JP4968512B2 - Data update system and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a storage medium having a data area for storing a plurality of entity data for each unit area, and a management area for storing management data for managing the arrangement of unit areas related to each entity data in the data area The present invention relates to a data update system capable of reading and writing desired data and updating the entity data stored in the storage medium, and a computer program related thereto.

  As a file system for efficiently storing data on a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, there is a FAT file system used in an OS manufactured by Microsoft Corporation (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). ).

  In this FAT file system, a data area for storing entity data for each relatively small cluster (unit area) and management data for managing the arrangement of clusters related to each entity data in the data area are stored in a storage medium. The management area to be stored, and by referring to the directory record or FAT related to the desired entity data by the management data stored in the management area, the data of each cluster stored in the data area In the form of reading and writing, it is possible to efficiently read and write the desired entity data.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in the storage medium, the management area includes a directory area that stores a directory record indicating a start cluster number of each entity data in the data area as the management data, and There is provided a FAT area for storing a FAT indicating a chain of clusters related to each entity data in the data area (in what order each cluster is connected to constitute one entity data).
Then, after seeking the directory area (moving the head to the target position of the storage medium) and reading the position of the start cluster indicated by the directory record of the desired entity data stored in the directory area, the data Seek to the area and read / write data of the read start cluster. Next, by sequentially seeking into the FAT area and referring to the chain of clusters indicated by the FAT, by sequentially seeking into the data area and reading / writing data of each cluster in the order of the chain, Can read and write.

A conventional data update system for updating entity data stored in a storage medium using the FAT file system uses an individual file including one update entity data for updating one entity data. The management data stored in the management area and the entity data stored in the data area are updated.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the data update system individually accepts the input of the individual file (step # 101), and the name, extension, and size of the update entity data from the received individual file. The management data for update including attributes and the like are read (step # 102), seek to the management area of the storage medium (step # 103), and the entity data to be updated in the data area is determined by referring to the management data in the management area. The stored position of each cluster is read, and the management data in the management area is updated with the read update management data (step # 104).
Next, the data update system reads the update entity data from the received individual file (step # 105), and seeks each cluster read from the management data in the data area (step # 106). The update entity data read from the individual file is written to the cluster (step # 107).
Furthermore, when updating a plurality of entity data using a plurality of individual files, such a data update system performs the processing of step # 101 to step # 107 using a single individual file. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a next individual file (step # 108). If there is a next individual file, the processing from step # 101 to step # 107 is executed again using the individual file. In the form, step # 101 to step # 108 are repeatedly executed for each individual file.

As an apparatus using the FAT file system, a plurality of substance data constituting map information is stored in a data area of a storage medium, and the vehicle position detected by the GPS receiver or the like is read from the storage medium. In addition, a navigation device is known that displays the information on the screen together with the user and provides optimum route guidance to the destination (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Some recent navigation apparatuses include a large-capacity hard disk as a storage medium, and a large amount of entity data is stored in the hard disk. Such a hard disk is capable of updating actual data by rewriting data instead of exchanging disks such as DVD and CD-ROM.

JP 2003-140945 A JIS standard X 0605

In a conventional data update system for updating entity data stored in a storage medium using the FAT file system, the number of seeks that occur when updating a plurality of entity data using a plurality of individual files is one. The number of seeks that occur when one entity data is updated using the individual file is multiplied by the number of individual files.
Therefore, in particular, as in the above navigation device, a large amount of entity data is stored in the storage medium, and when a large amount of entity data is updated, a very large number of seeks occur. There was a problem that the time was very long.
In addition, the larger the number of the plurality of individual files is, the larger the total size thereof becomes, and the time required for individually inputting and reading the plurality of individual files becomes very long. There was also a problem that the length became even longer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to extremely reduce the number of seeks to the management area or data area of the storage medium when updating a plurality of entity data stored in the storage medium. Further, the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce the update time by preventing the update files for updating a plurality of entity data from being enlarged.

