Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7920968?dq=6,205,432
Timestamp: 2015-04-01 14:32:08
Document Index: 228826743

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'arth 1', 'arth 1', 'arth 1', 'arth 1', 'Application No. 200580013512', 'Application No. 200580013912', 'Application No. 1237', 'Application No. 1247', 'Application No. 200580013512', 'Application No. 05726046']

Patent US7920968 - Generating human-centric directions in mapping systems - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsDigital mapping techniques are disclosed that provide visually-oriented information to the user, such as driving directions that include visual data points along the way of the driving route, thereby improving the user experience. The user may preview the route associated with the driving directions,...http://www.google.com/patents/US7920968?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7920968 - Generating human-centric directions in mapping systemsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7920968 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/466,326Publication dateApr 5, 2011Filing dateAug 22, 2006Priority dateJul 13, 2005Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS7831387, US20050288859, US20070016368, WO2007008809A2, WO2007008809A3Publication number11466326, 466326, US 7920968 B2, US 7920968B2, US-B2-7920968, US7920968 B2, US7920968B2InventorsCharles Chapin, Michele Covell, Tiruvilwamalai Venkatraman Raman, Andrew R. Golding, Jens Eilstrup RasmussenOriginal AssigneeGoogle Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (115), Non-Patent Citations (54), Referenced by (14), Classifications (18), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetGenerating human-centric directions in mapping systems
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/181,386, filed Jul. 13, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,831,387 titled �Visually-Oriented Driving Directions in Digital Mapping System,� which is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/088,542, filed Mar. 23, 2005, titled �Generating and Serving Tiles in a Digital Mapping System� (which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/650,840, filed Feb. 7, 2005, and 60/567,946, filed May 3, 2004, and 60/555,501, filed Mar. 23, 2004) and to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/051,534, filed Feb. 5, 2005, titled �A Digital Mapping System� (which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/567,946, filed May 3, 2004, and 60/555,501, filed Mar. 23, 2004). Each of these applications is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.
Whether vector-based or raster-based, such existing map systems typically provide a computer-generated driving directions expressed in abstractions that are convenient for computers, such as �Stay on Main St. for 1.2 miles, and turn Right onto Center Street.� Although such directions provide useful information that can be effectively employed to reach an intended destination, they can only be used in a literal sense. Other than the meaning of the words making up the directions, there is no further guidance to the user.
As previously explained, computer-generated driving directions are typically expressed in abstractions that are convenient for computers, such as �Stay on Main St. for 1.2 miles�, etc. In contrast, human-generated directions tend to be more visually-oriented, such as �Stay on Main St, you'll pass a big Sears on your left, then turn right at the Dunkin Donuts�. Through the use of satellite-based imagery and/or storefront images, a mapping system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the presenting invention can give more visually-oriented (and hence human-centric) directions.
The user can preview the driving route by a simulated drive-through or �fly-through� using the satellite/street-level images, in conjunction with the relevant digital maps. Thus, when the user actually drives to their targeted destination, the visual cues in the directions will remind the user of what to look for, and give that user a greater sense of confidence that he or she is on the right track. Likewise, the user can preview or otherwise receive the driving route by listening to spoken directions (wherein the system employs voice generation techniques that verbalize the human-centric directions). With such an embodiment, when the user travels to their targeted destination, the verbal cues in the directions will remind the user of what to look for, or otherwise guide the user in a similar fashion to visually presented human-centric directions.
The location data serving system 120 is the part of the overall system that delivers location data of various forms to the computing device 103. Its functions include, for example, finding the geographic location of a street address, generating and formatting human-centric driving directions, and searching for location-specific results to a query (e.g., as with the Google Local Search service). Other services may also be provided. In general, when the user enters a search string, it is put into a request by the computing device 103, and sent to the location data serving system 120 via the network 105. The location data serving system 120 then determines what the request is for (e.g., generate driving directions with visual �fly-through� of route, or generate human-centric driving directions in textual or verbal format, or generate some combination of textual directions, verbal directions, and visual �fly-through� of route), and responds with the appropriate data from various sub-systems, such as geo-coders, routing engines, and local search indexes or databases (e.g., including a scored waypoint database), in a format that computing device 103 can use to present the data to the user (e.g., via a browser). Example architecture and functionality of the location data serving system 120 will be discussed in turn with reference to FIGS. 2-4.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the location data serving system 120 operates in both an off-line capacity, as well as in an on-line capacity. In particular, �scored waypoints� are generated by the waypoint identification and scoring module 205 in an off-line process, and stored in the scored waypoint database 210. This off-line process effectively stocks the database 210 with waypoints and their corresponding distinctiveness scores. During on-line operations, requests (e.g., HTTP or other suitable protocol) for driving directions are received by the driving direction generator 215. The request can be initiated, for example, by a user engaging a web browser (or other suitable application) of a computing device 103 to access the system. In response to such a client request, the driving direction generator 215 accesses the scored waypoint database 210 and integrates the relevant scored waypoints into the driving directions generated in response to the request.
