Abstract: Images may be sorted and categorized by defining a frustum for each image and overlaying the frustums in two, three, or four dimensions to create a density map and identify points of interest. Images that contain a point of interest may be grouped, sorted, and categorized to determine representative images of the point. By including many images from different sources, common points of interest may be defined. Points of interest may be defined in two or three Euclidian dimensions, or may include a dimension of time.

Abstract: A method of correcting a map matching and a navigation system for implementing the method are provided. The method includes: determining whether a vehicle turns by using an acceleration sensor; and performing a map matching correction by using the determination of whether the vehicle turns and Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

Abstract: A method and system for navigation of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles in an urban environment is provided. The method comprises flying at least one Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided unmanned aerial vehicle at a first altitude over an urban environment, and flying at least one GPS-denied unmanned aerial vehicle at a second altitude over the urban environment that is lower than the first altitude. The unmanned aerial vehicles are in operative communication with each other so that images can be transmitted therebetween. A first set of images from the GPS-aided unmanned aerial vehicle is captured, and a second set of images from the GPS-denied unmanned aerial vehicle is also captured. Image features from the second set of images are then matched with corresponding image features from the first set of images. A current position of the GPS-denied unmanned aerial vehicle is calculated based on the matched image features from the first and second sets of images.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a communication subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The communication subsystem communicates with a remote navigation database via a gateway using variable-size data payloads. Each variable-size data payload is accompanied by a content-identifier and a size-identifier. The navigation subsystem determines a current position of the navigation device and encodes the current position of the navigation device as one or more position payloads that are sent from the communication subsystem to the remote navigation database via the gateway. Each position payload is sent with an accompanying content-identifier and size-identifier.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment a system and a method for tracking locations for one of a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a communication module configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to detect the presence of a memory map device that provides map data for one or more locations capable of being visited by the secondary driver and to receive a location signal having coordinate data that corresponds to one or more locations visited by the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to store the coordinate data when the memory map device is not detected so that the coordinate data is available for transmission with the map data when the memory map device is detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power riding apparatus with electronic options, a wireless user interface for control such apparatus, and a wave-information-system. One embodiment of the power riding apparatus is a surfboard configured with a booster system. An alternative embodiment is a motorized land board, such as a skateboard with a motor. The booster system or land board motor is electrically associated with an onboard controller. The onboard controller is in wireless communication with a user interface associated with a user. The user activates the user interface as desired to control the booster system and activate other board features such as: lighting system, repellant system, anti-theft system, entertainment system, recording system, and communication system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating position of a GPS device is described. In one example, a method for provisioning a mobile device with a model for determining a position of the mobile device in at least one geographic area is provided. The method includes obtaining an estimate of the position of the mobile device, forming one or more satellite orbit models from the estimate and a wide area model, and sending the at least one satellite orbit model to the mobile device. The wide area model is formed from measurements from a plurality of satellites of a Global Positioning System, and the measurements are obtained by a plurality of reference stations.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable medium for collaborating on geographical maps between two or more computers are disclosed. In particular, sharing a geographical location on a map between two or more computers and co-navigating a map between two or more computers are disclosed. With respect to sharing a geographical location, the geographical location is retrieved to the first computer. The geographical location is added to the map being rendered at the first computer and is sent to a second computer. A map including the geographical location is rendered at the second computer. With respect to co-navigating, a map is displayed from a map perspective at the first computer. The map perspective is sent to the second computer. A map from the same map perspective being displayed at the first computer is rendered at the second computer.

Abstract: Information is acquired that indicates a current road on which a vehicle is traveling. Information is acquired that relates to a plurality of branching roads that branch off from the current road at a branching point that lies ahead in the direction of movement of the vehicle. In a situation where route guidance is not being used, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will proceed on one of the branching roads that is of a different type from the current road, instead of on one of the branching roads that is of the same type as the current road and has an attribute that is of the same type as an attribute of the current road. If it is determined that there is a possibility that the vehicle will proceed on one of the branching roads that is of a different type, guidance is performed that informs the driver that the possibility exists.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating position location of a mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining reliability of Global Positioning System (GPS) ground speed. An example system receives GPS track information and GPS ground speed, determines a change in GPS track information and determines reliability of the GPS ground speed based on the determined change in GPS track information relative to the GPS ground speed. The system sets a GPS ground speed based on the determined reliability. A GPS ground speed output is set to zero, if the GPS ground speed is determined unreliable and the GPS ground speed output is set to the GPS ground speed, if the GPS ground speed is determined reliable. The system sends the GPS ground speed output to a Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS). Also, the system sets the GPS ground speed output to zero, if a received GPS ground speed validity signal or a received GPS track validity signal indicate invalid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for determining vehicle attitude and position from image data detected by sensors in a vehicle. The invention uses calculated differences between the locations of selected features in an image plane and the location of corresponding features in a terrain map to determine the attitude of the vehicle carrying the sensors with respect to a ground frame of reference.

