Abstract: A wireless terminal displays its location and navigation information (map segment) on its display. The wireless terminal accesses a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal to determine its location coordinates. The wireless terminal determines a maximum data size for navigation information to be downloaded. The wireless terminal sends a navigation information download request to a map server via a supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes the location coordinates and the maximum data size. The wireless terminal receives navigation information that has a data size no greater than the maximum data size and displays the navigation information on the display. The wireless terminal may display a map segment and an icon representing the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal with respect to the map segment. The wireless terminal may download a premises map from a premises map server.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system detects a new road that is not recorded in a map for updating map data during a travel. After exiting from the new road, the increase of the data size of road map data at a time of addition of the new road to the map is estimated, and a collection of the data is transmitted to a server together with positional information and a travel frequency of the new road as a bundle of records of the new roads for facilitating a determination whether a combination of new roads from an updated road map database fits in a storage medium for the sake of user distribution.

Abstract: A door-lock control system includes: a door lock device; a current position detection unit; a data recording unit; a public security situation determination processing unit; and a function setting processing unit configured to set, according to the public security situation at the vehicle position, a function limit state that limits unlocking when a door-unlock operation has been performed by an operation unit.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided that includes a storage unit, a processing unit, and an optical output unit. The storage unit includes a first storage portion for storing type definition data for a plurality of object types, the type definition data defining a graphical representation of an object type in terms of at least one basic geometrical shape. A second storage portion includes object data for a plurality of objects, the object data for an object comprising object type data specifying an object type of the object and object position data specifying an object position of the object. To display an object having a specific object type, the processing unit reads the type definition data of the corresponding object type from the first storage portion and generates graphical representations of the basic geometrical shapes that constitute the object type on the optical output unit.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a map information updating means (13) for updating map information on a basis of map update information, a mounting detecting means (14) for detecting whether a storage medium is mounted to a storage medium driving means, a map information ID comparison means (15) for comparing a map information ID attached to the map information with a map information ID attached to the map update information to judge whether they match each other, a map information selection control means (16) for, when the storage medium is mounted to the storage medium driving means and the map information IDs match each other, selecting all of the map information, and selecting a part of the map information otherwise, a navigation information calculating means (17) for creating navigation information on the basis of the selected map information, and a navigation information output means (18) for outputting the created navigation information.

Abstract: A method and device for updating map data of a navigation device. The method includes receiving information relating to an area update of the map data from a data server via a wireless broadcast to the navigation device; and displaying the information in graphical form on a map displayed on a display screen. The method may further include receiving a user input selecting an area on the map corresponding to the area update; wirelessly transmitting the area as an area selection to the data server; wirelessly receiving updated map information corresponding to the selected area from the data server; and loading the received updated map information into the navigation device.

Abstract: A traffic information providing system externally acquires traffic information including information relating to the travel time of a link, calculates a travel time for a non-provision link to which no travel time is provided through estimate/complement operation. The estimate/complement operation is carried out with use of travel times, emergencies, travel times of links in the vicinity of the non-provision link, and so on, obtained in the near past. The system stores and statistically processes the externally-acquired traffic information, and also estimates a travel time in the near future. When there is an abnormality in the acquired traffic information, the system deletes the abnormality, regards the information as a non-provision link, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of links, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of the entire route made up of a plurality of links, and also calculates a probability for a specific travel time range.

Abstract: A user can intend to travel between different locations and employ different traveling manners to reach an intended travel destination. At different points, different devices can be employed for disclosing a route. For instance, as a user walks, a route can be integrated into a personal electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. An evaluation can take place that due to specific route details, for example detailed text, a particular device would be superior for presentment over another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to travel time determination, for example, determining a predicted travel time between locations based on historical data. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for determining a predicted amount of time required to travel from one location to another that includes dividing a region into multiple grid portions and designating each grid portion that contains at least one address of interest as a departure grid, a destination grid, or both. The method can further include generating a searchable data arrangement that includes travel times associated with traveling from selected departure grids to selected destination grids, and updating the travel times using historical data.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing a first-person perspective video mapping service. Information corresponding to a geographic area is received from a subscriber of the mapping service over a network. One or more first-person perspective videos of at least a portion of the geographic area are retrieved based on the information. A first-person perspective video map is generated using the retrieved first-person perspective video(s) and is transmitted to the subscriber over the network.

