CA2195252A1

CA2195252A1 - System and method for distributing information for storage media

Info

Publication number: CA2195252A1
Application number: CA002195252A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John Ahrens; John Jasper; Joseph Kohler; T. Russell Shields
Original assignee: Navigation Technologies Corp
Current assignee: Here Global BV
Priority date: 1996-01-26
Filing date: 1997-01-16
Publication date: 1997-07-27
Also published as: US6823255B2; US6131066A; JP4099514B2; JPH09264746A; JP3976365B2; US6018695A; EP0786646A2; JP2007226263A; US6289276B1; EP0786646A3; US5951620A; US20020010542A1

Abstract

A system and method for distributing information for storage media, and in particular, for distributing updated navigation data, such as geographical data and navigation application programs, contained on storage media and used in in-vehicle navigation systems. A
plurality of local repositories are located in a geographical area. Each of the local repositories includes updated versions of navigation data for the navigation systems. Owners of vehicles having navigation systems may visit any of the repositories from time to time where they can obtain updated versions of the navigation data for their navigation systems.
Subscriptions for obtaining updated navigation data would be available to the owners of navigation systems that would entitle them to obtain updated navigation data from the repositories. Procedures for updating the local repositories are also provided. The system and method can be used for updating other types of software.

Description

6The present invention relates to a system and method 7 for distributing data to be stored on storage media, and 8 more particularly, the present invention relates to a g system and method for distributing updated and/or upgraded navigation data, such as geographical data and 11 navigation application programs, that are stored on 12 storage media and used in navigation systems in vehicles, 13 such as automobiles.
14Certain types of products owned by consumers require 15 regular or periodic updating. Products that require 16 updating include navigation systems, and in particular, 17 in-vehicle navigation systems that use navigation data, 18 such as geographical data and navigation programs.
19 In-vehicle navigation systems are electronic and/or 20 computer systems installed in land-based vehicles, such 21 as automobiles, trucks, vans, etc., and that provide 22 enhanced and detailed navigation support features for 23 vehicle drivers and passengers.
24One exemplary type of in-vehicle navigation system 25 uses (1) a positioning system; (2) a detailed data set 26(or map) of a geographical area; and (3) a navigation 27 application program. The positioning system may use any 28 of several well-known technologies that help determine or 29 approximate one's physical location. For example, the 30 positioning system may employ a GPS-type system (global 31 positioning system), a "dead reckoning"-type system, 32 inertial sensors, differential odometers, or combinations 33 of these, or other systems, all of which are well-known 34 in the art. GPS is a sensor-type of system that receives 35 signals transmitted from satellites to determine one's 36 position in terms of latitude and longitude. Dead-1 reckoning systems keep track of a vehicle's distance and 2 heading (e.g. speed and bearing). One type of in-vehicle 3 navigation system that includes a positioning system is 4 available from Zexel USA of Sunnyvale, CA.
The detailed geographical data set portion of the 6 vehicle navigation system is in the form of one or more 7 detailed, organized data files or databases. The 8 detailed geographical data set may include information 9 about the positions of streets and intersections in or related to a specific geographical area, and may also 11 include information about one-way streets, street lights, 12 stop signs, turn restrictions, street addresses, 13 alternative routes, hotels, restaurants, museums, 14 stadiums, offices, automobile dealerships, auto repair shops, etc.
16 The navigation application program portion of the 17 vehicle navigation system is a software program that uses 18 the detailed geographical data set and the output of the 19 positioning system. The navigation application program may provide the driver with a graphical display (e.g. a 21 "map") of his specific location in the geographical area.
22 In addition, the navigation application program may also 23 provide the driver with specific directions to many 24 locations in the geographical area from wherever he is located. For example, the navigation application program 26 may be able to give detailed directions to a hotel, e.g.
27 "turn left at the third stoplight; stay in the right 28 lane; proceed 1.1 miles to entrance ramp to I-290 29 westbound; enter I-290 expressway; proceed westbound 2.2 30 miles; etc. "
31 (Another type of navigation system does not include 32 a positioning system. This type of navigation system 33 does not automatically provide the user with information 34 about his present location, but instead requires the user to provide both a destination and a starting point.
36 Otherwise, this type of navigation system provides 37 similar features to the user as the type of system that 21 952~2 1 includes a positioning system.) 2 One problem associated with providing detailed 3 geographical data for in-vehicle navigation systems is 4 that the data becomes out-of-date (i.e. geographical information is "perishable"). For example, new roads are 6 built, businesses change locations, road construction 7 closes roads, detours are established, museum and 8 restaurant hours change, etc. Another problem associated g with navigation systems is that different automobile owners may want to have different collections of 11 geographical data. For example, some automobile owners 12 located in Chicago may want to have geographical 13 information about Wisconsin or Indiana. Other Chicago 14 automobile owners might also want to have information about California or Florida. Some automobile owners 16 might want data listings of restaurants, while others 17 might want data listings of movie theaters or businesses.
18 Thus, not only does the information in the geographical 19 data sets become out-of-date, but the collections of geographical data sets in the in-vehicle navigation 21 systems of different vehicle owners may be significantly 22 different. Another problem associated with in-vehicle 23 navigation systems is that geographical data files 24 represent a relatively large amount of data that needs to be updated. Still another problem associated with 26 updating in-vehicle navigation systems is that there are 27 a number of different navigation systems that are 28 available, and that the navigation data and/or formats 29 may differ among at least some of the different navigation systems.
31 Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method 32 for updating and distributing data for in-vehicle 33 navigation systems, such as updated geographical data or 34 navigation application programs.
Further, more generally, there is a need for a 36 system that permits the updating of consumer software 37 products, as needed.

2 ~ 9 52 5 2 3 To achieve the foregoing and other objectives and in 4 accordance with the purposes of the present invention, there is provided an improved method and system that 6 provides for distributing data for storage media, and in 7 particular, the present invention provides for the 8 updating and/or upgrading of data, such as geographical 9 data and navigation application programs, used in in-vehicle navigation systems. A plurality of local 11 repositories are located in a geographical area. Each of 12 the local repositories includes updated versions of 13 navigation data for the in-vehicle navigation systems.
14 The navigation data may include geographical data files and navigation application programs. Owners of vehicles 16 having in-vehicle navigation systems may visit any of the 17 local repositories from time to time to obtain updated 18 versions of the navigation data for their in-vehicle 19 navigation systems. Subscriptions for obtaining updated navigation data would be available to owners of 21 in-vehicle navigation systems entitling them to obtain 22 updated navigation data from the local repositories.
23 Procedures for updating the local repositories are also 24 provided. The system and method can be used for updating other types of data and/or software.

28 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of 29 vehicles in a geographical area being served by a first embodiment of the present invention.
31 FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one of the 32 vehicles in FIG. 1.
33 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage device 34 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of the storage device of 36 FIG. 3 along with a vehicle and local repository of FIG.
37 1.

1 FIG. 5 is block diagram showing the information and 2 programs on the local repository and storage device of 3 FIG. 4.
4 FIGS. 6A and 6B show a flow chart of the steps for installing updated data on the plurality of local 6 repositories shown in FIG. 1.
7 FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the steps for installing 8 updated data on the storage device of a vehicle owner.
9 FIGS. 8A-8L are flow charts detailing the steps performed by the local repository to perform various 11 functions, including those illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 12 and 7.
13 FIG. 9 shows a sample display on the local 14 repository prompting initiation of an updating procedure for a storage device.
16 FIG. 10 shows another sample display shown on the 17 local repository during the updating procedure.
18 FIG. 11 shows still another sample display shown on 19 the local repository during the updating procedure.
FIGS. 12A-12H are flow charts including the steps 21 performed by the local repository to perform various 22 functions for a fleet operation.
23 FIG. 12I is a flow chart for an alternative 24 embodiment of the local operator portion of the embodiment of FIGS. 12A-12H.
26 FIGS. 13A and 13B are flow charts for an alternative 27 embodiment of the present invention.
28 FIGS. 14A-14C are flow charts for another 29 alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart for another embodiment of 31 the present invention.

34 I. Overview of first embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a map 36 including an embodiment of the present invention. A
37 geographical area 10 includes a plurality of points of 1 interest, POIl through POIn~ linked by a plurality of 2 roads 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, and 20. Vehicles 22, 24, and 3 26, such as automobiles, vans, trucks, etc., are driven 4 on the plurality of roads 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, and 20 in the geographical area 10. A plurality of satellites 44, 6 46, 48, output signals 50, 52, and 54 that can be 7 detected in the geographical area 10. In the present 8 embodiment, the geographical area 10 may include a g metropolitan area, such as New York and its suburbs, Chicago and its suburbs, or Los Angeles and its suburbs, 11 or alternatively, the geographical area may include an 12 entire state or region, such as Florida, New England, or 13 the Rocky Mountains. The geographical area may be in the 14 United States or in other countries. The points of interest may be hotels, restaurants, museums, stadiums, 16 offices, automobile dealerships, auto repair shops, etc.
17 Although FIG. 1 shows only three vehicles, the plurality 18 of vehicles may include hundreds, thousands, or millions 19 of vehicles.
FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates one of the 21 vehicles 22. The vehicle 22 includes an in-vehicle 22 navigation system 60. The in-vehicle navigation system 23 60 includes a positioning system portion 62 that outputs 24 information about the position of the vehicle 22. This information may be in terms of latitude and longitude, 26 distance and heading, etc. The in-vehicle navigation 27 system 60 also includes at least two navigation data 28 components: a navigation system application program 66 29 and a geographical data set 70. The navigation application program 66 receives information about the 31 geographical position of the vehicle 22 from the 32 positioning system 62. The geographical data set 70 33 comprises one or more large-scale data files or databases 34 that include detailed information about the geographical area 10. Geographical data sets are known in the art.
36 Geographical data set files may be stored in DOS-based 37 files or in non-DOS or proprietary formats. The 2~ 95252 1 geographical data set may include geographical data, such 2 as road geometry attribute information and points-of-3 interest information. The road geometry attribute 4 information may include data about the positions of streets and intersections in or related to a specific 6 geographical area, information about one-way streets, 7 street lights, stop signs, turn restrictions, street 8 addresses, etc. Point-of-interest information may g include data about the location of airports, car rental agencies, service centers, etc. The geographical data 11 set may also include additional data about other types of 12 points of interest, such as restaurants, hotels, health 13 clubs, etc. These additional data may be provided by 14 third parties. A vehicle owner may have the opportunity to customize his navigation system to include the desired 16 geographical areas and types of additional information.
17 Thus, the geographical data sets of different vehicles 18 owners may include significantly different types of 19 information.
In one embodiment, the navigation application 21 program 66 uses the output information from the 22 positioning system 62, combined with the geographical 23 data set 70, to provide navigation services, features, 24 and information to the driver of the vehicle 22. Using output from the positioning system 62 and the 26 geographical data set 70, the navigation application 27 program can provide a map 72 on a display 74. The 28 display 74 is located in the vehicle in a position where 29 it is observable by the driver of the vehicle 22. The map 72 on the display 74 may illustrate the location of 31 the vehicle 22 in a portion of the geographical area 10.
32 The navigation application program 66 may provide 33 information about what points of interest are available, 34 distances to various points of interest, directions (visual and/or audible) to a desired destination, such as 36 a street address or a point of interest (POI), and so on.
37 In present embodiments, the positioning system -1 portion 62 and navigation application portion 66 of the 2 in-vehicle navigation system 60 may be assembled or 3 manufactured by one company, whereas the geographical 4 data set portion 70 of the in-vehicle navigation system 5 may be manufactured and produced by another company, such 6 as Navigation Technologies, Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA. The 7 entire in-vehicle navigation system 60 may be combined 8 and sold as a unit to automobile manufacturers, owners of g vehicles, or owners of fleets of vehicles. The lo in-vehicle navigation system may be installed into a 11 vehicle by an automobile manufacturer as optional or 12 standard equipment on a new vehicle, or may be installed 13 into a vehicle after it has been manufactured. (For 14 purposes of this specification, "vehicle owners" are 15 intended to include persons, or other entities, that own, 16 lease, borrow, or otherwise exercise some control over a 17 vehicle.) 18 As mentioned above, the geographical data set 70, 19 and possibly the navigation application program 66, require updating, upgrading, or replacement from time to 21 time. New roads are built, new points of interests are 22 constructed, some old points of interest close or move, 23 stop lights are added, speed limits change, etc.
24 Therefore, according to a present embodiment, the geographical data set 70, and possibly the navigation 26 application program 66, are designed to be replaced, 27 updated, or upgraded. To provide for this capability, in 28 a present embodiment, the geographical data set 70 and 29 the navigation application program 66 are stored on a storage device 76. In a preferred embodiment, the 31 storage device 76 is preferably also replaceable, re-32 writable, and portable. According to a present 33 embodiment, the storage device 76 is a hard disk on a PC
34 Card (also referred to as a PCMCIA card).
A conventional PC Card hard disk is illustrated in 36 FIG. 3. The PC Card hard disk preferably conforms to the 37 PCMCIA Type III standard. Such PCMCIA card hard disks 1 are commercially available from MiniStor, Maxtor, 2 Integral, Kahluna, and Syquest. These PC Card hard disks 3 are presently capable of storing approximately lOo 4 Megabytes of data. In the preferred embodiment, both the navigation application program 66 and the geographical 6 data set 70 are stored on the storage device 76. Storing 7 both the application program and geographical data set on 8 the storage device enhances the speed of operation of the 9 navigation system 60 and permits updating both the lo navigation application program 66 and the geographical 11 data set 70. The navigation application program may 12 require approximately 2 MB of storage and the 13 geographical data set may use the remainder of the 14 storage capacity, e.g. approximately 80-95 MB. In alternative embodiments, the geographical data set 70 and 16 the navigation application program 66 may be stored on 17 separate storage devices or other writable or re-writable 18 media, such as writable optical disks, hard drives, 19 floppy disks, a fixed hard disk, etc., or may be stored on media that cannot be re-written such as CD-ROM's, as 21 well as other storage media that may be developed in the 22 future. The storage device may be removable from the 23 vehicle or the navigation system, or the storage device 24 may be non-removable.
According to a present embodiment, there is provided 26 a system for updating, upgrading, replacing or repairing 27 the navigation data, such as the navigation data set 70 28 and/or the navigation application program 66, stored on 29 the storage device 76 in the in-vehicle navigation system 60. Referring again to FIG. 1, a plurality of local 31 repositories 82, 84, 86, 88, and so are located in the 32 geographical area 10. Each local repository (also 33 referred to as a "kiosk") is equipped with the hardware 34 and software to enable it to update geographical data sets and navigation application programs on the storage 36 devices 76. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of 37 local repositories include dozens, hundreds, or even 1 thousands of local repositories in each geographical 2 area. Referring to FIG. 4, each local repository (such 3 as local repository 82) has one or more drives or slots 4 92, 93 into which the storage device 76 can be received.
Each drive 92 may be a conventional drive or slot for 6 receiving PCMCIA cards. The local repository 82 has the 7 appropriate hardware and software to read information 8 from and write information to a PC Card hard disk g inserted into the drive 92. To provide for updating, upgrading, replacing, or repairing the geographical data set 70, the storage device 76 is preferably removable 12 from the vehicle 22, as illustrated in FIG. 4. (In an 13 alternative embodiment, the in-vehicle navigation system 14 60 may include appropriate connection capability, such as a data port, so that the storage device 76 can be 16 accessed by the local repository 82 via cabling without removing it from the vehicle.) 19 II. Local repository attributes and features In one presently preferred embodiment, the local 21 repository comprises a PC compatible computer having a 22 486DX2/66 or higher microprocessor, a hard disk drive of 23 at least 200 MB, 16MB of RAM, a VGA monitor, key locks 24 for the case and for a 3.5" high-density floppy drive, a Databook PCMCIA socket (Model TMB-240), special rails, if 26 needed, to mount the PCMCIA socket if installed in a 5 27 1/4" drive bay, one free ISA slot to install the PCMCIA
28 controller card, one free ISA slot for an internal CD-ROM
29 drive, one free serial port for a modem connection, one free parallel port, and a 14.4Kbps or higher modem. The 31 local repository should also include an appropriate 32 operating system for running the PC compatible computer, 33 such as either MS Windows 3.1x (and MS-DOS 6.x) or 34 Windows 95. In addition, the local repository should include suitable drivers for the PCMCIA drive version 36 such as Databook drivers 3.15 (shipped with Model TMB
37 240), local repository software (described below), - ~I q5252 -1 appropriate security software to prevent unauthorized 2 access to the local repository, and software for remote 3 management. The local repository should have sufficient 4 hardware performance to be able to perform an update the geographical data set and navigation application program 6 on a storage device in a convenient amount of time, such 7 as 20 minutes or less. The computer used for the local 8 repository can either be dedicated solely to the process g of updating storage devices, or it can contain additional lo software that is not related to the updating process.
11 Referring to FIG. 5, the local repository 82 12 includes copies of software, such as navigation programs 13 and geographical data sets, required to upgrade and 14 maintain the storage devices 76 containing the geographical data sets and navigation application 16 programs used in in-vehicle navigation systems. The 17 local repository 82 includes a main program 100 capable 18 of reading the information stored on the storage device 19 76 that is received in the drive 92. For example, the main program 100 includes a routine that reads 21 information from the storage device 76 to ascertain the 22 types of navigation application program 66 and 23 geographical data set 70 that are stored on the storage 24 device 76.
In addition, the main program 100 includes a 26 procedure that reads identification data 110 which may be 27 stored on the storage device 76. The identification data 28 110 on the storage device 76 may include information 29 about the versions of the geographical data set and navigation application program on the storage device, an 31 update history of the geographical data set and 32 application programs on the storage device, information 33 about whether the owner of the vehicle has a valid 34 subscription for an update, and so on. An encryption scheme may be used to hide the identification data 110 on 36 the PCMCIA storage device 76.
37 As mentioned above, a plurality of current 1 geographical data sets 120 are stored on a hard drive of 2 the local repository 82. These geographical data sets 3 120 may include an updated version of the geographical 4 data set 70 included on the storage device 76 of the in-vehicle navigation system 60. In a preferred 6 embodiment, the local repository 82 may include different 7 types of geographical data sets. For example, the local 8 repository 82 may include both basic geographical data 9 sets and enhanced data sets. A basic geographical data lo set may include information about roads, speed limits, 11 intersections, stop lights, limited points of interest, 12 etc. An enhanced geographical data set may include all 13 the information as in the basic data set and in addition 14 may include more detailed supplemental information about specific types of points of interests, such as 16 restaurants, museums, hotels, health clubs, etc. The 17 additional information included in enhanced geographical 18 data sets may be provided by third parties, e.g.
19 restaurant or hotel associations, etc. In addition, the local repository may include geographical data sets for 21 other geographical areas. For example, if a vehicle 22 owner who normally drives in one geographical area is 23 planning a trip outside the geographical area, he might 24 want to have the geographical data set for his destination area stored on the storage device 76.
26 Alternatively, a person planning a road trip may want to 27 have a geographical data set stored on his storage device 28 that includes information for geographical areas along 29 the way.
In addition, the local repository 82 includes an 31 administration program 130. The administration program 32 130 allows an administrator-technician to access the 33 local repository to update the geographical data sets and 3~ other information on the local repository on a regular basis. The local repository 82 may also include a means 36 for communicating (such as a modem with appropriate 37 software) with a central facility to enable the central 1 facility to monitor operation of the local repository.
2 As mentioned above, updates or upgrades of the 3 navigation application programs may also be available.
4 Updated versions of navigation application programs 122 are also stored on the local repository. When a storage 6 device is inserted into a local repository for updating, 7 the main program 100 checks whether an updated version of 8 the navigation application program is available for the g navigation system from which the storage device was o taken. If so, the main program automatically installs the updated version of the navigation application program 12 along with the updated geographical data sets, preferably 13 without the need for any input by the local operator.
14 In order to make it convenient for an owner of an 15 in-vehicle navigation system to update the navigation 16 data on his storage device, the local repositories 82, 17 84, 86, 88, and 90 are located at numerous places in the 18 geographical area 10, such as automobile dealerships, car 19 rental agencies, auto clubs, automobile fleet operations, 20 travellers service providers, oil change shops, auto 21 repair shops, etc. In a present embodiment, each of the 22 local repositories may be operated by a person who is 23 employed at the location where the local repository is 24 located (a "local operator"). The local operator 25 performs the day to day updates of navigation data on the 26 storage devices brought into the location by vehicle 27 owners who have in-vehicle navigation systems. (In an 28 alternative embodiment, the vehicle owner may access a 29 local repository directly without the assistance of a 30 local operator.) 31 In a preferred embodiment, the local repository 32 should be easy to use so that the local operator can 33 quickly and easily update storage devices. The local 34 operator is given appropriate training and written 35 instructions. The local repository preferably includes a 36 graphical menu system including prompts that default to 37 selections the local operator may want to choose, or 1 those previously chosen by the vehicle owner. Should 2 complications arise, the local operator may call a help 3 desk at a regional or central facility. In a present ~ embodiment, the local operator has access to only certain functions, such as writing a new storage device and 6 updating an existing storage device. The local operator 7 would not generally have access to certain of the 8 administrative functions, described below.
g Since the local repositories may be located in various environments, it is preferable that each local 11 repository include built-in security features. For 12 example, the local repository should have a means to 13 prevent users from accidentally modifying or deleting system files. In addition, the local repositories may include security features, such as password access, locks 16 on the case, and file encryption, so that unauthorized 17 persons cannot access the software and/or data files 18 stored on the local repositories.
19 If the storage device used in the in-vehicle navigation system is not re-writable, such as a CD-ROM, 21 the local repository may include appropriate hardware and 22 software to store all the necessary data on a new storage 23 device which is provided to the vehicle owner as a 2~ replacement for his old storage device. For example, if the storage device used in the in-vehicle navigation 26 system is a CD-ROM, the local repository may include a 27 drive for reading the vehicle owner's old CD-ROM and for 28 writing an updated navigation application program and/or 29 a geographical data set on a new CD-ROM. The equipment for writing new CD-ROM's is well known. The updating 31 process for replaceable media would otherwise be similar 32 to the process for re-writable media.

3~ III. The methods of operation A. Storinq updates on local repositories 36 Because many vehicles are expected to be driven 37 primarily within only one geographical area, many 1 in-vehicle navigation systems include detailed navigation 2 information relating to only a single geographical area 3 of the country or adjacent geographical areas. This 4 provides a number of advantages. First of all, it permits the navigation application program to run faster 6 since it does not have to search through a large data 7 file that includes information related to distant parts 8 of the country. Furthermore, limiting each of the g geographical data sets to only a single geographical area lo or only a few geographical areas better utilizes the 11 available hard disk capacity of the in-vehicle storage 12 device by providing a higher level of detail for a single 13 geographical area or a few geographical areas rather than 14 a lower level of detail for many geographical areas.
In-vehicle navigation systems may be customized so 16 that each vehicle owner may have specifically desired 17 geographical data information and other supplemental 18 information that makes the system useful personally to 19 each vehicle owner. For example, a vehicle owner may 20 want information relating to only one geographical area 21 or may want information for a few adjacent geographical 22 areas. Also, the vehicle owner may want certain data 23 supplements, such as locations of restaurants, hotels, 24 etc. The geographical data sets used in in-vehicle 25 navigation systems are similarly organized. A
26 geographical data set may be configured to include a 27 single geographical area, i.e. that includes information 28 relating to points of interest in only a single 29 geographic area. Alternatively, a geographical data set 30 may be configured so that it includes information about 31 several geographical areas for those owners of in-vehicle 32 navigation systems who want to use their vehicles in 33 those geographical areas. Also, a geographical data set 34 may be configured as an enhanced geographical data set 35 that includes supplemental classes of information, such 36 as third party information about restaurants, hotels, ski 37 resorts, etc. The number of geographical areas and ~ 1 ~5252 1 enhancements that can be included in a geographical data 2 set that is stored on a vehicle owner's storage device is 3 limited by the available capacity of the storage device.
4 Geographical data sets for various geographical areas, and combinations of geographical areas, and 6 enhanced data sets may be available on local 7 repositories. Geographical data sets for distant 8 geographical areas may be available for vehicle owners g who want to take road trips to such geographical areas, or who regularly travel to other geographical areas.
11 Also, special country-wide or region-wide geographical 12 data sets can be made available that include navigation 13 information for many geographical areas, but with less 14 detail (such as only interstate or main highway routes).
In a preferred embodiment, updated information 16 relating to all the geographical areas of a country is 17 continuously being collected at a central geographical 18 data set production facility. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 19 6B, as updated geographical information for all geographical areas is obtained, it is stored in a master 21 file at a central facility (FIG. 6A, Step 200). The 22 central facility preferably also includes files on the 23 regional geographical data file configurations and 24 coverage areas. Updates for all the different geographical areas in the country are produced on a 26 regular and preferably rotating basis at the central 27 facility by preparing new versions of all the 28 geographical data sets. Copies of the updated 29 geographical data sets for different regions of the country may be stored on a CD-ROM or other suitable 31 storage media (FIG. 6A, Step 202). Collections of 32 updated geographical data sets on CD-ROM are prepared as 33 field office master copies (FIG. 6A, Step 203). A
34 similar updating process may be applied to updates or upgrades of the navigation application programs. A
36 package containing master copies of the updated 37 geographical data sets and navigation application 21 ~5252 -1 programs is prepared for a geographical region (FIG. 6A, 2 Step 204). The package may include updated geographical 3 data sets for more than one geographical area. The 4 package of master copies is sent by mail, courier, or other suitable means, to a regional facility or field 6 office in the geographical area (FIG. 6B, Step 205).
7 Packages of the updated geographical data set files and 8 navigation application programs may also be sent to g regional facilities or field offices located outside the affected geographical area for the benefit of vehicle 11 owners in such other geographical areas who might be 12 planning trips to the affected geographical area.
13 After the package of updated geographical data sets 14 and navigation application programs is received in the 15 regional or field office, the updated geographical data 16 set files and application programs are installed in the 17 local repositories in the geographical area. Using a 18 list 209 (FIG. 6B) of all the local repositories in the 19 geographical area, an administrator-technician physically visits each of the local repositories (FIG. 6B, Step 21 208). In a preferred embodiment, all of the local 22 repositories located in a geographical area affected by 23 an updated geographical data set receive updates of the 24 geographical data sets for that geographical area. As mentioned above, the local repositories may be located at 26 automobile dealerships, rental fleets operations, package 27 delivery fleets, travelers clubs, retail businesses, etc.
28 The visits by the administrator-technician may occur on a 29 reguIar basis,- e.g. approximately every three months, as updated geographical data set files and applications are 31 prepared and released.
32 When the administrator-technician visits each of the 33 local repositories, he loads the updated geographical 34 data set files and navigation application programs from the master copy onto the local repository (FIG. 6B, Step 36 210). In one embodiment, the updated data set files and 37 applications are stored on a CD-ROM which is inserted 1 into the CD-ROM drive of the local repository.
2 Alternatively, master copies of the updated data set 3 files may be stored on PC Cards brought by the 4 administrator-technician that can be inserted into the 5 drive 92, or alternatively, the updates of the 6 geographical data set files and applications may be 7 loaded onto each local repository by linking the local 8 repository with cabling to a portable computer carried by g the administrator-technician.
In order to load the geographical data set files and 11 applications, the administrator-technician accesses the 12 administration program 130 stored on each local 13 repository. The steps performed by the administration 14 program 130 when accessed by the administrator-technician to install the updated geographical data set files and 16 application programs are shown on FIGS. 8H-8L, and in 17 particular, FIGS. 8J-8L. After the updated geographical 18 data set files and navigation application programs have 19 been successfully installed onto all the local repositories, both the geographical data sets and 21 navigation application programs are configured to make 22 them available for distribution to vehicle owners. The 23 local repository program verifies that the new 24 geographical data sets and navigation application programs are installed properly by running integrity 26 checks. Once the verification is complete, the local 27 repository communicates by modem to the central facility 28 214 to confirm that the updates have been successfully 29 installed and configured (FIG. 6B, Step 21Z). In addition, the administrator-technician returns the master 31 cOpy of the updated geographical data set files and 32 navigation application programs to the field office (FIG.
33 6B, Step 211). In addition, the local repository updates 34 a local configuration file to reflect the current status of the versions of the geographical data sets and 36 navigation application programs on the local repository.

1 B. Updatinq vehicle owners' storage media 2 In order for a vehicle owner to use the system of 3 local repositories to update his geographical data set or 4 navigation program, it is assumed that the vehicle owner already has an in-vehicle navigation system installed in 6 his vehicle and that the navigation system included 7 original or prior versions of the geographical data set 8 or navigation application program on a re-writable g storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the local repository is able to handle updates for navigation 11 systems and navigation application program manufactured 12 by different companies. In addition, in order to be 13 entitled to obtain updated versions of the original 14 geographical data set at a local repository, the vehicle owner would have to have obtained a subscription to or 16 license for the updated geographical data set files. In 17 a preferred embodiment, a vehicle owner would have been 18 given an opportunity to sign up for a subscription for 19 geographical data set updates when the in-vehicle navigation system was initially obtained, either with the 21 purchase of a new automobile or when the in-vehicle 22 navigation system was first installed. For example, 23 subscriptions could be available on a yearly basis that 24 would entitle the vehicle owner to all the updates for one or more of the geographical areas and/or enhanced 26 data sets that become available during the year.
27 Subscriptions for other periods of time may also be 28 available, or alternatively, subscriptions for a certain 29 number of updates may be available.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, when the vehicle 31 owner wishes to obtain an update of his geographical data 32 set or navigation application program, he drives his 33 vehicle to a location having one of the local 34 repositories. The locations of local repositories may be included as points of interest (POI's) in the vehicle 36 owner's existing geographical data set 70 so that the 37 navigation system 60 can assist the vehicle owner in 1 finding them. When the vehicle owner is at a local 2 repository location, the local operator removes the 3 storage device 76 from the vehicle and inserts it into 4 the drive 92 of the local repository (FIG. 7, Step 230).
(As mentioned above, the operator may be an employee or 6 owner of the business at the location where the local 7 repository is located. Alternatively, the vehicle owner 8 may remove the storage device 76 from the vehicle himself 9 and insert it into the drive of the local repository.
lo Also, the storage device 76 may be connected to the local 11 repository by means of cabling without removing it from 12 the vehicle.) Referring to FIG. 8A, Step 301, and as 13 shown in FIG. 9, the display of the local repository may 1~ include instructions requesting the insertion of the PC
Card into the drive 92.
16 When the storage device 76 is inserted into the 17 local repository, the main program 100 begins. (In one 18 embodiment, a program loop may continuously attempt to 19 read from a device in the slot 92 until one is inserted so that the main program executes automatically upon 21 insertion of a storage device.) In a preferred 22 embodiment, when the PC Card is inserted into the slot of 23 the computer, an interrupt is generated that is detected 24 by the operating system of the computer. The interrupt causes the operating system to automatically read 26 information from the PC Card to identify the type of 27 media in the drive. The main program 100 includes three 28 main procedures or routines: a validation procedure 29 (FIG. 7, Step 231), a copying procedure (FIG. 7, Step 233), and a logging procedure (FIG. 7, Step 235). During 31 these procedures, the main program 100 prompts the local 32 operator for the necessary inputs to enable the 33 geographical data set 70 and navigation application 3~ program 66 on the storage device 76 to be updated, if necessary. The detailed steps carried out by the main 36 program 100 to update the data on the storage device 76 37 are included in the flow charts of FIGS. 8A-8G. The main 1 program 100 may include several related programs, and 2 associated files and software tools. The main program 3 may be written in any suitable programming language, such 4 as C++, Basic, etc.
The validation procedure 231 includes several parts.
6 The validation procedure includes routines that confirm 7 that an authorized local operator is using the local 8 repository, that the storage device is subject to a g subscription that entitles it to be updated, and that the lo storage device is not defective. Briefly, when a storage 11 device is inserted into the drive 92 of the local 12 repository, the main program 100 on the local repository 13 detects that a storage device has been inserted into the 14 drive (FIG. 8A, Step 302). For auditing purposes, the validation procedure 231 requests the local operator to 16 enter an ID before continuing with the updating process 17 (FIG. 8A, Step 303). (The ID entered by the local 18 operator is validated against a list of valid operator 19 ID's that have been setup and maintained through the administrative functions, shown in FIG. 8H and described 21 below.) 22 After the local operator enters a valid ID, the 23 validation procedure checks for cartridge ID and user 24 information. To do this, the local repository attempts to read information off the storage device, and in 26 particular, the local repository attempts to read the 27 identification data 110 from the PC Card. If all the 28 fields of identification data 110 have already been 29 stored on the storage device, they may be displayed to the operator by the local repository (FIG. 8D, Step 313).
31 This identification data 110 may include the navigation 32 system code, name of the geographical data set file, 33 version of the geographical data set file, version of 34 navigation system application program, subscription type, initial subscription start and end dates, warranty start 36 and end dates, and cartridge ID serial number. The 37 identification data can then be verified by the local 21 9~252 1 operator. If any required identification data 110 is 2 missing, the local operator obtains it from the vehicle 3 owner or from the central facility to complete the 4 validation procedure. If information such as a customer ID is missing from a storage device, the local operator 6 may call customer service at the central facility to 7 confirm that the vehicle owner is entitled to update his 8 geographical data set file. The central facility may g provide any required information to the local operator.
0 The local operator then enters this information into the 11 local repository when prompted to allow the validation 12 process to continue. The information entered into these 13 fields by the local operator is saved onto the storage 14 device.
The validation procedure ensures that the local 16 operator has entered appropriate information into all the 17 required fields and that the media is under a val~id 18 subscription prior to proceeding. The identification 19 data 110 may be included on the re-writable hard disk portion of the PC Card storage device or alternatively 21 may be stored on the re-writable EPROM memory that is 22 separate from the hard disk of the PC Card. This re-23 writable EPROM is used by the PC Card to store 24 information about the PCMCIA device, such as the manufacturer and part number, and may also be used to 26 store additional information, such as plug-and-play 27 information, serial number, and so on.
28 Next, the validation procedure determines if the 29 vehicle owner is covered by a subscription plan based upon the user information read from the storage device.
31 The user may be provided with an opportunity to renew or 32 upgrade his subscription (FIG. 8D, Step 315). If the 33 vehicle owner's subscription plan has expired, the 34 vehicle owner may purchase a new subscription from the local operator.
36 After the validation procedure, the main program 100 37 proceeds to the updating procedure. Preferably, the 1 program defaults to check first the currently installed 2 geographical data set. Since local repositories may be 3 used to update several types of in-vehicle navigation 4 systems, the main program automatically detects the type of navigation system that is currently installed on the 6 vehicle owner's storage device and configure the screens 7 and options available so that appropriate choices 8 compatible with the navigation system are displayed.
9 Before beginning the update process, the local repository o verifies that the versions of the software on the storage 11 device are different than those on the local repository.
12 Referring to Step 331 in FIG. 8E, the local repository 13 program compares the geographical data set and the 14 navigation application program that are already on the 15 storage device to the versions on the local repository to 16 determine whether they are the same. If the versions of 17 the geographical data set and the navigation application 18 programs on the storage device are the same as the latest 19 versions on the local repository, the local repository 20 program prompts the operator that there is no need to 21 upgrade the storage device and that it can be removed 22 from the local repository and inserted back into the 23 vehicle (FIG. 8E, Step 333). If the versions of the 24 geographical data set or application are different, the 25 local repository displays that an update is available for 26 the vehicle owner (FIG. 10). The local repository 27 program may also display the time required to perform the 2 8 update.
29 ` The vehicle owner may also have the option of 30 selecting additional or different geographical areas or 31 supplemental data to be included in the updated data set 32 to be copied onto the storage device, depending on the 33 vehicle owner's subscription which may be expanded at the 34 time of updating of the storage device. The local 35 repository displays a listing of regions or geographical 36 areas that are available on the local repository, and may 37 also display a listing of supplemental data that include 1 additional points of interest and third party information 2 (FIG. 8D, Step 216 and FIG. 11). The local repository 3 program requests the selection of additional regions and 4 supplemental data, within the subscription coverage, to copy onto the storage device. The vehicle owner selects 6 the desired geographical areas and supplemental data and 7 confirms the selection.
8 The coverage area(s) selected by the vehicle owner g along with any updates to the navigation application programs are then copied from the local repository onto 11 the storage device. In a preferred embodiment, the prior 12 versions of the geographical data set and navigation 13 application programs on the storage device are 14 overwritten with the new versions. First, the updated geographical data set including the selected coverage 16 areas is copied to the storage device (FIG. 8F, Step 17 351). As the copying is being performed, the local 18 repository verifies the integrity of the storage device 19 and validates the copied geographical data (FIG. 8F, 353). After the geographical data is successfully 21 copied, the local repository proceeds to copy the updated 22 navigation application program, if available, to the 23 storage device (FIG. 8G, Step 355) and verifies the 24 copying of this program (FIG. 8G, Step 357). The full update process for the geographical data set and 26 navigation application program may take approximately 20 27 minutes, depending on the amount of software to be 28 written and the size of the storage device. The local 29 repository may indicate the percentage of the update that iS complete by displaying messages along with a status 31 bar. Information about the updating transaction, such as 32 date of updating, local repository location, geographical 33 regions included in the data set, versions of updated 34 geographical data and application program, defective cartridge replacement (if any), subscription term 36 extensions, etc., may be stored on the storage device as 37 identification data 110, preferably on the EPROM of the 1 device. If there are any problems with the updating 2 procedure, the local operator may follow the procedures 3 for handling defective media, described below, or may 4 consult a help desk or guide located either at the location of the local repository or remotely by 6 telephone.
7 When the storage device has been successfully 8 updated with new versions of the geographical data set 9 and navigation system application program, the local lo repository program prompts the operator to remove the 11 storage device and place it back into the vehicle (FIG.
12 8G, Step 370). The operator or the vehicle owner then 13 removes the storage device from the drive 92 of the local 14 repository and re-installs it into the navigation system in the vehicle (FIG. 7, Step 237 and FIG. 8G, Step 371).
16 At this time, the operator may also place a label on the 17 navigation unit and/or the storage device to indicate the 18 date of the latest update of the navigation system. The 19 operator may provide the vehicle owner with a printed document describing the new features in the update.
21 Upon completion of the updating procedure for each 22 storage device, the local repository program stores 23 information in a history file on its own hard disk to 24 maintain a log regarding all updating transactions (FIG.
7, Step 235). Information written to the history file 26 may include the date and time of all update activities, 27 customer ID's, cartridge ID's, geographical data set file 28 names, old and new geographical data set file versions, 29 old and new navigation application program versions, navigation system types, vehicle owners' information, 31 subscription information and status messages.
32 The embodiment described above has several distinct 33 advantages. For example, it permits tailoring the 34 updated geographical data set to the specific needs of 3j each vehicle owner. Since different vehicle owners may 36 have geographical data sets that correspond to different 37 regions of the country or that include different 1 collections of supplemental data, the local repository 2 can automatically tailor the updating process for the 3 specific geographical data and enhancements that a 4 vehicle owner has chosen to include in his vehicle. In addition, the present embodiment permits a vehicle owner 6 to change the geographical regions to be included in his 7 navigation system, as well as updating them. The present 8 embodiment permits a vehicle owner to customize his g navigation system and upgrade the system over time to lo provide supplemental information as it becomes available.
11 Still another advantage is that the local repository 12 can check the customer subscription records before 13 updating the vehicle owner's storage device to make sure 14 that the vehicle owner is entitled to obtain updated software.
16 Another advantage of the system described above is 17 that it permits the reuse of the PCMCIA cards on which 18 the data is stored. Presently, these cards are 19 relatively expensive (approximately $250 each). Further, if any PCMCIA cards become unusable, they can be replaced 21 at the local repository (as described further below).
22 Still another advantage is that the local repository 23 can also update or upgrade the navigation system 24 application programs, if necessary.

26 C. Updating geographical data sets for 27 fleet operations 28 The above described method for providing updated 29 geographical data sets for in-vehicle navigation systems 30 may be used by operators of fleets of vehicles that have 31 in-vehicle navigation systems, or alternatively, fleet 32 owners may use a similar system with some modifications 33 tailored especially for such operations. Fleet operators 34 may include car rental agencies, delivery truck services, 35 limousine operators, and so on.
36 Fleet operators may have their own local 37 repositories located at fleet parking lots or service 38 facilities. A fleet operator may obtain a license to 1 updates for an entire fleet of vehicles instead of 2 separate subscriptions for each vehicle. Therefore, the 3 program on the local repository may not require a local 4 operator to enter vehicle owner or subscription information. Instead, the local repository program for a 6 fleet would automatically update the geographical data 7 set file on a storage device upon insertion, provided the 8 storage device was registered to a fleet vehicle. Under g normal circumstances, the only action the local operator lo would need to perform at a fleet location is to insert 11 and remove the storage device from the local repository.
12 The local operator at a fleet operation may place a 13 label with the date an update was performed on an easily 1~ observable portion of the in-vehicle navigation system to help identify vehicles that are due to be updated.
16 A fleet car, such as a rental car, may be returned 17 to a location other than the one from which it was 18 originally rented. The return location may be in a 19 geographic area other than the geographical area covered by the geographical data set installed in the vehicle.
21 During the update process for a fleet vehicle at a rental 22 location, the main program on the fleet local repository 23 may notify the local operator that the storage device has 2~ a geographical data set file for a different geographic location and prompt the operator to confirm whether he 26 wants to proceed, and thus, change the data set for the 27 current geographical location of the vehicle.
28 FIGS. 12A-12H are flow charts detailing the steps 29 performed by the local repository program at a fleet operation. FIGS. 12A-12F show the portions of the local 31 repository program normally used by the local operator 32 for updating storage devices in fleet vehicles and FIGS.
33 12G and 12H show the administrative functions portion of 3~ the repository program for a fleet operation.
Referring to FIG. 12A, the local repository program 36 for a fleet operation begins in a similar manner as the 37 program for other-than-fleet operations. A screen on the -1 local repository for a fleet operation displays a message 2 to "Insert Cartridge" (FIG. 12A, Step 400) and waits for 3 an action by the local operator (FIG.12A, Step 401). The 4 local repository detects the insertion of a cartridge into the slot of the repository and prompts the local -6 operator to enter his ID (FIG. 12A, Step 402). Upon 7 entry of a valid operator ID, the repository program 8 reads the cartridge information (FIG. 12A, Step 404). If g the local repository can read the cartridge information lo (FIG. 12A, Step 405), the program determines whether a 11 "Default Region" has been established (FIG. 12C, Step 12 406) and if it has, whether an "Auto Update" has been 13 enabled (FIG. 12C, Step 407). The "Default Region" and 14 "Auto Update" options facilitate prompt updating of cartridges by by-passing several screens and selection 16 opportunities.
17 If there is no "Default Region", the local 18 repository program determines whether more than one 19 region has been installed (FIG. 12C, Step 408), and if it has, prompts the operator to select regions (FIG. 12C, 21 Step 410). The program displays a screen that prompts 22 the operator to confirm the selections (FIG. 12C, Step 23 412). After confirmation, the program compares the part 24 numbers and versions (FIG. 12D, Step 414). If the versions are the same, the operator is so informed (FIG.
26 12D, Step 415), but given an opportunity to perform the 27 update anyway, even though the update should not be 28 necessary (FIG. 12D, Step 416).
29 If the versions of data on the cartridge are older than the versions on the repository, the program next 31 checks to be sure that the cartridge has enough capacity 32 to store the new versions (FIG. 12D, Step 418). If there 33 iS not enough capacity on the cartridge, the repository 34 program directs the operator back to reselect regions to be included on the cartridge (FIG. 12C, Step 412).
36 Alternatively, if there is sufficient capacity on the 37 cartridge to store the selected regions, the repository 21 ~5252 1 program proceeds to copy the updated geographical data 2 set (FIG. 12E, Step 422) and then the updated navigation 3 application program, if available (FIG. 12F, Step 426), 4 to the cartridge. Copying of both the geographical data set and the navigation application program is verified 6 (FIG. 12E, Step 428, and FIG. 12F, Step 430). If the 7 copying of either the data set or the navigation 8 application is unsuccessful, the program tries again 9 (FIG. 12E, Step 432 and FIG. 12F, Step 434). After the lo updated data set and navigation application program have 11 been copied, the operator is prompted to remove the 12 cartridge (FIG. 12F, Steps 436 and 438).
13 The local repository program for fleet operations 14 may include several related programs, files, and/or tools. The local repository program for a fleet 16 operation may be written in any suitable programming 17 language, such as Visual Basic, C++, etc.
18 An alternative embodiment of the operator portion of 19 the program for a local repository program for a fleet 20 operator is represented in FIG. 12I. The embodiment of 21 the program represented in FIG. 12I functions similarly 22 to the portion of the program represented in FIGS. 12A-23 12F.

D. Further operations performed with the 26 local repository system 27 As mentioned above, the local repository system 28 efficiently provides for the distribution of updated 29 geographical data sets and navigation application 30 programs to vehicle owners who have in-vehicle navigation 31 systems, and in a preferred embodiment, vehicle owners 32 may purchase subscriptions or licenses that entitle them 33 to upgrade their navigation systems at any of the local 34 repositories. The local repository system may be used 35 for other purposes as well. These other purposes enhance 36 the utility of the local repository system.

21 ~5252 1 1. Initial distribution 2 Although a primary and ongoing use of the local 3 repository system is to update existing rewritable media, 4 the local repositories can also be used to initially place geographical data set files and navigation 6 application programs on rewritable media. As mentioned 7 above, each of the local repositories 82, 84, 86, 88, and 8 90 in FIG. 1 includes copies of at least one current g geographical data set file for a geographical area, and lo additionally may include at least one navigation 11 application program for an in-vehicle navigation system.
12 Upon initially obtaining an in-vehicle navigation system, 13 with the purchase of a new car from a dealer, from an 14 after-market supplier, by mail order, or other means, a vehicle owner may receive a blank storage device for his 16 navigation system. Alternatively, the vehicle owner may 17 obtain a blank storage device at the local repository lS location. Either way, when the vehicle owner visits a 19 local repository location, he requests the local operator to initially store the geographical data set and 21 navigation application program on the blank storage 22 device.
23 The local operator inserts the blank storage device 24 into the drive of the local repository. As in the updating embodiment described above, prior to storing any 26 geographical data set or navigation application program 27 on the new media, the local repository program performs a 28 validation procedure. The local repository program 29 requests the local operator to enter a valid operator ID.
After entering a valid operator ID, the local repository 31 program attempts to read the storage device. Even if the 32 storage device is new, the local repository program lOO
33 may be able to read some information from the blank 34 storage device, such as the cartridge ID and/or serial number. However, since the storage device is otherwise 36 empty, the local repository program detects that this is 37 a new storage device (FIG. 8C, Step 361) and request that 1 appropriate information be entered to register the 2 vehicle owner with a new subscription. The vehicle owner 3 may make appropriate arrangements to obtain a 4 subscription from the local operator if he has not already obtained a subscription with the initial purchase 6 of the navigation system. For a new subscription, the 7 local repository may request information such as 8 navigation system type, warranty start date, subscription 9 terms, the vehicle owner's name, address, telephone lo number, etc. This information may be used in tracking 11 subscriptions. As in the update embodiment, an input 12 screen may be provided that allows the local operator to 13 enter each of the required items of information. Some 14 fields of information may be required while others may be optional. The operator enters information for at least 16 the required fields in order to proceed with copying the 17 geographical data set and navigation application program 18 onto the storage device for the navigation system.
19 Unless the appropriate data is entered and written onto the storage device, the local repository program does not 21 proceed to copy any of the geographical data set or 22 navigation application program.
23 The local operator or the vehicle owner may choose 24 to install a geographical data set covering several geographical areas and/or supplemental data. If the 26 vehicle owner desires a geographical area that is not on 27 the local repository, then the vehicle owner may have to 28 obtain the geographical data set from another source. A
29 customer service desk has access to a list of local repositories in the vehicle owner's area and can direct 31 the vehicle owner to a location that has the desired 32 coverage area (e.g. a travelers' service office).
33 If the geographical data set and navigation 34 application program selected by the vehicle owner are available, they are loaded onto the storage device. The 36 local repository then verifies that the navigation 37 program and geographical data files have been correctly 1 loaded onto the storage device. The verification may 2 involve checking the file names, versions, and performing 3 a checksum. The storage device is now ready for use by 4 the vehicle owner and the local operator installs it in 5 the vehicle owner's navigation system. The vehicle owner 6 or local operator may contact a help desk at a central 7 facility if any problems are encountered.

9 2. Failed or defective media procedures In a preferred embodiment, the main program 100 on 11 the local repository may also be used to implement error 12 handling procedures for both defective storage devices 13 and operator errors. Errors that should be trapped 14 include: failed storage devices, ejecting a storage device during an update, geographical data set file or 16 navigation application program validation failure, and 17 other run-time errors. All error messages may provide 18 clear instructions to the operator regarding what actions 19 he needs to take. The local repository may also include error codes in the error messages that can be used by 21 customer service to debug the error and assist the 22 operator.
23 If the storage device, such as the PCMCIA card, is 24 defective, the local operator may replace it with a new storage device from stock. There are several ways that 26 the local repository can handle defective storage 27 devices, depending on the severity of the detected error.
28 In some cases, the local repository will be able to 29 read the storage device identification data 110 but will not be able to copy the geographical data set file or 31 navigation application program to the storage device.
32 This can occur if the storage device contains a defective 33 hard drive with bad sectors. In a preferred embodiment, 34 the cartridge ID is stored on a re-writable EPROM of the storage device. Therefore, the ID may still be readable 36 since it is stored in a non-volatile memory in the PCMCIA
37 storage device rather than on the hard disk portion of -21 q5252 1 the PCMCIA card. This writable EPROM memory may also be 2 used to store the warranty end date, subscription type 3 and end date, navigation system type, and other 4 identifying information 110. If the local repository program can read the identification data from the EPROM, 6 but encounters problems reading or writing to the hard 7 disk of the storage device, the local repository program 8 100 displays a message indicating that the storage device 9 is bad and asking the operator if he wants to replace it with a new storage device. If the operator responds 11 affirmatively, the local repository is set to "Cartridge 12 Replacement Mode." The local repository program retains 13 the identification information from the defective storage 14 device in memory. The local repository program then 15 instructs the operator to remove the bad storage device 16 (FIG. 8G, Step 371) and insert a new storage device.
17 When a new storage device is inserted, the local 18 repository attempts to read the storage device 19 identification information. Since the storage device is new, no identificatlon information exists on the device.
21 However, since the local repository is in "Cartridge 22 Replacement Mode" (FIG. 8B, Step 375), the identification 23 information from the old storage device is copied from 24 memory to the new storage device. The update then proceeds as normal and the local repository is taken out 26 of Cartridge Replacement Mode.
27 When the local repository program is in Cartridge 28 Replacement Mode, and information is detected on the 29 substitute storage device inserted into the local repository, the local repository assumes the operator did 31 not insert a new storage device. A message is displayed 32 to notify the operator that the storage device is not new 33 and, therefore, should not be used to replace the bad 34 storage device (FIG. 8B, Step 379). The operator is given the choice to continue the update or cancel. If 36 the operator decides to continue, the local repository is 37 taken out of Cartridge Replacement Mode, the information 1 already existing on the inserted PC Card is retained, and 2 the update proceeds as normal (FIG. 8B, Step 381).
3 If the storage device that the vehicle owner brings 4 in for updating is so defective that no identification data can be read from it, the local repository instructs 6 the operator to replace the defective storage device with 7 a new one. The local repository reads the new storage 8 device when the operator inserts it into the drive.
g Since the storage device is new, it does not contain any lo customer information. The local repository handles this 11 scenario the same way it does with any new storage 12 device: the local operator obtains the required 13 information from the vehicle owner and enter the 14 information into the system. The cartridge ID will be the same as the serial number printed on the label of the 16 storage device. The old and new storage device IDs are 17 written to the history log so a link can be established 18 between the bad storage device and its replacement in 19 order to track the warranty. The operator may call a customer service desk to obtain the customer ID and 21 subscription information and enter it into the local 22 repository which then re-writes it back to the new 23 storage device. The local repository then copies the 24 requested geographical data set file and other appropriate software to the storage device.
26 A similar procedure for handling defective media is 27 set forth in the embodiment represented in the flow chart 28 of FIG. 12B.

3. Demonstration mode 31 The local repository system may be used to make 32 demonstration mode storage devices. The demonstration 33 mode storage device is used in the same types of 34 navigation systems as described above, but are provided so that potential customers can try out the navigation 36 system before purchasing one. Special demonstration 37 licenses would be provided for this purpose. When a l storage device used for a demonstration navigation system 2 is inserted into a local repository for updating, the 3 main program on the local repository detects that the 4 storage device was made for a demonstration navigation system and updates it accordingly.
6 The demo mode storage device may be made at local 7 repositories at automobile dealerships or other locations 8 where navigation systems are sold. The same local g repository program used for updating existing storage devices may be used to make demonstration storage devices ll (FIG. 8C, Steps 391 and 393). The demo mode storage 12 device would not have identification data to specify a 13 vehicle owner since the navigation system has not yet 14 been sold to an end user.
When a car is sold with a demo storage device, the 16 dealer may convert the storage device. The local 17 repository program permits conversion of the demo storage 1~ device to a storage device subject to a customer 19 subscription (FIG. 8C, Step 394). Appropriate information to identify the vehicle owner is requested 21 from the vehicle owner in a manner similar to when a new 22 subscription is sold (FIG. 8D, Step 313).

24 4. Administrative functions at local repositories 26 As mentioned above, the local repository includes 27 the administrative program 130. The administrative 2~ program 130 includes several features that can be used to 29 maintain the local repository. Flow charts for the 30 administrative functions portions of embodiments of the 31 local repository programs are represented in FIGS. 8H-8L
32 and FIGS. 12G and 12H. The administrative functions 33 program 130 is accessible by an administrator-technician, 34 but normally not by the local operator. A password may 35 be required to access the administrative functions 36 program.
37 One of the functions performed by the administrative 38 program is the installation of updated geographical data 1 sets and navigation application programs onto the local 2 repository, as explained above.
3 Another of the functions performed by the 9 administrative program is the transmission back to the central facility of a history log (FIG. 7, Step 239; FIG.
6 8I, Step 705). The history log includes user and 7 activity records associated with the local repository, 8 such as vehicle owner name and address, media ID's g updated, dates and times of updates, coverage areas lo copied, subscriptions sold, etc. Each local repository 11 may have a repository ID that uniquely identifies the 12 local repository by location and type. At regular 13 intervals or on-demand, each local repository transmits 14 all usage and customer information back to the central facility. Alternatively, an administrator-technician may 16 retrieve this information locally if a phone line and 17 modem are not available.

19 IV. Alternative embodiments A. Electronic distribution to local 21 repositories 22 In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A and 23 13B, installation of updated geographical data sets and 24 navigation application programs onto the plurality of 25 local repositories in a geographical area may be done 26 electronically from a central or regional location that 27 uploads the updated geographical data sets and navigation 28 applications onto each local repository. As mentioned 29 above, each of the local repositories has a communication 30 link with a central or regional facility. This 31 communication link may be by modem or WAN. According to 32 this alternative embodiment, updated geographical data 33 sets 507 for a geographical area and updated navigation 34 application programs 509 are transmitted by a 35 communication feed from the central or regional facility.
36 These feeds may be made on a regular basis or as needed.
37 A determination is made at the central facility as to 38 which local repositories should get copies of the new 1 geographical data sets and navigation application 2 programs (FIG. 13A, Step 510). Then, blocks of the 3 updated geographical data sets and navigation application 4 programs are prepared (FIG. 13A, Step 511). The updates are then sent out electronically to all of the local 6 repositories that the central facility determines should 7 receive them (FIG. 13A, Step 512). The updates may be 8 sent in compressed form. When the updates are received g at each local repository, the programming on the local lo repository performs any necessary de-compression and 11 replaces the old versions of geographical data set files 12 and navigation application programs with the updated 13 versions (FIG. 13B, Step 513). The process of applying 14 updates preferably runs in the background on the local repository so that the local repository would still be 16 available to a vehicle owner to use to obtain an update.
17 The administrative functions program at the local 18 repository verifies that all the appropriate updates of 19 the geographical data set files and navigation application programs have been received (FIG. 13B, Step 21 515). Confirmation that the updates have been 22 successfully applied is transmitted back to the central 23 facility (FIG. 13B, Step 518). Thereafter, the updated 24 geographical data sets and navigation application programs are made available to the vehicle owners who 26 wish to update their geographical data set files and/or 27 navigation application programs. Until successful 28 confirmation, the old geographical data set files and 29 navigation application programs on the local repository would still be available to vehicle owners.

