Map updating device and map updating method

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for updating map data used for an in-vehicle map system by using delivered map data stored in a server, even when a user is not using the in-vehicle map system. A map updating device (101) comprises: an update procedure decision unit (12) that determines, when an update trigger has been generated and in accordance with whether there is update selection data, whether to-be-updated data needs to be updated, and that decides, on the basis of procedure determination information, whether an update procedure for the to-be-updated data will be a query update or an unconditional update; and an update control unit (14) that updates the to-be-updated data with the update selection data if it is determined that the to-be-updated data needs to be updated. If the update procedure is a query update, the update control unit (14) sends an inquiry to a communication terminal (3) to inquire whether an update needs to be made, and updates the to-be-updated data after acquiring a response indicating that an update needs to be made from the communication terminal (3). If the update procedure is an unconditional update, the update control unit updates the to-be-updated data without sending an inquiry to the communication terminal.

Description

Map update device and map update method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for updating map data in an in-vehicle map system using distributed map data stored on a server.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a navigation device mounted on a vehicle that updates map data to the latest content using update map data distributed from a distribution server (paragraphs 0007 and 0008). The navigation device in Patent Document 1 is a type of in-vehicle map system that is mounted on a vehicle and performs processing using map data.

[0003] After a vehicle destination is set by a user, the navigation device of Patent Document 1 inquires of a distribution server about updating map data for a map mesh including a recommended route from the vehicle's current location to the destination, and receives information about areas to be updated from the distribution server (paragraphs 0022 and 0023).The navigation device of Patent Document 1 classifies areas to be updated that are relatively close to the vehicle's location as manual update areas and areas to be updated that are relatively far from the vehicle's location as automatic update areas (paragraph 0025).

[0004] The navigation device of Patent Document 1, for manual update areas, queries the user as to whether or not to update the map data, and if the user permits the update, downloads update map data from a distribution server and updates the map data (paragraphs 0026-0028).For automatic update areas, the navigation device of Patent Document 1 downloads update map data from a distribution server and updates the map data without querying the user (paragraph 0028).

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-092502

[0006] In the navigation device of Patent Document 1, after the user inputs the vehicle's destination, it is determined whether or not the map data for the map mesh including the recommended route needs to be updated. Furthermore, in the navigation device of Patent Document 1, for map data in a manually updated area, an update confirmation screen is displayed on the display monitor (paragraph 0026), and the map data is updated when the user operates an input device to indicate that an update is necessary. Therefore, there is a problem in that the user needs to operate the in-vehicle map system, and the map data is not updated when the navigation device is not running.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology for updating map data used in an in-vehicle map system using distributed map data stored in a server even when the user is not using the in-vehicle map system.

[0008] A map updating device according to the present disclosure is a map updating device that updates in-vehicle map data held by an in-vehicle map system by distributing delivery map data stored in a server to the in-vehicle map system mounted on a vehicle, and includes: a trigger generating unit that generates an update trigger for the in-vehicle map data; an information acquiring unit that acquires delivery candidate information indicating delivery candidate data that is delivery map data to be distributed; update target information indicating update target data that is in-vehicle map data to be updated; and procedure determination information for determining an update procedure for the update target data; and when the update trigger is generated, determines whether or not the update target data needs to be updated depending on whether or not there is update selection data that is delivery candidate data that corresponds to the update target data; The system includes an update procedure determination unit that determines, based on procedure determination information, the update procedure for data to be updated as either an inquiry update, in which an inquiry is made to a communication terminal held by a user before updating, or an unconditional update, in which an update is made without making an inquiry to the communication terminal, and an update control unit that updates the data to be updated using update selection data when it is determined that the data to be updated needs to be updated; if the update procedure for the data to be updated is an inquiry update, the update control unit inquires of the communication terminal as to whether an update is necessary, and updates the data to be updated after receiving a response from the communication terminal that an update is necessary; and if the update procedure for the data to be updated is an unconditional update, it updates the data to be updated without making an inquiry to the communication terminal.

[0009] According to the map update device of the present disclosure, the update procedure for the data to be updated is determined to be either an unconditional update or a query update based on the procedure determination information. If the update procedure is an unconditional update, map data used in the in-vehicle map system is updated using distributed map data stored in a server even when the user is not using the in-vehicle map system. Objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a map updating device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map updating device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an update target area of ​​embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of an inquiry update. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an inquiry screen on a communication terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an inquiry screen on a communication terminal. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of a map updating device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an update target area in high precision map data according to a modified example of embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an update target area in normal accuracy map data according to a modified example of embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a map updating device according to embodiment 3. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an update target area in high precision map data according to a modified example of embodiment 3. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an update target area in low accuracy map data according to a modified example of embodiment 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a map updating device. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a map updating device.

[0011] <A. First Embodiment> <A-1. Configuration> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a map updating device 101 according to the first embodiment. The map updating device 101 updates the map data held by the in-vehicle map system 4 using map data stored in a delivery map database (DB) 22 provided in the server 2. In this specification, the map data stored in the delivery map DB 22 will be referred to as delivery map data, and the map data held by the in-vehicle map system 4 will be referred to as in-vehicle map data. The map updating device 101 causes the server 2 to transmit the delivery map data to the in-vehicle map system 4, and replaces the in-vehicle map data with the delivery map data, thereby updating the delivery map data to the latest map data.

[0012] The on-board map system 4 is a map system installed in a vehicle. The on-board map system 4 executes applications using on-board map data. Examples of the on-board map system 4 include a car navigation system that uses normal-precision map data and an ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) that uses high-precision map data. In this specification, a vehicle equipped with the on-board map system 4 will be simply referred to as a vehicle.

[0013] The server 2 includes a delivery map database 22, an updated map generator 21, and a communication unit 23. The updated map generator 21 updates the delivery map data in the delivery map database 22 to the latest data. Delivery map data that has been updated to the latest data but has not yet been delivered to the in-vehicle map system 4 needs to be delivered to the in-vehicle map system 4. Such delivery map data is referred to as delivery candidate data.

[0014] The communication unit 23 communicates with the communication terminal 3 and the in-vehicle map system 4 .

[0015] The communication terminal 3 is a terminal held by the vehicle user, such as a smartphone. The map update device 101 updates the in-vehicle map data via an unconditional update or an inquiry update. In the case of an inquiry update, the server 2 inquires of the communication terminal 3 about whether the in-vehicle map data needs to be updated. When the user responds to this inquiry by inputting an answer to the communication terminal 3 about whether the update is needed, the answer is sent from the communication terminal 3 to the server 2, and the server 2 sends delivery map data for updating to the in-vehicle map system 4 in accordance with the answer.

[0016] 1, the map updating device 101 is provided inside the server 2, but the map updating device 101 may be provided outside the server 2. For example, the map updating device 101 may be provided in a vehicle on which the in-vehicle map system 4 is mounted.

[0017] The map updating device 101 includes a trigger generating unit 11, an update procedure determining unit 12, an information acquiring unit 13, and an update control unit 14.

[0018] The trigger generating unit 11 generates an update trigger, which is a trigger for updating the in-vehicle map data of the in-vehicle map system 4. For example, when the latest map generating unit 21 updates the delivery map data to the latest data, the trigger generating unit 11 obtains information to that effect from the latest map generating unit 21 and generates an update trigger.

[0019] The information acquisition unit 13 acquires distribution candidate information from the latest map generation unit 21, acquires update target information from the in-vehicle map system 4 via the communication unit 23, and acquires procedure judgment information from the communication unit 23, etc.

[0020] The distribution candidate information is information indicating the distribution candidate data.

[0021] The update target information is information that indicates the update target data, which is the in-vehicle map data that is to be updated. The update target data may be determined in advance. Alternatively, the user may determine the conditions for the update target data. In this embodiment, the map data is distributed and updated in units of meshes. However, the unit of distribution and updating of map data is not limited to meshes, and may be any unit, such as an attribute unit of map data for display, route search, POI, or the like, or a link unit.

[0022] The procedure determination information is information used by the update procedure determination unit 12 to determine the update procedure for the in-vehicle map data. In this embodiment, the update procedure for the in-vehicle map data is either an unconditional update or an inquiry update. An unconditional update is an update procedure in which the in-vehicle map data is updated without an inquiry from the map update device 101 to the communication terminal 3. An inquiry update is an update procedure in which the map update device 101 makes an inquiry to the communication terminal 3 and updates the in-vehicle map data only if the communication terminal 3 responds that the update of the in-vehicle map data is permitted. For example, the procedure determination information is information that the information acquisition unit 13 acquires from the in-vehicle map system 4 via the communication unit 23, and includes information on where the vehicle is parked.

[0023] The update procedure determination unit 12 determines whether or not the in-vehicle map data needs to be updated based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13. When it is determined that the in-vehicle map data needs to be updated, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines an update procedure for the in-vehicle map data.

[0024] When the update procedure determination unit 12 determines that the in-vehicle map data needs to be updated, the update control unit 14 extracts delivery candidate data to be used for the update from the delivery map database and transmits the extracted delivery candidate data to the in-vehicle map system 4 via the communication unit 23. In this way, the in-vehicle map data is updated to the latest map data in the in-vehicle map system 4. In this specification, the in-vehicle map data that needs to be updated is referred to as update target data. Delivery candidate data corresponding to the update target data is the delivery candidate data to be used for the update, and is referred to as update selected data. The update selected data is, for example, delivery map data that represents the same geographical area as the update target data. In other words, the update target data is updated by the update selected data.

[0025] <A-2. Operation> Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map updating device 101 according to the first embodiment. The flow of the map updating device 101 shown in Figure 2 is executed as part of a program on the server 2. Note that although the map updating device 101 may perform map updates for multiple in-vehicle map systems 4 installed in multiple vehicles, for convenience of explanation below, it is assumed that the map updating device 101 performs map updates for one in-vehicle map system 4 installed in one vehicle used by a user. The vehicle position, update target, map distribution contract information, and authentication information between the vehicle and the communication terminal 3 are stored in the update procedure determination unit 12.

[0026] The operation of the map updating device 101 will be described below with reference to the flow in Fig. 2. When the program starts, in step S101, the trigger generating unit 11 determines whether it is time to update the in-vehicle map data. The trigger generating unit 11 repeats the process of step S101 until it is time to update the in-vehicle map data, and generates an update trigger when the update timing arrives. Specifically, when the trigger generating unit 11 receives information from the latest map generating unit 21 that the delivery map data has been updated, it determines that it is time to update the in-vehicle map data and generates an update trigger.

[0027] When the update trigger is generated, the information acquisition unit 13 acquires distribution candidate information, update target information, and procedure determination information in step S102.

[0028] The procedure determination information is, for example, information on whether the vehicle is parked in the user's home parking lot. Whether the vehicle is parked in the home parking lot may be determined by the in-vehicle map system 4, or by the information acquisition unit 13, which acquires the vehicle's position information from the in-vehicle map system 4, comparing the vehicle's position information with the home parking lot position information stored in the map update device 101.

[0029] 3 shows the relationship between the distribution candidate area and the update target area. The distribution candidate area is a geographical range represented by the distribution candidate data, and the update target area is a geographical range represented by the update target data. In FIG. 3, the entire area Eall is a geographical range represented by the entire delivery map data stored in the delivery map DB 22.

[0030] The distribution candidate information identifies distribution candidate areas C1, C2, C3, and C4. The update target information identifies an update target area Eauto. The update target area Eauto is, for example, an area with a radius of 50 km centered on the user's home parking lot. Here, for ease of explanation, the mesh set is represented by an ellipse.

[0031] After step S102, in step S103, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines whether or not updating of the update target data is necessary. Specifically, when at least a part of the update target area Eauto overlaps with the candidate distribution area, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines that updating of the update target data is necessary for the part of the update target area Eauto that overlaps with the candidate distribution area.

[0032] In the example of FIG. 3 , of the distribution candidate areas C1, C2, C3, and C4, the entire distribution candidate area C4 overlaps with the update target area Eauto, and a portion of the distribution candidate area C3 overlaps with the update target area Eauto. Therefore, it is determined that updating of the update target data is necessary, and the distribution candidate data of the distribution candidate areas C3 and C4 is selected as the update selected data to be used for updating the update target data. Note that for the distribution candidate area C3, the distribution candidate data for the entire area may be the update selected data, or only the distribution candidate data for the portion overlapping with the update target area Eauto may be the update selected data. In the present embodiment, map updates are performed in mesh units, so area overlap is determined in mesh units.

