Abstract: A method for providing weather information to a user is provided. The method includes steps of receiving a gridded forecast and receiving a user request for weather information for a location of interest within the gridded forecast. The method further includes steps of determining if updated sensor data is available for local grid points located proximate the location of interest. If updated sensor data is available, the method updates latest observation-based conditions at the local grid points. The method further includes a step of updating the weather information based on the updated sensor data and the gridded forecast.

Abstract: The present automated vehicle travel path determination system which computes a travel path for a vehicle from an origination point to a destination point based on the operating characteristics of the vehicle as well as phenomena extant in the multidimensional space, which phenomena have an impact on the cost of operation of the vehicle. This vehicle travel path determination system can concurrently consider a plurality of vehicle operating characteristics in selecting the travel path. The travel path is optimized for a weighted selection of a number of cost factors, which weighted selection represents a desired combination of cost factors for the operation of this particular vehicle. This vehicle travel path determination system also considers the time varying nature of the phenomena that exist within the multidimensional space and the impact these time varying phenomena have on the vehicle as it traverses the travel path.

Abstract: The virtual reality imaging system takes a multidimensional space that contains real world objects and phenomena, be they static or dynamic in nature, and enables a user to define a point in and/or a path through this multidimensional space. The apparatus then displays the view to the user that would be seen from the point in and/or path through the multidimensional space. This view is filtered through user definable characteristics that refine the real world phenomena and objects to a perspective that is of interest to the user. This filtered view presents the user with a virtual view of the reality contained within this multidimensional space, which virtual reality presents data to the user of only objects, views and phenomena that are of particular interest to the user.