JP3894730B2 - Map data storage method, map data storage system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map data storage method and map data storage system for providing map information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when map information is distributed to the terminal side via a communication network such as the Internet, for example, the map information is managed for each image file, and the map information is displayed by displaying the image file in the designated area. Method was used. For example, as conceptually shown in the data structure of FIG. 17A, image files corresponding to positions are provided as image files 500a to 500d, and the position designation from the user is as shown in FIG. 17B. A method for displaying a single image file corresponding to the designated position on the display screen 60 has been provided. When scrolling on the display screen 60, a new image file (image file 500b) is obtained from the database and displayed as shown in FIG.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is that when storing map data for providing map information, the map requested by the recipient is effectively displayed within a necessary and sufficient range, and the display speed of the map information is increased. An object of the present invention is to provide a map data storage method and system that can be achieved.
[0004]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
A map data storage method for storing map data composed of electronic data for displaying map information using a computer system having at least a storage means,
Corresponding to the display range data based on the input of the display range data defining the display range when displaying the map information in the input means connected to the storage means Map data The map data of a predetermined area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area, and each segment map data defines its own display position in the map information. There is provided a map data storage method characterized in that each segment map data is stored in a map database provided in advance in a storage means so that each segment map data can be handled individually. .
[0005]
According to the above method, since the map data is subdivided into segments, it is possible to handle data necessary and sufficient to display map information. The smaller the data amount of each segment, the more accurately the correspondence with the specified display range is performed. It should be noted that the segment map data to be subdivided can each be defined by a range of latitude and longitude or survey coordinates.
[0006]
Specifically, for example, it corresponds to display range data Map data The map data of a predetermined area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area, and each segment map data defines its own display position in the map information. Using a map data storage method characterized in that each segment map data is stored in a map database provided in advance in a storage means so that each segment map data can be handled individually. Can do.
[0007]
In this way, if the map data is configured as vector segment map data , In addition to the advantage of reducing the amount of data in handling units by dividing the data into segments, the advantages of vector data (that is, the advantage of high map accuracy and small data capacity) are added to speed up display. This will bring about a synergistic effect. Furthermore, in the above storage method, a method of storing segment map data as binary data may be used. If map data is handled in binary data in this way, a highly compressible data structure can be adopted.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information providing system (hereinafter also simply referred to as a system) 1 using the map data storage system of the present invention. System 1 ,I A communication network 702 such as the Internet, a host device 700 connected to this via a relay device 701 (router or the like) as a transmission / reception means, and a relay device 752 (router or the like (FIG. 2)) as a transmission / reception means. And a plurality of terminals 703 connected to each other.
[0009]
The server of the present invention The host device 700 is configured as a computer, I / O circuit An I / O 711 is provided, to which a CPU 712, a ROM 713, a RAM 714, a fixed storage device 722 composed of a hard disk drive, and a peripheral device 734 such as a CD-ROM drive are connected (an output device such as a monitor or a printer) In addition, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a calendar clock, etc. may be connected). The fixed storage device 722 includes an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) 724 for realizing the functions of the map information providing system 1 on a computer. , That Are stored in an operating system program (OS) 723 that forms a computer operating environment on a computer and a map database 725 used for various processes for providing map information. Further, the RAM 714 has a work area for each program stored in the fixed storage device 722 and the ROM 713.
[0010]
Each terminal apparatus As shown in FIG. I / O circuit The computer includes an I / O 751 and a CPU 754, a ROM 755, and a RAM 756 connected thereto, and includes a keyboard 732 as an input means, a mouse 733 (may be another pointing device), and a printer control unit (not shown) as an output means. The printer 736 and the monitor control unit 720 are connected to the I / O 751. The monitor control unit 20 has a monitor as an output means having a display screen. 721 Is connected. Terminal apparatus For example, the computer 703 may be configured as a desktop computer, but a notebook computer, laptop computer, palmtop computer (PDA), mobile phone, or the like that uses a battery or the like as a power supply unit may be used.
