Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including constructing a path-distance oracle that provides both an intermediate vertex of a shortest path between two vertices in a spatial network and an approximate distance between the two vertices. The constructing comprises decomposing the spatial network into a set of path-coherent pairs (PCPs) that satisfy at least one predefined property.

Abstract: A section defining method separates a road between a departure point and a destination point into a plurality of links under a predetermined condition and defines a section based on a link cost, which is an index indicating ease of travel and set for each link. The section is used to generate guide information provided to a driver of a vehicle. The section is defined by combining, among the plurality of links between the departure point and the destination point, at least two continuous links that yield a decrease in standard deviation, which is based on sums of the link costs.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to an augmented virtuality system are disclosed. A method of operating an augmented virtuality system may comprise displaying imagery of a real-world environment in an operating picture. The method may further include displaying a plurality of virtual icons in the operating picture representing at least some assets of a plurality of assets positioned in the real-world environment. Additionally, the method may include displaying at least one virtual item in the operating picture representing data sensed by one or more of the assets of the plurality of assets and remotely controlling at least one asset of the plurality of assets by interacting with a virtual icon associated with the at least one asset.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prediction and identification of journey situations. A method for prediction of journey situations has the following steps: defining a plurality of standard journey situations, with each standard journey situation being characterized by a group of driving state parameters; defining a plurality of route state parameters in order to describe the state of a journey route; determining an association rule which associates in each case one group of values of the route state parameters with a standard journey situation; recording of an intended journey route; determining values of the route state parameters for the intended journey route; and associating the intended journey route with one of the standard journey situations on the basis of the association rule.

Abstract: An initialization system for a personal navigation system associated with a user, including: a first reference point arrangement configured for communication with the personal navigation system of the user and to facilitate the generation of a first user data set including horizontal position and azimuth angle (x1, y1, ?1); a second reference point arrangement configured for communication with the personal navigation system of the user and to facilitate the generation of a second user data set including horizontal position and azimuth angle (x2, y2, ?2); and at least one control device configured to determine a common coordinate system based at least in part upon the first user data set and the second user data set. An initialization process and arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and systems for locating and monitoring the status of people and moveable assets, such as first responders, including firefighters and other public service personnel, and their equipment both indoors and out. The invention provides for locating and monitoring the status of people and assets in environments where GPS systems do not operate, or where operation is impaired or otherwise limited. The system and method uses inertial navigation to determine the location, motion and orientation of the personnel or assets and communicates with an external monitoring station to receive requests for location, motion orientation and status information and to transmit the location, motion orientation and status information to the monitoring station.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to road priority and driving directions. In one embodiment, a system includes an object detector module configured: (i) to detect objects of a type in photographic images associated with first and second tracks, and (ii) to determine a first number of times objects of the type appear in photographic images geocoded along the first track, and a second number of times objects of the type appear in photographic images geocoded along the second track. The system also includes a priority score module configured: (i) to generate a first priority score associated with the first track based at least on the first number, and (ii) to generate a second priority score associated with the second track based at least on the second number. The system further includes a driving direction module configured: (i) to select a driving route that includes the track associated with a greater priority score.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing navigation information for a requested listing to a mobile device caller of a directory assistance call. If the caller selects an option to receive driving directions to the listing destination, the directory assistance provider forwards the listing address to a platform that correlates the address with location coordinates. The platform can poll the calling device to obtain GPS identifying data for the mobile device and derive mapping and routing information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving at a computer server system, from a computing device that is remote from the server system, a string of text that comprises a search query. The method also includes identifying one or more search results that are responsive to the search query, parsing a document that is a target of one of the one or more results, identifying geographical address information from the parsing, generating a specific geographical indicator corresponding to the one search result, and transmitting for use by the computing device, data for automatically generating a navigational application having a destination at the specific geographical indicator.

Abstract: The automatic generation of multiple sets of directions for navigating geographically to a specific destination without specification of an origin. Based on the destination, candidate roads or other transportation conduits are selected for analysis. Candidate meta-departure points are analyzed and selected along the roads based on distribution about the destination, cardinal directions relative to the destination, road metadata, distance to the destination, driving time, and other factors. The number of departure points generated to represent routes to the destination from the several logical cardinal directions is minimized. The generated departure points also represent routes that a majority of people would likely take to the destination. Additionally, the generated departure points originate from places that users are likely to be familiar with and can get to without additional guidance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for locating and monitoring the status of people and moveable assets, such as first responders, including firefighters and other public service personnel, and their equipment both indoors and out. The invention can provide for locating and monitoring the status of people and assets in environments where GPS systems do not operate, or where operation is impaired or otherwise limited. The system and method uses inertial navigation to determine the location, motion and orientation of the personnel or assets and communicates with an external monitoring station to receive requests for location, motion orientation and status information and to transmit the location, motion orientation and status information to the monitoring station.

Abstract: A route search system includes: a reception unit that receives a search request for a plurality of first routes, that are routes between all the combinations of two of a plurality of points; a search unit that, when the search request is received by the reception unit, searches the plurality of first routes based upon a search condition included in the search request; and a supply unit that transmits route information for the plurality of first routes searched by the search unit. Both a number of times the search request is received by the reception unit, and a number of times route information is transmitted by the supply unit, are smaller than a number of points in the plurality of points.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, defining a search area when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the search area including boundaries, calculating, using a processor, a points of interest (POI) density of the search area, comparing the POI density with a first density threshold and a second density threshold, adjusting the boundaries of the search area based on a result of comparing the POI density with the first density threshold and the second density threshold, identifying POIs in the adjusted search area, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, the POI information being associated with one or more POIs identified in the adjusted search area.

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: Disclosed herein is a traffic control apparatus and method. The traffic control apparatus includes a navigation route database (DB) for storing navigation routes of a vehicle for respective navigational situations. A vehicle situation information collection unit collects current navigational situation information of the vehicle. A preferred route extraction unit extracts a preferred navigation route of the vehicle corresponding to the collected current navigational situation information from the navigation route DB. A predicted route estimation unit estimates a predicted navigation route of the vehicle based on the extracted preferred navigation route with reference to a traveling state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, generating a list of points of interest (POIs) when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the list of POIs identifying POIs that are located along the route, grouping the POIs into one or more buckets based on location, calculating POI densities of the buckets based on the POIs included in each corresponding bucket, ranking the buckets based on the POI densities, providing POI information associated with the POIs included in the ranked buckets, wherein the POI information is provided based on the ranking of the buckets, and generating an electronic map display with the POI information.

Abstract: When a user specifies a road that he/she wants to pass through, a guiding route generation device generates a guiding route that passes through the specified road up to a destination. A guiding route (37) generated based on waypoints specified is stored in a storage device (15) of the guiding route generation device. A display device (11) displays the guiding route (37) along with roads in the periphery. The guiding route generation device specifies a certain road as the specified pass-through road from among the roads displayed along with the guiding route (37), and further, finds and determines whether there are crossings and the number of the crossings between the specified pass-through road and the guiding route (37).

Abstract: A vehicle guidance device includes: an inter- vehicle distance specification unit that specifies an inter-vehicle distance, which is an inter-vehicle distance in a prescribed lane, between vehicles up to a reference point of a lane change; a recommended section specification unit that ,based on the specified inter-vehicle distance, specifies a recommended section in which a lane change to the prescribed lane should be made before reaching the reference point; and a communication unit that, based on the specified recommended section, outputs guidance information pertaining to the lane change to the prescribed lane.

Abstract: A technology for searching for a recommended route matched to a search condition is provided for route search that involves substitution with a learned route. A route search device comprises: a storage unit to store therein, as learned routes, routes corresponding to sections where traveling deviated from recommended routes have been performed; a setting unit to set a search condition matched a recommended route; a recommended-route search unit to find a recommended route on the basis of the search condition; an application unit to select any one of the learned routes that is applicable to the thus found recommended route, and apply the selected learned route to the recommended route; and a display unit to display the recommended route to which the learned route has been applied. The storage unit stores therein category information of the learned routes in association with the respective learned routes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs store a plurality of combinations of departure points and destination points that have been set in the past, store pre-update map information, and store post-update map information. The systems, methods, and programs compare, for each of the combinations of departure points and destination points, a route retrieved using the pre-update map information and a route retrieved using the post-update map information, and transmit the comparison results to the navigation apparatus so that a user of the navigation apparatus can appreciate the benefits of updating map information.

Abstract: A system and method splices into, or replaces routes identified based on road geometry with routes taken by the same user or other users to create alternate routes that may be selected by a user to display, for example, on a map or for which driving directions can be displayed. Communication of routes traveled by different devices may be received from a server or from another device. A naming convention for road segments and ordered paths of road segments is described.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus has a road learning function. When a new road is learned and a new road link is connected to one of a map road link present in a ready-made map data and a previously-learned road link, the navigation apparatus designates the one of the map road link and the learned road link as a base link and generates a supplement link that extends along the base link from a base-link-side end point of the new road link to an end point of the base link. The navigation apparatus specifies an entrance link and an exit link connected to a process target point on the guidance route, and determines content of the route guidance by using the base link corresponding to the supplement link when the entrance link or the exit link is the supplement link.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, when a new road is learned based on a travel trace of a vehicle and a new road link representing the learned new road is connected to an existing link, the navigation apparatus designates the existing link as a base link and generates a new link extending along the existing link as a supplement link. In order to set a target point to one link, the navigation apparatus determines whether or not the supplement link is present at the one link. When the supplement link is present at the target point, the navigation apparatus sets the target point to the supplement link.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a display means 2 for displaying either a route using a car pool lane or a route not using the car pool lane, an input means 3 and 210 for inputting a command, and a control unit 10 for switching from the route using the car pool lane, which is displayed by the display means, to the route not using the car pool lane or vice versa according to a command inputted from the input means.

Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing popular routes via a global positioning satellite (GPS) system. A GPS device receives a route request from a user. The GPS device then determines a current location of the GPS device and connects to a network server. In response to connecting to the network server, the GPS device transmits a route selection request to the network server. In response, the GPS device receives a route selection list from the network server where the route selection list contains a plurality of routes previously taken by other drivers. Each route is assigned a popularity rating. The GPS device displays one or more of the routes of the route selection list, and requests that a user select a route. After the user selects a route the GPS device displays the selected route as an overlay on a map display.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for GPS navigation utilizing variable route corridors. The method may be implemented at a GPS-capable device (e.g. a telematics unit in one implementation) or through a call center that provides navigation services to a telecommunications device (e.g. a telematics unit in another implementation). A user input corresponding to an intended destination is received and a route to the intended destination is calculated with a variable route corridor. The variable route corridor is calculated based on map features, such as other streets not on the route, the width of streets on the route, and map data inaccuracies. In preferred implementations, the system and method are implemented within the context of a GPS unit that is part of a telematics unit in a vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for managing bus services includes a determination of a target bus route according to destination information input by a passenger, and a generation of riding information. A bus of the target bus route approaching a current bus stop where the passenger is located is determined to be a target bus. The riding information is sent to the target bus, and carrying information is received from the target bus. If the target bus has available passenger capacity to carry the passenger, a request message is sent to the target bus, to request a driver of the target bus to stop at the current bus stop. A notification is outputted to notify the passenger that the target bus is approaching the current bus stop.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically entering favorite locations into a navigation system is provided. The method according to one embodiment includes receiving information regarding a location from an object within a vehicle using a navigation system. An identifier to the information and the information and identifier are stored in the navigation system. The user may retrieve the information from the navigation system using the identifier. The information from the objects may be received in various wireless formats, including RFID, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle in response to the presence of one or more vehicle boundary. According to various embodiments, a system is provided that automates end-turns and sequence execution in real-time based on approaching boundaries. In various embodiments, no pre-planning is required once boundaries and a turn pattern have been defined. Once these items are defined, the system creates end-turns based on what type of boundary is approaching and the turn path prescribed. The system determines what vehicle functions to execute based on pre-recorded sequences and executes the turns and the sequences automatically based on the location and speed of the vehicle and its relationship to various boundaries.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a navigation device, and a corresponding navigation device are provided. Multiple route elements are received which each have at least one parameter. The route elements characterize a route. Each of the route elements are assigned to local route elements which are stored in a digital memory card stored in the navigation device. A quality coefficient for the assignability to a local route element is determined for each of the route elements depending on at least one of the at least one parameters. A route reconstruction quality coefficient is determined depending on the respective quality coefficients of the route elements.

Abstract: A vehicle route guidance system is provided that may dynamically determine one or more possible destinations within a predetermined distance of a current location of a vehicle having the vehicle route guidance system. The vehicle route guidance system may determine respective routes to the one or more possible destinations and may access price information with respect to the one or more possible destinations. For each of the one or more possible destinations, the vehicle route guidance system may estimate a cost of fuel to be consumed by the vehicle to reach respective ones of the one or more possible destination based on received traffic information, a respective route, and vehicle fuel consumption information. The vehicle route guidance system may provide information for guiding the vehicle to one of the one or more possible destinations having a lowest total overall cost.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a travel query, where the travel query comprises a starting location, a destination location, and a specified transit time; and using the starting location, destination location, and the specified transit time to provide a travel route for traveling from the starting location to the destination location within the specified transit time, wherein the travel route includes one or more points of interest.

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 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: A method for matching navigational routes that are generated by separate route generators and are used by vehicle navigation systems. According to one embodiment, a user previews a first navigational route generated by a first route generator, such as those incorporated in a navigation-related website. From this first navigational route, a variety of location markers corresponding to different points along the route are generated. The location markers are then sent to a second route generator used by a vehicle navigation system, so that it can generate a second navigational route that is similar to the first route. The second navigational route is then sent to a navigation unit located on the vehicle, so that the driver can be given directions that generally correspond to the first navigational route which they initially reviewed on the navigation-related website.

Abstract: A route guidance device is provided with a two-dimensional road network for a route search, a three-dimensional road network for a route guidance, and guiding line shape data. The guiding line shape data is three-dimensional guidance display data for guiding an operator to go straight through, or to make a right turn, left turn, etc. at intersections in accordance with a passage mode, or to switch lanes before entering an intersection. A link node of the two-dimensional road network is associated with the guiding line shape data through the three-dimensional road network. The route search uses the two-dimensional road network, and the route guidance uses the guiding line shape data associated with the link node acquired by the route search. The present invention can realize an instinctively understandable route guidance that follows a passage mode without increasing a load of a route search.

Abstract: An intersection guidance method using Point of Interest (POI) information and a navigation system are provided. An intersection guidance method using POI information, the intersection guidance method including: retrieving a route to a destination set by a user and providing guidance about the route; providing, when an intersection is sensed on the route, guidance about a turn in the intersection using surrounding POI information of the intersection.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces are provided to receive a route request including a start location and an end location, generate a route from the start location to the end location, the route including a number of route segments, determine a route proportion for each of the route segments, generate a progress style based on the route proportion of each of the route segments, and send the route and the progress style to a user device, the user device displaying a segment progress to scale for a current route segment of the route segments based on the progress style.

Abstract: In order to notify a user that a facility is present in the neighborhood of a route to a destination, a mobile phone includes a location obtaining portion to obtain a present location (S03, S09), a destination setting portion to set a point of destination (S02), a departure point setting portion to set a point of departure (S04), a facility extraction portion to extract facility information of a facility located in the neighborhood of a route from the point of departure to the destination from among facility information included in map information (S08), and a light emission control portion to give notification at a prescribed timing if at least one facility information is extracted by the facility extraction portion (S14).

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing the effect of road curvature on the travel time and the comfort level of a path determined by a ground based route planning system. The methods and systems identify a path and determine an allowable speed profile of the path, wherein the allowable speed profile satisfies a cross track acceleration constraint. Thereafter, the methods and systems determine an optimal speed profile of the path, wherein the optimal speed profile satisfies both an along track acceleration constraint and a speed constraint. Using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be factored into a determination of the traversal time of the path. Additionally, using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be used to derive a comfort level of the path. The optimal speed profile may be further used to provide driver assistance.

Abstract: In a method for the input of a destination, first of all a category selection is made, destinations corresponding to the category selection subsequently being offered for selection, at least a portion of the destinations being assigned to at least one subordinate category that, in each instance, has a superordinate category, characterized in that a category selection is made such that in each case, a superordinate category is displayed for the category selection or the superordinate category is replaced by one or the plurality of categories subordinate to it, and in each instance, a replacement is made when the number of subordinate categories with respect to a superordinate category is less than a predefined first threshold value.

Abstract: Alternative routes to an optimal route may be determined and presented to a user via a computing device. Alternative routes are selected from candidate routes that meet admissibility criteria. In an implementation, admissibility of a candidate route (in order for it to be considered an alternative route) may be determined based on three criteria: “limited sharing”, “local optimality”, and “stretch” such as “uniformly bounded stretch”. Limited sharing refers to the amount of difference between the alternative route and the optimal route, local optimality refers to lack of unnecessary detours, and uniformly bounded stretch refers to a length of the shortest path to travel between two points on the alternative route.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for navigating with the use of correlation within a select area are provided. One method includes, storing data required to reconstruct ranges and associated angles to objects along with statistical accuracy information while initially traversing throughout the select area. Measuring then current ranges and associated angles to the objects during a subsequent traversal throughout the select area. Correlating the then current ranges and associated angles to the objects to reconstructed ranges and associated angles to the objects from the stored data. Determining at least one of then current location and heading estimates within the select area based at least in part on the correlation and using the least one of the then current location and heading estimates for navigation.

Abstract: A digital mapping display and related system for fishing, and other applications are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating a street map that includes a position identifier that identifies a location on the street map. The method and system may also generate and display a plurality of images representative of the location of the position identifier. A user may interact with a position identifier or one of several scroll icons to view images of other locations on the street map and/or to obtain driving directions between two locations.

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 the 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 system may include a processing device and a routing application included on the processing device. The routing application may be configured to receive a destination location for a vehicle; determine a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and determine a route for the vehicle from a current location to the destination location, the route being based on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, a fuel capacity of the vehicle, an amount of fuel remaining for the vehicle, and navigation information including the location of at least one charging station.

Abstract: A vehicle user interface system comprises a vehicle location determining component, a jurisdiction determining component, a user input component, and a controller. The vehicle location determining component is configured to determine a current location of the vehicle. The jurisdiction determining component is configured to determine a current jurisdiction based on the current location of the vehicle, and to select a policy setting based on the current jurisdiction. The user input component is configured to receive information used by the vehicle user interface system to perform system operations. The controller is configured to control availability of the system operations for performance by the vehicle user interface system based on the selected policy setting.