Navigation Device Location Query via Remote Map Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital map databases are often outdated due to complex and costly update processes, leading to infrequent updates, especially in navigation systems where timely and accurate geographic information is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a navigation device queries a remote server with a second digital map database to find an alternative location when the requested location is not found in its local database, allowing for up-to-date information to be accessed and transmitted back to the device, enabling navigation instructions to be provided even with outdated local maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital map databases are updated frequently to maintain accuracy, then location information reliability is improved, but update cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the map database into multiple versions (first digital map database with older version and second digital map database with newer version) stored separately. This allows the navigation device to maintain a lightweight local database while querying specific location information from remote servers, reducing the complexity of full database updates while maintaining location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the navigation device and the latest map data. The server hosts the second digital map database and provides location information queries to the navigation device, eliminating the need for the device to perform complex full database updates while ensuring access to current location data.
2Reliability
If full digital map database updates are performed, then location information is current, but data transmission volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential location information needed for navigation from the complete second digital map database. Instead of transmitting entire database updates, the system queries and retrieves only specific location data relevant to the user's current needs, dramatically reducing data transmission volume while maintaining map currency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial updating by querying only specific location information from the remote server rather than performing complete database synchronizations. This partial action approach retrieves just enough data to maintain current location information without the overhead of full database updates.
3Ease of operation
If location queries are performed in outdated local databases, then device autonomy is maintained, but location accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the navigation device first queries its local first digital map database, and when location information is not found or may be outdated, it automatically queries the remote server's second digital map database. The server responds with accurate location information, providing feedback that improves query accuracy while maintaining device autonomy for common operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary queries in the local database to maintain device autonomy and speed for common operations. Only when preliminary local queries fail or may be outdated does the system perform additional remote queries, optimizing the balance between autonomy and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for locating a destination in a digital map database using a query. If the query does not find the destination, the method queries a second, more recently updated, database for the destination. If a destination is found in second database, then the location of the destination that was found is used to find a destination in the original database that is nearby to the location of the destination found in second database.