Abstract: A navigation apparatus and method that store route information, the stored route information including, for each of a plurality of routes starting at a first point and ending at a second point, a required travel time and a traffic condition. The apparatus and method determine whether a guidance route includes the first point and the second point of a stored route. The apparatus and method read out, if a guidance route includes the first point and the second point of a stored route, the stored route information for the stored route that shares the first point and the second point with the guidance route. The read out stored route information having a same or similar traffic condition as a current traffic condition. The apparatus and method output the required time to travel the stored route from the read route information.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes: a numerical conversion unit that converts information related to a specific suggestion to a numerical value; a suggestion unit that makes the specific suggestion to a user when the numerical value resulting from numerical conversion executed by the numerical conversion unit is greater than a threshold value; an input unit through which a user response to the specific suggestion is input; and an adjustment unit that changes the threshold value in correspondence to contents of the user response input through the input unit.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for guiding a vehicle to a destination, a data storing section stores an information set including at least location information for identifying a location of a travel burden point on a road network, link information indicating a road linked to the travel burden point, and a reference hesitation value indicating a degree of a driver's hesitation to go through the travel burden point, and a characteristic value of the driver. A point guidance data generating section generates point guidance data representing guidance for the travel burden point based on a current location derived by a location deriving section, a path obtained by a path obtaining section, and the information set and the driver characteristic value stored in the data storing section.

Abstract: A method and a system for guiding a vehicle are provided, which utilize information regarding the vehicle's position. The position of the vehicle is ascertained exactly to the correct lane, and for at least a part of the traffic lanes of specifiable traffic routes in the surroundings of the vehicle, the traffic situation is ascertained. An estimation of traffic lanes is undertaken in the light of specifiable criteria by the evaluation of the vehicle's position and the traffic situation, thereby enabling the driver to select the most favorable lane in terms of desired criteria, e.g., minimizing lane changes, minimizing travel time, etc.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for providing and storing annotations that pertain to travel directions to a particular destination, the annotations generally including ratings of the accuracy of the directions and errors observed in the directions by prior users. Annotations submitted by users are stored in a central repository, for access by those who subsequently become interested in the directions or the particular destination. A useful embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for providing travel directions over a selected network, wherein a request for directions regarding a specified destination is sent from a requester to a Directions Provider. The Provider retrieves the requested directions and furnishes them to the requestor. The method further includes generating annotations associated with the furnished directions in accordance with a set of rules resulting from one or more decisions made by the requester, and sending the annotations to the requester.

Abstract: The present invention is directed specifically to methods for reducing the bandwidth requirements for broadcasting traffic information to a vehicle navigation system. The traffic information broadcast to the system using the bandwidth conserving methods of the present invention generally includes traffic flow information and traffic incident information. In one embodiment, the vehicle navigation system filters traffic information to a certain range to expedite traffic calculation, to save on processing hardware, and to reduce bandwidth needs. Alternately, bandwidth conservation may be achieved by providing weight factors and threshold prioritizing when a broadcast limit is close to being reached or exceeded. In another embodiment, bandwidth reduction is achieved by not broadcasting free-flow traffic information and/or displaying only traffic information that indicates a traffic problem.

Abstract: An intelligent vehicle highway system collects and provides real-time traffic data to a vehicle traveling on a continental roadway network. A digitized continental roadway network has nodes interconnected by links that define a digitized representation of the continental roadway network. To enable intelligent data collection and navigation over large expanses of the continental network, which would otherwise be computationally onerous, the digitized continental roadway network is partitioned into a plurality of digitized roadway subnetworks. The onboard vehicle navigation device has a processor for executing an application that instantiates a subset of the digitized roadway subnetworks in a vicinity of a current position of the vehicle to collect and provide relevant real-time traffic data to the vehicle in a computationally efficient manner.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system for use with a traffic information broadcast system which transmits traffic data relating to primary road segments and a communication system which transmits traffic data relating to road segments in a local geographic area. A broadcast receiver receives the broadcast traffic data from the broadcast system and stores the received data. A communication transmitter, when activated, transmits a data request to the communication system. A communication receiver receives the local traffic data from the communication system in response to the data request while a processor displays traffic information on a display screen corresponding to the received broadcast traffic data and the received local traffic data. The local traffic data includes both traffic information relating to local road segments as well as non-traffic temporal events, such as weather, and time-related events which affect traffic flow.

Abstract: A system for sharing and processing traffic information includes a number of traffic information computer systems within individual vehicles and a traffic information server system. The traffic information computer systems are each connected to the server system through a network, which are additionally connected to one another by peer-to-peer radio communications, and which each operate with a database for displaying road maps, with a database storing average speed data for directions of travel along roadways, and with a location sensor used to determine the location and average speed of the vehicle, which are transmitted to the server. The server returns average speed data for road segments, which is displayed on the road maps.

