Patent ID: 8612465

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving image data of a geographic location; estimating a rate of change for the geographic location using a processor, wherein the rate of change identifies a frequency at which the geographic location is modified; determining an importance value associated with the geographic location using the processor, wherein the importance value indicates an likelihood that the image data of the geographic location is current; determining, using the processor, observation bandwidth for image providers at the geographic location based on the estimated rate of change and the determined importance value, wherein the observation bandwidth identifies a rate at which the image provider reacquires image data at the geographic location; and allocating the determined observation bandwidth by: grouping a plurality of geographic locations that have substantially the same estimated rate of change and substantially the same determined importance value; accessing a plurality of image providers each image provider of the plurality of image providers associated with at least one geographic location; and determining the same observation bandwidth for each image provider associated with geographic locations in the same group.