Patent ID: 6915206

Claim:
A map data distribution system comprising: a navigation apparatus comprising a distribution request transmitting section, a map data receiving section, an area information displaying section, and a distribution instruction transmitting section; and a map distribution server comprising a map data transmitting section, wherein the navigation apparatus is connected in communication with the map distribution server through a predetermined network; the distribution request transmitting section transmits a distribution request to the map distribution server, the distribution request including distribution conditions relating to the amount of map data to be distributed; the map data transmitting section transmits the map data satisfying the distribution conditions included in the distribution request; and the map data receiving section receives map data that satisfies the distribution conditions and that is sent in accordance with the distribution request; the map distribution server further comprising an area information transmitting section that, before the map data transmitting section transmits the map data, transmits area information showing a geographical area of the map data that is transmittable under the distribution conditions; the area information displaying section visually displays the geographical area of the map data that is receivable under the distribution conditions, in accordance with the area information transmitted from the man distribution server; and when an instruction to distribute the map data is given by a user after the display processing is performed by the area information displaying section, the distribution instruction transmitting section transmits the distribution instruction to the map distribution server, and the map data transmitting section transmits the map data after receiving the distribution instruction.