Abstract: A system and method is provided that uses one or more points, e.g., “smart via” input points, e.g., a center of a city such as a large city, to determine one or more points, e.g., smart via output points. A smart via output point determined from a smart via input point can be used, together with origination and destination points, to identify an optimal navigational route between the origination and destination points. A navigational route generated using the smart via output point, an origination point and a destination point travels in proximity to the smart via input point.

Abstract: A method, machine-readable medium, and system involve receiving user input with a navigation device regarding a desired city name. A determination is made regarding whether the user input matches city names in a Last Used City List (LUCL). A Global City List (GCL) is consulted when the user input does not match the city names in the LUCL. A matching city name is selected as a best candidate.

Abstract: A method, machine-readable medium and apparatus for determining a sequence of locations; generating one or more objects, each of the one or more objects being at least partially generated at one or more corresponding locations in the sequence of locations; and associating each of the objects with at least one of the one or more corresponding locations in the sequence of locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying access points using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; determining that the positioning device is near a first location; detecting that the positioning device is off-route at a second location; and storing the second location as a first access point associated with the first location on the map.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; generating a first route from a first location to a second location; generating signals to provide directions along the first route using positioning information from the positioning device; detecting that the positioning device is off-route at a third location, the third location being adjacent to the first route; generating a second route by tracking the position of the positioning device from the third location to to a fourth location, and, in some cases, storing the second route for use in route generation.

Abstract: A method for searching for parking for a vehicle using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; determining that the vehicle is near a first location; generating a first route comprising segments from the plurality of segments, prioritizing segments closer to the first location and avoiding use of segments more than once in the first route; generating signals to direct the vehicle along the route using positioning information from the positioning device; and determining that the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide navigation assistance and user content sharing via an online social network. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a data processing system, includes: receiving user data content tagged with navigational information, from a plurality of users of an online social network; receiving a request from a first user of the online social network to navigate between a starting location and an ending location; and in response to the request, calculating a navigation route between the starting location and an ending location using the user data content tagged with the navigational information.

Abstract: A user interface is provided as part of a navigation system's user interface that comprises a plurality of screens. An access screen selector is made available in multiple ones of the screens of the navigations system's user interface, which access screen selector corresponds to an access screen. The access screen is displayed as part of the user interface in response to user selection of the access screen selector. The access screen comprises one or more access selection items. Selection of at least one of the of at least one of the access selection items causes the navigation system to perform a search of geographic information to identify a search result using search criteria that can vary from one search to another.

Abstract: A traffic data server wirelessly provides relevant traffic details to mobile subscribers at minimal data transmission, while supplying enough data for re-routing and detouring. Two-way wireless data connectivity allowing the server to know what data the mobile device has received in the past, allows the server to send, to a mobile device, only data that is necessary, i.e. updates to mobile users that are small data sets comprising the change in the previously received data to the current data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for use in searching a geographic database to retrieve geographic objects one cell from a neighborhood of cells at a time. A cell neighborhood can be defined using a grid of cells and an initial, or center, point. A first neighborhood is identified based on its proximity to the initial search point, and corresponds to a first geographic area defined using the initial point and a distance from the initial search point in a number of directions. In a case that more than one cell neighborhood is used, each subsequent cell neighborhood is defined so that it excludes cells belonging to a previously-searched cell neighborhood. A subsequent neighborhood corresponds to a geographic area that is a distance from the initial point greater than the distance associated with a previously-searched neighborhood.

