Navigation Database Update Package Using Binary Difference Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation database update methods require significant bandwidth and time, especially when updating over wireless networks, as they involve replacing entire databases, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating an update package using binary difference operations, tree edit operations, or list update operations to identify and transmit only the changes between old and new navigation data records, excluding index updates, which are handled separately by the client device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire navigation database is replaced during updates, then the database contains complete and current information, but the bandwidth usage and update time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedatabase completenessVSAvoidupdate time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the changed portions (diff data) from the complete navigation database. Instead of transmitting the entire database, the system identifies and transmits only the specific records that have changed between versions, significantly reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and processed during updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the navigation database into individual records and groups of records, allowing selective updating of only the changed segments. The diff data is organized to contain only the specific records that need updating, rather than treating the database as a monolithic unit that must be completely replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire navigation database is replaced during updates, then the database contains complete and current information, but the bandwidth usage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedatabase completenessVSAvoidbandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the changed portions (diff data) from the complete navigation database. Instead of transmitting the entire database, the system identifies and transmits only the specific records that have changed between versions, significantly reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and processed during updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If index updates are included in the update package, then the database structure remains optimized, but the update package size and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedatabase structure integrityVSAvoidupdate package complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates index update operations from the main update package content. The diff data contains only the changed navigation records, while index reconstruction is handled as a separate process that occurs automatically when the new records are inserted into the database, eliminating the need to include index data in the transmission package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of time

If incremental updates are implemented, then bandwidth usage and update time are reduced, but the update method becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate timeVSAvoidupdate method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic diff generation and application processes. The system automatically identifies changed records, generates the appropriate diff data format, and applies updates using automated scripts that handle the complexity of incremental updating, reducing the need for manual intervention despite the increased methodological complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3411663B1Navigational database update package
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3411663B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3411663B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3411663B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method or apparatus for performing map updates includes two stages for reducing a size of the update package. A first navigation database having a first set of navigation data records and a first index section and a second navigation database having a second set of navigation data records and a second index section are identified. In a first stage, a first subset of the first set of navigation data records and a corresponding second subset of the second set of navigation data records are identified using a first difference operation. The first subset and second subset correspond to records that have changed between the first and second sets of navigation data records. In a second stage, a second difference operation is performed on the first subset and the second subset. The update package is generated based on a result of the difference operation.