JP2011085555A - Navigation system, navigation apparatus, and stored data deletion method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system, a navigation apparatus, and a stored data deletion method capable of deleting downloaded and cached map data sequentially from items of map data, for example, farthest from a specified location by computing distances from the specified locations of previously registered home, a place of work, a parking lot or the like in response to the file size of the map data reached a prescribed amount to require deletion. <P>SOLUTION: A specified location is set as a specified location to compute the distance between map data stored in a storage part and a set specified location and delete map data from the storage part on the basis of the distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, a navigation device, and a stored data deletion method.

  Conventionally, a technique for deleting a cache whose file size has reached a certain amount in accordance with the data download order, the number of accesses, the use date, and the like has been disclosed.

  For example, in the navigation device described in Patent Literature 1, the number of accesses, the number of times the vehicle has traveled on the map related to the information, the necessity of information set by the user, and the destination on the map related to the information By using the deletion priority set based on the setting of the information, etc., the information stored in the map information storage unit is deleted and the information for notification related to the road and its guidance is deleted, thereby utilizing the limited storage area Technology is disclosed.

  In addition, in the navigation device described in Patent Document 2, a technique is disclosed in which the map data in the storage unit is erased to create a free space based on the use frequency and the latest use date and time information for each map data.

  In a general navigation device, the acquired information is stored in a storage area, and when a certain amount or more of information is accumulated, the information stored first is deleted or overwritten with new information in order. Technology is used.

JP 2007-163166 A JP 2003-302225 A

  However, in the conventional navigation apparatus (Patent Documents 1 and 2), when the map data is deleted based on the number of accesses to the map data, the latest use date and time, or the order stored in the storage area, etc. In areas that are indispensable for users, such as near, cache data may be deleted in a worm-eating state, and the map originally held by the navigation device and the map downloaded to the cache are mixed, There was a problem that the road was not connected at the border.

  Further, in a conventional navigation device, when map data of an area accessed by a user such as a neighborhood of a house is relatively available, it is required to retain the map data without deleting it. However, when the cached map data file size reaches a certain amount, the map data of the map that may be frequently displayed is also deleted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has been registered in advance when map data downloaded and cached has reached a certain amount and needs to be deleted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system, a navigation device, and a stored data deletion method that can be deleted from map data farthest from a point such as a home, work place, or parking lot.

  In order to achieve such an object, the navigation system of the present invention is a navigation system in which at least a navigation server that transmits map data and a navigation device that includes at least a control unit and a storage unit are communicably connected. The storage unit of the navigation device includes a map data storage unit that stores the map data received from the navigation server, and the control unit of the navigation device includes a designated point setting unit that sets a designated point; The distance between the map data stored in the map data storage means and the designated spot set by the designated spot setting means is calculated, and the map data is calculated from the map data storage means based on the distance. And deleting means for deleting.

  In the navigation system according to the present invention, in the navigation system described above, the map data storage unit of the navigation device further stores a storage history for each map data, and the deletion unit of the navigation device Select the map data stored in the map data storage means for a predetermined period with reference to the storage history stored in the map data storage means, and the distance between the selected map data and the designated point And the map data is deleted from the map data storage means based on the distance.

  In the navigation system according to the present invention, in the navigation system described above, the deletion unit of the navigation device deletes the map data having the longest distance from the map data storage unit.

  The navigation system of the present invention is characterized in that, in the navigation system described above, the designated point is a point indicating a user's home, work place, or parking lot.

  Further, the navigation device of the present invention is a navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit that are communicably connected to a navigation server that transmits map data, and the storage unit is connected to the navigation server. Map data storage means for storing the received map data, wherein the control unit is configured to set a designated spot, a designated spot setting means, the map data stored in the map data storage means, and the designated spot setting. And a deletion unit that calculates a distance from the designated point set by the unit and deletes the map data from the map data storage unit based on the distance.

  Further, the stored data deletion method of the present invention is a stored data deletion executed in a navigation system in which a navigation server that transmits at least map data and a navigation device that includes at least a control unit and a storage unit are connected to be communicable. It is a method, The said memory | storage part of the said navigation apparatus is provided with the map data storage means which memorize | stores the said map data received from the said navigation server, The designated point performed in the said control part of the said navigation apparatus is set. A distance between the designated point setting step, the map data stored in the map data storage means, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation device, and the designated point set in the designated point setting step And calculate the map data based on the distance. The characterized in that it comprises a and a deletion step of deleting from said map data storage means.

