Abstract: A levelness measuring system can be applied to a levelness measuring device, the device including an rail, a distance detector, and an angle detector. Both the distance detector and the angle detector are installed on the rail. The system includes a coordinate system establishing module, a distance measurement controlling module, a data fitting module, a plane equation calculating module, a first angle calculating module, an angle measurement controlling module, a second angle calculating module, and a display controlling module. A coordinate system in three dimensions is applied to an inaccessible or difficult surface such that direct contact is not required. A processor of a computer performs instructions to provide the functions of the levelness measuring system including a display.

Abstract: A method for measuring a lubricating gap between lubricated contact elements includes providing a lubricating gap between the lubricated contact elements, coupling a diagnostic signal into each of the lubricated contact elements, decoupling at least one reflection signal from the lubricated contact elements, and evaluating the diagnostic signal and the reflection signal by an evaluator. The method further includes determining the lubrication state from the evaluated signals.

Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic arrangement coupled to the shaft, where the magnetic arrangement produces a differential magnetic field comprising a plurality of diametric magnetic fields; a first magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; a second magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.

Abstract: A ball screw with tilt detector includes a screw rod, two screw nuts, a channel, a plurality of balls, and a tilt detector. The screw rod is extended along a direction of an axis. The two screw nuts are installed on the screw rod and capable of moving along the axis. The tilt detector is disposed between the two screw nuts to detect a tilt angle and a preload of the two screw nuts. The tilt detector includes a force receiving element, at least one first strain sensor, and at least one second strain sensor. The force receiving element includes a point symmetric ring-type structure, and the ring-type structure has two planes which are parallel to each other and respectively contact the two screw nuts.

Abstract: A light measurement device that maintains high measurement precision. The light measurement device includes: light source that irradiates light upon measurement object; branch part that splits transmitted light or reflected light from measurement object; phase-changing unit that changes the phase of one beam of the branched light beams; phase-fixing unit that maintains the phase of the other beam of the branched light beams; adjustment mechanism, which is provided in phase-changing unit or phase-fixing unit, for adjusting the propagation direction of light; multiplexer that causes the light emitted by each of phase-changing unit and phase-fixing unit to interfere with each other; detection unit that detects light that is interfered with by multiplexer; and control unit that controls the adjustment mechanism on the basis of the luminance values of an interference image that is detected by detection unit and adjusts the propagation direction of light in phase-changing unit or phase-fixing unit.

Abstract: A sensor system and a method of operating a sensor system including a plurality of sensors tracking a moving object in an area having known bounding surfaces. The apparatus and method calculate a time-specific position of the object based on data and sensor parameters from at least two of the plurality of sensors and determine errors between the calculated time-specific positions calculated. The method and apparatus calculate a minimum system error attributable to the at least two sensors by constraining at least one dimension in the data of the sensor used in the calculated time-specific position of the object associated with the sensor, the constraining based on an object/surface interaction, the minimum system error calculated by solving for modified sensor parameters for each sensor.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a light component in support of a light source operable to direct a beam of light onto an imaging device having an image sensor, such as a CCD or CMOS or N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS or Live MOS) sensor. The sensor can also comprise an imaging device positioned proximate to the light component and operable to receive the beam of light, and to convert this into an electric signal, wherein the light component and the imaging device are movable relative to one another, and wherein relative movement of the light component and the imaging device is determinable in multiple degrees of freedom. The sensor can also comprise a light deflecting module designed to deflect light from a light component onto the imaging device. The light sources and the resulting beams of light therefrom can comprise a number of different types, orientations, configurations to facilitate different measurable and determinable degrees of freedom by the sensor.

