Method and apparatus for ascertaining at least one exit probability from a land area identifiable in a digital map as open terrain

A method for ascertaining at least one exit probability from a land area identifiable in a digital map as open terrain, starting from a position within the land area, the method comprising:

• subdividing the land area into a plurality of cells, with an initial transition probability being assigned to at least one transition from one of the cells to an adjacent one of the cells, the transition being situated between the position and an edge of the land area;
• adapting the initial transition probability of the transition, in response to a presence of at least one item of information from the digital map to obtain an adapted transition probability for the transition, the item of information being associated with one of the cells or with the adjacent cell;
• and
• ascertaining the exit probability, the exit probability being ascertained using the adapted transition probability.

An apparatus for ascertaining at least one exit probability from a land area identifiable in a digital map as open terrain, starting from a position within the land area, the apparatus comprising:

• a device to subdivide the land area into a plurality of cells, an initial transition probability being assigned to at least one transition from one cell to an adjacent cell, the transition being situated between the position and an edge of the land area;
• a device to adapt the initial transition probability of the transition in response to a presence of at least one item of information from the digital map to obtain an adapted transition probability for the transition, the item of information being associated with the cell or with the adjacent cell;
• and
• a device to ascertain the exit probability, the exit probability being ascertained at least with the use of the adapted transition probability of the transition.

A computer readable storage medium storing program code, the program code to ascertain at least one exit probability from a land area identifiable in a digital map as open terrain, starting from a position within the land area, the program code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the steps of:

• subdividing the land area into a plurality of cells, with an initial transition probability being assigned to at least one transition from one of the cells to an adjacent one of the cells, the transition being situated between the position and an edge of the land area;
• adapting the initial transition probability of the transition, in response to a presence of at least one item of information from the digital map to obtain an adapted transition probability for the transition, the item of information being associated with one of the cells or with the adjacent cell;
• and
• ascertaining the exit probability, the exit probability being ascertained using the adapted transition probability.