Employing Map Database System Patents (Class 701/532)
  • Patent number: 9214132
    Abstract: An electronic map display device is provided. The device acquires electronic maps and displays the electronic maps, each electronic map being acquired per acquisition unit. The electronic map display device may include a map information display determiner for determining whether the electronic map is currently available per acquisition unit, and a map information display interface for displaying information relating to the electronic map per the acquisition unit depending on whether the electronic map is currently available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryu Shimizutani, Masato Okuda, Masami Tagawa, Tomihiko Oda, Takatoshi Morita, Petri Turkulainen
  • Patent number: 9212917
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a public transport line is divided into segments and a dividing point of each of the segments is determined. A matching vertex set associated with the dividing point on a road network is determined. A road matching the public transport line is determined from the road network, in which the determined road passes a point in each matching vertex set and closed polygons surrounded by the determined road and the public transport line have a smallest sum of areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaxiang Lin, Hongying Jiang
  • Patent number: 9204284
    Abstract: An in-vehicle information processing apparatus includes a first obtainment unit to obtain history information including time information on a mobile terminal from the terminal being connected with a vehicle that has the apparatus installed; a second obtainment unit to obtain reference time information; a calculation unit to calculate a time lag, in a state where the vehicle and the terminal are connected with each other for communication, after the terminal has established wireless communication with an external counterpart, between a first time included in the history information obtained when the wireless communication is executed, and a second time when the wireless communication is executed with reference to a reference time obtained by the second obtainment unit; and a correction unit to correct the history information obtained based on the time lag between the first and second times calculated by the calculation unit, when handling the time information on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazushige Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9189496
    Abstract: A local search engine efficiently indexes documents relevant to a geographical area by indexing, for each document, multiple location identifiers that collectively define an aggregate geographic region. When creating the index, the search engine may determine a set of geographical areas surrounding a geographical area relevant to a document and associate references to the set of geographical areas with the document index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Egnor
  • Patent number: 9189958
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the provision of a predictive eHorizon in a driver assistance system. A method for providing a predictive eHorizon in a driver assistance system is provided, wherein a horizon provider in a driver assistance system makes information about an expected route course available to an assistance application. The horizon provider creates a planning table including information about the expected route course and/or including data to be provided as a function of the route course, associated with an expected position of the vehicle in the planning table. The planning table data to be provided by the assistance system application are taken at least partially from the planning table as a function of the current position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Gee, Ulrich Stählin
  • Patent number: 9177330
    Abstract: Methods, systems and applications for updating, enhancing, organizing, and utilizing geographic maps, for locating points of interest and places of businesses, or POI's. Embodiments provide a method for collecting geo-coordinate data on POIs by eliciting participation of the business owners or designated employees to identify the specific locations of POI's on a map; a map program which synchronizes to a centralized database where POI and other more frequently changing and time-dependent map information is downloaded to individual users; a map program, where in addition to the standard contact information, “qualitative” information and website links are included in an POI information box to aid in pre-qualifying a POI before selection and in booking a reservation; a method for locating markers on an Internet-based search engine map; and an improved contact management system that allows locations of contacts to be viewed on a map while minimizing address geocoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: NEVER-SEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Keith Kreft
  • Patent number: 9170760
    Abstract: A device generating a drawing to be output determines a scale of the drawing based on a size of an output area and generates a drawing to be output based on the determined scale. In this way, a drawing with an appropriate scale can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Juri Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 9167242
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using sensors with electronic devices are described. In one embodiment, a resistive-type sensor, such as a force sensor, is connected between the audio input and audio output of the electronic device. The device is programmed to provide a signal to the audio output and measure a signal at the audio input. The resistance of the sensor, and thus sensor measurement, may thus be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Leif Meyer
  • Patent number: 9148329
    Abstract: A server system having one or more processors and memory receives a first request from an application and processes at least a portion of the first request in accordance with a predefined set of resource constraints. In accordance with a determination that the predefined set of resource constraints has been met prior to completing processing the first request, the server system terminates processing of the first request prior to completing processing of the first request, generates a first intermediate result; and provides a response to the application. The response includes the first intermediate result, and request status information enabling the application to request resumption of the first request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: David Edward Gay, Alfred R. K. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9137636
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheha, Angie Sheha
  • Patent number: 9135751
