Abstract: A real-time vehicular traffic flow display system employs groups of monitor stations positioned at spaced-apart locations along vehicular roadways, to sense the speed of traffic flow on a given portion of a route. Individual section stations each serve a sequential group of different monitor stations. Each monitor station senses the speed of vehicular traffic a given road portion and transmits corresponding information to an associated section station; each section station processes the received signals, and transmits them to display stations on board vehicles in addition to sending the signals to an optional geographic area central station. The signals transmitted to vehicles present information concerning traffic speed for each monitored portion of a road in addition to identifying the road portion; traffic speed information is processed to identify predetermined ranges of average speed in selected colors.

Abstract: The invention relates to navigation systems for motor vehicles, in which route planning information is output via a monitor (3). Data records containing map data are stored in a storage element (5). According to the invention, the storage element (5) stores information regarding traffic restrictions which is part of a data record of the map data, and the traffic restrictions relevant to the ascertained vehicle position can additionally be displayed on the monitor (3). Furthermore, in one specific embodiment, time restrictions for traffic restrictions are likewise stored and only the traffic restrictions which are applicable at the present time are displayed.

Abstract: The information provision system includes a terminal having a current position measurement section and a communications controller, which intermittently transmits information on the current position measured, a terminal position management section for managing the position of the terminal based on the current position information received, an accident/disaster information management section for collecting information on an accident or a disaster and managing the information according to occurrence location and time of the accidents, an warning information generator for generating warning information from the information on the accidents, an warning terminal identification section for identifying a terminal positioned in the neighborhood of the location of the accidents, and an warning transmitter for transmitting warning information to the identified terminal. The system prevents user who carries a terminal from sustaining a possible damage caused by the accidents.

Abstract: A map information update system has: a map display control apparatus; and a map information update apparatus. The map display control apparatus includes a map display control unit, a communication control unit, a map information transmission unit and a map information reception unit. The map display control unit controls the display device so as to update the map displayed on the display device based upon the updated information related to the map. The map information update apparatus includes a communication control unit, a map information update reception unit, a map display update data base unit, and an updated map information transmission unit that transmits information related to the map updated by the map information update unit to the map display control apparatus via the communication control unit.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for managing traffic-relevant events in a vehicle-based navigation system. A traffic information database, which can be updated by the driver in particular through prioritized driver queries initiated by the system concerning the traffic situation is managed in the navigation system. Thus observations made by the driver during his trip can be stored in the database as traffic information and used for updated route planning.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data packets between motor vehicles includes transmitting individual data packets including vehicle data and generation data for the individual data packets. Other motor vehicles may combine the individual data packets into combined data packets and transmit them. The data packets may include fields, each of which may include data-packet generation data and vehicle data. To allow processing to be performed in the transmitting/receiving stations in motor vehicles. Permanently installed radio stations allow a main station to supply information columns at clearly defined points with traffic information to inform users outside of the roads.

Abstract: A display method and apparatus for a navigation system for receiving traffic information and displaying traffic incidents in a manner easily and quickly comprehensible by a user of the navigation system. The navigation system applies various criteria to the traffic incidents and the route to the destination and determines an order of displaying the traffic incidents in accordance with the degrees of severity to the driving to the intended or calculated route to the destination. In other aspect, instead of assigning the listing order, colors are assigned to the traffic incident icons based on the degrees of severity.

Abstract: The method of transmitting traffic information about a traffic obstruction on a traffic way with digital coded messages includes coding a coded location contained in a location data bank, which amounts to an approximate position of the traffic obstruction on the traffic way, and a section part of the traffic way between the coded location and an actual position of the traffic obstruction on the traffic way in a traffic message and then transmitting the traffic message. In addition the length of the traffic obstruction can be included in the traffic message. In a preferred embodiment the traffic message is a TMC traffic message coded with ALERT-C protocol. In which the section part is coded in label 12 and the length in label 2.

Abstract: System and methods for determining and disseminating current traffic information and/or route information are presented. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, traffic condition information is collected from mobile units that provide their location or position information. The traffic condition may be determined, for example, based on the difference between the velocity of each mobile unit and the speed limit corresponding to their location. Furthermore, the fastest routes between two locations may be determined and provided based on historical and/or current conditions and provided to a mobile unit. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, route information may be utilized to determine whether a mobile unit (e.g., associated with a vehicle) is allowed or prohibited from traveling along a certain route.

