Abstract: A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag.

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 navi-server which is provided with information from a traffic information providing center, and presents and provides information made on the information to a terminal is characterized by being equipped with a first storage means storing the information provided from the traffic information providing center; a traffic jam statistical making means which makes traffic jam statistical information including traffic jam information in a predetermined point and a predetermined zone as well as a reliability of the traffic jam information, based on information stored in the first storage means; and a second storage means storing information made by the traffic jam statistical making means, wherein the navi-server presents and provides the information stored in the second storage means to the terminal, based on a request of the terminal and at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times.

Abstract: A method provides driving operation data in a network for wirelessly exchanging driving operation data. A first motor vehicle connected to the network by communication technology determines the absolute driving operation data of a second motor vehicle by way of at least one environment sensor disposed in the first motor vehicle. The absolute driving operation data of the second motor vehicle are transmitted by the first motor vehicle to at least one other subscriber to the network.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose methods, systems, and apparatuses for providing maps and directions, including walking and mass transit directions in urban environments where users do not drive cars. Additionally, driving directions can be included. Various criteria, including preferences for amount of walking, for or against particular streets, certain mass transit vehicle types, number of transfers between mass transit vehicles, and other preferences, are considered in the routing calculations, as well as non-individual information such as current conditions and other information. User feedback on various qualitative aspects of the directions is received and stored, and used in subsequent routing decisions. Embodiments disclosed include web services whereby third parties, such as members of the travel industry, can access such services which provide textual and graphical information. Further, clients can access and edit mass transit information through the web services.

Abstract: A method and structure for predicting traffic on a network, includes a receiver which receives data related to traffic on at least a portion of a network. A calculator calculates a traffic prediction for at least a part of the network, the traffic prediction being calculated by using a deviation from a historical traffic on the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for information filtering in a roadway travel data exchange network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a travel data processing system may comprise, for example, a communication network. A mobile device may be communicatively coupled to the communication network. A collection system may collect first travel data, where the first travel data may comprise second travel data that is relevant to the mobile device. A filter system may analyze the first travel data to control the flow of at least a portion of the second travel data. A filter device may be communicatively coupled to the communication network and the filter device may comprise at least a portion of the filter system. The mobile device may comprise at least a portion of the filter system.

Abstract: Navigation information distribution systems, methods, and programs transfer a piece of vehicle position information to an information distribution center every predetermined time period, the piece of vehicle information including a vehicle position and a time when the vehicle passes through the vehicle position. The systems, methods, and programs receive pieces of vehicle position information and traffic information including congestion information, store the received pieces of vehicle position information in order of arrival, and specify a congested road section on the basis of congestion information. The systems, methods, and programs assign a weight of a first travel distance within the congested road section, the weight of the first travel distance calculated on the basis of two of the received pieces of vehicle position information received from the navigation apparatus and congestion information about the congested section.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for predicting future travel times over a transportation network. In one embodiment, a method for predicting future travel times over a transportation network includes receiving a data point indicating a real-time volume of traffic on the link at a given time and updating a template representative of an observed traffic pattern on the link in accordance with the received data point. A future travel time over the link can then be estimated in accordance with the updated template. Thus, the template is able to adapt to dynamically changing traffic patterns, taking these changing traffic patterns into account when making predictions of future traffic patterns.

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: 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: The invention provides a map knowledge base generating device and a method thereof, and a traffic information query system and a method thereof. The traffic information query system, comprises: a map knowledge base generating section for generating knowledge related to attributes of roads and traffic points, attribute values corresponding to the attributes, and spatial information of the attribute values based on an electronic map so as to form a map knowledge base; and a traffic query processing section for receiving and analyzing a query form a user terminal, decomposing the query if it is determined that the query can be decomposed according to the map knowledge base, and searching a traffic information database according to the decomposed the query request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing personalized route information involves gathering a plurality of past location indicators over time for a wireless client device, determining a future driving objective using the plurality of previously-gathered location indicators, obtaining real-time traffic data for an area proximate to the determined driving objective, and generating a suggested route for the driving objective using the near real-time traffic data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: A traffic information system includes: a past information database for storing past information, which is collected for road links in a predetermined area, of a past mobile object on a road; a current information database for storing running information, which is collected for the road links in the predetermined area, of a current mobile object; link correlation analyzing means in which correlations of traffic information among each road link in the predetermined area are calculated from the past information stored in the past information database, and output as link correlation information among the road links; combination calculating means for calculating weighting information for obtaining the current information as a sum of the link correlation information; and traffic information estimating means for calculating estimated traffic information for a link where the current information is not collected based on the link correlation information and the weighting information.

