Off Course, Route Re-search Patents (Class 340/995.21)
  • Patent number: 11659352
    Abstract: A geofence event prediction method includes retrieving non-contemporaneous geofence predictor data of a mobile device, retrieving geofence data of the mobile device, and developing a future geofence event prediction from the non-contemporaneous geofence predictor data and the geofence data. In an embodiment, retrieving non-contemporaneous geofence predictor data includes retrieving at least one of past geographic location data and future geographic location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: PHUNWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Anu Vakkachen, Seshu Vavilikolanu
  • Patent number: 11570579
    Abstract: A tracking system can provide configuration instructions to an electronic device based on user presence. The tracking system can determine a user's location relative to a geographic boundary surrounding a geographic area associated with the user. Depending on the user's location, the tracking system may send instructions to configure an electronic device to send a notification or change the operating mode of the electronic device in response to the user's presence. The electronic device may be a scanning device that is configured to have a higher or lower scanning frequency, depending on the presence or absence of the user relative to the scanning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Klinkner, Josselin de la Broise
  • Patent number: 11408748
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises a storage unit configured to store congestion information for each road link by time zone; and a control unit configured to obtain information about a departure place, a destination and an arrival deadline from a user, and to determine a route connecting between the departure place and the destination and a movement schedule including a departure time and an estimated arrival time; wherein the control unit determines the movement schedule that allow a user to arrive at the destination by the arrival deadline and to move through the route in a required time shorter than a predetermined value set for each route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hikaru Gotoh
  • Patent number: 11043121
    Abstract: Methods, systems and/or software for distributing transportation-related alerts to mobile devices may do so in accordance with various factors, such as device-specific and/or location-specific factors. In some variations, transportation-related alerts may be presented to the user in audio format and/or visual format. In some variations, these may be user-selectable options, and in other variations, a speed at which the mobile device is moving may be considered in determining how to present the transportation-related alerts to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Haag, Carlos J. Lebrilla, Marc Rush, Linda Rolfes
  • Patent number: 10930143
    Abstract: Vehicle position data from vehicles on a roadway are received. Affected nodes of the roadway are identified based on the vehicle position data. The roadway graph, representative of the roadway, is updated based on the affected nodes of the roadway. Routes of each vehicle are optimized based on updates to the roadway graph. An indication of change in the route of each vehicle may be provided for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Eric Linder
  • Patent number: 10893380
    Abstract: A guidance assistance apparatus includes: a memory that stores a set of instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the set of instructions to: acquire a guidance route through which a guided person is to be guided from routes from a start-point position to an end-point position; calculate, based on information relating to the routes, an influence level on the guided person in a case in which the guided person deviates from the acquired guidance route, with respect to each of branch places at which the guidance route branches into a route different from the guidance route; and output the calculated influence level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Maeno
  • Patent number: 10822031
    Abstract: A turn control system for a work vehicle includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from a turn signal input assembly of the work vehicle indicative of a turn indication. The controller is also configured to output a second signal indicative of activation of a turn signal indication assembly based on the turn indication while in a manual control mode. In addition, the controller is configured to output a third signal to a movement control system indicative of instructions to control a turn direction of the work vehicle at an end of a guidance swath based on the turn indication while in an automatic control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Peter John Dix
  • Patent number: 10729055
    Abstract: A control system of an agricultural work vehicle system includes a controller configured to receive a set of swath paths, and separate each swath path of the set of swath paths into a set of half swaths. Also, the controller is configured to determine multiple possible connecting paths, and each connecting path of the multiple possible connecting paths connects one half swath of a first half swath of the set of half swaths to a second half swath of the set of half swaths. Moreover, the controller is configured to determine a cost for each possible connecting path of the multiple possible connecting paths. Further, the controller is configured to select a chosen connecting path from the multiple possible connecting paths based on the cost, and output a signal indicative of a travel path for an agricultural work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Daniel John Morwood
  • Patent number: 10538252
    Abstract: An information presenting device is mounted in an autonomous vehicle in which an action candidate for the vehicle to take is settable based on selection from presented selection information made by an occupant. The information presenting device sets the action candidate for the autonomous vehicle to take, calculates a selection margin time from a current time point to a time point at which the occupant should complete the selection from the selection information, sets the selection information based on the action candidate depending on the selection margin time, and presents the set selection information to the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Ebina, Machiko Hiramatsu, Takashi Sunda, Youji Shimizu, Takayuki Kondoh
  • Patent number: 10520327
    Abstract: A method and system for generating tactical routes includes an intervisibility database pre-populated with pre-computed optical lines of sight between locations or nodes in geographic terrain, an intervisibility analyzer for analyzing propagation of the pre-computed optical lines of sight between the locations or nodes in the geographic terrain, a speed analyzer for analyzing speeds of travelers across the locations or nodes in the geographic terrain, a cost generator for generating a blended cost grid using said intervisibility and speed analyses, and a route generator for generating routes that facilitate tactical movement based on said blended cost grid. The route generator computes intervisibility unions at the locations or nodes in the geographic terrain and minimizing intervisibility unions along the generated route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Randy L. Milbert, Erik S. Freed, Kyle K. Estes
  • Patent number: 10509412
    Abstract: A movable body control system includes a movable body including a beacon receiver for receiving beacon radio waves from a plurality of beacon transmitters installed around a traveling road, and at least one processing equipment configured to generate a model for determining a position of the movable body based on a distribution of time-series measurement values of beacon radio wave reception intensities in the beacon receiver and to control travel of the movable body while determining an area in which the movable body travels at present based on a distribution of time-series measurement values of the beacon radio wave reception intensities at present and the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shugo Miyamoto, Takamasa Koshizen
  • Patent number: 10315662
    Abstract: Electronic components may be integrated in objects used by the trucking industry, such as truck, tractor trailer, cargo, and loading bay. These objects may then communicate with each other and with a gateway device to transmit or receive data or commands. The gateway may be configured to attach to the truck, such as by securing to the truck frame or securing to an interior of the truck cab. The gateway may couple to one or more input devices, and receive sensor data through the one or more input devices. The gateway may execute steps that allow the gateway to assess a driver's condition and provide alerts and suggestions to improve the driver's safety and health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Terwilliger, Andrew Tosh, Jefferson Walter Wirtz, Rex Bryan
  • Patent number: 10231895
    Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for providing turn-by-turn directions to mobility impaired individuals. Movement of users associated with certain mobility classes are tracked to determine when the users deviate from certain geographical features, such as sections of sidewalk. In the event of a deviation, a reliability score for that geographical feature is decreased. When another user of the same mobility class requests directions and a candidate path uses the same geographical feature, the decreased reliability score is applied to that candidate path to provide the other user with an indication that the path may be difficult to traverse. The user may select a different candidate path with a higher reliability score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Serena Girardini, Andrea Ianni, Marco Imperia, Valeria Perticará, Roberto Piras
  • Patent number: 10218771
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating with a server of a cloud system used for managing access to a user account having a profile that includes settings for a vehicle. The system includes a wireless communication system interfaced with a computing system. The computing system of the vehicle is configured to connect with the server using the wireless communication system and credentials for the user account are transferred by the computing system to the server to enable the server to access the profile of the user account and enable the computing system of the vehicle to use the profile. The computing system of the vehicle is configured to implement one or more settings for the vehicle upon making the profile active on the vehicle and while the profile is active on the vehicle, is configured to monitor use activity of the vehicle. The use activity of the vehicle includes inputs received by interfaces of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Angel A. Penilla, Albert S. Penilla
  • Patent number: 10176262
    Abstract: A navigation system includes a control unit configured to determine an initial search time associated with an initial search query for commencing a navigation search; determine a further search time associated with a further search query for modifying the navigation search; calculate a hiatus between the further search time and the initial search time; generate a synthesized search query based on the initial search query, the further search query, and the hiatus; and a communication interface, coupled to the control unit, configured to communicate the synthesized search query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: Naveen Kumar Vandanapu, Gregory Stewart Aist
  • Patent number: 9976869
    Abstract: In an approach for determining temporal solar capacity navigation routes, a computer receives navigation criteria navigation criteria that includes at least a starting location, a destination, a date, a time, and a temporal solar capacity. The computer determines one or more navigation routes based on the received navigation criteria. The computer creates a temporal solar capacity navigation map based on the received navigation criteria. The computer determines one or more suggested navigation routes from the determining one or more navigation routes based on the created temporal solar capacity navigation map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Z. Akselrod, Anthony DiLoreto, Brett G. King, Steve McDuff, Kyle D. Robeson
  • Patent number: 9964412
    Abstract: A method of providing traffic information is described, together with a device for performing the same. The method comprises determining a location of a mobile device, receiving traffic information, and determining, with respect to a trip database storing information indicative of a personal road network of a user of the mobile device, whether traffic information associated with one or more road segments in the personal network within a predetermined distance of the current location has been received. One or more no-jam events are generated for respective road segments in the personal network for which it is determined that no traffic information has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TOMTOM NAVIGATION B.V.
