Navteq B.v.

Here Global B.v.

Navteq North America, LLC

Joseph P Mays

William N Gale

Matei Stroila

Peter A Seegers

Frank J Kozak

Craig Barnes

Jeffrey R Bach

Desiree Sauter

Robert P Fernekes

Suzanne M McGrath

Paul Ford

Craig R Barnes

Matei N Stroila

Disclosed herein are methods of providing location-based information with respect to a topological map. A method may include (a) receiving a query for location-related information, (b) optionally generating data representing the topological map, (c) accessing the location-related information in a map-to-scale, (d) optionally determining an association between one or more points (or links) in the map-to-scale and one or more corresponding points (or links) in a topological map, (e) identifying one or more points (or links) in the map-to-scale that relate to the location-related information and that correspond to one or more points (or links) in the topological map, (f) optionally determining a relative position of the location-related information with respect to the identified one or more map-to-scale points (or links), and (g) displaying the location-related information with respect to the corresponding one or more points (or links) in the topological map.

Navigable topological maps

In one embodiment, dynamic natural guidance is generated for a route between an origin and a destination. A controller receives data indicative of a location of the mobile device and data indicative of at least one movable object detected in a vicinity of the mobile device. The data indicative of at least one movable object may be collected by a camera and analyzed. The analysis may include one or more of image processing techniques, temporal measurement, and tracking of movable objects. The controller generates a guidance command based on the location of the mobile device. The guidance command references the at least one movable object detected in the vicinity of the mobile device.

Dynamic natural guidance

Methods and systems for generating a navigation interface on a mobile device are described herein. A mobile device may identify its current location which may comprise a current path on which the mobile device is located. The mobile device may identify a plurality of upcoming paths and/or points of interest within a predetermined distance of the current location and generate one of various types of display.

User interface for displaying navigation information in a small display

A method comprising causing display of a map information representation that represents map information, the map information comprising physical object information that characterizes a physical object, the map information representation comprising a physical object representation that represents the physical object, receiving information indicative of an annotation, generating an association between the physical object information and the annotation, identifying a portion of the physical object representation that is a face representation of the physical object based, at least in part, on the association between the physical object information and the annotation, generating an annotation representation that illustrates the annotation as a texture on a polygon, the polygon corresponding with the face representation, and causing display of the annotation representation in relation to the face representation is disclosed.

Display of an annotation representation

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for developing an improved route from a navigation mesh. A route is provided, wherein the route includes a plurality of connected nodes having a starting node, an ending node, and internal nodes. Each internal node of the plurality of connected nodes is scored by an algorithm, wherein the score provided for each internal node based on an importance of the respective internal node to the overall shape of the route. The internal node with a score having a least importance on the shape of the route is removed, so long a valid path between the starting node and the ending node is maintained. The process may be repeated until a threshold simplification of the route has been achieved or until no further internal nodes can be removed without creating an invalid path.

Generating routes using navigation meshes

Systems, devices, features, and methods for navigating on images are disclosed. For example, one method includes identifying a point selected on an initial image. An image component, such as a pixel, of the initial image corresponding to the identified point is determined. The image component of the initial image represents an origin. A route from the origin to a destination is generated, and the destination corresponds to another image component, such as another pixel.

Navigating on images

One or more systems, devices, and/or methods for organizing spatial data are disclosed. For example, a method includes receiving a location data point from a navigation device. A controller compares the distance from each of a plurality of data points to the location data point. In constructing a depthmap that associates each of the data points with the distance from the location data point, the controller assign data points within a minimum distance from the location data point into a first cell and data points greater than the minimum distance from the location data point into a second cell. The second cell is larger than the first cell and corresponds to a larger geographic area than the first cell. The depthmap may be configured to position points of interest in a panoramic or street level view image.

Variable density depthmap

Open area maps as well as related features, systems, and methods are disclosed. For example, one method comprises translating coordinates associated with an open area map into real-world coordinates. The open area map is positioned within a geographic map as a function of the real-world coordinates. The geographic map represents a real-world area around the open area map. The open area map includes an image of a layout representing a pedestrian walkable area, and the open area map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.

Positioning open area maps

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.

Method and system for representing pedestrian crosswalks in a geographic database used by a navigation system

A navigation system utilizes building directories to aid navigation. A mobile device, such as a mobile phone, captures an image of a building directory. The building directory includes information regarding the names and/or locations of tenants. An image recognition algorithm is performed on the captured image to extract information from the building directory. The extracted information is used to access a map database. The mobile device may display directions or a map to guide the user to a selected destination. In addition, the captured image may be used to build the map database or update the map database. Finally, the captured image may be matched with stored images of the building directory to determine the current location of the mobile device.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Joseph P Mays