32 B. Electronic distribution to vehicle owners 33 According to another alternative embodiment, updated 34 geographical data sets and navigation application programs may be transmitted directly to owners of 36 vehicles with in-vehicle navigation systems via on-line 37 distribution. Referring to FIGS. 14A-14C, vehicle owners 1 may receive updates for their geographical data sets via 2 their own personal computers. Subscribers to 3 geographical data sets receive a personal updating 4 program that handles all routines (e.g. communications, confirmation). The personal updating program also 6 verifies the vehicle owner's personal computer's hardware 7 configuration to ensure it meets minimum standards. For 8 example, the personal computer should have a drive or g slot that is compatible with the storage device from the in-vehicle navigation system. Any hardware deficiencies 11 are identified and the user is informed about what he 12 Will need.
13 Using the personal updating program, the vehicle 14 owner dials up the central distribution facility or a service provider from his personal computer (FIG. 14, 16 Step 611). An on-line distribution program on a server 17 at the central facility acknowledges the vehicle owner 18 and completes the connection. The on-line distribution 19 program prompts the vehicle owner to enter an identification number such as his customer number (FIG.
21 14A, Step 612). If the vehicle owner enters a valid 22 customer number, the on-line distribution program prompts 23 the vehicle owner to insert his storage device from his 24 navigation system into a slot on his computer. The on-line distribution program then reads the media ID and 26 verify that it corresponds to this customer. The on-line 27 distribution program then prompts the vehicle owner to 28 select between updating an existing coverage area or 29 adding additional coverage areas (FIG. 14A, Step-613).
If the user wants additional coverage areas, the 31 on-line distribution program displays a map of geographic 32 regions available (FIG. 14B, Step 615). The vehicle 33 owner then selects the desired regions from the screen 34 (FIG. 14B, Step 616). The on-line distribution program prompts the user to select any third-party data or POI's 36 (points of interest) to be included in the coverage area 37 (FIG. 14B, Step 617). The user selects the desired third --1 party data or POI's (FIG. 14B, Step 618).
2 If the user does not want any additional coverage 3 (Step 617), but instead wants to update only his existing 4 geographical data set file or navigation program, the on-line distribution program determines whether there are 6 any updates available for the geographical data set or 7 navigation program of the user (FIG. 14B, Step 625).
8 Records of the coverage area(s) previously chosen by the g vehicle owner are kept both on the vehicle owner's storage media and at the central distribution facility 11 628. The on-line distribution program performs a 12 reconciliation process to identify the updates that are 13 available for the vehicle owner's media.
14 The on-line distribution program compares the vehicle owner's selections to his current subscription 16 status (FIG. 14B, Step 627). If the on-line distribution 17 program determines that the updates are not covered by a 18 current subscription, the user is prompted to call a 19 customer service number that offers a subscription to the user (FIG.14B, Step 629), or alternatively, the user is 21 prompted by the on-line distribution program with an 22 offer to purchase a subscription plan while on-line.
23 In FIG. 14C, if updates are available, the on-line 24 distribution program retrieves the updates required for the vehicle owner's coverage area and for the user's 26 navigation program from update repositories 631. The 27 on-line distribution program may then assemble the 28 updated navigation data for transmission to the user's 29 computer (FIG 14C, Step 633). If the user has selected new navigation data, the on-line distribution program 31 application may compare the available communication 32 bandwidth with the size of the navigation data file to 33 provide the user with an estimate of the time that would 34 be required to download the new navigation data file (FIG. 14C, Step 635). If the downloading time is 36 excessive, the user may choose not to download the new 37 geographical data set file, and the on-line distribution 1 program may prompt the user to go to an appropriate other 2 local repository or other distribution station to obtain 3 the new navigation data file.
4 If the vehicle owner's hardware is sufficient to receive the updated navigation data file, the on-line 6 distribution program uploads the updates to the user's 7 personal computer (FIG. 14C, Step 637). On the vehicle 8 owner's personal computer, the personal updating program g receives the update, makes a backup of the user's navigation data files, and copies the updated navigation 11 data files to the vehicle owner's storage device (FIG.
12 14C, Step 639). The personal updating program verifies 13 the navigation data files to insure that they are 14 properly functioning on the storage device for the vehicle owner, and in addition, identification data is 16 written to the vehicle owner's storage device to indicate 17 that the navigation data was updated (FIG. 14C,~Step 18 641). If the updating process is successfully completed, 19 before the communication connection is ended, the vehicle owner's program up-loads information to the on-line 21 distribution program at the central facility to confirm 22 the successful updating of the vehicle owner's storage 23 device (FIG. 14C, Step 645). The central facility 24 maintains a record of the confirmation (FIG. 14C, Step 647). Then the communication connection between the 26 vehicle owner's personal computer and the central 27 facility's server is ended (FIG. 14C, Step 649).
28 In an alternative embodiment, the on-line 29 distribution of updated information may be provided through an on-line network, such as America Online or 31 Compuserve, or via the Internet.

33 C. Local terminal embodiment 34 Referring to FIG. 15, there is depicted a flow chart for another embodiment of the system for distributing 36 updated navigation data to owners of navigation systems.
37 The steps set forth in FIG. 15 may be used with a system 2 1 9~252 1 of personal computers located in a geographical area.
2 The system of personal computers may be similar to the 3 system shown in FIG. 1. According to this alternative 4 embodiment, some or all of the local repositories 82, 84, 86, 88, and 90 in the geographical area 10 would be 6 replaced with local terminal stations. The local 7 terminal stations would have similar hardware and 8 software as the local repositories in the embodiment of 9 FIG. 1, and would be configured similarly. Like the local repositories, the local terminal stations would 11 include a drive or slot into which a vehicle owner's 12 storage device 76 can be received. The local terminal 13 stations differ from local repositories in that the local 14 terminal stations would include a communication link to a central or regional facility that would be sufficient to 16 distribute and write updated navigation data from a 17 remote repository to a vehicle owner's storage device 18 inserted in the drive 92 in the local terminal station.
19 Referring to FIG. 15, a local terminal program on the local terminal station prompts the local operator to 21 insert the vehicle owner's storage device (FIG. 15, Step 22 701). Upon insertion of the vehicle owner's storage 23 device, the local terminal program validates the vehicle 24 owner's storage device (FIG. 15, Step 703). This portion of the local terminal program may be similar or identical 26 to the program used on the local repository, and may 27 include validation of the vehicle owner's identification 28 data 110 stored on an EPROM on the storage device. After 29 validation, the local terminal program confirms a communication connection to a remote repository 707 (FIG.
31 15, Step 705). The remote repository 707 may be a 32 regional repository, a central repository, or even 33 another local repository. The communication connection 34 may be a WAN, a telephone modem connection, etc.
The local terminal program presents the local 36 operator or vehicle owner with an opportunity to select 37 updating existing navigation data or installing new 2 ! 95252 1 navigation data (FIG. 15, Step 709). The vehicle owner's 2 selections are accepted (FIG.15, Step 711) and 3 transmitted to the remote repository 707 (FIG. 15, Step 4 713). The remote repository retrieves the selected 5 updated navigation data and transmits them to the local 6 terminal station (FIG. 15, Step 715). The local terminal 7 station receives the navigation data and copies them to 8 the user's storage device (FIG. 15, Step 717). After the 9 updated navigation data are copied to the vehicle owner's lo storage device, the local terminal station prompts the 11 local operator to remove the user's storage device (FIG.
12 15, Step 719). In addition to the steps specifically 13 mentioned, the local terminal station may perform many of 14 the steps performed by the local repository, such as 15 validating the copying of the navigation data, error 16 checking, logging, etc.
17 An advantage provided by this embodiment of local 18 terminal stations is that copies of some or all of the 19 updated navigation data need not be stored on the local terminal station. In an alternative embodiment, the 21 features of a local repository and a local terminal 22 station may be combined so that a vehicle owner may 23 update his storage device at a local terminal-repository 24 with navigation data that is either stored locally on the local terminal-repository or that is transmitted from a 26 remote repository to the local terminal-repository and 27 copied onto the storage device locally.

29 D. Further alternative uses of distribution system The embodiments of the system described above are 31 particularly useful for distributing updated geographical 32 data sets for in-vehicle navigation systems used in 33 automobiles. However, the system could also be used to 34 update other types of software or data, including software for personal computers, computer game storage 36 devices, etc. Distribution of updated geographical data 37 may also be used in application programs used for fleet 21 95~52 1 distribution and marketing. Further, although the 2 systems described above are described as being useful for 3 land-based vehicles, they could be used in other-than-4 land-based vehicles as well, such as boats and aircraft.
Embodiments of the present system may also be used 6 to update navigation systems that do not include a 7 positioning system, as well as other systems that 8 incorporate geographical data sets. For example, systems g are available that permit a user to select a destination lo and a starting point and then give the user directions to 11 get to the destination from the starting point. These 12 types of navigation systems are available on portable 13 dedicated computers or as software programs that can be 14 loaded on conventional personal computers, such as portable notebook computers, or on hand-held computers or 16 personal digital assistants (PDA's). Such systems may be 17 updated with embodiments of the systems, as described 18 above.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed 21 description be regarded as illustrative rather than 22 limiting and that it is understood that the following 23 claims including all equivalents are intended to define 24 the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for updating navigation systems installed in vehicles comprising:
a plurality of local repositories accessible to owners of said vehicles and located in a geographical area, wherein each of said plurality of local repositories includes updated versions of navigation data for said navigation systems.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein said navigation data comprises geographical data sets.

