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 method for the operation of a navigation device, and a corresponding navigation device are provided. Multiple route elements are received which each have at least one parameter. The route elements characterize a route. Each of the route elements are assigned to local route elements which are stored in a digital memory card stored in the navigation device. A quality coefficient for the assignability to a local route element is determined for each of the route elements depending on at least one of the at least one parameters. A route reconstruction quality coefficient is determined depending on the respective quality coefficients of the route elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a travel route in which first and second positions values for searching a travel route are received, and travel prediction information of all road sections from a first position to a second position are calculated by applying a pre-set weight value to each road section according to at least one of current traffic congestion status information and predicted traffic congestion status information from the first position to the second position that correspond to the first and second position values.

Abstract: A method and system for searching an information retrieval system for items of interest that are in proximity to geographical locations provided by the user. The information retrieval system can perform a search for specified types of businesses or items of interest that surround or are in close proximity to the user's present geographical location, or a geographical location that the user has pre-configured in a database. The system receives geographical location information concerning the user's position from the wireless network carrier, which tracks the location of the user's mobile communications device. When the user desires to store a geographical location and geographical name for a future search, the information is entered into the pre-configured database. When conducting an information search at a later time, the user can narrow a search request to a geographical area in the vicinity of the stored geographical location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a navigation system may include one or more processors, a display, a satellite antenna, one or more memory devices, and map data. A route distance icon can be presented on the display, automatically, when the current location is not coincident with the route and the start offset distance is less than a predetermined distance. The route distance icon can provide the on-the-route distance. A geodesic distance icon can be presented on the display, automatically, when the current location is not coincident with the route and the start offset distance is greater than the predetermined distance. The geodesic distance icon can provide a geodesic distance from the current location to the destination.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system. The navigation system receives input from the driver selecting a portion(s) of the route (route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination) where the driver requests guidance. For those portions of the route not selected by the driver to receive guidance, the navigation system implements a low detail mode of operation. In such a mode of operation, the navigation system reduces its update frequency as well as displays less detailed graphics so as to consume less power. For those portions selected by the driver to receive guidance, the navigation system implements a high detail mode of operation, where the navigation system is capable of audio-visually communicating to the driver instructions for reaching a given destination. In this manner, the power consumed by the navigation system will be more efficiently utilized.

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.

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: The exemplary technologies can automatically offer customer directions for navigating to a store, having a desired product in stock, on the customer's mobile station, for example, turn-by-turn directions from a store that does not have the customer-desired product to an affiliated store that has the product in stock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a route guidance method and a system for implementing such a method, and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which in particular may be used for an adaptive route guidance, the travel routes being selected that offer the highest safety when following the required driving maneuvers. For this purpose, it is recommended to output driving recommendations as a function of the risk of calculated routes. To this end, information about the current traffic situation in the surroundings of the vehicle is evaluated, the risk of the driving maneuvers resulting from calculated routes is evaluated using the results of the evaluation by at least one computer program, and driving instructions are output as a function of the evaluation.

Abstract: A device receives, from one or more user devices, one or more user-defined paths associated with a starting point and a destination point, and receives, from the one or more user devices, information associated with the one or more user-defined paths. The device also aggregates the one or more user-defined paths and the associated information, and determines one or more popular paths based on the aggregation of the one or more user-defined paths and the associated information, where the one or more popular paths are capable of being utilized by the one or more user devices for selection of a path for navigation.

Abstract: In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining travel information that indicates travel patterns for a mobile computing device that is associated with a user; identifying a current context for the mobile computing device and the user; identifying one or more destination locations that the user has at least a threshold likelihood of travelling to with the mobile computing device based on the current context and the obtained travel information; generating a prediction that one or more events have at least a threshold probability of occurring along one or more of a plurality of routes for travelling to the identified one or more destination locations; selecting a particular route from the plurality of routes to recommend to the user based on the current context and the prediction of the one or more events; and providing route information that identifies the selected particular route.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for configuring a route-planning module using one or more configuration plug-ins. The route-planning module may be configured to create a driving route, an internet packet route, a social event route, and/or a variety of other routes. A graph used by the route-planning module to create a route may be modified by a graph configuration plug-in, which may add, remove, and/or modify nodes and/or edges within the graph. Attributes associated with edges and/or nodes within the graph may be added, removed, and/or modified by an attribute configuration plug-in. Costs associated with edges and/or turns from a first edge to a second edge at a node may be modified by a cost configuration plug-in. In this way, the route-planning module may be customized using one or more configuration plug-ins (e.g., to accommodate user preferences).

