Abstract: An information distribution system enhances a vehicle audio/video system. The system flexibly delivers audio and video, potentially obtained from many different sources, to different locations in the vehicle. Each passenger receives the audio or video that is of interest to them without distracting interruptions.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle is presented that provides and utilizes monetary cost-related information. The navigation system may include a database system, calculation module, and comparison module. The database system stores path data and related monetary cost-related data, which include monetary costs that are route-depend and those that are not route-dependent. The calculation module determines routes to a destination, the monetary costs associated with the routes, and may determine the fastest, longest, and least expensive routes. The comparison module enables the determination of an optimal route based on various criteria, including monetary cost. The navigation system further includes methods for determining the monetary costs associated with a route, the travel time associated with a route, determining an optimal route, and for guiding the vehicle according to the monetary cost-related information.

Abstract: An audio system for a vehicle that includes a system for allowing an occupant of the vehicle to adjust a balance setting of each audio source (116). The audio system includes a plurality of audio sources (102) that are connected to an amplifier (104). The amplifier is connected to a head unit (106) that adjusts the balance setting of each audio source based on predetermined parameters or user preferences (112). Audio output signals from the audio sources are thus reproduced with different balance settings.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system helps guide a driver to a destination by enhancing visualization of upcoming intersections. The navigation system stores animation data that depicts the intersection as it will appear to the driver. The animation data may be a sequence of images (e.g., digital camera images) taken at intervals before and after the intersection. The navigation system may show the images in synchronism with the progress of the vehicle to provide an animated display of the intersection for the driver. The animated display aids the driver with following a recommended navigation route to the destination.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle satellite navigation system is provided for generating a standard height for a geographic location where the vehicle is located. The system may include a satellite receiver (100) that is capable of generating position data as a function of signals received from navigation satellites. The position data may include a longitude, a latitude, and a ellipsoidal height. The system may store undulation values for a geographic area in an undulation grid model (146) or in a digital map. The system may determine an approximate undulation value for the position, and calculate the standard height value for the position.

Abstract: A vehicle control system of a vehicle configured to communicate with an external device, such as a portable digital assistant or mobile phone for the purpose of sending and receiving external data regarding a user's personal settings for vehicle components. As an example, the user data may correspond to the position of the driver's seat. The user data may be retrieved from the external device and transferred to the vehicle control system of a second vehicle to configure the second vehicle to the user's personal settings. The user data may be, as and example, transferred using the vCard data format for personal data interchange.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle is disclosed, where the navigation system operates in a route planning mode and a route guidance mode. The navigation system employs an interface device that provides route guidance information to a user during the route guidance mode. The route guidance information provided through the interface device may be audible and/or visual, as through a voice and/or visual indicia on a display screen. The navigation system also comprises a voice control system that responds to vocal commands issued by the user. In response to user vocal commands, the navigation system uses the interface device to provide the user with secondary information relating to a planned route. This secondary information may include, for example, locations and items that are ancillary to principal route guidance functions, such as special locations, map topography, environmental information, and the like.

Abstract: A navigation system (100) capable of providing acoustic route information summarizing a route to a predetermined destination. The navigation system (100) includes a route calculation module (110) that is capable of calculating a route to a trip destination. A route overview module (104) may also be included for creating a route overview list that is based on the route. An acoustic message module (108) may be used to generate at least one acoustic route overview message as a function of the route overview list associated with the route.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted translation system for providing language translation to a driver of a vehicle. The translation system may be associated with a vehicle navigation system. The translation system includes a translation device and a storage unit for storing language and translation information. The system further includes the ability to enter information to be translated into the system, data processing for retrieving a translation from storage based on the input of the first information, and the ability to provide the retrieved translation to the driver. Output of the translated information may be accomplished by, speech-to-speech and/or text-to-speech conversion of words and/or a text or image output to a visual display.

Abstract: A navigational system provides information on unmapped terrain based on a waypoint positioned between a point of departure and a destination. The navigational system includes position data stored in a memory and communication logic. The position data represents a current position and a waypoint position in an unmapped space. The memory includes navigational information about the waypoint. The communication logic audibly communicates the navigational information to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an method for assisting navigation, comprising automatically determining information on an upcoming maneuver, automatically determining a current position, automatically determining information on an object in the vicinity of the current position, wherein the object is detected by at least one sensor, and processing the maneuver information and the information on the object in the vicinity to determine current combined navigation information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for vehicle having a position detector for detecting the position of the vehicle, memory for storing a route description to a predetermined destination, voice output device for outputting driving indications by voice output and/or for informing the user of the navigation system of any other operation of the navigation system by voice output, a controller for controlling the voice output device, and further including a selection device for presetting a condition under which the controller enables or disables the voice output of the voice output device.

Abstract: A vehicle satellite navigation system is provided for generating a standard height for a geographic location where the vehicle is located. The system may include a satellite receiver (100) that is capable of generating position data as a function of signals received from navigation satellites. The position data may include a longitude, a latitude, and a ellipsoidal height. The system may store undulation values for a geographic area in an undulation grid model (146) or in a digital map. The system may determine an approximate undulation value for the position, and calculate the standard height value for the position.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system (100) is provided for storing high occupancy vehicle restriction values for sections of road. The system may include seat occupancy sensors (130) that indicate whether seats in the vehicle are occupied. The system may also include a processor (110) that determines the number of occupants in the vehicle based on signals from the seat occupancy sensors (130) or input from a user. The processor (110) may determine whether the vehicle is authorized to traverse a section of road based on a high occupancy vehicle restriction value for the section of road and the number of occupants in the vehicle. The system may also include a display (140) and/or a speaker (150) so that the processor may communicate to a user whether the vehicle is authorized to travel on the section of the road.

Abstract: A vehicle control system of a vehicle configured to communicate with an external device, such as a portable digital assistant or mobile phone for the purpose of sending and receiving external data regarding a user's personal settings for vehicle components. As an example, the user data may correspond to the position of the driver's seat. The user data may be retrieved from the external device and transferred to the vehicle control system of a second vehicle to configure the second vehicle to the user's personal settings. The user data may be, as and example, transferred using the vCard data format for personal data interchange.