Abstract: A navigation device has a route re-calculation function. This is activated by the user touching the screen to task away from the normal navigation map mode to a menu screen which displays multiple types of route re-calculation options.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that offer improved assistance with safe driving using navigation devices, incorporating traffic regulations pertaining to route changes into guidance offered by the navigation devices. The system comprises a traffic regulations data memory (21), which associates, with roadways, data on traffic regulations pertaining to route changes, and stores the data so associated, an onboard vehicle locator (11), which locates the driver's vehicle upon the suggested route, a comparison unit (31), which compares the location of the driver's vehicle, as located by the onboard vehicle locator (11), with the traffic regulations data, and an output unit (40), which outputs, based on the determination made by the comparison unit (31), either information that driving regulations apply upon the road currently being traveled, as part of the suggested route, or that driving regulations apply upon roads ahead of the road currently being traveled, again, as part of the suggested route.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle includes: a hard disk drive for storing an audio data; an output element for converting the audio data to an electric signal and for outputting the electric signal to a reproducer; a memory; a position determination element for determining whether the vehicle is disposed in a predetermined area; an output data specification element for specifying the audio data outputting from the output element when the vehicle is disposed in the predetermined area; and a memorizing data control element for storing the specified audio data as a transfer data in the memory. The output element converts the transfer data and outputs the converted transfer data to the reproducer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for receiving navigational data via a wireless messaging service on a navigation system. The system and method provide a way to send requests for destination information via the wireless messaging service and capture navigational data from the responsive message received, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses, and then utilize that data for navigational routing, generation of telephone calls, emailing and the like, from the vehicle's navigation system. A wireless device can be paired with the navigation system over a Bluetooth communication link, wherein the navigation system periodically polls the wireless device for newly received messages. In one embodiment, the NAVI displays icons on a map that correspond to the extracted addresses from the messages received in relation to the vehicle's current location. The icons can be shown in a plurality of visual formats to distinguish previously viewed locations from newly received ones.

Abstract: A method of obtaining navigation information includes creating a first itinerary for a navigation route corresponding to a travel event for a first individual. Navigation information is searched for related to at least one location along the first itinerary via a situational network established with a plurality of devices corresponding to other individuals searching for navigation information. The navigation information found in the searching is received. The first itinerary is altered based on the received navigation information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for a web-based mapping and routing service for pedestrians, which may include wheeled transportation (e.g. buses). More specifically, the present invention is directed toward use on a college campus. The present invention provides customized pedestrian routes highlighting campus and community locations while providing navigation options concerning walking distance and safety factors. This provides custom routes to each user that are designed to be optimized for safety or speed depending on user input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering data based on a sensor network. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for delivering data is provided in a means of transportation such as a vehicle, activates a node of a corresponding sensor network when a vehicle enters a road segment, and receives data from the transmission node. Then, the apparatus for delivering data calculates an optimum path along which the received data is delivered to a target destination, determines whether to use other vehicles or to directly deliver the data to the target destination on the basis of the calculated optimum path, and delivers the data to the target destination by the determined method. In this case, the target destination to which the data is delivered may be a different node of the same sensor network, or may be a node or a center of a different sensor network.

Abstract: A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, whether the route segment is an unfamiliar segment, and identifying, based on the user's travel history, a road that is familiar to the user and that is within a scaled range of the unfamiliar segment. The computed route and the familiar road are then provided for presentation in a format that distinguishes the familiar road from the computed route, and the familiar road is represented relative to the unfamiliar segment.

Abstract: Route information for at least a first route and a second route is displayed using display indicators assigned to each route. The routes may be decomposed into discrete segments, some of which may be shared among the routes. Upon determining which segments are shared by routes, the shared segments may be displayed using an interleaved pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. The interleaved pattern may comprise an alternating pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. Shared segments may also be displayed in a cycling pattern that includes the respective display indicators of the shared routes. Non-shared segments may be displayed with the respective display indicators for the routes that use that segment. The width of the patterns along the shared segments may be substantially the same as the width of the non-shared segments. In one embodiment, the routes may be fixed. Targets associated with each route may be displayed on the routes.