In order to achieve the above object, a data update system according to the present invention is a data obtained by continuously describing a plurality of update entity data for updating all of the plurality of entity data stored in the data area. An archive file input means for receiving an input of an archive file having a section and a header section describing update management data for managing the arrangement of each of the plurality of update entity data in the data section; Generate updated management data when the update entity data is arranged on the storage medium from the update management data read from the header part of the archive file, and store the updated management data in the management area of the storage medium with the updated management data Management data updating means for updating the management data being read, and reading from the data portion of the archive file Was there a plurality of the respective update entity data in that a substance data updating means for writing said each unit area in the data area of the storage medium.

  According to the first characteristic configuration, the management data stored in the management area of the storage medium using the archive file having the characteristic data structure as described above and the plurality of entity data stored in the data area are stored. By updating, for example, even when a large number of entity data is stored in the data area of the storage medium, the number of seeks to the management area or data area of the storage medium is extremely reduced, and more than one entity data The update time can be shortened by preventing the archive file for updating the file from becoming too large.

  That is, referring to the update management data described in the header part of the archive file, a case where a plurality of update entity data described in the data part is stored for each unit area in the data area of the storage medium. Assuming that the arrangement of unit areas related to each update entity data in the data area can be recognized. Therefore, the management data for managing the arrangement of the unit areas related to each update entity data in the data area as described above from the update management data read from the header part of the archive file by the management data update means The management data stored in the management area can be updated in such a manner that the generated management data is written to the management area of the storage medium.

  On the other hand, by referring to the update management data described in the header portion of the archive file, a plurality of update entity data can be read from the data portion of the archive file. Therefore, after the entity data update means converts each of the plurality of update entity data read from the data portion of the archive file into data for each unit area with reference to the update management data, A plurality of entity data stored in the storage medium can be updated in the form of writing in the data area.

Accordingly, there is no need to seek to the management area every time one update entity data is written, the number of seeks required to update a plurality of entity data on the storage medium can be greatly reduced, and the update time can be shortened. .
Furthermore, a plurality of update entity data read from the data part of the archive file is converted into data for each unit area and written to the data area of the storage medium, so that a plurality of update entity data is stored in the data part of the archive file. It can be described continuously, and the enlargement of the size of the archive file for update can be prevented.

  In a second feature configuration of the data update system according to the present invention, in addition to the first feature configuration, the entity data update unit adds each of the plurality of update entity data with a blank portion at the end. The data is written in the data area of the storage medium after being converted into data for each unit area.

  According to the second feature configuration, a blank portion that can be recognized as necessary by referring to the update management data at the end of each of the plurality of update entity data read from the data portion of the archive file as described above By adding (for example, a null character string (NULL)), the plurality of update data can be converted into data for each unit area. Therefore, the converted data can be continuously written in the data area of the storage medium to update a plurality of entity data stored in the storage medium, and one update entity data can be written in the data area. The seek from the end position to the start position of the unit area for writing the next update entity data can be omitted.

  According to a third feature configuration of the data update system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to second feature configurations, an input of a plurality of individual files individually including the plurality of update entity data is accepted. The archive file generating means for archiving the received individual files and generating the archive file is provided.

  According to the third feature configuration, by simply inputting a plurality of individual files that individually include the plurality of update entity data, they are automatically archived (a plurality of HYPERLINK "http: // e-words .jp / w / E38395E382A1E382A4E383AB.html "files can be combined into a single file to generate the above archive file, and the generated archive file can be used to generate a plurality of files stored on the storage medium. The actual data can be updated.

  A fourth characteristic configuration of the data update system according to the present invention is that, in addition to the third characteristic configuration, communication with at least a terminal device including the storage medium is possible.

  According to the fourth feature configuration, a plurality of entity data stored in the storage medium is updated in a form in which communication is performed with the terminal apparatus to access a storage medium included in the terminal apparatus. be able to.

  According to a fifth characteristic configuration of the data update system of the present invention, in addition to the fourth characteristic configuration, the terminal device stores the plurality of entity data constituting map information in a data area of the storage medium. It is in the point that is configured as.

  According to the fifth characteristic configuration, when the terminal device is a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, the terminal device is communicated with the navigation device by a data update system separated from the terminal device. The plurality of substance data stored in the storage medium included in the navigation device can be updated.

