Abstract: There is described a method and a system for providing a sighting reticle oriented to aim at a target from a vehicle within an environment of the target. The method improves the situational awareness of the operator regardless of the orientation and motion of the aiming instrument and thus finds applications for the control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Abstract: The need for geo-registered features is avoided by a system for estimating a motion of a first sensor during a time interval. The system has a second sensor where the first sensor and the second sensor sense the same geo-location during the time interval. The first sensor computes a first target location error from sensing the geo-location. The second sensor also computes a second target location error from sensing the geo-location. A data link interconnects the first sensor and the second sensor, the data link transmitting the second target location error computed by the second sensor to the first sensor during the time interval. A processor at the first sensor combines the first target location error and the second target location error in a first sensor observation model, where the sensor observation model is descriptive of the motion of the first sensor. The observation model is used with a Kalman filter to update the position of the first sensor.

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: In a navigation apparatus in a vehicle, a user designates a validating route, which is stored in a memory device. A control unit invalidates a predetermined function of the navigation apparatus at a start-up, which is for the first time after an in-vehicle battery is connected or which results from turning on of a power source. Use of the navigation apparatus by the user is thereby disturbed. When the control unit determines that a route, which the vehicle has traveled through, is included in the previously designated validating route stored in the memory device, the control unit re-validates the invalidated predetermined function.

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: 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 system and system is disclosed to protect media content via location-based data. Multimedia devices are equipped with locator devices, such as a GPS unit, or similar device. The multimedia devices preferably contain the device's International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI), and International Mobile Subscriber Identification (IMSI). When multimedia content is created on the multimedia device, such as image or sound files, the present invention encodes the multimedia content with location data from the locator device. Additionally, the multimedia device's IMEI and IMSI, as well as the time and the date, may be encoded onto the multimedia content. Under an alternate embodiment, a remote server performs the encoding of the multimedia content.

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: A wireless communication system in a vehicle includes a wireless communication link in the vehicle with a mobile accessory that is a personal accessory of an occupant of the vehicle. The wireless communication link may be operable to carry information useful to the driver of the vehicle via at least one of (a) a PUSH communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver and (b) a PULL communication protocol whereby information is communicated to the driver in response to a driver selection.

Abstract: A system and method of determining elevation values includes inputting a location into a geocoding system having a segment data set and determining the closest segment in the data set to the location. A data set of elevation data the closest segment is accessed and a determination is made of an elevation value for each of two elevation points associated with the closest segment. The elevation value of the location is determined based on interpolation of the location in relation to each the two elevation points and the elevation value of each of the two elevation points. The determined elevation value for said input location is output. The offset distance of the location from the closest segment may be determined and a slope applied to the offset distance to determine an elevation gain or loss for the location due to the offset distance of the location from the closest segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for indicating direction using a screen, wherein a pattern of relatively dark and relatively bright sections is moved over a screen, in a direction in which an observer is to be directed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for indicating information on a screen, comprising at least one screen and image information-generating means, wherein the image information-generating means comprise at least one algorithm for displaying, on said screen, at least one first image in the form of a moving pattern of first and second sections, wherein the first sections are relatively bright compared to the second sections, wherein the screen has longitudinal edges and said image information-generating means are preferably arranged for at least temporarily moving said pattern in the direction of at least one of the longitudinal edges.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and programs display a virtual escort vehicle that appears to be driving ahead of a user's vehicle on at least one of a windshield of the user's vehicle and a display disposed in front of a driving seat of the user's vehicle and display a driving instruction for the user's vehicle based on actual driving condition information and standard driving condition information for a predetermined reference point located ahead of the current position of the user's vehicle.

Abstract: In a navigation device, the position PGPS, the running speed V, and the running direction ? are detected based on the Global Positioning System (GPS), while the bearing ? is detected based on geomagnetism. The bearing ? is corrected using the difference ?=??? so as to produce the corrected bearing ?c. The present position PMAG is calculated based on the corrected bearing ?c as well as the position PGPS and the running speed V which are previously detected. Thus, it is possible to precisely detect the present position PMAG without errors due to deviations between the running direction ? and the bearing ?.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a navigation system including an information center and a mobile terminal is disclosed. The information center stores node image information on topographic features of a node. The node image information includes partial image information according to a direction of movement of the mobile terminal. The information center includes a database for storing a node message having the partial image information and a database for storing map data. The information center generates the node message for guiding the next node point whenever the mobile terminal reaches a node point, and transmits partial image information of the node image information corresponding to the direction of movement of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal displays the image information of the node received at each node point and confirms a movement path.