In more detail, the satellite image processor 325 is programmed or otherwise configured to recognize navigational features included in the satellite images. Certain navigational features are particularly useful for drivers, because a driver has to attend to such features anyway, including the likes of traffic lights, stop signs, on/off-ramps, traffic circles, city blocks, tunnels, bridges, end-of-divided-highway, and other driver-centric features. These navigational features facilitate human directions such as: �turn right at the third light�, �get off at the second off-ramp�, and �go through 2 traffic circles and then it's on your right.�
The storefront image processor 330 is programmed or otherwise configured to analyze storefront images. In one embodiment, this analysis is carried out at both a coarse level (e.g., width, height, color histograms) and a more refined level (e.g., segmentation into facade, doors, windows, roof, architectural elements such as pillars and balconies; decorative elements such as awnings, signage, neon lights, painted designs). Such analysis can be carried out, for example, using standard image-processing techniques (e.g., computer vision). Standard feature extraction algorithms typically extract high level information from images, such as shapes, colors, etc. Pattern recognition algorithms can then be applied to classify the extracted information so as to �recognize� objects in the storefront images.
All of these identified features can then be evaluated for use as waypoints. For instance, waypoints can be proposed based on observed locally distinctive or otherwise salient features, including any measurable dimension or highly noticeable quality (e.g., unusually wide/narrow/tall/short building, building with purple door, orange or red roof, green neon sign, etc). If a feature is �locally distinctive�, it is unique within some vicinity, such as the only pink building on the block. The features discussed so far are intrinsic to the building, but extrinsic features can also be used (e.g., the building at the corner, the first building after the railroad tracks, etc).
For example, the visual recognition module 345 would discover that McDonalds frequently have the same logo (e.g., the word �McDonalds� in a particular color and font), a glass storefront, Golden Arches, etc. In this sense, the visual recognition module 345 learns a prototype of what the target chain store typically looks like. In addition, the visual recognition module 345 identifies the extent to which each branch of the chain store at a given address matches the prototype. If a McDonalds branch at a given address sufficiently matches the common McDonalds' features found in the prototype, that McDonalds branch is a useful waypoint to use in driving directions, because it will be easily recognized by humans as a McDonalds. The combination of these two features (prototyping and comparison to prototype) improves the system's reliability in finding useful waypoints. Note that a given chain-store branch may actually be a �bad� waypoint if, for instance, it doesn't match the prototype well. For example, a McDonalds in an upscale neighborhood may be required to conform to the prevailing local architecture (e.g., no large Golden Arches allowed), thus reducing its recognizability as a McDonalds. Likewise, a given chain-store branch may actually be a �bad� waypoint if, for instance, that particular branch is not clearly visible from the road (e.g., obscured by foliage or other buildings). The visual recognition module 345 will avoid using such branches of the chain store as waypoints, thereby further refining results from the image processors 325 and 330, and the OCR module 335.
In one particular embodiment, businesses are allowed to bid or otherwise pay to be included as a waypoint. The �cost-per-use� of a waypoint could then be an additional factor that would be taken into account when scoring each waypoint. Furthermore, incorporating one or more of the scored waypoints into requested driving directions could include selecting waypoints related to a destination of the requester. For instance, if the user is asking for driving directions to a national park, then waypoints such as camping equipment stores could be selected for integration into the served driving directions. This choice of waypoints has several benefits: (1) the waypoints might be of interest in their own right; (2) the waypoints are more likely to be familiar to the user and thus better waypoints; and (3) advertisers would be likely to pay more for such targeted waypoint usage.
In one particular embodiment, an �autoplay preview� feature is provided on the client-side. When selected by the user, a request for preview data would be sent to the server-side. The client could initially be given the entire route, which can be represented, for example, as a sequence of latitude/longitude pairs of line segments approximating the path. The client can then use simple linear interpolation to follow the route. For instance, the client could display a map (e.g., satellite map or bitmap map) centered initially at the starting point of the route, with a progress marker (e.g., a car icon), and would continuously scroll the display along the desired route. Movement of the progress marker could be carried out using script code (e.g., JavaScript) executing on the client. The client could pre-fetch map tiles (or other map image/data) in conjunction with moving the progress marker to create an uninterrupted viewing experience.