Abstract: Provided are a measurement support device, an endoscope system, a processor for an endoscope system, and a measurement support method capable of easily and highly accurately measuring the size of a subject. In the measurement support device related to one aspect of the invention, the position of a spot by measurement auxiliary light is measured, and information indicating the actual size of a subject is acquired on the basis of the measurement result to create and display a marker. This, there is no need for distance measurement and the measurement is easy. Additionally, by appropriately setting the inclination angle of the measurement auxiliary light, even in a case where an observation distance is short, the measurement auxiliary light can be prevented from deviating from the visual field of the imaging optical system, and the range of the observation distance can be extended.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an endoscope system capable of easily measuring the size of a subject. In an endoscope system related to one aspect of the invention, since an index figure indicating an actual size of a specific region of a test object is displayed together with an image of the subject, a user can measure the specific region easily by comparing the specific region with a marker. Since the size of the index figure is set in accordance with a spot position, there is no need for distance measurement, a device configuration is simple, and measurement can be quickly and easily performed. In addition, a specific value of the “actual size” can be set in accordance with conditions, such as the type of test object and the purposes of measurement. Additionally, an affected region can be the specific region in a case where the test object is a living body.

Abstract: A measurement device for a traction pin of a semi-trailer has a first laser scanner, a second laser scanner and an estimation module. The first laser scanner is installed at the front of a driving direction of a semi-trailer and has a scanning surface parallel to the driving direction of the semi-trailer. The second laser scanner is installed at a side of the driving direction of the semi-trailer and has a scanning surface perpendicular to the driving direction of the semi-trailer. The first laser scanner is at a distance from the ground in accordance with a first predetermined height greater than a maximum allowed height of a semi-trailer to be measured. The second laser scanner is at a distance from the ground in accordance with a second predetermined height less than the maximum allowed height so as to allow the second laser scanner to detect a traction pin of the semi-trailer.

Abstract: To provide a confocal displacement sensor capable of easily and accurately measuring displacement of a measurement object. Light having a chromatic aberration is converged by a lens unit 220 and irradiated on a measurement object S from a measurement head 200. Light having a wavelength reflected while focusing on the surface of the measurement object S passes through the optical fiber 314 in the measurement head 200. The light passed through the optical fiber 314 is guided to a spectral section 130 in a processing device 100 and spectrally dispersed. In the processing device 100, the light spectrally dispersed by the spectral section 130 is received by a light receiving section 140. A light reception signal output from the light receiving section 140 is acquired by a control section 152. The control section 152 measures displacement on the basis of the acquired light reception signal and gives the light reception signal to a PC 600 on the outside.

Abstract: An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.

Abstract: A distance information processing apparatus includes: a distance calculator configured to calculate object distances, which are distances to an object in ae depth direction, for a plurality of pixel positions on the basis of a first image signal and a second image signal, so as to calculate a distance image signal constituted by a plurality of object distances; a first confidence calculator configured to calculate a first confidence representing certainty of an object distance value in the distance image signal; and a range calculator configured to calculate a distance range, which is a range of an object distance, on the basis of the distance image signal and the first confidence.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring of performance of a mirror array of a digital scanner with a use of a lateral shearing interferometer (operated in either static or a phase-shifting condition) to either simply identify problematic pixels for further troubleshooting or measure the exact magnitude of the mirror's deformation.

Abstract: A coding disc having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is provided. The coding disc includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture penetrates the coding disc from the first surface of the coding disc to the second surface of the coding disc. The first aperture has a first width. The second aperture penetrates the coding disc from the first surface of the coding disc to the second surface of the coding disc. The second aperture has a second width. The second width of the second aperture is different from the first width of the first aperture.

Abstract: A three-dimensional data creation method for use in a vehicle including a sensor and a data receiver that transmits and receives three-dimensional data to and from an external device. The three-dimensional data creation method includes: creating second three-dimensional data based on information detected by the sensor and first three-dimensional data received by the data receiver; and transmitting, to the external device, third three-dimensional data that is part of the second three-dimensional data.

Abstract: A traverse-type measurement method for a dual-system bilateral-survey composite level (A, B) is an intelligent traverse-type measurement method for integrated three-level error control loop inspection with the dual-system bilateral survey compound level (A, B). Specifically, survey station single-instrument inspection, survey station dual-instrument cross-inspection, and multi-survey station dual-instrument cumulative cross-inspection are adopted, and the number of observations and distance between survey stations are adjusted, such that measurement error is dynamically controlled in real time, ensuring that height difference measurement of survey stations and of measurement sections meets a preset precision requirement regardless of location or time, avoiding the invalid measurements that frequently occur with traditional levels, and improving working efficiency and economic benefit of the composite level.

Abstract: A vision laser receiver having a sensing surface with a fixed geometry such that laser light received by the sensing surface will illuminate a particular section of the sensing surface and the precise elevation and/or tilt of the laser receiver will be determined from the illumination of the sensing surface.

Abstract: An aerial survey image capture system for a survey aircraft is disclosed. The system comprises a camera system arranged to capture successive images of ground beneath a survey aircraft. The camera system has associated camera parameters, and a loss of separation (LOS) avoidance system for a survey aircraft. The LOS avoidance system is arranged to determine a predicted closest point of approach (CPA) distance between the survey aircraft and the nearby aircraft based on their locations and movements, compare the CPA distance with a defined minimum separation distance corresponding to a LOS, and determine an estimate for at least one navigation parameter of the survey aircraft required for the CPA distance to remain above the defined minimum separation distance. The system is further arranged to modify camera system parameters so as to at least partially compensate for a change in survey efficiency when the estimated at least one navigation parameter is used to navigate the survey aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of electronic notifications relating to ocean waves. Embodiments include frameworks and methodologies configured to enable real-time location-specific determination of recreationally relevant wave characteristic data, including (bot not limited to) generation and delivery of location-specific ocean wave notifications. Embodiments include, by way of example, technology for providing real-time location-specific determination of recreationally relevant wave characteristic data, portable and/or wearable devices configured to deliver notifications in respect of approaching waves, wave monitoring devices and frameworks configured to enable generation of alert notifications for surfers, rock fishers and other recreational users, and generation and delivery of location-specific ocean wave data, including visual data for event broadcasts.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for controlling a vibration device includes a movable body capable of vibrating in a first direction, and a catch and release mechanism capable of catching the movable body that freely vibrates in the first direction, by an electrostatic attractive force, and releasing the caught movable body to freely vibrate the movable body in the first direction, wherein in a condition that tc is a time from a rise start time point to a rise end time point of an applied voltage for catching the movable body that freely vibrates in the first direction, by the electrostatic attractive force, and td is a period of the free vibration in the first direction of the movable body, the time tc is longer than the time td.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a substrate, a sensor element disposed on the substrate, and a conductor portion disposed on the substrate, and formed with the same material as that of the sensor element. In addition, the sensor element includes a moving structure that can be displaced with respect to the substrate, and a first fixed structure fixed on the substrate, and separated from the moving structure. In addition, the conductor portion includes a first conductor portion electrically connected to the moving structure and a second conductor portion disposed by being separated from the first conductor portion, and electrically connected to the first fixed structure. Accordingly, separated distance between the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion is smaller than a minimum gap in the sensor element.

Abstract: A system, comprising a clock generating a timing signal, a magnetometer coupled to the clock and configured to receive the timing signal and to generate first heading data and a gyroscope coupled to the clock and configured to receive the timing signal and to generate second heading data. The system further includes a first adder coupled to the magnetometer and gyroscope and configured to determine a difference signal as a function of the first heading data and the second heading data and a constrain data system coupled to the first adder and configured to apply a limit to the difference signal. A combine delta system is coupled to the constrain data system and configured to combine two or more of the constrained data values to generate a combined delta signal, and a second adder coupled to the gyroscope and the combine delta system and configured to add the combined delta signal to the second heading data.

Abstract: A binocular vision localization method, device and system are provided. The method includes calculating first pose change information according to two frames of images collected by a binocular camera unit at two consecutive moments and calculating second pose change information according to inertia parameters collected by an inertial measurement unit between the two consecutive moments. Matched feature points in the two frames are extracted from the two frames respectively. A reprojection error of each feature point is calculated. The calculations are taken as nodes or edges of a general graph optimization algorithm to acquire optimized third pose change information for localization. The system includes a binocular vision localization device, and a binocular camera unit and an inertial measurement unit respectively connected thereto, a left-eye camera and a right-eye camera are symmetrically located on two sides of the inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: A return-to-harbor notifying device is provided, which may include a user interface and processing circuitry. The user interface may receive an information related to a planned time of arrival at a home harbor that is a location to which a ship returns. The processing circuitry may generate a traveling route upon returning to the harbor, calculate a required time for traveling from a current location of the ship to the home harbor based on the traveling route, calculate a return-to-harbor start time of the ship based on the required time and the information related to the planned time of arrival, and notify a content based on the return-to-harbor start time.