Abstract: A driving support system including: a vehicle location detector which detects current location and velocity vector of a vehicle; a traffic and road information database which stores point information of points on a route of the vehicle; a point information acquisition unit which acquires, from the database, the point information of the approaching points located in a given distance from the vehicle current location, based on the detected vehicle current location and velocity vector; a display device which provides displays of the acquired point information on a horizontally long screen thereof along a windshield of the vehicle; and a display control unit for controlling the display device. The display control unit determines display positions on the screen to display the point information, based on a positional relationship between the current location of the vehicle and the points where the point information related thereto are displayed.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device having a route guiding function of guiding a route by obtaining map information from a server system via a radio communication network includes: a position detecting unit which detects a current position of the mobile terminal device; a bearing detecting unit which detects a first bearing to which the mobile terminal device is directed; a target bearing calculating unit which calculates a second bearing from a current position to the destination; a displaying unit which displays a map based on the acquired map information on a section containing the destination and the current position, displays icon images at a position of the destination and the current position respectively, and displays an icon image indicating the first bearing; and a target capturing unit which produces a sound effect in response to a difference between the first and second bearings.

Abstract: The INERTIAL SENSOR TRACKING SYSTEM is an overall system installation consisting of wireless body pack transmitters, broadband telemetry transceivers, computer and monitoring equipment, and emergency power generation for tracking personnel in an underground mine environment. The system is designed to function with normal primary power and on battery operation in the event of an emergency. In the past inertial sensors have been large spinning mass gyroscopes and large mass-based accelerometers. These inertial sensors have required high voltage three phase electrical supplies. The “wearable” body pack must be battery operated and the sensors must be small and lightweight. Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEM) sensors fulfill both the requirements of low weight and low power consumption. The accuracy of the MEM sensor has been developed sufficiently to incorporate, with de-noising algorithms, an accurate position-sensing device.

Abstract: The tracking system monitors many trackable devices each transmitting geographic locus, device id and event data via GPS, GPRS or GSM communications channels. The system is typically an ASP model and the multiple language selector is presented on the dynamic display of the tracking device data (data such as, tracked asset, driver, load condition, speed, direction, event code, messages to and from the device, and party owner-controller). The system dynamically switches between at least two languages (e.g. English and Spanish) as selected by the user during the display of the data. Either data translation profiles for words or phrases or a phraseology dictionary lookup data table is utilized. Labels are translated.

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 on-vehicle alarm generation method and an on-vehicle alarm generation apparatus for notifying a driver to be aware of safe driving by detecting a passerby or a bicycle moving at a dangerous point and generating an alarm to the driver are provided. In one aspect, the on-vehicle alarm generation method for detecting a passerby and generating an alarm to a driver includes the steps of including a dangerous driving point in map data and detecting the vehicle position; monitoring whether the vehicle approaches the dangerous driving point; transmitting a searching signal when the vehicle approaches the dangerous driving point; monitoring whether, in response to the searching signal, a responsive signal is received from a mobile device carried by the passerby; and generating an alarm to the driver upon receiving the responsive signal.

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: An offset diagnosing and correcting section obtains an offset correction value from an angular rate value obtained from detection signals produced from a plurality of angular rate sensors and a detection signal produced from an angular rate sensor when an automotive vehicle is in a stopped condition. The offset diagnosing and correcting section performs an offset correction for the angular rate value with reference to this offset correction value. A sensor sensitivity diagnosing section detects a turning condition of the automotive vehicle based on detection signals of the plurality of angular rate sensors, and diagnoses the sensitivity of the plurality of angular rate sensors based on offset corrected angular rate values of these angular rate sensors when the automotive vehicle is in a turning condition.

