Method to extend operational domain using pre-downloads of tiles for non- or low cellular signal area

A system comprising:

• a computer memory configured to store map data;
• and
• a processor coupled to the computer memory and configured to at least facilitate:
• identifying, using the map data, a plurality of geographic areas in which a vehicle is to travel along a selected route to a destination;
• identifying, using the map data, a plurality of map tiles corresponding to the plurality of geographic areas, such that each of the plurality of map tiles corresponds to a different one of the plurality of geographic areas;
• obtaining data access information for each of the plurality of geographic areas;
• and
• determining a prioritized sequence for downloading the plurality of map tiles, based on the data access information for the plurality of geographic areas.

A vehicle comprising:

• a body;
• a computer memory configured to store map data;
• and
• a processor coupled to the computer memory and configured to at least facilitate:
• identifying, using the map data, a plurality of geographic areas in which the vehicle is to travel along a selected route to a destination;
• identifying, using the map data, a plurality of map tiles corresponding to the plurality of geographic areas, such that each of the plurality of map tiles corresponds to a different one of the plurality of geographic areas;
• obtaining data access information for each of the plurality of geographic areas;
• and
• determining a prioritized sequence for downloading the plurality of map tiles, based on the data access information for the plurality of geographic areas.