TomTom has filed a patent for a method to determine and display reachable areas from a starting point while still reaching a destination, using a parameter limiting travel distance. The method involves exploring an electronic map to establish boundaries based on the parameter value. GlobalData’s report on TomTom gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on TomTom, AV localization algorithms was a key innovation area identified from patents. TomTom's grant share as of January 2024 was 33%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Determining reachable area based on parameter-constrained travel distance

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: TomTom NV

The patent application (Publication Number: US20240019261A1) describes a method, system, and computer-readable storage medium for determining boundaries enclosing portions of a geographic area containing a navigable network. The method involves exploring segments of an electronic map from a first location using a search algorithm with a cost function to determine reachable segments within a second boundary based on a parameter value. This parameter value limits the amount of the navigable network that can be traversed and allows a second location to be reached. The system includes at least one processor configured to perform the method, while the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions for executing the method.

The method and system allow for determining boundaries around a first location on a navigable network, ensuring that a second location can be reached within the specified parameter value. The system can receive a selection of a second location, access data indicative of different parameter values stored in memory, and display information related to the boundaries on a display or transmit it to another device for display. Additionally, the system can determine a third boundary around the first location and provide information about it. Overall, the technology described in the patent application aims to enhance navigation and location-based services by efficiently defining reachable areas within a navigable network based on specified parameters, benefiting users and mobile devices in various applications.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.