  According to a sixth feature configuration of the data update system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fifth feature configurations described above, the header portion of the archive file includes the number of the plurality of update entity data, It has a distribution header indicating the start position of the data part, and a directory table indicating the position and size of each of the plurality of update entity data in the data part.

  According to the sixth feature, the distribution header and directory table in the header part of the archive file can be read to clearly know the location of each update entity data in the data part of the archive file. The management data can be easily updated by the data updating unit, and the updating entity data can be read from the archive file by the entity data updating unit and the updating entity data can be written to the data area of the storage medium. .

  A computer program according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a computer program for operating a computer to generate an archive file used in the data update system according to the present invention described so far. The characteristic configuration is that the computer receives input of a plurality of individual files individually including the plurality of update substance data, and archives the received plurality of individual files to generate the archive file.

  That is, by causing the computer to execute a computer program having the above-described characteristic configuration, the computer automatically archives them by simply inputting a plurality of individual files that individually include the plurality of update entity data. The archive file used in the data update system according to the present invention described so far can be generated.

To achieve the above object, a computer program according to the present invention continuously describes a plurality of update entity data for updating all of the plurality of entity data stored in the data area in the computer. An archive file input step for receiving an input of an archive file having a data part and a header part describing update management data for managing the arrangement of each of the plurality of update substance data in the data part Generating updated management data when the update entity data is arranged in the storage medium from the update management data read from the header portion of the archive file, and managing the storage medium with the updated management data A management data update step for updating the management data stored in the area; It lies in executing the actual data update step of writing each of the plurality of update entity data read from the data portion of the probe file to the unit for each area in the data area of the storage medium.

  That is, by causing the computer to execute a computer program having the above characteristic configuration, the computer can function as various means in the first characteristic configuration of the data update system according to the present invention as described above. The same effects as the one-character configuration can be exhibited.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention accepts input of a plurality of individual files individually including the plurality of update entity data before causing the computer to execute the archive file input step, and The update actual data can be archived, and the archive file generation step for generating the archive file can be executed. The same operation as the third characteristic configuration of the data update system according to the present invention as described above The effect can be demonstrated.

Embodiments of a data update system and a computer program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The data update system 20 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to read / write desired data to / from the storage medium 2 storing the entity data and update the entity data stored in the storage medium 2. First, the data structure of the storage medium 2 will be described.

  The storage medium 2 stores entity data using the FAT file system. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a data area for storing a plurality of entity data for each cluster as a unit area As a management area for storing management data for managing the arrangement of clusters related to each entity data in the data area, there are a reserved area, a FAT area, a directory area, and the like.

  The reserved area is an area that is first read at startup, and stores a BPB (BIOS Parameter Block) relating to physical attributes of the storage medium such as the number of sectors per cluster.

  The FAT area stores FAT (File Allocation Tables) indicating a chain of clusters related to each entity data in the data area (in what order the clusters are connected to form one entity data). .

  In the directory area, a list of directory records indicating the start cluster number and the like for each entity data in the data area is stored as the management data. In addition to the start cluster number, the directory record indicates various information about the entity data such as the name, extension, attribute, update date / time, and size of the entity data.

  In order to read / write desired data to / from the storage medium 2 storing the actual data using the FAT file system, first seek to the directory area (the head is moved to the target position of the storage medium). After reading the start cluster number indicated by the directory record of the desired entity data stored in the directory area, seek to the cluster indicated by the start cluster number in the data area, and Read and write data. Next, while sequentially seeking to the FAT area and referring to the chain of clusters indicated by the FAT stored in the FAT area, seek to the position of each cluster in the data area and read / write data of each cluster Will do.

  Further, the storage medium 2 stores a plurality of entity data constituting map information in a data area, such as a hard disk built in the navigation device 1 as a terminal device mounted on a vehicle. The storage medium 2 is configured as a hardware configuration together with driving means for driving it, such as a hard disk drive.

  The navigation device 1 is configured by mounting various functional units for performing various processes on data input by the arithmetic unit 3 including a CPU or the like, by hardware and / or software (program) or both. ing.

