Having Variable Map Scale Patents (Class 701/455)
  • Patent number: 9177427
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to an in-vehicle feedback system, and more particularly, to an in-vehicle device with a display or graphical interface that collects driving data and provides feedback based on the driving data. The system may comprise an in-vehicle device that includes a graphical user interface and a processor and a data collection device wirelessly connected to the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device may be configured to receive vehicle telematics data from the data collection device and the processor may process the telematics data in real time and cause the telematics data to be displayed on the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a speed display and an acceleration display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Ryan M. Briggs, Nathan M. Bryer
  • Patent number: 9164975
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device for obtaining, viewing and marking maps in real time. Maps are obtained from a list of maps, the maps are then viewed on interactive tabletop displays allowing a user to visualize a mapped location and “markup” points on the map. The markup data is captured as a small file and sent out to responders via rapid transmission in both real time as it is developed or as final actionable information. The maps employed in the present invention include land maps or building floor plans that are either in paper or digital formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Allen E. Milewski, Barbara T. Reagor, Robert S. Bekefi, William F. Tepfenhart, Lauren C. Landrigan
  • Patent number: 9148330
    Abstract: A method and system for exchanging location content data in different data formats is disclosed. A third-party system makes a request to retrieve, add, modify, or delete location content. The request is made in a first data format. A data exchange system receives the request, converts the request to a second data format supported by a location reference system, and sends the request to the location reference system. The location reference system prepares a response to the request and sends the response to the data exchange system. The data exchange system converts the response to the first data format and sends the response to the third-party system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Vojislav Samsalovic
  • Patent number: 9140574
    Abstract: A direction/distance mark is displayed on a map, wherein the direction/distance mark shows a direction line indicating a direction, with a reference point of a map screen being located in a center, a plurality of equidistant circles with the reference point being located in the center, and a distance from the reference point indicated by each equidistant circle. An instructed point on the screen that is touched by a user is detected as a point indicating a direction on the direction/distance mark and a distance from the reference point, and a map including the point is displayed. Accordingly, with one-touch, the currently displayed map can be scrolled to a desired map. Using the same direction/distance mark, it is also possible to display an equidistant range specifying map, a configured range specifying map, and a POI display map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Takayuki Takada
  • Patent number: 9128956
    Abstract: A development environment makes it easier to develop and use location aware software applications. Combining the currently separate and complex tasks of location information gathering, analysis, and display and making them integrated such that non-experts can build location services into their applications increases a developer's capability to write rich location-aware software applications. A higher level programming model allows a programmer to use location information as a logical entity rather than just raw location data, such as latitude and longitude. A location data store and map data store may be accessed by different location aware applications on the device. Instead of each location application relying on its own data store, applications may share their location related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ivo W. Salmre, Frank Mantek, Gotz-Philip Brasche
  • Patent number: 9129164
    Abstract: A driver assist system is provided that generates a video signal representing a vehicle environment outside a vehicle. At least one feature is extracted from the video signal. A reference is selected from a plurality of reference features stored as location attributes in a map database. The extracted feature is compared to at least one reference feature. An object in the vehicle environment is identified based on the comparison of the extracted feature and the reference feature. An indication is provided to a driver of the vehicle on the basis of the identified object. In one example, the system includes a video capturing device, an indicating device, a vehicle-based processing resource and access to a map database server. Processing tasks may be distributed among the vehicle-based processing resource and an external processing resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Juri Platonov, Alexey Pryakhin, Peter Kunath
  • Patent number: 9092584
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of designing a modeled assembly of at least one object in a computer-aided design system, the method comprising the steps of providing a set of icons, each icon being representative of a range of scales of size; determining the dimensions of a view (40) of said modeled assembly; and displaying continuously the icon representative of the range of scales of size corresponding to said dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes
    Inventors: Hubert Masson, Pierre-Antoine Arrighi
  • Patent number: 9091548
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display control unit for causing a display unit to display a map, a first operation obtaining unit for obtaining a first operation for moving a center of a designated area on the map, a second operation obtaining unit for obtaining a second operation different from the first operation for moving the center, and a size setting operation obtaining unit for obtaining a size setting operation for setting a size of the designated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ono, Masanori Katsu, Yasutaka Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 9083789
