Abstract: A system which is adapted to provide a personal security system to a mobile individual is presented. In addition, a method for providing a security system to a mobile individual is presented as well as a method of using such a security system. In general, the method of providing a personal security system to a mobile individual using the system described herein may include receiving information regarding a set of different locations and corresponding time frames. In addition, the method may include transmitting a communication signal to a communication device during at least one of the time frames based upon a designated schedule. Subsequently, the method may include determining a subsequent course of action based upon whether a designated reply has been received in response to the transmitted communication. In some cases, the method may include notifying a responsive entity of location information upon failing to receive the designated reply.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting and distributing vehicle traffic congestion information is disclosed. The method and system optionally involves deploying probe vehicles or other data sources for collecting and transmitting detailed traffic information which describes vehicle speeds actually being experienced along the routes of interest and transmitting all this information into a central computer at a central traffic data station, where the data are processed.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer system.

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

Abstract: A system and method for searching, accessing, retrieving, representing and browsing geographic or location related information from the Web (i.e.: HTML documents that describe physical places), including a geographic distribution of places where selectable types of resources are located or certain types of services provided. A user may select any one of the automatically mapped locations and browse the information for this location. Documents accessible through the Web are tagged with the cartographic coordinates of the physical location referenced in the document and, optionally, with attributes of this physical location. Also provided is a method for searching and retrieving the tagged documents from a computer system by queries specifying parameters such as the cartographic coordinates of a reference location, the size of the geographic area to search around this reference location, and/or attributes of the locations to search inside that geographic area.

Abstract: An operating device in a vehicle has hierarchical display screens. The hierarchical display screens have operation items for operating an operational object. An operation item on a lower-level screen is displayed on the top screen, based on the number of use of the operation item.

Abstract: Such a system is provided in which a map can be supplied to a user to permit the user to grasp the geography easily, if the address or the telephone number of an installation of destination, such as a restaurant, is stated, even though the scheme of displaying a map picture is not stated by an information provider in a text document of a preset format. An HTML analyzer 211 initiates an analysis loop of an HTML document being browsed to extract a location information letter/character string, which is seemingly an address or a telephone number, from the HTML document. A location searcher 212 calculates the latitude/longitude of a site from the location information letter/character string received through controller 217, using a site information database 213, and sends the so calculated latitude/longitude through controller 217 to a map picture generating unit 214.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for displaying an operation status of a construction machine by sensing operating information of the construction machine by means of a coolant water sensor and the like, sending the operating information to a control computer while the control computer receives the operating information which has been sent from the construction machine, determines whether the construction machine is in operation or not based on the received operating information, and displays the result of judgment on a monitor screen, so that the current operation status of the construction machine can be known easily.

Abstract: A rover determines a destination and periodically checks the location of the rover against one or more active alert thresholds. One alert threshold is the boundary of an alert area surrounding a destination. The rover sends an alert to a service center alerts a designated party of an impending arrival of the rover at the destination when the rover is within an alert area surrounding the destination. The service center can also alert a designated party when the rover leaves an alert area surrounding a location. The alerts can be communicated via an automated telephone message, a pager message, an e-mail message, or any other means of communication. The alerts can be used for deliveries by directing an alert to a customer expecting a delivery or to a site expecting a vehicle for loading or unloading. In a private context, the alerts can automatically activate systems such as a home appliances or systems in anticipation of a resident's arrival.

Abstract: A communications-type car navigation system including a vehicle-mounted terminal and a server. When transferring, to the terminal, the result of a route searching which the server has performed, the server transfers the data that will satisfy the requirements of a route guiding method which the user wishes. Also, the server transfers the route data that has been compressed. Concerning the map data as well, the server transfers only the necessary attributes thereof. Moreover, the following conditions allow the operability to be enhanced: the selection of a map transferring method and the route guiding method where the driving state has been taken into consideration, and the selection of a guiding unit which the user wishes.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and program product are provided for controlling the number of symbols presented on an vehicle electronic map display by using a first threshold constant for the number of symbols to be presented in FULL detail and a second threshold constant for the number of symbols to be presented in MINIMUM detail. In a first embodiment, the total number of selected symbols is compared to the threshold constants for each symbol type. In a second embodiment, the number of symbols of each type is compared to the respective threshold constants for each type. Excessive map clutter is avoided without regard to the map range selected by the user and for both high density and sparse map regions.