  The navigation device 1 is provided with a GPS receiver 5 that receives GPS signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. This GPS signal is normally received every second and output to the calculation unit 3. The calculation unit 3 can analyze a signal from a GPS satellite received by the GPS receiver 5 and acquire information such as the position (latitude and longitude), traveling direction, and moving speed of the vehicle.

  In addition, the navigation device 1 is provided with a direction sensor 6 that detects a traveling direction of the vehicle C or a change in the traveling direction. The azimuth sensor 6 includes, for example, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an optical rotation sensor attached to the rotating part of the handle, a rotary resistance volume, an angle sensor attached to the wheel part, and the like. Then, the direction sensor 6 outputs the detection result to the calculation unit 3.

  Further, the navigation device 1 is provided with a distance sensor 7 for detecting a moving distance and a vehicle speed of the vehicle. This distance sensor 7 is, for example, a vehicle speed pulse sensor that outputs a pulse signal every time a drive shaft or wheel of the vehicle rotates by a certain amount, a yaw / G sensor that detects vehicle acceleration, and integrates the detected acceleration twice. Configured by a circuit or the like. Then, the distance sensor 7 outputs the detection result to the calculation unit 3.

Then, the calculation unit 3 puts the actual data read from the storage medium 2 on the monitor 4 together with the vehicle position specified based on the outputs from the GPS receiver 5, the direction sensor 6, and the distance sensor 7. It is configured to display and provide optimum route guidance to the destination.
Specifically, the calculation unit 3 acquires entity data relating to map information around the vehicle position from the storage medium 2, and based on the entity data and the current position of the identified vehicle, the route guidance of the vehicle is obtained. Various arithmetic processes are performed, and a control command for the monitor 4 or the like is output. And the said calculating part 3 superimposes and displays the image which shows the present position of a vehicle on the monitor 4 on the map image produced | generated based on the said entity data. Further, based on the road shape and the like included in the entity data relating to the map information of the traveling direction of the vehicle and the current position, the driver is notified with the accurate timing using the monitor 4 or the like. .

The data update system 20 includes an update device 30 composed of a computer installed on the dealer side that performs sales and maintenance of vehicles, a management device 50 composed of a computer installed on the manufacturer side that sells vehicles, and the like. .
In addition, the update device 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the navigation device 1 including at least the storage medium 2 via a known hardware interface 10 that can be attached and detached, such as USB, while the update device 30 The device 30 and the management device 50 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 40 such as the Internet or an intranet.

The management device 50 stores and manages a plurality of individual files individually including a plurality of update entity data related to the latest map information stored in the storage medium 2 of the navigation device 1 in a storage device 55 such as a hard disk. It is configured.
On the other hand, the update device 20 is configured to appropriately store and use a file received from the management device 50 via the communication network in a predetermined storage device 35 such as a hard disk.

  The update device 30 reads / writes desired data from / to the storage medium 2 of the navigation device 1 that can communicate with the hardware interface 10, and stores the entity data stored in the storage medium 2. By executing a predetermined computer program in order to execute update processing to be updated, it is configured to function as archive file input means 31, management data update means 32, and entity data update means 33, which will be described later. .

  On the other hand, the management device 50 is configured to function as archive file generation means 51 for generating an archive file used in the update process and transmitting it to the update device 30 via the communication network 40.

  Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the various means included in the data update system 20 will be described together with the process flow of the update process shown in FIG.

The archive file generation means 51 that functions as the management device 50 extracts the plurality of individual files from the storage device 55, accepts the input of the plurality of individual files, and archives the plurality of individual files. An archive process generation step (step # 11) for generating an archive file, which will be described later, is configured to be executable.
The storage device 55 does not store the plurality of individual files as they are, but stores the plurality of update entity data included in the plurality of individual files in the FAT as described above, as in the storage medium 2 of the navigation device 1. You may comprise so that it may memorize | store using a file system.

  Here, the archive file has a data portion in which a plurality of update entity data for updating a plurality of entity data stored in the data area is continuously described, and a plurality of updates in the data portion. The file is generated as a file having a distribution header and a directory table as a header portion that describes update management data for managing the arrangement of the actual data.

