US6526348B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for compact representation of routes
Assignee: Here Global BV
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Filing: 2000-08-25
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Granted: 2003-02-25
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Expires: 2020-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A method for representing a route along a road network in a geographic region is disclosed. A database includes data representations of intersections of roads in the geographic region. Associated with the data representation for each intersection of roads are data indicating one or more nominal paths through the intersection. The nominal paths through an intersection identify, for each road segment by which the represented intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the represented intersection is exited. The route is represented by indicating each intersection at which the route deviates from the nominal path into the intersection.
Inventors
- 👤 William McDonough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of representing a route comprising: using a database that defines nominal paths through intersections located in a geographic region, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited; and representing the route in the geographic region by identifying each intersection at which the route deviates from a nominal path through said intersection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of representing a route comprising: using a database that defines nominal paths through intersections located in a geographic region, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited; and representing the route in the geographic region by identifying each intersection at which the route deviates from a nominal path through said intersection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of representing also comprises: identifying a location associated with an end of the route.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of representing also comprises: identifying a location associated with a beginning of the route.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of representing also comprises: identifying a new exit at each intersection at which the route deviates from a nominal path through said intersection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A database that represents geographic features located in a region, the database comprising: data representations of intersections of roads located in the region; and for each data representation of an intersection, data that represent nominal paths through the intersection, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A database that represents geographic features located in a region, the database comprising: data representations of intersections of roads located in the region; and for each data representation of an intersection, data that represent nominal paths through the intersection, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 5 further comprising: for each data representation of an intersection, data that indicate the geographic coordinates of the intersection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the exit road segment associated with an entrance road segment is that road segment onto which a motorist is most likely to travel from the entrance road segment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of operation for a navigation system comprising: calculating a route to a destination; representing the route by identifying each intersection along the route at which the route deviates from a nominal path through the intersection, wherein nominal paths though intersections are defined in a geographic database, and wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited; and providing a representation of the route formed by the representing step to an application that uses the representation to provide a navigation-related function.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of operation for a navigation system comprising: calculating a route to a destination; representing the route by identifying each intersection along the route at which the route deviates from a nominal path through the intersection, wherein nominal paths though intersections are defined in a geographic database, and wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited; and providing a representation of the route formed by the representing step to an application that uses the representation to provide a navigation-related function.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the navigation-related function is guidance for following the route.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the navigation-related function is a map display with the route highlighted thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the navigation system maintains only a portion of the representation of the route in memory while using the representation to provide the navigation-related function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: sending the representation from a server to a vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said steps of calculating and providing are performed in a vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of representing further comprises: identifying an exit path at each intersection at which the route deviates from a nominal path through said intersection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A navigation system comprising: a first navigation application that forms a representation of a route by identifying each location at which the route deviates from nominal paths defined through intersections of roads located in a geographic region, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited; and a second navigation application that uses the representation of the route formed by the first navigation application to provide a navigation-related function to a user of the navigation system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
A navigation system comprising: a first navigation application that forms a representation of a route by identifying each location at which the route deviates from nominal paths defined through intersections of roads located in a geographic region, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited; and a second navigation application that uses the representation of the route formed by the first navigation application to provide a navigation-related function to a user of the navigation system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the first navigation application calculates the route to a destination.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the navigation-related function comprises route guidance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the navigation-related function comprises map display.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the navigation-related function is a map display with the route highlighted thereon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein said first navigation application and said second navigation application are both located in a vehicle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein said first navigation application is located on a remotely located server and said second navigation application is located in a vehicle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 15 further comprising a wireless communications system by which said representation of the route is transmitted from said first navigation application to said second navigation application.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the first navigation application also identifies a new path at each an intersection at which the route deviates from the nominal path therethrough.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of forming a geographic database comprising: storing data representations of intersections of roads located in a geographic region; and for each data representation of an intersection, associating therewith data that indicate nominal paths through the intersection, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of forming a geographic database comprising: storing data representations of intersections of roads located in a geographic region; and for each data representation of an intersection, associating therewith data that indicate nominal paths through the intersection, wherein a nominal path defines, for each road segment by which an intersection can be entered, one and only one road segment from which the intersection is exited.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the road segment from which the intersection can be exited on a nominal path is that road segment onto which a motorist is most likely to travel from the associated road segment via which the intersection can be entered.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising: for each data representation of an intersection, associating therewith data that indicates the geographic coordinates of the intersection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-24 | 2006-08-26 | 2007-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | 2011-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-24 | 2014-08-26 | 2015-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |