Abstract: A system for predicting a travel time for a traffic route is disclosed. The traffic route comprises one or more road segments. A predicted travel time for each of those segments is calculated based, in part, on traffic speed data for each of the one or more road segments. A total travel time is then calculated for the route, the total travel time including a predicted travel time for each of the one or more road segments.

Abstract: A method and system for providing augmented directions that include actual media collected from locations along the route and annotations is provided. An augmented navigation system includes a collection component, a direction component, and a playback component. The collection component may be used to collect actual media from various locations and augment a map with the actual media. The direction component generates augmented directions as requested by a user based on the augmented map. The playback component may output the directions in real time as the user navigates.

Abstract: A user carried electronic device and method therefore is provided for directing the user to a parked vehicle using several modes of operation. The device includes a display, a memory, an interface for receiving information downloads from the vehicle and a controller coupled thereto for managing operation of the device. The controller stores the downloaded information in the memory and presents RETURN-TO-VEHICLE information on the display in response to a user request. The downloaded information desirably includes photographic information concerning the parked vehicle's environment obtained by vehicle camera(s) or otherwise. Vehicle location information and vehicle location accuracy information may be included. The device desirably includes location tracking elements that, when operating, provide graphical directions back to the vehicle based on vehicle location information in the download.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation apparatus that is capable of quickly providing information about a new facility to a user when the new facility is set up. The vehicle navigation apparatus includes information about a newly added facility. When a vehicle is approaching the new facility, an image representing the existence of the new facility is displayed on a map.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a navigation system including an information center and a mobile terminal is disclosed. The information center stores node image information on topographic features of a node. The node image information includes partial image information according to a direction of movement of the mobile terminal. The information center includes a database for storing a node message having the partial image information and a database for storing map data. The information center generates the node message for guiding the next node point whenever the mobile terminal reaches a node point, and transmits partial image information of the node image information corresponding to the direction of movement of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal displays the image information of the node received at each node point and confirms a movement path.

Abstract: A method for navigating in a vehicle includes the steps of identifying navigation information for at least one destination. The navigation information is stored in at least a first memory remote from the vehicle. The navigation information is transferred from the first memory to a navigation device in the vehicle. The vehicle can then be navigated to the destination using the navigation device and the navigation information.

Abstract: In a night vision device for motor vehicles having at least one night vision camera, a control unit and a display unit for displaying a night vision image, the control unit is designed to ascertain and display assister markings for longitudinal and/or lateral guidance while driving the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for providing and storing annotations that pertain to travel directions to a particular destination, the annotations generally including ratings of the accuracy of the directions and errors observed in the directions by prior users. Annotations submitted by users are stored in a central repository, for access by those who subsequently become interested in the directions or the particular destination. A useful embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for providing travel directions over a selected network, wherein a request for directions regarding a specified destination is sent from a requester to a Directions Provider. The Provider retrieves the requested directions and furnishes them to the requestor. The method further includes generating annotations associated with the furnished directions in accordance with a set of rules resulting from one or more decisions made by the requester, and sending the annotations to the requester.

Abstract: An in-vehicle navigation device in which a route search block outputs a search result of a guiding route from an exit of the expressway to an entrance of the expressway by way of the selected facility to a display block to make the display block display the search result in a case where a present position detected by a present position detection block is on an expressway and where position of a target facility selected by a facility information selection block is outside the expressway.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for providing route guidance and other information from a base unit to a remote unit in response to a request from the remote unit. A query is formatted at the remote unit, the query including the request, and is transmitted from the remote unit to the base unit. Requested route guidance information is calculated at the base unit in response to the query, using a large up-to-date database located at the base unit. A response to the query is formatted at the base unit, the response including route guidance information. The response is then transmitted from the base unit to the remote unit for display. The transmission is made in a compact form through the use of maneuver arms and combined maneuver arms and through the use of tokenized forms. A maneuver arm represents a road at an intersection, for depiction on a display, by one or two endpoint coordinates.

Abstract: A method is provided for improved navigation guidance in a portable navigation device (104) having a first navigation operating mode (302) for requesting (318, 324) and receiving (326, 334) routelet data and navigation route data and operating in accordance with the routelet data (332) and a second operation navigation mode (304) for operating in accordance with the navigation route data (338). The method includes in the first navigation operating mode (302), the steps of transmitting a routelet request (318) comprising location data, speed data and direction data, the location, speed and direction data determined (312, 314 316) in response to a present location, a present speed and a present direction of travel, respectively, of the portable navigation device (104), receiving routelet data (326) and operating in accordance with the received routelet data (332).

Abstract: Along with displaying on a map a sign which indicates the type of a traffic event at the side of the traffic lane upon which the traffic event has occurred, the sign and the position of the traffic event are displayed upon the map in a state of being connected together by a line or by a drawing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guiding system for wireless terminals. In the system, position-specific information of route points of the route on which a first wireless terminal travels is determined and it is sent to a guiding server. Supplementary data used for guiding the route are stored in the first terminal in response to a request of the user. The supplementary data are associated with the position information, and the guiding server compiles and stores route information comprising position information and supplementary data. The route information is transmitted from the guiding server to at least one wireless terminal in response to the route request. The position of the terminal is determined and the received route information is presented in the terminal so that supplementary data are presented when the terminal is in places with which the supplementary data are associated.

Abstract: In an automobile, communications to and from the automobile are in the form of messages. Such messages are referred to as “electronic car-mail” or “C-mail” messages as each message has a destination or origination address which includes an identifier, e.g., a vehicle identification number (VIN), identifying the automobile. The messages may be delivered to the automobile from a remote server through a communications network, e.g., the Internet. One such message may contain a recall notice to the automobile. Another message may contain just-in-time map information for navigation, depending on the current location of the automobile. Yet another message may contain advertising information concerning selected entities, e.g., restaurants, gas stations, department stores, etc., also depending on the current location of the automobile. The messages transmitted from the automobile to the remote server may contain, e.g.

Abstract: A navigation system provides information about railroad crossing locations. A geographic database used by the navigation system includes data that indicate whether an at-grade railroad crossing is located along a road segment. Using this information, a route calculation function in the navigation system calculates a route to a destination that avoids road segments that have at-grade railroad crossings. In this way, the delays associated with waiting for a train to cross a road are avoided.

Abstract: A method of obtaining data for a geographic database is disclosed. Data indicating a plurality of locations along roads including data indicating altitudes at the plurality of locations is provided. Road grade values for a plurality of subsections of the road are computed; each of the subsections is a portion of the road between two of the locations. A plurality of temporary change points are identified as joining two adjacent subsections having road grade values that differ by a value greater than a predetermined amount. Road grade values for each part of the road between adjacent temporary change points are computed. Consecutive parts of the road having road grade values that falls within a predetermined range are grouped into at least one constant road grade section. The geographic database stores data that define the constant road grade section.

Abstract: A method and system for user supply of point of interests is provided. User-supplied point of interest information may be maintained in a network storage facility mobile terminal, or other electronic digital storage device. A GPS device or mobile terminal for which location information may be determined may initiate a query of a user-supplied point of interest in conjunction with the location of the mobile terminal. Location or navigation information of the user-supplied point of interest may be retrieved and transmitted to the mobile terminal for display hereby.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for associating and displaying qualitative information with points of interest in a graphical map. In one embodiment, a method comprises the computer-implemented steps of displaying a geographical map; displaying in the map, concurrently, icons identifying one or more points of interest at graphical locations in the map corresponding to geographical locations of the points of interest; and concurrently displaying, over the map, for each of the points of interest, qualitative information associated with the associated point of interest. Each of the points of interest is associated with one or more datasets, and different qualitative information is displayed for different datasets.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for directing region-specific information. The method receives information relating to location of users, and provides location-specific information to the users.

