Method and apparatus for providing time-variant geographical information and a user device therefor

• US 6,532,413 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2001
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ji-Soo Lee
• Original Assignee: Ji-Soo Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Heung-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/787,120
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 701/208, 701/211, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map

Abstract

A method for providing an image based time-variant geographical information such as traffic information is disclosed. A method and a user device for processing this image based time-variant geographical information are also disclosed. A traffic state information composed of a map identifier and a plurality of traffic state data in section-wise is transmitted to a user device, and is to be incorporated with corresponding traffic section map(or TSM(=traffic state map)) including a plurality of sections. The traffic section map is preferably stored in a user device. Each section of traffic section map(or TSM) includes at least one vector entity which includes a shape designating statement (e.g. ‘LINE’) and a position designating statement. The traffic section map(or TSM) also includes a plurality of section discriminating code which is preferably an attribute designating command. The traffic state data for respective section is used to update or designate the attribute value (e.g. color) of corresponding to section'"'"'s vector entity. The updated TSM is used for displaying traffic information-containing image along with at least one corresponding basic map which is also stored in the user device.

Claims

1. A data signal embodied in a carrier wave, said data signal providing traffic state information to a user device, wherein said traffic section map includes at least one section including at least one vector entity, said data signal comprising:

a map identifier to be used for selecting a suitable traffic state map which corresponds to the traffic state information; and

at least one traffic state data in section-wise, wherein said traffic state data is to be used for designating an attribute of said vector entity included in corresponding section of said traffic section map.

2. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 1, wherein said user device further stores at least one basic map.

3. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 1, wherein each section of said traffic section map further includes a section discriminating code.

4. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 3, wherein said section discriminating code is an attribute designating command.

5. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 4, wherein said section discriminating code is a color designating command.

6. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 5, wherein said traffic state data is a color value.

7. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 1, wherein said map identifier comprises a version identification.

8. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 1, wherein said traffic state data for one section includes a forward color value and a backward color value.

9. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 1, wherein said traffic state data includes a data type flag having a first value or a second value;

said first value being indicative of ‘

no change’

; and

said second value being followed by a ‘

changed traffic state data.’

10. A data signal embodied in a carrier wave, said data signal providing time-variant geographical information to a user device which stores at least one section map, wherein said section map includes at least one section, said data signal comprising:

a map identifier to be used for selecting a suitable section map at the user device; and

at least one time-variant value in section-wise, wherein said time-variant value is to be used for updating at least one component included in corresponding section of said section map.

11. The data signal embodied in a carrier wave according to claim 10, wherein the section of said section map includes at least one vector entity, and

wherein said time-variant value is to be used for designating an attribute of at least one vector entity included in corresponding section of said section map.

12. A method for providing traffic information to a user device comprising the step of:

transmitting a TSI(=traffic state information) to the user device,

wherein said user device stores at least one basic map and at least one traffic section map;

wherein said traffic section map includes at least one section including at least one vector entity; and

wherein said TSI comprises;

a map identifier to be used for selecting a suitable traffic section map which corresponds to said TSI at the user device; and

at least one traffic state data in section-wise, wherein said traffic state data is to be used for designating an attribute of said vector entity included in corresponding section of said traffic section map.

13. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, wherein said user device further stores at least one basic map.

14. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, wherein each section of said traffic section map further includes a section discriminating code.

15. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 14, wherein said section discriminating code is an attribute designating command.

16. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 15, wherein said section discriminating code is a color designating command.

17. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 16, wherein said traffic state data is a color value.

18. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, wherein said map identifier comprises a version identification.

19. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, wherein said traffic state data for one section includes a forward color value and a backward color value.

20. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, wherein said traffic state data includes a data type flag having a first value or a second value;

said first value being indicative of ‘

no change’

; and

said second value being followed by a ‘

changed traffic state data.’

21. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, further comprising the step of:

transmitting the traffic section map; and

wherein said traffic section map includes a map identification and a plurality of sections; and

wherein said section of the traffic section map comprises;

an attribute designating command; and

at least one vector entity.

22. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 21, wherein said attribute designating command is used as a section discriminating code.

23. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 22, wherein said section of the traffic section map further comprises at least one attribute value.

24. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 23, further comprising the step of:

transmitting a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks,

wherein said map identification of MEI is to be used for selecting a map to be edited; and

wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command.

25. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 24, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data to be inserted.

26. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 24, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

27. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 24, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

28. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 23, wherein said attribute value includes a forward color and a backward color.

29. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 23, wherein said attribute value is color.

30. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, further comprising the step of:

transmitting a basic map including a map identification and an image data, said map identification representing a region covered by the basic map.

31. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, further comprising the step of:

transmitting a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors;

wherein said user device stores at least one basic map including a map identification and an image data, said map identification of the basic map representing a region covered by the basic map;

wherein said map identification of RII is used for selecting at least one suitable basic map at the user device; and

wherein said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value.

32. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 12, wherein said traffic state data in section-wise of TSI includes a section number and at least one section value.

33. The method for providing traffic information according to claim 32, wherein said section value is color value.

34. A method for providing a geographical information to a user device including at least one map to be used for displaying an information-containing image, comprising the step of:

transmitting a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks,

wherein said map identification of MEI is to be used for selecting a map to be edited; and

wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command.

35. The method for providing a geographical information according to claim 34, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data,to be inserted.

36. The method for providing a geographical information according to claim 34, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

37. The method for providing a geographical information according to claim 34, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

38. A method for providing time-variant geographical information to a user device storing at least one basic map including a map identification and an image data, said map identification of the basic map representing a region covered by the basic map, comprising the step of:

transmitting a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, said RII and said basic map being used for producing an information-containing image at the user device;

wherein said map identification of RII is used for selecting at least one suitable basic map at the user device; and

wherein each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value.

39. A method for providing a time-variant geographical information to a user device comprising the step of:

transmitting a TVI(=time-variant information) to the user device,

wherein said user device stores at least one section map;

wherein said section map includes at least one section including at least one component; and

wherein said TVI comprises;

a map identifier to be used for selecting a suitable section map which corresponds to said TVI, at the user device; and

at least one time-variant data in section-wise, wherein said time-variant data is to be used for updating at least one component included in corresponding section of said section map.

40. The method for providing a time-variant geographical information according to claim 39, wherein the section of said section map includes at least one vector entity, and

wherein said time-variant value is to be used for designating an attribute of at least one vector entity included in corresponding section of said section map.

41. A method for processing traffic information at a user device comprising the steps of:

receiving a TSI(=traffic state information), said TSI including a map identifier and at least one traffic state data in section-wise;

retrieving at least one traffic section map in accordance with the map identifier of said TSI from a library of stored traffic section maps, wherein each of said traffic section maps includes a plurality of sections and each section includes at least one vector entity;

producing a TSM(=traffic state map) using said traffic section map and said TSI, said traffic state data of TSI being used for designating an attribute of said vector entity included in corresponding section of said traffic section map;

retrieving at least one BM(=basic map) in accordance with the map identifier of said TSI from a library of stored basic maps, said BM including an image data for time-invariant components in a region; and

displaying a traffic-information-containing image in accordance with said BM and said TSM.

42. A method for processing traffic information at a user device comprising the steps of:

receiving a TSI(=traffic state information), said TSI including a map identifier and at least one traffic state data in section-wise;

selecting at least one TSM(=traffic state map) based on the map identifier of said TSI, wherein said TSM includes at least one section and each section of said TSM includes an attribute designating statement and at least one vector entity, said attribute designating statement including an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value;

modifying the TSM using said TSI, said traffic state data of TSI being used for updating said attribute value of corresponding section of said TSM;

selecting at least one BM(=basic map) based on the map identifier of said TSI, said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region; and

displaying a traffic-information-containing image in accordance with said BM and said TSM.

43. The method for processing traffic information at a user device according to claim 42, wherein said attribute value is color value.

44. The method for processing traffic information at a user device according to claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value; and

selecting the basic map in accordance with said map identification of the RII; and

displaying a route-information containing image in accordance with said BM and said RII.

45. The method for processing traffic information at a user device according to claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks;

selecting one of said TSM and said BM in accordance with said map identification of MEI; and

editing said selected map according to said plurality of edit information blocks.

46. The method for processing traffic information at a user device according to claim 45, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is an ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data to be inserted.

47. The method for processing traffic information at a user device according to claim 45, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

48. The method for processing traffic information at a user device according to claim 45, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

49. A method for processing a route information representing at least one path to a specific location at a user device, comprising the steps of:

receiving a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value; and

selecting a basic map in accordance with said map identification of the RII, said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region; and

displaying a route-information containing image in accordance with said BM and said RII.