Abstract: A traveling route generating device is provided, which may include a user interface and processing circuitry. The user interface may receive a home route that is a route on which a ship travels upon departing from a home harbor or upon returning to the home harbor, the home harbor being a location from which the ship departs. The processing circuitry may generate a traveling route between one of a destination of the ship and a current location of the ship, and a location on the home route.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for estimating an estimated time of arrival for an intended trip. The system includes at least one storage medium configured to store a machine learning model trained using historical trip data. The system further includes a processing engine configured to receive road-related data associated with an intended route of the intended trip. The intended route includes a plurality of road sections. The processing engine is further configured to determine global features of the intended route based on the road-related data. At least one global feature reflects a relationship between at least two road sections among the plurality of road sections. The processing engine is also configured to determine the estimated time of arrival based on the machine learning model and the global features of the intended route and provide the estimated time of arrival for display.

Abstract: This disclosure covers methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and systems that generate route tiles reflecting both GPS locations and map-matched locations for regions along a route traveled by a client device associated with a transportation vehicle. For example, in some implementations, the disclosed systems use an artificial neural network to analyze the route tiles and determine route-accuracy metrics indicating GPS locations or map-matched locations for particular regions along the route. The disclosed systems can then use the route-accuracy metrics to facilitate transport of requestors by, for example, determining a distance of the route or a location of a client device associated with a transportation vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to vehicle navigation maps, and more particularly to method and system for generating and updating vehicle navigation maps with features of navigation paths. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving a position of a vehicle and an environmental field of view (FOV) of the vehicle along a navigation path of the vehicle on a navigation map, extracting features of the navigation path from the environmental FOV, correlating the features with the navigation path on the navigation map based on the position, generating a features based navigation map based on the correlation, and transmitting the features based navigation map to a server of a navigation map service provider for storage and for subsequent use. The features based navigation map, when required to assist a navigation of another vehicle, may be accessed to assess the features of the navigation path and to provide the assessment to the other vehicle.

Abstract: A network system determines and remediates dissimilarities between a digital map and trace data of a road network in an area as service providers and service requesters coordinate service using the road network in the area. To determine dissimilarities the network system can select and convert a digital map, aggregate received trace data into trace data accurately representing the road network in the area, generate a visualization of the dissimilarities, and remediate the dissimilarities using a variety of methods. A first remediation method includes verifying the dissimilarity using a single service provider, a second method includes verifying the dissimilarity leveraging multiple service providers, and a third method modifies the methods used to determine dissimilarities. After remediation, the network system can generate a map of the area that accurately represents the road network in the area.

Abstract: A network system determines and remediates dissimilarities between a digital map and trace data of a road network in an area as service providers and service requesters coordinate service using the road network in the area. To determine dissimilarities the network system can select and convert a digital map, aggregate received trace data into trace data accurately representing the road network in the area, generate a visualization of the dissimilarities, and remediate the dissimilarities using a variety of methods. A first remediation method includes verifying the dissimilarity using a single service provider, a second method includes verifying the dissimilarity leveraging multiple service providers, and a third method modifies the methods used to determine dissimilarities. After remediation, the network system can generate a map of the area that accurately represents the road network in the area.

