Map Database Incremental Update Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incremental updates to geographic map databases can introduce inconsistencies, leading to system malfunctions, as existing methods lack effective testing procedures to ensure data consistency across updates.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a test package that includes a consistency check algorithm is used to validate references in updated map database portions, allowing for rapid testing before committing updates, thereby preventing system failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If incremental updates are applied to map database, then update time and cost are reduced, but data consistency and system reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate timeVSAvoiddata consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating and executing a test package before committing the incremental update to the map database. The test package includes consistency check algorithms that validate references in updated portions against un-updated portions, identifying potential inconsistencies before they affect system operation. This pre-validation ensures data consistency is maintained while still benefiting from the time savings of incremental updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If incremental updates are applied to map database, then resource consumption is reduced, but risk of system malfunction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource consumptionVSAvoidsystem malfunction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary validation by executing consistency check algorithms on updated map database portions before the update is committed. This pre-checking identifies reference inconsistencies between updated and un-updated data, preventing system malfunctions while maintaining the resource efficiency of incremental updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The test package acts as an intermediary between the incremental update and the map database. It includes consistency check algorithms that mediate the update process by validating data integrity, thereby reducing system malfunction risk without requiring complete database replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If complete database replacement is performed, then data consistency is ensured, but time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidupdate time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the map database into updated portions and un-updated portions, applying consistency checks only to the updated segments. This segmentation allows incremental updates to proceed efficiently while maintaining data consistency through targeted validation of reference integrity between segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test package performs preliminary consistency validation on updated map database portions before commitment, ensuring data consistency comparable to complete replacement but with significantly reduced time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2626668B1Testing of a map database update
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP2626668B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2626668B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2626668B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A navigation system utilizes a testing package tailor made for an incremental update to a map database. An incorrect incremental update may corrupt a navigation database. Testing an incrementally updated database after updating allows a corrupted database to be detected before the corrupted database is used by the map database system. Map tiles associated with a list of recompiled objects are used to populate a table. A test script is created from the list map tiles and, when executed, checks the validity of references in the map database associated with the map tiles. The test script generates a return value that indicates whether errors occurred, the type of the errors, the quantity of errors, or any combination thereof. The navigation system analyzes the errors and determines whether to finalize or roll back the update.