Patents by Inventor Michael Childs

Michael Childs 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: 7865876
    Abstract: A computing platform 20 provides multiple computing environments 24 each containing a guest operating system 25 provided by a virtual machine application 26. Optionally, each computing environment 24 is formed in a compartment 220 of a compartmented host operating system 22. A trusted device 213 verifies that the host operating system 22 and each guest operating system 25 operates in a secure and trusted manner by forming integrity metrics which can be interrogated by a user 10. Each computing environment is isolated and secure, and can be verified as trustworthy independent of any other computing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Griffin, Christopher I. Dalton, Michael Child, Liqun Chen, Andrew Patrick Norman
  • Patent number: 7409288
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the device is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Michael Childs, Scott M. Burgett, Thomas H. Walters
  • Patent number: 7283905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin J. Beesley, Michael Childs
  • Patent number: 7269508
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to account for insignificant route segments to enhance a route guidance experience. An electronic navigational aid device is provided according to one aspect. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and memory are adapted to cooperate to provide route guidance that accounts for insignificant route segments. According to various embodiments, insignificant route segments are accounted for by nullifying and/or modifying route guidance maneuvers associated with the insignificant route segments. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Childs, Darin J. Beesley
  • Patent number: 7206692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin J. Beesley, Michael Childs
  • Publication number: 20070067101
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Krull, Michael Childs, Shane Runquist
  • Patent number: 7184886
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Michael Childs, Shane R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 7120539
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Michael Childs, Shane R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 7062378
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the device is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Michael Childs, Scott M. Burgett, Thomas H. Walters
  • Patent number: 7043362
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for integrating GPS receiver technology into a PDA. The systems, devices and methods of the present invention integrate GPS capabilities with PDA functions, and in particular integrate a PDA address book function with an electronic map and GPS capabilities. One aspect provided herein is a method. In one embodiment, a location or feature is identified, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) address book entry is associated with the location or feature. In one embodiment, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) address book entry is selected, and a location or feature is associated with the PDA address book entry. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Michael Childs, Matthew C. Burch, Benjamin Jones, Paul McAlister
  • Patent number: 6999873
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device's location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Michael Childs, Shane R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 6980906
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for more efficient use of RAM and other resources in connection with a route calculation algorithm which quickly obtains a best or reasonable best path between two locations. The navigational aid device includes forced layer switching capabilities. The navigational aid device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The memory has cartographic data including any number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The plurality of thoroughfares are organized in a hierarchy of detail levels. The processor operates on a route calculation algorithm to find a path between any two of the number of locations and the route calculation algorithm dynamically forces switching between different levels in the hierarchy of detail levels based on a set of criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Min H. Kao, Michael Childs, Darin J. Beesley
  • Patent number: 6975940
    Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for an improved route generation in navigational enabled devices. In generating the route, the available locations are inspected repetitively and locations adjacent to a last selected location are inserted into a first data structure such that the first location of the first data structure is always a least cost location associated with all adjacent locations comprising the first data structure. The first location is then optionally inserted into a second data structure. The generated route includes the current location, one or more first locations, and the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Childs, Darin J. Beesley
  • Publication number: 20050256872
    Abstract: A method for entering identification data of a person or pet includes forming personal information of the person or said pet, forming picture images of the person or pet, and combining the personal information and the picture image simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Childs, Matthew Childs
  • Publication number: 20050137793
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Jay Krull, Michael Childs, Shane Runquist
  • Patent number: 6909965
    Abstract: A method for organizing roadway network data in a memory storage device is provided. A data set indicative of a roadway network is provided. Proximity criteria for intersection nodes between the roads in the roadway network is identified. The intersection nodes are grouped into a node block based on the proximity criteria. Node records which contain data indicative of the nodes are stored as a group in the node block in contiguous memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin J. Beesley, Michael Childs
  • Publication number: 20050131641
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Darin Beesley, Michael Childs
  • Publication number: 20050125143
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Darin Beesley, Michael Childs
  • Publication number: 20050114021
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for integrating GPS receiver technology into a PDA. The systems, devices and methods of the present invention integrate GPS capabilities with PDA functions, and in particular integrate a PDA address book function with an electronic map and GPS capabilities. One aspect provided herein is a method. In one embodiment, a location or feature is identified, and a Personal Digital Assistant. (PDA) address book entry is associated with the location or feature. In one embodiment, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) address book entry is selected, and a location or feature is associated with the PDA address book entry. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Jay Krull, Michael Childs, Matthew Burch, Benjamin Jones, Paul McAlister
  • Patent number: D608086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Johnson, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik Ruiz, Kevin Michael Childs, Josh Paul Defosset