A METHOD OF REPORTING ERRORS IN MAP DATA USED BY NAVIGATION DEVICES

• US 20080082225A1
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Barrett, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/464,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20080082225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3811 Point data, e.g. Point of Interest [POI]
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3815 Road data
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3856 Data obtained from user input

Abstract

An end-user can input a map error report to a map error, directly on the device. The device stores the map error report and can send the report to a remote server for processing. 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.

Claims

1. A method of reporting errors in map data used by navigation devices, the method comprising the steps of:

a) displaying map data, suitable for route guidance algorithms, on an electronic navigation device;

b) an end-user of the device inputting a map error report directly on the device, the map error report comprising user generated error correction suggestions;

c) the device storing that map error report;

d) the device sending that map error report to a remote sever that can process that map error report.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the map error report is stored with a location reference.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the map error report is stored as a text entry.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the map error report is sent back to the sewer as part of synchronisation.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the remote server sends the map error reports to the original provider of the map data.

6. The method of claim 1 in which the entity controlling the server reduces the license fees it pays to a provider of the map data in exchange for supplying the map error reports.

7. Map data for a navigation device that has been developed at least in part using the method of claim 1.

8. An electronic navigation device storing map data as defined in claim 7.

9. An electronic navigation device adapted to store improved map data, the device:

a) displaying map data;

b) enabling an end-user to input a map error report, directly on the device, the map error report comprising user generated error correction suggestions; and

c) the device storing that map error report;

d) the device sending that map error report to a remote server that can process that map error report.

10. The navigation device of claim 9, being a portable stand-alone device.

11. The navigation device of claim 9, being a touch screen based device.

12. The navigation device of claim 9, being a mobile telephone.

13. The navigation device of claim 9, being a PC.

14. The navigation device of claim 9, being integrated into a vehicle.