Abstract: A system and method for efficiently updating the map database in a mobile computing system, such as a vehicle navigation system. The system includes a central server that computes changes between the latest version of a master map database and a previous version of the map database, and wirelessly transmits the changes to participating vehicles' onboard navigation systems. The navigation system stores the changes in a look-aside buffer, and a navigation processor uses the stored changes to update a base map database.

Abstract: A system and method for populating a map database for a vehicle navigation system with the location and type of wireless access points that can be used to update or service wireless systems on the vehicle. The map database can be initially populated with the known wireless access points at the time of manufacture of the vehicle, and then the vehicle communications system can detect new wireless access points as the vehicle travels, which can be stored on the map database. By storing the location and type of the access points in the map database, the vehicle will know the direction of the access point relative to the vehicle, and can compensate for the Doppler shift as a result of the relative movement of the vehicle to the access point.

Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more of the map segments.

Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more segments of road are provided. Vehicle travel data generation and storage are provided by a data processing center, partitioning a road into a plurality of connected segments, and calculating an estimate of the time required for a probe vehicle to traverse a particular segment. The calculations are performed by a processor that may be on-board the probe vehicle, and the resulting data are transmitted to the processing center, at which they are aggregated and optionally transmitted to one or more subscriber vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting the amount of satellite radio digital bandwidth used by allowing a vehicle to record and store songs broadcast by the satellite and then play the songs from the vehicle the next times the songs are to be broadcast. When a song is selected to be broadcast, the method determines whether a certain percentage of vehicles will have the song recorded on the vehicle, and if so, will broadcast a song code identifying the song to allow the vehicle to play the recorded song.

Abstract: A system and method for entering a destination into a navigation system, usually a vehicle navigation system, that uses phonetic letter families, or groups of letters which sound similar, to improve the reliability and accuracy of speech recognition. The method involves grouping each letter of the English alphabet into a family of letters which sound similar, such as A, J, and K. When a destination name is spelled by a user, each letter is recognized in terms of the phonetic letter family to which it belongs. This phonetic equivalent spelling is compared to the navigation database of street, city, and state names, which has also been converted to its phonetic equivalent spelling. If a match is found, the user is asked to confirm that this is the desired destination.

Abstract: A system and method for mitigating the effects of Doppler shift, multipath and/or noise for a mobile receiver, such as on a vehicle, that is receiving broadcast television signals. The vehicle may include a map database and a GPS receiver that combine to identify the location of the vehicle on the roadway. The receiver on the vehicle includes a rotatable antenna that can be either mechanically or electronically directed towards a broadcast tower that is broadcasting the signal that the vehicle wishes to receive. Therefore, multipath effects and other noise conditions can be mitigated or eliminated by more precisely directing the antenna towards the source of a signal. Further, the receiver on the vehicle can use the forward velocity of the vehicle and the direction of the broadcasting tower to determine the movement of the vehicle relative to the tower to correct for the Doppler shift.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a motor/generator, a battery that is rechargeable using at least one of the engine and the motor/generator, and a powertrain control module (PCM) includes determining a current location of the vehicle as a starting point of a preferred route, recording a user-selected ending point of the preferred route, and processing route information using the PCM to thereby determine an optimally fuel efficient route for reaching the ending point. The method includes automatically executing the powertrain control strategy over the optimally fuel efficient route by substantially depleting a charge level of the battery as the vehicle travels over the optimally fuel efficient route such that the charge level of the battery is depleted when the vehicle reaches the ending point. When the ending point is not recorded, the PCM can default to a charge-sustaining mode.

Abstract: A system and method for populating a map database for a vehicle navigation system with the location and type of wireless access points that can be used to update or service wireless systems on the vehicle. The map database can be initially populated with the known wireless access points at the time of manufacture of the vehicle, and then the vehicle communications system can detect new wireless access points as the vehicle travels, which can be stored on the map database. By storing the location and type of the access points in the map database, the vehicle will know the direction of the access point relative to the vehicle, and can compensate for the Doppler shift as a result of the relative movement of the vehicle to the access point.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently updating the map database in a mobile computing system, such as a vehicle navigation system. The system includes a central server that computes changes between the latest version of a master map database and a previous version of the map database, and wirelessly transmits the changes to participating vehicles' onboard navigation systems. The navigation system stores the changes in a look-aside buffer, and a navigation processor uses the stored changes to update a base map database.

Abstract: A system and method for entering a destination into a navigation system, usually a vehicle navigation system, that uses phonetic letter families, or groups of letters which sound similar, to improve the reliability and accuracy of speech recognition. The method involves grouping each letter of the English alphabet into a family of letters which sound similar, such as A, J, and K. When a destination name is spelled by a user, each letter is recognized in terms of the phonetic letter family to which it belongs. This phonetic equivalent spelling is compared to the navigation database of street, city, and state names, which has also been converted to its phonetic equivalent spelling. If a match is found, the user is asked to confirm that this is the desired destination.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting the amount of satellite radio digital bandwidth used by allowing a vehicle to record and store songs broadcast by the satellite and then play the songs from the vehicle the next times the songs are to be broadcast. When a song is selected to be broadcast, the method determines whether a certain percentage of vehicles will have the song recorded on the vehicle, and if so, will broadcast a song code identifying the song to allow the vehicle to play the recorded song.

Abstract: A system and method for mitigating the effects of Doppler shift, multipath and/or noise for a mobile receiver, such as on a vehicle, that is receiving broadcast television signals. The vehicle may include a map database and a GPS receiver that combine to identify the location of the vehicle on the roadway. The receiver on the vehicle includes a rotatable antenna that can be either mechanically or electronically directed towards a broadcast tower that is broadcasting the signal that the vehicle wishes to receive. Therefore, multipath effects and other noise conditions can be mitigated or eliminated by more precisely directing the antenna towards the source of a signal. Further, the receiver on the vehicle can use the forward velocity of the vehicle and the direction of the broadcasting tower to determine the movement of the vehicle relative to the tower to correct for the Doppler shift.

Abstract: An on-vehicle system for identifying and reporting external conditions is presented. The system has an operator-selectable user interface to identify occurrence of an external condition, a global positioning system receiver; and, a wireless communications system. The unit may be used to assist in discovering localized roadway conditions that adversely affect safety and travel. The unit is placeable into a vehicle of a volunteer, is manually operated whenever a hazard is detected. Reportable hazards include potholes, obstacles or debris in the highway, snow or ice patches, fog, unusual traffic or pedestrian activity, and localized incidences, such as presence of disabled or emergency vehicles. Nature of the hazard is indicatable by manual activation of additional push buttons or other suitable devices. A GPS receiver is incorporated to estimate position, speed, and heading of the hazard. The information is encoded as a message sent to a central server.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a motor/generator, a battery that is rechargeable using at least one of the engine and the motor/generator, and a powertrain control module (PCM) includes determining a current location of the vehicle as a starting point of a preferred route, recording a user-selected ending point of the preferred route, and processing route information using the PCM to thereby determine an optimally fuel efficient route for reaching the ending point. The method includes automatically executing the powertrain control strategy over the optimally fuel efficient route by substantially depleting a charge level of the battery as the vehicle travels over the optimally fuel efficient route such that the charge level of the battery is depleted when the vehicle reaches the ending point. When the ending point is not recorded, the PCM can default to a charge-sustaining mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain, including recording a starting and ending point of a desired route, determining an optimally fuel efficient route, and executing a powertrain control strategy based on the route. Real-time traffic data and topographical data are continuously evaluated, and the route and powertrain control strategy are updated based on the data. A hybrid vehicle is also provided having an engine, a motor/generator, a battery, and a navigation system for receiving a route starting point and ending point. A powertrain control module (PCM) detects the battery charge and determines a powertrain strategy along an optimally fuel efficient route based on the detected charge level when the points are selected, and sustains the charge level in the absence of user-selected route points. Sensors receive real-time traffic data, and the navigation system includes topographical data for determining the optimally fuel efficient route.

Abstract: A vehicle traffic monitoring apparatus includes an imaging device; an image processing device; a global positioning device; and, a wireless communications system. The image processing device includes a computer program to process a data stream from the imaging device, to recognize individual vehicles substantially in view of the vehicle; and, quantify motion of the recognized individual vehicles. A second data stream is a signal output from the image processing device and includes code representing the recognized individual vehicles in view of the vehicle, quantified motion of the recognized vehicles; and vehicle position data from the global positioning system receiver. The wireless communications device receives the second data stream and communicates it a remote device. Localized traffic is monitored in metrics of traffic density, congestion, and, turbulence.

Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more segments of road are provided. Vehicle travel data generation and storage are provided by a data processing center, partitioning a road into a plurality of connected segments, and calculating an estimate of the time required for a probe vehicle to traverse a particular segment. The calculations are performed by a processor that may be on-board the probe vehicle, and the resulting data are transmitted to the processing center, at which they are aggregated and optionally transmitted to one or more subscriber vehicles.

Abstract: The invention includes cohort analysis as an element of an in-vehicle navigation system. As an operator makes trips from an origin to a destination, the navigation system records various route segments chosen. These choices are compared to route segments comprising a minimal time route calculated for the trip. Segments not part of the prescribed route are collected and periodically sent along with the origin and destination to a centralized server, wherein they are stored in a database. The central server also has an extensive map database that lists many attributes for each segment not generally included in an in-vehicle database. The attributes include variables pertaining to traffic flow, e.g. speed, number of lanes, lane width; topology, e.g. possible turns at endpoints; geometry, e.g. horizontal shape, vertical curvature, and super-elevation; usage, e.g. freeway, arterial, local, residential, business; and topography, e.g. buildings, trees, open-space, facilities, and stores.