Patents by Inventor Andrew Ofstad

Andrew Ofstad has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10445914
    Abstract: Map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area is received, the digital map is generated using the received map data, and the digital map is displayed via a user interface. An interactive runway of photographic images corresponding to objects located within the geographic area is generated, the runway being an arrangement of the photographic images. Generating the runway may include rating each of the candidate photographic images corresponding to objects located within the within the geographic area using viewing signals related to at least one of the photographic image or an object depicted in the photographic image, and selecting, from among the candidate photographic images, the photographic images for inclusion in the interactive runway, using the rating. The interactive runway is displayed over the digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard A. M. Seefeld
  • Publication number: 20180374250
    Abstract: Map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area is received, the digital map is generated using the received map data, and the digital map is displayed via a user interface. An interactive runway of photographic images corresponding to objects located within the geographic area is generated, the runway being an arrangement of the photographic images. Generating the runway may include rating each of the candidate photographic images corresponding to objects located within the within the geographic area using viewing signals related to at least one of the photographic image or an object depicted in the photographic image, and selecting, from among the candidate photographic images, the photographic images for inclusion in the interactive runway, using the rating. The interactive runway is displayed over the digital map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard A.M. Seefeld
  • Patent number: 10096142
    Abstract: Map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area is received, the digital map is generated using the received map data, and the digital map is displayed via a user interface. An interactive runway of photographic images corresponding to objects located within the geographic area is generated, the runway being a linear arrangement of the photographic images. Generating the runway includes rating each of the candidate photographic images corresponding to objects located within the within the geographic area using viewing signals related to at least one of the photographic image or an object depicted in the photographic image, and selecting, from among the candidate photographic images, the photographic images for inclusion in the interactive runway, using the rating. The interactive runway is displayed over the digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard A. M. Seefeld
  • Publication number: 20180061106
    Abstract: Map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area is received, the digital map is generated using the received map data, and the digital map is displayed via a user interface. An interactive runway of photographic images corresponding to objects located within the geographic area is generated, the runway being a linear arrangement of the photographic images. Generating the runway includes rating each of the candidate photographic images corresponding to objects located within the within the geographic area using viewing signals related to at least one of the photographic image or an object depicted in the photographic image, and selecting, from among the candidate photographic images, the photographic images for inclusion in the interactive runway, using the rating. The interactive runway is displayed over the digital map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard A.M. Seefeld
  • Patent number: 9852534
    Abstract: Map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area is received, the digital map is generated using the received map data, and the digital map is displayed via a user interface. An interactive runway of photographic images corresponding to objects located within the geographic area is generated, the runway being a linear arrangement of the photographic images. Generating the runway includes rating each of the candidate photographic images corresponding to objects located within the within the geographic area using viewing signals related to at least one of the photographic image or an object depicted in the photographic image, and selecting, from among the candidate photographic images, the photographic images for inclusion in the interactive runway, using the rating. The interactive runway is displayed over the digital map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard A. M. Seefeld
  • Patent number: 9671938
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating an imagery graph are provided. In some aspects, a first image is provided for display, where the first image corresponds to a first image node within an imagery graph, where the imagery graph comprises image nodes corresponding to images from a plurality of different imagery types, and where each image node in the imagery graph is associated with geospatial data. An indication of a selection of a predetermined region within the first image is received, where the predetermined region is associated with a position in the first image that corresponds to geospatial data associated a second image node within the imagery graph. A second image corresponding to the second image node is provided for display in response to the indication of the selection of the predetermined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Maxwell Seitz, Andrew Ofstad
  • Publication number: 20170076484
    Abstract: Map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area is received, the digital map is generated using the received map data, and the digital map is displayed via a user interface. An interactive runway of photographic images corresponding to objects located within the geographic area is generated, the runway being a linear arrangement of the photographic images. Generating the runway includes rating each of the candidate photographic images corresponding to objects located within the within the geographic area using viewing signals related to at least one of the photographic image or an object depicted in the photographic image, and selecting, from among the candidate photographic images, the photographic images for inclusion in the interactive runway, using the rating. The interactive runway is displayed over the digital map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard A.M. Seefeld
  • Patent number: 9508169
    Abstract: A user interface for a map display application used on a computing device includes a strip of photographic images corresponding to objects located within a geographic location represented by a map displayed on a screen. More specifically, the strip of photographic images is responsive to the viewing experience of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew R. Simpson, Bernhard Seefeld
  • Patent number: 9213422
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for automatically moving a cursor within a map viewport. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods that determine a location of various objects within a 3D scene displayed within a map viewport and determining a location of a 3D cursor within the 3D scene. When a distance between an object location and the 3D cursor location is less than a threshold distance, the geometric shape data of the 3D cursor is automatically modified to at least partially surround the object. The location of the object may be determined based on data representative of the 3D scene. The location of the 3D cursor may be determined based on data representative of the 3D cursor location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Su Chuin Leong
