Patent ID: 7606579

Claim:
A system for updating and creating mapping information for an active mapping region, the system comprising: a control system; a plurality of mobile devices with each mobile device including a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and a radio transceiver, the mobile device being operable to send location information to the control system over the radio transceiver and to receive mapping information and control signals from the control system over the radio transceiver; each of the plurality of mobile devices being operable to: periodically obtain a current location reading from the GPS receiver; and transmit the current location reading to the control system at a first interval timing and at a second interval timing selected based on a control signal received from the control system, wherein the second interval timing is more frequent than the first interval timing; the control system being operable, in response to receiving the current location reading from a first mobile device: determine if the current location reading falls within an active mapping zone; and in response to a positive determination that the current location reading falls within the active mapping zone, send a control signal to the first mobile device to enter the second interval timing and update mapping information for the active mapping zone with subsequently received location readings.