Abstract: A method for providing traffic information includes registering a schedule containing the request details of a request for traffic information, receiving real-time traffic data for a time duration in advance of a traffic information provision time, and creating traffic information using the real-time traffic data at the traffic information provision time, and providing the traffic information. A related apparatus is also provided. The traffic information providing method and apparatus reduces an initial waiting duration for the provision of real-time traffic information.

Abstract: Methods for reliable broadcast transmission in a vehicular environment comprise providing a dynamic local map for a driven vehicle, selecting a pivot vehicle based on the local map and optionally on a radio frequency coverage limit and performing a RTS/CTS handshake between the driven vehicle and the pivot vehicle. The CTS message by the pivot vehicle clears the way for the driven vehicle to broadcast data to other vehicles in the environment.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for automatically alerting one or more recipients of the arrival of an individual to a known destination via a global positioning system (GPS) navigation device. To issue an accurate alert of arrival time and or distance, the device enables: (1) pre-selection of two or more locations from a plurality of mapped locations; (2) pre-selection of one or more devices to which an alert is to be sent when the GPS device passes through the pre-selected locations; and (3) pre-selection of a time during which the alert should be triggered. The device automatically sends an alert to one or more devices when the GPS device passes through the pre-selected locations during the pre-selected time period, wherein the alert informs the user of the one or more recipient devices that the individual (corresponding to the GPS device) has commenced a journey to the destination.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for displaying images corresponding to a path. The method can include downloading a path and one or more images corresponding to positions along the path, wherein the downloaded images are actual images of an environment near the corresponding positions. Additionally, the method can include detecting a position of a mobile device, and providing the downloaded images as the mobile device moves to the corresponding detected positions along the path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user interface for mobile devices enable data and services available through the mobile device to be represented as a set of tiles maintained in a display space. The tiles provide a snapshot of the current state of content available through the mobile device without requiring any interaction by the user. The tiles and display space are customizable and can be dynamically updated to display content to a user. In addition, tiles can provide functionality, including simple tasks to a user without requiring the user to navigate away from the tile display space. Tiles can also provide quick access to start software applications. Tiles can be organized in the display space by the user or the tiles can be automatically grouped based upon associated metadata.

Abstract: The map updating system (100) includes a server unit (400) and a terminal unit (300, 300A, 300B). The server unit (400) has an updated contents recognizer that recognizes updated contents of updated map information and generates updated contents information, a user recognizer that recognizes distribution request information and also recognizes user information containing the distribution request information when determining that the updated contents information contains request contents of the distribution request information, and an information transmitter that transmits the updated map information to the terminal unit (300, 300A, 300B) corresponding to the user information such that the map information can partially be rewritten with a part of the updated map information. The terminal unit (300, 300A, 300B) includes a terminal map updating section that acquires the transmitted updated map information and stores the part of the updated map information in a terminal storage section in a rewritable manner.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes: a map data obtaining unit that obtains map data; a navigation processing unit that executes navigation processing by using the obtained map data; a search data obtaining unit that obtains search data; a specific data detection unit that detects specific data for a specified search target by using the obtained search data; a correspondence table obtaining unit that obtains a correspondence table indicating correspondence between identification information used to identify individual road units into which each road is divided in predetermined units and map data road unit information related to map data road units defined in the map data individually corresponding to the road units; and a map position determining unit that determines a position of the specified search target in the map data based upon the specific data for the specified search target having been detected and the correspondence table having been obtained.

