Abstract: Voice communication, between a speaker and a recipient, either or both of which may be in a motor vehicle, is provided via a communication network. In a first step, an input speech utterance is received from the speaker. Optionally, a bandwidth of a connection to the communication network is evaluated at the side of the speaker. The input speech utterance is then converted to text. At least the text is transmitted over the communication network. In case of a sufficiently large bandwidth, the input speech utterance may be transmitted as voice and as text. The transmitted text is converted into an output speech utterance that simulates a voice of the speaker. Finally, the output speech utterance is provided to the recipient.

Abstract: Method and device for determining a driver state including measuring volatile organic compounds in a passenger compartment at a first and second measuring time, measuring volatile organic compounds in the external air, determining differential values of the volatile organic compounds by comparing the measured values with a sum of the first measured value when in air intake mode and the external measured value when in air intake mode, and in the air recirculation mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to techniques of providing route guidance along a planned route leading through at least one intersection. Predetermined attributes for a respective transition through the at least one intersection are retrieved from a database, the attributes specifying at least a curved path modelling a geometrical form of the transition. The curved path is displayed in a map view for route guidance along a planned route.

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: 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: Navigation system and method of determining a vehicle position A navigation system comprises an image sensor configured to capture image data. A map database comprises street lighting data which includes, for a plurality of street lights (41), position data indicating a position (31) at which a street light (41) is installed and height data indicating a height (34) at which a light source (42) of the street light (41) is located. A processing device is configured to refine a position estimate by analyzing the image data using the street lighting data.

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: In a method of generating a database for use in outputting three- dimensional maps, a projection of a two-dimensional road vector onto a three-dimensional surface defined by digital terrain model data is determined. At least one three-dimensional road vector (94, 95, 98, 99) is determined based on the established projection and is stored in the database. The database is generated before it is deployed to a navigation device for use in outputting three-dimensional maps. A method of outputting three-dimensional maps and a navigation device may use the thus generated database.

Abstract: A navigation system has a database storing data for reconstructing three-dimensional roof structures. The data includes information on edges of at least one closed polygon and a type identifier respectively stored in the database for each one of the edges. Each one of the type identifiers is respectively selected from a finite set of type identifiers. Plural planar faces are generated to reconstruct the roof structure. The planar faces are respectively determined such that they pass through an edge of the polygon and have an orientation determined based on the type identifier stored for the edge.

Abstract: A system for displaying three-dimensional landscapes includes a processor and a storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to identify at least one predetermined landscape element in a landscape to be displayed, individually calculate a representation of the at least one predetermined landscape element and cause a display to display the landscape based on the individually calculated representation of the at least one predetermined landscape element and the altitude data.

Abstract: A wireless data connection may be established between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the first vehicle driving ahead of the second vehicle. A forward camera of the second vehicle may obtain image data of a rear portion of the first vehicle and determine an identification number of the first vehicle from the obtained image data. The second vehicle may broadcast a data connection request which indicates at least a part of the determined identification number of the first vehicle.

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: Navigation system and method of determining a vehicle position A navigation system comprises an image sensor configured to capture image data. A map database comprises street lighting data which includes, for a plurality of street lights (41), position data indicating a position (31) at which a street light (41) is installed and height data indicating a height (34) at which a light source (42) of the street light (41) is located. A processing device is configured to refine a position estimate by analyzing the image data using the street lighting data.

Abstract: A navigation device comprises a database storing footprint data for buildings which define a footprint of the respective building. For at least some buildings, the footprint data comprise position information defining a position of the building, a length indicator indicating a length of a rectangular portion of the footprint, and a width indicator indicating a width of the rectangular portion of the footprint. The length indicator is stored in a single byte. The width indicator is stored in another single byte.

Abstract: An electronic map may be output based on map data including information related to a current configuration of each of a plurality of map objects and historical attributes of at least a portion of the plurality of map objects. The historical attribute associated with a map object may include information related to a historical configuration of the respective map object in the past. A time selection input may be received at a user interface. The map data may be processed to identify a map object having a current configuration different from a historical configuration at a time in the past which is determined based on the time selection input. An optical output device may be controlled to output a graphical representation of the identified map object that is dependent on both the current configuration and the historical configuration of the identified map object.

Abstract: The invention relates to generating a three-dimensional (3D) graphical representation of a building. The method comprises establishing appearance control data comprising information on parameterized architectural features of the building and on building blocks which are fragments indicative of the building, and retrieving template data from a database based on references in the appearance control data, wherein the template data relates to a prefabricated graphical representation of the building blocks. The method further comprises, for each building block, calculating a 3D graphical representation of the building block based on the respective template data and the appearance control data, and combining the 3D graphical representations of the building blocks based on the appearance control data to generate the 3D graphical representation of the building.

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 system (NS) may include a processor that can retrieve geographic map data from a database, where the geographic map data includes polygonal chains. The processor can determine a straightness value, a length ratio, and/or an angle-to-length ratio for each of the polygonal chains based on segments and/or vertices of the polygonal chain. Also, a first class and a second class of the polygonal chains can be determined based on one or more of the three determined values for each of the polygonal chains. The first class may represent roads that are less winding than the second class, and such an attribute may be beneficial in selecting an optimal route.

Abstract: A system for displaying three-dimensional landscapes includes a processor and a storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to identify at least one predetermined landscape element in a landscape to be displayed, individually calculate a representation of the at least one predetermined landscape element and cause a display to display the landscape based on the individually calculated representation of the at least one predetermined landscape element and the altitude data.

Abstract: A wireless data connection may be established between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the first vehicle driving ahead of the second vehicle. A forward camera of the second vehicle may obtain image data of a rear portion of the first vehicle and determine an identification number of the first vehicle from the obtained image data. The second vehicle may broadcast a data connection request which indicates at least a part of the determined identification number of the first vehicle.