[0011]
A terminal connected via the communication network 702 to input information necessary for each process (display range data, etc.) apparatus This is done from the 703 side. Terminal apparatus The communication processing on the 703 side is executed by a predetermined communication program using the communication program work area 756a of the RAM 756 shown in FIG. And terminal apparatus Information input from the keyboard 732 or the mouse 733 on the 703 side is sent to the host device 700 via the communication network 702, where various processes by the application program 724 are executed. The result of the processing is the terminal accessed via the communication network 702 apparatus 703 can be transmitted to this terminal apparatus The data can be output to the printer 736 or the monitor 721 of 703. Monitor 721 In addition, the audio information may be output from a speaker 758 connected to the I / O 751 via the amplifier 757.
[0012]
Specifically, the terminal apparatus A terminal-side operation / display program for forming an operation / display screen by a graphic user interface (GUI) is displayed on the monitor 721 of 703 from the host device 700 to the terminal device. 703 Sent to Communication program Work area 756a, Terminal side operation / display program work area The program is executed on 756b. Further, the terminal device 703 further includes an operating system 753a for managing the terminal device 703, a terminal Device 703 A hard disk drive (hereinafter also referred to as HDD) 753 as a fixed storage device provided with a browser 753c for accessing the host device 700 from the side is provided. Further, the HDD 753 has a database 753d for storing various data downloaded from the host device 700, and a terminal device. 703 The application 753b can be provided so as to perform various processes (for example, binary data conversion display process, vector data conversion display process, etc., which will be described later). Terminal side operation / display program The work area 756b can be configured to be used). Further, various processing information from the host device 700 can be stored in the RAM 756 and used. As a matter of course, the system 1 can be constituted by a single computer as shown in FIG.
[0013]
Less than ,Book A specific flow of map information display processing for providing map information using the map data storage system of the invention will be described.
First, an overview will be given. In order to display map information, the system 1 divides map data of a predetermined area into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area, and each of the segment map data is individually displayed. Map database in advance that can be handled 725 Is remembered. Based on the input of the display range data for specifying the display range of the map information by the input means, a plurality of segment map data at positions corresponding to the input display range data is obtained from the map database. 725 Thus, the map information obtained by collecting the plurality of segment map data is displayed on the display screen.
[0014]
Specifically, to display the map data as shown in FIG. , Place The map data of the fixed area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area, and the segment map data is geometrically defined vector data (hereinafter also referred to as vector segment map data). ), Each segment map data is stored in advance in the map database so that it can be handled individually. Then, based on the display range data being input by the input means described above, a plurality of vector segment map data at positions corresponding to the input display range data is obtained from the map database. 725 Read out. Further, the map information is drawn on the display screen in a form drawn at positions determined by the read vector segment map data or as raster image data obtained by converting the vector segment map data. Will be output.
[0015]
Further, the display range data can be configured to include at least latitude specifying data from which latitude can be specified and / or longitude specifying data from which longitude can be specified. The latitude specifying data and longitude specifying data may be numerical data of latitude and longitude, and may be given in association with data of longitude and latitude on a display object (such as a building) on the map. For example, based on the input of numerical data of latitude and / or longitude as display range data, segment map data specified by the input longitude and / or latitude (or the position thereof is specified). It may be called (in the form of a collection of segment map data in the vicinity of the segment map data). Also latitude , Sutra It is not necessary to use a method of setting a display range by inputting numerical data of degrees. For example, the name of the display object displayed in the segment data may be associated with the segment data as an index. In this way, for example. If it is input as XX station, the segment data associated with the XX station is called up. In any case, various methods can be used as long as the display range data is data that can specify a target position on the map and can specify one or a plurality of segment map data.