Abstract: Digital mapping techniques are disclosed that provide visually-oriented information to the user, such as driving directions that include visual data points along the way of the driving route, thereby improving the user experience. The user may preview the route associated with the driving directions, where the preview is based on, for example, at least one of satellite images, storefront images, and heuristics and/or business listings. The visually-oriented information can be presented to the user in a textual, graphical, or verbal format, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: Navigation apparatuses, methods, and programs set a first reference point on a driving route, set a second reference point on the driving route, the second reference point being prior to the first reference point along the driving route, and set a third reference point on the driving route, the third reference point being after the first reference point along the driving route. The apparatuses, methods, and programs set a triangular area having vertices corresponding to the first reference point, the second reference point, and the third reference point and obtain three-dimensional map data around the triangular area. The apparatuses, methods, and programs set a predetermined translucent ratio for a structure included in the triangular area. The apparatuses, methods, and programs generate a moving three-dimensional image which displays the driving route overlapped with the structure set with the predetermined translucent ratio and display the generated three-dimensional motion-image.

Abstract: Provided is a single repository for capturing, connecting, sharing, and visualizing information based on a geographic location, for example. Detailed information of a structure or object information can be displayed on a rooftop or over an area of interest. The detailed information can be provided for a single structure or for each structure shown on a map area. According to an embodiment is a system that facilitates surface overlay and bounding on a map. The system can include a receiver component that receives information for an object, a boundary component that ascertains a perimeter of the object, and a rendering component that selectively displays the object information and object on a map based in part on a user perspective.

Abstract: The supplementary location-related information which may be included in a digital map of the receiver is transmitted in such a way that the location-related information may be downloaded from an Internet page.

Abstract: A method and terminal for receiving and processing traffic information and a method and apparatus for providing the traffic information, where the method for receiving traffic information includes reading region information included in received traffic information, determining whether a first region indicated by the region information overlaps with a second region corresponding to location information on which traffic information is desired, and decoding the traffic information including the region information indicating the first region if the determination result indicates that the first and second regions overlap.

Abstract: A graphical mapping system configured to display mapping information on a handheld device is disclosed. The system includes an image map database configured to store map data for a plurality of geographic areas, which is useful for generating graphical maps. The system further includes a vector map database configured to store vector map data, which is useful for generating vector “overlays” that correspond to the graphical maps. In response to a mapping request from a handheld device, a set of image mapping data and a corresponding set of vector mapping data, both associated with a given geographic location, are retrievable.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a global positioning system operable to determine a current geographical location of the vehicle and a current directional heading of the vehicle. Data useful to the driver of the vehicle that is relevant to at least one of the current geographical location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle is carried from an external provider to the vehicle via a wireless communication link. The data is wirelessly communicated from the external provider to the vehicle responsive to at least one of (a) location of the vehicle, (b) identity of the vehicle and (c) directional heading of the vehicle. The data is at least in part customized to at least one of the current geographic location of the vehicle and the current directional heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for communicating between networked applications and vehicles that includes a vehicle response server and a vehicle response agent. The vehicle response server can manage communications between at least one vehicle and at least one application remotely located from the vehicle, wherein the application can provide activation contexts to the vehicle. The vehicle response agent can be disposed in the vehicle. The vehicle response agent can receive the activation contexts and determine event occurrences based in part upon the activation contexts and in part upon a location of the vehicle relative to previously defined geographical boundaries specified by the vehicle response server.

Abstract: A map user interlace is described, including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a map, and a location marker placed at the selected location on the map upon receiving a placement request indicating selection of a selected location for placement of a location marker.

Abstract: A navigation system stores setting record information related to places designated as destination or reached place. The setting record information includes setting frequencies with which corresponding places were designated. A control unit searches a map database for places meeting a keyword inputted by a user and causes a display unit to present the places in the descending order of their corresponding setting frequencies in the stored setting record information. The user then selects as a destination a certain place from the presented places. The control unit stores the selected certain place to update the setting record information. Thus, the names of places meeting the keyword inputted are directly displayed in the descending order of the setting frequency with which they have been designated in the past. Therefore, the user need not perform an operation to hierarchically select a desired place by region or facility name.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for displaying and transferring information between a vehicle and at least one transmitter separate from the vehicle includes an antenna mounted on the vehicle for receiving RF wireless signals emitted by each transmitter, a location determining device for determining the vehicle's location, a display arranged on the vehicle in a position to be viewable by a vehicle occupant and to display representations of the vehicle and other objects in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a processor coupled to the antenna, location determining device and display. The processor performs location-based filtering of signals received by the antenna to determine whether any contain information of interest for vehicular operation, extracts the information of interest from the signals determined to contain information of interest, and displays the location of the transmitter of the signals determined to contain information of interest or the information of interest from the transmitter.

Abstract: A method of presenting alternate routes to a user of a personal navigation device includes providing navigation instructions for guiding the user on an original route selected by the user, receiving and analyzing dynamic traffic data, determining the presence of a first alternate route according to the dynamic traffic data, the first alternate route potentially requiring a shorter travel time than the original route, and prompting the user with a choice of following the first alternate route, wherein the first alternate route is described using the name of at least one street associated with the first alternate route.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for presenting a route in a manner that emphasizes the route and provides context information. For example, a vivid color or vivid colors may be used to display the route, and pastel colors or other desaturated colors may be used for non-route context information. This may result in a map in which the vivid colors of the route stand out over the faded style of the non-route context information to emphasize the route. In this manner, the map may both emphasize the route and provide context information for the route.

Abstract: Method and system for obtaining information about traffic-related devices providing variable information includes providing a vehicle with a map database including the location of the devices, determining the location of the vehicle, as the location of the vehicle is determined to be approaching the location of each device, as known in the database, obtaining an image of the device, and analyzing the image to determine the status of the device. The vehicle may be controlled based on the status of the device, which is optionally displayed to the driver or other occupant of the vehicle. For example, when the device is a stoplight, the method can detect if the driver of the vehicle is slowing the vehicle when the stoplight is red, and if not, automatically cause the vehicle the slow down or stop.

Abstract: Accident avoidance system onboard a host vehicle includes a position determining system for determining position information for the host vehicle based on signals received from a plurality of satellites, a transmitter for broadcasting the position information for the host vehicle to locations remote from the host vehicle, a receiver for receiving a traffic information broadcast from an infrastructure system including vehicle position information received from position-reporting vehicles and vehicle position information received from an active position determining system that acquires position information for non-position-reporting vehicles, and an accident risk warning system. The risk warning system alerts an operator of the host vehicle of a risk of an accident involving the host vehicle based on the vehicle position information for the host vehicle and map data representing a roadway that the host vehicle is approaching or traveling on including edges or lane boundaries of the roadway.

Abstract: An on-vehicle position detection system includes a radiation emitting device for producing at least one beam which is appropriate to be reflected by a human body seated in the vehicle, a sensor device adapted for detecting the reflection of the at least one beam produced by the radiation emitting device and reflected by the human body, and for generating an output signal responsive to a reflection state of the at least one beam. A control device is coupled with the sensor device and is adapted for determining whether the output signal corresponds with a first value indicative of a first position of the human body, or a second value which is different from the first value and indicative of a second position of the human body. The control device is further adapted for switching on, switching off, or changing at least one of the functions of the operation mode of a device to be controlled when the control device determines that the output signal corresponds with the second value.

Abstract: A traffic information providing system externally acquires traffic information including information relating to the travel time of a link, calculates a travel time for a non-provision link to which no travel time is provided through estimate/complement operation. The estimate/complement operation is carried out with use of travel times, emergencies, travel times of links in the vicinity of the non-provision link, and so on, obtained in the near past. The system stores and statistically processes the externally-acquired traffic information, and also estimates a travel time in the near future. When there is an abnormality in the acquired traffic information, the system deletes the abnormality, regards the information as a non-provision link, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of links, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of the entire route made up of a plurality of links, and also calculates a probability for a specific travel time range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The telematics terminal is initialized based on the door open signal. An accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an ignition switch may be generated. At least one telematics module within the vehicle can be initialized based on the door open signal or the accessory signal.

Abstract: A facility searching technique easier to operate and having high degree of freedom. A facility searching device is constructed from a database on map information, a database relating to various kinds of facilities and including positional information of the facilities, a display unit for displaying, based on the map information, a map of a predetermined area, a pointing device for inputting a position located on the displayed map, a voice input unit for inputting by voice an instruction relating to search for facilities, and unit (25, 29, 30, 31) for performing the search for facilities upon receiving the input of a position or the input of an instruction (steps 21-22, 24, 26, 27, 28), the search being based on the inputted position and the instruction.

Abstract: A navigation system (20) includes a transceiver unit (210), a display unit (250), an input unit (260) and an ECU (230). The transceiver unit (210) transmits a signal for demanding a detection of a navigation path to a path detecting server (10) and then receives path data which represent the navigation path from the path detecting server (10). The display unit (250) outputs the navigation path or a revised navigation path. The ECU (230) conveys data on a departure point and a destination from the input unit (260) to the transceiver unit (210) and transfers the path data from the transceiver unit (210) to the display unit (250). Further, the ECU (270) precalculates deviation-expected paths in the course of driving along the navigation path and selects the revised navigation path among the precalculated deviation-expected paths in case a present position of a mobile object deviates from the navigation path to thereby provide the revised navigation path to the display unit (250).

Abstract: A map information processing apparatus includes a map information storage unit (15) for storing map information, a map update information storage unit (8) for storing one or more pieces of map update information (30 to 32) used for updating yet-to-be-updated map information, a map update information selection unit (19) for selecting one or more pieces of map update information required to update the map information stored in the map information storage unit (15) from the one or more pieces of map update information stored in the map update information storage unit, and a map information updating unit (20) for updating the map information stored in the map information storage unit (15) by applying the one or more pieces of map update information selected by the map update information selection unit to the map information one by one in order of updating.

Abstract: A point-of-interest display system includes an updateable database which interfaces with a microprocessor which receives data from a GPS receiver providing the system with current vehicle location and direction of travel information. A display provides the operator textural and elemental graphic display information, and easily accessible control switches allow the operator to select upcoming highway exits, categories of points of interest, and points of interest and display directions to a selected entry.

Abstract: A method for visualizing data comprises allocating the data to one or more groups. The method further comprises displaying one or more non-overlapping symbols on a map to represent the groups. The method further comprises merging the non-overlapping symbols into a lesser number of non-overlapping symbols when the map is zoomed out. The method also comprises splitting the one or more non-overlapping symbols into a greater number of non-overlapping symbols when the map is zoomed in.

Abstract: A method of demonstrating navigation in a vehicle includes receiving a navigation demonstration mode request and global positioning information at a call center. A destination prompt is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle. A point-of-interest category is received at a call center. A point-of-interest destination is determined based on the point-of-interest category. A route is determined based on the received global positioning information and the point-of-interest destination. The route is transmitted from the call center to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a navigation system for generating a reminder message by applying predefined validation rule to display and/or voice announce the reminder message associated with a particular location. The method includes the steps of creating reminder message data which include a reminder message, a primary location, a secondary location, and a validation rule; comparing a reference location with the primary location; applying the validation rule in the reminder message data to determine whether a relationship between the primary location and the reference location satisfies the condition in the validation rule; displaying the reminder message when the condition is satisfied; and conducting a route guidance operation to reach a location selected by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating a display image including a map view and route information, the map view being a three dimensional perspective elevation view. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: determining, from height information associated with a map object to be displayed in the display image, whether the object obscures a line of sight to the route information in the three dimensional perspective elevation; and displaying the map object in a format that is dependent on whether the map object is determined to obscure the line of sight.

Abstract: The TAWS system, in addition to an FTLA function for detecting the risk of collision with the terrain, has an end-of-conflict announcement function COT which is activated after the cessation of a warning or alarm concerning the risk of collision with the ground originating from the FTLA function. This COT function, when activated, checks that the aircraft (A) is observing minimum vertical and lateral safe distances, and estimates the lower vertical speed margin with which a new ground collision risk warning will not be retriggered. After confirming the observance of the minimum safe distances, the COT function has an end-of-conflict message (“Clear of terrain”) sent with a lower vertical speed margin indication.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a content posting is received from an access device connected to a network. The content posting includes data representative of a content instance and a geographic location associated with the content instance. The content posting is stored. The content instance is selectively distributed to at least one other access device connected to the network based on the geographic location. In certain embodiments, the selective distribution includes determining that the other access device is located physically proximate to the geographic location and making the content instance accessible to the other access device in response to the determination. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises the access device creating the content instance, detecting the geographic location as a physical location of the access device, and associating the geographic location with the content instance.

Abstract: In a map information processing apparatus including a processor 5 for updating map information containing map data stored in a map information storage device 3, road network data contained in the map data stored in the map information storage device has a data structure in which the road network data is composed of link strings each of which represents a series of roads in a road network as a series of links connecting nodes, the road network being represented by the nodes and the links; each of the link strings is represented by a link string record in which link records defining the links are arranged in order of the series of the links; each link constituting the link strings is provided with an invariable link identifier proper to each link; and node indication information for designating each node included in the link strings is represented by the link identifier of the link having the node as its one end.

Abstract: A map moving apparatus capable of performing desired map movement by a simple input operation without requiring a continuous operation by a user in moving a map screen display region is disclosed. An operated direction, an operated position, an operated speed and the like are detected from an input operation that a user performs on the map screen display region, and a map screen display region input shape recognizing section recognizes an input shape. A polygon shape identifying section extracts data having substantially the same shape as the recognized input shape from polygon data in map display data by using a matching method. When data having substantially the same shape exists, a type of the polygon is identified. In a movement mode selecting section, the movement of a screen map reverses direction when it reaches an end portion in the case where the polygon type is a linear shape, and the movement circulates to continue movement of the map screen where the type is a ring shape with no end portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle-mounted apparatus whereby a user can easily select and use a Web site in accordance with a point associated with information provided by the Web site and a description of the information. According to the present invention, a precache control unit automatically downloads at least one Web page of a Web site associated with each point matching a predetermined condition to a page cache memory and displays site icons at respective points corresponding to the downloaded Web sites on a map image. In addition, the precache control unit displays the predetermined type of extracted information by analyzing the description of the Web page of each Web site in an information window that pops up from the corresponding site icon. When the user selects one of the site icons, a Web browser displays the Web page of the Web site corresponding to the selected site icon.

Abstract: A navigation system and method having a function of alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving comprises means 102 for determining a position of a vehicle 300, means 107 for calculating a driving route of the vehicle 300, means 108 for determining a driving manoeuvre in accordance with the predetermined driving route 305, means 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting indications relating to the determined driving manoeuvre to a driver of the vehicle 300, and means 109 for alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving including means 201 for detecting a potential wrong way driving situation and means 202, 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting an indication relating to the potential wrong way driving situation to the driver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a multimedia broadcasting in a portable terminal having a navigation module, while a vehicle is being driven. The method includes steps of: proceeding to a vehicle driving mode, if it is recognized that the vehicle is currently being driven when the multimedia broadcasting data is outputted; confirming at least one vehicle driving function set as the vehicle driving mode in the vehicle driving mode and driving navigation module, and then acquiring vehicle driving information; and reflecting the acquired vehicle driving information in the vehicle driving function and then outputting the multimedia broadcasting data after applying the vehicle driving function to the multimedia broadcasting data.

Abstract: The telematics service providing system generates a path from the departure point to the destination based on traffic information, generates guidance information for each guidance point where a turn to a direction that is different from the current progress direction of the client is needed on the generated path, clips a vicinity map covering a predetermined area with reference to the guidance point from the total map to generate a guidance point vicinity map, converts the generated guidance point vicinity map into a format displayable by the client, and provides the converted map to the client terminal. Accordingly, confusion caused by complex crossroads or paths that need consecutive and same direction turns may be prevented, the client terminal may not need a memory for storing large-volume geographic information data, and the client may not additionally need to upgrade the geographic information data.

Abstract: A weather information display device displays on its display device a section, for which weather information is acquired, in a display mode corresponding to the weather information. An icon indicating the weather information is displayed on the section of the weather information. When a relatively wide area map is displayed, a plurality of icons for a plurality of sections may have to be displayed in overlapped manner. If the icons indicate the same weather information, only one icon is displayed as a representative of the same icons. If the icons indicate the different weather information, an icon having higher display priority is displayed as being overlapped over icons of lower display priority. If one of the different overlapped icons is touched, only the touched icon and the corresponding weather information are displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a navigation device in which the accuracy of placement of a displayed vehicle position mark is improved at an intersection with a small angle. The navigation device weights coefficients of road candidates for consistent matching, in determining the optimal road from a plurality of matching road candidates. Accordingly, a fluctuating display of the vehicle position mark on an incorrect road at an intersection with a small angle is prevented.

Abstract: Generalization of features in a digital map is enabled by performing a simplification of polylines. A set of chords between points on a polyline is selected such that each chord does not violate specified rules such as maximum distance from the original polyline. If a chord is acceptable, a node representing the chord is created, described by the start and end points of the chord. For pairs of nodes created, a transition from the first node to the second node is evaluated to determine whether it is acceptable. In one embodiment, a transition is acceptable if the absolute value of the angle formed by the chords is within a threshold angle from the angle formed by the original polyline at that point. If the transition is acceptable, a link between the two nodes is established. A least-cost path through the graph is chosen, and a simplified polyline is then generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle for generating a plurality of routes from a present position of the vehicle to a destination acquires the present position. The system stores map data of a map and storing position detection data. The system displays the map based on the map data. The system forms a factor chart of each of the plurality of routes and the associated one or more factors. The system causes the factor chart of the associated one or more factors of the each of the plurality of routes to be displayed. The system searches for at least one facility located along the each of the plurality of routes based on the position detection data. The system causes the at least one facility to be displayed together with the chart of the associated factor.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking and maintaining an inventory of location of containers that are stored on cargo ships or in a container yard. The system includes one or more sensors, such as GPS and INS sensors for obtaining real-time position information, as well as a processor configured to automatically provide post processing to recover lost data and to correct erroneous data, such as when real-time position signals are blocked or distorted, the post processing performed by estimating trajectories and correcting the location errors. Post-processed positioning techniques are continuously applied to the stored position data to iteratively determine calibrated position locations to provide calibrated second trajectory segments in a real-time fashion. The calibrated second trajectories are then used to identify the errors in the past real-time position data as soon as a segment of the second calibrated trajectory becomes statistically trustworthy.

Abstract: A non-scaled, linearly compressed pictographic mapping system is provided for the visual display of information in a navigational aid. Unlike today's road maps which use a point-arc-polygon paradigm, the new mapping uses a non-scaled, linearly-compressed pictographic design that shows roads as linear pictograms. The display has a columnar layout, whereby the descriptive elements are grouped together by type, and displayed one above the other in columns. The maps may also contain icons representing points of interest. In this manner, the mapping paradigm also serves to increase traveler safety, provide navigation assistance during address-less trips, create valuable advertising space and new promotional opportunities, and dramatically increases the travelers' communications and entertainment options.

Abstract: A map display apparatus that displays a map includes: a display device; a touch panel disposed over a screen at the display device; and a control device that controls display at the display device with a signal input from the touch panel, and: the control device displays at the display device a map and a plurality of buttons used to adjust a scaling factor of the map, makes a decision as to whether or not the touch panel has been pressed at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of buttons, makes a decision as to whether or not a finger having pressed the touch panel has been moved to a specific position and displays, together with the map, a wide-area map at a scaling factor smaller than the scaling factor of the map if the finger having pressed the touch panel is judged to have been moved to the specific position.