[0033] If it is determined in step S103 that the update target data does not need to be updated, the process of the map updating device 101 returns to step S101. If it is determined in step S103 that the update target data needs to be updated, the process of the map updating device 101 proceeds to step S104.

[0034] In step S104, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines an update procedure for the data to be updated. Specifically, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure depending on whether the vehicle is located at a predetermined specific vehicle position.

[0035] For example, the specific vehicle location may be the user's home parking lot. If the vehicle is not in the home parking lot, it is on a trip, and therefore it is desirable for the in-vehicle map system 4 to operate using the latest in-vehicle map data. It is also annoying for the user to receive a map update inquiry from the communication terminal 3 while driving the vehicle. If the user does not respond to the map update inquiry, the map update will not be performed, and the in-vehicle map system 4 will not be able to operate using the latest in-vehicle map data, which would be inconvenient. Therefore, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure to be an unconditional update.

[0036] On the other hand, when the vehicle is in a home parking lot, the vehicle is not currently in motion, and therefore there is no problem with the vehicle's motion even if the in-vehicle map data is not updated at this time. Therefore, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure to be an inquiry update. This allows the user to choose not to perform unnecessary or non-urgent map updates. The user can also determine whether an update is necessary based on whether the data to be updated is related to the planned road. Furthermore, even if the data to be updated is related to the planned road, the user can decide to refrain from updating the data this time, deciding that the data can be updated all at once in the next update.

[0037] In this example, the specific vehicle location is the user's home parking lot. However, as another example, the update procedure determination unit 12 may set the update procedure to inquiry update when the vehicle is at a vehicle repair facility, such as a dealer or repair shop, within 10 km of the user's home, and set the update procedure to unconditional update otherwise. This is because if the vehicle is left at a vehicle repair facility for inspection or repair, there is no need to immediately perform a map update.

[0038] After step S104, in step S105, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines whether the update procedure is an inquiry update. If the update procedure is an unconditional update, the process of the map updating device 101 proceeds to step S106, and if the update procedure is an inquiry update, the process of the map updating device 101 proceeds to step S107.

[0039] 4 shows an overview of updating in-vehicle map data. If the update procedure for the data to be updated is an inquiry update, in step S107 the update control unit 14 inquires of the user's communication terminal 3 via the communication unit 23 whether or not the data to be updated needs to be updated. The inquiry may be in any form that the user can respond to, such as an email containing an HTML URL that contains a question about whether or not the data to be updated needs to be updated.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows an example of the inquiry email text displayed on the communication terminal 3. When the user clicks on the URL, an inquiry screen asking whether or not an update is required is displayed, as shown in Fig. 6. In the example of Fig. 6, a parking lot icon 31 indicating the user's home parking lot, a vehicle icon 32 indicating the vehicle's location, and roads to be updated 33 and 34 are displayed on a map centered on the user's home parking lot, as well as icons 35 and 36 for inputting whether or not an update is required.

[0041] As another example of the inquiry, a map updating application may be installed in advance in the communication terminal 3, and the map updating device 101 may inquire of the map updating application whether or not the in-vehicle map data needs to be updated. In this case, the recording of the unperformed information performed in step S109 described later may be performed in the map updating application on the communication terminal 3.

[0042] 6, the in-vehicle map data for the update target area Eauto is updated all at once, but the user may be allowed to select the update target data to be updated on an area-by-area or road-by-road basis.

[0043] After step S107, in step S108, the update control unit 14 acquires a response result to the inquiry from the communication terminal 3 via the communication unit 23 and determines whether or not an update of the in-vehicle map data is required. If the user's response result indicates that a map update is required, the process of the map updating device 101 proceeds to step S106.

[0044] In step S106, the update control unit 14 activates at least the part of the in-vehicle map system 4 that executes map update, and updates the update target data among the in-vehicle map data held by the in-vehicle map system 4 with the update selection data.

[0045] If the user's response in step S108 indicates that a map update is not required, then in step S109 the update control unit 14 stores incomplete information indicating that an update of the data to be updated has not been performed. The incomplete information may be any information indicating the content of the data to be updated. For example, the incomplete information may include information such as a map update ID, the time of the map update inquiry, and the map update area.

[0046] If there is no response from the communication terminal 3 within a certain period of time after the inquiry, the update control unit 14 may determine in step S108 that the user's response indicates that a map update is not necessary. The certain period of time is, for example, one hour.

[0047] Furthermore, if there is no response from the communication terminal 3 even after a certain time has elapsed since the inquiry, the update control unit 14 may again inquire of the communication terminal 3 about whether or not it is necessary to update the in-vehicle map data. Then, if there is no response after a certain number of inquiries, for example, three times, the update control unit 14 may determine in step S108 that the user's response result is that a map update is not necessary.

[0048] In addition, when inquiring about the need to update the in-vehicle map data in step S107, the update control unit 14 may refer to past records of unupdated updates, display the update selection data that was not updated in the past together with the current update selection data on the communication terminal, and inquire about the need to update.

[0049] <A-3. Effects> The map updating device 101 according to the first embodiment is a map updating device that updates the in-vehicle map data of the in-vehicle map system 4 mounted on a vehicle by distributing delivery map data stored in a server 2 to the in-vehicle map system 4. The map updating device 101 includes: a trigger generating unit 11 that generates an update trigger for the in-vehicle map data; an information acquiring unit 13 that acquires delivery candidate information that indicates delivery candidate data, which is delivery map data to be distributed; update target information that indicates update target data, which is the in-vehicle map data to be updated; and procedure determination information for determining an update procedure for the update target data; an update procedure determining unit 12 that, when the update trigger is generated, determines whether or not the update target data needs to be updated depending on whether or not there is selected update data that is delivery candidate data that corresponds to the update target data, and that determines, based on the procedure determination information, the update procedure for the update target data to be either an inquiry update, in which an inquiry is made to a communications terminal carried by a user before the update, or an unconditional update, in which an update is performed without an inquiry to the communications terminal; and an update control unit 14 that, when it is determined that the update target data needs to be updated, updates the update target data using the selected update data. If the update procedure is an inquiry update, the update control unit 14 inquires of the communication terminal 3 about whether an update is necessary, and updates the data to be updated after receiving a response from the communication terminal 3 indicating that an update is necessary. If the update procedure is an unconditional update, the update control unit 14 updates the data to be updated without inquiring of the communication terminal 3. Therefore, for example, by setting the update procedure to an unconditional update while the vehicle is traveling, the in-vehicle map data is updated even when the user is not using the in-vehicle map system 4 in the vehicle. Also, if a map update is not necessarily necessary, the update procedure is set to an inquiry update, and the in-vehicle map data is updated after confirming the user's intention to update. This realizes a map update that is user-friendly.

[0050] <A-4. Modified Example of Determining the Update Procedure> In the first embodiment, the update procedure is determined based on whether or not the vehicle is parked in the user's home parking lot. The method of determining the update procedure is not limited to the above, and the following determination logic may be adopted.

[0051] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure based on the location of the communication terminal 3. In this case, the procedure determination information includes location information of the communication terminal 3. The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure to be unconditional update when the communication terminal 3 is located at a predetermined specific terminal location, and may determine the update procedure to be inquiry update when the communication terminal 3 is not located at the specific terminal location. The specific terminal location is, for example, on a road or near a road. When the communication terminal 3 is on a road or near a road, it is determined that the user is traveling in a vehicle. Alternatively, when the communication terminal 3 is away from a road on which vehicles travel or when traveling by train, the update procedure determination unit 12 may determine that the user does not need to drive the vehicle immediately and determine the update procedure to be inquiry update, and otherwise determine the update procedure to be unconditional update.

[0052] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure based on the positional relationship between the communication terminal 3 and the vehicle. In this case, the procedure determination information includes position information of the communication terminal 3 and the vehicle. For example, if the communication terminal 3 is located in the same position as the vehicle, or if a predetermined time (e.g., two hours) has elapsed since the communication terminal 3 was located in the same position as the vehicle, or if the communication terminal 3 is located within a predetermined distance (e.g., 500 m) from the vehicle, the update procedure determination unit 12 may determine that the user is traveling and determine the update procedure to be an unconditional update, or if not, determine the update procedure to be an inquiry update. In other words, the specific terminal position may be inside the vehicle.

[0053] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure according to the current time. For example, the update procedure determination unit 12 may set a time a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time of the vehicle as a determination time T, and may set the update procedure to an inquiry update if an update trigger occurs before the determination time T, and may set the update procedure to an unconditional update if an update trigger occurs after the determination time T. In this case, the procedure determination information includes information about the scheduled departure time of the vehicle. Here, the scheduled departure time of the vehicle may be registered by the user or may be estimated by the information acquisition unit 13 based on the vehicle's past driving history. Furthermore, the user may be able to set a time range in which the update procedure becomes an unconditional update and a time range in which the update procedure becomes an inquiry update.

[0054] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure based on the contract status of the vehicle. In this case, the procedure determination information includes information indicating the contract status of the vehicle. The contract status of the vehicle indicates whether the vehicle has not yet been delivered as a new vehicle or has already been delivered as a new vehicle. There is a period of time between when the vehicle is manufactured at a factory and when it is delivered to the user. However, it is desirable that the in-vehicle map data in the in-vehicle map system 4 be up to date when the vehicle is delivered as a new vehicle to the user. Therefore, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure to be an unconditional update if the vehicle has not yet been delivered as a new vehicle, and determines the update procedure to be an inquiry update if the vehicle has already been delivered as a new vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is completed at the factory, the contract status may be registered as "not yet delivered as a new vehicle" together with the vehicle ID in the map update device 101. When the vehicle is delivered as a new vehicle, the contract status may be changed to "delivered as a new vehicle" by the dealer's information terminal. Before the new vehicle is delivered, a mobile terminal owned by the automobile manufacturer or dealer may be registered in the map update device 101 as the inquiry communication terminal 3.

[0055] The update control unit 14 may determine whether or not to update the in-vehicle map data depending on the contract status of the map distribution contract between the server 2 and the in-vehicle map system 4. In this case, the procedure determination information includes information indicating the contract status of the map distribution contract. For example, when a user registers the terminal ID of the communication terminal 3 in the map update device 101 and concludes a map distribution contract with the in-vehicle map system 4, the update control unit 14 updates the in-vehicle map data according to the update procedure. When the contract period expires and the map distribution contract becomes invalid, the update control unit 14 may not update the in-vehicle map data. Alternatively, when the map distribution contract is invalid, the update control unit 14 may inquire about the conclusion of a contract with the user's communication terminal 3, and unconditionally update the in-vehicle map data if the contract is concluded.

[0056] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure depending on the map type of the update selection data. For example, assume that the delivery map database 22 includes high-precision map data having road shape data on a lane-by-lane basis and normal-precision map data having road shape data on a road-by-road basis. The update procedure determination unit 12 may set the update procedure to unconditional update when the update selection data is high-precision map data, and may set the update procedure to inquiry update when the update selection data is normal-precision map data. This is because high-precision map data is used for automatic vehicle driving control and is therefore highly important, while normal-precision map data is used for car navigation applications and the like and is therefore relatively less important.

[0057] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure according to the attributes of the update selection data. Map data includes data used for route search, data used for guidance, data used for display, and POI, which are examples of map data attributes. For example, the update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure to be an unconditional update when the update selection data is any of data used for route search, data used for guidance, and data used for display, and may determine the update procedure to be an inquiry update when the update selection data is a POI.

[0058] The update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure depending on the establishment status of communication between the in-vehicle map system 4 and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this case, the procedure determination information includes information indicating the establishment status of communication between the in-vehicle map system 4 and the wireless LAN. If communication between the in-vehicle map system 4 and the wireless LAN is established, map data can be distributed inexpensively from the server 2 to the in-vehicle map system 4 via the wireless LAN. Therefore, in such a case, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure to be an unconditional update. On the other hand, if communication between the in-vehicle map system 4 and the wireless LAN is not established, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure to be an inquiry update.

[0059] If the vehicle is an EV vehicle, the update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure depending on whether the vehicle is being charged. When an EV vehicle is being charged, a power source used for communication is secured. Therefore, in such a case, the update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure to be an unconditional update.

[0060] When the in-vehicle map system 4 searches for the planned driving route of the vehicle and the vehicle is driving along the planned driving route, the update procedure determination unit 12 may set the update procedure to unconditional update for the data to be updated in the area on the planned driving route.

[0061] When a vehicle is parked at a service area or parking area on a highway, if there is no planned route for the vehicle, the update procedure determination unit 12 may set the update procedure for data to be updated in the section from the parking position of the vehicle to the next IC as unconditional update, and may set the update procedure for data to be updated in sections further away as inquiry update.

[0062] The above describes multiple logics for determining the update procedure for the in-vehicle map data. These multiple logics may be used in combination. For example, if one or more of the above-described conditions for determining the update procedure to be an unconditional update are satisfied, the update procedure determination unit 12 may determine the update procedure to be an unconditional update.

[0063] <A-5. Modified Examples of Update Target Information> In FIG. 3 , the update target area Eauto is, for example, an area with a 50-kilometer radius centered on the user's home parking lot. That is, the update target data is, for example, delivery map data for an area with a 50-kilometer radius centered on the user's home parking lot. However, the update target data is not limited to delivery map data for such a fixed area. For example, the update target area may include an area where the vehicle has traveled in the past, an area where the vehicle is scheduled to travel in the future, or an area set by the user. The areas where the vehicle has traveled in the past and the areas where the vehicle is scheduled to travel in the future may be transmitted from the in-vehicle map system 4 to the map update device 101. Alternatively, the user may use a communication terminal to register a specific area as an update target area in the map update device 101.

[0064] <A-6. Modified Example of Inquiry Update> In an inquiry update, the update control unit 14 may inquire of the on-board map system 4 whether an update is necessary when the on-board map system 4 is operating, and may make an inquiry to the communication terminal 3 when the on-board map system 4 is not operating. When the on-board map system 4 is operating, the user is operating the vehicle, and therefore, the user is more likely to notice the inquiry if the on-board map system 4 is inquired of whether an update is necessary rather than the communication terminal 3.

[0065] <A-7. Modification of Unimplemented Record> If there is an unimplemented record, that is, if there is in-vehicle map data for which the user did not permit updating in response to a previous inquiry from the server 2, the update control unit 14 may again make an update inquiry to the communication terminal 3 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous inquiry. Alternatively, the trigger generation unit 11 may again generate an update trigger after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous inquiry.

[0066] Furthermore, when the user gets into the vehicle and starts the in-vehicle map system 4, the in-vehicle map system 4 may inquire of the map update device 101 about the presence or absence of unexecuted records, and if there are unexecuted records, a map update area relating to the unexecuted records may be displayed on the display unit of the in-vehicle map system 4. Then, the user may operate the in-vehicle map system 4 to update the update target data relating to the unexecuted records while in the vehicle.

[0067] <A-8. Modified Examples of Update Trigger> In the first embodiment, the trigger generation unit 11 generates an update trigger based on information from the latest map generation unit 21. However, the conditions for generating an update trigger are not limited to this. For example, the trigger generation unit 11 may refer to the latest map generation unit 21 or the delivery map DB 22 at regular intervals, such as every hour, and generate an update trigger when it detects that the delivery map DB 22 has been updated.

[0068] Furthermore, the trigger generating unit 11 may periodically compare the version information for each mesh of the in-vehicle map data with the version information for each mesh of the distributed map data, and generate an update trigger if there is a difference between the two. The version information for each mesh of the in-vehicle map data may be acquired by the map updating device 101 from the in-vehicle map system 4, or may be stored in the map updating device 101 or the communication terminal 3. In this case, the map updating device 101 can check the update status of the in-vehicle map data from the version information, and therefore the process of recording unperformed information in step S109 in FIG. 2 is not necessary.

[0069] <A-9. Modified Examples of Installation Location of Map Update Device> In the first embodiment, the map update device 101 is installed in the server 2. However, the map update device 101 may also be installed in a vehicle. In this case, the map update device 101 is periodically started up to inquire of the server 2 about the update status of the latest distributed map data. It is desirable that the frequency of this inquiry be higher while the vehicle is traveling than when the vehicle is not traveling. For example, while the vehicle is traveling, the inquiry may be made every minute, every 100 meters, or constantly.

[0070] The map updating device 101 may be provided in the communication terminal 3. In this case, the map updating device 101 is executed as an application on the communication terminal 3.

[0071] Furthermore, the various components of the map updating device 101 may be distributed among the server 2, the vehicle, and the communication terminal 3.

[0072] <B. Second Embodiment> <B-1. Configuration> The configuration of the map updating device 102 according to the second embodiment is as shown in Fig. 1, and is similar to the configuration of the map updating device 101 according to the first embodiment. However, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the update target data represented by the update target information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13 includes first update target data and second update target data.

[0073] The first update target data is, like the update target data in the first embodiment, data for which the update procedure is determined to be either a query update or an unconditional update based on the procedure determination information in the update procedure determination unit 12. The second update target data is data for which the update procedure is fixed to an unconditional update.

[0074] <B-2. Operation> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map updating device 102 according to the second embodiment. The flow of the map updating device 102 shown in Figure 7 is executed as part of the program of the server 2. Note that although the map updating device 102 may perform map updates for multiple in-vehicle map systems 4 installed in multiple vehicles, for convenience of explanation below, it is assumed that the map updating device 102 performs map updates for one in-vehicle map system 4 installed in one vehicle used by a user. The vehicle position, update target, map distribution contract information, and authentication information between the vehicle and the communication terminal 3 are stored in the update procedure determination unit 12.

[0075] The flow in FIG. 7 is the same as the flow in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment except that steps S110 to S112 are added between steps S103 and S104.

[0076] 8 shows the relationship between the distribution candidate area and the update target area in embodiment 2. The geographical range represented by the first update target data is the first update target area E1, and the geographical range represented by the second update target data is the second update target area E2. The update target area Eauto consists of the first update target area E1 and the second update target area E2.

[0077] The delivery candidate area C4 is included in the second update target area E2, and the delivery candidate area C2 is included in the first update target area E1. Therefore, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines that the update target data needs to be updated, and selects the delivery candidate data of the delivery candidate areas C2 and C4 as selected update data. The second update target area E2 is, for example, within a 5-kilometer range from the vehicle or within a 10-kilometer range from the user's home. The first update target area E1 is, for example, within a 50-kilometer range from the vehicle or the user's home, excluding the second update target area E2. The first update target area E1 and the second update target area E2 may be set in advance by the user via the communication terminal 3, or default information may be stored in advance in the information acquisition unit 13.

[0078] 7 , if the update procedure determination unit 12 determines that updating of the update target data is necessary, then in step S110, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines whether the second update target area E2 overlaps with the distribution candidate area. If the second update target area E2 overlaps with the distribution candidate area, the process of the map updating device 102 proceeds to step S111, and if they do not overlap, the process of the map updating device 102 proceeds to step S112.

[0079] In step S111, the update control unit 14 selects the delivery candidate data of the delivery candidate area that overlaps the second update target area E2 as the update selected data, and updates the update target data of the second update target area E2 with the update selected data. Here, no inquiry is made to the communication terminal 3. In the example of FIG. 8 , since the delivery candidate area C4 overlaps the second update target area E2, the delivery candidate data of the delivery candidate area C4 is set as the update selected data for the delivery candidate area C4, and updating is performed without an inquiry.

[0080] After step S111, or if the first update target area E1 does not overlap with the distribution candidate area in step S110, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines in step S112 whether the first update target area E1 overlaps with the distribution candidate area. If the first update target area E1 overlaps with the distribution candidate area, the process of the map updating device 102 proceeds to step S104, and if they do not overlap, the process of the map updating device 102 proceeds to step S101. In the example of Fig. 8 , because the distribution candidate area C2 overlaps with the first update target area E1, either an inquiry update or an unconditional update is performed for the distribution candidate area C2 in accordance with the procedure determination information by the processes from step S104 onwards.

[0081] <B-3. Effects> In the map updating device 102 according to the second embodiment, the update target data includes first update target data and second update target data which have different geographical ranges, and the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure for the first update target data to be an unconditional update regardless of the procedure determination information, and determines the update procedure for the second update target data based on the procedure determination information. In this way, in the present embodiment, for areas where the first update target data should be unconditionally updated, an update is performed without determining whether to perform an "inquiry update" or an "unconditional update," thereby reducing the amount of determination processing.

[0082] <C. Embodiment 3> <C-1. Configuration> The configuration of the map updating device 103 according to embodiment 3 is as shown in Fig. 1, and is similar to the configuration of the map updating device 101 according to embodiment 1. However, this embodiment differs from embodiment 1 in that the update target data represented by the update target information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13 includes first update target data and third update target data.

[0083] The first update target data is, like the update target data in the first embodiment, data for which the update procedure is determined to be either a query update or an unconditional update based on the procedure determination information in the update procedure determination unit 12. The third update target data is data for which the update procedure is fixed to a query update.

[0084] <C-2. Operation> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map updating device 103 according to the third embodiment. The flow of the map updating device 103 shown in Figure 9 is executed as part of the program of the server 2. Note that although the map updating device 103 may perform map updates for multiple in-vehicle map systems 4 installed in multiple vehicles, for convenience of explanation below, it is assumed that the map updating device 103 performs map updates for one in-vehicle map system 4 installed in one vehicle used by a user. The vehicle position, update target, map distribution contract information, and authentication information between the vehicle and the communication terminal 3 are stored in the update procedure determination unit 12.

[0085] The flow in FIG. 9 is different from the flow in FIG. 7 described in the second embodiment in that steps S113 to S117 are provided in place of steps S110 and S111.

[0086] 10 shows the relationship between the distribution candidate area and the update target area in the third embodiment. The geographical range represented by the third update target data is the third update target area E3. The update target area Eauto consists of the first update target area E1 and the third update target area E3.

[0087] The delivery candidate areas C2 and C4 are included in the first update target area E1, and the delivery candidate area C3 is included in the third update target area E3. Therefore, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines that the update target data needs to be updated, and selects the delivery candidate data in the delivery candidate areas C2, C3, and C4 as selected update data. The first update target area E1 is, for example, within a 50-kilometer radius from the vehicle or the user's home. The third update target area E3 is, for example, within a 100-kilometer radius from the user's home, excluding the first update target area E1. The third update target area E3 may also be the same as the entire area Eall. The first update target area E1 and the third update target area E3 may be set in advance by the user via the communication terminal 3, or default information may be stored in advance in the information acquisition unit 13.

[0088] 9 , if the update procedure determination unit 12 determines that updating of the update target data is necessary, then in step S113, the update procedure determination unit 12 determines whether the third update target area E3 overlaps with the distribution candidate area. If the third update target area E3 overlaps with the distribution candidate area, the process of the map updating device 103 proceeds to step S114; if not, the process of the map updating device 103 proceeds to step S112. Steps S114-S117 are the same as steps S107-S109 and S116, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In the example of FIG. 10 , because the third update target area E3 overlaps with the distribution candidate area C3, an inquiry and update are performed for the distribution candidate area C3 by the process from step S114 onwards.

[0089] For the first update target area E1, the same processing as in Embodiment 2 is performed from step S112 onwards. In the example of Fig. 10, since the first update target area E1 overlaps with the delivery candidate areas C2 and C4, either an inquiry update or an unconditional update is performed for the delivery candidate areas C2 and C4 in accordance with the procedure determination information by the processing from step S112 onwards.

[0090] <C-3. Effects> In the map updating device 103 according to the third embodiment, the update target data includes first update target data and third update target data that have different geographical ranges, and the update procedure determination unit 12 determines the update procedure for the first update target data based on the procedure determination information, and determines the update procedure for the third update target data to be an inquiry update regardless of the procedure determination information. In this way, in this embodiment, the inquiry update is performed for the third update target data without making a determination based on the procedure determination information, thereby reducing the amount of determination processing.

[0091] <C-4. Modification> As a combination of Embodiments 2 and 3, the update target data represented by the update target information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13 may include first update target data, second update target data, and third update target data. In this case, the processing of the map updating device is a combination of the flows in Figures 7 and 9.

[0092] The update target areas may differ depending on the map type. When the delivery map DB 22 and the in-vehicle map system 4 have high-accuracy map data and normal-accuracy map data, the update target areas may differ between the high-accuracy map data and the normal-accuracy map data. The update target areas for the high-accuracy map data include at least one of the first update target area EH1, the second update target area EH2, and the third update target area EH3, and the update target areas for the normal-accuracy map data include at least one of the first update target area EM1, the second update target area EM2, and the third update target area EM3.

[0093] 11 shows an example in which the update target area EHauto of the high-precision map data includes a first update target area EH1 and a second update target area EH2. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the update target area EMauto of the normal-precision map data includes a first update target area EM1 and a second update target area EM2. In these examples, the update target area EHauto of the high-precision map data is larger than the update target area EMauto of the normal-precision map data. Furthermore, the first update target area EH1 of the high-precision map data is larger than the first update target area EM1 of the normal-precision map data. Furthermore, the second update target area EH2 of the high-precision map data is larger than the second update target area EM2 of the normal-precision map data. Thus, in this modification, the update target areas and second update target areas of the high-precision map data used in the ADAS system are set larger than those of the normal-precision map data.

[0094] Fig. 13 shows an example in which the update target area EHauto of the high-precision map data includes a first update target area EH1, a second update target area EH2, and a third update target area EH3. Fig. 14 shows an example in which the update target area EMauto of the normal-precision map data includes a first update target area EM1, a second update target area EM2, and a third update target area EM3. In these examples, the update target area EHauto of the high-precision map data is larger than the update target area EMauto of the normal-precision map data and is the same as the total area Eall.

[0095] The size of the update target area or each area within the update target area may vary depending on the attributes of the map data. For example, the update target area and the third update target area may be larger in the order of route search data, map display data, and POI.

[0096] The presence or absence of each area within the update target area may differ depending on the map type. For example, the update target area EMauto of the normal-accuracy map data may include only the first update target area EM1, while the update target area EHauto of the high-accuracy map data may include only the second update target area EH2.

[0097] At least one of the update target area, the first update target area, the second update target area, and the third update target area may change depending on the procedure determination information. For example, when the procedure determination information includes the location information of the communication terminal 3, the information acquisition unit 13 may set the third update target area to be larger the farther the communication terminal 3 is from the user's home. Furthermore, when the procedure determination information includes the location information of the communication terminal 3 and the vehicle, the information acquisition unit 13 may set the third update target area to be larger the farther the communication terminal 3 is from the vehicle.

[0098] When the procedure determination information includes information on the scheduled departure time of the vehicle, the information acquisition unit 13 may widen the update target area or the second update target area as the scheduled departure time approaches.

[0099] If the procedure judgment information includes information indicating the establishment status of communication between the in-vehicle map system 4 and the wireless LAN, the information acquisition unit 13 may widen the update target area or the second update target area when communication is established compared to when communication is not established.

[0100] <D. Hardware Configuration> The trigger generation unit 11, update procedure determination unit 12, information acquisition unit 13, and update control unit 14 in the above-described map updating devices 101-103 are realized by a processing circuit 81 shown in FIG. 15. That is, the processing circuit 81 includes the trigger generation unit 11, update procedure determination unit 12, information acquisition unit 13, and update control unit 14 (hereinafter referred to as the "trigger generation unit 11, etc."). Dedicated hardware may be applied to the processing circuit 81, or a processor that executes a program stored in memory may be applied. Examples of the processor include a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc.

[0101] When the processing circuitry 81 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuitry 81 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The functions of each unit, such as the trigger generating unit 11, may be realized by multiple processing circuits 81, or the functions of each unit may be realized together by a single processing circuit.

[0102] When the processing circuit 81 is a processor, the functions of the trigger generating unit 11 and the like are realized by a combination of software, etc. (software, firmware, or software and firmware). The software, etc. is written as a program and stored in memory. As shown in FIG. 16 , the processor 82 applied to the processing circuit 81 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing a program stored in memory 83. In other words, the map update devices 101-103 include a memory 83 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 81, results in the processing of the trigger generating unit 11 and the like. In other words, this program can be said to cause a computer to execute the procedure or method of the trigger generating unit 11 and the like. Here, the memory 83 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and its drive device, or any storage medium that will be used in the future.

[0103] The above describes a configuration in which each function of the trigger generating unit 11 and the like is realized either by hardware or software, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which part of the trigger generating unit 11 and the like is realized by dedicated hardware and another part is realized by software, etc. For example, the function of the update control unit 14 can be realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware, and the other functions can be realized by the processing circuit 81 as the processor 82 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 83.

[0104] As described above, the processing circuit can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, or a combination of these.

[0105] It should be noted that the embodiments can be freely combined, and each embodiment can be modified or omitted as appropriate. The above description is an example in all respects. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned.

[0106] 2 Server, 3 Communication terminal, 4 In-vehicle map system, 11 Trigger generation unit, 12 Update procedure determination unit, 13 Information acquisition unit, 14 Update control unit, 21 Latest map generation unit, 22 Delivery map database, 23 Communication unit, 81 Processing circuit, 82 Processor, 83 Memory, 101-103 Map update device, C1, C2, C3, C4 Delivery candidate area, E1, EH1, EM1 First update target area, E2, EH2, EM2 Second update target area, E3, EH3, EM3 Third update target area, Eall Entire area, Eauto Update target area.

