Patent ID: 8014796
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: G01C,H04W

Abstract:
1. A map version control method for use in providing updates of network-maintained map data sets in mobile communication devices, the method comprising the acts of: receiving, at a mobile communication device through a wireless communication network, one or more maplets of map data for rendering a map, each said maplet having a plurality of layers of map data received upon request from the mobile communication device, each said layer including a version number and a plurality of data entries associated therewith, each said layer being obtained from a database of a different network than another said layer, each said data entry indicating a plurality of data points for rendering one or more artifacts or labels within an area of interest of the map; storing the map data; causing the map of the area of interest to be rendered in a display of the mobile communication device by combining the plurality of layers of the stored map data; receiving, through the wireless communication network, an indication indicating availability of an alternative version of one of the layers which may be different from a stored version of a corresponding layer of the stored map data; identifying one of an acceptance and a declination of the alternative version of said layer; comparing a version number of said layer of the alternative version with the version number included in said corresponding layer of the stored version; if the version number of the alternative version is greater than the version number of the stored version, and the acceptance is identified: causing one or more requests for the alternative version of said layer for the area of interest to be sent through the wireless communication network, receiving the alternative version of said layer for the area of interest through the wireless communication network in response to the one or more requests, and causing the map of the area of interest to be rendered in the display in accordance with the combined plurality of layers of the stored map data but with use of the alternative version of said layer; and if the version number of the alternative version is less than or equal to the version number of the stored version, or the acceptance is identified: refraining from causing the one or more requests for the alternative version of said layer for the area of interest to be sent through the wireless communication network, and continuing to cause the map to be rendered in the display in accordance with the combined plurality of layers of the stored map data but without use of the alternative version of said layer.