One example operation employing the architecture and methodology described herein is as follows. The user generates a map query by specifying start and stop locations via a user interface to the mapping system (e.g., desktop mapping system or in-car navigation system). The query is received and processed by the mapping system backend (e.g., location data serving system 120) to identify start and stop locations. An initial route is computed from the start location to the stop location (e.g., driving direction generator 215). For this computed route, cross-streets are identified that intersect each segment of the computed route (e.g., driving direction generator 215). These cross-streets determine the sub-segments. Assume a route segment is a portion of a route between two maneuvers, where a maneuver commonly denotes a turn, but may be anything that requires action or extra attention by the traveler (e.g., such as �merge onto . . . � or �continue on�, or �board the #65 bus�), while a sub-segment denotes the portion of a segment between two cross streets. For each segment, and the associated sub-segments, the route generator (e.g., driving direction generator 215) looks-up known waypoints (e.g., stored in database 210; recall that merchants can have their businesses listed in the database and have their location used as a waypoint for an appropriate advertising fee) that lie along that portion of the route. The route generator then uses these waypoints to generate textual directions that use natural language to communicate the results. In one particular embodiment, the route generator employs a natural language generator (NLG), which is configured to receive a high-level representation of the route segment, and uses common phrases to generate a textual representation that matches what a person might say. The driving directions description can be annotated with appropriate emphasis markers and other annotations that distinguish significant phrases within the generated directions (e.g., �Turn left after you pass the shopping center�). The human-centric, natural language directions produced can be conveyed to the user via a number of ways, such as: by displaying them as part of a web page; by delivering them as spoken instructions over a cell phone, PDA, or other speech-enabled mobile device; and delivered one step at a time (or other suitable delivery scheme respectful of the user's ability to read/listen to the delivered travel directions in real-time) via speech and/or text and/or graphics to an in-car navigation device or GPS-equipped mobile device. Various communication protocols and transmission techniques can be used in delivering the directions, or access to those directions (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, GSM/GPRS, TDMA, CDMA, streaming, SMTP, FTP, NNTP, SNMP, TELNET, HTML, XML, SOAP, etc), depending on the transmission medium or transmission mediums used. Numerous applications will be available in light of this disclosure, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to any one in particular.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4972319Sep 25, 1987Nov 20, 1990Delorme David MComputer implemented methodUS5051928Dec 28, 1987Sep 24, 1991Dubner Computer Systems, Inc.Color correction for video graphics systemUS5559707 *Jan 31, 1995Sep 24, 1996Delorme Publishing CompanyComputer aided routing systemUS5613051Dec 21, 1994Mar 18, 1997Harris Corp.Remote image exploitation display system and methodUS5625668Apr 12, 1994Apr 29, 1997Trimble Navigation LimitedPosition reporting cellular telephoneUS5646751May 25, 1995Jul 8, 1997Xerox CorporationEncoding method for deferred anti-aliasingUS5737533Oct 26, 1995Apr 7, 1998Wegener Internet Projects BvSystem for generating a virtual reality scene in response to a database searchUS5760783Nov 6, 1995Jun 2, 1998Silicon Graphics, Inc.Method and system for providing texture using a selected portion of a texture mapUS5802492Jun 11, 1996Sep 1, 1998Delorme Publishing Company, Inc.Computer aided routing and positioning systemUS5842009Sep 30, 1996Nov 24, 1998Apple Computer, Inc.System for automatically retrieving information relevant to a user's scheduled eventUS5848373Jul 18, 1997Dec 8, 1998Delorme Publishing CompanyComputer aided map location systemUS5910805Jan 11, 1996Jun 8, 1999Oclc Online Computer Library CenterMethod for displaying bitmap derived text at a display having limited pixel-to-pixel spacing resolutionUS5938709Nov 22, 1996Aug 17, 1999Case