Auto-Updating GPS Map Download via Wireless Short Message
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of GPS navigators face inconvenience and inefficiency in updating electronic maps, as they must manually check for updates and download entire maps that often cover larger areas than needed, wasting time and memory space.
Innovation Solution
A method using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) services to automatically update GPS navigator maps by sending a map-update short message from a wireless station to the GPS device, allowing it to connect to a map server for downloading only the necessary map updates, with features like map range selection and language/voice options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user manually downloads the electronic map from a website, then the map can be updated, but the data range may exceed the local range desired by the user, wasting time and memory space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary map data for the user's current location and destination from the complete electronic map database. The server identifies and transmits only the relevant map segments needed for navigation, excluding unnecessary data from areas the user will not visit, thereby reducing download time and memory usage while maintaining map update accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic map database is divided into multiple segments or regions. The system identifies which specific segments are needed based on the user's current location and planned destination, then downloads only those segments rather than the entire map database, significantly reducing the data transmission volume and download time.
2Reliability
If the user manually downloads the electronic map from a website, then the map can be updated, but the excessive data wastes memory space
Solution Approach 1:
The server extracts and transmits only the necessary map data for the user's current location and destination from the complete electronic map database. By identifying and transmitting only the relevant map segments needed for navigation, the system reduces the data transmission volume and memory space requirements while maintaining map update accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the GPS navigator requires manual checking and downloading of maps, then the user has control over updates, but the flexibility of use is reduced and it is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS navigator automatically checks for map updates by sending a short message to the server, receives the updated map data without user intervention, and updates its database automatically. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual checking and downloading operations, significantly improving user convenience while the server handles the complexity of determining which map segments need updating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the GPS navigator sends a short message to the server requesting map status information, the server processes this request and determines what updates are needed, then automatically transmits the updated data back to the navigator. This automated feedback loop simplifies the user experience while maintaining efficient update management.
4Reliability
If the electronic map is downloaded from a website, then the map can be updated, but the time spent on updating is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The server extracts and transmits only the necessary map data for the user's current location and destination from the complete electronic map database. By identifying and transmitting only the relevant map segments needed for navigation, the system dramatically reduces the data transmission volume and update time while maintaining complete map coverage where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for auto updating application program suitable for a global position system (GPS) navigator is provided. The method comprises the following steps. First, a map-update short message is sent to the GPS navigator at a client terminal from a wireless station. Then, a map-downloading program inside the GPS navigator is woken up when the GPS navigator receives the map-update short message. Then, connecting to a map server through the map-update short message when a user decides to update the map. Accordingly, a newest electronic map can be downloaded from the wireless station.