Method and apparatus for dynamic localized coordinate download

Abstract

A system includes a processor configured to receive vehicle speed and heading. The processor is also configured to determine a local data set having coordinates reachable by a vehicle traveling at a projected speed based on the received speed and heading within a predetermined amount of time. The processor is further configured to define a geo-fence at a distance from a local data set perimeter such that a vehicle reaching the geo-fence at the received speed will have time to download new local data before reaching the local data set perimeter and send the geo-fence definition and coordinate data within the local data set to the vehicle.

1 . A system comprising:
 a processor configured to:   receive vehicle speed and heading;   define a first local data set of map data around a vehicle location bounded by a perimeter projected to be reachable by a vehicle traveling within the perimeter within a predetermined amount of time, based on the received speed and heading;   define a geo-fence within and at a distance from the perimeter such that a vehicle reaching the geo-fence at the received speed will have time to download a second local data set before reaching the first local data set perimeter; and   send the geo-fence definition and first data set to the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine speed limits on roads within the local data set, and wherein the processor is configured to expand the perimeter based on at least one of the speed limits being above the received vehicle speed. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the time needed to download the second local data set based on current data transfer rates between the vehicle and the processor and based on a projected size of the second local data set. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to adjust the received speed to accommodate for projected vehicle slow-down when turning, such that the processor is configured to define a geo-fence in regions sideward of a vehicle heading. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to define the second local data set as a semi-local data sector larger than the first local data set and incorporating the first local data set, based on the received speed and heading, such that the semi-local data sector contains sufficient map data to allow the second local data set download from within the semi-local data sector when the vehicle reaches the geo-fence. 
     
     
         6 . A system comprising:
 a processor configured to:   responsive to a local data request, define a local data boundary and a geo-fence within the boundary for triggering an additional-data request based on a vehicle speed and data download speed, the local data boundary defined by coordinates projected to be reachable by a vehicle within a predetermined time period; and   transmit the geo-fence and map data within the local data boundary to a vehicle.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the local data boundary based on received vehicle heading. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the request includes a point of interest and the map data includes coordinate data defining known locations representing the requested point of interest. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the geo-fence such that a vehicle reaching the geo-fence, traveling at a projected speed and utilizing data transfer at a projected rate, will have time to download a second local data set of a projected size before traveling beyond the local data boundary. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the projected speed is based on known speed limits for a road approaching a defined point along the local data boundary. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the speed limits are increased by a predetermined tolerance to determine the projected speed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the projected speed is a greater of a current vehicle speed or the known speed limits plus the tolerance. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the projected data transfer rate is based on previously observed communication rates between the processor and the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the projected size of the second local data set is based on previously observed second local data set size. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to define a local data boundary and geo-fence sufficient to encompass at least one turn or exit from a present route. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a processor configured to:   receive local map data, a geo-fence around a present vehicle location and contained within an outer boundary of the map data, and maximum expected travel speed;   track vehicle progress until the geo-fence is encountered;   request new local map data upon encountering the geo-fence; and   redefine the geo-fence to be closer to a vehicle location than the received geo-fence responsive to vehicle speed exceeding the maximum expected travel speed.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the maximum expected travel speed is defined as part of the local map data, based on speed limits for roads within the local map data. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the maximum expected travel speed is based on a highest speed limit for a road within the local map data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the maximum expected travel speed is defined for each individual road within the local map data, based on speed limits for the individual roads. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to determine that a cellular signal strength has fallen below a predetermined threshold and to responsively send a request for new local map data, including an indicia of cellular signal strength.