CorporationPanning display of GPS field mapsUS6002809Jun 23, 1994Dec 14, 1999International Business Machines CorporationDigital image processor for image scalingUS6031963Sep 19, 1997Feb 29, 2000Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaImage information encoding/decoding systemUS6054990Jul 5, 1996Apr 25, 2000Tran; Bao Q.Computer system with handwriting annotationUS6098015 *Dec 11, 1996Aug 1, 2000Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.Navigation system for vehicles and storage mediumUS6100897Dec 17, 1996Aug 8, 2000Art +Com Medientechnologie Und Gestaltung GmbhMethod and device for pictorial representation of space-related dataUS6111583Sep 29, 1997Aug 29, 2000Skyline Software Systems Ltd.Apparatus and method for three-dimensional terrain renderingUS6144338Mar 17, 1998Nov 7, 2000Prc Public Sector. Inc.Predictive drop and load algorithm for an object-based geographical information systemUS6167382Jun 1, 1998Dec 26, 2000F.A.C. Services Group, L.P.Design and production of print advertising and commercial display materials over the InternetUS6182010Jan 28, 1999Jan 30, 2001International Business Machines CorporationMethod and apparatus for displaying real-time visual information on an automobile pervasive computing clientUS6199014Dec 23, 1997Mar 6, 2001Walker Digital, LlcSystem for providing driving directions with visual cuesUS6202026Jul 29, 1998Mar 13, 2001Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.Map display device and a recording mediumUS6208934 *Jan 19, 1999Mar 27, 2001Navigation Technologies Corp.Method and system for providing walking instructions with route guidance in a navigation programUS6247019Mar 17, 1998Jun 12, 2001Prc Public Sector, Inc.Object-based geographic information system (GIS)US6252608Oct 22, 1998Jun 26, 2001Microsoft CorporationMethod and system for improving shadowing in a graphics rendering systemUS6262741Mar 17, 1998Jul 17, 2001Prc Public Sector, Inc.Tiling of object-based geographic information system (GIS)US6266614 *Apr 20, 1998Jul 24, 2001Wendell AlumbaughTravel guideUS6278938 *May 17, 2000Aug 21, 2001Wendell AlumbaughMethod of processing waypoint data for travel guide deviceUS6307573Jul 22, 1999Oct 23, 2001Barbara L. BarrosGraphic-information flow method and system for visually analyzing patterns and relationshipsUS6321158 *Aug 31, 1998Nov 20, 2001Delorme Publishing CompanyIntegrated routing/mapping informationUS6346938Apr 27, 1999Feb 12, 2002Harris CorporationComputer-resident mechanism for manipulating, navigating through and mensurating displayed image of three-dimensional geometric modelUS6388684Jun 25, 1993May 14, 2002Hitachi, Ltd.Method and apparatus for displaying a target region and an enlarged imageUS6421053May 24, 1999Jul 16, 2002International Business Machines CorporationBlock rendering method for a graphics subsystemUS6430553Mar 22, 2000Aug 6, 2002Exactone.Com, Inc.Method and apparatus for parsing dataUS6473691Nov 4, 2000Oct 29, 2002Robert Bosch GmbhMethod for operating a navigation systemUS6496189Feb 26, 1999Dec 17, 2002Skyline Software Systems Ltd.Remote landscape display and pilot trainingUS6523061Jun 30, 2000Feb 18, 2003Sri International, Inc.System, method, and article of manufacture for agent-based navigation in a speech-based data navigation systemUS6532418Jul 2, 2001Mar 11, 2003Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.Vehicle navigation network, apparatus and method for use in a mobile telecommunication systemUS6538656Aug 18, 2000Mar 25, 2003Broadcom CorporationVideo and graphics system with a data transport processorUS6573905Aug 18, 2000Jun 3, 2003Broadcom CorporationVideo and graphics system with parallel processing of graphics windowsUS6584401Nov 27, 2001Jun 24, 2003Hewlett-Packard Development Company, Lp.Automatic gathering and analysis of data on commute pathsUS6622084Feb 1, 2002Sep 16, 2003Compudigm International LimitedTravel route planner system and methodUS6718258Jun 8, 2000Apr 6, 2004Navigation Technologies CorpMethod and system for obtaining user feedback regarding geographic dataUS6724382Jan 23, 2001Apr 20, 2004Wildtangent, Inc.Method and apparatus for distributing and displaying maps electronicallyUS6741926Dec 6, 2001May 25, 2004Bellsouth Intellectual Property CorporationMethod and system for reporting automotive traffic conditions in response to user-specific requestsUS6766320Aug 24, 2000Jul 20, 2004Microsoft CorporationSearch engine with natural language-based robust parsing for user query and relevance feedback learningUS6826472 *Nov 16, 2000Nov 30, 2004Tele Atlas North America, Inc.Method and apparatus to generate driving guidesUS6853905Jan 30, 2004Feb 8, 2005Navteq North America, LlcMethod and system for obtaining user feedback regarding geographic dataUS6944533Apr 30, 2003Sep 13, 2005Navteq North America, LlcMethod of operation of a navigation system to reduce expenses on future trips and to provide other functionsUS7050068Dec 2, 2003May 23, 2006Nvidia CorporationGeneration of jittered sub-pixel samples using programmable sub-pixel offsetsUS7054741Feb 11, 2003May 30, 2006Landnet CorporationLand software toolUS7054745Sep 3, 2003May 30, 2006Microsoft CorporationMethod and system for generating driving directionsUS7081902Sep 24, 2003Jul 25, 2006Nvidia CorporationApparatus, system, and method for gamma correction of smoothed primitivesUS7136915Dec 26, 2001Nov 14, 2006Rieger Iii Charles JSystem for communicating through mapsUS7210119Mar 1, 2001Apr 24, 2007@Road, Ltd.Handling unscheduled tasks in a scheduling processUS7222306May 2, 2002May 22, 2007Bitstream Inc.Methods, systems, and programming for computer display of images, text, and/or digital contentUS7260474 *Feb 8, 2005Aug 21, 2007Cellco PartnershipGIS point-to-point routing for directionsUS7353034Apr 4, 2005Apr 1, 2008X One, Inc.Location sharing and tracking using mobile phones or other wireless devicesUS7373244Apr 19, 2005May 13, 2008Keith KreftInformation mapping approachesUS7451041May 8, 2006Nov 11, 2008Facet Technology CorporationNetwork-based navigation system having virtual drive-thru advertisements integrated with actual imagery from along a physical routeUS7542882Dec 6, 2004Jun 2, 2009Microsoft CorporationSystem and method for abstracting and visualizing a route mapUS7565240Nov 28, 2005Jul 21, 2009Kabushiki Kaisha KenwoodNavigation device, method, and programUS7580045Feb 8, 2008Aug 25, 2009Landnet CorporationLand software toolUS7610219Feb 16, 2005Oct 27, 2009Omar Farooq SayedSystem and methods for assembly of a web site for an online store by a sellerUS7617296Apr 22, 2005Nov 10, 2009Realnetworks, Inc.Data compilation system and methodUS20010034661Feb 14, 2001Oct 25, 2001Virtuacities, Inc.Methods and systems for presenting a virtual representation of a real cityUS20010044837Mar 30, 2001Nov 22, 2001Iqbal TalibMethods and systems for searching an information directoryUS20020002478Dec 14, 2000Jan 3, 2002Garret SwartMethods for managing yields of engaged services created from reservable services available in a database-driven transaction systemUS20020067353Jan 23, 2001Jun 6, 2002Kenyon Jeremy A.Method and apparatus for distributing and displaying maps electronicallyUS20020067374Dec 4, 2000Jun 6, 2002Kenyon Jeremy A.Method and apparatus for distributing and displaying maps electronicallyUS20020067379Jan 23, 2001Jun 6, 2002Kenyon Jeremy A.Method and apparatus for distributing and displaying maps electronicallyUS20020095328Dec 14, 2000Jul 18, 2002Garret SwartMethod and apparatus for profiling clients of a database-driven transaction system and marketing according to profile dataUS20020099613Dec 14, 2000Jul 25, 2002Garret SwartMethod for forming and expressing reservables and engagements in a database for a transaction serviceUS20020159657 *Apr 27, 2001Oct 31, 2002Delorme Publishing CompanyFolding holder for maps and related travel information printoutsUS20020163654Mar 23, 2001Nov 7, 2002Oak Technology, Inc.System and method of simulated increase in image resolutionUS20030038845Jul 23, 2002Feb 27, 2003Pioneer CorporationSystem and method of displaying map imageUS20030041087Mar 1, 2001Feb 27, 2003Dionisios PothosHandling unscheduled tasks in a scheduling processUS20030050065Mar 1, 2001Mar 13, 2003Alletson Ian SContingency planning in a scheduling processUS20030061211Nov 1, 2002Mar 27, 2003Shultz Troy L.GIS based search engineUS20030078897Sep 27, 2002Apr 24, 2003Florance Andrew C.System and method for collection, distribution, and use of information in connection with commercial real estateUS20030095135May 2, 2002May 22, 2003Kaasila Sampo J.Methods, systems, and programming for computer display of images, text, and/or digital contentUS20030182052Oct 30, 2001Sep 25, 2003Delorme David M.Integrated routing/mapping information systemUS20030220734Feb 11, 2003Nov 27, 2003Harrison Craig D.Land software toolUS20040039520Aug 28, 2003Feb 26, 2004Asta KhavakhMethod and system for route calculation in a navigation applicationUS20040075660Oct 17, 2002Apr 22, 2004Ming-Hao LiaoApparatus and method for line