Map information acquisition method and device

Abstract

To solve a problem of a current map information acquisition method based on field survey, that updating of road information based on acquired map information tends to be delayed due to limits to human resources.SOLUTION: There is provided a map information acquisition method comprising a server and a client terminal, wherein the server causes a coordinate preservation unit to preserve coordinates to be verified, causes a mission preservation unit to preserve a verification mission associated with the verification object, causes a client terminal-side communication interface to receive the coordinates to be verified and the verification mission, causes a map display unit to display a map, causes a verification object display unit to display the verification object on the map that is displayed on the map display unit on the basis of the coordinates to be verified, causes a mission display unit to display the verification mission associated with the verification object, causes an acceptance unit to accept a response to the verification mission, causes the client terminal-side communication interface to transmit the response to the server, with the received response preserved by a response preservation unit on the server side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement in a map information acquisition method and an apparatus therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] It is preferable that map information, for example, a map displayed on a navigation device, display easily recognizable landmarks with commonly known names, such as convenience stores and restaurant chains. This is because when checking an intersection, it is easier to determine whether the intersection is the correct one by looking at a convenience store or other landmark located nearby, rather than by visually checking the intersection name written on a sign at the intersection signal. Please refer to Patent Documents 1 to 4 as documents disclosing techniques related to the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special publication WO2018 / 216173 publication [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-084225 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-016870 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-067246 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Convenience stores and restaurant chains often close or change business, and it is necessary to update the information about features displayed on navigation devices in response to such closures or changes of business. The earlier the update timing, the better, but the current map information acquisition method, which is based on field surveys, has limitations on human sources, so updates of road information based on acquired map information tend to be delayed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a result of extensive research into solving the above-mentioned problems, the inventors realized that it would be possible to ask users of navigation devices who recognize changes in features to provide information about the changes. If the information provided by users is reliable, the confirmation work for changing the feature information, i.e., the acquisition of map information, can be concentrated on the points provided by users. This allows for more efficient field surveys.

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: A server and a client terminal are provided, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; a map information acquisition method using a map information acquisition device, wherein the client terminal includes a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, the server causes the coordinate storage unit to store coordinates of the verification object on a map, causes the mission storage unit to store a verification mission for the verification object, and causes the server-side communication interface to send the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission to the client terminal; In the client terminal, the client terminal side communication interface receives the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission, the map display unit displays a map, the verification object display unit displays the verification object on the map displayed on the map display unit, the mission display unit displays the verification mission associated with the verification object, the reception unit receives a response to the verification mission, and the client terminal side communication interface sends the response to the server. The map information acquisition method further comprises causing the server-side communication interface to receive the response sent from the client terminal, and causing the response storage unit to store the received response.

[0007] According to the map information acquisition method of the first aspect defined as above, the client terminal that receives the coordinates of the verification target and the verification mission sent from the server displays a graphic mark or logo mark indicating the verification target at the coordinates of the verification target on the displayed map. The verification mission associated with this verification target is also displayed on the screen of the client terminal. For example, when a mark indicating a convenience store located at a certain coordinate is designated with a pointer or the like, the mark's color changes or flashes. Activating the mark in this way displays a verification mission associated with the activated verification target. For example, a verification mission might be, "Do you want to report an error in the map information?" The server collects the client terminal user's response to this verification mission, thereby confirming any errors in the information displayed on the map for the verification target. By performing a field survey of a verification target for which an error has been confirmed in this way, the work required for the field survey for updating the verification target is streamlined. Of course, updating map information does not require on-site investigation, and the information to be verified can be updated based on images taken by probe cars, etc. The information can also be updated based on responses from users.

[0008] The second aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method defined in the first aspect, the server further includes a mission generation unit, and causes the mission generation unit to generate the verification mission in accordance with a predetermined rule. By providing the server with a mission generation unit, it is possible to generate a mission that is suited to the verification target.

