Abstract: A navigation system has a database which stores index data for, respectively, a tile of a tiling. The index data includes, for each one of plural cells of a grid which is superimposed on the tile, respectively an identifier for each triangular face of a triangulated irregular network which at least partially overlaps with the respective cell. The plural cells of the grid are defined so as to cover the respective tile. A processing device of the navigation system is configured to use the index data to determine a triangular face on which a map feature having given lateral coordinates is located, in order to determine a height coordinate of the map feature.

Abstract: A navigation system determines one or more routes for a user from one location to another. The navigation system uses model data or information about weather, date, or time to determine an optimal route for a user. The navigation system may consider user preferences and dangerous or awkward conditions or criteria, and may perform a cost value analysis in determining the optimal route for a user.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying a 3d map view of a 3d geographical map are provided. A database stores data which defines the 3d geographical map in a layered hierarchy comprising data layers which can be individually rendered for the 3d map view. The database comprises a data layer of a digital terrain model which is modelling a terrain surface and a data layer of a 3d road network comprising 3d road elements. A processor is configured for selecting specific data layers of the database in response to a resolution setting of the 3d map view and to render the 3d map view using the selected specific data layer.

Abstract: A method for generating a compressed navigation map database from uncompressed navigation map data, wherein the uncompressed navigation map data contains different building blocks of navigation data, each building block addressing a functional aspect of the navigation data, each block containing strings of data. The method includes determining, for each block of the uncompressed navigation map data, most frequent substrings of the block; storing, for each block, the determined most frequent substrings of the block in a seed block; replacing, for each block, in the strings the determined most frequent substrings stored in the seed block by a reference to the seed block thereby generating a compressed block for each block; and storing, for each block, the compressed block and the seed block in order to generate the compressed navigation map database.

Abstract: A database for a navigation system has digital elevation model data defining a three-dimensional surface. The database stores, for plural tiles of a tiling, a first array including three-dimensional coordinates of vertices of plural triangulated irregular networks, TINs, for the respective tile, and a plurality of second arrays. Each second array respectively defines triangular faces of a TIN and includes a plurality of vertex indices of the vertices to define triangular faces of the respective TIN. A method of outputting a three-dimensional representation of a terrain and a method of generating the database are also described.

Abstract: A system for performing a similarity search in a navigation device data base uses a metric index structure. The index structure includes a plurality of nodes. When a query object is received, a node of the index structure which is associated with at least one object is accessed. A distance between the query object and the at least one object is determined in accordance with a distance metric. Based on the determined distance, another node of the index structure is selectively accessed.

Abstract: To update a database of a navigation device which stores at least a base version of a digital map, versions of the digital map which are available locally in the database or remotely from the navigation device are identified. To execute the navigation task, a version of the digital map is selected for execution of the navigation task. Data from a sub-set of storage blocks in which the selected version is stored is required to execute the navigation task. Depending on whether all storage blocks of the sub-set are already stored locally in the database, data stored in storage blocks of the sub-set which are not yet stored locally in the database are downloaded via a wireless interface. The downloaded data are stored in the database without modifying the base version of the digital map.

Abstract: A system for visualization of 3D objects and/or 3D terrain includes a processor, a display in communication with the processor, and a range metering device in communication with the processor. The system visualizes the 3D objects and/or the 3D terrain based upon their respective distances from the mobile device and based upon a respective parameter measuring the detail of the 3D object and/or the 3D terrain.

Abstract: A driver assist system is provided that generates a video signal representing a vehicle environment outside a vehicle. At least one feature is extracted from the video signal. A reference is selected from a plurality of reference features stored as location attributes in a map database. The extracted feature is compared to at least one reference feature. An object in the vehicle environment is identified based on the comparison of the extracted feature and the reference feature. An indication is provided to a driver of the vehicle on the basis of the identified object. In one example, the system includes a video capturing device, an indicating device, a vehicle-based processing resource and access to a map database server. Processing tasks may be distributed among the vehicle-based processing resource and an external processing resource.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining an energy optimized route for a vehicle. In one example, the method includes providing a plurality of cost factors, each cost factor influencing the energy consumption of the vehicle. At least one cost factor is selected from among the cost factors. A composite cost factor is determined using the selected at least one cost factor. An energy optimized route is then determined based on the composite cost factor. Systems are also provided for determining an energy optimized route for a vehicle. An example system includes a set of cost factors, each cost factor influencing the energy consumption of the vehicle. A classification unit is included for selecting cost factors for the route and for including the selected cost factors in a composite cost factor for the route. A calculator is also included for calculating the energy optimized route based on the composite cost factor.

Abstract: A method and device for providing cost information associated with intersections of a road network are provided. Driving data indicative of at least one condition of a vehicle upon passage of the vehicle through a plurality of intersections are retrieved. For each intersection of the plurality of intersections, a set of feature values associated with the respective intersections is determined based on map data. Parameters of an intersection cost module are adjusted. The intersection cost module is configured to provide a cost value in response to a set of feature values associated with an intersection. The parameters of the intersection cost module are adjusted based on the received driving data and the sets of feature values determined for the plurality of intersections. The intersection cost module may also be used for route searches.

Abstract: A vision system comprises a camera that captures an image and a processor coupled to process the received image to determine at least one feature descriptor for the image. The processor includes an interface to access annotated map data that includes geo-referenced feature descriptors. The processor is configured to perform a matching procedure between the at least one feature descriptor determined for the at least one image and the retrieved geo-referenced feature descriptors.

Abstract: A navigation device comprises a search tree which indicates next valid characters. The search tree has a plurality of nodes. The nodes are respectively associated with a character. At least some of the nodes respectively include a predetermined indicator to indicate that there is an alternate spelling for a character with which the respective node is associated. A processor is configured to receive a character input and to identify at least one next valid character using the search tree. The processor is configured to identify the at least one next valid character in dependence on whether the predetermined indicator in the search tree indicates that another character has an alternate spelling, the alternate spelling of the other character being the character input.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying a 3d map view of a 3d geographical map are provided. A database stores data which defines the 3d geographical map in a layered hierarchy comprising data layers which can be individually rendered for the 3d map view. The database comprises a data layer of a digital terrain model which is modelling a terrain surface and a data layer of a 3d road network comprising 3d road elements. A processor is configured for selecting specific data layers of the database in response to a resolution setting of the 3d map view and to render the 3d map view using the selected specific data layer.

Abstract: A method for generating a compressed navigation map database from uncompressed navigation map data, wherein the uncompressed navigation map data contains different building blocks of navigation data, each building block addressing a functional aspect of the navigation data, each block containing strings of data. The method includes determining, for each block of the uncompressed navigation map data, most frequent substrings of the block; storing, for each block, the determined most frequent substrings of the block in a seed block; replacing, for each block, in the strings the determined most frequent substrings stored in the seed block by a reference to the seed block thereby generating a compressed block for each block; and storing, for each block, the compressed block and the seed block in order to generate the compressed navigation map database.

Abstract: A difference file which indicates a difference between a second relational database and a first relational database may be transferred to a navigation device. The navigation device may store a first compressed database version of the first relational database. The navigation device may restore database pages of the second relational database based on the first compressed database version and the difference file. The restoration may be performed on per-page level. The restoration may involve reading and uncompressing a database page from the first compressed database version, and modifying the uncompressed database page in accordance with the difference file. The modified database page, which may correspond to a restored page of the second relational database, may be compressed and appended to a target database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing acceleration as a road segment characteristic in a vehicle are provided for determining information about a route including for example, the estimated fuel consumption of the route. An example of a system includes a data storage medium for storing map data having road segments, a bus interface to a data bus for receiving measured values of a velocity or an acceleration from a velocity or acceleration sensor, a position data receiver configured to receive position data for determining a current position, and a system controller. The system controller is configured to identify a road segment associated with the current position. The system controller retrieves parameters of a probability distribution of acceleration associated with the identified road segment from the data storage medium. Updated parameters of the probability distribution of acceleration are determined from the measured values of the velocity or acceleration.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a propulsion-related operating parameter of a vehicle for a road segment, and for determining routes based on the estimate. The method may be employed, for example, in a vehicle navigation system. In one example method, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle is estimated for the road segment based on information corresponding to the road segment. The propulsion-related operating parameter is estimated for the road segment using the at least one estimated operating parameter and at least one vehicle specific parameter. The at least one vehicle specific parameter is determined by acquiring driving data to determine a plurality of vehicle operating parameters while the vehicle is in operation. At least two of the determined vehicle operating parameters are used in a predetermined relationship that includes the at least one vehicle specific parameter.

Abstract: A system for visualization of 3D objects and/or 3D terrain includes a processor, a display in communication with the processor, and a range metering device in communication with the processor. The system visualizes the 3D objects and/or the 3D terrain based upon their respective distances from the mobile device and based upon a respective parameter measuring the detail of the 3D object and/or the 3D terrain.

Abstract: To update a database of a navigation device which stores at least a base version of a digital map, versions of the digital map which are available locally in the database or remotely from the navigation device are identified. To execute the navigation task, a version of the digital map is selected for execution of the navigation task. Data from a sub-set of storage blocks in which the selected version is stored is required to execute the navigation task. Depending on whether all storage blocks of the sub-set are already stored locally in the database, data stored in storage blocks of the sub-set which are not yet stored locally in the database are downloaded via a wireless interface. The downloaded data are stored in the database without modifying the base version of the digital map.