Abstract: A mobile device and navigation device communication system utilizing near field communication to easily capture and transfer address data and simplify programming of the navigation device is disclosed. When a mobile device receives a text message a mobile navigation communication application determines if there is an address included in the text message and if found extracts the address and encodes the address. The user then places the mobile device in close proximity to the navigation device and the data exchange is performed via near field communication. After the data exchange is complete the navigation device decodes the data into the address and searches its database to find an address match. The navigation device then displays the address for the user to confirm. After confirmation the navigation device displays the route or driving directs from the user's current location to the destination address.

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: Disclosed is a navigation device including: a target candidate extracting unit for extracting target candidates located along a guidance route from a map database on a basis of a vehicle position, the guidance route, and intersection information about a target intersection for guidance; a target determining unit for determining a target on a basis of knowledge about target determination from among the target candidates extracted by the target candidate extracting unit; a guidance sentence generating unit for generating a guidance sentence by using the target determined by the target determining unit; and a sound output unit for outputting voice guidance on a basis of the guidance sentence generated by the guidance sentence generating unit.

Abstract: A method of generating a geodetic reference database product is disclosed The method comprises acquiring mobile mapping data captured by means of digital cameras, range sensors and position determination means including GPS and IMU mounted to a vehicle driving across the earth surface, the mobile mapping data comprising simultaneously captured image data, range data and associated position data in a geographic coordinate system. Linear stationary earth surface features are derived from the mobile mapping data by processing the image data, range data and associated position data. 3D-models are generated for the linear stationary earth surface features in the geographic coordinate system from the image data, range data and associated position data and stored in a database to obtain the geodetic reference database product. A 3D-model could include an image representing the colors of the surface of the 3D model or a set of smaller images representing photo-identifiable objects along the model.

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: A marine navigation device comprises a location determining element, a display, a memory element, and a processing element. The location determining element determines a current geolocation of a marine vessel on a first body of water. The memory element stores sonar data for a plurality of bodies of water. The processing element is in communication with the memory element and is configured to access the sonar data from the memory element corresponding to the first body of water, calculate bottom hardness shading data based on the sonar data, generate a map representation of at least a portion of the first body of water corresponding to the current geolocation, the map representation including shading derived from the calculated bottom hardness shading data, and control the display to visually present the map representation.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device and a server device that are able to calculate an optimal route reflecting the user's intention in a case where a new site is added after a route to a destination is set. The navigation device of the present invention includes a route calculation unit.

Abstract: A vehicle wrong-way travel detection device includes a map information storage unit where map information is stored, a decision-making point setting unit that sets, based upon the map information stored in the map information storage unit, the connecting point located ahead along a subject vehicle traveling direction as a decision-making point, a wrong-way travel decision-making area setting unit that sets wrong-way travel decision-making areas for at least one of a plurality of roads connected to the decision-making point, and a wrong-way travel decision-making unit that makes a decision, based upon the direction of traffic flow set for a unidirectional traffic road connected to the decision-making point and the subject vehicle traveling direction, as to whether or not the subject vehicle is traveling against the flow of traffic on the unidirectional traffic road.

Abstract: An apparatus for visualizing data includes memory for storing sensor data and a processor. The processor is configured to generate a map of a geographic area, and to display at a first location on the map at least one icon graphically representing a measurement of the sensor at the first location over a period of time and graphically representing the period of time.

Abstract: A method of processing probe trace data to determine a measure of correlation of a probe trace with other probe traces comprises obtaining a map that associates a parameter space with a plurality of pixels, wherein at least one correlation value is assigned to each of the plurality of pixels, and determining a correlation score for a probe trace by mapping the probe trace to at least one pixel of the map and determining the correlation score for the probe trace from at least one correlation value of the at least one pixel to which the probe trace is mapped.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to detecting the edges of lane lines. Specifically, a vehicle driving on a roadway may use a laser to collect data for the roadway. A computer may process the data received from the laser in order to extract the points which potentially reside on two lane lines defining a lane. The extracted points are used by the computer to determine a model of a left lane edge and a right lane edge for the lane. The model may be used to estimate a centerline between the two lane lines. All or some of the model and centerline estimates, may be used to maneuver a vehicle in real time and also to update or generate map information used to maneuver vehicles.

