Map Display Patents (Class 340/995.1)
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Patent number: 8874326Abstract: A system for assisting in docking of a machine at a loading location is provided. The system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is configured to generate a signal indicative of one or more loading locations associated with a loading machine. The second controller is communicably coupled to the first controller, a position detection module, a sensor and a display unit. Based on the signals received from the first controller, the position detection module and the sensor, the second controller compares the received signals and selects an exact loading location of the one or more loading locations. The second controller then determines when the current position of the machine crosses a predefined threshold distance and displays, on the display unit, a zoomed-in top view of the machine on the worksite and the exact loading location, based on the determination.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
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Patent number: 8874361Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed that provide for creating an accurate representation of a roadway network, such as for planning vehicle travel routes. Positioning data is obtained, such as GPS data points from a plurality of vehicles, which mark traces of vehicular travel. A location of a trace is clarified using adjustment forces that are related to the traces, for example, to form coherent groups of traces. From these groups of clarified traces, a graph line is created by merging the traces.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John Krumm, Lili Cao
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Patent number: 8862389Abstract: Display systems, methods, and programs generate and display an arrow object superimposed on an actual image of a road ahead of a vehicle. The systems, methods, and programs access information about a lane change route for guiding the vehicle when changing from a travel lane to a recommended lane. The systems, methods, and programs generate and display a travel lane part of the arrow object, a crossing part of the arrow object, and a recommended lane part of the arrow object, each as a superimposed image on the recommended lane. As remaining distance from a current position of the vehicle to the junction becomes smaller, a distance of a directional component along the travel lane for at least one of the travel lane part, the crossing part, and the recommended lane part is shortened.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ken Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8860588Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for illustrating travel time. The device includes a display screen, a starting point indicator, a destination indicator, a travel path, and a progress indicator. The starting point indicator represents a starting point and is adapted for display on the display screen. The destination indicator represents a destination point and is adapted for display on the display screen. The travel path represents a path of travel between the starting point and the destination point. The progress indicator is adapted to indicate a point between the starting point indicator and the destination indicator and is adapted for movement along the travel path. A method for illustrating travel time comprises displaying a starting point indicator on a display screen, displaying a destination indicator on the display screen, and displaying a progress indicator.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: MCD International, Inc.Inventors: Julie K. McDermed, Stephen A. Zemcik, Paul M. McDermed
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Patent number: 8855908Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling users who request a map of a specified route to invoke a data session to see images of the key markers and a video session to see live views of key points along the route are disclosed. If traffic appears congested, the subscriber can request an alternative route from the network along with image and video sessions to verify the traffic conditions of the alternative route.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
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Patent number: 8847791Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for determining the parking difficulty of segments of a geographic area. A system may include portable computers and vehicle navigation systems traversing segments of a geographic area. Location tracks may be received corresponding to the paths of the vehicles. The location tracks may be evaluated to determine if they are from a vehicle searching for parking. Some segments of the searching-for-parking location tracks may be included in a circle event, and the number circle events that include a segment may indicate the difficulty of parking in that segment. The parking difficulty may be expressed as a parking difficulty index and may be transmitted to a computer for view on an interactive map or for use in determining directions to a destination.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Shlomo Reuben Urbach
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Patent number: 8847790Abstract: A navigation device and a method of determining parking information are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving, at a server, journey information from a plurality of navigation devices, the journey information indicating one or more journeys made by each navigation device and determining, by the server from the journey information, parking information indicating a geographical location of one or more parking areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventor: Jeroen Trum
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Patent number: 8847789Abstract: An information provision system includes a terminal device, and an information provision device that can communicate with the terminal device. The information provision device includes a communicating section configured to communicate with the terminal device, a head count information managing section configured to manage current head count information for each position, and a crowd information generating section configured to determine a position for making a notification display based on the managed head count information, and generate crowd information containing information of the determined position, and a transmission control section configured to transmit the generated crowd information from the communicating section to the terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Akane Sano, Masamichi Asukai, Taiji Ito, Akinobu Sugino, Yoshiteru Kamatani, Kazunori Hayashi, Takayasu Kon, Yasunori Kamada, Mitsuru Takehara, Yoichiro Sako