Abstract: A system for identifying a fastest possible travel route is disclosed. A traveler data processor collects traffic speed data and associates the traffic speed data with road segments. The road segments collectively represent one or more possible travel routes from a start point to an end point. A forecast engine determines a predicted travel time for each of the road segments based on, for example, the traffic speed data for each of the road segments. A routing engine determines the fastest possible travel route from the start point to the end point. The fastest possible travel route is the possible travel route from the one or more possible travel routes with the shortest predicted travel time.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a portable computing device. When approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided by the portable computing device, the portable computing device presents alternating images on a display screen. The alternating images include an overhead view map image and either a perspective view map image or a stylized image. The stylized image can be either a 2D image or a 3D image.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying information on a vehicle includes an information acquiring unit that acquires at least one of speed information and engine revolutions-per-minute information of the vehicle; and a display control unit that controls a display screen in such a manner that a road and a roadside zone of the road is displayed three-dimensionally, and a display of the road side zone is changed dynamically according to a speed and an engine revolutions-per-minute of the vehicle, based on the speed information and the engine revolutions-per-minute information of the vehicle acquired.

Abstract: A car navigation device using a forward real video and a control method thereof are disclosed. The car navigation device using a forward real video along the travel direction of a vehicle, comprises a camera that photographs the forward real video and outputs the photographed video on a screen, a GPS receiver that receives current position information of the vehicle from a satellite, and a navigation main module that receives the current position information of the vehicle from the GPS receiver, obtains more accurate current position information through calibration using a speed sensor and a gyro, extracts TBT information based on the obtained accurate current position information and user's set destination point information by a general method, and overlays the TBT information on the screen containing the forward real video along the direction of a destination point.

Abstract: A corridor search process is used to identify locations of interest along a travel route. The corridor search process identifies locations of interest along a travel route by using a grid search process that first identifies shape points that correspond to the travel route. Each shape point is associated with a portion of a grid system used to delineate a region of geography through which the route traverses. The portions of the grid system correspond to a corridor along the travel route. References to redundant portions of the grid system are removed, and locations of interest are identified based on an association between a location of interest with a particular portion of the grid system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for searching and retrieving location information associated with one or more points of interests, whereby the search criteria can be dependent upon the location of a point of interest with respect to the real-time position of the user, and any preferences or search restrictions selected by the user, such as rating information about the point of interest. Upon selecting a point of interest from the search result, the user is then given further information regarding the selected point of interest, including but not limited to directions for traveling to the point of interest. Additionally, the present invention can provide to the user a proximity notification once the user is within a certain distance from the point interest.

Abstract: A system member of a data processing system 1 operates a terminal 3 to connect a registration-site server 6, and inputs requirements including personal data. The registration-site server 6 creates customer data from the requirements and point data concerning points given, and registers the system member as a point member. The system member clicks an icon of “Side trip” on a point card registration-site at the terminal 3, to transfer the point data and shop code data from the registration-site server 6 to a server 5, so that shop data is automatically made. The terminal 3 is operated to connect the sever 5. Upon a request for shop search, the position of the shop for which the point member is registered is displayed with higher visibility corresponding to use frequency than other shops.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sending and retrieving location relevant information to a user by selecting and designating a point of interest that is displayed on a graphical user interface and sending the location information associated with that point of interest to a receiver that is also selected using the graphical user interface. The location relevant information may also include mapped routes, waypoints, geo-fenced areas, moving vehicles etc. Updated location relevant information may also be continuously sent to the user while generating updated mapping information on the graphical user interface. The present invention may be practiced by using communication devices such as a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, in-vehicle navigation systems, or a mobile telephone.

Abstract: A method for collecting geographic data for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A virtual pedestrian segment providing a path through an unorganized geographic area is identified. The unorganized geographic area lacks underlying organization into roads and paths. Data indicating a location of the virtual pedestrian segment is collected. Data representing the virtual pedestrian segment is stored in the geographic database, and the geographic database is provided for use with navigation related features.

Abstract: A information providing system for use in a vehicle. The system includes a processor having a global positioning system (GPS) incorporated therein positioned at a predetermined location within said vehicle. A passenger interface is positioned within the vehicle and connected to the processor for controlling the processor. A service provider is located remotely from the vehicle for storing and selectively distributing content to the processor. A communication network connects the service provider to the processor. The GPS obtains information regarding a geographic location of the vehicle and provides the information to the service provider for analysis thereof. The service provider parses the stored content and distributes geographically pertinent content to the processor for display on the passenger interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.

