Patents by Inventor Pieter Geelen

Pieter Geelen 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: 10175057
    Abstract: A navigation device that can access map data and avoidance data, the avoidance data including information for identifying undesirable locations, receive location information representing a geographical location and direction of travel in relation to the map data; and establish, based on the location information and map data, whether the geographical location and direction of travel approach a navigation decision point having a plurality of navigation choices, where each navigation choice corresponds to an onward route leaving the navigation decision point; determine, based on the map data and avoidance data, for at least one onward route leaving the navigation decision point, whether the onward route unavoidably includes an undesirable location; and provide result information to the output section based, at least in part, on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TOMTOM NAVIGATION B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 10168175
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus comprises a processing resource operably coupled to a receiver for location-related data and arranged to perform, when in use, location determination. The processing resource supports a parking location determination module he parking location determination module is arranged to determine when the location determined is substantially unchanged and to determine that the location determined constitutes a candidate parking location in response to the location determined remaining substantially unchanged relative to a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOMTOM TRAFFIC B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 10156448
    Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TOMTOM NAVIGATION B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Harold Goddijn
  • Patent number: 9739633
    Abstract: This invention relates to a navigation device (200) comprising: a processor (210) that is configured to generate a navigation map of a local environment (497); and a display (240) controllable by said processor (200) to display said navigation map and any markers (489) that relate to marked locations within said local environment (497); characterized in that the navigation device (200) further comprises: an indicator generation module (490) for generating an indicator (491) for each of any marked locations outside of said local environment, said processor (210) being responsive to said indicator generation module (490) to control said display (240) to display any generated indicators (491) in said navigation map (497). A method of generating a navigation map and a computer program are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Kees Wesselius
  • Patent number: 9702701
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a route-planning device (200;302) comprising a storage section (230;306) storing map information, the map information including information identifying a plurality of potential positions, each potential position corresponding to a position at which a location of a predetermined type might potentially be found; and a search route module (490) arranged to determine a search route visiting at least one of the potential positions, the determination of the search route using a predetermined efficiency measure based on likelihood of finding a location of the predetermined type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Jacob Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 9534916
    Abstract: A method, a device and a computer readable medium are disclosed for navigation. The method includes determining map information for display on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device; and differentiating at least a portion of the map information within a threshold distance of the determined route of travel, from other map information, to thereby emphasize the determined route of travel. The navigation device includes a processor to determine map information for subsequent display, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device, the processor further being useable to control display of at least a portion of the map information, determined to be within a threshold distance of the determined route of travel, in a manner differentiated from display of other map information, to thereby emphasize the determined route of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, James Tebbutt, Jasper-Michiel Van Hemert
  • Publication number: 20160349073
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus comprises a processing resource operably coupled to a receiver for location-related data and arranged to perform, when in use, location determination. The processing resource supports a parking location determination module he parking location determination module is arranged to determine when the location determined is substantially unchanged and to determine that the location determined constitutes a candidate parking location in response to the location determined remaining substantially unchanged relative to a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 9429429
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a route-planning device (200;302) comprising a storage section (230;308) storing map information, the map information including information identifying a plurality of potential positions, each potential position corresponding to a position at which a location of a predetermined type might potentially be found; and a search route module (490) arranged to determine a search route visiting at least one of the potential positions, the determination of the search route using a predetermined efficiency measure based on likelihood of finding a location of the predetermined type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Jacob Eisenberg
  • Publication number: 20160238401
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a route-planning device (200;302) comprising a storage section (230;306) storing map information, the map information including information identifying a plurality of potential positions, each potential position corresponding to a position at which a location of a predetermined type might potentially be found; and a search route module (490) arranged to determine a search route visiting at least one of the potential positions, the determination of the search route using a predetermined efficiency measure based on likelihood of finding a location of the predetermined type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Jacob Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 9418550
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus comprises a processing resource operably coupled to a receiver for location-related data and arranged to perform, when in use, location determination. The processing resource supports a parking location determination module the parking location determination module is arranged to determine when the location determined is substantially unchanged and to determine that the location determined constitutes a candidate parking location in response to the location determined remaining substantially unchanged relative to a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 9250076
    Abstract: A navigation device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a storage device to store map information and points of interest (POIs), the POIs including description information and location information; and a display to display stored POIs at a location of the map information, based upon the location information, POIs being selectively retrievable from a remote location for subsequent storage and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 9194708
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for display of a location of a navigation device; determining at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device; comparing the determined GPS location to stored map information and converting the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and displaying the text readable form of the determined GPS location on an integrated input and display of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to receive a request for display of a location of a navigation device, to determine at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device, to compare the determined GPS location to stored map information and to convert the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and an integrated input and display device to display the text readable form of the determined GPS location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Alexander Ribbink
  • Patent number: 9091546
    Abstract: A navigation device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a storage device to store points of interest (POIs); and an integrated input and display device to display at least one of the stored POIs and to enable selection of the displayed at least one POI; and a processor to execute an action, upon selection of one of the displayed at least one POI, associated with the selected one of the displayed at least one POI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 9086294
    Abstract: A navigation device is disclosed wherein, in at least one embodiment. navigation instruction are adapted to the driver preferences. The driving behavior of the driver is recorded (like speed, time to prepare for an exit etc.), and the way he responds to navigation instructions (promptly, or always too late for example). Traffic, weather and time information may be combined with information on the driving behavior of the driver. This information is examined and used to build up a driver profile. This driver profile is used to adapt future navigation instructions. Alternatively, traffic and weather information may be used to build up route and/or environmental profiles. These profiles can also be used separate from the driver profile to adjust the navigation instruction. The combination of these two techniques, building up a profile (or adapt a pre-defined profile) and adapt the navigation instructions, makes the navigation device a more personal-fit navigation aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Serhiy Tkachenko, David Stelpstra, Kees Wesselius
  • Patent number: 9080887
    Abstract: A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files and supplemental corrective data files. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data, and in the event that the current location and derived map data are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. In at least one embodiment, the secondary action may be the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. In a further aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention also provides for a PND or navigation system storing an indication of a home location, and prompting a user to visit nearby locations for which corrections exist, followed by prompted or automatic confirmation or rejection thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: TOMTOM INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Erik Thomassen, Mareije Roosen, Edwin Neef, Sergei Kucheiko, Rory Jones
  • Publication number: 20150153186
    Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Harold Goddjn
  • Patent number: 9019302
    Abstract: A method, computer program and apparatus are disclosed for generating a display image for a navigation device, wherein the display image includes a map view for display on the navigation device and the map view includes a two dimensional plan view. At least one embodiment of the method includes identifying a plurality of map objects from a digital map for display in a display image on a navigation device; determining whether any of the identified map objects include one or more non-visible features that would not be visible to a user of the navigation device at ground level; generating an adapted set of map objects that does not include any of the non-visible features; and generating, from the adapted set of map objects, a simplified display image for display on the navigation device, wherein the simplified display image does not include any of the non-visible features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, David Martens
  • Patent number: 8972188
    Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Harold Goddjn
  • Publication number: 20150051833
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus comprises a processing resource operably coupled to a receiver for location-related data and arranged to perform, when in use, location determination. The processing resource supports a parking location determination module the parking location determination module is arranged to determine when the location determined is substantially unchanged and to determine that the location determined constitutes a candidate parking location in response to the location determined remaining substantially unchanged relative to a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 8954263
    Abstract: A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen