Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to provide visual feedback of a change in map view. Various embodiments may display a map view of a map in a two-dimensional map view mode. Embodiments may obtain input indicating a change to a three-dimensional map view mode. Input may be obtained through the utilization of touch, auditory, or other well-known input technologies. Some embodiments may allow the input to request a specific display position to display. In response to the input indicating a change to a three-dimensional map view mode, embodiments may then display an animation that moves a virtual camera for the map display to different virtual camera positions to illustrate that the map view mode is changed to a three-dimensional map view mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for efficiently identifying map tiles of a raised-relief map to retrieve from a server. An electronic device can use estimates of height(s) for various region(s) of the map to determine map tiles that are likely viewable from a given position of a virtual camera. The device can calculate the intersection of the field of view of the virtual camera with the estimated heights to determine a location of the map tiles (e.g., as determined by a 2D grid) needed. In this manner, the electronic device can retrieve, from a map server, the map tiles needed to display the image, without retrieving extraneous tiles that are not needed. Identifying such tiles can reduce the amount of data to be sent across a network and reduce the number of requests for tiles, since the correct tiles can be obtained with the first request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a map tool displaying a three-dimensional view of a map region, where the map tool determines whether or not partially occluded labels within the map region are to be drawn or are to not be drawn. The map tool determines whether or not to draw a label in a map view dependent upon mapping information and upon construction of a three-dimensional model based on one or more two- or three-dimensional data sets. The map tool further determines whether or not to draw a label in the map view dependent upon a measure of occlusion of a label in the map view. In order to determine a measure of occlusion, the map tool may calculate whether a line of sight projection from virtual camera viewpoint for the mobile device intersects, once or more than once, with any objects or landmarks within the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an environment analysis tool on a mobile device which may construct a model of the surrounding environment in order to determine whether or not characteristics of the model implicate a degradation in wireless signal quality. In response to an analysis of the constructed model to determine signal quality, the environment analysis tool may alter the behavior of any number of hardware or software functions to avoid or reduce efforts to receive or use the affected signal over the duration of the mobile device's presence within the environment with the signal-degrading characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a map tool on a mobile device for implementing cartographically aware gestures directed to a map view of a map region. The map tool may base a cartographically aware gesture on an actual gesture input directed to a map view and based on map data for the map region that may include metadata corresponding to elements within the map region. The map tool may then determine, based on one or more elements of the map data, a modification to be applied to an implementation to the gesture. Given the modification to the gesture implementation, the map tool may then render, based on performing the modification to the gesture, an updated map view instead of an updated map view based solely on the user gesture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering 3D maps may highlight a feature in a 3D map while preserving depth. A map tool of a mapping or navigation application that detects the selection of a feature in a 3D map (e.g., by touch) may perform a ray intersection to determine the feature that was selected. The map tool may capture the frame to be displayed (with the selected feature highlighted) in several steps. Each step may translate the map about a pivot point of the selected map feature (e.g., in three or four directions) to capture a new frame. The captured frames may be blended together to create a blurred map view that depicts 3D depth in the scene. A crisp version of the selected feature may then be rendered within the otherwise blurred 3D map. Color, brightness, contrast, or saturation values may be modified to further highlight the selected feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to provide a three-dimensional transition for a map view change. Various embodiments may display a map view. Embodiments may obtain input selecting another map view for display. Input may be obtained through the utilization of touch, auditory, or other well-known input technologies. In response to the input selecting a map view, embodiments may then display a transition animation that illustrates moving from the displayed map view to the selected map view in virtual space. Embodiments may then display the selected map view.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to selectively obtain map image data according to virtual camera velocity. Embodiments may display a map view of a map using a virtual camera. Some embodiments may detect a velocity of the virtual camera. Embodiments may then determine map image data for the map view of the map according to the velocity of the virtual camera and obtain the determined map image data. In at least some embodiments, a level-of-detail may be specified for map image data according to the velocity. Map image data may be obtained corresponding to this level-of-detail from a map service or from accessing local storage.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described to dynamically generate map textures. A client device may obtain map data, which may include one or more shapes described by vector graphics data. Along with the one or more shapes, embodiments may include texture indicators linked to the one or more shapes. Embodiments may render the map data. For one or more shapes, a texture definition may be obtained. Based on the texture definition, a client device may dynamically generate a texture for the shape. The texture may then be applied to the shape to render a current fill portion of the shape. In some embodiments the render map view is displayed.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a global approach for computing transitions between captured runs through an intersection. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transition algorithm receives as input various runs that have been captured through an intersection and an input path through the intersection. The transition algorithm processes its inputs and provides, as an output, a set of points and data such as a direction associated with each of the points. The set of points includes points from different captured runs. The output set of points and associated data indicate which images to obtain from a database and which field of view to create a simulated turn for the user.

Abstract: A video sharing system is described to annotate and navigate tourist videos. An example video sharing system enables non-linear browsing of multiple videos and enriches the browsing experience with contextual and geographic information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided methods and systems for augmenting image data (e.g., still image data or video image data) utilizing image context data to generate panoramic images. In accordance with embodiments hereof, a position and orientation of received image data is utilized to identify image context data (e.g., three-dimensional model data, two-dimensional image data, and/or 360° image data from another source) rendered based upon the same position or a nearby position relative to the image data and the image data is augmented utilizing the identified context data to create a panoramic image. The panoramic image may then be displayed (e.g., shown on a LCD/CRT screen or projected) to create a user experience that is more immersive than the original image data could create.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for displaying an image using a multi-directional image displaying device in a compact, configurable device having an expansive viewing angle. An image projector projects an image having a plurality of image pixels. A distribution object is aligned with the image projector. The distribution object is utilized to redirect the image pixels projected by the image projector onto one or more display surfaces. As such, in one embodiment, a wide view display of the first image that expands at least the width of a user field of view results from the spreading of the image pixels. A compact housing unit provides support for the image projector and the distribution object. In one embodiment, the multi-directional image displaying device can be adjusted to change the wide view display of the image.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a global approach for computing transitions between captured runs through an intersection. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transition algorithm receives as input various runs that have been captured through an intersection and an input path through the intersection. The transition algorithm processes its inputs and provides, as an output, a set of points and data such as a direction associated with each of the points. The set of points includes points from different captured runs. The output set of points and associated data indicate which images to obtain from a database and which field of view to create a simulated turn for the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide techniques for scrubbing variable paths in content. By way of example and not limitation, scrubbing can include receiving user input that defines a scrub path and navigating a data path through content based on the scrub path. According to some embodiments, a data path can include one or more predefined paths (e.g., a travel route) through the content. One or more of the techniques can account for variations in a data path and provide ways of maintaining adjacency between a scrub path and navigation along the data path. In some embodiments, a data path can be associated with one or more types of data path content that can be presented in response to a navigation of the data path.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for displaying an image using a multi-directional image displaying device in a compact, configurable device having an expansive viewing angle. An image projector projects an image having a plurality of image pixels. A distribution object is aligned with the image projector. The distribution object is utilized to redirect the image pixels projected by the image projector onto one or more display surfaces. As such, in one embodiment, a wide view display of the first image that expands at least the width of a user field of view results from the spreading of the image pixels. A compact housing unit provides support for the image projector and the distribution object. In one embodiment, the multi-directional image displaying device can be adjusted to change the wide view display of the image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided methods and systems for augmenting image data (e.g., still image data or video image data) utilizing image context data to generate panoramic images. In accordance with embodiments hereof, a position and orientation of received image data is utilized to identify image context data (e.g., three-dimensional model data, two-dimensional image data, and/or 360° image data from another source) rendered based upon the same position or a nearby position relative to the image data and the image data is augmented utilizing the identified context data to create a panoramic image. The panoramic image may then be displayed (e.g., shown on a LCD/CRT screen or projected) to create a user experience that is more immersive than the original image data could create.