Abstract: This patent discloses tools, methods and systems for dynamically visualizing, controlling and modifying the timing of actions that are implemented as part of an interactive multimedia experience. The tools, methods and systems include a timing region that dynamically reflects the timing of at least some of the cells along a selected single path in the multimedia experience and allows a designer to play through the cells and to change the timing of actions associated with the cells.

Abstract: A navigation system with decryption functions. The navigation system may receive from a portable data storage medium an encrypted authentication key, an encrypted first portion of a geographic database, and an unencrypted second portion of the geographic database. The navigation system may then decrypt the encrypted authentication key so as to gain access to a set of verification information and to a decryption key for decryption of the encrypted first portion. The navigation system may then use the verification information to validate use of the database, such as by ensuring that the data storage medium is authorized to hold the database or that the navigation system is authorized to access the database. In turn, the navigation system may then use the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted first portion, so as to gain access to the database as a whole. The navigation system may then use information in the database to convert location coordinates into map information for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for mass distribution of data products, such as geographic databases. An authorization server maintains a first portion of each of several data products, and each of several data distribution terminals maintains the second portion of each data product. A user may couple a portable data storage device with a data distribution terminal and select a desired data product. The terminal may then responsively obtain from the authorization server the first portion of the selected data product and record onto the data storage device both the first portion and second portion of the data product. The user may then couple the data storage device with a machine, such as a navigation system, which may then access the data product. The authorization server may secure the first portion before sending it to the data distribution terminal. The authorization server may do so by encrypting the first portion and tying the first portion together with an authorization key.

Abstract: This patent discloses tools, methods and systems for dynamically visualizing, controlling and modifying the timing of actions that are implemented as part of an interactive multimedia experience. The tools, methods and systems include a timing region that dynamically reflects the timing of at least some of the cells along a selected single path in the multimedia experience and allows a designer to play through the cells and to change the timing of actions associated with the cells.

Abstract: A method and system for securing a data product for mass distribution. An authorization server may encrypt a portion of a data product. Further, the authorization server may assemble an authorization key that includes information indicative of an entity authorized to store the data product, and the authorization server may encrypt the authorization key. To encrypt the authorization key, the authorization server may apply a symmetric encryption algorithm based on a cryptographic key that is derived as a function of an identification code associated with the authorized entity. The encrypted portion of the data product, the encrypted authentication key, and the remainder of the data product may then be stored on the authorized entity, which may be provided to a machine authorized to access the data product. The machine is preferably programmed to derive the second decryption key, use it to decrypt the authentication key, and then use the authentication key to validate use of the data product.

Abstract: A navigation system with decryption functions. The navigation system may receive from a portable data storage medium an encrypted authentication key, an encrypted first portion of a geographic database, and an unencrypted second portion of the geographic database. The navigation system may then decrypt the encrypted authentication key so as to gain access to a set of verification information and to a decryption key for decryption of the encrypted first portion. The navigation system may then use the verification information to validate use of the database, such as by ensuring that the data storage medium is authorized to hold the database or that the navigation system is authorized to access the database. In turn, the navigation system may then use the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted first portion, so as to gain access to the database as a whole. The navigation system may then use information in the database to convert location coordinates into map information for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A navigation system with decryption functions. The navigation system may receive from a portable data storage medium an encrypted authentication key, an encrypted first portion of a geographic database, and an unencrypted second portion of the geographic database. The navigation system may then decrypt the encrypted authentication key so as to gain access to a set of verification information and to a decryption key for decryption of the encrypted first portion. The navigation system may then use the verification information to validate use of the database, such as by ensuring that the data storage medium is authorized to hold the database or that the navigation system is authorized to access the database. In turn, the navigation system may then use the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted first portion, so as to gain access to the database as a whole. The navigation system may then use information in the database to convert location coordinates into map information for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A process and system for collecting data about roads located in a geographic area and using the collected data to develop representations of the locations and geometry of the roads for a geographic database. A vehicle in which data acquisition equipment is installed is driven on the roads. Using the data acquisition equipment, data are collected representing positions of the vehicle as it is being driven along the roads and data indicating the path of the vehicle as it is being driven along the roads. The data acquired while traveling may be smoothed and fused. The data acquired while traveling are processed by a program that automatically selects which of the data are necessary to provide a specified level of accuracy in a geographic database that includes data that represent the roads including data that represent positions and geometry of the roads. The data selected by the program are stored in the geographic database.

Abstract: A process and system for collecting data about roads located in a geographic area and using the collected data to develop representations of the roads for a geographic database. Data representing positions along roads are acquired using equipment installed in a vehicle which is driven on the roads. The data acquired while driving may be smoothed and fused. The data acquired while driving are processed by a program that automatically determines new coordinates to adjust the represented positions to align with the centerlines of the represented roads. Data including the new coordinates are stored in the geographic database.

Abstract: A method and system of collecting data concerning thermal properties of roads and using the collected data to form a geographic database that can be used in a vehicle safety system to implement a safety process when the vehicle approaches a location of a potential ice hazard. Data indicative of the thermal properties of roads are collected by driving along roads in a vehicle equipped with equipment that senses thermal properties of the roads upon which the vehicle is being driven. Using the collected data, a geographic database is formed that relates positions along roads to thermal properties of the roads at the positions.