Map Data Agnostic Route Fingerprints for Version Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital maps face rapid obsolescence due to frequent updates and incompatibility issues between different map versions, leading to challenges in exchanging data such as location, point-of-interest, and road infrastructure information.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate and communicate map format agnostic routes by identifying road segments, generating fingerprints for route fragments, and comparing them with server-provided fingerprints to provide navigational assistance, while allowing for map updates and route revisions as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital maps are updated frequently to maintain accuracy, then map data currency is improved, but compatibility between different map versions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the route into multiple route fragments and creates fingerprints for each fragment independently. This segmentation allows the system to handle map version differences locally rather than requiring complete compatibility across the entire map dataset, resolving the contradiction between frequent updates and version compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms route data into a parameter-independent format using fingerprints derived from map-agnostic properties (geometric characteristics, topological relationships) rather than version-specific identifiers. This parameter transformation enables route communication across different map versions, addressing the compatibility issue while maintaining update frequency.
2Measurement precision
If complete route data is transmitted between server and client, then route accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric and topological characteristics of route fragments into compact fingerprints, transmitting only these extracted features rather than complete route data. This extraction maintains sufficient accuracy for route verification while dramatically reducing the data transmission volume and bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies (fingerprints) of route fragments that capture the essential characteristics needed for verification without containing the full detail of the original route data. These fingerprint copies enable accurate route matching and verification with minimal bandwidth usage compared to transmitting complete route geometries.
3Manufacturing precision
If map-specific identifiers are used for route segments, then route precision is improved, but adaptability to different map formats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates fingerprints based on universal map-agnostic properties (geometric characteristics, topological relationships, spatial relationships) that can be generated from any map format or version. These universal fingerprints serve multiple functions: identifying route segments, verifying route accuracy, and enabling compatibility across different map formats, thereby achieving both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fingerprints as an intermediary representation between the server's route data and the client's map data. These fingerprints act as a format-agnostic mediator that translates route information into a universal representation, enabling precise route identification without being tied to any specific map format or version identifiers.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is a method of generating and communicating map data agnostic routes between systems. Methods may include: providing an indication of a route request between an origin and a destination; identifying a starting road segment of the origin; identifying a target road segment of the destination; receiving one or more intermediate points for a route between the starting road segment and the target road segment; identifying one or more intermediate segments corresponding to the one or more intermediate points; establishing a route between the starting road segment and the target road segment, the route including a plurality of road segments and including the one or more intermediate segments, where the route includes a plurality of route fragments; generating a fingerprint for each route fragment; receiving a server-provided fingerprint for each route fragment; and comparing the generated fingerprints for each route fragment with the server-provided fingerprints for each route fragment.