Abstract: A method for estimating a risk profile of a user of a personal digital assistant (PDA) includes collecting, using the PDA, data indicative of a travel pattern of the user of the PDA. The risk profile of the user of the PDA is inferred from the travel pattern. The risk profile to is output an external system, so as to enable the external system to provide to the user a commercial offer based on a risk level which is indicated by the risk profile.

Abstract: A method for communication includes running a navigation application on a mobile navigation device, so as to present to a user navigation instructions from a navigation server on the display of the mobile navigation device. A widget chosen by the user is activated to run on the mobile navigation device in conjunction with the navigation application. Responsively to activating the widget, an interactive user interface element is overlaid on the navigation instructions on the display, indicating an availability of a location-based service at a location specified by the navigation instructions. Upon receiving an input from the user via the interactive user interface element invoking the service, the service is provided to the user at the specified location via the mobile navigation device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a requested map location includes providing a database holding a plurality of map objects having respective descriptors and loci. A search query including one or more query terms that describe the requested map location is accepted. One or more matched map objects are identified in the database such that the respective descriptors of the matched map objects each match at least one of the query terms. The respective loci of the matched map objects are processed to determine the requested map location.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile computing device includes running a platform-independent application program using a virtual machine operating on the mobile computing device. A server program runs on the mobile computing device so as to access a native function of the mobile computing device that is not supported by the virtual machine. The native function is invoked from the application program by opening a communication connection to the server program using a communication application programming interface (API) of the virtual machine, and sending a message to the server program via the communication connection, so as to cause the server program to access the native function.

Abstract: A navigation system computes an optimal route between an origin and a destination using a map server. The map server identifies likely points of deviation from the optimal route, and prior to transmitting map data to a client device, establishes alternative optimal routes from the deviations to the destination. A search algorithm is employed in which computation effort is reduced through improved heuristics and enhanced recognition of previously expanded nodes and alternative routes through nodes determined in prior iterations of the search. A route corridor map including the optimal route and alternative routes is download from the map server to the client device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for the automatic optimal placement text or symbol labels corresponding to graphical objects on maps. Using a map server and a thin, typically mobile client, maps are dynamically drawn and displayed at the client. Optimized labeling of map objects is achieved by dividing the task into pipelined subtasks, some being performed off-line, and others being performed in real time, responsively to changing client requests, and changes in the map viewport. Optimization of candidate label positions is accomplished using simulated annealing.

Abstract: An interface is provided to a mobile navigation system in which an optical image of a point-of-interest acquired by cellular telephone devices is an input to the system. Textual and optionally other location information is extracted from the image, and used by the navigation system to identify coordinates and vectors relating to the point-of-interest. The results are stored and may be subsequently recalled to provide mapping and routing information to the cellular telephone device, whose position relative to the point-of-interest may have changed. Optical images may be uploaded from telephone device to the navigation system automatically or interactively, and can be processed remotely, generally without further user interaction.

Abstract: A method for displaying a map on a mobile client device. The method includes storing map data on a server, the map data including road data with respect to roads of multiple different road types. The server determines a route from a starting point to a destination within an area covered by the map data, the route including one or more route segments. The server defines a corridor map including the route segments and the roads of the different road types that are within different, respective distances, determined by the road types, of the route segments. The server downloads the road data with respect to the route segments and the roads of the different road types included in the corridor map to the client device. The client device, using the downloaded road data, renders one or more images, each image comprising at least a respective portion of the corridor map.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a requested map location includes providing a database holding a plurality of map objects having respective descriptors and loci. A search query including one or more query terms that describe the requested map location is accepted. One or more matched map objects are identified in the database such that the respective descriptors of the matched map objects each match at least one of the query terms. The respective loci of the matched map objects are processed to determine the requested map location.