Claims

1. A map updating device that updates in-vehicle map data held by an in-vehicle map system by distributing delivery map data stored in a server to the in-vehicle map system, the map updating device comprising: a trigger generating unit that generates an update trigger for the in-vehicle map data; an information acquiring unit that acquires delivery candidate information indicating delivery candidate data which is the delivery map data to be distributed, update target information indicating update target data which is the in-vehicle map data to be updated, and procedure determination information for determining an update procedure for the update target data; an update procedure determination unit that, when the update trigger is generated, determines whether or not the update target data needs to be updated depending on whether or not there is update selection data which is the delivery candidate data corresponding to the update target data, and determines, based on the procedure determination information, the update procedure for the update target data to be either an inquiry update in which an inquiry is made to a communication terminal carried by a user and then an update is made, or an unconditional update in which an update is made without an inquiry to the communication terminal; and an update control unit that, when it is determined that an update of the update target data needs to be made, updates the update target data using the update selection data, when the update procedure for the update target data is the inquiry update, the update control unit inquires of the communication terminal as to whether an update is necessary, and updates the update target data after obtaining a response from the communication terminal indicating that an update is necessary, and when the update procedure for the update target data is the unconditional update, the update control unit updates the update target data without inquiring of the communication terminal.

2. The map update device of claim 1, wherein the procedure determination information includes position information of the vehicle, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure to be the inquiry update when the vehicle is present at a predetermined specific vehicle position, and determines the update procedure to be the unconditional update when the vehicle is not at the specific vehicle position.

3. The map updating device according to claim 2, wherein the specific vehicle position is a parking lot at the user's home.

4. A map update device as described in claim 1, wherein the procedure determination information includes location information of the communication terminal, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure to be the unconditional update when the communication terminal is present at a predetermined specific terminal location, and determines the update procedure to be the inquiry update when the communication terminal is not present at the specific terminal location.

5. The map updating device according to claim 4, wherein the specific terminal location is inside the vehicle.

6. The map update device according to claim 1, wherein the procedure judgment information includes information on a scheduled departure time of the vehicle, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure to be the query update if the update trigger occurs before a judgment time that is a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time, and determines the update procedure to be the unconditional update if the update trigger occurs after the judgment time.

7. The map update device of claim 1, wherein the procedure determination information includes information indicating whether the vehicle is before a new vehicle delivery or after a new vehicle delivery, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure to be the unconditional update if the vehicle is before a new vehicle delivery, and determines the update procedure to be the inquiry update if the vehicle is after a new vehicle delivery.

8. The map update device according to claim 1, wherein the procedure judgment information includes information indicating whether a map distribution contract between the server and the in-vehicle map system is valid or invalid, and the update control unit, if the map distribution contract is invalid, does not update the update target data even when it is determined that the update target data needs to be updated.

9. The map updating device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery map data includes a plurality of delivery map data of different types, the procedure determination information includes information on a type of the update selection data, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure in accordance with the type of the update selection data.

10. A map updating device according to claim 9, wherein the delivery map data includes normal-precision map data having shape data on a road-by-road basis and high-precision map data having shape data on a lane-by-lane basis, and wherein the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure to be the inquiry update when the update selection data is the normal-precision map data, and determines the update procedure to be the unconditional update when the update selection data is the high-precision map data.

11. The map update device of claim 1, wherein the procedure determination information includes information indicating whether or not the in-vehicle map system is connected to a wireless LAN, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure to be the unconditional update when the in-vehicle map system is connected to a wireless LAN, and determines the update procedure to be the inquiry update when the in-vehicle map system is not connected to WiFi.

12. The map update device according to claim 1, wherein, when the in-vehicle map system is operating during the inquiry update, the update control unit makes an inquiry to the in-vehicle map system on behalf of the communication terminal as to whether the update is necessary, and updates the update target data after receiving a response from the in-vehicle map system indicating that an update is necessary.

13. The map update device of claim 1, wherein the update target data includes first update target data and second update target data having different geographical ranges, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure for the first update target data based on the procedure judgment information, and determines the update procedure for the second update target data to be the unconditional update regardless of the procedure judgment information.

14. The map update device of claim 1, wherein the update target data includes first update target data and third update target data having different geographical ranges, and the update procedure determination unit determines the update procedure for the first update target data based on the procedure judgment information, and determines the update procedure for the third update target data to be the inquiry update regardless of the procedure judgment information.

15. The map updating device according to claim 13, wherein the delivery map data includes a plurality of delivery map data of different types, and a geographical area represented by at least one of the update target data, the first update target data, and the second update target data differs depending on the type of the delivery map data.

16. The map updating device according to claim 14, wherein the delivery map data includes a plurality of delivery map data of different types, and a geographical area represented by at least one of the update target data, the first update target data, and the third update target data differs depending on the type of the delivery map data.

17. A map updating device according to claim 15, wherein the distributed map data includes normal-precision map data having shape data on a road-by-road basis and high-precision map data having shape data on a lane-by-lane basis, and a geographical range of the update target data which is the high-precision map data is wider than a geographical range of the update target data which is the normal-precision map data.

18. The map updating device according to claim 13, wherein the update procedure determination unit changes a geographical range represented by at least one of the update target data, the first update target data, and the second update target data based on the procedure determination information.

19. The map updating device according to claim 14, wherein the update procedure determination unit changes a geographical area represented by at least one of the update target data, the first update target data, and the third update target data based on the procedure determination information.

20. A map updating method for updating in-vehicle map data held by an in-vehicle map system by distributing delivery map data stored in a server to the in-vehicle map system mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a trigger generating unit generating an update trigger for the in-vehicle map data; an information acquiring unit acquiring delivery candidate information indicating delivery candidate data which is the delivery map data to be distributed, update target information indicating update target data which is the in-vehicle map data to be updated, and procedure judgment information for determining an update procedure for the update target data; an update procedure determining unit determining, when the update trigger is generated, whether or not the update target data needs to be updated depending on whether or not there is update selection data which is the delivery candidate data corresponding to the update target data; based on the procedure judgment information, the update procedure determining unit determining, as the update procedure for the update target data, whether an inquiry update in which an inquiry is made to a communication terminal carried by a user and then an update is performed, or an unconditional update in which an update is performed without an inquiry to the communication terminal; and when it is determined that an update of the update target data needs to be performed, an update control unit updates the update target data using the update selection data; the update control unit, when the update procedure is the inquiry update, inquires of the communication terminal as to whether an update is necessary, and updates the update target data after obtaining a response that an update is necessary from the communication terminal, and when the update procedure is the unconditional update, updates the update target data without inquiring of the communication terminal.

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