Abstract: A system and method for determining a safe return to a vehicle that include determining at least one safety feature that is associated to a travel plan that pertains to a user safely returning to the vehicle from a designated location. The system and method also include analyzing sensor data and user input data and determining if there is at least one of: a deviation from the travel plan, an existence of at least one probable safety threat that affects the user, and an existence of at least one emergency that affects the user. The system and method further include sending at least one emergency alert based on the at least one safety feature.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a safe return to a vehicle that include determining at least one safety feature that is associated to a travel plan that pertains to a user safely returning to the vehicle from a designated location. The system and method also include analyzing sensor data and user input data and determining if there is at least one of: a deviation from the travel plan, an existence of at least one probable safety threat that affects the user, and an existence of at least one emergency that affects the user. The system and method further include sending at least one emergency alert based on the at least one safety feature.

Abstract: A navigation system has at least one processor. A memory is coupled to the processor. The memory stores program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: display a map; display a cursor showing a present location of a vehicle on the map; display a menu screen to enter user selected point of interest (POI) search criteria; display markings on the map, wherein each marking corresponds to a POI matching the user selected POI search criteria; move the map to a user selected marking; and center the map on the user selected marking.

Abstract: A navigation system has at least one processor. A memory is coupled to the processor. The memory stores program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: display a map; display a cursor showing a present location of a vehicle on the map; display a menu screen to enter user selected point of interest (POI) search criteria; display markings on the map, wherein each marking corresponds to a POI matching the user selected POI search criteria; move the map to a user selected marking; and center the map on the user selected marking.

Abstract: A navigation system has at least one processor. A memory is coupled to the processor. The memory stores program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: display a map; display a cursor showing a present location of a vehicle on the map; display a menu screen to enter user selected point of interest (POI) search criteria; display markings on the map, wherein each marking corresponds to a POI matching the user selected POI search criteria; move the map to a user selected marking; and center the map on the user selected marking.

Abstract: A navigation system has a display. A processor is coupled to the display. A memory is coupled to the processor. The memory stores program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: display a graphical representation of a map on a display; display a first cursor showing a present location of a vehicle on the map; display a second cursor, the second cursor being movable by a user through a user interface of the navigation system to a desired location on the map; and display a line between the first cursor and the second cursor, the line indicating a straight line distance between the first cursor and the second cursor.

Abstract: A navigation system has at least one processor. A memory is coupled to the processor. The memory stores program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: display a map; display a cursor showing a present location of a vehicle on the map; display a menu screen to enter user selected point of interest (POI) search criteria; display markings on the map, wherein each marking corresponds to a POI matching the user selected POI search criteria; move the map to a user selected marking; and center the map on the user selected marking.

Abstract: A user selects route preferences related to weighing or considering different factors when determining a requested candidate route to a destination and chooses a candidate route ranking. A motor vehicle detects a condition associated with a vehicle state. The motor vehicle displays the candidate route based on the detected vehicle condition in a preselected order determined by the route ranking.

Abstract: A remote server receives traffic data from a plurality of probe vehicles traveling on roadways. The remote server stores the received traffic data in a regular lane database and/or a carpool lane database. The remote server differentiates the received traffic data for storage in the appropriate database based on the number of probe vehicles associated with each speed pattern observed within the received traffic data.

Abstract: A user selects route preferences related to weighing or considering different factors when determining a requested candidate route to a destination and chooses a candidate route ranking. A motor vehicle detects a condition associated with a vehicle state. The motor vehicle displays the candidate route based on the detected vehicle condition in a preselected order determined by the route ranking.

Abstract: A remote server receives traffic data from a plurality of probe vehicles traveling on roadways. The remote server stores the received traffic data in a regular lane database and/or a carpool lane database. The remote server differentiates the received traffic data for storage in the appropriate database based on the number of probe vehicles associated with each speed pattern observed within the received traffic data.

Abstract: Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired.

Abstract: Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired.

Abstract: Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times.

Abstract: Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times.

Abstract: Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired.

Abstract: Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times.

Abstract: Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times.

Abstract: Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times.

Abstract: Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired.