Abstract: A navigation device includes: a position detecting unit; a remaining energy level detecting unit; a storage unit that stores map information including position information of a charging point of a drive energy; an energy consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a consumption amount of the drive energy when a vehicle travels along any link included based upon the map information; a route calculation unit that calculates a route from a current position to a destination point; and a route guidance unit. The route calculation unit calculates a recommended route with a minimum attainment cost among routes in which the remaining level does not fall below a predetermined threshold level based upon the map information, the remaining level on departure of the vehicle detected by the remaining energy level detecting unit, and the consumption amount calculated by the energy consumption amount calculation unit.

Abstract: A facility-around-route retrieval device includes a map disk 3 for storing map data and facility data, a route calculation unit 13 for calculating a route to a destination by using the map data stored in the map disk, a facility retrieval condition setting unit 16 for setting a facility retrieval condition, and a facility-around-route retrieval unit 17 for retrieving, in a case where a facility around the route calculated in the route calculation unit is retrieved in accordance with the condition set in the facility retrieval condition setting unit, the facility present only on a side of a traveling lane of a vehicle of a divided road from the facility data stored in the map disk when the route includes the divided road.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that offer improved assistance with safe driving using navigation devices, incorporating traffic regulations pertaining to route changes into guidance offered by the navigation devices. The system comprises a traffic regulations data memory (21), which associates, with roadways, data on traffic regulations pertaining to route changes, and stores the data so associated, an onboard vehicle locator (11), which locates the driver's vehicle upon the suggested route, a comparison unit (31), which compares the location of the driver's vehicle, as located by the onboard vehicle locator (11), with the traffic regulations data, and an output unit (40), which outputs, based on the determination made by the comparison unit (31), either information that driving regulations apply upon the road currently being traveled, as part of the suggested route, or that driving regulations apply upon roads ahead of the road currently being traveled, again, as part of the suggested route.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for predicting a destination for a ground-based vehicle. Travel patterns are accessed and a series of locations of a ground-based vehicle are received. At least some of the received locations are related to at least one accessed travel pattern, and a destination of the ground-based vehicle is predicted based on relating the received locations with the travel patterns. An existence of an event may be predicted using the predicted destinations of a ground-based vehicle.

Abstract: The data exchange between two or more navigation devices allows a highly automated coordination of routes of navigation devices. The calculation of a route may be based on the GPS data and additionally on the positional data received from another navigation system to provide, for example, for a rendezvous function with a minimum activity from the users of the navigation devices.

Abstract: A map-centric service for creating, finding, and organizing social events is described. Social events may include gatherings, goods or services for sale or other types of events about which a group of people may wish to share information. The service provides a graphical indication of the location of a plurality of social events superimposed on a map, providing a geographic context to social events. The geographic context may be augmented with text graphical indications or information in other forms, further identifying characteristics of the social event. Information about social events may be made accessible to multiple users through a web service. A user may search for social events by specifying desired characteristics of the social event. The service can also generate an optimal route for user selected events.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a lane information acquiring unit 27 for acquiring both the number of lanes of a road which forms an intersection, and lane information which defines a road branching off from each of the lanes, a lane direction determining unit 28 for determining the direction of each of the lanes on the basis of both the lane information acquired by the lane information acquiring unit, and a road attribute of an incoming road coming into the intersection and a road attribute of an outgoing road extending from the intersection, the road attributes of the incoming and outgoing roads being included in map data acquired by a map data acquiring unit, and a lane information display unit 29 for displaying the direction of each of the lanes determined by the lane direction determining unit with an arrow.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a first display and a first camera. An environmental image of the part of the environment of the vehicle lying behind the motor vehicle can be recorded using the first camera and the environmental image recorded using the first camera can be completely or partially displayed on the first display. The first display is disposed inside the motor vehicle such that the recorded environmental image, or a part of the recorded environmental image, may be perceivable as a virtual image behind a side pane of the motor vehicle for a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques for providing navigation support for private premises are described. In an aspect, a composite map may be generated by combining a geo-coded map for public areas with another geo-coded map for a private premise. The composite map may be generated in real time and may be provided as an aid for navigation in both the public areas and the private premise. In another aspect, a geo-coded map may be dynamically determined based on the current configuration of a private premise, which may be reconfigurable over time. The geo-coded map may include improvised roadways and/or other improvised features and may be provided as an aid for navigation within the private premise. In one design, a navigation path for a destination of a vehicle may be dynamically determined based on the current configuration of the private premise and may be provided to aid navigation.

Abstract: A method for automatically creating points of interest by identifying geographic information on a screen of a portable navigation device. A first geographic information is retrieved from an information page shown in the screen of the portable navigation device and recognized by comparing with the first geographic information with a geographic information of landmarks stored in a map database of the portable navigation device. It is determined whether the first geographic information is in the map database. If the geographic information is in the map database, a first GPS coordinate corresponding to the first geographic information is obtained and stored as a first POI.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for generating a digital roadmap that can be stored on an electronic storage medium and in which a geographical area is specified by a multitude of data sets. The present invention further pertains to a navigation system that features a memory on which a digital roadmap of this type is stored and provided for use. Moreover, the present invention pertains to a method for operating a navigation system of the afore-mentioned type with a digital roadmap of the afore-mentioned type.

Abstract: A method for communicating navigational information to a telematics unit. The method comprises receiving route requirements; calculating a plurality of portions of a route, each portion calculated according to different sets of criteria, the criteria determined from the route requirements; and sending the plurality of portions to the telematics unit. The portions of the route can be provided to the telematics unit sequentially, with non-final portions including a trigger for indicating to the telematics unit when to request the next portion. The portions can also be provided to the telematics unit as a complete route comprising concatenated route portions.

Abstract: A method and device checks the conformity of a trajectory calculated by a flight management system of an aircraft in relation to reference data comprising a reference map. The method includes: geo-referencing of a reference map; determination of a reference trajectory from the geo-referenced reference map; detection of nonconformity in the trajectory calculated by the flight management system by comparison of the trajectory calculated by the flight management system with the reference trajectory; and emission of a warning if a nonconformity is detected.

Abstract: A method for providing wireless connection conditions to a mobile vehicle, including receiving navigation route information at a call center; determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received route; and transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions associated with the navigation route to the mobile vehicle. Another example provides a computer usable medium and program code, including program code for receiving navigation route information at a call center; program code for determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received route; and program code for transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions. Another example provides a system including means for receiving navigation route information at a call center, means for determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received navigation route, and means for transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions.

Abstract: An operation control map of a white line detection apparatus, including a white line detection portion that detects a white line on a road based on a captured image of the road surface, that references the operation control map to determine whether to allow operation of the white line detection portion. The operation control map includes a region in which operation of the white line detection is allowed, and a region in which operation is not allowed, based on the gain of a road surface image signal and the temperature of a road surface imaging portion. The allowed region is set if the reduced accuracy of white line detection, due to the thermal noise generated in the solid-state imaging sensor, falls within an acceptable range, and the disallowed region is set if the reduced accuracy of white line detection falls outside of the acceptable range.

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

Abstract: A method and system for updating map data of a navigation system in a vehicle is provided. A first version of map data is stored in a memory device of the navigation system, and a first version of map data and a second more recent version of map data are stored in a memory device of a map server. A first route to a driving destination is determined by the map server on the basis of the first version of the map data. A second route to the driving destination is determined by the map server on the basis of the second more recent version of the map data, and the second version of map data and/or route data, which describe the second route, are transmitted at least partially to the navigation system as a function of the degree of agreement between the first route and the second route.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing missed approaches to runways. In one advantageous embodiment, an event requiring missing an approach to a runway by an aircraft is monitored for, while the movement of the aircraft along a route is being controlled by a flight management system. Responsive to detecting the event, a location of the aircraft is identified to form an identified location. The identified location of the aircraft is compared to a plurality of waypoints for a plurality of missed approach routes to identify an active waypoint in the plurality of waypoints closest to the aircraft to form an identified waypoint. A missed approach route from the plurality of missed approach routes associated with the identified waypoint is executed for the aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods that find the quickest route between two locations on a graph with multi-edge constraints in a time and space efficient manner. In some embodiments, Dijkstra's algorithm is split into separate universes when a) a multiple-edge constraint is reached, and b) along each edge of a multi-edge constraint. In some embodiments, the split is performed for the purpose of finding the quickest (i.e. lowest weighted) route to the intersection(s) at the end of the constraints. These universes, in some embodiments, are merged or discarded when the intersection at the end of the constraint is found. Using these systems and methods, in some embodiments, the shortest path between two locations of a multi-edge constrained road network can be efficiently determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a sensor network having a plurality of reference nodes and a sensor node that enables the sensor node to compute a relative position through transmission range control and position mapping. In transmission range control, each reference node sends location information signals to the sensor node while varying transmission power. In position mapping, the sensor node forms a grid of vertical and horizontal lines corresponding to a square area defined by the neighboring reference nodes, extracts coordinates of intersections in the grid belonging to a shared region between areas covered by location information signals of various transmit power levels from the neighboring reference nodes, and sets the position of the sensor node to the middle points of the extracted coordinates. Each reference node sends a location information signal when a random backoff time expires after reception of a location information request signal.

