Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.

Abstract: An in-vehicle communication system is disclosed. The in-vehicle communication system is configured to connect a short range wireless communication link between an in-vehicle apparatus and a portable device, and predicts a battery level threshold reach time, which is a time when a battery level of a battery of the portable device reaches below a threshold. When it is determined that the battery level threshold reach time is prior to a vehicle travel end time, the in-vehicle communication system notifies the passenger of prompt battery charge information to prompt the passenger to charge the battery of the portable device.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for calculating a quantity for a route segment extending between two points on a digital map, the points corresponding to two geographical locations, the quantity representing a distance between the two geographical locations or an estimated time for travelling between the two geographical locations, the method comprising; determining a base quantity for the route segment, determining a first parameter corresponding to a first condition between the two geographical locations, determining a second parameter corresponding to a second condition between the two geographical locations, determining an additional quantity based on the first parameter and the second parameter such that the influence of the second parameter on the size of the additional quantity depends on the first parameter, calculating a modified quantity for the route segment based on the base quantity and the additional quantity, and generating a signal based on the modified quantity.

Abstract: System for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined. The system includes an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services. A requirements engine determines an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station and outputs a data element indicative of a requirement to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time. A scheduler receives expiry times data and processes the expiry times data for determining an order for servicing the location requests.

Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The system and method can be for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a network server and a plurality of mobile devices that communicate with the network server. Each mobile device is associated with a vehicle and is configured to provide Global Positioning System (GPS) parameters to the network server. The network server uses the GPS parameters to detect traffic congestion in a zone.

Abstract: A method of receiving information for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes retrieving stored traffic information from a database and determining a communication period for receiving current traffic information from a service provider based on the stored traffic information. The method also includes receiving current traffic information simultaneously with other non-traffic information when the non-traffic information is being requested in order to limit the number of instances of communication with the service provider.

Abstract: A collision warning system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The collision warning system includes a first mode and a second mode. The system operates in the first mode when the motor vehicle has right of way. The system operates in the second mode where the motor vehicle does not have right of way.

Abstract: A driver alert apparatus and related systems. The driver alert apparatus includes a controller and a wireless receiver connected to the controller and configured to receive data from a transmitter. The driver alert apparatus includes an at least partially transparent packaging containing the controller and receiver. The driver alert apparatus includes a speaker and visual indicator connected to be controlled by the controller, such that the speaker and visual indicator are controllably activated by the controller based on the received data.

Abstract: Mobile monitoring systems and methods are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a plurality of vehicles and a base communication station that are in communication with each other. Each of the vehicles includes a camera that generates image data, a location device that generates geographic coordinates of the vehicle, a computing device that receives the image data from the camera and the geographic coordinates of the vehicle and forms a processed image signal that includes the image data, the geographic coordinates and a time stamp, and a communication device that receives the processed image signal from the computing device and wireless transmits the processed image signal to the base communication station. The base communication station receives the processed image signal.

Abstract: A method of selecting a travel route, which includes receiving message information formed in a hierarchical structure and including traffic information, receiving a first position value and a second position value corresponding to first and second positions, searching for travel routes between the first and second positions, dividing the travel routes from the first position to the second position into a plurality of individual road links, calculating a time required to travel each road link along the travel routes from the first position to the second position based on at least one of current traffic congestion status information and prediction traffic congestion status information, and calculating a total time required to travel all of the road links for the travel routes from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: The information system concerning traffic in a road network (R) comprises a server (30) comprising: means (34) for obtaining at least one real duration (DEAB) of a run traveled by at least one vehicle (5) between two points (A, B) of the network, on the basis of information transmitted by a device (10) on board said vehicle (5); means (31) for statistically calculating, on the basis of said real durations (DRAB), an estimated duration (DEAB) for a run between two points (A, B) of the network; and means (34) for making the estimated duration (DEAB) available to at least one terminal (40, 10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to travel time determination, for example, determining a predicted travel time between locations based on historical data. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for determining a predicted amount of time required to travel from one location to another that includes dividing a region into multiple grid portions and designating each grid portion that contains at least one address of interest as a departure grid, a destination grid, or both. The method can further include generating a searchable data arrangement that includes travel times associated with traveling from selected departure grids to selected destination grids, and updating the travel times using historical data.

Abstract: An information processing unit displays a pop-up window in a display area of a display unit when the own vehicle is in an area of a set distance or less away from an extracted intersection, when the own vehicle stops, when a brake switch is ON, and when a display request for an image of traffic conditions of vehicles at the intersection by the driver is recognized. If an accelerator operation is performed in a predetermined way after the pop-up window is displayed, the display of the pop-up window is finished.

Abstract: According to a vehicular communication system (10) of the present invention, a probe information can be sent to a server (20) from a second vehicle (Q2) out of an arbitrary number of second vehicles (Q2) whose present position is located in a designated area whose information is included in a multicast received by the second vehicle (Q2), in other words, a designated area with high necessity from the viewpoint of leading smoothly a first vehicle (Q1) to a desired position (P2). Also, the probe information can be collected in real time from the second vehicle (Q2) which was present in the designated area in the past and is beyond the designated area at the present time in consideration of the high capability that it holds useful information in estimating the present state thereof in the designated area.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for siting charging stations. A mobility detection module collects traffic data from vehicle sensors distributed in an area. A map matching module maps detected traffic in the area. A vehicle flow module temporally characterizes mapped traffic flow. An electric vehicle (EV) requirements (EVR) evaluator determines an optimal number of charging stations and respective locations for siting the charging stations.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which maintenance vehicles collect information from sensors and operators, forward the collected information to a server, and, in response, receive maps and operator instructions.

Abstract: A system having a first motion sensor configured to sense movement of an object on a first side of a portal, the object including an RFID tag, a first RFID reader being activated by the first motion sensor when the first motion sensor senses movement of the object, the first RFID reader reading the RFID tag, a second motion sensor configured to sense movement of the object on a second side of the portal and a second RFID reader being activated by the second motion sensor when the second motion sensor senses movement of the object, the second RFID reader reading the RFID tag, wherein, when one of the first and second motion sensors sense movement of the object, the other one of the first and second motion sensors is deactivated for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem. The general purpose computer includes a program execution module to selectively start and stop processing of a program of equipment instructions and to generate a plurality of move commands. The real-time computer subsystem includes a move command data buffer for storing the plurality of move commands, a move module linked to the data buffer for sequentially processing the moves and calculating a required position for a mechanical joint. The real-time computer subsystem also includes a dynamic control algorithm in software communication with the move module to repeatedly calculate a required actuator activation signal from a joint position feedback signal.

Abstract: The invention may allow an in-vehicle unit of a vehicle located in a shadow portion of a large-sized vehicle and an in-vehicle unit of a vehicle at a location separated from an intersection 193 to receive traffic information. A UHF beacon unit 112 is disposed at the intersection 193, thereby distributing the traffic information using a UHF beacon signal having a diffraction characteristic. This arrangement can allow the in-vehicle unit of the vehicle located in the shadow portion of the large-sized vehicle as well to receive the traffic information. Further, since the UHF signal propagates far, this arrangement can allow the in-vehicle unit of the vehicle at the location separated from the intersection 193 as well to receive the traffic information. The UHF beacon unit 112 transmits the UHF beacon signals with the different traffic information set therein by time division and frequency division.

Abstract: A method and system for adding traffic gadgets to a traffic report is disclosed. A traffic gadget is a dynamic object defined by a relatively small code module that is separate from the main traffic report application code. A programmer develops the traffic gadget's visual functionality and specifies the type of data that the traffic gadget can receive. An artist configures the visible appearance of the traffic gadget for a specific end-user application. The end-user may then select a traffic gadget and add the selected traffic gadget to a visual traffic report. The user may also select data to control the functionality of the traffic gadget during the traffic report.

Abstract: A traveling support device includes: a road-vehicle communication portion that receives first current-signal information relating to a signal displayed by a traffic signal at a first clock time, from a road side transmitter installed on a road; an inter-vehicle communication portion that receives second current-signal information relating to a signal displayed by the traffic signal at a second clock time, from another vehicle that receives the second current-signal information from the road side transmitter; and a signal cycle estimating portion that estimates signal cycle information relating to transition of the signal on the traffic signal on the basis of the first current-signal information received by the road-vehicle communication portion and the second current-signal information received by the inter-vehicle communication portion.

Abstract: A utterance type road traffic information providing system comprises a roadside apparatus (100) installed along a road where vehicles travel, in a parking lot, or near a parking lot and adapted for transmitting alarm information by wireless communication, a utterance type vehicle-mounted device (200) adapted for receiving the alarm information by wireless communication from the roadside apparatus (100) and outputting the alarm information and mounted in the vehicle, and a administration server (300) for communicating various information with the roadside apparatus (100). The utterance type vehicle-mounted device (200) has a predetermined operating unit and a control unit. The control unit provides again a utterance type output from the beginning by sound according to the alarm information supplied from the roadside apparatus (100) when a predetermined operation of the operating unit is made. By a simple method, the alarm information is again confirmed (re-outputted).

Abstract: A traffic information generation method for generating traffic information for each link includes a vehicle speed detection step of detecting a vehicle speed at predetermined distance intervals or at predetermined time intervals using a vehicle speed sensor; and a traffic jam degree detection step of referring to a specified speed and a specified distance prescribed in association with a traffic jam degree representing a level of a traffic jam and a connection determination distance prescribed in accordance with a road type to detect the traffic jam degree corresponding to the vehicle speed. When a link length falls within a predetermined range, information on the traffic jam degree corresponding to a fastest vehicle speed within a prescribed starting point distance from a beginning of the link is allocated to the link.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services are provided. A method includes receiving information elements from a source that identify a condition, aggregating the information elements from the source with information elements from other sources that identify the same condition, and creating a composite file that includes the aggregated information elements representing each of the sources. The method also includes generating a condition alert from the composite file and transmitting the condition alert to a recipient communications device.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device (10) which receives and outputs a radio wave containing at least direction information as information includes: detection means which detects the radio wave; and control means which compares the detection direction received from the direction detection means which detects the direction of the vehicle head to the direction information so as to judge whether the information is to be outputted. Thus, it is possible to provide a vehicle-mounted device which can provide only the information required by a user, a method for outputting the information, and an information providing system.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic determination of optimal route delivery receives a point of interest location, a current vehicle location, and a date of first set of route directions from a telematics unit over a wireless network by a software application running on a navigation server. The application accesses the first set of route directions and a second set of route directions from a database located on a telematics service provider premises. Both the first and second set of route directions are between the current vehicle location and the point of interest. If there is a traffic obstacle along a route between the current vehicle location and the point of interest location and the traffic obstacle was implemented after the first set of directions, a live advisor sends a notification to a user and provides the user with an alternate method of delivering route directions over the wireless network.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of providing detailed information using a multimedia based traffic and travel information message and a terminal for executing the same. A method of providing detailed information using a multimedia based traffic in accordance with this document may comprise receiving transport protocol expert group (TPEG) information, comprising a road traffic message and a multimedia based traffic and travel information message and comprised of a hierarchical structure, displaying one or more events comprised in the road traffic message, allowing a request for detailed information about any one of the events to be input, and receiving detailed information of a multimedia type from a multimedia data providing server through specific one of bearer information comprised in the multimedia based traffic and travel information message and providing the received detailed information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of sharing event information between mobile communication devices as well as related navigational information for traveling to an event from a real-time position of a mobile communication device.

Abstract: A universal GPS traffic monitoring system that uses a plurality of GPS enabled mobile devices to transmit near real-time traffic direction and speed information to a server. The sever processes the information thereby reducing the computational load and power consumption of the mobile devices. The system uses a Traffic Pattern Recognition software program that recognizes only valid traffic data while filtering out unwanted traffic data. The system creates a Distributed Traffic Data Store database containing the average speeds for designated traffic monitoring points (TMPs) created for the region. A request for traffic data containing the boundary data and the zoom level is sent from the mobile device to the server. The server reviews the request and determines which specific Distributed Traffic Data Store database contains the information and then creates and sends a compressed file containing the traffic information relevant to the TMPs in the request to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for adding traffic gadgets to a traffic report is disclosed. A traffic gadget is a dynamic object defined by a relatively small code module that is separate from the main traffic report application code. A programmer develops the traffic gadget's visual functionality and specifies the type of data that the traffic gadget can receive. An artist configures the visible appearance of the traffic gadget for a specific end-user application. The end-user may then select a traffic gadget and add the selected traffic gadget to a visual traffic report. The user may also select data to control the functionality of the traffic gadget during the traffic report.

Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The system and method can be for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.

Abstract: A navigation device performs a route guidance based on a route from a current location to a destination, the navigation device being connected to a server for searching the route. A navigation method for the navigation device includes sending a request for searching the route to the server and receiving information on the route from the server. The method also includes measuring an elapsed time from a start of the route guidance, and performing the route guidance based on the information received. The method further includes cutting off a communication with the server and coming into a standby state, upon a determination that the elapsed time measured has reached a predetermined time and when the route is being guided or a current location is being checked, to decrease a bandwidth usage between the navigation device and the server and to reduce a communication charge associated with the bandwidth usage.

Abstract: Techniques for generating driving information based on one or more driver inputs are provided. The techniques include receiving information about one or more triggering factors from at least one of one or more internal entities and one or more external entities, using the information to generate a message about the one or more triggering factors, and sending the message to one or more additional drivers.

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 of method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes is provided. A first group of users is identified based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification. A second group of users is identified based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification. The first user classification is different from the second user classification. A disutility value is calculated for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users. A bi-level problem solver is executed to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification.

Abstract: An exemplary method provides for a wireless mobile unit an alert representing a warning that legally imposed restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles in predetermined zones. The method includes determining by a communication system if a first mobile unit is being used for wireless communications, and acquiring by the communication system the location of the first mobile unit. The communication system compares the location of the first mobile unit to locations of the predetermined zones having restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles. Upon the first mobile unit entering a warning zone that is adjacent the predetermined zone and the first mobile unit being used for wireless communications, the transmission of an alert is initiated to the first mobile unit.

Abstract: A route search device includes: a parameter calculator for calculating a parameter of each section in a route; a driving repetition information obtaining element for obtaining driving repetition information in each section from an external server; a parameter changing element for increasing a parameter of first one of the sections when a driving repetition of the first one of the sections is smaller than a first parameter threshold; and a route search element for searching the route to minimize a total of parameters of the sections in the route.

Abstract: An utterance type vehicle-mounted device (200) is mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road and provided with a communication processing unit for receiving information from a roadside apparatus (100) set on a road side and an information reproduction unit (information output unit) for outputting the information received by the communication processing unit. The utterance type vehicle-mounted device (200) further includes a user input unit that inputs the following effect of information in the case where the information received from the roadside apparatus (100) and outputted by the information reproduction unit (information output unit) is specific information to be provided to the same direction as the vehicle travels or a different direction. Thus, vehicle-mounted device, an output propriety method, a road communication system, and a program that are not made to output traffic information or the like which is not directed to its own vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing travel time information for a plurality of positions on an electronic map. The system provides map data including information on road segments, determines a plurality of road segment travel times based on the map data, selects a plurality of positions for which travel time information is to provided, determines a travel time for each of these positions in dependence on the road segment travel times, and displays an optical indicator for the travel times on an electronic map.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for telematics navigation.

Abstract: A traffic jam guide image showing traffic jam conditions of a plurality of road sections ahead of a current location of a vehicle is displayed together with a map image during a guidance of a guide route from the current location to a destination. Based on a user operation performed on a touch screen, an object road section in which a search condition is to be changed and the search condition in the object road section are set. A second guide route from the current location to the destination is searched for based on the search condition set for the object road section such that the user has only to perform a simple operation through a touch screen to automatically change the search condition and set the road section to which the changed search condition is applied.

Abstract: A method and a navigation device are disclosed for sharing at least one location message with at least one other device. The navigation device includes a receiver to determine a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, a memory to store information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, and at least one processor to correlate the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource and select a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device. The method includes determining a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, storing information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, correlating the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource, and selecting a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device.

Abstract: A navigation device has a GPRS receiver for receiving real-time information about slow traffic flow or slow average speed on a stretch of motorway, indicating congestion. The device calculates a new itinerary to avoid the congestion, based on historically recorded speeds on secondary roads weighed by the current average speed in the congestion area.

Abstract: The system contains a programmable device. At least one camera is in communication with the programmable device. The camera is directed towards at least one road. The camera provides a camera signal to the programmable device. A map of an area, which includes the road, is stored in a memory of the programmable device. A plurality of traffic influences is defined in the map. A first program on the programmable device tracks vehicles on the road utilizing the camera signal. The first program recognizes at least one obstruction and communicates with the map to identify at least one of the traffic influences behind the obstruction.

Abstract: An information distribution system includes a roadside apparatus which transmits an utterance type provided information containing audio instruction information based on a traveling direction to be provided by the utterance type provided information. When an vehicle-mounted device receives an utterance type provided information via a communication unit from the roadside apparatus, the vehicle-mounted device outputs different utterance type provided information by an audio in accordance with the audio instruction in-formation contained in the received utterance type provided information, so that a vehicle driver can judge whether the information provided from the roadside apparatus is significant information.

Abstract: Predicted traffic information of a plurality of time bands is downloaded once for a mesh area. Moreover, time band range of the predicted traffic information to be downloaded is increased as distance from current position to the mesh area increases. Furthermore, the time band range is increased for the morning and the evening. Moreover, as difference between the current time and departure time becomes larger, the time band range is increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a navigation device which performs communication with an information-providing server device. The navigation device (3) includes a communication section (11) which transmits a message to the server device for a response confirmation, and receives a response message with respect to the message from the server device; a response value obtaining section (12) which determines a time duration from a time when the message is transmitted to another time when the response message is received, and obtains a response value indicating a communication state in relation to a communication time on the basis of the determined time duration; and a communication-parameter setting section (13) which determines an optimal communication parameter on the basis of the response value obtained by the response value obtaining device, and sets the optimal communication parameter in a communication parameter in relation to a communication disconnection condition used in the navigation device (3).

Abstract: A road-vehicle communication system comprises roadside apparatuses, a center device, and a vehicle-mounted device mounted in a vehicle. The roadside apparatuses are each given identification information for identifying itself. The center device transmits to the vehicle the identification information about a first roadside apparatus installed on the road where the vehicle is traveling as first identification information via the first roadside apparatus and the identification information about a second roadside apparatus via which the vehicle is expected to travel to the destination as second identification information when the vehicle is traveling in the lane of the road where the first roadside apparatus is installed. The vehicle-mounted device stores the transmitted first identification information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a traffic information processing apparatus and method, the apparatus comprises a format unifying device which unifies input traffic information with different formats to traffic information with unified format; and a traffic information integrating device which corrects and/or complements the traffic information with unified format based on a knowledge base to obtain traffic information which is consistent with each other, so as to integrate the traffic information, wherein the knowledge base is external to the apparatus or internal to the apparatus. The traffic information processing apparatus and method according to the present invention can process traffic information with spatial inconsistence, temporal inconsistence and semantic inconsistence so as to integrate effectively the traffic information from a variety of heterogeneous information sources and ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of traffic data.