NAVTEQ NORTH AMERICA, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140317124 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PROBE DATA - An approach is provided for providing a unified extensible platform for overall probe data and storage. The approach comprises causing, at least in part, a storage of probe data in one or more information spaces, one or more namespaces of the one or more information spaces, or a combination thereof. The approach further comprises determining one or more nodes for processing the probe data based, at least in part, on one or more context criteria, the one or more nodes associated with the one or more information spaces. The approach also comprises determining to provide access to the processed probe data via the one or more information spaces, the one or more namespaces, or a combination thereof. | 10-23-2014 |
20140244159 | Method of Operating a Navigation System Using Images - A navigation system comprises a processor, a geographic database and a guidance application executable on the processor. The guidance application obtains data from the geographic database and obtains a photographic image. The guidance application overlays an advertisement route highlight on said photographic image. The advertisement route highlight graphically illustrates a path corresponding to a route and a direction of travel for the route. The advertisement route highlight includes a series of advertisement decals. | 08-28-2014 |
20140189802 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATION-BASED AUTHORIZATION TO ACCESS ONLINE USER GROUPS - An approach is provided for determining a request from a user for an access to at least one user group. The at least one user group is associated with at least one reference location. Consequently, the point of interest platform determines location information associated with the user and/or the device associated with the user. Subsequently, the point of interest platform causes, at least in part, a granting of the access to the user group if the location information indicates that the user and/or the device associated with the user is within a predetermined proximity of the reference location. | 07-03-2014 |
20130150087 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING REAL-TIME MAP AND LOCATION-BASED DATA - An approach is provided for generating accurate and substantially real-time map and location-based data in a cost-effective manner. Specifically, one or more communications within one or more social networks are monitored, processed, and mined to determine map-related information (e.g., maps, traffic, points of interest). The map-related information is then subjected to one or more threshold criteria (e.g., a correctness probability, a level of confidence, a degree of trust, an author's influence, a rating, or a combination thereof) to better ensure its accuracy before being made available to mapping and/or location-based services that can use the map-related information to develop better quality maps and/or location-based mobile applications (e.g., improved routing guidance, location recommendations, etc.). By providing mapping and location-based services with accurate and real-time map and location-based data, the services can fulfill user's increasing expectation and demand for up-to-the-minute information. | 06-13-2013 |
20120276847 | Obtaining vehicle traffic information using mobile Bluetooth detectors - A method and system for obtaining traffic information from mobile Bluetooth detectors is disclosed. A mobile Bluetooth detector is a device located in a moving vehicle that includes Bluetooth and GPS firmware for collecting data from Bluetooth enabled devices. The mobile Bluetooth detector transmits the collected data to a remote facility where the data is processed to generate traffic information. A pair of mobile Bluetooth detectors may be used to collect data for generating ground truth. | 11-01-2012 |
20120271542 | Energy Efficient Routing Using An Impedance Factor - A method and system for calculating an energy efficient route is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application uses impedance factor data associated with each segment in the route. The impedance factor is calculated using probe data when the probe data is available for a road segment. When probe data is unavailable, the impedance factor is calculated using machine learning techniques that analyze the results of the impedance factor classifications for road segments having probe data. | 10-25-2012 |
20120232783 | Energy Consumption Profiling - A method and system for determining energy efficient routes is described. Map data represents road segments. Energy consumption data is obtained while a vehicle travels on a first road segment. Energy consumption data associated with the first road segment can be used to predict the expected energy consumption when traveling on a second road segment that has similar physical attributes to those of the first road segment. The predicted energy consumption data may be used to determine whether the second road segment is part of a most energy efficient route. | 09-13-2012 |
