DE102005012849A1 - Method of data preparation for electronic navigation map uses two main levels of resolution with additional level providing further information - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of data preparation for an electronic navigation map uses a map (K) with map data for a region stored as first map data (L1) with a first resolution and as second map data (L2) with a second resolution. The map data for the region also employs a third level of data with increased resolution (3), which can carry additional information.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for providing map data with the preamble features of claim 1 and on Devices for performing of such a procedure.

Generally are known for providing map data for maps methods and devices, where the map data for a spatial Area as first map data with a first resolution and be provided as second map data with a second resolution, being the second resolution the second map data relative to the first resolution of first map data higher is. The first map data are used on a screen or a display device on a computer a rough outline map represent which no or only a few rough informational data includes. The second map data with the much higher resolution serve to present a very detailed map in its own screen window, for example, the detailed map as information data size roads, middle streets and small streets represents. By guiding a mouse cursor on a point in the outline map and enabling it a button will appear in the detailed second map Area in high resolution displayed. It concerns thus with the first map data and at the second card data completely independent Map data representing two different maps. The link of the Maps are made only with reference to the position of the point of representation of a geographic location when mapping the two stand-alone maps.

disadvantageous in such maps is that the card with the high resolution a very big one Memory required in the displaying device. Next Information data relating to a road network in high resolution are common further information data relating to buildings, for example airports, Churches, hotels in very high resolution included in the map data. Furthermore For example, these map data include further information data waters not just big ones Lakes and big ones Rivers but possibly also small rivers and even streams can be displayed by means of the information data. The map data thus comprise a plurality of information data of different Information categories, possibly for the Viewers of the maps could be of interest.

For one Card users who only have the map data for a particular one Purpose needed For example, for route determination, but many of the information data different information categories not at all or only in gross resolution of Interest. Accordingly, the map is uploaded to memory his presentation device requires considerably more memory space than for the actually required display elements would be necessary.

Farther with a view to the memory required to display such a map is disadvantageous, always the entire card inventory of the second Map data with the high resolution is loaded into memory, although possibly for the user only a small region of interest.

One Another problem is that map data update regularly are, as street gradients are changed, public building newly erected or relocated, and thus in particular information data the information category roads and buildings often to be updated. An update of the map data means to the user every time that he can no longer use the old map data but a complete one purchase a new set of the entire map data.

The The object of the invention is an alternative method for providing map data for displaying a map as well Devices for performing to propose such a procedure, whereby in the context of the card use on a display device In particular, a small memory requirement should be required.

These The object is achieved by the method with the features of claims 1 and 3 or by the devices with the features of the claims 20 and 21 solved. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

Accordingly advantageous is a method for providing map data for maps, where the map data for a spatial Area as first map data with a first resolution and be provided as second map data with a second resolution, being the second resolution relative to the first resolution is higher and wherein the map data for the spatial Area in addition to the first and second map data with more map data associated with at least one further, even higher resolution become.

Particularly advantageous is a method in which information data at least one of the Map data different information category can be provided as additional autonomous map data for joint formation of a map.

Independently advantageous is a method for providing map data for maps, where the map data for a spatial Area as first map data with a first resolution and as second map data are provided with a second resolution, being the second resolution relative to the first resolution is higher and wherein a map is made of the map data of the first map data and is formed from map data of the second map data, wherein the first map data from information data of a first information category and the second map data of information data of a second, to the first information category different information category are formed.

Thereby, that the first map data from information data of a first information category and the second map data from information data of a second, to first information category different information category are formed the actual map data of a uniform resolution as several parallel records be provided to the memory requirement on actually needed map data to reduce. For For example, a vehicle route is merely basic map data and additionally Information data for determining a route in addition to still resolved road data required. For a walking route would be contrary additionally also height information advantageous which a different information record than the road data can be removed. Still other parallel map data sets may include, for example, information about landmarks contain.

Especially a method is advantageous in which the information data of the first information category larger sized associated with location-related structures or more significant location-related localities and the information data of the second information category smaller sized location-based structures or less significant location-specific locations be assigned.

Especially advantageous is a method in which the information data of the second information category in addition to the smaller dimensioned Structures or less important localities also the information data the first information category.

A such procedure allows the representation of, for example, only highways and major waters or a big one Electricity as information data for map data with a low resolution. map data with a medium resolution additionally as further information data, for example, federal highways and rivers as well as smaller lakes. Secondary and city streets and streams are, for example, only provided in information data on map data with an even higher resolution. The higher the resolution the map data is, the more extensive the number of associated information data, in particular all Information data is contained in map data with the higher resolution, including the data from, for example, large ones waters and highways. Per resolution the map data are thus related to the resolution related information data to disposal, which can be stored optimally in a user device as needed to save space are.

to Presentation of information data of various information categories in a common map are facing a minimum of Memory requirements as needed the information data of the various Map data used with the various resolutions and in inserted the card to be provided. Information about for example the tectonics can the Map data can be taken with a low resolution or also completely omitted. Information on larger and medium sized waters, which can serve as a guide, can Card data with a higher resolution be removed. information about Including traffic routes Highways, federal highways, Side and city streets can the Information data taken from map data with an even higher resolution become.

Especially advantageous is a method in which a section or a map data value the first map data to a section or a map data value the second and / or further map data in fixed relation becomes. this makes possible in particular, having a same map content for a same area with different resolutions is provided as first, second or further map data.

Especially advantageous is a method in which the first spatial Area and the second spatial Range at least partially.

Especially advantageous is a method in which the second map data with the second, higher resolution provided as tiled data in at least two tiles with tile data become. Tiles in particular are considered within one level respectively same size, rectangular or square map sections provided.

Particularly advantageous is a method in which the first map data with the first resolution be provided as tiled data in at least two tiles with tile data.

Especially advantageous is a method in which per tile of the first map data a plurality of tiles of the second map data are provided is, in particular a two- or a quadruple in the directions the card extentions are provided as the plurality.

Especially advantageous is a method in which each tile has its own Identification number is assigned, with the identification number according to one unique indexing scheme taking into account the level of Tile in the map data of different resolutions.

Especially advantageous is a method in which each tile a surface of the Earth's surface below Reference to a common coordinate origin for the map data the different resolutions is assigned uniquely.

Especially advantageous is a method in which each map data point of a area the earth's surface with reference to a common coordinate origin for the map data the different resolutions is assigned uniquely.

Especially advantageous is a method in which map data and / or additional information in a separate, especially central data source provided become.

Especially advantageous is a method in which in a local database in a local memory device map data, in particular tiles, as needed and / or selected from a central map database in a central storage device to be provided.

ever as needed thereby map data or tiles with different resolutions and / or Information content from a central map data on be downloaded to a local machine, so on the local Calculator only the data stocks are to be deposited with the data volume, which are actually required.

Especially advantageous is a method in which in a card data inventory after an update only map data, especially only tiles, exchanges affected by the update.

Especially advantageous is a method in which in a card data inventory Map data, in particular tiles of card data, with an access signature be characterized to provide an individual, in particular User or device dependent access protection.

Especially advantageous is a method in which in a card data inventory Map data, in particular tiles of card data, with a temporal validity information be characterized gekenn to provide a temporary access.

Especially advantageous is a method in which information data respectively for one entire tile and / or each for an entire data field one Tile and / or map data. For example can be a tile or a data field of a tile or a data field of the map data the property as body of water, field, Forest, road or the like.

Device is advantageous a device for providing map data for performing a Such a method with a memory device for storing Map data, a control device for managing, in particular to update the stored or exchanged map data and an interface device for exchanging the map data over the Interface device between the memory device and a external device.

A User terminal device, in particular navigation device, to Carry out Such a method is advantageous with a memory device for storing map data, with a controller for managing and processing the stored or exchanged map data and an interface device for fetching and receiving the map data or selected the map data via the interface device from an external central storage device.

One embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 an arrangement of three storage levels for storing map data of a geographical area in different resolutions,

2 Map data divided into different resolutions and various information categories and the creation of a map using one map data set each with a desired resolution per information category,

3 selected map data for forming a map using, for each information category, all or selected map data of a resolution, and

4 a device arrangement comprising a central memory device for storing a complete map dataset and an interface connectable user terminal device for retrieving and storing selected map data of the entire map dataset and for displaying a corresponding map.