Abstract: An information center (5000) for collecting traffic information stores in its memory device the latest map data. Then, it is determined through a terminal device (5030) whether or not history information has been recorded in a data recording medium (800) mounted in a navigation device (1000), and when it is determined that the history information has been recorded, the map data in the data recording medium are updated to the latest map data. The data recording medium (800) is removable from the navigation device (1000). Statistical traffic information may be updated along with the updating of the map data. Further, when history information is directly uploaded to the information center, an identifier is attached to the uploaded information.

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: An information apparatus of a vehicle that allows the request for the required information to be reliably made is provided. When a vehicle and a charging device are connected to each other for transmission and reception of electric power in order to charge a main battery, a main control ECU receives the contents from a server depending on the contents requesting information stored in a request storing unit and stores the received contents in a contents storing unit. Preferably, prior to receiving the contents, the main control ECU notifies of the content of the contents requesting information to inquire of an operator performing the charging whether the contents are received based on the contents requesting information.

Abstract: A method for acquiring location information of a communication device is disclosed. The method acquires the location information of a first communication device according to a request received from a second communication device, and then transmitting the location information of the first communication device to the second communication device A system for acquiring location information of a communication device is also provided. By utilizing the method and the system, another people may find a location of a user of the first communication device.

Abstract: Accident avoidance system using an infrastructure system to convey location information between vehicles includes at least two vehicles approaching or traveling on a roadway and each having onboard, a position determining system onboard that receives satellite positioning signals from a plurality of satellites and determines location information based on the satellite positioning signals, a transmitter that transmits the location information for the vehicle to an infrastructure system, a receiver that receives location information for another vehicle from the infrastructure system, and an accident risk warning system that alerts its operator of a risk of an accident based on the location information for any other vehicles and map data representing the roadway including edges or lane boundaries of the roadway.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a map data acquiring means 11a, 11, 12, and 5 for acquiring map data including data about roads for which whether or not a car pool lane is also provided is specified; a current position determining means 13, 14, 15, and 10 for determining a current position; and a route searching unit 130 for searching for a route from the current position determined by the current position determining means to a destination inputted by an input unit on the basis of the map data acquired by the map data acquiring means, and for, when a road where a car pool lane is also provided is included in a route acquired through the route search, presenting, as a recommended route, the route using the car pool lane if the distance over which the road will be traveled is equal to or longer than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for displaying images corresponding to a path. The method can include downloading a path and one or more images corresponding to positions along the path, wherein the downloaded images are actual images of an environment near the corresponding positions. Additionally, the method can include detecting a position of a mobile device, and providing the downloaded images as the mobile device moves to the corresponding detected positions along the path.

Abstract: A wireless terminal displays its location and navigation information (map segment) on its display. The wireless terminal accesses a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the wireless terminal to determine its location coordinates. The wireless terminal determines a maximum data size for navigation information to be downloaded. The wireless terminal sends a navigation information download request to a map server via a supporting wireless network infrastructure that includes the location coordinates and the maximum data size. The wireless terminal receives navigation information that has a data size no greater than the maximum data size and displays the navigation information on the display. The wireless terminal may display a map segment and an icon representing the wireless terminal at a location corresponding to the location coordinates of the wireless terminal with respect to the map segment. The wireless terminal may download a premises map from a premises map server.

Abstract: A system for providing transportation information to passengers during an emergency, such as a terrorist attack. The system links emergency responders, public transportation operations (including subways, buses and other mass transit systems), and network operations in a coordinated evacuation of a crowded metropolitan area. Information is provided to the public via system of networked kiosks and displays provided strategically throughout a city. In another embodiment of the present invention, the system provides transportation and routing information to passengers during a non-emergency.

Abstract: In order to quickly update map data in region units without generation of contradiction to adjacent non-updated regions after the updating, under map data updating, time and date of updating of update region of a terminal is obtained with designation of a region as the update object used as a trigger, a mesh ID on the external boundary of the partial update region is obtained, and the differential updating data ID of the updated differential updating data is also obtained from the terminal. The partial updating data and differential updating data required for updating of the designated region of the terminal are selected from the information obtained above and these selected data are applied to the map data of terminal. When updating is conducted using the partial updating data and differential updating data, the time and date of updating of the relevant partial update region ID are changed and the differential updating data ID is registered to the differential management data.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for providing geographic information. The system includes a mobile unit having a first geographic database and a base unit having a second geographic database that is more up-to-date than the first geographic database. The base unit receives a request from a mobile unit for updated geographic data. The base unit identifies a portion of the second geographic database that corresponds to the request and provides a response to the mobile unit comprising the identified portion of the second geographic database.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a route of travel of a vehicle in which the navigation device is located, based upon at least a desired destination and a current location of the vehicle; storing map information including attribute information relating to network area coverage; and determining, based upon at least one of the map information and the attribute information and based upon the route of travel of the vehicle, when network area coverage will permit data information transfer along the route of travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that generates a 4D flight plan that takes in account weather, metrological data, and safety of flight information for 360 degree horizontal layer at all relevant altitudes and times is disclosed. The method may include receiving a flight plan request from a user, the flight plan including user preferences, receiving meteorological information and safety-of-flight information based on the user's origin, destination and preferences, generating a 4D flight plan based on the meteorological information, safety-of-flight information, and user preferences, and outputting the 4D flight plan for the user.

Abstract: A method and terminal for receiving and processing traffic information and a method and apparatus for providing the traffic information, where the method for receiving traffic information includes reading region information included in received traffic information, determining whether a first region indicated by the region information overlaps with a second region corresponding to location information on which traffic information is desired, and decoding the traffic information including the region information indicating the first region if the determination result indicates that the first and second regions overlap.

Abstract: The supplementary location-related information which may be included in a digital map of the receiver is transmitted in such a way that the location-related information may be downloaded from an Internet page.

Abstract: Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs set a first reference point on a driving route, set a second reference point on the driving route, the second reference point being prior to the first reference point along the driving route, and set a third reference point on the driving route, the third reference point being after the first reference point along the driving route. The apparatuses, methods, and programs set a triangular area having vertices corresponding to the first reference point, the second reference point, and the third reference point and obtain three-dimensional map data around the triangular area. The apparatuses, methods, and programs set a predetermined translucent ratio for a structure included in the triangular area. The apparatuses, methods, and programs generate a moving three-dimensional image which displays the driving route overlapped with the structure set with the predetermined translucent ratio and display the generated three-dimensional motion-image.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system operable to determine a current geographical location of the vehicle and a current directional heading of the vehicle. Data useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle is carried from an external provider to the vehicle via a wireless communication link. The data is wirelessly communicated from the external provider to the vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) location of the vehicle, (b) identity of the vehicle and (c) directional heading of the vehicle. The data is at least in part customized to at least one of the current geographic location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus displays a trend of house number increase or house number decrease when a vehicle is traveling on a street from one intersection to another intersection. By displaying the trend of the house number increase or the house number decrease as a clue of currently traveling position of the vehicle, the navigation apparatus makes it possible for a driver of the vehicle to easily understand where the driver is going and/or where the driver is traveling.

Abstract: A system for communicating between networked applications and vehicles that includes a vehicle response server and a vehicle response agent. The vehicle response server can manage communications between at least one vehicle and at least one application remotely located from the vehicle, wherein the application can provide activation contexts to the vehicle. The vehicle response agent can be disposed in the vehicle. The vehicle response agent can receive the activation contexts and determine event occurrences based in part upon the activation contexts and in part upon a location of the vehicle relative to previously defined geographical boundaries specified by the vehicle response server.

Abstract: A method of navigating a plurality of vehicles includes receiving vehicle identifications from the plurality of vehicles at a central location. A travel group is formed based on the received vehicle identifications. Global positioning information is received from at least one vehicle associated with the travel group at the central location. The received global positioning information is transmitted from the central location to at least one vehicle associated with the travel group.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for estimating real-time travel times or traffic loads (e.g., traffic flows or densities) over a transportation network based on limited real-time data. In one embodiment, a method for estimating a travel time over a transportation network comprising at least a first link and a second link includes receiving a data feed associated with a real-time traffic flow over the first link, estimating a first travel time over the first link based at least in part on the data feed, and estimating a second travel time over the second link, also based at least in part on the data feed. The method assumes that a real-time data feed is not available for the second link, and thus estimates the traffic flow over the second link based on the known traffic flow over the first link and other known data, such as historical traffic patterns and physical parameters of the transportation network.

