Patents by Inventor Mark D. Tompkins

Mark D. Tompkins 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: 8170790
    Abstract: A portable navigation device operable to present a plurality of operating modes. The device may include a display; a location determining component operable to determine a current geographic location of the navigation device; mount detection circuitry operable to determine a mounting status of the navigation device; and a processor coupled with the location determining component, the mount detection circuitry, and the display. The processor is operable to select one of a plurality of operating modes based on the determined mounting status and present information specific to the selected operating modes on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Choy Wai Lee, Karen J. Jantz, David C. Zahorsky, Mark D. Tompkins, Ryan T. Moore
  • Publication number: 20090271109
    Abstract: A portable navigation device operable to present a plurality of operating modes. The device may include a display; a location determining component operable to determine a current geographic location of the navigation device; mount detection circuitry operable to determine a mounting status of the navigation device; and a processor coupled with the location determining component, the mount detection circuitry, and the display. The processor is operable to select one of a plurality of operating modes based on the determined mounting status and present information specific to the selected operating modes on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Choy Wai Lee, Karen J. Jantz, David C. Zahorsky, Mark D. Tompkins, Ryan T. Moore
  • Publication number: 20080201074
    Abstract: A device which converts geographic coordinates such as track logs to navigational routes matched to known road networks includes a GPS receiver; a display; and a processing system. The GPS receiver determines a series of geographic coordinates corresponding to points along a path traveled by a user of the device. The processing system accesses the series of geographic coordinates; compares them to a database of known paths to find a match; and displays at least a portion of the matching path along with navigational information which permits the user to generally follow the series of geographic coordinates while traveling on the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Bleckman, Christopher B. Bilderback, Mark D. Tompkins, Scott J. Brunk, Travis W. Bennett, Scott T. Moore
  • Patent number: 7308359
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The navigational aid device includes a processor adapted to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device processes travel along the route. The device recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Mark D. Tompkins, Shane R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 7079947
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to display or otherwise provide addresses in proximity to the device, and to periodically update the addresses as the navigational aid device is transported along a road. The device is adapted to be transported on a road. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and the memory are adapted to cooperate to provide an address that is proximate to the device. Another aspect includes a method. According to one method embodiment, an address proximate to a navigational aid device is estimated and displayed on the navigational aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Shane R. Runquist, Stephen C. Robinson, Thomas H. Walters, Mark D. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 6892135
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The navigational aid device includes a processor adapted to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device processes travel along the route. The device recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Mark D. Tompkins, Shane R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 6889138
    Abstract: PDA systems, devices and methods are provided for improved navigational route planning. The PDA provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The PDA includes a processor operable to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The PDA processes travel along the route. The PDA recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay Dee Krull, Mark D. Tompkins, Shane R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 6882932
    Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tompkins, Jay Dee Krull
  • Patent number: 6859721
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to display or otherwise provide addresses in proximity to the device, and to periodically update the addresses as the navigational aid device is transported along a road. The device is adapted to be transported on a road. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and the memory are adapted to cooperate to provide an address that is proximate to the device. Another aspect includes a method. According to one method embodiment, an address proximate to a navigational aid device is estimated and displayed on the navigational aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Shane R. Runquist, Stephen C. Robinson, Thomas H. Walters, Mark D. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 6856898
    Abstract: PDA devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. A PDA with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tompkins, Jay Dee Krull
  • Patent number: 6845320
    Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tompkins, Jay Dee Krull
  • Publication number: 20040193366
    Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Garmin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tompkins, Jay Dee Krull
  • Publication number: 20030158659
    Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Garmin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tompkins, Jay Dee Krull
  • Patent number: 6546335
    Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Garmin, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark D. Tompkins, Jay Dee Krull