How out 1 As can be seen, map data for displaying a map is provided as first map data L1, second map data L2, and third map data L3 each having different resolutions. At this time, the level-to-level resolution of the map data L2-L3 increases, so that the second map data L2 has a higher resolution than the first map data L1 and the third map data L3 has a higher resolution than the second map data L2. The arrangement is advantageously supplemented by further levels with fourth, fifth, etc. map data. With the first map data L1 within the scope of the illustrated memory space, the entire earth's surface can advantageously be imaged with a very low resolution. Advantageously, the further levels of the second map data L2 and the third map data L3 as well as the further levels of the map data also comprise in their entirety data for the same spatial area as the first map data L1. However, since many geographical areas are not of interest for displaying maps or sufficiently detailed map data are not available, only map data for region of interest of interest are provided in the different levels of the map data L1-L3.

The first map data L1 is at a resolution of, for example, 255 Columns s1 - s255 and 255 lines z1 - z255 provided. With this resolution Information data is mapped and stored as map data. Information data are for example tectonic data we altitude information, road data, water data and building data, wherein in the plane of the first map data L1 for information data of these different information categories only correspondingly large-sized objects be recorded. The resolution does not form a typical grid, but a defined one resolution the information data within a tile of map data. These resolution is the same in all tiles, but because the tiles are preferably for one different sizes Range, this resolution corresponds to different sizes in the Reality.

The Level of the second map data L2 is in a plurality of individual Tiles L1-11 - L2-44 subdivided, each of the individual tiles L2-11 - L2-44 the second map data L2 in turn a subdivision as the First level map data from map data L1 preferably also a resolution from 255 columns s1 - s255 and 255 lines z1 - z255 having. Also here are information data of various information categories as shown in the case of the map data or information data the first level of map data L1 is performed. However, the information data the level of the second map data L2 corresponding to the higher resolution also objects or information data on objects with a correspondingly lower spatial Dimension or lesser importance or meaning for one Map viewer assigned. Appropriately, the subdivision the second level second map data L2 with reference to first map data L1 of the first level is made such that for every tile the first map data L1 in the second level of the second map data L2 a corresponding plurality of tiles is associated. Especially becomes the first level of the first map data L1 of a tile in the first level a corresponding multiplicity of tiles with second Map data L2 assigned in the second level. In the illustrated Embodiment are each tile in a plane has four tiles per map dimension, so a total of 16 tiles with higher resolution in the higher resolved Level assigned.

The third level of the third map data L3 is preferably after same memory scheme and the same allocation scheme relative associated with a tile of the second map data L2 of the second level, like the tiles of the second second level map data L2 first map data L1 associated with the first level. From level to Plain creates a telescopic enlargement of the resolution.

to Providing map data with hierarchical coverage with preferably square tiles becomes a uniform projection the earth's surface similar to a cylinder for example, the Mercator projection made. After unwinding of the cylinder on a flat plane results in a square area with one side length of about 40,000 km. The projection is designed so that with a 46 bit coordinate every point of this area with a resolution using at least 4.80 m can be addressed. 54-bit coordinates enable resolution of at least 1.2 m.

In the case of a division on tiles or for the first level on storage areas with in each case 255 coordinate units in the x and y direction, the tiles comprise a total arrangement of 8 Levels in the highest resolution plane have a width of approximately 300 m. For an embodiment in practice, the assignment of the layers to the resolution is advantageously used in reverse order to the embodiment described here. The width or side length of the tiles at the equator of the then seventh level have in the described subdivision about 1.25 km. In the first level with the coarse cover, the side length or width of the tiles at the equator is about 5,000 km.

All Tile covers or levels with map data L1, L2, L3 are one common zero point as coordinate origin O assigned. At the illustrated embodiment is the origin O as the common zero point left down in the respective levels of the map data L1, L2, L3.