Abstract: A method of determining density of a map is described along with an apparatus and computer-readable medium comprising instructions therefore. The method comprises determining one or more nodes of a quad tree applied to a map with which a predetermined query region intersects, calculating a cumulative data size of the query region based on a data size of the one or more intersecting nodes, and determining an average density of the query region based on the query region area and the cumulative data size.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a computer platform that includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operable to acquire and track a GPS signal, a processor assembly, and a memory. The memory includes at least one of last recorded Ephemeris and Almanac information, and a GPS velocity vector determination module operable to generate a velocity vector output in the absence of current Ephemeris based upon the tracked GPS signal and the last recorded GPS information. A method of vehicle navigation in the absence of current Ephemeris includes acquiring and tracking a GPS signal, retrieving from a memory a last recorded location of a vehicle, setting a dead reckoning startup location equal to the last recorded location, retrieving from a memory at least one of a last recorded Ephemeris and Almanac, determining a current velocity vector and determining a current location based upon the velocity vector and the dead reckoning startup location.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, processors and computer readable media for determining a suggested route having an estimated minimum fuel usage for a vehicle based on a estimated fuel efficiency for the vehicle for different speeds of the vehicle and based on estimated speeds for the route. The estimated fuel efficiency for the vehicle is based on aggregated data for the vehicle. Alternatively, the estimated fuel efficiency is based on actual data for the vehicle. In some embodiments, suggested routes are constrained by user route preferences, and real-time route information. Alternatively or additionally, the estimated fuel usage is based on actual driver behavior data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of generating a curved baseline for a map labeling include receiving a polyline P={p1,p2, . . . ,pn} of n points, generating a supporting polyline Q={q1,q2, . . . ,qm} (m?n) of m points at an expected distance d between polyline P and a curved base line L. A predetermined number of B-Spline points is generated based upon supporting polyline Q. The B-Spline points are then connected to form a curved baseline L for displaying a label.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the effectiveness of an advertisement presented on a mobile navigation device is described. The information is stored on the device and then accessed by a server or the advertiser. The method involves tracking device location, presenting to the user an advertisement or point of interest, storing click throughs on the advertisement or point of interest to mark a first success, and monitoring device current position to determine whether the device reaches a location associated with the advertisement or Point of interest to mark a second success, counting successes, and providing success feedback to the advertiser, for example, through server queries.

Abstract: A method of and computer-readable medium containing instructions for high accuracy, reliable position determination. The ADAPT-RTK Technology (Automatic Decorrelation and Parameter Tuning Real-Time Kinematic technology) is described using an innovative decorrelation algorithm to decorrelate the correlation between L1 and L2 measurements through a functional model and a stochastic model reducing the impact on performance of distance dependent biases.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a processor, a map information storage medium storing map information, a position determining module configured to determine a current location, a velocity and direction of travel of a vehicle, and determine whether the current position indicates a deviation from an original route to a final destination. Further included is a routing module configured to determine an original route from a starting position to a destination, and at least one reroute from the current location to the destination, wherein the reroute includes a restoration route from the current location to at least one intermediate point on the original route and then continuing to the destination. Based upon an estimated cost of the restoration route plus a predetermined actual cost of the route from the intermediate point to the final destination, the routing module is further configured to estimate a reroute cost, and select a reroute based upon the estimated reroute cost.

Abstract: A navigation system includes an operator interface module (OIM) including a display and keypad. A computer module (computer module) includes a CPU, map database and the motion and position sensors. A docking station is fixedly mounted in each of a plurality of vehicles. The docking station includes an electrical connector connected to the vehicle power supply and an electrical connector connected to a GPS antenna and an electrical connector connected to a display extension harness. The computer module and OIM are transportable among each of the vehicles. The computer module slides into the docking station and simultaneously makes electrical contact with the vehicle power supply, GPS antenna and display extension harness. The OIM is connected to the display extension harness, thereby connecting the OIM to the computer module. The OIM and computer module are thus transportable among multiple vehicles having the appropriate docking station.

Abstract: A method of and computer-readable medium containing instructions for high accuracy, reliable position determination. The ADAPT-RTK Technology (Automatic Decorrelation and Parameter Tuning Real-Time Kinematic technology) is described using an innovative decorrelation algorithm to decorrelate the correlation between L1 and L2 measurements through a functional model and a stochastic model reducing the impact on performance of distance dependent biases.

Abstract: A navigation system includes an operator interface module (OIM) including a display and keypad. A computer module (computer module) includes a CPU, map database and the motion and position sensors. A docking station is fixedly mounted in each of a plurality of vehicles. The docking station includes an electrical connector connected to the vehicle power supply and an electrical connector connected to a GPS antenna and an electrical connector connected to a display extension harness. The computer module and OIM are transportable among each of the vehicles. The computer module slides into the docking station and simultaneously makes electrical contact with the vehicle power supply, GPS antenna and display extension harness. The OIM is connected to the display extension harness, thereby connecting the OIM to the computer module. The OIM and computer module are thus transportable among multiple vehicles having the appropriate docking station.