Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a map data storage for storing a map data, a picture frame image storage for storing one or more images, a mode-based setting storage for storing mode-based settings required in operating the navigation apparatus in a drive guide mode, a picture frame mode or a combination mode, and a control unit for, based on the mode-based settings, providing a drive guide information using the map data in the drive guide mode, providing drive guide information by use of the map data in the drive guide mode, providing a picture frame image by using the images in the picture frame mode and providing the picture frame image and the drive guide information in the combination mode, the drive guide information being displayed over the picture frame image.

Abstract: The invention is system and method for displaying real-time speed limit information on the display of a mobile direction device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system for making a telephone call in a vehicle in which information concerning the traffic situation of a first vehicle is electronically processed and sent to a second vehicle. By apparatuses of further electronic processing, only relevant information concerning the traffic situation, which is in the field of view of the device of the first vehicle, is transmitted to the receiving party together with the telephone conversation. Unimportant details of the environment are able to be suppressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting electronic display aeronautical chart data to aeronautical chart data that is tailored for an avionics display is disclosed. The method and apparatus received by a data processing unit, electronic display aeronautical chart data. The color palette of the electronic display aeronautical chart data is then remapped to improve viewability on the avionics quality display. Finally, signals representative of the remapped colors are sent to the avionics quality display.

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

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for automatic flight logs. One method includes receiving one or more location data points associated with a flight, automatically recording the one or more location data points in a flight log, and allowing access through a display user-interface to view and operate on the flight log. Receiving the one or more location data points includes obtaining the location data points from a global positioning system (GPS).

Abstract: When a driver searches for related information about targets around a destination with a guiding system, the guiding system does not need to deactivate a guiding function when the guiding system begins searching for the related information. The driver is merely required to set both values of a first distance and a second distance right after the driver sets an identity of the destination, where both the first distance and the second distance indicate a fact that when the driver reaches less than said first distance away from the destination, the guiding system begins searching for the related information of the targets, which are less than said second distance away from the destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a weather information display and decision system that incorporates weather depiction charts together with other graphs and diagrams generated via a computing device on-board a vehicle (for example, a water, air and land based vehicle) as an integrated system to aid safe and comfortable vehicle navigation and handling, and provide data of immediate comprehension and use to the vehicle operator including data points on a geographic route at an applicable future time of vehicle presence and data presented from the operator's chosen perspective, using the operator's chosen frame of reference.

Abstract: A navigation system for providing different modes of navigation guidance to drivers is provided. A smart card stores user information. In a main apparatus, a parameter table storage section stores parameters which are used for controlling the outputting of navigation guidance to an entity. A control section acquires at least one parameter from the parameter table storage section based on the user information stored in the smart card, and thereafter generates information necessary for providing navigation guidance for the entity in accordance with the acquired parameter(s). A display section or an audio output section outputs various information generated by the control section.

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

Abstract: A system for identifying a fastest possible travel route is disclosed. A traveler data processor collects traffic speed data and associates the traffic speed data with road segments. The road segments collectively represent one or more possible travel routes from a start point to an end point. A forecast engine determines a predicted travel time for each of the road segments based on, for example, the traffic speed data for each of the road segments. A routing engine determines the fastest possible travel route from the start point to the end point. The fastest possible travel route is the possible travel route from the one or more possible travel routes with the shortest predicted travel time.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying information on a vehicle includes an information acquiring unit that acquires at least one of speed information and engine revolutions-per-minute information of the vehicle; and a display control unit that controls a display screen in such a manner that a road and a roadside zone of the road is displayed three-dimensionally, and a display of the road side zone is changed dynamically according to a speed and an engine revolutions-per-minute of the vehicle, based on the speed information and the engine revolutions-per-minute information of the vehicle acquired.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system is responsive to vehicle speed and position as determined by GPS or other location based system information to alert a vehicle operator of potentially unsafe conditions when either exceeding the speed limit on a given road segment or when approaching coordinates of a designated location alert point. The system comprises a portable device, a simple device personalization process using a single physical data communications interface to a local computing device connected to the Internet, and a remote server with a segmented database that provides access to common data services, positional data updates, and device personalization functionality.