50. A method for processing a time-variant geographical traffic information at a user device comprising the steps of:

receiving a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks;

selecting one of a plurality of maps in accordance with said map identification of MEI, each map including an image data to be used for producing an information-containing geographical image; and

editing said selected map according to said plurality of edit information blocks.

51. The method for processing a time-variant geographical traffic information according to claim 50, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is an ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data to be inserted.

52. The method for processing a time-variant geographical traffic information according to claim 50, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

53. The method for processing a time-variant geographical traffic information according to claim 50, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

54. A method for processing time-variant geographical information at a user device comprising the steps of:

receiving a TVI(=time-variant information), said TVI including a map identifier and at least one time-variant data in section-wise;

selecting at least one section map based on the map identifier of said TVI, wherein said section map includes a plurality of sections, each section of said section map including at least one component;

designating an attribute of said component based on the time-variant data of said TVI in section-wise, so as to produce a graphic file for a region; and

displaying an information-containing image in accordance with said graphic file.

55. The method for processing time-variant geographical information at a user device according to claim 54, wherein said component is vector entity.

56. The method for processing time-variant geographical information at a user device according to claim 54, wherein said component is a position value of a point within said region.

57. A traffic information device capable of being coupled to a display panel comprising:

receiver for receiving a TSI(=traffic state information), said TSI including a map identifier and at least one traffic state data in section-wise;

means for selecting at least one TSM(=traffic state map) based on the map identifier of said TSI, wherein said TSM includes at least one section and each section of said TSM includes an attribute designating statement and at least one vector entity, said attribute designating statement including an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value;

means for modifying the TSM using said TSI, each of said traffic state data of TSI being used for updating said attribute value of corresponding section of said TSM;

means for selecting at least one BM(=basic map) based on the map identifier of said TSI, said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region;

means for producing traffic information-containing image data in accordance with said BM and said TSM so as to apply the traffic information-containing image data to the display panel; and

memory for storing said BM and said TSM.

58. The traffic information device according to claim 57, wherein said attribute value is color value.

59. The traffic information device according to claim according to claim 57, wherein said traffic information device further receives a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value;

and

said traffic information device further comprising;

means for selecting the basic map in accordance with said map identification of the RII; and

means for producing a route-information containing image in accordance with said BM and said RII to the display panel.

60. The traffic information device according to claim 57, wherein said traffic information device further receives a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks, and said traffic information device further comprising:

means for selecting one of said TSM and said BM in accordance with said map identification of MEI; and

means for editing said selected map according to said plurality of edit information blocks.

61. The traffic information device according to claim 60, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is an ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data to be inserted.

62. The traffic information device according to claim 60, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

63. The traffic information device according to claim 60, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

64. Time-variant geographical information device capable of being coupled to a display panel, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value;

a memory for storing at least one BM(=basic map), said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region;

means for selecting a basic map in accordance with said map identification of the RII; and

means for producing a route-information containing image in accordance with said BM and said RII, said route information-containing image representing at least one path to a specific location.

65. Time-variant geographical information device capable of being coupled to a display panel, comprising:

receiver a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks;

memory for storing a plurality of maps, each map including an image data to be used for producing an information-containing geographical image;

means for selecting one of said plurality of maps in accordance with said map identification of MEI; and

means for editing said selected map according to said plurality of edit information blocks.

66. The time-variant geographical information device according to claim 65, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is an ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data to be inserted.

67. The time-variant geographical information device according to claim 65, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

68. The time-variant geographical information device according to claim 65, wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command;

and

if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprising;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

69. Time-variant geographical information device capable of being coupled to a display panel comprising:

receiver a TVI(=time-variant information), said TVI including a map identifier and at least one time-variant data in section-wise;

means for selecting at least one section map based on the map identifier of said TVI, wherein said section map includes a plurality of sections, each section of said section map including at least one component;

means for designating an attribute of said component based on the time-variant data of said TVI in section-wise, so as to produce a graphic file for a region; and

means for producing an information-containing image in accordance with said graphic file, so as to apply the information-containing image data to said display panel.

70. The time-variant geographical information device according to claim 69, wherein said component is vector entity.

71. The time-variant geographical information device according to claim 69, wherein said component is a position value of a point within said region.

72. Time-variant geographical information device capable of being coupled to a display panel, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a PII(Position indication information) including a map identification, at least one position vector entity and at least one text vector entity;

a memory for storing at least one BM(=basic map), said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region;

means for selecting a basic map in accordance with said map identification of the PII; and

means for producing a position-indicative-information containing image data in accordance with said BM and said PII, so as to apply the position-indicative-information containing image data to the display panel.

