Abstract: Systems for providing limited-destination navigational guidance to a user when driving a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a memory pre-configured to store location information for a limited number of desired destinations. The memory is advantageously pre-configured to store a limited number of destinations before it the user even enters the vehicle. Methods for pre-programming a vehicle navigation system are also disclosed. Location information is received for a limited number of desired destinations as specified by a user. For each of the desired destinations, a user input interface is linked with the desired destination, prior to the user's entering the vehicle. Hence, rather than manually entering a destination address, a user may press one button and automatically receive navigational instructions for driving to the user's pre-designated destination.

Abstract: A navigation system for a motor vehicle includes: an off-board navigation system spatially separated from the motor vehicle, for calculating a suggested route for the motor vehicle; a wireless communication connection between the off-board navigation system and the motor vehicle, for transmitting the suggested route to the motor vehicle; and a man-machine interface arranged in the motor vehicle, for outputting the suggested route to an operator of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A safety navigation system applying wireless communication technology and a method therefor are provided, wherein road information transmitted by wireless communication technology is received and statistically analyzed to learn about road sections that are inconvenient for driving or cannot be passed through, so as to decelerate when driving on the road section or avoid the road section altogether when planning routes, thereby ensuring a driver's safety.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sending and retrieving location relevant information to a user by selecting and designating a point of interest that is displayed on a graphical user interface and sending the location information associated with that point of interest to a receiver that is also selected using the graphical user interface. The location relevant information may also include mapped routes, waypoints, geo-fenced areas, moving vehicles etc. Updated location relevant information may also be continuously sent to the user while generating updated mapping information on the graphical user interface. The present invention may be practiced by using communication devices such as a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, in-vehicle navigation systems, or a mobile telephone.

Abstract: An image-based navigation method and system are provided. In response to a user request submitted to a navigation system, the image-based navigation system provides directions to the user, wherein the directions include one or more route segments, and at least one digital image of a view along at least one of the route segments. In a further aspect, the directions are provided to the user by displaying a map of the route along with the route segments, wherein when each of the route segments is displayed, any images associated with the corresponding route segment are also displayed.

Abstract: A method of and system for determining a path traveled by a vehicle in a road network having a plurality of road segments connected into a plurality of paths that includes obtaining a current location measurement having an accuracy range, determining the road segments located within this accuracy range of the current location measurement to form a set of current possible positions for the vehicle, retrieving a set of stored possible paths for the vehicle, generating a new set of possible paths based on the set of current possible positions and the set of stored possible paths, and storing the new set of possible paths as the set of stored possible paths.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs store predicted distance range data, in which distance ranges where a vehicle will be within a specified time are predicted for individual zones and individual time periods, and store traffic data that is created based on traffic circumstances in individual links and individual time periods. The systems, methods, and programs define, based on the predicted distance range data and using the current time as a reference, a temporal sequence of predicted distance ranges centered at the current host vehicle position. The systems, methods, and programs search for a recommended route from the current host vehicle position to the destination among links within each of the defined predicted distance ranges, the recommended route determined by using the traffic data for the time periods that correspond to the predicted distance ranges.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described.

Abstract: A route is set by reading map data of an area used for calculating the route. When this area includes a road pricing area, it is determined if there exists a road pricing area into where the user is permitted to enter based on the permission data (road pricing area to where the entrance is permitted and the permission period) read out from an IC card inserted in an ERP car-mounted unit and stored in a storage unit. When there exists a road pricing area to where the entrance is permitted, the road pricing area is excluded from the areas to be avoided, and the route is calculated.

Abstract: A system and method for describing local area geo-reference features and landmarks in providing high resolution asset location information. Geo-image data is integrated to a mapping application and geo-reference data to add more detailed scale levels to the map. The geo-image data includes geo-images and its features to provide more detailed references to the asset and support the larger references of the geo-reference data. To describe a geo-reference landmark, an original landmark representation is selected with a center point and a radius. The asset location points located at the original landmark representation are compiled along with the asset location points generated by events occurring at the landmark to create a point set. The point set replaces the original landmark representation when a prescribed number of points is reached. The asset location points that are within a specified distance from any of the points in the point set are added to the point set to complete the landmark representation.

Abstract: In some aspects, a processor may receive a starting point and an ending point from a runner. The processor may receive calorie information from the runner. The processor may receive pace information from the runner. The processor may receive a mile marker input from the runner. The processor may display a he route based on the starting point and the ending point. The processor may display the number of calories burned based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a pace of running the route based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a mile marker on the route in response to the first mile marker input.

Abstract: A navigation method and apparatus finds a location and a route to a plurality of destinations with the minimum number of stops or the shortest overall distance. The navigation method includes the steps of: specifying a plurality of destinations in a navigation system; searching a one-stop location where two or more specified destinations exist or searching a location of each destination; displaying results of search for prompting a user to decide whether recommended locations of the destinations in the search result is acceptable; repeating the above steps of searching locations and displaying the search results until the user accepts recommended locations of the destinations; and guiding the user to the destinations accepted by the user.

Abstract: A method for predicting vehicle operator destinations including receiving vehicle position data for a vehicle. The vehicle position data for a current trip is compared to vehicle position data for a previous trip to predict a destination for the vehicle. A path to the destination is suggested.

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: 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: When a vehicle performs route calculation at a current position, the number of lanes at the current position is found. A predetermined correspondence between the numbers of lanes and straight prioritized distances is used to find a straight prioritized distance at the current position corresponding to the number of lanes. A route to a destination from the current position is calculated so as to include, in the route, a road to be followed for the straight prioritized distance from the current position. When there are many lanes, the straight prioritized distance is set to be long. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid calculating a route that causes a guide to sudden right or left turn. When there are a few lanes, the straight prioritized distance is set to be short. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid calculating a roundabout route to the destination.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a computing device. Data are stored for rendering a simulation of travel along one or more road segments prior to embarking on travel along the road segments. The simulation is comprised of a sequence of views of the road network along each road segment from vantage points above or along the road network. Each road segment may be part of a calculated route and the simulation may include views for all the road segments contained in the calculated route. While the computing device is being conveyed along each road segment, the data stored for the simulation is used to show a view of the road network that includes the current position of the computing device on a display of the computing device.

Abstract: As the name of a given road is inputted, intersecting roads that share nodes such as an intersecting, merging, or branching point with the given road are designated. From the given road's nodes shared by the designated intersecting roads, the nearest node to the present position is displayed along with its peripheral map. A portion of the given road that is far from the present position is thereby prevented from being displayed along with its peripheral map. This can eliminate additional manipulation such as changing a reduction scale of the displayed map or repeatedly scrolling the displayed map till an objective point is being displayed. As a result, operationality can be enhanced in designating a point such as an objective point by using a name of a road.

Abstract: An information display system for displaying a map that covers an area around a pre-registered point relevant to a date or a date and time. The position of the pre-registered point on the map is readily and accurately identified using the operator's selection of the date or the date and time. The information display system, include a map information storage in which map information is stored; an input device to input a designated point relevant to a date or a date and time; a schedule information storage unit in which the designated point is stored relevant to a date or a date and time; a display device on which a calendar and a map are displayed; and a display control device by which a map covering a point relevant to a date, or a date and time, either of which being selected from the calendar, is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a closed route for travel features a database having geographic information and input information including a starting point and a desired route length. The geographic information from the database and the input information are processed to define an outbound path from the starting point to a turning point, the turning point determined based on the desired route length, and to define an inbound path from the turning point to the starting point, the outbound path and the inbound path together defining the closed route. A representation of the closed route may be output as a static map, interactive map or a turn-by-turn listing.

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. 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 including a live image of the traffic incident and specify one or more incidents to be avoided on the route to the destination. The system calculates a new optimum route to avoid the specified traffic incidents.

Abstract: A motor vehicle navigation system comprises a position sensor that senses the geographical position of the navigation system and provides a first navigation system position signal indicative thereof. The navigation system system also includes a navigation computing unit that recieves the first navigation system position signal and transmits onto a data bus (i) a first position signal indicative of the position of a trip starting location, (ii) a second position signal indicative of a trip destination location and (iii) the first navigation system position signal. A road map memory device includes map data.

Abstract: A navigation system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior reflective element. A database at a site remote from the vehicle includes map data and/or directory data. A global-positioning system receiver is operable to receive signals from satellites external to said vehicles. A transceiver is operable to engage in a wireless communication with a remote transceiver located at a site remote from the vehicle to received data derived from the database. A user input allows a user to input a destination. The system responds to an input of a destination by wirelessly communicating the destination to the remote transceiver and downloading directions. A display that displays turn-by-turn instructions to the destination during the road journey based on the downloaded directions and on the signals received by the global-positioning system receiver. The turn-by-turn instructions may include (i) direction, (ii) when to turn, and/or (iii) how far until the turn.

Abstract: A method for transferring at least one navigation element from a vehicle navigation unit to a master station. The vehicle navigation unit does not include a database sufficient for a route calculation, including an input device via which a user is able to input navigation element data concerning at least one navigation element, the vehicle navigation unit including communications devices, or cooperating with separate communications devices, to exchange data with a master station in which routes are calculated. The vehicle navigation unit includes an arrangement to select at least one navigation element database entry, of a plurality of navigation element database entries, which are transmitted by the master station as response to the navigation element data transmitted to the master station, when the master station is not able uniquely to assign a plurality of navigation element database entries to at least one navigation element.

Abstract: A system controller 115 includes a table data storage 131 storing table data for calculating the order of priority of each destination, and a priority destination list creator 132 for creating a priority destination list based on the table data in such a manner that priorities of destinations that suit the preferences of the user will set high based on destination conditions set by the user and the stored table data.

Abstract: A preferred route may be determined from an origin location to a destination location. The preferred route avoids a particular maneuver or particular maneuvers identified by a user. The determination is made by processing directed links (e.g., one-way edges) in a graph that includes one or more links and two or more nodes. The determination of a preferred route may include an estimate of the time required at one or more intersections along alternative routes and/or an estimate of the time required to travel the alternative routes based on the day of the week or the day of the year in which travel occurs. Individual routing preferences, such as a preference of a rural over an urban route and avoiding particular maneuvers in a route, also may be considered.

Abstract: A map distribution system, includes an information center that stores the latest map information and a terminal device including a communication unit, a map storing unit, and a control information storing unit. The communication unit transmits information to the information center and receives information from the information center. The map storing unit stores map information. The control information storing unit stores control information associated with the map information. The terminal device transmits the control information to the information center every prescribed timings. The information center transmits the latest control information to the terminal device in response to the transmitted control information. The terminal device rewrites the control information stored in the control information storing unit to the latest control information.

Abstract: In a car navigation system (1), a position information detection means (11) detects position information on a vehicle using, for example, a GPS. A travel information history of the vehicle obtained based on the detected position information is accumulated in a travel information history means (15). When detecting an event such as start of an engine, an action prediction means (17) predicts a destination of the vehicle by referring to a route to the current time and to the accumulated travel information history. Commercial or traffic information regarding the predicted destination is acquired by an information acquisition means (18) from a server (2), and then is displayed on a screen, for example, by an information provision means (19).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to compute a fastest route is described. The method uses the speed of a plurality of informer vehicles as data collection agents to summarize traffic conditions. A central processing point collects the data. Navigation systems in receiving vehicles use the summarized traffic conditions data to generate faster routes from a current location to a destination.

Abstract: A perimeter training module establishes a perimeter path plan of a vehicle including a defined perimeter. A region-filling module establishes a region-filling path plan of the vehicle within the defined perimeter. A point-to-point planning module establishes a point-to-point path plan of a vehicle including a segment of at least one of the region-filling path plan and the perimeter path plan. The path planner forms a preferential composite path plan based on the established perimeter path plan, the region-filling plan, and the point-to-point path plan.

Abstract: A route calculation method allowing an optimized route to be drawn up by means of a calculator between a point ? and a point ?, consisting in using digitized data from at least a first and a second source, and consisting of (i) determining a plurality of alpha nodes (N?), referenced in both the first and the second sources, and determining a first optimization value for each of the nodes; (ii) determining a plurality of beta nodes (N?), referenced in both the third and the second sources, and determining a first optimization value for each of the nodes; (iii) determining, for all the pairs of nodes N? and N?, a second optimization value for each of the pairs of nodes (N?, N?); (iv) determining, for the set of alpha-beta route, the optimum nodes between the points alpha and beta. The invention also relates to a device allowing implementation of the present method.

Abstract: Electronic organiser (10) with a calendar (11) in which appointments at least according to date, time and an individual description, for example a person to be visited, are variable. If the organiser (10) is provided with an interface (22) which can exchange data in respect of the appointments with an interface (22) existing on another device (21), the data recorded in the calendar (11) can be used to run the other device or the electronic organiser (10) can be controlled by the other device. Thus for example data recorded in the calendar (11) can be used by a navigation system for faster input of the destination, or for example departure appointments can be changed by the other device according to the traffic or other situations.

Abstract: A path planner and a method for determining a path for a vehicle comprises defining a starting point for the vehicle. A termination point is defined. An obstacle detector detects one or more obstacles in a work area between the starting point and the termination point. A boundary zone is defined about each corresponding obstacle. Candidate paths are identified between the starting point and the termination point. Each candidate path only intersects each boundary zone once for each corresponding obstacle. An economic cost is estimated for traversing each candidate path or a portion thereof between the starting point and the termination point. A preferential path is selected from the identified candidate paths based on the preferential path being associated with a lowest estimated economic cost.

Abstract: A method for calculating a route from a starting location to a destination location is described; it is characterized in that the route is calculated after specifying at least one pass-through destination location by way of at least one pass-through destination point, which is situated in a circumscribed area of the at least one pass-through destination location specified by a specified criterion. In contrast with the route calculation method known from the related art, the specified pass-through destinations are not part of the trip route, but instead, except for a specified circumscribed area, they function as vaguely specified interpolation points for influencing the route calculation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improve convenience to the user. A path extending from the present location S of a mobile terminal to a destination D via a base station is calculated (S2), distances between base stations on the calculated path and the present location are calculated, and the closest base station is determined as a contents delivery base station (S7). Grace time for the mobile terminal to pass through the contents delivery base station is calculated. Then, scheduled time to deliver the contents to the mobile terminal is calculated (S8). While monitoring a travel state of the mobile terminal (S10 to S12), the contents are delivered to the mobile terminal near the contents delivery base station (S14).

Abstract: A navigation system that searches for a route to a destination based on stored map data and provides navigation guidance to the destination along the route includes a controller that acquires road congestion information associated with the route, searches for the route to the destination based on a calculated search cost and changes a search cost based on predicted secondary congestion that is predicted based on acquired road congestion information, wherein a recommendable route that can avoid congestion is searched based on the search cost that has been changed based on the predicted secondary congestion.

Abstract: A navigation system that searches for a route to a destination based on stored map data that provides navigation guidance to the destination along the route, including a controller that searches for a first route to the destination as a route to be recommended based on a calculation of a search cost, detects whether the first route includes a curve, changes the search cost for any detected curve, searches for a second route to the destination based on the search cost that has been changed and employs the second route as the route to be recommended instead of the first route.

Abstract: A navigation system, which can determine a place suitable for meeting as a meeting place, is disclosed. This navigation system obtains positional information of mobile units, and extracts candidates for a meeting place from adequate meeting places registered in advance. The navigation system automatically selects or a user manually selects one place from the extracted candidates, and determines the selected one as the meeting place. The navigation system transmits the information about the meeting place to the other mobile units, so that the mobile units can meet each other at the right meeting place free from any place-caused inconvenience.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system for tracking events that occur at specific locations of a transportation route and alerting a driver of an impending significant event includes a location determination unit for determining an instantaneous location of the vehicle, and an event determination unit coupled to the location determination unit and responsive to the instantaneous location of the vehicle for communicating with an events database for obtaining an impending traffic sign that the vehicle is about to confront based on the vehicle's instantaneous location. A decision module coupled to the event determination unit is responsive to current parameters of the vehicle for determining whether the current parameters of the vehicle are conducive to safe driving based on the impending event, and a warning unit coupled to the decision module is responsive to at least one current parameter of the vehicle not being conducive to safe driving for alerting the driver of the impending event.

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 route provision apparatus includes: a veering detecting unit for employing the current positioning data obtained by a position acquisition unit and route data for an originally determined travel route to detect whether a vehicle has veered away from a determined travel route; and a travel route determination unit for determining a new travel route when the vehicle has veered away from the determined travel route, wherein the travel route determination unit employs the detection results obtained by the veering detecting unit 62 to determine a new travel route in accordance with one or more of route determination conditions.

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: A vehicle surrounding area imaging system is configured to allow a driver to easily view and verify an image surrounding a peripheral side of the vehicle. The vehicle surrounding area imaging system basically has two cameras, a navigation system, a startup imaging determination unit and a monitor. The cameras take images of the areas to the sides of the vehicle to acquire images. The navigation system detects the current position of the vehicle. The startup imaging determination unit detects predetermined road regions that requires an image to be displayed from the periphery around the vehicle based on the current position detected by the navigation system as well as map information. The monitor selectively displays the images acquired by the cameras before the vehicle enters into one of the predetermined road region that requires an image display.

Abstract: Boundaries of a moving haven along a voyage plan are constructed with the utilization of simple shapes, rectangles and arcs, each of which are drawn with selected line segments. A buffer, internal to the moving haven boundary, is created, which, when crossed initiates a warning that the boundary of the moving haven is being approached. Procedures for the implementation of the moving haven boundary and the buffer are substantially similar, with but few modification from the procedure that generates the moving haven needed to establish the procedure to implement the procedure that generates the buffer.

Abstract: A navigation device in which, in accordance with a scrolling instruction given by a user during display on a first screen, a map image is scrolled along a road on which a vehicle position mark is positioned up to a position in a second screen in which a next main intersection is situated at the center of the screen. Regardless of whether a guide route is set, the map image can be scrolled along the road, and the scrolling is stopped at a main intersection that the user wants to confirm.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation system and a navigation system for a vehicle, in which data regarding geographic positions of the vehicle are ascertained by a positioning system and transmitted to an electronic data processing device having access to a database and a digital road map, on the basis of this data the location of the vehicle on the digital road map is determined and destination guidance instructions are output visually and/or acoustically to the driver of the vehicle, wherein additional information can be stored in the navigation system and can be retrieved as necessary by the driver and/or other passengers in the vehicle and output via the navigation system, this additional information being loaded into the navigation system in the form of program “navlets” which are usable by the driver and/or other passengers in the vehicle.

Abstract: An in-vehicle information apparatus presents, to a user, information which includes a returning route. The apparatus includes: a home position holding unit for holding beforehand a position of the user's home; a home arrival time holding unit for holding beforehand the user's home arrival time; a present position obtainment unit for obtaining the user's present position; a present time obtainment unit for obtaining a present time; a route search unit for obtaining a returning route from the present position to the user's home position, a required time for the returning route, and a departure time to leave the present position so the user can get home by the home arrival time; and a presentation unit for comparing the obtained departure time and the present time, and presenting to the user the departure time and the returning route obtained by the route search unit, before the departure time is passed.

Abstract: Road map data includes node data indicating a branch point, a junction point, or an intersection point and link data indicating a road between the preceding points. The node data and link data include distances, kinds of the roads, costs based on easiness of traveling. In a route search, a route is selected so that a total cost included in traveling on the route to a destination can be minimum. When command is generated as giving priority to an automatic travel road, costs included in the node and link data that correspond to the automatic travel road are lowered. A route including the automatic travel road is thereby selected in preference to other routes.

Abstract: The navigation apparatus includes a unit for displaying a real image on a display screen on the basis of real image data, and a unit for displaying additional information such as a primary place name or a primary building name in a position where the additional information should be displayed on the real image, on the basis of additional information data corresponding to the additional information and position data showing the position where the additional information should be displayed. Further, the navigation apparatus has a function of limiting the display area of the additional information so as to prevent the additional information from being displayed in an area having a relatively high level of importance. Thus, the real image is prevented from being difficult to see in the area having a high level of importance.

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.