MAP MATCHING METHOD, MAP MATCHING DEVICE, DATABASE FOR SHAPE MATCHING, AND SHAPE MATCHING DEVICE

The road network data on road network layers (A-C) is used for map matching. The road network in the highest-level layer (A) is matched with shape vector showing the shape of an object road. If no candidate road matching the shape vector is found in the highest layer, then the road network in intermediate level layer (B) or lower level layer (C), is matched with the shape vector to identify the object road. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a map matching device; (2) a database for shape matching; and (3) a shape matching device.