Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus 1 performs a driving support based on travel data obtained while a driver causes a vehicle to travel by a driving operation. The apparatus includes storage units 20 and 41 that store a vehicle speed at each position on a traveling route using the vehicle speed acquired when the driver causes the vehicle to travel by performing an acceleration or deceleration operation, and traveling control units 30, 31, and 43 that perform a traveling control based on the vehicle speed at each position stored in the storage units 20 and 41 and the current position of the vehicle. The traveling control units 30, 31, and 43 end the traveling control in a case where the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes lower than a threshold value during the deceleration by the traveling control.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method associated with a location based service, and an apparatus for integrated positioning that may sense positioning-associated information that is in proximity to a user. The apparatus may hierarchically classify the sensed positioning-associated information into multiple categories of accuracy based on a predetermined criterion, and estimate the location of the user in order of low accuracy information to more precise accuracy information.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for determining position and controlling navigation by sensing movement through the Earth's magnetic field. Change in position is determined by integrating velocity which has been normalized for spatial and temporal field variation. Position is registered with respect to starting point and/or subsequently detected environmental feature. Signals are provided to actuator for guidance, navigation and control.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for inter-vehicle communication. The apparatus includes a communication unit configured to perform communication with another vehicle, a positioning unit configured to obtain positional information of a vehicle, and a controller configured to synchronize time instances of transmitting/receiving messages to/from the another vehicle using a signal from the positioning unit, to set communication conditions based on communication congestion with the another vehicle, and to perform transmitting/receiving messages to/from the another vehicle at the synchronized time instance according to the communication conditions.

Abstract: Device, system and method, in a vehicle communication system using a first protocol, of implementing a gateway using a distinct second protocol. Embodiments include a first protocol transmitting in a government set vehicle safety band, and a second protocol in the set of: WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular phone and cellular data. An embodiment uses a validity-testing module to prevent insecure messages on the second protocol from interfering with the first protocol. Both one-way and two-way inter-protocol message transfers are described. Embodiments use the gateway to communicate from a vehicle using the first protocol to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equipped animals using the second protocol. Embodiments use a computed and transmitted risk-of-collision value. Embodiments include a driver or operator warning responsive to the transmitted risk value. Embodiments include computation of likely future position.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a seismic survey using an augmented reality device. In one implementation, a method may include determining current location data of an augmented reality (AR) device in a physical environment. The method may also include receiving placement instructions for a first seismic survey equipment in the physical environment based on the current location data. The method may further include displaying the placement instructions in combination with a view of the physical environment on the AR device.

Abstract: A navigation system can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, a navigational signal receiver configured to receive a radio signal from at least one external system, a motion sensing device, and a navigation program executable by the microprocessor. The navigational signal receiver can be communicatively coupled to the microprocessor via a communication port. The navigation program can be configured to receive messages from the navigational signal receiver by communicating to the driver of the communication port. The communication port driver can adjust the current position based on the data returned by the motion sensing device.

Abstract: A light indicating device includes a plurality of light sources located in at least two positions, and at least one driving unit configured for driving the light sources to flash. Light sources at a same position flash at a same frequency, and light sources at different positions flash at different frequencies. A positioning device and method are also provided.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are disclosed for automatically positioning a moving first vehicle relative to a moving second vehicle traveling in a given area. The method includes the steps of: (a) tracking the second vehicle and guiding the first vehicle to attain a given position relative to the second vehicle; and (b) controlling the first vehicle to maintain a generally constant speed such that an operator of the second vehicle can adjust the speed of the second vehicle to correspondingly adjust a relative position of the second vehicle to the first vehicle in a direction of movement of the first and second vehicles, and controlling the first vehicle to maintain a given distance from the second vehicle in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first and second vehicles by tracking the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a representation of a vehicle path for display via a computer is disclosed, which involves receiving start location information including a start location and an initial orientation of the vehicle and end location information including a desired end location of the vehicle, and receiving a selection of a vehicle defined by parameters that define a turning behaviour of the vehicle. The method involves receiving constraint information identifying at least one constraint to passage of the vehicle between the start and end locations and causing a processor circuit to generate a vehicle path for travel between the start and end locations, the vehicle path based on the turning behaviour of the vehicle and being generated such that the vehicle path remains within the at least one constraint.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a work vehicle having a system for locating and characterizing a topographic feature at a job site. The located topographic feature may be characterized using or more optical instruments, such as a visible-light camera, an infrared-radiation camera, a spectrometer, an infrared thermometer, and a laser-based gas detector. The location and the characteristic of the topographic feature may be combined to produce an informative record of the topographic feature at the job site.