Abstract: There is provided a navigation system using a wireless communication system and a route guidance method thereof. In the navigation system, an information center searches out an optimum route between a present vehicle position and a destination referring to map data in its map database and generates route guidance data. A navigation terminal inside the vehicle calculates the present position of the vehicle, transmits the vehicle's current position information to the information center, receives the route guidance data, and announces a notification message. A wireless communication network connects the information center to the navigation terminal wirelessly.

Abstract: A navigation system displays different colors on sections of a travel route according to traffic density. A method for controlling a traffic information display in the navigation system includes the steps of: if a traveling route is received from a user of a moving object, displaying and guiding a corresponding travel route; determining whether or not traffic density information is requested during travel of the moving object; if the traffic density information is requested, receiving the traffic density information of the travel route from a traffic information center and searching for a predetermined color stored in a storage unit based on the received traffic density information; and displaying the predetermined color on the corresponding section of the travel route.

Abstract: The invention provides real time information on the flow of vehicles on all roads within territorial boundaries, utilizing GPS enabled cell phones or similar mobile devices as traffic probes. The resulting information is submitted to subscribers, as described infra, and used in multiple applications including, but not limited to, real time vehicle routing; emergency vehicle routing; roadside emergency services requirements indication; traffic management; public agency notification of reduced vehicle flow on roadways; and real time as well as historical flow patterns to agencies responsible for maintaining or designing roads for optimum traffic flow.

Abstract: A traffic alert system. The system includes a database having stored thereon a profile relating to a user of a mobile device. The system also includes a server, wherein the server is configured to receive traffic information relating to a route and location information relating to the mobile device, and wherein the server is configured to send a traffic alert to the mobile device when the traffic information and the location information indicate that the mobile device is traveling toward traffic congestion.

Abstract: A method for providing traffic information concerning one or more specific sections of a route to a traveler includes the steps of generating a bundle of traffic advisory messages for the traveler when an event relevant to the traffic situation has occurred in an affected section of the highway, wherein each of the traffic advisory messages present in the bundle of traffic advisory messages describes the traffic-relevant event in question at a different time within a defined interval and selecting a relevant message from the bundle of traffic advisory messages which is valid at a time relevant to the traveler.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to determine a primary route between two locations by monitor vehicle speed using transmitting wireless devices. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving information associated with traffic conditions on a route from a starting location to a destination location; determining a primary route from the starting location to the destination location; determining an average speed of vehicles along portions of the primary route from signals received from wireless transmitters transmitting from the vehicles; identifying one or more delayed portions of the primary route at which the average speed is less than a respective predetermined speed; and displaying the primary route including indicia of the one or more identified delayed portions. The wireless device may include a cellular phone and a personal digital assistant.

Abstract: Traffic information by a deformed map is efficiently produced from traffic information made of “road geometry data” and “event location data.” The association between each link on a digital map and a rectangle forming an event presenting unit on the deformed map is set in advance and held by a deformed map data portion 25. Map matching between received road geometry data and digital map data is carried out by a map matching portion 22, a road section on the digital map is specified, a link on the digital map corresponding to the location of an event is specified based on received event information data and the digital map data 23 for said road section, and a rectangle to represent event information based on the event information data on the deformed map is determined based on the previously set association for the link. In this way, level 2 traffic information can efficiently be produced based on the “road geometry data” and “event location data.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining length, area, and/or volume using a distance measuring device 10 includes a transmit unit 18 and a receive unit 20 in one housing, a keypad 28 for operating the measuring device 10, and an integrated computer 22 for evaluating measured data, and a display panel 26 for displaying the measurement results. The display panel 26 of the measuring device 10—after the operator selects a desired measurement mode by pressing just one button 32 on the keypad 28—uses an icon-based graphic display to indicate which of the individual measurements required to determine the desired measurement variable has yet to be carried out.

Abstract: A vehicular traffic monitoring system communicates with a plurality of mobile communication devices carried in moving vehicles and capable of determining their respective geographic positions and velocities. A data collector receives data samples from the plurality of mobile communication devices, each data sample comprising instantaneous location and velocity information of a respective mobile telephone at a respective time. A road segment identifier is coupled to the data at the collector for matching data samples wherein a respective instantaneous location corresponds to one of a plurality of road segments monitored by the traffic monitoring system. A sliding average calculator coupled to the road segment identifier determines an average speed corresponding to matched data samples for a particular one of the road segments in response to a predetermined sliding window.

