Abstract: A package room system may include at least one shelf, at least one sensor configured to sense items on the at least one shelf, at least one data entry device, and at least one computer coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one data entry device. The at least one computer may be configured to receive data concerning a package from the at least one data entry device, detect, from data from the at least one sensor, a location of the package on the at least one shelf, notify a recipient of receipt of a presence of the package and the location of the package, and detect, from data from the at least one sensor, removal of the package from the at least one shelf.

Abstract: A package room system may include at least one shelf, at least one sensor configured to sense items on the at least one shelf, at least one data entry device, and at least one computer coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one data entry device. The at least one computer may be configured to receive data concerning a package from the at least one data entry device, detect, from data from the at least one sensor, a location of the package on the at least one shelf, notify a recipient of receipt of a presence of the package and the location of the package, and detect, from data from the at least one sensor, removal of the package from the at least one shelf.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating development of computer games that depict or represent actual, real world geographic areas as part of the play scenarios of the games. A source database contains data that represent geographic features in a region including roads in the region. The data in the source database includes attributes suitable for use for providing navigation-related functions. In addition to providing data from the source database for navigation-related functions, data from the source database are also used to form a template database, wherein the template database represents an imaginary locale. The template database is provided for computer game development.

Abstract: A method of operation for a multi-player online computer game that is played by users involves portable wireless game-playing devices. Each of the portable wireless game-playing devices is located at a respective corresponding physical geographic position. Information that indicates the respective corresponding physical geographic position of each of the portable wireless game playing devices is obtained. This information is used to bring a user of one of the portable wireless game playing devices into physical proximity with other users of portable wireless game playing devices so that a plurality of users of portable wireless game playing devices are participating in the multi-player online game in physical proximity to each other.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for comparing the performance of a participant in an event that includes movement along a course to another performance. The performance by the participant is monitored. Using a geographic database that represents the area in which the course is located, the participant's performance is compared to another performance. Then, the participant is provided with information comparing the performances.

Abstract: A method and system of managing computer data files are disclosed. Each computer data file on at least one data storage device is associated with at least one physical geographic location. Alternatively, the location may be an actual physical geographic location, a virtual location, a historical location, a fictional location, and so on. A function provides for searching and accessing the computer data files by location.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating development of computer games that depict or represent actual, real world geographic areas as part of the play scenarios of the games. A source database contains data that represent geographic features in a region including roads in the region. The data in the source database includes attributes suitable for use for providing navigation-related functions. In addition to providing data from the source database for navigation-related functions, data from the source database are also provided for computer game development. An application programming interface, as well as other tools for handling geographic data, is provided for accessing and processing of the geographic data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating development of computer games that depict or represent actual geographic locales or imaginary locales as part of the play scenarios of the games. A computer game factory system includes inventories of map data products, road models, 3D models, game shells, and game engines. Configuration parameters identify which components to select from the inventories to produce games for various different computer platforms. The selected components are combined with a geographic data API and geographic data tools to produce computer games.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for comparing the performance of a participant in an event that includes movement along a course to another performance. The performance by the participant is monitored. Using a geographic database that represents the area in which the course is located, the participant's performance is compared to another performance. Then, the participant is provided with information comparing the performances.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating development of scenes for entertainment features, such as motion pictures or television shows, that depict or represent actual, real world (or imaginary) geographic areas. A source database contains data that represent geographic features in a region including roads in the region. The data in the source database includes attributes suitable for use for providing navigation-related functions. In addition to providing data from the source database for navigation-related functions, data from the source database are also provided for facilitating development of scenes for entertainment features that depict or represent actual, real world (or imaginary) geographic areas. An application programming interface, as well as other tools for handling geographic data, is provided for accessing and processing of the geographic data.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for comparing the performance of a participant in an event that includes movement along a course to another performance. The performance by the participant is monitored. Using a geographic database that represents the area in which the course is located, the participant's performance is compared to another performance. Then, the participant is provided with information comparing the performances.

Abstract: A computer game depicts or represents actual or imaginary geographic locales as part of the play scenarios of the games. The computer game uses a map database that contains data that represent geographic features, such as roads, in a locale. A game engine program presents a game play scenario to a user via a user interface of the game. An application programming interface program accepts requests for data from the game engine program, accesses data from the map database, and provides the data in a suitable format to the game engine program for use in presenting the game scenario to the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.