Abstract: A method for operating a control device, in particular in a vehicle, the control device having a display surface and a control element. A detection region formed in the vicinity of the control element is monitored by a proximity sensing device such that an actuating element is detected in the detection region, and first and second display contents are displayed on the display surface. The first display content is no longer displayed if an actuating element has been detected in the detection region by the proximity sensing device. Also disclosed is a control device for carrying out the method.

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 noise pattern acquisition device includes: a geomagnetic sensor; a coordinate estimation unit configured to estimate current position coordinates; and a geomagnetic noise pattern management unit configured to, when an abnormality occurs in a magnetic field strength detected by the geomagnetic sensor during movement of the noise pattern acquisition device, store in a geomagnetic noise pattern storage unit a geomagnetic noise pattern which is a pattern representing a time-series change of the magnetic field strength detected by the geomagnetic sensor. This makes it possible to not only acquire a geomagnetic noise pattern but also detect a proper position with a simple structure and process at reduced cost.

Abstract: A navigational system generates audio cues that are perceived in a three-dimensional space, allowing users to aurally perceive the locations of mapped objects such as landmarks. The audio cues can be produced alone, or in some applications, produced in conjunction with a visual navigational map display to improve the overall efficacy of the system. The audio navigation system includes a positioning system to determine the location of a user, a memory to store hierarchically-organized information about one or more objects, and a processor to render an audio signal based on the hierarchically-organized information. The audio signal is rendered into an audio space corresponding to the user, so as to allow user perception of the location of at least one of the objects relative to the location of the user. The objects may be landmarks in the vicinity of the user.

Abstract: A method of providing destination information includes storing route information in which location information identifying locations, coordinate points information, and information of locations adjacent to the locations are associated with each other; storing probability information in which current locations, destinations, and probabilities of moving from the current locations to the corresponding destinations are associated with each other; receiving information indicating a current position of a terminal apparatus; determining a current location corresponding to the current position; determining one or more first destination candidates based on the probability information; determining one or more second destination candidates among the one or more first destination candidates, when a next destination is not uniquely identifiable; determining a nearby location indicating a location adjacent to each second destination candidate and the current location; and determining the next destination among the one or m

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a route from a first geolocation to a second geolocation; calculating the route from the first geolocation to the second geolocation; identifying one or more inferred paths that coincide with at least a portion of the route; replacing one or more navigation instructions of the route with an abbreviated navigation instruction associated with the inferred paths; and providing a set of navigation instructions of the route that includes the abbreviated navigation instruction.

Abstract: A civil engineering machine has a machine control unit configured to determine data which defines the position and/or orientation of a reference point on the civil engineering machine in relation to a reference system independent of the position and orientation of the civil engineering machine. A geometrical shape to be produced on the ground is preset in either a machine control unit or a field rover control unit. The field rover is used to determine a position of at least one identifiable point of the preset geometrical shape in the independent reference system. Curve data defining a desired curve in the independent reference system, corresponding to the preset shape, is determined at least partially on the basis of the position of the at least one identifiable point of the preset geometrical shape in the independent reference system.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking an activity is described. A location tracking engine tracks a user's location, determines a direction by identifying a plurality of angles ahead of the current location on the path, and conveys navigation information to the user. A filter module receives a location update from a location tracking engine. The filter module performs at least one test on the location update. The filter module adds the location update to a queue of recently received location updates in response to passing the test. The stop detector module determines that the user is stopped and sets the current status to stopped and sets a time of a stop detection change to the later of the last time that of the stop detection change and a timestamp of the oldest location update in the queue if a previous status is moving.

