GeoVector
Encyclopedia
GeoVector Corporation began conducting research into augmented reality
in early 1990s. The company, co-founded by John Ellenby 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
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
design used compass
equipped binoculars
along with GPS to superimpose nautical maps on the visual horizon thus improving the safety of navigation
.
A video showing early Augmented Reality concepts from GeoVector can be 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 and compass
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
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 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.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
in early 1990s. The company, co-founded by John Ellenby who also founded laptop pioneer GRiD Systems Corporation
GRiD Systems Corporation
GRiD Systems Corporation was founded in January, 1979 by John Ellenby, who left his job at Xerox Parc and joined Glenn Edens, Dave Paulsen and Bill Moggridge to form one of Silicon Valley's first stealth companies...
, 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
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
in this domain, since issued as 5,815,411, was filed September 10, 1993.
The company originally held the trademark for "Augmented Reality
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
" (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
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
design used compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
equipped binoculars
Binoculars
Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects...
along with GPS to superimpose nautical maps on the visual horizon thus improving the safety of navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
.
A video showing early Augmented Reality concepts from GeoVector can be 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 and compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
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
KDDI
is a Japanese telecommunications operator formed in October 2000 through the merger of DDI Corp., KDD Corp., and IDO Corp. It has its headquarters in the Garden Air Tower in Iidabashi, Chiyoda, Tokyo....
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 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 Reality patent filed.
- May 1998 the World's first pointing search platform, "Little Guy," http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1681229/LittleGuy.pdf http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1681229/littleguy_coll.jpg debuts.
- January 2002 – Inclusion of GeoVector article The Pointing Wireless Device for Delivery of Location Based Applications (Pamela Kerwin et al.) Article in Book 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 the card in action here.
- MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
.NET.NET FrameworkThe .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
case study in 2002. Welcome to New Zealand Pocket PCPocket PCA Pocket PC is also known by Microsoft as a 'Windows Mobile Classic device'. It is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer, personal digital assistant , that runs the Microsoft 'Windows Mobile Classic' operating system...
application demonstrates the power of the .NET Compact Framework when combined with GPS and Heading Sensors http://www.geovector.com/microsoft-case-sudy-geovector/http://www.geovector.com/assets/sm/114/file/mscasestudy.pdf?download=true - In 2003 GeoVector created a location-based game, Real World Doom, allowing people to fight monsters on the streets of Auckland. http://www.geovector.com/tone-point-and-shoot-takes-on-new-meaning/
- 2003: GeoVector along with partners VodafoneVodafoneVodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
, HP, MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, Virtual Spectator and Animation Research Ltd showcase Actual SpectatorAugmented Reality app at America's Cup Sailing Races in Auckland, New Zealand. - The San Jose Mercury featured GeoVector on the cover of their business section on September 27, 2004.
- January 2006: GeoVector & Mapion deliver the World's first Pointing Based Search for mobile phones.
- GeoVector on Channel 5 News September 27, 2006.
- Mapion Local Search on the news in Japan.
- The New York Times featured GeoVector on the cover of their business section on June 28, 2006.
- May 2007: GeoVector and Mapion enhance Mapion Local Search and re-brand it Mapion Pointing Appli. See a video of it in action here.
- One Shot Search from NEC Magnus & GeoVector on the news in Japan.
- In October 2008, GeoVector launched the location based game Navimon in Japan
- In September 2009, GeoVector launched World Surfer (TM) for the Android and iOS (iPhoneIPhoneThe iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
) platforms. Developed for compass-enabled GPS smartphoneSmartphoneA smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
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 launches World Surfer 2 with Augmented RealityAugmented realityAugmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
object view for iPhoneIPhoneThe iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
3GS platform.
