Abstract: A distance adjustment method and apparatus for a navigation system produces a maneuver instruction for an intersection at the most appropriate timing and location during the route guidance. The method includes the steps of: searching an upcoming intersection on the calculated route that requires the user to make a turn therein; retrieving data concerning the upcoming intersection from a map database; adjusting a final distance from a reference point of the intersection by evaluating the retrieved data concerning the intersection; and generating a maneuver instruction at a timing when the user has reached the adjusted final distance from the reference point of the intersection, thereby notifying the user to make a turning maneuver at the intersection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a set of needed permissions for a vehicle. A travel plan is identified for the vehicle. Information is identified about the vehicle. The set of needed permissions is identified for the vehicle to travel using the travel plan.

Abstract: Systems and computer program products provide personalized route generation with computer readable program code, when read by a processor, configured for storing in a memory an image viewing pattern and determining a first object viewing interest from the image viewing pattern. The image viewing pattern may be based at least in part on an image viewing history. The first object viewing interest may be depicted in at least one image in the image viewing history. The code is also configured for receiving a request for directions to a destination in a geographic region, identifying a first area in an electronic map of the geographic region and generating a first route to the destination. The first area may include the first object viewing interest. The first route may feature the first area.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for conveying information relationships. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting, in a navigation device, at least one of input and selection of a travel destination and a desired arrival time at the travel destination; calculating an arrival time during travel to the travel destination; and outputting via the navigation device, during travel to the travel destination, an indication of a relationship between the desired arrival time and the calculated arrival time. In another embodiment, the method includes inputting a travel destination on a navigation device; determining a travel route to the input travel destination; calculating a speed in a navigation device during travel to the travel destination along the determined route; and outputting, via the navigation device, an indication of a relationship between a permitted speed and the calculated speed.

Abstract: A mapping or navigation device comprises or is connectable to position determining apparatus, the position determining apparatus being operable to determine one or more locations of the mapping or navigation device, the one or more determined locations forming at least one route, wherein the mapping or navigation device is configured to determine at least one portion of the at least one route, where the at least one portion is determined according to at least one property associated with at least one location comprised in the portion, and the mapping or navigation device is configured to form at least one anonymized route from the at least one determined route, wherein the at least one anonymized route does not include the at least one portion of the at least one route.

Abstract: A path prediction method that uses a commuter's travel patterns to predict their route and destination, and transmit road advisories via a GPS-enabled device. Once the user's location data is transmitted via a GPS-enabled device it is then catalogued and stored in a GIS database. The user's current travel path is then compared to their path history and statistics and a destination is determined based on related spatial and time properties. A warning is then automatically delivered to the user if there is an accident along their predicted path, without requiring any request or input form the user.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for providing location-based services using a mobile device is provided. A first anchor is generated by sensing a location-identifying physical characteristic proximate to a mobile device present at a first location and generating a representation of the location-identifying physical characteristic; determining a descriptive identification of the first location; and combining the descriptive identification and the representation of the location-identifying physical characteristic. The first anchor is transmitted to a computer remote from the first location. A request is made to a remote computer for a chronotope retrieved from a database of previously generated anchors, the received chronotope indicating a logical distance between the first anchor and a second anchor, wherein the second anchor is associated with a second location distinct from the first location.

Abstract: An indoor guidance system for a blind or visually impaired person. The system uses a mobile device (Smartphone, tablet, etc.) to provide maps and visual and voice guidance to assist individuals in navigating through indoor locations. Special maps are transmitted to the mobile device upon entering the facility, or downloaded in advance. The software and maps provide assistance to the user, to guide them through the facility. The system uses a combination of GPS and other technologies (Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi, RFID, etc.) to provide extremely detailed and accurate location information to the user.