[0016]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the vector segment map data is drawn based on the display position specifying data for specifying the position to be displayed in the displayed map information and the display position specifying data. Position, point, line, circle The Ligon including It includes a drawing data for drawing a figure. . Na The display position specifying data can be data that determines the relative position of the segment data in the entire map data. For example, FIG. 6B conceptually shows the segment map data 3 for displaying the map information 30 as shown in FIG. 6A on the display screen. This conceptually shows that the map information 30 as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed by the segment map data 3 in the thick frame B. The segment map data 3 as shown in FIG. 6B is a part for displaying the map information as shown in FIG. The map information corresponds to the segment map data 3 and has a configuration in which a plurality of segment map data correspondence display sections 303 displayed by the segment map data 3 are collected. The segment map data 303 for each predetermined area In The segment map data set may be assembled to be displayed as the segment map data set display unit 302.
[0017]
Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the reference position of the entire map data can be set to P1, and the reference coordinates of the segment map data S1 can be set to P2 (that is, the coordinate data corresponds to the segment map data S1). Can be set). That is, if the positional relationship between P1 and P2 is defined, the position of the segment map data 3 indicated by S1 in the entire map data is also defined. And by providing the same coordinate data in each segment map data 3, the position in the whole map data in each segment map data 3 will be determined. Further, the positional relationship between the segment map data 3 is also defined.
[0018]
Furthermore, the map data can be formed in a multilayered form with a plurality of layers as shown in FIG. In order to display the map information as shown in FIG. 8A, for example, three layers as shown in FIG. 8B can be provided. Thus, in order to display the map information in a layer configuration, the configuration of the graphic data of each segment map data stored in the database is as follows for each layer in each segment map data as shown in FIG. Data for each layer for drawing a graphic can be provided in each layer. That is, the map data for drawing the map information is divided into segment map data for each segment, and each segment map data is provided with a plurality of layer-specific data.
[0019]
Next, a specific flow will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, an initial screen is displayed by starting a program for performing map data display processing (S110). Various display configurations of the initial screen can be considered. When the display range data is input on the initial screen or a screen linked to the initial screen (S120: YES), the segment data corresponding to the display range data is displayed. The map database 725 The segment map data search / display process to be read and displayed is executed (S130). The map database is map The database 725 It may be configured by itself, as will be described later, server such as server side database and terminal side database (Host device 700) Side and terminal Device 703 It may be provided on both sides. And then display range If a change has been made, the process proceeds to YES in S140, and the display in S150 range Execute the change process. The display range Further display after execution of change process Range If changed, the process proceeds to NO in S160 and displayed again. range Repeat the change process. If the map data display process is terminated in S160, the process proceeds to YES and the process is terminated.
[0020]
Then view range The change process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Display range The change process is a process in a case where a new display area is specified by changing the display area based on the display range data when the map information is displayed on the display screen prior to the input of the display range data. When the display area is changed, the display is performed as in S210. range It is determined whether there is a portion that overlaps the display range before the change (specifically, overlapping segment map data). If there is an overlapping segment map data portion, the process proceeds to YES in S210, and the display range In the segment map data in the display range after the change, only the segment map data corresponding to the new display area newly added to the display is stored in the map database. 725 (S220). In S210, when there is no overlapping part (that is, Heavy When there is no duplicate segment map data (S210: NO) In this case, all segment map data corresponding to the new display area is read out and used for display (S230).
[0021]
For example, when the displayed map information as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed, when the display area is changed by scrolling the display range data as shown in FIG. 7, in the scrolling direction, Segment map data corresponding to the map information of the new display area adjacent to the already-displayed map information (map information of the area surrounded by the thick frame D) is stored in the map database. 725 Read from. In addition, regarding the segment map data of the area (map information of areas other than the thick frame D) that should be displayed even after scrolling in the displayed map information, the map database 725 Do not read in, already map database as the displayed area map information 725 The segment map data read out more is used as it is. Specifically, using the conceptual data configuration of FIG. 6B, the data in the thick frame B, which is the segment map data of the already displayed area, is diverted, and the hatched portion C which becomes the segment map data of the new display area This data is newly used for display. In the data of the already displayed area in the thick frame B, the area outside the scroll is not used.
