JP2017133976A - Navigation device, navigation method, computer program, and recording medium in which computer program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device and a navigation method.SOLUTION: The navigation device comprises: a map data preservation unit 3 for preserving map data constituted from block data divided into a plurality of areas and associated with version information of the block data; and a guidance route preservation unit 5 for preserving a guidance route from the present position or place of departure to a destination. The navigation device refers to the map data preservation unit and specifies, as transit point set block data, the block data whose version is the same as the version of the block data to which the present position or the place of departure belongs among the block data which the guidance route passes through, and which is directly or indirectly continuous to the block data to which the present position or the place of departure belongs and closest to the block data to which the destination belongs, sets a transit point to the guidance route in the specified transit point set block data, and presents the set transit point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, a computer program, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

In updating map data used for a navigation device, a system is known that updates the map data to a new version for each region. On the other hand, the map data provided in the navigation device is not always the latest version. In such a case, for example, it is common to sequentially update the map while traveling.
See also Patent Document 1 which discloses the prior art related to the present invention.

International Publication No. 2009/148118

In an update system in which map data is updated in units of areas, when the map data of adjacent areas are different versions, inconsistencies may occur in road connection relations at the boundaries of adjacent areas. When a route search using a navigation device is performed using map data that is inconsistent in the connection relations of such roads, the roads are actually connected even though the roads are connected at the boundary of adjacent areas. There is an inconvenience of recognizing that there is no route and providing a route that becomes a large turn to avoid that portion. In addition, for example, even when the route search is performed using the map data with the version stored in the server device, when the version of the map data stored in the navigation device is not complete, When the version of the map data of the area through which the route passes is different, when the route is displayed on the navigation device, the route is displayed in a state where the route is not maintained, etc. Cause inconvenience. Also, updating the map while traveling may increase the load on the CPU and affect other navigation functions.
The present inventor has intensively studied the timing of updating the map so that the navigation user can travel using the latest version of the map data while minimizing the influence on the navigation function. As a result, before the vehicle traveling on the guide route enters the area indicated by the map data of a version different from the map data version of the area to which the current position or departure point belongs, the vehicle is resting or stopping in the area immediately before that. I came up with the idea of setting up a waypoint for the city. By guiding the waypoints in this way, the map data of the different version can be updated to the latest version while stopping, so the user can update the latest version without reducing other navigation functions. Subsequent travel can be performed using the map data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the first aspect is defined as follows. That is,
Map data composed of section data divided into a plurality of areas, wherein the section data stores map data associated with version information of the section data;
A guide route storage unit for storing a guide route from the current position or departure point to the destination;
With reference to the map data storage unit, the section data of the same version as the section data of the section data to which the current position or the departure place belongs among the section data through which the guide route passes, and the current position or the departure place is A specifying unit that identifies the section data that is directly or indirectly continuous to the section data to which the destination belongs and that is closest to the section data to which the destination belongs, as route setting section data;
A setting unit for setting a waypoint in the guide route in the specified waypoint setting section data;
A guide section for guiding the set waypoints;
A navigation device comprising:

  According to the navigation device of the first aspect defined in this way, the section data of the same version as the version of the section data to which the current position or departure point belongs out of the section data through which the guide route in the map data storage unit passes. In this case, the section data that is directly or indirectly continuous with the section data to which the current position or the starting place belongs and that is closest to the section data to which the destination belongs is specified, and the route is routed through the guide route in the specified section data. Set the ground and guide the waypoint. In general, the section data to which the current position and the departure point close to the current position belong, and the surrounding section data such as the current position are updated to the latest version while the vehicle is stopped at night without using the navigation function. Therefore, according to such a navigation device, the segment data immediately before entering the segment data of a version different from the map version of the segment data to which the current position or departure point belongs along the guide route, that is, the latest version of the segment data. Data that is routed in the zone data that is closer to the destination, and that guides the route after the route passes when the vehicle stops Can be updated. With such a navigation device, route guidance using the latest version of map data can be performed without degrading the navigation function.

