Landmark-based location of users

Details Landmark-based location of users Landmark-based location of users

2005-05-24

2005-05-24

Black, Thomas G. (Department: 3661)

Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location

Navigation

Employing position determining equipment

C701S200000, C701S208000, C348S113000, C348S116000, C340S988000, C340S995240

Reexamination Certificate

active

06898518

ABSTRACT:
Humans identify location and directions based on visual cues, such as landmarks, rather than a precise coordinate grid. A database of landmarks can be used to determine the location of a user who can merely describe their location in the same manner they would to any human contact. The location of the user can be determined based on the landmarks described in the input, and the areas from which all of those landmarks are visible. Various databases can be used, including text-based and three-dimensional. Similarly, various mechanisms can be used to determine the user's location, including hierarchical approaches, query optimization approaches, and visibility percentage approaches. Ultimately, the user's location can be determined without the need for expensive, dedicated infrastructure, without compromising the user's security, and without subjecting the user to system outages.

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