Abstract: Methods of locating a vehicle are disclosed. Location coordinates are received at regular intervals via a handheld locator device for the current location of the handheld locator device. The handheld locator device detects the cessation of the presence of the vehicle. The location coordinates last-received before the detection of the cessation of the presence of the vehicle are stored automatically, and represent the approximate location of the parked vehicle when the cessation of the presence of the vehicle is detected.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to determine a route entails determining a sun position relative to the route, determining weather conditions along the route, and determining whether to provide alternate routing based on both the sun position and the weather conditions. In one implementation, time-specific and weather-specific digital photographs of points of interest along the route are downloaded for display on the device when the device is located at or near the points of interest.

Abstract: A computer implemented trip-planning method includes accessing one or more destination elements of a matrix of driver information, the accessing based at least in part on a trip start time and day of week. Each accessed element has a probability associated therewith, indicating the likelihood of the element being the destination at which a vehicle trip will end, based at least the start time and day of week. The method also includes selecting, from the one or more elements, a destination having the highest probability of being the destination at which the vehicle trip will end. Further, the method includes utilizing the selected destination as an end destination for the purposes of trip planning.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle course estimation device capable of estimating the course of a vehicle accurately.

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

Abstract: A method and arrangement are configured for determination of the energy consumption of a transportation device per section of the route, in urban traffic, for example. In an embodiment, current energy consumption data is compared to reference data from a fleet of transportation devices. The result is visually conveyed to the driver to allow them an interpretation of the energy consumption and to provide motivation for energy-saving driving behavior. An evaluation of the energy consumption data relative to the route allows specific feedback, for example, that the driver has achieved an energy-saving best value for a section of the route. The gathered data can also be used to pay bonuses or to initiate training measures.

Abstract: In one advantageous embodiment, a method for managing presentation of a navigational chart on a touchscreen display device is presented. A user input is received on a surface of the touchscreen display device on which the navigational chart is presented. A number of portions of the navigational chart corresponding to the surface on which the user input was received are identified, using a processor unit connected to the touchscreen display device. A number of graphical indications are presented on the navigational chart in association with each of the number of portions identified by the processor unit.

Abstract: A route planning device that is capable of comprehending, in advance, a route clearance at a pass-through point on a planned travel route, includes a global map acquisition unit arranged to generate a global map showing an obstacle area in which an obstacle exists, an extended area generation unit arranged to generate an extended obstacle area and three extended area by extending stepwise an outline of the obstacle area contained in the global map, an integrated map generation unit arranged to generate an integrated map by superposing for integration of the extended obstacle area with the three extended areas; a movable area extraction unit arranged to extract a movable area from the integrated map and thinning the same, and a route planning unit arranged to acquire a route clearance at a sub goal according to the extended areas on the integrated map to which the sub goal on the travel route belongs, upon planning the travel route from the thinned movable area.

Abstract: The invention provides an information providing device and an information providing system which can provide suitable destination information according to the utilization situation of a user. The information providing device is an information providing device mounted on a vehicle and provides information on potential destinations. An information providing unit which provides information on a potential destination in accordance with the performance of electronic payment at a destination after traveling assistance is provided. By providing this information on a potential destination, a potential destination can be selected on the basis of information on a destination for which traveling assistance has actually been provided and which has been utilized, information on the potential destination can be provided, and information on a suitable potential destination according to the actual utilization situation of a user can be provided.

Abstract: A method for speech recognition includes providing a source of geographical information within a vehicle. The geographical information pertains to a current location of the vehicle, a planned travel route of the vehicle, a map displayed within the vehicle, and/or a gesture marked by a user on a map. Words spoken within the vehicle are recognized by use of a speech recognition module. The recognizing is dependent upon the geographical information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sellers of goods and services for providing information relating to existence and features of what they provide, to buyers using a system as herein described that enables a buyer to identify and obtain collections of information that comprise a subset of the contents of a database having multiple records provided by a plurality of sellers. A seller may use a conventional home or office computer including without limitation PC's and MACINTOSH™ computers to transmit information to a system as provided, which is accessible to users also via a conventional home or office computer. A user specifies desired criteria and the system provides the user a subset of information upon which further decisions by the user can be made. In some embodiments, systems and methods provided relate to information concerning the inventory of new home construction in a selected region, which region may include a general metropolitan area.

