Patents by Inventor Edwin Neef
Edwin Neef 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).
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Patent number: 9367239Abstract: A navigation device has a route re-calculation function. This is activated by the user touching the screen to task away from the normal navigation map mode to a menu screen which displays multiple types of route re-calculation options.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton
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Patent number: 9080887Abstract: A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files and supplemental corrective data files. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data, and in the event that the current location and derived map data are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. In at least one embodiment, the secondary action may be the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. In a further aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention also provides for a PND or navigation system storing an indication of a home location, and prompting a user to visit nearby locations for which corrections exist, followed by prompted or automatic confirmation or rejection thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: TOMTOM INTERNATIONAL B.V.Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Erik Thomassen, Mareije Roosen, Edwin Neef, Sergei Kucheiko, Rory Jones
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Patent number: 8670727Abstract: A method of discovering connection specific settings from a mobile unit for a telecommunications connection at a navigation device is disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the method may include establishing a wireless connection between the mobile unit and the navigation device to retrieve preliminary information from the mobile device, querying of a plurality of entries in a database within the navigation device based on the preliminary information, attempting to establish the telecommunications connection using the queried entries, and storing the entry resulting in a successful establishment of the telecommunications connection as the connection specific settings for the mobile unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Edwin Neef, Pieter Geelen
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Patent number: 8620584Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, navigation software is integrated with other kinds of software running on the same device so that capabilities of the navigation software can be made available from within the other applications. In one example embodiment, those applications can export street, city or postcode format address data to the navigation software. The address data can then be converted to a co-ordinate system based address by the navigation software, which can then automatically be set as the destination address used by the navigation software in calculating the route and/or automatically marked on a map generated and displayed by the navigation software.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Edwin Neef, Mark Gretton
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Patent number: 8473193Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for utilizing a selectable location marker for relational display of point of interest entries. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting selection of a point of interest location marker on a navigation device, and displaying selectable point of interest entries on the navigation device in an order based upon a location related to a selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Edwin Neef, Sven Jurgens
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Patent number: 8407003Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Sven Jurgens, Rory Jones, Mareije Roosen, Sergei Kucheiko, Edwin Neef, Karine Hilbrandie
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Patent number: 8019531Abstract: A navigation device has a route re-calculation function. This is activated by the user touching the screen to task away from the normal navigation map mode to a menu screen which displays multiple types of route re-calculation options.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton
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Publication number: 20110144904Abstract: A navigation device has a route re-calculation function. This is activated by the user touching the screen to task away from the normal navigation map mode to a menu screen which displays multiple types of route re-calculation options.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton
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Patent number: 7925437Abstract: A navigation device programmed with a map database and software that enables a route to be planned between two user-defined places. The device may be further programmed to be able to display on a touch sensitive display a main navigation mode screen showing a map and to allow a user to input destination address information using a virtual keyboard whose keys are sized to allow reliable finger activation. The device is especially advantageous for an in-car navigation device since it allows the user to easily and reliably input address information, even whilst the device is mounted in a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton
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Publication number: 20100332119Abstract: A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files, a display, GPS signal reception and processing device, such together forming a basis for navigation, route guidance, and map information display. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data to derive map-specific parameters for that location and comparing the map-specific parameters with a motion-specific parameter, a vehicle-specific parameter, or the current location to determine whether the current location, motion or vehicle-related characteristic is permissible or appropriate therefore; and in the event that the current location, motion, or vehicle-related characteristic and derived map-specific parameter are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Tom Tom International B.V.Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Erik Thomassen, Mareije Roosen, Edwin Neef, Sergei Kucheiko, Rory Jones
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Publication number: 20100332118Abstract: A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files and supplemental corrective data files. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data, and in the event that the current location and derived map data are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. In at least one embodiment, the secondary action may be the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. In a further aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention also provides for a PND or navigation system storing an indication of a home location, and prompting a user to visit nearby locations for which corrections exist, followed by prompted or automatic confirmation or rejection thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Erik Thomassen, Mareije Roosen, Edwin Neef, Sergei Kucheiko, Rory Jones
