Abstract: An approach is provided for complementing various devices and/or instruments by utilizing augmented reality and providing an adaptive user interface to a user at a user device. A user device determines one or more information items associated with at least one instrument panel of at least one vehicle. Then the user device determines one or more representations of the one or more information items and causes, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more information items at the user device, wherein the user device may complement and/or may be substituted for the at least one instrument panel.

Abstract: A method and system for adding traffic gadgets to a traffic report is disclosed. A traffic gadget is a dynamic object defined by a relatively small code module that is separate from the main traffic report application code. A programmer develops the traffic gadget's visual functionality and specifies the type of data that the traffic gadget can receive. An artist configures the visible appearance of the traffic gadget for a specific end-user application. The end-user may then select a traffic gadget and add the selected traffic gadget to a visual traffic report. The user may also select data to control the functionality of the traffic gadget during the traffic report.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. A guidance message stating the preferred name of the feature visible from the road segment is determined. The preferred name includes at least one visible descriptor selected from a group consisting of a color of the identified feature, a building material of the identified feature, a shape of the identified feature, an architectural style of the identified feature, and a decorative element of the identified feature.

Abstract: An Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system for a vehicle is disclosed. An electronic control unit (ECU) is programmed to reduce vehicle lateral skidding by reducing differences between an intended vehicle yaw rate and an actual vehicle yaw rate by applying modifications to operation of the vehicle brakes and/or throttle. The ESC system receives inputs from wheel speed sensors, a steering wheel position sensor, a yaw rate sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor. The ECS system also receives input that indicates at least a property of the road upon which the vehicle is located, wherein the road upon which the vehicle is located is determined from a positioning system that uses a map database and the property is determined from the map database. The ESC system incorporates the road property information in determining when and/or how to modify operation of the vehicle to reduce vehicle skidding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and using geographic data are disclosed. For example, one method comprises generating and/or identifying an open area map. A route is generated using the open area map. A path segment record and/or a node record is created based on the generated route. The path segment record and/or the node record may be stored in a geographic database.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying an in-car view of current traffic conditions is disclosed. A user can select an “In Car View” as a display option. A display shows traffic conditions from a driver's eye view. A forward view depicts a vehicle dashboard, which may include a steering wheel, a central column, gauges, a rear view mirror, and a windshield. Graphics representing traffic conditions are visible through the windshield of the forward view. A side view allows a user to see traffic conditions on the opposite side of the road. The in-car view moves at a rate associated with the pace of the current traffic conditions.

Abstract: Locations having similar names are identified and placed in groups. The naming similarity includes how names or portions of names are spelled and/or pronounced. The names within the groups are then ranked by priority. The ranking is calculated using one or more attributes in a geographic database, such as the number of road segments associated with a named location, the population associated with a named location, distance to a named location, and administrative level of a named location. The ranking may be used during destination entry, when providing route guidance and/or maps, and when providing additional information to a user of a navigation system, such as demographic information.

Abstract: A speed profile dictionary and associated lookup tables are disclosed. A set of distinct speed profiles is defined using a statistical analysis routine. Preferably, the statistical analysis routine uses clustering. The speed profiles are then matched to location codes identifying physical locations on a road network and days of the week. Applications using historic traffic data may use the speed profile dictionary and one or more lookup tables instead of a complete historic traffic database, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to store historic traffic data.

Abstract: Systems, devices, applications, and methods for generating an open area map are disclosed. For example, a software application is configured to run on a computing platform of an end user. The end user generates an image of a layout of a walkable area. The software application performs a method of generating an open area map based on the image. The method includes applying an array of uniformly spaced objects on the image. A routable map is generated as a function of the array. The routable map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming a map database with attributed data which represents roadways attributed as no-outlet or circular segments. The method includes identifying a segment from a first node to a second node, where the second node is connected to an isolated portion of a road network. The method further includes storing a data attribute into the map database that represents the segment as a road that connects the road network at the first node to the isolated portion of the road network at the second node. The data attribute may represent the segment as a no-outlet segment or a circular segment. A no-outlet segment represents a roadway or portion of a roadway that terminates or returns back to the roadway or portion thereof. A circular segment represents a roadway or portion of a roadway that intersects with a geographic feature, such as a road, and where the roadway or portion thereof leads back to the same geographic feature.

Abstract: A method and system for adding traffic gadgets to a traffic report is disclosed. A traffic gadget is a dynamic object defined by a relatively small code module that is separate from the main traffic report application code. A programmer develops the traffic gadget's visual functionality and specifies the type of data that the traffic gadget can receive. An artist configures the visible appearance of the traffic gadget for a specific end-user application. The end-user may then select a traffic gadget and add the selected traffic gadget to a visual traffic report. The user may also select data to control the functionality of the traffic gadget during the traffic report.

Abstract: A method of operation for a multi-player online computer game that is played by users involves portable wireless game-playing devices. Each of the portable wireless game-playing devices is located at a respective corresponding physical geographic position. Information that indicates the respective corresponding physical geographic position of each of the portable wireless game playing devices is obtained. This information is used to bring a user of one of the portable wireless game playing devices into physical proximity with other users of portable wireless game playing devices so that a plurality of users of portable wireless game playing devices are participating in the multi-player online game in physical proximity to each other.

Abstract: Open area maps and related systems and methods are disclosed. For example, one method includes receiving an image of a layout corresponding to a real-world area in which a person walks about. A restriction associated to a passageway within the image is generated. The image is used to generate a routable map for point-to-point routing. Routing through or around the restriction is based on whether or not criteria for passing the restriction is met.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is performed by a navigation system. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained in a native language from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. The parts-of-speech of the preferred name are identified and converted into a target language text providing the preferred name in a target language. A guidance message includes the target language text in the target language.

Abstract: Systems, devices, features, and methods for constructing a graphic model of a geographic object, such as a road sign or features thereof, from an image, such as, for example, to develop a navigation database are disclosed. For example, one method comprises receiving a plurality of images of regions, such as of roads or paths. An image of the plurality of images is identified. A process to determine scale-invariant components of a geographic object in the identified image may be performed. Other processes, such as generating a dictionary to facilitate optical character recognition may be performed. A graphic model of the geographic object is generated based on the scale-invariant components and/or the optical character recognition. The generated graphic model may be associated with a navigation or map database.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature. The importance rating is adjusted to favor the identified feature closest to the lane in which the vehicle is currently located.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight includes a symbol indicating at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.

Abstract: Systems, devices, features, and methods for collecting or storing data corresponding to disputed territories for a geographic database, such as for use with a navigation system, are disclosed. For example, one method comprises identifying a data record that represents a geographic feature of a disputed area. An indication of dispute may be assigned to the identified data record, in which the indication of dispute represents that the identified data record corresponds to a feature in dispute between multiple geographic entities. Another data record that represents a geographic feature in dispute may also be identified. The indication of dispute and/or the data records of the features may be stored in a geographic database.

Abstract: Systems and methods corresponding to an open area map are disclosed. For example, one method includes receiving an image of a layout corresponding to a real-world area in which a person moves about. The image is in a vector graphics format. A reference region is determined using the image of the layout. A grid is combined with the reference region to generate a routable map. The routable map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.