Abstract: A satellite based positioning method and system including storing satellite sub-almanac data on a mobile station. Embodiments include using the sub-almanac data to take measurements and calculate a coarse position of the mobile station. Embodiments further include a location server calculating a correction to the coarse position, and the location server determining whether any sub-almanacs used to calculate the coarse position require replacement.

Abstract: A traveling control method, medium, and apparatus for autonomous navigation. The traveling control method of controlling an autonomous navigation machine, having at least on the right and left sides thereof at least first and second receivers that receive a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter disposed at a specific position in a traveling area, the method includes allowing at least one of the first and second receivers to receive the radio signal, recognizing a command included in the received radio signal, acquiring data indicating a size of a recognizable area reached by the radio signal and a position of the transmitter while the autonomous navigation machine moves along the border of the recognizable area, and executing the recognized command in the recognizable area.

Abstract: A navigation device that can easily select information matched with user's favorite or intention from information on many stores and facilities is provided. In a car navigation device 1 for performing a route guidance of a moving object, plural symbols featured by individualities are displayed on a display panel 2, and when any one of the plural displayed symbols is selected, sightseeing information relevant to the individuality of the selected symbol is selected from the sightseeing facilities data base 31, and the selected sightseeing information is displayed on the display panel 2.

Abstract: A more accurate navigation method allowing the user to check the destination information online with personal computer and then performs steps of settings, searching and modifying the destination position on the website, draws the route inside the large destination from entrance to the final parking space, downloads the edited data and import the data to the navigation device by external transmission device. The navigation device is therefore capable of navigating the users to an approximate destination position and then accurately navigating the users to the specific parking space that is closest to the final destination.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus is disclosed. The navigation apparatus is configured to: acquire a trace of a vehicle; produces unregistered road data representative of an unregistered road based on the trace when the vehicle travels on the unregistered road; register the unregistered road data in a storage medium; determine whether the vehicle makes a turn in direction; determine based on the trace whether deviation of the vehicle from a road is greater than or equal to a deviation threshold, when it is determined the vehicle makes the turn in direction; and prohibits the unregistered road data from being registered in the storage medium when it is determined that the deviation of the vehicle from the road is less than the deviation threshold.

Abstract: Remote sensor units for a vehicle are described. A remote sensor unit may comprise an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly may comprise an electronic component. The electronic assembly may comprise one or more signal terminals coupled to the electronic component. The electronic assembly may comprise a protective enclosure arranged to encapsulate the electronic component. The protective enclosure is arranged to isolate the electronic component from thermal energy, pressure or residual material stress associated with one or more satellite housings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of displaying a background sky in a navigation system, the method including: storing and maintaining map data and background sky image data with respect to one or more directions of the map data in a database; detecting a driving direction angle of a vehicle; computing a position of a background sky image corresponding to the detected driving direction angle; extracting background sky image data corresponding to the computed position of the background sky image from the database; and displaying the extracted background sky image data as a background sky with respect to the map data.

Abstract: A method for automatically creating POI by identifying geographic information on a screen of a portable navigation device is disclosed. A first geographic information is retrieved from an information page shown in the screen of the portable navigation device and recognized by comparing with the first geographic information with a geographic information of landmarks stored in a map database of the portable navigation device. It is determined whether the first geographic information is in the map database. If the geographic information is in the map database, a first GPS coordinate corresponding to the first geographic information is obtained and stored as a first POI.

Abstract: The latitude/longitude and time acquired at prescribed sampling time intervals by a touring bus 1 which runs a predetermined running route are wireless-transmitted. A user 6 specifies a getting-on/off point on the basis of the latitude/longitude and time provided by the touring bus and acquires a running route inclusive of the getting-on/off point. Therefore, the user can acquire the running route inclusive of the getting-on/off point easily and instantaneously. The user can specify the getting-on/off point using the speed computed from the latitude/longitude and time acquired. Thus, the user can set his desired notifying point on the running route thus acquired. In such a configuration, there are provided a system for permitting a user of a touring bus to acquire a running route of the touring bus inclusive of a getting-on/off point easily and instantaneously and a system for notifying the arrival of the touring bus which permits the user to set his desired notifying point easily.

Abstract: A method for electronically generating driving directions including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; indicating one or more preferences for the directions to include less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the one or more preferences; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and one or more preferences. Also provided is a method for electronically generating driving directions including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; instructing the use of less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the instruction; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and instruction. Also provided is a method for electronically generating driving directions by indicating addresses or locations on a map.

