Navigation Patents (Class 701/400)
  • Patent number: 8686325
    Abstract: A method for guiding a gun-fired or mortared round towards an intended target. The method including: capturing image data from an image pick-up device during a descent of the round; transmitting the image data to a control platform remotely located from the round; transmitting guidance information to the round from the remote platform based on the captured image data; varying a flight path of the round based on the guidance information to guide the round towards its intended target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Andre Rastegar, Thomas Spinelli
  • Patent number: 8686326
    Abstract: In certain aspects, this invention is a “control system” that detects and minimizes (or otherwise optimizes) an angle between vehicle centerline (or other reference axis) and vehicle velocity vector—as for JDAM penetration. Preferably detection is exclusively by optical flow (which herein encompasses sonic and other imaging), without data influence by navigation. In other aspects, the invention is a “guidance system”, with optical-flow subsystem to detect an angle between the vehicle velocity vector and line of sight to a destination—either a desired or an undesired destination. Here, vehicle trajectory is adjusted in response to detected angle, for optimum angle, e.g. to either home in on a desired destination or avoid an undesired destination (or rendezvous), and follow a path that's ideal for the particular mission—preferably by controlling an autopilot or applying information from navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Arete Associates
    Inventors: John C. Dennison, David C. Campion
  • Patent number: 8680978
    Abstract: A method for displaying a warning message in a first vehicle, includes transmitting from a second vehicle a warning and position data relating to a position of the second vehicle to the first vehicle, wherein if, after reception of the warning and of the position data by the first vehicle, it is concluded on the basis of the received position data that the second vehicle can be seen by a driver of the first vehicle in a region of a head-up display of the first vehicle, the warning message is displayed in such a way that the second vehicle is characterized visually for the driver of the first vehicle in the head-up display of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Yiwen Yang, Lutz Bersiner, Mario Mueller-Frahm, Moez Selem, Peter Vogel, Gerrit De Boer, Andreas Engelsberg, Holger Modler
  • Patent number: 8682344
    Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system transmits a location measure signal for determining a location of a user equipment to the user equipment by allocating the location measure signal to at least one of symbols to which a synchronization signal is transmitted conventionally. In this case, a location related parameter of the user equipment can be measured with higher accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Soo Choi, Han Gyu Cho, Jin Sam Kwak, Seung Hee Han
  • Patent number: 8682579
    Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes determining position information of a position on the map, displaying a graphical position indicator representing the position on the map, determining address information corresponding to the position on the map, and presenting the address information via a user interface of the device by displaying a street number on the map adjacent to the graphical position indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Ronald Anthony Dicke
  • Patent number: 8682578
    Abstract: A road link string conversion method for converting first road link string data included in first map data into second road link string data included in second map data: deciding whether or not first coordinates-of-position strings corresponding to the first road link string data correspond to the second road link string data; constructing a second coordinates-of-position string by combining together the first coordinates-of-position strings decided as not corresponding to the second road link string data; establishing correspondence between the second coordinates-of-position string and the second road link string data; and converting the first road link string data including the first coordinates-of-position strings decided as not corresponding to the second road link string data, to the second road link string data to which the second coordinates-of-position string corresponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mariko Okude, Hirofumi Komine, Kenji Suzuki, Tomoaki Hiruta
  • Patent number: 8682574
    Abstract: Adaptive navigation techniques are disclosed that allow navigation systems to learn from a user's personal driving history. As a user drives, models are developed and maintained to learn or otherwise capture the driver's personal driving habits and preferences. Example models include road speed, hazard, favored route, and disfavored route models. Other attributes can be used as well, whether based on the user's personal driving data or driving data aggregated from a number of users. The models can be learned under explicit conditions (e.g., time of day/week, driver ID) and/or under implicit conditions (e.g., weather, drivers urgency, as inferred from sensor data). Thus, models for a plurality of attributes can be learned, as well as one or more models for each attribute under a plurality of conditions. Attributes can be weighted according to user preference. The attribute weights and/or models can be used in selecting a best route for user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Golding, Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8682529
    Abstract: A navigation information distribution system comprising one or more servers in communication with each other to parse embedded data attached to an electronic mail message. The servers are configured to receive an email including destination data associated with subscriber identification. Before parsing the embedded data, the server may confirm the subscriber identification included in the email is a valid active subscriber. After confirmation of the subscriber's status, the servers parse the destination data from the email and determine a location based on the destination data using a map database. After parsing, the server may receive a request for the location from a nomadic wireless device for downloading. The request from the nomadic wireless device may include the subscriber identification to associate the stored data on the server with the subscriber. The server may transmit the location for communication to the nomadic wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Church, David Marvin Gersabeck
  • Patent number: 8682577
