Abstract: Map-based systems and methods may be used to identify favorable opportunities for transferring apportioned spectrum use rights. Holders of spectrum use rights may generate and disseminate maps illustrating portions of available and non-available spectrum use rights. In addition, spectrum users may generate and disseminate maps illustrating desired spectrum. By comparing graphical representations of spectrum availability to desired spectrum, available spectrum use rights of holders may be matched to the desired spectrum of users. Use rights in matched spectrum may then be offered by holders and/or requested or bid upon by users.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for identifying and eliminating discrepancies in electronic maps. Embodiments of a method and system for correcting discrepancies in an electronic map includes receiving location information from one or more computing devices using the electronic map, identifying a discrepancy between the electronic map and the location information, and altering the electronic map to eliminate the discrepancy.

Abstract: A probe-vehicle traffic information system for and method of gathering traffic data utilizing a host probe vehicle having onboard exterior sensors. The host vehicle is configured to detect at least one condition from at least one traveling target vehicle, aggregate and process the condition data, and report only the processed data to a traffic information center, so as to reduce the number of simultaneous communication channels typically required to report condition data from a plurality of probe vehicles.

Abstract: A navigation system used by a user includes a navigation unit and a portable device. The navigation unit generates navigation-related output. The navigation unit transmits the navigation-related output to the portable device over a wireless communication link. The portable device receives the navigation-related output and uses at least a portion of the navigation-related output for processing performed thereby. In one embodiment, the portable device includes an input interface to receive user input from a user of the portable device. In such an embodiment, the portable device transmits the navigation-related input to the navigation unit over the wireless communication link, and the navigation unit uses at least a portion of the navigation-related input to generate the navigation-related output.

Abstract: A portable information processor (10) includes a storage unit (11) that stores information; a connecting unit (12) that connects to one of the device (1 (or 2)); an information acquiring unit (13) that acquires information from the connected device (1 (or 2)); an operation information generating unit (14) supplied with a driving power from a power source of the connected device (1 (or 2)) and generating operation information relating to the predetermined operation executable by the connected device (1 (or 2)) based on device identification information and the acquired information acquired by the information acquiring unit (13), and the information stored in the storage unit (11); and a control unit (15) that controls the connected device (1 (or 2)) based on the operation information generated by the operation information generating unit (14).

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: 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 presented in a format that distinguishes the familiar road from the computed route, and the familiar road is represented relative to the unfamiliar segment.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing traffic route visualization. An electronic map device creates a map that is displayable at a user display of a user interface. The map is created through the access of a traffic image data base and a traffic information data base. Information stored at the data bases is obtained in a collaborative effort to provide and maintain updated information thereat. Images stored at the image data base comprise actual image files or photo realistic images that are consolidated together with traffic information. The resultant map is of characteristics permitting quick comprehension by a viewer thereof.

Abstract: A unique routing system and method that facilitates adjusting waypoint locations to optimize a cost function and presenting more relevant contextual advertisements based in part on the waypoint locations. The system and method involve examining waypoint locations including a start, end, and any in-between waypoint to determine whether they are reachable or routable according to the preferred mode of transportation. Adjustments can be made to one or more of the waypoint locations in order to accommodate this mode of transportation in view of a given cost function. Adjustments can be made that optimize the cost function to minimize overall costs. Multi-modal routing can be initiated as well to configure a route using the selected or adjusted waypoints and multiple modes of transportation in order to optimize the cost function. Adjustments and the selection of contextual advertisements can be based on user intention and several other route related factors.

Abstract: In a navigation system, a current position is designated as a center of a start-point area. A category of a spot, e.g., a point of interest, is designated. Feature information of a spot within the start-point area then appears on a display device as initially provided information to a user with respect to the spot. This feature information allows the user to easily perceive the feature of the spot. The user only needs operation up to designating the category and can easily determine whether the spot is an intended one by perceiving its feature.

Abstract: A graphical mapping system configured to display mapping information on a handheld device is disclosed. The system includes an image map database configured to store map data for a plurality of geographic areas, which is useful for generating graphical maps. The system further includes a vector map database configured to store vector map data, which is useful for generating vector “overlays” that correspond to the graphical maps. In response to a mapping request from a handheld device, a set of image mapping data and a corresponding set of vector mapping data, both associated with a given geographic location, are retrievable.

Abstract: A processor 180 of a navigation device 100 acquires current position information about a current position of a vehicle. The processor 180 then generates current traffic-jam information about a current traffic-jam condition based on VICS data from a VICS receiver 120 or the like. The processor 180 recognizes a direction indicating a point at which a traffic jam is currently occurring relative to the current position based on current position information and current traffic-jam information. The processor 180 displays the recognized direction with a traffic-jam direction icon on a terminal display section 140.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems.

Abstract: CAD data of a guided vehicle system is converted into layout data of a map. The layout data is displayed on a screen. Attribute data is added to the layout data to edit the map data. The edited map data is distributed to overhead traveling vehicles. By controlling a probe vehicle to actually travel on a travel route, positions of load ports and buffers on the map, and data about transfer to/from these load ports and buffers are verified, and updated, and then, the resulting data is distributed to the other overhead traveling vehicles and a controller.

Abstract: When an in-link type of in-link attribute data is a tunnel, a system controller specifies the positions of both ends of a tunnel on the basis of a annotation true position shape of the in-link attribute data, and generates annotation data for displaying a tunnel symbol for each of the specified both ends.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting boundary crossings may involve the use of rectangles that approximate a boundary. Data defining the rectangles may be retrieved, and a current location of a monitored device may be identified. The current location may be compared with the rectangles, and a determination that the current location is located within a rectangle may indicate a boundary crossing. To simplify the calculations on the monitored device, certain calculations may be performed in advance. For example, an angle between a selected side of a particular rectangle and an axis of the coordinate system may be determined, and the particular rectangle may be rotated by the angle to orient the rotated rectangle parallel to the axis of the coordinate system. Subsequently, location coordinates for a monitored device may be rotated and compared with a corresponding rotated rectangle to determine whether the monitored device is located within the particular rectangle.

Abstract: Signal data stored in an information storage unit of an on-board vehicle navigation device includes signal numbers, position information for each signal, signal indication information for determining the indication, and information for a relationship between the indications and times for each signal. Based on a determination that the target signal has been set by selecting a signal intersection on a map screen (S10), a route from a current position to the target signal is searched (S31). Signals on the set route are read from map data (S60). Travel time between the current position and the closest signal on the route and the travel times required between adjacent signals on the route are calculated (S70). The indication information for each signal is predicted from the travel times required and the signal indication information in the signal data (S80). And then, the indication of the target signal at the time of arrival is determined and announced (S90).

Abstract: Provided is a navigation system using a RFID system and a method for displaying a construction area road. The navigation system includes a RFID tag for storing construction information, and upon receipt of a predetermined command, transmitting the construction information; and a RFID reader for transmitting an information read command to the RFID tag, and receiving the construction information in response to the information read command. A bypass path is re-searched depending on the received construction information, and path guidance is performed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a navigation apparatus and which includes determining whether a phone call mode has been selected on the navigation terminal, displaying phone call information corresponding to the phone call mode when the determining step determines the phone call mode has been entered, and displaying traveling route guidance information on the phone call information during the phone call mode.

Abstract: The on-vehicle information terminal according to the present invention comprises an abridged road generating device that generates abridged roads by abridging a road map based upon map data, a road decision-making device that makes a decision as to whether or not a road is a special shape road having a predetermined special shape based upon the map data, a substituting device for substitutes a specific road shape pattern stored in memory in advance for a road determined by the road decision-making device to have a special shape and a display control device that displays at the display device an abridged map containing specific road shape patterns used to substitute for special shape roads by the substituting device and the abridged roads generated by the abridged road generating device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for recognizing a parking slot by using a bird's-eye view and a parking assist system using the same.

