Method and apparatus for generating real-time map and location-based data

摘要

An approach is provided for generating accurate and substantially real-time map and location-based data in a cost-effective manner. Specifically, one or more communications within one or more social networks are monitored, processed, and mined to determine map-related information (e.g., maps, traffic, points of interest). The map-related information is then subjected to one or more threshold criteria (e.g., a correctness probability, a level of confidence, a degree of trust, an author's influence, a rating, or a combination thereof) to better ensure its accuracy before being made available to mapping and/or location-based services that can use the map-related information to develop better quality maps and/or location-based mobile applications (e.g., improved routing guidance, location recommendations, etc.). By providing mapping and location-based services with accurate and real-time map and location-based data, the services can fulfill user's increasing expectation and demand for up-to-the-minute information.

主权项

1. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the following:
a monitoring of one or more communications exchanged within one or more social networks; a processing of user generated content within the one or more communications to determine map-related information; an extraction of one or more data items from the one or more communications; a designation of the one or more data items as at least a portion of the map-related information based, at least in part, on one or more threshold criteria; a processing of the map-related information to determine pattern information based, at least in part, on one or more detected changes in the map-related information; and at least one determination to make the map-related information and the pattern information available to one or more mapping services, one or more location-based services , or a combination thereof.