[0022]
In the network form as shown in FIG. 703 Input means provided on the side (mouse 733 ,keyboard 732 Etc.), a plurality of segment map data corresponding to the display range data is obtained from the map database based on the input of the display range data. 725 And search the segment map data searched , Terminal device 703 The data is output toward the display screen of an output device (such as the monitor 721) provided on the side.
[0023]
In any case where the network form is used in the present invention, the following method can be added. That is, the terminal device side stores the map data transmitted from the server-side storage means to the terminal device. Terminal-side storage means Map data stored in the server-side storage means when requesting map data of a predetermined area from the terminal device to the server in order to display map information (hereinafter also referred to as server-side map data) And sent from the server side Terminal-side storage means The map data of a part or all of a predetermined area to be displayed is compared with both the map data already stored in the map (hereinafter referred to as terminal-side map data).
[0024]
Then, it is determined whether or not the server-side map data and the terminal-side map data in the region to be compared (hereinafter also referred to as the comparison target region) display the same map information. If it is determined, the terminal-side map data is used for display without reading out the server-side map data from the server-side storage means for the comparison target area. When the terminal side map data does not exist, the server side map data in the comparison target area can be used for display.
[0025]
Specifically, in both the server-side map data and the terminal-side map data in the comparison target area, time data (hereinafter referred to as server-side time data) included in the server-side map data and serving as a time reference for the server-side map data. And the time data (hereinafter also referred to as terminal-side time data) included in the terminal-side map data and serving as the time reference of the terminal-side map data. If the time is newer than the side time data, the server side map data is used to display the map information, and Terminal-side storage means If the server-side time data is not newer than the terminal-side time data, the map data for the comparison-target area is updated from the server-side storage means. Without reading the server side map data of Terminal-side storage means The terminal-side map data stored in can be used for display.
[0026]
More specifically, the server-side map data is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing a predetermined area, and each of the server-side segment map data has server-side time data, and each is individually The terminal-side map data is stored in advance in the server-side storage means provided in the server-side storage means in such a manner that it can be handled. With side time data Terminal-side storage means Is remembered. And then. Based on the display range data for specifying the display range of the map information input by the terminal device, the segment map data provided on the server side at the position specified by the input display range data; Similarly, segment map data provided on the terminal side of the specified position is compared as a comparison target area for each segment corresponding to the position.
[0027]
In the present invention, the segment map data stored in the server-side storage means is also referred to as server-side segment map data, and the segment map data stored in the terminal-side storage means is also referred to as terminal-side segment map data. Then, in the comparison, the server-side segment map data is selected for display for a segment whose server-side segment map data is temporally newer than the terminal-side segment map data, or for a segment in which no terminal-side segment map data exists. For segments whose segment map data is not newer than the terminal-side segment map data, the terminal-side segment map data is selected for display, and the map information is displayed on the display screen in the form of aggregating the selected segment map data. It can be a method to do.
[0028]
In addition, as terminal side time data and server side time data, specifically, data creation date and time Or Data update date and time can be adopted. As an example, for example, when the data creation date and time when the data was created is adopted as time data, the data creation date and time of the terminal-side segment map data in the same segment is the same as the data creation date and time of the server-side segment map data This means that the terminal side map data has not been updated since the server side segment map data has been read out on the terminal side, and it is found that the terminal side segment map data is the latest. On the other hand, if the server side time data is newer than the terminal side time data, that is, if the data creation date and time of the server side segment map data is newer than that of the terminal side, the terminal side segment map data is not the latest, The corresponding server side segment map data is read from the server side.
[0029]
Specifically, the method shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be used.
