APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UPDATING DIGITAL MAPS

• US 20110264361A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Stählin, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 8,554,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3856 Data obtained from user input
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A navigation unit for a vehicle for updating a navigation map is specified, wherein the navigation unit is configured to proactively ascertain a required portion of the map and is also configured to receive a restricted update for the map which relates to the required portion of the map.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. An update unit for a vehicle for updating a digital map, said update unit comprising:

a map unit with a digital map for displaying a travel route on the map;

wherein the update unit is configured to proactively ascertain a required portion of the map; and

wherein the update unit is also configured to receive a restricted update for the map which relates to the required portion of the map.

17. The update unit as claimed in claim 16,

wherein the required portion of the map is ascertained on the basis of a user input.

18. The update unit as claimed in claim 16,

Wherein the required portion of the map is ascertained on the basis of detection of a traveled journey route.

19. The update unit as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a communication unit for communication with a system control center.

20. The update unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the update unit is configured to retrieve the restricted update from the system control center.

21. The update unit as claimed in claim 20,

wherein the update unit is configured to produce a profile of a typical area of movement of the vehicle;

wherein the update unit is also configured to transmit data to the system control center which correspond to the typical area of movement.

22. An update system for a vehicle for updating a digital map, said update system comprising:

an update unit as claimed in claim 16;

a system control center for transmitting the restricted update to the update unit.

23. The update system as claimed in claim 22,

wherein the system control center is a central server system which is arranged outside of the vehicle and which communicates with the update unit via a wireless communication network.

24. The update system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system control center is configured to cyclically check the required portion of the map for changes.

25. The update system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the system control center is also configured to establish a degree for the changes in the required portion of the map.

26. The update system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system control center is also configured to initiate retrieval of the restricted update.

27. The update system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system control center stores a complete map;

and wherein the system control center is configured to produce and to transmit updates for the map.

28. A method for updating a digital map for a vehicle, said method comprising the following steps:

proactively ascertaining a required portion of the map by an update unit;

cyclically checking the required portion of the map for changes;

transmitting a restricted update, which relates to the required portion of the map, to the update unit by a system control center; and

receiving the restricted update for the map by the update unit.

29. A computer program product which, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the following steps:

proactive ascertainment of a required portion of a digital map for a vehicle;

reception of a restricted update for the map which relates to the required portion of the map; and

update of the map on the basis of the restricted update.

30. A computer-readable medium which stores a computer program product which, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the following steps:

proactive ascertainment of a required portion of a digital map for a vehicle;

reception of a restricted update for the map which relates to the required portion of the map; and

update of the map on the basis of the restricted update.