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Abstract

A system for updating, enhancing and/or refining a geographic database. A geographic database includes data representing physical features in the geographic region, and, optionally, attributes of such features. The system includes a plurality of data collecting sensors. Each of the data collecting sensors is installed in a separate one of a plurality of vehicles each of which is capable of traveling on roads in a geographic region. Each of the data collecting sensors provides outputs indicative of one or more features in the geographic region as the vehicle in which it is installed travels on the roads in the geographic region. A computer program executes a feedback process on the geographic database using the outputs of the data collecting sensors. A first part of the feedback program compares the outputs of the data collecting sensors to the data identifying the physical features and provides results representative of the comparisons. A second part of the feedback program is responsive to the results from the first part and determines the significance of the comparisons. A third part of the feedback program modifies the data in the geographic database based upon the significance determined by the second part of the program. The data in the geographic database representing physical features in the geographic region are updated, enhanced, or refined based upon the significance determined by the feedback program. The data which has been updated, enhanced, or refined, is used to provide updated, enhanced, or refined data in end-user vehicles, some of which may include the vehicles in which data collecting sensors have been installed. Sensors in end-users' vehicles are calibrated to high levels of accuracy using the data which has been updated, enhanced or refined using a feedback process. Further, an out-of-calibration sensor in an end-user's vehicle is detected and re-calibrated using the data which has been updated, enhanced or refined using a feedback process. Using a feedback process, levels of confidence are assigned to data in the geographic database representing physical features in the geographic region, thereby enabling the data to be used for purposes requiring high levels of confidence.

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First Claim