Abstract: A method for searching for parking for a vehicle using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; determining that the vehicle is near a first location; generating a first route comprising segments from the plurality of segments, prioritizing segments closer to the first location and avoiding use of segments more than once in the first route; generating signals to direct the vehicle along the first route using positioning information from the positioning device; and determining that the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a static and dynamic contours. A method includes rendering a contour map including static contours and dynamic contours, and displaying the contour map on a device to a user. A Global Positioning System (GPS) device includes a processor coupled with an input device, memory, and the display, and the processor linked to a GPS receiver coupled with a GPS antenna, the memory including a vector source database, a parameter source database and a contour map process to render a topographic map comprising static contour lines and dynamic contour lines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a navigation device and the alerting method thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying access points using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; determining that the positioning device is near a first location; detecting that the positioning device is off-route at a second location; and storing the second location as a first access point associated with the first location on the map.

Abstract: A method, machine-readable medium, and system involve receiving user input with a navigation device regarding a desired city name. A determination is made regarding whether the user input matches city names in a Last Used City List (LUCL). A Global City List (GCL) is consulted when the user input does not match the city names in the LUCL. A matching city name is selected as a best candidate.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that uses one or more points, e.g., “smart via” input points, e.g., a center of a city such as a large city, to determine one or more points, e.g., smart via output points. A smart via output point determined from a smart via input point can be used, together with origination and destination points, to identify an optimal navigational route between the origination and destination points. A navigational route generated using the smart via output point, an origination point and a destination point travels in proximity to the smart via input point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for integrating road names recorded in a source data, particularly comprising steps of merging all interconnected segments having this road name into a user road group and merging these user road groups if they belongs to the same physical road entity. The present invention also relates to a method for integrating points of interest recorded in a source data, particularly comprising steps of, beginning from node with highest priority in the tree to the other nodes one at a time, finding nodes with same point of interest to redirect all child links of lower priority node to higher priority node among the same point of interest nodes and delete link between the same point of interest nodes; creating geometry relationship based on above new arrangement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for attaching location data to a SMS message. A system includes a first wireless device configured with a wireless interface operable to communicate with a wireless interface in a first personal navigation device using a Bluetooth wireless protocol, the first personal navigation device configured to attach location data to a SMS message, a second wireless device configured with a wireless interface operable to communicate with a wireless interface in a second personal navigation device using the Bluetooth wireless protocol, the second personal navigation device configured to identify location data attached to the SMS message, and a wireless network enabling communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a display screen, a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a map database. The map database includes electronic map data, and a plurality of road information each including a road name and a corresponding road speed-limit. The processing unit is operable to access a portion of the electronic map data in the map database, to access the road information corresponding to at least one road of the electronic map data accessed by the processing unit, to render the electronic map data accessed thereby so as to generate an electronic map image in which the at least one road of the electronic map data accessed by the processing unit has a visible indication that corresponds to the road speed-limit of the road information accessed by the processing unit, and to provide the electronic map image to the display screen for display.

Abstract: A method of determining density of a map is described along with an apparatus and computer-readable medium comprising instructions therefore. The method comprises determining one or more nodes of a quad tree applied to a map with which a predetermined query region intersects, calculating a cumulative data size of the query region based on a data size of the one or more intersecting nodes, and determining an average density of the query region based on the query region area and the cumulative data size.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for use in searching a geographic database to retrieve geographic objects one cell from a neighborhood of cells at a time. A cell neighborhood can be defined using a grid of cells and an initial, or center, point. A first neighborhood is identified based on its proximity to the initial search point, and corresponds to a first geographic area defined using the initial point and a distance from the initial search point in a number of directions. In a case that more than one cell neighborhood is used, each subsequent cell neighborhood is defined so that it excludes cells belonging to a previously-searched cell neighborhood. A subsequent neighborhood corresponds to a geographic area that is a distance from the initial point greater than the distance associated with a previously-searched neighborhood.