Abstract: A method of providing emergency route guidance to guide users away from a disaster includes receiving from a user a request for emergency route guidance through a user interface of a portable electronic device. The method further includes determining the current location of the portable electronic device with a position receiving device, presenting a list of possible disaster types to the user through the user interface of the portable electronic device, and receiving a selected disaster type from the user. At least one suggested route is generated for the user to follow using route software of the portable electronic device according to the selected disaster type and the current location of the portable electronic device. Navigation instructions are then provided for guiding the user on the suggested route in order to avoid the selected disaster type.

Abstract: A process for determining a route along more than two mutually consecutive preset path points with given connecting routes in-between. In this case, a plurality of connecting routes is given between at least one pair of two mutually consecutive path points. Respective costs and preferably also a respective time duration are assigned to each connecting route. In a first step of the process, a tree is generated which comprises edges and nodes connected by edges. Each node is assigned to a defined path point and each edge corresponds to a connecting route. The route is determined based on a selection of edges of the tree.

Abstract: Locations having similar names are identified and placed in groups. The naming similarity includes how names or portions of names are spelled and/or pronounced. The names within the groups are then ranked by priority. The ranking is calculated using one or more attributes in a geographic database, such as the number of road segments associated with a named location, the population associated with a named location, distance to a named location, and administrative level of a named location. The ranking may be used during destination entry, when providing route guidance and/or maps, and when providing additional information to a user of a navigation system, such as demographic information.

Abstract: An air traffic control system for control of airport ground traffic includes a graphical display system configured to display a surface map, and configured to enable a controller to input, via a graphical input device, a taxi route along the surface map. Furthermore, the system includes a processor operatively coupled to the graphical display system, wherein the processor is configured to provide the surface map to the graphical display system. The processor is programmed to interpret the taxi route, and modify the taxi route to a taxiway path existing on the surface map. The system includes a transmitter communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the transmitter configured to transmit the taxiway path to an aircraft, and a datalink interface positioned onboard the aircraft and configured to receive and display the transmitted taxiway path.

Abstract: A routing module identifies POIs that can be reached from a route with a cost less than distance m. A routing engine performs a reverse exploration on nodes in the planned route to locate POIs from which the route can be reached with a cost of less than a second cost n. POIs identified as being reachable from the route with a cost of less than m, and from which the route is reachable with a cost less than n are then further filtered to identify a subset of the POIs for which the sum of the time or distance from the route to the POI and the time or distance from the POI back to the route is less than a threshold time or distance, t.

Abstract: Adaptive route guidance can include analyzing route progressions associated with one or more routes based on multiple user preferences. The adaptive route guidance can provide one or more preferred routes based on the user preferences, which can be presented to a user for navigation purposes.

Abstract: A GPS navigation code device that enables a driver to retrieve directions, without taking his eyes off the road. The user pre-programs the GPS navigation code device with a plurality of addressees or points of interest, and assigns unique navigation codes for each as keyboard entry and speech, all stored in local database within the GPS. While driving, the user presses a special address search mode key and inputs the unique navigation code by keyboard or speech pattern, views displayed address and accepts the same. When an unknown navigation code is entered, the GPS accesses a remote database through the Internet to recover the associated company name and business GPS coordinates. The remote database computes travel distance based on vehicle and business GPS coordinates, creating an ordered list that is presented to the GPS user, together with directions by map and speech on a turn-by-turn basis.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques directed to creating, encrypting, and updating a database of position coordinates of LDAR components. In one implementation, the method for creating a database of coordinates of leak detection and repair (LDAR) components includes receiving an input pertaining to an LDAR component, obtaining position coordinates of a handheld computer device and associating the position coordinates of the handheld computer device with the LDAR component.

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

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

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

Abstract: A night vision device for a vehicle is provided, in which a travel path that is set or is to be set is inserted in an image recorded by a camera, the travel path being determined from an evaluation of a location-finding or travel direction sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more of the map segments.

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

Abstract: Generation of one or more reference driving tracks for use in automatic route planning of an agricultural working vehicle includes driving along a starting route of an agricultural field to be worked, recording the starting route in a data processing device, selecting at least one section of the recorded starting route as a reference driving track, investigating the starting route along its entire length for changes in direction, and in the selecting at least one section, selecting a section as the reference driving track only if a change in direction that falls below a limit value is not found anywhere along an entire length of the section.

Abstract: A road information acquisition device includes: a surface elevation acquisition unit that obtains a surface elevation; a road information acquisition unit that calculates first road information relating to a travel route to be traveled by a host vehicle on the basis of the surface elevation; and a structure determination unit that determines whether or not a structure exists on the travel route, wherein, when the structure determination unit determines that the structure exists on the travel route, the road information acquisition unit obtains second road information, which is different from the first road information, relating to a point at which the structure exists on the travel route.

Abstract: When passage through a road pricing area where an exhaust gas emission vehicle is subjected to billing is predicted, an ECU calculates a stored energy quantity available for EV traveling based on the current SOC of a power storage device, and estimates a required energy quantity for passing through the road pricing area by EV traveling. The ECU further calculates a deficit of the stored energy quantity relative to the required energy, and if a deficit is found, executes vehicle control for preparing a vehicle condition for passage through the road pricing area corresponding to the energy deficit.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for providing geographic information. The system includes a base unit that receives a request from a mobile unit and provides a response to the mobile unit. The request includes a point of interest category and a traveling distance or traveling time parameter. The base unit identifies a point of interest that matches the point of interest category and satisfies the traveling distance or traveling time parameter. The response from the base unit to the mobile unit provides the identified point of interest.

Abstract: A method can include, for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide for the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions adapted to cause an information device to render: an identification of a destination of the predetermined route; a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video adapted to substantially reproduce a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection; a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos; at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

Abstract: A system and method of conveying missed approach procedures to a pilot are provided. The system and method include rendering a graphic representation of at least one leg of the missed approach procedure on a display. A determination is made as to whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure. At least one visual characteristic of the rendered graphic is selectively varied based on the determination of whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure.

Abstract: An information terminal device that clearly displays routes and directions to be taken is provided. A method for controlling the information terminal device, a program for controlling the information terminal device, a recording medium on which the program for controlling the information terminal device is recorded, and a communication network are also provided. An information terminal device displays surrounding area information including a display of the destination and a symbol representing the street leading to the destination from an exit of the nearest station, and image information formed by adding an arrow representing the direction toward the destination to a photograph of the street leading to the destination from the exit of the nearest station.

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

Abstract: A control system controls a pair of vehicles in coordination to traverse a respective pair of trajectories. The control system is configured to specify a plurality of successive waypoints, a safe stopping interval and an intermediate interval greater than the safe stopping interval, and exchange waypoints between vehicles. The system controls each vehicle in coordination with the other, senses a rate of exchange of waypoint data between the vehicles, and determines the safe stopping interval. The control system updates positions with additional waypoints as the respective vehicles pass by waypoints of the forecasted trajectory, determines the length of the forecasted trajectory remaining and compares it with the intermediate interval and the safe stopping interval. The system generates a warning signal if distance is less than the intermediate interval, and if the distance is less than the safe stopping interval, stops within the safe stopping interval.

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

Abstract: 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 and/or to provide driver assistance.

Abstract: A route guiding apparatus includes a subtraction distance calculating unit 18 for calculating a distance from an entrance of a guidance intersection determined by a route guidance unit 16 to a center of the guidance intersection according to the width of a road going out of the guidance intersection in a direction along a route to define the distance as a subtraction distance, a notification distance calculating unit 19 for subtracting the subtraction distance calculated by the subtraction distance calculating unit from the distance from a current position detected by a current position detecting unit 12 to the center of the guidance intersection determined by the route guidance unit to calculate a notification distance to be notified, and a display unit 20 for displaying the notification distance calculated by the notification distance calculating unit.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus acquires a traffic event and accordingly determines whether or not to change a guiding route to a destination. Based on an affirmative determination, the navigation apparatus displays icons corresponding to traffic events causing the affirmative determination near a road containing the traffic event in a map image in a representation mode for an image of the traffic event different from a normal representation mode assigned to the traffic event. In this manner, the navigation apparatus changes the guiding route to the destination dynamically depending on information about traffic events on roads and allows a user to recognize a cause of changing the guiding route.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for providing location-based entertainment. In one embodiment, a device capable of providing location-based entertainment comprises a navigational interface module configured to receive navigational data, an entertainment selection module configured to utilize the navigational data to generate location-based entertainment content for a user, and a presentation module configured to present the location-based content to the user. The system may also include a position finding module and a routing module.

Abstract: A location extraction component analyzes a set of travelogues to identify locations mentioned therein. A co-occurrence extraction component computes co-occurrence values for the identified locations. When a request to generate a travel route from a starting location to an ending location is received, suggested locations on or near the travel route are identified through the use of the co-occurrence values. A suggested travel route is then generated that passes through the starting location, the ending location, and the suggested locations. A map may be displayed showing the starting location, the ending location, the suggested locations, and the suggested travel route.

Abstract: A method of controlling a navigation apparatus, and which includes displaying map information on a touch screen display unit of the navigation apparatus, receiving at least a first touch input signal corresponding to a touching of a first position on the display unit and a second touch input signal corresponding to a touching of a second position on the display unit while the first position is continuously touched, calculating, via a controller, a traveling route including the touched first and second positions, and displaying the calculated traveling route on the displayed map information to inform a driver of a vehicle including the navigation apparatus about the calculated traveling route including the first and second positions.