    Abstract: A mapping application that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying information about a location is described. The GUI includes a first display area for displaying different types of media for a selected location on a map. The GUI includes a second display area for displaying different types of information of the selected location. The GUI includes a set of selectable user interface (UI) items, each of which for causing the second display area to display a particular type of information when selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moore, Marcel van Os, Jonathan Koch, Chun Kin Minor Wong, Chad C. Richard
  • Patent number: 9121716
    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, a curved portion of a road with insufficient superelevation. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where curved sections of roads have insufficient superelevation (banking), i.e., where the superelevation is below a threshold. 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 insufficient superelevation. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Denaro
  • Patent number: 9114727
    Abstract: A system and a method of assisting a driver in driving an electric vehicle in a more environmentally efficient manner are disclosed. In particular, an information collecting section collects information operating the electric vehicle and a control logic section generates control logic and models related to route calculation to a destination and operation of the electric vehicle based on the collected information. A route setting section calculates a plurality of travel routes based on the control logic and the model related to the route calculation and sets an optimum travel route having the highest energy efficiency among the plurality of travel routes. A vehicle driving controller monitors the vehicle state and controls driving of the electric vehicle based on the control logic and the model related to the driving of the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle travels along the optimum travel route set by the route setting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seunggil Choi, Jeong Woo Lee, Jung Do Kee, Chae Mo Yang
  • Patent number: 9116004
    Abstract: A map scrolling method and apparatus for a navigation system prevents from displaying certain icons while displaying other icons based on conditions and settings of the navigation system during a transition period of a map scrolling operation. The map scrolling method includes the steps of: detecting activation of a map scrolling operation; checking whether there is any limit condition attached to icons as to remove them from a map image; scrolling the map image while removing the icons to which the limit condition is attached from the map image during a transition period of the map scrolling operation; and displaying all of the icons when the map scrolling operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Schaaf, Andrew S. de Silva
  • Patent number: 9097542
    Abstract: Methods of pre-processing probe trace data include examining a sequential dataset for a route of travel between two points, identifying at least one anomaly in the sequential dataset, identifying at least one datum of the sequential dataset occupying a sequential position adjacent to the identified at least one anomaly, and inserting at least one non-anomalous datum to occupy a sequential position of the identified at least one anomaly in the sequential dataset, the at least one non-anomalous datum being determined based on one of extrapolation, smoothing and interpolation of the at least one datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Richard Morlock, Shaundrea Margaret Newman Kenyon
  • Patent number: 9094799
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and method for sharing location information between users. The mobile terminal includes a user input unit for receiving destination information of a first user from the first user. A location information input unit receives origin information of the first user from a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a Near-Field Communication (NFC) payment module of public transportation which the first user gets on. A communication unit transmits the origin information and the destination information of the first user to a public transportation information system, and receives movement route information of the first user from the public transportation information system. A location estimation unit estimates a current location of the first user using time required by the first user corresponding to the movement route information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seung-Joon Kwon, Won-Geun Choi, Young-Jae Lim, Ji-Sang Park
  • Patent number: 9075521
    Abstract: An electronic chalkboard system including a plurality of display panels, a pointing device which touches the plurality of panels, an image processor which processes an image to be displayed on one of the plurality of panels that is drawn by the pointing device, a controller which selects one of the plurality of panels based on a first panel of the plurality of panels if the first panel is touched by the pointing device, and controls the image processor to display on the selected panel a menu related to the image displayed on the first panel, and, if a second panel of the plurality of panels is touched by the pointing device while the menu is displayed on the selected panel, the controller newly selects one of the plurality of panels based on the second panel and transfers the displayed menu to the newly-selected panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun-mook Choi
  • Patent number: 9069738
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided to facilitate determining abbreviations of a term for conveying navigation information based on one or more other terms of the navigation information. In the context of a method, one or more terms for conveying navigation information are determined. The method may also determine at least one abbreviation for at least one term of the one or more terms so that the at least one abbreviation is unambiguous with respect to other one or more of the one or more terms. The method may also cause a presentation of at least one representation of the at least one abbreviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Daniel L. Ashbrook, David H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9057611
    Abstract: In order to make a user intuitively recognize labor of traveling on a route, a map information providing server (10) stores map data including an undulation of an actual topography, stores information on first routes each containing one or more routes from a point, as a start point, corresponding to information on the user in the map data, to a plurality of predetermined points in a region containing the point corresponding to the information on the user in the map data, in association with identification information on the user, determines a second route from a start point to an endpoint specified based on a request from the user, directly or indirectly compares a length of the second route and an undulation on the second route, and a length of each of the first routes and an undulation on each of the first routes with each other in the map data, and provides the user with information on a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Rakuten, Inc.
