System and Method for Creating, Updating, and Using Maps Generated by Probe Vehicles

摘要

System and method for managing and using a map database includes creating the database using mapping vehicles and enabling access to the database by people and other vehicles to enable use of determined position of identified landmarks, data about roads on which the mapping vehicles were driven and the images and content thereof. The database is created by driving mapping vehicles on roads, obtaining images of an area on and around roads using at least one camera assembly on each mapping vehicle, identifying common landmarks in obtained images, determining position of each mapping vehicle using a satellite positioning system such that the position at which each image is obtained by the mapping vehicle is accurately known, and determining the position of each identified landmark in consideration of determined vehicle position when the image containing the landmark is obtained.