Abstract: In methods for encoding and decoding objects with reference to a traffic route network, wherein the encoded information can also be decoded with the aid of databases that differ from a database used in the encoding, the objects are provided with relationships to at least one relational object which is present in databases that are used for the decoding, and the relationships do not primarily result from the traffic route network. A position indication can also be provided with a position type designator, which for instance indicates whether the transmitted position is an exact or navigable position or is the location of a search space.

Abstract: To provide a method of automatically deleting a traffic message that is associated with at least one directed segment and/or at least one node, in which traffic messages are automatically deleted at the earliest possible time while ensuring that the route segment affected by the traffic message is not traveled again, the traffic message is deleted when the sum of the resistances remaining between the current position and the destination is less than or equal to a reference resistance which is determined by the sum of the resistances remaining between a reference segment and the destination, the reference segment being the segment subsequent to the segment of the route, in the direction toward the destination, that is affected by the traffic message and that was the route specified before the traffic message was taken into account.

Abstract: To provide a method of automatically deleting a traffic message that is associated with at least one directed segment and/or at least one node, in which traffic messages are automatically deleted at the earliest possible time while ensuring that the route segment affected by the traffic message is not traveled again, the traffic message is deleted when the sum of the resistances remaining between the current position and the destination is less than or equal to a reference resistance which is determined by the sum of the resistances remaining between a reference segment and the destination, the reference segment being the segment subsequent to the segment of the route, in the direction toward the destination, that is affected by the traffic message and that was the route specified before the traffic message was taken into account.

Abstract: A position of a vehicle is determined by outputting position signals by a reception antenna and outputting traveling condition values by traveling condition sensors of a vehicle for determination of an absolute position of the vehicle and outputting an absolute position signal, from the absolute position signal and predetermined reference data of a reference system determining a relative position of the vehicle in the reference system, determining a position quality signal from a comparison of the absolute position signal and a reference position signal, and using the position quality signal for determination of an absolute position of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a positioning system for a motor vehicle having a satellite receiver, a direction vector subject to error is determined from the received satellite signals. The direction vector subject to error forms an angular range of the direction of travel including a main path and optionally secondary paths of a digitized road map. To determine the actual direction of travel of the motor vehicle, the main path and optionally the secondary paths are pursued, and the path having the best match with the direction vector of the angular range of direction is prioritized. The direction vector is determined from the change in frequency of the received satellite frequencies by the Doppler method.

Abstract: A location system for a motor vehicle in which the calibration of a displacement sensor is performed with the aid of satellite signals. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver may be used, and the current vehicle speed within a time segment is calculated using the Doppler method. The distance traveled is ascertained from the vehicle speed. By taking a mean, calculating the dispersion, and performing a weighting, a very accurate reference value for calibration of the displacement sensor is achieved.

Abstract: A correction method is provided for a map-supported navigation system or for a navigation system, in which the position of a motor vehicle found by means of composite navigation is checked and corrected. To correct the fed back position, a range of error is initially established, whose magnitude is determined by the tolerances of the vehicle sensors of the measuring errors of a navigation system. Within this range of error, all paved roads are taken into consideration as a possible vehicle position. A main route on which the vehicle is travelling is selected for the most probable position of the motor vehicle. The other positions continue to be used as parallel routes. If plausibility considerations reveal that a parallel route has a greater probability for the vehicle position than the present main route, then the parallel route is defined as the new main route. With the aid of a hysteresis, the current (actual) vehicle position is prevented from continually jumping back and forth among several streets.

Abstract: An orientation and navigation device provides for a current vehicle position to be displayed on a map. To make corrections in the event of loss of orientation, a satellite receiver is employed, which calculates a new vehicle position from the received satellite data and bases the dead reckoning on this new vehicle position. Since the calculated satellite orientation position is encumbered with a variation range, an optimization is performed by means of a low-pass filter and empirically determined values.