FIG. 11 shows processing when initial display range data is input in FIG. 9. First, any segment data corresponding to the input initial range data is searched in the terminal storage means (S310). ). Then, the segment map data to be searched is stored in the terminal side storage means (that is, HDD753 ) (S320: YES) The terminal associated with the terminal-side segment map data in S330 (Terminal device 703) Side time data and server (Host device 700) The server time data is compared to determine whether the server time data is newer (S330). When the server side time data is not new (that is, the terminal side storage means) (HDD753) If the segment map data stored in is the latest), the process proceeds to NO in S330, HDD753 Read terminal side segment map data.
[0030]
Also, if the server side time data is newer in S330 (that is, if the data has been updated on the server side in that segment). , Proceed to YES in S330, Server-side storage means (ie fixed storage device) 722 ), Server-side segment map data for the segment is read (S340). In S320, the target terminal-side segment map data is HDD753 If not present (S320: NO) For that segment Fixed storage device 722 Read server-side segment map data more newly (S340) . In S360, it is determined whether or not all segments in the display range have been completed, and any segment remains (S360: NO) For those segments, the processes from S310 to S350 are repeated. If all segments in the display range have been completed, the process proceeds to YES in S360, and the segment map data search / display process is terminated. FIG. 16 shows an example of the map information specifically displayed. In the map information of the area surrounded by the thick frame E, the information of FIG. 16 (a) and FIG. The information of (b) which is later information is different. That is, in contrast to the stage of FIG. 16A, the segment map data corresponding to the area of the thick frame E is updated on the server side in the stage of FIG. 16B, and FIG. In this process, the map information of the area of the thick frame E is displayed based on the updated segment map data. In addition, in this embodiment, since there is no updated area in the segment map data in the area other than the thick frame E, the data is used for the area where the terminal-side segment map data exists. The server side segment map data is newly read out and used. The mesh line 15 is displayed for convenience, but is not essential. Moreover, although the track 54, the roads 51-53, the river 55, etc. are illustrated about the display thing in map information, it is not limited to this.
[0031]
Furthermore, for the display range changing process in the case of using the method for storing segment map data on the terminal side as described above, a method as shown in FIG. 12 can be used. In FIG. 12, when the display range is changed, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion with the display range before the change. If there is an overlapping range (S410: YES), the overlapping is performed. The segment map data of the range is also used in the display after the change (S420). For non-overlapping ranges (S410: NO) , Each segment map data is stored on the terminal side storage means ( HDD753 ) Search by (S430) . And the target segment map data HDD753 If it exists, and if it exists (S440: YES) The terminal Device 703 Segment map data server that corresponds in position to the time data (terminal side time data) of the segment map data stored on the side (Host device 700) It is determined whether the side time data is newer (S450).
[0032]
server (Host device 700) If the side time data is not new (that is, if the segment map data on the server side is not updated in the target segment), the process proceeds to NO in S450, and the terminal Device 703 Side HDD753 The segment map data is read out (S470). Also, if the server side time data is newer, the server side fixed storage device 722 More segment map data will be read out. Then, in S480, it is determined whether or not all segments in the non-overlapping range have been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to NO, and the processes from S430 to S470 are repeated. If completed, the process proceeds to YES in S480, and the display range changing process is terminated.
[0033]
Moreover, Terminal-side storage means A reference value for deleting terminal-side map data stored in (hereinafter also referred to as a deletion reference value) is predetermined, and based on the fact that the storage of terminal-side map data reaches the deletion reference value, Terminal-side storage means A method of deleting at least a part of the terminal-side map data stored in can be used. Specifically, as the deletion standard value, Terminal-side storage means The maximum amount of information on the terminal-side map data that can be stored is adopted, and the amount of information on the terminal-side map data reaches the maximum value based on the fact that the amount of information on the terminal-side map data reaches the maximum value. As described above, at least a part of the terminal-side map data can be deleted. Based on the fact that the memory of the terminal side map data reaches the deletion standard value ,end It is possible to delete at least part of the terminal-side map data in order from the terminal-side map data with the oldest end-side time data.