Abstract: A map matching apparatus and method are provided. The map matching apparatus comprises a location determining unit configured to determine whether a GPS receipt location is located within planar data for a road, and a map matching unit configured to perform map matching on the GPS receipt location depending on whether the GPS receipt location is located within the planar data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and portable devices which reduce the power used by a portable device to receive/process satellite navigational system signals and/or to compute the portable device's position using satellite navigational system signals are provided. A method includes retrieving information concerning power usage characteristics based on aggregate data corresponding to a current location of the portable device; and selecting a power saving mode based on the retrieved power usage information from the aggregate data, where each of the plurality of power saving modes reduces power usage in at least one of receiving the satellite navigational system signals, processing the satellite navigational system signals, and computing the portable device's position using the satellite navigational system signals.

Abstract: A method for visualizing data includes generating on a display device a map including a first location and generating on the display device at least one icon graphically representing measurements of the sensor at the first location over a period of time and graphically representing the period of time.

Abstract: A guidance apparatus for guiding to a predetermined orientation includes a detection section configured to detect a contact of an object via a contact surface; a measurement section configured to measure an orientation of the guidance apparatus; a calculation section configured to calculate a direction of the predetermined orientation relative to the orientation measured by the measurement section; and a vibration section configured to generate vibration if the contact of the object is detected by the detection section either within an area including the direction, or within another area other than the area including the direction, among a plurality of areas partitioning the contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (300) and a system (100) for navigating a robotic garden tool (202) based on one or more operating parameters for subareas (210-218) within the working area (204) and a current location of the robotic garden tool (202). The working area (204) is provided with a signal source (104) corresponding to which a sensor unit (106) is provided in the robotic garden tool (202) for detecting the one or more signals (102) from the signal source (104). The robotic garden tool (202) may include a low-accuracy positioning device (110) for providing co-ordinates of various subareas (210-218) and at any given instant, an approximate location of the robotic garden tool (202). The robotic garden tool (202) further includes a processor means (114) for comparing the coordinates of the subareas (210-218) and the approximate position of the robotic garden tool (202) to determine a current location of the robotic garden tool (202) in the working area (204).

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for merging maps. In one potential embodiment a method may comprise receiving an indication of at least one plurality of geographically proximate points, where each of the at least one plurality of geographically proximate points are determined by at least one access point in communication with one or more mobile devices. A first and second map may then be received, where the first map and the second map each cover a first area such that the first area is in both the first map and the second map. The first map and the second map may then be merged by matching a mapping of a first portion of an indication of the at least one plurality of geographically proximate points on the first map and a second portion of an indication of an at least one plurality of geographically proximate points on the second map.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a map are provided. The method includes receiving user input for displaying a map, receiving location information regarding surrounding apparatus from each of at least one of the surrounding apparatus using short range wireless communication, in response to the user input, and displaying a message indicating that map may not be viewed when the location information is not received from the surrounding apparatus, determining a position estimation area in which the mobile device may be located based on received location information regarding surrounding apparatus and displaying a map on which the position estimation area is indicated when the location information is received from the surrounding apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing road information includes: a global positioning system (GPS) sensor configured to detect a location of a vehicle; a navigation device configured to output short-range road information and long-range road information according to a location of the vehicle; and a vehicle controller configured to restore forward road information by using the short-range road information and the long-range road information and control an engine or a transmission according to the forward road information.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: detecting a current location for locating a vehicle; determining a road type as multi-layered at the current location for identifying a multi-layer road structure; calculating a first average speed outside an intersection location; calculating a second average speed at the intersection location; determining a difference speed between the first average speed and the second average speed; and determining a road layer location from the difference speed for locating the current location along the multi-layer road structure for displaying on a device.

