Navteq North America, LLC

Navigation Technologies Corporation

Navteq B.v.

Ildiko Hegedus

Lawrence M Kaplan

William N Gale

Matthias Thorner

George Lasser

Miklos Robert Hegedus

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.

Method and system for forming a keyword database for referencing physical locations

A method and system for collecting traffic data are disclosed. From a satellite or aircraft located at an altitude above a geographic area, a thermal image of the geographic area is obtained. Using a geographic database, the thermal image is matched to the positions of roads in the geographic area. The thermal image is used to determine traffic parameters, such as densities and speed, at specific locations along the roads.

Method and system for collecting traffic information using thermal sensing

An improved system and method 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 navigable 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 online system is provided that users can access to associate keywords with physical locations. A user accessing the online 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. Keywords can be related to each other in order to facilitate navigation applications that involve routing through multiple locations.

Navigation applications using related location-referenced keywords

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Des Plaines, IL, United States of America

Ildiko Hegedus