Abstract: An object mapping system for determination of a point of interest (POI) in an environment, including: creating a map of the environment; performing object recognition to locate objects of interest based on characteristics of the environment; generating a map with tags of the objects and the characteristics; providing navigation to guide a device to an object of interest selected from the objects based on a distance from a current location to a destination location of the device; determining angles from an initial position of a laser pointer to the object; generating signals to rotate servomotors based on the angles; processing the signals to rotate the servomotors such that the pointer is rotated from the initial position in coordinate-based directional angles to the object; generating a laser beam that targets the object for determination of the POI associated with the object that is associated with destination location of the computing device.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to perform: identifying, in a map, one or more entities that change over time; predicting an amount of change of the identified one or more entities over time; and updating the map based on the predicted amount of change of the identified one or more entities over time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for generating information. The method can include: acquiring first driving environment data of a target road segment; comparing the first driving environment data with pre-stored second driving environment data of the target road segment, and determining a difference between the first driving environment data and the second driving environment data; and generating, in response to determining the difference satisfying a preset condition, road abnormality information.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to perform: identifying, in a map, one or more entities that change over time; predicting an amount of change of the identified one or more entities over time; and updating the map based on the predicted amount of change of the identified one or more entities over time.

Abstract: In a method and a device for operating a first vehicle, a method includes receiving a signal from an external processing unit for influencing a first surroundings sensor system of the first vehicle, influencing the first surroundings sensor system dependent on the received signal, receiving surroundings data values detected by at least one second surroundings sensor system of a second vehicle and that at least partially represent surroundings of the first vehicle, and operating the first vehicle dependent on the influence of the first surroundings sensor system and the received surroundings data values.

Abstract: A device for handling multipath of a G.N.S.S. signal, is configured to: determine a spatial position, a clock time and measured multipath parameters comprising a relative delay and relative amplitude; communicate to a remote server the spatial position, clock time and multipath parameters; and receive processed multipath parameters as determined by the remote server. Systems comprising a plurality of such devices and their variants are described. Further aspects are described, in particular the exclusion of one or more satellites, the use of threshold schemes, pull/push modes, configurable refresh rates, quantization of positions, activation of additional sensors, filtering options, determination of merit factors for example as a function of the number of satellites in view and/or of signal-to-noise ratio, peer-to-peer schemes, as well as graphical display, audible sound or haptic feedbacks.

Abstract: A system for generating a map with spots. The system includes processors and storage devices storing instructions that, when executed, configure the processors to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a map request of a venue, the map request comprising first location data associated with the venue, and transmitting a map data file for the venue, the map data file comprising a presentation of a plurality of spots in the venue and the spots being associated with confidence levels. The operations may also include receiving an add-spot request, the add-spot including data of an additional spot to be added, second location data associated with the additional spot, and verification data. The operations may also include determining a confidence level for the additional spot, modifying the map data file to include a representation of the additional spot, and transmitting the modified map data file.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can manage conflicts using conflict islands. For example, when a computing device receives bulk map data updates, the computing device can determine conflicts between point updates (e.g., small, ad hoc feature edits) in the current map data and the bulk map data updates. When the bulk map data updates are merged with the current map data, a point update for a map feature may conflict with the bulk update for the feature. The computing device can determine a perimeter of stable map features around the conflicted feature. The map features within the perimeter can correspond to a conflict island. The bulk updates for features within a conflict island (e.g., within the perimeter) can be deferred until resolved while bulk updates for features outside of a conflict island can be applied to the current map data.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique by which a desired search can be performed even without any polygon data. An administrative district area is defined by collecting mesh areas in each of which a POI is located, for each administrative district, among mesh areas obtained by sectioning an area on a map, and an extended administrative district area is defined by extending the administrative district area. Then, the data storage stores therein data in which a name of an administrative district is associated with a POI within the extended administrative district area related to the administrative district, as search data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying one or more territories are provided. An example method includes receiving, from a data source, a territory file. The territory file can include data describing territory details such as a geographic territory name, territory geometry information, territory data attributes, and a territory color. Territory data is retrieved from a server, based on data in the territory file. A spatial fabric layer including polygonal regions is loaded from the territory data. A visual representation of one or more polygonal regions is displayed with a video display. User data indicating a selection of one or more polygonal regions can be received to create or update one or more selected territory polygonal regions. Changes made to a territory allocation can be displayed on a video display. The territory file can be updated with data identifying the one or more selected polygonal regions, and stored.

