Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking an installer's inventory of vehicle tracking devices performed by the supplier of the devices are provided. Inventory levels of the devices are checked based on activation and/or registration of a tracking device and a subsequent stock-out notification is sent to the installer based on the checked inventory level.

Abstract: A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing popular routes via a global positioning satellite (GPS) system. A GPS device receives a route request from a user. The GPS device then determines a current location of the GPS device and connects to a network server. In response to connecting to the network server, the GPS device transmits a route selection request to the network server. In response, the GPS device receives a route selection list from the network server where the route selection list contains a plurality of routes previously taken by other drivers. Each route is assigned a popularity rating. The GPS device displays one or more of the routes of the route selection list, and requests that a user select a route. After the user selects a route the GPS device displays the selected route as an overlay on a map display.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve content selection systems and methods using speech recognition. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a speech recognition method comprising receiving location parameters from a global positioning system, retrieving location data using the location parameters, and configuring one or more recognition sets of a speech recognizer using the location data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing at least one information feed are disclosed. For example, the method receives at least one content via at least one automated feed. The method associates the at least one content to one or more geographical locations on a map, wherein the one or more geographical locations are determined from the at least one content. The method then presents an access to the at least one content to a user via the map.

Abstract: The relative position of one vehicle vs. another vehicle, both driving in a vehicular environment, is determined using vehicular communications based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The relative position determination is performed in a measuring vehicle using data provided by a measured vehicle through IEEE 802.11 communications carried through beacons as well as GPS or other location data and local map information.

Abstract: A collaborative sharing workgroup comprising a plurality of assets is disclosed. An integrated manager module is fixedly coupled with each asset, the integrated manager module comprising an asset systems monitor; a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) position information monitor; and an environment information monitor. In addition, a communications module is fixedly coupled with each asset. The communications module automatically shares information from each integrated manager module to each of the plurality of assets in the workgroup and similarly receives the shared information from each of the plurality of assets in the workgroup. A user guidance module is also coupled with each asset. The user guidance module utilizes the shared information to automatically update guidance information for an asset. Moreover, the user guidance module operates independently on each asset in a workgroup without utilizing a central managing device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for navigation and/or guidance. A device may be configured to predict an uncertainty of positioning data in the area, the prediction being based at least in part on a dynamic navigation model. The device may further be configured to guide the mobile entity based at least in part on the predicted uncertainty of the positioning data in the area. By predicting and guiding while the mobile entity is outside the area, the device may proactively mitigate an impact of the predicted uncertainty of the positioning data by initiating rerouting of the mobile entity, updating an inertial navigation system, and/or issuing an alert regarding the predicted uncertainty to of the positioning data to an operator of the mobile entity. The dynamic navigation model may comprise at least one of an environment model, a cost model, one or more positioning system models, and an excursion route model.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle in response to the presence of one or more vehicle boundary. According to various embodiments, a system is provided that automates end-turns and sequence execution in real-time based on approaching boundaries. In various embodiments, no pre-planning is required once boundaries and a turn pattern have been defined. Once these items are defined, the system creates end-turns based on what type of boundary is approaching and the turn path prescribed. The system determines what vehicle functions to execute based on pre-recorded sequences and executes the turns and the sequences automatically based on the location and speed of the vehicle and its relationship to various boundaries.

Abstract: An autonomous robot system including a transmitter disposed within a working area and a mobile robot operating within the working area. The transmitter includes an emitter for emitting at least one signal onto a remote surface above the working area. The mobile robot includes a robot body, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot over a surface within the working area, and a navigation system in communication with the drive system. The navigation system includes a receiver responsive to the emitted signal as reflected off of the remote surface and a processor connected to the receiver and configured to determine a relative location of the robot within the working area based on input from the receiver.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to localizing mobile devices. In one example, a first location method associated with a first accuracy value may be used to estimate a location of the mobile device. A confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location is calculated. The confidence circle may be displayed on a mobile device. When other location methods become available, the size of the displayed confidence circle may be expanded based on information from an accelerometer of the client device or the accuracy of the other available location methods. This may be especially useful when the mobile device is transitioning between areas which are associated with different location methods that may be more or less accurate.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image in which only parts of the image that appear above a point on a horizon line are analyzed to identify an object. In one embodiment, the distance between the object and a vehicle is determined, and at least one of the speed and direction of the vehicle is changed when it is determined that the distance is less than the range of a sensor. The method for processing images is not limited to vehicular applications only and it may be used in all applications where computer vision is used to identify objects in an image.