    Abstract: A mobile communication device stores a contact list which includes a plurality of contacts, and identifies a user selection to map a location of a selected contact. In response, the device reads an address from an address field of the selected contact, sends to an address geocoding server the address with a request for latitude and longitude coordinates, and receives from the address geocoding server the coordinates. When map rendering data corresponding to the coordinates is cached in memory, the device renders a map based on the map rendering data. Otherwise, the device sends to a map server the coordinates with a request for context-filtered map data, which is based at least in part on a user context independent of the location of the device. The device receives the context-filtered map data, and renders a map based on the received context-filtered map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ronald Anthony Dicke, Nicholas Bryson Wilson, Jesse Joseph Boudreau
  • Patent number: 9074893
    Abstract: A method for providing specific region information using a user terminal in a wired/wireless network environment is provided, and more particularly, a method for providing a custom map via an information block, which involves providing region information to an individual user using an optimally customized method such that the region information may be easily utilized, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventors: Won Tae Kim, Myoung Jin Shin, Kwang Jin Oh, Hee Man Park, Myoung Se Kim
  • Patent number: 9068838
    Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements are used to track position of a watercraft. Position estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. Passage of a watercraft is automatically detected through mapped courses for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage past key points in the course, and the speed of the apparatus may be modified if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water resulting in an optional user selectable real-time compensation for water current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Enovation Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Walser, Kennon H. Guglielmo, Kenneth R. Shouse, Joseph Grogan
  • Patent number: 9063569
    Abstract: A control unit indicates a cursor on a screen of an indication unit according to operation data sent from an operation unit based on user's operation of an operation knob. The control unit implements enlarging indication of a screen region corresponding to a selection item image indicated on the screen of the indication unit. When the control unit implements contracting indication to return an enlarged screen region subsequent to the enlarging indication, the control unit indicates contraction of the screen region in a visually recognizable form and indicates the cursor to follow the screen region. The operation unit further causes a driving force generation unit to generate a driving force to move the operation knob correspondingly to the position of the cursor, according to information on the position of the cursor sent from the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuhiko Tanaka, Takeshi Kawashima, Daigo Akutsu
  • Patent number: 9052503
    Abstract: The method outputs graphic driving indications for assisting a motor vehicle driver in a driving maneuver. The graphic driving indications are displayed by a head-up display. A first graphic driving indication is in the form of a traffic lane change indication pointing out to the driver the direction from a traffic lane traveled at the beginning of the maneuver to a desired traffic lane. A second graphic driving indication is output in the form of a contact-analog traffic lane marking graphically emphasizing the desired traffic lane relative to other traffic lanes. A third graphic driving indication is in the form of a contact-analog maneuvering impulse including a driving funnel originating from the desired traffic lane and corresponding to the driving maneuver. A fourth graphic driving indication is a symbolic maneuvering display indication which symbolically displays the beginning driving maneuver after the vehicle enters into the driving funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Gassner, Axel Jansen, Josef Schumann, Robert Hein
  • Patent number: 9055607
    Abstract: Multi-modal, multi-lingual devices can be employed to consolidate numerous items including, but not limited to, keys, remote controls, image capture devices, audio recorders, cellular telephone functionalities, location/direction detectors, health monitors, calendars, gaming devices, smart home inputs, pens, optical pointing devices or the like. For example, a corner of a cellular telephone can be used as an electronic pen. Moreover, the device can be used to snap multiple pictures stitching them together to create a panoramic image. A device can automate ignition of an automobile, initiate appliances, etc. based upon relative distance. The device can provide for near to eye capabilities for enhanced image viewing. Multiple cameras/sensors can be provided on a single device to provide for stereoscopic capabilities. The device can also provide assistance to blind, privacy, etc. by consolidating services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Sinclair, Yuan Kong, Zhengyou Zhang, Behrooz Chitsaz, David W. Williams, Silviu-Petru Cucerzan, Zicheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9047691
    Abstract: For a device running a mapping application that includes a display area for displaying a map and a set of graphical user interface (GUI) items, a method for providing routes is described. The method computes a route between a starting location and a destination location. The route includes a sequence of maneuvering instructions for guiding a user through the route. The method provides a movable GUI item for showing each maneuvering instruction in the sequence in order to allow a user to navigate the route by moving the GUI items in and out of the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Marcel van Os, Emanuele Vulcano, Christopher Blumenberg, Bradford A. Moore
  • Patent number: 9041560