Abstract: Many day-to-day driving situations require that an operator of a motor vehicle guide the motor vehicle along a specific course and bring the vehicle to a stop at a specific location, for example in a parking bay or at a loading platform. To assist a vehicle operator in such situations, a method and a suitable device for implementing this method, include detecting the potential target objects in the image data of an image sensor and identifying the potential target objects as potential destinations in a multi-stage exclusionary method, whereupon a trajectory describing an optimized travel path is computed at least in relation to the most proximate destination. By using the multi-stage exclusionary method according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably identify potential destinations in complex image scenarios solely on the basis of their geometric form, even when the destinations have not been encoded by specific symbols.

Abstract: A wireless integrated network sensor (WINS) system is provided that integrates articulating tracking systems with WINS network components including visual or infrared sensors and imaging devices to enable precise tracking and targeting of objects moving through a sensor field or past a single integrated sensing and targeting unit. Further, arrays of sensors together with local signal processing are used to trigger cameras and tracking systems, and to provide an alternative location capability for improved robustness. The system is self-configuring and remotely controllable, and enables remote systems and operators to query for collected data, including sensory and image data, and control the system in response to the collected data.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant (PDA) detects its position by a two-axis acceleration sensor provided therein. While the PDA is within a communicable range where the PDA can communicate with the printer, a position of the PDA, which is located at time when the position of the PDA is detected, is recorded as an origin point and the origin point is periodically updated to the detected position. When the PDA moves to a position (current position) through a position which is out of the communicable range of the printer, guidance information for guiding the PDA into the communicable range of the printer is created based on a relative positional relationship between the current position and the origin point, which is recorded immediately before the PDA moves to a position out of the communicable range, and then the guidance information is displayed on the PDA.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, a vehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at least two instructions with each of the instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control is operable to provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operable to provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for estimating location of a moving object in a navigation system, which is capable of accurately estimating location of the object in a shadow area of GPS location data so that navigation service is provided. A method for estimating location of a moving object in a navigation system includes the steps of: (a) receiving GPS location data from a moving object; (b) determining GPS shadow area by using the received GPS location data; (c) calculating moving straight distance of the moving object with reference to a last GPS location data in visible regions when the moving object is in a GPS shadow area; (d) calculating virtual location data by using the calculated moving straight distance of the moving object; and (e) calculating estimated location on a digital numeric map positioned nearest from the virtual location data, and performing a map-matching to provide a navigation service.

Abstract: A map image display device is configured and arranged to improve operability by enabling a map image of a location distant from a currently displayed map image to be appropriately displayed with a simple operation. The map image display device displays names that are subject to a user's input command superimposed on a map image, and, if one of the displayed names is specified, switches the map image to be displayed to a map image in the vicinity of the specified name. At this time, the map image display device selects as the name to be superimposed on the map image at least one distant map name that is not included in the map image to be displayed, and displays that selected distant map name superimposed in the map image peripheral part corresponding to the bearing from the center of the map image to be displayed.

Abstract: It is customary to use signals from a motor vehicle central control in order to operate braking equipment for motor vehicles which automatically produces braking forces for states of standstill of a motor vehicle which are capable of holding a motor vehicle at a standstill. The signals which are provided by the central control are used to determine whether or not the motor vehicle is at a standstill. It is consequently also necessary to operate the central control during a state of standstill for the motor vehicle in order to produce the required braking forces. The braking equipment can no longer be operated as desired if the central control fails or malfunctions. These problems are solved by the invention, which provides standstill recognition for motor vehicles which enables braking equipment which automatically produces braking forces during standstill to be automatically controlled.

Abstract: Provided is a method for providing location information in a mobile communication system. The method includes the steps of: a) receiving coordinates of current location of a GPS terminal and a request for location information which includes coordinates of geographical features adjacent to the GPS terminal from the GPS terminal; b) generating location information having coordinates of the geographical features adjacent to the GPS terminal; and c) transmitting the location information to the GPS terminal.