Abstract: A power control system and method receives and filters a valid GPS signal received by a navigation device and outputs a corresponding performance parameter for the GPS signal, and upon determining that a power management signal is a power-off management signal, determines whether the performance parameter exceeds a predetermined first threshold. Alternatively, if the power management signal is not a power-off management signal, the performance parameter is determined whether it is smaller than a predetermined second threshold value. A processing module is managed to send a GPS power control signal that controls power provided to a GPS module in the navigation device, thereby reducing power consumption of the navigation device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a supplemental powered information receiver. A system includes a processor linked to a memory, the memory including at least a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation process, a clock and internal timer linked to the processor, a programmable power source linked to the processor, and an information receiver module linked to the processor, the information receiver module receiving information when programmed to power up into a standby mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a navigation device and the alerting method thereof.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a processor, a map information storage medium storing map information, a position determining module configured to determine a current location, a velocity and direction of travel of a vehicle, and determine whether the current position indicates a deviation from an original route to a final destination. Further included is a routing module configured to determine an original route from a starting position to a destination, and at least one reroute from the current location to the destination, wherein the reroute includes a restoration route from the current location to at least one intermediate point on the original route and then continuing to the destination. Based upon an estimated cost of the restoration route plus a predetermined actual cost of the route from the intermediate point to the final destination, the routing module is further configured to estimate a reroute cost, and select a reroute based upon the estimated reroute cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for use in searching a geographic database to retrieve geographic objects one cell from a neighborhood of cells at a time. A cell neighborhood can be defined using a grid of cells and an initial, or center, point. A first neighborhood is identified based on its proximity to the initial search point, and corresponds to a first geographic area defined using the initial point and a distance from the initial search point in a number of directions. In a case that more than one cell neighborhood is used, each subsequent cell neighborhood is defined so that it excludes cells belonging to a previously-searched cell neighborhood. A subsequent neighborhood corresponds to a geographic area that is a distance from the initial point greater than the distance associated with a previously-searched neighborhood.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes a base and a handheld device which is portable relative to the base and dockable to the base. The handheld device includes a GPS receiver, display and user input devices and provides limited navigation capability when detached from the base. The base includes additional databases and navigation sensors which provide a full function navigation system when the handheld device is docked to the base station, including turn-by-turn navigation.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a computer platform that includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operable to acquire and track a GPS signal, a processor assembly, and a memory. The memory includes at least one of last recorded Ephemeris and Almanac information, and a GPS velocity vector determination module operable to generate a velocity vector output in the absence of current Ephemeris based upon the tracked GPS signal and the last recorded GPS information. A method of vehicle navigation in the absence of current Ephemeris includes acquiring and tracking a GPS signal, retrieving from a memory a last recorded location of a vehicle, setting a dead reckoning startup location equal to the last recorded location, retrieving from a memory at least one of a last recorded Ephemeris and Almanac, determining a current velocity vector and determining a current location based upon the velocity vector and the dead reckoning startup location.

Abstract: This invention provides a fingerprint authentication mechanism for accessing the wireless network system that is applicable to a wireless network communications apparatus, the mechanism including the steps of inputting data of users' fingerprints and converting the same into matrix data compliant with wireless network authentication bit ciphers; setting thresholds for pattern identification with respect to the matrix data as an authentication basis for determining if the user has access rights to the network system upon receipt of a request signal for network connection sent from a user end; and analyzing if the captured fingerprint of the user matches with the preset authentication data to determine if the wireless network communications apparatus is to be started for network connection, thereby increasing the quality, usability and safety of the wireless network connection to achieve an easier scheme of information security management.

Abstract: A power management method is applicable to an electronic device having GPS navigation software and a GPS module for executing the navigation software. First, the data storage power (i.e. the RTC power) is enabled when the electronic device is powered on, and whether the electronic device receive an external power is detected; if yes, the master power (i.e. the RF power) is enabled and the GPS module is enabled to perform an initialization process and continue detecting whether the electronic device receives an external power; it no, the master power is disabled and detecting whether the electronic device receives an external power continues. Compared with the prior art, the power management method of the present invention, by managing powers installed in the electronic device and corresponding to the GPS module, increases the possibility for the navigation software to enter the hot start mode, and advances user's convenience.