Abstract: Traffic notification systems include a location determination system that is configured to determine a geographic location of a subscriber and an automated traffic notification system that is configured to automatically transmit a traffic notification message that is based on the geographic location of the subscriber to a wireless terminal that is associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: A navigation system collects life information associated with a user and extracts a life pattern from the collected life information. The navigation system registers the extracted life pattern as life pattern information. The navigation system determines a predicted start time and a predicted destination based on the life pattern information and generates predicted traffic information associated with a geographical area including the destination and associated with a time range including the predicted start time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for presenting dynamic mapping information in a wireless network are useful in locating or identifying a desired service-providing device within the wireless network relative to a service-requesting device. The mapping information may be physical network mapping or it may be physical network mapping combined with logical network mapping. The mapping may further include supplemental information regarding the network and its devices. The physical network mapping provides information regarding the location of a service-providing device relative to a service-requesting device. Dynamic mapping information accommodates transient users of the wireless network, facilitating location or identification of a desired service-providing device in an unfamiliar network or surrounding.

Abstract: Along with displaying on a map a sign which indicates the type of a traffic event at the side of the traffic lane upon which the traffic event has occurred, the sign and the position of the traffic event are displayed upon the map in a state of being connected together by a line or by a drawing.

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 system to identify junctions of restricted areas to approaching vehicles, including at least one warning signal generator, at least one antenna coupled to the generator transmitting the warning signal into areas traversed by the vehicles approaching the restricted areas, a receiver in each of the vehicles receiving the transmitted warning signals when the vehicle approaches one of the restricted areas, and an alarm responsive to the warning signal, which produces an alarm signal detectable by a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A display screen for displaying multiple sets of information is provided. In one embodiment, an aviation display screen includes a main window and a plurality of miniature windows. The main window is adapted to illustrate one set of information. Each miniature window is adapted to display a set of avionic information. The avionic display is further adapted to toggle a select set of avionic information in one of the miniature windows into the main window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing user-selected telematics services in a mobile vehicle. The method includes accessing a menu of available telematics services and selecting a desired telematics service. The method also includes determining a telematics service fee based on the user selected service and paying the user selected telematics service fee via remote resource. The method further includes receiving the selected telematics service.

Abstract: A vehicle driver guarding system using a vehicle telematics service and a control method thereof are provided. The vehicle driver guarding system includes: a vehicle telematics system for receiving a final destination, calculating a final destination arrival expectation time, notifying a central information center of the calculated expectation time through a mobile communication system, receiving a vehicle driver guard confirmation message from the central information center, and transmitting a response message to the received confirmation message, to the central information center; and the central information center being notified of the expectation time, transmitting the vehicle driver guard confirmation message to the vehicle telematics system when the notified expectation time lapses and then a preset time lapses, and performing a vehicle driver guarding function upon non-reception of the response message within the preset time.

Abstract: When an elevated road and a usual fly-under road are located in a stacked state, two roads are shown in overlapped lines on a display unit of a car navigation system in a subject vehicle. When the subject vehicle travels the fly-under road, the elevated road is shown in a translucent state. Thus, a user of the subject vehicle can recognize a state of the fly-under road the subject vehicle is traveling. In contrast, when the subject vehicle travels the elevated road, the elevated road is shown in a non-translucent state. The elevated road thereby becomes easy to see, so its advancing direction can be easily seen.

Abstract: A car navigation system by which a user can easily grasp a drop-in target in the course of a route. In a summary road map displayed in a two- or one-window display representation, contents of a two-dimensional road map is properly selected and simplified, roads are made linear, roads connected to an intersection are made orthogonal so that the user can easily see it, the position of a vehicle is expressed by a mark, and even the running route is expressed with a predetermined color or the like. Accordingly, the system offers the user such a display form as able to easily refer to. When the user specifies a target at which the user wants to drop in, the drop-in target is displayed at a corresponding position on the summary road map in the form of a land mark.

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

Abstract: The navigation device of the present invention has a storage device which stores map data including link data of respective links constituting roads on a map, and statistical data including travel time (moving speed) which is determined by statistical values of traffic information collected in the past, with respect to each of the links. Then, the navigation device uses for each departure time candidate, the map data and the statistical data of collection conditions corresponding to the statuses upon passing each of the route constituting links which constitute the route, so as to obtain the travel time for each of the route constituting links. Thereafter, the travel times of respective route constituting links thus obtained are summed up, and the travel time between the departure position and the destination is obtained.