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: 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: Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for notification or messaging systems that give confidence to the notification-receiving party that a notification concerning the travel status of a mobile thing is from a proper authorized source. One representative method, among others, comprises the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; communicating a notification involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with a party; and providing authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification is from an authorized source. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer system that is programmed to perform each of the foregoing steps.

Abstract: An in-car navigation device depicts dynamic travel information (congestions, weather, etc.) in the context of a schematic display of the actual roads that the information relates to. In one implementation, the schematic view is a linear representation of the route and that schematic linear representation is displayed at the same time but separate from a map of a 2-D or 3-D representation of the actual road being traveled along and the current location of the device on that road. The device can send a request to a remote server over a wireless communications network for dynamic travel information relevant to a defined route and receive and display that information.

Abstract: A navigation device 100 includes: a map information acquirer for acquiring map information; a current position acquirer for acquiring current position information about a current position of a mobile body; a destination acquirer for acquiring destination information about a destination; an information retriever for acquiring plural pieces of parking information about parking lots to park the mobile body based on the map information; a route setting section for setting travel routes from the current position to the parking lots and travel routes from the parking lots to the destination; and a display controller for controlling a terminal display section 140 to display any one of the parking lots and at least one of the travel routes based on the travel routes.

Abstract: A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle for generating a plurality of routes from a present position of the vehicle to a destination acquires the present position. The system stores map data of a map and storing position detection data. The system displays the map based on the map data. The system forms a factor chart of each of the plurality of routes and the associated one or more factors. The system causes the factor chart of the associated one or more factors of the each of the plurality of routes to be displayed. The system searches for at least one facility located along the each of the plurality of routes based on the position detection data. The system causes the at least one facility to be displayed together with the chart of the associated factor.

Abstract: A traffic information display method includes creating a highest-level traffic information selection menu among traffic information categorized in multiple levels, and displaying the created traffic information selection menu, creating a low-level menu including associated travel speed data, and displaying the created low-level traffic information selection menu and repeating the creation of the low-level menu until the lowest-level menu is displayed.

Abstract: The invention is a travel support system using notified non-equipped vehicle information, and including an equipped-vehicle detecting unit detecting a presence and a position of an vehicle equipped with a communication module for communicating with another vehicle, a non-equipped-vehicle detecting unit detecting a presence and a position of a non-equipped vehicle without any communication module, and an information-holding vehicle identifying unit identifying an information-holding vehicle that is the equipped vehicle and holding non-equipped-vehicle information including the position of the non-equipped vehicle, based on the position of the equipped vehicle and the position of the non-equipped vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for suggesting an intermediate point-of-interest (POI) for a user that is traveling. A series of locations of a ground-based vehicle is received. At least some of the locations are related to at least one travel pattern. A route is identified based on relating at least some of the received locations to at least one travel patterns and an intermediate point-of-interest is identified responsive to a predicted interest of a user based on the route.

Abstract: A navigation system and method uses loops as opposed to existing search techniques to more expeditiously find routes on a map from a starting point to a destination. Roads on a map are traced to form one or more continuous loops. Information regarding the loops is stored for future reference. A starting point and at least one destination are specified, and loops that connect the loops containing the starting point and destination are determined. A route is then formulated from the starting point to the destination using road segments or intersections where the identified loops are mutually contiguous. A list is generated including the loops and the road segments associated therewith. The road segments of an initial loop are examined and, if a road segment or intersection common to a next loop is identified, the road segments of that loop are examined, and so on, until a route from the starting point to the destination is found.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes a receiving section for receiving a broadcast. The apparatus further includes a location detector for detecting the location of the receiving apparatus, a moving direction calculator for calculating a moving direction of the receiving apparatus based on the location detected by the location detector, and a controller for allowing a reproducing section to reproduce a part of or all of the broadcast received by the receiving section selectively based on the moving direction calculated by the moving direction calculator.

Abstract: A system that communicates traffic data to a vehicle is presented. The system generally includes a method that communicates traffic data to an operator of the vehicle. The system provides location data to a computer-based system, and allocates attribute data to a subset of the location data. The allocation may be initiated by the operator. The traffic data is processed by the computer-based system, and/or communicated to the operator. The system may further include a device that provides traffic data to the operator. The traffic data device generally includes a locator for providing location data, an allocator for allocating attribute data to a subset of the location data, a storage medium for storing the generated traffic data, and an output device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating predictions of future traffic conditions at multiple future times, such as by using probabilistic techniques to assess various input data while repeatedly producing future time series predictions for each of numerous road segments (e.g., in a real-time manner based on changing current conditions for a network of roads in a given geographic area). In some situations, one or more predictive Bayesian models and corresponding decision trees are automatically created for use in generating the future traffic condition predictions for each geographic area of interest, such as based on observed historical traffic conditions for those geographic areas. Predicted future traffic condition information may then be used in a variety of ways to assist in travel and for other purposes, such as to plan optimal routes through a network of roads based on predictions about traffic conditions for the roads at multiple future times.

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: There is provided an automatic guide apparatus for traffic facilities capable of automatically recognizing the circumstances around the traffic facilities for motor vehicles or the like which change momentarily to automatically guide the operating route of the road or the like. In the automatic guide apparatus for traffic facilities 1, image data, voice data or the like in connection with the circumstances around the traffic facilities to be operated obtained by the input device 2 are compared with image data, voice data or the like stored in advance in a database by the comparison device 4. Where the results obtained by comparing the image data, voice data or the like are coincided, the contents of the data are recognized by the recognition device 5, and the recognized results are informed to an operator or the like in a letter or character, an image, a voice or the like by the output device 6.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs determine whether it is possible to generate statistical values based on a number of pieces of travel history information and a degree of contingency of traffic information in the travel history information. Systems, methods, and programs display, if a predicted travel time is greater than a typical travel time, at least one of a predicted travel time, a predicted arrival time, or a route in a manner that indicates that the predicted travel time is greater than the typical travel time; or display, if the predicted travel time is less than the typical travel time, at least one of the predicted travel time, a predicted arrival time, or the route in a manner that indicates that the predicted travel time is less than the typical travel time.

Abstract: A method and system for adding traffic gadgets to a traffic report is disclosed. A traffic gadget is a dynamic object defined by a relatively small code module that is separate from the main traffic report application code. A programmer develops the traffic gadget's visual functionality and specifies the type of data that the traffic gadget can receive. An artist configures the visible appearance of the traffic gadget for a specific end-user application. The end-user may then select a traffic gadget and add the selected traffic gadget to a visual traffic report. The user may also select data to control the functionality of the traffic gadget during the traffic report.

Abstract: A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag.

Abstract: A traffic information processing apparatus for alleviating the problem of discrepancy between a plurality of traffic information which may be acquired from different sources is disclosed. In the case where a plurality of traffic information are acquired, the information are corrected into reference traffic information selected from the plurality of the traffic information. For example, the traffic information processing apparatus acquires first traffic information (VICS information) used for the navigation process and second traffic information (probe traffic information) having a different source from the first traffic information. From the first and second traffic information, the traffic information for a common object is extracted, and based on the difference between them, the correcting information used for correcting the second traffic information is generated.

