Map Display Patents (Class 340/995.1)
  • Patent number: 8301373
    Abstract: The invention provides a navigation device and a facility image display method, whereby a user can recognize various types of information about a facility from the image corresponding to the facility. The navigation device includes road information, etc., used for drawing map images; facility information including the nodes of the facilities and a plurality of attributes of the facilities; a buffer memory that stores data of icon images corresponding to each of the plurality of attributes of the facilities; a map drawing unit that draws a map image on the basis of the road information, etc., and draws any of the icon images corresponding to the plurality of attributes of the facilities contained in the facility information, at a position in the map image corresponding to the node identified in the facility information; and an image synthesizing unit that causes a display unit to display the drawn image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Noboru Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8296061
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for presenting a route in a manner that emphasizes the route and provides context information. For example, a vivid color or vivid colors may be used to display the route, and pastel colors or other desaturated colors may be used for non-route context information. This may result in a map in which the vivid colors of the route stand out over the faded style of the non-route context information to emphasize the route. In this manner, the map may both emphasize the route and provide context information for the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 8296001
    Abstract: A marine electronic device such as a chartplotter which includes a display; a location determining component; and a processing system for receiving location data from the location determining component and for causing information to be displayed by display. The processing system causes the display to display information which assists an operator in navigating and ascertaining characteristics of bodies of water, objects on nearby shores, and other vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Darrin W. Kabel, Darren E. Hain, Brayden S. Wilbeck, Christopher B. Bilderback
  • Patent number: 8290705
    Abstract: A navigation system for mobile use includes street map data used for creating a dynamic map display tracking movement of the vehicle and includes crime data used to provide an overlay on the dynamic display indicating a risk of crime to the vehicle's occupants from the surrounding area. Crime data may be harvested from police websites and/or generated using statistical correlation techniques from other proxy information. Presented crime data indicate crime risk, type of crime, crime date or time of occurrence, and linkage to environmental conditions such as type of weather, temperature, and moonlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Rio Sisa Idea Farm
    Inventors: Thomas Trinko, Paul Hager, Keith Baxter
  • Patent number: 8280544
    Abstract: There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Mold Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Bruce Catoen, Louis Gorgenyi
  • Patent number: 8275508
    Abstract: A vehicle management system can generate a vehicle management user interface that depicts vehicle history information in timelines or graphical timelines. These history timelines can include information regarding vehicle location, speed, and idling, among other useful information. The graphical nature of the history timelines can quickly convey vehicle tracking details and potential problems, such as idling and congregation, to an administrator. Further, history timelines for multiple vehicles can be displayed in parallel, allowing comparison between histories for different vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Telogis, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Adams, Jason Koch, Howard Jelinek
  • Patent number: 8274406
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Evolution Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Niklas Karlsson, Paolo Pirjanian, Luis Filipe Domingues Goncalves, Enrico Di Bernardo
  • Patent number: 8265862
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for communicating location-related information. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Additionally, a location of a vehicle associated with the vehicular assembly is identified, utilizing the vehicular assembly. Furthermore, information based on the location is generated. Still yet, the information is communicated utilizing the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Boadin Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin J. Zilka
  • Patent number: 8255156
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining data about spatial objects. The data is received from a set of adaptable and programmable sensor units associated with a set of spatial objects in real time to form received data, wherein the data is generated in response to a change in a measurement or time of a sensor unit in the set of sensor units. A collection of data for spatial objects is updated with the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Ravenscroft, Thorsten Wiesemann
  • Patent number: 8253591
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation can include acquiring imagery of multiple vehicles traveling on a roadway between two locations and individually identifying the different vehicles in the imagery. An elapsed time of travel can be determined for the individually identified vehicles between the two locations and a rate of travel can be computed for each of the individually identified different vehicles based upon the elapsed time of travel. Thereafter, the rate of travel for at least one of the individually identified different vehicles can be broadcast to a subscriber for at least one of the two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: SRR Patent Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 8243060
    Abstract: A system and processes for generalizing a collection of objects using points not necessarily part of the original objects are provided. Generalization of features in a digital map includes moving points to round number coordinates, while keeping topology correct and not moving points outside an allowed distance range, thus substantially reducing the size of the data so generalized. However, doing so requires moving points from the original polyline to new points. Generalization of polylines to points preferentially chosen from a relatively sparse set is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: deCarta Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Stitt, Richard F. Poppen
  • Patent number: 8238943
    Abstract: A moving body terminal is basically provided with a position information acquiring section, a receiving section and a control section. The position information acquiring section is configured to acquire position information indicating a current position of the moving body terminal. The receiving section is configured to receive from an information providing apparatus simple map information which includes information transmission determining information indicating an information transmission unnecessary region of the simple map information where the position information of the moving body terminal is not required to be transmitted from the moving body terminal to the information providing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yasuhara, Masayuki Ohsugi, Tsuneyuki Watanabe, Maki Ueda, Yasuhisa Nakamura, Daisuke Nakata, Yasunori Kondo, Takuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8234059
    Abstract: A navigation device 100 having a function to modify a route comprises an operational object detecting part 11 configured to detect a point or a section on the route as an operational object, a fixed point setting part 12 configured to set as fixed points two points on the route sandwiching the operational object therebetween, an operational object displacement detecting part 13 configured to detect a displacement of the operational object, a path changing part 14 configured to change a path of the route depending on the displacement of the operational object while elongating or contracting a line connecting the operational object and the fixed point, and a route re-searching part 15 configured to re-search and display an alternate route continuously depending on the changing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Sugiyama, Minako Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 8228179
    Abstract: A DPF controller (21) easily generates a display identifier and a speech identifier for providing an image and a speech required for driving a mobile body such as an automobile, etc. from state information representing the state of each part of the mobile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Fujisawa, Fumiaki Fujimoto, Teruhisa Masui
  • Patent number: 8223033
    Abstract: Described is a vehicle communication system. The system includes a display installed in, or on, a first vehicle such that the display is viewable by persons in other vehicles or pedestrians proximate the first vehicle. The display is communicatively linked to one or more vehicle systems or a vehicle controller area network whereby based on activation, engagement or utilization of a vehicle system, the display automatically displays a message associated with the activation, engagement or activation of the vehicle system. For example, if a driver of the vehicle applies the brakes, a “STOPPING” message is displayed. Messages may be pre-programmed into the system or custom created and entered by a user. The display may also be used to advertise, alert passersby to an emergency or otherwise communicate with persons in other vehicles or pedestrians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rising Phoenix Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Greg Paterno
  • Patent number: 8224522
    Abstract: A driving operation support device for a vehicle is provided herein. One exemplary driving operation support device includes a road sensor for acquiring information regarding a section of road ahead of a vehicle over which the vehicle is traveling. The driving operation support device may also include a controller for determining whether the section of road is passable for the vehicle based on the information acquired by the road sensor. The driving operation support device may further include a display provided between the section of road and a driver of the vehicle. The controller may display a guidance element on the display at a position overlapped with the section of the road as seen from the perspective of the driver, such that the guidance element indicates whether the road is passable based on the determination of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ikeda, Hiroshi Ohmura, Seiji Matsumoto, Kazuhiro Hayashi, Hiroko Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8219926
    Abstract: Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. When a ticker item is selected from the ticker, a location associated with the selected ticker item and/or a location of the communication device is used to generate a map that is displayed on the display of the device to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Smith Micro Software, Inc
    Inventor: Konstantin Othmer
  • Patent number: 8213749
    Abstract: 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 provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Verderi, LLC
    Inventors: Enrico Di Bernardo, Luis F. Goncalves
  • Patent number: 8203578
    Abstract: A display method and apparatus for a navigation system utilizes enables a smooth map scroll operation when a scroll direction is changed sharply. Such a smooth map scroll operation is applied to a situation where such a change of scroll direction is within a predetermined angle range by adding a scroll direction bias for each movement. The display method dynamically adjusts the scroll direction bias and the update frequency depending on the degree of direction change and the available system resources such as a processing speed in the navigation system. Therefore, the navigation system is able to display the smooth operation of the map scroll so that the user is able to recognize the images actually illustrated on the screen and to reach the intended location of the map image quickly and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Maung Han
  • Patent number: 8204680
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of operating a navigation system to provide road curvature is provided. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of spline control points representing a two-dimensional geometry of a portion a road segment and obtaining data indicating a road grade of the portion of the road segment. The spline control points and data indicating road grade are obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. The method further comprises projecting the spline control points onto a slope provided by the road grade to obtain a representation of a restored true road curvature of the portion of the road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: NAVTEQ B.V.
