Abstract: An object recognition device detects a position of a vehicle based on a running path obtained by GPS, vehicle speed, steering angle, etc., and also detects the position of the vehicle based on a result of recognition of an object obtained using a captured image of a camera. The device computes a positioning accuracy in detecting the vehicle position, which accuracy mostly deteriorates as a movement distance of the vehicle increases. Positional data of the object on the road to be recognized is stored in a map database beforehand. A recognition range of the road of the object to be recognized is set based on the detected position of the vehicle, a position of the object stored in the map database, and the computed positioning accuracy. The object is recognized for the set recognition range by processing of the captured image of the camera.

Abstract: The method for estimating parameters of a navigation signal received by a receiver which receives navigation signals through a plurality of paths wherein the parameters include data modulated on the navigation signal and complex amplitudes i.e. amplitude and phase shift, and time delays of the individual paths, comprises receiving a navigation signal and sampling the received navigation signal. Moreover, the parameters are sequentially estimated in terms of a posterior probability density function. For facilitating the sequential estimation, the received vector is transformed into a compressed vector without loss of information by using a correlator bank having a plurality of correlator reference signals.

Abstract: A map information providing system has a map information providing apparatus 1 and an onboard information terminal 3. The map information providing apparatus 1 selects a road represented by the coordinate point string data indicating a newly established road in accordance with distribution request information obtained from the onboard information terminal, and distributes the distribution road information containing the coordinate point string data about the road selected to the onboard information terminal.

Abstract: A preliminary guidance data is determined for the vehicle during an evaluation time window. A vision module collects vision data from a vision module during the evaluation time window. Vision guidance data is determined from the collected vision data. A vision quality estimator estimates vision quality data for at least one of the vision data and the vision guidance data during the evaluation time window. The vision quality data is based on a cross correlations and an r-squared value. An adjuster adjusts the preliminary guidance data to a revised guidance data based on the vision guidance data such that the revised guidance data is registered with or generally coextensive with the vision guidance data, if the vision quality data exceeds a minimum threshold.

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

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

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

Abstract: A navigation system and method for resolving discrepancies between a reported position and route data is presented. Based on a reported position, the navigation system identifies prospective road segments within a radius of the reported position. For each road segment, the navigation system generates a series of scores according to various attributes, including the current heading, current speed, proximity of reported location to the prospective road, and the like. Historical scores are also generated based on historical information, i.e., previous navigation device locations. Scores are normalized such that they can be compared, and optionally weighted according to particular implementation details. After scores have been generated for each prospective road, the prospective road, and its determined location, with the best score is selected as the resolved, actual location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus provide for electronically processing vehicle location data wherein the vehicle location data specifies a sequence of vehicle locations, and wherein the processing determines if the sequence of vehicle locations form a sequence of the vehicle's travel that is acceptable for the purposes of filing tax reports relating to the vehicle. Processing further provides for determining the acceptability of the sequence according to one or more criteria, and provides a user tools that enable the user to accept or revise the vehicle location data for the unacceptable part of the sequence.

Abstract: An entertainment system is for a vehicle and includes a vehicle environment sensor apparatus that captures data indicative of the vehicle's environment and that generates a vehicle environment data feed. A video game console is electronically coupled to the vehicle environment sensor apparatus and has an application program interface. The video game console receives the vehicle environment data feed, operates a game medium, and generates a video output signal based on both the game medium and the vehicle environment data feed. At least one controller is communicatively coupled to the video game console and directs the operation of the game medium. A display unit communicatively coupled with the application program interface receives the video output signal and displays images dependent upon the video output signal.

Abstract: A method for navigation processing in a satellite positioning system receiver is disclosed. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises separating the three SATPS satellites into a first pair and a second pair, constructing a primary solution and an alternate solution, wherein the primary solution and the alternate solution satisfy the measurement constraints, computing a Doppler difference estimate for the primary solution and a Doppler difference estimate for the alternate solution, computing Doppler difference residuals for the first pair and the second pair of SATPS satellites, and comparing the Doppler difference residuals for said primary and alternate solutions to determine a valid solution. Typically, the computing of a Doppler difference residuals comprises differencing a measured Doppler difference from an estimated Doppler difference for the first pair and the second pair of SATPS satellites.

