Abstract: A method and a navigation device are disclosed for sharing at least one location message with at least one other device. The navigation device includes a receiver to receive multiple traffic message channels, an input device to receive a user input indicating a frequency, and a processor to select a traffic message channel based on a signal strength, starting with the indicated frequency. The method includes receiving multiple traffic message channels, receiving a user input indicating a frequency, and a selecting a traffic message channel based on a planned route, starting with the indicated frequency.

Abstract: A method of operating a portable navigation device or navigation system is described, together, with a computer program and a PND and navigation system. The method includes the steps of providing for a specific premises, location or location range, being identifiable with reference to map data locally stored in the device or system and optionally being or including the current location, can be at least temporarily stored in memory. The method also includes the presenting to the user at least one user-selectable option by means of which qualitative information pertaining to the premises, location or range can be entered locally in the device or system, the selection of the option resulting in the immediate or subsequent recordal and storage of both the qualitative information and an association thereof with the identified premises, location or range.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining map information for display on an integrated input and display device of a navigation device, based upon a determined route of travel of the navigation device; determining, prior to display on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device, whether or not the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern; enhancing, upon determining that the determined map information includes at least one designated pattern, the determined at least one designated pattern; and displaying the determined map information, including the enhanced at least one designated pattern, in three dimensions on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a route of travel of a vehicle in which the navigation device is located, based upon at least a desired destination and a current location of the vehicle; storing map information including attribute information relating to network area coverage; and determining, based upon at least one of the map information and the attribute information and based upon the route of travel of the vehicle, when network area coverage will permit data information transfer along the route of travel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are methods for applying clothoid curve values to roadways in a geographic data information system. One embodiment is a method, comprising: selecting database segments in the geographic data information system, wherein the database segments describe roadways; determining segment chains from the selected database segments; preparing the segment chains for transition to curvature space; transitioning to a curvature function in the curvature space, by computing heading change at points along the segment chain, resulting in a transformation of the segment chains into clothoids; smoothing the curvature function; fitting the smoothed curvature function with a more generalized form which remains within a selected tolerance of the smoothed curvature function; and storing identified segments of straight lines, transition zones, and segments of constant curvature in the geographic data information system.

Abstract: An end-user can input a correction to a map error, directly on the device. The device is then able to use the correction without external processing of the correction. Hence, it is no longer necessary for an end-user to simply report errors to the map vendor over a web link then wait for that map vendor to verify the error, update its maps and finally supply the end-user with updates—a cycle that can take months and sometimes years to complete. Instead, the navigation device can use the correction immediately. End-users can also share corrections with other end-users and also with a shared remote server that aggregates, validates and distributes corrections.

Abstract: A method and system for differentiating duplicate yet disjoint localities, such as cities, within a state or other principal geographic unit of interest is for use with electronic maps and databases. Duplicate locality name entries are stored in a database, locality name database entries are condensed for localities having two or more similar names, and adornments for duplicate locality names are stored in the database. In the adornment selection process, for a first duplicate locality, a second duplicate locality is selected that is closest to the first. Selected adornments are first and second significant localities, such as large cities, and are closer to the first and second duplicate localities, respectively, than the first and second duplicate localities are to each other, and are more significant than the first and second duplicate localities. Adornments to duplicate localities are displayed to the user. The process is repeated for remaining duplicate localities.

Abstract: A method for control of door and window adjusting parameters is disclosed, the method including the steps: determining at least a first door adjusting parameter and at least a first window adjusting parameter, controlling the first door adjusting parameter and a further door adjusting parameter by considering the determined first window adjusting parameter and controlling the first window adjusting parameter and a further window adjusting parameter by considering the determined first door adjusting parameter. The above steps may also be performed in the alternative. An interaction between the two moveable elements sliding door and window pane is assured. The control of further parameters can occur in dependence from the determined parameters in such way that the risk of arising injuries and in particular damages by a crush incident between a C column of the motor vehicle and the sliding door at a window opening of the sliding door is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the position-dependent control of a mobile element in a motor vehicle, wherein the element is movable in a drive movement by an electrically powered positioning device, wherein the positioning device has several different operational modes, and characteristics of a drive signal of the positing device, in particular a waviness of a drive current, are used for the determination of the position of the element. According to the invention, a characteristic variable, which influences the drive movement of the positioning device, and/or a specific value, which characterizes the positioning device, are evaluated for the determination of an error value of the determined position of the mobile element, and that the operating modes of the positioning device are controlled in dependence of the determined error value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic controlling device with a computer unit installed to control a regulating device especially a window lifter of a motor vehicle. The computer unit stops or initiates the stop of a regulating motion of the window lifter drive if a signal correlating to the rotary moment of the window lifter drive exceeds a response level. In the setting range of a starting motion from standstill of the window lifter drive, the response level is a setting range dependant and/or time-related dependant preset function with at least one parameter determining the course of this function. The parameter value is modified in dependence from the starting motion of the window lifter drive.

Abstract: An adjusting system of a motor vehicle for the adjustment of a locking piece is disclosed. The locking piece may be arranged to close a motor vehicle opening. The adjusting system includes a first and second casing extending oblong-wise in a length-wise direction. The second casing has a smaller cross section than the first and is arranged within the first casing so as to be adjustable in the length-wise direction. Sealing elements are arranged on the casings to protect them against humidity and soiling. A pressure compensation opening is also included and is arranged to compensate for pressure between a casing interior space and a casing environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controlling device of a regulating device of a power window. The controlling device includes at least one computer unit to control an actuator of the regulating device. The computer unit is set up to stop or initiate the stop of an adjusting motion of the actuator if a signal correlating to the rotary moment of the actuator exceeds a current response level. The signal correlating to the rotary moment of the actuator may be the driving power and/or its temporal change, the rotary frequency of the actuator and/or its temporal change and/or a power effecting the actuator and/or its change. The current response level is thereby not a fixed threshold value, but a changing value, which is changeable by the computer unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the sorting of items such as mail pieces, according to their distribution addresses, in a sorting machine, whereby non-readable mail pieces are sorted into special bins for recirculation according to the different reasons for the non-reading. Beginning and end of the stack of mail pieces of the respective special bin for recirculation is readably marked for sorting machine reading, and the marked stack of mail pieces is again fed to the feeder of the sorting machine in the reading position and orientation. At unsuccessful reattempts of a mail piece of a marked stack of mail pieces from one of the special bins for recirculation, the mail piece is sorted into an additional special bin, from which it is no longer fed to the sorting machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking device for flat postal items standing on edge. The stacking device comprises guide means for guiding the postal items supplied to it to a stacking position on a stacking base against a support wall on which the postal items are slowed down. Of course the present invention may apply to other types of articles as well. The stacking device is further provided with a stacker plate that can be displaced in the direction of stacking along a linear guide. The stacker plate cooperates with a spring element to produce a pressure force that is approximately constant across the zone of displacement and that is directed against the forming stack. The movable part of a damper element is fastened on the movable part of the spring element, said damper element being only active when a displacement directed away from the stacking position is exerted.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out proton therapy on a patient comprises a proton beam guiding device using magnets, quadrupoles, and an end-mounted device for proton beam guiding and control device with an exit window for guiding or directing the proton beam to the treatment spot in the patient. A patient table of the apparatus can be moved in a controlled manner in such a way that the patient can be placed in a desired position with respect to the proton beam. The proton beam guiding and controlling device can be turnably or rotatably mounted around a horizontal axis of rotation in such a way that the patient table which is arranged approximately on the plane of the axis of rotation remains accessible from one side at all moments for the person treating the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for mass mailing is disclosed which operates from the perspective of the receiver. Herein, data comprising mass mail items is electronically distributed to a receiving center where it is sorted by region, then to a service center assigned to the region. At the service center, the data is again sorted by the line of route distribution which includes the addressee address and the data is printed. The printed data is then stuffed into envelopes. Alternatively, an envelope face layout may also be included in the data and printed on the envelope. The envelope, comprising the mail item, is then distributed to the local distribution center, where the mail item is delivered, the mail item having been received in the line of route distribution order. Alternatively, the printing may be performed at the distribution center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dividing a stack of items. The items may comprise mail pieces. The apparatus comprises at least one supporting finger which extends through an opening within a base. The base supports the items which stand thereon and further lean against a supporting wall. Where more than one supporting finger is present, the finger may further comprise a hollow opening and/or groove which accommodates the other supporting fingers therein. Accordingly, as all of the supporting fingers pass through the opening, the size of the opening is reduced. In addition, the supporting fingers may be specially sized so as to accommodate different sized items. The supporting fingers are arced so that when they are extended through the opening, they arc towards the base. The height achieved by a supporting finger is related to the height of the item being engaged by the finger.

Abstract: When using a magnetic alternating field to prompt portable electronic tickets, such as smart cards, it is important that the prompting is effected reliably and independent of the position thereof. In order to generate an essentially isotropic magnetic alternating field over a set time interval, one embodiment of the invention involves the use of an antenna array comprising two or three frame antennas. A switching unit supplies, in a sequentially alternating manner, a unit of information to each of the frame antennas so that a quasi-isotropic magnetic alternating field, which is considered over the period of time, is radiated by said frame antennas. This results in reliably prompting tickets that are located in the surrounding area of the antenna arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reading address fields on mail items when the address field cannot be automatically read. Herein, when an address field cannot be read, a signature of the surface of the mail piece where the address field is believed to be is made. The signature is derived from a scanning the surface and forming a grid pattern of the larger typographical fields. A database is queried to determine if a match exists between the signature and another signature. If a match is found, the information is imported into the automatic reading process, the information assisting in the reading of the address field. If no match is found, the scanned image is manually encoded and this information is used.