    Abstract: Conventional map information processing apparatuses have the problem of not being able to automatically provide appropriate information according to map browse operations. A map information processing apparatus, comprising: a map information storage portion in which map information, which is information of a map, can be stored; an accepting portion that accepts a map browse operation, which is an operation to browse the map; an operation information sequence acquiring portion that acquires operation information, which is information of an operation corresponding to the map browse operation; a keyword acquiring portion that acquires at least one keyword from the map information using the operation information; a retrieving portion that retrieves information using the at least one keyword; and an information output portion that outputs the information retrieved by the retrieving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Micware Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Sumiya, Ryoko Hiramoto
  • Publication number: 20140081571
    Abstract: A navigational apparatus includes a visual display, first and second imaging devices, and one or more processors. The first imaging device has an optical axis extending in a first direction and is configured to obtain first image data. The second imaging device has an optical axis extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to obtain second image data. When the visual display is displaying first image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a first navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the first image data associated with the point of interest. When the visual display is displaying second image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a second navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the second image data associated with the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Graham Briggs, Christian Graesser, James M. Janky
  • Publication number: 20140081568
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for generating a swath coverage pattern for a given working area to be traversed by a vehicle or equipment attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: JAYBRIDGE ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventor: JAYBRIDGE ROBOTICS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8676489
    Abstract: Described is a technology by which a more optimal map view with respect to route information is returned in response to an online mapping request. A start or end location is positioned away from the map center as appropriate to show as much route information as possible within the map view, given view size and zoom constraints. In one example, various-sized bounding boxes that contain the start or end location and one or more routes may be evaluated to determine a largest bounding box that meets the mapping size constraint; the center of that bounding box is the center of the map view. In one alternative, map views at various zoom levels may be scored against one another to determine which map view contains the most important route information, such as the most maneuver points and/or landmarks within each map view; the map view with the best score is returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Cheung, Markus Ludwig Jansen
  • Patent number: 8676507
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes a map database storing map data. The map data has links representing road segments, road number icons, and additional road information icons. At least one of the links is associated with at least one of the road number icons and at least one of the additional road information icons. The vehicle navigation system may furthermore include a processing unit coupled to the map database and configured to control outputting of route guidance information via an output device. The outputting of route guidance information may include displaying a road number icon and an additional road information icon together with a link if the link is associated with the road number icon and the additional road information icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten-Christian Spindler, Juergen Welscher, Martin Fischer, Simon Schuetz, Vladimir Ivanov
  • Patent number: 8676502
    Abstract: A navigation device for navigating from one location to another includes a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals, a cellular receiver for receiving cellular signals, a memory, a processor, a display unit and a connection unit for receiving navigation data. The navigation data includes geographic and cellular provider information pertaining to the locations where cellular coverage is available by a particular provider. This information is processed by the processor to display route instructions to a user in which cellular coverage will be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Sean Petersen
  • Patent number: 8674849
    Abstract: An information display terminal allows a user to grasp rapidly and surely the direction to a destination, and can guide the user to the destination without placing a burden on the user. The information display terminal is provided at a passage, and its display screen displays a route guidance screen that guides a route to the destination. The route guidance screen displays a pseudo-action image that shows the walking motion, and a destination display information image indicating a destination name such as “Subway Ticket Gate”. The action image shows the motion of walking toward the destination, but the display position does not change. The destination display information image is displayed in front of the action image in the advancing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoshino, Youichi Horii, Tadaaki Ishikawa, Yukiko Ichige, Hiroki Sato
  • Publication number: 20140074404
    Abstract: Queue management, park loading and navigation system, which calculates and manages routes for guests to reduce or eliminate queuing times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Gokhan Hassan
  • Publication number: 20140074392
    Abstract: An approach is provided for providing alternate route recommendations based on progress information of a user along an alternate route. An adaptive routing platform determines at least one alternate route to a route, wherein the at least one alternate route is taken by at least one user. The adaptive routing platform further determines progress information of the at least one user along the at least one alternate route. The adaptive routing platform also determines whether to cause, at least in part, a recommendation of the at least one alternate route to at least one other user based, at least in part, on the progress information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jukka Antero Holm, Juha Henrik Arrasvuori, Antti Johannes Eronen, Arto Juhani Lehtiniemi
  • Publication number: 20140074391
    Abstract: Vehicle range projection is implemented by a host system having logic executable thereon. The logic identifies a starting location of a vehicle and identifies destination locations for the vehicle. The logic also builds routes from the starting location to the destination locations based on routing objectives and travel constraints. The logic further outputs at least a portion of at least one route and travel cost information associated with the at least a portion of at least one route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Edward D. Tate, JR.