Abstract: A system and method for off route processing is disclosed. The system and method can be used to provide information when an off route condition occurs. The system and method can include provisions to make modifications in the way navigation information is displayed. The system and method can also provide a selectable re-route mode and selectable re-route information.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus having short sensory time for executing the high precision positioning of the user on a map. The positioning apparatus includes: a first positioning unit for obtaining a first position information which represents the position of the positioning apparatus itself measured by carrying out a low precision positioning; a displaying unit for displaying the first position information; and a second positioning unit for obtaining the second position information which represents the position of the positioning apparatus itself measured by carrying out a high precision positioning. The high precision positioning is executed in parallel with the low precision positioning. The displaying unit updates a screen based on the second position information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics enabled mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes receiving a navigation request at a service provider from a telematics unit. The navigation request includes current location information of the telematics unit, destination information, and telematics unit memory capacity information. The method further includes producing navigation instructions based on the received navigation request. The navigation instructions provide directions from the current location of the telematics unit to the destination. The navigation instructions include a plurality of data elements describing the navigation instructions. The amount of data elements included within the navigation instructions is associated with the received telematics unit memory capacity information. The method additionally includes communicating the produced navigation instructions to the telematics unit.

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

Abstract: A travel route stray discriminating method of a mobile object in navigation system is disclosed in which discrimination of travel route deviation is temporarily withheld even if the mobile object has deviated from the travel route on a busy road such as a cross-road, and a warning that the mobile object has deviated from the travel route is issued if it is accurately discriminated that the mobile object has strayed from the travel route.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dynamic content design, delivery and distribution software architecture that enables a centrally located designer, using a graphical interface, to create, edit, manage, and organize a matrix of trigger points that are plotted on a computerized map of geographical space. Each of these trigger points may be tagged with content, which is then relayed to a dynamic client device that is remotely located. The client device then displays the content to a remote user in a manner predetermined by the centrally located designer, the content varying based on feedback provided by the client device. The system and methods disclosed enable a centrally located designer to assume the role of an automated tour designer. As such, designers can compile a variety of different tours, each aimed at users with particular preferences. The architecture further offers a means to publish tour scripts for public consumption.

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

Abstract: There are provided a navigation apparatus and a navigation method capable of performing a character display reflecting the operation result of a user. The navigation apparatus includes a facility search section that searches for a facility fulfilling a set search condition; a display flag changing section that sets a character string, which is displayed at a position corresponding to the facility searched by the facility search section, as a character string indicating the facility; a map drawing section that draws a map image including the location of the facility searched by the facility search section and the character string set by the display flag changing section; and a display processing section and a display device, which display the map image drawn by the map drawing section.

Abstract: A navigation system with a function of one-touch map matching correction, and a method thereof. The navigation system includes a GPS module for receiving each position signal, and measuring self position and driving direction; a map database for storing map data; a storage unit for storing a candidate designation index, road information, a guidance stop flag, a flag activating a map-matching correction button, and voice data for road sequence guidance; a display unit for displaying the map data, activating or deactivating the map-matching correction button, and generating a coordinate value of a position; and a controller for indexing the parallel roads, generating a candidate road array, activating the map-matching correction button, and sequentially selecting candidate roads while performing the map matching correction.

Abstract: The map-display-area determining unit determines an area in which a map is to be displayed. The road-information obtaining unit obtains, from map data transmitted from a map-data distributing server, curved-point coordinate information and name information of a traffic route. A map-display-data generating unit determines a display position for each of a character or symbol included in a character/symbol string in the name information so that the character or symbol is positioned along the traffic route without interfering with another character or symbol, and generates map display data for displaying the character or symbol at the determined display position.

