Abstract: In one embodiment, autonomous driving control is provided for an autonomous vehicle changing from a source lane to a target lane. Using a topological map, a reference node is selected in the source lane. With respect to the reference node, an earliest node is determined in the source lane at which it is first possible for the vehicle to change lanes and a last node is determined in the source lane after which it is no longer possible to change lanes. A range of the source lane is determined for which the vehicle can change lanes.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may include a processor configured to execute instructions to identify, from vehicle transportation network information representing a vehicle transportation network, first and second location information representing a first and second location in the vehicle transportation network, and generate route information representing a route from the first location to the second location via the vehicle transportation network, wherein the route information includes first lane information indicating that the route includes a first lane of a road segment, wherein the vehicle transportation network information includes second lane information representing a second lane of the road segment and adjacent to the first lane, the route having a minimal expected cost among available candidate routes.

Abstract: A method and a device for establishing an alternate route in the event of a blocked roadway in a monitored region, in particular in an airport ramp. A vehicle is authorized to bypass the blocked roadway by a control center. Position data are repeatedly ascertained with respect to the vehicle by way of a position determining device. The data of the bypass route are ascertained from the position data by way of a computing device. The bypass route data are stored in a memory associated with the control center. Furthermore, authorization data which apply to the blocked roadway and which are stored in the memory are transmitted to the bypass route.

Abstract: A lane guidance display system causes a display section to display a forward image on which a first guide line is superimposed in the case where a travel lane is not branched, the first guide line having, as an end point of the first guide line on the front side, a first front-side end point indicating the center position of the travel lane in the width direction, and causes the display section to display the forward image on which a second guide line is superimposed in the case where the travel lane is branched into a plurality of branched lanes, the second guide line having, as an end point of the second guide line on the front side, a second front-side end point indicating a position in the travel lane on the target lane side with respect to the center position of the travel lane in the width direction.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a system message along a route determining a priority value for the system message; sorting the system message based on the priority value and a message play time for the system message; calculating an available play time for the system message; and selecting the system message having the message play time not exceeding the available play time.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes: a route guidance element for searching an optimum route from a current position of a vehicle to a destination according to a normal map data and for guiding the optimum route by displaying the optimum route on a map screen image of a display; a deviation route retrieving element for retrieving a deviation route, which has a possibility that a user may deviate from the optimum route and enter into the deviation route although the vehicle is incapable of driving along the deviation route; and an attention notification element for outputting attention notification information in order to prevent the user from entering into the deviation route when the route guidance element guides the optimum route.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for enabling collection and/or refinement of digital map information for aiding navigation route planning for vehicles larger than ordinary cars, such as goods-vehicles, buses, and car+caravan combinations. In at least one embodiment, a profile of a vehicle's characteristics, and one or more routes followed, are logged by a navigation device, and fed-back to a server that supports the navigation device with map data updates. At the server, or an alternative processing centre, the fed-back data from plural navigation devices is analysed to observe statistically the patterns of roads used by these vehicles, and to categorise these by the type of vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system may display route information that includes a display of the fixtures that are located on or near the route. The fixtures may be selected and inserted into the digital map as graphical objects. The graphical objects may be classified into a class and at least one sub-class. The classification data may be used to select and generate the graphical objects.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling a vehicle with a telematics terminal installed in or on the vehicle. The method includes a) receiving coordinates of a geo-fence area by the telematics terminal; b) determining whether or not the vehicle is located within the geo-fence area or is on a route that will intercept the geo-fence area; and c) if the vehicle is determined to have entered into the geo-fence area, controlling the vehicle to meet predetermined drive requirements previously set for the geo-fence area.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, determining maritime paths includes accessing a feasibility matrix comprising feasibility values for locations of an area. A feasibility value indicates navigability at a location. One or more non-navigable locations represent one or more barriers. Waypoints around the barriers are determined. A cost matrix comprising cost values is calculated. A cost value indicates a distance between two points of a set of points, where the set of points comprises one or more start points, one or more end points, and the waypoints. Dijkstra's technique is applied to a selected start point and a selected end point to yield a shortest length path between the selected start point and the selected end point.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, HOV information related to a high-occupancy vehicle lane or carpool lane is added into node data of a node as a part of the node data in map data. The HOV information of all nodes in a highway in a guide route is acquired from the map data to calculate the total number of transfer permit points. When it is determined that a guide for HOV is possible based on the calculated total number of transfer permit points, and then it is determined that an entry distance from the present position to a nearest transfer permit point is in a predetermined range suitable for an entrance guide into the carpool lane, the entry distance is determined to be suitable for the entrance guide into the carpool lane. Thereby the entrance guide into the carpool lane is provided.

Abstract: Provided are a device for automatically generating route restriction information of intersections between main roads and narrow streets, and a method therefor. With respect to a specific intersection which is an intersection between a main road and a narrow street, firstly, it is determined to prohibit a right turn and passing through the intersection. Under these conditions, when it is sufficiently confirmed, by using external information, that the right turn and passing through the intersection can be allowed at the specific intersection, the route restriction regarding the direction is released. Probe information and traffic restriction data are used for the external information.

Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting a taxi route for an aircraft at an airport. The method, for example, includes, but is not limited to receiving, by a processor, the taxi route, translating, by the processor, the taxi route into a graphical representation, displaying, on an aircraft display, a map of the airport and the graphical representation, and displaying, a location of a hold short instruction on the aircraft display.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle in response to the presence of one or more vehicle boundary. According to various embodiments, a system is provided that automates end-turns and sequence execution in real-time based on approaching boundaries. In various embodiments, no pre-planning is required once boundaries and a turn pattern have been defined. Once these items are defined, the system creates end-turns based on what type of boundary is approaching and the turn path prescribed. The system determines what vehicle functions to execute based on pre-recorded sequences and executes the turns and the sequences automatically based on the location and speed of the vehicle and its relationship to various boundaries.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a first heavy equipment to a target destination is provided. A location of the target destination is retrieved from a distributed objects database. The location of the target destination is at least partially determined by a position of a second heavy equipment. A position sensor identifies a current position and orientation of the first heavy equipment, and a path from the current position of the first heavy equipment to the location of the target destination is calculated. The calculated path is selected to avoid hazards. A progress of the first heavy equipment along the calculated path is monitored using the position sensor. When the first heavy equipment deviates from the calculated path, a message is outputted to an operator of at least one of the first heavy equipment and the second heavy equipment.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a map data acquiring means 11a, 11, 12, and 5 for acquiring map data including data about roads for which whether or not a car pool lane is also provided is specified; a current position determining means 13, 14, 15, and 10 for determining a current position; and a route searching unit 130 for searching for a route from the current position determined by the current position determining means to a destination inputted by an input unit on the basis of the map data acquired by the map data acquiring means, and for, when a road where a car pool lane is also provided is included in a route acquired through the route search, presenting, as a recommended route, the route using the car pool lane if the distance over which the road will be traveled is equal to or longer than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for simplifying a description of a travel route represented by a list of route points includes: reading in a travel route which is mapped by a list of route points represented by a plurality of route points, each route point representing a different subsegment of a travel route on a digital road map; altering the list of route points according to a predetermined algorithm, in order to obtain an altered list of route points that represents the travel route; and storing the altered list of route points in order to simplify the description of the travel route.

Abstract: A route planning device that is capable of comprehending, in advance, a route clearance at a pass-through point on a planned travel route, includes a global map acquisition unit arranged to generate a global map showing an obstacle area in which an obstacle exists, an extended area generation unit arranged to generate an extended obstacle area and three extended area by extending stepwise an outline of the obstacle area contained in the global map, an integrated map generation unit arranged to generate an integrated map by superposing for integration of the extended obstacle area with the three extended areas; a movable area extraction unit arranged to extract a movable area from the integrated map and thinning the same, and a route planning unit arranged to acquire a route clearance at a sub goal according to the extended areas on the integrated map to which the sub goal on the travel route belongs, upon planning the travel route from the thinned movable area.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shovel positional guidance system, an optimal work position calculation unit is configured to calculate an optimal work position of a main vehicle body where a diggable range in which a target surface and an operability range overlap is largest. A display unit is configured to display a guidance picture showing the optimal work position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating directions are disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a system that includes a human-provided directions module for receiving and processing human-provided directions, a database for storing human-provided directions processed by the human-provided directions module, and a directions generator for receiving a directions query from a client. In response to the query, the directions generator accesses the database, retrieves at least one human-provided direction, generates a set of directions based thereupon, and provides the set of generated directions to the client.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a first heavy equipment to a target destination is provided. A location of the target destination is retrieved from a distributed objects database. The location of the target destination is at least partially determined by a position of a second heavy equipment. A position sensor identifies a current position and orientation of the first heavy equipment, and a path from the current position of the first heavy equipment to the location of the target destination is calculated. The calculated path is selected to avoid hazards. A progress of the first heavy equipment along the calculated path is monitored using the position sensor. When the first heavy equipment deviates from the calculated path, a message is outputted to an operator of at least one of the first heavy equipment and the second heavy equipment.