Abstract: Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. When a ticker item is selected from the ticker, a location associated with the selected ticker item and/or a location of the communication device is used to generate a map that is displayed on the display of the device to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle comprises a boundary establisher for establishing a boundary of a work area. A vehicle position sensor (e.g., a location-determining receiver) determines a position of the vehicle. A planner module plans a raw turn of a vehicle to be executed in accordance with a model turn pattern if the position of the vehicle has traversed the boundary. An adjustment module may adjust the raw turn of the vehicle to a compensated turn such that an implement coupled to the vehicle follows an implement path that substantially tracks the model turn pattern.

Abstract: Host vehicle location information that indicates the location of a host vehicle is acquired, image information that includes the road along which the host vehicle is traveling is acquired, a host vehicle travel lane in which the host vehicle is traveling is detected based on the image information, lane information that indicates the position of the host vehicle travel lane is generated based on the host vehicle location information, and this lane information is registered on a storage medium.

Abstract: A navigation device is described that includes a processing device, a memory communicatively coupled to the processing device, the memory including a database of cartographic navigation map data, a first sensor operable to provide location data to the processing device, a display operatively coupled to the processing device, and an image acquisition device operatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to, when in a first mode of operation, to cause the display to display a portion of the cartographic navigation map data, the displayed portion based on the location data received by the processing device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring progress of at least two parties who have agreed to meet at a predetermined destination substantially at the same time. The system tracks location of each party and estimates remaining time or distance or both of each party to the destination. Querying of each party as to location may be adjusted as to frequency of polling for example based on changing progress towards the destination. Location or remaining time or distance to the destination may be communicated to each of the parties. The system may establish a new predetermined destination based on updated progress of the parties.

Abstract: A client navigation system establishes a wireless connection to a navigation server on a computer network. The client requests a route by uploading start and stop specifications. The server calculates an optimal route based on real-time data available on the network. A generic natural language description is used to specify the optimal route downloaded to the client. The natural language description is independent from the local mapping database software on the client and includes a plain text description for each link using pre-defined generic terms. The client interprets the route, interfaces with the local mapping database and reconstructs the optimal route using a mapping reconstruction algorithm. The route is displayed on the client navigation system using whatever mapping database is present. An enhanced user-interface data-entry feature is provided that anticipates data being entered by users to minimize the data-entry process.

Abstract: A navigation device (1) including an input device for inputting operator commands and/or location data, particularly starting points and/or destinations, a road network database, a route calculating unit for calculating a planned route with consideration of the location data and the road network database, wherein the route leads from the starting point to the destination, a signal receiving unit for receiving position signals, particularly GPS-signals, a position determining unit that determines the current position based on the position signals, and at least one optical display device, has an editable image database, in which image data files (7) provided for being displayed on the display device can be managed in a user-defined fashion and method of operation.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time, towed implement compensation comprises dynamically calculating an implement offset relative to a targeted track for an implement located at a first implement location. Based on the calculated implement offset, a vehicle offset is dynamically calculated relative to the targeted track for a vehicle located at a first vehicle location. The method further includes dynamically calculating a modified vehicle offset relative to the targeted track based on the calculated vehicle offset and based on a dynamically-calculated vehicle lateral error. The method further includes dynamically providing a steering control signal based on the calculated modified vehicle offset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting high resolution images onto fields, such as sports fields and landscapes is disclosed. In one embodiment, precise and consistent lawn and field patterning is accomplished by use in combination of a global positioning system; a processor for generating a desired pattern which is translated into patterning instructions; and a patterning implement which is used for generating detailed patterns and for imprinting said patterns on any of natural or artificial lawns and fields, covered areas, and landscapes. The patterning implement comprises a plurality of independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement, each of the independent printing mechanisms coupled to receive patterning instructions from the processor and operate selectively in response thereto.

Abstract: A normal route guidance of a navigation apparatus based on guidance information retrieved from a hard disk drive is switched to a turn list display based on the guidance information from an external memory when a vehicle enters a high-altitude area. The navigation apparatus calculates a navigation route to a destination, and determines if the navigation route passes a high-altitude area. If the route passes the high-altitude area, the guidance information of a high-altitude area section of the navigation route is written in the eternal memory. Thus, while the vehicle is traveling, the navigation apparatus having the hard disk drive continues its navigation operation by displaying the turn list even when an operation of the hard disk drive is stopped due to a function restriction in the high-altitude area.

Abstract: A system for improving the operation of a GPS based navigator. Statistical and/or time of day information is used to select the best route between a current location and a desired location. The statistical information may take into account anomalies, and a user can select the amount of risk they which take. The system can be updated with more updated information. In addition, the selection of the desired location can be carried out by downloading information from a PDA.