Abstract: A vehicle route guidance system is provided that may dynamically determine one or more possible destinations within a predetermined distance of a current location of a vehicle having the vehicle route guidance system. The vehicle route guidance system may determine respective routes to the one or more possible destinations and may access price information with respect to the one or more possible destinations. For each of the one or more possible destinations, the vehicle route guidance system may estimate a cost of fuel to be consumed by the vehicle to reach respective ones of the one or more possible destination based on received traffic information, a respective route, and vehicle fuel consumption information. The vehicle route guidance system may provide information for guiding the vehicle to one of the one or more possible destinations having a lowest total overall cost.

Abstract: A secondary optical system for object navigation in an array of beacons is provided that includes an optical source having at least one optical emitter emitting an optical signal and that is mounted to either the moving object or a beacon of the array of beacons. The moving object in simultaneous radio frequency communication the array of beacons to determine dynamic position of the object. An optical detector is mounted to the other of a moving object or the beacon of the array of beacons and the optical detector receives the optical signal when line of sight exists between the moving object and a beacon of the array of beacons. Electronics are provided for determining the dynamic position of the moving object uses weighting factor that favors the communication and at least two beacons of the array of beacons for which a moving object-beacon optical line of sight exists.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer-readable medium are configured for guiding a person (21) to a destination. The method comprises the steps of storing an association between a person (21) and a content item, wherein the content item comprises audio and/or at least one image, determining a destination for the person (21), determining a current position of the person (21), identifying at least one reproduction device (22, 23, 24, 25) between the current position and the destination, and reproducing the content item on the identified at least one reproduction device (22, 23, 24, 25).

Abstract: An electronic system for providing personal navigation assistance to a user includes a first mobile electronic device having a first GPS module for generating first GPS data and an INS module for generating INS data, and a second mobile electronic device having a second GPS module for generating second GPS data. A wireless communication link allows for communication of data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. A processor combines the first GPS data, the second GPS data, and the INS data to produce calculated location data indicative of the location of a user at each of a plurality of times. An output component provides personal navigation assistance to a user based on the calculated location data, such as audio instructions.

Abstract: A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal, forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal needs only to gather a few milliseconds of observation data, and to relay this observation data to the processor. The range from the satellite (or other airborne transponder) to the terminal is determined using the known positions of an interrogating transmitter and a satellite, and a known terminal delay between the received signal and the transmission of the return signal, and the round trip time. An arc of locations is determined by computing an intersection of a sphere centered at the satellite having a radius given by the calculated range with a model of the Earth's surface. The candidate points are considered and refined using code phase measurements from a set of GPS satellites.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for remotely entering, storing and sharing location addresses for a positional information device, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device, are provided. The present disclosure allows a user to easily and safely enter an address into a GPS device by giving that address to a remote communications link and to have that link automatically program the user's GPS device for usage. The device, system and method of the present disclosure further allows the user to use this stored address(es) on multiple GPS devices without having to manually enter the address(es).

Abstract: An enhanced vehicle guidance system comprising a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and a data processor with a memory component and a computing device. The method of enhancing a vehicle's guidance system may comprise calculating the altitude, latitude, and longitude of a GNSS receiver for each of a plurality of positions; calculating the incline angle between adjacent points; and using the calculated incline angles to infer the attitude of the vehicle at any of the plurality of positions. The attitude may be used to calculated an inertial correction factor to compensate for GNSS position inaccuracies induced as a result of the vehicle rolling and pitching on uneven terrain. The altitude, latitude, longitude, and attitude of the plurality of positions may be stored in the memory such that the system may look-up the attitude for a given position without recalculating the attitude and without using an inertial sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining location such as vehicle location receives data at a predetermined frequency, validates the received data, stores the received data based on the validation and computes a location based on the stored data. The validation includes verifying a presence of particular data substrings within the received data, verifying a presence of a plurality of data fields within each data substring, computing a parameter based on information contained in two of the plurality of data fields and comparing the computer parameter with a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: A efficient method of encoding a continuous path within a road network in which the path to be encoded is expressible as a path list of lines and/or segments existing in a digital map and consecutively ordered.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: setting a predetermined arrival level for arriving at a replenishment location; calculating an estimated arrival level for arriving at the replenishment location; generating target location based on the estimated arrival level meeting or exceeding the predetermined arrival level; and generating a travel route to a destination based on selecting the replenishment location from the target location for displaying on a device.

Abstract: A method of increasing a range of a vehicle by decreasing trapped HVAC energy at an end of a trip. The method may include the steps of: determining a destination list based on locations where the vehicle may be parked in the future, the destination list accessible by a control module in the vehicle; determining HVAC reduction regions around each of the locations on the destination list, the HVAC reduction regions accessible by the control module; operating a HVAC system while the vehicle is moving; tracking the location of the vehicle relative to the locations on the destination list; and the control module automatically reducing the energy usage of the HVAC system when the vehicle enters one of the HVAC reduction regions.

Abstract: A method of providing navigational information by a navigation system comprising: determining an uncertainty in a device location; retrieving a mode based on the uncertainty; and providing navigational information processed by the mode for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Various embodiments pertain to techniques for proactively delivering navigation options to a user via a mobile device. In various embodiments, one or more navigation options can be determined for the user and delivered to the user's mobile device at a relevant time. Navigation options can be selected based on the user's current location, the user's future plans, the time, and other locally relevant information, such as friends nearby or a nearby favorite location of the user. The navigation options can be delivered to the user's mobile device at a time that the navigation options are relevant.

Abstract: In one embodiment, dynamic natural guidance is generated for a route between an origin and a destination. A controller receives data indicative of a location of the mobile device and data indicative of at least one movable object detected in a vicinity of the mobile device. The data indicative of at least one movable object may be collected by a camera and analyzed. The analysis may include one or more of image processing techniques, temporal measurement, and tracking of movable objects. The controller generates a guidance command based on the location of the mobile device. The guidance command references the at least one movable object detected in the vicinity of the mobile device.

Abstract: An approach for providing shadow-based location positioning is described. A visual location platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of sensor information associated with at least one device traveling on at least one route to determine at least one pattern of shadows on the at least one route. The visual location platform also causes, at least in part, a comparison of the at least one pattern of shadows against one or more reference patterns of shadows associated with one or more known locations. The service platform further causes, at least in part, an estimation of a location, a direction of travel, or a combination thereof of the at least one device based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.

Abstract: A method for determining a route from a starting point to a destination point in a navigation system for a motor vehicle, a factor which influences the energy consumption or the pollutant emissions while traveling the route being taken into account when determining the route. The factor describes the energy consumption or pollutant emissions during standstills of the motor vehicle while traveling the route and a navigation system for this purpose. A route calculation is improved with the goal of minimizing the energy consumption or pollutant emissions over the entire route and thereby contributes to environmental protection.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, navigation software is integrated with other kinds of software running on the same device so that capabilities of the navigation software can be made available from within the other applications. In one example embodiment, those applications can export street, city or postcode format address data to the navigation software. The address data can then be converted to a co-ordinate system based address by the navigation software, which can then automatically be set as the destination address used by the navigation software in calculating the route and/or automatically marked on a map generated and displayed by the navigation software.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for determining the location of a marking device during performance of a marking operation using triangulation are described. The marking device may be of the type used to mark the presence or absence of underground facilities and may include a marking material dispenser to dispense marking material as an indicator. The marking device may include a transmitter which transmits a signal received by a receiving system including two or more receiving devices at separate locations. Triangulation algorithms may then be used to determine the location of the marking device relative to the receiving system.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a navigation application that presents a novel navigation presentation on a device. The application identifies a location of the device, and identifies a style of road signs associated with the identified location of the device. The application then generates navigation instructions in form of road signs that match the identified style. To generate the road sign, the application in some embodiments identifies a road sign template image for the identified style, and generates the road sign by compositing the identified road sign template with at least one of text instruction and graphical instruction. In some embodiments, the road sign is generated as a composite textured image that has a texture and a look associated with the road signs at the identified location.

Abstract: A material position information measuring section measures a position of a material lifted up by a tower crane. A structure information measuring section measures position information about surrounding structures. A route searching section searches for a route of movement of the material from a start point to a destination. The route of movement determined by the route searching section is stored in a route storage. A data processor receives data of the material position information measuring section and the structure information measuring section, and calculates 2D or 3D image data about relative positions of the tower crane, the material lifted up by the tower crane and the surrounding structures. A display unit displays information about at least one of the tower crane, the material and the surrounding structures using the image data calculated by the data processor, and displays the route of movement determined by the route searching section.

Abstract: A dynamic position reporting and/or logging scheme is described herein. Position reporting and/or logging for a mobile device may be dynamically determined based on one or more reporting and/or logging constraints. The constraints may be based on time, distance, events, operating parameters, operating conditions, or some combination thereof. The constraints that dynamically trigger position reporting may be the same as, overlap, or be distinct from the constraints used to trigger position logging. The reporting and logging constraints can be selected to provide a more accurate indication of a track or route traveled by the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics enabled mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes receiving a navigation request from a user interface to a telematics unit, receiving a location signal defining an approximate geographic location of the telematics unit to the telematics unit, analyzing the navigation request and the location signal to produce a navigation route defined by a plurality of navigation points including an initial navigation point and one or more additional navigation points, producing a local navigation zone and a global navigation zone based on the analyzed location signal wherein each navigation zone defines a geographic area concentrically radiating from a known geographic location, determining which navigation zone the initial navigation point is within, and producing navigation instructions that provide direction to navigation points along the navigation route and are based on the determined navigation zone and the navigation route.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for communicating position data are disclosed. A method includes receiving a position query at a communication device. The method also includes determining a position of the communication device in response to the position query. The method also includes transmitting data related to the position from the communication device to a remote communication device of another party to a call when the position query is received while the communication device is connected to the call.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for tracking the parking behavior of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a circuit located within the vehicle, the circuit comprising a processor, movement detection means, location identification means, a memory, a transceiver, and a timer operably coupled together; wherein for each occurrence in which the movement detection means detects that the vehicle has entered into the parked state, the circuit is configured to: (1) measure at duration that the vehicle remains in the parked state; (2) identify the geographic location of the vehicle; (3) detect whether the vehicle transitions into the non-parked state from the parked state; (4) upon the duration exceeding a predetermined minimum time threshold, storing parking information data relating to the occurrence in the memory as a parking instance; and (5) upon the duration failing to exceed the predetermined minimum time threshold, discarding the parking information data.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for creation of a road map, the system comprising a plurality of navigation devices; and an application server to receive from the plurality of navigation devices time series of location points, and to create a road map based on the time series of location points. The method comprising receiving location points from plurality of navigation devices, along with respective time stamps indicating the time of recordation of each of the location points; identifying at least one route according to the location points and respective time stamps; and creating a road map based on the at least one route.

Abstract: ZIP code connection matrices are created for use in insurance ratemaking by identifying common borders of geographically defined regions. ZIP codes and associated cartographic boundaries are read from a database. Pairs of coordinates for the boundaries are stored in a matrix and values are calculated that represent each pair of coordinates in the matrix. The calculated values are stored in an encoded coordinates matrix and used to determine common segments. A connection matrix is formed representing connections among ZIP codes. A neighborhood matrix is then calculated, which stores values that represent an indication of closeness of each ZIP code in the neighborhood matrix to a target ZIP code.

Abstract: A system for engaging hostile air or space threats with a defensive missile, where the defensive missile comprises an antenna for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals. A global positioning system receiver is coupled to said antenna, for receiving global positioning system signals directly from global positioning system satellites and global positioning system signals reflected from the threat. A processing arrangement processes the direct and reflected global positioning system signals for determining the position and velocity of the threat. Vectoring controls are coupled to the processing arrangement, and are responsive to the location of the threat for directing the defensive missile toward the threat. In a particular embodiment, the antenna of the defensive missile is directionally controllable, and the defensive missile includes an antenna direction controller responsive to the processor for directing at least a beam of the antenna toward the threat.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a locator for determining a location of the navigation device, a processor, an audio output device and/or a display controllable by the processor, and a store for map data and historical data. The historical data includes historical information about a location and a location identifier identifying the location. The processor is arranged to control the audio output device and/or display to convey the historical information as an audio and/or visual output in response to the processor determining from the locator that the navigation device is in the vicinity of the location identified by the location identifier.

Abstract: Travel guidance systems, devices, methods, and programs set a route from a departure point toward destination and acquire a position of a movable body along the route. The guidance systems, devices, methods, and programs determine whether the movable body has arrived at the destination by acquiring a distance from an end of the set route to the destination. When the acquired distance is less than a predetermined distance, the determination is based on the end of the route. When the acquired distance is equal to or more than the predetermined distance and the destination is a specific point, the determination is based on the end of the route. When the acquired distance is equal to or more than the predetermined distance and the destination is a point that is not a specific point, the determination is based on a position of the destination.

Abstract: A demonstration method and module for demonstrating various features of a vehicle navigation system without activating the system at a back-end facility, such as a remote call center. The demonstration module comes with a variety of pre-established navigation demonstrations, each of which is designed for a particular geographic area. The demonstration module obtains a vehicle position reading from the vehicle navigation system, and then utilizes this reading to select the most appropriate demonstration experience for that area. The selected navigation demonstration is then played through one or more output devices in the vehicle, such as speakers and a graphical display. This enables a prospective customer to experience a local or familiar navigation demonstration, without taking the steps and incurring the expenses associated with activating the vehicle navigation system at the call center.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for detecting and displaying a person's activity-travel pattern over time and space is provided. Person-based location data is acquired by a personal communication device and processed in accordance with an algorithm. The invention goes beyond applications that focus on the detection of the current location of the user, but rather the enhanced knowledge of the users current, past, and likely future activities and their multi-dimensional attributes. The present invention can be implemented on common hardware and is easily accessible via web-based interfaces and reporting, making various applications achievable at very low cost.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when a moving mobile platform will enter or exit a satellite coverage region. In a preferred form the method involves determining a plurality of boundary coordinates that define a satellite coverage region perimeter. A position of the mobile platform is monitored as the mobile platform moves along a travel path. The proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter is determined by periodically comparing the position of the mobile platform to the boundary coordinates.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for remotely entering, storing and sharing location addresses for a positional information device, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device, are provided. The present disclosure allows a user to easily and safely enter an address into a GPS device by giving that address to a remote communications link and to have that link automatically program the user's GPS device for usage. The device, system and method of the present disclosure further allows the user to use this stored address(es) on multiple GPS devices without having to manually enter the address(es).

Abstract: A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for distinguishing between LOCATION_REPORT messages to avoid ambiguities. Therefore, a value of an information element of request type is returned by a radio network controller, depending on an intended receiver of the location information. A control node receiving the information element value analyses said value and determines the receiver depending on the result of said analysis.