  The stored data deletion method of the present invention is a stored data deletion method that is executed in a navigation device that includes at least a control unit and a storage unit and is communicably connected to a navigation server that transmits map data. The storage unit includes map data storage means for storing the map data received from the navigation server, and is executed in the control unit, a designated point setting step for setting a designated point, and the map data storage means A deletion step of calculating a distance between the map data stored in the map and the designated point set in the designated point setting step, and deleting the map data from the map data storage unit based on the distance; , Including.

  According to this invention, it is possible to set a designated point, calculate the distance between the map data stored in the storage unit and the designated point, and delete the map data from the storage unit based on the distance. As a result, the present invention has an effect that the map data whose file size has reached a certain amount and needs to be deleted can be deleted in an order corresponding to the distance from a previously registered point. In particular, when the present invention is applied to a navigation device that does not have a large-capacity storage or memory on the local (navigation device) side, map data such as the vicinity of a designated point that is frequently used is stored locally (navigation device). ) -Side cache memory, etc., for example, even when the navigation device is out of the communication range and cannot communicate with the navigation server and map data cannot be downloaded, smooth route guidance, screen display, etc. can be performed. There is an effect.

  Further, according to the present invention, the map data stored in the storage unit in a predetermined period is selected with reference to the storage history stored in the storage unit, and the distance between the selected map data and the designated point is determined. The map data can be calculated and deleted from the storage unit based on the distance. As a result, the present invention can avoid being deleted immediately after downloading just because it is map data at a point far from the specified point, so map data that is scheduled to be used in the near future just downloaded, etc. The effect is that it can be prevented from being deleted.

  Further, according to the present invention, the map data with the longest distance can be deleted from the storage unit. As a result, the present invention eliminates the need to erase the cache memory etc. of map data around a set point such as a home that is relatively frequently used, so that it is not necessary to repeat downloading when using the map data. There is an effect that the communication frequency and the communication charge can be suppressed.

  Moreover, according to this invention, a designated point can be made into a point which shows a user's home, work place, or a parking lot. As a result, the present invention has an effect that map data can be stored in a cache memory or the like according to the distance from these points that are frequently used by the user.

  In the above description, the navigation system of the present invention has been described as an example. However, the navigation apparatus and the stored data deletion method have the same effect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation system in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the map data deletion process in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of map data stored in a map data file of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of map data stored in the map data file of the navigation device in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of map data stored in the map data file of the navigation device in the present embodiment.

  Embodiments of a navigation system, a navigation device, a navigation server, a stored data deletion method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[Navigation system configuration]
First, an example of the configuration of the navigation system in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation system in the present embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system of the present invention generally includes a navigation server 200 including at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206, a position acquisition unit 112, and an output unit (display unit 114 and audio output). Unit 118), an input unit 116, a control unit 102, and a storage unit 106 are connected to be communicably connected. As an example, the communication includes remote communication such as wired / wireless communication via the network 300. Each part of these navigation systems is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

[Configuration of Navigation Server 200]
Here, in FIG. 1, the navigation server 200 has a function of transmitting the map data stored in the storage unit 206 to the navigation device 100. The navigation server 200 is connected to the navigation apparatus 100 through the communication control interface unit 204 via the network 300 so as to be communicable with each other, and includes a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206. The control unit 202 is a control unit that performs various processes, and performs route search and the like. The communication control interface unit 204 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line, a telephone line, etc., and performs communication control between the navigation server 200 and the network 300. Has the function to perform. That is, the communication control interface unit 204 has a function of communicating data with the navigation device 100 or the like via a communication line. The storage unit 206 is a storage unit such as a fixed disk device, and stores various databases and tables (a road network database 206a, a map database 206b, a route search information database 206c, a guidance database 206d, and the like).

  Of these components of the storage unit 206, the road network database 206a is road network data storage means for storing road network data. Here, the road network data stored in the road network database 206a is network data that defines a road network. For example, node data of nodes that are nodes on the road network expression such as intersections, and roads between nodes. This is network data expressed by a combination with link data of a link that is a section. The node data may include a node number, position coordinates such as latitude and longitude, a node type, the number of links to be connected, a connection node number, an intersection name, and the like. The link data includes link number, type of road to be connected, route number of national road, prefectural road, city road, etc., important route information, attribute information of administrative area where link exists, link length, road service status, abnormal Traffic restrictions such as traffic restrictions, vehicle weight restrictions, vehicle height restrictions, width, road width classification, number of lanes, speed limit, in-link attributes such as overpasses, tunnels and bridges, and names etc. Good. These road network data are stored in advance in the road network database 206a, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically downloads the latest data via the network 300 and stores the road data in the road network database 206a. Network data may be updated.

