Map Error Collection System Using Image Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional map error information obtaining systems face challenges in incentivizing operators to report errors and suffer from inaccurate data due to the burden of manual audio input and the need for site verification, leading to increased man-hours and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a position detecting apparatus that automatically generates and outputs map error information, including image data, and a center apparatus that calculates evaluation points for operators, providing incentives for reporting errors and reducing the need for site verification by using image data for verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If operators manually input map error information through audio data, then map error information can be collected, but the burden on operators increases and accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap error information collectionVSAvoidoperator burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device automatically generates map error information by comparing its current position and map data with actual road conditions, eliminating the need for operators to manually input error information through audio data. The system serves itself by autonomously detecting and reporting map errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual audio input method is replaced with an automated electronic system that uses position detection and data comparison to generate map error information, substituting the mechanical process of voice input with an automated computational approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If operators manually report map errors, then map error information can be obtained, but the accuracy and consistency of the information decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap error information accuracyVSAvoiderror information consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device autonomously generates map error information by objectively comparing its stored map data with actual position information from position detection, eliminating subjective human judgment and ensuring consistent, accurate error reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from position detection results to automatically verify and correct map information, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves accuracy by comparing expected positions with actual positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If site verification is performed to ensure accuracy, then map error information reliability improves, but the number of man-hours increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap error information verificationVSAvoidverification man-hours

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device automatically performs verification by comparing its own position detection data with map information, eliminating the need for external site verification personnel and significantly reducing verification time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual site verification is replaced with automated electronic verification using position detection systems and data comparison algorithms, substituting human field verification with an automated computational process that is both faster and equally reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If operators are not incentivized, then system complexity remains low, but map error information collection efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemap error information collection efficiencyVSAvoidincentive system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation device automatically generates and transmits map error information without requiring operator intervention or incentive mechanisms, achieving high collection efficiency through automated operation rather than motivational systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7363151B2Map error information obtaining system and map error information obtaining method

Publication Date: 2008.04.22 PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a map error information obtaining system which can promote the collection of the map error information as well as reduce the number of man-hours required for researching the site and verifying whether or not the collected map error information is accurate. The map error information obtaining system herein disclosed comprises a position detecting apparatus including image obtaining means for obtaining image data indicative of an actual condition of and in the vicinity of a current position, and a center apparatus, the position detecting apparatus being operative to transmit map error information including a position of the map information and image data where it is judged that there is a difference, to the center apparatus. The center apparatus is operative to correct the map information after verifying whether or not the difference in the map information is accurate using the image data. Furthermore, the center apparatus is operative to calculate an evaluation point for each of the position detecting apparatuses which have transmitted the map error information so that operators operating the position detecting apparatuses can be rewarded in accordance with their evaluation points.