Abstract: An energy map for a motor vehicle and an energy mapping system for making the energy map are disclosed. The energy map includes energy information related to energy consumption and energy recharging of various power sources along various roadway segments. The energy mapping system may include a navigation system for a motor vehicle comprising a GPS receiver, various energy level sensors, and an electronic control unit. A probe vehicle may be used to measure energy consumption and energy recharging for various power sources. The energy mapping system may also include a service provider. The navigation system may measure energy levels for the various power sources along various roadway segments and transmit the measurements to the service provider. The service provider may then associate differences in the measured energy levels for each of the various power sources with the various roadway segments.

Abstract: A method for providing location information such as a map in an underground or shielded environment entails storing first near-field communication (NFC) data obtained by reading a first NFC tag at a first location, reading a second NFC tag at a second location, obtaining map data for an area encompassing the first and second locations, and displaying a map showing the first location and the second location.

Abstract: Techniques are described for visualizing a roadway transition along an ascertained route course for a navigation device. In an implementation, the navigation device may include a display and a data processing device to identify a roadway transition from a first road onto a second road along an ascertained route course and present navigation information in a first and second operating mode. The second operating mode may include roadway transition visualization generated by dynamically superpositioning a first visualization layer, which may include road characteristics and location information, and a second visualization layer, which may include the ascertained route course along the identified roadway transition.

Abstract: A portable unit is moved along at least one of the orientations of a vector. As the user moves the unit, images of the background map appear on the screen of the portable device. The user scans the stationary map presented on the screen of the portable unit. This has several benefits since now relative distances and angular displacements between objects that are outside of the range of the screen of the handheld unit can be immediately be located and placed into view on the screen of a portable unit. The handheld unit is like a Sliding Window which provides a view of this image of a stationary map lying in the background of the portable unit.

Abstract: A robot having a signal sensor configured to measure a signal, a motion sensor configured to measure a relative change in pose, a local correlation component configured to correlate the signal with the position and/or orientation of the robot in a local region including the robot's current position, and a localization component configured to apply a filter to estimate the position and optionally the orientation of the robot based at least on a location reported by the motion sensor, a signal detected by the signal sensor, and the signal predicted by the local correlation component. The local correlation component and/or the localization component may take into account rotational variability of the signal sensor and other parameters related to time and pose dependent variability in how the signal and motion sensor perform. Each estimated pose may be used to formulate new or updated navigational or operational instructions for the robot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning a mobile mining vehicle, which method determines scanning data by scanning the environment of the mining vehicle while being driven. Location information is determined for the mining vehicle on the basis of the scanning data and prestored environment model data. Level information is associated with the environment model data, the location level of the mining vehicle (1) is determined and the environment model data to be used are selected on the basis of the determined location level.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program and user interface wherein the method includes: obtaining coordinate information from a first application where the coordinate information uniquely identifies an address as a location in a coordinate space; storing, using a second application, the coordinate information so that the coordinate information is associated with contact information indicative of the address; detecting user selection of a control element associated with the stored contact information; and in response to the detection of the user selection of the control element providing the coordinate information to the first application.

Abstract: Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring system and operational parameters on one or more pieces of machinery or equipment. The system can monitor the pieces of machinery or equipment in real time, i.e., the time delay between the taking of a measurement on a piece of equipment and its subsequent display in the system is within accepted standards, e.g., from about 1 second to about 1 minute depending on the type of measurement or data set being monitored. The system can also permit the tracking of the pieces of machinery or equipment and can enable the transfer, i.e., the sending and/or receiving, of information between the system and the pieces of machinery or equipment.

Abstract: A positioning method for use in a vehicle navigation or mapping system is disclosed, and a system implementing such a method. The method comprises obtaining one or more sets of sensor measurement data from at least one sensor located on or in a vehicle, each set of sensor measurement being indicative of the distance of objects in an environment around the vehicle from the sensor, and each set of sensor measurement data comprising data obtained from a range of positions in a time or distance window along the direction of travel of the vehicle. A correlation procedure is performed correlating the one or more sets of sensor measurement data with stored reference sensor measurement data, and a relative position of the vehicle against stored location data associated with the stored reference sensor measurement data is determined in dependence on the correlation procedure.

