Regenerating Entirely New Route From Current Position Patents (Class 701/416)
  • Patent number: 11840217
    Abstract: An autonomous drive instruction device shortens the time required for vehicles to arrive at a designated location from a parking location in a parking lot without a navigation map. The autonomous drive instruction device includes a travel-direction determiner and an autonomous drive instructor. The travel-direction determiner determines one path as the travel direction of the vehicle on the basis of the designated location and information on paths in a branch area. The one path corresponds to an extension direction that forms a smaller one of angles formed by extension directions of the paths from the branch area and a designated-location direction from the branch area to the designated location. The autonomous drive instructor outputs instruction information including information on the travel direction to the autonomous drive control device such that the autonomous dive control device controls the vehicle to move in the travel direction by autonomous driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kumi Nakata
  • Patent number: 11747152
    Abstract: A trip planning system may receive, from a user device, trip data identifying a starting point and a destination point for a trip and feature data identifying weights for trip features. The trip planning system may determine a geographical region of interest based on the starting point and the destination point. The trip planning system may receive viewpoint data identifying viewpoints located within the geographical region and may calculate, based on the feature data, viewpoint relevance scores for the viewpoints. The trip planning system may determine, based on the viewpoint data and the trip data, paths for the trip and driving times for the paths. The trip planning system may calculate an optimized path, from the paths, based on the viewpoint relevance scores and the driving times associated with the paths. The trip planning system may perform one or more actions based on the optimized path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Verizon Connect Development Limited
    Inventors: Andrea Benericetti, David Leonardo Spain Contini, Luca Noce, Francesca Chiti, Andrea Giannoni, Francesco Sambo, S M Murtoza Habib
  • Patent number: 11733690
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Siyuan Ma, Erick Michael Lavoie, Hamid M. Golgiri
  • Patent number: 11727345
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for scoring candidate routes. One of the methods includes obtaining a predictive model trained on training examples from trip log data, wherein each training example has feature values from a particular trip and a value of a dependent variable that represents an outcome of a portion of the particular trip, wherein the features of each particular trip include values obtained from one or more external data feed sources that specify a value of a sensor measurement at a particular point in time during the trip. Sensor values from one or more external data feed sources of a sensor network are received. Feature values are generated using the sensor values received from the one or more external data feed sources. A predicted score is computed for each route using the feature values for the candidate route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Descartes Systems (USA) LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Miller Coughran, Douglas David Coughran, IV, Evan Fields, Rany Polany, Raimundo Onetto, Nathalie Saade, Nasser Mohamed, Aurelio de Padua Gandra
  • Patent number: 11674807
    Abstract: Systems are configured for performing GPS-based and sensor-based relocalization. During the relocalization, the systems are configured to obtain radio-based positioning data indicating an estimated position of the system within a mapped environment. The systems are also configured to identify, based on the estimated position, a subset of keyframes of a map of the mapped environment, wherein the map of the mapped environment includes a plurality of keyframes captured from a plurality of locations within the mapped environment, and the plurality of keyframes are associated with anchor points identified within the mapped environment. The systems are further configured to perform relocalization within the mapped environment based on the subset of keyframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Michael Bleyer, Christopher Douglas Edmonds
  • Patent number: 11609563
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods including a mobile device for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle and trailer. The mobile device provides an intuitive interface for controlling the movement of the vehicle and trailer by changing the orientation of a vehicle graphic (e.g., of the vehicle and trailer) according to a position of the mobile device around a periphery of the vehicle and trailer. This allows the user to walk around the vehicle and trailer to determine a best position from which to control the vehicle and trailer depending on a given situation without losing the intuitiveness of the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Erick Michael Lavoie, Bo Bao, Siyuan Ma, Hamid M. Golgiri
  • Patent number: 11598645
    Abstract: Driving assistance systems, methods, and programs accept an inputted planned travel route from the route guidance system, provide driving assistance of the vehicle on the planned travel route, based on driving assistance map data, and obtain, when versions of the route guidance map data and the driving assistance map data do not match each other, the driving assistance map data whose version matches the version of the route guidance map data from a map provider. Route guidance systems search for a planned travel route based on route guidance map data, provide guidance on the planned travel route, output the planned travel route to the driving assistance system, and obtain, when versions of the route guidance map data and the driving assistance map data do not match each other, the route guidance map data whose version matches the version of the driving assistance map data from a map provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: AISIN CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sadahiro Koshiba, Kazuteru Maekawa, Seiji Takahata, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Shingo Kinashi, Yuji Sato, Hironobu Sugimoto, Xin Jin, Hiroaki Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11486719
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein include a mobile computing device to determine network condition information associated with a route segment. The route segment may be one of a number of route segments defining at least one route from a starting location to a destination. The mobile computing device may determine a route from the starting location to the destination based on the network condition information. The mobile computing device may upload the network condition information to a crowdsourcing server. A mobile computing device may predict a future location of the device based on device context, determine a safety level for the predicted location, and notify the user if the safety level is below a threshold safety level. The device context may include location, time of day, and other data. The safety level may be determined based on predefined crime data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, LTD.