Abstract: The field of the invention is that of methods of synthesizing cartographic images presented on display devices. This method is applied more specifically to visual flight on rotary-wing aircraft. The method according to the invention is used to present the useful aeronautical map information superimposed on a conventional altimetric presentation of the terrain being flown over, while retaining a legibility that is acceptable to the user. Flight safety is thus significantly reinforced. To obtain an enhanced legibility, the method displays only the aeronautical zones included in an altitude band corresponding to the flight phase of the aircraft and dependent on the geographic location and the vertical position of the aircraft. The method is used to display the cartographic representation either on a single window comprising a plan view of the terrain being flown over, or on two windows respectively representing a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the terrain being flown over.

Abstract: A display device for use in an instrument panel to be mounted in an automotive vehicle is capable of displaying information concerning the status of the automotive vehicle. The display device is further capable of providing an alarm, when a predetermined physical parameter among physical parameters representing the status of an automotive vehicle is within a predetermined range, by effecting at least one of a change in display luminance and a change in displayed color.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for presenting a route in a manner that emphasizes the route and provides context information. For example, a vivid color or vivid colors may be used to display the route, and pastel colors or other desaturated colors may be used for non-route context information. This may result in a map in which the vivid colors of the route stand out over the faded style of the non-route context information to emphasize the route. In this manner, the map may both emphasize the route and provide context information for the route.

Abstract: A system member of a data processing system 1 operates a terminal 3 to connect a registration-site server 6, and inputs requirements including personal data. The registration-site server 6 creates customer data from the requirements and point data concerning points given, and registers the system member as a point member. The system member clicks an icon of “Side trip” on a point card registration-site at the terminal 3, to transfer the point data and shop code data from the registration-site server 6 to a server 5, so that shop data is automatically made. The terminal 3 is operated to connect the sever 5. Upon a request for shop search, the position of the shop for which the point member is registered is displayed with higher visibility corresponding to use frequency than other shops.

Abstract: In a communication system, a receiving module provided in a second electronic unit receives first information transmitted from a first electronic unit. A comparing module provided in the second electronic unit compares the received first information with second information previously stored in the second electric unit to determine whether data stored in the first electronic unit is tampered based on the compared result.

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

Abstract: Apparatus and methods 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: A method of and system for determining a path traveled by a vehicle in a road network having a plurality of road segments connected into a plurality of paths that includes obtaining a current location measurement having an accuracy range, determining the road segments located within this accuracy range of the current location measurement to form a set of current possible positions for the vehicle, retrieving a set of stored possible paths for the vehicle, generating a new set of possible paths based on the set of current possible positions and the set of stored possible paths, and storing the new set of possible paths as the set of stored possible paths.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphically displaying sources for aircraft flight control instructions are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes displaying at a display medium a map of a region at least proximate to an aircraft and displaying an aircraft indicator at least proximate to the map. The aircraft indicator can identify current location of the aircraft, and its location relative to the map can be updated as the aircraft executes a flight. The method can further include displaying at least proximate to the map an indication of a current mode by which a path of the aircraft is currently being automatically controlled.

Abstract: A system and method for describing local area geo-reference features and landmarks in providing high resolution asset location information. Geo-image data is integrated to a mapping application and geo-reference data to add more detailed scale levels to the map. The geo-image data includes geo-images and its features to provide more detailed references to the asset and support the larger references of the geo-reference data. To describe a geo-reference landmark, an original landmark representation is selected with a center point and a radius. The asset location points located at the original landmark representation are compiled along with the asset location points generated by events occurring at the landmark to create a point set. The point set replaces the original landmark representation when a prescribed number of points is reached. The asset location points that are within a specified distance from any of the points in the point set are added to the point set to complete the landmark representation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.

