) was demonstrated as an example. However, the structure of the conversion means 17 is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, when the necessary sections of the plurality of application programs PG1 to PG5 are different, the conversion unit 17 sets the data of the sections necessary for the application programs PG1 to PG5 according to the application programs PG1 to PG5. It is also a preferred embodiment to convert to a reference data format. Further, for example, when the application program currently being executed is only a part of the plurality, the conversion means 17 is configured to convert only the application program being executed into a reference data format. This is also a preferred embodiment.

(9) In the first embodiment, the case where the reference database 19 is not provided has been described as an example. However, in addition to the same configuration as the first embodiment, the reference database 19 that is not updated is provided. Is also one of the preferred embodiments. In such a configuration, the navigation program PG refers to the reference database 19 for data that has not been updated by the differential data file Df, and uses data extracted from the local storage database 16 for data that has been updated by the differential data file Df. It can be configured to be converted and referred to by the conversion means 17.

(10) In the second embodiment, when the extraction number determination unit 26 counts the number of extractions of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section, the extraction number is accumulated regardless of the period. Described as an example. However, the configuration of the extraction number determination unit 26 is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which the number of extractions within a predetermined period is counted is also one preferred embodiment. In this case, the extraction number determination means 26 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied for the number of extractions by comparing the number of extractions within a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value N. Here, the predetermined period may be, for example, the operation time of the navigation device 1 or the actual time. And, it is preferable that the number of extractions within a predetermined period is counted by adopting a configuration that does not count the number of extractions that have been extracted before a predetermined period from the present.

(11) In the second embodiment, when the extraction number determination means 26 counts the number of extractions of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section, this extraction number is given to the application programs PG1 to PG5 that have requested the data. The case where it is the structure which counts regardless was demonstrated as an example. However, the configuration of the extraction number determination means 26 is not limited to this. For example, the number of extractions of the road network data Rn for each predetermined section is counted for each of the requested application programs PG1 to PG5. This is also a preferred embodiment.

(12) In the description of the second embodiment, the case where the threshold N of the number of extractions is set to about 2 to 5 has been described as an example as the predetermined condition for the number of extractions determined by the extraction number determination unit 26. . However, the value of the threshold value N is not limited to this, and the threshold value N can be 1 or 6 or more. When the threshold value N is 1, the road network data Rn of the section that has been extracted once by the extracting means 25, that is, that has been referenced once by the navigation program PG, is stored in the reference database 19. It will be.

(13) In the second embodiment, it is also preferable that the data stored in the reference database 19 that is not referred to by the navigation program PG for a predetermined period or longer is deleted from the reference database 19. One of the forms. This predetermined period is preferably defined by, for example, the operation time of the navigation device 1 or the movement distance of the own position detected by the own position detection means 21.

(14) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the terminal device is the navigation device 1 and the data update system is a system that updates the map database for navigation has been described as an example. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to updating various types of databases in addition to updating the map database used for the navigation device 1 or the like.

  The present invention can be used for a data update system that updates a database of a terminal device that operates according to a predetermined operation program, such as a navigation device.

Block diagram showing the basic configuration of the data update system Diagram showing the configuration of the navigation program Explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the structure of the reference database Diagram showing a specific example of a road network The figure which shows the specific example of the structure of the road network data of the data format for reference The figure which shows the specific example of the comparison table of the record code | cord | chord of each data, and permanent ID. The figure which shows the concrete example of the constitution of difference data file The figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the road network data of the data format for an update Flow chart of differential data file generation method Flowchart of method for providing difference data file to navigation device Flow chart of reference database update method in navigation device The block diagram which shows the structure of the data update system which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of the operation | movement method accompanying the update of a local storage database based on 1st embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the data update system which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. Flowchart of the method for determining the number of extractions and storing data in the reference database according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: navigation device 2: difference data generation server 3: difference data distribution server 13: difference data file reception means 15: local storage database update means 16: local storage database 17: conversion means 18: reference database update means 19: reference database 20 : Navigation calculation means 25: Data extraction means 26: Extraction frequency determination means 31: Input terminal (new data reception means)
33: Target local storage database 34: New local storage database 35: New local storage database generation means 36: Difference data file generation means 44: Difference data file output means Rn: Road network data Gd: Guidance data Df: Difference data file Fr: Parallel update area (data storage means for parallel update)
PG: Navigation program (operation program)
PG1 to PG5: Application program

Claims (23)

A data update system having a terminal device that operates according to a predetermined operation program and a server device that provides a differential data file for database update to the terminal device,
The terminal device is configured in an update data format different from a reference data format referred to by the operation program, and a local storage database updated by the differential data file, and the local storage according to a request from the operation program Data extraction means for extracting necessary data from the database, and conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database extracted by the data extraction means into the reference data format,
The server apparatus is a data update system comprising differential data file output means for outputting the differential data file to be provided to the terminal device.   Whether the terminal device satisfies a predetermined condition regarding the number of times of extraction by the data extraction means for each of a reference database that can be referred to by the operation program and a plurality of data stored in the local storage database And a reference database for storing in the reference database, in the reference data format converted by the conversion means, the data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition by the extraction number determination means The data updating system according to claim 1, further comprising updating means.   3. The data according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device includes: a difference data file receiving unit that receives the difference data file; and a local storage database update unit that updates the local storage database based on the difference data file. Update system.   The server device includes: a local storage database for comparison having the same contents as the local storage database; new data receiving means for receiving input of new data; and the difference data based on the local storage database for comparison and the new data The data update system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising difference data file generation means for generating a file. The server device generates a new local storage database having the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the content of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data. It further comprises a local storage database generation means,
5. The data update system according to claim 4, wherein the difference data file generation unit generates the difference data file based on a difference between the reference local storage database and the new local storage database. The operation program has a plurality of application programs,
The data update system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conversion unit converts the data of the local storage database into a reference data format corresponding to each application program. The terminal device is a navigation device, and the local storage database is a database for differential update of road network data;
The data update system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data extraction unit extracts road network data for each predetermined section from the local storage database. The terminal device is a navigation device, and the local storage database is a database for differential update of road network data;
The reference data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network.
The data update system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the update data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in order of data type.   The difference data file includes data representing an update mode and road network data of a part to be updated, and data in which each data constituting the road network data of the part to be updated is arranged in order of data type The data update system according to claim 8, which is configured in a format. A data update system comprising a navigation device that operates according to a plurality of application programs, and a server device that provides the navigation device with a differential data file for updating a database including road network data.
The navigation device is configured in an update data format different from a reference data format referred to by each application program, and a local storage database updated by the differential data file, and according to a request from each application program Data extraction means for extracting necessary data from the local storage database, conversion means for converting the data of the local storage database extracted by the data extraction means into a reference data format corresponding to each application program, With
The data update system, wherein the server device includes differential data file output means for outputting the differential data file to be provided to the navigation device. The reference data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network.
The data update system according to claim 10, wherein the update data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in order of data type. A terminal device that receives a differential data file for database update from a server device and operates according to a predetermined operation program,
Constructed in an update data format that is different from the reference data format referenced by the operation program, and is required from the local storage database updated by the differential data file and in the local storage database according to a request from the operation program A terminal device comprising: data extracting means for extracting correct data; and converting means for converting the data in the local storage database extracted by the data extracting means into the reference data format.   Extraction for determining whether or not a predetermined condition for the number of times of extraction by the data extraction means is satisfied for each of a reference database that can be referred to by the operation program and a plurality of data stored in the local storage database A number-of-times determination means, and a reference database update means for storing in the reference database the data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition by the number-of-extractions determination means in the reference data format after conversion by the conversion means, The terminal device according to claim 12 provided.   The terminal device according to claim 12, comprising: a difference data file receiving unit that receives the difference data file; and a local storage database update unit that updates the local storage database based on the difference data file. The operation program has a plurality of application programs,
The terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the conversion unit converts the data of the local storage database into a reference data format corresponding to each application program. The local storage database is a database for differential update of road network data,
The terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the data extraction unit extracts road network data for each predetermined section from the local storage database. The local storage database is a database for differential update of road network data,
The reference data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network.
The terminal device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the update data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in order of data type. A navigation device that receives a difference data file for updating a database including road network data from a server device and operates according to a plurality of application programs,
A local storage database that is configured in an update data format different from the reference data format referred to by each application program and is updated by the differential data file, and in the local storage database according to a request from each application program A navigation apparatus comprising: data extraction means for extracting necessary data from the data; and conversion means for converting the data in the local storage database extracted by the data extraction means into a reference data format corresponding to each application program. The reference data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in the order of connection of the road network.
19. The navigation device according to claim 18, wherein the update data format is a data format in which each data constituting the road network data is arranged in order of data type. A data update method for updating a database by providing a differential data file from a server device to a terminal device,
Using the server device and the terminal device including a local storage database configured in an update data format different from a reference data format referenced by a predetermined operation program,
The server device outputs the difference data file to be provided to the terminal device;
The terminal device receives the differential data file, updates the local storage database with the differential data file, extracts necessary data from the local storage database according to a request from the operation program, and extracts the extracted data A data update method for converting the data into the reference data format and making it possible to refer to the converted data by the operation program.   The terminal device includes a reference database that can be referred to by the operation program, and for each of a plurality of data stored in the local storage database, a predetermined condition regarding a number of times of extraction according to a request from the operation program is set. 21. The data update method according to claim 20, wherein it is determined whether the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition is stored in the reference database after being converted into the reference data format.   The server device includes a comparison local storage database having the same contents as the local storage database, receives input of new data, and generates the difference data file based on the comparison local storage database and the new data. The data update method according to claim 20 or 21.   The server device generates a new local storage database in the same data format as the reference local storage database and updated with the content of the new data, based on the reference local storage database and the new data, The data update method according to claim 22, wherein the difference data file is generated based on a difference between the control local storage database and the new local storage database.

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