[0034]
Specifically, in correspondence with the display of the map information (for example, before or after display), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Store / Delete Processing can be performed. In the process of FIG. 13, the segment map data related to the displayed or displayed map information is used as the terminal side storage means. HDD When storing to 753, specify one of the segment map data in the display range. (S510) And it is already HDD It is determined whether or not it exists in 753 (S520). If it exists, the process proceeds to YES, and it is determined in S530 whether the data to be stored is newer than the existing data. If it is the same as the existing data, the process proceeds to NO in S530. In addition, when the data is newer than existing data (S530: YES), or the target segment map data is HDD If it does not exist in 753 (S520: NO), go to S540 , HDD In step 753, it is determined whether there is room for storing the target segment map data.
[0035]
When there is no room to store, that is, when the target segment map data is stored HDD When the data amount of the entire terminal-side segment map data stored in 753 exceeds a predetermined maximum value (S540: NO) In step S550, at least the data (terminal-side segment map data) that can be stored in the target segment map data is deleted in chronological order. If there is room to store S540 Proceed to YES. In any case, the segment map data is obtained at S560. HDD 753 is stored. Then, the process proceeds to S570, where it is determined whether or not all segments in the display range have been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to NO in S570, and the processes from S510 to S570 are repeated for other segments. If all segments have been completed, the process proceeds to YES in S570 and the storage / deletion process is terminated.
[0036]
In the above method, at least a part is deleted when the information amount of the terminal-side map data exceeds a preset maximum value, but another method may be used. For example, HDD The terminal-side segment map data stored in 753 can be deleted before a predetermined period. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example. First, the terminal-side segment map data is searched. (S610) It is determined whether there is data before a predetermined period (that is, whether there is expired data). The predetermined period can be variously set, for example, 5 days, 1 week, 1 month, etc., and the terminal side segment map data having the time data (terminal side time data) before the time point that has gone back the predetermined period from the search time is deleted. Will be (S620: YES → S630) . This terminal-side time data is the reference time for the terminal-side segment map data (for example, the time when the data was created) , Sa Over (Host device 700) And the time stored in the terminal, etc.). For example, a terminal device 703 If the time stored in is the terminal-side time data, the segment map data terminal device 703 The terminal-side segment map data whose time stored in is earlier than the time point that is a predetermined period after the search time point is deleted.
[0037]
Further, FIG. 15 shows several forms and methods of map data transmission. In FIG. 15A, it is stored as vector data in the map database, and the terminal Device (703) Map from data In response to this request, a method of transmitting vector data (specifically, vector segment map data) to the terminal side is used. The transmitted vector data is displayed using application software (viewer or the like) including at least a program for displaying vector data for displaying map information.
[0038]
Also, as shown in FIG. (Host device 700) A program (vector raster conversion program) for converting vector data into raster data is provided on the side, and the raster data converted by the vector raster conversion program is Device (703) You may make it deliver to the side. This distribution may be transmitted as segment data (raster segment map data) as shown in FIG. 15B, or may be transmitted as an aggregate file in which a plurality of raster segment map data are aggregated. As shown in FIG. 15C, raster segment map data is stored in advance in the map database as raster segment map data, and the stored raster segment map data is stored in the terminal. apparatus It may be displayed on the side using a predetermined program. The raster data can be displayed by a browser.
[0039]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and is not limited to the wording of each claim without departing from the scope described in each claim. To the extent that can be easily replaced by them, and improvements based on knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a map information providing system using a map data storage system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram when the map information providing system is realized by a single computer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a database.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating map data.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map data display screen and an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a method of using segment map data.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which FIG. 6A is scrolled.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a layer configuration of map information.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of map information display processing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display range change process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of segment map data search / display processing;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the display range changing process.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of storage / deletion processing;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a deletion process.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a data transmission form in the map information providing system.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a case where server-side segment map data has been updated.