  The distribution header, which is one of the header parts of the archive file, contains the number of update substance data (number of directory records) described in the data part and the start position of the data part (to the data part). Offset) and the like, and further, data such as the size of the header part and the data part is described.

  On the other hand, in the directory table of the archive file, a list of directory records indicating the position (start position offset) and the size of each update entity data in the data part is described as the update management data. In addition to the position and size of the update entity data, the directory record includes various information about the update entity data such as the name, extension, and attribute of the update entity data.

  In the data portion of the archive file, a plurality of update substance data relating to the latest map information stored in the storage medium 2 of the navigation device 1 is described in succession. Note that “continuous description” means that each update entity data is sequentially described without inserting a null character string (NULL) as a blank portion before and after.

  Then, the archive file generation unit 51 in which the management device 50 functions, for example, periodically executes the archive processing generation step to extract a plurality of individual files from the storage device 55 and read from the plurality of individual files. In the form of describing the update management data generated from the name, extension, size, attribute, etc. read from the plurality of individual files in the header part, in addition to describing the plurality of update entity data continuously in the data part, A plurality of individual files are archived to generate an archive file, and the generated archive file is transmitted to the update device 30 side via the communication network 40.

  The archive file input means 31 on which the update device 30 functions is configured to receive an input of an archive file in a form of being received from the management device 50 side via the communication network 40. The archive file input step (step # 12) for receiving the input of the archive file from the management device 50 through the predetermined communication network 40 is executed, and the archive file is appropriately stored and used in a predetermined storage device 35 such as a hard disk.

  Further, the management data update means 32 that functions of the update device 30 uses the update management data read from the header part of the archive file to update the management data stored in the management area of the storage medium 2. The data update step (steps # 13 to 15) is configured to be executable.

That is, the management data update means 32 executes the management data update step in a state where the hardware interface 10 is connected to the navigation device 1 and communication with the navigation device 1 is enabled. The management data for update described in the header part of the archive file, that is, each data described in the distribution header and directory table is read (step # 13).
Next, the management data update unit 32 manages, from the read update management data, management data for managing the arrangement of clusters related to each update entity data in the data area of the storage medium 2, that is, a reserved area, Various types of data stored in the FAT area and the directory area are generated, seeked to the management area of the storage medium 2 (step # 14), and the generated management data is written in the management area of the storage medium 2 in the management area The management data stored in is updated (step # 15).

  Further, the entity data updating means 33 functioning by the updating device 30 is an entity data updating step for writing each of the updating entity data read from the data part of the archive file in the data area of the storage medium for each cluster (step #). 16 to # 19) can be executed.

That is, the entity data update means 33 executes the entity data update step after the execution of the management data update steps of steps # 13 to # 15 is completed, and is first described in the data portion of the archive file. Each of the plurality of entity data is read (step # 16).
Next, the entity data update means 33 generates empty character strings that can be recognized as necessary by referring to the update management data read from the header part at the end of each of the read update entity data. By adding, it is converted into data for each cluster (step # 17).
Next, the entity data update means 33 seeks to the data area of the storage medium 2 (step # 18), and the plurality of update entity data converted into the data for each cluster is stored in the data area of the storage medium 2. A plurality of entity data stored in the storage medium 2 are updated in a form of continuously writing (step # 19).

  Therefore, in this entity data update step, it is not necessary to seek to the management area every time one entity data is written, even though a plurality of entity data is updated. The number of seeks required for the update is greatly reduced, and the update time is shortened.

  In step # 17, since each of the plurality of update entity data read from the archive file can be converted into data for each cluster, the data portion of the archive file wastes the plurality of update entity data. It can be described continuously without including an empty character string, and the enlargement of the archive file size is prevented.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, the data update system 20 includes the update device 30 and the management device 50 that can communicate with each other. However, the arrangement of these devices, the communication mode, and the like may be appropriately modified.

(2) In the above embodiment, the data update system 20 is provided with the archive file generation means 51 for generating the archive file necessary for the update process. However, the archive file generation means is provided in another system and the archive is generated from the system. When receiving the file itself, the archive file generation means can be omitted.

