Visual Guidance Having Enhanced Realism (e.g., 3 Dimensional, Etc.) Patents (Class 701/436)
  • Publication number: 20120316779
    Abstract: Provided is a driving assistance device which enables a driver to intuitively determine the relationship between the upper boundary line and the lower boundary line of an anticipated trajectory of travel that is displayed in three dimensions. The driving assistance device is provided with: an image processing device (3) that superimposes a three-dimensional anticipated trajectory of travel (30) of a vehicle, which is read off from a non-volatile memory (4), onto an image captured outside of the vehicle inputted from a capture device (7), and outputs the result to an external display device (12); and a control device (5) which controls the orientation of the three-dimensional anticipated trajectory of travel (30) that is superimposed by the image processing device (3) on the basis of a steering angle signal inputted from a steering sensor (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukiko Kanno, Tatsuto Ryugo, Kenji Okano, Masayoshi Michiguchi
  • Patent number: 8331622
    Abstract: An automotive display device, which allows the user to easily recognize the sameness of an information image even if the shape of the image is changed, is realized. An automotive display device (1) includes a display section (13) for displaying a vehicle information image including information regarding a vehicle. The vehicle information image is a 3-D image. The automotive display device (1) further includes an image processing section (113) for generating a vehicle information image seen from a fixed viewpoint, an image display processing section (114) for displaying the vehicle information image on the display section (13), and an ETC information detection section (21) that detects a driving condition of the vehicle. The image processing section (113) rotates the vehicle information image around a predetermined axis and for a predetermined angle, in accordance with ETC information obtained by the ETC information detecting section (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Megumi Itoh, Toshiya Takahashi, Shinichirou Ota, Aki Miake, Takeshi Yamamoto, Masayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8332134
    Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle includes generating a datastream corresponding to a three-dimensional scan of a target area surrounding the vehicle from a vehicle LIDAR system, estimating a ground plane for a present vehicle location using the datastream corresponding to the three-dimensional scan of the target area surrounding the vehicle, and comparing the datastream corresponding to the three-dimensional scan of the target area surrounding the vehicle with the estimated ground plane to detect a clear path of vehicle travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Wende Zhang, Kevin Peterson
  • Patent number: 8325180
    Abstract: A method of changing a display mode in a car navigation system, the method including: acquiring distance information from a current vehicle location to a guide point; and gradually changing the display mode into any one of a two-dimensional display mode and a three-dimensional display mode based on the distance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hak-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8326530
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a three-dimensional map data storage unit for storing three-dimensional map data for use in projecting a three-dimensional space on a map onto a plane, a location information storage unit for storing location information including a type of geographical objects at points spaced at predetermined intervals on the map represented by the three-dimensional map data with the location information in association with the respective point, a geographical object information storage unit for storing geographical object information, the geographical object information including a position of a geographical object on the map and display information relating to the geographic object, and a placement position setting unit for setting a display information placement position indicating a position of a sign pointing to the display information on the map based on the location information present within a predetermined area of the position of the geographical object indicated by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporationj
    Inventors: Atsushi Asai, Junpei Ito
  • Patent number: 8326529
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for displaying enlargement images of an intersection in a navigation device. More particularly, the present invention is characterized to provide enlargement images of an intersection in sequence, thereby improving visibility and accuracy of a navigation device in providing direction guidance at intersections. The present invention of a method for displaying enlargement images of an intersection in a navigation device, wherein the navigation device finds a path to destination to guide a user thereof, includes calculating distance-to-go from a present position of a vehicle to an intersection in the path; estimating a predicted time to reach said intersection on the basis of the speed of said vehicle and said distance-to-go to said intersection; and displaying enlargement images of said intersection at a set time before said predicted time to reach said intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: M & Soft, Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Hyun Kang
  • Patent number: 8326528
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a computing device with the ability to view a realistic map of the sky based on information associated with the current location of the user. The information may be geographical information, orientation or directionality of the computing device, time and date, and zoom settings of the computing device. The computing device may use built-in capabilities (e.g., compass) and applications (e.g., maps and GPS) to determine the current location information. The computing device then uses the current location information to obtain celestial and topographical information. Using the celestial information, the computing device displays a map of the sky with the appropriate celestial bodies. Additionally, the computing device uses the topographical information to display a realistic rendering of the horizon, such that objects in the horizon may be displayed to render a realistic representation of the sky from the current location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: John David Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120296564
    Abstract: An augmented reality guiding system for delivery of location-oriented information, including a location server, a database coupled to the location server, and at least one mobile locating device. The database is configured to store target information relating to target points of interest. Each mobile locating device has a positioning module, an imaging module, a spatial orientation detection module, a display module, and at least one wireless communication module. Each mobile locating device is configured to receive target information relating to at least one target points of interest from the location server, and display the target information by visually augmenting at least one image on the display module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Maran Ma, Janice Cheng, Namratha Rajagopal, Yuan Fang
  • Patent number: 8315796
    Abstract: A navigation device includes a map database 5 that holds map data; a location and direction measurement unit 4 that measures the current location and direction of a vehicle; a route calculation unit 12 that, based on map data read from the map database 5, calculates a route from the current location measured by the location and direction measurement unit to a destination; a camera 7 that captures video images ahead of the vehicle; a video image acquisition unit 8 that acquires the video images ahead of the vehicle captured by the camera; a road width acquisition unit 16 that, based on road width data included in the map data read from the map database, calculates the width of a road segment that enters last into an intersection to which the vehicle is to be guided from among road segments that make up the route calculated by the route calculation unit; a video image composition processing unit 14 that limits the length of a portion that indicates a turning direction of a route guide arrow to the road width ca
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Nakagawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Katsuya Kawai
  • Patent number: 8315795
    Abstract: Even if a detailed map being displayed is continuously scrolled, the place of the detailed map being displayed is kept to a wide-area map. A map display system having a map display for displaying a plurality of maps and an information distribution server which is connected to the map display through a communication means and distributes map data to the map display comprises a display means for displaying a first map capable of being scrolled and a second map including the scope of the first map, a scroll control means for scrolling the first map, a condition judging means for judging whether or not to control the display form of the second map according to the result of the scroll of the first map by the scroll control means and a condition for controlling the display form of the second map set in advance, and a reduced scale control means for controlling the display form of the second map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8306747
    Abstract: A mobile platform, sensors mounted on the mobile platform, computers, data storage devices, power system, data acquisition hardware, and software form a Travel Way Measurement System. The mobile platform with sensors mounted within and upon it, moves along a surface travel way and records data to determine an accurate location and geometry of the travel way surface, surface features, transverse profile and features along side the travel way surface, structures, signs, and other features above the travel way surface, and utilities, pavement thickness and properties, pavement condition, and bridge deck properties and condition below the travel way surface. The mobile platform and sensors can travel and collect data at up to 60 miles per hour or more. The data acquisition hardware and software protocols permit the synchronization of all the sensor outputs in the temporal and spatial domain or in any other domain resulting from numerical transformation of sensor outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Starodub, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Gagarin, James R. Mekemson, Michael L. Scott, Milton K. Mills, Morton S. Oskard
  • Patent number: 8306724
    Abstract: An air traffic control system, for use by a controller controlling a plurality of aircraft held vertically separated in a stack, the system comprising at least one processor; a display device for the control generating a display controlled by said at least one processor, and at least one device for selectively receiving, from said aircraft, an indication of their intended future altitudes; in which said processor is arranged to receive such intended altitude data; to compare said intended altitude data with current altitude and/or intended altitude data of other aircraft; and to generate said display on said display device so as to list said plurality of aircraft, to highlight a first part of the display relating to a first aircraft whose intended altitude overlaps with the current or intended altitude of at least one said second aircraft, and to highlight also a second part of the display relating to said second aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nats (En Route) Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Adrian John Price, William Casey
  • Publication number: 20120271545
    Abstract: Various methods for providing a multi-dimensional data interface are provided. One example method may include receiving first data navigation instructions for navigating data in a first dimension or a second dimension via a first user interface device, causing a presentation of the data to be modified within the first dimension or the second dimension in response to at least receiving the first data navigation instructions, receiving second data navigation instructions for navigating the data in a third dimension via a second user interface device, and causing the presentation of the data to be modified within a third dimension in response to at least receiving the second data navigation instructions. Similar and related example methods, example apparatuses, and example computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Peng Cheng
  • Patent number: 8260550
    Abstract: A navigation system is provided for instructing an operator of a vehicle. The navigation system includes a navigation processor configured to obtain a destination location, and to generate a proposed route to the destination location. The navigation system also includes a presentation element coupled to the navigation processor, the presentation element configured to provide navigation instructions to the operator. A selection module is coupled to or incorporated into the navigation processor, and the selection module is configured to select a cartographic resolution from a plurality of different cartographic resolutions, resulting in a selected cartographic resolution. The presentation element provides navigation instructions for at least a portion of the proposed route, using the selected cartographic resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew M. Highstrom, Andrew W. Gellatly, Cody R. Hansen, John P. Weiss, Bhavna Mathur
  • Patent number: 8260536
    Abstract: An embodiment of a motoring aid method and system for a road vehicle, whereby a motoring aid information item is generated as the road vehicle travels along a road having a road surface; the information is converted into a graphic display image; and the image is projected onto a portion of the road surface ahead of the road vehicle, to allow the driver of the road vehicle to view the image without distracting the driver's attention from the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Stefani
  • Patent number: 8255156
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining data about spatial objects. The data is received from a set of adaptable and programmable sensor units associated with a set of spatial objects in real time to form received data, wherein the data is generated in response to a change in a measurement or time of a sensor unit in the set of sensor units. A collection of data for spatial objects is updated with the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Ravenscroft, Thorsten Wiesemann
  • Publication number: 20120209513
    Abstract: A system and method of relative location detection on an electronic device using image perspective analysis. The electronic device will consist of a processor module coupled to a camera module. The camera module of an electronic device as well as a target device will be used to capture image(s) of the current surroundings, including common elements, which will then be used to obtain the relative location of the devices in reference to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: David Ryan Walker, Steven Henry Fyke
  • Patent number: 8244418
    Abstract: A weather awareness and warning system (“WAWS”) provides aircraft position data and weather data input to a weather alert (“WA”) processor from a navigation system and a datalink system. The weather data contains three-dimensional delineations of a defined weather area. The WA processor determines an aircraft alert position and a weather alert zone; if the aircraft alert position falls within or penetrates the weather alert zone, the WA processor generates an alert signal and provides a weather alert signal to an alerting system comprising of visual alert(s) displayed on a display unit such as an HDD unit or a HUD unit, or an aural alert sounded by an aural alert unit. The aircraft alert position and weather alert zone could be determined by the WA processor by executing an algorithm(s) embedded in software containing the disclosed embodiments and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Frank, Lu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8239131
    Abstract: A navigation device displays, on a screen, a route guidance object indicating a route along which the vehicle is to travel, and includes: an image pickup section that obtains a photographed image ahead of the vehicle; a white line detection section that detects a road white line in the photographed image; a map information storage section that stores map information including road shape data which represents the road shape; a road shape data correction section that corrects the road shape data, based on a detection result of the road white line, such that the route guidance object is displayed along the road white line; a route guidance object generation section that generates the route guidance object, based on the corrected road shape data; and the display section that displays the generated route guidance object on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kindo, Takashi Akita, Nobuyuki Nakano, Ryotaro Iwami, Susumu Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8239132