Abstract: A vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle performs localization to determine the current location of the vehicle using different localization techniques as the vehicle drives. The localization technique used by the autonomous vehicle is selected from a localization variant index that stores mapping from a driving context to localization variant, each localization variant identifying a localization technique. The driving context may comprise information including: a geographical region in which the autonomous vehicle is driving, a speed at which the autonomous vehicle is driving, an angular velocity of the autonomous vehicle, or other information. Using an optimal localization technique in each driving context improves the accuracy of localization as well as computing efficiency of the process of localization.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for determining autonomous vehicle location using incremental image analysis. An exemplary method can include identifying an expected position of an autonomous vehicle which is moving, and identifying, an actual position of the autonomous vehicle. The identifying of the actual position occurs by obtaining images of the autonomous vehicle's surroundings, initiating an iterative image comparison of those images to previously stored images within a given geographic radius of the autonomous vehicle, and iteratively extending the radius (and the pictures being compared) until a match is found or until the maximum radius is reached.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for updating an electronic map are disclosed. A method for updating an electronic map includes: acquiring a group of collected images collected by a collection entity and associated with a target map element in the electronic map, the target map element having a target image and a target location; executing inter-group matching between the group of collected images and the target image; executing intra-group matching among the group of collected images; and updating a location of a to-be-updated map element associated with the target map element based on the inter-group matching, the intra-group matching and the target location. In this way, the positioning precision of map elements can be improved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing coordinate data are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to receive coordinate data relating to a desired path and task of a vehicle. The processor of the example apparatus to determine if the coordinate data satisfies a threshold. The processor of the example apparatus to determine if the coordinate data is compatible with a positioning system of the vehicle. The processor of the example apparatus to authorize operation of the vehicle to traverse the desired path based on the coordinate data.

Abstract: A transport service system determines the accuracy of a map matched trajectory using a forward probability algorithm. A transport vehicle on a trip relays location data to the system. The system uses a map of the corresponding area and the location data to calculate an emission probability, the likelihood of a candidate road being associated with a location data point, and a transition probability, the likelihood of a second state occurring after a first state. The joint probability of the emission and transition probabilities is used to determine a total number of zero forward probability occurrences and an average forward probability associated with the trip. These metrics are used to measure the accuracy of the map matching algorithm for the trip.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may receive respective service center candidacy information from service center computers; determine that an autonomous vehicle requires service work; determine a pool of service centers that are capable of providing the service work for the autonomous vehicle; select, based at least on a reduction in a utilization of at least one resource, a service center from the pool of service centers; and provide, to the autonomous vehicle computing device associated with the autonomous vehicle, location information of the selected service center.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to generation of a safe navigation path for a vehicle. The safe navigation path is generated by a navigation path generation system. The navigation path generation system receives a reference path from a source location to a destination location. Further, generates scan lines from the reference path to the boundaries present on either side of the reference path. Further, the navigation path generation system generates segment along the boundaries. Further, using the generated segments the navigation path generation system generates a safe navigation path along the centre, between the boundaries present on either side of the reference path. Navigation of the vehicle along the safe path ensures the safety of the vehicle and the people in the vehicle especially when the vehicle is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for aiding a monitored individual with monitoring compliance.

Abstract: A method and a system for predicting traffic conditions of a geographical area are provided. A directed graph of a road network of the geographical area is generated. Position information, received from devices of corresponding vehicles that are traversing between road segments including at least first and second road segments, is located on the generated directed graph. Further, first and second times are determined based on the located position information on the generated directed graph. A traffic time of the first road segment is determined based on an average of time differences of the first and second times of each of the one or more first vehicles after filtering out a time period between the first and second times. The traffic conditions of the road network are predicted based on the determined traffic time of each of the road segments.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods to prepare for and respond to a transit disruption. In one of such embodiments, the method includes receiving an indication of a transit disruption affecting a geographic region. The method also includes determining a plurality of transportation links in the geographic region and a plurality of situational transportation assets available to support the geographic region during the transit disruption. The method further includes forming a transportation network from the plurality of transportation links. The transportation network has one or more alternative transportation routes that one or more situational transportation assets of the plurality of situational transportation assets travel along to evaluate individuals. Each alternative transportation route connects one or more transportation stations to a transportation destination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for estimating travel time are provided. A request, via interface circuitry of the apparatus, is obtained to estimate the travel time of a target travel route from a starting point to an end point. The apparatus subsequently obtains, via the interface circuitry, road traffic information along the target travel route at a current time. The estimated travel time of the target travel route is calculated by processing circuitry of the apparatus according to the obtained road traffic information and historical travel data. The historical travel data includes a plurality of historical travel routes, respective road traffic information for each of the plurality of historical travel routes, and a respective actual travel time of each of the plurality of historical travel routes.