Abstract: A method of demonstrating navigation in a vehicle includes receiving a navigation demonstration mode request and global positioning information at a call center. A destination prompt is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle. A point-of-interest category is received at a call center. A point-of-interest destination is determined based on the point-of-interest category. A route is determined based on the received global positioning information and the point-of-interest destination. The route is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of providing alternate route possibilities to a first vehicle operator using a first networked navigation device includes determining a first route between a starting position and a travel destination. An alternate route request is transmitted to a second networked navigation device for a portion of the route between the starting position and the travel destination. The alternate route is received from the second navigation device. The determined first route and the received alternate route are presented to the first vehicle operator, including usage data for the alternate route.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes an adaptive routing module (210) that allows a user to provide inputs that influence routes that are calculated to predetermined destinations. A route calculation module (204) executed by a navigation server (102) is operable to calculate a first route from the trip origin to the trip destination. An adaptive route calculation (204) executed by the navigation server (102) is operable to allow the user to enter a user modification of the first route. After the user modification is entered by the user, a second route to the trip destination is calculated as a function of the user modification. The second route is then transmitted to a vehicle navigation system (104).

Abstract: Provided is 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: A method for identifying available parking spaces. The method includes receiving data about a parking space from a vehicle, the data including a geographic indicator associated with the parking space. The data is stored in a database of available parking spaces. A geographic location is received from a parking space requestor. The database is searched for an available parking space within a proximity of the geographic location. If an available parking space within a proximity of the geographic location is located in the database, a geographic indicator associated with the available parking space is transmitted to the parking space requester.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a storage module, a location measuring module, a communication module, and a navigation image generating module. The storage module stores image data corresponding to respective symbols, and data of simplified diagram templates in each of which positions are set on an image showing a shape of a road, symbols being placed at the respective positions. The location measuring module measures a current location. The communication module transmits the current location to an external communication apparatus and receives navigation information on a navigation point corresponding to the current location, the navigation information including a simplified diagram template identification number, symbol identification numbers, and position specification numbers.

Abstract: In an information providing service that utilizes a car navigation system or the like, ensuring safety while viewing content is a matter of great concern. A vehicle-mounted onboard content providing apparatus for providing content to a user of the vehicle, comprising a current location acquisition unit for acquiring information about the current location, an instruction input unit whereby information about the destination and instructions for selecting the content to be delivered are inputted, a control unit for editing the content retrieved based on the instructions, and an output unit for outputting the edited content, wherein the control unit determines, on the basis of attribute information assigned to the route included in the results of retrieving the route from the current location to the destination, sections in which content is outputted or not outputted on the route, and edits the content on the basis of the result of this determination.

Abstract: A system and method splices into, or replaces routes identified based on road geometry with routes taken by the same user or other users to create alternate routes that may be selected by a user to display, for example, on a map or for which driving directions can be displayed. Communication of routes traveled by different devices may be received from a server or from another device. A naming convention for road segments and ordered paths of road segments is described.

Abstract: A method for vehicular communications and information reporting. First and second wireless Internet connections between respective first and second vehicles and a web-server are provided. First and second event information is transmitted, to the web-server, from the first and second vehicles. The first and second event information relates to the same event in visual range, respectively, of occupants of the first and second vehicles. The web server may transmit, to the first and second vehicles, confirmed event information derived from the first and second event information.

Abstract: A method for dividing a field into zones with similar crop attributes and developing a mission plan for steering the harvester to selectively harvest crops based on one or more of the attributes. The attributes include protein level, starch level, oil level, sugar content, moisture level, digestible nutrient level, or any other crop characteristic of interest. The method can be applied to selectively harvest and/or segregate according to attribute any crop, including grains such as wheat, corn, or beans, fruits such as grapes, and forage crops. Directed crop sampling provides absolute value and variance information for segregated batches of harvested crop.

Abstract: Method and systems for using agents to perform an operation (e.g., a search) over a geographic area are provided. The system can first create a digital map of the geographic region divided into cells that contain information about the progress of an operation related to the geographic region. Next, the system can calculate a distance gradient of the digital map. The distance gradient indicates the distance from cells of the digital map to the nearest unoperated cell. The system can determine the next move for each agent based on the distance gradient. Also described are methods and systems for efficiently exchanging digital map information among agents and for distributing agents to increase network coverage and decrease agent crowding.

Abstract: An updated part of map data is delivered while suppressing unwanted communication traffic and preventing contradiction in the updated map. A map delivering server (10) comprises a map data storage section (102) storing link data including the update dates and times and update infection range for each link, a network IF section (101) for receiving from a navigation terminal (20) a map delivery request containing the requested area of map delivery and the previous request data and time of map delivery of the requested area, and a map element search section (103) for searching the map data storage section (102) for the link data associated with the update infection range including the link at least a part of which belongs to the requested area of the map delivery request and associated with the update date and time later than the previous request date and time contained in the map delivery request.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus acquires geographic information from a server apparatus. When the navigation apparatus does not store any geographic information that provides a continuous route from the starting point to a destination point, it transmits data of the starting point and destination point to the server apparatus to acquire therefrom geographic information that provides a continuous route from the starting point to the destination point. This efficient acquisition of geographic information realizes reduction of communication time and communication costs.

Abstract: A method for creating minimal data representing a source image is presented. The source image is divided into a grid of cells. A color is selected for each cell corner based on sampling an area defined by the cell corner. An indication of the selected color is stored in an array dependent on the co-ordinates of the cell corner in the source image.

Abstract: A tracking method and system. The method comprises receiving by a tracking apparatus, data comprising informational data segments and associated tracking data segments. The tracking apparatus is moved within a specified proximity of a first location. The tracking apparatus senses the first location. The tracking apparatus retrieves a first informational data segment associated with the first location based on a first tracking data segment. The tracking apparatus requests an updated informational data segment associated with the first informational data segment, the first tracking data segment, and the first location. The tracking apparatus retrieves the updated informational data segment. The tracking apparatus broadcasts a specified portion of the updated informational data segment. The specified portion is dependent on a specified condition of the tracking apparatus.

Abstract: The infrared communication unit of the mobile phone receives a first data series transmitted from the other-party mobile phone by infrared communication, and, when transmitting a second data series by infrared communication, the controller of the mobile phone controls the infrared communication unit so as to transmit the second data series in response to completion of reception of the first data series. Alternatively, the controller controls the infrared communication unit so as to receive the first data series in response to completion of transmission of the second data series.

Abstract: A method for sharing travel-related information over a network includes enabling a user access travel-related information on a data storage device. The data is generated and transmitted by a system hosted any of several different social networking platforms. The method includes retrieving the travel-related data for multiple users over the network and displaying different maps which visually indicate the data. A method for displaying travel options includes displaying a map, enabling a user to designate travel criteria, enabling the user to change the criteria, and updating a visual representation of the search results concurrently with the user's criteria change. A method for searching reviews includes filtering reviews based on a degree of correspondence between a searcher and the personality profiles of the different reviewers.

Abstract: A process for generating a flight plan includes accessing over a computer network from a client computer a selected composite flight navigation chart from among plural selected composite flight navigation charts stored at a server computer, each selected composite flight navigation chart including a flight chart merged with flight navigation waypoints. The selected composite flight navigation chart is downloaded from the server computer to the client computer. A flight route is indicated on the selected composite flight navigation chart at the client computer and transmitted to the server computer. The flight route is incorporated into the selected composite flight navigation chart at the server computer and returned to the client computer as a flight plan.

Abstract: A traffic information distribution system includes a distribution device for synthesizing pieces of traffic information supplied from a traffic information center, an output device for outputting pieces of traffic information distributed from the distribution device, and a data communicator that is connected to the output device and that can communicate with the distribution device in a bidirectional manner. The distribution device responds to a request signal transmitted from the output device via the data communicator, effectively synthesizes the pieces of traffic information in consideration not only of a request made by a user, recognizability at the time of output, a state of a map on a display screen and a range of the map, but also of various factors in which actual road conditions are reflected. The pieces of the traffic information that have been synthesized are distributed via the data communicator to the output device.