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: A terminus buffer area (e.g., an end-of-route buffer area) is provided in a map navigation tool to allow suppression of off-route feedback (e.g., audio or visual warnings or alerts) in some circumstances, such as when a mobile computing device (e.g., a smart phone) that implements the tool enters the buffer area. The map navigation tool can output off-route feedback when the user strays from a route, but also can suppress the off-route feedback when the user is within the buffer area. In addition to suppression of off-route feedback, a map navigation tool also can disable off-route feedback when a user crosses an arrival threshold and enters an arrival area, such that the tool does not output off-route feedback regardless of the user's location or movements once the user has entered the arrival area. The arrival area can be within an end-of-route buffer area.

Abstract: An autonomous navigation system for a tracked or skid-steer vehicle is described. The system includes a path planner (54) that computes a series of waypoint locations specifying a path to follow and vehicle location sensors (82). A tramming controller (60) includes a waypoint controller (62) that computes vehicle speed and yaw rate setpoints based on vehicle location information from the vehicle location sensor and the locations of a plurality of neighboring waypoints, and a rate controller (64) that generates left and right track speed setpoints from the speed and yaw rate setpoints. A vehicle control interface actuates the vehicle controls in accordance with the left and right track speed setpoints.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for planning a route for a vehicle from a starting point to a destination. The method includes the steps of generating a plurality of routes based on a non-safety factor; evaluating the plurality of routes based on a safety factor; selecting a first route from the plurality of routes based on the safety factor; generating driving instructions based on the first route; displaying the first route on a display device.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: sending a reservation request for requesting a reservation time window at one or more replenishment locations within a reservation area; receiving a reservation response based on the reservation request for determining an availability for each of the replenishment locations; generating a travel route with a control unit based on the reservation response to a destination through one or more of the replenishment locations for displaying on a device; and sending a cancellation request based on the travel route for cancelling a tentative reservation.

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 positioning system for determining the location of a portable device includes a radio network. The radio network includes radio network nodes for communicating with the portable device and measuring signal strength from the portable device. The radio network also includes a Near Field Communication node for communicating with the portable device and at least initially providing the portable device with configuration information to enable the portable device to pair with the radio network nodes. The system also includes a positioning server for receiving signal strength information from the radio network, determining a location of the portable device, providing the portable device with a graphical representation of its location within a floorplan, receiving an indication of a desired product from the portable device, determining a location of the product, calculating and providing the portable device with a route from the location of the portable device to the product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mitigating the risks associated with driving by assigning risk values to road segments and using those risk values to select less risky travel routes. Various approaches to helping users mitigate risk are presented. A computing device is configured to generate a database of risk values. That device may receive accident information, geographic information, vehicle information, and other information from one or more data sources and calculate a risk value for the associated road segment. Subsequently, the computing device may provide the associated risk value to other devices. Furthermore, a personal navigation device may receive travel route information and use that information to retrieve risk values for the road segments in the travel route. An insurance company may use this information to determine whether to adjust a quote or premium of an insurance policy.

Abstract: A control system and method is provided for synchronized control of a harvester and transport vehicle during unload on the go operation. The control system can maintain a desired lateral distance between the harvester and transport vehicle using swath information that is used to steer the harvester. In addition, the control system can also bring a transport vehicle into appropriate alignment with the harvester using the same swath information.

Abstract: In a panorama navigation method using a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device includes a GPS, an electronic compass and a touch screen. A user operation interface is displayed on the touch screen, and driving information is received from a user operation interface when a driver arranges a driving route in a geographic region. The driving route is marked on an electronic map of the geographic region according to the driving information. The GPS detects a current location of a vehicle, and the electronic compass identifies a driving direction of the vehicle. The portable electronic device obtains a series of panoramic images of the geographic region from a host computer according to the current location, the driving direction and a current time of the vehicle, and displays each of the panoramic images on the touch screen to provide panoramic navigation information for the driver.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and presentation of aviation information is disclosed. At plurality of flight information is received over a digital network and is stored in at least a database. The database includes aviation information. Upon receiving a user request, a server retrieves a result set from the database and transmits it to the requesting user. Subsequently, updates as to a flight identified in the request are transmitted at a selected rate, which may be modified automatically based on one flight characteristic, for subsequent display. In one form, the results may be presented to the user in the form of digital map having aircraft images.

Abstract: A method for matching navigational routes that are generated by separate route generators and are used by vehicle navigation systems. According to one embodiment, a user previews a first navigational route generated by a first route generator, such as those incorporated in a navigation-related website. From this first navigational route, a variety of location markers corresponding to different points along the route are generated. The location markers are then sent to a second route generator used by a vehicle navigation system, so that it can generate a second navigational route that is similar to the first route. The second navigational route is then sent to a navigation unit located on the vehicle, so that the driver can be given directions that generally correspond to the first navigational route which they initially reviewed on the navigation-related website.

Abstract: A method for electronically generating driving directions without text entry. The method including: indicating a starting address or starting location on a map without text entry; indicating an ending address or ending location on a map without text entry; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address or starting location and ending address or ending location.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for navigation guidance with destination biased route display are described. Embodiments include displaying a map at a first viewing angle on an electronic display. The map include a graphical indication of a position of a user that is traveling. Embodiments also include determining a destination of the user; and based on the user's destination, displaying the map at a second viewing angle on the electronic display. In various embodiments, this second viewing angle is may be biased toward the user's destination. In various embodiments, biasing this second viewing angle in this way may provide the user with useful insight into the particular location of the destination. In some cases, in addition to biasing the viewing angle, embodiments also cause obstructions (e.g., building graphics) to become translucent in order to provide the user with a better view of the destination during navigation.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium are disclosed that can detect an address, geographic coordinates or business name in text displayed on a device and geocode or reverse geocode, respectively, the address/business name or geographic coordinates to provide geocoded data. The detecting and geocoding/reverse geocoding can be performed automatically. The geocoded data can be displayed in-place with the text in a user interface of the device or be provided to another application.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for navigation with inertial characteristics are described. Embodiments may include a navigation component configured to generate a map display including at least a portion of a map and a position indicator representing a location of a user on the map. The position indicator may be positioned in a first position relative to the map display. The navigation component may be configured to detect that the user is turning in a direction of travel. The navigation component may also be configured to, responsive to the detection that the user is turning in the specific direction of travel, shift the position indicator within the map display in a direction opposite to the detected direction of travel. The shifting may cause additional map information to be displayed in the direction of travel. In various embodiments, the position indicator may be returned to the first position post-turn.

Abstract: A mapping system tailors maps and directions for bicyclists. The mapping system stores map data including data about the suitability for biking along roads in a road network. A cost model, including a turn model, a hill model, and a penalty/bonus model is applied to the road network. The turn model models how long it takes to traverse an intersection. The hill model models a bicyclist's speed based on the road grade. The penalty/bonus model adjusts the calculated cost of a road segment under the turn model and hill model to take account of steep hills and other unfavorable or favorable conditions along the road segment for bicycling. The mapping system generates one or more routes between an origin and destination. The generated route that has the lowest adjusted cost is determined to be a recommended route. The mapping system formats maps and/or directions to display recommended routes.

Abstract: A method of displaying a navigation map includes determining a route of a vehicle. A two-dimensional footprint of a building disposed within a geographic area is received within the vehicle. The geographic area includes the route of the vehicle. Attribute information associated with the building is received. The attribute information is received within the vehicle. A visual representation of the building is rendered based upon the two-dimensional footprint and the attribute information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a flight of an aircraft. Conditions in an environment around the aircraft are monitored during the flight of the aircraft on a route having a number of target points. In response to detecting a condition requiring a change to the route of the aircraft, current resources for the aircraft are identified. A determination is made as to whether changing the route reduces the number of target points that can be reached based on the current resources for the aircraft. In response to a determination that changing the route reduces the number of target points that can be reached, the route is changed to include a portion of the number of target points using the condition and a policy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning a user inside a building, wherein the user has a user carried device and the device is provided with a direction sensor and a movement sensor. The method includes providing the user carried device with a vector map of the building, wherein the vector map includes vectors and nodes representing possible movement paths for the user in the building; determining a starting point in the vector map, receiving movement information from the movement sensor, receiving direction information from the direction sensor, receiving a magnetic field map at the user carried device, wherein the magnetic field is detectable by the user carried device, and estimating a new position of the user based on the vector map, the movement information, the direction information and the property map.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique includes receiving, at a mobile computing device including one or more processors, an input from a user, the input indicating a weather severity threshold for providing a notification at the mobile computing device. The technique includes determining one or more locations where the mobile computing device is likely to be, indicative of a likely location of a user, during a future period of time based on user-related data. The technique includes receiving a weather prediction for the future period of time for each of the one or more locations. The technique also includes automatically outputting the notification when the weather prediction for at least one of the one or more locations exceeds the weather severity threshold and at a time depending on distances between the one of more locations and a home location of the user.

Abstract: A method for providing route plans for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) includes: receiving a destination from a user of the PHEV; determining a route from a current location of the PHEV to the destination; determining locations of one or more external power sources that can provide power to recharge batteries of the PHEV and that are located along the route; forming, with a computing device, a travel plan that includes at least one of: planned recharging stops selected from the locations, modes of operation for the PHEV along the route, and an order in which power provided by the external sources is used by the PHEV.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a technique for searching points of interest, or POIs, along a calculated route to be travelled. A method implementation thereof comprises the steps of providing an initial search corridor of predetermined size, wherein the corridor is indicative of a geographic area covering at least portions of the route to be travelled, performing a POI search within the provided search corridor, and adjusting the corridor size for a subsequent POI search based on a number of POI hits found during the POI search in the currently provided search corridor.

Abstract: A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, whether the route segment is an unfamiliar segment, and identifying, based on the user's travel history, a road that is familiar to the user. The method includes providing, in a format that distinguishes the familiar road from the computed route, the computed route and the familiar road relative to the unfamiliar segment for presentation of the familiar road within a scaled range of the unfamiliar segment.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for generating location and path-map data for displaying a location and path-map is disclosed.

Abstract: A positional information providing system is provided in which positional information including altitude can be highly accurately acquired even though a user is located outdoors or indoors. A system includes a server device including a map data storage unit, an altitude storage unit, a reference position coordinates receiving unit, a reference point altitude information generating unit locating reference position coordinates and reference point altitude, a map data transmitting unit and a reference point altitude information transmitting unit, and a terminal device including a positional information acquiring unit, a reference point information transmitting unit, a reference point altitude information receiving unit, a map data receiving unit and a reference point altitude detecting unit detecting altitude at a reference point.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A method for switching a reference map data in a navigation device having a map data memory for storing a plurality of map data, the navigation device executing a navigation function with using a first map data among the plurality of map data stored in the map data memory as the reference map data, the method includes: reading out a second map data from a memory medium; determining whether the map data memory already stores a same map data as the second map data; and switching the reference map data from the first map data to the same map data as the second map data when the map data memory already stores the same map data as the second map data in the memory medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing navigation information via electronic equipment includes dynamically displaying a first route from a current location to a desired location; and dynamically displaying a second route to at least one point of interest. The first route is automatically displayed at a first zoom level, and the second route is automatically displayed at a second zoom level, wherein the first and second zoom levels are independent of one another. The apparatus and method can further use electronic equipment to identify at least one point of interest along a planned route, including comparing a user selected characteristic to at least one characteristic of a plurality of potential points of interest, said potential points of interest being within a predetermined range of the planned route; and identifying as a point of interest any of the plurality of potential points of interest that have at least one characteristic that satisfies the user selected characteristic.