Abstract: The need for geo-registered features is avoided by a system for estimating a motion of a first sensor during a time interval. The system has a second sensor where the first sensor and the second sensor sense the same geo-location during the time interval. The first sensor computes a first target location error from sensing the geo-location. The second sensor also computes a second target location error from sensing the geo-location. A data link interconnects the first sensor and the second sensor, the data link transmitting the second target location error computed by the second sensor to the first sensor during the time interval. A processor at the first sensor combines the first target location error and the second target location error in a first sensor observation model, where the sensor observation model is descriptive of the motion of the first sensor. The observation model is used with a Kalman filter to update the position of the first sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a navigation system in which that navigation system shows a configuration of a complicated intersection a driver is about to enter, and displays where to turn and a progression rate of the car on the path the driver is headed to. The navigation system comprises a Gyro sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the car; and route information from the Gyro sensor to generate the configuration of an intersection the user is supposed to enter and an arrow indicating a driving route to the user, and to display a progression rate of the car along the route; a display driving unit for displaying the configuration of the intersection and the arrow for route guidance, and a gradual progression rate of the car is indicated in the directional arrow.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus having short sensory time for executing the high precision positioning of the user on a map. The positioning apparatus includes: a first positioning unit for obtaining a first position information which represents the position of the positioning apparatus itself measured by carrying out a low precision positioning; a displaying unit for displaying the first position information; and a second positioning unit for obtaining the second position information which represents the position of the positioning apparatus itself measured by carrying out a high precision positioning. The high precision positioning is executed in parallel with the low precision positioning. The displaying unit updates a screen based on the second position information.

Abstract: A navigation system with a function of one-touch map matching correction, and a method thereof. The navigation system includes a GPS module for receiving each position signal, and measuring self position and driving direction; a map database for storing map data; a storage unit for storing a candidate designation index, road information, a guidance stop flag, a flag activating a map-matching correction button, and voice data for road sequence guidance; a display unit for displaying the map data, activating or deactivating the map-matching correction button, and generating a coordinate value of a position; and a controller for indexing the parallel roads, generating a candidate road array, activating the map-matching correction button, and sequentially selecting candidate roads while performing the map matching correction.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and a driving direction guiding method are capable of clearly indicating a correct direction in which a vehicle should be driven at an exit when the vehicle exits a parking area through the exit. When a position measurement unit detects that the vehicle has entered a parking area based on measured position information, a CPU clearly indicates, on a display, a correct direction in which the vehicle should be driven at an exit of the parking area so that a user can know in advance the correct direction in which to drive his/her vehicle after passing through the exit of the parking area.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system with a display correction and the display correction method thereof, which first extracts a current display location and corresponding road links, next extracts a next vehicle location and selects all road links ranging within 25 meters from the next vehicle location to generate a first set of road links, next generates a second set of road links from the first set of road links based on an angle of driving direction generated by the gyroscope, next computes vertical distances from the next vehicle location to the second set of road links and selects a road link with a shortest vertical distance, and sets a projection point of the next vehicle location on the road link with the shortest vertical distance to become a next corrected location and displays the vehicle sign on the display screen at a next display location corresponding to the next corrected location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining traffic information using billing information of a mobile terminal. The method can prevent crosstalk between a vehicle on a highway and a vehicle on a local road parallel to the highway and obtain correct traffic information associated with the highway, when obtaining information indicative of a road traffic state in real time by obtaining a unique number of the mobile terminal from the billing information and tracking a moving time of a corresponding mobile terminal between base stations where the mobile terminal attempts a telephone call on the highway.

Abstract: With respect to a connection road linked with a rotary included in a guidance route, a vehicular navigation system acquires a dummy link that is defined to extend towards an inside of the rotary based on road map data. An advancing direction at the rotary is computed by using an angle defined by two dummy links with respect to both an entering road being the connection road on which the vehicle is to approach the rotary and an exiting road being the connection road on which the vehicle is to recede from the rotary. Guidance information at the rotary is outputted based on the computed advancing direction when the vehicle approaches the rotary.

Abstract: In a vehicular navigation system, it is determined that a branching point is present along a guidance route within a given distance from a guidance intersection. It is then determined that approaching the branching point by using a natural exit lane results in entering a road that is not included in the guidance route, wherein the natural exit lane is included in an exit road exiting from the guidance intersection and exits naturally from the guidance intersection along the guidance route. Before entering the guidance intersection, it is suggested that a lane change be required after passing through the guidance intersection. Thus, in a case that a lane change is needed just after passing through the guidance intersection, a driver can respond with a sufficient time period.