20120179362 | Method and System for Calculating an Energy Efficient Route - A method and system for calculating an energy efficient route is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application uses segment cost data associated with each segment in the route. The segment cost is calculated by adjusting an energy consumption value by subtracting a bias term for each segment with known slope data. The bias term causes segment costs associated with segments having a slope that can be traveled with typical efficiency, a zero slope, and an unknown slope to be substantially the same. The bias term also causes the segment cost associated with a segment with a slope that can be traveled efficiently to be less than the segment cost associated with a segment with unknown slope, and the segment cost associated with a segment with a slope that causes inefficient travel to be greater than the segment cost associated with a segment with unknown slope. | 07-12-2012 |
20120117067 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A RANGE ORDERED TREE STRUCTURE - An approach is provided for creating a range ordered tree structure. A tree index platform determines one or more ranges for grouping one or more data objects of a key-value store. Next, the tree index platform determines to specify the one or more ranges in one or more respective index objects of a data structure. Then, the tree index platform determines to associate the data structure with the key-value store. | 05-10-2012 |
20120109512 | Effective Slope for Fuel Consumption Calculation - A method and system for calculating a green route using an effective slope is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application calculates an associated fuel consumption value. The fuel consumption value is based on effective slope for segments in the route. The effective slope is a value that is based on the impact slope has on the fuel consumption of a vehicle traveling on the segment. | 05-03-2012 |
20120092326 | Branded Location Referencing - A method and system for displaying a map that depicts landmarks with brand identity are disclosed. A map display application obtains the physical dimensions of a landmark, such as a building, and fills the footprint of the landmark with the brand identity of a company and/or a product associated with the landmark. The map display application can also render the landmark in 3D. | 04-19-2012 |
20120086582 | Method and system for using intersecting electronic horizons - A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment. | 04-12-2012 |
20120078867 | Multi-Dimensional Road Representation - A method and system for representing multiple road properties with a single multi-dimensional parametric spline curve is disclosed. A B-Spline is generated to represent a first road dimension. The B-Spline is written mathematically in vector format. One or more road dimensions to be added to the B-Spline are selected. Depending on the selection, the road dimensions are created in a format compatible with the B-Spline. For example, the road dimensions may be created using curve fitting, B-Spline merger, or direct assignment. Once the road dimensions are created, they are added to the original B-Spline vector. The new B-Spline vector is then stored in a data storage unit for use by systems, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. | 03-29-2012 |
20120036150 | Page Server for Navigation Data - A page server and method of using the page server is described. The page server stores versioned pages. The pages, which are equally sized data chunks, can be stored with identifiers and version data in a relational database, in separate files, or in a single file where pages are concatenated. The page server may be accessed via SQL, a web interface, a proprietary key/value/version interface on top of TCP/IP, or other method. The page server facilitates incremental updates. | 02-09-2012 |
20120011178 | Method and system for handling binary large objects - A method and system for efficiently storing, retrieving, and updating binary large objects (BLOBs) in embedded systems is disclosed. The metadata of the BLOBs is stored in relational tables, while the BLOBs are stored in a flat file. Querying the metadata of the BLOBs (i.e. the starting points of the BLOBs and their length) is performed based on SQL. The corresponding BLOBs are then accessed using file operation commands. To further simplify the querying and storage of BLOBs, virtual tables are created. By using these virtual tables, a user can access a BLOB as if it was stored in a physical table. | 01-12-2012 |
20110249251 | System and Method of Generating and Using Open Sky Data - A method and system for generating and using open sky data is described. A vehicle equipped with a range-finding device travels on a road network in a geographic region. The range-finding device transmits a pulse at a given position and obtains range data associated with the position. The system uses the range data to generate data representing visibility of open sky at the given position and at other positions along the road network. For example, the system may determine transmission angles of pulses transmitted at positions that did not encounter a physical object and then use the determined transmission angles to generate data representing visibility of open sky at these positions. The system then stores the data representing the visibility of open sky. The system then associates the data representing the visibility of open sky with data representing physical features. | 10-13-2011 |
20110196890 | Virtual table generator for analyzing geographic databases - A method and system for accessing database tables that contain binary large objects (BLOBs) is disclosed. The method includes encapsulating BLOB-based tables with virtual tables, which allows a user to access the content of the BLOBs via SQL. In one example, the virtual table has a generic table structure that consists of columns (e.g., class name, field name, and field value) and information regarding what level of an object hierarchy contains an element. In another example, a user can define the structure of the virtual table by identifying which object attributes to report. | 08-11-2011 |