  • Patent number: 9202307
    Abstract: Systems and methods for browsing images of points of interest (POIs) are provided. Indication of selection of POI from among multiple POIs is received. Image graph associated with POI is identified. Image graph includes multiple images of POI. Tour path for POI is defined within image graph. Specific image from tour path defined within image graph is provided for display. Previous image and next image relative to specific image along tour path defined within image graph are determined. First set of additional images from image graph based on specific image is determined. First set of additional images corresponds to set of images in image graph proximate to specific image. Link to previous image or next image, and link to each member of first set of additional images for display with specific image are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Steven Maxwell Seitz
  • Publication number: 20150185873
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for automatically moving a cursor within a map viewport. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods that determine a location of various objects within a 3D scene displayed within a map viewport and determining a location of a 3D cursor within the 3D scene. When a distance between an object location and the 3D cursor location is less than a threshold distance, the geometric shape data of the 3D cursor is automatically modified to at least partially surround the object. The location of the object may be determined based on data representative of the 3D scene. The location of the 3D cursor may be determined based on data representative of the 3D cursor location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Su Chuin Leong
  • Publication number: 20150187098
    Abstract: In a computing device, images being displayed in connection with a digital map are unobtrusively updated. To this end, a digital map of a first geographic area and first images related to the first geographic area are displayed. A selection of a second geographic area is received. In response to the selection of the second geographic area, a digital map of the second geographic area and second images related to the second geographic area are displayed. One of the first images is temporarily, for a perceivable amount of time, displayed with the digital map of the second geographic area, where the displayed image is unrelated to the second geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew R. Simpson, Bernhard Seefeld, Ryan Douglas Kuykendall
  • Publication number: 20150185992
    Abstract: To obtain imagery geographically related to a user-selected image, a selection of an image being displayed via a user interface of a software application is received. The selected image depicts an identifiable geographic entity. At least metadata associated with the image is sent to a group of one or more servers via a communication network. A set of images of the geographic entity depicted in the selected image and generally matching a pose of the selected image are received, where the pose defines at least a camera location and an orientation of the camera with respect to the depicted geographic entity. Navigation and display of the images via a second software application, that operates independently of the first software application, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Bernhard Seefeld
  • Publication number: 20150154798
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer-readable medium for transitioning between images in a three-dimensional space are provided. A three-dimensional (3D) model of a location that includes multiple two-dimensional images textured onto the 3D model and each image is associated with a set of credentials is provided. A virtual path is generated within the 3D model, the virtual path including at least some of the plurality of images in the sequential order. For each image in the virtual path, a type of a transition within each image and between the adjacent images in the sequential order is determined. The type of transition is based on the set of credentials associated with each image. As the virtual path is traversed using a virtual camera, where the virtual camera activates transitions associated with each image and the transitions ensure that the movement within the 3D model appears constant to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert SIMPSON, Jonah Jones, Yasutaka Furukawa, Steven Maxwell Seitz, Andrew Ofstad
  • Publication number: 20150154793
    Abstract: Systems and methods for browsing images of points of interest (POIs) are provided. Indication of selection of POI from among multiple POIs is received. Image graph associated with POI is identified. Image graph includes multiple images of POI. Tour path for POI is defined within image graph. Specific image from tour path defined within image graph is provided for display. Previous image and next image relative to specific image along tour path defined within image graph are determined. First set of additional images from image graph based on specific image is determined. First set of additional images corresponds to set of images in image graph proximate to specific image. Link to previous image or next image, and link to each member of first set of additional images for display with specific image are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Steven Maxwell Seitz
  • Publication number: 20150123999
    Abstract: A user interface for a map display application used on a computing device includes a strip of photographic images corresponding to objects located within a geographic location represented by a map displayed on a screen. More specifically, the strip of photographic images is responsive to the viewing experience of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Mathew R. Simpson, Bernhard Seefeld
  • Publication number: 20150116309
    Abstract: A technique for providing an animated preview of a transition between two points of view can be implemented in a software application, such as a mapping application, that displays an interactive 3D representation of a geographical area and allows users to hover, hold, or otherwise indicate, without confirming a selection, a desired destination location of a viewport within the displayed 3D representation to generate the animated preview. An animated preview may include travelling a portion of a trajectory that runs between an initial position of the viewport and the desired destination position of the viewport. The mapping application temporarily moves the viewport toward the destination position of the viewport along the trajectory and then moves the viewport back to its original position. In this manner, the mapping application provides a subtle but clear indication toward the direction and orientation of the destination location of the viewport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Andrew Ofstad
  • Patent number: D874489
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard Seefeld
  • Patent number: D900131
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard Seefeld
  • Patent number: D960900
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ofstad, Willem Van Lancker, Matthew Robert Simpson, Bernhard Seefeld