Abstract: A current place indicating icon a for indicating the current place of a user, a used road image b for indicating a used road being followed by the user, an option road image c for indicating an option road connected to the used road and located in front of the current place in the traveling direction, and a way point indicating icon d set by the user and located in front of the current place in the traveling direction are displayed in the screen X of a display unit 7.

Abstract: The present invention provides for delivering content, such as information, advertisements, directions, and news, to a mobile terminal based on location. The mobile terminal is configured to determine its location and whether content is available based on internal records. If content is available, the mobile terminal may initiate correspondence with an application server to obtain the content. The mobile terminal may keep a table identifying the availability of content for defined locations. Preferably, the locations relate to cells within a wireless network wherein the mobile terminal will check for the availability of content for a given cell and request the content. The mobile terminal may check for the availability of content periodically or when the servicing cell changes.

Abstract: A corridor search process is used to identify locations of interest along a travel route. The corridor search process identifies locations of interest along a travel route by using a grid search process that first identifies shape points that correspond to the travel route. Each shape point is associated with a portion of a grid system used to delineate a region of geography through which the route traverses. The portions of the grid system correspond to a corridor along the travel route. References to redundant portions of the grid system are removed, and locations of interest are identified based on an association between a location of interest with a particular portion of the grid system.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a computing device. Data are stored for rendering a simulation of travel along one or more road segments prior to embarking on travel along the road segments. The simulation is comprised of a sequence of views of the road network along each road segment from vantage points above or along the road network. Each road segment may be part of a calculated route and the simulation may include views for all the road segments contained in the calculated route. While the computing device is being conveyed along each road segment, the data stored for the simulation is used to show a view of the road network that includes the current position of the computing device on a display of the computing device.

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 systems.

Abstract: In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.

Abstract: A display method and apparatus for navigation system enables a user easily see a list of points of interest (POIs) along a route to a destination. The navigation system shows a list of distance ranges of the route where each range shows a number of POIs searched. The current user position is marked in the corresponding distance range. The navigation system displays a list of POI names in the selected distance range where the POI names are arranged in the order that the user sees the POIs along the route. For determining the listing order, the navigation system uses a plurality of region circles having their centers on the route to the destination, and retrieves POIs contained in the region circles and calculates a modified distance of each POI.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guiding system for wireless terminals. In the system, position-specific information of route points of the route on which a first wireless terminal travels is determined and it is sent to a guiding server. Supplementary data used for guiding the route are stored in the first terminal in response to a request of the user. The supplementary data are associated with the position information, and the guiding server compiles and stores route information comprising position information and supplementary data. The route information is transmitted from the guiding server to at least one wireless terminal in response to the route request. The position of the terminal is determined and the received route information is presented in the terminal so that said supplementary data are presented when the terminal is in places with which the supplementary data are associated.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system provides information relating to a list of intersections or other points of interest located ahead of a vehicle relative to a heading vector of the vehicle. The vehicle navigation system uses information about the current location of the vehicle and the heading vector in connection with a navigation database to identify a list of the intersections or other points of interest along the current street. The vehicle navigation system presents this information to an occupant of the vehicle. As the vehicle progresses and makes turn maneuvers, the navigation system updates the list of intersections or other points of interest that the vehicle is approaching. The occupant can receive information regarding points of interest without needing to enter a planned destination beforehand. In addition, the occupant can determine the location of the vehicle relative to the surrounding area without the clutter of irrelevant map details.

Abstract: The present invention is to store a content list that stores at least one pair of content related to a position and the position in relation to the content, determine a content acquisition region to acquire the content based on a current position, select content in relation to a position associated with the determined content acquisition region from the content list, acquire part of the selected content in advance, determine whether remaining part of the selected content will be referred to based on a position subsequent to the part of the selected content being acquired, thereby determining whether or not to acquire the remaining part of the selected content, and when determining to acquire the remaining part of the selected content, acquire the remaining part of the selected content.