    Inventors: Ren Wang, Zhonghong Ou, Arvind Kumar, Kristoffer Fleming, Tsung-Yuan C. Tai, Timothy J. Gresham, John C. Weast, Corey Kukis
  • Patent number: 11435194
    Abstract: A georeferenced trajectory system for vehicles receives trajectory data generated by a plurality of vehicle sensors and scaffolds of previously generated maps and aligns geometry data for a geographic region and trajectory data from the received data from different map builds. A scaffold of a geographic region to be mapped during an initial map build is generated, and the trajectory data from respective map builds is aligned with the scaffold of previously generated maps to generate a map of the geographic region. The resulting map expands the coverage of the existing map such that old and new map data is in a common consistent reference frame whereby the map may be built incrementally by merging or expanding local scaffolds and filling in the merged or expanded scaffold while ensuring global consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: David Prasser, Evan Herbst, Robert Zlot, Jennifer Joyce Padgett, Bryan John Nagy, Xiaodong Zhang, Michael Napoli, Adrian Rechy Romero
  • Patent number: 11438654
    Abstract: Media-presentation-conscious scheduling protocols are disclosed that may associate a geographical location containing a thing with an identifier of the thing and allow later-found media works that pertain to the identifier to be presented at a mobile device before the device reaches a waypoint of the location. Alternatively or additionally, such protocols may respond to a predicted connectivity impairment of a traveling device by obtaining supplemental content to mitigate a predicted capacity shortage. Alternatively or additionally, such protocols may interrupt live stream content, insert on-demand content, and later return to live stream presentation automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: RHAPSODY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Brian Ringer, Heng Cao, Kenneth W. Murphy, Darryl William Wood, Gregory Welliver, Matthew James Eccles
  • Patent number: 11408747
    Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus mounted in a vehicle includes: a map information storage unit that stores map information; a communication control unit that acquires traffic information; a travel history database in which a travel history of the vehicle with respect to each road is recorded; a route estimation unit that estimates a travel route of the vehicle by using the map information and the travel history database; a traveling time calculation unit that calculates actual traveling time of the vehicle with respect to the travel route and calculates predicted traveling time required when traveling the travel route estimated by the route estimation unit by using the traffic information; and a display control unit that performs control to display a map screen indicating the travel route and display the actual traveling time and the predicted traveling time together with the map screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu Nara, Noriyuki Abe, Makoto Orino, Takaaki Yashiro, Toshihiro Mochizuki, Norimasa Kishi
  • Patent number: 11397436
    Abstract: System and method for a user to navigate an autonomous vehicle. In an aspect, after the user submits a forward command, the vehicle is arranged to go straight within a given distance. In another aspect, after the user submits a turn-right command, the vehicle is arranged to turn right and then go straight within a given distance. In yet another aspect, if the user submits a navigational command and doesn't enter any additional command within a given distance, the vehicle is arranged to go to a scheduled destination after the given distance is traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Chian Chiu Li
  • Patent number: 11397089
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for routing an autonomous vehicle. A vehicle autonomy system may generate first route data describing a first route for the autonomous vehicle to a first target location and control the autonomous vehicle using the first route data. The vehicle autonomy system may determine that the autonomous vehicle is within a threshold of the first target location and select a second target location associated with at least a second stopping location. The vehicle autonomy system may generate second route data describing a route extension of the first route from the first target location to the second target location and control the autonomous vehicle using the second route data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan John Nagy, Xiaodong Zhang, Brett Bavar, Colin Jeffrey Green
  • Patent number: 11181387
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for dynamic routing are provided. Aspects include receiving a plurality of stops from a user, wherein the plurality of stops includes at least one fixed location and at least one variable location and obtaining an address for at least one of the plurality of stops. Aspects also include obtaining a routing goal associated with the user and generating a route, including each of the plurality of stops, based on the routing goal. Aspects further include monitoring a movement of the user and updating the route based at least in part on the movement of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danielle Judka, Philip Siconolfi, Weon W. Yuan
  • Patent number: 11036899