    Inventors: Samuel Mark Broadbent, Pieter Andreas Geelen, Stéphane Hareau, Jose F. Santiago Nunez
  • Patent number: 9927254
    Abstract: Examples of maintaining or querying a traffic database to generate a traffic flow model to provide traffic flow information and determine a per-lane route for a vehicle to travel are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9915546
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a route for navigating to a destination; determining a travel deviation based on a current location and the route; determining an error prone scenario based on the current location, the travel deviation, and the route; and updating an error-prone-scenario switch based on the error prone scenario for displaying on a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongzhu Lin
  • Patent number: 9880004
    Abstract: A not crossable element (NCE) is marked using a shape on a map. A map data does not prevent a route from crossing the NCE. A closed area is selected on the map, which includes a polygon bound on one side by a portion of the shape. A set of mapping points (MP) that are included in the closed area is selected. A route is formed by connecting one MP to another MP. A subset of MPs is identified as a set of candidate MPs (CMP). Each CMP lies within a search distance of a not-mapping point (NMP). The CMPs are sorted according to CMP-NMP distances. A subset of CMPs is selected whose paths to the NMP do not intersect with any shape corresponding to any NCE in the closed area. The NMP is linked in the route with a selected CMP from the subset of CMPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antonio Castellucci, Roberto Guarda, Michele Iovino, Gianluca Pulcini
  • Patent number: 9857193
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for an application executing on a mobile device. The method renders an animated navigation presentation for output to an external display screen not part of the mobile device. The navigation presentation includes an animated map showing at least a portion of a route to a destination. The method simultaneously displays information regarding a maneuver along the route on a display screen of the mobile device without displaying a same animated map on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the displayed information regarding the maneuver comprises a graphical instruction and a text instruction for a next maneuver along the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Emanuele Vulcano, Bradford A. Moore, Jorge Fino, Marcel van Os
  • Patent number: 9711052
    Abstract: In a flight path search device, storage stores map information and enemy force range information. A grid divider divides the map information into cells in grid form. A score calculator calculates, for each cell, a score about an attack avoidance degree. A cell calculator calculates a second cell that is on an extension of a line connecting the enemy forces point and a first cell within the enemy region and is outside the enemy region. A searcher searches for an optimal cell to which to move from the first cell when moving toward the second cell, based on the calculated score. An updater updates the first cell when the optimal cell disagrees with the second cell. The cell of the predetermined point is set as the first cell, and the process is repeated until the optimal cell agrees with the second cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Mizutani, Yasuhiko Yanase
  • Patent number: 9696430
    Abstract: Described herein is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that incorporates sensor data to statistically minimize the time to autonomously locate a target on the ground. The system uses a two-stage approach to finding the RF target: 1) randomized flight, such as Lévy fight, to search the ground space and, 2) a geo-localization process, such as a simplex minimization process, to home in on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Jihong Park, Charles Coldwell
  • Patent number: 9684425
    Abstract: A digital map of a geographic area is provided via a user interface within a viewport, which defines a viewable portion of the digital map. The viewport is repositioned relative to the digital map in accordance with user commands provided via the user interface. A substantially continuous movement of the viewport in response to a plurality of similar user commands is detected. In response, a geographic place located in a general direction of the continuous movement of the viewport is determined, and a control for directly positioning the viewport over a portion of the digital map representing the geographic place is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Zhou Bailiang
  • Patent number: 9542572
    Abstract: A method of managing map information including: attaching a retrieval identifier, according to input information, to map information which is obtained by retrieval based on the input information, the retrieval identifier indicating whether the map information is personal data or public data; storing the map information as the personal data into a storage device, the map information being indicated to be the personal data by the retrieval identifier attached in the attaching, and storing the map information as the public data into the storage device, the map information being indicated to be the public data by the retrieval identifier; and executing a navigation process using at least one of the personal data and the public data which are stored in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayaka Ichijo, Natsume Matsuzaki, Yuichi Futa, Yuji Unagami
  • Patent number: 9504896
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a time of a passing at a reference line of an RFID tag traveling along a route and a time of lapsing of the tracked RFID tag on the route, the system have a plurality of spaced apart tag reader systems for wirelessly obtaining tag reads, wherein at least one of the tag reader systems is space apart from the reference line. The timing system receives a plurality of tag reads and determines the time of passing of the RFID at the reference line responsive to the plurality of received tag read messages received from the plurality of tag reader systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Innovative Timing Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt S Hansen
  • Patent number: 9354069
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Bluestone Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheha, Angie Sheha, Stephen Petilli, Arun Yarlagadda
  • Patent number: 9355321
    Abstract: This invention concerns a computer-implemented method for determining a number of lanes on a road. The method comprises receiving an image, the image being a photographic image of the road or an image derived from the photographic image of the road, carrying out an analysis of the image to identify lane dividers of the road and determining a number of lanes into which the road is divided from the identification of the lane dividers. The method may comprise determining a confidence level for the determined value for the number of lanes. Map data of a plurality of roads may be generated using the value for the number of lanes determined from the computer-implemented method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: TomTom Polska Sp. z o o.
    Inventor: Artur Wujcicki
  • Patent number: 9215555
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a shadow area is provided. The method includes identifying a vehicle position on a driving path based on map information and global positioning system (GPS) information from a navigation system and analyzing road information in the shadow area by receiving position information for the shadow area on the driving path from a database in which information of the shadow area is stored. A remaining distance of the shadow area is calculated based on the vehicle position in the shadow area on the driving path and the remaining distance information of the shadow area is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong Tae Lee
  • Patent number: 8977446
    Abstract: Provided is a driving support device that allows a driver to confirm the travelling routes of the wheels of a vehicle from an image indicating the circumference of the vehicle. The driving support device includes: an imaging unit which takes a travelling direction image by shooting in the travelling direction of a vehicle; a steering angle detection unit which detects the steering angle of the vehicle; a route image generation unit which predicts travelling routes of wheels provided on the travelling direction side of the vehicle, and generates a route image that indicates the travelling routes of the wheels as seen from the viewpoint of the imaging unit; a superimposed image generation unit which generates a superimposed image by superimposing the route image on the travelling direction image; and an image display unit which displays the superimposed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kuboyama, Akira Someya, Keiichi Nakamura, Ryosuke Sasaki, Kazuya Watanabe, Daisuke Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8958822
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for tracking points of interest of a user of a mobile device are disclosed. One method includes determining points of interest of a user of a mobile device. The method includes obtaining user-related information, wherein the user-related information includes spatial information about the user, and determining at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information. Another embodiment includes an apparatus for determining points of interest of a user. For one embodiment, the apparatus is a mobile device. The mobile device is operative to obtain user-related information, wherein the user-related information comprising spatial information about the user, and the mobile device is operative to determine at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alohar Mobile Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Song Liang, Jun Yang, Chenyu Wang, Zhigang Liu
  • Patent number: 8918279
    Abstract: Route search devices, methods, and programs acquire basic congestion information, the basic congestion information being congestion information for specific links. The systems, methods, and programs set a destination and search for a first travel route from a departure point to the set destination using the acquired basic congestion information. Based on the first travel route, the systems, methods, and programs determine, whether center traffic information is necessary to be acquired. Only when it is determined that the center traffic information is necessary, the systems, methods, and programs acquire the center traffic information, the center traffic information being congestion information of a link other than the specific links, and search for a second travel route from the departure point to the set destination using the acquired additional congestion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Yonezawa, Hiroki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8798916
    Abstract: A location based service using combinatorial data sources for routing and time information is disclosed. One embodiment comprises using a user location, a first data set from a first data source containing information related to a first waypoint, and a second data set from a second data source containing information related to a second waypoint to determine a tour of the first waypoint and the second waypoint. In this way, the embodiment may send the tour of the first waypoint and the second waypoint to a navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Bussmann, Joseph Figueroa, Thomas G. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8775073
    Abstract: Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, an intersection without traffic signals and without a sufficient merge lane. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where roads meet without a traffic signal and without a sufficient merge lane. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the location of the insufficient merge lane. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a location of an insufficient merge lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Navteq B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Denaro
