Abstract: A method for geographic interpolation of traffic data in a vehicle navigation system in which the navigation system includes a map database divided into geographic meshes. Each mesh includes a plurality of road links of different types. That data also includes a first set of meshes containing traffic flow data while a mutually exclusive second set of meshes contains no such traffic flow data. A border between the first and second set of meshes is first identified and thereafter a blend zone of blend meshes is created by selecting at least one mesh adjacent the border so that the blend mesh is interposed between the first and second set of meshes. Thereafter, the traffic data for each type of road link in the blend mesh is adjusted to a value intermediate the first and second set of adjacent meshes for each type of road link and the blend mesh data is then stored.

Abstract: A route selection method for a vehicular navigation system in which at least two popular routes are identified between an origin and a destination, each of which contains at least one road link. For each identified route, a complex array from time t0 to time tn is formed where t0 represents the departure time from the origin and time tn represents the arrival time at the destination. The altitudes at each time ti form the road components of the complex array while distances at times t0-tn form the imaginary components of the complex array. A power spectral density is then calculated and, for an internal combustion engine vehicle, the power spectral density having diffuse high frequency components is selected as the route and vice versa for a hybrid or all-electric vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system having a processor having access to a map database. An input device enters the destination to the processor and the processor, using data from the map database, calculates a preferred route to the destination. That preferred route is then displayed on a video display. The map database includes a road link database as well as an intersection database which is separate from the road link database which enables a destination to be entered to the input device by an intersection.

Abstract: A method and system to estimate vehicle traffic conditions for use in a vehicle navigation system. The system includes a cellular network which receives position data from a plurality of GPS enabled cellular telephones. A processor in the cellular network is programmed to estimate the traffic conditions or density of traffic on at least one road link based upon the received position data while a transmitter at the base station then transmits that estimated traffic condition to automotive vehicles containing navigation systems. A processor in the navigation system then utilizes the estimated traffic conditions for route and/or arrival time calculations.

Abstract: A method for displaying waypoint information on the screen of a vehicle navigation system. The method includes the steps of displaying a route on the screen and inputting criteria which identify desired waypoints along the route as well as the desired time to reach the waypoint. The location of the desired waypoint along the route as a function of the desired time to reach the waypoint in traffic conditions is determined and that waypoint information is displayed on the screen. The method optionally utilizes two-way communication between the navigation system and waypoint content providers.

Abstract: A method for determining a preferred route of road links between an origin and a destination in a vehicle navigation system. A boundary is established the origin and a destination and real time road link data is acquired for road links between the origin and the boundary. Similarly, road link data from a statistical database is retrieved from a road link database for road links between the boundary and the destination. The preferred route between the origin and the destination is then calculated as a function of both said real time road link data and statistical road link data and the calculated route is displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A method for geographic interpolation of traffic data in a vehicle navigation system in which the navigation system includes a map database divided into geographic meshes. Each mesh includes a plurality of road links of different types. That data also includes a first set of meshes containing traffic flow data while a mutually exclusive second set of meshes contains no such traffic flow data. A border between the first and second set of meshes is first identified and thereafter a blend zone of blend meshes is created by selecting at least one mesh adjacent the border so that the blend mesh is interposed between the first and second set of meshes. Thereafter, the traffic data for each type of road link in the blend mesh is adjusted to a value intermediate the first and second set of adjacent meshes for each type of road link and the blend mesh data is then stored.

Abstract: In a navigation system of a vehicle having a statistical database containing travel information for a plurality of road links, a method and system for updating data contained in the statistical database. Real-time travel data for the vehicle is acquired for at least one of the road links in the statistical database as the vehicle travels between the end nodes of that road link. The acquired real-time travel data is then processed to ensure that it meets certain criteria, e.g. the absence of nonrepeating incidents. Travel data which meets that criteria is then utilized to update the road link data in the statistical database. The travel data acquisition, processing and updating of the statistical database is performed internally in the navigation system without interconnecting to external servers.

Abstract: A navigation method and system for determining a desired geographic location. An intersection is first inputted by road names after which all intersections within a predetermined geographic area are identified which correspond to the inputted intersection. In the event that the number of identified intersections exceeds a predetermined threshold, additional information is optionally inputted regarding the desired geographic location and thereafter the identified locations are searched to determine the desired geographic location by utilizing the additional information.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system for use with a traffic information broadcast system which transmits traffic data relating to primary road segments and a communication system which transmits traffic data relating to road segments in a local geographic area. A broadcast receiver receives the broadcast traffic data from the broadcast system and stores the received data. A communication transmitter, when activated, transmits a data request to the communication system. A communication receiver receives the local traffic data from the communication system in response to the data request while a processor displays traffic information on a display screen corresponding to the received broadcast traffic data and the received local traffic data. The local traffic data includes both traffic information relating to local road segments as well as non-traffic temporal events, such as weather, and time-related events which affect traffic flow.

Abstract: A method for displaying waypoint information on the screen of a vehicle navigation system. The method includes the steps of displaying a route on the screen and inputting criteria which identify desired waypoints along the route as well as the desired time to reach the waypoint. The location of the desired waypoint along the route as a function of the desired time to reach the waypoint in traffic conditions is determined and that waypoint information is displayed on the screen. The method optionally utilizes two-way communication between the navigation system and waypoint content providers.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system for use with a traffic information broadcast system which transmits traffic data relating to primary road segments and a communication system which transmits traffic data relating to road segments in a local geographic area. A broadcast receiver receives the broadcast traffic data from the broadcast system and stores the received data. A communication transmitter, when activated, transmits a data request to the communication system. A communication receiver receives the local traffic data from the communication system in response to the data request while a processor displays traffic information on a display screen corresponding to the received broadcast traffic data and the received local traffic data. The local traffic data includes both traffic information relating to local road segments as well as non-traffic temporal events, such as weather, and time-related events which affect traffic flow.