Map version control methods and apparatus for updating the use of network-maintained map data sets for mobile communication devices
First Claim
1. A method in a mobile device for use in receiving updates of network-maintained map data sets, the method comprising:
- storing, at the mobile device, a block file for caching data for at least one maplet, and an index file containing an index of available map data for the at least one maplet, where the block file and the index file each further contain an address offset and length of each maplet or index to permit determination of an address of a particular maplet or maplet index within the block file or index file, each maplet comprising an area of interest of a map;
receiving, at the mobile device through a wireless network, map data for rendering a map, the map data including a plurality of different superimposable layers that together constitute the map, each said superimposable layer including a version number and a plurality of sets of data entries, each said set of data entries indicating a plurality of data points for rendering one or more different artifacts or labels within a maplet;
storing the map data in the block file;
displaying the maplet at the mobile device by superimposing the plurality of different superimposable layers of the stored map data;
receiving, through the wireless network, an indication of availability of an alternative version of one of the different superimposable layers of the stored map data, the indication of availability including an alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and
when the alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer is greater than the version number included with the corresponding superimposable layer of the stored map data;
sending one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to identifying whether an application on the device indicates a preference to utilize the alternative version, receiving the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to the one or more requests, the receiving the alternative version of the superimposable layer including receiving the superimposable layer for storing within a maplet in the block file and header information to situate the superimposable layer within the block file, and displaying the maplet at the mobile device based on the superimposed plurality of layers of the previously received and stored map data but with use of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and
refraining from sending the one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer when the application on the device indicates a preference not to utilize the alternative version.
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Abstract
A method in a mobile device for use in receiving updates of network-maintained map data sets is described. The mobile device receives, through a wireless network, map data for rendering a map. The map data has a plurality of layers, where each of the plurality of layers includes a version number and a plurality of data entries associated therewith. Each of the plurality of data entries indicates a plurality of data points for rendering one or more artifacts or labels within an area of interest of the map. The mobile device stores the map data, and displays the area of interest from the plurality of layers of the stored map data. The mobile device then receives, through the wireless network, an indication of an alternative version of one of the layers of the stored map data. When the version number of the alternative version is greater than the version number of the stored version, the mobile device causes one or more requests for the alternative version of said layer for the area of interest to be sent through the wireless network. The mobile device also receives the alternative version of said layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to the one or more requests. The mobile device also then causes the map of the area of interest to be rendered in the display in accordance with the combined plurality of layers of the stored map data, but with use of the alternative version of said layer.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method in a mobile device for use in receiving updates of network-maintained map data sets, the method comprising:
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storing, at the mobile device, a block file for caching data for at least one maplet, and an index file containing an index of available map data for the at least one maplet, where the block file and the index file each further contain an address offset and length of each maplet or index to permit determination of an address of a particular maplet or maplet index within the block file or index file, each maplet comprising an area of interest of a map; receiving, at the mobile device through a wireless network, map data for rendering a map, the map data including a plurality of different superimposable layers that together constitute the map, each said superimposable layer including a version number and a plurality of sets of data entries, each said set of data entries indicating a plurality of data points for rendering one or more different artifacts or labels within a maplet; storing the map data in the block file; displaying the maplet at the mobile device by superimposing the plurality of different superimposable layers of the stored map data; receiving, through the wireless network, an indication of availability of an alternative version of one of the different superimposable layers of the stored map data, the indication of availability including an alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and when the alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer is greater than the version number included with the corresponding superimposable layer of the stored map data; sending one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to identifying whether an application on the device indicates a preference to utilize the alternative version, receiving the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to the one or more requests, the receiving the alternative version of the superimposable layer including receiving the superimposable layer for storing within a maplet in the block file and header information to situate the superimposable layer within the block file, and displaying the maplet at the mobile device based on the superimposed plurality of layers of the previously received and stored map data but with use of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and refraining from sending the one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer when the application on the device indicates a preference not to utilize the alternative version. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium and computer instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium which are executable by one or more processors of a mobile communication device for performing acts of:
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storing, at the mobile device, a block file for caching data for at least one maplet, and an index file containing an index of available map data for the at least one maplet, where the block file and the index file each further contain an address offset and length of each maplet or index to permit determination of an address of a particular maplet or maplet index within the block file or index file, each maplet comprising an area of interest of a map; receiving, at the mobile device through a wireless network, map data for rendering a map, the map data including a plurality of different superimposable layers that together constitute the map, each said superimposable layer including a version number and a plurality of sets of data entries, each said set of data entries indicating a plurality of data points for rendering one or more different artifacts or labels within a maplet; storing the map data in the block file; displaying the maplet at the mobile device by superimposing the plurality of different superimposable layers of the stored map data; receiving, through the wireless network, an indication of availability of an alternative version of one of the different superimposable layers of the stored map data, the indication of availability including an alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and when the alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer is greater than the version number included with the corresponding superimposable layer of the stored map data; sending one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to identifying whether an application on the device indicates a preference to utilize the alternative version, receiving the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest through the wireless network in response to the one or more requests, the receiving the alternative version of the superimposable layer including receiving the superimposable layer for storing within a maplet in the block file and header information to situate the superimposable layer within the block file, and displaying the maplet at the mobile device based on the superimposed plurality of layers of the previously received and stored map data but with use of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and refraining from sending the one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer when the application on the device indicates a preference not, to utilize the alternative version.
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13. A mobile device, comprising:
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a wireless transceiver; one or more processors; a cache memory coupled to the one or more processors; a user interface which includes a visual display; the one or more processors being configured to; store a block file for caching data for at least one maplet, and an index file containing an index of available map data for the at least one maplet, where the block file and the index file each further contain an address offset and length of each maplet or index to permit determination of an address of a particular maplet or maplet index within the block file or index file, each maplet comprising an area of interest of a map; receive, via the wireless transceiver from one or more network databases, map data for rendering a map, the map data having a plurality of different superimposable layers that together constitute the map, each said superimposable layer including a version number and a plurality of sets of data entries, each said set of data entries indicating a plurality of data points for rendering one or more artifacts or labels within a maplet; cause the map data to be stored in the block file; cause the maplet to be displayed in the visual display by superimposing the plurality of different superimposable layers of the stored map data; receive, via the wireless transceiver, an indication of availability of an alternative version of one of the different superimposable layers of the stored map data, the indication of availability including an alternative version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and when the version number of the alternative version of the superimposable layer is greater than the version number included with the corresponding superimposable layer of the stored map data; cause one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest to be sent via the wireless transceiver in response to identifying whether an application on the device indicates a preference to utilize the alternative version, receive the alternative version of the superimposable layer for the area of interest from the one or more network databases via the wireless transceiver in response to the one or more requests, the receipt of the alternative version of the superimposable layer including receiving the superimposable layer for storing within a maplet in the block file and header information situate the superimposable layer within the block file, and cause the maplet to be rendered in the visual display based on the superimposed plurality of layers of the previously received and stored map data but with use of the alternative version of the superimposable layer; and refrain from causing the one or more requests for the alternative version of the superimposable layer to be sent when the application on the device indicates a preference not to utilize the alternative version. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification