Report Generation for a Navigation-Related Database

• US 20100153348A1
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Fink, Oliver, Perczynski, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,880,568 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/692
• 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 21/3848 Data obtained from both position sensors and additional sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/23 Updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases

Abstract

Systems, devices, features, and methods for updating a geographic database, such as a navigation-related database, and/or reporting discrepancies associated with geographic data of the geographic database are disclosed. For example, one method comprises capturing a photograph of an observed geographic feature in a geographic region. Comment information corresponding to the observed geographic feature may be stored. The comment information is indicative of a discrepancy between the observed geographic feature and the geographic data corresponding to the geographic region. The comment information may be associated with the photograph to generate a report, and the report is transmitted.

Claims

1. A method for updating a geographic database that includes geographic data for navigation-related services, the method comprising:

capturing a photograph of an observed geographic feature in a geographic region;

storing comment information corresponding to the observed geographic feature, the comment information indicative of a discrepancy between the observed geographic feature and the geographic data corresponding to the geographic region;

associating the comment information with the photograph to generate a report; and

transmitting the report.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the discrepancy comprises a perceived error in the geographic data corresponding to the geographic region.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the perceived error comprises an erroneous street name, an erroneous road connection, an erroneous point-of-interest name, an erroneous road or road portion, or an erroneous point-of-interest.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the discrepancy comprises a perceived lack of information in the geographic data corresponding to the geographic region.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the perceived lack of information comprises a missing road, a missing point-of-interest, or a missing road connection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a representation of the geographic data corresponding to the geographic region is presented via a navigation device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the observed geographic feature comprises a road, a street name, a street sign, an address, or a building.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the report; and

updating the geographic database based on the received report.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining geographic position data; and

associating the geographic position data with the photograph.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the geographic position data comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

11. A software application program configured to perform a method of reporting perceived errors in geographic data of a navigation-related database, wherein the method comprising:

storing data representing a photograph of a real-world geographic feature;

storing position data associated with the photograph;

allowing comment data to be entered, the comment data corresponding to a perceived error in the geographic data,

wherein the data representing the photograph, the position data, and the comment data are formed into a report.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the perceived error comprises an erroneous street name, an erroneous road connection, an erroneous point-of-interest name, an erroneous road or road portion, an erroneous point-of-interest, a missing road, a missing point-of-interest, or a missing road connection.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the real-world geographic feature comprises a road, a street name, a street sign, an address, or a building.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the position data comprises latitude and longitude coordinates.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the comment data to be entered is presented in a listed option format.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein storing the data representing the photograph and storing the position data are executed via a cellular phone.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the geographic data is presented to an end user via a navigation device.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

uploading the report,

wherein the report is received at a map developer location to update the navigation-related database.

19. A device for reporting perceived errors in geographic data of a geographic database used for navigation-related services, the device comprising:

a user interface configured to receive comment input regarding a perceived error in the geographic data;

a processor in communication with the user interface;

a camera in communication with the processor, the camera configured to capture a photograph of an observed geographic feature corresponding to the perceived error in the geographic data; and

position circuitry in communication with the processor, the position circuitry configured to determine position data corresponding to the captured photograph,

wherein the processor is configured to associate the captured photograph with the comment input and the position data to generate a report.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the user interface, the processor, the camera, and the position circuitry are part of a cellular phone.

21. A method for updating a geographic database that includes geographic data for navigation-related services, the method comprising:

capturing a photograph of a perceived discrepancy between an observed real-world geographic feature in a geographic region and the geographic data corresponding to the geographic region;

generating a report including the photograph; and

transmitting the report.