Abstract: Open area maps and related systems and methods are disclosed. For example, one method includes receiving an image of a layout corresponding to a real-world area in which a person walks about. A restriction associated to a passageway within the image is generated. The image is used to generate a routable map for point-to-point routing. Routing through or around the restriction is based on whether or not criteria for passing the restriction is met.

Abstract: A method for graphically guiding visitors of a building to a shortest path using an integrated reader and access control is provided. The method includes receiving a user's identification code, receiving a user's destination location, uploading a current floor plan of a location, determining non-accessible areas in the location based on the user's identification code, and computing a shortest path from a present location to the destination location, wherein the shortest path circumvents the non-accessible areas.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for treatment of certain areas as neutral zones during GPS navigation to avoid unnecessary off-route notifications and route recalculation. A GPS unit determines whether the user has entered a geographic region designated as a neutral zone, and does not provide the user with off-route notifications while the user is within the neutral zone. Not providing off-route notifications may be implemented by the GPS device by considering the user to be within the calculated route while the user is within a neutral zone, or by disabling off-route notifications (and route recalculation) while the user is within the neutral zone. The neutral zone may be defined by a set of GPS coordinates. The neutral zone may further be polygonal, and the size of the neutral zone may be based on the accuracy of the GPS device.

Abstract: A control system controls a pair of vehicles in coordination to traverse a respective pair of trajectories. The control system is configured to specify a plurality of successive waypoints, a safe stopping interval and an intermediate interval greater than the safe stopping interval, and exchange waypoints between vehicles. The system controls each vehicle in coordination with the other, senses a rate of exchange of waypoint data between the vehicles, and determines the safe stopping interval. The control system updates positions with additional waypoints as the respective vehicles pass by waypoints of the forecasted trajectory, determines the length of the forecasted trajectory remaining and compares it with the intermediate interval and the safe stopping interval. The system generates a warning signal if distance is less than the intermediate interval, and if the distance is less than the safe stopping interval, stops within the safe stopping interval.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a navigation system and process for providing a second route to a user of the system when a first route determined by the system passes through an area that has a safety level that is less than a predefined and desired safety level.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer storage media are provided for identifying an optimal route to a destination for a user. The optimal route is customized for the user based on one or more route factors. The route factors may include a physical limitation of the user or a restricted area of a healthcare environment. The route factors may also include obstacles within the route or user preferences. An optimal route is identified as such when no route factors conflict with the optimal route.

Abstract: Method, storage medium and system of optimizing a destination for a vehicle by obtaining a map corresponding to a desired destination of the vehicle and identifying objectives of the map based on multiple parameters including collision avoidance, driver time, legal constraints and social consensus. A cost function is constructed to determine an optimal destination based on a proximity to the desired destination and the identified objectives, and an optimal destination is identified by minimizing a value of the cost function.

Abstract: In the case of a system for marking a region within an image of a road map detail displayed on a vehicle video screen, a regional location can first be selected by a control element. The region, which represents one of several administrative levels, can be constantly fixed via an enter function of the control element. The administrative level and thereby the size of the region can be changed by a rotational movement of the control element, which can be rotated about a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot system allocates mapping, localization, planning and control functions to at least one navigator robot and allocates task performance functions to one or more functional robots. The at least one navigator robot maps the work environment, localizes itself and the functional robots within the map, plans the tasks to be performed by the at least one functional robot, and controls and tracks the at least one functional robot during task performance. The at least one navigator robot performs substantially all calculations for mapping, localization, planning and control for both itself and the functional robots. In one implementation, the at least one navigator robot remains stationary while controlling and moving the at least one functional robot in order to simplify localization calculations.