Patents Assigned to Tomtom Global Content B.V.
  • Patent number: 12209868
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for identifying discrepancies in digital map data, comprising selecting one or more candidate locations as a subset of locations within positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices with respect to time in an area, allocating each of the candidate locations to one or more predetermined categories based upon a distribution of travel directions of the devices at each candidate location and comparing the candidate locations against a database of map data and identifying locations of possible discrepancies in the digital map data based upon the category of each candidate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventor: Gaëtan Martens
  • Patent number: 12205041
    Abstract: A method of training a generative adversarial network for performing semantic segmentation of images. The generative adversarial network includes a generator neural network and a critic neural network. The method includes using the generator neural network to generate predicted image segmentation maps from input images, wherein each predicted image segmentation map includes a classification prediction for each of a plurality of pixels of a respective input image, providing predicted image segmentation maps generated by the generator neural network to the critic neural network, training the critic neural network to determine weights for respective pixels of a predicted image segmentation map generated by the generator neural network, wherein the weight for each pixel is used to weight a pixel-wise cross entropy term in an objective function for the critic neural network, and using the weights determined by the critic neural network to train the generator neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Moshen Ghafoorian, Laurens Samson, Olaf Booij
  • Patent number: 12123741
    Abstract: There is provided a method for identifying possible errors/inconsistencies within an electronic map representation of a network of navigable elements within a geographic area, the method comprising: obtaining at a server positional data relating to the movement over time of a plurality of devices travelling around the navigable network; processing the obtained positional data at the server with reference to the electronic map representing the navigable network in order to identify potential inconsistencies in the map in the form of one or more locations within the navigable network where an observed behaviour of devices travelling around the navigable network as indicated by the obtained positional data is not consistent with a behaviour that would be expected based on the electronic map. This information may then be relayed to navigation devices for supplementing the electronic map when generating navigation instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Pascal Clarysse, Nick Cremelie, Tim Bekaert, Koen Verheyen, Erwin Perremans, Hans Verheyden
  • Patent number: 11965752
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a methods and systems for compensating for changes in the absolute position of locations with respect to the Earth's surface which occur over time due to crustal dynamics. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with such compensation in the context of methods using digital map data, for example, methods of localization of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Foeke de Bakker, Cornelis Pieter Schuerman
  • Patent number: 11935243
    Abstract: A method is provided of training a generative adversarial network for performing semantic segmentation of images. The generative adversarial network includes a generator neural network and a discriminator neural network. The method includes providing an image as input to the generator neural network, receiving a predicted segmentation map for the image from the generator neural network, providing i) the image, ii) the predicted segmentation map, and iii) ground-truth label data corresponding to the image, as distinct training inputs to the discriminator neural network, determining a set of one or more outputs from the discriminator neural network in response to said training inputs, and training the generator neural network using a loss function that is a function of said set of outputs from the discriminator neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Hofmann, Nora Baka, Cedric Nugteren, Mohsen Ghafoorian, Olaf Booij
  • Patent number: 11835358
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a geographical location and orientation of a vehicle travelling through a road network is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining, from one or more cameras associated with the vehicle travelling through the road network, a sequence of images reflecting the environment of the road network on which the vehicle is travelling, wherein each of the images has an associated camera location at which the image was recorded. A local map representation representing an area of the road network on which the vehicle is travelling is then generated using at least some of the obtained images and the associated camera locations. The generated local map representation is compared with a section of a reference map, the reference map section covering the area of the road network on which the vehicle is travelling, and the geographical location and orientation of the vehicle within the road network is determined based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Tinosch Kolagheichi-Ganjineh, Philipp Holzschneider, Dimitri Schachmann, Sergej Mann, Sebastian Ihlefeld, Michael Hofmann, Olaf Booij, Nicolau Leal Werneck
  • Patent number: 11761790
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a geographical location and orientation of a vehicle (200, 300) travelling through a road network is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining, from one or more cameras (202, 302) associated with the vehicle (200, 300) travelling through the road network, a sequence of images (500) reflecting the environment of the road network on which the vehicle (200, 300) is travelling, wherein each of the images has an associated camera location at which the image was recorded. A local map representation representing an area of the road network on which the vehicle (200, 300) is travelling is then generated using at least some of the obtained images and the associated camera locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: TomTom Global Content B.V., TomTom Location Technology Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Tinosch Kolagheichi-Ganjineh, Philipp Holzchneider, Dimitri Schachmann, Sergej Mann, Sebastian Ihlefeld, Michael Hofmann, Olaf Booij, Nicolau Leal Werneck
  • Patent number: 11740099
    Abstract: A device is provided to extract scan lines data from images of a route, said scan line data comprising only a portion of the an image that extends along a scan line, and to store this data in memory together with respective positional data pertaining to the position of the device traveling along the route in a navigable network. This scan line and positional data can be obtained from a plurality of devices in a network and transmitted to computing apparatus, for example, for use in a production of a realistic view of a digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Henk van der Molen, Jeroen Trum, Jan Willem van den Brand
  • Patent number: 11656095
    Abstract: A computerised method of creating map data from position data derived from the positions (606) of at least one vehicle over a period of time, the map data comprising a plurality of navigable segments representing segments (602,604) of a navigable route (607) in the area covered by the map and the map data also comprising intersections between navigable segments (602,604) representing intersections in the navigable route, the method comprising using a processing circuitry to perform the following steps: i. processing the position data; ii. calculating from the processing of the position data a transit time or set of transit times for at least some of the intersections in the map data; and iii generating further map data, which for at least some of the intersections therein, contains the calculated transit time or set of transit times associated with the intersection for which the calculation was made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Alexandru Serbanescu, Volker Hiestermann
  • Patent number: 11629962
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved positioning accuracy relative to a digital map are disclosed, and which are preferably used for highly and fully automated driving applications, and which may use localisation reference data associated with a digital map. The invention further extends to methods and systems for the generation of localisation reference data associated with a digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Kudrynski, Krzysztof Miksa, Rafal Jan Gliszczynski, Blazej Kubiak
  • Patent number: 11274928
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved positioning accuracy relative to a digital map are disclosed, and which are preferably used for highly and fully automated driving applications, and which may use localisation reference data associated with a digital map. The invention further extends to methods and systems for the generation of localisation reference data associated with a digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Kudrynski, Krzysztof Miksa, Rafal Jan Gliszczynski, Blazej Kubiak
  • Patent number: 11137255
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved positioning accuracy relative to a digital map are disclosed, and which are preferably used for highly and fully automated driving applications, and which may use localisation reference data associated with a digital map. The invention further extends to methods and systems for the generation of localisation reference data associated with a digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Kudrynski, Krzysztof Miksa, Rafal Jan Gliszczynski, Blazej Kubiak
  • Patent number: 11085775
    Abstract: Methods and systems for classifying data points of a point cloud indicative of the environment around a vehicle by using features of a digital map relating to a deemed current position of the vehicle. Such methods and systems can be used to detect road actors, such as other vehicles, around a vehicle capable of sensing its environment as a point cloud; preferably used by highly and fully automated driving applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Blazej Kubiak, Krzysztof Kudrynski, Krzysztof Miksa, Rafal Jan Gliszczynski
  • Patent number: 10948302
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved positioning accuracy relative to a digital map are disclosed, and which are preferably used for highly and fully automated driving applications, and which may use localisation reference data associated with a digital map. A vehicle localization is obtained by comparing real time depth map acquired by a sensor associated to the vehicle to a depth map associated to a digital map. The depth maps are indicative of an environment around the vehicle. Longitudinal and lateral offsets of the vehicle with respect to the digital map are determined. The invention further extends to methods and systems for the generation of localisation reference data associated with a digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Kudrynski, Krzysztof Miksa, Rafal Jan Gliszczynski, Blazej Kubiak
  • Patent number: 10830604
    Abstract: A method of detecting the closure of a navigable element forming part of a network of navigable elements within a geographic area. A server obtains positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices along the navigable element with respect to time. The positional data is used to determine an elapsed time since a device was last detected on the navigable element, and the determined elapsed time is compared to an expected time interval between consecutive devices being detected on the navigable element. The navigable element is identified as being potentially closed, subject to one or more optional validation steps, when the determined elapsed time exceeds the expected time interval, e.g. by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT, B.V.
    Inventors: Arne Kesting, Nikolaus Witte, Jean-Claude Mattelaer
  • Patent number: 10768006
    Abstract: A device is provided to extract scan lines data from images of a route, said scan line data comprising only a portion of the an image that extends along a scan line, and to store this data in memory together with respective positional data pertaining to the position of the device traveling along the route in a navigable network. This scan line and positional data can be obtained from a plurality of devices in a network and transmitted to computing apparatus, for example, for use in a production of a realistic view of a digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Henk van der Molen, Jeroen Trum, Jan Willem van den Brand
  • Patent number: 10654489
    Abstract: A method of operating a controller of a vehicle human machine interface (HMI) is disclosed, comprising: providing first output control signals configured to cause a vehicular head up display (HUD) to present first content to a vehicle operator; and providing second output control signals configured to cause a vehicular digital cluster display (DCD) to present second content to the vehicle operator, different to the first content. The method can further comprise the receiving input control signals from a touch sensitive steering wheel, for interacting with the information presented on the HUD and/or DUD. A related apparatus, vehicular HMI and computer software, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Simone Francine Tertoolen, Hubertus Jacobus Maria Nijssen, Cornelis Klaas van Dok
  • Patent number: 10614600
    Abstract: An improved method for matching traces derived from probe data to one or more line segments in a digital vector map. Points in a probe trace are provisionally matched one-by-one to line segments in the digital vector map to identify all possible matching candidates. A graph of the matching candidates is created having one or more paths. The graph has a plurality of sequential levels corresponding to the points in the probe trace. Each matching candidate is assigned to a level of the graph corresponding with trace point to which it relates. Edges are established between matching candidates in adjacent levels provided they are topologically related to one another. The graph is simplified and scored. The best paths deliver the matching results. The invention allows use of graph theoretic methods to find the best path through the graph, which in turn represents an efficient map matching algorithm. The concepts of this invention may be used in conjunction with longitudinal distance as matching criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Heiko Mund, Hannes Scharmann
  • Patent number: 10489431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of obtaining and storing data relating to a count of journeys made between origin and destination pairs in respect of different predetermined time periods. Positional data is received from vehicles, and filtered to obtain positional data relating to travel between each of a plurality of origin-destination pairs. The filtered positional data is analysed to obtain multiple sets of profiles. Each set of profiles represents a count of journeys made between the origin and destination in a plurality of predetermined time periods for each origin-destination pair. The different sets of profiles relate to different days of the week, and journeys having arrival or departure times in the predetermined time periods. The sets of profiles are used in a clustering operation to provide a reduced set of standard profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventors: Filip Ballegeer, Gaëtan Martens
  • Patent number: 10371533
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of determining speed information, comprising receiving traffic monitoring information navigation devices (610), wherein the traffic monitoring information includes identification information identifying a mobile device (630), location information indicating a geographic locations (910, 920) at which the identification information was received from the mobile device (630), and temporal information indicating times at which the identification information was received, and determining speed information associated with the mobile device from the traffic monitoring information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TOMTOM GLOBAL CONTENT B.V.
    Inventor: Christopher Kenneth Hoover Wilson