GeoVector Corporation (originally named Criticom Corporation) began conducting research into
augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be de ...
in early 1990s. The company, co-founded by
John Ellenby
John Ellenby (9 January 1941 – 17 August 2016) was a British businessman. He was the founder of Grid Systems Corporation, maker of the Grid Compass, one of the first commercially successful laptop computers. He also co-founded GeoVector, an ...
, who also founded laptop pioneer
GRiD Systems Corporation, devised a method to use sensors in a device to associate relevant digital information with places on earth.
The basic concept around which most of GeoVector's R&D has focused is that knowing the position and orientation of the device allows the application to provide digital information associated with a place in the real world. Position and direction data can be used to create a virtual vector which intersects with objects indexed in databases by their latitude and longitude coordinates.
GeoVector's first
patent
A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention."A p ...
in this domain, since issued as
5,815,411 was filed September 10, 1993.
The company originally held the trademark for "Augmented Reality" (issued in 1995) but abandoned it as the term was generally adopted to describe this technique.
Early GeoVector work focused on providing vertical solutions. One GeoVector
augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be de ...
design used
compass
A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or compass rose, which can pivot to align itself with ...
equipped
binoculars
Binoculars or field glasses are two refracting telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. Most binoculars are sized to be held ...
along with
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a Radionavigation-satellite service, satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of t ...
to
superimpose
Superimposition is the placement of one thing over another, typically so that both are still evident.
Graphics
In graphics, superimposition is the placement of an image or video on top of an already-existing image or video, usually to add to ...
nautical maps on the visual horizon thus improving the safety of
navigation
Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another.Bowditch, 2003:799. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, ...
.
A video showing early Augmented Reality concepts from GeoVector can b
seen here
GeoVector then discovered that their basic technology would improve the user experience on handheld devices delivering location aware applications. In this instance, actually viewing the real object was not necessary. Simply being able to refine the search for location information by knowing the direction of user interest or the specific object of his attention would be a significant benefit. The GeoVector team then implemented what they now refer to as the "pointing" feature.
In 1998, "Clipper" project was initiated. The company built a prototype device known internally as The "Little Guy", a handheld "pointable" information appliance independent of a visual or video element.
Since that time GeoVector has worked closely with sensor and device manufactures to encourage them to include
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a Radionavigation-satellite service, satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of t ...
and
compass
A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or compass rose, which can pivot to align itself with ...
elements in their products. In early 2006, there were sufficient pointing capable handsets in Japan for GeoVector to launch its first commercial product on the
KDDI
() is a Japanese telecommunications operator formed on October 1, 2000 through the merger of DDI Corp. (Daini-Denden Inc.), KDD (Kokusai Denshin Denwa) Corp. (itself a former listed state-owned enterprise privatized in 1998), and IDO Corp. It h ...
network with support of local partners NECM and Mapion.
A video showing the functionality of Pointing is on YouTube.
The company has continued its research and development in directional searching and
augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be de ...
and has been awarded several patents in those areas. Further information about their intellectual property can be found on line at their website patent gallery.
Milestones and events
*September 10, 1993, first augmented realit
patentfiled.
*May 1998 the World's first pointing search platform, "Little Guy,
debuts.
*January 2002 – Inclusion of GeoVector article The Pointing Wireless Device for Delivery of Location Based Applications (Pamela Kerwin et al.) Article in Boo
''The Application of DSPs in Mobile Communications''
(Gatherer and Auslander)
*In 2002 GeoVector contracted Socket Communications to make PCMCIA cards equipped with GPS and Compass, GeoVector Pointing Cards, for use in Pocket PCs. See th
card in action here.
*Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology corporation producing computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services headquartered at the Microsoft Redmond campus located in Redmond, Washing ...
.NET case study in 2002. Welcome to New Zealand Pocket PC application demonstrates the power of the .NET Compact Framework when combined with GPS and Heading Sensor
http://www.geovector.com/assets/sm/114/file/mscasestudy.pdf?download=true]
*In 2003 GeoVector created a location-based game, ''Real World Doom (series), Doom'', allowing people to fight monsters on the streets of Auckland
* 2003: GeoVector along with partners Vodafone
Vodafone Group Public limited company, plc () is a British Multinational corporation, multinational Telephone company, telecommunications company. Its registered office and Headquarters, global headquarters are in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It ...
, HP, Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology corporation producing computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services headquartered at the Microsoft Redmond campus located in Redmond, Washing ...
, Virtual Spectator and Animation Research Ltd showcas
Actual Spectator
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1681229/GVAS%20network%20diagram.gif augmented reality app] at America's Cup Sailing Races in Auckland, New Zealand.
*The San Jose Mercur
featured GeoVector
on the cover of their business section on September 27, 2004.
*January 2006: GeoVector & Mapion deliver th
World's first Pointing Based Search
for mobile phones.
GeoVector on Channel 5 News
September 27, 2006.
*Mapion Local Searc
on the news in Japan.
*The New York Time
on the cover of their business section on June 28, 2006.
*May 2007: GeoVector and Mapion enhance Mapion Local Search and re-brand i
See a video of i
in action here.
*One Shot Search from NEC Magnus & GeoVecto
on the news in Japan.
*In October 2008, GeoVector launched the location based gam
in Japan
*In September 2009, GeoVector launche
World Surfer (TM)
for the Android (operating system), Android and iOS
iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also include ...
( iPhone) platforms. Developed for compass-enabled GPS smartphone
A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whic ...
s, World Surfer allows users to point their phones in a particular direction to search for retailers, restaurants and other points of interest.
* February 2010 GeoVector launche
World Surfer 2
with augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be de ...
br>object view
for iPhone 3GS platform.
Lawsuit against Samsung
On November 10, 2016, GeoVector Corporation filed a lawsuit against
Samsung Telecommunications America (STA), claiming that Samsung’s Galaxy smart phones and tablets infringed several of GeoVector’s augmented reality patents. Samsung motioned that the liability on Samsung Telecommunications America should be dismissed as it had successfully merged to Samsung Electronics America (SEA) in January 2015. Samsung claimed that Samsung Telecommunications America could not be held liable, as the entity no longer existed. The judge ruled that Samsung Electronics America, as the surviving entity of the merger, should be liable for any claims against Samsung Telecommunications America.
On February 2, 2017, GeoVector Corporation filed a similar lawsuit against Samsung Electronics America alleging "direct and indirect patent infringement" of its augmented reality patents in Samsung’s Galaxy smart phones and tablets. Samsung motioned to dismiss GeoVector’s claims on the basis that the "statutes of limitations had run on these claims." The United States District Judge declared the matter
vacated
A vacated judgment (also known as vacatur relief) makes a previous legal judgment legally void. A vacated judgment is usually the result of the judgment of an appellate court, which overturns, reverses, or sets aside the judgment of a lower court. ...
and Samsung's motion was immediately granted.
References
External links
*
Google Patent Search(Gatherer and Auslander)
*The New York Times
*The San Jose Mercury News
Destination KnownHardly Strictly Augmented Reality - Lightning LabsJetro Success Stories: Ideas for Potential Players
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geovector
Virtual reality companies
Information technology companies of the United States