Method and system for refreshing location code data

• US 8,775,074 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navteq B.V.
• Inventors: Samsalovic, Vojislav, Bouzide, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORTELL, JOHN F
• Application Number:
  US12/362,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/450
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3815 Road data
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/387 Organisation of map data, e.g. version management or database structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases

Abstract

A method and system for refreshing location code data is disclosed. The system includes a location code change system that receives map change data and location code change data. The location code change system processes the map change data, finds affected location codes, and updates the location code'"'"'s information by manipulating the location code data or performing a geocoding operation. The updated location code data is stored in a location code system. The location code change system receives the location code change data from the location code system and provides information regarding the location code changes to a map change system, which facilitates map updates based on the location code changes.

Claims

1. A method of refreshing location code data, comprising:

receiving a first message identifying a first map vendor and a map version of a first map database, wherein the first message includes map change data in a format associated with the first map database and specifies a removed road link and a new road link;

receiving a second message identifying a second map vendor and a map version of a second map database, wherein the second message includes map change data in a format associated with the second map database;

converting the format associated with the first map database and the format associated with the second map database to a common format;

determining whether the map change data affects a location code stored in a location code system, wherein the location code links geographic coordinates to content for the first map vendor and the second map vendor;

updating location code data associated with the location code based on the map change data by removing a reference to the removed road link and attaching the new road link to the location code; and

storing the updated location code data in the location code system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating the first message to identify specifications for the first map vendor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the map change data of the first message affects the location code data includes examining the first map vendor, the map version of the first map database, and a map change type.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein uploading data for the location code includes performing a forward geocoding operation if the location code contains address information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein updating location code data for the location code includes performing a reverse geocoding operation if the location code does not contain address information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein updating data for the location code includes using the map change data to manipulate the location code data.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a map baseline shift if the location code data includes data for a number of map versions that exceeds a predetermined amount.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the map baseline shift includes deleting the location code data for map version associated with an oldest date.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the location code is configured to allow multiple map vendors to update the content.

9. A location code change system used for refreshing location code data stored in a location code system, comprising:

a map change receiver operable to receive messages that include map change data, wherein the map change data identifies a first map vendor and a first map version associated with the map change data and a second map vendor and a second map version associated with the map change data;

a map change processor operable to transform the map change data obtained by the map change receiver into a common format compatible with the first map vendor and the second map vendor; and

a location code updater operable to identify location codes affected by the map change data using the common format and update the affected location codes, wherein the location codes link geographic locations to location content and the location code updater is configured to send a message to the location code system that includes updated location code data.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a map change requester operable to request the map change data.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a map change scheduler operable to signal the map change requester to request the map change data.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a map change queue that stores the transformed map change data prior to the location code updater identifying the affected location codes.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a geocoder operable to perform geocoding operations for the location code updater; and

a geocoder data store configured to store geocoding data used by the geocoder.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a location code change receiver that receives messages from the location code system that includes location code change data.

15. A data refresh system for updating location code data, comprising:

a map system that includes storage, programs, and interfaces for changing map data in a map database;

a map change system that receives a plurality of messages from the map system that includes map change data, wherein each of the plurality of messages identifies a map vendor and a version number, wherein the map change system formats the map change data to be compatible for a plurality of map vendor formats, wherein the map change system identifies an action based on the map vendor and the version number;

a location code change system that receives the formatted map change data from the map change system and updates location code data based on the formatted map change data, wherein the location code data links content to geographic locations; and

a location code system that receives updated location code data from the location code change system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the location code system sends messages to the location code change system that includes location code change data.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the location code change system sends the location code change data to the map change system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the map change system sends the location code change data to the map system.