Abstract: A relationship between a relative position with respect to a section where a progressing direction changes on a route and an arrangement height is set such that the arrangement height gradually increases from zero to MaxH. Then, the arrangement height gradually decreases from MaxH to zero along the route from a point on the near side of the section where the progressing direction changes (FIGS. 3B and 3G and FIGS. 4B and 4C). When traveling in the section where the progressing direction changes, a direction mark representing the progressing direction at each point on a road surface is displayed using a heads-up display so as to overlap with a position on an upper side, by an arrangement height set based on a relative position of the point with respect to the section and a set relationship, from the point.

Abstract: A position in a left-right direction of a display position of a facility figure representing a facility is set to a position overlapping with a virtual line parallel to a traveling lane as viewed from a driver (c). A position in an up-down direction of the display position is determined to be a position overlapping with a road surface on the front side, the position separated upward by H1 from a lower end of a display area of a heads-up display when a distance L from a current position CP to a position TP of a facility is a distance ThL (b1), to be a position separated by H4 (H4<h1) when the distance L is zero, and such that distances H2 and H3 separated upward from the lower end of the display area gradually change from the distance H1 to the distance H4 as the distance L decreases from the distance ThL to zero (b2 and b3). The distance H1 is set such that the facility figure is displayed below a point facing the facility on the road surface on the front side when the distance L is the distance ThL.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining map data associated with a map of a geographic location including one or more roadways, the map including a first submap represented by a first local Euclidean space and a second submap represented by a second local Euclidean space. A route that includes a first roadway in the first submap and a second roadway in the second submap is determined using a first projection between a global coordinate system and the first local Euclidean space and a second projection between the global coordinate system and the second local Euclidean space. The route is provided to an autonomous vehicle (AV) for driving on the first roadway and the second roadway.

Abstract: Route guidance using less client device power and bandwidth is enabled by automatically selecting portions of a map to display with higher and lower levels of detail. An origin location and destination location are displayed at a higher level of detail, while portions between origin and destination are displayed at a lower level of detail. A user of a transportation service may request a ride, specifying her pickup location and destination locations using a map rendered at a higher level of detail. While waiting for pickup, and while en route to the destination location, the user may consult a map that is rendered at a lower level of detail. When multiple users participate as riders in a transportation service, sharing a common driver but each having different pickup and drop off locations, portions of a map may be rendered differently for each user.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles based on an analysis of input component data obtained from the navigation-enabled devices. The navigation system scores the input component data to obtain a measure of frustration (e.g., a feeling of being upset or annoyed) of the user of the navigation-enabled device. The navigation system may provide a detour suggestion for display on the navigation-enabled device to persuade the user of the device to direct their vehicle to depart from its current location or route in an effort to remove the vehicle from traffic, and thereby reduce the frustration level of the user. The detour suggestion may include an alternative route to the original destination, or an alternative destination.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus for improved navigation notification based on localized traffic flow. A navigation system may comprise a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor, coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The processor may be configured to determine a current lane position of the first vehicle, determine a target lane position for the first vehicle as a function of a navigation event point, determine a distance to the navigation event point, determine an alert time based on an estimate of traffic density, and provide an alert associated with the target lane position at the alert time. The estimate of traffic density may be based on traffic conditions in lanes between the current lane position and the target lane position and the distance to the navigation event point.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a predicted wait time at a commercial point-of-interest for an estimated time-of-arrival are disclosed. An example method includes determining an estimated time-of-arrival of a vehicle at a commercial point-of-interest and obtaining current wait-time data and historical wait-time data for the estimated time-of-arrival for the commercial point-of-interest. The example method includes determining, via a processor, a predicted wait time for the estimated time-of-arrival based on the current wait-time data and the historical wait-time data and communicating the predicted wait time to a user interface of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interactive digital map of a geographic area is provided via a user interface. A request to obtain travel directions to a destination is received via the user interface. Respective indications of candidate rides for at least a portion of a route to the destination are requested from third-party providers, each of the indications including a pick-up location, a price estimate, and pick-up time. The requested indications of the candidate rides are received. A ranking of the candidate rides is determined using at least one of the corresponding pick-up locations, the price estimates, or the pick-up times, and a listing of the candidate rides is provided via the user interface in accordance with the determined ranking. In response to one of the candidate rides being selected via the user interface, a request for the selected ride is transmitted to the corresponding third-party provider.