System and method for data mapping and map discrepancy reporting

• US 20070021908A1
• Filed: 07/21/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: Jeppesen Sanderson Incorporated (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Jaugilas, John, Hulet, Glade
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3841 Data obtained from two or more sources, e.g. probe vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3844 Data obtained from position sensors only, e.g. from inertial navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/005 Map projections or methods associated specifically therewith
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for identifying and eliminating discrepancies in electronic maps. Embodiments of a method and system for correcting discrepancies in an electronic map includes receiving location information from one or more computing devices using the electronic map, identifying a discrepancy between the electronic map and the location information, and altering the electronic map to eliminate the discrepancy.

Claims

1. A method for correcting discrepancies in an electronic map, comprising:

receiving location information for one or more computing devices using the electronic map;

displaying a position of the computing device on the electronic map based on the location information;

identifying a discrepancy between the electronic map and the displayed position; and

altering the electronic map to eliminate the discrepancy.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein identifying a discrepancy comprises determining that the displayed position is different from an actual, physical location of the computing device.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein identifying a discrepancy further comprises receiving a discrepancy input from a user of the electronic map.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein identifying a discrepancy further comprises automatically determining that the displayed position of the computing device has crossed a boundary on the electronic map or has exceeded a predetermined distance from a centerline on the electronic map.

5. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein identifying a discrepancy further comprises comparing the electronic map to an average travel path of a plurality of computing devices.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein identifying a discrepancy further comprises:

performing a statistical analysis on the location information; and

comparing at least one statistical value about the location information to the electronic map.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the at least one statistical value comprises an average travel path of a plurality of computing devices, a distribution of travel paths of a plurality of computing devices, or a grouping of travel paths for a computing device on a certain type of transport.

8. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the electronic map is altered to conform to a grouping of computing device paths for computing device on a certain type of transport.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the computing device is on an airplane.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein receiving location information further comprises:

storing location information for a plurality of computing devices on a plurality of airplanes; and

transferring the stored location information to a database that stores one or more electronic maps.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

setting an upload trigger upon identifying the discrepancy; and

in response to the upload trigger, uploading data on the discrepancy.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein uploading data on the discrepancy occurs simultaneously with a download of an update of an electronic map.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the discrepancy is one of a positional, orientation, designation, or dimensional discrepancy of an object.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the location of the computing device is the location of an antenna for a GPS receiver.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the step of displaying a position of the computing device on the electronic map includes applying an offset to the location of the antenna for the GPS receiver to represent a location of a center of a transport.

16. A system for collecting discrepancy data about an electronic map, comprising:

an electronic map;

a position sensor that provides a location of a computing device;

an electronic mapping device that correlates the location of the computing device to a position on the electronic map; and

a discrepancy module that determines a conflict between the position on the electronic map and the location of the computing device.

17. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the position sensor is a GPS sensor.

18. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the electronic map is a geo-referenced map.

19. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the electronic mapping device is located on an airplane.

20. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the discrepancy module receives an input from a user marking the discrepancy.

21. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the discrepancy module automatically determines if the position crossed a boundary within the electronic map or exceeded a predetermined distance from a centerline on the electronic map.

22. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the discrepancy module includes a database that is located separately from the position sensor, the system further comprising:

means for storing the location of the computing device at predetermined time intervals; and

means for transmitting the stored location data to the database.

23. A method for identifying a discrepancy in an electronic map, comprising:

comparing an electronic map to a position of a computing device displayed on the electronic map;

identifying a discrepancy between the location of the computing device and the displayed position of the computing device; and

reporting the discrepancy.

24. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein identifying a discrepancy further comprises determining if the position crossed a boundary within the electronic map or exceeded a predetermined distance from a centerline within the electronic map.

25. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein identifying a discrepancy further comprises receiving an input from a user marking the discrepancy.

26. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein reporting the discrepancy comprises providing information about a transport carrying the computing device, the location, the location of the discrepancy, or the type of discrepancy.

27. A method as defined in claim 26, wherein providing information comprises one of transferring data by removable media, transferring data by a wired connection, or transferring data by a wireless network.