    Inventor: Naohiro Yanase
  • Patent number: 9047654
    Abstract: An image-based content item is analyzed to determine one or more interests of a viewer of the content item. The analysis may include performing image analysis on the content item to determine geographic information that is relevant to an image of the content item. The one or more interests may be determined based on an assumption or probabilistic conclusion about a subject of the content item. Further, the one or more interests may be determined by applying one or more rules that utilize the geographic information. For some embodiments, a supplemental content item may be provided to the viewer based on the one or more interests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Vanhoucke, Salih Burak Gokturk, Munjal Shah, Julie Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 9043148
    Abstract: A navigation system and various methods of using the system are described herein. Search query results are refined by the system and are prioritized based at least in part upon sub-search categories selected during the searching process. Sub-searches can be represented by graphical icons displayed on the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Francis Bourque, Sanjay Gupta, Mark Hansen
  • Patent number: 9043134
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are disclosed herein to describe a range marker for a navigation system. The range marker may delineate a bounded area within a navigation map that a vehicle may travel based on the amount of fuel remaining. As the fuel continues to decrease during operation of the vehicle, the range marker may become smaller and smaller indicating a shrinking range since the fuel remaining decreases, thereby allowing the driver to easily identify which gas stations may be within a range of the vehicle (based on a current vehicle fuel level) and which gas stations might not be within the range of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Darin Paul Rosekrans
  • Patent number: 9041708
    Abstract: Viewshed intersection analysis and usage is disclosed. A plurality of object positions is obtained. Each object position is associated with a range. A relevant area is determined. Elevation data is obtained for a plurality of points in the relevant area. Lines of sight are evaluated between the plurality of points and the object positions within the associated ranges based on the elevation data. An interest zone comprising a subset of the plurality of points within the relevant area is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Palantir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Baxter, Vineet Gopal, David Skiff
  • Patent number: 9043149
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a quick search of a path display terminal are provided. The quick search device of a path display terminal comprises: a vehicle position display unit for displaying a position of a vehicle on a map generated based on map data; a quick search display unit for displaying a quick search area for inputting a search word in a portion of the map; a search unit for searching for a destination corresponding to the search word; and a path display unit for generating and displaying a path from the vehicle position to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Kwan Park, Hyung Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20150138362
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a centrally-located server is provided. A plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Further, a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Use of the parking spaces are managed. Occupancy of each of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. Use of the parking space is processed based on an identity of a driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device. Emergency services for an individual are notified through one of the smart parking devices upon request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Jeffrey Stefik, Alan G. Bell, Craig Eldershaw, Lance E. Good, Daniel H. Greene, Francisco Eduardo Torres, Serdar Uckun, David Preston Cummins
  • Patent number: 9037411
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selecting landmarks for navigation. In one embodiment, a system comprises an IMU that provides inertial measurements for a vehicle and at least one image sensor that acquires measurements of the vehicle's environment. The system also comprises a processing unit that calculates a navigation solution for the vehicle based on the inertial measurements, identifies a plurality of landmarks in the acquired measurements, and identifies a plurality of usable landmarks from the plurality of landmarks. The processing unit also selects a subset of useable landmarks from the plurality of useable landmarks such that the subset of landmarks has a smaller dilution of precision (DOP) than other possible subsets of landmarks from the plurality of useable landmarks, and calculates an updated navigation solution from the subset of landmarks. The DOP is an amplification factor of measurement errors derived from the geometry of the subset of useable landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vibhor L. Bageshwar, Yunqian Ma, Shrikant Rao
  • Patent number: 9037336
    Abstract: A robot system includes a planar sign, a robot, a distance direction sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the robot and includes a map data memory and a progress direction determining device. The map data memory is configured to store map data of a predetermined running path including a position of the planar sign. The progress direction determining device is configured to compare a detection result of the distance direction sensor and the stored map data so as to determine a progress direction of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Dai Kouno, Tamio Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20150134240
