Pedestrian Guidance Patents (Class 701/433)
  • Patent number: 11835353
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for guiding traffic participants, especially pedestrians, especially visually impaired and blind people, especially for guiding in urban environments, between at least two places wherein the method contains the following steps: A. Providing a multi-modal three-dimensional map; B. Calculating a route based on the multi-modal three-dimensional map connecting the at least two places over at least one intermediate waypoint; C. Determining precise location of the traffic participant, preferably by using the multi-modal three-dimensional map; and D. Setting beacons along the path at the waypoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: DREAMWAVES GMBH
    Inventor: Hugo Correia Duarte Furtado
  • Patent number: 11774248
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing inclusive indoor navigation. State of the art systems and methods require extra hardware and fail to provide accurate localization and navigation with less precision. The method of the present disclosure obtains a nested environment data of a facility and estimate current spatial location of a user in the nested environment using surrounding recognition machine learning model. An optimal path categorized as convenient path, shortest path and multi-destination path from the current spatial location to a destination is determined. The current spatial location of the user is tracked on the optimal path using an augmented reality technique when navigation starts. The optimal path is dynamically updated based on feedback obtained from one or more user interaction modalities. The present disclosure provides user navigation with last meter precision, and no hardware and internet dependency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Charudatta Jadhav, Govind Rajput, Achampet Harshavardhan
  • Patent number: 11561109
    Abstract: A database comprising data associated with one or more routes is maintained. The data associated with the one or more routes comprises difficulty level data for utilizing one or more mobility assistive tools to traverse the one or more routes. In response to receiving a query from a given computing device, one or more amounts of physical exertion for a given user to traverse at least a portion of the one or more routes utilizing a given mobility assistive tool are predicted. One or more routes for the given user to traverse are selected based at least in part on the predicted amounts of physical exertion. One or more contextual factors of the given user are estimated to at least one of optimize and prioritize the selected one or more routes for the given user based on analyzing user data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford A. Pickover, Aisha Walcott, Komminist Weldemariam
  • Patent number: 11525684
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide navigation guidance around various object types in a vicinity of a guidance assistance device for a user by analyzing received data regarding an environment around the guidance assistance device to identify one or more entities Ei and by applying an artificial intelligence machine learning analysis to group the one or more entities Ei into corresponding categories Cj and to determine a minimum spacing distance Dmin for each of the one or more entities Ei, wherein the minimum spacing distance Dmin is a minimum distance between the guidance assistance device and the entity Ei based on the categorization Ci specified by the user, and then providing feedback to the user when any of the one or more entities Ei is within than minimum spacing distance Dmin corresponding to said entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph N. Kozhaya, Shikhar Kwatra, Andrew R. Freed, Corville O. Allen
  • Patent number: 11367015
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing machine learning models from negatively affecting mobile devices are provided. For example, a mobile device including a camera, memory devices, and one or more processors is provided. In some embodiments, the processors may be configured to provide images captured by the camera to a machine learning model at a first rate. The processors may also be configured to determine whether one or more of the images includes an object. If one or more of the images includes the object, the processors may be further configured to adjust the first rate of providing the images to the machine learning model to a second rate, and in some embodiments, determine whether to adjust the second rate of providing the images to the machine learning model to a third rate based on output received from the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Micah Price, Sunil Subrahmanyam Vasisht, Stephen Michael Wylie, Geoffrey Dagley, Qiaochu Tang, Jason Richard Hoover
  • Patent number: 11346673
    Abstract: Aspects described herein provide a computer-implemented method and system of generating circular routes that start and end at the same geographical position, the route passing through a number of intermediate points along the way. The circular routes are generated in dependence on one or more route criterion, which may be pre-defined or input by the user. The route criterion may relate to a number of different route properties, for example, the length of time it takes to complete the route, the distance or area covered by the route, the direction the route takes, the type of terrain experienced during the route, whether the route passes through certain points more than once and/or whether the route passes any points of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ordnance Survey Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Radburn
  • Patent number: 11284807
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to receive a first sensor data stream from an exercising device, receive a second sensor data stream from a mobile device, correlate the first data stream with the second data stream, determine that the exercising device is engaged with the mobile device, and provide indication to the exercising device and the mobile device that the devices are engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Amer Sports Digital Services Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Hapola, Heikki Nieminen, Mikko Martikka, Erik Lindman, Timo Eriksson
  • Patent number: 11204251
    Abstract: An embodiment may involve obtaining data representing a transportation map, a greenspace map, a noise map, and a crime map of a geographical location. The transportation map represents route segments within the geographical location, the greenspace map represents natural features within the geographical location, the noise map represents human-made noise within the geographical location, and the crime map represents reported crimes within the geographical location. The embodiment may also involve, for each of the route segments: (i) calculating a restorative score that is proportional to an amount of natural features associated with the respective route segment in the greenspace map, inversely proportional to an amount of human-made noise associated with the respective route segment in the noise map, and inversely proportional to an amount of crime associated with the respective route segment in the crime map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Kathryn E. Schertz, Omid Kardan, Marc G. Berman, Thomas N. Kompare
  • Patent number: 11181382
    Abstract: Digital maps of private spaces may be implemented using mobile computing device sensors. Sensor data may be received from one or more mobile computing devices to determine a digital signature describing a private space. Scheduling data may also be received from the one or more mobile devices. The scheduling data may describe a location associated with the private space to be mapped. A digital map of the private space may then be generated from the digital signature and the location associated with the private space in the scheduling data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Juan V. Esteve Balducci, Quentin S. Miller
  • Patent number: 11150732
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a vibration device configured to generate a vibration to transmit to a user a touch sense in response to an operation of a user on an operation unit, and a grip portion gripped by the user. A lens barrel is attached to a front surface side of the image pickup apparatus. The grip portion covers a rear surface side and the front surface side of the image pickup apparatus. The grip portion that covers the front surface side of the image pickup apparatus includes a protrusion portion. The vibration device is disposed inside the protrusion portion and on a side facing an optical axis of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinga Nakashima, Toshihiro Ogawa, Takazumi Seo, Akira Watanabe, Kohei Uemura, Atsuto Noda
  • Patent number: 11134138
    Abstract: A client device provides mapless user interfaces to show a service provider's progress in movement toward a start location. One type of mapless interface is a grid interface, which the device selects if the device is subject to low network connectivity. The grid interface includes graphics representing the start location and the service provider. The two graphics are displayed at their respective location coordinates on a coordinate grid. Because the grid interface does not include a map, it can be loaded relatively quickly even when the service requester device is experiencing low network connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryant Jow
  • Patent number: 11113936
    Abstract: The invention concerns a geolocation method (200) and an anti-theft tracer (1) for inserting in the butt (21) of a firearm (2), said geolocation method (200) making it possible to determine the geographical coordinates of said anti-theft tracer (1) and to detect an unwanted movement. The geolocation method (200) also makes it possible to communicate with a device in order to transmit data relating to the movement of the anti-theft tracer (1). The present invention also concerns such an anti-theft tracer (1) which comprises, in particular, damping means (102) for reducing the vibrations generated by use of the firearm (2) and transmitted to the electronic components of said anti-theft tracer (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: M2AIM
    Inventor: Julien Fessard
  • Patent number: 11082792
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to generate one or more focused sound sources as virtual loudspeakers of an announcement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fabien Cardinaux, Michael Enenkl, Marc Ferras Font, Franck Giron, Thomas Kemp, Patrick Putzolu, Andreas Schwager, Stefan Uhlich
  • Patent number: 11061912
    Abstract: A method includes building a well-being profile for a given user based on data obtained from one or more sources associated with the given user. One or more personalized incentives for the given user are identified based on the well-being profile. A personalized route is generated based on the one or more identified personalized incentives, with the personalized route being designed to improve a well-being of the given user. A notification is transmitted to a given client device associated with the given user over a network, with the notification causing the given client device to display the personalized route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lenin Mehedy, Stefan von Cavallar, Nicholas I. Waywood
  • Patent number: 11013091
    Abstract: Position indicating devices, systems and methods useable for signaling the positions of pedestrians or vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: James R Selevan, Adam Jordan Selevan, Daniel Joseph Selevan
  • Patent number: 10955163
    Abstract: Controlling environmental conditions. A method includes using one or more sensors in a location, identifying an entity in the location. The method further includes identifying one or more roles for the entity. The method further includes based on the one or more roles for the entity, modifying environmental conditions in the location, by modifying one or more devices associated with the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Escapa, Hubert Van Hoof, Matthew Evan Vogel
  • Patent number: 10896474
    Abstract: Methods of protecting an electrically motorized human-powered vehicle are disclosed. A method may include transmitting, from a remote server, a security input relating to a user of the vehicle; receiving, at the electrically motorized human-powered vehicle the security input relating to the user; validating the security input; and enabling one of a first or second set of features based on the security input, wherein the second set of features is different from the first set of features and wherein one of set of features includes a service mode that enables maintenance access to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Superpedestrian, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Biderman, Ruben Cagnie, Jon Stevens
  • Patent number: 10817630
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for analyzing a building. The apparatus for analyzing a building includes a configuration unit for configuring analysis settings for analyzing a target building; a calculation unit for calculating a distance based on similarity by acquiring information about the target building and information about a standard building depending on the analysis settings and for generating a result of analysis of the target building using the distance; and an output unit for outputting the result of analysis of the target building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jong-Woo Choi, Wan-Ki Park, Il-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10441495
    Abstract: In order to guide a person along a path, audible acoustic signals are used, which are generated by signal generators arranged in an area. The person can orient themselves in the area using these acoustic signals. As the person moves along the path towards a destination, the signal generator arranged next in line on the path generates an acoustic signal, in which direction the person can then move. A signal generator generates an acoustic signal of this type, when it receives a control command from a mobile device carried with the person or from a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Florian Troesch
  • Patent number: 10430567
    Abstract: Embodiments include validating a user for performing a service procedure for a system and customizing the system for the user for the service procedure. An example computer-implemented method includes validating authorization of the user based on authentication data from a tag uniquely identifying the user. The method further includes receiving attribute data for the user from the tag. The method further includes generating and/or adapting a set of service procedure instructions that are customized for the user based on the attribute data. The method further includes displaying the set of service procedure instructions that are customized for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian P. Carey
  • Patent number: 10420701
    Abstract: A system includes a processor coupled to a memory. The processor and memory are configured to receive, from one or more cameras, multiple images of a victim undergoing a resuscitation event at a rescue scene; generate a representation of the rescue scene based on the received images; and determine a characteristic associated with the resuscitation event based on an analysis of the of the rescue scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10386203
    Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for calibration of gyroscope sensitivity. By comparing a reference orientation determined without gyroscope data to estimated orientations determined with gyroscope data, a calibrated sensitivity value may be derived using a known relationship between a reference orientation and estimated orientations difference and gyroscope sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuan Zheng
  • Patent number: 10285008
    Abstract: Selection of offers, locations or merchants based on their distances from a portion of a user's route and their affinity for the user is disclosed. A route employed by a user for travelling to a destination is obtained and segmented at identified vertices. Locations that are proximate to the route segments are determined. The proximate locations are further analyzed to obtain their specific distances from a selected portion such as the user's origin or destination or any route segment. Location based services are associated with those proximate locations that are closest to the selected portion on the user's route or those with the better utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Joseph Spears, Mark Carlson, Patrick Stan
  • Patent number: 10020956
    Abstract: A thermostat in a building includes an occupancy sensor configured to collect occupancy data. The thermostat includes a communications interface configured to communicate with one or more display devices for the building and a user interface configured to display information to a user and receive input from the user. The thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to identify the user based on the occupancy data and generate building navigation directions based on the identity of the user and cause the user interface to display at least a portion of the building navigation directions. The processing circuit is configured to cause the communications interface to send at least a portion of the building navigation directions to at least one of the display devices in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: William P. Alberth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9826297
    Abstract: In some cases, a method may include receiving information at a media device that is associated with movement of an accessory device. The accessory device is communicatively coupled to the media device via a media interface of the media device (e.g., a mini-phone jack of the media device). The method includes determining, at the media device, whether the accessory device satisfies accessory device orientation criteria based on the information. In response to determining that the accessory device does not satisfy the accessory device orientation criteria, the method includes generating a signal. The signal may be communicated from the media device to the accessory device via the media interface. In some cases, the signal may include accessory device re-orientation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Benzaia, Lakshminarashimhan Naidu, Bernard S. Ku
  • Patent number: 9788164
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for generating a user's contextual information using a mobile or wearable device. In some embodiments, obtaining the user's contextual information comprises obtaining sensors information, and applying a transformation to the sensors signals, wherein the transformation to the sensors signals comprises the use of wavelets, and the sensors comprise an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: David Martin
    Inventor: David Martin
  • Patent number: 9736646
    Abstract: Selection of offers, locations or merchants based on their distances from a portion of a user's route and their affinity for the user is disclosed. A route employed by a user for travelling to a destination is obtained and segmented at identified vertices. Locations that are proximate to the route segments are determined. The proximate locations are further analyzed to obtain their specific distances from a selected portion such as the user's origin or destination or any route segment. Location based services are associated with those proximate locations that are closest to the selected portion on the user's route or those with the better utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Joseph Spears, Mark Carlson, Patrick Stan
  • Patent number: 9672648
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for augmented reality aided navigation to at least one physical device indicia corresponding to the at least one physical device supporting virtualization infrastructure is observed. Based on the observed indicia, navigational cues correlating to a location of the at least one physical device is generated. Navigational cues are displayed such that augmented reality aided navigation is provided to the at least one physical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Park, Gabriel Tarasuk-Levin, Min Cai, Uma Chingunde, Anupama Chandwani
  • Patent number: 9665666
    Abstract: A system and method determines a path in an open space that does not have a well-structured routing infrastructure. In some embodiments, the system and method may model the open space with one-dimensional segments. The system and method may determine a path between two points along the one-dimensional segments. In some embodiment, the system and method may smooth the path based on geometry of objects in the open space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Iljya Kalai, Manuel Bellido, Ivaylo Strandzhev
  • Patent number: 9470543
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus that acquires position information regarding a specific information device enables its own position relative to the specific information device to be easily grasped. The navigation apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with the specific information device, an own position calculator that calculates its own position, an other person's position acquiring unit that acquires the position of the specific information device via the communication unit, an other person's moving direction acquiring unit that obtains a moving direction of the specific information device, and a display/input unit configured to display a map. The display/input unit displays a map with the moving direction of the specific information device oriented up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu Arita, Mitsuo Shimotani
  • Patent number: 9311819
    Abstract: Maps are created that display representations of GPS data generated from a plurality of GPS devices. The GPS data received from the GPS devices is embodied as a representation having descriptive features that visually indicate the location, direction of travel, and speed of travel of the GPS device, and the representation is associated with a road segment on the map. The display of the GPS data from a plurality of GPS devices can be used for editing information about roads on maps and determining preferred routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Waleed Kadous, Andrew Lookingbill, Joakim Kristian Olle Arfvidsson
  • Patent number: 9207092
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems of displaying navigation information on a mobile device include determining navigation directions to a destination location and providing related navigation information for display on a primary user interface while the mobile device is operated in an active operating mode. Upon detecting a transition of the mobile device from the active operating mode to a passive operating mode, a subset of location information is configured for display on a secondary user interface. The passive location information can include one or more of a semantic place label associated with the mobile device's current location and a directions indicator in which a user of the mobile device should travel along the navigation directions in order to reach the destination location from the mobile device's current location and/or device orientation. The navigation information can be updated continuously, periodically and/or upon reaching turn points within the navigation directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Erika Yamasaki, Byambajav Namsraijav, Yongzhong Lee, David Robert Gordon
  • Patent number: 9014721
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods, apparatuses, articles, etc. for mobile device locating in conjunction with localized environments. For certain example implementations, a method may comprise obtaining at a mobile device one or more signals comprising information indicative of a location thereof. The information may be transmitted to one or more servers. A location context identifier (LCI) may be received responsive to the transmitting, with the LCI corresponding to a localized environment at which the mobile device is located. The LCI may be transmitted to the one or more servers. Location-based data may be received responsive to the transmitting of the LCI, with the location-based data being associated with the LCI and pertaining to the localized environment. The location of the mobile device may be determined with respect to the localized environment based, at least in part, on the location-based data. Other example implementations are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Saumitra Mohan Das, Ayman Fawzy Naguib, Rajarshi Gupta
  • Patent number: 9008967
    Abstract: In some aspects, a processor may receive a starting point and an ending point from a runner. The processor may receive calorie information from the runner. The processor may receive pace information from the runner. The processor may receive a mile marker input from the runner. The processor may display a he route based on the starting point and the ending point. The processor may display the number of calories burned based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a pace of running the route based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a mile marker on the route in response to the first mile marker input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Lynn McBride, Thomas Charles McBride
  • Patent number: 9008968
    Abstract: Search criterion information, which indicates a search criterion is transmitted to a search server, destination point information on a destination point, which is a point found by the search server based on the search criterion, is obtained, a candidate point database that stores candidate point information on a candidate point connected to a road in association with the candidate point is searched, the candidate point associated with the candidate point information having a similarity to the destination point information, higher than or equal to a predetermined reference similarity, is identified as an arrival point, and first guidance information that indicates a first route to the arrival point is generated when the arrival point has been identified and second guidance information that indicates a second route to a point closest to the destination point among points on roads is generated when the arrival point has not been identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Yamamoto, Hiroaki Sugiura, Kenji Nagase, Kuniaki Tanaka, Tomoki Kodan, Akira Saito
  • Patent number: 8996302
    Abstract: A location of a mobile device in a venue can be estimated by using a state space estimator to determine candidate locations of the mobile device at a first time point based on previous candidate positions conditioned upon an observation of one or more environmental variables. A second observation is received at a second time point, and the state space estimator performs a propagation step to determine the candidate locations at the second time point based on the candidate locations at the first time point and the second observation. The propagation step includes a plurality of sub-propagation steps in which a time length between the sub-propagation steps is a fraction of the time length between the first and second time points, and at each sub-propagation step each candidate location is propagated according to a stochastic process. The location of the mobile device at the second time point is determined based on the candidate locations at the second time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lukas M. Marti, Shannon M. Ma
  • Publication number: 20150066359
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a three-dimensional map data storage unit for storing three-dimensional map data for use in projecting a three-dimensional space on a map onto a plane, a location information storage unit for storing location information including a type of geographical objects at points spaced at predetermined intervals on the map, a present position storage unit for storing a present position on the map, an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input, a collision determination unit for determining the possibility of occurrence of collision in a course from the present position to an end point, a correction unit for correcting the end point based on the determined possibility of occurrence of collision and shifting the present position to the corrected end point, and a drawing unit for drawing a three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image produced by projecting onto the plane the three-dimensional space on the map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi ASAI, Junpei ITO, Takeki OSADA, Satoshi SUZUNO
  • Patent number: 8949022
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device is an electronic device configured to attach to a human-powered vehicle. The electronic device is further configured to perform actions. The actions include producing position coordinates based on global positioning system data and coupling to a network via a wireless connection. The actions include relaying the position coordinates to the network via the wireless connection. In some embodiments the electronic device is integrated with a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: WI-MM Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Fahrner, Leslie Levitt, Pablo Echavarria
  • Patent number: 8938360
    Abstract: A guidance apparatus for guiding to a predetermined orientation includes a detection section configured to detect a contact of an object via a contact surface; a measurement section configured to measure an orientation of the guidance apparatus; a calculation section configured to calculate a direction of the predetermined orientation relative to the orientation measured by the measurement section; and a vibration section configured to generate vibration if the contact of the object is detected by the detection section either within an area including the direction, or within another area other than the area including the direction, among a plurality of areas partitioning the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kato, Katsuaki Akama
  • Patent number: 8924142
    Abstract: A route comprises interconnected road segments that can be traveled to get from a location to a destination. Previously, routes are represented by display of the spatial arrangement of such road segments (e.g., a map). Here, a route is depicted as a linear shape, and portions of the linear shape represent portions of the route, regardless of their spatial arrangement. A scale is applied between a characteristic of the route and the linear shape. Information elements can be depicted at points on the linear shape that correspond, based on the scale, to locations on the route where such information applies. Portions of the linear shape can be colored or cross-hatched according to traffic congestion conditions. Incident reports can be represented by indicators along the linear shape. Alternate routes (detours) can be represented by respective separate linear shapes; lead lines can connect such linear shapes to points of the route linear shape where each such detour would be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Fink, Alastair Gourlay, Roger James Petersen
  • Patent number: 8918283
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes: a map data storage unit 11a for storing map data in which a guide map location pointer 20 is included in data showing each guide point; a guide map data storage unit 11b for, for each guide point, storing guide map data which are used for drawing different views as guide maps; a processing unit 17 for, when a detected current position reaches a guide point shown by map data acquired from the map data storage unit, acquiring guide map data corresponding to a current situation from a location of the guide map data storage unit which is shown by a guide map location pointer included in data showing the guide point, and combining the guide map data with the map data to generate display data; and a display output unit 15 for displaying a map and a guide map according to the display data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8909470
    Abstract: An optical observation device for target acquisition and navigation having at least one objective, which is to be turned toward the object to be observed, and at least one ocular, which is to be turned toward the eye of the observer, in a housing, wherein the housing has at least one image reversal system, means for range finding, for location/position determination, for determination of the compass direction, and for displaying data, is distinguished in that an integrated target acquisition module having optoelectronic rangefinder, a GPS position determination, an electronic compass direction determination, and a microcomputer unit for calculating and storing distance and location coordinates of a targeted destination, an integrated navigation module having a display screen, which is arranged externally on the housing, and actuating elements, which are arranged on the housing, for activating functions of the target acquisition and navigation module are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Camera AG
    Inventor: Robert Denk
  • Patent number: 8903645
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a three-dimensional map data storage unit for storing three-dimensional map data for use in projecting a three-dimensional space on a map onto a plane, a location information storage unit for storing location information including a type of geographical objects at points spaced at predetermined intervals on the map, a present position storage unit for storing a present position on the map, an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input, a collision determination unit for determining the possibility of occurrence of collision in a course from the present position to an end point, a correction unit for correcting the end point based on the determined possibility of occurrence of collision and shifting the present position to the corrected end point, and a drawing unit for drawing a three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image produced by projecting onto the plane the three-dimensional space on the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Asai, Junpei Ito, Takeki Osada, Satoshi Suzuno
  • Patent number: 8898009
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a speed calculating section configured to calculates a traveling speed of a user based on a signal received from a positioning signal transmitter, a walking tempo acquiring section configured to acquire a walking tempo of the user, and an evaluating section configured to evaluate, based on the walking tempo and the traveling speed, reliability of information calculated by using the signal received from the positioning signal transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Kimishima
  • Patent number: 8886457
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the mode of travel of a location aware device. Data from the location aware device is received, which includes location aware data about the speed, location, and navigational route of the location aware device and data about the connection of the location aware device to a power source. These features of data from the location aware device are used to determine the mode of travel of the location aware device. The data from the location aware device can also be used to determine preferred routes of navigation, speed of roads, and traffic on roads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Eli U. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8880327
    Abstract: Apparatus for orientating a user in a space wherein the space comprises a plurality of zones of which only certain zones constitute functional zones wherein each functional zone includes a first type device containing information relating to the position of the zone in the space and wherein the first type device is reactive to the presence of a second type device associated with the user to provide the user with the information to determine the orientation of the user in the space. A method of orientating the user within the space and guiding the user toward one or more features in the space is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fernando Pedrazzoli Pazos, Jacques C. Van Belle
  • Patent number: 8874364
    Abstract: In a navigation system, e.g., for a motor vehicle, for determining the route from a location of the navigation system to a destination point, the navigation system includes a display device for displaying the route in a map display or a map-type display, and/or a direction indication that corresponds to the route, and it is possible to simultaneously display a canonically oriented graphic or image of a prominent route point with the aid of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Brian Lathrop, Brian Michael Finn, Jackie Chang
  • Patent number: 8862378
    Abstract: A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: C2 Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benedict S. Curatolo, Thomas E. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 8855918
    Abstract: A method of assisting a user of a personal navigation device with automatically selecting a route after the personal navigation device transitions from driving mode to walking mode includes detecting a mode transition in the personal navigation device from driving mode to walking mode, recording a vehicle location where the mode transition from driving mode to walking mode occurs, receiving a request from the user to create navigation instructions to a destination location, determining a distance from the current location to the destination location, and guiding the user back to the vehicle location by providing walking instructions with the personal navigation device when the distance from the current location to the destination location is greater than or equal to a threshold distance and then guiding the user to the destination location by providing driving instructions with the personal navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventors: Paul Ranford, Richard Stanton
  • Patent number: 8838381
    Abstract: Described is a system for conveying the spatial location of an object with respect to a user's current location utilizing a video rendering following an automatically generated path from the user's location to the location of the object of interest initiated from the user's current perspective. The system comprises a display device; a virtual three-dimensional model of the user's environment; a visualization creation module; a route planner; and a video rendering following an automatically generated path from the user's location to the location of the object of interest utilizing the visualization creation module, wherein the video rendering displayed on the display device is from a first-person view. Also described is a method of utilizing the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Daily, Ronald Azuma