Abstract: A method and system for searching for points of interest along a route is disclosed. A relation that includes records that associate link identifiers, point of interest identifiers, and distances between the links and the points of interest is generated during the compilation process of a first version of a geographic database. The relation is stored in compiled database products. When a compiled database product is being used by a navigation system, for example, navigation application software programs use the relation to accurately and efficiently find points of interest along a computed route. Navigation systems can also use the relation to service skyline queries and responsively generate skyline graphs of points of interest.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus, method, and program store map/road data including information on parking lots, provide position information on a position of the vehicle, and output guidance information. The apparatus, method, and program process the position information and the map/road data to generate guidance information, and make a first determination whether the vehicle enters a first threshold area around a target destination. The apparatus, method, and program make, in response to the first determination, a second determination that the vehicle has not been parked before a parking notification output condition is fulfilled and output parking notification information on the output unit in response to the second determination.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement of an operator located at a side of the vehicle is identified with a plurality of sensors located in the vehicle and the vehicle is moved in a path that maintains the operator at the side of the vehicle while the operator is moving.

Abstract: An identification unit identifies a departure point of a travel locus of a vehicle. The vehicle departs through the departure point from a departure road stored beforehand in map data. The map data has map link information including multiple links. An exit point set unit sets an exit point on a link included in the map link information. The link corresponds to the departure point of the departure road identified by the identification unit. A learning unit learns a new road based on the exit point set by the exit point set unit and the travel locus of the vehicle.

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: To provide useful information to a user of a personal navigation device (PND) related to their current mode of transportation the PND receives a plurality of satellite navigation signals, utilizes the plurality of satellite navigation signals to determine position of the PND, determines a plurality of data based on the plurality of satellite navigation signals, utilizing the plurality of data as inputs to a statistical model to determine the mode of transportation, determines the information corresponding to the mode of transportation, and displays the information corresponding to the mode of transportation.

Abstract: An automatic timing measurement system provides a measure of time of passage of a watercraft through a prescribed course. Inertial or other estimates augmented by GPS speed/position measurements are used to track position of a watercraft. Position estimates are used to allow the locations of prescribed courses to be mapped and memorized. The passage of a watercraft through mapped courses is automatically detected for the purpose of measuring and reporting time of passage of the watercraft past key points in the course, and the speed of the apparatus may be modified if necessary at certain points in the mapped course. A measure of accuracy of driver steering can be provided along with the ability to automatically steer the watercraft through the course if “steer-by-wire” mechanism is available. GPS speed control is augmented with a secondary velocity measurement device that measures speed over water to provide real-time compensation for water current.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a landmark selector configured to receive selection of a landmark. A sensory device may determine at least one position indicator relating to alignment with the landmark from a sensing location, such as orientation, attitude, and/or altitude. The apparatus may further include a position determiner configured to determine a relative position of the sensing location with respect to the landmark based at least in part on the position indicator. Accordingly, the apparatus may determine the relative position of the sensing location with respect to the landmark. In some embodiments the apparatus may be further configured to determine the absolute position of the sensing location. Thereby position information may be used, for example, to create collaborative content captured at an event occurring near the landmark.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for traversing a selected area autonomously that senses orientation relative to “environmental” signals. The robotic apparatus is provided in two models, a master that can record directive and “environmental signal” readings, or that can record received location information, to provide at least one command recorded on a machine-readable medium representing an instruction for traversing an area of interest, and a slave that lacks the recording capability. Both master and slave models can replay recorded commands, and compare the expected orientation from the command with an actual orientation sensed during autonomous operation. If an error exceeding a predetermined value is observed, a corrective action is taken. The robotic apparatus is able to utilize a tool to perform a task.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a map information storage section for storing map information on an area by area basis formed in meshes; a positioning section for measuring its own present location; a new road detecting section; a new road registration decision section for deciding that the new road is additionally registerable to the map information stored in the map information storage section when the road density in the area including the new road detected by the new road detecting section is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and a new road registration section for making additional registration of the new road, as to which the new road registration decision section makes an additionally registerable decision, to the map information stored in the map information storage section.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining transit routes through crowd-sourcing, for determining an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of a vehicle of the transit route at a given location, and for providing predictive reminders to a user for catching a vehicle of the transit route. A server receives signal source information about wireless signal sources detected by user devices, including information about a first wireless signal source detected by some devices. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is moving. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is associated with a public transit route upon determining that the signal source information satisfies one or more selection criteria. The server stores information associating the first wireless signal source with the public transit route as transit movement data corresponding to the public transit route.