drawingUS20040100460May 31, 2002May 27, 2004Kunihiro YamadaInformation display systemUS20040128215Sep 9, 2003Jul 1, 2004Florance Andrew C.System and method for accessing geographic-based dataUS20040145599Nov 18, 2003Jul 29, 2004Hiroki TaokaDisplay apparatus, method and programUS20040153434May 8, 2001Aug 5, 2004Cogen Jeffrey MorrisMethod and apparatus for documenting use of a trademark or service markUS20050065856Mar 11, 2004Mar 24, 2005Timothy RobertsSelf-service catalog manager for stores implemented on a communications networkUS20050122294Feb 2, 2005Jun 9, 2005Ilan Ben-DavidColor display devices and methods with enhanced attributesUS20050131634 *Dec 15, 2004Jun 16, 2005Gary IgnatinEstimation of roadway travel information based on historical travel dataUS20050171686 *Jan 30, 2004Aug 4, 2005Davis Scott B.Method and apparatus for obtaining and providing information related to a point-of-interestUS20050216287Mar 29, 2004Sep 29, 2005Crosby Michael WMethod for integrating an entrepreneur's web site and a store front web siteUS20050216448Sep 22, 2004Sep 29, 2005Iqbal TalibMethods and systems for searching an information directoryUS20050246487May 3, 2004Nov 3, 2005Microsoft CorporationNon-volatile memory cache performance improvementUS20050246627Feb 16, 2005Nov 3, 2005Sayed Omar FSystem and method for creating and maintaining a web siteUS20050270299Mar 23, 2005Dec 8, 2005Rasmussen Jens EGenerating and serving tiles in a digital mapping systemUS20050270311Feb 5, 2005Dec 8, 2005Rasmussen Jens EDigital mapping systemUS20050286493Jun 25, 2004Dec 29, 2005Anders AngelhagMobile terminals, methods, and program products that generate communication information based on characters recognized in image dataUS20060017562Jul 20, 2005Jan 26, 2006Bachelder Aaron DDistributed, roadside-based real-time ID recognition system and methodUS20060041375Aug 19, 2004Feb 23, 2006Geographic Data Technology, Inc.Automated georeferencing of digitized map imagesUS20060075442Aug 31, 2005Apr 6, 2006Real Data Center, Inc.Apparatus and method for producing video drive-by data corresponding to a geographic locationUS20060089792Oct 25, 2004Apr 27, 2006Udi ManberSystem and method for displaying location-specific images on a mobile deviceUS20060123053Dec 1, 2005Jun 8, 2006Insignio Technologies, Inc.Personalized content processing and delivery system and mediaUS20060173841 *Dec 30, 2005Aug 3, 2006Bill David SDetermining a route to destination based on partially completed routeUS20060200383Aug 19, 2005Sep 7, 2006Arutunian Ethan BEnhanced maps, such as for lead generationUS20060206363Mar 13, 2006Sep 14, 2006Gove Jeremy JGroup travel planning, optimization, synchronization and coordination software tool and processes for travel arrangements for transportation and lodging for multiple people from multiple geographic locations, domestic and global, to a single destination or series of destinationsUS20060241859Oct 7, 2005Oct 26, 2006Microsoft CorporationVirtual earth real-time advertisingUS20070010942 *Apr 28, 2006Jan 11, 2007Bill David SDetermining a route to a destination based on partially completed routeUS20070106468 *Nov 7, 2005May 10, 2007France TelecomProduct, service and activity based interactive trip mapping system, method, and computer program productUS20070203643 *Feb 27, 2006Aug 30, 2007Xanavi Informatics CorporationVehicle navigation system and method for displaying waypoint informationUS20070239348 *Apr 5, 2006Oct 11, 2007Microsoft CorporationWaypoint adjustment and advertisement for flexible routing* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1"Paid Search" Webopedia, 2010, 1 page, can be retrieved online at .2"Paid Search" Webopedia, 2010, 1 page, can be retrieved online at <URL:www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/paid�search.html>.3Brenner, C., et al., "Extracting Landmarks For Car Navigation Systems Using Existing GIS Databases And Laser Scanning," ISPRS Archives, Sep. 2003, 6 pages, vol. XXXIV, Part 3/W8.4Burnett, G.E., ""Turn right at the King's Head" Drivers' requirements for route guidance information," A Doctoral Thesis of Loughborough University, Nov. 1998, [online] [retrieved on Feb. 22, 2010], Retrieved from the internet .5Burnett, G.E., "Turn right at the traffic lights" The requirement for landmarks in vehicle navigation systems, The Journal of Navigation, 2000, p. 499-5010, vol. 53 No. 3.6Burnett, G.E., ""Turn right at the King's Head" Drivers' requirements for route guidance information," A Doctoral Thesis of Loughborough