Apparatus and method for providing map data and system thereof

Abstract

A system and a method are provided that are capable of providing map data for supporting a variety of user network environments and selecting data zones freely. A navigation terminal includes a reception unit adapted to receive a file in which map data of a specific zone is stored, from a map provision server; and an execution unit adapted to execute a navigation function on the specific zone using the file. The file is produced by an individual unit with respect to each of geographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size. The size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount of information included in the geographic area such that the file has an equalized size.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more applications, the one or more applications comprising instructions which, when executed by an electronic device with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry, a cellular communication circuitry, and a display, cause the electronic device to:
 enable the cellular communication circuitry;   display, through the display, an electronic map indicating a geographical area, based on first data received via the enabled cellular communication circuitry;   receive, through the display, at least one user input for selecting a portion of the geographical area indicated by the displayed electronic map;   based on receiving the at least one user input, receive second data corresponding to the selected portion via the enabled cellular communication circuitry and store the second data, wherein the second data is distinct from the first data, wherein the first data is discarded from the electronic device after a designated time has elapsed, wherein storing the second data is maintained after the designated time has elapsed, and wherein the second data is only available for indicating the selected portion;   while storing the second data is maintained and the first data is discarded, disable the cellular communication circuitry; and   while disabling the cellular communication circuitry, provide a navigation service within the selected portion, based on the stored second data, through the display and the GNSS circuitry.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein a navigation service within remaining portion of the geographical area is restricted in the electronic device while the cellular communication circuitry is disabled. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one user input includes a user input inserting the portion of the geographical area into rectangular guide area. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more applications comprise instructions which, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:
 provide the navigation service within the selected portion by displaying a route in which a first location of the electronic device located within the selected portion is a departure location and a second location within the selected portion is a destination location, and   wherein the first location of the electronic device is identified based on information received via the GNSS circuit.   
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum zoom level covered by the first data within the selected portion is lower than a maximum zoom level covered by the second data within the selected portion. 
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more applications comprise instructions which, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:
 in response to receiving the at least one user input, request the second data via the enabled cellular communication circuitry; and   receive the second data.   
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein size of the second data is greater than size of portion of the first data associated with the selected portion. 
     
     
         8 . A method for operating a first electronic device with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry, a cellular communication circuitry, and a display, the method comprising:
 enabling the cellular communication circuitry;   displaying, through the display, an electronic map indicating a geographical area, based on first data received via the enabled cellular communication circuitry;   receiving, through the display, at least one user input for selecting a portion of the geographical area indicated by the displayed electronic map;   based on receiving the at least one user input, receiving second data corresponding to the selected portion via the enabled cellular communication circuitry and storing the second data, wherein the second data is distinct from the first data, wherein the first data is discarded from the electronic device after a designated time has elapsed, wherein storing the second data is maintained after the designated time has elapsed, and wherein the second data is only available for indicating the selected portion;   while storing the second data is maintained and the first data is discarded, disabling the cellular communication circuitry; and   while disabling the cellular communication circuitry, providing a navigation service within the selected portion, based on the stored second data, through the display and the GNSS circuitry.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a navigation service within remaining portion of the geographical area is restricted in the electronic device while the cellular communication circuitry is disabled. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one user input includes a user input inserting the portion of the geographical area into rectangular guide area. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing the navigation service within the selected portion comprises:
 providing the navigation service within the selected portion by displaying a route in which a first location of the electronic device located within the selected portion is a departure location and a second location within the selected portion is a destination location, and   wherein the first location of the electronic device is identified based on information received via the GNSS circuit.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a maximum zoom level covered by the first data within the selected portion is lower than a maximum zoom level covered by the second data within the selected portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein receiving the second data comprises:
 in response to receiving the at least one user input, requesting the second data via the enabled cellular communication circuitry; and   receiving the second data.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein size of the second data is greater than size of portion of the first data associated with the selected portion. 
     
     
         15 . An electronic device comprising:
 a memory configured to store instructions;   a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry;   a cellular communication circuitry;   a display; and   a processor configured to execute the instructions to:   enable the cellular communication circuitry;   display, through the display, an electronic map indicating a geographical area, based on first data received via the enabled cellular communication circuitry;   receive, through the display, at least one user input for selecting a portion of the geographical area indicated by the displayed electronic map;   based on receiving the at least one user input, receive second data corresponding to the selected portion via the enabled cellular communication circuitry and store the second data, wherein the second data is distinct from the first data, wherein the first data is discarded from the electronic device after a designated time has elapsed, wherein storing the second data is maintained after the designated time has elapsed, and wherein the second data is only available for indicating the selected portion;   while storing the second data is maintained and the first data is discarded, disable the cellular communication circuitry; and   while disabling the cellular communication circuitry, provide a navigation service within the selected portion, based on the stored second data, through the display and the GNSS circuitry.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein a navigation service within remaining portion of the geographical area is restricted in the electronic device while the cellular communication circuitry is disabled. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one user input includes a user input inserting the portion of the geographical area into rectangular guide area. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:
 provide the navigation service within the selected portion by displaying a route in which a first location of the electronic device located within the selected portion is a departure location and a second location within the selected portion is a destination location, and   wherein the first location of the electronic device is identified based on information received via the GNSS circuit.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein a maximum zoom level covered by the first data within the selected portion is lower than a maximum zoom level covered by the second data within the selected portion. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein size of the second data is greater than size of portion of the first data associated with the selected portion.