The coordinates or a unique identification number ID for the individual tiles and their memory elements in the manner of a tile counter are then assigned in ascending order in the horizontal direction x and in the vertical direction y, so that a single geographical point in all levels of the map data L1, L2, L3 is assigned a unique unique identification number ID is uniquely assignable and addressable. For example, the identification number ID is represented by a sequence of numbers or bits, wherein z. B. for the first level of the first map data L1 3 bits are necessary. In addition, as additional information to the identification number or as further bit positions of the identification number, the respective columns s1 - s255 and rows z1 - z255 are addressable. However, the addressing of the columns and rows can also be included uniformly in the scheme of the identification number. The second map data L2 of the second level are identified by two consecutive bits or digits of the identification number ID, in this case with the tile number 11 - 14 for the first tile row, 21 - 24 for the second row of tiles, 31 - 34 for the third tile row and 41 - 44 for the fourth tile row. Each tile is in turn associated with corresponding column and row addresses as additional information. The third map data L3 of the third level are uniquely addressed in the exemplary identification number by two further bits or numbers having a numbering corresponding to the numbering of the second level. For example, a point in the lower right tile L3-14 of the third tile data L3 corresponds to the identification number ID: 1-14-14. In the second level of the lower resolution second map data L2, this geographical position is assigned the tile with the identification number ID: 1-14. In addition, the position of an object of this tile L3-14 in the third level of the third map data L3 corresponds to the columns s192-s255 and rows z1-z64 of the corresponding tile L2-14 of the second map data L2 in the second level.

Geographical Objects or for a map viewer other mapped to a geographical point Objects with punctiform, line-shaped or areal extent be over the respective geographic coordinate to the corresponding tiles or Memory areas allocated in the tiles of different levels. The accuracy of the representation is due to the different resolutions the levels or overlayers adapted accordingly. This reduction also causes a reduction in the amount of data to represent the Objects from the level with the highest resolution to the level with the lowest resolution. Of course it will also the number of details or objects from level to level lower resolution reduced accordingly, so that also for objects of different information categories the number of objects or details and thus the amount of memory required is reduced from level to level of lower resolution.

2 1 shows an exemplary subdivision of the map data L1, L2, L3 of the three exemplary mapped planes for different information categories T, S, G, W into turn into individual sets of map data L1-T, L2-T, L3-T, L1-G, L2- G, L3-G, L1-S, L2-S, L3-S, L1-W, L2-W and L3-W.

The first information category T comprises information data on objects or details of the tectonics, that is, for example, contour lines. In the first level L1 with the lowest resolution, for example, no tectonic data is provided, so that the memory requirement is minimal. As tectonic information data for the second map data L2-T, for example, only height information in 500 m steps is provided as corresponding information data. The third-level map data L3-T additionally includes, for example, the height information information in 10-m increments. The second information category G includes building information. The first map data L1-G with the lowest resolution includes only information data on extremely large or extremely important buildings or building complexes Gx, such as airports. The second map data L2-G additionally comprise information data for larger or more important to the card user buildings, such as churches. The third map data L3-G additionally comprise even smaller dimensioned or less significant buildings or objects, for example post offices or telephone booths. According to a comparable scheme, information data about roads are stored as third information category S. The first map data L1-S includes information about highways BAB1, the second map data L2-S additionally include information about highways B2, and the third map data L3-S includes information about larger roads. The exemplary fourth information category W relates to information about bodies of water which, for example in the case of larger bodies of water, can serve as an orientation or, in the case of even smaller waters such as streams, can pose a hindrance to a hiker. Again, the map data L1-W, L2-W, L3-W of the various resolutions is associated with an increasingly larger number of information data of progressively smaller spatial extent.

A Card K for display on a display device of a computer or other user terminal device, for example one Navigation device may be dependent of the user's needs from various map data become. For example, needed the user for mapping a road map no tectonic Information, so from the map data for the first information category T no map data or the corresponding map data L1-T the first map data with the lowest resolution are used. For example accordingly the card data with the identification number ID: 1-11-41 T or the corresponding columns and rows thereof in loaded a memory. For guidance are the user building information important, so he from the second information category G the third map data L3-G of the corresponding desired tiles in the main memory loads, for example the data with the identification number ID: 1-11-41 G. Also of great importance are the road data, so that the user also has the corresponding third map data L3-S of the desired Tile with the identification number ID: 1-11-41 S is used. waters are for the user of a motor vehicle only of interest, if this striking are and can serve as a guide. Accordingly, the chooses User to load into the memory of his user terminal from the fourth information category W, the second map data L2-W with the corresponding identification number ID: 1-11-41 W or the corresponding memory areas of this tile. To this Way, the user must be in RAM or too a permanent storage of its user terminal device only those indeed required number of map data to represent the desired Invite Card K road data and building data be with high resolution provided, water data me only a lower resolution and tectonic data with least resolution or not at all.

