Abstract: A heat press docking station base (52) comprises a nest portion (75) and one or more legs (58). The nest portion (52) includes a body shell (60, 62) and a perforated floor (54). The body shell (60, 62) includes a lower surface (63). The perforated floor (54) is connected to the body shell (60, 62). The one or more legs (58) extend from a lower surface (63) of the body shell (60, 62).

Abstract: A method for detecting and modelling of an object on a surface of a road by first scanning the road and generating a 3D model of the scanned road (which 3D model of the scanned road contains a description of a 3D surface of the road) and then creating a top-view image of the road. The object is detected on the surface of the road by evaluating the top-view image of the road. The detected object is projected on the surface of the road in the 3D model of the scanned road. The object projected on the surface of the road in the 3D model of the scanned road is modelled.

Abstract: A method for detecting and modelling of an object on a surface of a road by first scanning the road and generating a 3D model of the scanned road (which 3D model of the scanned road contains a description of a 3D surface of the road) and then creating a top-view image of the road. The object is detected on the surface of the road by evaluating the top-view image of the road. The detected object is projected on the surface of the road in the 3D model of the scanned road. The object projected on the surface of the road in the 3D model of the scanned road is modelled.

Abstract: A method of complementing a map of a scene with 3D reference points including four steps. In a first step, data is collected and recorded based on samples of at least one of an optical sensor, a GNSS, and an IMU. A second step includes initial pose generation by processing of the collected sensor data to provide a track of vehicle poses. A pose is based on a specific data set, on at least one data set re-coded before that dataset and on at least one data set recorded after that data set. A third step includes SLAM processing of the initial poses and collected optical sensor data to generate keyframes with feature points. In a fourth step 3D reference points are generated by fusion and optimization of the feature points by using future and past feature points together with a feature point at a point of processing. This second and fourth steps provides significantly better results than SLAM or VIO methods known from prior art, as the second and the fourth steps are based on recorded data.

Abstract: A method for detecting and modelling of an object on a surface of a road by first scanning the road and generating a 3D model of the scanned road (which 3D model of the scanned road contains a description of a 3D surface of the road) and then creating a top-view image of the road. The object is detected on the surface of the road by evaluating the top-view image of the road. The detected object is projected on the surface of the road in the 3D model of the scanned road. The object projected on the surface of the road in the 3D model of the scanned road is modelled.

Abstract: A method and a system for generating and updating a digital road description database containing object-based information about at least one of a road object, a road furniture object and a geographic object is disclosed. A vehicle is collecting ambient data like images along multiple sections of its path, generating third data sets comprising at least location information and detailed object-based information. The third data sets are forwarded to a server database. The database identifies common groups of object reference points in multiple vehicle path sections and generates alignment functions for matching and/or aligning the at least one group of object reference points in at least two of the vehicle path sections relating to the same part of the road. The same alignment function is applied to all other third data sets of the same vehicle path section. The database updates the fourth data sets in the database based on processing the third data sets.

Abstract: A method and a system of a two-step object data processing by a vehicle and a database for generating and updating a digital road description database containing object-based information about road objects is disclosed. First, the server database comprises fourth data sets and generates and forwards first data sets to the vehicle, which are related to the area of interest of the vehicle. The vehicle is collecting a plurality of ambient data sets at least along a specific section of its path. It is performing the first step of object data processing by evaluating a selection of the plurality of ambient data sets and generating at least one second data set comprising at least location information and detailed object-based information. It further generates third data sets containing differences between the object-based information of the second data sets and the object-based information of the first data sets and forwards the third data sets to the server database.

Abstract: A method and a system of a two-step object data processing by a vehicle and a database for generating and updating a digital road description database containing object-based information about road objects is disclosed. First, the server database comprises fourth data sets and generates and forwards first data sets to the vehicle, which are related to the area of interest of the vehicle. The vehicle is collecting a plurality of ambient data sets at least along a specific section of its path. It is performing the first step of object data processing by evaluating a selection of the plurality of ambient data sets and generating at least one second data set comprising at least location information and detailed object-based information. It further generates third data sets containing differences between the object-based information of the second data sets and the object-based information of the first data sets and forwards the third data sets to the server database.

Abstract: A method and a system for precision vehicle positioning based on a digital road description database containing fourth data sets with object-based information about at least one of a road object, a road furniture object and a geographic object is disclosed. First data sets based on the fourth data sets are forwarded to a vehicle. The vehicle is collecting ambient data like images along its path, generating second data sets comprising at least location information and detailed object-based information. During driving and after generating second data sets, the vehicle tries to identify in the second data sets the same driving-relevant objects and/or object reference points and/or groups of driving-relevant objects and/or object reference points as are contained in the first data sets.

Abstract: A method and a system for generating and updating a digital road description database containing object-based information about at least one of a road object, a road furniture object and a geographic object is disclosed. A vehicle is collecting ambient data like images along multiple sections of its path, generating third data sets comprising at least location information and detailed object-based information. The third data sets are forwarded to a server database. The database identifies common groups of object reference points in multiple vehicle path sections and generates alignment functions for matching and/or aligning the at least one group of object reference points in at least two of the vehicle path sections relating to the same part of the road. The same alignment function is applied to all other third data sets of the same vehicle path section. The database updates the fourth data sets in the database based on processing the third data sets.

Abstract: A photograph repository system includes data storage for storing photographs in the form of digital data files and a search feature that provides for searching for photographs by location and optionally by other search criteria. In one embodiment, a photograph repository service is accessible to users over a common data network, such as the Internet. In the photograph repository service, each stored photograph is associated with a location, i.e., where the photograph was taken and/or the location of an object in the photograph. Users can search for and obtain copies of their own photographs that they had stored previously with the photograph repository service. In addition, users can search for and obtain copies of photographs that had been taken by other users and stored with the photograph repository service. The photograph repository system can also be implemented as a standalone system, a hybrid system, or a peer-to-peer system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing guidance to a destination with a computing system that uses geographic data indexed by affinity relationships. A user specifies a municipality of relatively greater importance that is located nearby the desired actual destination. The computing system provides guidance to the user to follow a route to the specified municipality. While the user is following the route to the specified municipality, additional routes are calculated to each of a plurality of roads that cross into an affinity domain associated with the specified municipality. Before the user reaches the point at which any of the additional routes diverge from the route to the specified municipality, input is obtained from the user, one or more times as needed, specifying either another municipality progressively closer to the desired actual destination or the actual desired destination. Guidance is provided to the user to follow the routes to the closer municipalities or the desired actual destination.

Abstract: A photograph repository system includes data storage for storing photographs in the form of digital data files and a search feature that provides for searching for photographs by location and optionally by other search criteria. In one embodiment, a photograph repository service is accessible to users over a common data network, such as the Internet. In the photograph repository service, each stored photograph is associated with a location, i.e., where the photograph was taken and/or the location of an object in the photograph. Users can search for and obtain copies of their own photographs that they had stored previously with the photograph repository service. In addition, users can search for and obtain copies of photographs that had been taken by other users and stored with the photograph repository service. The photograph repository system can also be implemented as a standalone system, a hybrid system, or a peer-to-peer system.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation system is disclosed. An ordered plurality of interconnected segments providing a route from an origin to a destination is obtained. A guidance message for each of the segments is formed. The step of forming the guidance message comprises determining whether to reference a previous segment and adding a reference to a current segment.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a computing device. Data are stored for rendering a simulation of travel along one or more road segments prior to embarking on travel along the road segments. The simulation is comprised of a sequence of views of the road network along each road segment from vantage points above or along the road network. Each road segment may be part of a calculated route and the simulation may include views for all the road segments contained in the calculated route. While the computing device is being conveyed along each road segment, the data stored for the simulation is used to show a view of the road network that includes the current position of the computing device on a display of the computing device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of counteracting gas ingestion in a hydrodynamic bearing of a spindle motor in a data storage device comprises waiting for activity of a host connected with the data storage device to become idle. When the activity of the host becomes idle, a determination is made whether to release gas from a fluid of the hydrodynamic bearing of the spindle motor. Responsive to determining to release gas from a fluid of the hydrodynamic bearing of the spindle motor a motor spin down routine for the spindle motor is performed.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system comprises providing an image of a geographic area through which a portion of a route between an origin and destination passes. The image is an approximate 360-degree image. The method provides a guidance information overlay on the image. The guidance information overlay may be a route highlight, a maneuver arrow, an indication of a path that has been traveled, an identification of a main route and an alternative route, and a label.

Abstract: A method for collecting geographic data for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A pedestrian segment associated with a path is identified. A text description of the pedestrian segment is collected. The text description includes one of a predetermined number of phrases and a name of at least one feature visible from a location of the pedestrian segment. Data representing the pedestrian segment is stored in the geographic database.

Abstract: A method for collecting geographic data for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A virtual pedestrian segment providing a path through an unorganized geographic area is identified. The unorganized geographic area lacks underlying organization into roads and paths. Data indicating a location of the virtual pedestrian segment is collected. Data representing the virtual pedestrian segment is stored in the geographic database, and the geographic database is provided for use with navigation related features.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining altitude-related data along roads. A vehicle includes equipment capable of determining the current absolute positions of the vehicle as it is being driven. The vehicle also includes equipment capable of determining a distance traveled by the vehicle. Two points along a road are selected. Altitude-related data are determined as a function of the horizontal difference between the absolute positions of the two points and the distance traveled by the vehicle between the two points.