20110196889 | Full text search in navigation systems - A method and system for full text search for use during destination selection with a navigation system is disclosed. The method partitions a full text search index based on frequently used terms. These frequently used terms are then mapped to dedicated full text search indexes, where each document contains this frequently used term but the term itself is not stored in the index. A relation maps the frequently used terms to the inverted indexes. | 08-11-2011 |
20110196602 | Destination search in a navigation system using a spatial index structure - A method and system for full text search during destination selection using a navigation system is disclosed. The full text search system includes a relation table and a spatial index structure, e.g., an R-tree. The relation table maps tokens to a token identifier. Each level of a destination is mapped to its own dimension, e.g., Country to X, City to Y, and Street to Z. Each document is then mapped to an n-dimensional vector using the token identifiers. | 08-11-2011 |
20110181439 | Providing sponsorship information alongside traffic messages - A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag. | 07-28-2011 |
20110144900 | Speed Profile Dictionary - A speed profile dictionary and associated lookup tables are disclosed. A set of distinct speed profiles is defined using a statistical analysis routine. Preferably, the statistical analysis routine uses clustering. The speed profiles are then matched to location codes identifying physical locations on a road network and days of the week. Applications using historic traffic data may use the speed profile dictionary and one or more lookup tables instead of a complete historic traffic database, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to store historic traffic data. | 06-16-2011 |
20110046875 | Providing sponsorship information alongside traffic messages - A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043377 | Providing Driving Condition Alerts Using Road Attribute Data - A method and system for providing a driving condition alert to vehicle drivers and others are disclosed. The alert is provided based on road location and attribute data; real-time, historic, and forecast traffic data; real-time, historic, and forecast weather data; and/or scheduled and unscheduled event data. The alert may include information indicating the reason for the alert provided. In addition, the alert may include a relative scale of hazard (e.g., a scale of 1-10 with 1 representing no hazard and 10 representing the highest hazardous condition). As a result of receiving the alert, the driver may adjust their route or driving behavior. | 02-24-2011 |
20110010081 | Method of creating a virtual traffic network - A computer-implemented method of creating a virtual traffic network includes inputting map data representing a road system, inputting flow data related to traffic flow on the road system and integrating the map data and the flow data to produce a virtual traffic network representing traffic conditions on the road system. | 01-13-2011 |
20100292997 | PROVIDING SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION ALONGSIDE TRAFFIC MESSAGES - A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag. | 11-18-2010 |
20100225644 | Method and System for Transitioning Between Views in a Traffic Report - A method and system for transitioning between views in a traffic report are disclosed. The transition involves having the elements of both the 2D map and the 3D virtual world spatially located in the same virtual world. The transition involves moving from one part of the virtual world to another part of the virtual world while fading out the elements that are specific to the first type of graphic and showing elements that are specific to the second type of graphic. The view can be seamlessly transitioned between the 2D map view and the 3D world view, or between two different 3D world views. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225504 | Method and System for Adding Gadgets to a Traffic Report - A method and system for adding traffic gadgets to a traffic report is disclosed. A traffic gadget is a dynamic object defined by a relatively small code module that is separate from the main traffic report application code. A programmer develops the traffic gadget's visual functionality and specifies the type of data that the traffic gadget can receive. An artist configures the visible appearance of the traffic gadget for a specific end-user application. The end-user may then select a traffic gadget and add the selected traffic gadget to a visual traffic report. The user may also select data to control the functionality of the traffic gadget during the traffic report. | 09-09-2010 |
20100222996 | Dual Representation of an Address in a Database - A data representation for an address is disclosed. The address is represented by two links. The first link is an addressed link and the second link is a routing link. The addressed link is the link associated with the address. The routing link is the link associated with a travel-to location for the address. The address may also be represented by two points. The first point is a display point and the second point is a routing point. The display point is used for displaying an address location on a map display. The routing point is used for routing a user of a navigation device to the appropriate point on a road network or pedestrian pathway for the address location. | 09-02-2010 |
20100198505 | Method for Representing Linear Features in a Location Content Management System - A method for representing linear features in a location content management system is disclosed. A linear feature is represented using a sequence of routing points that define a unique path when routed on a map through those points. A routing point consists of latitude, longitude, and optional stack position. Stack position defines an upper or lower level of a double-decker bridge or road. The data representing the linear feature is stored outside of a geographic database. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198504 | Method and System for Managing Relationships Between Location Identifiers - A method and system for managing relationships between location identifiers is disclosed. A relationship includes an originating identifier and a target identifier. A unique relationship is defined by the location codes and relationship types associated with the originating and target identifier. A synonym service, a translation service, and a validation service analyze a new or modified relationship prior to storing the relationship in a relationship store. A graph service, a statistics service, and a reporting service analyze the relationships stored in the relationship store. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198503 | Method and System for Assessing Quality of Location Content - A method and system for assessing the quality of location content is disclosed. The method includes evaluating the quality of location content based on who provided the content, the accuracy of the location data associated with the content, the integrity of the content, and when the content was provided. As a result of the evaluation, a quality score is generated. The quality score provides an indication of the reliability of the location content. The quality score may be updated when a change is made to the content. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194605 | Method and System for Refreshing Location Code Data - A method and system for refreshing location code data is disclosed. The system includes a location code change system that receives map change data and location code change data. The location code change system processes the map change data, finds affected location codes, and updates the location code's information by manipulating the location code data or performing a geocoding operation. The updated location code data is stored in a location code system. The location code change system receives the location code change data from the location code system and provides information regarding the location code changes to a map change system, which facilitates map updates based on the location code changes. | 08-05-2010 |
20100188264 | Method and System for Developing Traffic Messages - A computer implemented method of compressing a plurality of TPEG format traffic messages is provided. The method forms a template containing the data values of fields of a message management container, an event container and a location container and forms a global data set representing a base time of the traffic messages and data indicating the geographic region. The method creates compressed TPEG traffic messages comprising a template identification indicating the template and data values of the fields of the message management container, the event container and the location container not included in the template or global data set. | 07-29-2010 |
20100177092 | Transit View for a Traffic Report - A method and system for visually displaying views of current transit conditions are disclosed. A user selects a transit system (e.g., bus, train, ferry) and a rundown of views of the transit system to show in a traffic report. To more easily identify the transit system in the traffic report, graphics representing the buildings and other landmarks in the geographic area of the transit system are displayed in x-ray mode, while the transit system graphics are highlighted using colors. Graphic objects are added to the views to provide additional information regarding the transit system, including information regarding incidents on the transit system. | 07-15-2010 |
20100128935 | Location-referenced Photograph Repository - A photograph repository system includes data storage for storing photographs in the form of digital data files and a search feature that provides for searching for photographs by location and optionally by other search criteria. In one embodiment, a photograph repository service is accessible to users over a common data network, such as the Internet. In the photograph repository service, each stored photograph is associated with a location, i.e., where the photograph was taken and/or the location of an object in the photograph. Users can search for and obtain copies of their own photographs that they had stored previously with the photograph repository service. In addition, users can search for and obtain copies of photographs that had been taken by other users and stored with the photograph repository service. The photograph repository system can also be implemented as a standalone system, a hybrid system, or a peer-to-peer system. | 05-27-2010 |