University, Nov. 1998, [online] [retrieved on Feb. 22, 2010], Retrieved from the internet <URL: http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/14225>.7Canadian Office Action, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,560,386, Oct. 29, 2007, 3 pages.8Canadian Office Action, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,560,558, Aug. 7, 2009, 3 pages.9Canadian Office Action, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,560,560, Feb. 5, 2008, 3 pages.10Canadian Office Action, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,560,560, Mar. 18, 2009, 2 pages.11Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, for European Patent Application No. EP05729642.8, Oct. 8, 2010, 6 Pages.12Cosman, M., "Global Terrain Texture: Lowering the Cost," Proceedings of the 1994 Image VII Conference, Tempe, Arizona: The Image Society, pp. 53-64.13Crawford, C., et al., Fast 3D Visualization of Large Image Datasets in a GIS, Earth Observation Magazine, vol. 12, No. 9, Dec. 2003, USA, pp. 1-5.14Davis, J.R., "The Back Seat Driver: Real Time Spoken Driving Instructions," IEEE, 1989, pp. 146-150.15Dragan, R. V., MSN Virtual Earth 1.0, MSN Virtual Earth 1.0 review by PC Magazine, Jul. 26, 2005, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet , pp. 1-2.16Dragan, R. V., MSN Virtual Earth 1.0, MSN Virtual Earth 1.0 review by PC Magazine, Jul. 26, 2005, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1840750,00.asp>, pp. 1-2.17ESRI Video Clips-Demos-What is GIS?, ESRI GIS and Mapping Software, Mar. 31, 2006, [online] [Retrieved on Mar. 31, 2006] Retrieved from the InternetURL:http://gis2.esri.com/esriclips/clip.cfm?ClipID=60.18ESRI Video Clips�Demos�What is GIS?, ESRI GIS and Mapping Software, Mar. 31, 2006, [online] [Retrieved on Mar. 31, 2006] Retrieved from the InternetURL:http://gis2.esri.com/esriclips/clip.cfm?ClipID=60.19First Office Action of China State Intellectual Property Office, Chinese Patent Application No. 200580013512.0, May 8, 2009, 10 pages.20First Office Action of China State Intellectual Property Office, Chinese Patent Application No. 200580013912.1, Aug. 28, 2009, 16 pages.21Gleicher, M. et al., "Through-the-Lens Camera Control," Proceedings SIGGRAPH '92, Computer Graphics, Jul. 1992, pp. 331-340, vol. 26, No. 2.22Ho, T. K., et al., "Word Recognition with Multi-Level Contextual Knowledge," Center for Document Analysis and Recognition, State University of New York at Buffalo, pp. 1-11, Buffalo, New York.23Indian Office Action, Indian Patent Application No. 1237/MUMNP/2006, Nov. 13, 2007, 2 pages.24Indian Office Action, Indian Patent Application No. 1247/MUMNP/2006, Nov. 8, 2007, 2 pages.25Leclerc et al., "TerraVision: A Terrain Visualization System," SRI International, Menlo Park, California, Tech. Note No. 540, Apr. 22, 1994.26Maneesh Agrawala and Chris Stolte, "A Design and Implementation for Effective Computer-Generated Route Maps", Article, Mar. 2000, Computer Science Department, Stanford University.27MapQuest.Com Maps, Directions and More, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet .28MapQuest.Com Maps, Directions and More, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://www.mapquest.com>.29Montalbano, E., Microsoft Takes on Google with Virtual Earth, IDG News Service, Jul. 25, 2005, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet .30Montalbano, E., Microsoft Takes on Google with Virtual Earth, IDG News Service, Jul. 25, 2005, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/07/25/HNmsvirtualearth�1.html>.31MSN Maps & Directions, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://maps.msn.com/(ogxuearj4ya5au55fogcdzbt)/Home.aspx.32MSN Virtual Earth to Take on Google Earth, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet , pp. 1-4.33MSN Virtual Earth to Take on Google Earth, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/050523-125208>, pp. 1-4.34MSN Virtual Earth-Microsoft Internet Explorer, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet URL:http://virtualearth.msn.com, pp. 1-3.35MSN Virtual Earth�Microsoft Internet Explorer, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet URL:http://virtualearth.msn.com, pp. 1-3.36MultiMap.com-Online Maps Everywhere, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet .37MultiMap.com�Online Maps Everywhere, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://multimaps.com>.38NASA World Wind, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet , pp. 1-2.39NASA World Wind, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/>, pp. 1-2.40PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/US05/09538, Sep. 20, 2007, 7 pages.41PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/US06/26745, Nov. 21, 2007, 7 pages.42Rabinovich, B., et al., "Visualization of Large Terrains in Resource-Limited Computing Environments," Proceedings of the 8th IEEE Visualization '97 Conference, Oct. 19-24, 1997, pp. 95-102, Phoenix, Arizona.43Second Office Action of China State Intellectual Property Office, Chinese Patent Application No. 200580013512.0, Oct. 23, 2009, 8 Pages.44Supplementary European Search Report for European Patent Application No. EP05713028, Sep. 6, 2010, 3 Pages.45Supplementary European Search Report, European Patent Application No. 05726046, Nov. 6, 2008, 3 pages.46Supplementary European Search Report, European Patent Application No. EP 05729642, May 12, 2010, 5 Pages.47TerraServer-USA, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet .48TerraServer-USA, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/>.49United States Office Action, U.S. Appl. No. 11/088,542, Dec. 3, 2008, 5 pages.50United States Office Action, U.S. Appl. No. 11/323,603, Jul. 29, 2009, 5 pages.51whereis.com-Search Australian Maps, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005 ]. Retrieved from the Internet .52whereis.com�Search Australian Maps, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005 ]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://www.whereis.com/whereis/home.jsp>.53Yahoo! Maps, Driving Directions, and Traffic, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet .54Yahoo! Maps, Driving Directions, and Traffic, [online], [retrieved on Aug. 1, 2005]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://maps.yahoo.com>.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8180851Sep 26, 2011May 15, 2012Google Inc.Management of pre-fetched mapping data incorporating user-specified locationsUS8204966Sep 26, 2011Jun 19, 2012Google Inc.Map tile data pre-fetching based on user activity analysisUS8280414Sep 26, 2011Oct 2, 2012Google Inc.Map tile data pre-fetching based on mobile device generated event analysisUS8549105Jun 19, 2012Oct 1, 2013Google Inc.Map tile data pre-fetching based on user activity analysisUS8594926 *Dec 13, 2007Nov 26, 2013Thinkware Systems CorporationMethod for guiding crossroad using point of interest and navigation systemUS8683008Aug 4, 2011Mar 25, 2014Google Inc.Management of pre-fetched mapping data incorporating user-specified locationsUS8694246May 15, 2012Apr 8, 2014Qualcomm IncorporatedMethods and systems for displaying enhanced turn-by-turn guidance on a personal navigation deviceUS8711181Nov 16, 2011Apr 29, 2014Google Inc.Pre-fetching map data using variable map tile radiusUS8803920Jul 11, 2012Aug 12, 2014Google Inc.Pre-fetching map tile data along a routeUS8805959Feb 14, 2013Aug 12, 2014Google Inc.Map tile data pre-fetching based on user activity analysisUS8812031Aug 30, 2012Aug 19, 2014Google Inc.Map tile data pre-fetching based on mobile device generated event analysisUS8849942Aug 21, 2012Sep 30, 2014Google Inc.Application programming interface for prefetching map dataUS8886715Nov 16, 2011Nov 11, 2014Google Inc.Dynamically determining a tile budget when pre-fetching data in a client deviceUS20100174481 *Dec 13, 2007Jul 8, 2010Thinkware Systems CorporationMethod for guiding crossroad using point of interest and navigation system* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification701/426, 340/990, 340/995.24, 340/988, 340/995.1, 340/995.19, 342/352, 342/357.52, 342/357.25International ClassificationG01C21/32, G01C21/30, G01C21/34Cooperative ClassificationG01C21/3644, G01C21/3647, G01C21/3602European ClassificationG01C21/36G6, G01C21/36C, G01C21/36G5Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 6, 2014FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Aug 22, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: GOOGLE INC., CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHAPIN, CHARLES;COVELL, MICHELE;RAMAN, TIRUVILWAMALAI VENKATRAMAN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018154/0447;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060817 TO 20060822Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHAPIN, CHARLES;COVELL, MICHELE;RAMAN, TIRUVILWAMALAI VENKATRAMAN;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060817 TO 20060822;REEL/FRAME:018154/0447RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services