Abstract: A map display apparatus for receiving and displaying map data transmitted from an information center. The map display apparatus includes a reporting device to report data-transmission expenses or data-transmission time required in receiving the map data from the information center; a determining device that allows a user to determine whether to receive the map data from the information center; and a requesting device to request the information center to transmit the map data upon a user's determination of receiving the map data.

Abstract: A method and device for displaying the condition of an information-processing device is provided. The device includes a time unit, a register unit, a display unit and a detecting mechanism. The method is to detect the condition of the information-processing device with the detecting mechanism; to store the condition information in the register unit; to display the condition through the display unit, and to update the condition information periodically by signals from the time unit.

Abstract: An in-vehicle navigation system includes a receiver for receiving real-time traffic information (RTTI), a database for storing routine trip information, and a processor for running a regular route application. The regular route application includes a learning mode program and an operational mode program. The learning mode program records information regarding trips regularly taken by a vehicle and populates the database with records of routine trip information. The recorded trip information can include driver identifiers, trip departure times, origin points, destination points, dates of travel, days of travel, and route data. When the vehicle begins a new trip, the operational mode program determines whether the vehicle is engaging in a routine trip. This is accomplished by comparing current vehicle location or departure time information to routine trip information in the database.

Abstract: A method for transmitting location-related data information between a main station and a mobile terminal is described, as well as a main station and a mobile terminal are described, which provide a position tracing of the mobile terminal or a navigational application on the display device of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may include a mobile telecommunications terminal. In a first step, a position of a mobile terminal is ascertained and transmitted to the main station. In a second step, location-related data information for the mobile terminal is formed in the main station, in dependence upon the ascertained position of the mobile terminal. In a third step, the location-related data information is transmitted from the main station to the mobile terminal. In a fourth step, the location-related data information received is brought to reproduction on a reproduction device of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a most efficient, automated, fast and least expensive method and apparatus for processing the dig ticket alerts to prevent damage of underground facilities. All the functions required to process the ticket alerts are handled by one system called the geolink (geographical link to data) fiber integrity, i.e. GFI. The processing includes checking the ticket alerts for a dig location, automatically closing the ticket alerts if the dig location is not touching a cable buffer and forwarding the ticket alerts to the technician responsible for the ticket alert if the dig location is touching the cable buffer. The GFI system will receive and process thousands of dig ticket alerts on a daily basis without depending on any other system.

Abstract: An external index detection unit (105) receives an image sensed by a camera (100), and detects an external index set in a real scene. A tachometer (110) measures the rotational velocities of two rear wheels of a vehicle. A vehicle measurement unit (120) measures the position and azimuth of the vehicle on the basis of the image coordinate position of the external index and the rotational velocities of the two rear wheels of the vehicle. A head index detection unit (135) receives an image sensed by a camera (130), and detects a head index set on the head of a passenger (132). A head measurement unit (140) measures the position of the head on the basis of the image coordinate position of the head index.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided which obtains facility information and displays a facility icon in a position corresponding to the position of the facility on a map shown on a display. The navigation system includes a facility designating device to designate the facility icon, and a designated facility route guidance device to give route guidance to the facility when the facility designating operation is conducted with the facility designating device.

Abstract: In order to simplify the setting of interchanges for getting on and off, a navigation system has an information retrieval processing unit for obtaining map data and interchanges for getting on and off, a display unit which displays a setup screen for displaying a map including the interchanges for getting on and off and, on the same screen, a simple road chart including neighboring interchanges for getting on and off. When the map is scrolled, the simple road chart is renewed so as to correspond to the area to which the map is scrolled, and the setting of the interchanges for getting on and off is simplified.

Abstract: A personal rescue system in which the car driver can double-click the emergency button of a personal remote control secretly to send an emergency signal to an on-board movable alert device when extorted by evil fellows, causing the controller of the movable alert device to turn the audio/video output device of the movable alert device into a background mode and then to drive the wireless communication device of the movable alert device to send a rescuing message to a remote side wirelessly under the background mode without infuriating the evil fellows.

Abstract: The input operation recognizing section 13 recognizes an input operation to execute re-search in the operating section 4. The facility search control section 10 makes the facility search section 9 execute re-search. The re-search by the facility search section 9 is carried out by searching, from facilities belonging to the same group as that of those detected in the previous search, facilities other than those detected in the previous search. With the present invention, when the re-search as described above is to be performed, user's operation for specifying a facility is not required, which improves the convenience in facility search.

Abstract: A broadcasting center multiplexes contents obtained by adding information indicative of presentation conditions including a “location”, a “moving direction”, and the “period of validity of data” to stream data. A broadcasting wave dispatching apparatus transmits the contents to the entire information provided area through a broadcasting wave. A reception terminal apparatus mounted in a vehicle receives the broadcasting wave distributed by the broadcasting station while the vehicle is passing through the information provided area. The reception terminal apparatus then separates the multiplexed contents from the received signal for storage. It also obtains status information including the location of the vehicle, the current time, and the moving direction of the vehicle, from information provided by a vehicle location measuring apparatus. The reception terminal apparatus then sequentially compares the status information with the presentation condition information, added to the stored contents.

Abstract: An information display system including an input device that inputs a scheduled event, a schedule storage in which the schedule is stored, a display device that displays a map, a memory that stores map information and the scheduled event, and a controller that displays a schedule reminder message on the map at a specified time before the scheduled event is to occur.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided that allows an appropriate destination point to be set when a vehicle begins to travel without an operator setting a destination point. A navigation system is provided with a system control section and, if a vehicle begins to travel without an operator setting a destination point, destination point information is retrieved. This destination point information is stored in a travel information database on the basis of information about the position of the vehicle, the direction in which the vehicle is progressing and information about the road. The road is which the vehicle is traveling along that was calculated based on the respective signals input from a GPS receiving section and various sensor sections. In addition, if there are candidates for the relevant destination point, candidate destination points are displayed on a display section as predicted destination points.

Abstract: An electronic device is built including a memory, a processor, and a display. The processor is configured to calculate an array of estimated travel time data from a first location to a plurality of locations within a destination area from a set of situational parameters and a set of user parameters. These situational parameters may include data such as: the location, condition, and speed limits of roads and paths; the availability of public transportation; terrain information such as elevation, slope, the presence of trails and vegetation; and weather information such as wind speed and precipitation. User parameters may include data such as: the user's mode of transportation, the user's physical abilities, and the load the user is carrying.

Abstract: A first vehicle includes a first device for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals, generating at least one of a first time, position and velocity signal based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a second time, position and velocity signal based upon the motion of the first vehicle, comparing the first and second signals, generating a corrected first vehicle signal, and transmitting the corrected first vehicle signal. A second vehicle includes a second device for receiving GPS signals, generating at least one of a third time, position and velocity based on the received GPS signals, generating at least one of a fourth time, position and velocity based on the motion of the second vehicle, comparing the third and fourth signals, generating a corrected second vehicle signal, receiving the corrected first signal, and calculating from the corrected first and second vehicle signals the likelihood that the positions of the first and second vehicles will coincide at some time.

Abstract: A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.

Abstract: A management method and system for a parking lot utilizes multiple parking space sensors to detect the using status of each parking space. A computer is provided to connect to all parking space sensors and controls a display board that is placed at the entrance of the parking lot to show which position is available. Thus, the display board provides the guiding function to the vehicle driver that enters the parking lot. Further, the guiding function is performed by multiple modules mounted on all paths in the parking lot to identify a proper direction so that an available position is easily found.

Abstract: “Path-enhanced” multimedia (PEM) data may be viewed, modified, or interacted with according to user selected views which determine the manner in which at least a portion of the PEM data is displayed. The PEM data is stored in a data structure as a scrapbook object including first data object types corresponding to the PEM data and second object types corresponding to the different view types. The scrapbook object data structure lends itself to displaying portions of the PEM data according to selected views that correspond to a particular time and place or to a particular time ordered sequence of locations (i.e., a particular path segment) and/or can be enhanced with other multimedia content related to that time and place or to that path segment, thereby providing a more interesting and effective display of the “path-enhanced” recorded events.

Abstract: A navigation system is provided which obtains facility information and displays a facility icon in a position corresponding to the position of the facility on a map shown on a display. The navigation system includes a facility designating device to designate the facility icon, and a designated facility route guidance device to give route guidance to the facility when the facility designating operation is conducted with the facility designating device.

Abstract: An information center generates packets of route guidance information, each corresponding to a prescribed road length of a recommended route. The information center may generate major guide point information and guidance information and transmit both to a vehicular apparatus. The vehicular apparatus provides guidance only for major guide points based on the received major guide point information if it cannot receive the guidance information. According to another aspect of the invention, if the end of a route segment which was the subject of the preceding route guidance information is on an expressway or toll road, guidance information for a preliminary route from that end to an escape position ahead on the expressway or toll road is first transmitted and then information for a remaining route, that is a segment of the recommended route having the prescribed road length minus the preliminary route, is then transmitted.

Abstract: A device, a method, an adjusting device, and a mobile system for providing location-dependent information. It is proposed to use a device (1) which utilizes a navigation system (2) to detect its own position within an environment in relation to a map (4), in order to reproduce the location-dependent information. The device has a reproduction device (3) for providing the information (I1 . . . Im) associated with the corresponding locations (P1 . . . Pn). To store the information, a storage medium (5) is provided either locally in the device or in a central data memory (9) of a server (7) that is separate from the device. The range (10) around a position (P1 . . . Pn) within which the information is to be provided is defined by parameters, such as by radius (11) and/or by sector (12). An adjusting device (13) with an input screen (14), for entering the parameters, is also preferably provided.

Abstract: A map data transmitting server, interconnected with a vehicle terminal through a wireless network, stores map data including a plurality of cell layers in which cells are linearly aligned, each cell of the cell layer bordering two adjacent cells of another cell layer that is adjacent to the cell layer, and the vehicle terminal selectively requests transmission of needed cell data to the server and accordingly receives the requested data from the server.

Abstract: A method for dynamically personalizing transportation in a vehicle comprises the steps of providing a vehicle including a messaging device for displaying messages, providing a central dispatch system for managing passenger allocation to the vehicle, receiving passenger specific information at the dispatch system, providing data relating to the passenger specific information from the dispatch system to the messaging device, and selecting and displaying a message based on the data for display. Further, a method is disclosed in which messages depending on passenger specific information, and messages independent form passenger specific information are selected and displayed. The messaging device is in communication with a video display unit or with a printing device for displaying messages received.

Abstract: A map data production system includes a workstation, a keyboard, a mouse, a data storage and a display. The data storage stores road map data. A section of a road on a map read from the data storage and displayed on a display. An access road, grade data of which will be added or altered, is specified by clicking its start and end points on the map with the mouse. An elevation value of the road in the specified section is entered at a data entry screen display on the display by a user via the keyboard. A grade value of the road in the specified section is calculated from the entered elevation value and map data stored in the data storage. The calculated grade value is added to the road map data and stored in the data storage.

Abstract: A method and system for recording, synthesizing, distributing, and playing back position data includes a reference receiver having a known position, a mobile receiver having a variable position along a trajectory path, and a processor that calculates the trajectory path based on the reference receiver's position and the mobile receiver's position. The system generates a composite simulation dataset that displays the trajectory path in a virtual reality-like interactive display.

Abstract: A display method and apparatus for a navigation system for receiving traffic information and displaying traffic incidents in a manner easily and quickly comprehensible by a user of the navigation system. The navigation system applies various criteria to the traffic incidents and the route to the destination and determines an order of displaying the traffic incidents in accordance with the degrees of severity to the driving to the intended or calculated route to the destination. In other aspect, instead of assigning the listing order, colors are assigned to the traffic incident icons based on the degrees of severity.

Abstract: The method of transmitting traffic information about a traffic obstruction on a traffic way with digital coded messages includes coding a coded location contained in a location data bank, which amounts to an approximate position of the traffic obstruction on the traffic way, and a section part of the traffic way between the coded location and an actual position of the traffic obstruction on the traffic way in a traffic message and then transmitting the traffic message. In addition the length of the traffic obstruction can be included in the traffic message. In a preferred embodiment the traffic message is a TMC traffic message coded with ALERT-C protocol. In which the section part is coded in label 12 and the length in label 2.

Abstract: A vehicle information display device has a vehicle information receiving means for receiving a vehicle information, a present position detecting means for detecting the present position of a driver's own vehicle, and a display means which is so adapted that when the vehicle information receiving means receives a vehicle information based on image data, the vehicle information based on image data is displayed, and the present position of the driver's own vehicle is displayed by means of characters or a present position indicating mark on a displayed map.

Abstract: PDA devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. A PDA with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.

Abstract: A method for collecting data for a geographic database is disclosed. A plurality of vehicles moving on roads in a geographic region collects data indicating position of the vehicle. For a location on a selected road, the method obtains a cross sectional distribution of the position data. The method identifies a number of steps in the distribution indicating a number of lanes on the selected road and updates the geographic database with data indicating the number of lanes.

Abstract: There is provided a navigation system using a wireless communication system and a route guidance method thereof. In the navigation system, an information center searches out an optimum route between a present vehicle position and a destination referring to map data in its map database and generates route guidance data. A navigation terminal inside the vehicle calculates the present position of the vehicle, transmits the vehicle's current position information to the information center, receives the route guidance data, and announces a notification message. A wireless communication network connects the information center to the navigation terminal wirelessly.

Abstract: A method and device are provided to determine a location corresponding to an entry in a database stored in an electronic device; determine a current position of the electronic device; obtain navigational information from the current position to the location; and provide the navigational information to a user.

Abstract: A car navigation system searches for a route from a start point to a destination, and provides guidance along the route. The car navigation system includes a trifurcate guidance section that makes a decision of considering two consecutive bifurcate guidance nodes among guidance nodes stored in a guidance node storing section as a single trifurcate guidance node, and makes a decision of a guidance direction to be provided as trifurcate guidance. The trifurcate guidance section provides the trifurcate guidance at the single trifurcate guidance node via a guidance section. The car navigation system can provide the guidance indicating a driver the way to proceed plainly, when two successive bifurcate intersections are present in a short distance.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and software for providing a navigable, context-sensitive electronic display. A preferred embodiment comprises providing a cross hairs that consists of objects forming an intersection, each object corresponding to a different geometrical dimension of the display; communicating with an input device that provides signals to control movement of the cross hairs; and in response to signals received from said input device, configuring the cross hairs to point to a region on the display; wherein at least some data displayed on the display has an associated context; and wherein movement of the cross hairs on the display is based at least in part upon that context.

Abstract: The present invention apparatus and method that allows the geographical location of a user with respect to a designated geographical location to be determined in a manner that cost-efficient, the user given several options regarding the way in which his of her present location is determined as well as the format in which the user's relative position to the designated geographical location is represented and the apparatus being easy to operate and relatively lightweight.

Abstract: A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.

Abstract: There is disclosed a location search system which detects a position coordinate of a data processing device based on received radio wave information transmitted from the data processing device having a wireless communications function. The location search system includes a server including a search unit which searches region information specifying a location of the data processing device from a region information database based on calculated position coordinate information.

Abstract: A car navigation system by which a user can easily grasp a drop-in target in the course of a route. In a summary road map displayed in a two- or one-window display representation, contents of a two-dimensional road map is properly selected and simplified, roads are made linear, roads connected to an intersection are made orthogonal so that the user can easily see it, the position of a vehicle is expressed by a mark, and even the running route is expressed with a predetermined color or the like. Accordingly, the system offers the user such a display form as able to easily refer to. When the user specifies a target at which the user wants to drop in, the drop-in target is displayed at a corresponding position on the summary road map in the form of a land mark.

Abstract: A wireless device displays a view of location data to a user. The location data includes readily recognizable features in a geographical area, such as a geographical map or a list of cities, neighborhoods, businesses, intersections, streets, or landmarks. A user selects a particular location data from the view and the selected location data is displayed in more detail. The process of selecting particular location data and displaying that location data in more detail continues until a location can be specified from the displayed view.