    Abstract: A system and method are described for receiving a NOTAM and storing information relating to the distance of a temporarily displaced threshold for a runway. When that runway is selected for approach and landing, the temporarily displaced threshold and new aiming point are automatically displayed. The change made to the display using NOTAM data can be indicated to the pilot by distinct symbology or particular color, or by using an icon or an annunciation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sadguni Venkataswamy, Prashant Prabhu, Ravindra Jayaprakash, Anil Kumar Songa, Mallikarjuna Narala
  • Patent number: 9031783
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining a current location of a mobile device, displaying in a map viewport a first map area surrounding the current location of the mobile device and displaying on the first map area a graphical current location indicator representing the current location of the mobile device. The method further entails repositioning the graphical current location indicator relative to the map viewport by shifting the first map area to a partially overlapping second map area that includes both a new map area and a portion of the first map area that contains the graphical current location indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Bells
  • Patent number: 9019302
    Abstract: A method, computer program and apparatus are disclosed for generating a display image for a navigation device, wherein the display image includes a map view for display on the navigation device and the map view includes a two dimensional plan view. At least one embodiment of the method includes identifying a plurality of map objects from a digital map for display in a display image on a navigation device; determining whether any of the identified map objects include one or more non-visible features that would not be visible to a user of the navigation device at ground level; generating an adapted set of map objects that does not include any of the non-visible features; and generating, from the adapted set of map objects, a simplified display image for display on the navigation device, wherein the simplified display image does not include any of the non-visible features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, David Martens
  • Patent number: 9019314
    Abstract: At the first scale size, a predetermined first arrangement position is determined as the arrangement position of an image to be arranged on a map. At the second scale size larger than the first scale size, the second arrangement position closer to the shooting location of the image than at a position corresponding to the first arrangement position on the map at the second scale size is determined as the arrangement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Oka
  • Patent number: 8990013
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a search item in a portable terminal is disclosed. When an item (for example, a particular place, a route to a destination place, particular content, etc.), for which the user requests to search, is searched and displayed, the location information regarding the search item can be displayed, in steps, from a wide range (i.e., upper information) to a narrow range (i.e., lower information), thereby the user can intuitively and easily recognize the location of the search item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Yong Kim, Se Jin Kwak
  • Patent number: 8970630
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: an operation recognition part that recognizes a user operation for a display screen of a display unit; a determination part that determines whether the user operation recognized by the operation recognition part is an operation starting from within a predetermined region of the display screen or not; and a control part that scrolls information being displayed on the display screen while changing a level of detail of the information if the determination part determines that the user operation is the operation starting from within the predetermined region in response to the user operation, and performs changing of the level of detail of the information or scrolling of the information if the determination part determines that the user operation is not the operation starting from within the predetermined region in response to the user operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Reiko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8941677
    Abstract: A quality display is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide for the display of an indication of quality of a geographic survey. In some example embodiments, a survey grid corresponding to the geographic boundaries of a dynamically created survey area is displayed, where the displayed survey grid expands based on the geographic movement of survey participants. In additional embodiments, data representing the survey grid, cells of the survey grid, and a plurality of sub-cells into which each cell of the survey grid is divided is stored. In other embodiments, a numerical index corresponding to the quality of the survey in each cell of the survey grid is determined based on positioning information. In still other embodiments, a display attribute associated with each cell of the survey grid is adjusted in accordance with the numerical index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Peter D. Hallenbeck
  • Publication number: 20150019127
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying navigational information are provided. An exemplary navigational device can include a processor, a memory, a user interface, a positioning system, and a network interface. The processor can adjust a scale of a map displayed on the display to reflect the minimum of a first distance that can be travelled over a period of time at a current speed, a second distance between the current position of the navigational device and a first location at which a driving maneuver should be performed, and a third distance between the current position of the navigational device and a second location at which a traffic condition exists. An exemplary method includes adjusting a map based on a comparison of a plurality of horizons respectively providing distances beyond which navigational information is less useful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8930139
