Abstract: A remote initialization system and method for a vehicle system receive trip data for an upcoming trip at an off-board device. Using the off-board device, the trip data is communicated to the different back-office systems, and one or more of mandatory directives or software configuration requirements are received at the off-board device from the different back-office systems. An initialization data set that includes at least some of the trip data and at least some of the one or more of the mandatory directives or the software configuration requirements is communicated from the off-board device to an onboard controller of the vehicle system. The initialization data set is configured to be used by the onboard controller to control movement of the vehicle system in the different sets of the routes.

Abstract: In response to confirmation request from an onboard terminal in a state where updated data after start of a temporary road change is available, a map update server distributes the updated data and instructs the onboard terminal to temporarily use the updated data. In response to the confirmation request in a state where the updated data after end of a temporary road change is available, the server instructs the onboard terminal to use the updated data from before the start of the temporary road change. In response to being instructed to temporarily use the updated data, the terminal uses the updated data that has been distributed. In response to being instructed to use the updated data from before the start of a temporary road change, the terminal temporarily uses the updated data by using map data from before the start of the temporary road change instead of the updated data.

Abstract: The center device includes: a first wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a vehicle using a first communication method within a first communication range; a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle using a second communication method having a higher communication speed than that of the first communication method within a second communication range which is smaller than the first communication range; a reception control unit configured to control a reception of vehicle information from the vehicle to the first wireless communication unit; and a distribution control unit configured to control distribution of content data from the second wireless communication unit to the vehicle according to the vehicle information.

Abstract: A system for handling a fluid includes a container for separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The system also includes at least one valve for releasing the vapor from the container, at least one sensor to detect a level of the liquid in the container, and a controller in communicatively coupled to the at least one valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to control the at least one valve to release the vapor such that the liquid level is maintained at or above a desired liquid level. The controller is configured to determine diagnostic data based at least in part on signals received from the least one valve and the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique to accurately recognize a position of a vehicle even in a vicinity of a branch road or a junction road, neither of which is included in map data. The present invention provides a vehicle control device. When a vehicle is traveling on a road that is not described in map data, the vehicle control device is configured to determine whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a junction road or a branch road, based on a positional relationship between a position of the vehicle and a starting point of the junction road or a starting point of the branch road.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for generating navigation instructions for display on a display device of a portable navigation device, comprising: means for accessing a repository storing digital map data pertaining to a navigable network along which the navigation device can travel; means for generating, for display on the display device, a three-dimensional perspective view of a model representative of the map data as though from a camera positioned at an elevation and pitch angle behind a current position of the portable navigation device, that is updated to follow the device as it travels along a planned route through the navigable network; and means for generating, in response to detecting that the current position of the navigation device is closer than a predetermined distance to a decision point in the planned route, a fast forward preview of the upcoming decision point by advancing the position of the camera for the three-dimensional perspective view along the planned route at a speed faster than the rate of

Abstract: In a method for data classification and data transmission in vehicles, event data which characterize an event that occurs in a first vehicle are stored in a data packet. Event data of the data packet are transmitted from the first to a second vehicle and displayed there if at least a portion of the event data and/or driving-specific data from the first vehicle corresponds to a driving or event category that is determined in the second vehicle.

Abstract: A data collection device includes: an acquirer configured to acquire the location of a vehicle from a vehicle device mounted on the vehicle; an extractor configured to extract, based on the location of the vehicle, at least one identifier out of identifiers each assigned to a region on a map that is divided into a plurality of regions; a distributor configured to distribute to the vehicle device at least one information pair that is formed by pairing the extracted identifier with a data collection condition; and a collector configured to collect, from the vehicle device, data gathered by the vehicle device based on the collection condition.

Abstract: An ECU of a driving support system as a route candidate setting system is configured to provide a first curved line represented by a first function having x coordinate as a variable and y coordinate and a second curved line represented by a second function having x coordinate as a variable and y coordinate and having a lower degree than the first function, and set the first and second curved lines as traveling-route candidate RC. In a case where an obstacle is detected by a camera and a radar, the ECU is configured not to provide the first curved line having its terminal point corresponding to a grid point Gn located on a forward side, in an advancing direction of a vehicle, of the obstacle and the second curved line having its start point corresponding to this grid point Gn.

Abstract: An interactive two-dimensional digital map is provided via a user interface. A request to obtain travel directions to a destination is received. An indication of a ride from a pick-up location to a drop-off location to traverse at least a portion of the route is obtained from a third-party provider of a ride service. Street-level imagery for the pick-up location is obtained and displayed on the digital map. In response to detecting a selection of the street-level imagery via the user interface, the two-dimensional digital map is transitioned to an interactive three-dimensional panoramic display of street-level imagery.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor interface, a memory and a processor. The sensor interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to (i) analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern, (ii) determine time efficient operational parameters for the vehicle in response to (a) a destination and (b) an estimated travel time to the destination. The estimated travel time may be based on current conditions of the vehicle indicated by the pattern. The time efficient operational parameters may be selected to decrease the estimated travel time. At least one of the sensor data samples may comprise telemetry data.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to (a) receive (i) sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle and (ii) data from a telemetry system and (b) connect to a remote database. The memory may be configured to store (a) the sensor data samples over a number of points in time and (b) the data from the telemetry system. The processor may be configured to (i) analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to determine current conditions and (ii) associate the current conditions with a route segment traveled by the vehicle. The route segment is identified according to the data from the telemetry system. The current conditions associated with the route segment are uploaded to the remote database to enable historical route information for a plurality of route segments.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor interface, a memory and a processor. The sensory interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to (i) analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern and (ii) predict a destination of a driver in response to (a) the pattern and (b) historical data associated with operation of the vehicle. At least one of the sensor data samples may be driver-related. At least one of the sensor data samples may comprise telemetry data.

Abstract: System and method for a user to navigate an autonomous vehicle. In an aspect, if the user submits a forward command, the vehicle is arranged to go straight within a given distance. In another aspect, if the user submits a turn-right command, the vehicle is arranged to turn right and then go straight within a given distance. In yet another aspect, if the user doesn't enter any additional command within a given distance, the vehicle is arranged to go to a scheduled destination. In addition, multiple options including gadget-free methods are provided for vehicle check-in process.

Abstract: Discovery of services between devices is provided prior to establishing a connection between devices, including wireless-enabled devices or devices that are communicatively coupled to wireless access points or other wireless communication devices. Discovering services prior to establishing a connection may facilitate finding a desired service. The services that may be discovered may be, for example, print services, camera services, PDA services or any other suitable services. Services may be discovered using 802.11, Bluetooth, UWB or any other suitable wireless technology. A graphical user interface is provided that enables a user to select a desired service.

Abstract: A method for implementing at least one function, provided by an external server, in a control device of a vehicle includes transmitting the at least one function from the external server via a wireless interface to a management control device arranged in the vehicle; transmitting, by the management control device, the at least one function to at least one control device of the vehicle; and implementing the at least one function in the at least one control device. The at least one control device controls the vehicle in accordance with the at least one function.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive, via a vehicle-related interface, an object to be geo-fenced. The processor is also configured to receive adaptive parameters defining how a geo-fence should adapt to data types included with the parameters. The processor is further configured to find an instance of the object and create a geo-fence around the found object. The processor is also configured to track data corresponding to the adaptive parameters while a vehicle travels and adapt the created geo-fence based on the tracked data as guided by the parameters.

Abstract: A method comprises displaying a map including a plurality of streets and displaying street names for a first subset of the plurality of streets shown on the map, the street signs displayed only for the first subset of streets that are directly accessible from the user's current location and are along the user's path, wherein a second subset of streets that are not directly accessible from the user's current location, including streets behind the user's current location, do not have the street signs.

Abstract: In a computing system, information regarding a plurality of events that use a computing device is obtained, and a time-dependant increase in activity for each of at least some of the events is identified. An observed interest by a user in an event is correlated with an identified increase in activity for the event. Information about the activity at a time related to the event is provided for review by the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a road condition information transmission method and apparatus and a road condition information obtaining method. The road condition information transmission method comprises: receiving a road condition information request sent by a first client, the road condition information request being used to request road condition information; obtaining a current location of the first client; determining a target subsequent road segment from a plurality of candidate subsequent road segments of the current location, the target subsequent road segment being determined according to recorded road segment information; and transmitting road condition information of the target subsequent road segment to the first client.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and/or a method of location and event capture circuitry to facilitate remote vehicle location predictive modeling when global positioning is unavailable. In one embodiment, a predictive circuit of a vehicle includes event detection circuitry to initiate a timer circuit of the vehicle when a wheel of the vehicle is in a stationary state beyond threshold amount of time during an event; an event categorization circuitry to monitor a telemetry data of the vehicle to assign a category to the event; a data communication circuitry to communicate the event, the category, and/or a set of other events and categories to a predictive recommendation server on a periodic basis; and a repossession detection circuitry to determine that the vehicle is pending repossession based on the event, the category, the set of other events and categories, and/or a message communicated from the predictive recommendation server to the predictive circuit.

Abstract: Verifying shared event information is provided. Communication with a nearby mobile or immobile apparatus is established to generate an event existence proof in response to encountering the nearby mobile or immobile apparatus. Existence of an incident event is verified in response to arriving at a geographic location of the incident event. A verified incident event is published to add to an incident event distributed ledger for managing incident event information corresponding to the incident event.

Abstract: A system for pairing a passenger having a mobile device with a vehicle is provided. The system includes a link manager located remote from the vehicle, wherein the link manager receives information from a fleet of vehicles and a plurality of passengers. The system also includes vehicle location determining means which generate vehicle location information for the vehicle, and a first wireless communication device which communicates vehicle location information to the link manager and mobile location determining means which generates mobile location information for the mobile device, and a second wireless communication device which communicates mobile location information to the link manager. The link manager matches the mobile location information with the closest matching vehicle location information received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing target location reminders for a mobile device may take into account the estimated time that it will take the mobile device to reach a target location based on a current location of the mobile device, based on a current mode of transportation of the mobile device and also based on current traffic conditions to reach a target location (808). In another example, a method and apparatus for providing target location reminders for a mobile device may dynamically change a geo-fence perimeter to include an area larger than a previously set geo-fence in response to a determined frequency of location visits of the mobile device (810). In another example, an apparatus and method may operate in a mode that automatically provide target location reminders taking into consideration common mobile device locations also referred to as an extension mode from favorite locations (812).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in order to obtain an image from a remote computer with the image being associated with the current location of a mobile terminal via which a user provides input soliciting the image. In the context of a method, the user input representative of a request to obtain an image from a remote computer may be received. The method may then determine a current context including a location of a mobile terminal and may cause the current context to be transmitted to the remote computer. The method may also receive an image from the remote computer based upon the current context of the mobile terminal. In this regard, the image is associated with the location of the mobile terminal upon receiving the user input. The method may also cause the image received from the remote computer to be stored.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for assessing the likely user status of a client computing device interacting with a server where the computing device is in bi-directional operative communication with the server, wherein the likely user status is one of a human operator or a computer executable program such as a “bot”. By presenting issued data from the server to the client computing device and monitoring at least some of the data generated at the client computing device in response to the issued data, a comparison can be made between the monitored data and model data relating to human interaction with or in response to the issued data. The results of the comparison can lead to a value that represents the likelihood that the monitored data results from human interaction with or in response to the issued data. Modeled data includes, but is not limited to, data indicative of human interaction with a computing environment, whether active or passive.

Abstract: A distance measurement device includes a transceiving unit that, in a distance measurement process between the distance measurement device and nodes, transmits a command to the nodes, and receives a response as a response to the command; and a distance measurement control unit that instructs the transceiving unit to transmit the command when the distance measurement process starts, measures a period of time until the response is received after the command is transmitted, and calculates a distances between the distance measurement device and the nodes on the basis of the measured period of time. The distance measurement control unit determines the number of repetitions for the distance measurement process until the distance is calculated after the command is transmitted on the basis of the calculated distance.

Abstract: A road information sharing method according to the present invention is a road information sharing method for sharing the road information via a terminal device, the road information sharing method including the steps of storing sensor information acquired from a vehicle moving in accompaniment with the terminal device, detecting the road information from the sensor information on the basis of detection rules for detecting the road information, notifying a user about the road information detected, and prompting the user to make a judgment of necessity/unnecessity of registration about the detected road information, and storing the detected road information, if the detected road information is judged to be registration-necessary by the user.

Abstract: A method or apparatus to provide a map display is disclosed.

Abstract: Map data includes, for each of multiple links used for representing a road in a map, a link record and a speed limit record for a certain link. The link records and the speed limit records of the multiple links for representing a road are collected to form separate data lists of respective attribute types, that is, a link record data list and a speed limit record data list, instead of collecting records by a unit of each link. The map data structured as separate attribute data lists of respective attribute data types for links in the map data, for example, establishes inter-attribute data association between different attribute data types for the certain link based on the arrangement orders of the respective attribute data types in the data list indicative of the same arrangement order of the multiple links.