20100106403 | Navigation System with Downloadable Map Data - A system and method are disclosed for providing geographic data to end users' mobile units from a remotely located navigation services provider so that navigation functions can be provided locally on the mobile units. While a user is operating a mobile unit to specify a destination for which route information is desired, an initial set of geographic data is downloaded from the remotely located navigation services provider. The initial set of geographic data represents an area located around a current position of the mobile unit when specification of the destination is initiated. Once the destination has been specified, data indicating the destination is used by the remotely located navigation services provider to calculate a route to the destination. The navigation services provider provides data to the mobile unit that identifies one or more intermediate exit points along the route that are located within the initial set of geographic data downloaded to the mobile unit so that the mobile unit can calculate an initial portion of the route to the one or more intermediate exit points. The navigation services provider also determines a list that identifies the remaining groupings of geographic data needed to represent the route. The navigation services provider transmits this list to the mobile unit and then transmits each of the needed groupings of geographic data to the mobile unit. An intermediate exit point is identified for each grouping of data transmitted to the mobile unit. Using the geographic data received from the navigation services provider, the mobile unit provides guidance to the end user for following the route to the destination. | 04-29-2010 |
20100097240 | Traffic Display Depicting View of Traffic From Within a Vehicle - A method and system for displaying an in-car view of current traffic conditions is disclosed. A user can select an “In Car View” as a display option. A display shows traffic conditions from a driver's eye view. A forward view depicts a vehicle dashboard, which may include a steering wheel, a central column, gauges, a rear view mirror, and a windshield. Graphics representing traffic conditions are visible through the windshield of the forward view. A side view allows a user to see traffic conditions on the opposite side of the road. The in-car view moves at a rate associated with the pace of the current traffic conditions. | 04-22-2010 |
20100082564 | Spatial Index for Locating Geographic Data Parcels Stored on Physical Storage Media - A spatial index for locating geographic data parcels stored on physical storage media is disclosed. A geographic database for advanced driver assistance systems is subdivided based on a grid of fixed size tiles that span the entire globe. Each tile is assigned a tile identification. The geographic database is organized as a collection of parcels, each of which contains the data for one or more tiles. To locate a parcel on the physical storage media, a spatial index uses the tile identification. Because the tiles are not uniformly filled with data, the spatial index is organized as a sparse array. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082307 | Bezier Curves for Advanced Driver Assistance System Applications - A method and system for using Bezier curves in vehicle positioning and electronic horizon applications for providing data to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications are disclosed. The Bezier curves are obtained from B-splines. The obtained Bezier curves are subdivided in a manner that allows the vehicle positioning application to derive a polyline representation in real time. Using the Bezier and polyline geometry, the vehicle positioning application provides a vehicle position approximation to the ADAS applications. Using the Bezier curves, the electronic horizon application provides curvature, slope, and heading profiles to the ADAS applications. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082248 | Creating Geometry for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems - A method and system for creating geometry for ADAS are described. Link chains, which are a sequence of segments, are created. The link chains are used to create 2D splines. The link chains, the 2D splines, and height data are used to create 3D splines. The 3D splines and possibly the 2D splines are converted to Bezier curves, which can be used to create a 2D polyline. ADAS applications can use the Bezier curves and the 2D polylines to provide ADAS functions. | 04-01-2010 |
20100070175 | Method and System for Providing a Realistic Environment for a Traffic Report - A method and system for providing a realistic environment for a traffic report is disclosed. The traffic report includes a 3D view of current traffic conditions for one or more roadways in and around a metropolitan area. The 3D view includes a background that reflects the current time of day and/or weather conditions. For example, a traffic report shown by a television station as part of the evening news may depict the background as having a dark sky and nighttime lighting, such as vehicle, building, and street lights. As another example, a traffic report shown by a television station as part of the noon news may depict the background as having overcast skies. | 03-18-2010 |
20100005110 | Method of Displaying Traffic Information on a Web Page - A method of displaying traffic information on a web page is provided. The traffic information includes traffic conditions of one or more specified roads. A web browser requests a web page that includes programming code related to some traffic information. The web browser interprets the programming code and requests at least some of the traffic information from a remote site specified by the programming code. The request includes a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the remote site, and a unique identifier of the traffic information. The web browser then assembles the web page using at least some of the requested traffic information obtained from the remote site. The assembled web page displays at least some of the traffic information, including traffic conditions of the one or more specified roads. | 01-07-2010 |