    Inventor: Ole Henry Dorum
  • Patent number: 8204682
    Abstract: A system for monitoring progress of at least two parties who have agreed to meet at a predetermined destination substantially at the same time. The system tracks location of each party and estimates remaining time or distance or both of each party to the destination. Querying of each party as to location may be adjusted as to frequency of polling for example based on changing progress towards the destination. Location or remaining time or distance to the destination may be communicated to each of the parties. The system may establish a new predetermined destination based on updated progress of the parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Naquib U. Hatami
  • Patent number: 8200433
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) view combined with information from navigation charts. The operator of a vehicle is not required to mentally combine separate SVS view and navigation charts, increasing situational awareness and decreasing complexity. A synthetic terrain representation is generated, combined with navigation chart information, and displayed. Additionally, the combination may include an indicator indicating the intended path of the current planned course. The combination may be generated with less detailed navigation chart information when further away or more detailed navigation chart information when close, displaying more detail as landmarks are approached. The combination may include indicators representing one or more navigation aids based on information in the navigation charts. The combination may include text based on navigation chart information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Siniff, Jason D. Marmur
  • Patent number: 8200416
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a displaying a moving map display for an aircraft is provided. The method includes determining a route of intended travel of the aircraft on the moving map display, determining a rank of relative importance of a plurality of aeronautical symbols displayed on the moving map display based on the determined route of intended travel, and de-emphasizing at least one navigation symbol with the moving map display based on the at least one navigation symbol determined rank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sven D. Aspen
  • Patent number: 8185304
    Abstract: A method of controlling a navigation system is provided which builds up historical information of routes taken by a vehicle and uses this information to provide an appropriate route for the vehicle based upon deviations from suggested routes stored upon a mobile computer unit of the navigation system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nina Insolia, Scot MacLellan
  • Patent number: 8185267
    Abstract: The present invention is applied to, for example, a multimedia terminal having a function of navigation equipment and a function of playing back video and switches a display from a map display to a source display also with source switching operators 13P, 13R. In addition, menus of upper and lower hierarchies are simultaneously displayed to accept operations through a touch panel and a remote commander. In addition to a press-operable main rotary operator, a press-operable sub rotary operator is provided on a side surface. Among operations accepted through the main rotary operator, only a specific operation relating to content processing is accepted through the sub rotary operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nezu, Makoto Sasaki, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8170586
    Abstract: A moving body terminal is basically provided with a position information acquiring section, a receiving section and a control section. The position information acquiring section is configured to acquire position information indicating a current position of the moving body terminal. The receiving section is configured to receive from an information providing apparatus simple map information which includes information transmission determining information indicating an information transmission unnecessary region of the simple map information where the position information of the moving body terminal is not required to be transmitted from the moving body terminal to the information providing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yasuhara, Masayuki Ohsugi, Tsuneyuki Watanabe, Maki Ueda, Yasuhisa Nakamura, Daisuke Nakata, Yasunori Kondo, Takuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8170791
    Abstract: A list of places of interest geographically located near a travel route may be generated by accessing a routing database storing shape points capable of defining a travel route, determining a travel route from the shape points stored in the routing database, accessing a place of interest database including geographic centers, selecting from the places of interest database at least one geographic center that is geographically proximate to the travel route, and generating a list of places of interest associated with at least one of the selected geographic centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Bellesfield, Terry L. Campbell, Thomas P. Haskell, Bradley D. Sauder
  • Patent number: 8165810
    Abstract: A navigation system includes a display device displaying, on a cockpit pilot display unit, a set of indications including an aircraft symbol which illustrates the position of the aircraft and a map part which represents the airport and moves in relation to the aircraft symbol according to the current position of the aircraft in the airport, the aircraft symbol fixed on the cockpit pilot display unit in a centered position in a standard display. The system also has an actuating unit for deactivating the standard display to enable the aircraft symbol to be displaced on the cockpit pilot display unit, and an actuating unit for controlling a temporary displacement of the set of indications on the cockpit pilot display unit such that the aircraft symbol displayed moves away from the centered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Fabien Fetzmann, Pierre Coldefy, Armand Jacob, Stephane Collins