Abstract: A map difference data distribution system includes a map difference data distribution device including a map difference data storage unit storing map difference data items and a distribution unit distributing map difference data items, and a map data maintaining device including update unit updating map data based on map difference data items. The map difference data storage unit traces the updated data items and data items having dependent relationships with the updated data items back to the different version updates, and stores the data items as map difference data items. The map difference data distribution device includes a non-updated data extraction unit extracting non-updated data items from the map data maintaining device, a grouping unit grouping the data items in dependent relationships, and a distribution data generation unit generating distribution data by arranging grouped records of non-updated data items from higher priority of map element under specified communication traffic volume.

Abstract: A method for traffic characterization associated with a vehicle including collecting a movement dataset sampled at least at one of a location sensor and a motion sensor associated with the vehicle, during a driving session associated with movement of the vehicle; extracting a set of features from the movement dataset associated with movement of the vehicle during the driving session; and determining one or more traffic-related characteristics associated with the vehicle based on the set of features.

Abstract: A communication device communicatable with an information processing device, including: a communicator that communicates with the information processing device; a detector that detects the movement of the communication device; an acquirer that acquires position information of the communication device by using one of different communication methods; and a selector that selects a communication method in which the acquirer acquires the position information, based on a selection signal transmitted from the information processing device; wherein when the detector detects the movement of the communication device, the communicator communicates with the information processing device, and the acquirer acquires the position information of the communication device by using the communication method selected by the selector.

Abstract: A map information update apparatus includes: a map information storage unit that stores district map information including a plurality of division areas; a receiver that receives a broadcast wave carrying information of one or more of the plurality of division areas; a wireless communication unit that receives a radio wave carrying information of one or more of the plurality of division areas by wireless communication; and an information update unit that updates, when the district map information does not satisfy a first basis, the district map information for each division area based on the information carried by the broadcast wave received by the receiver and updates, when the district map information satisfies the first basis, the district map information for each division area based on the information carried by the radio wave received by the wireless communication unit.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses to allow for delay zone information to be gathered by one or more mobile stations used in route navigation, provided to one or more computing devices and processed in some manner to establish navigation information that may be of use by mobile stations involved in route navigation. For example, in certain instances navigation information may be indicative of an expected delay with regard to at least one known delay zone that may affect a user of the mobile station attempting to adhere to a route.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a seamless road network of a large geographical area includes a plurality of GPS probe traces extending across a geographical area. The probe traces are divided into sub-sets base on criteria, such as accuracy. A plurality of threads simultaneously employ the sub-sets traces to generate an independent network of the entire geographical area. The networks generated using sub-sets having a high accuracy are preferred over networks generating using sub-sets having a lower accuracy. The independent networks are combined to form a seamless networks of road segments.

Abstract: A map data distribution server that is connected to a network and distributes map data via the network is provided. The map data distribution server holds first map data and second map data that is of a newer version than the first map data and holds a plurality of update data including an instruction to update the first map data for each of partitions of a given size on a map. The map data distribution server decides whether a predetermined condition is fulfilled upon receiving an update request to update the first map data in a first partition out of the partitions to the second map data from a terminal communicating with the map data distribution server via the network, selects one of the plurality of update data relevant to the first partition, based on the result of the decision, and transmits the selected update data to the terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files and supplemental corrective data files. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data, and in the event that the current location and derived map data are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. In at least one embodiment, the secondary action may be the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. In a further aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention also provides for a PND or navigation system storing an indication of a home location, and prompting a user to visit nearby locations for which corrections exist, followed by prompted or automatic confirmation or rejection thereof.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to enabling remote activation of a vehicle's functions or features via multiple networks that may connect the vehicle to a user device operated by a user. A user may utilize the user device to send action codes to a vehicle that, when received and processed by the vehicle, may cause the vehicle to perform one or more functions corresponding to the action codes, in some examples, such functionality may be implemented for stolen vehicle tracking and parental controls. Various devices and/or program code in a vehicle may configured to detect and communicate multiple networks, such as Bluetooth®, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network, a WiFi Direct network, a cellular network (including third generation and fourth generation), a radio network, a satellite, etc. As described herein, program code may run as firmware and processors and memory devices, for example, may operate out of band.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a speech translation apparatus includes a speech recognition unit, a translation unit, a search unit and a selection unit. The speech recognition unit successively performs speech recognition to obtain a first language word string. The translation unit translates the first language word string into a second language word string. The search unit search for at least one similar example and acquires the similar example and a translation example. The selection unit selects, in accordance with a user instruction, at least one of the first language word string associated with the similar example and the second language word string associated with the translation example, as a selected word string.

Abstract: A system for navigation along a desired route on a desired future date may include a map interface operable to display a traffic condition and a travel time received via a communication network, and an automobile navigation network communicatively coupled to the communication network. The automobile navigation network may estimate the traffic condition and the travel time for travel along the desired route on the desired future date based on historical travel information, current traffic information and current weather information. Information regarding the estimated travel conditions may be automatically communicated to the map interface. The traffic condition may include geographic location information and/or route information. The historical travel information may include historical traffic information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for a map display configuration system are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a map display configuration system is provided. The method includes receiving a search request transferred by a wireless communication device, where the search request indicates at least one search term and a wireless access node identifier for a wireless access node presently serving the wireless communication device. The method also includes processing at least the search request to identify a map display configuration based on the search term and the wireless access node identifier, and transferring the map display configuration for delivery to the wireless communication device, where the wireless communication device generates a geographic map display based on the map display configuration.

Abstract: A server arranged to process GPS data to generate enhanced map data is disclosed. The enhanced map data includes a plurality of navigable segments representing segments of a navigable route in an area covered by a map. In at least one embodiment, the server is connected with a wireless telecommunications transceiver arranged to receive GPS fixes by wireless telecommunication from a plurality of navigation devices and send the received GPS fixes to the server, the server includes a processor arranged to generate at least one speed profile for each segment from the GPS fixes from at least two of the plurality of navigation devices, each speed profile comprising an expected speed of travel through the segment, and the server is arranged to subsequently cause the transceiver to send the speed profiles to the navigation devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for creation of a road map, the system comprising a plurality of navigation devices; and an application server to receive from the plurality of navigation devices time series of location points, and to create a road map based on the time series of location points. The method comprising receiving location points from plurality of navigation devices, along with respective time stamps indicating the time of recordation of each of the location points; identifying at least one route according to the location points and respective time stamps; and creating a road map based on the at least one route.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for determining a mobile device location. An example of a method for determining a mobile device location includes receiving signals from a transmitter, measuring signal characteristics of the received signals, and downloading data from a database corresponding to a defined region associated with the transmitters. The downloaded data includes a set of position points, a classification of each position point, and expected signal characteristics for each position point. The method further includes comparing the measured signal characteristics with the expected signal characteristics for each position point, assigning a weight to position points based on the compared signal characteristics, and determining the mobile device location by selecting one position point from the set as a position point solution corresponding to the mobile device location based on the assigned weight.

Abstract: A mobile computing implemented platform is provided that enables the generation, and delivery of highly relevant content to the mobile device of a driver. The content is filtered based on the current location and direction of the driver, and content is generated and filtered based a crowd sourced model where a plurality of users who are driving within a similar locations are linked to one another via the platform for improved discovery of traffic conditions, and improved determination of user interest based on collective interest of the plurality of users. Various intelligent features are enabled by the platform.

Abstract: When a service is requested at a platform in a collaborative services environment, a service orchestration engine accesses a service definition from a repository and schedules a number of tasks at a number of end points in accordance with a number of end point profiles and a number of policies associated with the end points.

Abstract: A navigational aid for use primarily by the visually impaired in the form of a virtual walking stick, comprising a location sensor and an inertial measurement unit, which can provide angle-dependent navigation directions to a user, and which can be used to record the three-dimensional locations of new objects of interest for later uploading and integration into a global map set of the region.

Abstract: Method for transmitting information to a vehicle in which, at a location separate and apart from the vehicle, a determination is made by a processor whether a condition relating to transmission of information to the vehicle is satisfied and only when the condition is determined to be satisfied, the information is transmitted to the vehicle using a transmitter. The condition may be a weather pattern, for example, snow in which case, the information being transmitted may be road icing information.

Abstract: When a navigation apparatus generates, in the course of learning a new road, shape points information of the new road as well as new road information and connecting road information which respectively specify a road name, road attributes and other features of the new road and connecting roads, the generated information regarding the new road is examined if a corresponding road that corresponds to the new road is registered in case that a map database used by the navigation apparatus is updated. If the corresponding road is found in the updated map database, the generated information of the new road such as the shape points information is deleted, thereby securely invalidating the generated information that became unnecessary due to the update of the map database.

