Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to define a strand upstream of a direction based traffic (DBT) link. In a method, a strand is defined upstream of a DBT link. The method includes extending the strand so as to include one or more links upstream of the DBT link. The strand is extended by determining whether a link is to be added to the strand based upon evaluation of a termination criteria. The termination criteria is at least partially based upon a relationship of a function class of the link to the function class of one or more other links. In an instance in which the termination criteria is satisfied, the method ceases further extension of the strand.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: obtaining movement path data that specifies a location of a mobile article over time within a geographical area having an infrastructure feature; determining by machine logic based on map data and based on the movement path data calibrated location data of the mobile article, wherein the determining based on map data and based on the movement path data calibrated location data of the mobile article includes using map data that specifies coordinate location data of the infrastructure feature; and providing one or more output based on the determining.

Abstract: A system and a method of controlling an operation of an autonomous vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving, by the autonomous vehicle, information about neighboring vehicles and estimating a lane change intention of a first vehicle of the neighboring vehicles in a next lane in a front direction of the autonomous vehicle through the input information. Whether to allow the first vehicle to change a lane in consideration of acceleration/deceleration of the autonomous vehicle and whether a safe distance between the autonomous vehicle and the neighboring vehicles is secured is determined. An acceleration/deceleration control signal is generated for adjusting a traveling speed of the traveling vehicle and regenerative braking force and friction braking force of the autonomous vehicle is distributed according to the acceleration/deceleration control signal to perform braking.

Abstract: A traveling controller for vehicle includes a first computing unit, a traveling control unit, a first calculating unit, a second calculating unit, and a second computing unit. The first computing unit is configured to compute control information on a traveling control of an own vehicle. The traveling control unit is configured to perform the traveling control on the basis of the control information. The first calculating unit is configured to calculate estimated positions. The second calculating unit is configured to calculate estimated position reliability on the basis of pieces of positional information, including information on one or more estimated positions. The second computing unit is configured to compute the control information on the basis of one or more estimated positions when positioning information, lane line information, or both is undetectable.

Abstract: A navigation device may include one or more input devices, a processor, and one or more output devices. A navigation device may read stored map information and stored route deviation information including one or more deviation segments having a divergence location, a deviation path, a reconvergence location, and deviation segment data. The processor of the navigation device may then generate a route and route data. Upon determining that each of the one or more deviation segments intersects the route and a predetermined subset of the deviation segment data matches a corresponding subset of the route data, the navigation device may generate a personalized route by replacing a route portion between a first intersection point and a last intersection point with a corresponding deviation portion for each intersecting deviation segment. The one or more output devices may then output the route and the one or more personalized routes.

Abstract: Accuracy of a positioning device may be determined without requiring the device to be at any specific location, such as a test location. Instead of comparing the reported location and directional data to a known location and directional data, the present technology may use multiple discrete location and directional reports for comparison with the reported data at multiple locations. The multiple comparisons are used to assess the relative accuracy of the positional telematics system. The reported location may be a GPS location or from another positioning system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering the nature of a magnetic field at a location is presented, consisting of a placement of one or more static magnets, electromagnets or other magnetic field altering apparatus at strategic positions, in order to ensure that no two paths through the location present the same fluctuations and patterns in magnetic field intensity and heading. In a further embodiment a magnetic field in a location is modulated in a predetermined manner through the use of one or more electromagnets supplied with an equivalent modulated current or voltage. This prevents identical magnetic field patterns and provides a magnetic field measuring device with the possibility of determining an approximate location while stationary, and detecting whether materials capable of altering the magnetic field of the location have been added or removed from the location since magnetic mapping was conducted.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a vehicle including elements for developing and executing a trajectory plan responsive to the path on which the vehicle is traveling. The system may include a location system for locating the vehicle, and a system for retrieving a road profile corresponding to the vehicle location.

Abstract: A lane tracking apparatus and method using camera direction control is provided. The lane tracking apparatus using camera direction control includes a lane recognition unit for obtaining lane information from an image captured and acquired by a camera. A road curvature calculation unit calculates a curvature of a road using the lane information. A camera direction angle control unit controls a direction angle of the camera in consideration of the road curvature.