  The map database 206b is map data storage means for storing map map data. Here, in the present invention, the map data stored in the map database 206b is, for example, an outdoor map such as map data meshed according to a scale (for example, 1st to 4th regional division mesh data, 100m mesh data, etc.). It may be data. The map database 206b may store outdoor map data such as road maps and route maps in the whole country and each region. Further, the map database 206b may further store indoor map data such as a floor guide map related to a building having height information (for example, a multistory parking lot). The map data stored in the map database 206b includes shape data about the shape of the feature displayed on the map, note data of the note displayed on the map, and the symbol of the symbol displayed on the map. Data such as data may be included. The map data stored in the map database 206b may be map drawing image data in a raster format, a vector format, or the like. These outdoor map data and indoor map data are stored in advance in the map database 206b, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically downloads the latest data via the network 300 and stores it in the map database 206b. Outdoor map data and indoor map data may be updated.

  The route search information database 206c stores route search information including traffic regulation data, transportation timetable data, and usage fee data used when the control unit 202 creates a guide route that satisfies the route search condition. Route search information storage means. Here, the traffic regulation data stored in the route search information database 206c is data that defines various traffic regulations. For example, in order to ensure road safety, traffic closure, road traffic, etc. Information such as prohibition of entry of ordinary vehicles by the community zone to be installed, prohibition of entry of ordinary vehicles by being a connection path to private land, and the like may be included. In addition, the timetable data stored in the route search information database 206c may be information representing timetables of transportation facilities such as trains, airplanes, buses, streetcars, ropeways, monorails, cable cars, and ships. Good. The usage fee data stored in the route search information database 206c includes, for example, usage fees generated when using each transportation such as trains, airplanes, buses, streetcars, ropeways, monorails, cable cars, and ships, and automobiles. Information indicating fuel charges consumed when traveling on a motorcycle or the like may be used when the control unit 202 calculates transportation costs. Further, the route search information database 206c may store position information such as latitude and longitude information of facilities and the like existing on a map used for route creation when traveling by car, motorcycle, bicycle, walking, or the like. These traffic regulation data, timetable data, and usage fee data are stored in advance in the route search information database 206c, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically downloads the latest data via the network 300. Then, the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c may be updated.

  The guidance database 206d is guidance data storage means for storing guidance data (voice guidance data, display guidance data, etc.) output on the guidance route. Here, the guidance database 206d is associated with “turning to the left at the next intersection” associated with the direction of travel at a branching point or the like on the guidance route, or “when the current position approaches the destination” Voice guidance data such as “Nearly around the destination” is stored, and this voice guidance data is used when the control unit 102 of the navigation device 100 executes voice guidance as will be described later. The guidance database 206d stores display guidance data such as a turn-by-turn (TBT) associated with the traveling direction at a branch point on the guidance route, a guidance that the current position is close to the selected facility, and the like. The display guidance data is used when the control unit 102 of the navigation device 100 executes the display guidance as will be described later. Here, the TBT is an arrow navigation that displays guidance such as a right or left turn on the screen.

  The control unit 202 has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and necessary data. And the control part 202 performs the information processing for performing various processes with these programs. The control unit 202 includes a route search condition reception unit 202a, a route search unit 202b, and a map data transmission unit 202c in terms of functional concept.

  Among these, the route search condition reception unit 202a is route search condition reception means for receiving a route search condition including at least a departure place and a destination transmitted from the navigation device 100. Here, the route search condition may include a waypoint.

  Further, the route search unit 202b searches for a guide route from the starting point to the destination that satisfies the route search condition including at least the starting point and the destination using the road network data stored in the road network database 206a, This is route search means for generating guide route data. Here, the route search unit 202b further uses the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c for the guide route from the departure point to the destination that satisfies the route search condition including at least the departure point and the destination. You may search. In addition, when the route search condition further includes a transit point, the route search unit 202b may search for a guide route that passes through the transit point.

  The map data transmission unit 202c is a map data transmission unit that transmits the map data stored in the map database 206b to the navigation device 100. Here, the map data may be map data of a map including a guide route. Further, the map data transmission unit 202c may further transmit the guide route data generated by the route search unit 202b. Further, the map data transmission unit 202c may further transmit guidance data output on the guidance route stored in the guidance database 206d.

[Configuration of Navigation Device 100]
In FIG. 1, the navigation device 100 sets a designated point, calculates the distance between the map data stored in the storage unit 106 and the designated point, and stores the map data from the storage unit 106 based on the distance. It has functions such as deleting. The navigation device 100 is, for example, a commercially available information processing device such as a desktop or notebook personal computer, a portable navigation device such as a mobile phone, PHS, or PDA. In the present embodiment, the navigation device 100 may be an in-vehicle information processing terminal that performs car navigation. Here, for example, the navigation device 100 is supplied with electric power from the vehicle, is detachably fixed to the vehicle main body such as a dashboard by an attachment or the like, does not have a large capacity storage in the device main body (local), and Signals (for example, vehicle speed pulse, fuel consumption, etc.) can also be acquired, a communication module is built in, and communication is possible with the navigation server 200 and the like via the network 300 within the communication range. It may be a device that can be downloaded from the navigation server 200 and updated. Further, the navigation device 100 may include a position acquisition unit 112 having a GPS function, an IMES function, or the like so that current position information can be acquired in real time. In addition, the navigation device 100 includes an output unit including at least a display unit 114 and an audio output unit 118. Here, the display unit 114 is a display unit (for example, a display or a monitor composed of a liquid crystal, an organic EL, or the like) that displays a display screen such as guide route data received from the navigation server 200. The voice output unit 118 is voice output means (for example, a speaker) that outputs voice guidance data received from the navigation server 200 as voice. In addition, the navigation device 100 may include an input unit 116 (for example, a key input unit, a touch panel, a keyboard, a microphone, or the like) that inputs route search conditions. The input / output control interface unit 108 controls the position acquisition unit 112, the display unit 114, the input unit 116, the audio output unit 118, and the like.

  Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may be, for example, a position acquisition unit that receives a position information signal transmitted from the position transmission device 500. Here, the position transmitting device 500 may be a GPS device that transmits a position information signal (GPS signal), and IMES that enables indoor positioning using a position information signal having characteristics similar to those of the GPS signal. It may be an IMES device that implements (Indoor Message System) technology. The IMES technology is a system developed from the framework of the quasi-zenith satellite, which is a positioning satellite system. Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a GPS repeater that transmits a GPS signal received outdoors, and the position transmission device 500 may be a floor or underground structure in a building (for example, a multi-story parking lot). It may be a small transmission device that is arbitrarily installed at various places of an object (for example, a tunnel, an underground parking lot, etc.). In addition, self-position information (position ID etc.) according to an installation place is allocated to this small transmitter. When the navigation device 100 enters the communicable range, the navigation device 100 receives the self-position information transmitted from the small transmitter as a position information signal. The communication method at this time may be, for example, various short-range wireless methods such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag system and Bluetooth (registered trademark), an infrared communication method, and the like. In the present embodiment, the control unit 102 may calculate position information including latitude, longitude, and height information from the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 112. Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a wireless LAN access point. Further, the position acquisition unit 112 may acquire access point identification information by receiving a wireless LAN signal or the like. In the present embodiment, the control unit 102 may acquire the position information by specifying the position of the access point from the identification information unique to the access point acquired by the position acquisition unit 112.

  In addition, the position acquisition unit 112, for example, based on the direction information such as the traveling direction of the navigation device 100 detected by the direction sensor, the distance information detected by the distance sensor, and the map data, the user of the navigation device 100 You may acquire the positional information which shows a present position. Here, a geomagnetic sensor that detects the absolute traveling direction of the navigation device 100 and an optical gyro that detects the relative traveling direction of the navigation device 100 may be used as the direction sensor. In addition, the direction sensor may be an electronic compass that can acquire information on the direction and inclination by combining a geomagnetic sensor and an acceleration sensor. Further, when the navigation device 100 is an in-vehicle information processing terminal, the distance sensor may generate a pulse corresponding to the rotation of the vehicle and detect the travel distance based on the number of rotations of the wheels. Further, when the navigation device 100 is an in-vehicle information processing terminal, the position acquisition unit 112 may acquire position information indicating the own vehicle position from inter-vehicle communication of a communication device mounted on each vehicle.