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a selection of a first point and a second point within an infrastructure may be obtained via a user interface. A plurality of pathways, including a plurality of cable trays, between the first point and the second point may be determined. A first set of cable trays, having weights that do not exceed weight thresholds, may be identified. Images of the first set of cable trays may be obtained from a plurality of image sensors within the infrastructure. Fullness levels of the first set of cable trays may be determined based on the images. A second set of cable trays, having fullness levels that do not exceed fullness thresholds, may be identified from the first set of cable trays. One or more recommended pathways between the first point and the second point may be determined based on the identified second set of cable trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CyberSecure IPS, LLC
    Inventors: Bobby Nakanelua, Scott Rye, Stephen Sohn
  • Patent number: 11030890
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for providing notifications to drivers based on observed local driver patterns are provided. Aspects include storing a number of times that each driver travels across a road segment and classifying the drivers as local drivers for the road segment if the number of times the driver traversed the road segment is greater than a threshold number. Aspects also include determining an expected driving pattern for the road segment. Based on a determination that a local driver deviated from the expected driving pattern, aspects include storing an indication of how the local driver deviated from the expected driving pattern and a condition at that time. Based on a determination that greater than a threshold percentage of local drivers deviated from the expected driving pattern, aspects include notifying a driver traversing the road segment of a variant driving pattern for the road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Werner, Ali Y. Duale, Louis P. Gomes, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, Shailesh R. Gami
  • Patent number: 10989557
    Abstract: A method is dedicated to controlling data transmission by waves from a vehicle (V) to communication equipment (EC), and comprises a first step in which the most frequently taken reference route is determined in the vehicle (V) for a selected duration, then a definition of this reference route is transmitted, and a second step, in which each new route taken is compared, in the vehicle (V), to the reference route, and, in the event of a difference, a definition of this new route is transmitted with predefined data of the vehicle (V) that is recorded during this new route, whereas in the event of identity, information is transmitted that represents the fact that the reference route has been taken again and the predefined data of the vehicle (V) recorded during the reference route that has been taken again is deleted in the vehicle (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Lionel Perrier
  • Patent number: 10976171
    Abstract: A navigation system for ascertaining qualified special destinations includes: a database, which stores transport route nodes and route sections connecting the route sections and properties thereof; a route computation device; and a memory device. Special destinations stored in the database are each linked to one or more connecting nodes, for example motorway exits. Each special destination has, for each connecting node linked thereto, at least one associated first total route, connecting the special destination and the connecting node to one another, and an associated total route length. At least in the event of the first total route having a use restriction, the special destination and the connecting node also have at least one associated second total route that, at least for one restriction parameter, has lesser use restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Rauch, Gebhard Oelmaier, Urs Beck, Kurt Stege
  • Patent number: 10932180
    Abstract: Techniques for providing suggested routes for computing devices planning to travel between start and end locations are disclosed herein. In an example, crowd-sourced data is used to generate a network map that includes network parameters mapped to one or more geographical locations. The network map is used to generate suggested routes for a computing device planning to travel between the start location and the end location. The suggested routes may be generated using an optimization function to minimize travel time and optimize network connection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Amer Aref Hassan, Hooman Shiranimehr, Ronald F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10866104
    Abstract: A route-deviation recognition method is provided. The method includes obtaining a current positioned-location; and determining a candidate region covering the positioned-location. Road network data corresponding to the candidate region is obtained to generate a plurality of road-segment tree structures according to the obtained road network data. The method also includes obtaining a matching weight between the positioned-location and each road-segment branch in each of the road-segment tree structures. Further, according to the matching weight, a road-segment branch matching the positioned-location is determined as a matched road-segment branch. The method further includes, when the matched road-segment branch does not belong to a planned navigation route, determining that route-deviation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Bingguo Li, Wangyu Xiao, Shuaiwen Yang, Menglin Chen
  • Patent number: 10527444
    Abstract: A system includes a GPS module, user interface module, database and routing engine. To find nearby POIs in one embodiment the routing engine identifies POIs in the database located within a threshold distance from the planned route in Euclidean distance. The routing engine filters the results by exploring the road network to determine whether each of the POIs is within the threshold distance of the route in driving distance. The filtering may include exploring outward from the POI, until all roads within the threshold distance are explored or the route is reached; alternatively, distance to the POIs is checked by exploring outward from the route until all roads within the threshold distance of the route have been exposed. For those POIs reached in the exploration, the nearest point on the route and the distance to that point are known. Similar searches are performed based on driving time rather than distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Poppen, Weidong Tang, Daniel R. Brownstone
  • Patent number: 10402455
    Abstract: An apparatus receiving at least search strings, location data, time stamp data and additional data. Based on the received data, the apparatus calculates a number of display results, an average distance traveled, an average time taken, an average speed, an average time required, a first optimal radius, a region of overlap, a first revised optimal radius, and a second optimal radius. Based on the calculated data, the apparatus transmits first identification data, second identification data, a first number of search results for said first identification data, and a second number of search results for said second identification data, the first revised optimal radius, and the second revised optimal radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventors: Viraj Phanse, Ameya Gawde
  • Patent number: 10255713
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for dynamically adjusting rendering parameters based on user movements may include determining viewpoint movement data for a user viewing a rendering of a 3D model at a first time, determining a first level-of-detail at which to render the 3D model based at least in part on the viewpoint movement data at the first time and rendering the 3D model at the first level-of-detail. The method may also include determining viewpoint movement data for the user at a second time, wherein the viewpoint movement data at the second time differs from the viewpoint movement data at the first time. In addition, the method may include determining a second level-of-detail at which to render the 3D model based at least in part on the viewpoint movement data at the second time and rendering the 3D model at the second level-of-detail, wherein the second level-of-detail differs from the first level-of-detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Dominik Philemon Kaeser, John Carl Anderson
  • Patent number: 10170004
    Abstract: A fleet manager may communicate desired driving behavior, including maximum speed, desired route, areas to avoid, and other information to operators of vehicles in the fleet. The communication may be via an application on a mobile device, vehicle computer, or other device associated with each driver or vehicle. In operation, an administrator, such as, for example, a fleet manager, may communicate instructions to one or more vehicles, for example a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SPEEDGAUGE, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hubbard, Christopher A. Kantarjiev
  • Patent number: 10101164
    Abstract: A vehicle asset and route optimization system and method are provided for enabling vehicle route optimization based on, for example, substitution driver availability, trip cost, and trip schedule and available truck/trailer assets. The optimization system allows for weighing the prioritization factors provided by the various users so as to allocate priority among the most desirable inputs to increase efficiency in the shipping function and in vehicle asset usage and management, particularly in cases of unused excess trailer capacity and the reduction of driver downtime in the entire transportation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Aayush Thakur
  • Patent number: 10062188
    Abstract: Customizable route planning is a technique for computing point-to-point shortest paths in road networks. It includes three phases: preprocessing, metric customization, and queries. A graphics processing unit may be used, e.g., in the metric customization phase, to make customization even faster, enabling a wide range of applications including highly dynamic applications and on-line personalized cost functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Delling, Renato F. Werneck, Moritz Helge Kobitzsch
  • Patent number: 10017107
    Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein and includes a headlamp, a taillight, and a controller configured to operate the headlamp and the taillight. The controller implements an activation sequence based on a state of a door. The activation sequence includes sequentially activating at least one of the headlamp and the taillight from inboard to outboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Aust, Terrence Joseph Wilson, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, David A. Brown, Max Anton Schumacher
  • Patent number: 9921070
    Abstract: A transportation management system that includes tools for generating an optimized trip plan that can be updated, such as based on driver input, during implementation of a planned trip. The system includes a comprehensive trip optimization tool that generates a trip plan with fuel stop and rest stop optimization. The system includes tools calculating estimated time of arrival (ETA) and projected time of availability (PTA) for the driver, and these tools are adapted to provide the ETA and PTA for the entire trip (rather than only providing an ETA for the next stop). The system further includes tools accepting driver input and/or allowing driver manipulation of a dispatched trip plan such as using pre-filtered alternatives for fuel stops or rest stops or routes, e.g., based on stored driver preferences, that may be less optimal than those in the original trip plan but still viable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TRIMBLE INC.
    Inventors: William George Nimchuk, David Johnmichael McKinney
  • Patent number: 9791292
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mapquest, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, Tianyu Wang, G. Duane Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9714832
    Abstract: To dynamically vary map content based on the speed at which a portable device is moving, for a map in which a portable device user is following, a request for map data for a particular location is received along with an indication of the speed of the portable device. As a result, at least two versions of map data for the particular location are identified and one of the versions is selected based on the speed. The selected version is then transmitted to the portable device for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Zhou Bailiang
  • Patent number: 9574887
    Abstract: A method of determining whether there is a need to re-calculate a trip route including a departure point and a destination by using traffic information according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hongbeom Ahn, Jaehyuk Choi
  • Patent number: 9400189
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, generating a list of points of interest (POIs) when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the list of POIs identifying POIs that are located along the route, grouping the POIs into one or more buckets based on location, calculating POI densities of the buckets based on the POIs included in each corresponding bucket, ranking the buckets based on the POI densities, providing POI information associated with the POIs included in the ranked buckets, wherein the POI information is provided based on the ranking of the buckets, and generating an electronic map display with the POI information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, G. Duane Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9360335
    Abstract: Initial navigation directions are generated to guide a vehicle along an initial route between an origin and a destination. When the vehicle is a certain location disposed along the initial route, an alternate route to the destination is determined, such that the alternate route and the initial route diverge at a point of divergence between the current location of the vehicle and the destination. Boundaries of an announcement window within which the alternate route can be suggested are determined in view of a current speed of the vehicle. When the point of divergence is within the announcement window, generating, by the one or more processors, an interactive prompt to suggest that the alternate route be selected, such that the interactive prompt is not generated when the point of divergence is outside the announcement window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Howard Powelson, Will Stoltzman
  • Patent number: 9310211
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to determining commute routes and clustering commute routes from a user's location history. Points in the user's location history may be clustered to find the user's home and work locations. Additionally, points along the user's commute may be identified to determine the user's typical commute. Similar commutes can be clustered together, and used to suggest various services to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Kirmse, Tushar Udeshi, Pablo Bellver, James Jeffrey Shuma, Matthieu Devin
  • Patent number: 9304007
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing geographical information to a user. One method may include receiving, from a user's electronic device and over a network, user input data including at least the destination location and a break point parameter and calculating one or more routes from the start location to the destination location, based on the user input data. The method may also include identifying one or more intermediate break point locations along the one or more routes based on the break point parameter received from the user and identifying a range extending around each intermediate break point location, and potential break points. A step may also be executed in which a density or type of points of interest within each potential break point may be evaluated by the electronic device and a recommended for a break point made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Duane Gearhart, Scott W. Steinke
  • Patent number: 9275154
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for context sensitive point of interest retrieval. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a current location of a user's electronic device and retrieving multiple points of interest within a predetermined distance to the current location. Each point of interest is ranked based on the point of interest's proximity to the current location and one or more time-related attributes associated with the point of interest. Data identifying one or more of the points of interest is provided to the electronic device for presentation to the user on a display of the electronic device based on the ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Jussi Myllymaki, David P. Singleton, Al Cutter
  • Patent number: 9261376
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a route based on route-oriented vehicle trajectories are described. This disclosure describes receiving GPS logs and extracting route-oriented vehicle trajectory content from the GPS log data to pertain to a single trip. Next, the process maps each route-oriented vehicle trajectory to a corresponding road segment to construct a landmark graph. A landmark is a road segment frequently visited by route-oriented vehicles. The process includes receiving a user query with a starting point and a destination point; searching the landmark graph for a sequence of landmarks with corresponding transition times and a least amount of travel time. Then the process identifies and connects sets of road segments between each pair of consecutive landmarks, and displays a route to a user with a nearest landmark to the starting point, other landmarks along the route, and another nearest landmark to the destination point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Yin Lou, Chengyang Zhang, Xing Xie
  • Patent number: 9228849
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, defining a search area when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the search area including boundaries, calculating, using a processor, a points of interest (POI) density of the search area, comparing the POI density with a first density threshold and a second density threshold, adjusting the boundaries of the search area based on a result of comparing the POI density with the first density threshold and the second density threshold, identifying POIs in the adjusted search area, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, the POI information being associated with one or more POIs identified in the adjusted search area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beyeler, Tianyu Wang
  • Patent number: 9146129
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for suggesting points of interests on a mapped route using user interests include receiving a request for a mapped route. The request can include off-route information indicating that the user is willing to visit points of interest not directly along the mapped route. That is, points of interests that may not necessarily be close to the user's mapped route but may be of high interest to the user can be presented or suggested to the user to enhance the user's travel experience or trip. The points of interest suggested can be selected based on respective relevancy scores representing a level of relevancy to a user interest. The suggested points of interest can be ranked based on the relevancy factors. The suggested point of interest displayed to the user can also be limited to those having a relevancy factor that meets a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Furio
  • Patent number: 9043106
    Abstract: A control system that makes adjustments, such as limiting the maximum speed or maximum torque in a vehicle, is provided. These adjustments can be based on knowledge about the vehicle and trip, and on the estimated energy remaining. The control system is applicable to a wide range of vehicles, including ground, air, water, and sea vehicles, as well as vehicles powered by battery, electricity, compressed natural gas, or even liquid fuel propulsion systems. The control system may be used to adjust vehicle operation in route to assure the vehicle reaches a destination and to inform or counteract a human vehicle operator. Control system can also be used in racing applications to calculate the fastest-possible race speed and drive torque for a given race length; or alternatively, in endurance racing or delivery applications to optimize the vehicle speed and/or drive torque for a given race length or route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: W. MORRISON CONSULTING GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Ingram, Robert Ussery, William M. Yates, III
  • Patent number: 8996295
    Abstract: Vehicle range projection is implemented by a host system having logic executable thereon. The logic identifies a starting location of a vehicle and identifies destination locations for the vehicle. The logic also builds routes from the starting location to the destination locations based on routing objectives and travel constraints. The logic further outputs at least a portion of at least one route and travel cost information associated with the at least a portion of at least one route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Edward D. Tate, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8990005
    Abstract: Georeferenced predictive information is provided by a backend server system to vehicles. Such provided predictive information may be specifically relevant to a provided planned or estimated route of the particular vehicle, and may be used by the vehicle to reconstruct a digital map specific to such planned or estimated route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Hein, Andreas Winckler
  • Patent number: 8972179
    Abstract: System and method for analyzing position data from a vehicle equipped with a geographical position system to determine if the vehicle has adhered to a predetermined schedule, where the vehicle is scheduled to arrive at each one of a plurality of predetermined locations during a corresponding predetermined time window, the position data identifying a specific geographical location of the vehicle at a specific point in time. Position data from the vehicle is collected as the vehicle travels to the plurality of different locations, the position data identifying a specific geographical location of the vehicle at a specific point in time. Then the position data is analyzed to determine whether the vehicle was at each predetermined location during the corresponding predetermined time window. An exception report is automatically generated for each instance that the vehicle was not at one of the plurality of predetermined locations during the corresponding time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventors: Brett Brinton, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 8972173
    Abstract: A method for determining the length of the route travelled by a vehicle using a position measuring device that records positions of the vehicle and a digital road map, which is composed of road segments of known segment lengths. The method including recording positions of the vehicle on the route by means of the position measuring device, matching the recorded vehicle positions to a sequence of road segments, and determining the route length from the segment lengths of these road segments, wherein from the angle between at least two consecutive road segments and an assumed road width of the two road segments, a turn-off route of the vehicle from the one road segment into the other road segment is calculated. The calculated turn-off route is taken into consideration in the determination of the route length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventors: Katharina Kaes, Jasja Tijink, Oliver Nagy
  • Patent number: 8958979
    Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for creation of a road map, the system comprising a plurality of navigation devices; and an application server to receive from the plurality of navigation devices time series of location points, and to create a road map based on the time series of location points. The method comprising receiving location points from plurality of navigation devices, along with respective time stamps indicating the time of recordation of each of the location points; identifying at least one route according to the location points and respective time stamps; and creating a road map based on the at least one route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Uri Levine, Amir Shinar, Ehud Shabtai
  • Patent number: 8958984
    Abstract: A route search device includes: map data; a derived route acquisition section that acquires a first derived route from an origin point to a destination; a route correction region acquisition section that acquires a route correction region; a place to be passed through setting section that sets a place to be passed through in the route correction region; a start point and end point setting section that sets a start point and an end point in the route correction region; a corrected route acquisition section that acquires a corrected route; and a route correction section that corrects the first derived route to a second derived route from the origin point to the destination, constituted by a route from the origin point to the start point, the corrected route, and a route from the end point to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mariko Okude, Tomoaki Hiruta, Jun Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8958983
    Abstract: A server arranged to process GPS data to generate enhanced map data is disclosed. The enhanced map data includes a plurality of navigable segments representing segments of a navigable route in an area covered by a map. In at least one embodiment, the server is connected with a wireless telecommunications transceiver arranged to receive GPS fixes by wireless telecommunication from a plurality of navigation devices and send the received GPS fixes to the server, the server includes a processor arranged to generate at least one speed profile for each segment from the GPS fixes from at least two of the plurality of navigation devices, each speed profile comprising an expected speed of travel through the segment, and the server is arranged to subsequently cause the transceiver to send the speed profiles to the navigation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf-Peter Schäfer, Peter Mieth, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Martin Wolf, Ben Rutten, Karine Hilbrandie
  • Patent number: 8924049
    Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Stephen S. Mathe, Paul M. Julich, Jeffrey Kisak, Glenn Shaffer, Scott D. Nelson, Wolfgang Daum
  • Patent number: 8918280
    Abstract: A method for providing trajectory planning for an aircraft based on constraint processing is disclosed. The method may be performed utilizing a computer or processor onboard the aircraft that is en route, through all phases of flight, to an end location. The trajectory planning method may comprise receiving a set of constraints during the flight of the aircraft; analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between a current location of the aircraft and the end location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints; and dynamically adjusting the flight of the aircraft based on the optimal trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8918279
    Abstract: Route search devices, methods, and programs acquire basic congestion information, the basic congestion information being congestion information for specific links. The systems, methods, and programs set a destination and search for a first travel route from a departure point to the set destination using the acquired basic congestion information. Based on the first travel route, the systems, methods, and programs determine, whether center traffic information is necessary to be acquired. Only when it is determined that the center traffic information is necessary, the systems, methods, and programs acquire the center traffic information, the center traffic information being congestion information of a link other than the specific links, and search for a second travel route from the departure point to the set destination using the acquired additional congestion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Yonezawa, Hiroki Ishikawa