    Abstract: Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Goddard
  • Publication number: 20140330513
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for indicating a direction of motion and a scale on a map. The method includes the step of detecting a position, a speed, and a direction of motion. The method also includes the step of calculating a vector based on the position, speed, and direction of motion, the vector including a scale. A further step of the method includes overlaying the vector on the position indicator on the map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Roger A. Fratti, Arlen Martin
  • Patent number: 8874326
    Abstract: A system for assisting in docking of a machine at a loading location is provided. The system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is configured to generate a signal indicative of one or more loading locations associated with a loading machine. The second controller is communicably coupled to the first controller, a position detection module, a sensor and a display unit. Based on the signals received from the first controller, the position detection module and the sensor, the second controller compares the received signals and selects an exact loading location of the one or more loading locations. The second controller then determines when the current position of the machine crosses a predefined threshold distance and displays, on the display unit, a zoomed-in top view of the machine on the worksite and the exact loading location, based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Publication number: 20140316694
    Abstract: A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: PLATT TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. HARRIS
  • Patent number: 8868338
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for displaying a transition between a map and a street level image. In one aspect, the display on a mobile device transitions from a top-down view of a map to a street-level view of an image, such as a panoramic image, such that the mobile device uses the currently stored map image to perform a tilt and zoom transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Chau, Andrew Szybalski, Stephane Lafon, Andrew Lookingbill
  • Patent number: 8849559
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a path using a limited memory size are provided. An approximate path is generated based on a reduced grid map generated by reducing an original grid map. Then, an approximate path is mapped onto the original grid map, and the mapped path is enlarged and divided into a plurality of sections based on an available memory size used for path calculation. Based on a start point and a destination point set in each of the divided sections, a detailed path in each of the sections is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-yeon Jeong, Su-jinn Lee
  • Patent number: 8836721
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes providing a first image from a server system to a client computing device for display and providing a second image from the server system to the client computing device for display. The method also includes providing instructions from the server system to the client computing device for displaying a window over the first image that displays a portion of the second image within the window, where the portion of the second image displayed within the window corresponds to a position of the window over the first image, and where the portions of the second image include one or more rectangular shapes to approximate a curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Marcin Kazimierz Wichary, Kristopher Hom
  • Patent number: 8825393
    Abstract: A method for providing a location service and a mobile terminal are provided. The location service providing method includes determining a positioning method based on location information of the mobile terminal and measurement information used for calculating the location of the mobile terminal, determining a map switch indicator by using at least one of the determined positioning method, the location information, and the measurement information, selecting a global map (i.e., the whole area map) or a local map according to the determined map switch indicator, and indicating the location of the mobile terminal on the selected map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Su Cho, Sung Jo Yun, Myung In Ji
  • Patent number: 8825370
    Abstract: A trip planner is provided for creating, modifying, categorizing, and sharing online trip plans. A trip plan includes a list of items such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions selected from a travel guide or provided by a user. An item can have a street address for positioning the item on a map, an image and description of the item, and other metadata assigned by the user, such as tags and notes. The trip planner can generate an itinerary listing the items, and a corresponding map showing the locations of the items. A trip plan can be shared with other users, who can locate the trip plan by searching for the tags or other metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Jianing Hu, Pasha Sadri
  • Publication number: 20140244165
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining a current location of a mobile device, displaying in a map viewport a first map area surrounding the current location of the mobile device and displaying on the first map area a graphical current location indicator representing the current location of the mobile device. The method further entails repositioning the graphical current location indicator relative to the map viewport by shifting the first map area to a partially overlapping second map area that includes both a new map area and a portion of the first map area that contains the graphical current location indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew BELLS
  • Patent number: 8793050
    Abstract: A communication system of a motor vehicle is provided. The communication system includes a vehicle operating unit, a vehicle output unit, and an interface computer. The interface computer is connected to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit. The interface computer is implemented for the purpose of connecting a mobile terminal to the vehicle operating unit and the vehicle output unit such that information from the mobile terminal is displayable on the vehicle output unit and the mobile terminal is operable via the vehicle operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Weinmann, Jens-Peter Weiss, Thomas Stauner, Wolfram Manthey
  • Patent number: 8793068
    Abstract: A system comprises a delivery application executing on a processor of a delivery device. The application communicates a message indicating a problem associated with locating a destination site for a user. The system further comprises a vendor server communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device. The vendor server receives the message indicating the problem associated with the first location, determines that the first location is associated with a second location that is within a predetermined distance of the first location, approximates geocoordinates associated with the first location based at least in part upon geocoordinates associated with the second location, and communicates the approximated geocoordinates to the delivery application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven S. Armato
  • Patent number: 8788187
    Abstract: A method and system for providing taxiway navigational information to a crewmember of an airplane taxiing at an airport. An airport taxiway navigation system (“ATNS”) that executes on an onboard computer system that displays a map of the taxiways of an airport, receives the name of each taxiway of the taxi route specified by the taxi clearance, and highlights the taxiways on a displayed map to provide a visual indication of the cleared taxi route for the crewmembers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Reagan Doose, Richard W. Ellerbrock, Glade L. Hulet, John M. Jauglias, Matthew T. Majka
  • Patent number: 8788196
    Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method, computer program product, and apparatus for presenting a position of a vehicle on a chart. In one advantageous embodiment, a method for presenting a vehicle on a chart is presented. A current position of the vehicle is identified. The method then determines whether the current position of the vehicle is on a path between two points in a plurality of points. A first indicator at a first location on the chart indicating a position of the vehicle on the path relative to the two points is presented responsive to a determination that the current position is on the path. A second indicator on a second location on the chart is presented responsive to an absence of a determination that the current position is on the path, wherein the second indicator points to a closest point in the plurality of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8788199
    Abstract: A system comprises a delivery application executing on a processor of a delivery device. The application communicates a message indicating a problem associated with locating a destination site for a user. The system further comprises a user application executing on a processor of a user device. The user application communicates a message confirming that the user device is located at the destination site, and communicates geocoordinates of the destination site. The system further comprises a vendor server communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device and the processor of the user device. The vendor server communicates with the user application to receive the geocoordinates of the destination site. The vendor server further communicates the geocoordinates of the destination site to the delivery application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven S. Armato
  • Patent number: 8781734
    Abstract: The invention provides a map display device and map display method that enhance the information density of displayed road names while maintaining legibility of a map image. First, the map drawing unit draws, to an image storage unit, a map image of roads and so forth in a desired scale, by using the background layer of a first hierarchy corresponding to the desired scale. Second, the map drawing unit draws place names and facility names by using the character layer of the first hierarchy to superimpose them on the map image. Third, the map drawing unit extracts the road names that do not overlap with the map characters of the place names and facility names on the map image by using the character layer of the first hierarchy, and superimposes them on the map image at the normal character size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Noboru Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8768612
    Abstract: A stream processing system for processing a routing request specifying a first location and a destination location in a network of interconnected locations includes a plurality of data processing elements, a memory connected to the plurality of data processing elements for storing a plurality of maps having different scopes, wherein each of the data processing elements is associated with one of the plurality of maps and determines a section of a path from the first location to the destination location in the network of interconnected locations, and a routing selection element for merging the sections of the path as a solution to the routing request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Bouillet, Mark David Feblowitz, Zhen Liu, Anand Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 8762059
    Abstract: A mobile application on a mobile device communicates with a head-unit of a navigation system. The mobile application may retrieve data such as map data, user input data, and other data and communicate the updates to the head unit. By retrieving map data through the mobile application, the head unit may be updated much easier than systems of the prior art. The data may be retrieved through cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks, or other networks which accessible to a user and compatible with the mobile device. Updates may be stored in the mobile device and automatically uploaded to the navigation system head unit when the user is in the vicinity of the head unit. The mobile application may establish a logical connection with one or more head units. The logical connection bounds the mobile application to the head unit and allows for data sharing and synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: NNG KFT.