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Patent number: 8843160Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for wireless tower caching. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for wireless tower caching in a radio access network (RAN) can include receiving a response to a request from an end user device wirelessly coupled to a base station of the RAN, determining geographic positioning data for the response and identifying a most geographically wireless tower coupled to the RAN relative to the determined geographic positioning data (such as the closest wireless tower to the determined geographic positioning data). Thereafter, the response can be cached at a cache in a base station of the identified wireless tower. In this way, the cached content can remain relevant for a significant period of time in as much as the correlation between a likely position of the end user device and the content cached at the base station of the wireless tower at the time of use of the cached content is strong.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Erik J. Burckart, Gennaro Cuomo, Andrew J. Ivory, Victor S. Moore, Aaron K. Shook
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Patent number: 8836545Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a plurality of electronic detection devices for detecting and making available vehicle-related information items, wherein the vehicle-related information items relate to various areas or components outside or inside the motor vehicle; a display unit for displaying the vehicle-related information items; an operator control device for detecting an operator control action; and a control unit. The control unit is configured and coupled with the detection devices, the display unit and the operator control device such that in a first display operating state, first vehicle-related information items and a first graphics object, which represents the motor vehicle, are displayed. In a second display operating state, second vehicle-related information items and a second graphics object, which represents the motor vehicle, are displayed. The first graphics object, which represents the motor vehicle, is larger than the second.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lutz Eckstein, Josef Schumann, Martin Zobl, Christian Knoll
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Patent number: 8838148Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for wireless tower caching. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for wireless tower caching in a radio access network (RAN) can include receiving a response to a request from an end user device wirelessly coupled to a base station of the RAN, determining geographic positioning data for the response and identifying a most geographically wireless tower coupled to the RAN relative to the determined geographic positioning data (such as the closest wireless tower to the determined geographic positioning data). Thereafter, the response can be cached at a cache in a base station of the identified wireless tower.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Aaron K. Shook, Erik J. Burckart, Gennaro A. Cuomo, Andrew Ivory, Victor S. Moore
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Patent number: 8831823Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.Inventors: Kamyar Moinzadeh, Leon L. Hong, Lee Zhao
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Patent number: 8830091Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: L. Niklas Karlsson, Paolo Pirjanian, Luis Filipe Domingues Goncalves, Enrico Di Bernardo
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Patent number: 8825370Abstract: A trip planner is provided for creating, modifying, categorizing, and sharing online trip plans. A trip plan includes a list of items such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions selected from a travel guide or provided by a user. An item can have a street address for positioning the item on a map, an image and description of the item, and other metadata assigned by the user, such as tags and notes. The trip planner can generate an itinerary listing the items, and a corresponding map showing the locations of the items. A trip plan can be shared with other users, who can locate the trip plan by searching for the tags or other metadata.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Jianing Hu, Pasha Sadri
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Patent number: 8825372Abstract: A navigation system includes: a map information acquiring unit 31 for acquiring map information; an HOV lane decision unit 38 for deciding whether an HOV lane is included in a road represented by the map information acquired by the map information acquiring unit 31 or not; a road number processing unit 43 for performing, when the HOV lane decision unit 38 decides that the HOV lane is included, processing of adding information representing the HOV lane to a road number of the road including the HOV lane; and a display processing unit 44 or a voice information unit 46 for causing the road number passing through the processing by the road number processing unit 43 to be displayed on the guide map or output in voice.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kumi Nishibashi, Takashi Irie
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Patent number: 8816880Abstract: A computer-implemented method that includes receiving a request for navigational assistance to a location, identifying a parking facility at or near the location, identifying a first section of the parking facility having parking availability, identifying a first entrance of the parking facility that corresponds to the first section of the parking facility, providing, via a mobile communications device, navigational assistance to the first entrance of the parking facility, monitoring parking availability at the parking facility, and, prior to receiving an indication that a vehicle associated with the mobile communications device has arrived at the first entrance of the parking facility, determining that a second section of the parking facility currently has a parking availability that exceeds the parking availability of the first section of the parking facility, and providing navigational assistance to a second entrance of the parking facility that corresponds to the second section of the parking facility.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Andrew Foster
