Method of determining and validating navigational priority settings utilizing probe data

• US 9,002,633 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tomtom Global Content B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: Tomtom Belgium NV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Igodt, Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY, JASON R
• Application Number:
  US13/880,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20130211700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/414
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3815 Road data
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3841 Data obtained from two or more sources, e.g. probe vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3881 Tile-based structures

Abstract

A method for determining vehicle priority settings (30) at an intersection (26) is provided comprising accumulating probe data (24) from a plurality of individual navigation units (20). An intersection within a digital map (14) is selected, and a plurality of probe traces (32) are selected. The probe traces (32) are processed in a method characterized by selecting a pair of probe traces (32) that enter the intersection (26) at the same time on different trajectories (34). It is determined which of the probe traces (32) proceeds through the intersection first and an intersection priority matrix (36) is updated accordingly. This intersection priority matrix (36) is utilized to formulate at least one derived intersection priority setting (38).

Claims

1. A method for determining vehicle priority settings at an intersection, comprising:

accumulating probe data from a plurality of individual navigation units;

selecting an intersection within a digital map; and

processing said probe data by;

selecting from said probe data a plurality of probe traces at said intersection;

selecting a pair of said probe traces which enter said intersection at the same time on different trajectories;

determining which of said probe traces proceeds through said intersection first;

repeating said processing on additional pairs of said plurality of probe traces; and

deriving an intersection priority setting based on said determinations.

2. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising:

updating an intersection priority matrix with result of each of said determinations; and

utilizing said intersection priority matrix to calculate a derived intersection priority setting.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

analyzing said plurality of probe traces to identify questionable probe traces (44); and

removing said questionable probe traces prior to processing said plurality of probe traces.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

comparing said derived intersection priority setting to a known intersection priority setting to verify said known intersection priority setting.

5. The method as described in claim 4, further comprising:

using said comparison to evaluate the sufficiency of roadside markings at said intersection.

6. The method as described in claim 4, further comprising:

using said derived intersection priority to correct data within said digital map.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

using said derived intersection priority to enhance said digital map by adding said derived intersection priority to said digital map.

8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

utilizing said probe traces and said intersection priority matrix to optimize traffic flow patterns at said intersection.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

verifying the sufficiency of said probe data at said intersection.

10. A method of populating a digital map with intersection priority information, comprising:

accumulating a plurality of probe traces from a plurality of navigation units;

processing said plurality of probe traces by;

selecting a pair of said probe traces which enter an intersection at the same time on different trajectories;

determining which of said probe traces proceeds through said intersection first;

repeating said processing on additional pairs of said plurality of probe traces; and

deriving an intersection priority setting based on said determinations; and

updating a digital map with said derived intersection priority setting.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

updating an intersection priority matrix with result of said determinations; and

utilizing said intersection priority matrix to calculate a derived intersection priority setting.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

verifying the sufficiency of said probe traces at said intersection prior to updating said digital map.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining the presence of a traffic control means, such as a traffic light or a stop sign, at said intersection utilizing said intersection priority matrix.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

comparing said derived intersection priority setting to a known intersection priority setting to verify said known intersection priority setting.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

using said intersection priority matrix to evaluate the sufficiency of roadside markings at said intersection.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

analyzing said plurality of probe traces to identify questionable probe traces; and

removing said questionable probe traces prior to said selecting a pair of said probe traces.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

incorporating said digital map with said derived intersection priority setting into a navigational device; and

communicating said derived intersection priority setting to a driver as said navigational device approaches said intersection.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

incorporating said digital map with said derived intersection priority setting into a navigational device; and

providing a visual representation of said derived intersection priority setting as said navigational device approaches said intersection.