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Media Contact:
Charles Oliva
Vindigo Studios
pr@vindigo.com
Vindigo Wins U.S. Patent for Compact Direction-Finding Technology
Patented Algorithm Computes Directions Almost Instantaneously on Mobile
Devices
NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2003 - Vindigo, the leading provider
of personal navigation services for wireless and mobile devices, today announces
new patent protection for groundbreaking technology that requires less computer
memory to calculate walking or driving distances on mobile and wireless
devices. U.S. Patent No. 6,480,785, titled, "System For Determining a Route
and Presenting Navigational Instructions Therefor," describes a new process
designed to quickly and efficiently compute directions to places including
the nearest ATM or gas station, specific theaters and restaurants, and other
places to eat, shop and play. Related technologies require large, heavy
hardware, while Vindigo's innovation has proven effective for compact datasets
on devices with limited computational power.
Vindigo's patent describes, but is not limited to, an algorithm that organizes
streets of a road network into nodes of an undirected graph, using efficient
traversal algorithms to optimize routes. A key component of Vindigo's Palm
OS- and Pocket PC- based software offerings for over two years, the system
computes both walking and driving directions almost instantaneously.
While other algorithms for computing driving and walking directions exist,
many require the major computational power of large servers to process arbitrary
direction requests in a timely manner. Breaking through this technological
barrier was a necessary precursor in the development of Vindigo's successful
mobile navigation application, Vindigo 2.0, which operates on limited-memory
devices, including handheld devices and Internet-enabled mobile phones.
"Vindigo 2.0 is designed to provide a wealth of location-specific information
on inherently low-memory devices. The challenge was to invent a way for
people to find directions without using every last byte of memory," said
Jason Devitt, chief executive officer of Vindigo. "This newly patented technology
embeds a complex navigational system into handheld devices without crippling
the device memory or functionality."
Vindigo 2.0 lets users access extensive information about the best and closest
places to eat, shop and play in more than 50 U.S. markets and London. By
simply entering their current location, users can find entertainment options
and local information, including museum exhibits, bars, stores, movie reviews
and show times, and even the closest public restroom. Vindigo 2.0 also includes
detailed information about services such as the location of the closest
ATMs, gas stations, parking garages and police stations. The service comes
complete with ratings and reviews from brand-name content providers, maps
and directions to any listing.
Vindigo 2.0 for Palm Powered™ and Pocket PC handheld devices is available
for download from www.vindigo.com for $3.50 per month or $24.95 for an annual
subscription. New users can download a 30-day trial at no charge.
About Vindigo
Vindigo is the leading provider of personal navigation services for wireless
and mobile devices. Vindigo's proprietary technology and network of content
partners enables it to offer compelling and comprehensive applications to
carriers and consumers via Palm Powered™ and Pocket PC handheld devices,
and Internet-enabled mobile phones including BREW handsets. Vindigo enables
people to explore, enjoy, and connect to the world around them.
All names may be the trademarks of their respective
companies.
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