Abstract: An object is to prevent a driving assistance system for a vehicle from causing a collision of the driver's own vehicle with a solid object by performing driving assistance. To achieve the object, when a solid object that can be an obstacle exists in the course of the driver's own vehicle, the driving assistance system for a vehicle according to the present invention determines a plurality of primary paths along which the driver's own vehicle can travel by changing the momentum thereof, designates an avoidance line along which the solid object can be avoided from among the primary paths, and changes the momentum of the driver's own vehicle in such a way that the driver's own vehicle travels along the selected avoidance line.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: setting a delivery range for establishing a boundary; detecting a current location relative to the delivery range to a destination with the current location for locating a device; generating a travel route from the current location to the destination; selecting a delivery mode based on whether the current location is within the delivery range; and generating a local notification based on activating the delivery mode for displaying on the device.

Abstract: A moving body position detection system including a unit that acquires dead reckoning navigation information on a moving body; a unit that identifies a position on the moving body on a link based on the dead reckoning navigation information on the moving body; a unit that acquires current position link data on a current position link and neighboring link data on a neighboring link. The current position link is a link on which the moving body position is located, and the neighboring link is connected to the current position link. The system also includes a unit that compares the dead reckoning navigation information on the moving body with the current position link data and with the neighboring link data; and a unit that updates the position of the moving body based on a comparison result of the comparison unit.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle with a camera and conventional sensors, where the processor navigates the vehicle based at least in part on the image data and the sensor data. A method for navigating an unmanned aerial vehicle where a processor navigates the vehicle based at least in part on image data corrected by traditional sensor data.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating past position estimates from a positioning system that provides real-time position estimates of a mobile object. The method first stores the real-time position estimates, which as time goes by become past position estimates and naturally form a first past trajectory depicting the past movement of the mobile object. Subsequently, a calibrated past trajectory is determined, which includes calibrated past position estimates that correspond to the same time instances as the past positions in the first past trajectory. When real-time positions have low qualities, this method calibrates them at a later time by using (higher-quality) real-time positions both before and after them. Errors in the past positions are then corrected based on the calibrated past trajectory. When used with event detectors that indicate inventory transactions, this method can correct position errors associated with inventory events so as to improve the performance of inventory tracking.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes a GNSS position engine (GPE) that uses GNSS satellite measurements to compute a first position and velocity of a vehicle and a first quality metric associated with the position and velocity. The system also includes a dead reckoning engine (DRE) that operates parallel with the GPE that computes a second position and velocity and a second quality metric associated with the dead reckoning. The GPE is configured to use the second position and velocity to detect a set of outliers in an incoming GNSS measurement; use the second position and velocity as an initial estimate of its position and velocity for a particular time instant, which is then refined by GNSS measurements received at that particular time instant; and to replace the first position and velocity with the second position and velocity.

Abstract: An attitude angle estimating means computes a derivative amount of an attitude angle with respect to a vertical axis of a vehicle body, and integrates the computed derivative amount of the attitude angle, and estimates the attitude angle. On the basis of the sensor signal and the attitude angle estimated by the attitude angle estimating means, a computing means computes a derivative amount of the attitude angle obtained from equations of motion for vehicle motion. A drift amount estimating means estimates a sensor drift amount of the sensor signal by using a relationship that, when taking a sensor drift amount of the sensor signal into consideration, the derivative amount of the attitude angle computed by the attitude angle estimating means, and a value that considers a sensor drift amount in the derivative amount of the attitude angle computed by the computing means, are equal.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing a position of a moving object includes a sensor information collector to collect sensor information associated with movement of the moving object, a camera to capture a front image based on the movement of the moving object, and a GPS receiver configured to receive a GPS position of the moving object. Further, the apparatus includes a location recognizer to display N number of particles, each of which indicates a candidate position of the moving object, in a certain region about a GPS location of the moving object on a map. The location recognizer then updates a location of the particles based on the movement of the moving object, and progressively reduces number of particles on the basis of accuracy of the position-updated particles, thereby recognizing the position of the moving object.

Abstract: A prediction method that estimates the real-time position of a mobile device based on previously observed data is provided. The present invention can be used in real-time navigation, including providing real-time alerts of an upcoming destination and notifications of emergency events in close geographic proximity. The prediction method utilizes neural networks and/or functions generated using genetic algorithms in estimating the mobile device's real-time position. The prediction method provides reliable Location-Based Services (LBS) in events where traditional positioning technologies become unreliable. It is also seamless, as the user remains unaware of any interruption in accessing the positioning technology.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing call management based on geographical location of an electronic communication device. Based on the location or rather a position area of the electronic communication device, a local policy is determined and is employed to a call service serving the electronic communication device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying overlapping areas. For example, in one embodiment, telematics data can be collected as vehicles traverse various geographic areas. Then, the areas traversed by the vehicles can be displayed to identify overlapping areas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for navigating with the use of correlation within a select area are provided. One method includes, storing data required to reconstruct ranges and associated angles to objects along with statistical accuracy information while initially traversing throughout the select area. Measuring then current ranges and associated angles to the objects during a subsequent traversal throughout the select area. Correlating the then current ranges and associated angles to the objects to reconstructed ranges and associated angles to the objects from the stored data. Determining at least one of then current location and heading estimates within the select area based at least in part on the correlation and using the least one of the then current location and heading estimates for navigation.

Abstract: A navigation device includes an HOV lane entrance/exit section determining unit for, when HOV lane position information defining the position of an HOV lane and lane information defining lanes are included in link data included in map data acquired by a map data processing unit, determining whether or not the vehicle can make a lane change between the HOV lane and either a right-hand side lane to the right of the HOV lane or a left-hand side lane to the left of the HOV lane on the basis of the lane information, and determining that there is an HOV lane entrance/exit section when the vehicle can make a lane change between the HOV lane and either the right-hand side lane or the left-hand side lane, and an HOV lane entrance/exit section storage unit for storing HOV lane entrance/exit section information showing the HOV lane entrance/exit section.

Abstract: An electronic device 1 receives ephemeris information from a GPS satellite at intermittent timings TE1, TE2, and TE3 and stores the received information in its memory. In addition, the electronic device 1 receives time information at intermittent timings TC1, TC2, TC3, and TC4, and corrects a clocked time based on the received time information. Then, at positioning timing T1, the electronic device 1 captures a transmission signal from the GPS satellite while synchronizing timing with the GPS satellite based on the clocked time, and performs positioning based on the captured transmission signal and the ephemeris information stored in the memory.

Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link, then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a navigation device, and a corresponding navigation device are provided. Multiple route elements are received which each have at least one parameter. The route elements characterize a route. Each of the route elements are assigned to local route elements which are stored in a digital memory card stored in the navigation device. A quality coefficient for the assignability to a local route element is determined for each of the route elements depending on at least one of the at least one parameters. A route reconstruction quality coefficient is determined depending on the respective quality coefficients of the route elements.

Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device and method for controlling the electronic apparatus. According to the present invention, the electronic device combines a map image obtained from an external image that is received through a camera with a map contents to display.

Abstract: A prediction method that estimates the real-time position of a mobile device based on previously observed data is provided. The present invention can be used in real-time navigation, including providing real-time alerts of an upcoming destination and notifications of emergency events in close geographic proximity. The prediction method utilizes neural networks and/or functions generated using genetic algorithms in estimating the mobile device's real-time position. The prediction method provides reliable Location-Based Services (LBS) in events where traditional positioning technologies become unreliable. It is also seamless, as the user remains unaware of any interruption in accessing the positioning technology.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive from a mobile device a request regarding a stranded vehicle. The request is processed to determine the location of the stranded vehicle. Additional information regarding the stranded vehicle may be retrieved. The location of the stranded vehicle and the additional information may be communicated as a dispatch request. The location of the stranded vehicle relative to a dispatched vehicle is delivered to the mobile device.

Abstract: A navigation system includes: an angular velocity sensor 1 for detecting a change in an advancement direction of a vehicle; a vehicle azimuth calculation unit 13 for calculating a vehicle azimuth on the basis of angular velocity sensor information obtained from the angular velocity sensor; an on-board camera 2 for shooting a periphery of the vehicle; an image recognition unit 19 for recognizing an image obtained from the on-board camera; and an offset voltage correction unit 21 for performing a drift correction on the angular velocity sensor in accordance with an angle error between the vehicle azimuth calculated by the vehicle azimuth calculation unit and a vehicle azimuth determined from a white line on a road recognized by the image recognition unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display displaying a first map representing a position of the apparatus obtained as a result of a first positioning, and further displaying a second map representing the position of the apparatus and being obtained as a result of a second positioning which is started before displaying the first map, the second map being displayed without responding to a request for displaying the position of the apparatus obtained as a result of the second positioning.