(3) In the above embodiment, the data updating system 20 according to the present invention is updated with respect to the storage medium 2 provided in the navigation device 1 as a terminal device capable of communicating via the hardware interface 10. However, it is also possible to perform the update process on a storage medium provided in another terminal device, a storage medium provided by itself, or the like.

(4) In the above embodiment, the header part of the archive file is configured to have a distribution header and a directory table, but the header part has the arrangement of each of the plurality of update entity data in the data part. Any update management data for management may be described, and it may be appropriately modified.

  The data update system and computer program according to the present invention, when updating a plurality of entity data stored in a storage medium, greatly reduces the number of seeks to the management area or data area of the storage medium, Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the update file for updating the actual data as an update time can be prevented.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the data update system which concerns on this invention The figure which shows the processing flow of the update process performed by the data update system which concerns on this invention. Diagram showing data structure of storage medium The figure which shows the processing flow of the conventional update processing

Explanation of symbols

1: Navigation device (terminal device)
2: storage medium 10: hardware interface 20: data update system 30: update device 31: archive file input means 32: management data update means 33: entity data update means 50: management device 51: archive file generation means

Claims (9)

For a storage medium having a data area for storing a plurality of entity data for each unit area and a management area for storing management data for managing the arrangement of unit areas related to each entity data in the data area, A data update system capable of reading and writing desired data and updating the entity data stored in the storage medium,
A data part in which a plurality of update entity data for updating all of the plurality of entity data stored in the data area are described in succession;
Archive file input means for receiving an input of an archive file having a header portion describing update management data for managing the arrangement of each of the plurality of update entity data in the data portion;
Generate updated management data when the update entity data is arranged in the storage medium from the update management data read from the header portion of the archive file, and store the updated management data in the management area of the storage medium with the updated management data Management data updating means for updating the stored management data;
A data update system comprising entity data update means for writing each of the plurality of update entity data read from the data portion of the archive file into the data area of the storage medium for each unit area.   2. The entity data update unit converts each of the plurality of update entity data into data for each unit area in a form in which a blank portion is added at the end, and then writes the data in the data area of the storage medium. The data update system described.   3. An archive file generation unit that receives an input of a plurality of individual files that individually include the plurality of update entity data, archives the received plurality of individual files, and generates the archive file. The data update system described in 1.   The data update system according to claim 3, wherein the data update system is configured to be able to communicate with a terminal device including at least the storage medium.   The data update system according to claim 4, wherein the terminal device is configured as a navigation device that stores the plurality of substance data constituting map information in a data area of the storage medium.   The header portion of the archive file indicates the distribution header indicating the number of the plurality of update entity data and the start position of the data portion, and the position and size of each of the plurality of update entity data in the data portion. The data update system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a directory table. A computer program for operating a computer to generate an archive file used in the data update system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A computer program for accepting input of a plurality of individual files individually including the plurality of update substance data, archiving the received plurality of individual files, and generating the archive file. Desirable for a storage medium having a data area for storing a plurality of entity data for each unit area and a management area for storing management data for managing the arrangement of unit areas related to each entity data in the data area A computer program for operating a computer to read / write data and update the entity data stored in the storage medium,
A data part in which a plurality of update substance data for updating all of the plurality of substance data stored in the data area are continuously described in the computer, and the plurality of update data in the data part An archive file input step for receiving an input of an archive file having a header portion describing management data for update for managing the arrangement of each of the entity data;
Generate updated management data when the update entity data is arranged in the storage medium from the update management data read from the header portion of the archive file, and store the updated management data in the management area of the storage medium with the updated management data A management data update step for updating the stored management data;
A computer program for executing an entity data update step of writing each of the plurality of update entity data read from the data portion of the archive file into the data area of the storage medium for each unit area.   Before causing the computer to execute the archive file input step, the computer receives input of a plurality of individual files individually including the plurality of update entity data, archives the received plurality of individual files, and stores the archive file. The computer program according to claim 8, wherein an archive file generation step of generating is executed.

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