    Abstract: An imitation sound generation system is provided that accurately informs a user of a road environment corresponding to a current location, by an imitation sound. A navigation apparatus, which serves as an imitation sound generation system, includes a map data storage apparatus that stores road network data including data regarding links each representing each road in a road network, a vehicle information acquiring unit that acquires a current location, and a travelling road determining unit that specifies a link to which the current location belongs. The map data storage apparatus stores a plurality of pieces of imitation sound data each being associated with each link. A controller determines a piece of imitation sound data that is associated with the link to which the current location belongs, on the basis of the plurality of pieces of imitation sound data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Yamada, Mitsuo Shimotani, Makoto Mikuriya
  • Publication number: 20150134241
    Abstract: Geographic identification systems and methods of displaying geographic locations on maps and providing related location based services in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a GEOID server configured to communicate with a database containing GEOIDs, where each GEOID comprises a label and geographic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Davut Kavranoglu
  • Patent number: 9031777
    Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a driving directions subsystem configured to provide data representative of driving directions to an access device communicatively coupled to the driving directions subsystem. The driving directions subsystem is further configured to provide at least one selection tool to the access device. The selection tool enables a user of the access device to select a subset of the driving directions for printing. In certain embodiments, the driving directions include a plurality of driving steps, and the selection tool enables the user of the access device to select, for each driving step, between including the driving step in and omitting the driving step from the printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro Antonio Cubillo
  • Patent number: 9031719
    Abstract: Local wind fields can be predicted if both the airspeed and the ground speed of the helicopter are known. An aircraft that uses an inertial navigation unit, autopilot and estimator allows a measure of ground speed to be known with good certainty. The embodiments herein extends this system to allow an estimate of the local wind field to be found without actively using an airspeed sensor, but instead combining the measurements of an accelerometer and a drag force model and a model of controlled aerodynamics of the aircraft to estimate the airspeed, which again can be used to estimate the local wind speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Prox Dynamics AS
    Inventors: Alexander Philip Hall, Trygve Frederik Marton, Petter Muren
  • Patent number: 9031787
    Abstract: A determination unit that determines whether a vehicle is in a lane change state where the vehicle is going to make a lane change from a travelling lane to a recommended lane; and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the front image on which a guide line is superimposed, wherein the guide line has a front end point and a rear end point, are provided. In the lane change state, the display control unit sets a position of the rear end point in the front image such that the rear end point indicates a central position in a width direction of the vehicle, and, not in the lane change state, the display control unit sets a position of the rear end point in the front image such that the rear end point indicates a central position in a width direction in the travelling lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Kondo, Ken Ishikawa, Yuusuke Morita
  • Publication number: 20150127254
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a search service are provided. A search service providing apparatus includes a search word obtaining unit for receiving a search word from an input device of a user terminal; a search result obtaining unit for obtaining a place search result corresponding to the search word; and a display controller for displaying on a display unit of the user terminal a map for displaying a first point corresponding to a certain location and a second point corresponding to a location of the place search result. The display controller includes a scale determination unit for determining a scale of the map for simultaneously displaying the first and second points on the display unit. The first and second points are displayed on the map of the determined scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Hye Eun NOH, Ji Eun PARK, Chan Il KIM, Kyoung Jin KIM
  • Publication number: 20150127255
    Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating an optical display device of a vehicle. Here, a dataset is determined as a function of a specified navigation information, the dataset having a specified metadata structure which is suitable for textually characterizing the navigation information. The dataset is transmitted by way of a specified communication interface. As a function of the dataset received by way of the communication interface, pixel values are determined for at least a portion of pixels of a digital image and/or of a graphic element. Furthermore, a signalization signal is determined for signalizing the pixel values of the pixels by means of the optical display device. A second aspect of the invention relates to a data determination unit; a third aspect relates to an image determination unit and a fourth aspect relates to a display system for a vehicle for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Axel SCHWAB, Wolfgang RIEGER
  • Patent number: 9026366