Abstract: A vehicle proximity warning apparatus includes a current location detector for detecting a current location of the user's vehicle, point information acquisition processor for acquiring map data, and a light emission processor for driving a light generator, in accordance with the map data and the current location of the user's vehicle, to emit a light beam toward a point to be illuminated in an intersection. The light generator is driven in accordance with the location of the user's vehicle and map data so as to direct the light beam toward the point to be illuminated in the intersection, thereby reliably informing other vehicles and pedestrians of the proximity of the user's vehicle.

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: A device, system, and method for grouping traffic events. In one embodiment, the device comprises a traffic component, a computing device coupled with the traffic component, and a display coupled with the computing device. The traffic component is operable to receive data corresponding to a plurality of traffic events. The computing device is operable to identify at least two related traffic events and form a traffic event group representing at least two of the related traffic events. The display is operable to present an indication of the formed traffic event group. Such a configuration enables users to more easily access relevant traffic information.

Abstract: System and method for reacting to an expected impact involving a vehicle including an anticipatory sensor system for determining that an impact involving the vehicle is about to occur prior to the impact and an impact responsive system coupled to the sensor system and actuated after its determination of the expected impact. The sensor system includes wave receivers spaced apart from one another, each receiving waves generated by, modified by, or reflected from a common object exterior of the vehicle. The impact responsive system attempts to reduce the potential harm resulting from the impact and can be a protection apparatus which protects a vehicular occupant or a pedestrian, such as one including an airbag and an inflator for inflating the airbag.

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 method of receiving messages which are transmitted from vehicle to vehicle and contain information relating to traffic is characterized in that information from received messages is only accepted when a number of identical items of information are received, wherein the number is greater in heavy traffic than in light traffic.

Abstract: A method for providing traffic status information as part of a traffic status detection by a motor vehicle, in particular traffic information for detecting traffic jams is provided. To provide high-quality traffic status information at an acceptable cost, it is proposed that a first step should verify whether the vehicle is currently participating in public road traffic. A second step verifies whether the vehicle has been operated otherwise for more than a predetermined period of time, and optionally in a third step the traffic status detection is interrupted.

Abstract: In the present invention, traffic information broadcast by a traffic information center is received, indexes are created, and the index and travel speed information on a mobile object are stored. A matching table is created to match first map data for use in broadcasting the traffic information and second map data used by a navigation system to each other. The traffic information is simply matched to the second map data used by the navigation system, using the created matching table. When the travel speed of the mobile object on each link is intended to be displayed with a predetermined color after the matching of the traffic information to the second map data, the storage capacity of a traffic information storage unit is reduced, which stores traffic information displayed together with arrows for indicating the travel direction.

Abstract: A method for providing traffic status information as part of a traffic status detection system using a traffic status detection device provided in the vehicle, in particular traffic status information for ascertaining the traffic situation, including traffic status information for detecting congested traffic is provided. To provide high-quality traffic status information at an acceptable cost, it is proposed that in a first step a traffic status is detected repeatedly by the traffic status detection device. In a second step, a change in traffic status is detected by the traffic status detection device. In a third step, a data record describing the change in traffic status is generated by the traffic status detection device, in particular a program-controlled computer, and in a fourth step, the data record is transmitted from the traffic status detection device to a receiver that receives the data record, via Short Message Service.

Abstract: A car navigation system changes from a normal guidance mode to a simplifying guidance mode when determining that part or all of sections in a guidance route is familiar or specific to an occupant. The simplifying guidance mode provides no audio guidance or simplified audio guidance with respect to route-related information compared to the normal guidance mode, while traffic-related information is provided using the same audio guidance as in the normal guidance mode.

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: The present invention relates to a system and a method of predicting traffic speed based on the speeds of neighboring links. A system for predicting traffic speed on a link basis, on a map based on a past traffic patterns, includes a prediction model establishment unit that establishes a neighboring link speed-based prediction model including the correlation between the speed of each link and the speeds of neighboring links based on real-time traffic information accumulated in a real-time traffic information database for a predetermined time, a prediction model database that stores the established neighboring link speed-based prediction model data, and a traffic speed prediction unit that inputs real-time neighboring link speed information for a specific object link to the neighboring link speed-based prediction model and predicts an output value according to the real-time neighboring link speed information as the traffic speed of the object link.