  • Patent number: 8670922
    Abstract: When a user specifies a road that he/she wants to pass through, a guiding route generation device generates a guiding route that passes through the specified road up to a destination. A guiding route (37) generated based on waypoints specified is stored in a storage device (15) of the guiding route generation device. A display device (11) displays the guiding route (37) along with roads in the periphery. The guiding route generation device specifies a certain road as the specified pass-through road from among the roads displayed along with the guiding route (37), and further, finds and determines whether there are crossings and the number of the crossings between the specified pass-through road and the guiding route (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kenwood
    Inventors: Masaki Kaneda, Masahiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 8669505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guidance system comprising estimation means able to estimate, in the course of flight, the attitude and the aerodynamic speed of a projectile, as well as the variations in the speed of the wind, on the basis of guidance orders formulated by guidance means of the guidance system, of a reference trajectory and of measurements obtained by measurement means of the system, using a model of the dynamic behavior of the projectile and a model of the dynamics of the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: MBDA France
    Inventors: Vincent Guibout, Eric Larcher
  • Patent number: 8670885
    Abstract: A vehicle display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. A trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. The positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. A battery gauge may also convey information associated with the vehicle range. Portions of the trip gauge and the battery gauge, as well as one or more of the associated indicators, may assigned various color values for display based upon energy consumption, vehicle range, and target distance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri, David L. Watson, Angela L. Watson, Craig Sandvig, Leslie Bodnar, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20140067251
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a method for journey planning including receiving a journey planning request, the journey planning request having an origin and a destination in a transportation network. The method also includes calculating an optimized journey plan by identifying a plurality of routes through the transportation network from the origin to the destination and determining an uncertainty associated with each of the plurality of routes. Calculating an optimized journey plan also includes evaluating a robustness of each of the plurality of routes to the uncertainty associated with each of the plurality of routes and selecting the optimized journey plan based on the journey planning request and the robustness of each of the plurality of routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michele Berlingerio, Adi I. Botea, Eric P. Bouillet, Francesco Calabrese, Lea A. Deleris, Donna L. Gresh, Olivier Verscheure
  • Publication number: 20140067252
    Abstract: A method for determination of an optimized evasion trajectory by a safety device or a safety system, in particular a lane change assistance system and/or evasion assistance system, of a motor vehicle, the optimized evasion trajectory being outputted to a vehicle driver, and/or a trajectory of the motor vehicle being optionally partially adapted to the optimized evasion trajectory, by way of the method, the optimized evasion trajectory being determined by optimization of a transverse-dynamic quality factor (J), for which a transverse acceleration (a) and/or a transverse jerk (a) of the motor vehicle is/are utilized. Also described is a safety device or a safety system, in particular to a lane change assistance system and/or an evasion assistance system for a motor vehicle, a method being executable and/or being executed by the safety device or the safety system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael KNOOP, Thomas HAEUSSLER
  • Patent number: 8666593
    Abstract: Travel information is categorized into plural time slot categories according to information characteristics of traffic flow information that represents a traffic flow of each of road sections in a database of an information center, and a learn database is built for each of the categories derived from above categorization. The travel information collected by a travel of a self vehicle along the road sections is learned according to the categories of the learn database for accurately managing the travel information according to the characteristics of the traffic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunao Yamada
  • Patent number: 8666662
    Abstract: A navigation device includes an HOV lane entrance/exit section determining unit for, when HOV lane position information defining the position of an HOV lane and lane information defining lanes are included in link data included in map data acquired by a map data processing unit, determining whether or not the vehicle can make a lane change between the HOV lane and either a right-hand side lane to the right of the HOV lane or a left-hand side lane to the left of the HOV lane on the basis of the lane information, and determining that there is an HOV lane entrance/exit section when the vehicle can make a lane change between the HOV lane and either the right-hand side lane or the left-hand side lane, and an HOV lane entrance/exit section storage unit for storing HOV lane entrance/exit section information showing the HOV lane entrance/exit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Irie, Kumi Nishibashi
  • Patent number: 8666376
    Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for presenting an affinity program enrollment opportunity to a mobile communication facility based at least in part on a navigation request made on the mobile communication facility and a location of the mobile communication facility, providing a sponsored affinity program content to an affinity program enrollee, and providing an incentive to the enrollee for an interaction with the sponsored affinity program content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Millennial Media
    Inventors: Jorey Ramer, Adam Soroca, Dennis Doughty, Neal J. Karasic
  • Patent number: 8665122
    Abstract: System for detection and depiction of objects in the path of marine vessels and for warning about objects that may constitute a risk to the navigational safety. The system includes a sweeping unit for illumination of objects within the field of view of the system, including a light source which emits a beam within the field of view of the system, an optical sensor and pulse processing unit including optical detectors for monitoring of the beam output power and generation of a start pulse for measurement of distance, for detection/reception of radiant energy reflected from objects, including measurement of distance to the reflecting object(s) based on the time delay between emitted and reflected light, including energy and peak effect of the pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kongsberg Seatex AS
    Inventor: John O. Klepsvik
  • Patent number: 8665112
    Abstract: The present invention provides a message broadcast system and method for vehicular network. The system comprises a positioning device, a transmitting device and a processing device. The positioning device positions a location data of a vehicle. The transmitting device transmits a first packet to a neighbor vehicle. The processing device is coupled to the positioning device and transmitting device. The processing device determines the transmitting device transmits a second packet to the neighbor vehicle when the vehicle is in a section of crossroads. The processing device determines whether the vehicle is in a section of crossroads or a road section according to a third packet periodically transmitted from the neighbor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Lien-Wu Chen, Yu-Chee Tseng
  • Publication number: 20140058656
    Abstract: A method for calculating a parking path, which is capable of simplifying the parking operation and making it easier for the driver to park a vehicle. Since the operation that the driver is required to do simply includes: turning the steering wheel to the extreme left, right and to the center, and driving the vehicle forward and backward, the parking operation is very simple, so that the possibility of error operation can be reduced to the least. In other words, the vehicle can be accurately parked in the parking space as long as the start position is accurate. The automatic parking system just provides reference to the driver, the driver still can made adjustment according to actual conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140058666
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheha, Angie Sheha, Stephen Petilli, Arun Yarlagadda
  • Publication number: 20140058674
    Abstract: A shortest path from a source to a destination for a current start time in a set of start times is determined. A processor identifies a critical start time in the set of start times that is temporally separated from the current start time by at least one intermediate start time. The shortest path from the source to the destination for the current start time is set as the shortest path for the at least one intermediate start time without separately determining the shortest path for the at least one intermediate start time. A different shortest path is determined from the source to the destination for the critical start time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Shashi Shekhar, Venkata Maruti Viswanath Gunturi, KwangSoo Yang
  • Publication number: 20140058657
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a trajectory for a vehicle can include: identifying a starting position (p0) and desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), terminal position (P), and linear approximation, determining the trajectory; wherein the linear approximation can be constrained by a requirement (e.g., specification) that the vehicle may not travel in a region; a centre point of the region is at a distance from a predetermined point on the vehicle substantially equal to a minimum turn radius of the vehicle, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a velocity of the vehicle; and a distance from the centre point of the region to a point on a perimeter of the region is greater than or substantially equal to the minimum turn radius of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: George Morgan Mathews, Markus Deittert, Arthur George Richards
  • Patent number: 8660787
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs store a plurality of combinations of departure points and destination points that have been set in the past, store pre-update map information, and store post-update map information. The systems, methods, and programs compare, for each of the combinations of departure points and destination points, a route retrieved using the pre-update map information and a route retrieved using the post-update map information, and transmit the comparison results to the navigation apparatus so that a user of the navigation apparatus can appreciate the benefits of updating map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Minami
  • Patent number: 8659598
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes identifying one or more convex polygons being adjacent to a virtual object introduced into a virtual scene. The one or more convex polygons define a navigable area within the virtual scene. The method also includes redefining the one or more convex polygons adjacent to the virtual object to adjust the navigable area for the introduction of the virtual object. Redefining the one or more convex polygons uses Boolean operations and allows aligned perimeters of adjacent convex polygons to use unshared vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonas Nils Norberg
  • Patent number: 8655578
    Abstract: An electronic device 1 receives ephemeris information from a GPS satellite at intermittent timings TE1, TE2, and TE3 and stores the received information in its memory. In addition, the electronic device 1 receives time information at intermittent timings TC1, TC2, TC3, and TC4, and corrects a clocked time based on the received time information. Then, at positioning timing T1, the electronic device 1 captures a transmission signal from the GPS satellite while synchronizing timing with the GPS satellite based on the clocked time, and performs positioning based on the captured transmission signal and the ephemeris information stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Masao Sambongi
  • Patent number: 8655379
    Abstract: A system is described for monitoring the geographical location of a subscriber's mobile cellular telephone, and for providing the location information to an authorized user through the world wide web. The geographical location of the subscriber's mobile cellular telephone is tracked using registration signals transmitted over the control channel by the cellular telephone. This information is supplied to a geographical location coordinator system, which determines the geographical coordinates for the cellular telephone. A database stores the geographical location information along with a subscriber's telephone number and account code. The database is updated to track the movement of the cellular telephone user across a geographical area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Vernon Meadows, Michael S. Harper