Abstract: An operating state display device for a vehicle includes a display portion that displays an energy transmission state of the vehicle. A display similar to what is shown when no energy is being transmitted to the axle is shown, regardless of the energy transmission state, when two conditions that the vehicle is stopped and that a brake operation is being performed are satisfied.

Abstract: A method is provided for semi-automatic operation of a portable control device for a remote-controlled, unmanned vehicle. The method includes the steps of monitoring parameters of an operational environment of the portable control device, switching from a manual operation mode to a semi-automatic operation mode in response to occurrence of predetermined criteria within the operational environment, and presenting a semi-automatic operation graphical user interface to a user of the portable control device. The semi-automatic operation graphical user interface includes a reduced set of user interfaces for the semi-automatic operation mode presented by the portable control device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing navigation information based on a user request and a user-refined search area are discussed. One such system for navigation search area refinement provides an efficient system and method for refining a navigation information search area based on a default search area and an intuitive gesture input marking an area of a map display. Additionally, a method for navigation search area refinement can include receiving a gesture input originating at a default search area and concluding at a user-refined search area.

Abstract: A method of estimating a course of an aircraft includes: receiving a time series of location data indicating a plurality of locations along a route take by an aircraft; defining a trajectory function for representing a path of the aircraft; fitting the trajectory function to at least a portion of the time series; defining a position that identifies the location of the aircraft along the route; projecting the defined position onto the trajectory function; and estimating a course of the aircraft as being a tangent of the trajectory function at the projected defined position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for calculating a route for at least one object inside a predefined area or building. A suitable sensor system is used to determine the current position data relating to the object. The respective current position data is used to simulate a flow of objects. Respective updated route guidance information is provided for output devices in the predefined area or building based on the results of the object flow simulation. The current position data relating to the object are determined via the effects of near field communication (NFC), for example, via RFID technology.

Abstract: A vehicle control device that controls a vehicle, including a route detecting unit configured to detect a route to a destination, a travel load calculating unit configured to calculate travel load information of the route, and a travel plan calculating unit configured to calculate a travel plan including a drive mode of each section of the route based on the route and the travel load information of the route, wherein the travel load calculating unit changes a level of detail of the section which is used for calculating the travel load information according to a distance from a present location to the destination.

Abstract: A mining machine management system includes: a position information detection unit which is mounted in a mining machine loading a load in a mine and transporting the load and detects position information related to a position of the mining machine; and a region specification unit which corrects a representative position of a discharging station at which the load is removed, based on position information of a position at which the load is removed from the mining machine within a predetermined range centered around the representative position, from among the position information detected by the position information detection unit.

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: When vehicle position information at a time of parking start is available, a remote starter transmits the vehicle position information at the time of parking start to an information processor. When the vehicle position information at the time of parking start is unavailable, the remote starter transmits the vehicle position information obtained just before the vehicle position information becomes unavailable, as the vehicle position information at the time of parking start to the information processor.

Abstract: A method and system are described that can be used for combining two sources of position and orientation (pose) information where the information from one source is correlated with the information from the other and the sources produce information at differing rates. For example, the method and system allow for estimating position and orientation (pose) of an underwater vehicle relative to underwater structures by combining pose information computed from a 3D imaging sonar with pose information from a vehicle navigation system. To combine the information from the two sources, a determination is made as to whether to generate a forward prediction of the pose estimate of one of the sources relative to the other, and generating the forward prediction if needed. An updated pose of the underwater vehicle is determined based on the fused pose estimate, and which is used for vehicle guidance and control.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable maintain a proscribed Self Separation distance between an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and an object. In an example system, consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to corresponding locations of a self aircraft are determined, wherein the determining is based on current velocities of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft, and wherein the determining is based on current flight paths of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft. At least one evasive maneuver for the self aircraft is computed using a processing system based on the determined consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to the corresponding locations of the self aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for caching data in mobile devices to improve field assessment capabilities in a relief management system. The system analyzes captured geolocation information associated with one or more mobile field devices to identify a set of data to be cached by a mobile field device. The system then communicates the set of data to be cached to the mobile field device. The data cached is predicated upon the predicted likely location of field assessment operations and the data includes server-side image tiles.

Abstract: Inertial measurement unit apparatus for use with guidance systems are disclosed herein. An example guidance system includes an inertial measurement unit removably coupled in a cavity of a guidance wafer via an access port of the guidance wafer defining a port axis that is non-parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the guidance wafer.

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: A route search device includes: map data; a derived route acquisition section that acquires a first derived route from an origin point to a destination; a route correction region acquisition section that acquires a route correction region; a place to be passed through setting section that sets a place to be passed through in the route correction region; a start point and end point setting section that sets a start point and an end point in the route correction region; a corrected route acquisition section that acquires a corrected route; and a route correction section that corrects the first derived route to a second derived route from the origin point to the destination, constituted by a route from the origin point to the start point, the corrected route, and a route from the end point to the destination.

Abstract: A server arranged to process GPS data to generate enhanced map data is disclosed. The enhanced map data includes a plurality of navigable segments representing segments of a navigable route in an area covered by a map. In at least one embodiment, the server is connected with a wireless telecommunications transceiver arranged to receive GPS fixes by wireless telecommunication from a plurality of navigation devices and send the received GPS fixes to the server, the server includes a processor arranged to generate at least one speed profile for each segment from the GPS fixes from at least two of the plurality of navigation devices, each speed profile comprising an expected speed of travel through the segment, and the server is arranged to subsequently cause the transceiver to send the speed profiles to the navigation devices.

Abstract: An information processing device can receive a positioning signal that is transmitted from a transmitting device. The information processing device includes an input reception unit for receiving an input of a destination and for identifying first location information including first floor number information, the first floor number information indicating a floor number of the destination in a structure including the destination, a retrieval unit for retrieving second location information including second floor number information from the positioning signal, the second floor number information indicating a floor number on which the transmitting device is provided in a structure in which the transmitting device is provided, and a calculation unit for calculating a route from a current location of the information processing device to the destination by using the first location information and the second location information.

Abstract: Providing directions from point A to point B may be treated as an information retrieval problem. In one example, actual routes that are traveled by people are received, and are stored in a database. When a person requests directions from point A to point B, a system searches the database to determine whether a route from A to B exists. If the route does exist, then the route may be provided as directions in response to the request. If no such route exists, then the system looks in the database for routes that have some amount of overlap with each other, and attempts to construct a route from A to B by joining known routes that overlap with each other. Rules may govern the degree of overlap that routes are to have before they can be joined.

Abstract: The present technology proposes techniques for managing indoor geolocation conversions based on a user's intent in an indoor location. An advertiser may determine the intent of a user of a mobile device and transmit advertisements to the mobile device related to the determined intent. The intent may be determined based on events that include a location of the mobile device, network browsing history, and a transaction made using the mobile device. The advertisement may provide the user with directions to an item based on location information from the mobile device. The advertisements may also load balance geolocation conversions in order to manage a number of users at a particular location.