  • Patent number: 8738285
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating and using information regarding road traffic in various ways, including by obtaining and analyzing road traffic information regarding actual behavior of drivers of vehicles on a network of roads. Obtained actual driver behavior information may in some situations be analyzed to identify decision point locations at which drivers face choices corresponding to possible alternative routes through the network of roads (e.g., intersections, highway exits and/or entrances, etc.), as well as to track the actual use by drivers of particular paths between particular decision points in order to determine preferred compound links between those decision point locations. The identified and determined information from the analysis may then be used in various manners, including in some situations to assist in determining particular recommended or preferred routes of vehicles through the network of roads based at least in part on actual driver behavior information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Inrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Scofield, Robert Cahn, Weimin Mark Wang, Alec Barker, Robert Frederick Leidle
  • Patent number: 8725408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prediction and identification of journey situations. A method for prediction of journey situations has the following steps: defining a plurality of standard journey situations, with each standard journey situation being characterized by a group of driving state parameters; defining a plurality of route state parameters in order to describe the state of a journey route; determining an association rule which associates in each case one group of values of the route state parameters with a standard journey situation; recording of an intended journey route; determining values of the route state parameters for the intended journey route; and associating the intended journey route with one of the standard journey situations on the basis of the association rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Hochkirchen, Mark Eifert, Maurice Rienks, Christian Ress, Aria Etemad, Marcus Boerger
  • Patent number: 8666663
    Abstract: A technology for searching for a recommended route matched to a search condition is provided for route search that involves substitution with a learned route. A route search device comprises: a storage unit to store therein, as learned routes, routes corresponding to sections where traveling deviated from recommended routes have been performed; a setting unit to set a search condition matched a recommended route; a recommended-route search unit to find a recommended route on the basis of the search condition; an application unit to select any one of the learned routes that is applicable to the thus found recommended route, and apply the selected learned route to the recommended route; and a display unit to display the recommended route to which the learned route has been applied. The storage unit stores therein category information of the learned routes in association with the respective learned routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takefumi Kudo
  • Patent number: 8618952
    Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8620510
    Abstract: A mission planning system for determining an optimum use of a plurality of vehicles in searching a predefined geographic area (PGA). A discretizer subsystem may be used for sensing the capabilities of each vehicle to produce a point set defining a number of points within the PGA that the vehicles must traverse to completely search the PGA. A task allocator subsystem may determine an optimum division of the PGA into different subregions to be handled by specific ones of the vehicles, thus to minimize an overall time needed to search the PGA. A path optimizer subsystem may determine an optimum path through a particular vehicle's assigned subregion to minimize the time needed for each specific vehicle to traverse its associated subregion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ryan J. Meuth, John L. Vian, Emad W. Saad, Donald C. Wunsch
  • Patent number: 8606506
    Abstract: A method for matching navigational routes that are generated by separate route generators and are used by vehicle navigation systems. According to one embodiment, a user previews a first navigational route generated by a first route generator, such as those incorporated in a navigation-related website. From this first navigational route, a variety of location markers corresponding to different points along the route are generated. The location markers are then sent to a second route generator used by a vehicle navigation system, so that it can generate a second navigational route that is similar to the first route. The second navigational route is then sent to a navigation unit located on the vehicle, so that the driver can be given directions that generally correspond to the first navigational route which they initially reviewed on the navigation-related website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Richard A Johnson
  • Patent number: 8599005
    Abstract: A method for making it possible to set the link between all the types of vehicles and roads with the rolling limits on the roadway is described. This setting can be established from the existing road data bases and from the characteristics of the known vehicles. This method is capable of determining the vehicle rolling limits. A device which can be fitted on any vehicle and capable of implementing the method according to the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: NODBOX
    Inventors: Thierry Fargas, Dominique Clarac
  • Patent number: 8577598
    Abstract: A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, whether the route segment is an unfamiliar segment, and identifying, based on the user's travel history, a road that is familiar to the user. The method includes providing, in a format that distinguishes the familiar road from the computed route, the computed route and the familiar road relative to the unfamiliar segment for presentation of the familiar road within a scaled range of the unfamiliar segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Scenera Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mona Singh