  The communication control interface unit 104 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line, a telephone line, etc., and communicates between the navigation device 100 and the network 300. It has a function to perform control. That is, the communication control interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with the navigation server 200 or the like via a communication line. The network 300 has a function of mutually connecting the navigation device 100 and an external device such as the navigation server 200, and includes, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network (including a mobile terminal line network and a general telephone line network), and the like. It may be an intranet, power line communication (PLC), or the like.

  The storage unit 106 is a storage means such as a small-capacity high-speed memory (for example, a cache memory) configured using SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, and various files (guide route data file 106a, map data). File 106b, guidance data file 106c, etc.) are stored. Here, the storage unit 106 may temporarily store various files and the like. Further, the storage unit 106 may include a large-capacity storage unit such as a fixed disk device such as an HD or an SSD, and various databases and files (roads used when a route search or the like is performed by the control unit 102) Network data, route search information, or a database storing guidance data used for route guidance, etc.) may be stored.

  Among these, the guide route data file 106 a is guide route data storage means for storing guide route data received by the control unit 102.

  The map data file 106 b is map data storage means for storing map data received from the navigation server 200 by the control unit 102. Here, the map data file 106b may further store a storage history for each map data.

  The guidance data file 106 c is guidance data storage means for storing guidance data received by the control unit 102.

  The control unit 102 includes an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, a program defining various processing procedures, and necessary data. And the control part 102 performs the information processing for performing various processes by these programs. The control unit 102 is functionally conceptually configured as a designated point setting unit 102a, a current position information acquisition unit 102b, a route search condition transmission unit 102c, a map data reception unit 102d, a determination unit 102e, a deletion unit 102f, and a route guidance unit 102g. It is configured with.

  Among these, the designated spot setting unit 102a is designated spot setting means for setting a designated spot. Here, the “designated point” is one or a plurality of points that can be arbitrarily set by the user, and may be, for example, a point indicating the user's home, work place, or parking lot. In addition, the designated spot setting unit 102a may set a spot designated via the input unit 116 as the designated spot. Specifically, the designated point setting unit 102a designates on the display screen of the map data displayed on the display unit 114 by the user via the input unit 116 (for example, designation operation on the touch panel type display unit 114) The point corresponding to the coordinate that is) may be set as the designated point. Further, the designated point may be an arbitrary point registered in advance in the storage unit 106.

  The current position information acquisition unit 102b is a current position information acquisition unit that acquires the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100. Here, the current position information acquisition unit 102b may acquire the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100 every predetermined cycle (for example, every second). In addition, the current position information acquisition unit 102 b is the navigation apparatus 100 detected by the position information calculated from the position information signal received from the position transmission device 500 by the position acquisition unit 112 and / or the direction sensor of the position acquisition unit 112. The current position information of the user of the navigation device 100 including the direction information such as the direction of travel may be acquired. Further, the current position information acquisition unit 102b may acquire information on the current position and / or the traveling direction input by the user via the input unit 116 as the current position information. In addition, the current position information acquisition unit 102b may acquire the position coordinates and the like of the current position input by the user via the input unit 116 as the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100. Here, the current position input by the user via the input unit 116 may be a position where the user actually exists, and a virtual current position arbitrarily selected by the user (for example, Tokyo It may be an arbitrary point such as a station or an airport in Osaka selected by a user in the area. Specifically, the current position information acquisition unit 102b designates on the display screen of the map data displayed on the display unit 114 by the user via the input unit 116 (for example, designation operation on the touch panel type display unit 114). Etc.) and the orientation information may be acquired as the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100.

  The route search condition transmission unit 102c is route search condition transmission means for transmitting a route search condition including at least a departure place and a destination to the navigation server 200. Here, the departure place may be the current position of the user of the navigation device 100 based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102b.

  The map data receiving unit 102d is a map data receiving unit that receives map data transmitted from the navigation server 200. Here, the map data may be map data of a map including a guide route. The map data receiving unit 102d may further receive guide route data transmitted from the navigation server 200. Further, the map data receiving unit 102d may further receive guidance data output on the guidance route transmitted from the navigation server 200. The map data receiving unit 102d may further store the received guide route data in the guide route data file 106a. Further, the map data receiving unit 102d may further store the received map data in the map data file 106b. Further, the map data receiving unit 102d may further store the received guide data in the guide data file 106c. When the map data in the same area as the received map data is stored in the map data file 106b, the map data receiving unit 102d overwrites the map data already stored in the map data file 106b. May be stored.

  The determination unit 102e is a determination unit that determines whether or not the map data file 106b has a storable area of a predetermined size.

