Abstract: A testing system is described. The testing system is adapted to evaluate navigation systems. The testing system includes: a recording system adapted to collect and record signals received and interpreted by a navigation system during field operation; a time-synchronized database adapted to receive and store data representing the signals collected and recorded by the recording system: wherein the stored data is able to be used to test operation of one or more navigation systems under test. A method of testing navigation systems includes: gathering data that would be received and interpreted by a navigation system during field operation, wherein the gathered data includes data associated with received radio signals; storing gathered data in a time-synchronized database; and using the stored data to test the operation of one or more navigation systems. A system adapted to test navigation systems includes: a recording system; a playback system; and a simulation system.

Abstract: A method to generate a clearance request to deviate from a flight plan is provided. The method includes receiving at one or more processors in an airborne vehicle input from at least one automatic flight-plan-relevant source, at least one of the one or more processors independently determining a revised flight route based on the received input, at least one of the one or more processors independently generating a preconfigured clearance request message to deviate from the flight plan for a flight crew user based on the determining. The method further includes providing an audible prompt to the flight crew user for one of approval and rejection of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan. When an approval of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan is received from the flight crew user, the preconfigured clearance request message is downlinked.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for presenting map data on a computing device. The map may be dynamically adapted based on a physical characteristic, such as display resolution, of the computing device. The map may be further adapted based on a user activity, such as shopping, that is taking place. Input from a user in response to a rendered map may be used to create a manual override or a learned override to further adapt the map for the computing device. The input may be from the user of the computing device or from users of other computing devices.

Abstract: A method of providing a route guidance service and a navigation system for performing the method are provided. The method of providing a route guidance service includes: extracting outdoor advertisement information and advertisement production and installation information, which correspond to destination information entered by a user, from an outdoor advertisement database; generating virtual building image information using the extracted advertisement production and installation information; generating first navigation information by combining the generated building image information with the extracted outdoor advertisement information and advertisement production and installation information; and providing a route guidance service to the destination information using the first navigation information.

Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and methods for displaying navigation performance based flight path deviation information during the final approach segment to a runway and during landing of non-precision flight modes are provided. Improved graphical depictions of navigation performance based flight path deviation information provide pilots and flight crew members with clear, concise displays of the dynamic relationship between ANP and RNP, mode and aspect of flight and related procedures, intersecting flight paths, and current actual flight path deviation from a predefined flight path during the final approach segment to a runway and during landing. For example, an enhanced IAN display may include NPS-type deviation scales to show RNP/ANP relationships and predetermined RNP markers to alert the pilots and flight crew members that the FMC has transitioned from an NPS display for RNAV (LNAV/VNAV) flight procedures to an enhanced IAN display for a non-precision (non-xLS) approach and/or landing.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods that find the quickest route between two locations on a graph with multi-edge constraints in a time and space efficient manner. In some embodiments, Dijkstra's algorithm is split into separate universes when a) a multiple-edge constraint is reached, and b) along each edge of a multi-edge constraint. In some embodiments, the split is performed for the purpose of finding the quickest (i.e. lowest weighted) route to the intersection(s) at the end of the constraints. These universes, in some embodiments, are merged or discarded when the intersection at the end of the constraint is found. Using these systems and methods, in some embodiments, the shortest path between two locations of a multi-edge constrained road network can be efficiently determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing the effect of road curvature on the travel time and the comfort level of a path determined by a ground based route planning system. The methods and systems identify a path and determine an allowable speed profile of the path, wherein the allowable speed profile satisfies a cross track acceleration constraint. Thereafter, the methods and systems determine an optimal speed profile of the path, wherein the optimal speed profile satisfies both an along track acceleration constraint and a speed constraint. Using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be factored into a determination of the traversal time of the path. Additionally, using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be used to derive a comfort level of the path. The optimal speed profile may be further used to provide driver assistance.

Abstract: A navigation device presenting guide information based on a photographed image of a boarding guide display item, such as a station name signboard, a roll sign, or a route map, that can be photographed in a station yard. The device acquires a photographed image of a boarding guide display item by controlling the photographing unit, identifies display content from the photographed image of the boarding guide display item of a transportation device acquired and specifying a route, station name, and traveling direction of a current position based on the identified display content and traffic network data stored in the storage unit, extracts station names present in the traveling direction from the traffic network data based on the route, station name, and traveling direction of the current position, and generates guide information including at least part of the extracted station names, and outputs at least part of the generated guide information.

Abstract: A method for defining a following path for a following vehicle to autonomously follow a leader, the method including acquiring waypoints associated with a path that the leader traverses; filtering the acquired waypoints, wherein the filtering removes waypoints located outside an area of interest; generating intermediate waypoints by interpolating between adjacent pairs of the filtered waypoints if the adjacent pairs of the filtered waypoints are separated by a distance that exceeds a threshold distance; and defining a following path through the filtered waypoints and the intermediate waypoints using a least-squares spline fit to calculate the following path.

Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption of an electronic device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an indication that an electronic device is oriented in a first orientation is received. An indication of rotation of the electronic device around an axis is received. A command is then generated to cause an electronic compass module disposed within the electronic device to transition from an idle operating state to an active operating state and to generate a compass heading.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and programs update map information stored in a storage medium based on map update information distributed from a map distribution center. The devices, methods, and programs search for a vehicle route based on the stored map information, perform first guidance along the route, and identify a target area on the route that will be updated when the map information is updated. The devices, methods and programs determine whether the update of the target area will be complete when the vehicle reaches the target area. If the update of the target area will not be complete when the vehicle reaches the target area, the devices, methods, and programs request second guidance for the target area from the map distribution center, switch from proving the first guidance to providing the second guidance through the target area, and return to performing the first guidance when the vehicle exits the target area.

Abstract: To store geometric objects, a distance is determined from each prespecified objects to one other prespecified object. The distance represents a similarity of the corresponding prespecified objects. The prespecified objects are grouped together such that the prespecified objects are more similar with respect to prespecified geometric objects of the same group than with respect to objects of the other groups. For each group, a representative is ascertained, depending on the prespecified objects within the groups. The representatives of all the groups (are stored. In a representative fashion for the prespecified objects, only one identification of the prespecified object an indication of the corresponding representative of the prespecified object and values, by which a size and position of the corresponding representative is prespecified, is stored for each of the prespecified objects, depending on the size and the position of the corresponding prespecified objects.

Abstract: One embodiment accesses two or more photos taken by one or more travelers at one or more destinations and one or more points-of-interest located within the destinations; constructs one or more photo streams for each unique traveler-destination combination, wherein each one of the photo streams comprises two or more of the photos taken by the corresponding traveler at the corresponding destination; maps each one of the photos to one of the points-of-interest; constructs one or more timed paths for each unique traveler-destination combination based on the photo streams and the mapping between the photos and the points-of-interest, wherein each one of the timed paths comprises one or more of the points-of-interest located within the corresponding destination and visited by the corresponding travel; and constructs an itinerary based on a start point-of-interest, an end point-of-interest, a time constraint, and the timed paths.

Abstract: A controlling method for making and keeping appointments includes: inputting information concerning an appointment; finding out urban lines according to the starting point and the destination of the appointment, and obtaining detailed information of each urban line found, wherein the detailed information of each urban line is used to create the steps of the total journey whereby the user should arrive at the destination from the starting point at a particular time; selecting an urban line from the urban lines found; calculating when the user should leave according to the selected urban line and the detailed information of the selected urban line; and informing the user accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, location service apparatus and system for acquiring a cell position, relating to the field of mobile communications.

Abstract: A method for timing performance of a maintenance function, in particular the timing of regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (22) to conserve fuel as a motor vehicle (10) travels along a projected travel route. Certain road data about roads in a roadway system is processed to develop data for anticipating certain modes of vehicle operation during travel of the vehicle along the projected travel route. The data for anticipating certain modes of vehicle operation along the anticipated route of travel and data geographically tracking vehicle travel along the projected route are interactively used to control timing of performance of the maintenance function as the vehicle travels along the projected route.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using geographic location data of snowplows to update a snow depth associated with a section of a surface street. The route of the snowplow may be tracked continuously which allows the snow depth of the street to be reset in real-time. The updated snow depth may then be used to generate a cost of travelling on the street. The travelling cost may then be used to plan a route through the region. Alternatively, the cost may be graphically displayed on a map to permit a user to determine which surface streets to avoid. In another embodiment, the cost of travelling on a particular street may be changed by the attributes of the vehicle that will navigate the snow-covered roads, driver's experience, or the geographic terrain of a road. This new cost may then be used, for example, to plan a route or display roads to avoid.

Abstract: Upon detection of a portable terminal positioned at a predetermined distance allowing wireless communication with an in-vehicle device, the in-vehicle device in an in-vehicle system performs a pairing process with respect to the detected portable terminal to establish wireless communication with the detected portable terminal. Thereafter, the in-vehicle device acquires an image and sound acquired by an application being executed on the portable terminal from the portable terminal, with which wireless communication has been established. The in-vehicle device converts acquired various types of data into an outputtable format of the in-vehicle device and outputs the converted data to at least one of a display unit and a speaker.

Abstract: A navigational device for guiding a vehicle within a network of traffic routes provides, for guidance purposes, a guide object that is shown in relation to the traffic route in such a manner that the guide object's movement represents driving maneuvers to be performed by the driver. The driver emulates the driving maneuvers shown to him/her and thus follows the previously calculated route.

Abstract: A network-based navigation system includes a user interface and a computer server system that can access a map database, an actual imagery database and an advertisement database in order to provide visual route guidance information having virtual drive-thru advertisements integrated with actual imagery from along a physical route. The user interface permits a user to submit a request for navigation information, receive visual route guidance information in response to the request and initiate a drive-thru presentation of at least a portion of a route. The computer server determines at least one route from the map database based on the request from the user and provides route guidance information to the user interface in response.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a route that is configured to travel through multiple points of interest includes receiving a query that includes an origin location, a destination location, and at least a first point of interest and a second point of interest. The method also includes identifying a perimeter that surrounds the received origin and destination locations in response to the query. The perimeter is then used to identify a set of locations for each of the first and second points of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus for orientating a user in a space wherein the space comprises a plurality of zones of which only certain zones constitute functional zones wherein each functional zone includes a first type device containing information relating to the position of the zone in the space and wherein the first type device is reactive to the presence of a second type device associated with the user to provide the user with the information to determine the orientation of the user in the space. A method of orientating the user within the space and guiding the user toward one or more features in the space is also disclosed.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a touch screen for receiving a touch input and displaying a navigation map, mode-switching means for issuing a mode-switching command to switch the navigation system into an input mode, a memory for storing a database, and a controller to recognize a handwriting input or a gesture input to acquire an input information, search the database for a facility information corresponding to the input information, and show facilities represented by the facility information in the navigation map.

Abstract: An air traffic control system, for use by a human controller controlling a plurality of aircraft held vertically separated in a stack above a minimum stack level, the system comprising at least one processor, and a display device for the human controller, controlled by said at least one processor; further comprising: means for periodically inputting a value representative of local terrestrial air pressure conditions; means for periodically inputting an aircraft flight level reading representing an altitude defined by a reference air pressure measured on the aircraft; means for periodically generating a display on said display device comprising a plurality of flight levels vertically arranged; means for indicating in said display said plurality of aircraft, arranged in a vertical list ranked by flight level; said at least one processor being arranged, on reception of a new said value, to redetermine said minimum stack level and to vary said display so as to indicate changes to said minimum stack level.

Abstract: Locations having similar names are identified and placed in groups. The naming similarity includes how names or portions of names are spelled and/or pronounced. The names within the groups are then ranked by priority. The ranking is calculated using one or more attributes in a geographic database, such as the number of road segments associated with a named location, the population associated with a named location, distance to a named location, and administrative level of a named location. The ranking may be used during destination entry, when providing route guidance and/or maps, and when providing additional information to a user of a navigation system, such as demographic information.

Abstract: A routing module identifies POIs that can be reached from a route with a cost less than distance m. A routing engine performs a reverse exploration on nodes in the planned route to locate POIs from which the route can be reached with a cost of less than a second cost n. POIs identified as being reachable from the route with a cost of less than m, and from which the route is reachable with a cost less than n are then further filtered to identify a subset of the POIs for which the sum of the time or distance from the route to the POI and the time or distance from the POI back to the route is less than a threshold time or distance, t.

Abstract: Techniques are described for accounting for travel time in scheduling appointments in an electronic calendar. For example, a travel time between appointments may be identified and a time block may be reserved on a calendar application to account for such travel time. Geographic locations of adjacent appointments in a calendar may be determined and a route between the geographic locations also may be determined. A travel time associated with traveling the route between the geographic locations may be computed and the computed travel time may be compared to unscheduled time between the adjacent appointments in the calendar to determine whether the unscheduled time exceeds the travel time. If it is determined that the unscheduled time exceeds the travel time, a time block may be reserved on the calendar application to account for the travel time.