Abstract: An imaging system suitable for use with a vehicle based global positioning system includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is positioned at the vehicle and may face generally forwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The control may be operable to provide a record of vehicle movement since the last position data derived from the vehicle based global positioning system. The imaging system may also or otherwise be suitable for use with a vehicle based magnetic compass system. The imaging system may be operable in combination with a magnetic field sensor of the magnetic compass system to provide a substantially continuously calibrated heading indication, which is substantially resistant to local magnetic anomalies and changes in vehicle inclination. The imaging sensor may be associated with one or more other accessories of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining altitude-related data along roads. A vehicle includes equipment capable of determining the current absolute positions of the vehicle as it is being driven. The vehicle also includes equipment capable of determining a distance traveled by the vehicle. Two points along a road are selected. Altitude-related data are determined as a function of the horizontal difference between the absolute positions of the two points and the distance traveled by the vehicle between the two points.

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: In a method for providing road users with information about a route section which is traveled along by a motor vehicle before a dangerous situation, the position and the duration of travel of the motor vehicle are repeatedly sensed along the route section using a sensor system in the motor vehicle. The measured values of the sensor system are stored as route points if the angular difference, weighted with the distance traveled along since the route point last stored, between the current direction of travel and the direction of travel at the route point last stored exceeds a predefined threshold value. A route point is stored when a warning function in the motor vehicle is activated in the dangerous situation, and the position of at least one route point and the current position of the motor vehicle are passed on in a warning message to the road users in a limited surrounding area. These measures inform the road users quickly and comprehensively about dangerous situations in the road traffic.

Abstract: A device for the radio-transmission of a hazard warning to the driver of a motor vehicle includes a data transmission device for transmitting and receiving data. The data transmission device exchanges data with data transmission devices of other motor vehicles, including data to warn other motor vehicles of the hazard, evaluates received data and outputs warning signals to the driver when a hazard is detected. The transmitted data includes information on the position, speed and direction of travel of the transmitting motor vehicle, as well as the type of road on which the transmitting motor vehicle is moving. The information on the position, the type of road and the direction of travel is generated by a navigation system. A warning zone around the current position of the transmitting vehicle is calculated by a computer unit and emitted by means of the data transmission device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting location of a movable body in a navigation system comprising a map data detector for detecting map information of a region corresponding to location information from an external digital map storage on the basis of the location information of the movable body transmitted from sensors sensing the location and traveling information of the movable body; a memory for storing the map information detected from the map data detector; a filter for computing an optimum location of the movable body including road error included in the map information on the basis of the location and traveling information of the movable body transmitted from the sensors; and a map-matching unit for receiving the optimum location information of the movable body from the filter and correcting the optimum location information by matching the optimum location information and the map information stored in the memory.

Abstract: A map display apparatus includes a map data memory which stores map data necessary for plotting a map of a predetermined region; a map display which reads map data out of the map data memory and plots a bird's-eye view display by projecting the map data read out from the map data memory onto a projection plane which makes a projection angle with a plane of the map data read out from the map data memory, the projection angle being greater than 0° and less than 90°, the bird's-eye view display including identifying marks which identify items in the bird's-eye view display; and an identifying mark overlap preventer which prevents identifying marks from overlapping one another in the bird's-eye view display.

Abstract: A car locator system includes a hand held locator which receives information with regard to the location of a vehicle and then stores that information for display on the hand held locator. The hand held locator could be a key fob having buttons to command operation to the vehicle. When a command signal is transmitted to the vehicle, the vehicle then transmits its position location to the hand held location for storage. In this way, an operator will be able to have an indication of the location of the vehicle. The vehicle can communicate with GPS satellites to determine its location, or may communicate with ground based local transmitters. The ground based local transmitters can be programmed to provide an indication of the location of the vehicle within a parking lot.

Abstract: In a map display device, a surface storing unit stores surface information which defines a curved surface having a form that depends on positions of portions of a map which are to be enlarged and/or contracted. A mapping unit maps the map onto the curved surface defined by the surface information. A projecting/displaying unit projects the mapped map onto a flat virtual screen, and displays the projected image. Here, by defining the curved surface so that each part of the curved surface forms an intended angle with a line of sight in the projection, the image is displayed with desired portions enlarged and/or contracted, while maintaining connections of roads. The same effect can also be achieved by projecting the map onto a virtual screen having the form of the curved surface.