Abstract: In one implementation, user identities who are members of a particular user identity's social network are identified. In addition, data is accessed that reveals locations that at least some of the identified other user identities have registered with the platform as locations that they have visited. A view of an aggregation of at least some of the locations where other user identities who are members of the particular user identity's social network have registered that they have visited is made available for display. In another implementation, data is accessed that reveals residence information for user identities who are members of a particular user identity's social network. Thereafter, a view of an aggregation of at least some of the residence information for the other user identities who are members of the particular user identity's social network is made available for display.

Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a personal navigation device (PND) are disclosed. In particular, the methods and systems allow for the PND to obtain location data for each of one or more destinations from a destination source device over a wireless network link. In one embodiment, the destination source device is a server computer on a network or a mobile communications device (MCD) that is in proximity with the PND.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which may be implemented in an electronic device to establish certain enhanced database information for point locations which may correspond to an estimated location of a mobile device. For example, some enhanced database information may be based, at least in part, on a satellite signal visibility mask. All or part of such enhanced database information may be provided to one or more mobile devices, which may use the enhanced database, at least in part, for location estimation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are one or more embodiments that arrange a plurality of location entities into a hierarchy of location descriptors. One or more of the disclosed embodiments may determine whether one of the location entities is a spatial outlier based at least in part on presence of one or more other location entities within a predetermined distance of the one location entity. Also, the other location entities and the one location entity may share a location descriptor.

Abstract: An implementation of a system and method for using inertial sensor data to improve mobile station positioning is provided. Many mobile devices include an inertial sensor. These inertia measurements typically produce low resolution inertial measurements, which may be used to generate an uncertainty value and/or to select a positioning filter model. In some examples, this uncertainty value is used as a process noise input signal into a Kalman filter or similar filter. In some examples, one position estimate is selected from multiple navigation position filter models operating concurrently, each computing a separate position estimate. In these examples, a position estimate is selected based on either the uncertainty value or based on another characteristic of the inertia measurements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a navigation system provides predictive natural guidance utilizing a mobile landmark based on location data. The location data may be a schedule. A controller receives data of a schedule of a mobile landmark. The location data could be collected in real time or estimated. The mobile landmark may be a vehicle or a celestial body. The controller correlates a route from an origin location to a destination location and the location of the mobile landmark. The controller generates a message based on the correlation. The message is output during presentation of the route and references the mobile landmark.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are disclosed herein to describe a range marker for a navigation system. The range marker may delineate a bounded area within a navigation map that a vehicle may travel based on the amount of fuel remaining. As the fuel continues to decrease during operation of the vehicle, the range marker may become smaller and smaller indicating a shrinking range since the fuel remaining decreases, thereby allowing the driver to easily identify which gas stations may be within a range of the vehicle (based on a current vehicle fuel level) and which gas stations might not be within the range of the vehicle.

Abstract: A map display device includes: current location calculating unit for calculating a current location; specific region dedicated database for storing map data permitted only inside a specific region; specific region permitted database for storing data for displaying the inside of the specific region outside the specific region; outside-specific-region database for storing map data of the outside of the specific region available both inside and outside the specific region; controller for generating display data for displaying a map of the outside of the specific region using map data from the outside-specific-region database, and generating display data for displaying an image of a permitted map attribute to the inside of the specific region using the data from the permitted database, when the current location is outside the specific region; and display unit for displaying an image of the map or the permitted map attribute based on the display data.

Abstract: A method comprising: presenting a three-dimensional environment, comprising routes, to a user by using a selected one of a plurality of perspective views of the environment that corresponds to a current position on a current route; detecting a gesture user input comprising a characteristic that changes in time, and changing the current position on the current route to a new position on a route in response to the gesture user input wherein a first characteristic of the gesture user input determines a direction along the current route of the new position relative to the current position and a second characteristic of the gesture user input determines the new position; and presenting the three-dimensional environment, comprising routes, to the user by using a newly selected one of the plurality of perspective views of the environment that corresponds to the new position.

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.

Abstract: Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image, or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute.

Abstract: At the first scale size, a predetermined first arrangement position is determined as the arrangement position of an image to be arranged on a map. At the second scale size larger than the first scale size, the second arrangement position closer to the shooting location of the image than at a position corresponding to the first arrangement position on the map at the second scale size is determined as the arrangement position.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking system for tracking a position of at least one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles within a region, includes a plurality of identifiers, an imaging device, and a controller. At least one of the identifiers is provided on each of the vehicles. The imaging device is configured to generate image data including (i) region data representative of the region and (ii) identifier data representative of the identifiers located in the region. The controller is configured (i) to process the identifier data to generate position data representative of a position of each of the identifiers within the region, (ii) to process the identifier data to generate identification data that are unique to each identifier, and (iii) to output at least one of the image data, the position data, and the identification data to a monitor.

Abstract: Systems, devices, features, and methods for operations corresponding to disputed territories are disclosed. For example, one method comprises providing different data records corresponding to geographic features in dispute between multiple geographic entities. The different data records may be used to display different views of a disputed area as recognized by the respective geographic entities.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Locations of collection, charging and distribution machines having available charged portable electrical energy storage devices are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a navigation system of a user's vehicle. The locations are indicated on a graphical user interface on a map relative to the user's current location. The user may select particular locations on the map to reserve an available portable electrical energy storage device at a particular collection, charging and distribution machine location. The collection, charging and distribution machine locations displayed may also be based on a physical distance or driving time from the current location of the user mobile device or vehicle.

Abstract: A method, system or computer usable program product for a data processing system to anticipate parking space availability including receiving from the first user a request for a parking space for a first vehicle, obtaining location tracking data of a set of users, each of the set of users associated with one of a set of vehicles, each vehicle located at one of a set of parking spaces, predicting a set of departure times based on the location tracking data for a subset of the set of users away from and associated with vehicles located in parking spaces, determining a subset of departure times that are within an acceptable period of time, and sending to the first user a subset of parking spaces with vehicles associated with users having the subset of departure times.

Abstract: Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.

Abstract: When a search condition is supplied, a road name drawing process acquires a target road name corresponding to a search target spot. The road name drawing process searches a plurality of display map datasets for character data corresponding to a plurality of scales and acquires a scale for a display map dataset whose character data contains the corresponding target road name. The road name drawing process performs a map drawing process using that scale. Namely, the process draws a map containing the search target spot so as to display the target road name corresponding to the search target spot. For this purpose, the process previously searches a plurality of display map datasets for character data and uses the display map dataset whose scale allows the character data to contain the target road name.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a search item in a portable terminal is disclosed. When an item (for example, a particular place, a route to a destination place, particular content, etc.), for which the user requests to search, is searched and displayed, the location information regarding the search item can be displayed, in steps, from a wide range (i.e., upper information) to a narrow range (i.e., lower information), thereby the user can intuitively and easily recognize the location of the search item.

Abstract: An identification unit identifies a departure point of a travel locus of a vehicle. The vehicle departs through the departure point from a departure road stored beforehand in map data. The map data has map link information including multiple links. An exit point set unit sets an exit point on a link included in the map link information. The link corresponds to the departure point of the departure road identified by the identification unit. A learning unit learns a new road based on the exit point set by the exit point set unit and the travel locus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method and system flow for identifying and correcting geofences.

