Abstract: An information processing system includes one or more vehicles, and a server communicable with the one or more vehicles. The vehicle acquires an image obtained by imaging a road on which a host vehicle is located. The vehicle or the server determines a degree of difficulty in traveling on the road due to snow cover from the image. The server stores the degree of difficulty in traveling for each of one or more roads, and provides information to a client by using the stored degree of difficulty in traveling for each of one or more roads.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for presenting weather conditions a traveler may encounter while traveling a route. In an illustrative embodiment, a computing device executes instructions to present an integrated route map. An input is received indicative of a trip to be made to a destination by a traveler. A store of route data for an area encompassing the trip is accessed. At least one route is identified. A weather forecasting service is accessed from which expected weather conditions are accessible for the area through the projected time. The expected weather conditions are identified for the location at the projected time. An integrated route map is displayed showing the at least one route and the expected weather conditions for the location at the projected time.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) device can be configured to generate a virtual representation of a user's physical environment. The AR device can capture images of the user's physical environment to generate a mesh map. The AR device can project graphics at designated locations on a virtual bounding box to guide the user to capture images of the user's physical environment. The AR device can provide visual, audible, or haptic guidance to direct the user of the AR device to look toward waypoints to generate the mesh map of the user's environment.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented method of planning a path for a mobile robot such as an autonomous vehicle in the presence of K obstacles. The method uses, for each of the K obstacles, a shape Bk and a density function pk(x) representing the probabilistic position of the obstacle. The method repeats the following steps for at least two different paths A: —choosing a path A, where A is the swept area of the robot within a given time interval; and—calculating based on the density function of each obstacle and the swept path an upper bound on the total probability of at least one collision FD between the robot and the K obstacles. This allows a number of candidate paths to be ranked for safety. By precomputing factors of the computational steps over K obstacles, the computation per path is O(N), and not O(NK). A safety threshold can be used to filter out paths below that threshold.

Abstract: Navigation devices and methods of operation are provided. The navigation device includes a communication unit; a display; an input unit for receiving an input of data; a communication unit; and a controller for controlling operation of the display and the input unit. The controller connects to a data server through the communication unit, requests path setting information to the data server, receives the path setting information from the data server, acquires present position information of the navigation device, acquires a user moving path by reflecting the acquired position information and the received path setting information, and sets the user moving path as a guidance path. In this case, the path setting information is generated in another electronic device or the data server based on user input information input from the another electronic device.

Abstract: Method and system tool for playback of content on a mobile device using location data, or composing complex content in real-time on a mobile device utilizing user settings and programming, using device location data as a primary input.

Abstract: A method to allocate memory, in response to application requests, for a compact data structure having location data and a trailer section is provided. The trailer section of the compact data structure is checked to determine an offset for listings and indices representing the location data. Upon determining the offset, the listings and indices are loaded into memory and responses to the application requests are generated by utilizing the listings and indices stored in the memory.

Abstract: Techniques discussed herein describe an example system for managing a fleet of vehicles. A server determines whether to provision a service for a vehicle based on telemetry data received from a telemetry module on the vehicle in a fleet of vehicles. The telemetry data includes a first location and status information of the vehicle. The server identifies a vendor to provide the service and directs the vehicle to a second location of the vendor from the first location of the vehicle. The server provides authorization to the vehicle for an on-board transaction module to initiate a request for the service when the vehicle is at the second location of the vendor.

Abstract: An information processing system includes one or more vehicles, and a server communicable with the one or more vehicles. The vehicle acquires an image obtained by imaging a road on which a host vehicle is located. The vehicle or the server determines a degree of difficulty in traveling on the road due to snow cover from the image. The server stores the degree of difficulty in traveling for each of one or more roads, and provides information to a client by using the stored degree of difficulty in traveling for each of one or more roads.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) has dynamically changing user-selectable graphical tiles that automatically reorder in closest-to-farthest order based on a real-time location of an electronic computing device having a location tracking device. Physical entities near the device are displayed on the GUI. As the location of the device changes, the list dynamically changes in real time by reordering display of the tiles on the GUI so that a closest of the physical entities is displayed topmost. A points balance associated with a user of the electronic computing device is displayed. A window is displayed in response to triggering events. The user can select one of the tiles, or the device can come within a minimum threshold distance. In response to a selection or user input, an exchange value is received from an external computer server corresponding to a number of points. An electronic transaction is facilitated using the exchanged points.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: acquire feature points from a shot image; calculate, from each of the acquired feature points, with preset conditions, a plurality of context feature amounts that has a success-or-failure vector of a single-attribute; and extract, from among the acquired feature points, feature points of which a product of the plurality of context feature amounts is equal to or greater than a preset threshold.

Abstract: New route information is received. The new route information comprises an origin location, a destination location, and a time. A route is determined based on the new route information. Route data corresponding to the route is analyzed based on a high cognitive load model to identify one or more high cognitive load portions of the route. The route data comprises at least one of (a) point of interest data, (b) entity of interest data, or (c) roadway data. Familiarization information is generated for the high cognitive load portions. The familiarization information comprises (a) familiarization content and (b) a trigger point. The familiarization content is configured to be provided to a user via a user interface of a vehicle apparatus when, based on a location sensor of the vehicle apparatus, it is determined that the vehicle apparatus has reached the trigger point. The familiarization information is provided to the vehicle apparatus.

Abstract: Physical access to secure areas is automatically performed based on presence or detection of a wireless device. A unique identifier of a wireless cellular device, for example, may be pre-authorized for occupants, employees, and tenants of a building. Contractors and vendors may also have their wireless cellular devices pre-approved for access. When the wireless cellular device is detected by a network serving the secure area, its unique identifier may be compared to databases or lists of approved cellular devices. Physical access may thus be automatically granted, based on possession of a recognized cellular device.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the touch screen, sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one, and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for vehicles configured for performing a self-parking operation without a human operator. The vehicle includes an on-board computer for receiving a wireless signal from a portable device. The wireless signal is configured to instruct the on-board computer to perform the self-parking operation. The on-board computer of the vehicle is configured for processing instructions to communicate with sensors of the vehicle, and the sensors are located along a front and a rear of the vehicle, and the sensors along the front and the rear include a combination of one or more cameras and ultrasonic sensors. The on-board computer is configured for receiving data from the combination of said one or more cameras and said ultrasonic sensors. The on-board computer is configured for determining that a space in front of said vehicle is clear to enable movement of the vehicle using said data from the combination of said camera and said ultrasonic sensors from said front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A route search system includes an electronic control unit configured to perform: acquiring estimated weather information, the estimated weather information being information about weather that is estimated in a region where a candidate of a first route from a departure place to a destination place exists; acquiring experienced weather information, the experienced weather information being information about weather that a user has experienced in past; an searching the first route by preferentially selecting a first road over a second road, and outputting information about the first route, the first road being a road in a first region where the estimated weather information coincides with the experienced weather information, the second road being a road in a second region where the estimated weather information does not coincide with the experienced weather information.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a traffic hindrance risk having a traffic hindrance information generating server configured to generate traffic hindrance information encompassing congestion degree information including a current congestion degree obtained from a current value of driving data transmitted as probe data regarding a driving route from a vehicle equipped with a navigation system and a statistical congestion degree obtained from a statistical value of the current value of driving data in a certain previous period and a weather information generating server configured to generate weather information from weather data distributed by a meteorological agency with respect to an area including the driving route based on an weather model. In the apparatus, a traffic hindrance occurrence risk possibility of traffic hindrance occurrence with respect to the driving route is predicted from the congestion degree and weather information.

Abstract: A method for navigating a vehicle automatically from a current location to a destination location without a human operator is disclosed. The method includes identifying a vehicle location using global positioning system (GPS) data regarding the vehicle. Also included is identifying that the vehicle location is near or at a parking location. Then, using mapping data defined for the parking location. The mapping data at least in part is used to find a path at the parking location to avoid a collision of the vehicle with at least one physical structure when the vehicle is automatically moved at the parking location. The method includes instructing the electronics of the vehicle to proceed with controlling the vehicle to automatically move from the current location to the destination location at the parking location. The electronics use as input at least part of the mapping data and sensor data collected from around the vehicle by at least two vehicle sensors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device, determining geographical coordinates of the destination, and transmitting the coordinates to the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method includes transmitting a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device to a remote location, receiving geographical coordinates of the destination, and outputting a map showing a present location of the mobile device and/or the geographical destination. In yet another embodiment, a method includes receiving a present geographical location of a remote mobile device at a local mobile device, and outputting a map showing a present location of the local mobile device and/or the received location of the remote mobile device. In a further embodiment, a method includes sending a present geographical location of a mobile device to a remote mobile device. Other methods for remote location determination/access are described as well.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a zone of relevance for locating a wireless end-user and making a user notification decision including: storing information related to the enterprise in an enterprise database; storing information related to the end-user in an end-user database; accessing said enterprise and user end databases to extract enterprise and end-user related information; accessing a geographical database to extract geographic information, based on information obtained from the enterprise database; extracting relevant dynamic inputs from external sources via a predefined application programming interface; determining a value for the user notification based on weighting of said extracted information and historical use information; determining a zone of relevance for the wireless end-user; and notifying a user, wherein notifying the user meets predetermined criteria for the determined value of notification.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and method which uses personal contact-based route guidance. A route guidance generator receives information about personal contacts including a location, a description and a rating value for route guidance and generates route guidance suitable for navigation applications. The personal contacts based guidance can be combined with normal street and maneuver based guidance.

