191 results about "Geographic maps" patented technology

The invention provides systems and methods for advanced features for online mapping, searching, and planning driving tours. A multiple listing service (MLS) system may include a map search feature. A user interface for a real property listing may include a geographic map, which may enable a user to define a destination search area. The destination search area may be displayed on the geographic map. The MLS system may enable a user to conduct a search utilizing spatial and / or non-spatial filters. A search entry interface may be provided on a user interface in conjunction with the geographic map. The geographic map and map search features may also be able to include additional geographic information.

A system, method, and various software tools enable a video hosting website to graphically display statistics of data associated with videos posted on a video hosting website. Data associated with videos is collected, analyzed and stored. A graphical representation of the data and corresponding geographic map are generated based on the collected data. The graphical representation shows the data along a timeline. The corresponding geographical map shows the data by geographic market. The graphical representation and geographical map are associated such that a modification to the graphical representation modifies the geographical map accordingly and a modification to the geographical map modifies the graphical representation accordingly.

A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The present disclosure further provides for a system and method for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.

A joint search method for UAV multiobjective path planning in an urban low altitude environment first constructs a static safety index map based on static known obstacles. Meanwhile, based on proactively detected obstacles that are not marked on a geographic map by a UAV, the method constructs online a dynamic safety index map. Second, a multiobjective path planning problem is solved using a joint offline and online search method. Moreover, this method first plans offline the least cost path from a starting point to an end point and then invokes the online search scheme to replan online a changed path when the UAV detects unknown obstacles. Thus, the UAV can avoid dynamic obstacles effectively. The online search scheme has a small search space and can quickly replan a safe path for the UAV, thus satisfying the requirement of UAV on the real-time path planning.

A method of monitoring the movement of fluid through a fluid distribution network is described. The introduction of an additive to fluid is controlled at a control point in a fluid distribution network, and a concentration pulse in a concentration of the additive in the fluid is generated. Amounts of the additive are measured as a function of time using a plurality of sensor units located at identified locations in the fluid distribution network over a geographic area, wherein the sensor units communicate with one or more communication networks. Measurement data corresponding to measured amounts of the additive is received from the sensor units with a computer system, and the measurement data is processed with the computer system to generate information indicative of movement of fluid in the fluid distribution network. The information can be displayed on a geographic map of the fluid distribution networ

An apparatus for map zooming includes instructions stored in a memory that when executed by a processor render a zoom bar. The zoom bar includes a plurality of map scale hash marks arranged along an axis of the zoom bar and indicative of a map scale range of a geographic map. The plurality of map scale hash marks include a first map scale hash mark representative of a first map scale, a second map scale hash mark offset along the zoom bar axis from the first map scale hash mark and representative of a second map scale, and a map transformation hash mark located between the first and second map scale hash marks and representative of a transformation of the geographic map from a first map data set defined with reference to the first map scale to a second map data set defined with reference to the second map scale. The zoom bar further includes a map zoom bar indicator located relative to the first and second map scale hash marks and corresponding to a current map display scale and a zoom level of the geographic map.

Methods and systems for electronically tracking the progress of teams as they cover an assigned geographic area are described herein. A server computer establishes a coverage area, divides the coverage area into a plurality of regions, and assigns each region to a team. Each team carries a tracking device capable of autonomously determining its present location without user assistance, thus allowing the team to focus on the assigned task, such as searching for a missing person, plowing a field, paving a road, etc. The server monitors the location of each tracking device as each team covers its assigned region, and updates on a visually displayed geographic map a historical path associated with each tracking device based on the monitored location of each tracking device. In this manner, users can quickly view the visual depiction of the historical to determine as yet uncovered areas.

A system for providing a topology map generation service from a service information portal is improved by utilizing an object-oriented class, a mapview module, configured for generating topology maps. The mapview module may be implemented in an object-oriented language such as Smalltalk, C++, JAVA or the like. The mapview module may be configured to provide member functions that include at least associating an output file stream; adding icon symbols and connections symbols between the icon symbols; generating a background graphic (e.g., a building, a geographic map, etc.,); and generating a topology map (or image) by calling a command on an object; and utilizing hypertext transfer protocol ("HTTP") to transfer images across a network. In effect, the mapview module hides all the low-level graphic details for generating a topology view / map / image from a user. Thus, the generation of the topology maps may become easier. Additionally, since the mapview module is an object-oriented class, the mapview module may be used on a variety of computing platforms and support multiple graphic formats such as graphics interchange format ("GIF"), portable network graphics ("PNG") and the like.

A digital geographic map affords a user the ability to selectively and simultaneously zoom in on multiple areas of the map. These zoomed areas are displayed as zoom windows, which are overlaid over the initial map.

A method for generating geographic maps for large-range complex urban environment includes extracting two-dimensional roads and two-dimensional building contour information, generating a two-dimensional geographic map; a monocular PTZ camera, under the guidance of the two-dimensional geographic map, conducting video acquisition and obtaining video images; extracting key frames from the video images, extracting line segment characteristics of matching adjacent key frames to obtain line segment correspondence, positioning and establishing an environment three-dimensional geographic model based on a mobile robot of matching line characteristics; matching a three dimensional geographic model and the two-dimensional geographic map, determining the corresponding relation between the two, and generating an enhanced city geographic map; and optimizing the enhanced city geographic map based on bundle adjustment algorithm with geometrical constraints. Compared with the prior art, the method is wide in application scope, high in robustness and precision, small in storage space needed, and low in cost.

Methods and systems for electronically tracking the progress of teams as they cover an assigned geographic area are described herein. A server computer establishes a coverage area, divides the coverage area into a plurality of regions, and assigns each region to a team. Each team carries a tracking device capable of autonomously determining its present location without user assistance, thus allowing the team to focus on the assigned task, such as searching for a missing person, plowing a field, paving a road, etc. The server monitors the location of each tracking device as each team covers its assigned region, and updates on a visually displayed geographic map a historical path associated with each tracking device based on the monitored location of each tracking device. In this manner, users can quickly view the visual depiction of the historical to determine as yet uncovered areas.

Sonar rendering systems and methods are described herein. One example is an apparatus that includes a transducer element, position sensing circuitry, processing circuitry, and a display device. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive raw sonar data and positioning data, convert the raw sonar data into range cell data based at least on amplitudes of the return echoes, make a location-based association between the raw sonar data and the positioning data, plot the range cell data based on respective positions derived from the positioning data and rotate the range cell data based on a direction of movement of the watercraft to generate adjusted range cell data. The processing circuitry may be further configured to convert the adjusted range cell data into sonar image data, and cause the display device to render the sonar image data with a presentation of a geographic map.

Provided is a mobile robot indoor route planning method based on an array map. A map expression method involves a geographic map, a point cloud map, a topological map, a grid map and the like. The grid map divides the environment into a series of grids, wherein a probable value is given to each grid to express the occupation probability of the grid. On the basis of the concept of the grid map, the special situation of the grid map is used, an appropriate change is made in the map establishing process, and the concept of the array map is put forward. On the basis of the array map, route planning is conducted through an A* algorithm; meanwhile, in the robot moving process, real-time data is obtained according to a carried laser sensor, and the array map is dynamically upgraded.

A method and apparatus for providing location-based information to a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device receives its geographic position information and provides its geographic position information to a web server while accessing a web service provided by the web server. Based on the geographic position information received from the wireless communication device, the web server provides geographic coordinates of locations relevant to the web service in the form of web geo-cookies. The wireless communication device maintains a database of the received geographic coordinates. When the wireless communication accesses a geographic map of a route or region, the wireless communication device determines if the geographic coordinates in the database lie within boundaries of the accessed map. The geographic coordinates that lie within boundaries of the received map are annotated and displayed on the wireless communication device.

The present invention relates to systems, methods, and machines for tracking a fluid spill. The method includes obtaining real-time location data for a number of tracking devices from a positioning satellite data repository, integrating the location data of each of the tracking devices into a comprehensive spatial data repository, determining a deployment location for each of the tracking devices, identifying, responsive to the deployment locations, a fluid-spill subset of the tracking devices that were deployed in the fluid spill, determining a fluid spill location based on the geographic locations of the fluid-spill subset, and generating a geographic map depicting the fluid spill location. A new sensor-driven paradigm is used that combines practical data gathering methods with advanced enterprise information technologies. The sensor-driven paradigm provides real-time situational awareness to emergency responders and executive stakeholders working from remote locations during an oil spill or chemical fluid release.

The invention comprises an information carrier on which the position of a measuring point (37, 41) may be determined using a mobile readout device, as well as an attendant method of determining a position wherein the information carrier features a surface onto which a visible primary information has been applied, in the manner of a book or a geographic map, wherein at least one machine-readable pattern has been printed on the surface, said pattern coding a position information, which upon bringing to bear methods of image analysis and of local sampling of parts (36, 40) of the surface, will allow a determination of position for a measurement point (37, 41) and wherein the pattern coding the position information is transparent in such a way that the primary information on the surface remains visible.

A navigation system uses XML / SVG format map data for achieving flexibility in modifying the map data. A method of converting geographic data into the XML / SVG format map data includes the steps of retrieving the geographic data, analyzing the retrieved geographic data for its data elements structure, data type and semantics, and converting the analyzed data to the XML / SVG format map data for with the navigation system. The XML / SVG format map data is constructed in a layered structure created based on administrative regions such as states, counties and cities. The XML / SVG format map data can be delivered to a remote user as a unit of administrative region through a communication network.

A system to facilitate management of surveillance devices, that are distributed over a monitored region, through a geographic information (GI) portal, having GI storage to store map data defining a geographic map of the monitored region. A GI manager unit (GIMU) to record, in the GI storage, asset position information with regarding locations for assets of interest within the monitored region. The GIMU obtains, from a remote surveillance device (SD) database, device-related records. The GIMU obtains, from a remote network (NW) database, network-related records. The SD and NW databases are maintained and managed separately from the GI database by one or more independent management units. A display presents a geographic map of the monitored region with device markers and network links illustrated thereon.

A method enables users to automatically switch available network connections for the current position as indicated by GPS while maintaining Internet connection. The selection of the network connection depends on a network connection profile which may be built up gradually and the score of each connection. Moreover the local network topology for the GPS location may be overlaid on a geographic map as might be generated by satellite imagery to give the user a better understanding of the topology.

The invention relates to an equipment accounting management method for an electric distribution network, which comprises of the steps of establishing an equipment management database and an MIS (Management Information System), carrying out correlation storage and management on geographic information and attribute data of electric distribution equipment on an electric distribution network 10kv line by a GIS (Geographic Information System), and the like, wherein equipment data includes spatial data and attribute data, the spatial data includes detailed position information of equipment and spatial relationship information among equipment and is stored in map-layer files, and the attribute data includes the specific description information of each equipment and is stored in the database; and the equipment accounting management method also comprises a map operation method, a searching method, addition / deletion / modification methods, and an electric distribution line merging and breaking method, wherein in the map operation method, a decentralized management mode is adopted for managing supply type electric network equipment respectively; in the searching method, actual geographic positions are identified on a map according to searching object information input by a user; in the addition / deletion / modification methods, corresponding changes of equipment changed actually are made on the geographic map so as to realize real-time correspondence between the geographic map and the actual situation; and in the electric distribution line merging and breaking method, the traditional line connection mode of the electric distribution lines is modified and perfected. By means of the method, the equipment management efficiency is greatly improved by combining the characteristics and technological superiorities of a GIS platform with actual application requirements, applying a spatial database and an attribute database and adopting a C / S (Client / Server) mode.

A method and database are provided to facilitate management of surveillance devices that are distributed over a monitored region, through a geographic information (GI) portal, having GI storage to store map data defining a geographic map of the monitored region. The method and database record, in the GI storage, asset position information with regarding locations for assets of interest within the monitored region. The method obtains, from a remote surveillance device (SD) database, device-related records. The method obtains, from a remote network (NW) database, network-related records. The SD and NW databases are maintained and managed separately from the GI database by one or more independent management units. The method presents, on a graphical user interface, a geographic map of the monitored region with device markers and network links illustrated thereon.

In a method for displaying information in a vehicle, a geographic map is displayed on a display surface, a symbol for the vehicle is displayed within the geographic map, the position of the symbol relative to the geographic map changing as a function of the geographic position of the vehicle, and a graphic object including supplementary information being displayed within the geographic map as a function of the geographic position of the vehicle. An image sequence including multiple images for the graphic object is produced and displayed as a function of the geographic position of the vehicle such that at the end of the image sequence the graphic object has disappeared or can no longer be assigned to the supplementary information. A device is adapted to implement the method described above.

The present disclosure relates to comparison shopping and usage based service analysis for consumers, primarily for financial products. A consumer may not be aware of a provider's services, options, terms, conditions, costs, or how the service options change based on the consumer's particular usage characteristics. The disclosed comparison shopping method uses the consumer's actual or predicted service usage data. Service provider information is used to present the consumer with relevant alternative service offering options. Transaction data is gathered from a user's financial account and is analyzed for a savings opportunity indication. The analysis is used to match a savings opportunity from a database of savings opportunities, and the savings opportunity may be displayed in a statement of a user's financial account. Past responses to a savings opportunity indication may be gathered and analyzed. In one example, a savings opportunity and the geographical location of the savings opportunity are presented.

Provided are systems, methods, and computer-readable for verifying the traffic designations of roads of a geographic map. Location data for a geographic area is obtained and location data points are filtered based on speed. A road network for the geographic area is obtained, and location data points are associated with a road based on proximity and heading with respect to the orientation of the road. The associated location data points in each direction are counted and used to determine a traffic direction. The traffic direction is compared to the existing traffic designation for the road, and conflicts are identified, such as missing one-way designations, unlikely one-way designations, and incorrect one-way designations.

The system and method for tracking people provides for the tracking of individuals in large crowds, such as the tracking of individual pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. A polling request is initially transmitted from a tracking station to a mobile device associated with a particular person of interest. Upon receipt of the polling request, a location signal is transmitted back to the tracking station. The location signal includes positional and time data representative of the location of the mobile device at the time of transmission. Additionally, a supplemental location signal is also transmitted to the tracking station, the supplemental location signal being representative of the location of the mobile device when the mobile device is detected within proximity of a fixed sensor. A visual display image of the path of the person of interest is then displayed at the tracking station overlaid on a geographic map.

A computer-based method of displaying real time flight information for aircraft. includes retrieving data previously stored for which there is real time flight information and causing display, on a screen of a client computing device, automatically and repetitively of a plurality of views of a geographic map. Such views collectively display all viewable flights in a pre-specified category. The embodiment additionally includes causing display simultaneously on the screen of the client computing device, with the geographic map, of a list of flights in the pre-specified category. The list scrolls automatically at least to the extent necessary to cause repetitive display of the entire list. Additionally, contents of the list are coordinated with each of the views.

A digital image rendering system, such as a geographic map rendering system, receives image data from an image database, such as a map database, in the form of data having image features defined as sets of image objects arranged in a series of layers. The image rendering system processes the received data in a manner that allows for rendering the original layered data without rendering each original layer separately by reordering the original layered digital image data into fewer layers.