Abstract: A mobile communications device comprising a location sensing system, producing a location output; a memory, storing a set of locations and associated events; a telecommunications device, communicating event and location information between a remote system and said memory; and a processor, processing said location output in conjunction with said stored locations and associated events in said memory, to determine a priority thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for geo-locating images may generally include receiving, by one or more computing devices, a request to geo-locate an image on a map and, in response to the request, providing for display a user icon on the map. In addition, the method may include determining a current geographic location of the user icon on the map, providing for display a textual representation of the current geographic location, receiving data indicative of the user icon being moved across at least a portion of the map and updating the textual representation of the current geographic location as the user icon is moved across the at least a portion of the map.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems and methods for presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle includes receiving, by a vehicle navigation system, application data from an application operating on the mobile device, wherein the application data from the application represents an entity in proximity to the vehicle. The method further includes displaying an icon representing the application data from the application on a map presented on the vehicle navigation system display. The icon is positioned on the map according to a geographic location of the entity.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that executes information display processing is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a display unit that executes information display; and a data processing unit that executes a control of the information display of the display unit and data processing based on a user input. The data processing unit displays an image browsing screen, which corresponds to image data stored in a storage unit, on the display unit and executes display of a map at the position, which corresponds to position information included in attribute information of a selected image, on the basis of a user's input of image selection information and map display request.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reporting occupied and unoccupied parking spaces are disclosed. The techniques include determining that a mobile computing device has entered a parking area and determining whether the mobile computing device has entered a pedestrian mode. The pedestrian mode is indicative of a user of the mobile computing device parking a vehicle and exiting the vehicle. When the mobile computing device has entered the pedestrian mode, the technique includes determining a first location of the mobile computing device at a first time corresponding to the mobile computing device entering the pedestrian mode, and providing an occupied notification to a remote computing device, the occupied notification including the first location and indicating that a parking spot corresponding to the first location is occupied. Techniques are further disclosed for reporting unoccupied parking spaces to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A system logs life experiences using geographic cues. The system variously provides a comprehensive life-logging tool for recording a plurality of different types of life events. In one implementation, the system receives a user's GPS log files and multimedia content at a website. The system segments the GPS log files into geographic routes corresponding to user trips, and tags the multimedia content with geographic cues from the GPS log files. Then, the system indexes the geographic routes so that users can retrieve the geographic routes by browsing or by search techniques. The system displays animations of selected routes on a map, and displays the multimedia content at corresponding locations along the map route, as the route is replayed. The system also provides browsing and spatial and temporal techniques to search a person's travels and can provide graphical displays of the person's activity statistics.

Abstract: A vehicle-use information terminal according to the present invention is provided with an information acquisition unit which acquires post information from an external WEB service center. Furthermore, the vehicle-use information terminal is provided with an information summary unit which summarizes a plurality of post information for which post content is shared or is similar from among post information which has been acquired by the information acquisition unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of resolving a location in a second digital map from an ordered list of location reference points determined from a first digital map. The method involves identifying candidate lines and nodes in the second digital map, and using curvature, height and gradient information associated with the location reference points to identify the most likely candidate nodes or lines in the second digital map corresponding to the nodes represented by the location reference points and to lines emanating from or incident at the node in the first digital map. The method involves carrying out a route search between the most likely identified candidate node or line identified for one location reference point, and the corresponding node or line associated with the next reference point in the list, and repeating this step for consecutive pairs of reference points until the final location reference point is reached.

Abstract: A marine navigation device comprises a location determining element, a display, a memory element, and a processing element. The location determining element determines a current geolocation of a marine vessel on a first body of water. The display displays a map representation. The memory element stores digital elevation model data and sonar data for a plurality of bodies of water. The processing element is in communication with the memory element and is configured to select the digital elevation model data or the sonar data from the memory element corresponding to the first body of water, calculate contour line data, the contour line data determining a plurality of contour lines, update the contour line data by selectively removing at least a portion of the contour lines, and generate a map representation including contour lines derived from the updated contour line data, and control the display to visually present the map representation.

Abstract: An object is to easily manage inventory information of an moving body such as a work machine at each physical distribution center substantially in real time, and an moving body 1 is provided with a positional information obtaining unit 22 for obtaining positional information of the moving body 1 at a predetermined timing, an operating state information obtaining unit 23 for obtaining operating state information of the moving body 1, and an inventory information output controller 24 for transmitting management information 37 which identifies the moving body 1, area information 35 which indicates an area in which the moving body 1 is located, and stay period information 38 in which this stays in the area to a management device 2 as the inventory information when the moving body 1 is located in any of one or more areas set in advance based on the positional information.

Abstract: An apparatus provides street-level images that include entertainment information. The apparatus may include a memory that stores at least one street-level image that includes a sign for displaying entertainment information. The sign may be located anywhere in the street-level image and the apparatus may be operative to identify a geometric shape associated with the sign. The geometric shape may define where entertainment information is to be displayed. Moreover, the apparatus may be operative to define different regions within the geometric shape such that the different regions display different types of entertainment information. Moreover, the entertainment information may be selectable by a user such that selection of the entertainment information displays a graphic, audiovisual file, or other media to the user regarding the selected entertainment information.

Abstract: A method to navigate a vehicle utilizing a graphic projection display, includes monitoring a navigation status graphic representing a navigation intent displayed upon the graphic projection display, monitoring a user input indicated to a portion of the graphic projection display, initiating a user-defined navigation command based on the monitored navigation status graphic and the monitored user input, and operating the vehicle in accordance with the user-defined navigation command.

Abstract: Mobile computing device implemented methods, and associated systems, devices, and software for forecasting flight paths associated with a unique-flight. Methods may include prior to departure of the unique-flight, retrieving from a flight-data-server via the Internet an initial-forecasted-flight-path based on flight-path-data for the unique-flight, and displaying indicia associated with the initial-forecasted-flight-path.

Abstract: A method of detecting errors in road characteristics in a transportation network database includes collecting sequential location measurements from probes traversing between two end points, fitting trace segments having a curved or linear shape between the sequential location measurements collected from the probes to form a probe trace, comparing a position of the probe traces with a position of a calculated path between the two end points, where the calculated path is formed from linked transportation network segments each of the linked transportation segments having a curved or linear shape, where the calculated path follows the road characteristics defined by the attributes associated with the linked transportation segments, and identifying a potential error in the attributes if a probe trace deviating in position from the calculated path is greater than a deviation threshold.

Abstract: According to an in-vehicle information device or a navigation device of the invention, each of a plurality of terminals in a vehicle is configured to cause the terminal itself to operate in one of modes including: “an independent operation mode” in which the terminal itself is operated independently; “a participatory cooperative operation mode” in which the terminal directly participates in an operation of the other terminal; and “a transitional cooperative operation mode” in which the terminal takes over information of the other terminal and performs an operation on the information followed by reflecting or not reflecting the information after that operation to the other terminal as information source. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently transmit or reflect an intention of each of plural occupants in the vehicle to the other occupant by combining independent operations and cooperative operations by the plurality of terminals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the detection, location stamping, and logging of electronic events and subsequent generation of habitat information. According to implementations, electronic events are detected and location stamped. Associated descriptions and other data corresponding to the electronic events is retrieved and stored along with the geographic locations of the electronic events in an activity log. The information in the activity log is used to generate visual representations of one or more geographic areas in which electronic events that meet user-defined or default criteria occurred within a predetermined frequency.

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: Improved designs of navigation devices or systems are disclosed. A navigation device presents a digital map resembling an ambient environment with a certain level of realism, where various objects resembling major structures or signs are presented or superimposed in the map. Depending on the time of the day or the weather condition of the time, the map or the objects therein is caused to be altered correspondingly in a tone that reflects the time or weather.

Abstract: A method and system for representing traffic control signals in a road network database is provided. The database may include lane-level modeling, intersection modeling, and traffic signal modeling of a road network. An individual traffic signal is represented in the database with data indicating the traffic signal's geographic location and other attributes of the traffic signal such as an arrangement of lenses in the signal, an indication as to whether the signal is vertically or horizontally oriented, a height of the traffic signal over the roadway, and others. The database can be used by a system in a vehicle that provides convenience features to the vehicle's driver. The system may attempt to warn or control a vehicle that is determined to be at imminent risk of violating a traffic signal.