  • Patent number: 8655582
    Abstract: A route may be created and provided to a client. A stopping point along the route is received, and a search is performed for at least one point of interest according to the stopping point. Further, a route is created and provided to a client, and at least one stopping point associated with the route is identified based on at least one of a distance along the route, an indication of a place on a map, a category search, and a key word search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Philbin, Hannah Youngsil Moon
  • Publication number: 20140046595
    Abstract: A route planning device plans plural routes from a current location to a destination, calculates an amount of electricity consumed by a motor during driving to the destination along each planned route in each of plural drive modes, calculates an amount of electricity consumed by electric equipment during driving to the destination along each planned route for each of plural operational settings of the electric equipment, calculates an estimated amount of charge remaining in a battery on arrival at the destination, calculates, for each of the planned routes, a total comfort level score for each of the drive modes and/or each of the operational settings of the electrical equipment, selects plural operation plans each formed from a combination of the route, drive mode, and operational setting on the basis of the calculated total comfort level score, and displays the selected operation plans on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisei Segawa, Taisuke Tsurutani, Masanori Hayashi, Koichiro Takemasa
  • Publication number: 20140046585
    Abstract: A route scheduling system for a vehicle or fleet of vehicles can recalculate a scheduled route based on input received after the formulation and/or dispatch of the initial route. The additional inputs can be used for recalculation and changes in route selection, which may include a variety of inputs, such as weather conditions, traffic conditions, customer needs, vehicle inventory, and emergency situations. The recalculation of the routes can allow for route selection to be performed in real-time in order for fleets and vehicles to optimize the allocation of resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TELOGIS, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur Newth Morris, IV, Ralph James Mason
  • Patent number: 8649970
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing popular routes via a global positioning satellite (GPS) system. A GPS device receives a route request from a user. The GPS device then determines a current location of the GPS device and connects to a network server. In response to connecting to the network server, the GPS device transmits a route selection request to the network server. In response, the GPS device receives a route selection list from the network server where the route selection list contains a plurality of routes previously taken by other drivers. Each route is assigned a popularity rating. The GPS device displays one or more of the routes of the route selection list, and requests that a user select a route. After the user selects a route the GPS device displays the selected route as an overlay on a map display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kulvir S. Bhogal, Robert Ross Peterson, Lisa Seacat DeLuca
  • Patent number: 8649962
    Abstract: Planning a route for a convoy of automobiles, including: identifying a plurality of automobiles included in a convoy; planning, for the convoy by a route planning module, a route from an origin to a destination in dependence upon current automobile traffic between the origin and the destination, automobile characteristics of the convoy, and aggregate user preferences of convoy automobile users; and providing for display, by the route planning module to a route display module of each automobile in the convoy, the convoy's route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michelle Davis, Angela Richards Jones, Ruthie D. Lyle
  • Publication number: 20140039788
    Abstract: A method, a corresponding device, and a corresponding computer program for monitoring a vehicle occupant, including the following: detecting multiple objects in the vehicle surroundings with the aid of a surroundings detection device, detecting a viewing direction of the vehicle occupant with the aid of a gaze detection device, and automatically associating the detected viewing direction with one of the detected objects with the aid of an association device for a determination regarding which object of the multiple objects the vehicle occupant has viewed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas FUEHRER
  • Publication number: 20140039791
    Abstract: Stored executable logic causes a processor to operate so as to receive route parameter data, including a start location and end location for future travel, from various users. The processor generates route data based on the received route parameter data for each user. The generated route data for each user includes geographic coordinate data with imbedded strings of geographic coordinate identifiers corresponding to strings of geographic coordinates defining a travel path between the start and end locations included in that user's route parameter data. The processor stores, in a database, the generated route data for each user in association with an identifier of that user and contact information for contacting that user while in route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TRIP ROUTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Bouve
  • Publication number: 20140039792
    Abstract: An approach for enabling a user to view multimedia information associated with a route is described. A route based multimedia generator determines an input for selecting at least one route associated with at least one device. The route based multimedia generator further determines multimedia information associated with the at least one route. The route based multimedia generator further causes, at least in part, a presentation of the multimedia information in place of mapping information, navigation information, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Sriram Seetharam
  • Publication number: 20140039787
    Abstract: A technique for providing a mobile device user with a “when to leave” alarm on his or her mobile device. The user has scheduled an appointment at a given time and location in the user's personal information manager (PIM) executing on the mobile device. A representative PIM is a calendar on the mobile device. The “when to leave” alarm is provided to the end user in the form of a display widget (or “countdown alarm”) that automatically activates a given time (e.g., 30 minutes) before a latest departure time for an event in the user's PIM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: PROXPRO, INC.