  • Patent number: 8538391
    Abstract: A portable GPS navigation device displays map information and navigation instructions; the device (a) includes a two-way wireless transceiver operable to connect to a mobile telephone; (b) is operable to enable a user to control one or more functions of the mobile telephone and (c) includes an audio output and a microphone to enable a voice call to be made using the mobile telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Geelen
  • Patent number: 8510045
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for displaying points-of-interest (“POIs”) on a digital map are disclosed. One such method includes: presenting a digital map on a graphical display of an electronic device, wherein the digital map comprises map tiles and corresponds to a geographic region; receiving free-hand user input selecting a portion of the digital map; delimiting the portion of the digital map selected by the user; determining one or more of the POIs whose geographic coordinates are within the portion of the digital map selected by the user; and displaying a graphic for each of the determined POIs, wherein the displayed graphic is displayed on the digital map at the geographic coordinates of each of the determined one or more POIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Steven L. Rueben, Gabriel Jakobson
  • Patent number: 8452534
    Abstract: Conventionally, there has been a learning route-search device that stores therein, as deviation sections, actual traveling routes deviated from optimum routes, and performs route search by substituting, with any one of the deviation sections, a route found by the device if a starting point and an ending point of this deviation section are included in the found route. Such a device substitutes a route with a corresponding one of the deviation sections without exception, and therefore, may sometimes find a circuitous route that is not desired by a user. Provided is a technology by which learned routes are applied in a more appropriate manner in accordance with routes to be found. A route search device is provided with a deviation determining unit adapted to determine whether or not a route deviated from a route found by a route search unit has been taken in travelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takefumi Kudo
  • Patent number: 8385946
    Abstract: Adaptive route guidance can include analyzing route progressions associated with one or more routes based on multiple user preferences. The adaptive route guidance can provide one or more preferred routes based on the user preferences, which can be presented to a user for navigation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Gregory N. Christie, Robert E. Borchers, Kevin Tiene
  • Patent number: 8340899
    Abstract: A route calculation device is disclosed. The route calculation device sets a recommended route leading from a departure point through via-points and sets an order of the via-points in the recommended route, through: (1) calculating multiple optimum routes from an origin point of a departure side route to multiple unarranged via-points and selecting one unarranged via-point that constitutes one optimum route that has minimum cost among the multiple optimum routes; (2) determining the place of the one unarranged via-point in the order so that the recommended route passes through the one unarranged via-point one via-point later than the origin point, adding the one optimum route to the departure side route, and setting the origin point to the one unarranged via-point; and (3) calculating, when the number of unarranged via-points becomes one, the optimum route between the origin point and the last one unarranged via-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Oumi
  • Patent number: 8326478
    Abstract: When passage through a road pricing area where an exhaust gas emission vehicle is subjected to billing is predicted, an ECU calculates a stored energy quantity available for EV traveling based on the current SOC of a power storage device, and estimates a required energy quantity for passing through the road pricing area by EV traveling. The ECU further calculates a deficit of the stored energy quantity relative to the required energy, and if a deficit is found, executes vehicle control for preparing a vehicle condition for passage through the road pricing area corresponding to the energy deficit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8319667
    Abstract: A system and method of conveying missed approach procedures to a pilot are provided. The system and method include rendering a graphic representation of at least one leg of the missed approach procedure on a display. A determination is made as to whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure. At least one visual characteristic of the rendered graphic is selectively varied based on the determination of whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Blake Wilson, Sandy Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8260485
    Abstract: A system and method for dividing a predefined search region into a map of a plurality of subregions to be searched by a plurality of mobile platforms, taking into account the capabilities of the mobile platforms and varying environmental conditions within the subregions, while minimizing the time needed to search each of the subregions. The system and method updates the map of the subregions as needed, in real time, to account for changing environmental conditions and changes in the capabilities of the mobile platforms being used. The subregions may also be determined using a desired level of probability for detecting targets within the subregions in a desired number of passes through the subregion. The system optimizes coverage time while insuring a desired probability of coverage (i.e., observability) for heterogeneous mobile platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ryan J. Meuth, John L. Vian, Emad W. Saad, Donald C. Wunsch