FIG. 17 is a view showing a conventional map information display method;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Map information provision system
700 servers
703 terminal device
722 Fixed storage device (server-side storage means)
725 map database
753 Fixed storage device (terminal side storage means)

Claims (14)

A map data storage method for storing map data composed of electronic data for displaying map information using a computer system having at least a storage means,
Based on the input of display range data defining the display range when displaying the map information in the input means connected to the storage means, it is possible to search and read out map data corresponding to the display range data The map data of the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area, and the segment map data is divided into position specifying data that defines its own display position in the map information. Further, each segment map data is stored in a map database provided in the storage means in advance so that it can be handled individually,
Each of the segment map data is provided with terminal-side time data including data creation time and data update time, which is its own time reference,
A reference value for deleting the segment map data is set as a predetermined period,
Search means for searching for data before the point in time when the terminal side time data goes back the predetermined period,
A map data storage method comprising: deleting each segment map data when the terminal side time data is retrieved before the point in time when the predetermined time period is traced in each of the segment map data . A map data storage method for storing map data composed of electronic data for displaying map information using a computer system having at least a storage means,
Based on the input of display range data defining the display range when displaying the map information in the input means connected to the storage means, it is possible to search and read out map data corresponding to the display range data The map data of the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area so that each segment map data has position specifying data for defining its display position in the map information. And includes vector data (hereinafter also referred to as vector segment map data) for drawing a graphic including geometrically defined points, lines, circles, and polygons for drawing the map information. Further, the storage means is provided so that each segment map data can be handled individually. Stores in was map database,
Each of the segment map data is provided with terminal-side time data including data creation time and data update time, which is its own time reference,
A reference value for deleting the segment map data is set as a predetermined period,
Search means for searching for data before the point in time when the terminal side time data goes back the predetermined period,
A map data storage method comprising: deleting each segment map data when the terminal side time data is retrieved before the point in time when the predetermined time period is traced in each of the segment map data .   The map data storage method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the segment map data is stored in the map database in a form in which text data as an index is added to binary data.   The segment map data is data for specifying a display range including at least latitude specifying data for which latitude can be specified by input means to display the map information and / or longitude specifying data for which longitude can be specified (hereinafter, Latitude-related information and / or longitude-related information so that segment map data of the region corresponding to the display range specifying data can be read based on the input of the display range specifying data) The map data storage method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: While using a server connected to the terminal device via a communication network including the Internet,
In the input means provided on the terminal device side, the display range data for defining the display range when the map information is displayed on the terminal device side is input. The corresponding segment map data not stored on the terminal device side or the segment map data newer than the segment map data stored on the terminal device side and for updating the segment map data. The map data storage method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage means is provided at least in the server or in a form connected to the server so that retrieval and reading can be performed on the server side. Using a server connected to a terminal device via a communication network including the Internet, and corresponding to the display range data based on the display range data being input by the input means provided on the terminal device side The segment map data not stored on the terminal device side or the segment map data that is newer than the segment map data stored on the terminal device side and for updating the segment map data is searched for A terminal-side storage unit and a server-side storage unit are provided on the terminal device side and the server side, respectively, so that reading can be performed,
6. The map data storage method according to claim 1, wherein the segment map data is stored in advance in the server-side storage means and the terminal-side storage means so as to be handled individually. . While the segment map data stored in the server-side storage means (hereinafter also referred to as server-side segment map data) is provided with data so as to cover the area for which map information is provided,
The server-side segment that is not stored in the terminal-side storage means, that is read from the server side and displayed once to the terminal device side for display on the terminal device side in the terminal-side storage means Map data, or newer than the segment map data stored in the terminal side storage means, and the server side segment map data for updating the segment map data is stored as terminal side segment map data,
Each of the segment map data is provided with terminal-side time data including data creation time and data update time, which is its own time reference,
A reference value for deleting the segment map data is set as a predetermined period,
Search means for searching for data before the point in time when the terminal side time data goes back the predetermined period,
