Abstract: There is provided a method for generating traffic data indicative of a traffic volume and/or traffic density within a navigable network in an area covered by an electronic map, the electronic map comprising a plurality of segments representing navigable elements of the navigable network. The method generally comprises obtaining positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices along the navigable elements represented by the segments of the electronic map; determining, using (at least) positional data relating to one or more congested segments within a region of the navigable network, an estimate of one or more average penetration rates for the region; determining a sample volume for a non-congested segment within the region based on the obtained positional data; and estimating, using the determined sample volume and a selected one of the average penetration rates for the region, a traffic volume and/or traffic density for the non-congested segment.

Abstract: A method of determining a parking route for a vehicle travelling on a road network within a geographic area is disclosed. A sub-network is determined comprising a subset of segments of an electronic map that are representative of roads within a predetermined walking time or distance of a destination location. Data indicative of a walking time or distance from the segment to the destination location is associated, at least with the segments of the sub-network representing roads having at least one associated parking space. A search algorithm having an associated cost function is used to explore the segments of the sub-network from an origin location to identify a plurality of candidate parking routes, wherein the cost for a given parking route is based on the probability of the vehicle successfully finding a parking space on the parking route and the expected cumulative travel and walking time or distance to the destination location should a parking space be found along the parking route.

Abstract: A method of generating map data indicating a deviation from expected jam conditions on a segment of a plurality of segments in an area covered by an electronic map, the segment having associated therewith a jam probability indicating the likelihood of a jam on that segment. The method comprises establishing an expected jam condition for the segment based on the jam probability of that segment, and then obtaining live data indicating the jam conditions on at least one of the plurality of other segments in the area. A revised jam condition can then be established for the segment using the obtained live data.

Abstract: A method of determining whether one or more navigable elements of a navigable network within a geographic area are still affected by a precipitation weather event. A quantity parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates the amount of precipitation remaining on the navigable element or portion thereof represented by the segment. The value of the quantity parameter increases in the presence of any precipitation weather event, and decreases ac cording to a predefined function with respect to time in the absence of any such precipitation weather event. A speed of travel of one or more devices along the navigable element or portion thereof represented by a segment is determined and compared to an expected speed of travel for the segment; the value of the quantity parameter being decreased based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting when a navigable element previously determined to be closed is in an open state is disclosed, the navigable element forming part of a network of navigable elements within a geographic area, the navigable elements being represented by segments of an electronic map. Positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices along the navigable elements of the navigable network with respect to time is obtained, and a navigable element is identified as being in a closed state based at least on the positional data and a first visit interval associated with the segment representing the navigable element. The positional data is then used to determine a second visit interval for the segment representing the navigable element, and the navigable element is changed to be in an open state when a parameter based on the determined second visit interval for the segment representing the navigable element passes a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A server 402 determines modified flow speed data for each navigable segment of a recommended navigable stretch. The modified flow speed data is determined so as to make the segment more favourable when a route is determined by a navigation device through the navigable network using the flow speed data. The server transmits the modified flow speed data to a set of one or more navigation devices 400 for use by the or each device at least for the purposes of determining a route through the network of navigable segments. Each navigation device then determines a route to a destination using the modified flow speed data.

Abstract: A method of detecting the closure and/or opening of a navigable element forming part of a network of navigable elements within a geographic area. A passability parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates a likelihood of closure of the element represented by the segment. The value of the passability parameter decays over time. When a device is detected on the element represented by the segment, the passability parameter is increased, and when a closure report is received relating to the segment, the parameter is decreased. In one set of embodiments, when the passability parameter decreases below a first threshold value, the element represented by the segment is determined to be potentially closed. In another set of embodiments, when the passability parameter increases above a second threshold value, the closed element represented by the segment is determined to be opened.

Abstract: A method of determining whether one or more navigable elements of a navigable network within a geographic area are still affected by a precipitation weather event. A quantity parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates the amount of precipitation remaining on the navigable element or portion thereof represented by the segment. The value of the quantity parameter increases in the presence of any precipitation weather event, and decreases according to a predefined function with respect to time in the absence of any such precipitation weather event. A speed of travel of one or more devices along the navigable element or portion thereof represented by a segment is determined and compared to an expected speed of travel for the segment; the value of the quantity parameter being decreased based on the comparison.

Abstract: Live vehicle probe data is obtained relating to the movement of vehicles with respect to time along a navigable element. The probe data is used to determine a current speed of travel along the navigable element, which is compared to the free flow speed of travel for the navigable element. When the current speed of travel along the element is reduced relative to the free flow speed for the navigable element by less than a threshold associated with identifying a congestion event, and obtained weather data indicates the navigable element is affected by one or more adverse weather conditions, then a weather event is generated. If the reduction in speed of travel is of a size sufficient to trigger the generation of a congestion event, and obtained weather data again indicates the navigable element is affected by one or more adverse weather conditions, then one or more attributes of the congestion event can be used to determine if the cause of the congestion can be attributed to the adverse weather.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an expected speed of travel along one or more navigable elements of a navigable network within a geographic area, each navigable element being represented by a segment of an electronic map. The method comprising obtaining positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices along a navigable element represented by a segment of the electronic map. The positional data is used to determine a first mean speed of travel and a second mean speed of travel for the segment, and an expected speed of travel is determined for the segment as a value between the first mean speed of travel and the second mean speed of travel determined based on a congestion parameter for the segment. Data indicative of the determined expected speed of travel is then associated with the segment in the electronic map.

Abstract: A method of detecting the closure and/or opening of a navigable element forming part of a network of navigable elements within a geographic area. A passability parameter is associated with each segment of an electronic map representing the navigable network and indicates a likelihood of closure of the element represented by the segment. The value of the passability parameter decays over time. When a device is detected on the element represented by the segment, the passability parameter is increased, and when a closure report is received relating to the segment, the parameter is decreased. In one set of embodiments, when the passability parameter decreases below a first threshold value, the element represented by the segment is determined to be potentially closed. In another set of embodiments, when the passability parameter increases above a second threshold value, the closed element represented by the segment is determined to be opened.

Abstract: A method for generating profile data indicative of time dependence of a time dependent parameter for navigable elements of a navigable network. For the method, a relative value of a time dependent parameter associated with each segment of a set of segments of the electronic map is obtained for each time period of at least one set of time periods. The segments are then clustered into groups of segments based on the relative values of the time dependent parameter obtained for the segments in each time period of the at least one set of time periods. The relative time dependent parameter data associated with the segments of the group is next used to obtain, for each group of segments, an aggregate profile indicative of the time dependence of the relative value of the time dependent parameter for each of the segments of the group of segments.

Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein methods of operating a computing device, such as a server, to associate a hazard with a zone of a digital map. The method comprises the computing device: receiving data representative of a location of a hazard matched to a location on a digital map accessible to said computing device; and determining if the repository comprises data representative of a zone corresponding to a region of a digital map containing the location of the hazard, to which the hazard should be associated. If the repository does not comprise data representative of such a zone, the method further comprises generating data representative of a zone corresponding to a region of a digital map containing the location of the hazard, and storing the generated data representative of said zone in the data repository. There is also disclosed herein computing devices and software for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: Data indicative of a plurality of duration times is obtained, each duration time relating to a dynamic POI of a set of a plurality of dynamic POIs that have a similar location, and are of similar type. Each duration time is in respect of a given time. The data indicative of each duration time is representative of a difference between a time at which the dynamic POI was in an active state and a time at which the dynamic POI was in an inactive state. The obtained duration time data and the associated time data are used to obtain a duration time function indicative of a variation in duration time with respect to time. The duration time function is associated with data indicative of a given geographic location.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of providing data associated with a point of interest (POI), comprising determining, based on a location of a POI, a portion of digital map data of a geographic region, said digital map data comprising a plurality of segments representing navigable elements of a navigable network within the geographic region, and generating POI-map data associated with the POI indicative of at least some segments within the portion of digital map data.

Abstract: A method of processing data at a server 302 for maintenance of a database 516 of points of interest, such as speed limit enforcement devices. Each of the devices represented in the database has at least one attribute and a confidence value indicative of the accuracy of the at least one attribute associated therewith. The confidence value is time dependent and varies according to a predefined decay function. A report 500 relating to an attribute of a speed limit enforcement device is received at the server 302 from a mobile device 200. The confidence value associated with the speed limit enforcement device is adjusted in accordance with the received report, and information relating to the speed limit enforcement device 520, 522 is selectively transmitted to the or another mobile device 200 based on the confidence value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of providing information associated with a point of interest (POI), comprising: communicating location information indicative of a determined geographic location of a portable device to a server computer; receiving at least one POI-map from the server computer based on the location information, wherein each POI-map is associated with at least one POI and comprises segments representative of navigable elements of a navigable network; determining a segment of a received POI-map corresponding to the determined geographic location of the portable device; and outputting a notification associated with a POI of the received POI-map based on the navigable segment.

Abstract: A method of generating flow data indicative of speeds of travel within a navigable network in an area covered by an electronic map is disclosed. The electronic map comprises a plurality of segments representing navigable elements of the navigable network. Live vehicle probe data is obtained indicative of the average speed of travel for the current time with respect to distance along a link, the link being predetermined by reference to the electronic map. The link is sectioned to provide a plurality of sections along the length thereof. The sectioning is carried out based on the data indicative of the current average speed of time along the link. Where a differential in the current average speed exceeds a threshold, a new section is created.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of distributing data from a server having memory storing static data and dynamic data associated with one or more objects within a plurality of tiles, each tile defining a geographic area in digital map data. The method comprising: selecting one or more tiles based on the location of a mobile device; synchronizing static data on the mobile device with the static data stored in the memory of the server for one or more objects within the selected one or more tiles; and distributing dynamic data updates to the mobile device associated with at least one object based upon the location of the mobile device.