[0009] The third aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method specified in the second aspect, the server further includes a verification target information storage unit that stores information about the verification target displayed on the map, and causes the mission generation unit to read the information about the verification target from the verification target information storage unit and generate a verification mission based on the information.

[0010] If information (for example, the name of the convenience store) of a feature (such as a convenience store) that is displayed on a map as a verification target is stored in the verification target information storage unit, the verification mission generation unit can generate a more specific verification mission based on this information. For example, by changing the verification mission described in the first phase, "Would you like to report an error in the map information?" to "Would you like to report an error in the XX convenience store?", the reliability of the response to that mission can be improved.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In any one of the first to third map information acquisition methods, the response is linked with creation information of the response. The response creation information here corresponds to the creation time of the response and the driving history of the client terminal.

[0012] For example, the timing at which the response was created by the user of the client terminal is identified from the time the response was created and the driving history of the client terminal. In other words, the timing at which the response was created after passing the verification target is identified. From the travel history of the response and the coordinates of the verification target, it is determined how close the user of the client terminal has come to the verification target. Similarly, the speed at which the client terminal passes through the verification target can also be determined. When analyzing responses, the generated responses can be weighted by reference to the information on the generation of such responses.

[0013] The fifth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method defined in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the server includes a second verification mission generation unit that generates a second verification mission based on the response stored in the response storage unit, and after the second verification mission is generated, the server transmits the second verification mission to the server-side communication interface in place of the verification mission.

[0014] For example, when a response from a client terminal to a verification mission such as "Would you like to report an error in the map information?" is "There is an error" and the response exceeds a predetermined threshold, the second verification mission generation unit generates a second verification mission to confirm the error, such as "Is there an error in this map information?" This second verification mission is displayed on the map in the client terminal. By updating the verification mission displayed alongside the verification target from the first verification mission "Do you want to report an error in the map information?" to the second verification mission "Is there an error in this map information?", the reliability of the presence or absence of errors obtained from the response will be improved.

[0015] The sixth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method specified in the third aspect, the server further includes an information update unit, which updates the information stored in the verification target information storage unit based on the response stored in the response storage unit.

[0016] If the response is highly reliable and the content of the response identifies the information to be verified (response: specific store name, etc.), the information to be verified can be automatically updated based on the content of the response. Based on the information of the updated verification object, for example, a new mark will be displayed on the map, and a response from the user of the client terminal will be formed again for the updated verification object.

[0017] The seventh aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method defined in the first to sixth aspects, the server further includes an incentive generation unit, which generates an incentive in response to a response from the client terminal, and the incentive is accumulated for each client terminal. By providing incentives to client terminals that respond to the verification mission and send a response, responses by the user of the client terminal are encouraged and promoted. Examples of incentives include airline mileage points and various points (T Points (registered trademark), D Points (registered trademark), etc.).

[0018] The eighth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method defined in the seventh aspect, the incentive generation unit generates an incentive having a value corresponding to at least one selected from the verification target, the movement state of the client terminal, the data amount of the response, and the ranking of the response. By setting a gradient for the incentive, it is possible to check the change status of the target feature more quickly. For example, if a convenience store on your way to work closes and you immediately send a response to that effect, your response will be ranked early and you will receive a higher incentive than subsequent responses.

[0019] A ninth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method defined in the fifth aspect, the server further comprises an incentive generation unit, which generates an incentive specific to a response that contributed to the generation of the second verification mission, and this incentive is accumulated for each client terminal. When a response to the second verification mission plays an important role in conducting a field survey, a high incentive can be given to the client terminal that transmitted the response to the second verification mission.

[0020] A tenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows: In the map information acquisition method defined in the sixth aspect, the server further comprises an incentive generation unit, which generates a unique incentive for a response from the client terminal that contributed to updating the information stored in the verification target information storage unit, and this incentive is accumulated for each client terminal. A high incentive is given to a client terminal that sends a response that contributes to updating the verification target information, thereby eliminating the provision of incentives to useless responses.