  Further, the deletion unit 102f calculates the distance between the map data stored in the map data file 106b and the designated point set by the designated point setting unit 102a, and based on the distance, the map data is converted into the map data file 106b. It is a deletion means to delete from. Here, referring to the storage history stored in the map data file 106b, the map data stored in the map data storage means for a predetermined period is selected, and the selected map data and the designated point setting unit 102a are set. The distance to the designated point may be calculated, and the map data may be deleted from the map data file 106b based on the distance. Here, the predetermined period may be one day, three days, one week, a period before one month, or the like. The deleting unit 102f calculates the distance between the map data stored in the map data file 106b and the designated point set by the designated point setting unit 102a, and the map data having the longest distance is calculated as the map data file 106b. You may delete from.

  Further, the route guidance unit 102g outputs route guidance information based on the guidance route data received by the map data receiving unit 102d and the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102b via the output unit. The route guidance means executes route guidance. Here, the route guidance unit 102g receives the current information of the user of the navigation device 100 acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102b in the guide route data received by the map data receiving unit 102d and stored in the guide route data file 106a. The route guidance may be executed by causing the display unit 114 to display route guidance information including a display screen on which position information is superimposed. The route guidance unit 102g is received by the map data receiving unit 102d on the map data of the map including the guidance route received by the map data receiving unit 102d and stored in the map data file 106b, and the guide route data file 106a. The display unit 114 displays route guidance information including a display screen on which the navigation unit 100 and the current position information of the user of the navigation device 100 acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102b are superimposed. Thus, route guidance may be executed. The route guidance unit 102g may output the guidance data received by the map data receiving unit 102d and stored in the guidance data file 106c via the output unit. Specifically, the route guidance unit 102g receives the voice guidance data associated with the traveling direction at the branch point on the guidance route included in the guidance data received by the map data receiving unit 102d and stored in the guidance data file 106c. The route guidance may be executed by outputting via the voice output unit 118, and the route guidance is executed by displaying the display screen of the display guidance data such as TBT included in the guidance data on the display unit 114. May be.

  Above, description of an example of a structure of the navigation system in this embodiment is finished.

[Navigation system processing]
Next, an example of processing of the navigation system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the designated point setting unit 102a of the navigation device 100 sets a point such as the user's home designated by the user via the input unit 116 as the designated point (step SA-1). ).

  Then, the route search condition transmission unit 102c of the navigation device 100 transmits the route search condition including at least the departure place and the destination input by the user via the input unit 116 to the navigation server 200 (step SA-2). ). Here, the departure place may be the current position of the user of the navigation device 100 based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102b. The route search condition may include a waypoint.

  Then, the route search condition receiving unit 202a of the navigation server 200 receives the route search condition including at least the departure place and the destination transmitted from the navigation device 100 (step SA-3).

  Then, the route search unit 202b of the navigation server 200 obtains the guide route from the starting point to the destination that satisfies the route search condition including at least the starting point and the destination received by the route searching condition receiving unit 202a. A search is performed using the road network data stored in 206a and the route search information stored in the route search information database 206c to generate guide route data (step SA-4). Here, when a route point is further included in the route search condition, the route search unit 202b may search for a guide route that passes through the route point.

  The map data transmission unit 202c of the navigation server 200 stores the guide route data generated by the route search unit 202b, the map data of the map including the guide route stored in the map database 206b, and the guide database 206d. Guide data output on the guide route is transmitted (step SA-5).

  Then, the map data receiving unit 102d of the navigation device 100 receives the guide route data transmitted from the navigation server 200, stores it in the guide route data file 106a, receives the map data of the map including the guide route, and the guide route. The guide data output above is received and stored in the guide data file 106c (step SA-6). Here, when there is no storable area of a predetermined size in the guide route data file 106a or the guide data file 106c, the map data receiving unit 102d overwrites the received guide route data or the guide data with the already stored data. May be stored.

  Then, the determination unit 102e of the navigation device 100 determines whether or not the map data file 106b has a storable area of a predetermined size (step SA-7). Here, the predetermined size may be the data size of the map data received by the map data receiving unit 102d.

