| TELE ATLAS NORTH AMERICA, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120022781 | Methods, Devices and Map Databases for Green Routing - In at least one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes determining algorithmically a a plurality of vehicle cost values for traveling a plurality of road segments in a vehicle based at least in part on vehicle cost data derived at least in part from position derivative data obtained from at least one vehicle that traveled the road segments (S | 01-26-2012 |
| 20110125811 | METHOD OF APPLYING CLOTHOID CURVE VALUES TO ROADWAYS IN A GEOGRAPHIC DATA INFORMATION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20100114875 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERIC MULTIPLE ATTRIBUTE CONCURRENT SEARCHING - A system and method for multiple attribute concurrent searching using a visual paradigm. The system allows the user to locate and display a first data item in the database, graphically select attributes, values or other criteria associated with that data item, and instruct the system to use these criteria as a constraint in successive ordering and access of other data items either in a previously retrieved set of data items, or as a new search in the database itself. When the user clicks on a “next” icon, “next” button, or a similar search-initiation feature, the system uses the constraints previously selected to locate, organize, or place into a logical order the next data item matching those constraints. In accordance with an embodiment for use with digital maps and digital map databases, the system provides a graphical window screen by which a user can select attributes associated with a particular map item, and use these attributes and constraints in subsequent ordering and searching. When the user clicks or selects a particular map item attribute, that attribute can be added as one of the search constraints. Clicking the “next” button allows the system to perform the ordering or search using the previously selected constraints. Successive clicks of the next feature allow a succession of map items matching the constraint to be quickly selected and viewed. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100057337 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DIGITAL MAP, ROUTING, OR NAVIGATION INFORMATION WITH NEED-BASED ROUTING - A system and method for providing digital map or navigation information with need-based routing. In accordance with an embodiment, the system disclosed herein provides a means for suppliers, such as suppliers or retailers of goods and services, to provide information about the availability of those goods and services. When a user interacts with the system and a need is determined, the system can offer information, such as directing the user to an appropriate supplier, including where appropriate a map and/or route to the supplier. In accordance with an embodiment the system can take into account the user's location, and/or the supplier's locations, and/or a cost associated with an item, and/or other geographic and non-geographic information that can be stored and retrieved from a digital map or a supplier. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100019932 | Driver Initiated Vehicle-to-Vehicle Anonymous Warning Device - A driver-initiated warning device is described for communicating descriptive vehicle-to-vehicle warning messages. The device can be deployed within an automobile and can include an interface that receives input from a driver or passenger of a vehicle. The device also includes a vehicle-to-vehicle communications component that generates anonymous messages upon having received the input and broadcasts the anonymous messages to other vehicles within range. The anonymous messages have embedded electronic data regarding an event observed by the driver or passenger, such as location information of a road hazard. Based on receiving the messages, the device can make decisions as to whether to alert the driver of any upcoming dangers or other events. The location information contained in the messages can be used to filter the messages based on relevance. The messages can also be relayed to other vehicles in order to optimize information diffusion between moving automobiles. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090292464 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING GEOGRAPHIC MARKERS ON ELECTRONIC OBJECTS AND REAL-WORLD OBJECTS - A system and method for attaching geographical markers to a variety of objects, including real-world objects, electronic documents, people, software applications, and other items of information, including stationary and moving entities. In accordance with an embodiment, the system provides an object location identifier (OLI), and can use additional forms of identifiers such as universal location referencing objects (ULRO) for mapping real-world objects, electronic documents, people, software applications, and other items of information. The object location identifier answers the questions of who and where a particular object may be. A mobile object location identifier (MOLI) feature can also be provided as a standardized way for specifying an object location identifier for user with mobile entities, including people, websites, and wireless applications. A mobile uniform resource locator (MURL) feature can also be provided as a way for sharing and using object location identifier, and particularly for allowing mobile entities to control and share location information using a consumer-friendly URL-like nomenclature. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090177678 | Locating Linear Reference System Events in a Geographic Information System - A method and system are provided for determining the geographic locations of events in a linear referencing system (LRS), such as a LRS for the Department of Transportation. The method and system utilize similarities between a LRS and the postal addressing system used in the United States. A LRS event geocoding database and schema are created from portions of the postal addressing system schema and geographic information system (GIS) schema. LRS data is encoded as postal address data as defined in the postal addressing system. The LRS data and GIS data are conflated to populate the LRS event geocoding database using similar transformation logic as for current postal address geocoding. The geographic location of a given LRS event is generated using geocoding software that utilizes the linear measure implicit in the LRS event identifier and the LRS event geocoding database. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090157635 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING UNIVERSAL LOCATION REFERENCING OBJECTS TO PROVIDE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - A system and method for using universal location referencing objects (ULRO) to provide geographic information. As described herein, an embodiment of a ULRO comprises a permanent identification code designed to identify a selected location. A location in turn may be associated with one or more geographic items. A ULRO can be employed to establish traversable links or connections between a file-of-reference and third-party-files for a broad range of database formats. A file-of-reference is a geospatial file used for permanent storage of a file owner's geographic data. A third-party-file is a geospatial file used for permanent storage of a third-party's geographic data. Whatever its format may happen to be, a file-of-reference or a third-party-file can typically be transformed into other formats that may be more appropriate for certain applications. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, this technique can be used to establish traversable links between a map-of-reference and one or more of third-party maps and third-party-spatial data files. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090144331 | METHOD FOR APPLYING CLOTHOID CURVE VALUES TO ROADWAYS IN A GEOGRAPHIC DATA INFORMATION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090144031 | SYSTEM FOR APPLYING CLOTHOID CURVE VALUES TO ROADWAYS IN A GEOGRAPHIC DATA INFORMATION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention are systems for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a system, comprising: a geographic data information system, wherein the geographic data information system stores database segments in a database, wherein the database segments describe roadways; and a system for applying clothoid curve values to roadways, wherein the system for applying clothoid curve values to roadways: determines segment chains from the selected database segments; prepares the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitions to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smooths the curvature function; fits the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and stores identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090144030 | COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING CLOTHOID CURVE VALUES TO ROADWAYS IN A GEOGRAPHIC DATA INFORMATION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention include a computer readable storage medium storing instructions for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a computer readable storage medium, storing instructions executable by a processor for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system, the instructions comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090100031 | Method and System for Detecting Changes in Geographic Information - Data related to changes in real-world geography are collected promptly for incorporating into a geographic database. Query strings are created using keywords targeted to detect data related to changes in real-world geography. Automatic Web search technology is utilized to search the World Wide Web for instances that match the created query strings. References to Web pages, references to Web pages accompanied by brief abstracts, Web pages, and hard copies of documents by mail are automatically collected that potentially refer to changes in real-world geography. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090089319 | System and Method for Differentiating Duplicate Addresses in a Locality - A method and system are presented for differentiating duplicate addresses within a locality. A relational database of geographical features is constructed where each geographical feature has related attributes which can be used to differentiate among multiple same-named features. Precedence hierarchies of such attributes can be created within the database where each precedence hierarchy is constructed based on a combination of user type and situational scenario information. Upon receiving a mapping destination from a user, the system may identify the input as being ambiguous. The user and situation can be analyzed in order to select the precedence hierarchy best fit to resolve the ambiguity in this particular situation. The selected hierarchy can then be traversed until an attribute is found that exists for both features and serves to distinguish between them. The attributes can be presented to the end user along with information regarding the ambiguity. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090015596 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIEWING AND EDITING DIGITAL MAPS USING A PLUG-IN DATA ABSTRACTION LAYER FOR DIFFERENT DIGITAL MAP FORMATS - A system and method for viewing and editing digital maps using a plugin data abstraction layer for different digital map formats. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. The system includes a viewer application together with a data abstraction layer and a plurality of different data abstraction interfaces. The data abstraction layer can be used to allow different map formats to be parsed and viewed. This allows the system to receive data in any of a variety of different input map formats. The map can then be edited, viewed, displayed on a display screen, or output. The map can also be used to create or display a map in a universal display format that is independent of the original format. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090015595 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING DIGITAL MAP INFORMATION USING DISPLAYABLE MAP INFORMATION AS AN INTERMEDIARY - A system and method for converting digital map information using displayable map information as an intermediary. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. The system can receive data into the viewer application in a first map format and then provide or output that data in a second map format. Different map formats can be interpreted and/or optionally displayed in a universal display format. Depending on the particular embodiment the universal display format can include item coordinates, or higher level descriptions of geometry and topology in the map. In accordance with an embodiment, a map format legend associated with a particular map format can then be used to interpret the universal display format, and output the data into that map format. A plurality of different map legends can be used to allow different map formats to be output. In this manner the system allows for easy and universal converting of map formats. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090013273 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING LAYERS AND GRIDS TO ACCESS, VIEW, EDIT AND STORE DIGITAL MAP DATA - A system and method for using layers and grids to access, view, edit and store digital map data. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. The system assists in previewing and outputting data to different map formats. Some maps include multiple levels of tiled map information. The map can be displayed on a display screen in a universal display format that is independent of the original format, and can then be parsed using a map legend. Features are provided to allow output of different types or sets of map data based on the currently displayed map. If a user modifies the map display to display a greater, or lesser, detail of resolution, then the set of map data that is output can be varied accordingly. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090006480 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EFFICIENT ACCESS TO DIGITAL MAP DATA - A system and method for providing efficient access to digital map data. An embodiment of the present invention is generally related to systems for accessing, displaying, editing and using digital maps. In some map data formats each map item is not necessarily stored or encoded using a consistent byte length. Instead, to save overall storage requirements, the map items can be stored as different byte length variables. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a bit stream processor that provides a staging area for efficient reading and writing of map data, and also provides security for adjoining data portions that use different byte length variables. An input map or map data can be read into the system, and optionally written to an output map. As map data is read into the system, instead of reading it directly from disk storage to the display screen, which takes time, the bit stream processor places the map data in memory and reads it from there. As map data is written to the system for storage or output, the bit stream processor can cache the map data in the cache, and write it from there. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090005926 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ROUTING POINT PLACEMENT FOR AIDING IN ENCODING AND DECODING A PATH - A method of encoding a shortened path definition of a path in a mapping system is described. In one embodiment, a shortened path definition includes only those routing points that are needed to eliminate valid alternate routes. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080319655 | Method for Generating an Enhanced Map - The invention relates to a method for generating 3D objects within a digital map. The method comprises the actions of: —retrieving at least one image sequence, each image having corresponding location coordinates; —retrieving a set of data of an object from an electronic map, the set of data including location coordinates; —selecting from the at least one image sequence at least one image including a representation of the object by means of the location coordinates of the image sequences and the location coordinates in the set of data; —determining from the selected images at least one characteristic of the object; —adding the at least one characteristic of the object to the set of data; —storing the set of data and the at least one characteristic in said enhanced map. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080300778 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZING TRIP ASSISTANCE ON A DIGITAL MAP - A navigation system and method for personalizing trip assistance on a digital map for a user, including data, software (application) and hardware (H/W) components that track a trip of the user, log the trip data in a data base, classify the logged trip data by time of day, day of week and date, process and analyze the trip data, and store and retrieve the results of the analyzed trip data to assist the user. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080244459 | Method for associating map item images and text information - A system and method for manipulating digital map information, that allows the operator to view or modify map object or item attributes from either a graphical window or a text window. In one embodiment, when the user selects a map item within the graphical window ( | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080243378 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE NAVIGATION AND PILOTING INCLUDING ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE COORDINATES - A navigation system for use in a vehicle. The system includes an absolute position sensor, such as GPS, in addition to one or more additional sensors, such as a camera, laser scanner, or radar. The system further comprises a digital map or database that includes records for at least some of the vehicle's surrounding objects. These records can include relative positional attributes and traditional absolute positions. As the vehicle moves, sensors sense the presence of at least some of these objects, and measure the vehicle's relative position to those objects. This information, together with the absolute positional information and the added map information, is used to determine the vehicle's location, and support features such as enhanced driving directions, collision avoidance, or automatic assisted driving. In accordance with an embodiment, the system also allows some objects to be attributed using relative positioning, without recourse to storing absolute position information. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080235631 | SYSTEM FOR ASSOCIATING MAP ITEM IMAGES AND TEXT INFORMATION - A system and method for manipulating digital map information, that allows the operator to view or modify map object or item attributes from either a graphical window or a text window. In one embodiment, when the user selects a map item within the graphical window ( | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080228392 | System and method for dynamically integrating sources location-related information - A method and system for creating and/or using a universal location referencing object (ULRO) with electronic files including electronic maps. ULROs establish traversable links between a file-of-reference and third-party-files. In accordance with an embodiment, the ULRO comprises a universal location referencing code uniquely corresponding to the location, together with several optional components, including: a set of name information; a super-set of coordinates; a file-of-reference pointer field comprising a file-of-reference pointer; a third-party-file pointer field comprising one or more third-party-file pointers; a file-of-reference back-pointer field comprising a file-of-reference back-pointer; a third-party-file back-pointer field comprising one or more third-party-file back-pointers; and a metadata field. ULROs allow recognition of equivalence of features in different maps, and facilitate dynamic combination or linking of multiple maps into one virtual map, with traversable connectivity for a wide variety of map formats. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080221785 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING USER UPDATE REQUESTS REGARDING GEOGRAPHIC DATA TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED ANALYSIS, PROCESSING AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA UPDATES - A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080215524 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSOCIATING GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES - A system and method for providing a virtual map database, referred to herein as the “Virtual Database System” (VDB). The VDB allows integration of map data, often from various sources, in a consistent manner for supply to an end user, while simultaneously ensuring that the entity best able to support a particular data source retains control over the data. In accordance with an embodiment, the VDB environment enables third-party data providers to associate their third-party-files with a base map or file-of-reference, thereby allowing for the creation of dynamic relationships between digital map features and other third-party data providers. The integration may be performed in a dynamic or real-time fashion, receiving up-to-date information from the various sources, creating links, and composing virtual maps, as needed or on-demand. Since the information is linked between the map providers and the various third parties, whenever an item of information or a link between items is updated in either the file-of-reference or in one of the third-party files, that updated information can be propagated back to all of the third-parties for further use in their software applications. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080208889 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING USER UPDATE REQUESTS REGARDING GEOGRAPHIC DATA TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED ANALYSIS, PROCESSING AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA UPDATES - A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080201385 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING USER UPDATE REQUESTS REGARDING GEOGRAPHIC DATA TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED ANALYSIS, PROCESSING AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA UPDATES - A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080201067 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING USER UPDATE REQUESTS REGARDING GEOGRAPHIC DATA TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED ANALYSIS, PROCESSING AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA UPDATES - A system and method provide functionality for collecting user update reports of geographic inconsistencies between geographic data and the real world to enable automated processing of updates to the geographic data. A user's input is collected and describes an anomaly, which is a geographic inconsistency between geographic data and the real world. The user's input is stored as language neutral structured data that enables automated processing of updates to the geographic data. Automatic processes that process the structured data include an email agent, an incident agent, a geographic augmentation agent, a case generation agent, a clustering agent, an automatic validation agent, and a monitoring service. Automatic and manual processes combined together handle processing of anomalies, as well as other related processing, and ultimately handle processing of updates to the geographic data to resolve the anomalies reported by the users. | 08-21-2008 |