Abstract: A navigation method and system for guiding a user to a destination while providing area-specific information useful for guiding and warning the user such as local traffic laws, driving conditions, traffic customs, weather conditions, etc. that is specifically tailored for each user. The area-specific information is customized for a user in order to give the area-specific information to the user that is most relevant to that particular user. The navigation system informs the user of the area-specific information that is different from that of the user's home area or the information specific to the calculated route to the destination or unique to the current location of the user. Further, the navigation system customizes the calculated route such that driving conditions and situations that are unfamiliar to the user will be minimized.

Abstract: A device for the radio-transmission of a hazard warning to the driver of a motor vehicle includes a data transmission device for transmitting and receiving data. The data transmission device exchanges data with data transmission devices of other motor vehicles, including data to warn other motor vehicles of the hazard, evaluates received data and outputs warning signals to the driver when a hazard is detected. The transmitted data includes information on the position, speed and direction of travel of the transmitting motor vehicle, as well as the type of road on which the transmitting motor vehicle is moving. The information on the position, the type of road and the direction of travel is generated by a navigation system. A warning zone around the current position of the transmitting vehicle is calculated by a computer unit and emitted by means of the data transmission device.

Abstract: A mobile communications device comprising a location sensing system, producing a location output; a memory, storing a set of locations and associated events; a telecommunications device, communicating event and location information between a remote system and said memory; and a processor, processing said location output in conjunction with said stored locations and associated events in said memory, to determine a priority thereof.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which route mapping for vehicles is determined between starting and destination points designated by an operator. Selected mapping is determined in accordance with operator selected travel-related criteria and augmented with traffic-related information. In one embodiment, after an initial route is set, the route is automatically updated whenever the vehicle strays from the set course, or whenever there is a change detected in related traffic conditions, or whenever subsequent changed travel points are input by the operator. The travel route and other related messaging may be conveyed to the operator by audio and/or visual means onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system for finding an optimum route to the destination using traffic incidents information provides a novel approach to enable a user easily and quickly to select which incidents should be avoided. In the system, the user reviews the latest incident information through a wireless communication device. Besides the basic information, the user can grasp and review the images of incidents. The user can easily identify the important traffic incidents because the system can display only the traffic incidents on the calculated route as well as all the traffic incidents in the converged area. The user can select the incident to receive more detailed information or to avoid it on the route to the destination. The system calculates a new optimum route to avoid the specified traffic incidents.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for guiding a traffic information in a navigation system, in which a user of a moving object directly selects and provides traffic conditions changing on a current traveling road in real time. Additionally, the user can receive the traffic conditions. The method for guiding the traffic information in the navigation system includes the steps of: displaying a traveling route on a screen; determining whether a current mode is a traffic condition input mode while a moving object travels; if the current mode is the traffic condition input mode, displaying a current traffic condition on a screen in order for a selection; checking whether or not the current traffic condition is selected on the displayed screen; and if the traffic condition is selected, transmitting a traffic information message to a traffic information center, the traffic information message including the selected traffic condition, a current position and a current velocity.

Abstract: A navigation system utilizing a paging channel of a mobile communication service for a navigation apparatus including a mobile communication function is disclosed, which comprises: a BSC-based traffic server for periodically extracting/synthesizing traffic information in an area of a BSC, and then transmitting the traffic information of a peripheral area including the BSC; and a BSC for inserting the traffic information received from the BSC-based traffic server into the paging channel for a mobile communication terminal, and then transmitting it. In the navigation system, traffic conditions information in a corresponding area is transmitted by means of a paging channel, thereby utilizing real time traffic information while maintaining the architecture of the existing mobile communication network without an additional apparatus and communication cost.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation device comprising a central processing unit (100) and a memory medium (130) with a digitized map is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: inputting a route with start and target coordinates that can be selected on the map; receiving traffic jam data via an external source (140); displaying a calculated route and the respective traffic jam data; and editing said traffic jam data. In the case of acceptance of a traffic jam a possible bypass of the corresponding route section is calculated and displayed, and in the case of non-acceptance the calculated route section is maintained.

Abstract: A real-time vehicular traffic flow display system employs groups of monitor stations positioned at spaced-apart locations along vehicular roadways, to sense the speed of traffic flow on a given portion of a route. Individual section stations each serve a sequential group of different monitor stations. Each monitor station senses the speed of vehicular traffic a given road portion and transmits corresponding information to an associated section station; each section station processes the received signals, and transmits them to display stations on board vehicles in addition to sending the signals to an optional geographic area central station. The signals transmitted to vehicles present information concerning traffic speed for each monitored portion of a road in addition to identifying the road portion; traffic speed information is processed to identify predetermined ranges of average speed in selected colors.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting a driver of an automobile to a traffic condition. The system comprises at least one camera having a field of view and facing in the forward direction of the automobile. The camera captures images of the field of view in front of the automobile. A control unit receives images of the field of view from the camera and identifies objects therein of a predetermined type. The control unit analyzes the object images of at least one predetermined type to determine whether one or more of the identified objects present a condition that requires the driver's response. A display receives control signals from the control unit regarding the one or more of the objects that present a condition that requires the driver's response. The display displays an image of the object to the driver that is positioned and scaled so that it overlays the actual object as seen by the driver, the displayed image of the object enhancing a feature of the actual object to alert the driver.

Abstract: A travel information system broadcasts a stream of traffic event information relative to a given road network and a information collecting devices carried in vehicles travelling within the road network each filter among the stream of traffic event information to display only those traffic events relative to a selected travel route of the host vehicle. Each stored travel route is defined by placing the information device in a learn mode to collect a sequence of current vehicle position values during travel along the route. The information device need not include a costly and difficult to maintain large scale database representing the road network. The device thereby constructs and maintains a collection of frequent travel routes specific to the vehicle carrying the device and need not be updated to reflect changes in the road network, but rather allows the user to simply redefine the stored travel routes in light of current road usage and route selection.

Abstract: An information distribution center constantly obtains the latest traffic information from a traffic information center. A user registers one or more routes at the information distribution center in advance. A navigation apparatus accesses the information distribution center using a mobile communication device to request distribution of traffic information relating to a route registered at the information distribution center. In response to the request from the navigation apparatus, the information distribution center sends traffic information relating to the relevant route to the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a position and a shape on a digital map with a small amount of data. The transmitting side transmits road shape information to specify the target road section on a digital map and event information to specify an event position by using a relative position in the target road section. The receiving side performs map matching based on the road shape information to identify the target road section and identifies the event position in the target road section based on the event information. The transmitting side intermittently selects nodes included in the target road section to include the coordinate data of the nodes in the road shape information for transmission. The receiving side performs map matching to determine the positions of the nodes included in the road shape information and obtains the road connecting the nodes by way of a route search to identify the target road section.

Abstract: A route search location determining section (12d) of a mobile body (10) decides whether to conduct a route search at the mobile body (10) or to request the route search to an information center (30) based on various conditions such as priorities and how old the map data version is. In this manner, effective search can be conducted using two distinct route searching devices. Also, a current position calculating section (12a) can execute map matching by adding route data obtained from the information center (30) as a map matching candidate.

Abstract: A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitting the signal. A receiver receives the signals from the traffic monitors. A computer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to the network. The computer system in response to a request signal received from one of the users transmits in response thereto information representative of the signals transmitted by the traffic monitoring units. Alternative systems for gathering traffic information are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provides a user with road traffic information using teletext broadcast data. The apparatus extracts ID information of a unit road contained in a prescribed range from electronic map data using a GPS signal and an electronic map DB signal, selects road traffic information corresponding to the extracted unit road ID information from all the road traffic information, contained in digital teletext broadcast data, for every unit road of an overall road network, and informs the user of the selected road traffic information.

Abstract: To ensure that of all information transmitted through broadcast communications, only the information corresponding to the traveling route of a mobile body will be efficiently displayed at the information terminal of a car navigation system or the like, the information terminal is provided with: a means for receiving the spot or area information being transmitted, and receiving information that has been linked to the spot or area information being transmitted, a means for judging whether the spot or area information that has been received above is included in part of the spot or area information corresponding to the traveling route of the mobile body, and storage media for retaining the received spot or area information that the above-mentioned judgment means has judged to be included in the spot or area information corresponding to the traveling route of the mobile body.

Abstract: A route guidance system for vehicles comprises central computing apparatus (6), transmitting apparatus (1) by way of which the central computing apparatus (6) is informed of the positions of respective vehicles on a road network and by way of which the vehicles are supplied with route guidance data calculated by the central computing apparatus as to the best routes for the respective vehicles to take to respective desired destinations, the transmitting apparatus (1) including transmitting devices (4) for carrying by the respective vehicles and by way of which the central computing apparatus (6) is informed as to the desired destinations, computing apparatus (8) serving to inform the central computing apparatus (6) as to traffic congestion on the network, and speech synthesisers (4) for carrying by the respective vehicles and arranged to speak instructions to the drivers of respective vehicles as to the routes to be taken to their respective desired destinations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring vehicular traffic flow in a road network 1 in an area served by a mobile telecommunications device network 7 having a call management system 10 provided with a mobile telecommunications device positioning system 11 providing positional data for active mobile telecommunications devices 12. The method comprises capturing geographical positioning data for individual active devices carried aboard vehicles 12 and converting these into probability vectors representing the likelihood of the vehicle having arrived at any of the possible road components 16 of the road network 7 compatible with the geographical positional data. As the vehicle 12 travels along, this process is repeated and new probability vectors constructed based on the probability of any of the available routes between the new probability vector road component position and the immediately preceding probability vector road component position.

Abstract: A road information transmitter, its method, its program and a road information receiver, its method, its program capable of reducing the data-transmission amount of road information are provided, wherein it is not necessary to have the newest database corresponding to the VICS link. The road information receiver 5 to receive the road information transmitter 3 for transmitting the road information containing traffic data showing location data for showing the position of a road, and traffic data for showing traffic condition of the road, wherein the road information transmitter 3 includes traffic data collection part 7, element coordinates records department 9, encoding part 11, modulation part 13, and transmitter 15, wherein the road information receiver 5 includes receiving part 17, demodulation part 19, decoding part 21, map coordinates data records department 23, road specification processing part 25, and traffic data-processing part 27.

Abstract: An information management center 20 transmits second probe information managed by the information management center 20 to an on-vehicle system 10 on the condition that the information management center 20 is provided with first probe information collected by the on-vehicle system 10. The on-vehicle system 10 transmits user ID information to the information management center 20 together with the first probe information only when it is judged that a user has an intention of transmitting the user ID information. The information management center 10 gives a discount point for a use fee of the second probe information only when the information management center 10 receives the user ID information together with the first probe information. Thus, information can be collected from a greater number of mobile terminals.

Abstract: In a vehicle equipped with a dedicated short-range two-way communications system to acquire and otherwise participate in a roadway information service, method and apparatus are provided to detect (301) an absence of the availability of such a service and to respond by substituting (302) roadway information from other sources and to provide notice (303) to the driver regarding the absence of realtime service information and/or the present use of substituted roadway information.

Abstract: A method and system for providing personalized traffic alerts to a user by automatic processing of vehicle position and traffic alert conditions. The system employs at least one user portion and a server portion, wherein the server portion provides the user portion with traffic alert information. The user portion comprises a receiver, a position locator, a processor, a memory storage area, and an output device. The processor calculates the vehicle trajectory and in addition, the processor can predict the vehicle route based on the calculated vehicle trajectory, and historical routes in the memory storage area. The processor also correlates relevant traffic alerts by comparing the traffic alert information with the calculated vehicle trajectory or the predicted vehicle route.

Abstract: A method and system for vehicle hazard warning and safety integrated with an onboard navigational system for providing a current geographical location of the vehicle to a base station, receiving an event signal from the vehicle at the base station, while the vehicle is proximate to the current geographic location associating the geographic location with the event signal to determine that the vehicle is distressed, and transmitting hazard information from the base station to the vehicle in response to such association. The association may be based upon directional information which is provided by the vehicle. A control signal is transmitted to the vehicle and the hazard lights of the vehicle are automatically activated in response to receipt of that control signal. Navigational assistance can also be presented to the vehicle.

Abstract: A traffic environment recognition system includes an image-processing unit, an information-merging unit, a radar unit, and a network connected to the image-processing unit, the radar unit, the information-merging unit and a vehicle control unit capable of controlling the traveling operation of a host vehicle. The image-processing unit recognizes headway distance, the azimuth, relative speed and width of the preceding vehicle, and the position of the host vehicle in a lane. The radar unit recognizes headway distance, the azimuth and relative speed of the preceding vehicle. The information-merging unit receives recognition results provided by the image-processing unit and the radar unit through the network, merges the recognition results, identifies recognition objects relating to the recognition results.

Abstract: In a method of transmitting digitally encoded traffic messages, the traffic messages being transmitted according to a standardized structure, in particular according to the TMC method, where a header precedes the digitally encoded traffic messages, and the digitally encoded traffic message is followed by at least one additional item of information, and one of these items of information contains a place description, the additional information is divided into classes, each class having a class identifier and at least one packet. One class contains presentation data.