Method of generating improved map data for use in navigation devices

• US 20080177469A1
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Geelen, Pieter, Jurgens, Sven, Jones, Rory
• Application Number:
  US11/889,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20080177469A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/209
• 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 altering map data, comprising the steps of:

storing at least one map alteration in a memory;

combining said at least one map alteration with a first map to create a second map;

loading said second map on a navigation device.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

planning a route with the navigation device; and

determining if said at least one map alteration is along said route.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein if said at least one map alteration is along said route, storing said route on said navigation device.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of operating said navigation device with said second map.

storing said first map, said second map in a navigation device

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of manually limiting said number of map alterations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise community categories.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise source categories.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise location categories.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise validity categories.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise importance categories.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise POI category categories.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise language categories.

13. The method according to claim 5, wherein said map alterations comprise map supplier categories.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of operating further comprises the steps of effecting route planning via said first map.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of generating an indication that said route comprises at least one alteration.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said indication comprises at least one of an oral, visual and tactile indicia.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of operating further comprises the steps of calculating a route to a destination.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of operating further comprises the step of rendering said first map.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of operating further comprises generating route based voice directions.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of marking said first map with text.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of visually indicating said text.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of audibly indicating said text.

23. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting said map alterations to a remote device.

24. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of editing said map alterations.

25. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of deleting said map alterations.