Abstract: Route guidance apparatuses, methods, and programs determine a guidance intersection in front of a movable body in a direction of travel along a navigation route. The apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire a shape of the guidance intersection, determine an exit road on which the movable body leaves the guidance intersection, and determine whether the determined exit road is one of a plurality of roads connected to the guidance intersection that exist in an area extending in the same direction as the determined exit road. When the determined road is one of the plurality of roads that exist in the area extending in the same direction as the exit road, the apparatuses, methods, and programs associate each of the plurality of roads with an identification information item usable to identify a connecting relationship with the guidance intersection, and provide guidance using the identification information item associated with the exit road.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating an energy efficient route is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application uses segment cost data associated with each segment in the route. The segment cost is calculated by adjusting an energy consumption value by subtracting a bias term for each segment with known slope data. The bias term causes segment costs associated with segments having a slope that can be traveled with typical efficiency, a zero slope, and an unknown slope to be substantially the same. The bias term also causes the segment cost associated with a segment with a slope that can be traveled efficiently to be less than the segment cost associated with a segment with unknown slope, and the segment cost associated with a segment with a slope that causes inefficient travel to be greater than the segment cost associated with a segment with unknown slope.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating a street map that includes a position identifier that identifies a location on the street map. The method and system may also generate and display a plurality of images representative of the location of the position identifier. A user may interact with a position identifier or one of several scroll icons to view images of other locations on the street map and/or to obtain driving directions between two locations.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having an exterior field of view relative to the vehicle, and a video display operable to display image data captured by the camera and viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The driver assist system is operable to detect objects present in the exterior field of view of the camera. The driver assist system is operable to provide a display intensity of displayed image data of at least about 200 candelas/sq. meter for viewing by the driver. The driver assist system is operable to provide a visual alert and an audible alert responsive to detection of an object exterior of the vehicle. The visual alert includes electronically generated indicia that overlay displayed image data and that at least one of (i) indicate distance to a detected object and (ii) highlight a detected object.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for supporting cognitive radio access by communication mode guide data in a mobile terminal supporting a multi communication mode. When the mobile terminal supporting the multi communication mode needs to change an available communication mode according to a movement situation, the mobile terminal can select an optimal available communication mode at the current location, the movement spot or the movement prediction spot.

Abstract: A map information processing device includes a map information storage unit 23 for storing map information, a sensor information input unit 22 for inputting sensor information used for calculation of a current position, a navigation processing unit 25 for calculating the current position by using the map information read from the map information storage unit, and the sensor information inputted from the sensor information input unit, and for, when determining that the above-mentioned calculated current position is in a tunnel shown by the read map information, and when this tunnel branches into tunnel sections at a forward position, calculating a distance to each of all tunnel end points to generate a map image about a map including this calculated distance, and an output control unit 26 for outputting the map image generated by the navigation processing unit.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: When a user enters, initializes, or otherwise starts using a navigation function, such as a navigation function on a mobile phone or a stand-alone device, a current location is automatically estimated, prior to or in the absence of a GPS fix, for use as an origin in route determination. The estimation of current location is performed using a database of GPS fixes that are mapped to cell tower identifiers. For example, the database can include one or more fixes associated with each cell tower that the mobile device has used. Thus, when navigation on the device is begun, one or more cell towers to which the device can communicate are identified. If any has a GPS fix in the database, then a location derived from such GPS fix(es) can be used as an origin for navigation functions. Such navigation functions can include estimating a time of arrival at a destination, producing a route to the destination, and checking for traffic updates.

Abstract: An approach for triggering the conveyance of guidance information based on the current line-of-sight of the user is described. A guidance platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of sensor information associated with a device, a user of the device, or a combination thereof to determine (a) line-of-sight information to at least one navigation element, (b) one or more user behavior patterns, or (c) a combination thereof. The guidance platform then determines a timing, a frequency, or a combination thereof of at least one presentation of guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information.

Abstract: A system includes a first module receives N points (N?3) from a remote device, the N points indicating (i) a current location, (ii) a desired location, and (iii) one or more points between the current location and the desired location. A second module determines whether first information in a first datastore of the system is missing a link between each neighboring pair of points within the N points. A third module receives M points (M?1) from the remote device for each missing one of the N?1 links, the M points indicating points between two of the N points associated with a missing link. A fourth module generates a route from the current location to the desired location based on the N points and the first information in a first datastore, and any M points received for missing ones of the N?1 links.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a traffic warning for a predictive route and a suggestive rerouting for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of retrieving traffic information for roadways included in a predictive travel zone, including traffic incidents. The method also includes steps of calculating a suggestive reroute that reroutes the user around a traffic incident and continuing on a roadway within the predictive travel zone.

Abstract: A method of dynamically selecting a routing service including receiving a route request at a call center from a telematics unit via a wireless connection, determining a vehicle communication configuration responsive to the request, determining map data availability responsive to the request and selecting a routing service option based on the vehicle communication configuration determination and the map data availability determination.

Abstract: A method and system for managing differences between geographic database versions is disclosed. A user registers his version of a geographic database with a map management application and thereafter enters a destination on a graphical user interface. The map management application checks to see if data representing the destination is located in the user's version of the geographic database and a more current version of the geographic database. If the data representing the destination is located in the more current version but not the user's version of the geographic database, the map management application provides the user with options, including upgrading to a more current version of the geographic database.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a route for a route guidance, in which a first route is determined on the assumption of a first traffic situation, a second route is determined on the assumption of a second traffic situation, the second route being compared to the first route, and a route change difference being determined from the comparison, where the two routes are offered to a user for the selection for an additional route guidance only if the route change difference exceeds a first threshold value. A device for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A navigation device comprises a processing section (520); and an output section (530) for providing an output responsive to the processing section; wherein the processing section (520) has access to map data (540) and avoidance data (550), the avoidance data (550) including information for identifying undesirable locations, and the processing section (520) is arranged to: receive location information representing a geographical location and direction of travel in relation to the map data (540); and establish, based on the location information and map data (540), whether the geographical location and direction of travel approach a navigation decision point having a plurality of navigation choices, where each navigation choice corresponds to an onward route leaving the navigation decision point; determine, based on the map data (540) and avoidance data (550), for at least one onward route leaving the navigation decision point, whether the onward route unavoidably includes an undesirable location; and provide re

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing specific region information using a user terminal in a wired/wireless network environment, and more particularly, to a method for providing a custom map via an information block, which involves providing region information to an individual user by means of an optimally customized method such that the region information may be easily utilized.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a recording medium for estimating and displaying a destination are provided. In the method, a plurality of places frequently visited by a user is set first. Then, a current location of the electronic apparatus is continuously detected by using a positioning module, and a distance between the current location and each of the places is calculated. Whether the distance between the current location and each of the places increases is determined. When the distance increases, the corresponding place is removed and the remaining places are displayed.

Abstract: A navigation system (NS) can determine a junction between a current position of a user and a maneuver point of a route. Additionally, the NS can determine, change, and output an explicit notification not to turn at the junction.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for delivery route assistance. A method includes receiving a delivery location and an image associated with each of a plurality of items and determining a planned delivery route for delivery of the items. The method also includes displaying execution instructions for the planned delivery route to a delivery operator and, at each delivery location, displaying to the delivery operator a count of items for delivery at the delivery location and the image associated with each such item. The method further includes recording information associated with an actual delivery route and reconfiguring the planned delivery route when the actual delivery route is different from the planned delivery route. The method also includes displaying a comparison between information associated with the planned delivery route and the recorded information associated with the actual delivery route.

Abstract: An automatic driving system includes: a reference driving information database for storing reference driving information including reference driving lines, reference driving speeds, and lane change information; and a navigation apparatus for searching a driving route from a starting point to a destination by using a position value of a vehicle and generating driving route information by reflecting the reference driving information in the searched driving route. The automatic driving system further includes a vehicle controller for determining a driving line and a driving speed by using the generated driving route information and performing unmanned automatic driving along the determined driving line at the determined driving speed.

Abstract: In one advantageous embodiment, a method for managing presentation of a navigational chart on a touchscreen display device is presented. A user input is received on a surface of the touchscreen display device on which the navigational chart is presented. A number of portions of the navigational chart corresponding to the surface on which the user input was received are identified, using a processor unit connected to the touchscreen display device. A number of graphical indications are presented on the navigational chart in association with each of the number of portions identified by the processor unit.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a display for displaying at least a part of a digital map. The navigation system includes a navigation database which stores any text and/or symbol(s) associated with a signpost independently from a background of the signpost. The text and/or symbol(s) and the background may be retrieved from the navigation database and displayed as a signpost image in the displayed part of the digital map.

Abstract: A pedestrian route navigation system (“PRNS”) in a vehicle capable of determining a route from a final parking position of the vehicle to a predetermined destination, comprising a final parking position unit and a pedestrian route calculation unit. The PRNS may include a display unit capable of outputting data concerning the route to the predetermined destination, and a transmitting/receiving unit capable of transmitting the data to a mobile information unit of the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processor readable media for estimating the speed of a mobile radio terminal traveling on at least one road segment are disclosed. Certain embodiments are characterized by determining one or more routes through a road network that a mobile radio terminal could have traveled based on a sequence of wireless measurements from the mobile radio terminal. In addition, systems, methods, and processor readable media for collecting and transmitting radio communications network measurements from a mobile terminal for use in a system of estimating a traffic flow speed on road segments are disclosed. Certain embodiments are characterized by accumulating and communicating a plurality of wireless measurements to a traffic flow measurement server such that reporting of wireless measurements is minimized when the mobile radio terminal is stationary.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a route-planning device (200;302) comprising a storage section (230;308) storing map information, the map information including information identifying a plurality of potential positions, each potential position corresponding to a position at which a location of a predetermined type might potentially be found; and a search route module (490) arranged to determine a search route visiting at least one of the potential positions, the determination of the search route using a predetermined efficiency measure based on likelihood of finding a location of the predetermined type.

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.

Abstract: A marine electronic device such as a chartplotter which includes a display; a location determining component; and a processing system for receiving location data from the location determining component and for causing information to be displayed by display. The processing system causes the display to display information which assists an operator in navigating and ascertaining characteristics of bodies of water, objects on nearby shores, and other vessels.

Abstract: A steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the number of irrelevant warnings regarding traffic-related features for a non-navigation-guided trip including a position-determining device to determine a position of the vehicle from received signals; a storage device for storing map data representing courses of the roads; a route-calculating device for calculating a route along the courses of the roads; a receiver for receiving information regarding the nature and position of a traffic-related feature; a device for determining relevance of the information received based on whether an aerial distance of the position of the traffic-related feature from the vehicle falls within a first predetermined value; the aerial distance along a possible route falls within a second predetermined value and the number of turning maneuvers required falls within a predetermined maximum number; and a warning device for issuing a warning when these criteria are recognized as having been met in the relevance determining device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for off-road navigation. A starting point and a destination point to assist a user in navigating are received. A path from the starting point to the destination point using a vector function that represents cost of each area along the path is determined. The cost is based on direction from where the corresponding area is entered by the user.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle is presented that provides and utilizes monetary cost-related information. The navigation system may include a database system, calculation module, and comparison module. The database system stores path data and related monetary cost-related data, which include monetary costs that are route-depend and those that are not route-dependent. The calculation module determines routes to a destination, the monetary costs associated with the routes, and may determine the fastest, longest, and least expensive routes. The comparison module enables the determination of an optimal route based on various criteria, including monetary cost. The navigation system further includes methods for determining the monetary costs associated with a route, the travel time associated with a route, determining an optimal route, and for guiding the vehicle according to the monetary cost-related information.