    Abstract: Route information for a route from a departure location to a destination location is generated. The generated route information is displayed on a first display of a first device. User input based upon the route information displayed on the first display of the first device is received at the first device. Route media is generated at the first device in response to the received user input. The generated route media is different than the route information displayed on the display of the first device. The generated route media is transmitted from the first device to a second device. The second device includes a second display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Eun-Hee Jeong
  • Patent number: 9026301
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated delivery of goods form one to another using a robotic tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug or cart stores an electronic map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes both wired and wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F. Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Patent number: 9026364
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating a place affinity for a user is disclosed. The system comprises a gathering module, a communication module and a scoring module. The gathering module receives a place and retrieves rich place data associated with the place. The communication module retrieves user profile data associated with a user and a place affinity model associated with the user. The scoring module estimates an affinity score for the place using the place affinity model based at least in part on the rich place data and the user profile data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rahul Ravi Parundekar, Kentaro Oguchi, Shojiro Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20150120182
    Abstract: A mobile device and navigation device communication system utilizing near field communication to easily capture and transfer address data and simplify programming of the navigation device is disclosed. When a mobile device receives a text message a mobile navigation communication application determines if there is an address included in the text message and if found extracts the address and encodes the address. The user then places the mobile device in close proximity to the navigation device and the data exchange is performed via near field communication. After the data exchange is complete the navigation device decodes the data into the address and searches its database to find an address match. The navigation device then displays the address for the user to confirm. After confirmation the navigation device displays the route or driving directs from the user's current location to the destination address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Cheng-Yu WANG
  • Patent number: 9020759
    Abstract: A technique for manipulating precalculated routes on a screen is described. One aspect of the method comprises the steps of detecting a selected screen position (P) and a time period (t) of a selection operation at the screen position (P), modifying weights of the road segments in dependence on the detected screen position (P) and the time period (t), and calculating a route, manipulated in relation to the precalculated route, on the basis of the modified weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Elektrobit Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Silvio Iaccarino
  • Patent number: 9020761
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas can be defined by connecting street networking connection points within the parking areas. In another embodiment, such defined travel paths can be merged with actual paths traveled by vehicles in the parking areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9020754
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the arrival time of a transit vehicle at a transit stop of a transit route is presented. The arrival time is predicted using historical location information of a plurality of vehicles that have previously traveled the route, location information of several of the most recent vehicles that have arrived at the stop, and current location information of a particular vehicle currently traveling the route. Values such as average arrival times and arrival time errors or variances are determined from the historical and recent location data. These values are used with the current location information to predict the arrival time of the particular vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Leo Modica, Leon Stenneth
  • Publication number: 20150112591
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to partially update a navigation data without interrupting route guide service while a navigation apparatus based on a database provides the service. The apparatus includes a database file stored in a storage medium; a log file stored in the storage medium; a core module for supporting record or access of data into or from the database file and the log file; an update manager for storing a data for updating the database file into the log file using the core module; and a route guide manager for accessing the data stored in the database file using the core module and providing a route guide service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: REALTIMETECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Kwang Kim, Hyeok HAN, Seong Il JIN
  • Patent number: 9014848
    Abstract: A robot system includes a mobile robot having a controller executing a control system for controlling operation of the robot, a cloud computing service in communication with the controller of the robot, and a remote computing device in communication with the cloud computing service. The remote computing device communicates with the robot through the cloud computing service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farlow, Michael Rosenstein, Michael Halloran, Chikyung Won, Steven V. Shamlian, Mark Chiappetta
  • Patent number: 9014976
    Abstract: If a destination set on a display 3 is a facility not having connection relation between facilities stored in a facility information DB 84, a scroll direction detecting unit 92 that detects a scroll direction of a map 31 detects a direction instructed for scroll as the scroll direction and a display controlling unit 94 performs scroll of the map 31 in the scroll direction. In addition, if the set destination is a facility having the connection relation between the facilities, the scroll direction detecting unit 92 that detects a scroll direction of the map 31 detects the scroll direction based on the connection relation of the destination and the direction instructed for scroll and the display controlling unit 94 performs the scroll of the map 31 to a position of a facility connected to the destination in the scroll direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Ushida
  • Patent number: 9014964
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus is capable of image-capturing and is used to implement a navigation method including the steps of: a) obtaining current location information associated with the navigation apparatus, and location information of a reference target along a planned route that is being traversed; b) capturing real-time navigation images of the planned route according to an image-capture configuration parameter; c) obtaining a display screen position associated with the reference target with reference to the current location information, the target location information, and the image-capture configuration parameter; and d) showing on the display device the navigation images together with a mark corresponding in position to the display screen position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Hsing-Ping Kuo
  • Patent number: 9014959
    Abstract: An energy-consumption calculation device includes an energy-consumption estimation unit to estimate energy consumption in a predetermined section; an actual energy consumption identification unit to identify an actual energy consumption supplied in the predetermined section by an energy-supply unit; an energy-consumption correction unit to correct the energy consumption in the predetermined section estimated by the energy consumption estimation unit in accordance with a difference between the energy consumption in the predetermined section estimated by the energy consumption estimation unit and the actual energy consumption in the predetermined section identified by the actual energy consumption identification means; and display unit adapted to identify and display, by using the energy consumption in the predetermined section corrected by the energy consumption correction means, a possible travel range by which travel is possible with a suppliable energy amount of the energy supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Clarion Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kanno, Mika Sugimoto, Shinya Tagawa, Keisuke Mutou
  • Publication number: 20150106014
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided that are capable of providing map data for supporting a variety of user network environments and selecting data zones freely. A navigation terminal includes a reception unit adapted to receive a file in which map data of a specific zone is stored, from a map provision server; and an execution unit adapted to execute a navigation function on the specific zone using the file. The file is produced by an individual unit with respect to each of geographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size. The size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount of information included in the geographic area such that the file has an equalized size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Won Kyung Choi
  • Patent number: 9007238
    Abstract: Route information for at least a first route and a second route is displayed using display indicators assigned to each route. The routes may be decomposed into discrete segments, some of which may be shared among the routes. Upon determining which segments are shared by routes, the shared segments may be displayed using an interleaved pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. The interleaved pattern may comprise an alternating pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. Shared segments may also be displayed in a cycling pattern that includes the respective display indicators of the shared routes. Non-shared segments may be displayed with the respective display indicators for the routes that use that segment. The width of the patterns along the shared segments may be substantially the same as the width of the non-shared segments. In one embodiment, the routes may be fixed. Targets associated with each route may be displayed on the routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: TransLoc Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Whiton, Justin Harris, Jesse Lovelace
  • Publication number: 20150100237
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: identifying an activity area with a control unit based on a user's travel meeting or exceeding a travel threshold; determining a guidance mode based on a current location within the activity area and the current location for locating a device; and setting a guidance level based on the guidance mode for presenting a navigation guidance on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventors: George Xiaohong Zhao, Ryan Robert Peterson
  • Patent number: 8997565
    Abstract: A micro-mechanical resonator is provided. The micro-mechanical resonator comprises two masses coupled in the direction of a common axis by a spring structure. The spring structure comprises a spring that couples at least a first bar connected to the masses and a second bar extending in the motion axis direction, said spring being arranged to bend in a direction perpendicular to the motion direction of the motion axis. A micro-mechanical resonator matrix, a sensor and a navigation device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Electronics Oy
    Inventor: Anssi Blomqvist