Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.

Abstract: A gateway can be configured to receive measurement data that can characterizes measurements taken at a mobile device. The measurement data can include location information for the mobile device. The gateway can also be configured to calculate a location trust score for the mobile device. The location trust score can characterize the likelihood that the location information is at least one of accurate and trustworthy. The gateway can be further configured to generate trusted location information that characterizes a location of the mobile device based on the location trust score.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: Natural navigational guidance, provides enhanced guidance instructions that take advantage of unique geographic features along a navigated route to specify maneuver points. Guidance points are clearly visible, unambiguous, and locally unique features in the geography of the maneuver area that can be used to aid the user in discovering the place where the maneuver point is. Within a guidance point selection area, a specific guidance point type has a more strict area within which it can be used. A natural guidance point selection area for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is determined, and a unique geographic feature within the determined natural guidance point selection area is selected as a natural guidance point for navigation of the upcoming maneuver. A turn-type natural guidance point for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is generated when the user device is within the natural guidance point selection area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: A gateway can be configured to receive measurement data that can characterizes measurements taken at a mobile device. The measurement data can include location information for the mobile device. The gateway can also be configured to calculate a location trust score for the mobile device. The location trust score can characterize the likelihood that the location information is at least one of accurate and trustworthy. The gateway can be further configured to generate trusted location information that characterizes a location of the mobile device based on the location trust score.

Abstract: A route engine can be configured to receive route data that characterizes a request for driving directions to a destination. The route engine can also be configured to determine a plurality of travel routes to the destination and to estimate a predicted travel time for each of the plurality of travel routes to the destination. The estimation can be based on environmental data that characterizes environmental conditions that affect traffic flow along the plurality of travel routes. The route engine can further include determining a likelihood that each predicted travel time for each of the plurality of travel routes is accurate.

Abstract: Natural navigational guidance provides enhanced guidance instructions that take advantage of unique geographic features along a navigated route to specify maneuver points. Guidance points are clearly visible, unambiguous, and locally unique features in the geography of the maneuver area that can be used to aid the user in discovering the place where the maneuver point is. Within a guidance point selection area, a specific guidance point type has a more strict area within which it can be used. A natural guidance point selection area for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is determined, and a unique geographic feature within the determined natural guidance point selection area is selected as a natural guidance point for navigation of the upcoming maneuver. A turn-type natural guidance point for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is generated when the user device is within the natural guidance point selection area.

Abstract: Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.

Abstract: Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: A personal wireless navigation system operable on wireless phone devices provides a platform for empowering a merchant-paid search. Performance of a navigation functionality in a personal wireless navigation system is higher and more comparable and competitive with portable navigation devices and in-car navigation systems, and the search capability is comparable and competitive with the most popular web search engines. A user interface (UI) and look and feel of the personal wireless navigation system is provided which is enhanced so that users do not simply want to use the product—they covet it. The personal wireless navigation system may be constructed such that a subset of it with fewer features and functions can be productized, marketed and deployed to users.

Abstract: Methods for dynamically varying label density and label placement on a map display used in mapping and/or navigation solutions. Label density and label placement on a map display are adjusted dynamically based on: a function class of a road being navigated, a function class of a road to be navigated following an upcoming maneuver, a distance to an upcoming maneuver, and/or a speed a device receiving mapping/navigation services is travelling.

Abstract: A global single search system that returns relevant search results for a user search query by identifying user intent and context implied therein. The system supports POI and address searches initiated from a single search box global only. Search query data is input in a single search box on a single search client to initiate a search for an arbitrary piece of data. Meta-data concerning a nature of a search is not provided to the single search system. A search servlet uses an ordered series of filter methods to extract specific aspects of user intent from a freeform search query, and accumulate intent information within a context shared by all filters. The system determines a data corpus to search based on context provided in a user search query. Relevant search results are returned to the single search client in a search response. The global single search system supports global markets.

Abstract: A single search system that returns relevant search results for a user search query by identifying user intent and context implied therein. The inventive system supports POI and address searches initiated from a single search box only. Search query data is input in to a single search box on a single search client to initiate a search for an arbitrary piece of data. Meta-data concerning a nature of a search is not provided to the single search system. A search servlet on a single search server uses an ordered series of filter methods to progressively extract specific aspects of user intent from a freeform search query, and accumulate intent information within a context shared by all filters. The single search system determines a data corpus to search based on context provided in a user search query. Relevant search results are returned to the single search client in a search response.

Abstract: Navigational lane guidance enhances a maneuver display by incorporating full display of available lanes in a freeway, when available in the map data. An otherwise regular turn icon display is replaced with a variable width image that grows to show all available lanes, highlighting lanes usable to complete a navigated maneuver. A new lane TrueType font displays the lane guidance image, with individual characters representing each possible line situation. Since TrueType fonts are vector-based, they can be used to generate the lane images at any size, in a platform-independent fashion. The lane font has direction arrows, which can be combined to form composite arrows; and additional direction arrows as needed to allow replacement of the routing icons currently in use. Lane dividers may also be implemented.

Abstract: Natural navigational guidance, provides enhanced guidance instructions that take advantage of unique geographic features along a navigated route to specify maneuver points. Guidance points are clearly visible, unambiguous, and locally unique features in the geography of the maneuver area that can be used to aid the user in discovering the place where the maneuver point is. Within a guidance point selection area, a specific guidance point type has a more strict area within which it can be used. A natural guidance point selection area for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is determined, and a unique geographic feature within the determined natural guidance point selection area is selected as a natural guidance point for navigation of the upcoming maneuver. A turn-type natural guidance point for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is generated when the user device is within the natural guidance point selection area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.