    Inventor: Peter Balogh
  • Patent number: 8761797
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for varying location accuracy based on a current view of a digital map displayed at a user's mobile device. The displayed digital map includes a visual representation indicating a geographic location of a second mobile device of a second user on the digital map. A network request for an updated geographic location of the second mobile device is initiated based on the determined current map view and the geographic location of the second mobile device relative to the user's device. The network request specifies a degree of location accuracy for the updated geographic location of the second mobile device. The displayed visual representation for the second mobile device in the map view can then be updated based on the updated geographic location of the second mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Norton
  • Patent number: 8756007
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for providing a location of an individual are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to concurrently provide a location of an individual at least two different points in time, a time identifier for each of the at least two different points in time, and an uncertainty associated with the location of the individual at each of the at least two different points in time to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Huseth, Tom Plocher
  • Patent number: 8731585
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for obtaining location information from a location source. A geographic reference point is determined based on accuracy of the location information. The geographic reference point is incorporated into a location result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: TeleCommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Zarem, Eric Vuillermet, John DeAguiar
  • Patent number: 8725413
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating location and motion of an object. An image of a ground surface is obtained and a first set of features is extracted from the image. A map database is searched for a second set of features that match the first set of features and a geo-location is retrieved from the map database, wherein the geo-location is associated with the second set of features. The location is estimated based on the retrieved geo-location. The motion of the object, such as distance travelled, path travelled and/or speed may be estimated in a similar manner by comparing the location of extracted features that are present in two or more images over a selected time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Kristopher C. Kozak, Marc C. Alban, Samuel E. Slocum
  • Patent number: 8706499
    Abstract: Client devices periodically capture ambient audio waveforms, generate waveform fingerprints, and upload the fingerprints to a server for analysis. The server compares the waveforms to a database of stored waveform fingerprints, and upon finding a match, pushes content or other information to the client device. The fingerprints in the database may be uploaded by other users, and compared to the received client waveform fingerprint based on common location or other social factors. Thus a client's location may be enhanced if the location of users whose fingerprints match the client's is known. In particular embodiments, the server may instruct clients whose fingerprints partially match to capture waveform data at a particular time and duration for further analysis and increased match confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Nicholas Papakipos, David Harry Garcia
  • Patent number: 8700329
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus is provided that is highly convenient for a user to view a map screen and a menu window. A display controller 15 determines a view mode of each of a map screen and a menu window, based on information about a travel condition of a moving object from a route search unit 12 and an own-vehicle location identification unit, when the menu window is displayed according to information entered from an input unit 10. A display map generator 16 generates a map screen according to information about the view mode from the display controller 15. A display menu generator 17 generates a menu window according to information about the view mode from the display controller 15. A display unit 21 displays the map screen from the display map generator 16 and the menu window from the menu generator 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Miyazaki, Tsuyoshi Sempuku, Shoji Tanaka, Kuniyo Ieda, Takashi Sadahiro
  • Patent number: 8688670
    Abstract: A method for retrieving data from a data source by querying the data source with data points of a layer. The data points may be encompassed within a determined region of the layer. The steps of the method may include: determining the region of the layer, dynamically querying the data source with one or more data points of the layer encompassed within the region upon determining the region, and receiving the data from the data source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Michael Imler, Kevin Cheng
  • Patent number: 8670926
    Abstract: A navigation device and a control method thereof are disclosed. The navigation device control method includes the steps of using a display unit to display at least one road map thereon; using a processing unit to determine whether a moving speed of the navigation device is larger than a speed threshold value; and if the moving speed of the navigation device is larger than the speed threshold value, the processing unit controlling the display unit to adjust a manner in which the road map is displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: MiTAC International Corp., MiTAC Research (Shanghai) Ltd.
    Inventor: Hua-En Zhang
  • Patent number: 8666429
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for extracting location signatures from data received from mobile devices on a wireless communication network. In a particular embodiment, a method provides, upon determining a location of a wireless communication device, receiving data generated by an application executing on the wireless communication device and using the location to determine whether the data contains information pertaining to the location of the wireless communication device. If the data contains the information pertaining to the location of the wireless communication device, the method provides identifying a location signature specific to the application and using the location signature to determine whether subsequent data transferred from a plurality of wireless communication devices contains information pertaining to a location of any of the plurality of wireless communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Soshant Bali, Mark Evans, Phyllis J. Reuther, Kosol Jintaseranee, Heesook Choi