System and method for updating, enhancing, or refining a geographic database using feedback

Abstract

A method for updating a geographic database is disclosed. Data collecting equipment is installed in each of a plurality of vehicles each of which also has a navigation system. The data collection equipment is used to collect data while the vehicles are being driven along roads by their respective users. In addition, a method for assigning a confidence level to geographic data is disclosed. The confidence level is assigned to the geographic data as an attribute. In addition, a method for determining a position of a vehicle by sensing roadside structures is disclosed. Data indicating positions of roadside structures are contained in a geographic database. By matching positions of sensed roadside structures to data in the geographic database that indicates the positions of the structures, the position of the vehicle while traveling can be determined.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A method of collecting data for a geographic database comprising: 
 using data collection equipment in each of a plurality of end users' vehicles to collect data while said end users' vehicles are being driven along roads;    sending at least a portion of the data collected by said data collection equipment to a central database; and    updating the central database using the portion of the data collected.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collected relates to geographic positions.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collected relates to vehicle speed.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collected relates to road gradient.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collected relates to lane width.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collected relates to signage.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collected relates to road direction.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collection equipment includes cameras.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collection equipment includes radar systems.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collection equipment includes compasses.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collection equipment includes GPS units.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collection equipment includes dead-reckoning units.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 before the step of updating, comparing the portion of data collected to data already contained in said central database.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 after the comparing step, indicating a confidence level associated with data contained in said central database.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 prior to the step of sending, filtering the data collected while said end users' vehicles are being driven along roads.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the data collection equipment in at least some of the plurality of end users' vehicles is part of a navigation system.  
   
   
       42 . A system for collecting data for a geographic database comprising: 
 data collection equipment installed in each of a plurality of end users' vehicles, wherein said data collection equipment is operable to collect data while said end users' vehicles are being driven along roads;    a central database;    a communications system that sends at least a portion of the data collected by said data collection equipment to a central database; and    a central geographic data manager that receives the portion of the data collected by said data collection equipment and updates the central database using the portion of the data collected.    
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the data collected relates to one of geographic positions, vehicle speed, road gradient, lane width, signage, and road direction.  
   
   
       44 . A method of collecting data for a central geographic database and improving quality of data contained in the central geographic database, wherein the method comprises a process that 
 uses end users' vehicles, suitable equipped with data collection equipment, to collect data while said end users' vehicles are being driven along roads, and    thereafter sends at least a portion of the data collected by said data collection equipment to the central database where the central database is updated using the portion of the data collected,    whereupon data from the updated database is used to provide navigation related features to at least some of the end users.    
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the data collected relates to one of geographic positions, vehicle speed, road gradient, lane width, signage, and road direction.