Abstract: Provided is a velocity calculating apparatus including: a horizontal-angular-velocity-detecting portion disposed to a main-body portion attached to a movable object moving along a movement plane to detect a horizontal-axis angular velocity around a horizontal axis perpendicular to a moving direction generated according to an inclination angle of the movement plane; a vertical-acceleration-detecting portion disposed to the main-body portion to detect a vertical acceleration generated according to a shape of the movement plane; a time-difference-calculating portion configured to calculate a time difference between characteristic components occurring in the horizontal-axis angular velocity and the vertical acceleration due to a position of the movement plane; and a velocity-calculating portion configured to calculate a time-differential velocity based on a ratio between an installation distance from a position to which the horizontal angular velocity is exerted in the overall movable object to an installation po

Abstract: A position for a vehicle is corrected by detecting landmarks on the journey route and correcting the measured vehicle position when a landmark of this kind has been identified. The landmarks are stored in a database in the vehicle with associated exact GPS positions. When a landmark is reached, the associated exact GPS position is compared with the position measured in the vehicle, whereupon the measured position is corrected. In this way, the position finding can be improved.

Abstract: A blind spot display apparatus presents a situation at a blind spot occurring at an intersection from a driver's viewpoint, in a method of presenting the situation to a driver. The blind spot display apparatus includes: an omni-directional image storage unit storing omni-directional images obtained at different positions; a blind spot model generating unit calculating a position of the object based on each image of the object (in the blind spot) included in the omni-directional images; an own-vehicle model generating unit calculating a position of a vehicle based on images of the vehicle included in the omni-directional images; an own-vehicle viewpoint coordinate transforming unit transforming the calculated position of the object into display coordinates relative to the calculated position of the vehicle; and a display unit that performs display.

Abstract: A GPS sensor senses a current position of a vehicle. A map database stores map data. A controller obtains road information of a road ahead of the vehicle from the map data based on the sensed current position of the vehicle. Then, the controller measures a distance from the vehicle to a predetermined object, which serves as a sensing subject, on the road when the obtained road information is predetermined road information. Then, the controller outputs the measured distance as control information of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a GPS navigation system comprised of a submerged vessel having a navigation processor associated via buoyant cable with a buoy having a GPS device; wherein the cable contains: a data link between the vessel and the GPS device; and a location device for the determination of the location of the cable to the vessel; and wherein the processor computes a GPS position relative to the vessel. The invention also relates to a navigation process comprising the steps of: attaching a cable between a buoy and a submerged vessel; providing a GPS data relative to the buoy and cable location data over the cable to the submerged vessel; and using the GPS position of the buoy and location data to compute the GPS position of the submerged vessel.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle comprises at least one image sensor to provide measurements of landmark position for a plurality of landmarks; and processing functionality to estimate the position of the plurality of landmarks in a global frame and in the autonomous vehicle's frame, and to estimate the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in a global frame based, at least in part, on the measurements of landmark position from the at least one image sensor. The processing functionality is further operable to calculate errors in the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame and in the estimate of the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in the global frame by using a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality landmarks in the autonomous vehicle's frame and a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of increasing location accuracy of an inertial navigational device is described. The inertial navigation device generates real-time data and transmits the real-time data to a second device so that the second device may obtain a location of the inertial navigational device. The inertial navigational device receives an update message from the second device, wherein the update message is created at the second device based on a comparison of the real-time data generated by the inertial navigational device against a magnetic field database and adjusts the depicted location of the inertial navigational device based on the update message in order to increase the location accuracy of the inertial navigational device.

Abstract: A vehicle awareness system for monitoring remote vehicles relative to a host vehicle. The vehicle awareness system includes at least one object sensing device and a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device. A data collection module is provided for obtaining a sensor object data map and vehicle-to-vehicle object data map. A fusion module merges the sensor object data map and vehicle-to-vehicle object data map for generating a cumulative object data map. A tracking module estimates the relative position of the remote vehicles to the host vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is a road lane recognition method in a navigation device, which can differentiate a road lane occupied by a vehicle running on bidirectional lanes, including estimating a vehicle location based on satellite signal received from a carrier-based navigation satellite system and correction information received from a master station; determining a drive direction of the vehicle using vehicle location information and road lane information stored in a digital map; for each road lane in the road lane information, calculating a distance between a center line of the respective road lane and the vehicle location using the vehicle location information and the road lane information; and determining the road lane having a minimum value among the calculated distances as a drive lane.

Abstract: Enabled is to estimate a self-position even when no landmark is seen or when an article confusing the landmark is brought in. An omnidirectional camera recognizes a vertical land-mark near a wall to determine a candidate for the self-position. On the basis of the candidate determined, a break in a map between a floor and a wall is projected on the camera image thereby to perform the matching.