[0021] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a map information acquisition device that executes the method of the first aspect, and is defined as follows. A server and a client terminal are provided, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; The client terminal is a map information acquisition device including a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, the server causes the coordinate storage unit to store coordinates of the verification object, causes the mission storage unit to store a verification mission associated with the verification object, and causes the server-side communication interface to transmit the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission to the client terminal; In the client terminal, the client terminal side communication interface receives the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission, the map display unit displays a map, the verification object display unit displays the verification object on the map displayed on the map display unit based on the coordinates of the verification object, the mission display unit displays the verification mission associated with the verification object, the reception unit receives a response to the verification mission, and the client terminal side communication interface transmits the response to the server. The server causes the server-side communication interface to receive the response transmitted from the client terminal, and causes the response storage unit to store the received response.

[0022] A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a computer program to be applied to the map information acquisition device defined in the eleventh aspect, the computer program comprising: a server and a client terminal; the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; The client terminal includes a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, and the program is for a computer using a map information acquisition device, the server causes the coordinate storage unit to store coordinates of the verification object, causes the mission storage unit to store a verification mission associated with the verification object, and causes the server-side communication interface to transmit the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission to the client terminal; In the client terminal, the client terminal side communication interface receives the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission, the map display unit displays a map, the verification object display unit displays the verification object on the map displayed on the map display unit based on the coordinates of the verification object, the mission display unit displays the verification mission associated with the verification object, the reception unit receives a response to the verification mission, and the client terminal side communication interface transmits the response to the server. a computer program that, in the server, causes the server-side communication interface to receive the response transmitted from the client terminal, and causes the response storage unit to store the received response;

[0023] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention focuses on the server constituting the map information acquisition device of the eleventh aspect, and is defined as follows. A server applied to a map information acquisition device including a server and a client terminal, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; causing the coordinate storage unit to store coordinates of the verification object, causing the mission storage unit to store a verification mission associated with the verification object, and causing the server-side communication interface to transmit the coordinates of the verification object and the verification mission to the client terminal; a server that causes the server-side communication interface to receive the response transmitted from the client terminal and causes the response storage unit to store the received response;

[0024] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention focuses on the client terminal constituting the map information acquisition device of the eleventh aspect, and is defined as follows. A client terminal applied to a map information acquisition device including a server and a client terminal, The system comprises a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, A client terminal that causes the client terminal side communication interface to receive coordinates of a verification object and a verification mission, causes the map display unit to display a map, causes the verification object display unit to display the verification object on a map displayed on the map display unit based on the coordinates of the verification object, causes the mission display unit to display the verification mission associated with the verification object, causes the reception unit to receive a response to the verification mission, and causes the client terminal side communication interface to transmit the response to the server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a map information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map information acquisition device of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 shows the display state of the map display unit of the client terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for generating incentives. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a map information acquisition device according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a map information acquisition device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map information acquisition device of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system applied to the server of the map information acquisition device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system applied to a client terminal of a map information acquisition device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a map information acquisition device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 includes a server 10 and a client terminal 60. The server 10 and the client terminal 60 are connected via a communication network, and any number of client terminals 60 may be used. The client terminal 60 may be a navigation device for a vehicle, or may be a smartphone or tablet with navigation software installed.

[0027] The server 10 is equipped with a map information storage unit 11, a verification target coordinate storage unit 20, a first verification mission storage unit 30, a response storage unit 40, a response analysis unit 41, and an incentive generation unit 50, and is connected to an external communication network via a communication interface 13. The latest road information required for the client terminal to function as a navigation device is stored in the map information storage unit 11. The map information storage unit 11 includes a verification target information storage unit 111 that stores information related to the verification target (see FIG. 5).

[0028] The verification target coordinate storage unit 20 stores the coordinates of features to be displayed on a map. Here, features refer to buildings, parks, rivers, ponds, and other objects that are displayed on a map separately from roads, intersections, and traffic regulations. The coordinates are coordinate data required to display the features on a map, and may be polygon data or data indicating the center of the feature. Among these features, those other than buildings such as parks rarely disappear or change, so buildings are selected exclusively for verification. As a default, the coordinates of buildings around an intersection where main roads (one or more lanes in each direction) intersect can be stored in the verification target coordinate storage unit 20 as verification targets. In addition, it is preferable to store in advance as verification targets stores, etc. located along roads that may close or change business, in the verification target coordinate storage unit 20. Examples of such stores include convenience stores, restaurant chains, mobile phone shops, banks, and gas stations.

[0029] A first verification target mission to be displayed corresponding to a first verification target is stored in the first verification target storage unit 30. The content of this first verification target mission may be determined individually for each verification target, or the same content may be determined for all verification targets. The response storage unit 40 stores responses sent from the client terminal 60 for each verification target. This response is associated with the ID information of the client terminal 60 that sent it, information identifying the first verification mission that was the subject of the response, and information at the time the response was created, and these pieces of information are also stored in the response storage unit 40.

[0030] The operator can view the contents of the responses stored in the response storage unit 40 via an external output device such as a monitor. Based on the contents of the responses, the operator can determine whether or not a field survey is required for the verification target. The response analysis unit 41 can read the contents of the response and automatically determine whether or not a field survey of the verification target is necessary according to a pre-installed algorithm.

[0031] The incentive generation unit 50 generates an incentive based on the response stored in the response storage unit 40. Examples of such incentives include airline mileage points and various points (T Points (registered trademark), D Points (registered trademark), etc.). This incentive is accumulated for each client terminal in an incentive storage unit (not shown). If multiple users use a client terminal independently for each ID, a different client terminal will be used for each user ID.

[0032] In the example of FIG. 1, the incentive generation unit 50 gives a uniform incentive to all responses stored in the response storage unit 40, and the incentive is stored for each client terminal that is the source of the responses. It is possible to set a gradient for this incentive depending on the attributes of the response, as will be described in detail later.

[0033] The client terminal 60 includes a verification target display unit 70, a mission display unit 80, and a reception unit 90, and is connected to an external communication network via a communication interface 63. The client terminal 60 functions as a navigation device and therefore includes a navigation control unit 61, a map display unit 62 made up of a liquid crystal display or the like, and an input unit 65 made up of a pointer or the like. Based on the coordinates of the verification target, the verification target display unit 70 displays the verification target on the map display unit 62. The verification target is displayed as a graphic mark or logo mark that can identify it.

[0034] The mission display unit 80 displays the first verification mission corresponding to the verification target on the map display unit 62. The reception unit 90 receives a response input by the user of the client terminal in response to the displayed first verification challenge. The response is input via the input unit 65.

[0035] The operation of the map information acquisition device 1 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step 1, the coordinates of a verification object that are specified in advance as defaults are stored in the verification object coordinate storage unit 20, and a first verification mission corresponding to this verification object is stored in the first verification mission storage unit 30. In step 3, the coordinates of the verification target and the first verification mission are transmitted to the communication network via the communication interface 13. The transmitted data is stored in storage units (not shown) of the verification target display unit 70 and the mission display unit 80 via the communication interface 63 of the client terminal 60.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a display state of the map display section 62 of the client terminal 60. As shown in FIG. Suppose that a user of client terminal 60 notices something unusual about the map displayed on map display unit 62 while driving. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(A), when a logo mark of a facility that does not exist near an intersection is displayed, if the user presses and holds the pointer to select the logo mark of the facility (step 5: Y), the logo mark of the facility is activated and its color changes (FIG. 3(B)). After a while (a few seconds), the first verification mission "Do you want to report an error in the map information?" is displayed (step 9), as shown in FIG. 3(C).

[0037] The user of the client terminal 60 inputs an answer to the first verification mission via the input unit 65. This answer is received as a response by the reception unit 90 and transmitted from the communication interface 63. This response is received by the communication interface 13 of the server 10 via the communication network. The received response is stored in the response storage unit 40 (step 15).

