Stephen R Robinson

US Patent:

6650996, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027334

Inventors:

Darin J. Beesley - Overland Park KS
Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS
Michael Childs - Olathe KS
Chunyen Liu - Overland Park KS

Assignee:

Garmin Ltd.

International Classification:

H03M 740

US Classification:

701200, 341 65, 341 67

Abstract:

Systems, devices and methods are provided to compress data, and in particular to code and decode data. One aspect of the present subject matter is a data structure. The data structure includes a field representing a decoding structure to decode canonical Huffman encoded data, and a field representing a symbol table. The decoding structure includes a field representing an accelerator table to provide a 2 -deep direct-index lookup to provide high-frequency symbols for high-frequency data and to provide bracketing indices for low-frequency data. The decoding structure also includes a field for a binary search table to provide a low-frequency symbol index using a binary search bounded by the bracketing indices provided by the accelerator table. The symbol table is adapted to provide a symbol associated with the low-frequency index.

US Patent:

6782318, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Oct 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/269317

Inventors:

Darin J. Beesley - Overland Park KS
Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS
Michael E. Childs - Overland Park KS
Chunyen Liu - Overland Park KS

Assignee:

Garmin Ltd.

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

701200, 341 65

Abstract:

Systems, devices and methods are provided to compress data, and in particular to code and decode data in a PDA. One aspect of the present subject matter is a data structure. The data structure includes a field representing a decoding structure to decode canonical Huffman encoded data, and a field representing a symbol table. The decoding structure includes a field representing an accelerator table to provide a 2 -deep direct-index lookup to provide high-frequency symbols for high-frequency data and to provide bracketing indices for low-frequency data. The decoding structure also includes a field for a binary search table to provide a low-frequency symbol index using a binary search bounded by the bracketing indices provided by the accelerator table. The symbol table is adapted to provide a symbol associated with the low-frequency index.

US Patent:

6839624, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Sep 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/657972

Inventors:

Darin J. Beesley - Overland Park KS, US
Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS, US
Michael Childs - Olathe KS, US
Chunyen Liu - Overland Park KS, US

Assignee:

Garmin Ltd.

International Classification:

H03M 740
G01C 2100

US Classification:

701200, 341 65

Abstract:

Systems, devices and methods are provided to compress data, and in particular to code and decode data. One aspect of the present subject matter is a data structure. The data structure includes a field representing a decoding structure to decode canonical Huffman encoded data, and a field representing a symbol table. The decoding structure includes a field representing an accelerator table to provide a 2-deep direct-index lookup to provide high-frequency symbols for high-frequency data and to provide bracketing indices for low-frequency data. The decoding structure also includes a field for a binary search table to provide a low-frequency symbol index using a binary search bounded by the bracketing indices provided by the accelerator table. The symbol table is adapted to provide a symbol associated with the low-frequency index.

US Patent:

60322195, Feb 29, 2000

Filed:

Aug 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/904638

Inventors:

Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS
Darin J. Beesley - Kansas City MO
Thomas H. Walters - Gardner KS

Assignee:

Garmin Corporation

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

711 1

Abstract:

A system for buffering data has a processor connected to a memory for storing mass data, connected to a single buffer having a plurality of buffer storage locations in a chain, and connected to a plurality of counters, wherein each counter corresponds to one of the buffer storage locations. The processor selects a sector of memory containing desired data associated with an open file, scans the buffer storage locations to determine whether the data is in the buffer and, when the data is not within the buffer, reads the data from the selected sector of memory into a selected buffer storage location that is unallocated to an open file. The processor then points to that allocated buffer storage location, so that the data can be retrieved from the buffer for processing. As additional data is desired that is not found in the buffer, the buffer storage location allocated to the open file is de-allocated and, if not allocated to any other open files, moved to the beginning of the chain of buffers. The sector of data containing the desired data is then read into a selected buffer that is not allocated to an open file, preferably the last unallocated buffer in the chain of buffers.

US Patent:

62224859, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

May 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/315393

Inventors:

Thomas H. Walters - Gardner KS
Darin J. Beesley - Overland Park KS
Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS

Assignee:

Garmin Corporation

International Classification:

H04B 7185

US Classification:

34235713

Abstract:

A electronic navigation device utilizing a desired orientation to adjust an electronic map displayed on the device. Acquiring global positioning system data, a processor calculates the current position of the navigation device. Scanning into cartographic memory located in memory, the processor locates a predefined thoroughfare containing or most adjacent the calculated position. Utilizing points located nearest the calculated position, the processor establishes the heading of the thoroughfare at that location. The processor adjusts the orientation of the map display to reflect the calculated heading of the adjacent thoroughfare. The processor continues to update the current position and the heading of the map display on a real time basis.

US Patent:

61449172, Nov 7, 2000

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/183072

Inventors:

Thomas H. Walters - Gardner KS
Darin J. Beesley - Overland Park KS
Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS

Assignee:

Garmin Corporation

International Classification:

G08F 1123

US Classification:

701204

Abstract:

A portable electronic navigational aid device and method calculates estimated time en route and estimated time of arrival. A user inputs a plurality of variables, including identity, cartographic data, final destination. Upon receiving the inputs, the device determines from cartographic data the estimated distance to the final destination and the type of thoroughfare the inputted trip will traverse. During operation, the device recalls the average driving velocity for the inputted driver over each different type of thoroughfare traversed. Using prestored average velocity data, the device calculates an initial estimated time en route and an estimated time of arrival for a desired route. The device continues to receive GPS data as to the driver's position and velocity and updates the average velocity record for that driver on the specific type of thoroughfare. As the average velocity fluctuates, the device adjusts the estimated time en route and the estimated time of arrival.

US Patent:

61889555, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Dec 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/223553

Inventors:

Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS
Darin J. Beesley - Overland Park KS
Thomas H. Walters - Gardner KS

Assignee:

Garmin Corporation

International Classification:

G06F16500

US Classification:

701200

Abstract:

A method and device implementing a three-level hierarchy for storing, recalling and processing navigational and graphical data. A vehicle is equipped with an electronic navigation thoroughfare planning device capable of calculating the distance to a desired thoroughfare. To calculate a distance, a driver inputs a plurality of variables, including cartographic data and a final desired destination, as well as several potential additional variables. Upon receiving the driver inputs, the navigation device implements a three-level hierarchy for storing, recalling and processing cartographic data. After the cartographic data is stored in memory, the navigation unit can calculate distance to a thoroughfare utilizing a cascading search method beginning with searching the most specific first level and progressing to the broader second and third levels until a common network between the two locations is established. The navigation device can also utilize the three level hierarchy to display cartographic data as a graphical map on the unit utilizing the same cascading method to display detail on the display screen and locate the specific details on any coordinate on the screen. Therefore the navigation unit utilizes the same three level hierarchy to calculate distance to a desired destination and to display a graphical representation of the map.

US Patent:

59959703, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

Aug 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/904642

Inventors:

Stephen C. Robinson - Olathe KS
Darin J. Beesley - Kansas City MO
Thomas H. Walters - Gardner KS

Assignee:

Garmin Corporation

International Classification:

G06F 1202
G06F 9302

US Classification:

707101

Abstract:

The storage space required for representing geographic features is reduced by determining an optimum number of bits that can be used to store coordinate data along each separate axis. Any coordinate change that cannot directly fit within the optimum bit size is subjected to an escape sequence made up of one or more special values and a normal value that fits in the optimum bit size. The special values are obtained by a predetermined calculation for each bit size. If all changes for one axis are in the same direction and special values are not needed, a global sign can be used to further enhance use of the available space on the storage medium.