Here Global B.v.

Navteq B.v.

Aaron J Dannenbring

Sara B Rossio

Christopher S Wiklund

Jane MacFarlane

Jeffrey Minoru Adachi

Sanjay Chand Sood

Vladimir Boroditsky

Eriv Van Rooij

Deepesh Srivastava

Sanjay C Sood

Embodiments include apparatus and method for collecting observation data for updating a geographic database. An initial observation is collected by a first mobile device, a first vehicle, or a first sensor. Along with the geographic position, data indicative of the first observation is send to a server. The central server may analyze of the initial observation data to determine if additional observations should be made and define a bounding box from the geographic position of the first mobile device and the analysis of the initial observation data. A request for additional observations is generated and sent to at least one second mobile device, second vehicle, or second sensor based on the bounding box.

Map based feedback loop for vehicle observations

Drone space is defined according to a building model and a buffer space. At least one three-dimensional geometry is identified from the building model. The buffer space is calculated from the three-dimensional geometry. Coordinates for a drone air space are defined based on the buffer space. At least one path segment may be identified based on the coordinates for the drone air space, and the coordinates for drone air space are stored in a map database in association with the at least one path segment.

Air space maps

Map based feedback loop for vehicle observation

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for a negative image or false positive profile for sign locations. Image data or another type of optical data is collected along a path by a collection device such as a camera. The data is analyzed to identify one or more false positive locations along the path at which signs for other paths may be detected. The false positive locations may be described in the negative image or false positive profile. Additional or subsequent optical data may be analyzed based on the negative image or false positive profile may be analyzed to identify at least one confirmed sign position.

Negative image for sign placement detection

A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. A guidance message stating the preferred name of the feature visible from the road segment is determined. The preferred name includes at least one visible descriptor selected from a group consisting of a color of the identified feature, a building material of the identified feature, a shape of the identified feature, an architectural style of the identified feature, and a decorative element of the identified feature.

Method of operating a navigation system to provide route guidance

A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature.

A method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A feature visible from a road segment is identified. A guidance feature point object is defined at a location at the road segment where the identified feature is most visibly prominent. Additionally, an importance rating and a preferred name for the identified feature are determined. Data representing the guidance feature point object, importance rating and the preferred name are stored in the geographic database on a computer readable medium.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Aaron J Dannenbring