  If the determination unit 102e determines in step SA-7 that the map data file 106b does not have a storable area of a predetermined size (step SA-7: No), The distance between the map data stored in the map data file 106b and the designated point set by the designated point setting unit 102a is calculated, and the map data of the map including the set point with the longest distance is obtained from the map data file 106b. Delete (step SA-8).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the details of the map data deletion processing in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the map data deletion process in the present embodiment. 4 to 6 are conceptual diagrams showing an example of map data stored in the map data file 106b of the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the deleting unit 102f of the navigation device 100 calculates the distance between the map data stored in the map data file 106b and the designated point set by the designated point setting unit 102a. A predetermined point on the map based on the map data is set as a set point (step SB-1). Here, as an example, the set point may be a point on the map based on the map data that is the shortest distance or the longest distance from the designated point, and is a point that becomes the center point or the center of gravity point on the map. Also good. Here, the deletion unit 102f of the navigation device 100 may set the setting point in advance by selection or the like via the input unit 116 by the user.

  Then, the deletion unit 102f of the navigation device 100 starts from the designated point such as the user's home, office, or parking lot set by the designated point setting unit 102a on the map based on the map data stored in the map data file 106b. The distance between the set point which is the shortest distance or the like and the designated point is calculated (step SB-2). Here, the deletion unit 102f refers to the storage history stored in the map data file 106b, selects the map data stored in the map data file 106b in a predetermined period such as one week before the present time, and selects the selected data. Alternatively, the distance between the designated point, which is the shortest distance from the designated point set by the designated point setting unit 102a on the map based on the map data, and the designated point may be calculated.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when map data 1 to 9 such as mesh data is stored in the map data file 106b and a designated point (star) is set on the map data 1, navigation is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, the deleting unit 102f of the device 100 sets the set points 1 to 9 (round numeral 1) that are the shortest distance from the designated point (star) on the map data 1 to 9 stored in the map data file 106b. ˜9) and the specified point (star) are calculated.

  Returning to FIG. 3 again, the deletion unit 102f of the navigation device 100 deletes the map data of the map where the set point having the longest distance calculated in step SB-2 exists from the map data file 106b (step SB-3). ).

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the deletion unit 102 f of the navigation device 100 includes a map map including the set point 6 having the longest distance from the designated point (star) among the map data 1 to 9. Data 6 is deleted from the map data file 106b. When multiple designated points are set, the distance from each designated point is calculated and the map data of the map including the longest set point or the set point with the longest average distance from each designated point You may delete the map data of the map containing.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the map data receiving unit 102d of the navigation device 100 determines in step SA-7 that the determining unit 102e determines that the map data file 106b has a storable area of a predetermined size (step SA). -7: Yes), or if the map data is deleted from the map data file 106b by the deletion unit 102f in step SA-8, the received map data is stored in the map data file 106b (step SA-9). Here, when the map data in the same area as the received map data is stored in the map data file 106b, the map data receiving unit 102d overwrites the map data already stored in the map data file 106b with the received map data. May be stored.

  The route guidance unit 102g of the navigation device 100 is received by the map data receiving unit 102d and is received by the map data receiving unit 102d on the map data of the map including the guidance route stored in the map data file 106b. A display in which the guide route data stored in the route data file 106a and the current location information of the user of the navigation device 100 acquired by the current location information acquisition unit 102b at predetermined intervals (for example, every second) are superimposed. The route guidance is executed by displaying the route guidance information including the screen on the display unit 114 (step SA-10). Here, the route guidance unit 102g receives voice guidance data associated with the traveling direction at the branch point on the guidance route included in the guidance data received by the map data receiving unit 102d and stored in the guidance data file 106c. The route guidance may be executed by outputting via the voice output unit 118, or the route guidance is executed by displaying a display screen of display guidance data such as TBT included in the guidance data on the display unit 114. May be.

  Above, description of an example of the process of the navigation system in this embodiment is finished.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims other than the above-described embodiments. It may be done.

  In addition, among the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including registration data for each processing, parameters such as search conditions, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings Can be changed arbitrarily.

  Further, regarding the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200, each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

  For example, the processing functions provided in each device of the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200, in particular, the processing functions performed by the control unit 102 and the control unit 202 are all or any part of the processing functions. (Central Processing Unit) and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a recording medium to be described later, and is mechanically read by the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200 as necessary. That is, the storage unit 106 such as the ROM or the HD, the storage unit 206, and the like store computer programs for giving instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS and performing various processes. This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM, and constitutes a control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

  The computer program may be stored in the navigation apparatus 100 and an application program server connected to the navigation server 200 via an arbitrary network 300, and all or part of the computer program is stored as necessary. It can also be downloaded.

