Patents by Inventor Alan Witmer

Alan Witmer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9301099
    Abstract: A method of analyzing points of interest (22) using traces from probe data is provided. The method includes providing a database of a digital vector map (18) configured to store a plurality of traces (1?-14?) representing roads. The method further includes collecting probe data from vehicles traveling along the traces. Then, bundling a group of select traces (2?, 5?, 7?, 9?, 11?) having routes with a common origin (20) and at least one divergence point (24, I) downstream from the origin (20) and building a database of vehicle maneuvers over the routes. Further, computing average speeds and delay times of a random population of vehicles traversing the vehicle maneuvers. Further yet, computing average speeds and delay times of all vehicles traversing the routes. Then, comparing the computed results from the random population of vehicles with the computed results from all vehicles traversing said routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Patent number: 9222786
    Abstract: In a method for creating a digital representation of a transportation network, acquired probe traces are refined based on characteristics of the transportation network. Geographic objects associated with the transportation network are identified based on the refined probe traces. A digital geographic network is built based on the refined probe traces and identified geographic objects, and the digital representation of the transportation network is created by linking the identified geographic objects in the digital geographic network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Patent number: 9068849
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of generating a shaped line in a geographic data information system, comprising selecting a first shaped line (100) in the geographic data information system, determining (205) a clothoid spline (300) representation of the shaped line, determining (210) a location of a first shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300) and determining (235) a location of a second shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300), wherein the location of the second shape point is determined (510) to be a maximum chord length from the first shape point within a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Patent number: 8949021
    Abstract: A method of processing probe trace data to determine a measure of correlation of a probe trace with other probe traces comprises obtaining a map that associates a parameter space with a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one correlation value is assigned to each of the plurality of pixels, and determining a correlation score for a probe trace by mapping the probe trace to at least one pixel of the map and determining the correlation score for the probe trace from at least one correlation value of the at least one pixel to which the probe trace is mapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20140372022
    Abstract: A method of analyzing points of interest (22) using traces from probe data is provided. The method includes providing a database of a digital vector map (18) configured to store a plurality of traces (1?-14?) representing roads. The method further includes collecting probe data from vehicles traveling along the traces. Then, bundling a group of select traces (2?, 5?, 7?, 9?, 11?) having routes with a common origin (20) and at least one divergence point (24, 1) downstream from the origin (20) and building a database of vehicle maneuvers over the routes. Further, computing average speeds and delay times of a random population of vehicles traversing the vehicle maneuvers. Further yet, computing average speeds and delay times of all vehicles traversing the routes. Then, comparing the computed results from the random population of vehicles with the computed results from all vehicles traversing said routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20130030690
    Abstract: A method of processing probe trace data to determine a measure of correlation of a probe trace with other probe traces comprises obtaining a map that associates a parameter space with a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one correlation value is assigned to each of the plurality of pixels, and determining a correlation score for a probe trace by mapping the probe trace to at least one pixel of the map and determining the correlation score for the probe trace from at least one correlation value of the at least one pixel to which the probe trace is mapped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20120277985
    Abstract: A method of analyzing points of interest (22) using traces from probe data is provided. The method includes providing a database of a digital vector map (18) configured to store a plurality of traces (1?-14?) representing roads. The method further includes collecting probe data from vehicles traveling along the traces. Then, bundling a group of select traces (2?, 5?, 7?, 9?, 11?) having routes with a common origin (20) and at least one divergence point (24, 1) downstream from the origin (20) and building a database of vehicle maneuvers over the routes. Further, computing average speeds and delay times of a random population of vehicles traversing the vehicle maneuvers. Further yet, computing average speeds and delay times of all vehicles traversing the routes. Then, comparing the computed results from the random population of vehicles with the computed results from all vehicles traversing said routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20120121206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of generating a shaped line in a geographic data information system, comprising selecting a first shaped line (100) in the geographic data information system, determining (205) a clothoid spline (300) representation of the shaped line, determining (210) a location of a first shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300) and determining (235) a location of a second shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300), wherein the location of the second shape point is determined (510) to be a maximum chord length from the first shape point within a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20120116678
    Abstract: In a method for creating a digital representation of a transportation network, acquired probe traces are refined based on characteristics of the transportation network. Geographic objects associated with the transportation network are identified based on the refined probe traces. A digital geographic network is built based on the refined probe traces and identified geographic objects, and the digital representation of the transportation network is created by linking the identified geographic objects in the digital geographic network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20110125811
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Patent number: 7912879
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: TeleAtlas North America Inc
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20090144331
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20090144030
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a computer readable storage medium storing instructions for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20090144031
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are systems for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: James Alan Witmer
  • Publication number: 20060041375
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically georeferencing digitized images selects and analyzes image landmark points from disparate sources for image co-registration. A composite alignment of raster images and geographic target vectors is automatically generated using metadata sources for use in geographic display and editing environments. Cartographic alignment of raster images to geographic vector data sets is performed to co-position image data with geographic vector data sets. The co-registration and display permits a meaningful overlay of the data sets and an improved comparison of vector data to the correctly-registered images based on the physical relationships between the vector data and the underlying image features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Geographic Data Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Witmer, James Hagan, Brian Scaffidi, Jon Hancock
  • Patent number: D366871
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Fostex Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Richardson, Jeffrey B. Postupack, Paul W. Brown, Clifford Sielitsky, Peter Phillips, Steven Maker, Lee A. McDavid, Robert Merrill, J. Alan Witmer, William Leathers, Matt P. Bucy, Jeffrey W. Doyle, Michael Geilich, Eric Gottesman, Gerald F. Halstead, Lannelle Jalowiec, Linda J. Donley, Richard Rosenzweig, Troy D. Andrews, Jeffrey C. Cunningham, Alexander Kish, Timothy Pinkham, David Russell, Lisa J. Thompson, Wu-Cheng Tsai, Robert Bristow-Johnson, Tyler Brown, Milton A. Colvin, Cameron W. Jones, Scott C. Peer, Ivor Taylor, Richard Wear, Dave Oren, Mickey Matsumoto