Method and apparatus for generating navigation guidance for an incomplete map

Abstract

An approach is provided for generating navigation guidance for incomplete maps. The approach, for example, involves calculating, by a processor, a confidence level of one or more links of the navigation route based on a completeness of map data in an area including the navigation route. The approach also involves determining a specificity level of a navigation guidance command based on the confidence level. The approach further involves generating the navigation guidance command at the determined specificity level. The approach further involves presenting the navigation guidance command in a user interface of a navigation device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 calculating, by a processor, a confidence level of one or more links of a navigation route based on a completeness of map data in an area including the navigation route;   based on determining that the confidence level is below a threshold, initiating a collecting of probe data from a vehicle traveling the navigation route; and   updating map data for the area based on the probe data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area is a parking structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probe data is collected for a portion of the navigation route covering one or more road links with the confidence level below the threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 updating the confidence level, one or more attributes, or a combination thereof of the one or more links based on the probe data.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collecting of the probe data comprises
 transmitting an incentive message to the vehicle to explore a portion of the navigation route with the confidence level below the threshold.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the incentive message indicates a potential for parking availability in the area. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the completeness of the map data is determined with respect to a mapping of one or more road links in the area. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the completeness of the map data is determined with respect to mapping of one or more parking spots in the area. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying the area based on determining that no probe data has been reported or generated for the area.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area is associated with a multi-floor building, and wherein the completeness of the map data is based on determining that the map data or probe data is sparse with respect to at least one floor of the multi-floor building. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the completeness of the map data is computed independently for each mode of transport. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus 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 apparatus to perform at least the following,
 calculate a confidence level of one or more links of a navigation route based on a completeness of map data in an area including the navigation route; 
 based on determining that the confidence level is below a threshold, initiate a collecting of probe data from a vehicle traveling the navigation route; and 
 update map data for the area based on the probe data. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the area is a parking structure. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the probe data is collected for a portion of the navigation route covering one or more road links with the confidence level below the threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 update the confidence level, one or more attributes, or a combination thereof of the one or more links based on the probe data.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the collecting of the probe data further causes the apparatus to:
 transmit an incentive message to the vehicle to explore a portion of the navigation route with the confidence level below the threshold.   
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps:
 calculating, by a processor, a confidence level of one or more links of a navigation route based on a completeness of map data in an area including the navigation route;   based on determining that the confidence level is below a threshold, initiating a collecting of probe data from a vehicle traveling the navigation route; and   updating map data for the area based on the probe data.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the area is a parking structure. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the probe data is collected for a portion of the navigation route covering one or more road links with the confidence level below the threshold. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is caused to further perform:
 updating the confidence level, one or more attributes, or a combination thereof of the one or more links based on the probe data.