  The setting unit can set the waypoint at a branch point on the guide route (second aspect). When the block data adjacent to the block data to which the transit point belongs is updated from the old version to the latest version, the road may not be connected at the boundary between the two block data due to a significant change in the road connection relationship, etc. In some cases, the route searched for is not suitable for guidance. Even in such a case, if you set a waypoint at the branch point on the guide route, you can perform a reroute search based on the waypoint. Can be secured, and unnecessary guidance such as pulling back the original guidance route during the re-route search can be reduced. Further, the branch point may be a branch point closest to the traveling direction on the guide route (third aspect). From the viewpoint of the user's operation planability and prospect, it is possible to set a waypoint at a branch point closer to the destination. On the other hand, the waypoint may be set at the specified waypoint setting section data boundary on the traveling direction side on the guide route (fourth aspect). From the viewpoint of reducing the load on the CPU, the waypoint may be set as the boundary of the partition data.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the navigation device defined in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a determination unit that determines a communication environment in the guide route includes:
The setting unit sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment.
According to the navigation device of the fifth aspect defined as described above, the waypoint is set in consideration of the communication environment. From the viewpoint of updating the map using communication such as the Internet at the transit point, it is preferable to set a point or region having a good communication environment as the transit point.

The navigation device of the present invention functions more effectively when the distance of the guide route stored in the guide route storage unit is relatively long. That is, when the distance of the guide route is long, it is often necessary to stop for a short time or stop in the middle of the guide route, or to stop for a long time such as staying. In addition, if the distance of the guide route is long, the number of section data (hereinafter also referred to as passing section data) that the guide route passes increases, and there is a high possibility that the section data that needs to be updated is also increased. Therefore, in the case of a long-distance route that requires a break or the like, it is convenient for the user to guide the location suitable for the map update as a point to take a break or the like, that is, the above-mentioned waypoint.
Therefore, the sixth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the navigation device defined in any one of the first to fifth aspects, comprising a calculation unit that calculates the distance of the guide route,
The specifying unit specifies the waypoint setting section data when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first threshold.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
A map data storage step of storing map data composed of partition data divided into a plurality of areas, wherein map data associated with version data of the partition data is stored in the map data storage unit; ,
A guide route storing step for storing a guide route from the current position or starting point to the destination in the guide route storing unit;
The identification unit refers to the map data storage unit, and is the segment data of the same version as the version of the segment data to which the current position or departure point belongs, among the segment data through which the guide route passes, and the current position Or a specific step of directly or indirectly continuing to the section data to which the departure place belongs, and specifying the section data closest to the section data to which the destination belongs as the route setting section data;
A setting step for setting a waypoint in the guide route in the specified waypoint setting section data;
A guidance step in which the guidance unit guides the set waypoint;
A navigation method comprising:
According to the seventh aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in the seventh aspect, in the setting step, the waypoint is set at a branch point on the guide route.
According to the invention of the eighth aspect defined as described above, the same effect as that of the second aspect can be obtained.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in the eighth aspect, the branch point is a branch point closest to the traveling direction on the guide route.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effect as the third aspect can be obtained.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in the seventh aspect, in the setting step, the waypoint is set at the specified waypoint setting section data boundary on the traveling direction side on the guide route.
According to the tenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the fourth aspect can be achieved.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, the determination unit includes a determination step of determining a communication environment in the guide route,
The setting step sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment.
According to the eleventh aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the fifth aspect can be achieved.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, the calculation unit includes a calculation step of calculating a distance of the guide route,
In the specifying step, when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the waypoint setting section data is specified.
According to the twelfth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the sixth aspect are achieved.

Furthermore, the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
A computer program for navigation, comprising:
Map data composed of section data divided into a plurality of areas, wherein the section data stores map data associated with version information of the section data;
A guide route storing means for storing a guide route from the current position or the departure place to the destination;
Referring to the map data storage means, the section data of the same version as the section data of the section data to which the current position or departure point belongs, among the section data through which the guide route passes, and the current position or departure point is A means for specifying the section data that is directly or indirectly continuous to the section data to which the destination belongs and that is closest to the section data to which the destination belongs, as the waypoint setting section data;
Setting means for setting a waypoint in the guide route in the specified waypoint setting section data;
Guidance means for guiding the set waypoints;
As a computer program.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in the thirteenth aspect, the setting means sets the waypoint at a branch point on the guide route.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the second aspect can be achieved.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in the fourteenth aspect, the branch point is a branch point closest to the traveling direction on the guide route.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the third aspect are achieved.

The sixteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in the thirteenth aspect, the setting means sets the waypoint at the specified waypoint setting section data boundary on the traveling direction side on the guide route.
According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the fourth aspect can be achieved.

The seventeenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects, the computer further comprises:
Function as determination means for determining the communication environment in the guide route,
The setting means sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment.
According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the fifth aspect are achieved.

The eighteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in any one of the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects, the computer further comprises:
Function as computing means for computing the distance of the guide route,
The specifying unit specifies the waypoint setting section data when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first threshold.
According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the sixth aspect are achieved.

  A recording medium for recording a computer program defined in any of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects is defined as a nineteenth aspect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining map data having a hierarchical structure stored in the map data storage unit 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of specifying the waypoint setting section data in the specifying unit 7. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a waypoint setting method in the setting unit 9. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the navigation device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device 21 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an example of (A) a table that is referred to when the determination unit 23 determines a communication environment and a table that associates the position and the quality of the communication environment, and (B) a map that indicates the quality of the communication environment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device 31 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device 51 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of map data stored in the map data storage unit 517 included in the navigation device 51. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the map correction apparatus 101. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining a map correction method executed by the map correction apparatus 101.

A navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the navigation apparatus 1. In describing the navigation device of the present invention, reference is made to the schematic diagram shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a map data storage unit 3, a guide route storage unit 5, a specifying unit 7, a setting unit 9, and a guide unit 11.

  The map data storage unit 3 is map data composed of section data divided into a plurality of areas, and map data associated with version information of the section data is stored in the section data. . The map data may be stored for each of a plurality of layers having different scales. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the map data storage unit 3 displays the division data X1 to X4 and the areas B1 to B9 in the first hierarchy for displaying the areas A1 to A4 at the first scale at the second scale. Map data having partition data Y1 to Y9 of the second hierarchy for display and partition data Z1 to Z16 of the third hierarchy for displaying the areas C1 to C16 at the third scale is stored.

  The guide route storage unit 5 stores a guide route from the current position or starting point to the destination. The guide route is searched using the server device having the latest route map data or the guide route searched using the map data of the navigation device based on the input current position or starting point and destination. The guide route may be received. In the former case, when there is an inconsistency in road connection at the boundary of the region because the adjacent map data versions do not match, this is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-254147 of the present applicant (details will be described later). It is possible to use corrected map data in which inconsistencies in road connections with adjacent areas have been eliminated by this method, or to search for guidance routes that do not cause inconsistencies in road connections between adjacent areas. good. In the latter case, information regarding the distance of the guide route may be received together with the guide route from the server device.

  The identifying unit 7 refers to the map data storage unit 3 and the guide route storage unit 5 and among the segment data that the guide route passes, the segment data of the same version as the version of the segment data to which the current position or departure point belongs. Compartment data that is directly or indirectly continuous with the section data to which the current location or departure point belongs and that is closest to the section data to which the destination belongs (hereinafter also referred to as waypoint setting section data) Identify. For example, the specifying unit 7 can specify the waypoint setting section data as follows. First, the specifying unit 7 extracts section data (passing section data) of a region through which the guide route R stored in the guide route storage unit 5 passes from the section data stored in the map data storage unit 3. In the example shown in FIG. 3, seven pieces of X4, X8, X11, X12, X13, X14, and X15 are extracted as the passing section data. Next, the identification unit 7 refers to the map data storage unit 3 to identify the version of the section data (X13) to which the current position or departure place of the navigation device belongs, and the identified version and the current position or departure. The passage section data (X14) adjacent to the passage section data to which the ground belongs is compared. In this example, the passing section data X13 is version 3 map data, and the adjacent passing section data X14 is the same in version 3. Thus, when both versions are the same, the specifying unit 7 compares the version of the passage section data X14 with the version of the passage section data X15 adjacent to the passage section data X14. In this way, the specifying unit 7 repeatedly compares the versions of the passing section data adjacent to each other in the order of the guide route. For example, when the versions of the passing section data X15 and the passing section data X11 are different, Identified as waypoint setting section data. That is, the route setting section data is the same version of the passage section data as the version of the section data to which the current position or departure point belongs, and the version of the passage section data continuously located between the two passage section data is also the same. Will be shown. Accordingly, the passage section data X8 is the same version of the passage section data as the version of the section data to which the current position or departure point belongs, but a different version of the passage section data X8 on the guide route until reaching the passage section data X8. Since section data X11 and X12 exist, it is not specified as waypoint setting section data.

