Abstract: A system and method for converting digital map information using displayable map information as an intermediary. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. The system can receive data into the viewer application in a first map format and then provide or output that data in a second map format. Different map formats can be interpreted and/or optionally displayed in a universal display format. Depending on the particular embodiment the universal display format can include item coordinates, or higher level descriptions of geometry and topology in the map. In accordance with an embodiment, a map format legend associated with a particular map format can then be used to interpret the universal display format, and output the data into that map format. A plurality of different map legends can be used to allow different map formats to be output. In this manner the system allows for easy and universal converting of map formats.

Abstract: A system and method for using layers and grids to access, view, edit and store digital map data. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. The system assists in previewing and outputting data to different map formats. Some maps include multiple levels of tiled map information. The map can be displayed on a display screen in a universal display format that is independent of the original format, and can then be parsed using a map legend. Features are provided to allow output of different types or sets of map data based on the currently displayed map. If a user modifies the map display to display a greater, or lesser, detail of resolution, then the set of map data that is output can be varied accordingly.

Abstract: A method of encoding a shortened path definition of a path in a mapping system is described. In one embodiment, a shortened path definition includes only those routing points that are needed to eliminate valid alternate routes.

Abstract: A system and method for providing efficient access to digital map data. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. In some map data formats each map item is not necessarily stored or encoded using a consistent byte length. Instead, to save overall storage requirements, the map items can be stored as different byte length variables. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a bit stream processor that provides a staging area for efficient reading and writing of map data, and also provides security for adjoining data portions that use different byte length variables. An input map or map data can be read into the system, and optionally written to an output map. As map data is read into the system, instead of reading it directly from disk storage to the display screen, which takes time, the bit stream processor places the map data in memory and reads it from there.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating 3D objects within a digital map. The method comprises the actions of: —retrieving at least one image sequence, each image having corresponding location coordinates; —retrieving a set of data of an object from an electronic map, the set of data including location coordinates; —selecting from the at least one image sequence at least one image including a representation of the object by means of the location coordinates of the image sequences and the location coordinates in the set of data; —determining from the selected images at least one characteristic of the object; —adding the at least one characteristic of the object to the set of data; —storing the set of data and the at least one characteristic in said enhanced map.

Abstract: A navigation system and method for personalizing trip assistance on a digital map for a user, including data, software (application) and hardware (H/W) components that track a trip of the user, log the trip data in a data base, classify the logged trip data by time of day, day of week and date, process and analyze the trip data, and store and retrieve the results of the analyzed trip data to assist the user.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating digital map information, that allows the operator to view or modify map object or item attributes from either a graphical window or a text window. In one embodiment, when the user selects a map item within the graphical window (202), the text window (210) displays a text record that includes attributes (242) associated with the currently selected item. Attributes may include, for example, a street name, or a relationship of the current item to another item. The system can display these relationships within the text window. In one embodiment, the attributes that include links to related map items or to related items of information are highlighted or are visibly identified (249) in some manner. The operator can then select a highlighted attribute to traverse to, and display the new map item. The graphical window display can be updated in parallel with the text window.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating digital map information, that allows the operator to view or modify map object or item attributes from either a graphical window or a text window. In one embodiment, when the user selects a map item within the graphical window (202), the text window (210) displays a text record that includes attributes (242) associated with the currently selected item. Attributes may include, for example, a street name, or a relationship of the current item to another item. The system can display these relationships within the text window. In one embodiment, the attributes that include links to related map items or to related items of information are highlighted or are visibly identified (249) in some manner. The operator can then select a highlighted attribute to traverse to, and display the new map item. The graphical window display can be updated in parallel with the text window.

Abstract: A navigation system for use in a vehicle. The system includes an absolute position sensor, such as GPS, in addition to one or more additional sensors, such as a camera, laser scanner, or radar. The system further comprises a digital map or database that includes records for at least some of the vehicle's surrounding objects. These records can include relative positional attributes and traditional absolute positions. As the vehicle moves, sensors sense the presence of at least some of these objects, and measure the vehicle's relative position to those objects. This information, together with the absolute positional information and the added map information, is used to determine the vehicle's location, and support features such as enhanced driving directions, collision avoidance, or automatic assisted driving. In accordance with an embodiment, the system also allows some objects to be attributed using relative positioning, without recourse to storing absolute position information.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating digital map information, that allows the operator to view or modify map object or item attributes from either a graphical window or a text window. In one embodiment, when the user selects a map item within the graphical window (202), the text window (210) displays a text record that includes attributes (242) associated with the currently selected item. Attributes may include, for example, a street name, or a relationship of the current item to another item. The system can display these relationships within the text window. In one embodiment, the attributes that include links to related map items or to related items of information are highlighted or are visibly identified (249) in some manner. The operator can then select a highlighted attribute to traverse to, and display the new map item. The graphical window display can be updated in parallel with the text window.

Abstract: A single geocoded data layer is created by converting centroid related data to a line by adding or subtracting a distance at a predetermined direction from the centroid to derive an endpoint from the centroid defining the line (taking the form of a radial extending from the centroid). The source of the centroid related data is utilized to determine the direction of the line. The single geocoded data layer allows for one pass searching of geocoded data, and provides a display with more information than a simple match to a point or centroid. The radial display may take any form. Unconfirmed locations in the database may be related only to a centroid, and a display program automatically calculates a radial for display in conjunction with the centroid. The display may be the form of a radial, a radial with notches (representing additional matches), colors, or other shapes, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and/or using a universal location referencing object (ULRO) with electronic files including electronic maps. ULROs establish traversable links between a file-of-reference and third-party-files. In accordance with an embodiment, the ULRO comprises a universal location referencing code uniquely corresponding to the location, together with several optional components, including: a set of name information; a super-set of coordinates; a file-of-reference pointer field comprising a file-of-reference pointer; a third-party-file pointer field comprising one or more third-party-file pointers; a file-of-reference back-pointer field comprising a file-of-reference back-pointer; a third-party-file back-pointer field comprising one or more third-party-file back-pointers; and a metadata field.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual map database, referred to herein as the “Virtual Database System” (VDB). The VDB allows integration of map data, often from various sources, in a consistent manner for supply to an end user, while simultaneously ensuring that the entity best able to support a particular data source retains control over the data. In accordance with an embodiment, the VDB environment enables third-party data providers to associate their third-party-files with a base map or file-of-reference, thereby allowing for the creation of dynamic relationships between digital map features and other third-party data providers. The integration may be performed in a dynamic or real-time fashion, receiving up-to-date information from the various sources, creating links, and composing virtual maps, as needed or on-demand.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.

Abstract: A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users.