Abstract: A facility-around-route retrieval device includes a map disk 3 for storing map data and facility data, a route calculation unit 13 for calculating a route to a destination by using the map data stored in the map disk, a facility retrieval condition setting unit 16 for setting a facility retrieval condition, and a facility-around-route retrieval unit 17 for retrieving, in a case where a facility around the route calculated in the route calculation unit is retrieved in accordance with the condition set in the facility retrieval condition setting unit, the facility present only on a side of a traveling lane of a vehicle of a divided road from the facility data stored in the map disk when the route includes the divided road.

Abstract: A public transit travel planning system and methodology that uses an extensive pre-processing approach of transit information prior to query time on order to determine optimal public transit routes for journeys. At query time, since the transit information has already been processed by the system, very little computation is needed in order to fulfill the query. The system then provides users with public transit directions in response to the queries for public transit journeys.

Abstract: An electric vehicle and a method of controlling the electric vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, the electric vehicle includes i) a battery configured to provide electric energy to the motor, ii) a remaining energy-amount detector configured to detect a remaining energy-amount of the battery and iii) a manipulation unit configured to receive target information from a user. The vehicle also includes a guide information generator configured to generate driving guide information based at least in part on the remaining energy-amount of the battery and the target information and a display unit configured to display the driving guide information.

Abstract: A system for transferring information for at least one person in the area of an airport, comprising a) at least one personal end device which can be worn by the at least one person, b) a detection means for detecting the current spatial position of the at least one person in the area of the airport, c) a control means for determining at least one target time for a station located along the path to a flight gate assigned to the at least one person and/or for determining a path of the at least one person from a pre-determined position to the flight gate assigned to the person.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; generating a first route from a first location to a second location; generating signals to provide directions along the first route using positioning information from the positioning device; detecting that the positioning device is off-route at a third location, the third location being adjacent to the first route; generating a second route by tracking the position of the positioning device from the third location to to a fourth location, and, in some cases, storing the second route for use in route generation.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for predicting a destination for a ground-based vehicle. Travel patterns are accessed and a series of locations of a ground-based vehicle are received. At least some of the received locations are related to at least one accessed travel pattern, and a destination of the ground-based vehicle is predicted based on relating the received locations with the travel patterns. An existence of an event may be predicted using the predicted destinations of a ground-based vehicle.

Abstract: In an automatic vehicle position control system, such as a satellite-based agricultural implement steering system, the satellite-based steering information is adjusted with information obtained from one or more path sensors to facilitate the automatic nudging of the vehicle to take account of inaccurate tracking of the agricultural implement relative to its tractor, terrain variations, and inaccuracies in the satellite-based steering system.

Abstract: This invention concerns a portable processing device 200, such as a navigation device, comprising a positioning device 250,251 for determining a position of the processing device 200, an audio and/or visual output device 240/261, a processor 210 and memory 230 having stored thereon map data. The processor is arranged to determine a position on the map data based on an output from the positioning device 250/251, determine a speed to travel to arrive at a traffic control signal, which switches between two or more conditions to indicate a right of way, when the traffic control signal has a particular condition and cause the audio and/or visual output 240/261 to output an instruction to indicate the determined speed to travel. The invention also concerns a server 302 for interacting with the portable processing device 200.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a plurality of addresses. Driving directions between each of the plurality of addresses are defined, thus generating a plurality of driving directions. The plurality of driving directions are stored on a client electronic device.

Abstract: A method of generating maps, which includes generating a first map corresponding to a first code, and generating a second map including a starting point and an ending point including a plurality of second codes representing links from the starting point to the ending point. Further, when one of the links is selected, a detailed map of the selected link is displayed.

Abstract: A car navigation system 1 includes a HDD map 110 and a cached map 109. Map data for entire area is stored in the HDD, and map data used by a route search unit 115 and a guidance unit 116 are stored in the cached map 109. A cached map area specifying unit 108 specifies map data files that should be stored in the cached map 109 for each navigation application, and stores the names of the specified map data files, linked to the respective navigation applications, into a navigation application consistency management table 103. A consistency judgment unit 104 monitors an update status of a data file of which name stored in the navigation application consistency management table 103, and stores the update status (completed or not completed) into the navigation application consistency management table 103.