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 navigation data providing method of a map provision server, the navigation data providing method comprising:
 receiving, while information regarding a geographical area is stored in the map provision server, a request for downloading at least one file corresponding to portion of the information from a user terminal connected to the map provision server, wherein the portion of the information is identified in the user terminal based on a user input for selecting a portion of an electronic map displayed on the user terminal, and wherein the portion of the electronic map selected by the user input is visually highlighted with respect to non-selected portion of the electronic map by having border lines; and   transmitting, in response to the request, the at least one file to the user terminal,   wherein the at least one file that is transmitted is stored in a non-volatile memory of the user terminal, and   wherein the at least one file that is stored is usable to provide the user terminal not connected to the map provision server with a navigation service for a route including a departure and a destination in a portion of the geographical area corresponding to the portion of the information while the user terminal is not connected to the map provision server.   
     
     
         2 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the geographical area includes a plurality of files including the at least one file,
 wherein the plurality of files respectively corresponds to a plurality of sub areas dividing the geographical area, and   wherein each of the plurality of files is configured to enable route search and route guidance independently.   
     
     
         3 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of files includes data regarding a tile map that divides the geographical area according to a mesh unit. 
     
     
         4 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is distinct from another request for the navigation service. 
     
     
         5 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile memory comprises a secure digital (SD) card. 
     
     
         6 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 1 , wherein the navigation service provided based on the at least one file is available in the user terminal after the transmission of the at least one file is completed. 
     
     
         7 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 6 , wherein the navigation service is distinct from another navigation service that is available in the user terminal before transmitting at least another file to the user terminal is completed. 
     
     
         8 . A navigation data providing method of a user terminal, the navigation data providing method comprising:
 transmitting, while the user terminal is connected to a map provision server and information regarding a geographical area is stored in the map provision server, a request for downloading at least one file corresponding to portion of the information to the map provision server, wherein the portion of the information is identified in the user terminal based on a user input for selecting a portion of an electronic map displayed on the user terminal, and wherein the portion of the electronic map selected by the user input is visually highlighted with respect to non-selected portion of the electronic map by having border lines;   storing, in a non-volatile memory of the user terminal, the at least one file received from the map provision server; and   providing, after the connection between the user terminal and the map provision server is terminated, a navigation service for a route including a departure and a destination in a portion of the geographical area corresponding to the portion of the information based on the at least one file that is completely stored in the non-volatile memory.   
     
     
         9 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 8 , wherein the information regarding the geographical area includes a plurality of files including the at least one file,
 wherein the plurality of files respectively corresponds to a plurality of sub areas dividing the geographical area, and   wherein each of the plurality of files is configured to enable route search and route guidance independently.   
     
     
         10 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of files includes data regarding a tile map that divides the geographical area according to a mesh unit. 
     
     
         11 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 8 , wherein the request is distinct from another request for the navigation service. 
     
     
         12 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 8 , wherein the non-volatile memory comprises a secure digital (SD) card. 
     
     
         13 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 1 , wherein the navigation service provided based on the at least one file is non-available in the user terminal before storing of the at least one file is completed. 
     
     
         14 . The navigation data providing method of  claim 13 , wherein the navigation service is distinct from another navigation service that is available in the user terminal before receiving at least another file from the map provision server is completed. 
     
     
         15 . A map provision server comprising:
 a memory;   a communication circuitry; and   at least one processor, coupled with the memory and the communication circuitry, configured to execute computer readable instructions included in the memory to:   receive, while information regarding a geographical area is stored in the map provision server, a request for downloading at least one file corresponding to portion of the information from a user terminal connected to the map provision server, wherein the portion of the information is identified in the user terminal based on a user input for selecting a portion of an electronic map displayed on the user terminal, and wherein the portion of the electronic map selected by the user input is visually highlighted with respect to non-selected portion of the electronic map by having border lines; and   transmit, in response to the request, the at least one file to the user terminal,   wherein the at least one file that is transmitted is stored in a non-volatile memory of the user terminal, and   wherein the at least one file that is stored is usable to provide the user terminal not connected to the map provision server with a navigation service for a route including a departure and a destination in a portion of the geographical area corresponding to the portion of the information while the user terminal is not connected to the map provision server.   
     
     
         16 . The map provision server of  claim 15 , wherein the information regarding the geographical area includes a plurality of files including the at least one file,
 wherein the plurality of files respectively corresponds to a plurality of sub areas dividing the geographical area, and   wherein each of the plurality of files is configured to enable route search and route guidance independently.   
     
     
         17 . The map provision server of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of files includes data regarding a tile map that divides the geographical area according to a mesh unit. 
     
     
         18 . The map provision server of  claim 15 , wherein the request is distinct from another request for the navigation service. 
     
     
         19 . The map provision server of  claim 15 , wherein the navigation service provided based on the at least one file is available in the user terminal after the transmission of the at least one file is completed. 
     
     
         20 . The map provision server of  claim 19 , wherein the navigation service is distinct from another navigation service that is available in the user terminal before transmitting at least another file to the user terminal is completed.