Abstract: A system for visualization of 3D objects and/or 3D terrain includes a processor, a display in communication with the processor, and a range metering device in communication with the processor. The system visualizes the 3D objects and/or the 3D terrain based upon their respective distances from the mobile device and based upon a respective parameter measuring the detail of the 3D object and/or the 3D terrain.

Abstract: A navigation device comprises a processing device and a database. The database may store first data defining, for a plurality of objects, respectively a three-dimensional representation of the object. The database may store second data including, for at least a subset of the plurality of objects, an icon representation of the respective object, coordinates of the respective object and a pointer to a portion of the first data which is associated with the respective object. The processing device is coupled to the database and is configured to control an optical output device to display an object based on the first data or based on the second data.

Abstract: A driver assist system is provided that generates a video signal representing a vehicle environment outside a vehicle. At least one feature is extracted from the video signal. A reference is selected from a plurality of reference features stored as location attributes in a map database. The extracted feature is compared to at least one reference feature. An object in the vehicle environment is identified based on the comparison of the extracted feature and the reference feature. An indication is provided to a driver of the vehicle on the basis of the identified object. In one example, the system includes a video capturing device, an indicating device, a vehicle-based processing resource and access to a map database server. Processing tasks may be distributed among the vehicle-based processing resource and an external processing resource.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining an energy optimized route for a vehicle. In one example, the method includes providing a plurality of cost factors, each cost factor influencing the energy consumption of the vehicle. At least one cost factor is selected from among the cost factors. A composite cost factor is determined using the selected at least one cost factor. An energy optimized route is then determined based on the composite cost factor. Systems are also provided for determining an energy optimized route for a vehicle. An example system includes a set of cost factors, each cost factor influencing the energy consumption of the vehicle. A classification unit is included for selecting cost factors for the route and for including the selected cost factors in a composite cost factor for the route. A calculator is also included for calculating the energy optimized route based on the composite cost factor.

Abstract: A method and device for providing cost information associated with intersections of a road network are provided. Driving data indicative of at least one condition of a vehicle upon passage of the vehicle through a plurality of intersections are retrieved. For each intersection of the plurality of intersections, a set of feature values associated with the respective intersections is determined based on map data. Parameters of an intersection cost module are adjusted. The intersection cost module is configured to provide a cost value in response to a set of feature values associated with an intersection. The parameters of the intersection cost module are adjusted based on the received driving data and the sets of feature values determined for the plurality of intersections. The intersection cost module may also be used for route searches.

Abstract: A vision system comprises a camera that captures an image and a processor coupled to process the received image to determine at least one feature descriptor for the image. The processor includes an interface to access annotated map data that includes geo-referenced feature descriptors. The processor is configured to perform a matching procedure between the at least one feature descriptor determined for the at least one image and the retrieved geo-referenced feature descriptors.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a 3-dimensional map view of a navigation system are disclosed. A position module determines a position of a user to which the 3-dimensional map view is to be displayed, a viewing direction and elevation for the user. A map viewer generates the 3-dimensional map view of the map data, wherein for objects located within a predefined distance to the position of the user the position and the representation of each object is calculated taking into account the viewing direction and the elevation, wherein for objects located outside the predefined distance at least one group of objects, to which the objects belong, is identified, and for each identified group the background image is selected and displayed in which the 3-dimensional objects of the identified group are shown from the determined viewing direction and elevation. A display device displays the generated map view.

Abstract: A navigation system may display a segment of a digital map including a map element and a label corresponding to the map element. A portion of the digital map where no labeling shall occur may be determined based on coordinate values of the map element. The label may be displayed such that the portion of the digital map where no labeling shall occur is not occupied by any portion of the label.

Abstract: A navigation system may display a map element represented by a spline including a plurality of vertices. Label coordinate values derived from coordinate values of the plurality of vertices may be retrieved from a database. A label assigned to the map element may be displayed based on the stored label coordinate values. The assigned label may be adapted to the geometric form of at least a portion of the map element.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying a 3d map view of a 3d geographical map are provided. A database stores data which defines the 3d geographical map in a layered hierarchy comprising data layers which can be individually rendered for the 3d map view. The database comprises a data layer of a digital terrain model which is modelling a terrain surface and a data layer of a 3d road network comprising 3d road elements. A processor is configured for selecting specific data layers of the database in response to a resolution setting of the 3d map view and to render the 3d map view using the selected specific data layer.

