Transmitting Map Data Images in a Limited Bandwidth Environment

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for transmitting map data images in a limited bandwidth environment. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining or predicting, using a processor, a traffic condition or a weather condition for a location. The method further comprises developing at least one map image depicting the traffic condition or weather condition. The method further comprises encoding the map image in at least one payload. The method further comprises transmitting the at least one payload over-the-air to a navigation device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a navigation device via an over-the-air AM or FM radio transmission signal, at least one encoded map image, the at least one encoded map image comprising a traffic condition or a weather condition for a location;   decoding, using a processor of the navigation device, a decoded map image from the at least one encoded map image; and   displaying at least a portion of the decoded map image on a navigation device display.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least encoded one map image is received in a plurality of payloads, wherein each payload of the plurality of payloads comprises a beginning sequence number and an end sequence number. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the decoding comprises:
 combining the plurality of payloads in order of sequencing numbers of each payload to provide the decoded map image.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one encoded map image is encoded with buffer header and buffer trailer data, wherein the buffer trailer data includes cyclic redundancy check data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 validating a quality of the at least one encoded map image using the cyclic redundancy check data.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 rejecting the at least one encoded map image by the navigation device if the cyclic validating fails.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein over-the-air AM or FM radio transmission signal includes a radio data system-traffic message channel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one encoded map image at a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one encoded map image includes a predetermined number of image files. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined number is selected according to an area of the location, a number of node levels for the location, types of roads included in the at least one encoded map image, or a number of unique traffic images for each level or sub-level. 
     
     
         11 . A navigation device comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the navigation device to at least perform:   receive, via an over-the-air AM or FM radio transmission signal, at least one encoded map image, the at least one encoded map image comprising a traffic condition or a weather condition for a location;   decode a map image from the at least one encoded map image; and   display at least a portion of the decoded map image on a navigation device screen.   
     
     
         12 . The navigation device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least encoded one map image is received in a plurality of payloads, wherein each payload of the plurality of payloads comprises a beginning sequence number and an end sequence number. 
     
     
         13 . The navigation device of  claim 12 , wherein the decoding comprises:
 combining the plurality of payloads in order of sequencing numbers of each payload to provide the decoded map image.   
     
     
         14 . The navigation device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one encoded map image is encoded with buffer header and buffer trailer data, wherein the buffer trailer data includes cyclic redundancy check data. 
     
     
         15 . The navigation device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the navigation device to further perform:
 validate a quality of the at least one encoded map image using the cyclic redundancy check data.   
     
     
         16 . The navigation device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the navigation device to further perform:
 reject the at least one encoded map image by the navigation device if the cyclic validating fails.   
     
     
         17 . The navigation device of  claim 15 , wherein over-the-air AM or FM radio transmission signal includes a radio data system-traffic message channel. 
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that when executed are configured to perform:
 receiving, by a mobile device via a transmission signal, at least one encoded map image comprising a transient condition for a location;   decoding, using the mobile device, a decoded map image from the at least one encoded map image; and   generating at least a portion of the decoded map image.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the transient condition includes a traffic condition or a weather condition. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the transmission signal has less than a predetermined bandwidth.