Abstract: A variable resolution grid provides a mechanism for focusing specific concentrations of risk exposure on a geographical grid to determine projected loss caused by a particular catastrophe. The geographic grid provides a stable base map by using latitudes and longitudes to define the grid points and cells. Each cell is assigned a geographic identifier or geocode that identifies the location of the cell and its associated resolution. The resolution of the grid may be varied depending in part, on the resolution of any available of hazard data.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a device that stores a novel navigation application. The application in some embodiments includes a user interface (UI) that has a display area for displaying a two-dimensional (2D) navigation presentation or a three-dimensional (3D) navigation presentation. The UI includes a selectable 3D control for directing the program to transition between the 2D and 3D presentations.

Abstract: A map editing system for processing map data in order to reduce discrepancies between geometric objects in the map data through the use of a cost function. The system selects a polygon shaped object (e.g., a park) for processing. The polygon may be located close to several polyline objects (e.g., streets) or other polygon objects so that discrepancies, such as open spaces, appear between the objects when displayed together in a map. To eliminate these discrepancies while maintaining the overall appearance of the polygon, the system repeatedly adjusts the border of the polygon until the attributes of the polygon minimize a cost function.

Abstract: A runway indicator is displayed overlying a target runway for providing supplementary guidance to support the pilot's ability to fly a stabilized approach. The highlighted runway position indicator provides cues to verify that the aircraft is continuously in a position to complete a normal landing using normal maneuvering during the instrument segment of an approach and includes a landing threshold, a landing zone on the runway, an approach line leading to the runway, an outline highlighting the sides and ends of the runway, a rectangle larger than and surrounding the runway, and a visual precision path approach indicator.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive from a mobile device a request regarding a stranded vehicle. The request is processed to determine the location of the stranded vehicle. Additional information regarding the stranded vehicle may be retrieved. The location of the stranded vehicle and the additional information may be communicated as a dispatch request. The location of the stranded vehicle relative to a dispatched vehicle is delivered to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, whether the route segment is an unfamiliar segment, and identifying, based on the user's travel history, a road that is familiar to the user. The method includes providing, in a format that distinguishes the familiar road from the computed route, the computed route and the familiar road relative to the unfamiliar segment for presentation of the familiar road within a scaled range of the unfamiliar segment.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a self-guiding vehicle, that has an enhanced measuring reliability, in particular during an adhesion loss and independently from the travel profile of the vehicle in terms of slope, turn and slant. To this end, the device for measuring the movement of a self-guiding vehicle includes on board thereof two accelerometers coupled to a movement calculator, wherein each accelerometer includes two measurement axes on which are measured projections of a vehicle acceleration resultant. The four measurement axes of the accelerometers are adjusted so that the calculator provides, from the four projection measures, at least one very accurate longitudinal acceleration value of the vehicle at each point of a route including both slopes and turns.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, deriving, and enhancing drivable road databases are provided. A baseline road in a road network is defined and position and/or trajectory data collected by vehicles traveling the baseline road are compiled and compared to a representation of the baseline road in an existing database. Identity and/or other property information about the road are assigned form the existing database to the new database.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for selecting a unique geographic feature, including a mobile device that uses position and orientation sensors to determine a user position and a user orientation. The mobile device is adapted for wireless communication with a database that houses or has access to data concerning geographic features, as well as processing and computing means for calculating specific geographic relations discussed in further detail below. The system of the present invention further includes means for selecting among those features that are topologically related to the polygon. These include means for defining the geometry of the polygon, means for filtering those features that should not be within the geometry of the polygon, and means for ranking those features within the polygon. The method of the present invention is operable in conjunction with the system through the system hardware and software.

Abstract: A method for retrieving data from a data source by querying the data source with data points of a layer. The data points may be encompassed within a determined region of the layer. The steps of the method may include: determining the region of the layer, dynamically querying the data source with one or more data points of the layer encompassed within the region upon determining the region, and receiving the data from the data source.