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Patent number: 8818138Abstract: A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventors: Enrico Di Bernardo, Luis F. Goncalves
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Patent number: 8810437Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.Inventors: Eric Beyeler, Tianyu Wang, G. Duane Gearhart
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Patent number: 8798905Abstract: The vehicle location detection device includes: a sound source location specifying unit which calculates an attenuation amount of a sound pressure of a vehicle sound by subtracting a sound pressure detected by a sound pressure detecting unit from a sound pressure indicated by vehicle sound pressure information stored in a sound pressure information storage unit, and specifies a location where another vehicle emitting a vehicle sound is predicted to be present, by specifying a sound source location of a sound diffracted by an obstacle which is specified by a diffraction location specifying unit and serves as a diffraction point, based on the calculated attenuation amount, a rule indicating an attenuation amount dependent on a propagation distance of the sound, and a relationship indicated by diffraction information stored in a diffraction information storage unit; and a presentation unit which presents the specified location.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Mototaka Yoshioka, Shinichi Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 8797187Abstract: A system and method for estimating street parking availability for a user is disclosed. The system comprises a communication module and a parking probability generator. The communication module receives data describing a set of traces for a group of vehicles associated with a group of users. The parking probability generator assigns the set of traces to one or more street segments based at least in part on street segment data describing the one or more street segments. The parking probability generator generates one or more parking probabilities for the one or more street segments based at least in part on one or more user densities in the one or more street segments.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Dustin Harber, Matthew Kresse, Vinuth Rai
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Patent number: 8793038Abstract: A method and system for providing flight plan (i.e., route) previews is disclosed. A graphical representation of a route is provided on a display for a user to preview prior to committing the route to a flight management system. Furthermore, a textual description of the route may also be displayed. The textual description may provide additional information that may further assist the user making the selection.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Bryan C. Schultz, Colin D. Reed
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Patent number: 8793070Abstract: A process of providing an aviation navigation chart over a computer network includes receiving a request by a server computer from a client computer. The client computer is in communication with the server computer via the computer network. The request is received over the computer network. The request includes an indication of a departure point and a destination point selected by a user of the client computer. The process also includes generating, at the server computer, a composite travel navigation chart in response to the request. The composite travel navigation chart includes a travel chart image with the departure point and the destination point and a route line extending between the departure point and the destination point. Furthermore, the process includes delivering the composite travel navigation chart from the server computer to the client computer for display by the client computer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventor: Roger M. Stenbock
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Patent number: 8786605Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed for distance and congestion-aware resource deployment. In some embodiments, a method is provided to estimate a vehicle deployment region. The method includes constructing a graph data structure using at least in part a single invocation of a form of Dijkstra's algorithm. The method additionally includes partitioning an angular space centered on a vehicle location into a plurality of angular space regions, the vehicle location corresponding to a current or potential location of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Palantir Technologies Inc.Inventors: Spike Curtis, Dustin Janatpour, Drew Bailey
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Patent number: 8786633Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dynamically rendering, on a moving map display having a viewable area, a label associated with a bounded region. Moving map data are processed to determine if the bounded region has a viewable boundary, and to determine a perimeter of one or more polygons that are each defined by intersections of the viewable boundary of the bounded region and the viewable area. Commands are supplied to the moving map display that cause the moving map display to continuously render the label associated with the bounded region at a position within the one or more polygons that is closest to a predetermined point on the moving map display.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Charles Dairman, Mark Pearson
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Patent number: 8781734Abstract: The invention provides a map display device and map display method that enhance the information density of displayed road names while maintaining legibility of a map image. First, the map drawing unit draws, to an image storage unit, a map image of roads and so forth in a desired scale, by using the background layer of a first hierarchy corresponding to the desired scale. Second, the map drawing unit draws place names and facility names by using the character layer of the first hierarchy to superimpose them on the map image. Third, the map drawing unit extracts the road names that do not overlap with the map characters of the place names and facility names on the map image by using the character layer of the first hierarchy, and superimposes them on the map image at the normal character size.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Noboru Yamazaki