    Inventor: Julian J. Bourne
  • Publication number: 20140039789
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic, progressive route granularity for a computed route in a navigation system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for dynamic, progressive routing granularity for a computed route in a navigation system is provided. The method includes computing a route of turn by turn directives from an origin to a destination in memory of a navigation computing system. The method additionally includes determining one segment of the route from amongst multiple different segments of the route to be a familiar segment. The method yet further includes removing from the familiar segment at least one of the turn by turn directives. Finally, the method includes displaying the route in the navigation computing system without segments that have been removed as part of the familiar segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Denise A. Bell, Travis Grigsby, Jana Jenkins, Trevor Livingston
  • Patent number: 8645050
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes determining whether real-time vehicle location information deviates from at least one of historical real-time vehicle location information or scheduled vehicle location information. The exemplary method further includes generating a schedule degradation mode based on a deviation of real-time vehicle location information from at least one of historical real-time vehicle location information or scheduled vehicle location information. The exemplary method also includes generating first scheduling information for a user based on the user data and public transportation data when the deviation does not exceed a threshold. The exemplary method farther includes generating second scheduling information, different from the first scheduling information, that includes an indication of the schedule degradation mode for the user based on user data, public transportation data, and the deviation when the deviation exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Gontmakher, Frederick Peter Brewin, Noam Ben Haim
  • Patent number: 8645063
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to determine an initial quaternion transform that is used to transform measurements received from accelerometer, rate sensor and inertial reference subsystems from a vehicle coordinate frame to an inertial navigation frame. Methods disclosed determine corrective angular rates to use as a feedback signal to rotate the quaternion transform to counter errors that result when transforming a gravity vector and an inertial reference vector (e.g., a magnetic North reference vector) that are being measured by the accelerometer and an inertial reference subsystems, respectively. The initial quaternion determination is performed during a time period when the only substantial acceleration on the vehicle is due to gravity. The initial quaternion can be used for processing various guidance, navigation and control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Custom Sensors & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Fortier
  • Patent number: 8645054
    Abstract: A navigation system includes a map database 11 that stores map information, broadcast wave receivable area information indicating an area capable of receiving a broadcast wave, and broadcast wave reception blocked area information indicating an area incapable of receiving a broadcast wave; a vehicle position detecting unit 15 for detecting a current position of a vehicle; a control unit for estimating a direction of travel from the current position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle position detecting unit, and for deciding, from the broadcast wave receivable area information and broadcast wave reception blocked area information acquired from the map database, as to whether an area capable of receiving the broadcast wave continuously exists in the direction of travel estimated; and an output unit for producing a message indicating existence of an area capable of receiving the broadcast wave continuously in response to a decision result of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Satoru Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140032112
    Abstract: A navigation system of a vehicle includes a first display arranged behind a first mirror surface of a right outside mirror of the vehicle, a second display arranged behind a second mirror surface of a left outside mirror of the vehicle, and a control unit connected to the first display and the second display to control an output of graphic information on the first display and the second display. The control unit is configured to determine a current maneuver instruction based on a route and a current position of the vehicle, and the control unit is configured to control the output of different graphic information on the first display and the second display, based on the current maneuver instruction and/or the current position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Lars Hansen