Abstract: A device for aiding flight for an aircraft includes means for locating the localities situated in the operational area for rescue missions. The device is able to present to the crew a landmark of the positions of the localities in relation to the position of the aircraft, this landmark also indicating information connected with navigation and to flight regulations for each of the localities. The device relates to operations aircraft and more particularly rescue helicopters.

Abstract: A facility-around-route retrieval device includes a map disk 3 for storing map data and facility data, a route calculation unit 13 for calculating a route to a destination by using the map data stored in the map disk, a facility retrieval condition setting unit 16 for setting a facility retrieval condition, and a facility-around-route retrieval unit 17 for retrieving, in a case where a facility around the route calculated in the route calculation unit is retrieved in accordance with the condition set in the facility retrieval condition setting unit, the facility present only on a side of a traveling lane of a vehicle of a divided road from the facility data stored in the map disk when the route includes the divided road.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that offer improved assistance with safe driving using navigation devices, incorporating traffic regulations pertaining to route changes into guidance offered by the navigation devices. The system comprises a traffic regulations data memory (21), which associates, with roadways, data on traffic regulations pertaining to route changes, and stores the data so associated, an onboard vehicle locator (11), which locates the driver's vehicle upon the suggested route, a comparison unit (31), which compares the location of the driver's vehicle, as located by the onboard vehicle locator (11), with the traffic regulations data, and an output unit (40), which outputs, based on the determination made by the comparison unit (31), either information that driving regulations apply upon the road currently being traveled, as part of the suggested route, or that driving regulations apply upon roads ahead of the road currently being traveled, again, as part of the suggested route.

Abstract: A method of generating maps, which includes generating a first map corresponding to a first code, and generating a second map including a starting point and an ending point including a plurality of second codes representing links from the starting point to the ending point. Further, when one of the links is selected, a detailed map of the selected link is displayed.

Abstract: A navigation system, device and method for assisting a mobile user in navigation. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a processing unit configured to execute a navigation program, output peripherals, to provide navigation instructions to the mobile user, the device having access to a satellite radiolocalization module, arranged to acquire the current location, to a map database, containing cartographic information, and to a sensor peripheral; the navigation program being further arranged to generate navigation instructions according to a computed route based on the acquired current location, the cartographic information and a desired destination; the device having a normal operation mode and at least one low-power mode, wherein the navigation device is configured to change mode according to the one or more of the following data: the current location; the computed route; data provided from the sensor peripheral; and by the corresponding method.

Abstract: A computer generated 3-dimensional map display includes a reference icon identifying an observation point in the geographic area defined by the map, the map being presented on a curved surface which extends from a first plane to a second plane which is substantially orthogonal to the first plane. The observation point is located in the first plane. The display is configured such that the height of landmarks and buildings in a defined foreground of the reference icon are presented normal to the first plane, the height of land marks and buildings at a defined far distance are presented normal to the second plane and the height of land marks and buildings in a defined middle ground are presented normal to the non-linear portion of the curved surface. The geographic area represented can be translated along the curved surface to provide a perception that the reference icon is roaming through the displayed geographic area.

Abstract: A map drawing device can reduce the use amount of a video memory and power consumption. The map drawing device comprises an arithmetic processing unit that operates according to a map drawing program and outputs an address of map data to be drawn; an address difference detection circuit that makes comparison of each address of map data output one by one from the arithmetic processing unit and determines whether or not to output a transfer start trigger signal to a data transfer control unit; and a data transfer control unit that directly transfers the map data with the address instructed by the arithmetic processing unit from a map data storage medium to the video memory based on the transfer start trigger signal output from the address difference detection circuit.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus displays map display contents of a mobile phone terminal 2 on a liquid crystal monitor 14 of an onboard information system 1 in the same direction as the direction of map display of the mobile phone terminal 2 in accordance with information about the map display acquired from the mobile phone terminal 2 via a short-range radio communication unit 9.

Abstract: A map data providing method for providing map data to be used in a navigation system includes: dividing an area over which the map data are available into a plurality of blocks by using each of a plurality of division patterns set so that blocks resulting from divisions with the plurality of division patterns are not identical to one another; generating map data in correspondence to each of the blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns; and providing the map data corresponding to the individual blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns to a user so as to allow the user to freely select map data corresponding to any block.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a level of map detail for content displayed on a personal navigation device includes displaying a map of a current location of the personal navigation device on a display of the personal navigation device, calculating a current speed of the personal navigation device, adjusting a level of map detail according to the current speed of the personal navigation device to create an updated map, and displaying the updated map on the display of the personal navigation device.

Abstract: A navigation device and a control method thereof are disclosed. The navigation device control method includes the steps of using a display unit to display at least one road map thereon; using a processing unit to determine whether a moving speed of the navigation device is larger than a speed threshold value; and if the moving speed of the navigation device is larger than the speed threshold value, the processing unit controlling the display unit to adjust a manner in which the road map is displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: One or more systems, devices, and/or methods for organizing spatial data are disclosed. For example, a method includes receiving a location data point from a navigation device. A controller compares the distance from each of a plurality of data points to the location data point. In constructing a depthmap that associates each of the data points with the distance from the location data point, the controller assign data points within a minimum distance from the location data point into a first cell and data points greater than the minimum distance from the location data point into a second cell. The second cell is larger than the first cell and corresponds to a larger geographic area than the first cell. The depthmap may be configured to position points of interest in a panoramic or street level view image.

Abstract: A method for providing map data to a client device includes receiving, at a server from the client device over a network, a request for parameters related to map data for a region of interest, where each region of interest is a separate geographic area. The method also includes providing, for use by the client device, a local zoom table indicating each zoom level for which new map data is available and usable by the client to determine whether or not to request new map data in response to a zoom command. Providing the local zoom table includes generating the local zoom table by analyzing tile data from multiple zoom levels to determine a progression order of map tile zooms to be requested by the client.

Abstract: A method of displaying an electronic map includes receiving map data associated with a plurality of objects that are disposed within a geographic area. The map data is analyzed to thereby determine a state or value of a metric associated with one of the objects. The associated object is rendered in a low density or high density within the map depending upon the state or value of the metric.

Abstract: A navigation device includes: a storage unit configured to store map information; a position detecting unit configured to detect a position of a moving body; a controller configured to generate drawing data; and a display unit configured to display the drawing data on a screen, the display unit includes a plurality of backlights. The controller is configured to control the plurality of the backlights such that luminance of a backlight that is arranged to irradiate a second region is lower than luminance of a backlight that is arranged to irradiate a first region. The first region corresponds to a traveling direction of the moving body, the second region is a region other than the first region, and the first region is configured to change according to a scale of the map information displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for displaying a symbol representing an aircraft. The symbol is displayed representing the aircraft at a location on a map at a first level of detail. The symbol represents a position of the aircraft on the map, moves on the map in a manner that represents movement of the aircraft with respect to features on the map, has a fixed level of detail that does not change as levels of detail change for the map, and has an anchor point at a first point on the symbol in which the anchor point is used as a point of rotation for the symbol. A second point is identified for the anchor point on the symbol such that view point of the symbol at the second level of detail remains fixed relative to the display of the symbol at the first level of detail. The map is displayed at the second level of detail. The symbol is displayed on the map using the second point for the anchor point.

Abstract: A method of magnifying a portion of a map displayed on a computing device includes displaying the map at a first zoom level and displaying a magnified portion of the map at a second zoom level. The magnified portion comprises an interactive map element. The magnified portion acts as a localized map magnifier. The magnified portion may be round to resemble a virtual magnifying glass. In certain implementations, multiple map magnifiers may be displayed simultaneously. Map magnifiers may be displayed, for example, at waypoints along a route, at map markers corresponding to points of interest or at the locations associated with search results.

Abstract: The image correction method and system for navigation device with portable navigation unit converts an image based on projection to a first display into a suitable image on a second display such that the area of the second display is used economically and efficiently while maintaining some elements of the image in substantially common aspect ratio between the images on the first display and on the second display. The image correction method determines the ratio of the second display, determines if image correction is required, and checks a correction table and performs image correction according to correction rules to generate the corrected image for projecting on the second display.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-service digital photograph processing station user to send data representative of a photographic image to a photograph printing facility located in or near a geographic region remote from the self-service digital photograph processing station, but near an intended recipient of the photographic image. The method includes entering at least a portion of the intended recipients telephone number, which may include the area code and exchange number. An augmented map is displayed showing a map of the geographic area that corresponds with the area code and exchange number, and one or more available photograph printing facilities superimposed on the map. One or more of the available photograph printing facilities are selected and sent the data representative of the photographic image. The intended recipient may then pick up the photograph image after it is printed by the selected photograph printing facility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for displaying enlargement images of an intersection in a navigation device. More particularly, the present invention is characterized to provide enlargement images of an intersection in sequence, thereby improving visibility and accuracy of a navigation device in providing direction guidance at intersections. The present invention of a method for displaying enlargement images of an intersection in a navigation device, wherein the navigation device finds a path to destination to guide a user thereof, includes calculating distance-to-go from a present position of a vehicle to an intersection in the path; estimating a predicted time to reach said intersection on the basis of the speed of said vehicle and said distance-to-go to said intersection; and displaying enlargement images of said intersection at a set time before said predicted time to reach said intersection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting a current position of a vehicle on a moving map display are provided. The method includes determining a current position and a path of travel of the vehicle, determining a current position of at least one of a second vehicle, an object, and an area of interest wherein determining a current position of the second vehicle includes determining a path of travel of the second vehicle, and displaying a depiction of the vehicle and at least a portion of the at least one of the second vehicle, the object, and the area of interest at a first range setting. The method further includes automatically changing from the first range setting to a second range setting based on at least one of an approach autorange activation, an offscale traffic activation, and an offscale object or area of interest autorange activation, and displaying the ownship depiction and at least a portion of the at least one of the second vehicle, the object, and the area of interest at the second range setting.

Abstract: A method for route simulation operation on a navigation system is able to complete the route simulation operation within a short period of time. The method includes the steps of: calculating a route from a starting point to a destination; determining a first route simulation speed for a preset number of first turns from the starting point; determining a second route simulation speed for a preset number of last turns before the destination; determining a third route simulation speed for a remaining part of the calculated route; and displaying a progression indicator on the calculated route to the destination on a map image on the screen of the navigation system and moving the progression indicator based on the simulation speeds determined in the above steps.

Abstract: A map data display control apparatus includes: a position information acquiring section acquiring position information; a latitude determining section determining whether a latitude identified by the acquired position information is in the excess of a predetermined latitude threshold or not; a display range calculating section calculating a display range for displaying a map with reference to a position identified by the acquired position information based on the result of the determination made by the latitude determining section; and a rendering section rendering a map associated with the reference position based on the calculated display range.

Abstract: A navigation device is provided that presents a travel direction of a vehicle at a guide point along with a map around the vehicle, without significantly reducing a display area of the map around the vehicle. The navigation device of the present invention includes current position locating means 9 for locating the current position of a vehicle, storage means 25 for storing map data, display means 19 for displaying a guidance screen that includes a map 41 around the current vehicle position with use of the map data, and operation means formed by a plurality of keys 45, 49, 65, 67 and 69 displayed on the display means 19 and a touch panel 31.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, deriving, and enhancing drivable road databases are provided. A baseline road in a road network is defined and position and/or trajectory data collected by vehicles traveling the baseline road are compiled and compared to a representation of the baseline road in an existing database. Identity and/or other property information about the road are assigned form the existing database to the new database.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for determining an appropriate scaling of a map display or providing an appropriately scaled map display.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided for instructing an operator of a vehicle. The navigation system includes a navigation processor configured to obtain a destination location, and to generate a proposed route to the destination location. The navigation system also includes a presentation element coupled to the navigation processor, the presentation element configured to provide navigation instructions to the operator. A selection module is coupled to or incorporated into the navigation processor, and the selection module is configured to select a cartographic resolution from a plurality of different cartographic resolutions, resulting in a selected cartographic resolution. The presentation element provides navigation instructions for at least a portion of the proposed route, using the selected cartographic resolution.

Abstract: A control section 1, according to a map scale designated by a user via an input section 2, draws on its internal drawing memory, roads including its own-vehicle position obtained by a position information acquiring section 4 and display elements including city centers (display elements representing a city and indicating the representative position of the city each) or facilities. If the own-vehicle position and the display elements including the city centers or facilities are displayed in isolation on the display section 7, the control section calculates the route from the own-vehicle position to the display elements under the condition recommended by the navigation or under the condition the user designates, and draws the route produced as a result of the route calculation on the drawing memory.

Abstract: A navigation system presents and updates information that allows the driver to determine an appropriate vehicle speed and a steering angle depending on a condition or a feature of a road. The navigation system includes storage means for storing map data, a display for displaying information, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, and a controller for determining the shape of a road section being approached by a vehicle, based on the map data and the vehicle speed, and controlling the display to display the shape of the road.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation device provides a driver with the option of being presented with an overview of the route lying ahead in addition to a detailed illustration of the current position along the route section, namely without any complicated interactions with the navigation device. This navigation device independently changes the scale of the display of the route on the display means in dependence on a manually selected operating mode. The advantage of this method can be seen in a semi-automated solution that always enables the driver to decide exactly which information should be displayed by his navigation device at which time.

Abstract: A graphics or image rendering system builds application-oriented tables on a server that are downloaded to a client device responsive to a request for map data from the client device in association with a mapping application at the client device. The table or tables specify by geographic region which zoom levels have map data different from other zoom levels and may apply to many types of map data including map vector data, map label data, satellite image data, traffic data, transit status, etc. The table or tables allow the mapping application to skip zoom levels for which no new data is available, or conversely, reuse data from other levels when rendering a level not requiring new data from the server.

Abstract: The navigation apparatus has a display unit ready to accept a user operation that moves a reference point of a navigation route already being defined on a map by the apparatus. The move of the reference point of the navigation route according to the user operation, together with map information, defines a new navigation route that incorporates route amendments. The navigation apparatus thus allows the user to easily and responsively modify an already-defined navigation route in a novel manner, which enables a rubber-banding of the already-defined navigation route.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented method for projecting geographic coordinates into a coordinate space of a target image enabling navigation of the target image is presented which performs an initialization using a set of geographic reference points, receives a set of points in the coordinate space of the target image, receives a one-to-one mapping between the set of geographic reference points and the set of points in the coordinate space of the target image, computes a triangulation of the geographic reference points of each respective set of geographic reference points, identifies a containing triangle represented in the triangulation in which an arbitrary geographic coordinate point is located, identifies points in a space of the target image corresponding to vertices of the containing triangle, interpolates a location within the containing triangle to form a resulting location and superimposes the resulting location onto the target image.

Abstract: An automobile navigation system determines whether or not the relevant vehicle is traveling and whether or not routing assistance is being provided. When the results of both the determinations are affirmative, a displayed map image is scrolled by an amount of scrolling corresponding to the size of a guided route in response to an operation to a touch panel for scrolling, and, further, the scale of the display map image is changed by an amount of change corresponding to the size of the guided route in response to an operation to the touch panel for scale change.

Abstract: A navigation device and a route guiding method. The route guiding method includes: displaying a current map including a position indicator; displaying a related map that corresponds to the current map; and displaying the current map after a set period of time has elapsed. The set time period can be set by a user. Therefore, the travel simulation of the route from the current position to the a location desired by a user may be displayed, or the route may be zoomed in or out to be displayed, based on settings input by a user, and thus the user can travel safely.

Abstract: An object sensing system is capable of distinguishing an overhead roadway object, that is not in a host vehicle path, from a substantially motionless roadway object that is in the vehicle path. Initially, a plurality of sensor scan signals are provided into an anticipated path of a host vehicle. Next, a plurality of object return signals that correspond to reflections of the plurality of sensor scan signals from at least one detected stationary object are received. Then, an average amplitude slope of the return signals as a function of the range to the at least one detected stationary object is determined. A sufficiently positive amplitude slope identifies the detected stationary object as an overhead roadway object that is not in the vehicle path. A sufficiently negative amplitude slope identifies the detected stationary object as a substantially motionless roadway object that is in the vehicle path.