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 to generate a clearance request to deviate from a flight plan comprising receiving input from at least one flight-plan-relevant source, determining a revised flight route based on the received input, and generating a preconfigured clearance request message to deviate from the flight plan for a user based on the determining. The method further comprises prompting the user for one of approval and rejection of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan. The preconfigured clearance request message is downlinked when an approval of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan is received from the user.

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: In order to eliminate erroneous map matching, when a link is set on a road, the direction and distance the link is displaced are calculated in accordance with the width of the road and the width of a road paralleled to the road, or the positional relationship of both roads in road network.

Abstract: A GPS navigation code device has GPS features and easy address retrieval means built in, enabling a driver to retrieve and request directions to an address without taking his eyes off the road. The user pre-programs the GPS navigation code device with a plurality of addressees or points of interest and assigns unique navigation codes for each. The navigation code is entered using keyboard or recorded speech pattern. The processor in the GPS navigation code device records address, navigation code and speech pattern in three linked databases. While driving, the user presses a special address search mode key and inputs the unique navigation code by keyboard or speech pattern. The GPS navigation code device displays the address and the user accepts the displayed address by pressing special key. The GPS navigation code device then calculates and displays directions to the address, and provides additional guidance by speech on a turn-by-turn basis.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a processor, a map information storage medium storing map information, a position determining module configured to determine a current location, a velocity and direction of travel of a vehicle, and determine whether the current position indicates a deviation from an original route to a final destination. Further included is a routing module configured to determine an original route from a starting position to a destination, and at least one reroute from the current location to the destination, wherein the reroute includes a restoration route from the current location to at least one intermediate point on the original route and then continuing to the destination. Based upon an estimated cost of the restoration route plus a predetermined actual cost of the route from the intermediate point to the final destination, the routing module is further configured to estimate a reroute cost, and select a reroute based upon the estimated reroute cost.

Abstract: A guidance route search device essentially having means for specifying a route point and means for selecting a guidance schedule. The route specifying means specifies plural route points guided up to a destination point. The selecting means functions to select a guidance schedule covering plural route points reachable by previously set time of arrival at a destination point and causing staying time at the plural route points to be the maximum within maximum staying time set in advance for the route points. This enables a guidance schedule for guiding through plural route points to be generated with consideration of staying time at each route point.

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 pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

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

Abstract: Route information for at least a first route and a second route is displayed using display indicators assigned to each route. The routes may be decomposed into discrete segments, some of which may be shared among the routes. Upon determining which segments are shared by routes, the shared segments may be displayed using an interleaved pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. The interleaved pattern may comprise an alternating pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. Non-shared segments may be displayed with the respective display indicators for the routes that use that segment. The width of the interleaved patterns may be substantially the same as the width of the non-shared segments. In one embodiment, the routes may be fixed. Targets associated with each route may be displayed on the routes.

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: Digital mapping techniques are disclosed that provide visually-oriented information to the user, such as driving directions that include visual data points along the way of the driving route, thereby improving the user experience. The user may preview the route associated with the driving directions, where the preview is based on, for example, at least one of satellite images, storefront images, and heuristics and/or business listings. The visually-oriented information can be presented to the user in a textual, graphical, or verbal format, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of generating user-specified information. The method includes receiving a plurality of points selected on a map to form a first continuous line having one or more vertices. The method also includes generating a closed polygon having a plurality of edges, where at least one edge forms a second continuous line substantially parallel to and spaced apart at a distance from the first continuous line. The method also includes determining a plurality of coordinate pairs each associated with a point on the plurality of edges of the closed polygon and retrieving user specified information for an area enclosed by the plurality of coordinate pairs.

Abstract: A navigation system stores setting record information related to places designated as destination or reached place. The setting record information includes setting frequencies with which corresponding places were designated. A control unit searches a map database for places meeting a keyword inputted by a user and causes a display unit to present the places in the descending order of their corresponding setting frequencies in the stored setting record information. The user then selects as a destination a certain place from the presented places. The control unit stores the selected certain place to update the setting record information. Thus, the names of places meeting the keyword inputted are directly displayed in the descending order of the setting frequency with which they have been designated in the past. Therefore, the user need not perform an operation to hierarchically select a desired place by region or facility name.

Abstract: A map user interlace is described, including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a map, and a location marker placed at the selected location on the map upon receiving a placement request indicating selection of a selected location for placement of a location marker.