Abstract: Providing search results includes: receiving a set of one or more search keywords; obtaining a plurality of search results that are generated in response to a search performed using the set of one or more search keywords, the plurality of search results each having corresponding region attribute information; establishing a set of one or more regions according to at least region attribute information of the plurality of search results; generating display information associated with the set of one or more regions, the display information comprising one or more of: textual information, graphic information, or geographical location information; and causing the display information to be displayed.

Abstract: Locational tracking aids emergency management plans. Occupants of a building or campus are determined based on presence or detection of wireless devices. When an emergency occurs, the occupants may move to safety based on the current locations of their wireless devices.

Abstract: An access control system and method for monitoring a public access point are disclosed. The system includes a positioning unit that tracks locations of users carrying user devices relative to the public access point, where the user devices transmit user information identifying the users via wireless signals. The system determines whether the users are authorized to pass through the access point based on the wireless signals from the user devices. Public access points include security checkpoints at government buildings, airports, amusement parks, and universities, in examples. In embodiments, biometric identifiers are obtained from the users when the users are preferably located within a threshold area of the public access points, and the system confirms the identity of the authorized users via the biometric identifiers to enable the users to pass through the public access points. Additionally, the system can assist in evacuation of users based on their tracked locations.

Abstract: Provided are a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same. The mobile terminal includes a display unit configured to display a graphic object indicating information about a route between a source and a destination and a control unit configured to detect information about at least one recommended section corresponding to at least one of a plurality of sections included in the route information and display a graphic object indicating the route information and a graphic object indicating the detected recommended section information together in a visually distinct manner. The recommended section information is route information indicating a route through which at least one external terminal has traveled.

Abstract: Locational tracking aids emergency management plans. Occupants of a building or campus are determined based on presence or detection of wireless devices. When an emergency occurs, the occupants may move to safety based on the current locations of their wireless devices.

Abstract: An active exit system may include one or more active exit signs, each exit sign having at least one sensor, a display, and a transceiver. Each active exit sign monitors building environmental conditions, monitors the locations of users and objects within the building, and assists in location services during normal operation. The exit signs transmit a dynamic exit plan to a user's electronic device based on the user's location. In response to sensing an emergency event, the exit sign transmits an emergency signal to the user's electronic device and updates a user's exit plan as needed based on the location of the emergency event. The exit sign also transmits user location information to emergency responders.

Abstract: A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service.

Abstract: A responder-ready reporting network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the responder-ready reporting network comprises a control system configured for real-time managing of a real-time digital map of a selected environment. The responder-ready reporting network further comprises a data storage repository coupled with the control system and configured to store the real-time digital map of said selected environment. The responder-ready reporting network further comprises an emergency responder reporting component configured to convey data regarding the selected environment, including the real-time digital map, to an emergency responder agent in response to the triggering of an emergency notification regarding the selected environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a navigation device which includes an obtaining unit that, when updating contents introduction data which introduces the latest updating contents of an arbitrary home page is sent from the outside, obtains the updating contents introduction data, a position information generation unit that generates position information according to the latitude and longitude information included in the updating contents introduction data, and a position registration unit that registers the position information in a predetermined storage unit.

Abstract: An identification unit identifies a departure point of a travel locus of a vehicle. The vehicle departs through the departure point from a departure road stored beforehand in map data. The map data has map link information including multiple links. An exit point set unit sets an exit point on a link included in the map link information. The link corresponds to the departure point of the departure road identified by the identification unit. A learning unit learns a new road based on the exit point set by the exit point set unit and the travel locus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus, method, and program store map/road data including information on parking lots, provide position information on a position of the vehicle, and output guidance information. The apparatus, method, and program process the position information and the map/road data to generate guidance information, and make a first determination whether the vehicle enters a first threshold area around a target destination. The apparatus, method, and program make, in response to the first determination, a second determination that the vehicle has not been parked before a parking notification output condition is fulfilled and output parking notification information on the output unit in response to the second determination.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for tracking points of interest of a user of a mobile device are disclosed. One method includes determining points of interest of a user of a mobile device. The method includes obtaining user-related information, wherein the user-related information includes spatial information about the user, and determining at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information. Another embodiment includes an apparatus for determining points of interest of a user. For one embodiment, the apparatus is a mobile device. The mobile device is operative to obtain user-related information, wherein the user-related information comprising spatial information about the user, and the mobile device is operative to determine at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: operating a communication unit for establishing a communication link between a first device and a second device; receiving a user defined destination; displaying a first location and a first route to the user defined destination on the first device and the second device, where the first location represents the location of the first device; and displaying a second location and a second route to the user defined destination on the first device and the second device, where the second location represents the location of the second device.

