Tomtom Global Content B.v.

Tomtom Navigation B.v.

Tomtom Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg

Hannes Scharmann

Heiko Mund

Hans-Ulrich Otto

Volker Hiestermann

Oleg Schmelzle

An improved method for matching traces derived from probe data to one or more line segments in a digital vector map. Points in a probe trace are provisionally matched one-by-one to line segments in the digital vector map to identify all possible matching candidates. A graph of the matching candidates is created having one or more paths. The graph has a plurality of sequential levels corresponding to the points in the probe trace. Each matching candidate is assigned to a level of the graph corresponding with trace point to which it relates. Edges are established between matching candidates in adjacent levels provided they are topologically related to one another. The graph is simplified and scored. The best paths deliver the matching results. The invention allows use of graph theoretic methods to find the best path through the graph, which in turn represents an efficient map matching algorithm. The concepts of this invention may be used in conjunction with longitudinal distance as matching criterion.

Graph based topological map matching

A system and method are disclosed for incrementally updating an existing digital map of a client device in a digital map update system. The digital map update system comprises, for each of one or more baseline digital maps, at least one digital map update repository comprising data which may be communicated to one or more remote client devices for use by the or each remote client device in incrementally updating an existing digital map of the device. Each repository includes one or more digital map forward update journals in respect of a respective given version of the baseline map to which the digital map update repository relates. The forward update journal comprises data indicative of a set of one or more incremental updates that may be used to update the given version of the baseline map to a later version. Each repository also includes one or more digital map reverse update journals for reversing the effects of the or a forward update journal and reverting the later version of the baseline map back to an earlier version.

Methods and systems for updating a digital map

A system and method for generating a seamless road network of a large geographical area includes a plurality of GPS probe traces extending across a geographical area. The probe traces are divided into sub-sets base on criteria, such as accuracy. A plurality of threads simultaneously employ the sub-sets traces to generate an independent network of the entire geographical area. The networks generated using sub-sets having a high accuracy are preferred over networks generating using sub-sets having a lower accuracy. The independent networks are combined to form a seamless networks of road segments.

Seamless network generation

Parking lot () locations and geometries are discerned from probe data () and integrated with a digital map () for use in navigation and other map-related activities. The steps of this invention include: identifying the positions in the probe data () where cars are probably parked, detecting the positions of parking lots (), determining the extension and shape of the detected parking lots (), and adjusting the parking lots () into the road network (). Optionally, the parking lot () can be classified and additional attributes computed. Finally, a topological connection of the parking lot () is made to the road network () during which entrances () and exits () are identified.

Growing community of inventors

Hildesheim, Germany

Hannes Scharmann