Abstract: Techniques are described for accounting for travel time in scheduling appointments in an electronic calendar. For example, a travel time between appointments may be identified and a time block may be reserved on a calendar application to account for such travel time. Geographic locations of adjacent appointments in a calendar may be determined and a route between the geographic locations also may be determined. A travel time associated with traveling the route between the geographic locations may be computed and the computed travel time may be compared to unscheduled time between the adjacent appointments in the calendar to determine whether the unscheduled time exceeds the travel time. If it is determined that the unscheduled time exceeds the travel time, a time block may be reserved on the calendar application to account for the travel time.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining at least one travelling route of a vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to a predetermining of at least two criteria for a travelling route of the vehicle from a starting point to a target point takes place. The at least two criteria in this case are selected from the group consisting of a travelling duration, a travelling distance and an energy consumption. In addition, a defining of a weighting factor for each of the at least two predetermined criteria takes place. Furthermore, a determining of at least one travelling route from the starting point to the target point from a quantity of possible travelling routes based on the at least two predetermined criteria and as a function of the defined weighting factors of the at least two predetermined criteria takes place.

Abstract: A map data providing method for providing map data to be used in a navigation system includes: dividing an area over which the map data are available into a plurality of blocks by using each of a plurality of division patterns set so that blocks resulting from divisions with the plurality of division patterns are not identical to one another; generating map data in correspondence to each of the blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns; and providing the map data corresponding to the individual blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns to a user so as to allow the user to freely select map data corresponding to any block.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for the operating assistance of a driver of a convertible vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to receiving weather data, for a predeterminable surroundings of a current position xa, ya of the vehicle and/or for a predeterminable surroundings along a current route from the current position of the vehicle to a destination, and generating a warning, as soon as the following conditions are satisfied: the roof is in the open state, or the roof is in the closed state and the roof is brought into the transition state, and in the forecast period at least one value of the forecast precipitation probability is greater than the limit value nG.

Abstract: A communication device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes a process including calculating an amount of electricity available in a second device while a first communication unit and a second communication unit with each other, determining a first generation unit to be a generation unit, when the amount of electricity thus calculated is smaller than a predetermined amount, out of the first generation unit that generates navigation information based on information acquired by an information acquisition unit and a second generation unit, and controlling the second device so as to stop supplying power to the second generation unit and to output the navigation information generated by the first generation unit when the first generation unit is determined.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a route that is configured to travel through multiple points of interest includes receiving a query that includes an origin location, a destination location, and at least a first point of interest and a second point of interest. The method also includes identifying a perimeter that surrounds the received origin and destination locations in response to the query. The perimeter is then used to identify a set of locations for each of the first and second points of interest.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for determining navigation instructions within a pedestrian navigation environment. For example, a system and method are provided for determining an optimal path to a destination. An optimal path may be determined based at least in part on a measurement of similarity between one or more points of interest and one or more destinations. Such a measurement of similarity may be based at least in part on predefined criteria between the one or more destinations and one or more points of interest.

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: Route planning methods and systems are provided. First, an input corresponding to a specific region is received via an input unit of a personal navigation device. Then, a first predefined location located in the specific region is determined. A first route from a first current position of the device to the first predefined location is planned.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for editing and displaying cartographic data are described. Cartographic source data is retrieved from a first record set and displayed in a display device. Based on a selection by a user of a feature in the display device, source data corresponding to the selected feature is selected. Based on a modification of the selected feature by the user in the display device, cartographic edit data is created. The cartographic edit data is associated with the cartographic source data for the feature and the associated cartographic edit data is stored within a second record set that is editable by the user. An output record set is created for display on the display device, at least in part, from the associated cartographic edit data for the feature.

Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus includes: a memory for storing a map data; a center communication element for obtaining a latest map data from a center; an inter-vehicle communication element for communicating with another in-vehicle apparatus; an input element for receiving an input signal of a specific area from an user; and a controller for setting the specific area as an initial main area. The inter-vehicle communication element receives another map data from another in-vehicle apparatus. The controller compares the map data with another map data. When another main area includes an area not included in the initial main area, the controller adds the area as a new main area, and updates the map data with another map data. The controller updates the map data corresponding to the initial main area with the latest map data.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for optimizing fuel consumption. A physical dynamics model may be used to simulate a vehicle being driven by a driver along a virtual route, possibly under specified weather conditions. A score for a route may be calculated from estimations, based on the simulation, of fuel efficiency, vehicle drivability, and/or time for completing the route. Routes may be configured from components through a user interface. Scores for the routes from simulations may be compared to select an optimum route.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a computing device with the ability to view a realistic map of the sky based on information associated with the current location of the user. The information may be geographical information, orientation or directionality of the computing device, time and date, and zoom settings of the computing device. The computing device may use built-in capabilities (e.g., compass) and applications (e.g., maps and GPS) to determine the current location information. The computing device then uses the current location information to obtain celestial and topographical information. Using the celestial information, the computing device displays a map of the sky with the appropriate celestial bodies. Additionally, the computing device uses the topographical information to display a realistic rendering of the horizon, such that objects in the horizon may be displayed to render a realistic representation of the sky from the current location.

Abstract: A system and a method for commanding a spacecraft to perform a three-axis maneuver purely based on “position” (i.e., attitude) measurements. Using an “inertial gimbal concept”, a set of formulae are derived that can map a set of “inertial” motion to the spacecraft body frame based on position information so that the spacecraft can perform/follow according to the desired inertial position maneuvers commands. Also, the system and method disclosed herein employ an intrusion steering law to protect the spacecraft from acquisition failure when a long sensor intrusion occurs.

Abstract: An activity state (e.g., stationary or moving) of an intermittently moving mobile device is classified using sensor measurements provided by one or more on-board sensors. The activity state can be determined by a classifier that exploits the separable log-normal distributions of the short-time variance of sensor measurements. The activity state can provide an external non-correlated indication of movement or stationarity to an on-board navigation engine. The on-board navigation engine can use the activity state to improve tracking performance.

Abstract: A high safety vehicular transportation system is used in an individual carpool car with at least one user and comprises a user module, a rescue unit and a server center. The user module stores and provides carpool data, stores and provides states of individual carpool car, submits a carpool request and comprises a save our soul (SOS) system. The SOS system transmits a distress signal. The rescue unit provides emergency rescue assistance if any user is in a dangerous situation. The server center receives, stores and provides carpool data, has an instantaneous tracking capability, provides carpool service to at least one user, calls the rescue unit if the server center receives the distress signal, receives the carpool request and generates at least one carpool mission to fulfill the carpool request. An operational method for a high safety vehicular transportation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes is provided. A first group of users is identified based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification. A second group of users is identified based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification. The first user classification is different from the second user classification. A disutility value is calculated for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users. A bi-level problem solver is executed to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for operating a railway network comprising a first railway vehicle (400) during a trip along track segments (401/412/420).

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature.

Abstract: A navigation system includes an information center and a navigation device installed in a probe vehicle. The information center stores limiting information for specifying a content of probe information in accordance with predefined factors, specifies a predefined factor corresponding to a navigation device, selects the limiting information based on the specified predefined factor, transmits the selected limiting information to the navigation device, and receives the corresponding probe information transmitted from a navigation device. The navigation device receives the limiting information from the information center, collects probe information, selects only the probe information specified by the received limiting information for transmission to the information center, and transmits the selected probe information to the information center.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method and system for testing data defining one or more navigation routes. A starting location may be input at a computer remote from the starting location. A destination location may also be input. Map data including GPS information based on the starting location input and the destination location input may be received. Route data may also be received. Based on the map data and the route data, data defining one or more navigation instructions may be generated for one or more routes. The one or more navigation instructions may be executed at the computer and compared to the map data. Based on the comparison, an accuracy of the navigation instructions may be determined. The data defining the navigation instructions may be corrected if the data is determined to be inaccurate.

Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to managing the configuration of a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of modifying the configuration of a vehicle based on the vehicle's location is provided. The method includes receiving, from a remote Satellite Positioning System (“SPS”) device, positioning data that identifies the location of the vehicle. Then, the positioning data is used to identify one or more regulations that are applicable, given the location of the vehicle. Based on collected vehicle readings, a determination is made regarding whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified. In turn, the method may cause the configuration of the vehicle to be modified to comply with the one or more regulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for providing and using transportation information of various types of public vehicles. A public transportation information encoding method according to the present invention creates identifying information on a type of public transportation means and on stations pertaining to service line of the public transportation means, and further creates connection information for particular stations among the stations wherein citizens are able to use the same or different type of public transportation means on other stations near to the particular stations. The created information including the connection information is organized to status information which is then incorporated into a transfer message. Thusly constructed messages are transmitted wirelessly.