Abstract: A location system for use in locating a vehicle or other object. The system may include displaying directional information on a mobile device, such as but not limited to a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), remote vehicle control device (fob, RKE, passive entry, etc.). The displayed directional information may indicate a direction of travel to the vehicle without requiring the mobile device to rely on GPS satellites to determine a position useful in orientating the user in a direction toward the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing notification about approaching transportation. A transportation notification application on a mobile communication device associated with a transportation vehicle is activated. An operator of the transportation vehicle selects a predefined route, having multiple transportation stops to be traversed by the transportation vehicle, from the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. A current transportation stop of the selected route is then selected, again using the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. The transportation notification application on the mobile communication device then automatically sends a transportation notification message, in response to the selecting of the current transportation stop, to a plurality of user communication devices of known users of the transportation vehicle who are associated with at least one subsequent transportation stop of the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A method for providing navigation information to a user, the method including: inputting identification associated with the user into one terminal of a plurality of terminals distributed throughout an area visited by the user, each terminal being located in a kiosk and operating in kiosk mode; inputting a destination; computing a route from the kiosk to the destination; and presenting the route as the navigation information to the user.

Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for providing improved augmentation for GPS calculations. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve using a plurality of GPS devices associated with stationary objects associated with a common carrier's delivery network and the common carrier's delivery fleet to calculate error corrections and to communicate these error corrections to a number of GPS enable devices to be used by these devices to augment GPS calculations to correct errors associated with GPS signals. Further, various embodiments of the invention involve collecting GPS data for a plurality of delivery routes traveled by the common carrier's delivery fleet. In particular embodiments, this collected data may be used to provide more accurate address information for locations along these delivery routes and more accurate renderings of various landscapes along these delivery routes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for providing improved augmentation for GPS calculations. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve using a plurality of GPS devices associated with stationary objects associated with a common carrier's delivery network and the common carrier's delivery fleet to calculate error corrections and to communicate these error corrections to a number of GPS enable devices to be used by these devices to augment GPS calculations to correct errors associated with GPS signals. Further, various embodiments of the invention involve collecting GPS data for a plurality of delivery routes traveled by the common carrier's delivery fleet. In particular embodiments, this collected data may be used to provide more accurate address information for locations along these delivery routes and more accurate renderings of various landscapes along these delivery routes.

Abstract: A user input is received on a wireless device specifying a starting location. The position of the wireless device is tracked from the starting location in response to the user input. A user input is received on the wireless device specifying an ending location, and a route is generated from the tracking of the wireless device from the starting location to the ending location. A first reference is associated with the route, wherein the route is retrievable by a selection of the first reference.

Abstract: A voice recognition method that is used for finding a street uses a database including information about a plurality of streets. The streets are characterized by respective street names and street types. A user provides a voice input for the street that the user tries to find. The voice input includes a street name and a street type. The street type is recognized by processing the voice input. Streets having the recognized street type are then selected from the database and a street name of at least one of the streets selected from the database is recognized by processing the voice input.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle navigation apparatus included in a vehicle, and which includes displaying road guidance information on a touch screen display of the vehicle navigation apparatus and including a set travel route from a current position of a vehicle to a destination, determining, via a controller, whether a particular road displayed on the road guidance information has been drawn on, said particular road corresponding to a road that is different than a road included in the set travel route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and setting, via the controller, a road matched to the particular road that has been drawn on as a detour.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating and using information regarding road traffic in various ways, including by obtaining and analyzing road traffic information regarding actual behavior of drivers of vehicles on a network of roads. Obtained actual driver behavior information may in some situations be analyzed to identify decision point locations at which drivers face choices corresponding to possible alternative routes through the network of roads (e.g., intersections, highway exits and/or entrances, etc.), as well as to track the actual use by drivers of particular paths between particular decision points in order to determine preferred compound links between those decision point locations. The identified and determined information from the analysis may then be used in various manners, including in some situations to assist in determining particular recommended or preferred routes of vehicles through the network of roads based at least in part on actual driver behavior information.

Abstract: A system for providing navigational information comprises a mobile system processing and transmitting via a wireless link a continuous voice stream spoken by a user of the mobile system, the continuous voice stream including a complete destination address and a data center processing the continuous voice stream received via the wireless link into voice navigational information.

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

Abstract: A method of providing navigational information includes the step of processing destination information spoken by a user of a mobile processing system and transmitting the processed voice information via a wireless link to a remote data center. The processed voice information is analyzed with a voice recognition system at the remote data center to recognize components of the destination information spoken by the user. The remote data center generates a list of hypothetical recognized components of the destination information listed by confidence levels as calculated for each component of the destination information analyzed by the voice recognition system. The remote data center determines if a confidence score is below a recognition confidence value and, if the confidence score is below the recognition confidence value, transmits an automated request to have the user speak the destination information again.

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

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