The setting unit 9 sets a waypoint in the guide route in the section data specified by the specifying unit 7. The setting method is not particularly limited. For example, the setting method can be set at a boundary (point P1 shown in FIG. 4) on the traveling direction side of the area indicated by the specified section data on the guide route. As another example, the waypoint may be set at a branch point with another road on the guide route (points P2 and P3 shown in FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, when there are a plurality of branch points, a point P2 on the more traveling direction side is used as a stop point, or a stop point is set based on the road attributes of other roads connected to the branch point. Can do. In the latter, road attributes include road type such as road width, number of lanes, highway, national road, prefectural road, and the like. Based on at least one of these road attributes, the setting unit 9 can set a branch point connecting to a more major road or a larger road as a waypoint. Of course, the transit point is not limited to a point, and may indicate a region or a section. For example, an area within a predetermined range or a section within a predetermined distance on the guide route can be set based on the point set as described above.
The guide unit 11 guides the waypoint set by the setting unit 9. For example, the guide unit guides the transit point before a predetermined distance from the transit point or a predetermined time before the expected arrival time of the transit point. The guidance is performed via an output unit described later.

An example of the operation of the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step 1, the specifying unit 7 sets the block data (passing block data) of the area through which the guide route R stored in the guide route storage unit 5 passes among the block data stored in the map data storage unit 3. Extract. In the example shown in FIG. 3, seven pieces of X4, X8, X11, X12, X13, X14, and X15 are extracted as the passing section data.
In step 3, the identifying unit 7 identifies the passing section data extracted in step 1 as passing section data (comparison source section data) to which the current position of the navigation device belongs. In this example, the passage section data X13 is specified as comparison source section data.

In step 5, the specifying unit 7 refers to the map data storage unit 3 and specifies the map version of the comparison source section data specified in step 3. In this example, the version of the comparison source partition data X13 is ver3.
In step 7, the specifying unit 7 specifies passing section data (comparison destination section data) adjacent to the comparison source section data specified in step 3 along the guide route R. In this example, the passage section data X14 is specified as comparison destination section data.
In step 9, the specifying unit 7 specifies the version of the comparison target section data specified in step 7. In this example, the version of the comparison destination partition data X14 is ver3.
In step 11, the specifying unit 7 compares the version of the comparison source partition data specified in step 5 with the version of the comparison destination partition data specified in step 9, and if they are the same (step 11: Yes) Proceed to 19. In step 19, the comparison destination partition data is set as comparison source partition data.

In step 11, when the result is No, that is, when the versions of the comparison source partition data X15 (ver3) and the comparison destination partition data X11 (ver2) are different, the process proceeds to step 13.
In step 13, the specifying unit 7 specifies the comparison source section data when the two versions are different in step 11 as the waypoint setting section data. In this example, the passing section data X15 is comparison source section data, and is identified as waypoint setting section data.
In step 15, the setting unit 9 sets a branch point in the guide route R in the waypoint setting section data specified in step 13 as a waypoint. In this example, branch points P2 and P3 are set as waypoints.
In step 17, the guide unit 11 guides the waypoint set in step 15.

FIG. 6 shows a navigation device 21 according to another embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is partially omitted.
FIG. 6 shows a navigation device 21 that can set a waypoint in consideration of the communication environment. That is, the apparatus 21 further includes a determination unit 23 in the apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes a setting unit 25 and a guide unit 27 instead of the setting unit 9 and the guide unit 11.

  The determination unit 23 determines the communication environment in the guide route R stored in the guide route storage unit 5. The communication environment means an Internet environment as to whether or not difference data from the server device can be received when updating the map at a certain point or area. The determination of the communication environment includes, for example, a table (see FIG. 7A) in which a position prepared in advance is associated with the quality of the communication environment (see FIG. 7A), and a map representing the quality of the communication environment (see FIG. 7B). Can be determined by referring to. FIG. 7A shows a table in which the position and the quality of the communication environment are associated with each other. The determination unit 23 can determine the communication environment of the guide route based on such a table. For example, based on the fact that the communication level at the point O1 is “high”, the communication level within the predetermined range of the point O1 is assumed to be good, and the part of the guide route included in the predetermined range is defined as the communication environment “high”. Can be determined. In addition, when the map shown in FIG. 7B is used, the section indicated by the points Q1 to Q2 and the section indicated by the points Q3 to Q4 included in the range of the communication level “high” in the guide route are communicated. It can be determined that the environment is “high”. The determination unit 23 may determine the communication environment for the guide route R in the waypoint setting section data specified by the specifying unit 7.

The setting unit 25 refers to the specifying unit 7 and the determination unit 23, and sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment. As a setting method, a point or area having a good communication environment can be set as a transit point. Further, in combination with the setting method in the setting unit 9 described above, for example, when there are a plurality of branch points as described above, a branch point with a better communication environment can be set as a waypoint. Moreover, it is good also as setting a point or area | region more suitable as a waypoint as a waypoint based on the above-mentioned road attribute and communication environment as a parameter | index, and based on the total.
The guide unit 27 guides the waypoint set by the setting unit 25 in the same manner as the guide unit 11. The guide unit 27 may also guide information related to the communication environment, for example, a good communication level when guiding the waypoint.

FIG. 8 shows a navigation device 31 according to another embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is partially omitted.
FIG. 8 shows a navigation device 31 capable of setting a waypoint in the case of a long distance route in consideration of the distance of the guide route. That is, the device 31 further includes a distance calculation unit 33 in the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a specifying unit 35 instead of the specifying unit 5.

The distance calculation unit 33 calculates the distance of the guide route. As the calculation method, the distance of the guide route is calculated with reference to the guide route storage unit 5 and the map data storage unit 3. Further, when the guide route storage unit 5 associates information on the distance of the guide route with the guide route, the distance can be set.
The specifying unit 35 specifies the waypoint setting section data when the distance calculated by the distance calculating unit 33 is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The specification of the waypoint setting section data can be performed by the same method as that of the specifying unit 5.

FIG. 9 shows a navigation device 51 of the embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1, 6, and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is partially omitted. This will be described with reference to FIG. 10 as appropriate.
The navigation device 51 includes a control unit 510, a memory unit 511, and an input unit in addition to the components included in the navigation device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, that is, the guide route storage unit 5, the specifying unit 7, the setting unit 9, and the guide unit 11. The navigation device 51 further includes 512, an output unit 513, an interface unit 514, a current position specifying unit 515, a route search unit 518, and an update unit 519, and includes a map data storage unit 517 instead of the map data storage unit 3.

The control unit 510 is a computer device that includes a CPU, a buffer memory, and other devices, and controls other elements constituting the navigation device 51.
A computer program is stored in the memory unit 511, and the computer program is read into the control unit 510, which is a computer device, and causes it to function. This computer program includes a built-in hard disk or built-in memory as a storage device of the navigation device, an SD (registered trademark) memory card, a memory stick, smart media, a compact flash (registered trademark), a DVD as a storage medium replaceable with the navigation device. Can be stored in a general-purpose medium such as

The input unit 512 is used for inputting a user command, for example. Specifically, it is used for inputting a starting point or destination in route search. As the input unit 512, a pointing device such as a touch panel that cooperates with the display content of a mouse, a light pen, or a display, or a voice input device such as a keyboard or a microphone can be used.
The output unit 513 includes a display and functions when the guide unit 11 guides the waypoint. In addition to the information output by the output unit 513, a search screen for searching for a destination output in a general navigation device, a map, the vehicle position specified by the current position specifying unit, and a guide route storage The guide route stored in the part 5 and other information are displayed.
The interface unit 514 connects the navigation device 51 to a wireless network or the like.
The current position specifying unit 515 specifies the current position information of the navigation device 51 using a GPS device or a gyro device. In addition, the current time can be specified.

  The map data storage unit 517 stores map data. As shown in FIG. 10, in this example, the map data storage unit 517 has section data corresponding to each area (section) for drawing a map for navigation, and the reference data referred to during the search or drawing. Management data for specifying partition data. The block data is updated in addition to the original map data x1, x2,..., Y1, y2,..., Z1, z2,. In this case, the update map data X8, X13, X14, X15,... Stored in the update map data storage unit 521 are included.

  The management data is stored in the management data storage unit 522, and data that designates partition data used for map display is stored for each region. For example, in FIG. 10, the management data of the area C13 (see FIG. 2) includes the updated map data X13 that is the newest map data provided in the navigation device and the updated map data as the section data for displaying the area C13 on the screen. Of the original map data x13, the updated map data X13 is designated. On the other hand, the management data of the area C11 is configured to designate the original map data x11 because there is no updated map data corresponding to the area C11. In other words, the management data is configured to preferentially specify the update map data when the update map data and the original map data exist for the same area.

  The route search unit 518 refers to the map data storage unit 517 to search for a route from the departure point or current position specified by the driver to the destination. A general method can be used as the route search method. For example, a route with the minimum link cost can be searched as a recommended route based on the Dijkstra method. The route search unit 518 refers to the map data storage unit 517 and searches for a route using the latest section data prepared for the route search. When the section data is updated based on the guide route obtained by the route search and the updated section data is generated, the route search can be performed again using the generated updated section data.