Abstract: A method for navigation includes storing map data on a server, the map data including vector information delineating roads in a map. A portion of the vector information corresponding to an area in which a user of a mobile client device is traveling is downloaded from the server to the client device. Approximate position coordinates of the user are found using a location providing device associated with the client device and are corrected in the client device, using the downloaded vector information, so as to determine a location of the user on one of the roads in the map. A navigation aid is provided to the user of the client device based on the determined location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for the automatic optimal placement text or symbol labels corresponding to graphical objects on maps. Using a map server and a thin, typically mobile client, maps are dynamically drawn and displayed at the client. Optimized labeling of map objects is achieved by dividing the task into pipelined subtasks, some being performed off-line, and others being performed in real time, responsively to changing client requests, and changes in the map viewport. Optimization of candidate label positions is accomplished using simulated annealing.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile computing device includes running a platform-independent application program using a virtual machine operating on the mobile computing device. A server program runs on the mobile computing device so as to access a native function of the mobile computing device that is not supported by the virtual machine. The native function is invoked from the application program by opening a communication connection to the server program using a communication application programming interface (API) of the virtual machine, and sending a message to the server program via the communication connection, so as to cause the server program to access the native function.

Abstract: A method for navigation includes storing map data on a server, the map data including vector information delineating roads in a map. A portion of the vector information corresponding to an area in which a user of a mobile client device is traveling is downloaded from the server to the client device. Approximate position coordinates of the user are found using a location providing device associated with the client device and are corrected in the client device, using the downloaded vector information, so as to determine a location of the user on one of the roads in the map. A navigation aid is provided to the user of the client device based on the determined location.

Abstract: A method for displaying a map includes storing map data on a server including a plurality of layers, which include vector information delineating features in the map belonging to a respective feature category, and a set of templates, each such template being associated with a respective one of the layers and indicating a visual characteristic of the features in the layer with which the template is associated. At least a subset of the templates is downloaded to a client device from the server, as is the vector information in a portion of one or more of the layers of the map data corresponding to a selected area of the map. Based on the downloaded vector information, an image of the selected area of the map is rendered on the client device in accordance with the visual characteristic indicated by the downloaded templates.

Abstract: A method for displaying a map on a mobile client device includes storing map data on a server, the map data defining objects appearing in the map and comprising vector coordinates of the objects in a predetermined frame of reference. Upon receiving at the server a request from the client device to provide a map of an area along a route on which a user of the client device is to travel, a heading of travel of the user on the route is determined, and the vector coordinates are transformed on the server into a rotated frame of reference, which is approximately aligned with the heading of the user. A portion of the map data corresponding to the area along the route and including the transformed vector coordinates is downloaded to the client device from the server. An image of the area of the map in the rotated frame of reference is rendered on the client device, based on the downloaded map data.

Abstract: A method for displaying a map on a mobile client device includes storing map data on a server, the map data defining objects appearing in the map and comprising vector coordinates of the objects in a predetermined frame of reference. Upon receiving at the server a request from the client device to provide a map of an area along a route on which a user of the client device is to travel, a heading of travel of the user on the route is determined, and the vector coordinates are transformed on the server into a rotated frame of reference, which is approximately aligned with the heading of the user. A portion of the map data corresponding to the area along the route and including the transformed vector coordinates is downloaded to the client device from the server. An image of the area of the map in the rotated frame of reference is rendered on the client device, based on the downloaded map data.

Abstract: A method for displaying a map includes storing map data on a server including a plurality of layers, which include vector information delineating features in the map belonging to a respective feature category, and a set of templates, each such template being associated with a respective one of the layers and indicating a visual characteristic of the features in the layer with which the template is associated. At least a subset of the templates is downloaded to a client device from the server, as is the vector information in a portion of one or more of the layers of the map data corresponding to a selected area of the map. Based on the downloaded vector information, an image of the selected area of the map is rendered on the client device in accordance with the visual characteristic indicated by the downloaded templates.

Abstract: A method for navigation includes storing map data on a server, the map data including vector information delineating roads in a map. A portion of the vector information corresponding to an area in which a user of a mobile client device is traveling is downloaded from the server to the client device. Approximate position coordinates of the user are found using a location providing device associated with the client device and are corrected in the client device, using the downloaded vector information, so as to determine a location of the user on one of the roads in the map. A navigation aid is provided to the user of the client device based on the determined location.