METHOD FOR UPDATING MAP DATA

Abstract

A method for updating map data sets in a vehicle's flash memory is provided. The method comprises the following steps: A flash memory for a vehicle is provided, containing a first map data set for a first geographic region in which the vehicle is located, and one or more additional map data sets for one or more additional geographic regions. A second geographic region is determined, which is the geographic region the vehicle is most likely to enter from the first geographic region. If the one or more additional map data sets do not include a current map data set for the second geographic region, a second map data set for the second geographic region is retrieved. One or more of the additional map data sets can be removed from the flash memory to free up storage space.

Description

BACKGROUNDModern vehicles require map data of the area or region in which they are currently located to be able to perform a variety of functions. When a vehicle moves from a region to a new region, for example, from a country to a new country, it may require other map data corresponding to the new region. Storing and updating map data of all regions in a vehicle may require too much memory space and / or data communication.Therefore, it is an object of the invention to reduce the required memory and / or data communication when map data is stored and updated in a vehicle.SUMMARYThe object of the invention is achieved by providing a method according to claim 1 and a telematics control unit (TCU) according to claim 9.According to a first aspect, a method for updating map data in a flash memory of a vehicle comprises the steps of: a) providing a flash memory for a vehicle comprising a first map dataset for a first geographic region in which the vehicle is located and one or more additional map datasets for one or more additional geographic regions; b) determining a second geographic region which is the geographic region into which the vehicle is most likely to enter from the first geographic region; c) determining that the one or more additional map datasets do not comprise a current map dataset for the second geographic region; d) retrieving a second map dataset for the second geographic region; e) removing one or more of the additional map datasets from the flash memory if a storage amount of the flash memory needs to be released for installing the retrieved second map dataset in the flash memory; f) installing the retrieved second map dataset in the flash memory.The map data may include any data related to geographic information, roads, traffic information, weather conditions, etc. A map data set includes a particular set of grouped map data for a geographic region. Flash memory is an electronic non-volatile computer storage medium for data that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.The phrase "geographic region" may refer to a country or portion thereof, such as a state of a federal or city. It may also refer to an area having a geometric shape, such as a square or a (regular) pentagonal shape. When the geographic area around a vehicle is divided into regions of regular geometric shapes, these geographic regions may be referred to as (map) regions.Generally, the amount of data that can be stored in flash memory may be limited. Thus, the flash memory may only be able to store map records for a particular number of regions N. This number N may be 2 or more, but will in most cases be less than 20.In addition to the map data set for the region in which the vehicle is currently located or in which it is currently driving (i.e. the first geographical region), only N-1 additional map data set can be stored in the flash memory. In one or more embodiments, these may be the N-1 geographic regions into which the vehicle is most likely (or likely) to enter or travel from the current geographic region.Therefore, it is determined in which geographic region (i.e., the second geographic region) it is most likely that the vehicle will enter from the current geographic region (i.e., the first geographic region).In general, the phrase "enter from one region to another region" may refer to (1) directly entering the region from the other region (i.e., without passing through one or more other regions) or (2) indirectly entering the region from the other region (i.e., via one or more other regions).If the map data set related to the second geographic region is not present in the flash memory, a second map data set related to this second geographic region may be retrieved from, for example, an external server.If a map dataset relating to the second geographic region is present in the flash memory, it may be checked whether this map dataset is current, for example by checking whether a more recent version of the map dataset is available for retrieval. If a more recent map data record is available, this second map data record can be called up.In one or more embodiments, the retrieved second map dataset may be checked for authenticity and completeness. If the test fails, the map datasets can be retrieved again.In one or more embodiments, the retrieved second map data set may be stored in a storage medium other than the flash memory, for example, an electronic volatile computer storage medium such as random access memory (RAM).If the flash memory does not have sufficient free space to store or install the retrieved second map record, space must be released. This can be achieved by removing one or more additional card records from flash memory. The one or more additional map datasets that are removed may be those map datasets that relate to geographic regions into which the vehicle is most unlikely to enter from the first geographic region.After these additional map records have been removed, the second map record may be installed or stored in flash memory. The term installation may include compressing and / or decompressing, indexing, or processing the retrieved data, and storing or storing the data in the flash memory.In the case that the retrieved second map data set has been stored in a storage medium different from the flash memory, the second map data set from this storage medium may be installed in the flash memory.In one or more embodiments, wherein step e) comprises:determining a storage space amount of the flash memory to be released for installing the retrieved second map data set in the flash memory;associating a ranking with the additional map datasets that the flash memory includes based on a probability that the vehicle enters the respective geographical region from the first region;removing one or more additional lowest rank card records from flash memory to free the particular amount of memory space.In one or more embodiments, only one additional map record may be stored in the flash memory (i.e., N=2). In this case, this additional map data set present in the flash memory is removed from the flash memory when the memory space is to be released.In one or more embodiments, the amount of storage space needed to store or install a set of map data may be the same for all geographic regions. Alternatively, the amount of memory needed may vary for different geographic regions, for example because more information is available for particular geographic regions. In the latter case, the number of additional map records that must be removed from flash memory when a second map record is to be installed may also vary.In one or more embodiments, a higher ranking associated with an additional map dataset indicates that its geographic region has a higher probability that the vehicle will enter that region from its current region.When a navigation system in the vehicle includes information related to an intended route of the vehicle across one or more regions, the likelihood that the vehicle will enter one of these multiple regions may be great. When the vehicle is in, near, or approaching a particular geographic region, the likelihood that the vehicle will enter that region may be high and its rank may thus be the same.In one or more embodiments, steps b) and c) are performed:if a distance between the vehicle and a boundary of the first geographical region is below a predefined distance, and / orif a distance between the vehicle and a geofence around the first or second geographical region is below a predefined distance, and / or- periodic.It may be advantageous to begin retrieving the required map dataset for a geographic region far before the vehicle enters this region.In one or more embodiments, the likelihood that the vehicle will enter a geographic region when leaving the first geographic region is determined based on:planned route in a navigation device of the vehicle and / ora group of routes concluded in the past and / ora group of the most frequently sought regions and / ora distance between the current position of the vehicle and the respective geographical region and / ora shortest distance between the planned route of the vehicle and the respective geographical region.In one or more embodiments, the second map dataset is retrieved from a remote server.According to a further aspect there is provided a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to any embodiment described in this document. Furthermore, a computer-readable medium is provided on which this computer program is stored.According to another aspect there is provided a telematics control unit (TCU), the TCU comprising flash memory and a computer readable medium according to any of the embodiments as described in these documents, the computer program causing the TCU to perform the steps of the method according to any of the embodiments as described in this document. Further provided is a vehicle having a computer readable medium as described herein or having a TCU as described herein.The functionality, advantages and embodiments of the TCU and vehicle, as well as the functionality, advantages and embodiments of the computer program and computer readable medium, correspond to the functionality, advantages and embodiments of the method as described herein, and vice versa.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made in the following description to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a vehicle with flash memory according to one or more embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 2 aand 2 b show a schematic overview of a flash memory according to one or more embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a schematic overview of a use case of a vehicle moving from one geographic region to another geographic region, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a schematic overview of a method for updating map datasets in a flash memory of a vehicle according to one or more embodiments of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFIG. 1 shows a vehicle 100 with a telematics control unit (TUC) 110. The TCU includes a flash memory 120. The vehicle 100 may be capable of communicating with an external server 140 via a wireless network 130.FIG. 2 ashows a schematic overview of the flash memory 120 in which four map datasets 210, 220, 230 and 240 are installed or stored. FIG. 2 ashows a schematic overview of the flash memory 120 of FIG. 1 b, wherein map data record 250 has replaced the map data record 220. FIG. 3 schematically shows how vehicle 100 is located in a first geographic region 310 and is approaching a second geographic region 310.FIG. 4 shows a schematic overview of a method 400 for updating map datasets in a flash memory 120, which comprises the following steps:In step 410, a flash memory 120 is provided for a vehicle 100, comprising a first map dataset 210 for a first geographic region 310 in which the vehicle 100 is located and one or more additional map datasets 220, 230, 240 for one or more additional geographic regions. In the example of FIGS. 2 aand 2 b, it is possible that the flash memory 120 comprises only four map datasets, thus no more than three additional map datasets.In the example of FIGS. 2 aand 3, the additional map datasets 220, 230, and 240 may refer to the geographic regions 330, 340, and 350, respectively.In a step 420, a second geographic 320 region is determined, which is the geographic region into which the vehicle 100 is most likely to enter from the first geographic region 310.According to one or more embodiments, the probability that the vehicle 100 enters a geographic region when leaving the first geographic region 310 is determined based on:planned route in a navigation device of vehicle 100 and / ora group of routes concluded in the past and / ora group of the most frequently sought regions and / ora distance between the current position of the vehicle and the respective geographical region and / ora shortest distance between the planned route of the vehicle and the respective geographical region.In the example of FIG. 3, a route as indicated by arrow 300 may be scheduled for vehicle 100. In this case, the region 320 is the geographic region into which the vehicle 100 is most likely to enter from the first geographic region 310. Alternatively or additionally, it may be the case that the vehicle 100 has traveled through or visited the region 320 more often than, for example, region 340. In this case, the