Abstract: A mileage display system includes a control unit operatively connected to an ignition switch of a motorcycle that obtains the accumulated mileage by accumulating a pulse signal produced according to running of the motorcycle. The control unit records odometer data in an EEPROM. The control unit also reads the odometer data recorded in the EEPROM when the ignition switch is operated. If the odometer data exceeds the maximum value to be displayed on an odometer (for example, 99999), the control unit displays on the odometer for a predetermined period of time a numeric value of digits of higher order than the predetermined number of display digits of the odometer data. The mileage display system displays an accurate, accumulated distance traveled or accumulated mileage, after the mileage overflows by exceeding a maximum display value as established by a predetermined number of display digits.

Abstract: A current place indicating icon a for indicating the current place of a user, a used road image b for indicating a used road being followed by the user, an option road image c for indicating an option road connected to the used road and located in front of the current place in the traveling direction, and a way point indicating icon d set by the user and located in front of the current place in the traveling direction are displayed in the screen X of a display unit 7.

Abstract: A map image display apparatus for displaying a map image with at least one name for entering a command to change the map image, and switching the displayed map image, when accepting the command with the name designated, to a map image in a vicinity of the designated name. The apparatus includes a defined region storage device which stores information of a name-defined region indicated by the name, a center position thereof, and a display scale enabling displaying substantially the whole name-defined region within one screen; and a display target determination device which determines a map image to be displayed at the display scale with the center position of the name-defined region taken as a display center, referring to the stored information.

Abstract: An information display system for displaying a map that covers an area around a pre-registered point relevant to a date or a date and time. The position of the pre-registered point on the map is readily and accurately identified using the operator's selection of the date or the date and time. The information display system, include a map information storage in which map information is stored; an input device to input a designated point relevant to a date or a date and time; a schedule information storage unit in which the designated point is stored relevant to a date or a date and time; a display device on which a calendar and a map are displayed; and a display control device by which a map covering a point relevant to a date, or a date and time, either of which being selected from the calendar, is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.

Abstract: A display method and apparatus for navigation system enables a user easily see a list of points of interest (POIs) along a route to a destination. The navigation system shows a list of distance ranges of the route where each range shows a number of POIs searched. The current user position is marked in the corresponding distance range. The navigation system displays a list of POI names in the selected distance range where the POI names are arranged in the order that the user sees the POIs along the route. For determining the listing order, the navigation system uses a plurality of region circles having their centers on the route to the destination, and retrieves POIs contained in the region circles and calculates a modified distance of each POI.

Abstract: A guidance system includes a vehicle-mounted apparatus. A sensor-signal input unit inputs a vehicle-sensor signal for acquiring a vehicle status. A determining unit determines a movement of the vehicle on the basis of the vehicle-sensor signal inputted from the sensor-signal input unit. A guidance-information acquiring unit acquires guidance information from an external apparatus through a communication apparatus mounted on the vehicle. An information selecting unit selects guidance information acquired by the guidance-information acquiring unit depending upon a vehicle movement determined by the determining unit. An output unit outputs guidance information selected by the information selecting unit.

Abstract: A method and system for generating driving directions composes computer-based instructions that emulate a human driving perspective. Language-based instructions guide a driver along a route that encompasses a sequence of roads and intersections. An algorithm applies rules based on human perception to route components. The algorithm diagnoses road name changes so that instructions are clear and concise. The algorithm analyzes road and intersection geometry at confusing areas, such as road forks, roundabouts, ferry crossings, cloverleaf interchanges, and ramps, to generate instructions that conform to a driver's natural perspective. The algorithm analyzes the configuration of an intersection with respect to a driver's field of view to compose a clear and concise instruction. When appropriate, the algorithm produces compound instructions for adjacent intersections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle information display and communication system having a plurality of operative modules, the system includes a control processing unit adapted to provide an interface among the plurality of operative modules. The operative modules include a display module adapted to provide visual information to the occupants of the vehicle, a navigation module adapted for global positioning satellite reception to provide vehicle position information to the control processing unit, and a telecommunications module adapted for wireless communication to provide communication between the control processing unit and a wireless telecommunications network and between the control processing unit and any one of a plurality of local wireless devices.

