Map version control methods and apparatus for updating the use of network-maintained map data sets for mobile communication devices

摘要

A map version control method of providing updates of network-maintained map data sets in mobile communication devices includes the steps of receiving a version of map data from a network database through a wireless communication network; causing the map to be visually displayed in a display in accordance with the version of the map data; maintaining storage of the version of the map data in a cache; receiving, through the wireless communication network, an indication indicating that an alternative or updated version of the map data corresponding to the map is available in the network database; identifying, at the mobile communication device, one of an acceptance and a declination of the alternative version of the map data; if the acceptance is identified: causing one or more requests for the alternative version of the map data to be sent through the wireless communication network, receiving the alternative version of the map data through the wireless communication network in response to the one or more requests, and causing the map to be visually displayed in the display in accordance with the alternative version of the map data; and if the declination is identified: retraining from causing one or more requests for the alternative version of the map data to be sent through the wireless communication network and continuing to cause the map to be visually displayed in the display in accordance with the version of the map data. The map corresponding to the alternative version of the map data may include one or more map objects that are unavailable in the map of the other version or an appearance that is different from the appearance of the map of the other version.