region 320 is the geographic region into which the vehicle 100 is most likely to enter from the first geographic region 310.In one or more embodiments, one or more geographic regions may be provided with a geofence. In the example of FIG. 3, the geographic region 320 has been provided with geofence 340.In one or more embodiments, step 420 (and step 430) may be performed:(i) if a distance between the vehicle and a boundary of the first geographical region is below a predefined distance, and / or(ii) if the vehicle and a geofence around the first or second geographical region are below a predefined distance; and / or(iii) periodically.In other words, execution of step 420 and step 430 may be triggered by one or more events according to (i), (ii) and / or (iii).In the case of (ii), further with the predefined distance set to substantially 0, it may be the case that the execution of step 420 and step 430 is triggered by the vehicle 100 passing the geofence 340.In step 430, it is determined whether or not the one or more additional map datasets 220, 230, 240 comprise a current map dataset for the second geographic region 320.In the example of FIGS. 2 aand 3, if the second geographic region is region 320 and the additional map datasets 220, 230, and 240 relate to geographic regions 330, 340, and 350, it is actually the case that the flash memory 120 does not include a current map dataset for the second geographic region 320.Therefore, step 440 is executed, wherein a second map dataset 250 for the second geographic region 320 is retrieved from the server 140, for example using wireless network 130.Alternatively, in the case that flash memory 120 does not include a current map record for second geographic region 320, the next step would again be step 420, or waiting for a trigger according to (i), (ii), and / or (iii) to begin executing step 420.In step 450, one or more of the additional map datasets are removed from the flash memory if a storage amount of the flash memory needs to be released for installing the retrieved second map dataset in the flash memory.In one or more embodiments, the flash memory may have sufficient free memory to install or store the second map dataset 250. In this case, none of the additional map datasets 220, 230, 240 need be removed.In one or more embodiments, where flash memory 120 may include only one additional map record, that additional map record must be removed to free up memory space for second map record 250. Ranking the additional map records in the flash memory as described below is not necessary in this case.Step 450 may include the following steps:In step 460, a storage amount of the flash memory 120 is determined that needs to be released to install the retrieved second map dataset 250 in the flash memory 120.In the case that the map datasets require the same amount of storage space for each geographic region, this determination is simple: for each new second map dataset, one of the additional map datasets must be removed. However, it may be the case that the amount of memory needed for the new second map dataset is greater than the amount of memory that would enable the removal of one, two, or generally n additional map datasets. In this case, n+1 additional map datasets must be removed.In the example of FIGS. 2 aand 3, only one of the additional map datasets 220, 230, and 240 needs to be removed in order to remove sufficient memory space for installing the second map dataset 250.In step 470, the additional map datasets included in flash memory 120 are ranked based on a likelihood that vehicle 100 enters the respective geographic region from first region 310. This probability can be determined in the same manner as in step 420.In the example of FIGS. 2 aand 3, it may be the case that the geographic region 350 has the highest probability with respect to the planned route 300. The geographic region 330 may have the lowest probability regarding the distance between the geographic region 330 and the planned route and the distance between the geographic region 330 and the current position of the vehicle 100. The probability of the geographic region 340 may be between the probability of the geographic regions 330 and 350 based on these considerations.Therefore, the lowest rank may be associated with the additional map dataset 220 as this is the additional map dataset for the geographic regions 330 having the lowest probability.In step 480, one or more additional lowest ranking map records may be removed from flash memory to free the determined amount of storage space.In the example of FIG. 2 a, the additional map dataset 220 is removed from the flash memory 120 to free up memory space for the second map dataset 250.In step 490, the retrieved second map data set is installed in the flash memory.In the example from FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen in FIG. 2 b that the additional map data record 220 has been replaced by the second map data record 250.In one or more embodiments, the vehicle 110 may be a car, a motorcycle, a transporter, a truck, a bicycle, or a scooter.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interoperability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application / s and design-related constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing departure from the scope of the present invention.The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments is provided so that any person skilled in the art can make or use the present invention. Various modifications of these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the various principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The present invention is thus not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.The beneficial effects and advantages that can be provided by the present invention have been described above with respect to specific embodiments. These beneficial effects and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to enter or reinforce, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other forms thereof are intended to be interpreted as including, without limitation, the elements or limitations following these terms. Accordingly, a system, method, or other embodiment comprising a group of elements is not limited to only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the claimed embodiment.Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. With respect to the above-described embodiments, many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible. It is intended that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as detailed in the following claims.