Abstract: Location data about a mobile entity (70) is periodically provided to a location-sensitive application, for example, a route-tracking application. The location data is updated at a frequency that is adaptively varied in dependence on the provision of location data about the mobile entity from other sources (45). The update frequency can also be made dependent on further factors such as: the motion of the mobile entity(“V”), the current environment of the mobile entity (“E”), and the progress of the location-sensitive application (“Z”).

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

Abstract: A base station is installed in a driver's house or the like where the precise position has been measured beforehand, includes a GPS antenna, a GPS receiver, and a wireless communication device, and functions to transmit various data to a vehicle serving as a moving station in a predetermined range. The vehicle has a GPS antenna, a GPS receiver, and a wireless communication device. When establishing communication between the base station and the moving station, if the current vehicle position generally matches any driving route created and stored in the storage unit earlier, automatic driving control is performed with the matching driving route serving as a target driving route. Conversely, if the current position of the vehicle matches no position on the driving routes created in the past even generally, the storage unit continuously stores the current driving route including the current position, as a new route to the destination.

Abstract: When an elevated road and a usual fly-under road are located in a stacked state, two roads are shown in overlapped lines on a display unit of a car navigation system in a subject vehicle. When the subject vehicle travels the fly-under road, the elevated road is shown in a translucent state. Thus, a user of the subject vehicle can recognize a state of the fly-under road the subject vehicle is traveling. In contrast, when the subject vehicle travels the elevated road, the elevated road is shown in a non-translucent state. The elevated road thereby becomes easy to see, so its advancing direction can be easily seen.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus senses without failing an object which exists in a traveling direction of itself even when a pedestrian is moving while looking at a screen on which information is displayed. The mobile apparatus having the screen comprises an object detector part 17 which exits within a predetermined range centered around the traveling direction of itself, an acceleration detector part 16 and the detection range changing means for changing a range in which the object detector part 17 detects the existence of an object, the traveling direction of itself is calculated based on acceleration of itself, and based on thus calculated traveling direction of itself, the detection range changing means changes the range in which the object detector part 17 detects the existence of an object.

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: Many day-to-day driving situations require that an operator of a motor vehicle guide the motor vehicle along a specific course and bring the vehicle to a stop at a specific location, for example in a parking bay or at a loading platform. To assist a vehicle operator in such situations, a method and a suitable device for implementing this method, include detecting the potential target objects in the image data of an image sensor and identifying the potential target objects as potential destinations in a multi-stage exclusionary method, whereupon a trajectory describing an optimized travel path is computed at least in relation to the most proximate destination. By using the multi-stage exclusionary method according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably identify potential destinations in complex image scenarios solely on the basis of their geometric form, even when the destinations have not been encoded by specific symbols.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding a vehicle comprises a location module (e.g., location-determining receiver) for collecting preliminary location data for the vehicle. A vision module collects vision-derived location data for the vehicle during an evaluation time window. A location quality estimator estimates location quality data for the corresponding collected preliminary location data during an evaluation time window. A vision module estimates vision quality data for the corresponding collected vision-derived location data during the evaluation time window. A adjuster adjusts the preliminary location data to a revised location data based on the vision-derived location data such that the revised location data is registered with or generally coextensive with the vision-derived location data, if the vision quality data exceeds the minimum threshold level.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant (PDA) detects its position by a two-axis acceleration sensor provided therein. While the PDA is within a communicable range where the PDA can communicate with the printer, a position of the PDA, which is located at time when the position of the PDA is detected, is recorded as an origin point and the origin point is periodically updated to the detected position. When the PDA moves to a position (current position) through a position which is out of the communicable range of the printer, guidance information for guiding the PDA into the communicable range of the printer is created based on a relative positional relationship between the current position and the origin point, which is recorded immediately before the PDA moves to a position out of the communicable range, and then the guidance information is displayed on the PDA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a map matching position of a vehicle in a navigation system, wherein coordinates of a current vehicle location are obtained from navigation messages received by a GPS receiver using a general line equation for obtaining an intersection point between an arbitrary line and a perpendicular line drawn from an arbitrary point to the line, and the current vehicle location is matched to coordinates found through orthogonal projection on a link on a digital map closest to the obtained coordinates of the current vehicle location.

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: When receiving an incoming call, a portable telephone that receives a search request judges whether or not this incoming call is the search request sent from a second portable telephone, which is a source of the search request. When the portable telephone judges that the incoming call is the search request sent from the second portable telephone, it is judged whether or not the receiving portable telephone is capable of determining its position information. When the portable telephone is incapable of determining its position information, the portable telephone automatically switches to a response hold state and transmits a search response message to the second portable telephone based on information stored in advance. Further, when the portable telephone is capable of determining its position information, the portable telephone determines its position information and transmits the position information to the portable telephone.