Abstract: A method of constructing a digital model of a road, includes the steps of acquiring a first set of data relating to the geometry of the road via a differential global positioning system (DGPS), acquiring a second set of data relating to the geometry of the road via a hybridized inertial unit with a global positioning system (GPS), indexing the values of the first and second sets of data by determining their confidence level, discarding the values of the first and second sets of data below a predefined confidence level in order to obtain a first and second set of corrected data, and aggregating the data of the first and second sets of corrected data in order to obtain the digital model of the road. The applicable to the fields of road cartography for navigation and road management, for the creation of adaptive localized algorithms.

Abstract: A method and system for routing using uncertainty data is disclosed. The uncertainty data is associated with geographic data. The uncertainty data includes a distribution function that represents the probability that the geographic data is accurate. A routing application uses the uncertainty data during or after route calculation. The routing application provides one or more routes and information about the routes based on the uncertainty data.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving route data from an in-vehicle process. The method further includes setting one or more geo-fences corresponding to known conditions along a route defined by the route data. The method additionally includes sending the geo-fences to the in-vehicle process for monitoring.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle is presented that provides and utilizes monetary cost-related information. The navigation system may include a database system, calculation module, and comparison module. The database system stores path data and related monetary cost-related data, which include monetary costs that are route-depend and those that are not route-dependent. The calculation module determines routes to a destination, the monetary costs associated with the routes, and may determine the fastest, longest, and least expensive routes. The comparison module enables the determination of an optimal route based on various criteria, including monetary cost. The navigation system further includes methods for determining the monetary costs associated with a route, the travel time associated with a route, determining an optimal route, and for guiding the vehicle according to the monetary cost-related information.

Abstract: Provided is an electric bus and an electric bus battery exchange system. The electric bus according to the present invention includes: a battery exchange hole disposed on top of the electric bus for exchanging a discharged battery for a charged battery; a front camera unit taking front images in the process of entering the battery exchange station for battery exchange; a communication unit for receiving position information of the battery exchange unit from the battery exchange station; a route output unit outputting a predicted driving route for reaching a swapping point below the battery exchange unit based on the front images taken by the front camera unit and the position information of the battery exchange unit; and a display unit displaying the predicted driving route outputted by the route output unit, superimposed on the front images taken by the front camera unit.

Abstract: A method for assisting a vehicle driver, wherein a sensor for covering the surroundings covers a pavement in front of the vehicle in order to determine a virtual vehicle corridor for a road vehicle in a complex traffic situation and the virtual vehicle corridor is determined depending on identified traffic lines and raised pavement boundaries.

Abstract: A system includes a head-mountable display and a mobile device. The mobile device includes a position acquisition device that acquires positional information indicating a position of the mobile device. The mobile device includes a first orientation acquisition device that acquires first orientation information indicating an orientation of the mobile device with respect to a reference direction. The mobile device includes a first display that displays content based on the positional information and the first orientation information on the mobile device when a condition is satisfied. The mobile device includes a first receiver that receives second orientation information indicating an orientation of the head-mountable display with respect to one or more of the reference direction and the orientation of the mobile device. The mobile device includes a first transmitter that transmits content based on the positional information and the second orientation information when the condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: To use the same onboard apparatus and navigation system in many kinds of vehicles. A table in which manufacturers and vehicle types are connected with designs and functions has been previously stored in a navigation system module 21. The navigation system module 21 itself sends the center controller 11 a query about vehicle information (the country that manufactured, manufacturer, vehicle type, using country, manufacturing number), recognizes the vehicle information supplied from the center controller 11, and automatically sets the screen design, function, etc., suitable to the vehicle on which the onboard apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for predicting a destination for a ground-based vehicle. Travel patterns are accessed and a series of locations of a ground-based vehicle are received. At least some of the received locations are related to at least one accessed travel pattern, and a destination of the ground-based vehicle is predicted based on relating the received locations with the travel patterns. An existence of an event may be predicted using the predicted destinations of a ground-based vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-step animation sequence for smoothly transitioning from a map view to a panorama view of a specified location is disclosed. An orientation overlay can be displayed on the panorama, showing a direction and angular extent of the field of view of the panorama. An initial specified location and a current location of the panorama can also be displayed on the orientation overlay. A navigable placeholder panorama to be displayed in place of a panorama at the specified location when panorama data is not available is disclosed. A perspective view of a street name annotation can be laid on the surface of a street in the panorama.

Abstract: A vehicle control device performs a program including the step of obtaining a target point for movement based on information from a vehicle exterior camera, the step of obtaining a distance X to the target point, the step of resetting a distance counter, the step of causing the vehicle to enter accelerated running at set acceleration, the step of causing the vehicle to change from the accelerated running to constant-speed running when the distance counter reaches X, and the step of causing the vehicle to change from the constant-speed running to decelerated running when the distance counter reaches X.

Abstract: A method for selecting a route from a departure point to an arrival point includes acquiring information concerning a departure point and an arrival point and information concerning a route from the departure point to the arrival point; generating a plurality of basic routes; calculating a parameter of an evaluation function that yields the selected route as an optimum route; generating a new route using the calculated parameter, determining whether or not the generated new route is identical to the selected route; on a condition that the generated new route is not identical to the selected route, adding the generated new route to the basic routes, recalculating the parameter, generating a new route, and comparing the new route with the selected route; and if the new route is identical to the selected route, storing the parameter when the new data becomes identical to the selected route.

Abstract: A method, data processing system and computer program product for generating a route. A beginning location is received. A set of preferences for generating a set of routes is received. A set of routes is generated based upon the set of preferences, wherein each route in the set of routes starts and ends at the beginning location, and wherein at least a portion of a specified route in the set of routes does not overlap any other portion of the specified route in the set of routes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing audio conflicts and priorities is disclosed. A mobile device (110) initiates a navigation application (410) and an audio application (415), each configured to utilize audio input and/or output components. The mobile device identifies (430, 435) a priority of a communication associated with the audio application and manages (440, 445) the audio input and output components based on the priority and other factors. In particular, the mobile device or components thereof can delay (440) an indication of the communication until a sufficient break in a route traversal is reached, can mute (445) the audio input component while the navigation application utilizes the audio output component, and/or can perform other functions related to the audio conflicts and priorities of the applications.

Abstract: A simulation system for a machine is disclosed. The simulation system has a user interface configured to display a simulated environment, and a controller in communication with the user interface. The controller is configured to receive historical information related to performance of a machine, and recreate a past operation of the machine from the received historical information. The controller is also configured to provide to the user interface the recreated past operation for display in the simulated environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for nature event signaling are provided. Example mobile electronic devices of the present disclosure can include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor executes the instructions to calculate a distance between a reference location and a current location, and calculate a travel time for the distance based on a speed. The processor also executes the instructions to determine a nature event time and cause a return alert indication to be signaled, via the mobile electronic device, based on a comparison of a calculated travel time and the nature event time.