Abstract: A traffic information system for a vehicle comprises a transmitter and a global positioning system (GPS) associated with the vehicle that selectively generates location and vector data. A control module receives the location and vector data and wirelessly transmits the location and vector data using the transmitter when the vehicle is traveling on a first set of predetermined roads and does not transmit the location and vector data when the vehicle is traveling on a second set of predetermined roads.

Abstract: In one embodiment taught herein, a plurality of road-going vehicles report weather-related data to a weather-determining system. For example, trucks and/or cars having in-vehicle information systems wirelessly transmit one or more items of weather-related data, such that the weather-determining system directly or indirectly receives the transmitted data. In turn, the weather-determining system jointly processes the weather-related data to determine weather information for one or more geographic areas corresponding to reported positions of the road-going vehicles. In one embodiment, the in-vehicle information systems comprise GPS-based position reporting systems installed in on-highway trucks and other fleet vehicles, and the weather-determining system comprises a modified position-tracking system, e.g., a modified network fleet management system.

Abstract: A system for providing navigational information to a vehicle driver. An on-board system is disposed on a vehicle and processes and transmits to a data center, via a wireless link, spoken requests from a vehicle driver requesting navigational information. The data center performs automated voice recognition on the received spoken requests to attempt recognition of destination components of the spoken requests, generates a list of possible destination components corresponding to the spoken requests, assigns a confidence score for each of the possible destination components on the list, determines if a possible destination component with a highest confidence score has a confidence score above a selected threshold, and computer-generates a representation of the possible destination components for transmission to the on-board system via the wireless link for confirmation by the vehicle driver if the highest confidence score of every possible destination component is above the selected threshold.

Abstract: A system for improving the operation of a GPS based navigator. Statistical and/or time of day information is used to select the best route between a current location and a desired location. The statistical information may take into account anomalies, and a user can select the amount of risk they which take. The system can be updated with more updated information. In addition, the selection of the desired location can be carried out by downloading information from a PDA.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of providing detailed information using a multimedia based traffic and travel information message and a terminal for executing the same. A method of providing detailed information using a multimedia based traffic in accordance with this document may comprise receiving transport protocol expert group (TPEG) information, comprising a road traffic message and a multimedia based traffic and travel information message and comprised of a hierarchical structure, displaying one or more events comprised in the road traffic message, allowing a request for detailed information about any one of the events to be input, and receiving detailed information of a multimedia type from a multimedia data providing server through specific one of bearer information comprised in the multimedia based traffic and travel information message and providing the received detailed information.

Abstract: A road information sharing method according to the present invention is a road information sharing method for sharing the road information via a terminal device, the road information sharing method including the steps of storing sensor information acquired from a vehicle moving in accompaniment with the terminal device, detecting the road information from the sensor information on the basis of detection rules for detecting the road information, notifying a user about the road information detected, and prompting the user to make a judgment of necessity/unnecessity of registration about the detected road information, and storing the detected road information, if the detected road information is judged to be registration-necessary by the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments include communicating emergency information to a vehicle. A computer may receive one or more emergency notifications issued by a government agency. Additionally, a geographic location of a vehicle may be determined based on GPS data. At least one emergency notification may be selected based on the geographic location of the vehicle and a geographic attribute of the emergency notifications. The selected emergency notifications may be output so that the notification may be presented to a vehicle occupant. In some embodiments, the notification may be output depending on the direction that the vehicle is travelling.