Abstract: One or more systems, devices, and/or methods for providing navigation-related functions, such as map display, are disclosed. For example, a method may include receiving input corresponding to a location. Photo image data associated with the location are retrieved. The photo image data are based on at least one image captured by a video camera or a photo camera. The photo image data are provided to display at least a portion of a photo image view representing at least a portion of the location. Map data corresponding to the location are retrieved. The map data are provided to display at least a portion of a digital map in the portion of the photo image view, and the digital map is integrated within the photo image view.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. For example, when the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.

Abstract: An indoor area may be localized to provide end users with a mobile-accessible map to guide the end user in navigating the indoor area. A preliminary version of a map of the indoor area to be localized is processed to identify different navigable routes within the indoor area. A user may access the processed map and collect sensory data using the mobile device while moving along any of the navigable routes. The different sensory data that is collected at the same moment in time may be associated based on the location of the mobile device when the data is collected. The localized map is then generated with visual indications of the locations of the corresponding sensory data. The end user may then access the localized map on a mobile device to navigate the indoor area and to locate specific points of interest corresponding to the sensory data.

Abstract: A navigation device is provided including a data storage unit for storing data, and a service information reception processing unit for receiving service information distributed from an external registration destination facility with which member registration is made, and a service information analyzing processing unit performs a predetermined process on the service information received by the service information reception processing unit to register the service information in the data storage unit. The navigation device further includes a notification condition customization setting unit for setting a notification condition, and a facility icon display processing unit displays whether or not there is an update in service information of a registration destination facility on a map according to the notification condition set by the notification condition customization setting unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile device generates sensor data configured to describe a geographic position of a mobile device. A list of events is defined according to position data and time data. The geographic position of the mobile device is compared to positions in the list of events of interest and a current time is compared to time data in the list of events of interest. The comparison determines whether events in the list are in range of the mobile device. One or more nearby events in range of the mobile device at the current time or a future time are selected. A command is generated to capture an image of the nearby events using a camera coupled to the mobile device. The captured images may be used to update navigation or map database, provide community or weather data to other users, social media functions, or other features.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping parameter data acquired by a robot mapping system is disclosed. Parameter data characterizing the environment is collected while the robot localizes itself within the environment using landmarks. Parameter data is recorded in a plurality of local grids, i.e., sub-maps associated with the robot position and orientation when the data was collected. The robot is configured to generate new grids or reuse existing grids depending on the robot's current pose, the pose associated with other grids, and the uncertainty of these relative pose estimates. The pose estimates associated with the grids are updated over time as the robot refines its estimates of the locations of landmarks from which determines its pose in the environment. Occupancy maps or other global parameter maps may be generated by rendering local grids into a comprehensive map indicating the parameter data in a global reference frame extending the dimensions of the environment.

Abstract: A system for presenting information regarding an object provided within a plurality of information sources to a user or a presentation means depending on a location of the user or the presentation means includes a means for determining the location, a means for selecting the information to be presented depending on the determined location and on one or several pre-settable selection criteria defining an information source from the plurality of information sources, and a means for outputting the information to be presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods store information data in an information data frame, including retrieval keys, and store pertinent data specifying the information data in a pertinent data frame for each individual category specified by the retrieval keys. The systems and methods receive an updating file containing updating information data for updating information data subject to update. The systems and methods extract the information data subject to update from the information data frame and update the extracted information data with the updating information data contained in the received updating file. The systems and methods extract the pertinent data in a category specified by a retrieval key contained in the information data subject to update from the pertinent data frame and update the extracted pertinent data with the updating information data contained in the updating file.

Abstract: A method and system for refreshing location code data is disclosed. The system includes a location code change system that receives map change data and location code change data. The location code change system processes the map change data, finds affected location codes, and updates the location code's information by manipulating the location code data or performing a geocoding operation. The updated location code data is stored in a location code system. The location code change system receives the location code change data from the location code system and provides information regarding the location code changes to a map change system, which facilitates map updates based on the location code changes.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for providing a location of an individual are described herein. One or more device embodiments include a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to concurrently provide a location of an individual at least two different points in time, a time identifier for each of the at least two different points in time, and an uncertainty associated with the location of the individual at each of the at least two different points in time to a user.

Abstract: A method of identifying a temporarily located road feature that engenders vehicular speed behavior change comprises a navigation apparatus monitoring speed thereof or a parameter associated therewith. The method also comprises the navigation apparatus generating a message in response to detection of a profile associated with speed of the navigation apparatus and that corresponds to a predetermined speed change profile associated with the presence of the temporarily located road feature.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments include update determination programmed logic circuitry operable to determine that a map data tile stored in a vehicle database is in need of updating. The illustrative embodiments further include update qualification programmed logic circuitry operable to qualify the permissibility of an update. Also included in the illustrative embodiments is update provision programmed logic circuitry operable to, contingent on the qualifying, provide an updated version of the map data tile. The update determination, update qualification and update provision programmed logic circuitry are operable to repeat the determining, qualifying and providing for at least all tiles included in a route within a predetermined proximity of a vehicle's current location along the route.

Abstract: An improved system and method for defining an event based upon an object location and a user-defined zone and managing the conveyance of object location event information among computing devices where object location events are defined in terms of a condition based upon a relationship between user-defined zone information and object location information. One or more location information sources are associated with an object to provide the object location information. One or more user-defined zones are defined on a map and one or more object location events are defined. The occurrence of an object location event produces object location event information that is conveyed to users based on user identification codes. Accessibility to object location information, zone information, and object location event information is based upon an object location information access code, a zone information access code, and an object location event information access code, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system and a remote data analysis system for detecting an event and switching a data acquisition mode. Checking a state of a data acquisition mode. If the state is in a filtered data state and if an indicator value is at or above a threshold value, then switch the data acquisition mode to an unfiltered data state and acquire unfiltered data. If the data acquisition mode is in an unfiltered data state and if the indicator value is below the threshold value, switch the data acquisition mode to a filtered data state and acquire filtered data.

Abstract: A road link string conversion method for converting first road link string data included in first map data into second road link string data included in second map data: deciding whether or not first coordinates-of-position strings corresponding to the first road link string data correspond to the second road link string data; constructing a second coordinates-of-position string by combining together the first coordinates-of-position strings decided as not corresponding to the second road link string data; establishing correspondence between the second coordinates-of-position string and the second road link string data; and converting the first road link string data including the first coordinates-of-position strings decided as not corresponding to the second road link string data, to the second road link string data to which the second coordinates-of-position string corresponds.

Abstract: At the first data access by a navigation unit to a recording medium that records updating right information necessary for updating map data in a rewritable data area in which map data are recorded, the updating right information is read from the data area and is deleted from the data area, and a map updating due date created based on the read updating right information is written in a memory of the navigation unit together with the medium identification information read from a non-rewritable management area.

Abstract: A vehicle on-board unit communicates with vehicles to increase the accuracy of lane centerline determination. The on-board unit includes a communication system and a controller. The controller has a vehicle path history generating component, a lane centerline determining component, and a message processing component. The vehicle path history generating section generates a host vehicle path history data. The lane centerline determining section receives a preceding vehicle message including at least a preceding vehicle centerline data from the communication system and determines a host vehicle lane centerline data indicative of a centerline of the lane based on the host vehicle path history data and the preceding vehicle centerline data. The message processing component produces a host vehicle message including the host vehicle lane centerline data, the communication system being configured to broadcast the host vehicle message.

Abstract: In a vehicle drive support device 10a including an optical beacon communicator 11 that acquires exterior information on roads from an optical beacon communicator 100 on the roadside outside a subject vehicle, a navigation system 12 that acquires interior information on roads inside the subject vehicle and a vehicle drive support processing unit 24 that performs vehicle drive support of the subject vehicle using the exterior information acquired by the optical beacon communicator 11, the vehicle drive support processing unit 24 changes use aspects of the exterior information for the vehicle drive support in accordance with the interior information acquired by the navigation system 12. Accordingly, it becomes possible to perform the vehicle drive support by more efficiently using the information from outside of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing road status information and using the same are disclosed. A method for encoding traffic information includes the steps of: generating message management information including message identification (ID) information indicating that the traffic information is status information; generating status information including traffic status information; generating location information corresponding to the traffic status information; and generating a traffic information message including the message management information, the status information, and the location information. Therefore, the method provides a vehicle driver who travels along a traffic-jam road or congested road with road traffic status information in real time, such that the vehicle driver can arrive a desired destination within the shortest time using predicted road traffic information.