Abstract: Power reception guidance devices, methods, and programs guide a vehicle having a power receiving unit to a non-contact power supply of a power supply unit installed in a parking area. The devices, methods, and programs calculate a power receiving efficiency of the power receiving unit at a current parking position of the vehicle in the parking area, determine whether the current parking position must be changed based on the calculated power receiving efficiency, and output information based on the determination to an output unit.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a plurality of addresses. Driving directions between each of the plurality of addresses are defined, thus generating a plurality of driving directions. The plurality of driving directions are stored on a client electronic device.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: detecting a surrounding view for detecting an object at a traffic lane to the left or the right of a device as well as in the front or at the rear of the device; presenting the surrounding view for displaying on the device; and generating an alert with a detection of the object at or exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method provides turn-by-turn directions including placemarks. Each placemark represents a geographically located object such as a business or landmark. A client device may transmit an initial and a final location. Upon receipt of the locations, a server may determine a route comprised of a plurality of route segments. For each route segment associated with one or more placemark, the server may conduct an auction to choose one of the placemarks. The server may receive a plurality of bids associated with a particular route segment. Each bid is associated with a particular placemark. The server selects the placemark by determining a highest bid or other auction criteria. The selected placemark is associated with the route segment and is used to generate a turn-by-turn direction for the route segment, where information associated with the placemark is displayed on a client device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for selective activation of vehicle multimedia functions may include receiving a passenger occupancy signal indicative of an occupancy of a passenger seat from a passenger detection sensor. A gear signal indicative of a gear ratio of a transmission may be received from a vehicle gear sensor. Access to a medium interaction level function of a vehicle multimedia system may be prevented, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is unoccupied and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to a motive gear. Access to the medium interaction level function of the vehicle multimedia system may be allowed, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is occupied with a passenger and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to the motive gear.

Abstract: A portable electronic device receives wireless signals from an external signal-generating source. The wireless signals include offering identifiers that are associated with an offering at a location of the external signal-generating source. The portable electronic device may determine the offering identifier from the wireless signal, and match the offering identifier with one or more offerings of interest that are selected by the user. The portable electronic device may determine the direction from which the wireless signal is received based on the strength of the wireless signal received by the antenna, and presenting an indicator to the user that indicates the direction to the location of the external signal-generating source if the offering identifier matches one or more of the offerings of interest as selected by the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity warning message. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system for a flight vehicle includes a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the flight vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature. An interface device is coupled to the processor that is operable to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a reception section that receives marking information from a different information processing apparatus and corresponding to a scene of a broadcast program. The marking information indicates a broadcast station and a broadcast time. The information processing apparatus also includes a processing unit that extracts a Universal Resource Identifier (URI) based on the broadcast station and the broadcast time, and produces navigation information associated with the scene of the broadcast program, based on the URI.

Abstract: A method of distributing map data from a map server to a wireless communications device entails generating a bitmap array representative of the vector map data for a given zoom level, computing attributes of the bitmap array to determine which map features to retain and which map features to suppress, and then transmitting to the wireless device only the map data for the map features to be retained. By counting the number of bitmap cells representing a polygonal map feature such as a park, lake, or island, the approximate area is quickly estimated. If the area falls below a threshold, the map data for the small polygon is discarded. Similarly, if a polyline map feature overlaps (or is too proximate to) another polyline map feature, one of the polyline map features is discarded. The map data actually transmitted is thus reduced, thereby economizing bandwidth without unduly sacrificing map detail.

Abstract: A parking assistance apparatus includes a display unit that displays an image of a scene behind a host vehicle. At least when the host vehicle moves forward or when the host vehicle is stopped, the display unit displays an indication including a plurality of kinds of trajectories along which the host vehicle is able to back up from a point at which the host vehicle is currently positioned, in a manner such that the indication is superimposed on the image of the scene behind the host vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program and user interface where the apparatus includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to: obtain a route from a first geographical location to a second geographical location; display a graphical representation of at least one point of interest along the route, wherein the graphical representation of the at least one point of interest is configured to enable a user to recognise the point of interest corresponding to the graphical representation of the at least one point of interest; and display an identification of the at least one point of interest.

Abstract: There is provided a navigation device, the navigation device operable to calculate routes to one or more destinations, the device further operable to provide a navigation instruction together with an alternative navigation instruction. There is also provided a method of providing navigation instructions for a navigation device, the method comprising the steps of (i) calculating routes to one or more destinations, (ii) providing a navigation instruction together with an alternative navigation instruction. There is also provided a computer program product operable to execute on a navigation device, the computer program product operable to calculate routes to one or more destinations, the computer program product further operable to provide a navigation instruction together with an alternative navigation instruction.

