Method of generating improved map data for use in navigation devices

• US 20080046274A1
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tomtom Global Content B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Geelen, Pieter, Jurgens, Sven, Jones, Rory
• Granted Patent: US 7,873,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3837 Data obtained from a single source
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3856 Data obtained from user input
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking

Abstract

An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.

Claims

1. A method of distributing map correction data, comprising the steps of:

categorizing map correction data into a plurality of categories, and

distributing categorized map correction data, by category, to at least one client.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one client is at least one of a portable information device, a mobile telephone, a navigation device, a personal computer and personal digital assistant

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of distributing further comprises the step of distributing said categorized map correction data over at least one of a wireless data connection and a land line connection.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of distributing occurs peer to peer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of distributing occurs over a portable memory device.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a category selection to be distributed to said at least one client.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

determining a map type used by said at least one client which will receive said category selection,

determining whether map correction data belonging to said category selection is compatible with said map type, and

if compatible, distributing said map correction data belonging to said category selection

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said map correction data belonging to said category selection on said client.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said map correction data is stored on said client independently from said map data.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of categories comprises at least one of a community category, a correction type category, a source category, a location category, a language category, a validity category, an importance category, a POI category, a priority category and a map supplier category.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said source category further comprises at least one of an endorsed category, a trusted users category, a many users category and a single user category.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said location category further comprises at least one of a geographic area category and a distance from location category.

13. A system for distributing map correction data, comprising:

means for categorizing map correction data into a plurality of categories, and

means for distributing categorized map correction data, by category, to at least one client.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said at least one client is at least one of a portable information device, a mobile telephone, a navigation device, a personal computer and personal digital assistant

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein said means for distributing further comprises means for distributing said categorized map correction data over at least one of a wireless data connection and a land line connection.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein said means for distributing occurs peer to peer.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein said means for distributing occurs over a portable memory device.

18. The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for receiving a category selection to be distributed to said at least one client.

19. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

means for determining a map type used by said at least one client which will receive said category selection,

means for determining whether map correction data belonging to said category selection is compatible with said map type, and

means for, if compatible, distributing said map correction data belonging to said category selection

20. The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for storing said map correction data belonging to said category selection on said client.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said map correction data is stored on said client independently from said map data.

22. The system according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of categories comprises at least one of a community category, a correction type category, a source category, a location category, a language category, a validity category, an importance category, a POI category, a priority category and a map supplier category.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said source category further comprises at least one of an endorsed category, a trusted users category, a many users category and a single user category.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said location category further comprises at least one of a geographic area category and a distance from location category.

25. An apparatus for accessing map correction data, comprising a processor arranged to select map data from a plurality of map data categories, download said select map data and install said select map data.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said apparatus is a navigation device.