  The updating unit 519 updates the map of passage section data ahead of the waypoint setting passage section data specified by the specifying unit 7. In the update, for example, difference data for updating the version of the passing section data to the latest version can be received from the server device and updated using the difference data. The updated passage section data is stored in the updated map data storage unit 521. When the user of the navigation device 51 stops at the waypoint, the update unit 519 starts updating the map using the stop as a trigger.

  In the navigation device 51, the user who travels from the current position or the departure place and travels the guide route in the passage section data immediately before entering the passage section data of a version different from the version of the passage section data to which the current position or departure place belongs. The map may be updated while resting or stopping at the stopover point set to, and when leaving the stopover point, a guide route searched again using the updated section data may be provided. it can.

Based on the applicant's Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-254147, a map data correction method in the case where inconsistency occurs in the connection of roads at the boundary between regions because the versions of adjacent map data do not match will be described as follows.
A storage unit for storing map data before update and updated update map data corresponding to the map data is provided, and the update map data of an arbitrary region (target region) is referred to the map data of the target region. To correct. That is, for the correction, first, the map data in the target area is compared with the updated map data, and the node is located at the boundary of the target area of the updated map data, Extracts a nonexistent node as a new node. This extraction is performed by comparing the node coordinates of both map data. Next, based on a predetermined rule, a node corresponding to the extracted new node is identified as a corresponding node among nodes located at the boundary of the target area of the map data. Similarly, the identification can be executed based on the node coordinates of both map data. Here, as a predetermined rule, for example, a node located closest to the coordinates of the new node, a node located within a predetermined distance from the coordinates of the new node, or an attribute identical to the attribute of the new node For example, a rule such as specifying a node to be provided as a corresponding node is included. Next, based on the coordinates of the identified corresponding node, a temporary node is formed at a position indicated by the coordinates on the update map data, and a correction link is formed between the temporary node and the new node. Then, the updated map data on which the correction link is formed is stored as corrected map data.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the map correction apparatus 101. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those of FIGS. In describing the map correction apparatus, a schematic diagram shown in FIG. 12 is referred to.
As shown in FIG. 12 (i), when the original map data m1 of the area A1 and the original map data m2 of the area A2 are both in version 2, the link in the figure across both areas is They are connected by nodes at the boundaries (black circles in the figure). However, as shown in FIG. 12 (ii), when the map data of the area A1 is updated to version 3 (updated map data M1) and the position of the node located at the boundary of the area A1 moves, No connection at the border. In such a case, the map correction apparatus simply connects the links.
As shown in FIG. 11, the map correction apparatus 101 includes an updated map data storage unit 521, an original map data storage unit 520, a target area designation unit 107, an updated map data correction unit 109, and a corrected map data storage unit 111. Yes.

The updated map data storage unit 521 stores updated map data in association with map version information for each area. The updated map data storage unit 521 can store, for example, updated map data updated by the following method.
The map correction device that receives the difference data from the server device that generates difference data for updating the map data of the old version to the map data of the new version and transmits the map data to the map correction device in a region unit, Using the difference data, the map data of the corresponding area stored in the map data storage unit is updated to updated map data which is a new version of map data, and stored in the updated map data storage unit 521. Alternatively, the map correction device receives the new version of the map data as updated map data from the server device having the new version of map data for each region, and stores it in the updated map data storage unit 521.

The update map data is stored for each region so that the update process or the correction process described later can be easily performed. The region may be a region divided at regular intervals (mesh) or a region divided by administrative boundaries (for example, prefectures, municipalities).
The original map data storage unit 520 stores map data in association with map version information for each area. As the map data of a certain area is updated to a new version and stored as updated map data in the updated map data storage section 521, the map data of the area has been stored in the updated map data storage section 521 until then. The map data is moved to the original map data storage unit 520 and stored as map data. That is, the original map data storage unit 520 stores the map data of the previous version of the updated map data or the version of the map data before that.

  The target area designation unit 107 refers to the updated map data storage unit 521 and designates an arbitrary area as the target area among the update map data stored for each area. The method for designating the target area is not particularly limited. For example, an arbitrary area can be designated automatically or manually by an operator from the update map data stored in the update map data storage unit 521. When the area is automatically specified, for example, an area where the navigation device equipped with the map correction device is located may be specified, or a plurality of regions over which the route searched by the route search unit provided in the navigation device straddles. It is also possible to designate one area selected from the following. In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the area A1 updated from version 2 to version 3 is designated as the target area in the updated map data.