Abstract: A route searching section 33 determines whether the area of the current position is an urban area or a suburban area, sets a predetermined area S or a predetermined time ?t responsive to the determination result, and determines the presence or absence of restriction on each time restriction road depending on whether or not a time restriction road exists in the predetermined area S centering around the current position and whether or not the restriction time period of the time restriction road overlaps the time period in the predetermined time ?t from the current time to. If the route searching section determines the presence of restriction, it searches for a route avoiding the time restriction road.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting and distributing vehicle traffic congestion information is disclosed. The method and system optionally involves deploying probe vehicles or other data sources for collecting and transmitting detailed traffic information which describes vehicle speeds actually being experienced along the routes of interest and transmitting all this information into a central computer at a central traffic data station, where the data are processed.

Abstract: Such a system is provided in which a map can be supplied to a user to permit the user to grasp the geography easily, if the address or the telephone number of an installation of destination, such as a restaurant, is stated, even though the scheme of displaying a map picture is not stated by an information provider in a text document of a preset format. An HTML analyzer 211 initiates an analysis loop of an HTML document being browsed to extract a location information letter/character string, which is seemingly an address or a telephone number, from the HTML document. A location searcher 212 calculates the latitude/longitude of a site from the location information letter/character string received through controller 217, using a site information database 213, and sends the so calculated latitude/longitude through controller 217 to a map picture generating unit 214.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and program product are provided for controlling the number of symbols presented on an vehicle electronic map display by using a first threshold constant for the number of symbols to be presented in FULL detail and a second threshold constant for the number of symbols to be presented in MINIMUM detail. In a first embodiment, the total number of selected symbols is compared to the threshold constants for each symbol type. In a second embodiment, the number of symbols of each type is compared to the respective threshold constants for each type. Excessive map clutter is avoided without regard to the map range selected by the user and for both high density and sparse map regions.

Abstract: A satellite broadcasting system is disclosed wherein, when a broadcasting program is broadcast by satellite broadcasting, each viewer can receive a different broadcasting program depending upon the district in which the viewer is present. A broadcasting program is composed of an area designation part in which a list of areas in which the broadcasting program is to be broadcast is accommodated and broadcasting contents themselves. The broadcasting program is received by a radio wave reception section. A current position acquisition section detects the current position of a receiver. The current position is compared with an area to physical district coordination table and converted into an area name by a current area detection section.

Abstract: An electronic device is built including a memory, a processor, and a display. The processor is configured to calculate an array of estimated travel time data from a first location to a plurality of locations within a destination area from a set of situational parameters and a set of user parameters. These situational parameters may include data such as: the location, condition, and speed limits of roads and paths; the availability of public transportation; terrain information such as elevation, slope, the presence of trails and vegetation; and weather information such as wind speed and precipitation. User parameters may include data such as: the user's mode of transportation, the user's physical abilities, and the load the user is carrying.

Abstract: A system and method for describing local area geo-reference features and landmarks in providing high resolution asset location information. Geo-image data is integrated to a mapping application and geo-reference data to add more detailed scale levels to the map. The geo-image data includes geo-images and its features to provide more detailed references to the asset and support the larger references of the geo-reference data. To describe a geo-reference landmark, an original landmark representation is selected with a center point and a radius. The asset location points located at the original landmark representation are compiled along with the asset location points generated by events occurring at the landmark to create a point set. The point set replaces the original landmark representation when a prescribed number of points is reached. The asset location points that are within a specified distance from any of the points in the point set are added to the point set to complete the landmark representation.