Claims

A method of updating map datasets in a flash memory of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: a) providing flash memory for a vehicle comprising a first map dataset for a first geographic region in which the vehicle is located and one or more additional map datasets for one or more additional geographic regions; b) determining a second geographic region that is the geographic region into which the vehicle is most likely to enter from the first geographic region; c) determining that the one or more additional map datasets do not comprise a current map dataset for the second geographic region; d) retrieving a second map dataset for the second geographic region; e) removing one or more of the additional map datasets from the flash memory if a storage amount of the flash memory needs to be released for installing the retrieved second map dataset in the flash memory; f) installing the retrieved second map dataset in the flash memory.The method of claim 1, wherein step e) comprises: - determining a storage space amount of the flash memory to be released for installing the retrieved second map data set in the flash memory; - assigning a ranking to the additional map data sets comprised by the flash memory based on a probability that the vehicle enters the respective geographical region from the first region; - removing one or more additional map data sets having the lowest ranking from the flash memory to release the determined storage space amount.The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein a higher rank associated with a geographic region indicates a higher probability that the vehicle will enter that region from its current region.Method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the probability of the vehicle entering a geographical region when leaving the first geographical region is determined based on: - a planned route in a navigation device of the vehicle and / or - a group of past completed routes and / or - a group of most searched regions and / or - a distance between the current position of the vehicle and the respective geographical region and / or - a shortest distance between the planned route of the vehicle and the respective geographical region.Method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein steps b) and c) are carried out: - if a distance between the vehicle and a boundary of the first geographical region is below a predefined distance, and / or - if a distance between the vehicle and a geofence around the first or second geographical region is below a predefined distance, and / or - periodically.The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein the second map record is retrieved from a remote server.A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method of any of claims 1-6.A computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 7.A telematics control unit (TCU) having a flash memory and a computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein the computer program causes the TCU to carry out the steps of the method according to any of claims 1-6.A computer readable medium vehicle according to claim 8 or a TCU according to claim 9.

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