The update map data correction unit 109 corrects the update map data of the target area specified by the target area specifying unit 107. The corrected updated map data is stored in the corrected map data storage unit 111 as corrected map data.
The updated map data correction unit 109 includes a new node extraction unit 191, a corresponding node specification unit 193, a temporary node formation unit 195, and a correction link formation unit 197.

  The new node extraction unit 191 refers to the original map data storage unit 520 and the update map data storage unit 521, and extracts a node located only at the boundary of the target area of the update map data as a new node. Specifically, in the extraction of the new node, as shown in FIG. 12 (iii), an arbitrary node N1 existing on the boundary of the area A1 of the updated map data (version 3) is specified. Then, in the map data (version 2), it is determined whether or not a node exists at the coordinates (x1, y1) indicated by the identified node N1. In FIG. 12 (iii), there are no nodes on the coordinates (x1, y1) of the node N1 in the map data. Such a node N1 is extracted as a new node located only at the boundary of the target area of the updated map data. On the other hand, the node N2 existing on the boundary of the area A1 of the updated map data includes the node N2 'on the coordinates (x2, y2) indicated by the node N2 in the map data. Such a node N2 does not correspond to a node located only at the boundary of the target area of the updated map data, and is not extracted as a new node.

  The corresponding node specifying unit 193 corresponds to a node that is located at the boundary of the target area of the map data and corresponds to the new node extracted by the new node extracting unit 191 based on a predetermined rule. Identify the node. The specific method is not particularly limited. For example, a node located at the boundary of the area A1 of the map data is specified, and the new node N1 extracted by the new node extraction unit 191 among the specified nodes. The node having the shortest distance from the coordinates (x1, y1) can be identified as the target node. As another example, among nodes located at the boundary of the map data area A1, a node whose distance from the new node N1 is within a predetermined range and has the same node attribute as the new node is designated as a corresponding node N1 ′ ( x1 ′, y1 ′) may be specified. The corresponding node specifying unit 193 may refer to the attribute of the link connected to the new node in addition to the node attribute. That is, when the link connected to the new node is an expressway, among the nodes located at the boundary of the map data area A1, the distance from the new node N1 is within a predetermined range and the expressway is connected. Can be identified as a corresponding node. This is because when the attributes of the new node (or link connected thereto) and the corresponding node (or link connected thereto) match, there is a high probability that both are in a correspondence relationship. That is, in this case, the connection relationship between the corresponding node and the node in the adjacent region adjacent to the target region is applied to the new node to eliminate the connection relationship mismatch. As another example, the corresponding node specifying unit 193 may execute the specification of the corresponding node only when the attribute of the new node extracted by the new node extracting unit 191 is a main road such as an expressway. This is because the appearance of the map can be sufficiently improved if the connection relations of the main roads are maintained.

The temporary node forming unit 195 forms a temporary node at the position indicated by the coordinates of the identified corresponding node in the updated map data. That is, the temporary node forming unit 195 specifies the position indicated by the coordinates (x1 ′, y1 ′) of the corresponding node N1 ′ specified by the corresponding node specifying unit 193 in the area A1 of the update map data, and A temporary node is formed. In FIG. 12 (iv), a temporary node N1 ′ ′ is formed on the coordinates (x1 ′, y1 ′) of the updated map data.
The correction link forming unit 197 forms a correction link between the new node extracted by the new node extracting unit 191 and the temporary node formed by the temporary node forming unit 195. The method of forming the correction link is not particularly limited, but can be formed along the target region. That is, the correction link is formed as represented by the symbol L1 in FIG.

The corrected map data storage unit 111 stores the corrected map data corrected by the updated map data correction unit 109. The corrected map data means map data in which the corrected link L1 formed by the corrected link forming unit 195 is formed on the updated map data of the area A1 stored in the updated map data storing unit 15. The correction map data may store the temporary node N1 ′ ′ formed by the temporary node forming unit 195 together with the correction link L1. The corrected map data stored in the corrected map data storage unit 111 is appropriately used during navigation.
Further, when there are a plurality of adjacent areas surrounding the area A1, the correction map data of the area A1 may be created for each of the plurality of adjacent areas, or formed corresponding to the plurality of adjacent areas. One correction map data including all of the correction links may be created.