  • Patent number: 8164488
    Abstract: A method includes determining a first flow characteristic of a flow, the flow comprising at least one targeted user. The method also includes generating for display a first message based on the first flow characteristic of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Ramanathan T. Jagadeesan, Bich Tu Nguyen, Gregory D. Pelton, Labhesh Patel
  • Patent number: 8165808
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for representing points of interest relative to a user-defined geographic area in a map interface. Representation of the geographic area and a plurality of point-of-interest (POI) locations corresponding to the points of interest is facilitated in the map interface using a color scheme in which variations in color represent variations in density of the POI locations within the geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd Scheibe
  • Patent number: 8160812
    Abstract: A tracking and guidance system is provided. The system comprises a first device configured to transmit a location of the first device. The system further comprises a second device configured to receive the location from the first device, to display the location on a common map view, to receive inputs comprising a drawn directional data and a verbal directional data, and to transmit the drawn and verbal directional data to the first device, wherein the drawn and verbal directional data is received by the first device and the drawn directional data is displayed on the common map view displayed by the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Sei Y. Ng, M. Jeffrey Stone
  • Patent number: 8159337
    Abstract: A viewing apparatus provides a user with a view of his or her surroundings and enables the user to select a location from the view of the surroundings for identification. The viewing apparatus transmits location information regarding the selected location to a location identification device. In response to receipt of the location information, the location identification device uses the location information to determine identification information for the location. The location identification device transmits the identification information to the viewing apparatus, which displays the identification information on the view of the surroundings, preferably in association with the selected location. The identification information may include an address, a telephone number, and/or other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Maria Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 8160755
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for displaying aircraft symbology. The method includes displaying (302, 502, 702, 902, 1002) a symbol (202) for a first aircraft in a predetermined format, processing (304, 504, 704, 904, 1004) data related to flight conditions of the first aircraft and a second aircraft, determining (306, 506, 706, 906, 1006) a format for the display of the second aircraft based on the processed data, and displaying (308, 508, 708, 908, 1008) a symbol (212, 214, 216, 412, 416, 612, 614, 616, 812, 814, 816) for the second aircraft in accordance with the determined format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Nichols, John G. Suddreth
  • Patent number: 8155872
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing physical routes to target locations. The techniques include obtaining at least one target location from at least one user; determining at least one physical route to said at least one target location; and displaying said at least one determined physical route through a sequence of at least one sign display, wherein each sign display are configured to display a plurality of physical routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederik C. Kjeldsen, Anthony Levas, Gopal S. Pingali, Claudio S. Pinhanez, Mark E. Podlaseck, Piyawadee Sukavitiya
  • Patent number: 8150617
    Abstract: A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: A9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Udi Manber, Barnaby M. Dorfman, Jonathan A. Gold
  • Patent number: 8145416
    Abstract: Method and computer program product for presenting a set of address locations in a browser window of a user device via the Internet are disclosed. The method includes receiving a set of address locations in a given order, presenting the set of address locations as a list of directions, and presenting the set of address locations graphically on a map, where the map includes a route connecting the set of address locations according to the given order and a marker for each of the address locations. The method further includes creating a new order of the set of address locations from the given order by dragging an address location from the map to a different position in the list of directions, updating the list of directions according to the new order of the set of address locations, and updating the map according to the new order of the set of address locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wailes, Gareth J. Finucane, Michael J. Lawless, Mark E. Wehner, Rodney J. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8135539