Abstract: A method for recognizing road signs in the vicinity of a vehicle and for synchronization thereof to road sign information from a digital map where, in the case of a recognition of road signs, road-sign recognition data are generated, navigation data being provided for localizing the vehicle in digital map data, and the road-sign recognition data being synchronized to the map data. To be able to provide unambiguous and the most accurate possible and thus improved road sign information to be output to the driver in the context of such a method, in the case of a discrepancy between the map data and the road-sign recognition data, the decision is made with the aid of reliability factors for the camera and map as to whether the data from the digital map or the road-sign recognition data are output in the vehicle.

Abstract: Turn restrictions are identified and associated with an intersection. Geographic data is collected over a period of time from mobile devices located near the intersection. A geometric pattern is derived from the geographic data. A comparison between the geometric pattern and predefined geometric patterns associated with turn restrictions is performed. A turn restriction for the intersection is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computing a geographic position of an object or event based on a geographic position of a computing device and a user gesture are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a geographic position of a computing device. The method also includes receiving a user gesture on the computing device to indicate a direction towards a location from the computing device. Further, the method includes defining a geographic position of the location based on the geographic position of the computing device and the user gesture.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable medium for collaborating on geographical maps between two or more computers are disclosed. In particular, sharing a geographical location on a map between two or more computers and co-navigating a map between two or more computers are disclosed. With respect to sharing a geographical location, the geographical location is retrieved to the first computer. The geographical location is added to the map being rendered at the first computer and is sent to a second computer. A map including the geographical location is rendered at the second computer. With respect to co-navigating, a map is displayed from a map perspective at the first computer. The map perspective is sent to the second computer. A map from the same map perspective being displayed at the first computer is rendered at the second computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recognizing a driving lane are provided and include a processor that is configured to detect driving environment information acquired by a plurality of driving environment information collecting devices installed within a vehicle. In addition, the processor is configured to determine the driving lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling by combining at least two pieces of the detected driving environment information and output the recognized driving lane information as a result of the determination.

Abstract: A parse module calibrates an interior space by parsing objects and words out of an image of the scene and comparing each parsed object with a plurality of stored objects. The parse module further selects a parsed object that is differentiated from the stored objects as the first object and stores the first object with a location description. A search module can detect the same objects from the scene and use them to determine the location of the scene.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting a traffic lane using wireless communication is provided and includes a sensor unit including an image recognition sensor and a radar sensor. In addition, a controller is configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one of a plurality of other vehicles and generate road driving information regarding a traveling vehicle after confirming a reliability of the at least one other vehicle using traffic lane recognition information received from the at least other vehicle. The controller is configured to confirm a traffic lane of the traveling vehicle based on the reliability and output the road driving information.

Abstract: A method for mapping an environment proximal to a vehicle includes obtaining a current location of the vehicle according to a map of the environment, detecting at least one characteristic of the environment at the current location, and storing the at least one characteristic in a characteristic digest. The characteristic digest respectively associates one or more locations in the environment to one or more sets of previously detected characteristics in the environment. The method also includes associating the at least one characteristic with the current location in the characteristic digest.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a three-dimensional map data storage unit for storing three-dimensional map data for use in projecting a three-dimensional space on a map onto a plane, a location information storage unit for storing location information including a type of geographical objects at points spaced at predetermined intervals on the map, a present position storage unit for storing a present position on the map, an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input, a collision determination unit for determining the possibility of occurrence of collision in a course from the present position to an end point, a correction unit for correcting the end point based on the determined possibility of occurrence of collision and shifting the present position to the corrected end point, and a drawing unit for drawing a three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image produced by projecting onto the plane the three-dimensional space on the map.

Abstract: The field sampling method provides a mobile device, a central memory and a data transfer interface. The mobile device has a main storage, which contains GPS receiver, a mapping program, an external TSP algorithm program and at least one database. The mapping program displays a plurality of sampling point on the user interface of the mobile device. The user has the ability to select a set of sampling points on the user interface. The sampling points are written to a first database. The selected sampling points are processed by the external TSP algorithm program to determine an optimal route. The external TSP algorithm program sends the optimal route to the mapping program. The mapping program displays the optimal route on the screen of the mobile device such that the user can visit points and collect sampling data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to providing a method for creating customized labeled maps that include displaying a map using a presentation device based on a selectable elevation value, where the map contains geocoded information and the user selects at least one position on the displayed map. The method continues by automatically creating and displaying at least one label located in proximity to the selected position, where at least one label is based on reverse geocoded information associated with the selected position.

Abstract: Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized.

Abstract: A method of localizing a mobile robot includes receiving sensor data of a scene about the robot and executing a particle filter having a set of particles. Each particle has associated maps representing a robot location hypothesis. The method further includes updating the maps associated with each particle based on the received sensor data, assessing a weight for each particle based on the received sensor data, selecting a particle based on its weight, and determining a location of the robot based on the selected particle.

Abstract: A device is configured to determine that a first user device and a second user device are associated with an event and determine a first user device location indicating a location of the first user device and a second user device location indicating a location of the second user device. The device is configured to determine a relationship between the first user device location and the second user device location and determine first event information and second event information based on the relationship, where the first event information and the second event information is associated with the event, and the first event information is different from the second event information. The device is configured to provide the first event information to the first user device and provide the second event information to the second user device.

Abstract: An interactive dynamic cloud navigation system includes a server including a database having a map; and a plurality of navigation terminals, wherein each navigation terminal includes a data collecting and storing module, a data transmitting module and an outputting module. The data collecting and storing module includes a GPS chip. The data transmitting module is for transmitting data between the navigation terminal and the server. The data includes geographic positions of the navigation terminal and map data correspondent to the geographic positions. The server is for initiating a mission according to a request from at least one user, so as to provide personalized and customized data service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining geographical location data from multiple sources and aggregating the geographical location data are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving geo-location data from a plurality of geo-location data collectors, at least one of the plurality of geo-location data collectors being in data communication with an in-vehicle geo-location data source, at least one of the plurality of geo-location data collectors being in data communication with a geo-location data source in a mobile device; collecting reliability data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of geo-location data sources corresponding to the plurality of geo-location data collectors; collecting map data including information related to geographical features associated with the geo-location data; and aggregating, by use of a data processor, the geo-location data from the plurality of geo-location data collectors based on the reliability data and the map data to produce a resulting geo-location fix.

Abstract: An electronic controller defining an autonomous mobile device includes a self-location estimation unit to estimate a self-location based on a local map that is created according to distance/angle information relative to an object in the vicinity and the travel distance of an omni wheel, an environmental map creation unit to create an environmental map of a mobile area based on the self-location and the local map during the guided travel with using a joystick, a registration switch to register the self-location of the autonomous mobile device as the position coordinate of the setting point when the autonomous mobile device reaches a predetermined setting point during the guided travel, a storage unit to store the environmental map and the setting point, a route planning unit to plan the travel route by using the setting point on the environmental map stored in the storage unit, and a travel control unit to control the autonomous mobile device to autonomously travel along the travel route.

Abstract: Improved designs of navigation devices or systems are disclosed. A navigation device presents a digital map resembling an ambient environment with a certain level of realism, where various objects resembling major structures or signs are presented or superimposed in the map. Depending on the time of the day or the weather condition of the time, the map or the objects therein is caused to be altered correspondingly in a tone that reflects the time or weather.

Abstract: An on-board apparatus includes: a map data storage unit in which map data that include altitude information are stored; a subject vehicle position detection unit that detects a subject vehicle position; and a calculation target geographical point setting unit that sets a calculation target geographical point based upon the subject vehicle position, wherein a road grade at the calculation target geographical point is calculated based upon altitudes of a plurality of geographical points that include at least a geographical point present ahead of the calculation target geographical point and a geographical point present behind the calculation target geographical point.

Abstract: A parse module calibrates an interior space by parsing objects and words out of an image of the scene and comparing each parsed object with a plurality of stored objects. The parse module further selects a parsed object that is differentiated from the stored objects as the first object and stores the first object with a location description. A search module can detect the same objects from the scene and use them to determine the location of the scene.