In addition, can in another set of map data or separately a non-geographical set Information is provided, such as a name Street or place names to a point.

each Contains tile as descriptions preferably exactly all lying in the tile geographical objects. At the borders of the tiles become the objects cut off, which is why when combining tiles or map data from tiles of a certain one of the information categories T, G, S, W each tile the same map data L1, L2 or L3, respectively the same resolution be combined.

For special Information categories like street data, which for Automatic route calculations are provided beyond that the topological connections in the road network provided as attributes, which directly in conjunction with the corresponding Map data or as additional data.

If geographic locations are cut at a tile boundary, it may not be clear which other object in the neighboring tile forms the continuation. For the sake of uniqueness, an additional n-coordinate n (in addition to the x and y coordinates at all points on the tile boundary that have been newly formed by the tile boundary) is preferably used for this purpose. 2 ). Objects that originally crossed the tile boundary have the same n-coordinate in the two tiles next to the cut boundary. At each intersection, the n-coordinate is numbered from 1 and incremented by 1 at each new intersection at the same point.

In addition, can Reference can be provided between different objects. Become references for Objects within a tile and in adjacent tiles deposited. Due to the preferred addressing system with the identification numbers ID can be addressed by a short description. Advantageously suffice for 2 Bit that is z. B. on the tiles "own tile", "right Tile "," upper Tile ", or" upper and right tile ". The neighboring objects are then specified by specifying the neighboring tile and that complemented accordingly x-y-n coordinate uniquely identified. Such reference information between objects or with respect Tile borders can Advantageously, as another set of map data besides the records provided by map data of the various information categories become.

References to non-geographical objects can not only be stored in the same level but also, if necessary, in a higher level. Several geographic objects can then access the same non-geographic objects refer, wherein advantageously only a reduced memory requirement is required. Appropriately, all geographical or non-geographical data of a tile are combined in a common data record, which is stored under the identification number ID of the tile. Similar or required in the same context data elements can be copied. For this purpose, the data elements are either arranged within the record of a tile in a row, or it will be created in the same overlay or the same level of map data different tile levels, z. As tiles with street objects, tiles with surface objects, etc. as in the case of various information categories.

3 represents a particularly memory-saving method for compiling map data for forming a map K. Again, a map K is to be constructed according to the example of the map compilation 2 being constructed. Since topographic information data is not required, no set of maps is selected from the topography submap set K (T) of the corresponding map data.

From the sub-map set of the road information road map data K (S), road information data is required for only a limited space. For example, an area should be of interest, as in 4 on a display device TD of a user terminal device TM, eg a navigation device, is outlined. Shown is a highway which extends from the lower left over the lower right to the upper right quadrant of the imaging surface. In addition, detailed map information is also needed on smaller streets of the lower left and upper right quadrants, where the starting point and destination of a desired route are. In fact, for the map display, the user of the user terminal TM thus needs only data about these quadrants. Accordingly, only the required information data of the road information category S having the required resolution in the form of the corresponding third map data L3-S is loaded into a temporary and / or permanent memory device TMM of the user terminal device TM. Since the route does not pass through the upper left quadrant, no road map data L3-21-11S-L3-1-21-44S are correspondingly loaded. This leads to a first advantageous reduction of the memory requirement in the user terminal TM.

There building details for the Users also of great Importance are, from a building subcard set K (G) the corresponding building map data L3-G accordingly with the likewise high resolution of the third level in the Memory invited. Optionally, the building map data L3-G restricted to the lower left and upper right quadrants, because in the right lower squares because of just passing through this building data are not of interest.

Regarding Water-card data L2-W are for the user only larger waters of Interest, which as a landmark in driving a car help could be. Accordingly, in the user terminal TM, only water map data becomes L2-W of a corresponding water card stock K (W) for the three quadrants to be crossed with the resolution of the second water map data L2-W provided. By doing that, for mapping the waters up the second map data L2-W is used, which a lower resolution as the road map data the third level for street presentation be used, there is a further reduction of memory requirements. It is not necessary in place of, for example, the second one Water-card data L2: 1-22W for the upper right quadrant the corresponding higher resolved third Water Map Data L3: 1-22-11W - L3: 1-22-44W with the ultimate 16 times the amount of data to use.

to Forming a map K can thus create a lot of tiles as a map To be defined. These form z. B. the area of Germany. Advantageously, in the definition of the card K by the user only exactly what you want Covered area. The border of the map can be as own geographical Object contained in the map. The objects of the card Covered areas usually end at the border. To the definition such a map K can in a simpler way the minimum tile counter or Identification numbers ID are given in x and y direction. Optionally, the coordinate of the point in the lower left corner of the thus described area, in particular rectangle, as a new zero point for this special card K can be specified, so with a smaller one Value range for The tile numbers within the card can be worked around to further reduce the storage requirements.

Specific Tiles can thereby be marked as border tiles of a map. Border tiles one Card can later be overlaid with boundary tiles of another map, so that a complete Coverage of geography yields. In particular, the border tiles of a Map contains references to other maps where it overlaps Boundary tiles exist, so that in a simple way different thus provided special maps K or map areas for later Combined need-based combination.

4 illustrates an exemplary arrangement for the management and use of map data. In a central device Z, the entire map data for the different levels L1, L2, L3 and the various information categories T, G, S, W are provided, for example, a subdivision into each of the Levels and information categories. A central storage device ZM is used to receive the data in a customary manner, which is connected via a suitable connection, in particular a data bus B, to a central control device ZC and one or more interface devices ZIO1 and ZIO2. The central control device ZC is used for managing and updating the map data and for driving the interface devices ZIO1, ZIO2. An update of the map data can be initiated via the first of the interface devices ZIO1, for example by means of a connected terminal ZT. This makes it possible to selectively update data of individual storage areas, individual tiles or the entire data stock when necessary changes are required. In addition, validity information and access signatures can be specified for the entire map data pool or, if necessary, individual tiles. As a result, access to the map data can be user-dependent and limited in time. In the illustrated embodiment, map data L1, L2, L3 of different levels or different resolutions and / or map data of different information categories G, S, W, T are identified differently with regard to access authorizations and validity periods can be.

Especially lifetimes can also automatically by the central control device for map data, especially for complete tiles one or more categories of information, if such map data or tiles over the second interface device ZIO2 from the user end device TM can be requested or sent to you.

Thereby will enable by a user terminal TM only to selected map data or tiles can be accessed so that a user by means of its user terminal TM via the link between an interface device TMIO of the user end device TM and the second interface device ZIO2 of the central device Z, for example, only on beforehand acquired data. In particular, the marking with an access signature with a validity note allows also a time restriction the usability of such downloaded map data.

In user end device TM are transmitted via, for example, interface device TMIO downloaded map data in a temporary and / or permanent storage device TMM saved. By means of a central control device TMC these can Map data processed and displayed on the display device TD or optionally via to print a printer. The individual components of the User end devices TM are in a manner known per se networked with each other, for example by means of a data bus B.

at such a concept, the entire available database of a so-called Master card kept in a central database available. This database contains the latest version of the map data. Due to the concept the breakdown into different levels and into individual tiles The version of each tile may differ from the versions of other tiles the same level of map data. To this end each tile is advantageously a version number or a Effective date assigned. This may be an end user or an end user device TM always match the local map data of the end user device TM with the appropriate map data in the central database carry out and if necessary an update or a so-called update make. Advantageously, the concept allows tiling also an on-demand reloading of additionally required map data or tiles in the user terminal TM and accordingly a deletion of no longer needed Map data or tile. In the user end device TM becomes thereby always only an optimally minimizable memory requirement for permanent and / or temporary Save map data needed.

Especially with regard to informational data on tectonics T or waters W a further reduction of the required memory is possible in the Trap of larger coherent ones surfaces with consistent content. For example, a sea extends as a very big one waters optionally via a coherent one Surface up a variety of individual tiles. In such a case, marginal tiles can be defined, which has a uniformly defined object area enclose, so that only the tiles of the edge area, but not of the border area enclosed tiles with ultimately on the entire tile surface the same information data is loaded into the memory TMM have to.

