DE102006013297A1 - Motor vehicle`s navigation system operating method, involves receiving data information with respect to possible inconsistency during reception of updated map data at not updated map data present in memory - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves storing a data of a map e.g. digital map, with receipt of an updated map data in a memory (101). The data information with respect to possible inconsistency is received during reception of the updated map data at a not updated map data present in the memory. The not updated map data is stored in a security memory-plane during receiving of the data information. The updated map data in the memory is transferred to a working plane. An independent claim is also included for a navigation system comprising a memory.

Description

technical area

The The invention relates to a navigation system and a method of operation a navigation system in which cards, preferably digital cards, be used.

was standing of the technique

at Navigation systems for Motor vehicles are used for digital maps, for example, to destinations enter and by means of a route guidance the driver of the vehicle to lead to the defined goal. The digital maps used here have roads, represented by so-called edges become. Such edges preferably consist of a line element or a plurality of line elements, for example, rectilinear could be, whereby the course of an edge is approximated to the actual course of the road. If edges meet at an intersection or a junction, so these points of encounter are represented by nodes.

There can change road courses or streets newly created, it is essential to use the cards to keep up to date and through edges and knots represented road topology to update the map. An update by wireless Method as by means of bidirectional communication networks has the disadvantage that the available transmission capacity is limited is and general availability such systems is not always guaranteed. Therefore, it is necessary that the update of the card only to one currently required area limited to the card becomes. However, it may happen that the updated digital map on the border between an updated area and an inconsistency in a non-updated area. Such an inconsistency can be, for example, a new road, the above the boundary of the areas leads and not yet included in the not yet updated section is and therefore not continued there is. If a navigation system now proposes a route via a such a street representing Edge suggested, arise at the limit of updated to not updated areas problems because the street at the Border between updated and not updated area suddenly ends.

at well-known concepts, such as the European project ActMap assumed that the digital maps updated so far until a consistent calculation of a route is possible.

at wireless communication channels however, to upgrade digital maps is not one hundred percent Availability before, so in case of lack of availability a communication channel an update of the digital map not in the needed Scope possible is, so that a calculation of such a route would be impossible.

presentation invention, object, solution, advantages

task The invention is a method for operating a navigation system and to create such a navigation system at any time the calculation of arbitrary routes even if only partial updating of cards.

According to the invention Task regarding solved the method with the features of claim 1 and with respect to the navigation system with the features of claim 7.

One inventive method for operating a navigation system with a data receiving device and a memory provides that in the memory data preferably one digital map are stored and received upon receipt of updated Map data for memory not yet updated in memory Map data, a data information regarding a possible Inconsistency is received, wherein upon receipt of such data information the not yet updated map data in a security storage level be saved and the updated map data in memory be used in the work plane.

According to one Another advantageous aspect of the invention, it is expedient if the map data are at least individual roads representing edges or Intersections or junctions or intersections of roads representing nodes are and / or map areas are. The term card data represents thus in the broadest sense a name for the updating of roads representing Edges, knots or whole areas of maps. Also can be underneath other data such as understood by public institutions become.

The described method is also advantageous if an inconsistency is a data state in which updated map data is adjacent to non-updated map data on the map and the update also has an effect on the non-updated map data. This may be the case, for example, as described above, if there is a road in an updated area that has no continuation in a non-updated area, although this is the road traffic would be expected to follow. Also, it may be that a road has been taken out of service and therefore no longer exists in an updated area, but still exists in the adjacent non-updated area.

Especially is advantageous if stored in the security memory level Data will be used for route calculation if the updated Map data to an inconsistency with neighboring non-updated Guide card data and a route determined on the basis of the updated map data in Range of inconsistency would lie.

Also it is useful if before using the map data from the security store level an update of non-updated neighboring map data to resolve the inconsistency and on a successful upgrade this adjacent map data and upon successful cancellation the inconsistency the updated map data for route determination be used.

Farther it is useful if when eliminating the inconsistency by updating from neighboring Map data the relevant map data from the security storage level to be deleted.

The inventive navigation system has advantageously a memory, a display element and at least one Operating element and a data receiving device on which a card stored or stored in the memory of the navigation system is and updated by means of the data receiving device map data Form are receivable, to carry out a method according to the invention.

advantageous Further developments are described in the subclaims.

short Description of the drawings

below The invention is based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 schematic representation of a digital map in the working plane and in a so-called security memory level; and

2 a schematic representation of a navigation system.

preferred execution the invention

navigation systems use for example digital maps to calculate routes to Reaching a selected one Target point starting, for example, from a current coordinate point of the vehicle in the map. For this purpose, a destination coordinate is entered or defined and determined by the current coordinate Navigation system using an available example digital Map under any additional boundary conditions most suitable route to the destination coordinate. This route can then by means of a route guidance be achieved.