Abstract: An in-car computing device comprising a computer unit (12), a display screen (20) for displaying information (54-58, 82), a cursor (62) and option menus with individual option menu items, and a control element (22, 23, 24) for moving the cursor on the display screen two-dimensionally and for selecting option menu items. The in-car computing device further comprises a first unit (34) for detecting a display region of predetermined information (54-58, 82) on the display, a second unit (36) for determining a pull-in region (60) of a predetermined size for a display region, and a third unit (30) for applying an operating force to the control element (22) when the cursor (62) is in the pull-in region (60) such that the cursor is moved into the corresponding display region.

Abstract: A method for displaying a map includes storing map data on a server including a plurality of layers, which include vector information delineating features in the map belonging to a respective feature category, and a set of templates, each such template being associated with a respective one of the layers and indicating a visual characteristic of the features in the layer with which the template is associated. At least a subset of the templates is downloaded to a client device from the server, as is the vector information in a portion of one or more of the layers of the map data corresponding to a selected area of the map. Based on the downloaded vector information, an image of the selected area of the map is rendered on the client device in accordance with the visual characteristic indicated by the downloaded templates.

Abstract: The invention relates to navigation systems for motor vehicles, in which route planning information is output via a monitor (3). Data records containing map data are stored in a storage element (5). According to the invention, the storage element (5) stores information regarding traffic restrictions which is part of a data record of the map data, and the traffic restrictions relevant to the ascertained vehicle position can additionally be displayed on the monitor (3). Furthermore, in one specific embodiment, time restrictions for traffic restrictions are likewise stored and only the traffic restrictions which are applicable at the present time are displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically targeting content (e.g., advertising) displayed by a moving vehicle according to the location and direction of travel of the vehicle. Multiple items of content are loaded onto the vehicle and updated at periodic intervals. Position information (such as Global Positioning System information) is used to determine the location and direction of travel of the vehicle. Using the vehicle's position and direction of travel, and perhaps the time of day, a particular item of content can be selected and displayed to an audience external to the vehicle. The amount of time each particular item of content is displayed can be measured and used as the basis for billing clients.

Abstract: Readout devices and controls are provided that alert the user to unusual propeller slip conditions. Embodiments of the invention incorporate some signal processing to account for a progressively greater slip at lower watercraft speeds. Thus, the invention provides simple information that tells the user if a boat propeller combination is being operated suboptimally, without requiring the knowledge and use of multiple slip figures for differing boat speeds. The invention allows greater economy of operation, automatic anticavitation control and can alert the watercraft operator to unusual conditions such as anchor down, propeller up other situations that affect propeller loading.

Abstract: System, devices and methods are provided for automatic flight logs. One method includes receiving one or more location data points associated with a flight, automatically recording the one or more location data points in a flight log, and allowing access through a display user-interface to view and operate on the flight log. Receiving the one or more location data points includes obtaining the location data points from a global positioning system (GPS).

Abstract: A method of providing a gesticulating anthropomorphic interface in a vehicle, the method comprising receiving driver input data including a function to be performed. The method also comprises receiving vehicle data corresponding to the function. The function is executed in response to the driver input data and the vehicle data and the executing results in output data. The output data is translated into a command for a gesticulating anthropomorphic figure. The gesticulating anthropomorphic figure is displayed making a gesture responsive to the command.

Abstract: A name of a thoroughfare is identified from at least one name for the thoroughfare in reference to a set of criteria. In one example, the set of criteria includes whether or not the thoroughfare is an interstate, whether or not a name is shielded, has a suffix, and/or has an identified prefix. Interstate thoroughfares are often identified by a shielded name of the interstate thoroughfare, and non-interstate thoroughfares are often identified by a non-shielded name of the non-interstate thoroughfare. The identified name includes a name which is most recognized or well-known for navigating.

Abstract: The invention provides a user interface for a vehicle. A display is configured to include a fixed area and a selectable area. The fixed area displays vehicle information, while the selectable area displays one of a plurality of pages that includes parameters for at least one of a plurality of optional subsystems for the vehicle. A steering device for the vehicle can include a first and second set of input devices mounted on opposing sides of the steering device. The first set of input devices select one of the plurality of pages to display in the selectable area. The second set of input devices adjust parameters on the selected page.