Abstract: A navigation device (a vehicle-mounted navigation device 1) is connected, via a mobile communication network 3, to a server 5 by way of a telephone 2 connected thereto via cable 1a or radio 1b, and includes a communication control unit 12 for communicating with the server 5 by using the telephone 2 to measure parameter information about a command support status of the telephone 2 or a communication connection environment, and a main control unit 10 for transmitting the parameter information measured by the communication control unit 12 to an external storage medium 21 or the server 5, and for controlling subsequent communications according to the parameter information transmitted to the external storage medium 21 or the server 5.

Abstract: A method is described that allows a first mobile device to persistently lock onto a second mobile device, thereby allowing the first mobile device to not only constantly monitor the dynamic location of the second mobile device but also to adaptively navigate in real-time to the dynamic location associated with the second mobile device. The dynamic location may include a current location of the second mobile device or a final destination for travel of the second mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance on a mobile device are provided. A method may include extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map and the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address. The method may also include communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server. The method may further include receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device. The method may additionally include displaying the second map image including the routing information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating directions are disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a system that includes a human-provided directions module for receiving and processing human-provided directions, a database for storing human-provided directions processed by the human-provided directions module, and a directions generator for receiving a directions query from a client. In response to the query, the directions generator accesses the database, retrieves at least one human-provided direction, generates a set of directions based thereupon, and provides the set of generated directions to the client.

Abstract: A method for selecting a traffic pattern for use by a navigation system is disclosed. When unusual traffic conditions exist, a message is sent to the navigation system. The message includes a code that identifies a traffic pattern. The navigation system uses the code to select a traffic pattern to use when calculating a route or to provide other navigation system functions.

Abstract: A parking position adjustment device that assists in correctly changing a parking position within a parking space in which a vehicle has already parked is provided. The parking position adjustment device includes: a current position setting unit that sets the position in which a vehicle is already parked as a current position; a parking space specification unit that specifies a parking space, in which the vehicle is parked, that includes the current position; a target parking position setting unit that sets, within the parking space, a target parking position to which the vehicle is to be moved from the current position; and a movement path calculation unit that calculates a movement path of the vehicle from the current position to the target parking position.

Abstract: Adaptive route guidance can include analyzing route progressions associated with one or more routes based on multiple user preferences. The adaptive route guidance can provide one or more preferred routes based on the user preferences, which can be presented to a user for navigation purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling communication between at least one stationary and at least one mobile, data-exchanging unit. In said method, a position of the mobile unit is determined, and communication is made possible in response thereto. According to the invention, a priority measure is determined in response to the determined position, and data can be transmitted from the mobile, data-exchanging unit according to the priority.

Abstract: A method for transmitting additional information in a satellite navigation system includes providing a navigation message having a plurality of parameters, selecting at least one parameter from the plurality of parameters for the transmitting of the additional information, replacing the at least one parameter, at least partially, by the additional information so as to form a changed navigation message, and sending the changed navigation message.

Abstract: There is provided a method for assisting in providing a first fix in a global positioning satellite system, the method comprising: storing of connection point association data for a network connection point, observed by a portable electronic device, for subsequent use in assisting in providing a first fix, the connection point association data providing for approximation of the position of a device at the observed network connection point by associating together connection point identifiers of the observed network connection point and one or more other network connection points to allow for positional data used for determining the position at one or more other network connection points to be used for the approximation of the position of the device at the observed network connection point.

Abstract: In a cellular system configuration, the location of a mobile station is determined from the acquisition of cellular network data pertaining to the mobile station, and the translation of such network data into a corresponding geographical position profile. The cellular system includes a mobile station locator entity for receiving from a mobile switching center the network data such as cell and/or sector ID and trunk group member number. The mobile station locator translates the network data into position information such as geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), resolution (radius), and angle values for sectorized cells.