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: A system and method for providing geographical information to a driver of a vehicle using radio frequency identification (RFID). Also provided is a traffic information supply system using RFID. The geographical information supply system includes a reader provided near a road which outputs a first signal and receives a second signal generated in response to the first signal; a tag that senses the first signal, converts information on a destination into the second signal in response to the first signal, and outputs the second signal. Also included is a first control unit which extracts and outputs the destination information from the second signal, receives geographical information to the destination, and supplies the geographical information to a driver. A server generates the geographical information corresponding to the destination information and outputs the generated geographical information to the first control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle communication device installed on a subject vehicle includes a detection function, a transmission function, a report function and a signal-processing function to display position information of surrounding vehicles as well as the subject vehicle. In a process of displaying the position information of the vehicles, the device communicates with the devices installed on other vehicles within a reach of the communication function to reflect the position information of the surrounding vehicles including vehicles not equipped with the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that can display traffic flow data in a vehicle. Current traffic flow data for a transportation link is obtained. The current traffic flow includes at least a current speed of the traffic traveling on the transportation link. Historical traffic flow data for the transportation link is also obtained. An indicium representative of traffic flow is selected based on the current traffic flow data and the historical traffic flow data. The indicium is then displayed to the vehicle's driver, along with an image representative of the traffic link.

Abstract: When a first one-way traffic road becomes partially impassable because of roadworks, a second one-way traffic road temporarily replaces the first road and is used in a direction opposite to an original trafficable direction. This second road is registered as a replacing road based on traffic information from the VICS center. When the second road registered as the replacing road is present within a given area surrounding the current position of a relevant vehicle, map matching is executed without considering the original trafficable direction of the second road. This allows the second road to be designated as a travel road through the map matching even when the relevant vehicle travels in a direction opposite to the original trafficable direction of the second road.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, system and devices for monitoring road surface temperature to detect hazardous road surface conditions. An indicator provides the sensed road surface temperature and hazardous road condition warning to a driver while a tail light interface automatically produce a tail light signal to warn drivers traveling behind the vehicle when a hazardous condition is detected. In an embodiment, the system includes a vehicle engine retardation system interfaced with the hazardous road condition warning system. When the retardation system is in use and hazardous road surface conditions are detected the controller automatically produces the brake light signal unless a tail light control switch is used to manually deactivating the automatic tail light flashing signal when the vehicle is traveling in a state that does not allow alternative control of the brake lights.

Abstract: A mobile communications device comprising a location sensing system, producing a location output; a memory, storing a set of locations and associated events; a telecommunications device, communicating event and location information between a remote system and said memory; and a processor, processing said location output in conjunction with said stored locations and associated events in said memory, to determine a priority thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for classifying a driver's activity state use sensor data relating to at least one vehicle operating condition to determine driver activity and classify into one of at least two states. A two state classifier (200) uses inputs related to vehicle monitors (210), driving conditions (212), driver activity (214), vehicle controls (216), and driver identification (218) to set an output (204) to a status corresponding to “maneuver” and “non-maneuver.

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 present invention discloses a vehicle navigation system for providing personalized traffic information to a user of the vehicle navigation system and methods for the same. The personalized traffic information is based at least in part on user preferences, either manually input by the user or automated by the vehicle navigation system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.

Abstract: A method for inter-vehicular communications and information reporting. A visual observation is made from a first vehicle. First information is associated with the observation and transmitted from the first vehicle to a network server over a network. The network server determines whether to transmit the first information to one or more other vehicles based, at least in part, on second information received by the network server from at least one of the one or more other vehicles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying traffic information on a display. Information that indicates traffic conditions on a portion of a road network is used to form an animation. The portion of the road network is shown on the display and the animation is shown on the portion of the road network being displayed. The animation simulates movement in a direction corresponding to the direction of vehicle travel along the portion of the road network being displayed. The speed of the simulated movement of the animation is related to the traffic conditions.

Abstract: A mobile communications device comprising a location sensing system, producing a location output; a memory, storing a set of locations and associated events: a telecommunications device, communicating event and location information between a remote system and said memory; and a processor, processing said location output in conjunction with said stored locations and associated events in memory, to determine a priority thereof.

Abstract: A storage section (160) stores a traffic jam prediction table containing a plurality of date classification IDs for classifying data for predetermined dates and time series data obtained by statistically processing past traffic conditions correlated to the date classification IDs in terms of temporal elements of the dates. A memory (170) stores calendar templates, each containing a plurality of pieces of date information and classification ID numbers, each of which is an ID number that corresponds to the date indicated by one of the pieces of date information and is same as one of the date classification IDs of the traffic jam prediction table. A navigation device (100) has a calendar modifier that appropriately modifies any of the classification ID numbers of the calendar templates.

Abstract: When a display area for map information is reduced to a specified scale for a wide area display, 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 the 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. The equal congestion level area is displayed on a liquid crystal display in a color that corresponds to the congestion level of the equal congestion level area.

Abstract: A method of facilitating delivery of traffic messages is disclosed. Data indicating a plurality of traffic conditions on a road network are obtained. For each of the traffic conditions, the data provides a location description. For each of the traffic conditions, the method determines at least one broadcast service area in which the traffic condition is located. A plurality of traffic messages is transmitted. Each traffic message is associated with a broadcast service area code identifying the broadcast service area in which the traffic condition is located.