Abstract: An automotive communication system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system operable to determine a geographical location and a multi-pixel reconfigurable display device disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle. Data is wirelessly communicated to and is received by electronic circuitry of the vehicle and the data is at least in part customized to the geographic location of the vehicle as determined by the global positioning system. Information that is derived at least in part from the data is displayed by the display device and is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A user input for the wireless communication is operable within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The automotive communication system includes voice input. The data is wirelessly communicated to the vehicle from a data provider located external of and remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of resolving a location in a second digital map from an ordered list of location reference points determined from a first digital map. The method involves identifying candidate lines and nodes in the second digital map, and using curvature, height and gradient information associated with the location reference points to identify the most likely candidate nodes or lines in the second digital map corresponding to the nodes represented by the location reference points and to lines emanating from or incident at the node in the first digital map. The method involves carrying out a route search between the most likely identified candidate node or line identified for one location reference point, and the corresponding node or line associated with the next reference point in the list, and repeating this step for consecutive pairs of reference points until the final location reference point is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for recognizing a position of a vehicle to notify the position to a driver. The vehicle position recognizing apparatus includes a WiFi module configured to receive signals from a plurality of WiFi APs, a WPS module configured to measure RSSI values of the signals received by the WiFi module, and estimate a position of a vehicle, and a WPS correction controller configured to correct the RSSI values measured by the WPS module to recognize the position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A location system for use in locating a vehicle or other object. The system may include displaying directional information on a mobile device, such as but not limited to a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), remote vehicle control device (fob, RKE, passive entry, etc.). The displayed directional information may indicate a direction of travel to the vehicle without requiring the mobile device to rely on GPS satellites to determine a position useful in orientating the user in a direction toward the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying nowcasts along a route on a map. The system receives a map request including a departure location and a destination location from a user, and obtains map data including a route between the destination location and the departure location. A nowcaster is used for outputting nowcasts for a number of key points along the route. The system modifies the map data to include a visual indicator for each nowcast for each key point such that when the modified map data is executed on a display the nowcasts are displayed along the route between the departure location and the destination location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining geographical location data from multiple sources and aggregating the geographical location data are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving geo-location data from a plurality of geo-location data collectors, at least one of the plurality of geo-location data collectors being in data communication with an in-vehicle geo-location data source, at least one of the plurality of geo-location data collectors being in data communication with a geo-location data source in a mobile device; collecting reliability data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of geo-location data sources corresponding to the plurality of geo-location data collectors; collecting map data including information related to geographical features associated with the geo-location data; and aggregating, by use of a data processor, the geo-location data from the plurality of geo-location data collectors based on the reliability data and the map data to produce a resulting geo-location fix.

Abstract: An automotive communication system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system and a display device disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle. Data is wirelessly communicated to and is received by electronic circuitry of the vehicle and the data is at least in part customized to the geographic location of the vehicle as determined by the global positioning system. Information derived at least in part from the data is displayed by the display device and is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. A user input for the wireless communication is operable within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The automotive communication system includes at least one of (i) voice input, (ii) voice detection, (iii) voice recognition and (iv) voice generation.

Abstract: A map information delivery system, including a navigation apparatus, is capable of preferentially receiving map updating information based on a host vehicle's state. The updating information may be preferentially received based on whether a destination has been set, a location of the updating information relative to an updating position or a destination, and/or the size of the updating information.

Abstract: A method of providing navigational information includes processing destination information spoken by a vehicle occupant on-board. The processed voice information is transmitted to a remote center wirelessly. The processed voice information is voice recognition analyzed at the remote data center to recognize components of the destination information spoken. The remote center generates a list of hypothetical recognized components of the destination information listed by confidence levels as calculated for each component of the destination information analyzed by the voice recognition system. The hypothetical recognized component list is displayed with confidence levels at the remote center for selective checking by a human data center operator. A component set is selected based on the confidence levels and accuracy of the selected set is confirmed by interactive voice exchanges between the vehicle driver and the remote data center.

Abstract: An information providing system (SYS), which provides information with a vehicle to assist driving the vehicle via a road-to-vehicle communication, comprises an information providing center (R) which has version-controlled first static information (R20) and transmits service information including version information of matching static information, the service information being generated by using the first static information (R20); and an on-vehicle device (V) which has version-controlled second static information (V20) corresponding to the first static information (R20), implements a drive assist service by using the second static information (V20) and service information received from the information providing center (R), and determines content of the drive assist service to be implemented, based on version information included in the service information and version information of the second static information (V20).

Abstract: A method and system for refreshing location code data is disclosed. The system includes a location code change system that receives map change data and location code change data. The location code change system processes the map change data, finds affected location codes, and updates the location code's information by manipulating the location code data or performing a geocoding operation. The updated location code data is stored in a location code system. The location code change system receives the location code change data from the location code system and provides information regarding the location code changes to a map change system, which facilitates map updates based on the location code changes.

Abstract: Provided are a computer system and methods related to a map display. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map, the map illustrating one or more locations; determining a status associated with at least one of the one or more locations on the map, the status being a function of one or more location interaction rules associated with the at least one of the one or more locations on the map; and generating a signal related to indicating on the map the status associated with the at least one of the one or more locations.

Abstract: System and method for traffic mapping service are disclosed for allowing plurality of users having each a navigation device to transmit their locations to a server and optionally to signal to the server their requested destination. The system and method are further capable of calculating traffic parameters such as current traffic speed at a given road based on the momentary locations of the users. The system and method of the invention may also calculate and advise the users of preferred roads to take in order to arrive at the requested location with minimum delay.