73. A computer-readable medium containing a program for processing traffic information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a TSI(=traffic state information), said TSI including a map identifier and at least one traffic state data in section-wise;

retrieving at least one traffic section map in accordance with the map identifier of said TSI from a library of stored traffic section maps, wherein each of said traffic section maps includes a plurality of sections and each section includes at least one vector entity;

producing a TSM(=traffic state map) using said traffic section map and said TSI, each of said traffic state data of TSI being used for designating an attribute of said vector entity included in corresponding section of said traffic section map;

retrieving at least one BM(=basic map) in accordance with the map identifier of said TSI from a library of stored basic maps, said BM including an image data for time-invariant components in a region; and

producing a traffic-information-containing image data in accordance with said BM and said TSM, said traffic-information-containing image data being to be applied to a display panel.

74. A computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for processing traffic information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a TSI(=traffic state information), said TSI including a map identifier and at least one traffic state data in section-wise;

retrieving at least one TSM(=traffic state map) based on the map identifier of said TSI from a library of stored TSMs, wherein said TSM includes at least one section and each section of said TSM includes an attribute designating statement and at least one vector entity, said attribute designating statement including an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value;

modifying the TSM using said, TSI, each of said traffic state data of TSI being used for updating said attribute value of corresponding section of said TSM;

retrieving at least one BM(=basic map) based on the map identifier of said TSI from a library of stored BMs, said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region; and

producing a traffic-information-containing image data in accordance with said BM and said TSM, which is to be applied to a display panel.

75. The computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for processing traffic information according to claim 74, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value; and

retrieving the basic map in accordance with said map identification of the RII; and

producing a route-information containing image data in accordance with said BM and said RII, which is to be applied to the display panel.

76. The computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for processing traffic information according to claim 74, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks;

selecting one of said TSM and said BM in accordance with said map identification of MEI; and

editing said selected map according to said plurality of edit information blocks.

77. A computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for processing a route information representing at least one path to a specific location, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value; and

selecting a basic map in accordance with said map identification of the RII, said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region; and

producing a route-information containing image data in accordance with said BM and said RII which is to be applied to a display panel.

78. A computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for a time-variant geographical traffic information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks;

selecting one of a plurality of maps in accordance with said map identification of MEI, each map including an image data to be used for producing an information-containing geographical image; and

editing said selected map according to said plurality of edit information blocks.

79. A computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for a time-variant geographical traffic information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a TVI(=time-variant information), said TVI including a map identifier and at least one time-variant data in section-wise;

selecting at least one section map based on the map identifier of said TVI, wherein said section map includes a plurality of sections, each section of said section map including at least one component;

designating an attribute of said component based on the time-variant data of said TVI in section-wise, so as to produce a graphic file for a region; and

producing an information-containing image data in accordance with said graphic file, which is to be applied to a display panel.

80. A method for providing time-variant geographical information to a user device storing at least one basic map including a map identification and an image data, said map identification of the basic map representing a region covered by the basic map, comprising the step of:

transmitting a PII(position indication information) including a map identification, at least one position vector entity and at least one text vector entity, to the user device,

wherein said map identification of PII is used for selecting at least one suitable basic map at the user device; and

wherein said user device displays a position-indicative-information containing image in accordance with said selected BM and said PII.

81. A method for processing time-variant geographical information at a user device comprising the steps of:

receiving a PII(Position indication information) including a map identification, at least one position vector entity and at least one text vector entity;

selecting a basic map in accordance with said map identification of the PII from a library of stored BM(=basic map)s, each of said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region; and

producing a position-indicative-information containing image data in accordance with said selected BM and said PH, which is to be applied to a display panel coupled to the user device.

82. A computer-readable medium containing a program of instructions to perform a method for processing time-variant geographical information, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a PII(Position indication information) including a map identification, at least one position vector entity and at least one text vector entity;

retrieving a basic map in accordance with said map identification of the PII from a library of stored BM(=basic map)s, each of said BM including an image data for representing time-invariant components in a region; and

producing a position-indicative-information containing image data in accordance with said selected BM and said PII, which is to be applied to a display panel coupled to the user device.

