The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 14, 1998
Tomoyasu Harada, Susono, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi-ken, JP;
Abstract
A map data storing section stores externally acquired map data. A data clearance processor clears map data previously acquired when available capacity is judged to be insufficient. Remaining map data is rearranged chronologically according to a map date (more recent one of an acquisition date and a last used date). Map data with an older map date is considered having a lower possibility of being reused, and thus is selected as a delete object. A delete object is initially compressed. If sufficient vacancy cannot be created only through compression, the delete object is then deleted to thereby enlarge the vacancy in the storage. As described above, map data having been acquired via data communication is automatically cleared to thereby enlarge vacancy in the storage. With this arrangement, reacquisition of the same map data is avoided.