Method and apparatus for updating map data, and computer-readable medium storing program for executing the method

• US 7,373,247 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2005
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Park, Sung-il
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louie; Wae Lenny
• Application Number:
  US11/193,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 701207-210, 340/995.1, 340/995.14, 340/905
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3844 Data obtained from position sensors only, e.g. from inertial navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for easily updating map data in real time, using a device employing map data or a navigation system, through a transport protocol expert group (TPEG) service, and a computer-readable medium storing a computer program for executing the method, as provided. The method includes determining if the map data has changed using location information received from at least one of a broadcasting network, the Internet, and a transmission medium; and updating the map data based on the location information if the map data has changed.

Claims

1. A method of updating map data, the method comprising:

receiving first location information and first map data from at least one of a broadcasting network, the Internet, and a transmission medium;

determining if second map data stored in a device has changed by checking whether the first location information corresponds to second location information searched from the second map; and

updating the second map data based on the first map data or displaying the first map data, if the second map data has changed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location information is included in a transport protocol expert group (TPEG) message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining if the second map data has changed comprises:

converting the first location information into the same format as the second map data;

checking whether the converted first location information corresponds to second location information; and

determining that the second map data has changed if the converted first location information does not correspond to the second location information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the determining if the second map data has changed further comprises using a transport protocol expert group road traffic message (TPEG-RTM) included in the TPEG message.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining if the second map data has changed further comprises using a transport protocol expert group road traffic message (TPEG-RTM) included in the TPEG message.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the second map data comprises indicating changes to the second map data on a displayed map.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the second map data comprises:

determining if a user wants to update the second map data; and

updating the second map data if it is determined that the user wants to update the second map data.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the map data comprises:

determining an operation mode type;

if the operation mode type is a first type, displaying the first map data;

if the operation mode type is a second type, determining if a user wants to update the second map data, and updating the second map data if it is determining that the user wants to update the second map data; and

if the operation mode type is a third type, automatically updating the second map data.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the second map data comprises, if a user requests to update the second map data of a specific area, sending location information request signal of the specific area to at least one of a broadcasting network, the Internet, and a transmission medium.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmission medium is able to transmit additional data.

11. An apparatus for updating map data, the apparatus comprising:

a decoder which receives first location information from at least one of a broadcasting network, the Internet, and a transmission medium, and decodes the first location information;

a storage unit which stores second map data; and

a controller which determines if the second map data has changed by checking whether the first location information corresponds to second location information searched from the second map data, determines that the second map data has changed if the first location information does not corresponded to the second location information, and updates the second map data based on first map data received from at least one of the broadcasting network, the Internet, and the transmission medium, wherein the first map data is received with the first location information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first location information is included in a transport protocol expert group (TPEG) message.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller determines if the second map data has changed further using a transport protocol expert group road traffic message (TPEG-RTM) included in the TPEG message.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller performs the operations of:

converting the first location information into the same format as the second map data; and

determining if the map data has changed by checking whether the converted first location information corresponds to second location information searched from the second map data.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller performs the operations of:

converting the first location information into the same format as the second map data; and

determining if the map data has changed by checking whether the converted first location information corresponds to second location information searched from the second map data.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a display unit which displaying a map based on the second map data, wherein the controller performs the operations of;

determining an operation mode type if it is determined that the second map data has changed;

if the operation mode type is a first type, displaying the first map on the display unit;

if the operation mode type is a second type, determining if a user wants to update the second map data, and updating the second map data if it is determined that the user wants to update the second map data; and

if the operation mode type is a third type, automatically updating the second map data.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a transmitter which sends a location information request signal, relating to a specific area, to at least one of the broadcasting network, the Internet, and the transmission medium,

wherein the controller controls the transmitter if the user requests to update the second map data of the specific area.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a transmitter which sends a location information request signal, relating to a specific area, to a transport protocol expert group (TPEG) service provider,

wherein the controller controls the transmitter if the user requests to update the second map data of the specific area.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing a method of updating map data, the method comprising:

receiving first location information and first map data from at least one of a broadcasting network, the Internet, and a transmission medium;

determining if the second map data stored in a device has changed by checking whether the first location information corresponds to second location information searched from the second map data; and

updating the second map data based on the first map data or displaying the first map data, if the second map data has changed.