Abstract: Provides methods, apparatus and system for compressing a large number of continuous location data of moving objects. A large number of continuous location data of moving objects sent from a mobile unit or a locating device are received, these location data are compressed and inserted the compressed location data into a database, so as to solve the problem that the data can not work under a high insertion frequency, and reduce the storage space of continuous locations while maintaining certain location query precision. An example apparatus for compressing the location data of moving objects, comprises: input interface for receiving current location data of a moving continuously; data compressing unit for compressing the location data received via said input interface; and output interface for outputting compressed location data of the moving object.

Abstract: A database receives location information about a moving object. Using the destination of the object and an electronic map, the database finds a projected path for the moving object. From the projected path, the database computes a trajectory. The trajectory may be used to estimate past and future positions of the moving object. The moving object may send location updates to the database when its actual location differs from its anticipated location by more than an uncertainty threshold.

Abstract: An imaging system suitable for use with a vehicle based global positioning system includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor is positioned at the vehicle and may face generally forwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The control may be operable to provide a record of vehicle movement since the last position data derived from the vehicle based global positioning system. The imaging system may also or otherwise be suitable for use with a vehicle based magnetic compass system. The imaging system may be operable in combination with a magnetic field sensor of the magnetic compass system to provide a substantially continuously calibrated heading indication, which is substantially resistant to local magnetic anomalies and changes in vehicle inclination. The imaging sensor may be associated with one or more other accessories of the vehicle.

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: Methods and apparatus are described and illustrated for producing GPS corrections, comprising: collecting measurements from a plurality of network reference stations; determining network corrections from the measurements; determining residual errors at one or more vernier-cell reference stations; and preparing vernier-cell corrections to compensate the residual errors within a vernier-cell region. Network correction streams are described and illustrated which contain network corrections derived from a plurality of network reference stations and residual error corrections derived from one or more vernier-cell reference stations. Methods and apparatus are described for employing such network correction streams in a virtual reference station to produce corrections and/or virtual measurements for use in a GPS receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for communicating a vehicle location information by initiating communication between a mobile communication unit and a receiving center, requesting a location information wherein the request is initiated by an automated speech recognition unit, receiving the request for vehicle information at the receiving center, receiving a vehicle location signal at the receiving center from the mobile vehicle, retrieving geographic information from a database based on the vehicle location signal, and sending the geographic information to the mobile vehicle.

Abstract: An aided inertial navigation system and method for navigating a mobile object having constraints comprising an inertial measurement unit, a processor, and an error correction device. The inertial measurement unit provides acceleration data and/or angular velocity data of the mobile object. The processor is adapted to receive the acceleration data and/or angular velocity data, and to provide output data with position output indicative of position of the mobile object. The error correction device receives as input, state and dynamics information and auxiliary input data including map information associated with the path, speed data, wheel-angle data and discrete data. The error correction device provides as output, state corrections to the processor that enhance accuracy of the position output. The state corrections are used by the processor to estimate position of the mobile object based on the constraints to the mobile object and the map information associated with the path.

Abstract: When a vehicle performs route calculation at a current position, the number of lanes at the current position is found. A predetermined correspondence between the numbers of lanes and straight prioritized distances is used to find a straight prioritized distance at the current position corresponding to the number of lanes. A route to a destination from the current position is calculated so as to include, in the route, a road to be followed for the straight prioritized distance from the current position. When there are many lanes, the straight prioritized distance is set to be long. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid calculating a route that causes a guide to sudden right or left turn. When there are a few lanes, the straight prioritized distance is set to be short. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid calculating a roundabout route to the destination.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system has a plurality of maps, measurement modes, and operation modes. When the measurement mode is a standard in an accuracy priority mode, low detail rate map is used to display a current position. When the measurement mode is a precise measurement in the accuracy priority mode, a city map is used to display the current position. When the low detail rate map is used in a map priority mode, the measurement mode is set to the standard. When the city map is used in the map priority mode, the measurement mode is set to the precise measurement.

Abstract: A method for remote routes calculation and navigation with automatic route detection and revision couples with navigation data transmission of a navigation center to increase navigation accuracy and greatly reduce data transmission between the navigation center and navigation required users. The method mainly includes calculating a linear deviation limit to serve as the maximum allowance limit to alert timely response for route deviations to enhance navigation accuracy.