Patents by Inventor James Alan Witmer
James Alan Witmer 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: 9301099Abstract: A method of analyzing points of interest (22) using traces from probe data is provided. The method includes providing a database of a digital vector map (18) configured to store a plurality of traces (1?-14?) representing roads. The method further includes collecting probe data from vehicles traveling along the traces. Then, bundling a group of select traces (2?, 5?, 7?, 9?, 11?) having routes with a common origin (20) and at least one divergence point (24, I) downstream from the origin (20) and building a database of vehicle maneuvers over the routes. Further, computing average speeds and delay times of a random population of vehicles traversing the vehicle maneuvers. Further yet, computing average speeds and delay times of all vehicles traversing the routes. Then, comparing the computed results from the random population of vehicles with the computed results from all vehicles traversing said routes.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Patent number: 9222786Abstract: In a method for creating a digital representation of a transportation network, acquired probe traces are refined based on characteristics of the transportation network. Geographic objects associated with the transportation network are identified based on the refined probe traces. A digital geographic network is built based on the refined probe traces and identified geographic objects, and the digital representation of the transportation network is created by linking the identified geographic objects in the digital geographic network.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Patent number: 9068849Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of generating a shaped line in a geographic data information system, comprising selecting a first shaped line (100) in the geographic data information system, determining (205) a clothoid spline (300) representation of the shaped line, determining (210) a location of a first shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300) and determining (235) a location of a second shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300), wherein the location of the second shape point is determined (510) to be a maximum chord length from the first shape point within a predetermined tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Patent number: 8949021Abstract: A method of processing probe trace data to determine a measure of correlation of a probe trace with other probe traces comprises obtaining a map that associates a parameter space with a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one correlation value is assigned to each of the plurality of pixels, and determining a correlation score for a probe trace by mapping the probe trace to at least one pixel of the map and determining the correlation score for the probe trace from at least one correlation value of the at least one pixel to which the probe trace is mapped.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20140372022Abstract: A method of analyzing points of interest (22) using traces from probe data is provided. The method includes providing a database of a digital vector map (18) configured to store a plurality of traces (1?-14?) representing roads. The method further includes collecting probe data from vehicles traveling along the traces. Then, bundling a group of select traces (2?, 5?, 7?, 9?, 11?) having routes with a common origin (20) and at least one divergence point (24, 1) downstream from the origin (20) and building a database of vehicle maneuvers over the routes. Further, computing average speeds and delay times of a random population of vehicles traversing the vehicle maneuvers. Further yet, computing average speeds and delay times of all vehicles traversing the routes. Then, comparing the computed results from the random population of vehicles with the computed results from all vehicles traversing said routes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20130030690Abstract: A method of processing probe trace data to determine a measure of correlation of a probe trace with other probe traces comprises obtaining a map that associates a parameter space with a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one correlation value is assigned to each of the plurality of pixels, and determining a correlation score for a probe trace by mapping the probe trace to at least one pixel of the map and determining the correlation score for the probe trace from at least one correlation value of the at least one pixel to which the probe trace is mapped.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20120277985Abstract: A method of analyzing points of interest (22) using traces from probe data is provided. The method includes providing a database of a digital vector map (18) configured to store a plurality of traces (1?-14?) representing roads. The method further includes collecting probe data from vehicles traveling along the traces. Then, bundling a group of select traces (2?, 5?, 7?, 9?, 11?) having routes with a common origin (20) and at least one divergence point (24, 1) downstream from the origin (20) and building a database of vehicle maneuvers over the routes. Further, computing average speeds and delay times of a random population of vehicles traversing the vehicle maneuvers. Further yet, computing average speeds and delay times of all vehicles traversing the routes. Then, comparing the computed results from the random population of vehicles with the computed results from all vehicles traversing said routes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2009Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20120121206Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of generating a shaped line in a geographic data information system, comprising selecting a first shaped line (100) in the geographic data information system, determining (205) a clothoid spline (300) representation of the shaped line, determining (210) a location of a first shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300) and determining (235) a location of a second shape point corresponding to the clothoid spline (300), wherein the location of the second shape point is determined (510) to be a maximum chord length from the first shape point within a predetermined tolerance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2009Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20120116678Abstract: In a method for creating a digital representation of a transportation network, acquired probe traces are refined based on characteristics of the transportation network. Geographic objects associated with the transportation network are identified based on the refined probe traces. A digital geographic network is built based on the refined probe traces and identified geographic objects, and the digital representation of the transportation network is created by linking the identified geographic objects in the digital geographic network.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20110125811Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA INC.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Patent number: 7912879Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: TeleAtlas North America IncInventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20090144331Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20090144030Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a computer readable storage medium storing instructions for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: James Alan Witmer
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Publication number: 20090144031Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are systems for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: James Alan Witmer