METHOD OF GENERATING IMPROVED MAP DATA FOR USE IN NAVIGATION DEVICES

• US 20150153186A1
• Filed: 02/09/2015
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Geelen, Pieter, Goddjn, Harold
• Granted Patent: US 10,156,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 correction.

Claims

1. A method of creating map alterations on a navigation device, the method comprising the steps of:

loading a map onto said device;

providing menu driven selection of possible alterations;

receiving input comprising at least one of said alterations; and

generating a map correction comprising said at least one of said alterations.

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

storing said map data on said device,

storing said correction on said device,

storing said at least one of said alterations on said device, and

determining a route based upon said map data and correction.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of storing map data further comprises the steps of associating a unique identifier with said stored map data and storing said unique identifier with said stored map data.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of storing a time stamp with said correction, said time stamp indicative of when said correction was stored pursuant to said step of storing said correction.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting said correction to a server.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of activating an icon or menu option to change map data stored on said device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of activating further comprises the step of displaying a lower level options menu comprising one or more icons or other menu options for affecting map data changes.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said correction comprises one of more of:

blocking a street on a map;

unblocking a street on a map;

changing a speed limit on a street on a map;

at least one of renaming, moving, adding, deleting and re-categorising a POI;

a modification to a name of at least one of a city, part of a city, street and part of a street;

a change in of direction of road traffic;

an addition of a road or a connection of at least two roads;

an added turn restriction;

a removed turn restriction;

a modified structure number;

a modification to a toll status of a road;

a modified sign post;

a modification to a motorway exit number;

a modification to a postcode associated with a location;

a modification to a vehicle height, weight or width restriction on a particular road.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of associating a correction with one or more transportation types.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said correction comprises blocking access for at least one of a motor vehicle;

pedestrian;

heavy goods vehicles and bicycle.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of receiving input further comprises the step of placing a graphical representation of a sign icon on said map.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of placing further comprises the steps of clicking and dragging said icon.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said correction does not permanently affect the map data stored on the device.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of suggesting a correction to a device user.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said suggestion is made when a user deviates from a route in accordance with said correction.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said map correction is generated, after selection of one of said alterations and a location where said alteration should take effect, by displaying a map including said location and by placing a traffic sign corresponding to the correction at said location by touching a display where said traffic sign is displayed thereon.

17. A navigation device comprising memory and a processor arranged to:

load a map onto said device;

provide menu driven selection of possible alterations;

receive input comprising at least one of said alterations; and

generate a map correction comprising said at least one of said alterations.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method of creating map alterations on a navigation device, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:

loading a map onto said device;

providing menu driven selection of possible alterations;

receiving input comprising at least one of said alterations; and

generating a map correction comprising said at least one of said alterations.