  The program according to the present invention can also be stored in a computer-readable recording medium. Here, the “recording medium” is an arbitrary “portable physical medium” such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, or the like. It includes a “communication medium” that holds a program in a short period of time, such as a communication line or a carrier wave in the case of transmitting a program via a network 300 typified by a LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

  The “program” is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. Note that the “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, and functions are achieved in cooperation with a separate configuration such as a plurality of modules and libraries or a separate program represented by the OS. Including things. Note that a well-known configuration and procedure can be used for a specific configuration for reading a recording medium, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device described in the embodiment.

  Various databases stored in the storage unit 106 and the storage unit 206 (guidance route data file 106a, map data file 106b, guidance data file 106c, road network database 206a, map database 206b, route search information database 206c, guidance The database 206d and the like are storage means such as a memory device such as a RAM and a ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk and an optical disk, and various programs, tables, databases, and web pages used for various processes and website provision. Store files for use.

  Further, the navigation device 100 and the navigation server 200 connect information processing apparatuses such as known personal computers and workstations, and software (including programs, data, etc.) that allows the information processing apparatus to implement the method of the present invention. It may be realized by mounting.

  Furthermore, the specific form of distribution / integration of the devices is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part of them may be functional or physical in arbitrary units according to various additions or according to functional loads. Can be distributed and integrated.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the map data downloaded and cached reaches a certain amount and needs to be deleted, the home registered in advance, Since it is possible to provide a navigation system, navigation device, and stored data deletion method that can be deleted from the map data farthest from the point of work, parking, etc., information devices and information that support navigation It is extremely useful in various fields such as the processing field.

100 Navigation device 102 Control unit
102a Designated point setting part
102b Current position information acquisition unit
102c Route search condition transmitter
102d Map data receiver
102e judgment part
102f deletion part
102g Route guidance unit 104 Communication control interface unit 106 Storage unit
106a Guide route data file
106b Map data file
106c Guide data file 108 Input / output control interface unit 112 Position acquisition unit 114 Display unit 116 Input unit 118 Audio output unit 200 Navigation server 202 Control unit
202a Route search condition receiver
202b Route search unit
202c Map data transmission unit 204 Communication control interface unit 206 Storage unit
206a Road network database
206b Map database
206c route search information database
206d Guide database 300 Network 500 Position transmitter

Claims (7)

A navigation system in which at least a navigation server that transmits map data, and a navigation device that includes at least a control unit and a storage unit are communicably connected,
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Map data storage means for storing the map data received from the navigation server;
With
The control unit of the navigation device includes:
A designated point setting means for setting a designated point;
Calculate the distance between the map data stored in the map data storage means and the designated point set by the designated point setting means, and delete the map data from the map data storage means based on the distance Delete means to
A navigation system characterized by comprising: The navigation system according to claim 1,
The map data storage means of the navigation device further includes:
Store the storage history for each map data,
The deletion means of the navigation device includes:
The map data stored in the map data storage means is selected for a predetermined period with reference to the storage history stored in the map data storage means, and the selected map data and the designated point are A navigation system characterized by calculating a distance and deleting the map data from the map data storage means based on the distance. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2,
The deletion means of the navigation device includes:
A navigation system, wherein the map data having the longest distance is deleted from the map data storage means. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The designated point is
A navigation system characterized by being a point indicating a user's home, work place, or parking lot. A navigation device comprising at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation server that transmits at least map data,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing the map data received from the navigation server;
With
The control unit
A designated point setting means for setting a designated point;
Calculate the distance between the map data stored in the map data storage means and the designated point set by the designated point setting means, and delete the map data from the map data storage means based on the distance Delete means to
A navigation device comprising: A stored data deletion method that is executed in a navigation system in which at least a navigation server that transmits map data and a navigation device that includes at least a control unit and a storage unit are communicably connected,
The storage unit of the navigation device includes:
Map data storage means for storing the map data received from the navigation server;
With
A designated point setting step for setting a designated point, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation device;
The distance between the map data stored in the map data storage means, which is executed in the control unit of the navigation device, and the designated point set in the designated point setting step is calculated, and the distance is calculated. A deletion step of deleting the map data from the map data storage means based on;
A method for deleting stored data, comprising: A stored data deletion method executed in a navigation device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a navigation server that transmits map data.
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing the map data received from the navigation server;
With
Executed in the control unit,
A designated point setting step for setting a designated point;
A distance between the map data stored in the map data storage means and the designated spot set in the designated spot setting step is calculated, and the map data is calculated from the map data storage means based on the distance. A delete step to delete,
A method for deleting stored data, comprising:

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