    Abstract: An augmented reality guiding system for delivery of location-oriented information, including a location server, a database coupled to the location server, and at least one mobile locating device. The database is configured to receive, store, customize and send target information relating to target points of interest. Each mobile locating device has a geographical positioning module configured to determine location information for that locating device, an imaging module configured to capture at least one image of at least some of a field of vision for that locating device, a spatial orientation detection module configured to determine spatial information of that locating device, a display module configured to provide visual feedback, and at least one wireless communication module configured to communicate with the location server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Maran Ma, Janice Cheng, Namratha Rajagopal, Yuan Fang
  • Publication number: 20120191342
    Abstract: An information-displaying system is provided for use with a vehicle head-up display including a liquid crystal panel for displaying drive information image, a backlight unit for irradiating light toward the liquid crystal panel, an optical system for enlarging or reducing the drive information image displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and a reflection mirror for reflecting the drive information image projected by the optical system toward a windshield of a motor vehicle. The information-displaying system includes a navigation information providing unit for providing navigation information on a current vehicle position, a road map and an optimum route to destination, a traffic information providing unit for providing traffic information on a real time basis, and a control unit for controlling the liquid crystal panel to display the navigation information and the traffic information provided by the navigation information providing unit and the traffic information providing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicants: V & I CO., LTD., A KOREAN, KOREA INSTITUTE OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Weon Eui Kang, Byeong Sup Moon, Bum Jin Park, Hyuk Kyu Lim, Seok Jae Choi
  • Publication number: 20120191344
    Abstract: A display method and apparatus in a navigation system to provide lane complexity information is disclosed. In one embodiment, the navigation system provides guidance information by displaying one or more color indicators on each lane to indicate lane complexity thereon. The lane complexity can be determined by the number of freeways connected at an interchange or how many lane changes the driver has to make before approaching the maneuver point. In another embodiment, each lane on the map is highlighted with the same color as each color indicator which is located on or above the lane. In a further embodiment, a lane and an exit may be highlighted to differentiate from the lane which the vehicle is currently is travelling on to remind the driver of the exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Iao, Andrew De Silva, Mari Hatazawa
  • Patent number: 8229667
    Abstract: A method of displaying a background sky in a navigation system, the method including: storing and maintaining map data and background sky image data with respect to one or more directions of the map data in a database; detecting a driving direction angle of a vehicle; computing a position of a background sky image corresponding to the detected driving direction angle; extracting background sky image data corresponding to the computed position of the background sky image from the database; and displaying the extracted background sky image data as a background sky with respect to the map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hak Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20120185165
    Abstract: The present application relates to a navigation device carried by a vehicle. The navigation device is arranged to display navigation directions on a display, the navigation directions taking the form of a path representative of a planned route to be followed by the vehicle. The navigation device is further arranged to receive a feed from a camera. The navigation device is further arranged to display a combination of a camera image from the feed from the camera and the navigation directions on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Marc Mattu
  • Publication number: 20120166078
    Abstract: A system for providing an externally visible signal regarding a navigational instruction at a vehicle includes a navigation system, a navigation message sender, a navigation message receiver, and a display system. The navigation system generates and outputs turn-by-turn navigational directions within the vehicle to assist a driver of the vehicle in reaching a given destination location. The navigation message sender receives the turn-by-turn navigational directions and transmits them to the navigation message receiver. The navigation message receiver provides a navigational message to the display system for display in a manner visible outside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
    Inventor: Yong Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 8204683
    Abstract: A method of providing augmented Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation can include detecting movement of a GPS enabled mobile device along a navigational route and displaying a photographic image on a display of the GPS enabled mobile device responsive to detecting movement of the GPS enabled mobile device along the navigational route provided by the GPS enabled mobile device. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Arnold Chester McQuaide, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8200433
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) view combined with information from navigation charts. The operator of a vehicle is not required to mentally combine separate SVS view and navigation charts, increasing situational awareness and decreasing complexity. A synthetic terrain representation is generated, combined with navigation chart information, and displayed. Additionally, the combination may include an indicator indicating the intended path of the current planned course. The combination may be generated with less detailed navigation chart information when further away or more detailed navigation chart information when close, displaying more detail as landmarks are approached. The combination may include indicators representing one or more navigation aids based on information in the navigation charts. The combination may include text based on navigation chart information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Siniff, Jason D. Marmur
  • Patent number: 8195386
    Abstract: A movable-body navigation information display unit is provided. In the movable-body navigation information display unit, a driver can intuitively and accurately recognize a relation between navigation information and a real picture or a real landscape. In addition, it is possible to avoid a state that visibility of a caution-needed picture such as a pedestrian in the real picture and a real picture of a road construction site is inhibited by an image of the navigation information. An image data creating section (405) matches road shape data with a road shape model to estimate posture data. In addition, the image data creating section creates picture (image) data for accurately compositing and displaying the image of the navigation information in an appropriate position in a real picture (or in a real landscape) of a road ahead of a movable body, and displays the navigation information as a three-dimensional icon or the like. A picture display section (5) performs display based on the picture data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Zhencheng Hu, Keiichi Uchimura
  • Publication number: 20120136565
    Abstract: User-specific information such as the social networking cloud of relevant metadata is used to find real-time information and provide visual feedback to users regarding the presence of other users at particular locations. In one example, the information is displayed on localized map images, with visual indicators such as dots indicating the presence of other users having desired characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Sean P. Kennedy, Fredrik Carpio, Adrian Crisan, Rommel M. Garay, Gary R. Lyons, Edward T. Winter, Michael Chang, Toyoaki Kishimoto, Andrew L. Lawton
  • Publication number: 20120136568
    Abstract: A visual aid determination module (VADM) is described for presenting a visual aid that helps a user in interpreting a digital map. Namely, the visual aid helps the user in interpreting the relation of a currently-displayed map bounding region (MBR) to a center point of an inaccurate location region (ILR). The ILR, in turn, conveys a range of indeterminacy associated with a currently-assessed location of the user. In one case, the visual aid corresponds to a series of concentric circles. The curvature, placement, and spacing of the circles help the user determine his or her bearing with respect to the center point of the ILR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony T. Garrigan
  • Patent number: 8170795
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation system helps guide a driver to a destination by enhancing visualization of upcoming intersections. The navigation system stores animation data that depicts the intersection as it will appear to the driver. The animation data may be a sequence of images (e.g., digital camera images) taken at intervals before and after the intersection. The navigation system may show the images in synchronism with the progress of the vehicle to provide an animated display of the intersection for the driver. The animated display aids the driver with following a recommended navigation route to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Brülle-Drews, Volker Grabs
  • Patent number: 8126645
    Abstract: A direction indication device of a global positioning system which is composed of a host having a voice device and a display panel. An exterior of the display panel is enclosed with a cover, on which an indication unit is installed and includes at least one illumination element. Each illumination element represents a direction indication. An interior of the host also includes a navigation module which produces a navigation signal and a direction indication module which produces an indication signal on the indication unit. After the direction indication module has received the navigation signal, the illumination element representing the direction will produce light to represent the direction indicated by the navigation signal, such that a driver can be indicated the direction on the display panel without watching at the global positioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Cheng-Chien Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120029816
    Abstract: In order to notify a user that a facility is present in the neighborhood of a route to a destination, a mobile phone includes a location obtaining portion to obtain a present location (S03, S09), a destination setting portion to set a point of destination (S02), a departure point setting portion to set a point of departure (S04), a facility extraction portion to extract facility information of a facility located in the neighborhood of a route from the point of departure to the destination from among facility information included in map information (S08), and a light emission control portion to give notification at a prescribed timing if at least one facility information is extracted by the facility extraction portion (S14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Kato, Hiroaki Honda