  Although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, two or more of the embodiments (examples) may be combined and implemented. Alternatively, one of these embodiments (examples) may be partially implemented. Furthermore, among these, two or more embodiments (examples) may be partially combined.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments and examples of the invention described above. Various modifications may be included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the description of the scope of claims.

1 21 51 Navigation device 3 Map data storage unit 5 Guide route storage unit 7 Identification unit 9 25 Setting unit 11 27 Guide unit 23 Determination unit

Claims (19)

Map data composed of section data divided into a plurality of areas, wherein the section data stores map data associated with version information of the section data;
A guide route storage unit for storing a guide route from the current position or departure point to the destination;
With reference to the map data storage unit, the section data of the same version as the section data of the section data to which the current position or the departure place belongs among the section data through which the guide route passes, and the current position or the departure place is A specifying unit that identifies the section data that is directly or indirectly continuous to the section data to which the destination belongs and that is closest to the section data to which the destination belongs, as route setting section data;
A setting unit for setting a waypoint in the guide route in the specified waypoint setting section data;
A guide section for guiding the set waypoints;
A navigation device comprising: The setting unit sets the waypoint at a branch point on the guide route;
The navigation device according to claim 1. The branch point is a branch point closest to the traveling direction on the guide route.
The navigation device according to claim 2. The setting unit sets the waypoint to the specified waypoint setting section data boundary on the traveling direction side on the guide route;
The navigation device according to claim 1. A determination unit for determining a communication environment in the guide route,
The setting unit sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment;
The navigation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4. A calculation unit for calculating the distance of the guide route,
The specifying unit specifies the waypoint setting section data when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first threshold;
The navigation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5. A map data storage step of storing map data composed of partition data divided into a plurality of areas, wherein map data associated with version data of the partition data is stored in the map data storage unit; ,
A guide route storing step for storing a guide route from the current position or starting point to the destination in the guide route storing unit;
The identification unit refers to the map data storage unit, and is the segment data of the same version as the version of the segment data to which the current position or departure point belongs, among the segment data through which the guide route passes, and the current position Or a specific step of directly or indirectly continuing to the section data to which the departure place belongs, and specifying the section data closest to the section data to which the destination belongs as the route setting section data;
A setting step for setting a waypoint in the guide route in the specified waypoint setting section data;
A guidance step in which the guidance unit guides the set waypoint;
A navigation method comprising: In the setting step, the waypoint is set at a branch point on the guide route.
The navigation method according to claim 7. The branch point is a branch point closest to the traveling direction on the guide route.
The navigation method according to claim 8. In the setting step, the waypoint is set at the specified waypoint setting section data boundary on the traveling direction side on the guide route.
The navigation method according to claim 7. A determination unit comprising a determination step of determining a communication environment in the guide route;
The setting step sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment;
The navigation method according to any one of claims 7 to 10. A calculation unit comprising a calculation step of calculating a distance of the guide route;
In the specifying step, when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the waypoint setting section data is specified.
The navigation method according to any one of claims 7 to 11. A computer program for navigation, comprising:
Map data composed of section data divided into a plurality of areas, wherein the section data stores map data associated with version information of the section data;
A guide route storing means for storing a guide route from the current position or the departure place to the destination;
Referring to the map data storage means, the section data of the same version as the section data of the section data to which the current position or departure point belongs, among the section data through which the guide route passes, and the current position or departure point is A means for specifying the section data that is directly or indirectly continuous to the section data to which the destination belongs and that is closest to the section data to which the destination belongs, as the waypoint setting section data;
Setting means for setting a waypoint in the guide route in the specified waypoint setting section data;
Guidance means for guiding the set waypoints;
As a computer program. The setting means sets the waypoint at a branch point on the guide route;
The computer program according to claim 13. The branch point is a branch point closest to the traveling direction on the guide route.
The computer program according to claim 14. The setting means sets the waypoint to the specified waypoint setting section data boundary on the traveling direction side on the guide route.
The computer program according to claim 13. Said computer further
Function as determination means for determining the communication environment in the guide route,
The setting means sets the waypoint based on the determined communication environment;
The computer program as described in any one of Claims 13-16. Said computer further
Function as computing means for computing the distance of the guide route,
The specifying means specifies the waypoint setting section data when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first threshold;
The computer program as described in any one of Claims 13-17.   The recording medium which records the computer program as described in any one of Claims 13-18.

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