Abstract: A map data processing method for handling map data stored in a portable storage medium includes the steps of encrypting only a portion of the map data to be stored on the storage medium, and storing the map data, of which only the portion has been encrypted, on the storage medium. According to this processing method, it is possible to reduce the time necessary for encryption and decryption. In addition, by both encrypting and decrypting the map data based on a code specific to the storage medium, it is possible to minimize illegal copying of the map data.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: A route search location determining section (12d) of a mobile body (10) decides whether to conduct a route search at the mobile body (10) or to request the route search to an information center (30) based on various conditions such as priorities and how old the map data version is. In this manner, effective search can be conducted using two distinct route searching devices. Also, a current position calculating section (12a) can execute map matching by adding route data obtained from the information center (30) as a map matching candidate.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: A remote navigation device and navigation system which can reduce communications costs by minimizing route guidance data transmitted to an in-vehicle navigation device is configured so that it can obtain guide area information specifying areas where guidance is not needed. When generating route guidance data to be transmitted to an in-vehicle navigation device, the remote navigation device removes the routes which pass through areas where route guidance is not needed, and generates route guidance data for just the other routes. By transmitting only such route guidance data to the in-vehicle navigation device, the amount of transmitted data can be reduced.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: A generation section for root guide information 25 retrieves a plurality of information elements from an information data storage section 23 and creates root guide information. Then, a generation part for guide information data blocks 26 reorganizes the root information into a plurality of guide information data blocks including at least one information element from the root guide information. The guide information data blocks generated through reorganizing are sequentially transmitted from a radio communication unit 27 to an in-vehicle device 30. When it becomes impossible to execute route guidance using one type of guide information because of a breakdown in communication or the like, route guidance can still be executed by using guide information already received.

Abstract: A map data processing method for handling map data stored in a portable storage medium includes the steps of encrypting only a portion of the map data to be stored on the storage medium, and storing the map data, of which only the portion has been encrypted, on the storage medium. According to this processing method, it is possible to reduce the time necessary for encryption and decryption. In addition, by both encrypting and decrypting the map data based on a code specific to the storage medium, it is possible to minimize illegal copying of the map data.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: In a communication system for downloading programs from a center to in-vehicle terminals, a center can check whether downloading has been completed normally or a program is operating normally in an in-vehicle terminal. According to the timing of activating a downloaded program, an in-vehicle terminal checks whether the program is activated to operate normally. The information is transmitted to the center. Based on the information, the center becomes aware of the fact that downloading has been completed without any problem and that the program is operating normally in the in-vehicle terminal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing e-mail with only a WWW browser. An HTML file is requested using the WWW browser on a user terminal apparatus. An Internet connection service provider apparatus (Internet Service Provider) using the HTML file request as a trigger automatically acquires a user's e-mail and then converts the e-mail to HTML format for storage. If e-mail is present, a markup tag to the e-mail list is added to the requested HTML file and transmitted to the user terminal apparatus. When the user selects this tag, the Internet connection service provider apparatus retrieves the corresponding e-mail HTML file and returns it to the user.