Claims (21)

Method for providing map data for displaying a map (K), in which The spatial data map data is provided as first map data (L1) at a first resolution and as second map data (L2) at a second resolution, the second resolution being higher relative to the first resolution, characterized in that - the map data for the spatial area in addition to the first and the second map data (L1, L2) further map data (L3) are associated with at least one further, even higher resolution. The method of claim 1, wherein the information data (L1-G, L1-S, L1-W) at least one information category different from the map data (T) as additional independent Map data is provided for jointly forming a map (K) become. Method, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, for Providing map data for Cards (K) in which - the Map data for a spatial Area as the first map data (L1) with a first resolution and provided as second map data (L2) with a second resolution being the second resolution relative to the first resolution is higher, thereby characterized in that - one Map (K) from the map data of the first map data (L1) and off Map data of the second map data (L2) is formed, wherein the first map data (L1) from information data of a first information category (T) and the second map data (L2) from information data of a second information category different from the first information category (T) (W) are formed. The method of claim 3, wherein - the information data the first information category (T) larger-scale location-based Structures (BAB1) or more important location-related localities be and - the Information data of the second information category (W) smaller dimensioned location-based structures (B2) or less significant location-specific locations be assigned. Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the information data the second information category (W) in addition to the smaller dimensioned ones Structures (B2) or less important localities also the information data (BAB1) of the first information category (T). Method according to any preceding claim, in which a section or map data of the first map data (L1) to a section or a map data of the second and / or further Map data (L2, L3) is set in fixed reference. Method according to any preceding claim, in which the first spatial Area and the second spatial Range at least partially. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the second map data (L2) having the second, higher resolution than tiled data in at least two tiles (L2, 11 - 44 ) with cache data (z1 .... z255, s1 ...... s255). Method according to Claim 8, in which the first map data (L1) having the first resolution is stored as tiled data in at least two tiles (L1, 11 - 44 ) with cache data (z1 .... z255, s1 ...... s255). Method according to claim 9, wherein for each tile (L1) of the first map data (L1) a multiplicity of tiles (L2, 11 - 44 ) of the second map data (L2) is provided, in particular a two or a four times in the directions of the card extents as the plurality. Method according to one of claims 8 - 10, wherein each tile (L3, 1-11-21) assigned their own identification number (ID: 1-11-21) with the identification number (ID) according to a unique indexing scheme considering the level of the tile in the map data (L1, L2, L3) of different resolutions is assigned. Method according to one of claims 8 - 11, wherein each tile (L1, 11 ; L2, 11 - 44 ; L3, ...) is uniquely associated with a surface of the earth's surface with respect to a common origin of coordinates (O) for the map data (L1, L2, L3) of the different resolutions. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein each map data point to one point of the earth's surface With respect to a common coordinate origin (O) for the map data (L1, L2, L3) of the different resolutions is assigned uniquely. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the map data (L1, L2, L3) and / or additional information in one separate, in particular central data source (ZM) provided become. A method according to any preceding claim, at in a local database in a local storage device (TMM) map data (L1, L2, L3), in particular tiles, if necessary and / or selected from a central map database in a central storage facility (ZM) to be provided. Method according to a preceding An claim in which in a map data set after an update only map data (L1, L2, L3), in particular only tiles are exchanged, which are affected by the update. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the map data contained in a map data, in particular tiles from card data with an access signature for providing an individual, in particular user or Device-dependent access protection. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the map data contained in a map data, in particular tiles from card data, marked with a time validity information be used to provide a temporary access. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the information data (L1-G, L1-S, L1-W) each for an entire Tile and / or each for an entire data field of a tile and / or the map data set become. Device (Z) for providing map data to perform A method according to any one of the preceding claims - one Memory device (ZM) for storing map data (L1, L2, L3) - one Control device (ZC) for managing, in particular for updating the stored or exchanged map data and - one Interface device (ZIO2) for exchanging the map data via the Interface device between the memory device (ZM) and an external device (TM). User terminal device (TM), in particular navigation device, to perform A method according to any one of the preceding claims - one Memory device (TMM) for storing map data (L1, L2, L3) - one Control device (TMC) for managing and processing the stored or map data to be exchanged and - an interface device (TMIO) for retrieving and receiving the map data or selected one of Map data via the interface device from an external central storage device (Z, ZM).