System and method for providing accurate local maps for a central service

An apparatus for generating maps comprising:

• means for receiving first data from a storage component in response to a first request that comprises first location information associated with a geographic location, wherein the first data comprises first geo-coordinates;
• means for generating a first map, that comprises a representation of the geographic location, based on the first data;
• means for receiving local geographical data that is distinct from the first data and associated with the geographic location for the first map;
• means for determining second geo-coordinates of the local geographical data for inclusion on said first map;
• means for storing the local geographical data in the storage component;
• means for performing a rules-based comparison of the first geo-coordinates with the second geo-coordinates;
• means for receiving second data, that comprises the local geographic data, from the storage component in response to a second request that comprises second location information that is associated with the geographic location;
• and
• means for generating a second map, that comprises the local geographic data and the representation of the geographic location, based on the second data received.

A method for updating map data comprising the steps of:

• receiving an upload package, of local geographical data for one or more maps, from a regional server, wherein the upload package of data comprises local geographical data for the one or more maps;
• storing said local geographical data with the one or more maps;
• performing a rules-based comparison of the local geographical data with commercial data for the one or more maps;
• updating a national map for the one or more maps with the local geographical data of the upload package to create an updated national map;
• and
• downloading the updated national map to one or more regional servers.