83. An apparatus for providing traffic information through a network to a user device comprising:

means for generating a TSI(=traffic state information) so as to provide the TSI to the user device, wherein said user device stores at least one basic map and at least one traffic section map;

wherein said traffic section map includes at least one section including at least one vector entity; and

wherein said TSI comprises;

a map identifier to be used for selecting a suitable traffic section map which corresponds to said TSI at the user device; and

at least one traffic state data in section-wise, wherein each of said traffic state data is to be used for designating an attribute of said vector entity included in corresponding section of said traffic section map.

84. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein said user device further stores at least one basic map.

85. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein each section of said traffic section map further includes a section discriminating code.

86. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 85, wherein said section discriminating code is an attribute designating command.

87. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 86, wherein said section discriminating code is a color designating command.

88. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 87, wherein said traffic state data is a color value.

89. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein said map identifier comprises a version identification.

90. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein said traffic state data for one section includes a forward color value and a backward color value.

91. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein each of said traffic state data includes a data type flag having a first value or a second value;

said first value being indicative of ‘

no change’

; and

said second value being followed by a ‘

changed traffic state data.’

92. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, further comprising:

means for generating the traffic section map so as to provide the traffic section map to the user device through the network; and

wherein said traffic section map includes a map identification and a plurality of sections; and

wherein said section of the traffic section map comprises;

an attribute designating command; and

at least one vector entity.

93. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 92, wherein said attribute designating command is used as a section discriminating code.

94. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 93, wherein said section of the traffic section map further comprises at least one attribute value.

95. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 94, further comprising the step of:

means for generating a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks,

wherein said map identification of MEI is to be used for selecting a map to be edited; and

wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command.

96. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 94, wherein said attribute value includes a forward color and a backward color.

97. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, further comprising:

means for generating a basic map including a map identification and an image data, so as to provide the basic map to the user device through the network, wherein said map identification representing a region covered by the basic map.

98. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, further comprising:

means for generating a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, so as to provide the RII to the user device through the network,

wherein said user device stores at least one basic map including a map identification and an image data, said map identification of the basic map representing a region covered by the basic map;

wherein said map identification of RII is used for selecting at least one suitable basic map at the user device; and

wherein each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value.

99. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein each of said traffic state data in section-wise of TSI includes a section number and at least one section value.

100. The apparatus for providing traffic information according to claim 83, wherein said section value is color value.

101. An apparatus for providing a geographical information to a user device including at least one map to be used for displaying an information-containing image, comprising:

means for generating a MEI(=map edit information) which includes a map identification and a plurality of edit information blocks, so as to provide the MEI to the user device through a network,

wherein said map identification of MEI is to be used for selecting a map to be edited; and

wherein each of said plurality of edit information blocks includes an edit command.

102. The apparatus for providing a geographical information according to claim 101, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

insert’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an inserting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be inserted; and

at least one data to be inserted.

103. The apparatus for providing a geographical information according to claim 101, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

delete’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an deleting is started; and

a data size representing the size of data to be deleted.

104. The apparatus for providing a geographical information according to claim 101, wherein, if said edit command is ‘

overwrite’

command, each of said plurality of edit information blocks further comprises;

a start address representing an address at which an overwriting is started;

a data size representing the size of data to be overwritten; and

at least one data to be used for overwriting.

105. An apparatus for providing time-variant geographical information to a user device storing at least one basic map including a map identification and an image data, said map identification of the basic map representing a region covered by the basic map, comprising:

means for generating a RII(route indication information) including a map identification and a plurality of graphic vectors, so as to provide the RII to the user device through a network, said RII and said basic map being used for producing an information-containing image at the user device,

wherein said map identification of RII is used for selecting at least one suitable basic map at the user device; and

wherein each of said graphic vectors for RII including an attribute designating statement, a shape designating statement and a position designating statement, said attribute designating statement being composed of an attribute designating command and at least one attribute value.

106. An apparatus for providing a time-variant geographical information to a user device through a network, comprising:

means for generating a TVI(=time-variant information) so as to provide the TVI to the user device,

wherein said user device stores at least one section map;

wherein said section map includes at least one section including at least one component; and

wherein said TVI comprises;

a map identifier to be used for selecting a suitable section map which corresponds to said TVI, at the user device; and

at least one time-variant data in section-wise, wherein each of said time-variant data is to be used for updating at least one component included in corresponding section of said section map.

107. The apparatus for providing time-variant geographical information according to claim 106, wherein the section of said section map includes at least one vector entity, and

wherein said time-variant value is to be used for designating an attribute of at least one vector entity included in corresponding section of said section map.