The map data storage method according to claim 6 , wherein, in each of the segment map data, when the terminal-side time data is searched for before the point in time preceding the predetermined period, the segment map data is deleted. A map data storage system for storing map data composed of electronic data for displaying map information using a computer system having at least storage means,
Based on the input of display range data defining the display range when displaying the map information in the input means connected to the storage means, it is possible to search and read out map data corresponding to the display range data The map data of the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area, and the segment map data is divided into position specifying data that defines its own display position in the map information. Further, each segment map data is stored in a map database provided in the storage means in advance so that it can be handled individually,
Each of the segment map data is provided with terminal-side time data including data creation time and data update time, which is its own time reference,
A reference value for deleting the segment map data is set as a predetermined period,
Search means for searching for data before the point in time when the terminal side time data goes back the predetermined period ,
In each of the segment map data, when the terminal-side time data is searched for before the point in time preceding the predetermined period, the segment map data is deleted. A map data storage system for storing map data composed of electronic data for displaying map information using a computer system having at least storage means,
Based on the input of display range data defining the display range when displaying the map information in the input means connected to the storage means, it is possible to search and read out map data corresponding to the display range data The map data of the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of segment map data obtained by subdividing the predetermined area so that each segment map data has position specifying data for defining its display position in the map information. And includes vector data (hereinafter also referred to as vector segment map data) for drawing a graphic including geometrically defined points, lines, circles, and polygons for drawing the map information. Further, the storage means is provided so that each segment map data can be handled individually. Stores in was map database,
Each of the segment map data is provided with terminal-side time data including data creation time and data update time, which is its own time reference,
A reference value for deleting the segment map data is set as a predetermined period,
Search means for searching for data before the point in time when the terminal side time data goes back the predetermined period,
In each of the segment map data, when the terminal-side time data is searched for before the point in time preceding the predetermined period, the segment map data is deleted.   The map data storage system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the segment map data is stored in the map database in a form in which text data as an index is added to binary data.   The segment map data is data for specifying a display range including at least latitude specifying data for which latitude can be specified by input means to display the map information and / or longitude specifying data for which longitude can be specified (hereinafter, Latitude-related information and / or longitude-related information so that segment map data of the region corresponding to the display range specifying data can be read based on the input of the display range specifying data) The map data storage system according to claim 8, comprising at least A server connected to the terminal device via a communication network including the Internet,
In the input means provided on the terminal device side, the display range data for defining the display range when the map information is displayed on the terminal device side is input. The corresponding segment map data not stored on the terminal device side or the segment map data newer than the segment map data stored on the terminal device side and for updating the segment map data. The map data storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the storage means is provided at least in the server or in a form connected to the server so that retrieval and reading can be performed on the server side. A server connected to a terminal device via a communication network including the Internet, and corresponding to the display range data based on the display range data being input by the input means provided on the terminal device side The segment map data not stored on the terminal device side or the segment map data that is newer than the segment map data stored on the terminal device side and for updating the segment map data is searched for A terminal-side storage unit and a server-side storage unit are provided on the terminal device side and the server side, respectively, so that reading can be performed,
The map data storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the segment map data is stored in advance in the server side storage means and the terminal side storage means so as to be individually handled. . While the segment map data stored in the server-side storage means (hereinafter also referred to as server-side segment map data) is provided with data so as to cover the area for which map information is provided,
The server-side segment that is not stored in the terminal-side storage means, that is read from the server side and displayed once to the terminal device side for display on the terminal device side in the terminal-side storage means Map data, or newer than the segment map data stored in the terminal side storage means, and the server side segment map data for updating the segment map data is stored as terminal side segment map data ,
Each of the segment map data is provided with terminal-side time data including data creation time and data update time, which is its own time reference,
A reference value for deleting the segment map data is set as a predetermined period,
Search means for searching for data before the point in time when the terminal side time data goes back the predetermined period,
14. The map data storage system according to claim 13 , wherein, in each of the segment map data, when the terminal-side time data is searched for before the point in time preceding the predetermined period, the segment map data is deleted .

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