3. The system of Claim 1 wherein said navigation data comprises information about streets that said vehicles may travel.

4. The system of Claim 1 wherein said navigation data comprises map information.

5. The system of Claim 1 wherein said navigation data comprises updated versions of navigation application programs.

6. The system of Claim 1 wherein said local repositories further comprise:
means for replacing defective storage devices from said navigation systems.

7. The system of Claim 1 wherein said local repositories further comprise:
slots into which storage devices from said navigation systems can be received.

8. The system of Claim 1 wherein said local repositories further comprise:
updating means for copying said updated versions of navigation data to storage devices in said navigation systems.

9. The system of Claim 8 wherein said local repositories further comprise:
cabling for connecting said updating means to said storage devices.

10. The system of Claim 1 wherein said local repositories comprise means for updating the versions of navigation data stored at said local repositories.

11. The system of Claim 1 wherein said local repositories comprise personal computers.

12. The system of Claim 1 wherein said navigation systems installed in vehicles include positioning systems.

13. The system of Claim 1 wherein said plurality of local repositories further comprise:
means for storing initial copies of navigation data in navigation systems installed in vehicles.

14. An upgradable navigation system comprising:
a geographical data set on a storage medium; and a navigation application program that uses said geographical data set to provide navigation information to a vehicle driver, wherein said storage medium further includes data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated.

15. The navigation system of Claim 14 further comprising:
a positioning system that provides an output to said navigation application program indicating a position of the vehicle.

16. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium is re-writable.

17. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium is a PCMCIA card.

18. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium is a removable hard disk.

19. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium is a non-removable hard disk.

20. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium is a writable CD.

21. The system of Claim 14 wherein said data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated is stored on a portion of said storage medium separate from a portion upon which the geographical data set is stored.

22. The system of Claim 14 wherein said data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated is stored on an EPROM.

23. The system of Claim 14 wherein said data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated includes a serial number.

24. The system of Claim 14 wherein said data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated includes a cartridge serial number.

25. The system of Claim 14 wherein data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated includes subscription data.

26. The system of Claim 14 wherein said data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated is encrypted.

27. The system of Claim 14 wherein said geographical data set includes data for more than one geographical region.

28. The system of Claim 14 wherein said geographical data set and said navigation application program are installed in a vehicle.

29. The system of Claim 28 wherein said vehicle is a land-based vehicle.

30. The system of Claim 14 wherein at least said geographical data set and said navigation application program are installed in a laptop personal computer.

31. The system of Claim 14 wherein said navigation application program is stored on said storage medium.

32. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium comprises a hard drive and an EPROM, and wherein said geographical data set is stored on the hard drive and the data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated is stored on said EPROM.

33. The system of Claim 14 wherein said storage medium is a CD-ROM.

34. A system for upgrading navigation systems comprising:
an navigation system as in Claim 14; and a data repository comprising:

an updated version of navigation data for said navigation system; and a replication device for storing the updated navigation data on the navigation system.

35. The system for upgrading navigation systems of Claim 34 wherein said data repository further comprises:
means for verifying that said navigation system is entitled to be upgraded.

36. The system for upgrading navigation systems of Claim 35 wherein said verifying means comprises means for reading said data indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated.

37. A system for upgrading in-vehicle navigation systems comprising:
a plurality of vehicles in a geographical area, wherein each of said vehicles includes a navigation system as in Claim 14;
a plurality of local repositories located in said geographical area, each of said plurality of local repositories comprising:
updated versions of navigation data; and a replication device for storing the updated navigation data on the navigation systems of said vehicles.

38. A method for providing updated versions of a data product for users of the data product in a geographical area, comprising the steps of:
preparing a master copy of an updated data product at a central location;
installing the master copy onto media at local repositories in the geographical area; and making the local repositories accessible to the users.

39. The method of Claim 38 further comprising:
after the preparing step, sending the master copy to a regional location from which the master copy is installed on the local repositories.

40. The method of Claim 38 wherein the installing step is performed by a person visiting the local repositories.

41. The method of Claim 38 wherein the installing step is performed from a remote location by accessing the local repositories electronically.

42. The method of Claim 38 wherein the data product comprises geographical data sets.

43. The method of Claim 38 wherein the data product comprises a navigation application program.

44. The method of Claim 38 wherein the master copy of the updated data product comprises navigation data that corresponds to the geographical area.

45. The method of Claim 38 wherein there are a plurality of different geographical areas and a plurality of master copies of updated data products that correspond to said different geographical areas.

46. A method of updating vehicular navigation data stored on storage media in vehicles, wherein said vehicles include a plurality of different types of navigation systems, comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of computers located in a geographical area, each of said plurality of computers having a device that can read and write to one of said storage media;

removing one of said storage media from a vehicle;
placing said one storage medium into said device;
reading information stored on said one storage medium to determine which of said different types of navigation systems is used by the vehicle from which said storage medium was removed; and updating the navigation data on said storage medium.

47. The method of Claim 46 wherein the step of reading further comprises:
reading information on said storage medium to determine a release version of information stored on said storage medium.

48. The method of Claim 46 further comprising:
testing the storage medium; and replacing said storage medium if it is determined to be defective.

49. The method of Claim 46 wherein said storage medium includes both a navigation system application program and the geographical data set.

50. The method of Claim 46 further comprising:
updating the navigation system application program on said storage medium.

51. The method of Claim 46 wherein current geographical data sets are stored on said plurality of computers in said geographical area.

52. The method of Claim 51 wherein the current data set files are updated periodically.

53. The method of Claim 52 wherein the current data set files are updated by an electronic communication connection to a remote location.

54. The method of Claim 46 further comprising:
physically traveling to each of said plurality of computers in said geographical area; and updating each of said plurality of computers in said geographical area with information physically carried to each of said plurality of computers.

55. A system for updating a plurality of data products stored on a population of media, comprising:
a local repository having:
means for receiving one of said population of media into said local repository;
means for verifying that said one of said population of media is entitled to be updated; and means for storing an updated version of said data stored onto said one of said population of media.

56. The system of Claim 55 further comprising:
means for recording that an updated version of at least one of said plurality of data products stored on said one of said plurality of media has been updated to a level corresponding to at least one of said updated versions stored on said local repositories.

57. The system of Claim 55 further comprising:
means for identifying which of said plurality of data products are stored on one of said population of media.

58. The system of Claim 55 wherein said population of media are portable storage devices for in-vehicle navigation systems.

59. A system for updating a plurality of data products stored on a population of portable media, comprising:

a plurality of local repositories located at specific locations within a geographical area, wherein at least some of said local repositories include a means for updating said plurality of software products; wherein said means for updating includes:
means for identifying which of said plurality of data products are stored on a single one of said plurality of portable media;
means for updating data products stored on said single one of said portable media; and means for recording that data stored on said single one of said plurality of portable media has been updated to a level corresponding to an updated version stored on said local repositories.

60. The system of Claim 59 further comprising:
means for verifying that a data product stored on said single one of said portable media is covered by a subscription.

61. The system of Claim 59 further comprising:
means for confirming that a valid subscription covers updating of said data products stored on said single one of said portable media.

62. The system of Claim 59 wherein said population of portable media are included in land-based vehicles.

63. A method of updating types of navigation systems in vehicles, comprising:
providing updated versions of navigation data on a server;
providing on-line access to the server for owners of navigation systems installed in vehicles;
receiving information from owners of navigation systems installed in vehicles identifying the types of navigation systems for which updated data is sought; and uploading updated versions of said navigation data from said server to said owners.

64. The method of Claim 63 further comprising:
receiving information from said owners indicating entitlement to said updated versions of said navigation data.

65. The method of Claim 63 wherein said data indicating the types of navigation systems are obtained from storage devices removed from owners' in-vehicle navigation systems.

66. The method of Claim 63 wherein said storage devices are inserted in personal computers of said owners.

67. A system for upgrading navigation systems installed in vehicles wherein each of said navigation systems comprises a navigation application program and geographical data information stored on a storage medium of said navigation system, said upgrading system comprising:
a plurality of local repositories, wherein each one of said local repositories comprises:
updated versions of geographical data information stored on a storage medium of said one of local repositories; and a device for copying the updated geographical data information from said storage medium of said one of said local repositories to said storage medium of said navigation system.

68. The system of Claim 67 wherein each one of said local repositories further comprises:
a verification system to ascertain whether a storage medium of said in-vehicle navigation system is entitled to be upgraded.

69. An upgradable navigation system comprising:
navigation data on a storage medium; and wherein said storage medium further includes an EPROM including information indicating whether said storage medium is entitled to be updated.

70. A system for updating navigation data stored on navigation systems installed in vehicles, wherein each of said navigation systems includes identification information indicating whether said navigation system is entitled to be updated, said updating system comprising:
a repository at which updated versions of said navigation data for said navigation systems are stored;
and a plurality of local terminal stations accessible to owners of said vehicles and located in a geographical area, wherein each of said plurality of local terminal stations comprises:
a communication link to said repository;
means for confirming entitlement of each of said navigation systems to be updated, said confirming means responsive to said identification information on each of said navigation systems; and a device for updating one of said navigation systems with one of said updated versions of said navigation data received over said communication link to said repository, said updating device responsive to said confirming means.

71. The system of Claim 70 wherein said navigation data comprises geographical data sets.

72. The system of Claim 70 wherein said navigation data comprises information about streets that said vehicles may travel.

73. The system of Claim 70 wherein said navigation data comprises updated versions of navigation application programs.

74. A system for updating data stored on a storage medium, wherein said storage medium comprises a hard drive and an EPROM, said data is stored on said hard drive, and said EPROM includes information stored thereon indicating entitlement to said updating of said data.