Abstract: Vehicle including an anticipatory sensor system for determining that an impact involving the vehicle is about to occur unless a corrective action is taken based on data obtained prior to the impact and determining whether the potential impact requires activation of a reactive system which controls operation of the vehicle. The anticipatory sensor system includes a receiver for receiving waves or energy and a pattern recognition system for analyzing the received waves or energy, or data representative thereof, to determine that an impact is about to occur if corrective action is not taken and whether the potential impact requires activation of the reactive system. The pattern recognition system ascertains the identity of an object from which the waves or energy have been emitted, reflected or generated, so that the determination whether the impact requires activation of the reactive system is based on identification of the object.

Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The device, system and method further provide for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.

Abstract: In an intersection information provision system, multiple cameras are installed oriented towards the direction where each road extends from the intersection. Each camera captures as an image or video the state ranging from the intersection to each road. Therefore, the area of the captured image by each camera is narrowed down. When this captured image is displayed in a display unit of a navigation apparatus in a vehicle, the driver of the vehicle can perform safety check easily. Furthermore, according to the traveling direction of the vehicle at the intersection, a display pattern of several captured images to be displayed is determined. According to the determined display pattern, multiple captured images are displayed in order. Therefore, image information required to pass through the intersection safely can be offered without shortage to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: Traffic flow data is obtained for a road system that encompasses a predefined geographical region. A user then selects an object of interest within the geographical region. The object of interest has a corresponding geographical location. A graphical map of the road system is then created and the traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on the road system is displayed on the graphical map, wherein the graphical map includes the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

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: The present invention predicts traffic conditions based on traffic information exchanged by means of short range wireless communications, between vehicles moving in an opposite direction. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: successively recording traffic information based on traffic encountered by the vehicle; sending the traffic information to vehicles moving in the opposite direction; receiving traffic information from vehicles moving in the opposite direction; consolidating the traffic information received from the vehicles; and predicting traffic conditions based on the consolidated traffic information.

Abstract: Actual traffic conditions of a roadway segment are predicted by providing a plurality of historical roadway condition patterns of the roadway segment in a database, obtaining an electronic representation of a current roadway condition pattern of the roadway segment, identifying one or more of the historical roadway condition patterns that closely matches the current roadway condition pattern, and predicting the future actual traffic conditions of the roadway segment by using the conditions associated with the one or more identified historical patterns.

Abstract: In a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, when moving image information is transmitted between vehicles, a delay time acquisition unit determines a delay time that occurs when the moving image information is transmitted from a first vehicle to a second vehicle, and an applicability determination unit determines whether the moving image information transmitted with such a delay time is applicable to an application program running on an in-vehicle apparatus installed in the second vehicle. This makes it possible to transmit only moving image information which is usable by the in-vehicle apparatus.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a traffic information provision system which can arbitrarily set a position resolution and a traffic representation resolution and flexibly support a traffic information prediction service. The traffic information provision system of the invention quantizes the state quantity of traffic information changing along a road, converts said quantized state quantity to a value having statistical deviation, performs encoding of said value, and provides the encoded value to traffic information utilization apparatus such as a car navigation system. The traffic information utilization apparatus decodes said encoded state quantity to reproduce the traffic information on said road.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and method store traffic information and searches for a guidance route to a specified destination. The apparatus and method calculate congestion degrees for the guidance route based on a factor by time period and the stored traffic information and display the guidance route and the congestion degrees by time period.

Abstract: When a display map information is reduced to a specified scale for a wide area, items of congestion information are extracted which have a congestion level of “congested or busy”, and an overlap determination area is created for a congestion link of each item of extracted congestion information. The overlap determination area extends both transversely and longitudinally for a specified distance from the congestion link. Also, for each group of congestion information items having overlapping determination areas, an equal congestion level area is created by connecting the overlap determination areas and displayed in a color that corresponds to the congestion level. Equal congestion level areas are also created in the same manner for the congestion information items with congestion levels of “congested” and “not congested”, and displayed in different colors that correspond to their respective congestion levels.

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.