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Patent number: 8775074Abstract: A method and system for refreshing location code data is disclosed. The system includes a location code change system that receives map change data and location code change data. The location code change system processes the map change data, finds affected location codes, and updates the location code's information by manipulating the location code data or performing a geocoding operation. The updated location code data is stored in a location code system. The location code change system receives the location code change data from the location code system and provides information regarding the location code changes to a map change system, which facilitates map updates based on the location code changes.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Navteq B.V.Inventors: Vojislav Samsalovic, Paul M. Bouzide
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Patent number: 8766817Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of this invention encompass a method that includes receiving information packets transmitted from a plurality of vehicles, each information packet including at least a location of a vehicle that transmits the information packet; analyzing the plurality of information packets to infer a presence of a transportation hazard at a particular location and a type of transportation hazard as being one of a static or a dynamic transportation hazard; and transmitting warning information descriptive of the particular location and the type of transportation hazard for reception at least by vehicles likely to encounter the transportation hazard.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Sri M Sri-Jayantha
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Patent number: 8768604Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product which normalizes GPS data obtained from multiple vehicles. At a server, GPS information is received from first and second vehicles in first and second formats. The GPS data is normalized for synchronized display of positions of the first and second vehicles, and transmitted to a computer in order to display simultaneously the synchronized positions of the first and second vehicles. An end user of the system may search for GPS logs of other people and simultaneously display the information resulting from the search with his or her own GPS information. The system may also provide for an automatic upload from a mobile device of the GPS data captured on a circuit or other location.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Inventor: Tomasz R. Klimek
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Patent number: 8768377Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises an image sensor configured to capture at least one image. The at least one image may be output via an optical output device. A processing device is configured to retrieve geographic information associated with the at least one image, and to identify at least one contact included in a set of contacts of the portable electronic device, the at least one contact having captured at least one other image in a geographic area in which the at least one image was captured. An identifier for the at least one contact is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications ABInventors: Hanna Bergsbjörk, Lisa Winge
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Patent number: 8762053Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying points-of-interest. In one aspect, a method includes determining a location of a mobile device, and automatically identifying a point-of-interest (POI) located within a predetermined distance of the location. The method also includes providing, on a user interface of the mobile device, a rating control for allowing the user to rate the identified POI, and receiving the rating for the identified POI from the user, using the rating control.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: April R. Lehman
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Patent number: 8754777Abstract: Systems and methods display data relevant to a user's trip along an inferred route and destination of a user device. First, the method receives a current device location from the device. Next, historical route and destination data of users that traveled through the current device location is retrieved. Determining a most likely route and destination of the user is determined. Points of interest along the inferred route are retrieved. The points of interest and the inferred route are transmitted to the device. Furthermore, a module calculates whether there is enough extant battery capacity to sustain the inferred route to the inferred destination.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Charles Mendis
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Patent number: 8750906Abstract: A system and method for providing information on a map displayed by a mobile device is described. In some examples, the system facilitates user control of map elements, such as dynamically changing map elements based on events that occur at a user's mobile device or at locations associated with the map elements. In some examples, the system enables communication between users via map elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.Inventors: David Winkler, Randy Meyerson, Edward Carrigan
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Patent number: 8749366Abstract: A multiple radio data service antenna module integrated in a rear view mirror being exposed towards a windscreen in an activated state enhances quality of reception of multiple radio data services and a display unit being integrated in a rear view mirror surface displaying information received by said antenna module informs a driver about relevant data of said data service without distracting the driver.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.Inventors: Hyok-Joo Hwang, Seok-Won Choi, Jin-Gee Choi
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Patent number: 8742955Abstract: In step ST11 of FIG. 5, a map image is displayed. In step ST12, moving-route marks are added to the map image. In step ST13, image-pickup-position marks are added to the map image. In step ST14, a current position mark is added to the map image. In step ST15, a predetermined range is determined based on an image-pickup position. Furthermore, predetermined ranges are determined based on a moving route and a current position. In step ST16, the number of types of landmark sign to be included in the map image is reduced in ranges other than the predetermined ranges. Since landmark signs which are positioned far from the image-pickup position, the moving route, and the current position and which are not important for a user are not added to the map image, map display is performed while display of the landmark signs is optimized.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Masanao Tsutsui
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Patent number: 8736462Abstract: A system and method for traffic information delivery may be implemented as a static network device for sharing information with network nodes. The system includes a processor in communication with a transceiver and memory, the memory containing code that when executed by the processor effects the method steps for determining an occurrence of a traffic incident within a defined distance from the device, establishing communication with a network node, receiving a device identifier over a public network from the network node, the device identifier based on a user-configurable parameter and a non-user-configurable parameter of the network node, establishing in response to the device identifier matching an authorized device identifier corresponding to a known network node, a secure private network with the network node, and sending information about the traffic incident to the network node via the secure private network.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Uniloc Luxembourg, S.A.Inventor: Craig Stephen Etchegoyen
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Patent number: 8732592Abstract: Systems and methods relating to an augmented virtuality system are disclosed. A method of operating an augmented virtuality system may comprise displaying imagery of a real-world environment in an operating picture. The method may further include displaying a plurality of virtual icons in the operating picture representing at least some assets of a plurality of assets positioned in the real-world environment. Additionally, the method may include displaying at least one virtual item in the operating picture representing data sensed by one or more of the assets of the plurality of assets and remotely controlling at least one asset of the plurality of assets by interacting with a virtual icon associated with the at least one asset.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Curtis W. Nielsen, Matthew O. Anderson, Mark D. McKay, Derek C. Wadsworth, Jodie R. Boyce, Ryan C. Hruska, John A. Koudelka, Jonathon Whetten, David J. Bruemmer
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Patent number: 8731813Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Sheha, Angie Sheha
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Patent number: 8723686Abstract: A method of managing an aircraft in flight may include electronically monitoring for a presence of a threat object along a flight path of the aircraft and at a destination airport of the aircraft, and electronically generating an alert when the presence of the threat object is detected. The alert may include information enabling air traffic control (ATC), flight dispatch, and a pilot of the aircraft to make a collaborative flight path correction decision that may prevent the aircraft from being affected by the threat object.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Gregory D. Murray, Kirschen A. Seah, Alan E. Siniff
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Patent number: 8717354Abstract: The present invention relates to annotating images. In an embodiment, the present invention enables users to create annotations corresponding to three-dimensional objects while viewing two-dimensional images. In one embodiment, this is achieved by projecting a selecting object onto a three-dimensional model created from a plurality of two-dimensional images. The selecting object is input by a user while viewing a first image corresponding to a portion of the three-dimensional model. A location corresponding to the projection on the three-dimensional model is determined, and content entered by the user while viewing the first image is associated with the location. The content is stored together with the location information to form an annotation. The annotation can be retrieved and displayed together with other images corresponding to the location.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Daniel Filip, Luc Vincent
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Patent number: 8717198Abstract: A vehicle communication connecting apparatus capable of displaying representative images of one or more communication-supported mobile terminals, detected as being present within a vehicle, to allow the mobile terminals to be easily distinguishable, and an operation method thereof. A vehicle communication connecting apparatus, which is connected to one or more communication-supported mobile terminals present within a vehicle so as to be capable of simultaneously or selectively displaying execution results of applications, which are being executed in the respective connected mobile terminals, and an operation method thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sungha Choi, Sungah Ahn, Jungwoo Kim, Soohwan Oh, Kyunggeun Kim
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Patent number: 8711010Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automated notification systems. One representative method, among others, comprises the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing (MT); scheduling a notification communication; analyzing traffic flow predicament data associated with a travel plan of the MT; and rescheduling the notification communication, based upon the traffic flow predicament data. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer or other automated system that is programmed to perform the foregoing steps.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Eclipse IP, LLCInventor: Scott A. Horstemeyer
