System and method for storing and providing routes
In one aspect, a system and method is provided whereby map-related requests from mobile devices are used to store and aggregate routes. The routes are then used to determine optimum directions in response to subsequent requests.
1. A method of modifying map information, the map information comprising information identifying streets, comprising:
receiving, from each particular client device of a plurality of client devices, change information identifying geographical locations as each particular client device's geographical location changes over time;
storing routes traveled by each of the plurality of client devices based on the change information received from each client device;
modifying, by a processor, the map information when a plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the information identifying streets; and
providing one of the stored routes and the modified map information in response to a request for directions.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to identify a street corresponding with the geographical locations if the map information does not identify a street at the geographical locations.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to remove a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the given street.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to change a geographic location of a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the geographic location of the given street.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to adjust a one-way or two-way direction of a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with a prior one-way or two-way direction of the given street identified in the map information.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the map information further includes updating the map information depending on a number of the plurality of the stored routes that do not correspond with the information identifying the streets.
7. A system for modifying map information, the system comprising:
memory storing map information including information identifying streets;
a processor configured to:
access the map information;
receive, from each particular client device of a plurality of client devices, change information identifying geographical locations as each particular client device's geographical location changes over time;
store routes traveled by each of the plurality of client devices based on the change information received from each client device;
modify the map information when a plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the information identifying streets; and
provide one of the stored routes and the modified map information in response to a request for directions.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the map information to identify a street corresponding with the geographical locations if the map information does not identify a street at the geographical locations.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the map information to remove a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the given street.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the map information to change a geographic location of a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the geographic location of the given street.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the map information in order to adjust a one-way or two-way direction of a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with a prior one-way or two-way direction of the given street identified in the map information.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the map information by updating the map information depending on a number of the plurality of the stored routes that do not correspond with the information identifying the streets.
13. A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium on which computer readable instructions of a program are stored, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of modifying map information, the map information comprising information identifying streets, the method comprising:
receiving, from each particular client device of a plurality of client devices, change information identifying geographical locations as each particular client device's geographical location changes over time;
storing routes traveled by each of the plurality of client devices based on the change information received from each client device;
modifying the map information when a plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the information identifying streets; and
providing one of the stored routes and the modified map information in response to a request for directions.
14. The medium of claim 13 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to identify a street corresponding with the geographical locations if the map information does not identify a street at the geographical locations.
15. The medium of claim 13 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to remove a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the given street.
16. The medium of claim 13 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to change a geographic location of a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with the geographic location of the given street.
17. The medium of claim 13 , wherein modifying the map information includes modifying the map information to adjust a one-way or two-way direction of a given street if the plurality of the stored routes do not correspond with a prior one-way or two-way direction of the given street identified in the map information.
18. The medium of claim 13 , wherein modifying the map information further includes updating the map information depending on a number of the plurality of the stored routes that do not correspond with the information identifying the streets.