Abstract: A location-based and preference-based system and method for matching the profiles of the attributes and/or characteristics of persons, places and/or things with the expressed preferences of mobile users such as travelers, to alert and direct such users to any places having attributes matching the user's express preferences. In particular, the system comprises a mobile device such as a GPS-capable PDA that stores the user's preferences and communicates with a server that contains or accesses the profiles of the persons, places or things to compare the profiles and preferences. Comparison of the user's preferences with the various profiles allows the user only to be informed of those persons, places and/or things that it is likely to be interested in. The system and method thus provides for a mobile real-time point of interest exchange network.

Abstract: A passive alert system is provided for vehicles traveling along a predetermined travel route. The vehicles are equipped with vehicle processing systems which are in communication with a remote server. The remote server acquires information pertaining to conditions along the travel route, such as weather and traffic conditions, and determines if these conditions are of a nature which warrants reporting them to the vehicle processing systems.

Abstract: A corridor search process is used to identify locations of interest along a travel route. The corridor search process identifies locations of interest along a travel route by using a grid search process that first identifies shape points that correspond to the travel route. Each shape point is associated with a portion of a grid system used to delineate a region of geography through which the route traverses. The portions of the grid system correspond to a corridor along the travel route. References to redundant portions of the grid system are removed, and locations of interest are identified based on an association between a location of interest with a particular portion of the grid system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for providing route guidance and other information from a base unit to a remote unit in response to a request from the remote unit. A query is formatted at the remote unit, the query including the request, and is transmitted from the remote unit to the base unit. Requested route guidance information is calculated at the base unit in response to the query, using a large up-to-date database located at the base unit. A response to the query is formatted at the base unit, the response including route guidance information. The response is then transmitted from the base unit to the remote unit for display. The transmission is made in a compact form through the use of maneuver arms and combined maneuver arms and through the use of tokenized forms. A maneuver arm represents a road at an intersection, for depiction on a display, by one or two endpoint coordinates.

Abstract: A vehicle surrounding area imaging system is configured to allow a driver to easily view and verify an image surrounding a peripheral side of the vehicle. The vehicle surrounding area imaging system basically has two cameras, a navigation system, a startup imaging determination unit and a monitor. The cameras take images of the areas to the sides of the vehicle to acquire images. The navigation system detects the current position of the vehicle. The startup imaging determination unit detects predetermined road regions that requires an image to be displayed from the periphery around the vehicle based on the current position detected by the navigation system as well as map information. The monitor selectively displays the images acquired by the cameras before the vehicle enters into one of the predetermined road region that requires an image display.

Abstract: A navigation device in which, in accordance with a scrolling instruction given by a user during display on a first screen, a map image is scrolled along a road on which a vehicle position mark is positioned up to a position in a second screen in which a next main intersection is situated at the center of the screen. Regardless of whether a guide route is set, the map image can be scrolled along the road, and the scrolling is stopped at a main intersection that the user wants to confirm.

Abstract: A notification server (100) is coupled to a database (102). The database (102) includes information relating to a user service and a threshold for notifying the user of the availability of the service. The threshold is based upon a then current location of the user and an availability of the service relative to the then current location of the user. The notification server (100) is operable to generate an alert based upon the user service, the then current location of the user and the threshold and to communicate the alert to the user via a communication interface (104).

Abstract: A method for collecting data for a geographic database is disclosed. Altitude data are collected using a vehicle traveling in a geographic region. A barometer associated with the vehicle supplies the altitude data. Road grade data along the roads traveled by the vehicle is derived by analyzing the altitude data. The geographic database is updated to indicate the road grade.

Abstract: A guidance information providing apparatus comprises a first memory to store network data including line segment data representing a passage in a target area of route guidance in an information map and point data representing a connecting point of a passage, a second memory store three-dimensional shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the target area, a route search unit which searches for a guiding route connecting an input departure place and destination, a setting unit which sets viewpoint position candidates, an evaluation unit which obtains an evaluation value, from each viewpoint position candidate, an generating unit which determines a viewpoint position, on the basis of the evaluation value of visibility from each viewpoint position candidate, and generates the information map by projecting the three-dimensional shape data, and a presentation unit which presents the generated information map to a user.