Essential Here is the news the used maps, so that on the most recent roads at the route calculation can be accessed. Due to constant changes for example due to road construction or other transport policy activities It is therefore advantageous to use those in the navigation system Cards of a regular or means-tested Undergo updating.

The Updating a digital map can be done by: individual roads representing Representing edges or intersections or junctions of roads Node be updated at least partially. It can also be advantageous that the map divided into individual areas is and these areas, preferably in the form of rectangular tiles can be updated accordingly: Overall, such updateable Data of a map referred to as map data.

The 1 shows a digital map 1 or a section of a map, which is in the working plane 2 located. The map 1 has individual areas 3 . 4 . 5 which are also called tiles. Furthermore, the shows 1 also a digital map 7 in a security storage layer 6 , The security store level is also commonly called the backup level. The digital map 1 the working level 2 is used to calculate a route or display a map on a display device using the roads or nodes in the map. The work plane thus represents a storage level that is called up for the general operation of the navigation system and from which data is retrieved.

If there is a change in the real situation with respect to the usable roads, such as by rebuilding a road or demolishing or remodeling a road, an update of the digital map will be made 1 necessary, in which the changed area or the changed road / intersection etc. in the digital map is taken over accordingly.

The map 1 the working level 2 is opposite the digital map 7 in the security store Ebe ne 6 already partially updated, as can be seen in the streets of the two maps in comparison.

At the working level 2 is in the area 3 A street 8th with partial road trains 9 . 10 to recognize, where at nodes 11 A street 12 branches. This already constitutes an update of the scope 13 that is in the card 7 in the security store level before updating the node 11 and the street 12 not shown, see map 7 with area 13 with street 14 ,

However, in the map 1 the area 4 not yet been updated since the road 12 on the border between the area 3 and the area 4 ends and not in the field 4 is continued. So it may be when using the road 12 for a route calculation to problems due to the lack of continuation of the road 12 in the area 4 come.

For secure route calculation is therefore according to the invention the area 13 the digital map, so the area 3 before updating, stored in the memory storage level in a memory of the navigation system, as long as the adjacent areas of the area 3 have not yet been updated themselves and there is an inconsistency at the boundary to the adjacent area. It is possible to dispense with transferring data to the security storage level if the updated area with the not yet updated adjacent area has no inconsistency at the boundary of the two areas.

Becomes now uses a road or a node in a suggested route, where it is exceeded a boundary of one area to another area it inconsistencies comes, the corresponding area from the security storage level is for determination of the suggested route.

Thus, according to the invention in case of updating a digital map in one area the Pre-upgrade digital map then prefers stored in a security storage level when the adjacent Areas have not yet experienced a corresponding update. The storage of the area of the digital map in the security storage level Preferably, it can only be done if it is on the borders of the area will incur inconsistencies due to the upgrade can. For example, when updating an area, where only changes occur in the core of the area and an update does not affect the transition may have in another adjacent area, from storage this area of the digital map in the security store level be disregarded.

If there is a case of an inconsistency in the border area between areas due to an update, the area with its non-updated map is stored in the security storage level according to what has been stated above. This storage is maintained at least until the neighboring areas that are relevant for the inconsistency are also updated accordingly. As in 1 can be seen is only the area 4 relevant to an inconsistency, as the new road 12 on the border with area 4 suddenly ends. The area 15 is not affected by the update and therefore can save the area 3 be abandoned in the security storage level when the scope 4 has also been updated.

Becomes the update of a card is not completed, but only partially or only partially, this may for example by means of bidirectional data transmission respectively. For this purpose, the navigation system has a data receiving device which preferably can also send signals or data.

The update of the map 1 takes place in 1 only for the map area 3 , In the updated map area 3 is after the update next to the already existing road 10 also a new street 12 in front. The 1 thus suggests that in the area 4 the street 12 would be continued. In the event that the update of the area 4 at the time of updating the area 3 is not done, because this may not be necessary or can not be done for technical reasons, there is an inconsistency at the boundary of the areas 3 and 4 because a road to be continued in the area 4 is not continued.

If the update is carried out by means of a data server and a method performed thereon, which controls the updating of individual areas, then this data server or the method can recognize that between the areas 3 and 4 there is an inconsistency when updating the area 3 requested or carried out. This recognition of the inconsistency is possible by way of example in that the server or the method knows all areas in all update stages and can identify the inconsistencies between individual areas. This can be the area 3 to be attributed in the update a data information stating that at a boundary to area 4 there is an inconsistency and an update also of the area 4 necessary to overcome this inconsistency.