Abstract: A method for graphics in a three-dimensional virtual environment corresponding to a physical environment around a vehicle includes photographs in a plurality of directions extending outward from the vehicle, generating sensor data corresponding to a relative distance from the vehicle and a direction from the vehicle of an object in the physical environment, generating a default three-dimensional projection surface centered around a virtual representation of the vehicle in a virtual environment, deforming the three-dimensional projection surface at relative locations and distances corresponding to the sensor data, projecting the plurality of photographs onto the deformed three-dimensional projection surface, and displaying graphics corresponding to the deformed three-dimensional projection surface with the plurality of projected photographs with a display device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method, computer program product, mobile device or a system allowing for determining various route metrics based on stored route records associated with routes traversed by the mobile device. The determination of a route metric may utilize processing of a single route record or multiple route records. Exemplary route metrics include route timing metrics such as lap times, or route record metrics. Configurations of computer program products, mobile devices and systems for enabling the determination of various route metrics are also described.

Abstract: A method includes providing a service to expose navigation events data generated by a maps navigation application on a Linux-based mobile computing device platform to a third party application. The method further includes making provisions for verification on the mobile computing device platform that the third party application is authorized to access the navigation events data, and for establishing an interprocess service connection to the third party application upon verification of authorization.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device with object guiding function and the method thereof. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a view window area, via which a user may watch a view. The electronic device may determine whether an object is located in the view window area when the user inputs the position of the object, and may further show an object indicating message or an object guiding message according to the determination result. Therefore, the electronic device is able to provide the user with short distance guiding function. In another embodiment, the electronic device may also show information related to the object located in the view window area, such as information about every mountain range, constellation, user's friends, or specific landmark that is located in the view window area.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a position information allocation unit for allocating position information to plural spots on a deformed map; and an interpolation unit for interpolating position information of each spot on the deformed map on the basis of the position information allocated to the plural spots and locations of the plural spots on the deformed map.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems and methods for presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle includes receiving, by a vehicle navigation system, application data from an application operating on the mobile device, wherein the application data from the application represents an entity in proximity to the vehicle. The method further includes displaying an icon representing the application data from the application on a map presented on the vehicle navigation system display. The icon is positioned on the map according to a geographic location of the entity.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing a target in a background from a user's perspective. In one form, the views are selectable by the user on, for example, a GPS equipped cell phone, to include a view from the participant's position, zoom, pan, and tilt views, or views from another geographic location, giving increased situational awareness and identification of the target. Other information can be conveyed, such as messages or advertisements, on a billboard, which may be a geo-referenced area on or near the target. Preferably, an orientation mechanism shows when the device is correctly pointed to a target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an aircraft fix. A fix for an aircraft is identified, wherein the fix is a location of the aircraft. A fix identifier is displayed in a plan view display, wherein the fix identifier indicates a location of the fix on a map background in the plan view display. A fix formation identifier is displayed in the plan view display, wherein the fix formation identifier indicates a direction from a navigational aid to the fix.

Abstract: This invention relates to a navigation device (200) comprising: a processor (210) for generating, from map data, a digital map for display to a user; a store (230) for said map data and data defining the location of points of interest on said digital map; and a display (240) for displaying said digital map to said user; characterised in that the navigation device (200) further comprises: a short-range radio transceiver (265) for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to computer systems that are each associated with a respective point of interest; and a wireless network control module (490) that is configured to energise said short-range radio transceiver (265) for the exchange of signals if a determined current location of said navigation device (200) is within wireless communications range of a point of interest. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a single repository for capturing, connecting, sharing, and visualizing information based on a geographic location, for example. Provided is a schema, repository, index, and APIs for any information, place, entity, attribute, service or person that can be referenced geographically. A system to provide real time image data includes an input component that receives image data associated with a specific geographic area, a splitter component that splits the image data into at least two quadrants, and a storage component that stores at least a portion of the at least two quadrants. Also provides is on-line or real-time advertising based on a user's mapped location and/or a user preference.