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Patent number: 7769540Abstract: An in-car navigation device has a route preview or simulation function. The name of the actual road along which the vehicle is simulated as moving is also displayed, just as it would be if the vehicle were actually travelling along the route. The status bar, or actually on the road itself. This ‘demonstrate route’ function is achievable because the device stores a database sequence of road names, together with the vectors and actions which define the roads of the calculated route (this route has been fully calculated in advance and stored in device memory). Records in this database that define the route can then be sequentially selected (say simulating progress at a rate that allows the entire journey to be completed in 15 seconds) and the device can then display simulated progress of the car along the vectors which define the roads of the calculated route on the map image.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton
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Patent number: 7737951Abstract: A navigation device is programmed to be able to associate any function, belonging to a core set of functions, with a non-overlapping touch input zone that is large enough to be reliably activated using a finger. Hence, the present invention is predicated on the insight that it is possible to identify a set of core functions and to then enable all of them to be reliably selected/activated by a finger touch to a touch input zone large enough for reliable activation. This is especially advantageous for an in-car navigation device in which the core functions are those functions that are likely to be activated by a driver whilst still driving.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton
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Publication number: 20100131186Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Sven Jurgens, Rory Jones, Mareije Roosen, Sergei Kucheiko, Geert Hilbrandie, Edwin Neef
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Publication number: 20090326803Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, navigation software is integrated with other kinds of software running on the same device so that capabilities of the navigation software can be made available from within the other applications. In one example embodiment, those applications can export street, city or postcode format address data to the navigation software. The address data can then be converted to a co-ordinate system based address by the navigation software, which can then automatically be set as the destination address used by the navigation software in calculating the route and/or automatically marked on a map generated and displayed by the navigation software.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Edwin Neef, Mark Gretton
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Patent number: 7606663Abstract: Navigation software is integrated with other kinds of software running on the same device so that capabilities of the navigation software can be made available from within the other applications. Those applications can export street, city or postcode format address data to the navigation software. The address data can then be converted to a co-ordinate system based address by the navigation software, which can then automatically be set as the destination address used by the navigation software in calculating the route and/or automatically marked on a map generated and displayed by the navigation software.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Edwin Neef, Mark Gretton
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Publication number: 20070288161Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for utilizing a selectable location marker for relational display of point of interest entries. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting selection of a point of interest location marker on a navigation device, and displaying selectable point of interest entries on the navigation device in an order based upon a location related to a selected point of interest location marker and a relative location of each of the selectable point of interest entries.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Edwin Neef, Sven Jurgens
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Publication number: 20070259674Abstract: A method of discovering connection specific settings from a mobile unit for a telecommunications connection at a navigation device is disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the method may include establishing a wireless connection between the mobile unit and the navigation device to retrieve preliminary information from the mobile device, querying of a plurality of entries in a database within the navigation device based on the preliminary information, attempting to establish the telecommunications connection using the queried entries, and storing the entry resulting in a successful establishment of the telecommunications connection as the connection specific settings for the mobile unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Edwin Neef, Pieter Geelen
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Publication number: 20070150173Abstract: Navigation software is integrated with other kinds of software running on the same device so that capabilities of the navigation software can be made available from within the other applications. Those applications can export street, city or postcode format address data to the navigation software. The address data can then be converted to a co-ordinate system based address by the navigation software, which can then automatically be set as the destination address used by the navigation software in calculating the route and/or automatically marked on a map generated and displayed by the navigation software.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2004Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Edwin Neef, Mark Gretton
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Publication number: 20070150179Abstract: An in-car navigation device has a route preview or simulation function. The name of the actual road along which the vehicle is simulated as moving is also displayed, just as it would be if the vehicle were actually travelling along the route. The status bar, or actually on the road itself. This ‘demonstrate route’ function is achievable because the device stores a database sequence of road names, together with the vectors and actions which define the roads of the calculated route (this route has been fully calculated in advance and stored in device memory).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2004Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Ayal Pinkus, Edwin Neef, Sven-Erik Jurgens, Mark Gretton