[0038] This response includes the ID of the client terminal, information identifying the verification target and the verification mission, and information about the situation at the time the response was created, such as the time of creation, travel speed, and distance to the verification target. The time the response was created is obtained from the internal clock of the client terminal 60. The travel speed is obtained from the vehicle's speedometer if the client terminal is for a vehicle, or from software using GPS if the client terminal is a smartphone. The distance to the verification target is obtained by comparing the driving history of the client terminal with the verification target. The information obtained when a response is sent is used as an index for evaluating the reliability of the response.

[0039] If the client terminal is a vehicle navigation device, vehicle travel data can be used in addition to the above information that identifies the state at the time of creating the response. Here, vehicle driving data includes not only data generally obtained from the vehicle (position data (x, y), time data (t)), but also vehicle internal data. Here, vehicle internal data refers to data related to various vehicle conditions output from sensors, control units, and other devices equipped on the vehicle, and is data that can be transmitted over a network installed in the vehicle using various communication protocols such as CAN (Controller Area Network). Examples of vehicle driving data that can indicate the situation at the time of creating a response include wiper data, lighting data, etc. This is because it is difficult to see the verification target in the rain or at night, so the reliability of the content of the response obtained at that time is low.

[0040] In step 17, the responses stored in the response storage unit 40 are analyzed by the response analysis unit 41. For example, when the number of responses to "Do you want to report an error in the map information?: Yes" for a specified verification target (such as the XX store in the example of Figure 3) exceeds a specified threshold number (for example, 5 responses = score 5), the response analysis unit 41 can output a caution to the operator requesting an on-site investigation. The impact of the situation at the time of response creation can be reflected in the response analysis. For example, if a response is created immediately after the client terminal passes through the verification target (within a specified threshold time, for example, within 5 minutes after passing through), the response score is increased (multiplied by a coefficient greater than 1). If the distance between the client terminal and the verification target at the time the response is created is close (within a specified threshold distance, for example, within 200 m), the response score is increased (multiplied by a coefficient greater than 1). It is also possible to decrease the score of responses that fall outside these thresholds (multiplied by a coefficient less than 1). It is preferable that the parameters (threshold values) for the response analysis be appropriately modified to reflect the results of the on-site survey.

[0041] The following rules can be adopted as a method for creating incentives in step 30: (1) A fixed value of incentive (standard incentive, the same applies below) is given to the response sent from the client terminal. (2) Depending on the circumstances at the time of creating the response, increase or decrease the standard incentive in the same manner as in step 17. (3) Furthermore, the rules shown in FIG. 4 will be explained.

[0042] The incentive generation unit 50 reads the content of the response stored in the response storage unit 40 (step 31). If the response transmission order is within the threshold number (for example, the threshold number = the fifth name) (step 33: Y), the standard incentive is multiplied by a coefficient n1 (a value greater than 1) (step 35). In step 37, for the response that contributed to the generation of the second verification mission (described later), the standard incentive is multiplied by a coefficient n2 (a value greater than 1) (step 39). In step 41, for a response that contributed to updating the verification target information (described later), the standard incentive is multiplied by a coefficient n2 (a value greater than 1) (step 39). In step 45, responses that do not fall under any of steps 33, 37, and 41 are multiplied by a coefficient m1 (a coefficient less than 1, including 0). In step 46, the results of the calculations in steps 35, 39, 43 and 45 are added together, and the resulting generated incentive is saved for each client terminal.

[0043] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the same elements as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. In the device of Figure 5, when there is a change in information regarding the verification target (e.g., a graphic mark or a logo mark) stored in the verification target information storage unit 111, the first verification mission generation unit 31 creates a first verification mission based on the changed verification target information and stores it in the first verification mission storage unit 30. The verification target information stored in the verification target information storage unit 111 may be updated manually by an operator, or may be updated by the information update unit 45 based on the content of the response stored in the response storage unit 40. The first verification mission generation unit 31 generates a first verification mission based on information about the verification target stored (or updated) in the verification target information storage unit 111, and updates the contents of the first verification mission storage unit.