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Patent number: 8706134Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing navigation information for a requested listing to a mobile device caller of a directory assistance call. If the caller selects an option to receive driving directions to the listing destination, the directory assistance provider forwards the listing address to a platform that correlates the address with location coordinates. The platform can poll the calling device to obtain GPS identifying data for the mobile device and derive mapping and routing information.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: David M. Wasserman, Stephen L. Greene, Robert T. Winslow, Thaveesak Kraisornsuthasinee, Marianne Killelea, Richard A. Cucksey, Sundar Rajan Padmanabhan, Suzi Levas, Joseph Gu, Srinivas R. Karra
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Patent number: 8700300Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving at a computer server system, from a computing device that is remote from the server system, a string of text that comprises a search query. The method also includes identifying one or more search results that are responsive to the search query, parsing a document that is a target of one of the one or more results, identifying geographical address information from the parsing, generating a specific geographical indicator corresponding to the one search result, and transmitting for use by the computing device, data for automatically generating a navigational application having a destination at the specific geographical indicator.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael J. LeBeau, Ole CaveLie, Keith Ito, John Nicholas Jitkoff
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Patent number: 8700293Abstract: Disclosed is a traffic information distribution apparatus 1 including date-time information in traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquire unit 12 or generated by the traffic information prediction unit, and accumulates the traffic information in the traffic information DB 13. When the traffic information distribution apparatus 1 receives distribution request information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal 5, based on date-time information of reference traffic information held by the in-vehicle terminal 5 included in the distribution request information, the traffic information distribution apparatus 1 retrieves traffic information including the same date-time information as the date-time information of the reference traffic information from the traffic information DB 13.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Xanavi Informatics CorporationInventors: Mariko Okude, Kenichiro Yamane, Masatoshi Kumagai, Junsuke Fujiwara, Hirotaka Takahashi
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Patent number: 8700312Abstract: A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The 10 PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Silver State Intellectual Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Obradovich, John Dinkel, Michael Kent
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Patent number: 8694255Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle has a surroundings sensor and an evaluation unit for evaluating the surroundings sensor data. The evaluation unit receives data from a positioning device. Furthermore, a reduced or limited subset of data taken from a digital roadmap is stored in a non-volatile memory, which is provided to the evaluation unit. The reduced data are selected to include only data relevant for the function(s) of the driver assistance system. Thereby the driver assistance system does not need to be connected for data transmission with a navigation system.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: ADC Automotive Distance Control Systems GmbHInventors: Wilfried Mehr, Wolfgang Fey
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Patent number: 8688369Abstract: Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, a blind intersection along a section of road. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where a blind intersection is located along a section of road. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the blind intersection located along the section of road. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a blind intersection.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Navteq B.V.Inventor: Robert Denaro
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Patent number: 8681176Abstract: A map server generates vector descriptors and corresponding style identifiers for rendering a map image. Each vector descriptor indicates a geometry of a respective map element in accordance with a vector graphics format, and each style identifier identifies a style according to which the corresponding map element is rendered. The map server then causes map data including the vector descriptors and the style identifiers to be transmitted to the client device via a communication network. When the map server receives a request for style data for modifying a map image at the client device, the map server generates a description of visual characteristics for one or more styles identified by the style identifiers included in the map data previously provided to the client device and causes the description of visual characteristics to be transmitted to the client device for applying to the vector descriptors at the client device.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Maurer, Sean Egan, Brian Cornell
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Patent number: 8676496Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Masaki Ishibashi, Hiroshi Machino
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Patent number: RE45220Abstract: A facility searching technique easier to operate and having high degree of freedom. A facility searching device is constructed from a database on map information, a database relating to various kinds of facilities and including positional information of the facilities, a display unit for displaying, based on the map information, a map of a predetermined area, a pointing device for inputting a position located on the displayed map, a voice input unit for inputting by voice an instruction relating to search for facilities, and unit (25, 29, 30, 31) for performing the search for facilities upon receiving the input of a position or the input of an instruction (steps 21-22, 24, 26, 27, 28), the search being based on the inputted position and the instruction.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: JVC Kenwood CorporationInventors: Hiromi Uchida, Akihiko Hamanaka, Masahiro Ueno