20090292457 | Method and System for Representing Pedestrian Crosswalks in a Geographic Database Used by a Navigation System - A geographic database used by a navigation system includes data regarding which corners of an intersection are connected by a crosswalk and the type of crosswalk. The geographic database also includes data regarding locations of crosswalks at a location other than an intersection. Using this information, the navigation system can provide crosswalk information to a pedestrian regarding where to cross a road. | 11-26-2009 |
20090262117 | Displaying traffic flow data representing traffic conditions - An article of manufacture for displaying traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system includes creating a graphical map of the road system which includes one or more segments. The status of each segment on the graphical map is determined such that the status of each segment corresponds to the traffic flow data associated with that segment. An animated traffic flow map of the road system is created by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment. | 10-22-2009 |
20090237270 | Providing Sponsorship Information Alongside Traffic Messages - A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag. | 09-24-2009 |
20090189979 | Method for Providing Images of Traffic Incidents - A method for providing traffic incident information is disclosed. Selected images of a traffic incident are associated with corresponding traffic incident data. The combined information is provided to an end-user application, such as a navigation system, the Internet, and a television station. A user can obtain the combined traffic incident information from the end-user application and/or device to obtain a better understanding of the traffic incident. | 07-30-2009 |
20090187538 | Method of Prioritizing Similar Names of Locations for use by a Navigation System - Locations having similar names are identified and placed in groups. The naming similarity includes how names or portions of names are spelled and/or pronounced. The names within the groups are then ranked by priority. The ranking is calculated using one or more attributes in a geographic database, such as the number of road segments associated with a named location, the population associated with a named location, distance to a named location, and administrative level of a named location. The ranking may be used during destination entry, when providing route guidance and/or maps, and when providing additional information to a user of a navigation system, such as demographic information. | 07-23-2009 |
20090171558 | Managing Differences Between Geographic Database Versions - A method and system for managing differences between geographic database versions is disclosed. A user registers his version of a geographic database with a map management application and thereafter enters a destination on a graphical user interface. The map management application checks to see if data representing the destination is located in the user's version of the geographic database and a more current version of the geographic database. If the data representing the destination is located in the more current version but not the user's version of the geographic database, the map management application provides the user with options, including upgrading to a more current version of the geographic database. | 07-02-2009 |
20090037103 | Method of Operating a Navigation System Using Images - A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image is obtained from a geographic database, and the photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight extends along the path for a distance visible in the photographic image. | 02-05-2009 |
20080288545 | Method and System for Forming a Keyword Database for Referencing Physical Locations - An improved method and system for specifying physical locations when using applications run on navigation systems or other computer platforms that provide navigation- or map-related functions. When requesting a navigation- or map-related function from such an application, a user specifies a physical location using a keyword instead of specifying the physical location conventionally, such as by street address. A keyword database relates keywords to physical locations. The application uses the keyword database, or a copy thereof, to find data indicating the physical location associated with the keyword specified by the user. Preferably, physical locations are defined in the keyword database in terms of data in a corresponding geographic database. The application then performs the requested navigation- or map-related function using the data indicating the physical location associated with the keyword. The keyword database is built using input from users. An on-line system is provided that users can access to associate keywords with physical locations. A user accessing the on-line system is presented with a map from which a physical location can be selected. A keyword, which may be selected by the user, is associated with the selected physical location. The keyword is stored in the keyword database along with data indicating the associated physical location. | 11-20-2008 |