Abstract: A method and a system for guiding a vehicle are provided, which utilize information regarding the vehicle's position. The position of the vehicle is ascertained exactly to the correct lane, and for at least a part of the traffic lanes of specifiable traffic routes in the surroundings of the vehicle, the traffic situation is ascertained. An estimation of traffic lanes is undertaken in the light of specifiable criteria by the evaluation of the vehicle's position and the traffic situation, thereby enabling the driver to select the most favorable lane in terms of desired criteria, e.g., minimizing lane changes, minimizing travel time, etc.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system comprises providing an image of a geographic area through which a portion of a route between an origin and destination passes. The image is an approximate 360-degree image. The method provides a guidance information overlay on the image. The guidance information overlay may be a route highlight, a maneuver arrow, an indication of a path that has been traveled, an identification of a main route and an alternative route, and a label.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus of the present invention having a position detection unit and a display unit further includes a geographic information storage unit for storing three-dimensional terrain shape information, an attitude detection unit for detecting the attitude of the terminal apparatus, and an image creation unit for obtaining information on a vector vertical to the display unit based on information on the attitude obtained by the attitude detection unit and creating a three-dimensional terrain image at a viewpoint using a current position obtained by the position detection unit, information on a line-of-sight defined by the information on the vector, and the three-dimensional terrain shape information in the geographic information storage unit. When the attitude of the terminal apparatus is changed, the three-dimensional terrain image on the display unit is updated, following a change in the attitude of the terminal apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed specifically to methods for reducing the bandwidth requirements for broadcasting traffic information to a vehicle navigation system. The traffic information broadcast to the system using the bandwidth conserving methods of the present invention generally includes traffic flow information and traffic incident information. In one embodiment, the vehicle navigation system filters traffic information to a certain range to expedite traffic calculation, to save on processing hardware, and to reduce bandwidth needs. Alternately, bandwidth conservation may be achieved by providing weight factors and threshold prioritizing when a broadcast limit is close to being reached or exceeded. In another embodiment, bandwidth reduction is achieved by not broadcasting free-flow traffic information and/or displaying only traffic information that indicates a traffic problem.

Abstract: Transportation costs are minimized with a novel system for optimizing a route for a service vehicle, for example, a package delivery van. Based upon static and dynamic information, a computer on board the service vehicle determines an optimum route for the vehicle to travel between multiple locations. The computer on board the service vehicle communicates wirelessly to receive any pertinent dynamic information which has changed (e.g., traffic congestion, the presence of a customer at a deliver location, or a modification of location). The computer then recalculates the optimum route for the vehicle and guides the driver of the vehicle in accordance with the newly determined optimum route. The on board computer continues to check for any updates, and recalculates the optimum route throughout the day. Thus, the optimum route may be selected based upon the latest available information white avoiding heavy signal traffic on the wireless network.

Abstract: A system for sharing and processing traffic information includes a number of traffic information computer systems within individual vehicles and a traffic information server system. The traffic information computer systems are each connected to the server system through a network, which are additionally connected to one another by peer-to-peer radio communications, and which each operate with a database for displaying road maps, with a database storing average speed data for directions of travel along roadways, and with a location sensor used to determine the location and average speed of the vehicle, which are transmitted to the server. The server returns average speed data for road segments, which is displayed on the road maps.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a navigation system, more particularly, to a navigation system and an operating method thereof, in which the navigation system shows the configuration of a complicated intersection a driver is about to enter, and displays where to turn and a progression rate of the car on the path the driver is headed to.

Abstract: An in-vehicle navigation device in which a route search block outputs a search result of a guiding route from an exit of the expressway to an entrance of the expressway by way of the selected facility to a display block to make the display block display the search result in a case where a present position detected by a present position detection block is on an expressway and where position of a target facility selected by a facility information selection block is outside the expressway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inputting a tentative destination which is proximate to an intended destination when the address data for the intended destination is not found in the map database. The method includes the steps of allowing a user to specifying an intended destination in the navigation system and searching address data for the intended destination, notifying the user that the address data is not found in the map database, selecting a method for inputting data indicating a tentative destination which is considered proximate to the intended destination, allowing the user to specify the tentative destination through the selected input method, and determining a location of the tentative destination and detecting address data indicating the location of the tentative destination.

Abstract: A route searching apparatus includes a map data acquiring unit for acquiring map data defined by nodes and road links, a route searching unit for searching for a route to a destination in consideration of road links corresponding to specific roads, on which determination of whether or not a vehicle is allowed to travel can be performed according to a condition of the vehicle before the condition of the vehicle is set, the road links being included in the map data acquired by the map data acquiring unit, and an output unit for outputting the route searched for by the route searching unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for providing route guidance and other information from a base unit to a remote unit in response to a request from the remote unit. A query is formatted at the remote unit, the query including the request, and is transmitted from the remote unit to the base unit. Requested route guidance information is calculated at the base unit in response to the query, using a large up-to-date database located at the base unit. A response to the query is formatted at the base unit, the response including route guidance information. The response is then transmitted from the base unit to the remote unit for display. The transmission is made in a compact form through the use of maneuver arms and combined maneuver arms and through the use of tokenized forms. A maneuver arm represents a road at an intersection, for depiction on a display, by one or two endpoint coordinates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing travel information, including a database for storing information regarding a travel area, wherein the information includes at least one of road information, street information, intersection information, and traffic control device information, a processor for processing a request for information regarding an optimal travel route from a present location of a vehicle to a destination, wherein the processor processes the request by utilizing the information stored in the database, and further wherein the processor identifies at least two possible travel routes to the destination, and further wherein the processor identifies an optimal travel route to the destination, wherein the processor generates a message containing travel directions or instructions corresponding to the optimal travel route, and an output device for outputting the information contained in the message.

Abstract: A mobile navigation system includes a graphical display for presentation of map information. Map features are selected for presentation on a display. Characteristics for display are also selected. The characteristics for display include a scale for display that varies across the display. An image for display is generated from the selected features according to a selected scale.

Abstract: To provide a destination prediction apparatus which can predict a destination of a user by using a carried item carried by the user, the destination prediction apparatus according to the present invention includes: a position information detection unit which detects a present position of a mobile terminal; a carried item detection unit which detects the carried item of the user; a history accumulation unit which accumulates a history of date and time information detected by a clock unit, position information detected by the position information detection unit, and information of the carried item of the user detected by the carried item detection unit; a carry frequency judgment unit which calculates a frequency at which the carried item is carried; a causal relationship extraction unit which calculates an infrequently carried item and a related point; a destination prediction unit which predicts the destination using the position information, the carried item information, and a position causal relationship ex

Abstract: A system is provided for regulating a travel course of a machine. The system has a steering system operationally connected to at least one ground engaging device. Additionally, the system has a path generator configured to generate a path along which the machine can travel. The system also has a path tracker configured to automatically regulate the steering system to position the machine within a predetermined vicinity of an initial point on the generated path and guide the machine along the generated path.

Abstract: A method is provided for improved navigation guidance in a portable navigation device (104) having a first navigation operating mode (302) for requesting (318, 324) and receiving (326, 334) routelet data and navigation route data and operating in accordance with the routelet data (332) and a second operation navigation mode (304) for operating in accordance with the navigation route data (338). The method includes in the first navigation operating mode (302), the steps of transmitting a routelet request (318) comprising location data, speed data and direction data, the location, speed and direction data determined (312, 314 316) in response to a present location, a present speed and a present direction of travel, respectively, of the portable navigation device (104), receiving routelet data (326) and operating in accordance with the received routelet data (332).

Abstract: A method to autonomously determine a destination in navigation system is disclosed. The system is preconfigured with all the routes that a vehicle takes. The system constantly checks if the vehicle takes known routes. After finding out that the vehicle has been taken a known route, a final destination is determined.

Abstract: A navigation device preferentially indicates to a driver a certain route from among multiple candidates of guiding routes that guide the driver to a designated destination. By using the certain route, the driver is able to reach the destination earlier than a desired arrival time point with a minimum difference between the desired arrival time point and an estimated arrival time point. Further, the estimated arrival time point is determined to include a marginal time period compensating for a possible traveling delay.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing user-selected telematics services in a mobile vehicle. The method includes accessing a menu of available telematics services and selecting a desired telematics service. The method also includes determining a telematics service fee based on the user selected service and paying the user selected telematics service fee via remote resource. The method further includes receiving the selected telematics service.

Abstract: There is provided a “navigation apparatus”, a “route search method”, and a “program” which provide routes meeting the actual requirements and preferences of respective drivers. The navigation apparatus 1 according to the present invention including a function of carrying out a route search to a set destination, and then providing a route guidance according to a search result, includes a route search processing section 26 that searches for routes based on predetermined search conditions specific to a user in predetermined first areas, and searches for routes based on predetermined recommended search conditions in second areas different from the first areas. In addition, the route search processing section 26 distinguishes between the first areas and the second areas reflecting travel histories of a vehicle, search conditions set previously, and registered contents.

Abstract: When an elevated road and a usual fly-under road are located in a stacked state, two roads are shown in overlapped lines on a display unit of a car navigation system in a subject vehicle. When the subject vehicle travels the fly-under road, the elevated road is shown in a translucent state. Thus, a user of the subject vehicle can recognize a state of the fly-under road the subject vehicle is traveling. In contrast, when the subject vehicle travels the elevated road, the elevated road is shown in a non-translucent state. The elevated road thereby becomes easy to see, so its advancing direction can be easily seen.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and arrival detection method detect a current location of a vehicle and searches for a route to a set destination. The apparatus and method provide guidance to the destination along the searched route and determine whether the destination is set within a car-free area. If it is determined that the destination is set within the car-free area, the apparatus and method expand an arrival detection area for the destination, and terminate the guidance to the destination when it is determined that the vehicle is within the expanded arrival detection area. Alternatively, even if the destination is not within a car-free area, after an engine of a vehicle is shut off and restarts, the navigation apparatus and method expand an arrival detection area for the destination, and terminate the guidance to the destination when the vehicle is within the expanded arrival detection area.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of optimizing a fixed route on a transit network, comprising the steps of: a) permitting a vehicle providing service on the fixed route to make deviations from the fixed route based on passenger requests; b) tracking the deviations and number of passenger requests corresponding to each deviation; c) submitting information from tracking step b) into a decision-making algorithm; and d) modifying the fixed route to include new stops based on results from the decision-making algorithm, as well as a system for implementing this method.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for presenting a route using a route presentation that provides both a context map and one or more detail route maps. Narrative instructions for the route also may be presented. The presentation of the context map and the one or more detail route maps may be interactive. The route presentation also may be user controllable such that a user may control the portions of a route that are printed. The route presentation also may include a re-routing feature that allows a user to request that a new route be identified that avoids a particular maneuver or maneuvers in a route.

Abstract: A route guidance method provides route guidance from a current position to a destination by using a navigation apparatus capable of displaying a route from the current position to the destination in combination with a portable terminal carried by a user. The navigation apparatus produces a 2-dimensional code based on information associated with the destination and a location at which the user leaves his/her car en route to the destination and displays the thus produced code. The portable terminal acquires the information associated with the location at which the user leaves his/her car and the destination by reading the 2-dimensional code displayed by the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: Users are provided with the option of having destination information, such as a street address and/or destination phone number, obtained from online mapping services, transmitted to their vehicle's navigation system. In certain embodiments, the user may logon to an online vehicle server to provide information necessary to identify their respective vehicle. Once the target vehicle is identified, the destination information may be transmitted to this vehicle by the vehicle server, after which the vehicle's navigation and communication system may be automatically populated with the received destination information.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for autonomously determining a set of destinations. A landmark module stores a plurality of landmarks from a database. An identification module identifies a first current location and direction of the vehicle. In response to receiving a help command from the help button, a destination module determines a first set of destinations from the plurality of landmarks, the first current location, and the first current direction. A prompt module audibly prompts a driver to navigate the vehicle to the first set of destinations. A navigation module determines if the driver is navigating towards the first direction. In response to the driver not navigating the vehicle toward at least one destination of the first set of destinations, the navigation module may direct the identification module to identify a second current location and direction of the vehicle and the destination module to determine a second set of destinations.

Abstract: Provided is a map information updating apparatus which can automatically select map information optimal for the user from among plural map information, and update an original map using the selected map information.

Abstract: A navigation system and method uses loops as opposed to existing search techniques to more expeditiously find routes on a map from a starting point to a destination. Roads on a map are traced to form one or more continuous loops. Information regarding the loops is stored for future reference. A starting point and at least one destination are specified, and loops that connect the loops containing the starting point and destination are determined. A route is then formulated from the starting point to the destination using road segments or intersections where the identified loops are mutually contiguous. A list is generated including the loops and the road segments associated therewith. The road segments of an initial loop are examined and, if a road segment or intersection common to a next loop is identified, the road segments of that loop are examined, and so on, until a route from the starting point to the destination is found.

Abstract: A navigation system and method uses loops as opposed to existing search techniques to more expeditiously find routes on a map from a starting point to a destination. Roads on a map are traced to form one or more continuous loops. Information regarding the loops is stored for future reference. A starting point and at least one destination are specified, and loops that connect the loops containing the starting point and destination are determined. A route is then formulated from the starting point to the destination using road segments or intersections where the identified loops are mutually contiguous. A list is generated including the loops and the road segments associated therewith. The road segments of an initial loop are examined and, if a road segment or intersection common to a next loop is identified, the road segments of that loop are examined, and so on, until a route from the starting point to the destination is found.

Abstract: The navigation device of the present invention has a storage device which stores map data including link data of respective links constituting roads on a map, and statistical data including travel time (moving speed) which is determined by statistical values of traffic information collected in the past, with respect to each of the links. Then, the navigation device uses for each departure time candidate, the map data and the statistical data of collection conditions corresponding to the statuses upon passing each of the route constituting links which constitute the route, so as to obtain the travel time for each of the route constituting links. Thereafter, the travel times of respective route constituting links thus obtained are summed up, and the travel time between the departure position and the destination is obtained.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a portable computing device. When approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided by the portable computing device, the portable computing device presents alternating images on a display screen. The alternating images include an overhead view map image and either a perspective view map image or a stylized image. The stylized image can be either a 2D image or a 3D image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication device for searching data based on a rotation angle. The mobile communication device includes a body; a geomagnetic sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the body based on an axis perpendicular to the earth surface; a main memory for storing an image corresponding to the rotation angle; a display unit for displaying the image on a screen; and a control unit for, if the rotation angle detected in the geomagnetic sensor is changed, extracting an image corresponding to the changed rotation angle from the main memory and controlling the display unit to display the image. With this technology, data can be searched conveniently without manipulating keys many times.

Abstract: A system and method for a travel route preference repository based on global positioning services (GPS). The system includes an information input member being configured to accept input information from users of the system. The input information is an evaluation of routes that the users have traversed. An information correlation member is communicatively connected via a network to the information input member. The information correlation member is configured to render a response pertaining to the input information such that users that have not entered an evaluation of the routes may have a current evaluation of the routes. An information access member is communicatively connected via the network to the information input member and the information correlation member. The information access member is configured to permit users of the system to have access to the response of the information correlation member.

Abstract: A method of tracking a vehicle including receiving vehicle information at a call center from a telematics unit via a wireless network, determining whether the vehicle information is associated with a vehicle station identification for a missing vehicle on a vehicle tracking list and initiating vehicle tracking based on the determination.

Abstract: The invention includes cohort analysis as an element of an in-vehicle navigation system. As an operator makes trips from an origin to a destination, the navigation system records various route segments chosen. These choices are compared to route segments comprising a minimal time route calculated for the trip. Segments not part of the prescribed route are collected and periodically sent along with the origin and destination to a centralized server, wherein they are stored in a database. The central server also has an extensive map database that lists many attributes for each segment not generally included in an in-vehicle database. The attributes include variables pertaining to traffic flow, e.g. speed, number of lanes, lane width; topology, e.g. possible turns at endpoints; geometry, e.g. horizontal shape, vertical curvature, and super-elevation; usage, e.g. freeway, arterial, local, residential, business; and topography, e.g. buildings, trees, open-space, facilities, and stores.

Abstract: A preprocessing unit calculates a square sum SJ(tn) of jerk J, and a driving characteristic calculation unit determines whether the jerk square sum SJ(tn) is equal to or above a predetermined threshold value. The position/traveling direction determination unit determines the position and traveling direction of the vehicle. A troublesome driving place determination unit records an intersection at which the jerk square sum SJ(tn) is calculated to be equal to or above the predetermined threshold value and the traveling direction of the vehicle at that time in association with each other in a troublesome driving place database. With reference to the troublesome driving place database, the troublesome driving place determination unit then calculates the risk cost at each intersection around the vehicle for each traveling direction. It is therefore possible to perform route guidance taking the driver's personal feeling into an account.

Abstract: A route information supply system comprises a reception module which receives information on a current position and a destination from a terminal device by communication, a map data storage module storing at least detailed map data and summary map data, a traffic information storage module which stores traffic information, a route search module which searches for a guidance route based on the current position and the destination, a map information generation module which generates map information on an area containing the searched route by use of the map data storage module, and an output module which outputs the generated map information to the terminal device. When an event satisfying a prescribed condition regarding the traffic information exists in the area, the map information generation module generates map information on an area in the vicinity of a point where the event has occurred by use of the detailed map data.

Abstract: A navigational aid device is provided that includes a GPS module, a processor, and memory. The device is configured to automatically determine a route to a destination and to account for, in its determination of a route, a plurality of modes of public, private, or both public and private transportation. Some of these configurations may also be configured to recommend a mode or modes of transportation to take to get to a destination, and/or accept user preferences in recommending a route or the mode or modes of transportation to take to get to the destination.

Abstract: An absolutely optimal routing or a quasi-optimal routing is computed for a first plurality of resources m to be routed to a second plurality of resource destinations n, depending on a count of m and n. Three different algorithms are used. For the case where the count is m?6 and n?8, a first algorithm is used to arrive at an absolutely optimal routing. An example of the first algorithm is Depth First Branch and Bound Search. For a second count, where the value of the count is more numerous than the first count, m is greater than six, but equal to, or less than or equal to fifty, 6<m?50, and n is greater than 8, but less than or equal to one hundred, 8<n?100, a second algorithm, is used to compute a quasi-optimal routing. An example of this second algorithm is Local Search. For a third count, where the count exceeds those above, a third algorithm is used for computing a quasi-optimal routing. Typically this third algorithm applies where m>50, and n>100.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes a vehicle route information display device having a travel route information presenting section, a user input receiving section, an image downloading section and an image displaying section. The travel route information presenting section is configured to present a user with a travel route of a host vehicle from a starting position to a destination position and point of interest data associated with the travel route. The user input receiving section is configured to receive a user selection input selecting a photographic image associated with the point of interest data to be viewed. The image downloading section is configured to wirelessly download the photographic image from an external server in response to the user selection input. The image displaying section is configured to selectively display the photographic image in response to a user display input selecting display of the photographic image.

Abstract: A corridor search process is used to identify locations of interest along a travel route. The corridor search process identifies locations of interest along a travel route by using a grid search process that first identifies shape points that correspond to the travel route. Each shape point is associated with a portion of a grid system used to delineate a region of geography through which the route traverses. The portions of the grid system correspond to a corridor along the travel route. References to redundant portions of the grid system are removed, and locations of interest are identified based on an association between a location of interest with a particular portion of the grid system.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a path by defining a plurality of contiguous geographical regions, each to have a uniform value of a characteristic affecting travel through the region and evaluating the path from a point in an origin region through an intermediate region to a point in a destination region. Related methods and means of representing paths, and systems to implement the methods are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for verifying and storing location coordinates includes receiving a verification request at a call center, the verification request including location coordinates. The method further includes determining routability of received location coordinates, and transmitting location information from the call center to an off-board navigation device based on the determination. The method further includes, storing the location information. A system and a computer readable medium including computer program code for verifying and storing location coordinates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided that includes a position determination mechanism, and a data store of locations including positions for each location. The mobile device is configured to determine its own position and, based on the position of the mobile device, which location is preferred. Upon that determination, the mobile device is configured to orient a pointer in the direction of the preferred location such that a user can move in the direction of the pointer and ultimately arrive at the preferred location.

Abstract: A method for moving a mobile drive unit within a workspace includes receiving a path. The path includes at least an initial segment and one or more additional segments. The initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to the first point; and at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to the second point. The method further includes storing the path, reserving the initial segment of the path, and moving away from the first point along the initial segment. After initiating movement along the initial segment, the method includes reserving each of the additional segments of the path and moving toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved.

Abstract: A system, method, and article for in-transit communication and exchange of routing data between a service provider and a vehicle's onboard computer, facilitating the exchange and updating of information on a positioning device, such as a global positioning satellite positioning device.

Abstract: When a first one-way traffic road becomes partially impassable because of roadworks, a second one-way traffic road temporarily replaces the first road and is used in a direction opposite to an original trafficable direction. This second road is registered as a replacing road based on traffic information from the VICS center. When the second road registered as the replacing road is present within a given area surrounding the current position of a relevant vehicle, map matching is executed without considering the original trafficable direction of the second road. This allows the second road to be designated as a travel road through the map matching even when the relevant vehicle travels in a direction opposite to the original trafficable direction of the second road.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of route planning for global positioning system (GPS) based navigation systems. The method identifies route segments used in a GPS based navigation system and records an actual historical time of travel for at least one route segment traveled by users of the GPS based navigation system travel. The actual historical time of travel comprises the amount of time taken by a user of the GPS based navigation system to go from a beginning of the route segment to an end of the route segment. With embodiments herein, the day and time that the route segment was recorded is also noted. Then, the actual historical time of travel and the day and time for the route segment can be stored in a database. This information can be stored for a single-user or can be combined from a plurality users of the GPS based navigation systems.

Abstract: In a navigation system for a motor vehicle, the navigation system includes an off-board navigation system that is spatially separate from the motor vehicle, a wireless communication connection between the off-board navigation system and the motor vehicle to transmit a suggested route for the motor vehicle and/or a map display of the environment of the motor vehicle from the off-board navigation system to the motor vehicle, and a man-machine interface arranged in the motor vehicle, to output the suggested route or the map display to an operator of the motor vehicle, in connection or together with an item of additional information, the provision of the additional information being accessible to a third party.

Abstract: Substituted thienylethylamines of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is formyl, acetyl or benzoyl or is benzyl, which is ring-substituted by at least one halogen atom, and R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, are initial products for the production of antithromobolytically effective pharmaceutical agents. A process for the production of the above-mentioned compounds from substituted ethanolamines by their reaction with strong bases, further reaction with the resultant aziridines with 2-thienyllithium, and conversion of the resultant thienylethylamines with compounds of formula RX, wherein R has the above-mentioned meaning and X is a halogen.