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a map for a route in a ground-based vehicle. The map includes a variable road network map showing finer detail for geographic features near the route and less detail for geographic features farther from the route. The map is displayed based on the travel direction of the ground-based vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: America Online, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Nesbitt
  • Publication number: 20120050489
    Abstract: The prevention of vehicle accidents is targeted. A road texture model is created based on a vehicle camera image. An initial vehicle location estimate is determined, and map imagery is obtained based on this location estimate. A refined vehicle location is determined using visual egomotion. In particular, 3D features of the vehicle image and the retrieved map imagery are identified and aligned. A map image is selected based on this alignment, and the location associated with the map image is modified by a displacement between the selected map image and the vehicle image to produce a refined vehicle location. A road boundary model is created based on the road texture model and the refined vehicle location, and a road departure model is created based on the road boundary model and vehicle odometry information. The operator of the vehicle is warned of a road departure based on the road departure model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rakesh Gupta, Ananth Ranganathan, Jongwoo Lim
  • Patent number: 8122036
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a map includes a database for storing a list of recipients and characteristics associated with each recipient in the list of recipients. The method and system also includes a control module for receiving a characteristic associated with at least one recipient in the list of recipients. The method and system also includes a rule engine for generating a map based at least in part on the characteristic associated with the at least one recipient using programmable rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Ali Bastani, David Belanger, Sam Parker, Sarat Puthenpura, Phyllis Weiss, Wenjie Zhao
  • Patent number: 8116973
    Abstract: A vehicle has a plurality of traveling modes. A display device for the vehicle comprises: a display unit displaying map information; and a control unit causing the display unit to display recognizably, at a portion of roads in the map information, traveling modes that correspond to the roads. Preferably, the control unit sets a destination in response to an instruction received from an operator, searches for a traveling route extending from a starting point to the destination, divides the traveling route into segments, and associates one of the traveling modes with each of the segments. More preferably, the control unit causes the display unit to display the plurality of candidate traveling routes, each with the traveling mode overlaid thereon, and selects in response to an instruction of the operator one traveling route planned to be taken among the plurality of candidate traveling routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Soma, Toshiaki Niwa, Kazuya Kato
  • Patent number: 8115656
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system includes a communication subsystem configured to provide two-way wireless communication, and a controller mounted in a vehicle and configured to receive data indicative of a location of the vehicle and to control the communication subsystem to transmit the data indicative of the vehicle location toward a remote communication center and receive operational information transmitted from the remote communication center. The controller receives a mode change command included in the operational information and in response changes operating mode between an authorization mode, in which the controller transmits an alert signal to the remote communication center, and a tracking mode, in which the controller transmits the data indicative of vehicle location continuously at predetermined intervals regardless of the authorization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Recovery Systems Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Bevacqua, Mark A. Osman, Steven C. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8106920
    Abstract: An image data update apparatus that can highlight a component with maintaining an appearance of an image to which anti-aliasing is applied and with suppressing increase in processing load is provided. When periodically changing a color arrangement of a traffic congestion line bordered using a color of black and displayed on a map image, only a central portion of the traffic congestion line is changed. Each time the color arrangement is changed, anti-aliasing is applied only to a boundary between the central portion and bordering portion but not to a boundary with a background map image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Hashizume, Natsuko Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8108144
    Abstract: Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Gregory N. Christie, Robert E. Borchers, Imran A. Chaudhri
  • Patent number: 8103741
    Abstract: Location based content aggregation and distribution systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a content hub subsystem receiving a content posting from an access device connected to a network. The content posting includes data representative of a content instance created by a user associated with the access device and a geographic location associated with the content instance. The exemplary method further includes the content hub subsystem storing the content posting and selectively distributing the content instance to at least one other access device connected to the network based on the geographic location, wherein a past or present physical location of the at least one other access device within a predefined proximity of the geographic location is requisite to the distribution of the content instance to the at least one other access device. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Data Services LLC
    Inventors: Kristopher T. Frazier, Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea
  • Patent number: 8103439
    Abstract: A portable navigation device where a map being displayed on a display section is fixed by performing map stop operation at a portable navigation terminal where an appropriate map is selected and displayed so as to correspond to the speed of movement. A portable navigation terminal (10) has speed detecting means (104) for detecting the speed of movement of the terminal, a map data request/acquisition section (105) for requesting, according to the movement speed detected by the speed detecting mean, different kinds of map data to an information distributing server and acquiring the map data, and an operation section (16) having a map stop button for stopping, at a desired time point during the movement, change in the kind of map displayed on display means. The portable navigation terminal (10) further has manual scroll means (164), a zoom-in button (162), and a zoom-out button (163) that have the function of the map stop button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Onishi, Shin Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8099233
    Abstract: A map display controller displays a three-dimensional map image on a display screen of a display device, and superimposes a route wall standing from a route and along the route in the three dimensional map image on the display device. This reduces a difficulty in confirming the route behind structures such as a building in the three-dimensional map image displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nagako Matsuno, Kei Nagiyama
  • Patent number: 8094043
    Abstract: One embodiment is to visually direct the focus of the user to specific road segments on a road map surface by the use of colors or symbols overlaid on certain roadways shown on a road map. In numerous embodiments, it will provide the user with a quick visual reference to the location of certain road segments which meet the map designers pre-requisite criteria which would vary for different types of maps, and which would visually indicate different levels of enjoyment that could be anticipated or expected along these certain road segments by the use of various colors or shades of colors, or the use of symbols of various sizes such as dots or stars. Our application would respond to the unfulfilled needs of certain segments of the travelling public such as motorcyclists and RVers, their desire often for enjoyment more than expediency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Scott Calhoun, Court Barlin Butler, Joyce Ann Butler
  • Patent number: 8095302
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for proposing an update for a navigation chart displayed in an aircraft data processing system. A selection of a navigation object is received in the navigation chart through the aircraft data processing system. In response to receiving the selection, a set of attributes is presented for the navigation object, wherein each attribute can be selected containing a discrepancy. In response to receiving user input to change an attribute in the set of attributes, the attribute is changed using the user input. A discrepancy report is directly sent to the data provider via a datalink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: André Lutz, Patrick Wipplinger
  • Patent number: 8085169
    Abstract: A map display apparatus for displaying a map image at a plurality of display resolutions includes the following elements. An information recording unit associates an image signal of a captured image with imaging position information to record the associated signal and information as image information. A map information storage unit stores map information for the map image. A classification information recording processing unit divides a map area shown by the map information into mesh cells such that different mesh cell sizes are suitable for the respective display resolutions, and generates and records imaging classification information. A display control unit determines on each of mesh cells on the map image, each mesh cell having a size suitable for the display resolution, on the basis of the imaging classification information whether the image information is relevant to a mesh cell, and arranges an imaging identification representation in the appropriate mesh cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masanao Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20110298640
    Abstract: A display system for a vehicle includes a display screen and host machine operable for calculating a maximum theoretical range for a predetermined criterion, formulating a value function for each point in the maximum theoretical range, and calculating a solution to each of the value functions. The method also includes forming a polygon or a closed curve from the mathematical hull of all points in the maximum theoretical range having a value function solution less than corresponding limit, and displaying a perimeter of the closed curve via the display screen to indicate the effective range of the vehicle for the criterion. A vehicle includes an energy storage system, a motor/generator unit for propelling the vehicle in an electric-only (EV) mode, the display screen, and host machine, wherein the criterion is the EV mode. A method of operating the display system is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Edward D. Tate, JR.