Abstract: Techniques are provided for presenting a route using a route presentation that provides both a context map and one or more detail route maps. Narrative instructions for the route also may be presented. The presentation of the context map and the one or more detail route maps may be interactive. The route presentation also may be user-controllable such that a user may control the portions of a route that are printed. The route presentation also may include a re-routing feature that allows a user to request that a new route be identified that avoids a particular maneuver or maneuvers in a route.

Abstract: A guidance information setting apparatus for setting guidance information, comprising: a means for transmitting the unique information about a terminal to a server when the terminal is connected to a network; a means for receiving guidance information or the number (e.g., floor number) corresponding to the guidance information in response to transmitting said unique information to the server; a means for indicating the guidance information for a user based on said received guidance information or the guidance information extracted from a company-wide information based on the number corresponding to the guidance information. The guidance information setting apparatus has a function of turning on or turning off the power to each of the terminals through the server.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for associating and displaying qualitative information with points of interest in a graphical map. In one embodiment, a method comprises the computer-implemented steps of displaying a geographical map; displaying in the map, concurrently, icons identifying one or more points of interest at graphical locations in the map corresponding to geographical locations of the points of interest; and concurrently displaying, over the map, for each of the points of interest, qualitative information associated with the associated point of interest. Each of the points of interest is associated with one or more datasets, and different qualitative information is displayed for different datasets.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a portable computing device. When approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided by the portable computing device, the portable computing device presents alternating images on a display screen. The alternating images include an overhead view map image and either a perspective view map image or a stylized image. The stylized image can be either a 2D image or a 3D image.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying information is disclosed. The system and method can be used to provide navigation information to a user. In some cases, the system and method can include provisions to retain an indicia within a certain area. The system and method can also include provisions to accommodate inaccurate or imperfect commands. The system and method can include provisions to suppress certain enlarged views.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a route calculation engine is described. The method of calculating a route to a resource comprises identifying a plurality of locations at which the resource may be available and creating an optimal route through the plurality of locations, the route assuring that the resource will be found regardless of availability at any one location.

Abstract: An inter-vehicle communication method according to the present invention performs communication by sequentially relaying transmission information among vehicles. For broadcasting the transmission information to peripheral vehicles, a vehicle transmitting the transmission information designates relay vehicles and causes the relay vehicles to broadcast reception information to peripheral vehicles of the relay vehicles. In order to designate the relay vehicles, the vehicle transmitting the transmission information receives positional information from its peripheral vehicles, identifies branch roads on which the respective peripheral vehicles exist by referring to map information, and designates as relay vehicles peripheral vehicles farthest away from the vehicle transmitting the transmission information on the respective branch roads.

Abstract: An electronic device is built including a memory, a processor, and a display. The processor is configured to calculate an array of estimated travel time data from a first location to a plurality of locations within a destination area from a set of situational parameters and a set of user parameters. These situational parameters may include data such as: the location, condition, and speed limits of roads and paths; the availability of public transportation; terrain information such as elevation, slope, the presence of trails and vegetation; and weather information such as wind speed and precipitation. User parameters may include data such as: the user's mode of transportation, the user's physical abilities, and the load the user is carrying.

Abstract: A navigation device is provided for easily designating a road to be avoided with high accuracy. When a location on a map is designated by a touch panel 7, an avoidance-road setting unit 22 identifies a road existing at or near the location designated, and specifies a link corresponding to the road. Then a map drawing unit 14 draws a map image in a reduced scale larger than that previously set. If another location on the map is designated, the process of specifying the link and the process of drawing the map image in the larger reduced scale, which are described above, are repeated. When there is provided an instruction to set the road specified based on the location as an avoidance road, the avoidance-road setting unit 22 stores a link ID of the link corresponding to the specified road in an avoidance-road memory 24.

Abstract: A map information update system has: a map display control apparatus; and a map information update apparatus. The map display control apparatus includes a map display control unit, a communication control unit, a map information transmission unit and a map information reception unit. The map display control unit controls the display device so as to update the map displayed on the display device based upon the updated information related to the map. The map information update apparatus includes a communication control unit, a map information update reception unit, a map display update data base unit, and an updated map information transmission unit that transmits information related to the map updated by the map information update unit to the map display control apparatus via the communication control unit.

Abstract: In a navigation system, display screen handling PG 2032 prepares hierarchically a plurality of operation screens to receive the setting from the operator, and changes the operation screen displayed on display 208 according to the content of the operation to operation button group 207 by the operator, the operation screen under the display, and said layered structure. Further, communication control PG 2032 controls cellular phone 30 through cellular phone IF 204 when it is necessary to receive the information from the information service center 10 in order to process according to the setting given by the operator through each of a series of operation screens displayed on display 208, and establishes the communication line between information service center 10 and this system. And, after information is received, the communication line is cut off.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing information for storage media, and in particular, for distributing updated navigation data, such as geographical data and navigation application programs, contained on storage media and used in in-vehicle navigation systems. A plurality of local repositories are located in a geographical area. Each of the local repositories includes updated versions of navigation data for the navigation systems. Owners of vehicles having navigation systems may visit any of the repositories from time to time where they can obtain updated versions of the navigation data for their navigation systems. Subscriptions for obtaining updated navigation data would be available to the owners of navigation systems that would entitle them to obtain updated navigation data from the repositories. Procedures for updating the local repositories are also provided. The system and method can be used for updating other types of software.

Abstract: A map displaying apparatus includes a map data storing unit that stores map data, a map drawing data generating unit that generates map drawing data, a sound data inputting unit that stores sound data and inputs sound data into the map drawing data generating unit, a drawing unit that carries out a drawing process for the map drawing data generated by the map drawing data generating unit to generate an image to be displayed on a screen, and a displaying unit that displays the image generated by the drawing unit on an actual screen.

Abstract: An in image display apparatus having a first display control unit for displaying a map image on a display panel on the basis of map data, a second display control unit for displaying real images of facilities such as ballparks, which images have the same scale of that of the map image, in areas corresponding to the facilities such as ballparks on the map image on the basis of area information indicating the areas corresponding to the facilities such as ballparks on the map image, and real image data associated with position coordinates.