Abstract: There are provided a navigation system, a route search method and a storage medium which are easily capable of setting a destination even if a telephone number, which is not contained in a storage device, is entered. A route search processing unit, in the case where, for example, positions corresponding to telephone numbers that match the number expressing the area of the entered telephone number are four or more, selects four telephone numbers that are approximate to the entered telephone number, and sets the point of intersection, which is formed when the positions corresponding to the selected telephone numbers are connected diagonally by straight lines, as a destination. The route search processing unit searches for a route from the position of a user's car, which is calculated by a vehicle position measuring unit, to a point that is set as a destination.

Abstract: System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine is provided for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time.

Abstract: A driving support image during a turn at an intersection is provided as a driving support by a driving support image display apparatus for a driver by the image display apparatus so that the driver can easily recognize a state ahead of his or her vehicle or a state into which the right turn is made. The driving support image is provided when a subject vehicle has reached a support starting point before the intersection based on provided information that is received from a roadside apparatus. After starting the display of the driving support image as an initial field of vision, the support image is shifted by gradually moving the field of vision of the driving support image from the initial field of vision at a predetermined timing for increased coverage of an opposite lane or a lane to be traveled after a turn.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes notification means for notifying an advance direction at a branching point in a route guiding, storage means for storing a plurality of moving methods and notification methods corresponding to the respective moving methods, input means for selecting one of the plurality of moving methods stored in the storage means, and control means for causing the notification means to perform notification by the notification method corresponding to the moving method selected by the input means. Thus, it is possible to easily set a route guiding such as a distance to the branching point where guiding is started for each of the moving methods and a sound volume.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The telematics terminal is initialized based on the door open signal. An accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch may be generated. At least one telematics module within the vehicle can be initialized based on the door open signal or the accessory signal.

Abstract: Mobile endpoints are provided that enable direction based pointing services including a positional component for receiving positional information as a function of a location of the portable electronic device, a directional component that outputs direction information as a function of an orientation of the portable electronic device and a location based engine that processes the positional information and the direction information to determine a subset of points of interest relative to the portable electronic device as a function of at least the positional information and the direction information. Devices can include compass(es), e.g., magnetic or gyroscopic, to determine a direction and GPS systems for determining location. A component for determining acceleration can also optionally be included.

Abstract: A map information display apparatus that displays a map for a mobile object includes: a grouping unit (111) that divides a map included in an image displayed by a map display unit (115) into a plurality of areas; a display position determination unit (113) that selects, for each of the plurality of areas, at most a predetermined number of points as points for displaying estimated transit times, the predetermined number being equal to or larger than 1; a time calculation unit (114) that calculates the estimated transit times of the selected points; and the map display unit (115) that displays an image including the map and the estimated transit times.

Abstract: A map information display apparatus that displays a map for a mobile object includes: a grouping unit (111) that divides a map included in an image displayed by a map display unit (115) into a plurality of areas; a display position determination unit (113) that selects, for each of the plurality of areas, at most a predetermined number of points as points for displaying estimated transit times, the predetermined number being equal to or larger than 1; a time calculation unit (114) that calculates the estimated transit times of the selected points; and the map display unit (115) that displays an image including the map and the estimated transit times.

Abstract: A map information display apparatus that displays a map for a mobile object includes: a grouping unit (111) that divides a map included in an image displayed by a map display unit (115) into a plurality of areas; a display position determination unit (113) that selects, for each of the plurality of areas, at most a predetermined number of points as points for displaying estimated transit times, the predetermined number being equal to or larger than 1; a time calculation unit (114) that calculates the estimated transit times of the selected points; and the map display unit (115) that displays an image including the map and the estimated transit times.

Abstract: A signposting and orientation technology is presented. This technology employs signposts superimposed on map images in order to convey otherwise undisplayable information on a map image. With signposting, zoomed-in maps can convey relationships between items on the map image, even though some of those item are not directly displayed on the map images. For example, a signpost can convey the distance between an anchoring object of reference and an item that is some distance and direction away from the object. Any relationships between objects and/or items can be dynamically maintained even though both the objects and item are moving about a map image. Additionally, orientation marks can be used in conjunction with signposts to orient users of the technology. Orientation marks may employ directional vectors, beginning at with the object of reference and ending with the orientation mark, whether the mark is celestial in nature or otherwise.

Abstract: A destination prediction device having a map information accumulation unit that accumulates map information including at least positions of a plurality of points on a map and routes between the plurality of points; a start position acquisition unit that acquires a start position of the mobile body; a current position acquisition unit that acquires a current position of the mobile body; a destination candidate position acquisition unit that acquires positions of a plurality of destination candidates that may potentially become destinations of the mobile body; a circuitousness calculation unit that calculates a circuitousness which is a deviation of a route from the start position to the position of the destination candidate and a destination prediction unit that predicts, as a destination, a destination candidate whose calculated circuitousness is the smallest among the destination candidates.

Abstract: In a map display device, a viewing angle for a three-dimensional road map can be changed horizontally on a screen so that the three-dimensional road map is generated at a standard viewing angle (45°) up to a wide viewing angle (90°). At this time, the viewing angle is changed based on a reference line passing through a current position of a subject vehicle where the map display device is mounted.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and a driving direction guiding method are capable of clearly indicating a correct direction in which a vehicle should be driven at an exit when the vehicle exits a parking area through the exit. When a position measurement unit detects that the vehicle has entered a parking area based on measured position information, a CPU clearly indicates, on a display, a correct direction in which the vehicle should be driven at an exit of the parking area so that a user can know in advance the correct direction in which to drive his/her vehicle after passing through the exit of the parking area.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a processing unit for generating route data relating to a route along which a vehicle has actually traveled, from position data acquired by a position acquiring unit, an image data acquiring section for acquiring image data, a first storage section for storing the image data acquired by the image acquiring unit according to groups of respective destinations, and a second storage section for storing the route data generated by the processing unit. A link data generating section is provided for correlating the respective destinations with the respective route data via link data. An outputting unit is configured to extract a group linked to a destination by the link data in response to a manual designation of a route data stored in the second storage section or to a manual or automatic designation of a designation included in that route data and then to output the image data included in that group from the first storage section to an outputting section.

Abstract: A facility display unit three-dimensionally displays an image of the facilities identified by a facility identifying section 6 on a wide-area map according to a display mode set by a setting accepting section 1, and zooms in on the image of the facilities. The facility display unit also rotates the image of the facilities simultaneously with the zoom in or after completing the zoom in. This enables a user to roughly check the position of the facilities, and then to grasp an overall image of the facilities.

Abstract: A map data processing unit includes a batch update section and dynamic update section. A type of update data fed from an update data input section is decided using header information. If the update data is route search data, the batch update section collectively updates all the map data to latest version map data according to the update data from the update data input section. If the update data is not the route search data, the dynamic update section updates the map data to the latest version map data according to the update data every time the map data becomes necessary. Thus performing the collective or dynamic update according to the type of the update data enables the update to the latest map data without affecting the operation speed of a navigation function, with minimizing the time precluding the use of the navigation function.

Abstract: An illustrative method provides information to a user on wireless communication coverage along at least one route. A wireless availability server receives a user request for coverage information where the request includes an origination and destination location provided by the user for at least one route. A set of routes connecting the origination and destination locations is determined. A query is made to a database containing wireless coverage data based on the origination and destination locations, and the set of routes. A response to the query contains wireless coverage information along the set of routes. A reply is transmitted to the user responding to the user request where the reply contains the wireless coverage information.

Abstract: An automated map generator that can be used for creating new maps for uncharted areas, augmenting uncompleted maps, or creating maps for areas that are changing dynamically. One or more mobile devices include location based technology that operates to identify a current location for the mobile device and report that location to the map creation application. If the location of the mobile device is within an active mapping region, the map creation device can instruct the mobile device to report its location on a more frequent basis and then commence to map out the route to the mobile device. As the route is mapped out, a new map of the territory is created. As subsequent devices enter into that area (including navigational systems), the updated mapping information is provided to the device and can then be augmented by future location readings or can simply be used by the device.