[0044] A partial configuration of a road information acquisition device according to another embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the same elements as those in Fig. 5 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. The device of FIG. 6 includes a second verification mission generating unit 35 and a second verification mission storing unit 37. The operation of the device in Fig. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the same steps as in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0045] 7, based on the response analysis result in step 17, it is determined that the result exceeds a predetermined threshold (step 21: Y), and after confirming that the target of the response is the first verification mission (step 23: Y), the second verification mission generated by the second verification mission generation unit 35 is adopted as the verification mission of step 1. That is, the first verification mission is replaced with the second verification mission.

[0046] In the above, the conditions under which the second verification mission generation unit operates, i.e., the analysis results in step 17, can be set arbitrarily, but in this example, the first verification mission "Would you like to report an error in the map information?" is replaced with a second verification mission such as "Is there an error in the map information?" or "Isn't this facility a □□ store?" This makes the content of the verification mission more specific, and the response to it also more specific, making it more reliable as a backup response to the first verification mission.

[0047] As a threshold condition in step 21, when the number of responses exceeds a predetermined threshold, for example, when the number of responses to the first verification mission exceeds 30, the second verification mission generation unit can empty the contents of the second mission so that the verification mission is not displayed on the client terminal.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows the hardware configuration of the server 10. The calculation unit 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 303, and a RAM 305, and controls the entire system. It also functions as a first verification mission generation unit 31, a second verification mission generation unit 35, a response analysis unit 41, an information update unit 45, and an incentive generation unit 50. The ROM 303 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program for controlling the calculation unit 300. The RAM 305 readably stores various setting values ​​preset by a user via an input device 330 such as a keyboard, and provides a working area for the CPU 301. The control program for controlling the calculation unit 300 may be stored in the RAM 305 or the first and second storage devices 340 and 350, rather than in the ROM 303. Various data is output via the output device 320. Verification target information and the like are input via the input device 330.

[0049] The first storage device 340 functions as a verification target coordinate storage unit 20, a first verification mission storage unit 30, a second verification mission storage unit 37, and a map information storage unit 11. The second storage device 350 functions as a response storage unit and a memory that stores incentives for each client terminal. The first and second storage devices preferably use a partial area of ​​a memory device of the server system, such as a hard memory or a flash memory. A part of the RAM of the calculation unit can be used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing data. An external communication network is connected via a communication interface 13. The devices that make up the computer are connected by a system bus 370 .

[0050] FIG. 9 shows the hardware configuration of the client terminal 60. The calculation unit 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 403, and a RAM 405, and is responsible for controlling the entire system. It also functions as a navigation control unit 61, a verification target display unit 70, and a mission display unit 80. The ROM 403 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program for controlling the calculation unit 400. The RAM 405 readably stores various setting values ​​preset by a user via an input unit 65 such as a keyboard or a pointer, and provides a working area for the CPU 401. The control program for controlling the calculation unit 400 may be stored not only in the ROM 403, but also in the RAM 405 or the first and second storage devices 440 and 450. The map display 420 functions as the map display unit 62.

[0051] The first storage device 440 has an area for storing coordinates to be verified, an area for storing mission details, and an area for storing map information for the navigation device. The second storage device 450 functions as the reception unit 90 . The first and second storage devices preferably use a partial area of ​​a memory device of the server system, such as a hard memory or a flash memory. A part of the RAM of the calculation unit can be used as a buffer memory, which is a storage unit for temporarily saving data. An external communication network is connected via a communication interface 36. The devices that make up the computer are connected via a system bus 470 .