Abstract: A system may generate a database of a geographical map of a navigation device. The geographical map covering a geographical area which is divided into several update regions. The system may identify at least one object in the geographical map which covers an object area in the geographical area. The object area can be divided into different parts which are located in different update regions. The system can store in the database, for each of said at least one object, information indicating that the object area overlaps with plural update regions, the information including pointers to update regions in which the respective different parts of the object area are stored.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing acceleration as a road segment characteristic in a vehicle are provided for determining information about a route including for example, the estimated fuel consumption of the route. An example of a system includes a data storage medium for storing map data having road segments, a bus interface to a data bus for receiving measured values of a velocity or an acceleration from a velocity or acceleration sensor, a position data receiver configured to receive position data for determining a current position, and a system controller. The system controller is configured to identify a road segment associated with the current position. The system controller retrieves parameters of a probability distribution of acceleration associated with the identified road segment from the data storage medium. Updated parameters of the probability distribution of acceleration are determined from the measured values of the velocity or acceleration.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a propulsion-related operating parameter of a vehicle for a road segment, and for determining routes based on the estimate. The method may be employed, for example, in a vehicle navigation system. In one example method, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle is estimated for the road segment based on information corresponding to the road segment. The propulsion-related operating parameter is estimated for the road segment using the at least one estimated operating parameter and at least one vehicle specific parameter. The at least one vehicle specific parameter is determined by acquiring driving data to determine a plurality of vehicle operating parameters while the vehicle is in operation. At least two of the determined vehicle operating parameters are used in a predetermined relationship that includes the at least one vehicle specific parameter.

Abstract: A system for visualization of 3D objects and/or 3D terrain includes a processor, a display in communication with the processor, and a range metering device in communication with the processor. The system visualizes the 3D objects and/or the 3D terrain based upon their respective distances from the mobile device and based upon a respective parameter measuring the detail of the 3D object and/or the 3D terrain.

Abstract: A navigation device comprises a processing device and a database. The database may store first data defining, for a plurality of objects, respectively a three-dimensional representation of the object. The database may store second data including, for at least a subset of the plurality of objects, an icon representation of the respective object, coordinates of the respective object and a pointer to a portion of the first data which is associated with the respective object. The processing device is coupled to the database and is configured to control an optical output device to display an object based on the first data or based on the second data.

Abstract: A navigation system has a database which stores index data for, respectively, a tile of a tiling. The index data includes, for each one of plural cells of a grid which is superimposed on the tile, respectively an identifier for each triangular face of a triangulated irregular network which at least partially overlaps with the respective cell. The plural cells of the grid are defined so as to cover the respective tile. A processing device of the navigation system is configured to use the index data to determine a triangular face on which a map feature having given lateral coordinates is located, in order to determine a height coordinate of the map feature.

Abstract: A database for a navigation system has digital elevation model data defining a three-dimensional surface. The database stores, for plural tiles of a tiling, a first array including three-dimensional coordinates of vertices of plural triangulated irregular networks, TINS, for the respective tile, and a plurality of second arrays. Each second array respectively defines triangular faces of a TIN and includes a plurality of vertex indices of the vertices to define triangular faces of the respective TIN. A method of outputting a three-dimensional representation of a terrain and a method of generating the database are also described.

Abstract: A navigation system may display a segment of a digital map including a map element and a label corresponding to the map element. A portion of the digital map where no labeling shall occur may be determined based on coordinate values of the map element. The label may be displayed such that the portion of the digital map where no labeling shall occur is not occupied by any portion of the label.

Abstract: A navigation system may display a map element represented by a spline including a plurality of vertices. Label coordinate values derived from coordinate values of the plurality of vertices may be retrieved from a database. A label assigned to the map element may be displayed based on the stored label coordinate values. The assigned label may be adapted to the geometric form of at least a portion of the map element.

Abstract: A navigation system determines one or more routes for a user from one location to another. The navigation system uses model data or information about weather, date, or time to determine an optimal route for a user. The navigation system may consider user preferences and dangerous or awkward conditions or criteria, and may perform a cost value analysis in determining the optimal route for a user.