Abstract: A map user interface is described, including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a first map and the initial path displayed on the first map, the initial path being from a starting location via at least one intermediate location to an end location, a deletion selector, selection of the deletion selector causing transmission of a deletion command being indicative of removal of a selected one of the locations, and a second view generated in response to the transmission of the deletion command, the second view including a second map and the modified path displayed on the second map, the modified path including all of the locations but not including the selected location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing travel information, including a database for storing information regarding a travel area, wherein the information includes at least one of road information, street information, intersection information, and traffic control device information, a processor for processing a request for information regarding an optimal travel route from a present location of a vehicle to a destination, wherein the processor processes the request by utilizing the information stored in the database, and further wherein the processor identifies at least two possible travel routes to the destination, and further wherein the processor identifies an optimal travel route to the destination, wherein the processor generates a message containing travel directions or instructions corresponding to the optimal travel route, and an output device for outputting the information contained in the message.

Abstract: A point-of-interest display system includes an updateable database which interfaces with a microprocessor which receives data from a GPS receiver providing the system with current vehicle location and direction of travel information. A display provides the operator textural and elemental graphic display information, and easily accessible control switches allow the operator to select upcoming highway exits, categories of points of interest, and points of interest and display directions to a selected entry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a navigation system for generating a reminder message by applying predefined validation rule to display and/or voice announce the reminder message associated with a particular location. The method includes the steps of creating reminder message data which include a reminder message, a primary location, a secondary location, and a validation rule; comparing a reference location with the primary location; applying the validation rule in the reminder message data to determine whether a relationship between the primary location and the reference location satisfies the condition in the validation rule; displaying the reminder message when the condition is satisfied; and conducting a route guidance operation to reach a location selected by the user.

Abstract: A map information providing system has a map information providing apparatus 1 and an onboard information terminal 3. The map information providing apparatus 1 selects a road represented by the coordinate point string data indicating a newly established road in accordance with distribution request information obtained from the onboard information terminal, and distributes the distribution road information containing the coordinate point string data about the road selected to the onboard information terminal.

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: 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: In a map information processing apparatus including a processor 5 for updating map information containing map data stored in a map information storage device 3, road network data contained in the map data stored in the map information storage device has a data structure in which the road network data is composed of link strings each of which represents a series of roads in a road network as a series of links connecting nodes, the road network being represented by the nodes and the links; each of the link strings is represented by a link string record in which link records defining the links are arranged in order of the series of the links; each link constituting the link strings is provided with an invariable link identifier proper to each link; and node indication information for designating each node included in the link strings is represented by the link identifier of the link having the node as its one end.

Abstract: A method for moving a mobile drive unit within a workspace includes receiving a path. The path includes at least an initial segment and one or more additional segments. The initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to the first point; and at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to the second point. The method further includes storing the path, reserving the initial segment of the path, and moving away from the first point along the initial segment. After initiating movement along the initial segment, the method includes reserving each of the additional segments of the path and moving toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved.

Abstract: A map moving apparatus capable of performing desired map movement by a simple input operation without requiring a continuous operation by a user in moving a map screen display region is disclosed. An operated direction, an operated position, an operated speed and the like are detected from an input operation that a user performs on the map screen display region, and a map screen display region input shape recognizing section recognizes an input shape. A polygon shape identifying section extracts data having substantially the same shape as the recognized input shape from polygon data in map display data by using a matching method. When data having substantially the same shape exists, a type of the polygon is identified. In a movement mode selecting section, the movement of a screen map reverses direction when it reaches an end portion in the case where the polygon type is a linear shape, and the movement circulates to continue movement of the map screen where the type is a ring shape with no end portion.

Abstract: A travel plan presenting apparatus includes: a travel history accumulation unit (109) which accumulates, in association with a date and time, pieces of travel history information regarding a travel of the mobile object from a departure place to an arrival place; a travel pattern extracting unit (112) which extracts at least one travel pattern from the pieces of travel history information and generates travel patterns in each of which an order of arrival places other than the final arrival place included in a corresponding one of the extracted travel patterns; a travel plan calculating unit (113) which calculates estimated arrival times at each of the arrival places in the travel patterns extracted and generated by the travel pattern extracting unit (112); and a display processing unit (114) which generates display information for displaying the estimated arrival time for each travel pattern.

Abstract: A navigation system and method having a function of alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving comprises means 102 for determining a position of a vehicle 300, means 107 for calculating a driving route of the vehicle 300, means 108 for determining a driving manoeuvre in accordance with the predetermined driving route 305, means 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting indications relating to the determined driving manoeuvre to a driver of the vehicle 300, and means 109 for alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving including means 201 for detecting a potential wrong way driving situation and means 202, 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting an indication relating to the potential wrong way driving situation to the driver.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: an image generation unit generating a plurality of images with different figure sizes so that perceived positions of the plurality of images are sequentially located in a direction away from an actual position; a reflection member provided in front of the observer; and a projector projecting a light beam to form, the plurality of images onto a single eye of the observer through the reflection member so that the plurality of images is superimposed on a background observed through the refection member.

Abstract: A system and method for providing route information to a driver of a vehicle given a predetermined destination having more than one route available to reach the predetermined destination includes receiving a driver input indicating a vehicle operating preference. Operating characteristics for the vehicle, such as a predicted time to reach the predetermined destination, are determined for at least some of the routes. One of the routes is selected based at least in part on the determined operating characteristics and the vehicle operating preference. An informational output is provided to the driver indicating the selected route.

Abstract: A method can include, for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide for the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions adapted to cause an information device to render: an identification of a destination of the predetermined route; a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video adapted to substantially reproduce a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection; a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos; at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

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: The present invention provides a navigation device in which the accuracy of placement of a displayed vehicle position mark is improved at an intersection with a small angle. The navigation device weights coefficients of road candidates for consistent matching, in determining the optimal road from a plurality of matching road candidates. Accordingly, a fluctuating display of the vehicle position mark on an incorrect road at an intersection with a small angle is prevented.

Abstract: The network system matches the supply and demand of transportation services by incorporating unused transportation capacity (i.e., empty seats) with a real-time allocation and matching service that enables individuals and goods to conveniently hire that capacity with attractive pricing, rapid responsiveness, better information availability and trusted security. The network system provides an electronic registry of capacity containing an indication of the spare transport capacity and location of a plurality of transport vehicles, an electronic registry of demand containing an indication of the demand for transportation needs of a plurality of individuals and a central processing capability to effect a match of the transport capacity of at least one transport vehicle with the transport demand of at least one individual.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for predicting a destination for a ground-based vehicle. Travel patterns are accessed and a series of locations of a ground-based vehicle are received. At least some of the received locations are related to at least one accessed travel pattern, and a destination of the ground-based vehicle is predicted based on relating the received locations with the travel patterns. An existence of an event may be predicted using the predicted destinations of a ground-based vehicle.

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: The present invention provides a mobile terminal with navigation function which is able to display traveling directions on a photographed picture displayed on the display. The mobile terminal with navigation function of the present invention detects the present location of the cellular phone, detects the direction of the camera, sets the destination, receives the route information from present location to the destination from the server based on the destination and present location, calculates the traveling direction on the photographed picture based on the route information and direction of the camera and adds the traveling direction onto the photographed picture displayed on the display.

Abstract: A parking control system and method provides a total parking control system and method which are capable of automatically managing and controlling a whole process from a time when a vehicle enters a parking lot to a time when it goes out of there by using a server incorporating therein a program for a very high speed image recognition technique and parking management. The apparatus provides a parking location search unit which manages a parking location of an individual vehicle by recognizing vehicle numbers by photographing vehicles entering a parking space and going out of there as well as parked vehicles, and provides related information upon search. The apparatus further provides a parking guiding unit guiding a driver of a vehicle entering the parking lot to an empty place for parking.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing the utilization of distance measuring devices using electronic communication devices. A route(s) presentable via a map or map segment may be presented via a mobile device. A distance walked, jogged, or otherwise traveled by a user of the mobile device can be determined using a distance measuring device, such as a step counter. The resulting distance traveled is associated with the presented route to indicate an approximate location of the user on the presented route. The route may be any imaginary or virtual route, whereby the user's actual distance traveled on his/her actual route is depicted on the map/map segment as traveling on the virtual route. Communication tools allow data to be obtained, messages to be communicated, and other services to be performed at certain times and/or in connection with reached locations along the route.