Map-centric probe point association for navigation systems

The patent inverts the traditional probe-centric approach by implementing a map-centric approach. Instead of searching for each probe point individually, the system divides the map into grid cells and processes probe points within each grid cell collectively. This inversion reduces computational complexity by changing the fundamental processing paradigm from point-to-map to map-to-point.

The patent segments the map into multiple grid cells, each associated with specific road segments. By dividing the large-scale map matching problem into smaller, manageable grid cell problems, the system reduces the number of spatial searches required. Each grid cell maintains associations with relevant road segments, allowing efficient processing of probe points within that cell without searching the entire map.

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-dividing the map into grid cells and pre-establishing associations between grid cells and road segments. This preliminary structuring allows probe points to be processed efficiently by simply determining which grid cell they fall into and using the pre-computed associations, rather than performing full spatial searches for each point.

The patent introduces grid cells as intermediary structures between probe points and road segments. Instead of directly searching for the closest road segment for each probe point, the system uses grid cells as mediators that organize and pre-process spatial relationships, significantly reducing the computational burden of location identification.