Abstract: Device, system and method, in a vehicle communication system, of providing guidance, route and safety information to a driver. Embodiments use the observation and storage of signal light timing information to make recommendations. Embodiments include computation of future times of signal light changes. Embodiments use information relating to the number of vehicles, location of vehicles, and speed of vehicles in a plurality of lanes approaching a signal to recommend lane changes to a driver. Embodiments include receiving timing information wirelessly about signal timing. Embodiments include using historical information to compute a risk value for a location and then generating a recommendation to a driver responsive to that risk value. Embodiments include using speed of travel on route options to compute an expected travel time, and then generating a recommendation to a driver responsive to those computed travel times.

Abstract: A method and system for marshaling resources needed to search for a missing child, declaring a missing child incident, coordinating a search for the missing child, tracking the progress of the search, locating the missing child, and recovering the missing child.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying a location of a mobile computing device. A first location estimate of a mobile computing device and an accuracy of the first location estimate is determined at a mobile computing device based on wireless signals received from one or more beacons. A time period based on the accuracy of the first location estimate is determined. One or more subsequent location estimates of the mobile computing device and respective accuracies are determined. The determination of the subsequent location estimates is stopped at an end of the time period. A preferred location estimate from the determined location estimates is determined at the mobile computing device.

Abstract: The class of k Nearest Neighbor (k NN) queries in spatial networks has been studied in the literature. Existing approaches for k NN search in spatial networks assume that the weight of each edge in the spatial network is constant. However, real-world edge-weights are time-dependent and vary significantly in short durations, hence invalidating the existing solutions. The problem of k NN search in time-dependent spatial networks, where the weight of each edge is a function of time, is addressed herein. Two indexing schemes (Tight Network Index and Loose Network Index) are proposed to minimize the number of candidate nearest neighbor objects and reduce the invocation of the expensive fastest-path computation in time-dependent spatial networks. We demonstrate the efficiency of our proposed solution via experimental evaluations with real-world data-sets, including a variety of large spatial networks with real traffic-data.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes a map data acquiring means 11a, 11, 12, and 5 for acquiring map data including data about roads for which whether or not a car pool lane is also provided is specified; a current position determining means 13, 14, 15, and 10 for determining a current position; and a route searching unit 130 for searching for a route from the current position determined by the current position determining means to a destination inputted by an input unit on the basis of the map data acquired by the map data acquiring means, and for, when a road where a car pool lane is also provided is included in a route acquired through the route search, presenting, as a recommended route, the route using the car pool lane if the distance over which the road will be traveled is equal to or longer than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for selecting a unique geographic feature, including a mobile device that uses position and orientation sensors to determine a user position and a user orientation. The mobile device is adapted for wireless communication with a database that houses or has access to data concerning geographic features, as well as processing and computing means for calculating specific geographic relations discussed in further detail below. The system of the present invention further includes means for selecting among those features that are topologically related to the polygon. These include means for defining the geometry of the polygon, means for filtering those features that should not be within the geometry of the polygon, and means for ranking those features within the polygon. The method of the present invention is operable in conjunction with the system through the system hardware and software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a navigation system for calculating a route to an intersection destination establishes an optimum route to the intersection. The method and apparatus creates a virtual zero-length dummy link, connects one end of the virtual zero-length dummy link to all link-spot pairs indicating an original intersection destination, sets another end of the virtual zero-length dummy link as a temporary destination, calculates possible routes between the temporary destination and a current vehicle position and selects the optimum route. After determining the optimum route, the navigation system removes the virtual zero-length dummy link and starts the route guidance operation to the intersection destination.

Abstract: A preferred route may be determined from an origin location to a destination location. The determination is made by processing directed links (e.g., one-way edges) in a graph that includes one or more links and two or more nodes. The determination of a preferred route may include an estimate of the time required at one or more intersections along alternative. Individual routing preferences, such as a preference of a rural over an urban route, also may be considered. Techniques are described that may help reduce the time required to identify a preferred route, including the identification and removal of no outlet routes before processing the directed links and techniques using particular data formats.