Abstract: A positioning method includes performing a first positioning by carrying out information communication with an external part of an positioning apparatus to obtain a first information indicating a position of an object to which the method is applied, displaying a first map representing the position of the object indicated by the first information, performing a second positioning by carrying out information communication with an external part of the positioning apparatus before displaying the first map to obtain a second information indicating the position of the object more precisely than the first information, and displaying a second map representing the position of the positioning apparatus indicated by the second information without responding to another instruction from the user of the positioning after the displaying the first map.

Abstract: This invention discloses a navigation apparatus correcting position data according to a map matching position and a method thereof. The navigation apparatus includes a satellite positioning module, an electronic map database, a map matching module and a correction module. The satellite positioning module provides a plurality of position data. The electronic map database stores at least one map data. The map matching module matches a position data with a map data to generate a map matching position corresponding to the position data. The correction module provides at least one turning point, and each turning point is situated at the map matching position to form an turning angular. If the turning angular exceeds a threshold value, the correction module calculates a position data and a map matching position statically collected within a predetermined time according to an algorithm to generate an offset to correct the position data behind the turning point.

Abstract: Responsive to braking, a CPU of a driving assist apparatus calculates an average deceleration of the vehicle and then calculates a braking distance. The CPU further calculates a final position at which the vehicle will come to a stop, on the basis of the braking distance. The CPU next activates an assist display for display a map including, superimposed thereon, the route to the final position and an arrival indicator indicating the stop (final) position of the vehicle.

Abstract: An on-vehicle navigation system reliably performs guidance of a necessary exiting authorized section while avoiding the guidance of a needless exiting authorized section on a plural-lane road having a normal lane and a special lane where advancing from the normal lane in a predetermined advancing authorized section and exiting to the normal lane in a predetermined exiting authorized section are authorized. After discriminating whether the vehicle is driving in the special lane of the plural-lane road based on whether a characteristic object has been detected by a characteristic object detecting section, the guidance of an exiting authorized section is avoided in the case where the vehicle deviated from a recommended route including a special lane, and the guidance of an exiting authorized section is performed in the case where the vehicle deviated from a recommended route not including a special lane and drives in a special lane.

Abstract: A remaining distance to an intersection regarded as a guide point is calculated based on map matching process. When the remaining distance is decreased to less than or equal to 100 m, an advancement display process is executed to advance a display position of a vehicle mark of the subject vehicle in the forward direction ahead of the map matched position. The vehicle mark is thus displayed, in an enlarged view of the guide point, at a position corresponding to an advanced display remaining distance, which is calculated using a predetermined formula.

Abstract: A map distribution system includes a map distribution server that distributes map data to a navigation device. The server includes a first table having entries that each include update data in correspondence with an ID for the update data and an ID for each other update data upon which the update data depends, a second table having entries that each include an area ID of an area of the map data in correspondence with a version of the area and the ID for each update data that is applied in the version of the area, and an update manager that refers to the second table to select the ID for each update data required for updating an area selected based on input from the navigation device and the required ID for each other update data upon which any update data required for updating the area selected depends.

Abstract: Space-time solutions are determined by exchanging pings among nodes in a network. Each ping includes a current space-time state of the transmitting node, which includes the transmitting node's currently estimated location and corrected time (as a count stamp). A particular node in the network receives pings from the other nodes in the network and uses the data in the received pings to estimate its own current position and to correct its own free-running clock relative to a common system time. As a service to the network, the particular node then transmits its corrected time (as a count stamp) and estimated position to the other nodes. In some embodiments, the space-time solutions discussed herein are used as backup to other navigation systems, such as the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system.

Abstract: An accurate global positioning system having a receiver, a display screen, an input device, having capabilities for visual calibration of the system is disclosed. Further methods of operating that system are disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a global positioning system receiver to determine position of a railroad vehicle, a predetermined track map of possible coordinates of the vehicle, motion sensors providing a positive bias error to determine change in location of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor to determine acceleration of the vehicle, and a processor to vitally determine the location and the location uncertainty of the vehicle on the track map. The processor verifies one motion sensor with another motion sensor, determines a slip or slide condition of the vehicle from one of the motion sensors, determines speed and position of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor during the slip or slide condition, verifies the position of the vehicle from the global positioning system receiver based upon the track map, and corrects the positive bias error of the motion sensors using the position of the vehicle from the global positioning system receiver.