HD Map Data Verification Using Tile and Object Signatures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for delivering high definition (HD) map data for advanced and autonomous driving applications face challenges in ensuring functional safety and integrity, particularly due to complex software components and the risk of data corruption during transmission and storage, which can have severe consequences for vehicle navigation.

Innovation Solution

A method of verifying digital map data at the tile and object levels using digital signatures and security hashes to ensure integrity and authenticity, with a client application implementing efficient verification processes to meet functional safety requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital map data is provided without verification mechanisms, then device complexity and data provision speed are maintained at acceptable levels, but functional safety and reliability of the map data cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional safety of digital map dataVSAvoidcomplexity of verification system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by verifying the digital map data before it is delivered to the vehicle. A verification mechanism checks the consistency and correctness of map data against a reference map dataset prior to provision, ensuring functional safety is established in advance rather than during vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism that acts as a mediator between the map data provider and the vehicle system. This intermediary layer checks map data consistency without requiring complex changes to the vehicle's existing systems, thereby maintaining acceptable device complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex verification mechanisms are implemented to ensure map data safety, then functional safety improves, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of digital map dataVSAvoidprocessing time for verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the verification process into distinct modular checks that can be performed independently and efficiently. The verification mechanism is divided into separate functional components that check different aspects of map data consistency, allowing for optimized processing and reduced overall verification time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If extensive verification of digital map data is performed, then data reliability improves, but computational resources and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrectness of map dataVSAvoidcomputational energy for verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing verification checks that are sufficient to ensure functional safety without performing exhaustive analysis of all map data. The verification mechanism focuses on critical consistency checks and safety-relevant parameters rather than complete data validation, reducing computational energy consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4398124B1Digital map data with enhanced functional safety
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT
  • EP4398124B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4398124B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4398124B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a technique for the generating and provision of digital map data that is safe and reliable. The technique enables the verification of the digital map data in a map-client using a simple and efficient data structure to check the correctness of the map data before in-vehicle delivery to components that rely on this map data.