Is therefore in the update of the area 3 In addition, the information of an inconsistency at the border area to another area before, so the navigation system, the data of the non-updated area of 3 So the area 13 in a security storage level 6 move. Thus, the navigation system is a map area both in an updated version (area 3 ) as well as in an un-updated version (area 13 ) in front.

In the event that the navigation system would calculate a route that indicates the transition from an updated area 3 and a non-updated area would be used, the navigation system according to the invention, either once an update of the not yet updated neighboring area 4 request, so that a possible inconsistency is resolved. However, in the event that such an update can not be made, the navigation system becomes the non-updated map area 13 instead of the updated area 3 retrieve from the security store level to use this map data to determine the desired route.

The Navigation system is stored in the security storage level Delete map data, if the storage due to the cancellation of the inconsistency due the complete Updating the adjacent areas with inconsistent transitions has become superfluous is.

Next the updating of map areas according to the invention also a Updating individual contents of areas or individual map data respectively.

This is for example in 1 to recognize in the right part of the map. In the area 20 not the entire tile has been updated but only the changed elements, like the road 21 in two street sections 22 . 23 was split, with a node 24 was inserted. At this node 24 subsequently another street 25 entered. In the original map area, see the security storage level 6 was just a street 26 available.

These even partial updating of individual roads, too Called edges, and / or nodes, commonly referred to as map data, can also lead to inconsistencies, if otherwise referred to such edges or nodes. Also in This case can be handled by a data server and by a procedure executed on it transmitted a data information be that inconsistency between updated map data and not yet updated map data. Also in In this case, the ones associated with the updated map data will still be non-updated map data in a security store level stored and loaded as needed the navigation system returns this data to this base Route to determine.

The 2 shows a navigation system 100 in a schematic representation with a memory 101 , a display element 102 and at least one operating element 103 , The navigation system 100 can map displays on the display element 102 represent, with calculated routes are displayed in a map display. Furthermore, the navigation system 100 via a data receiving device 104 , This data receiving device can be connected to a transmitter 105 how data servers interact, whereby the signals transmitted by the transmitter can be received and further processed. Such signals may be map data, for example. As a data receiving device, a telephone communication device or the like can also be used.

The navigation system 100 has a digital map in his store 101 stored on the basis of which, for example, route suggestions at work level 2 be determined. About the data receiving device 104 is the navigation system 100 being able to receive map data or areas of maps in updated form, these received map data replacing those of the already stored digital map. In this case, preferably, data information regarding possible inconsistencies is received, so that selected data of the digital map in a security memory level 6 be stored so that in case of need, see above, can be accessed on these non-updated map data to determine a route.

Claims (8)

Method for operating a navigation system ( 100 ) with a data receiving device ( 104 ) and a memory ( 101 ), wherein in the memory ( 101 ) Data of a card ( 1 ) are stored and accepted upon receipt of updated map data. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that upon receipt of updated map data in memory ( 101 ) is not yet updated map data and a data information regarding a possible inconsistency is received, wherein upon receipt of such data information, the corresponding not yet updated map data in a security storage level ( 6 ) are stored. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the map data at least individual roads ( 8th . 12 . 14 . 21 . 25 . 26 ) representing edges or intersections or junctions or intersections of roads ( 8th . 12 . 14 . 21 . 25 . 26 ) representing nodes ( 11 . 24 ) and / or map areas ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 13 . 15 . 20 ) are. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that an inconsistency is a data state which updated map data adjacent to non-updated Map data is on the map and the update also impacts on the non-updated map data. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the security memory level ( 6 ) stored data are used for route calculation if the updated map data would lead to an inconsistency with adjacent non-updated map data and a route determined on the basis of the updated map data would be in the area of inconsistency. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to use of the map data from the security memory level ( 6 ) an update of non-updated neighboring map data to cancel the Innkonsistenz is initiated and used in a successful update of this map data and upon successful resolution of the inconsistency, the updated map data for route determination. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that, when the inconsistency has been eliminated, the relevant map data from the security memory level ( 6 ) to be deleted. Navigation system with a memory ( 101 ), a display element ( 102 ) and at least one operating element ( 103 ) and a data receiving device ( 104 ), whereby the navigation system stores a map in its memory ( 101 ) and by means of the data receiving device ( 104 ) Map data are received in an updated form, further characterized by the implementation of a method according to at least one of the preceding claims.