Patent ID: 7710421

Claim:
A map data updating system comprising: a stationary map distribution system including a map data generating section configured to generate distribution map data including at least one target map data unit of a map that has been divided into a plurality of map units, with the distribution map data including map data version information for a target map unit to be updated and at least one perimeter map unit existing along a perimeter of the target map unit to be updated, and an information distributing section configured to electronically distribute the distribution map data; and at least one mobile map data updating device configured to process the distribution map data from the map distribution system, the mobile map data updating device being mobile with respect to the stationary map distribution system and including a map data updating determining section configured to determine whether to update previously stored map data corresponding to the target map unit based on the map data version information included with the distribution map data, and an update map data requesting section configured to send an update map data delivery request for requesting a delivery of an update map data to the information distributing section, the update map data delivery request being sent in response to the map data updating determining section determining that previously stored map data version information of the mobile map data updating device relating to the at least one perimeter map unit does not match the map data version information included with the distribution map data.