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Map information acquisition device 10 Servers 13, 63 Communication Interface 20 Verification target coordinate storage unit 30, 37 Verification Mission Storage Department 31, 35 Verification mission generation unit 39 Reception 40 Response storage section 45 Information Update Department 50 Incentive Generation Department 60 client terminals 62 Map display section 70 Verification target display section 80 Mission display unit 111 Verification target information storage unit

Claims

1. A server and a client terminal are provided, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; a map information acquisition method using a map information acquisition device, wherein the client terminal includes a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, the server causes the coordinate storage unit to store a verification object, which is a building to be displayed on a map, and its coordinates; the mission storage unit to store a predetermined verification mission associated with the verification object; and the server-side communication interface to transmit the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission to the client terminal; In the client terminal, the client terminal side communication interface receives the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission, the map display unit displays a map, the verification object display unit displays the verification object on the map displayed on the map display unit based on the received verification object and its coordinates, the mission display unit displays the verification mission associated with the verification object based on the received verification mission, the reception unit receives a response to the verification mission, and the client terminal side communication interface transmits the response to the server, The map information acquisition method further comprises causing the server to receive the response transmitted from the client terminal via the server-side communication interface and to store the received response in the response storage unit.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the response is associated with information about the generation of the response.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the server comprises a second verification mission generation unit that generates a second verification mission based on the response stored in the response storage unit, and after the second verification mission is generated, the server transmits the second verification mission to the server-side communication interface instead of the verification mission.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server further comprises an incentive generation unit, and the incentive generation unit generates an incentive in response to a response from the client terminal, and the incentive is accumulated for each client terminal.

5. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the incentive generation unit generates an incentive with a value corresponding to at least one selected from the verification target, the movement state of the client terminal, the data amount of the response, and the ranking of the response.

6. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the server further comprises an incentive generation unit, and the incentive generation unit generates a unique incentive for a response from the client terminal that contributed to the generation of the second verification mission, the incentive being accumulated for each client terminal.

7. The server further includes an incentive generation unit, and the incentive generation unit is configured to generate the verification pair. A server and a client terminal are provided, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; The client terminal is a map information acquisition device including a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, the server causes the coordinate storage unit to store coordinates of a verification object, which is a building to be displayed on a map, the mission storage unit to store a predetermined verification mission associated with the verification object, and the server-side communication interface to transmit the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission to the client terminal; In the client terminal, the client terminal side communication interface receives the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission, the map display unit displays a map, the verification object display unit displays the verification object on the map displayed on the map display unit based on the received verification object and its coordinates, the mission display unit displays the verification mission associated with the verification object based on the received verification mission, the reception unit receives a response to the verification mission, and the client terminal side communication interface transmits the response to the server, The server causes the server-side communication interface to receive the response transmitted from the client terminal, and causes the response storage unit to store the received response.

8. A server and a client terminal are provided, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; The client terminal includes a map display unit, a verification target display unit, a mission display unit, a reception unit, and a client terminal side communication interface, and the program is for a computer using a map information acquisition device, the server causes the coordinate storage unit to store a verification object, which is a building to be displayed on a map, and its coordinates; the mission storage unit to store a predetermined verification mission associated with the verification object; and the server-side communication interface to transmit the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission to the client terminal; In the client terminal, the client terminal side communication interface receives the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission, the map display unit displays a map, the verification object display unit displays the verification object on the map displayed on the map display unit based on the received verification object and its coordinates, the mission display unit displays the verification mission associated with the verification object based on the received verification mission, the reception unit receives a response to the verification mission, and the client terminal side communication interface transmits the response to the server, a computer program that, in the server, causes the server-side communication interface to receive the response transmitted from the client terminal, and causes the response storage unit to store the received response;

9. A server applied to a map information acquisition device including a server and a client terminal, the server comprises a coordinate storage unit, a mission storage unit, a response storage unit and a server-side communication interface; causing the coordinate storage unit to store a verification object, which is a building to be displayed on a map, and its coordinates; causing the mission storage unit to store a predetermined verification mission associated with the verification object; and causing the server-side communication interface to transmit the verification object, its coordinates, and the verification mission to the client terminal; a server that causes the server-side communication interface to receive a response transmitted from the client terminal and causes the response storage unit to store the received response;

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