Including Route Searching Or Determining Patents (Class 701/410)
  • Patent number: 8428869
    Abstract: A system allows a user to select an individual address from the multiple addresses for additional information on that particular address. Multiple addresses can be viewed together on a map for selection purposes. Selection of a particular address can trigger new GUIs for presentation of context information for a particular location to a user. Context information can include differing map views, e.g., map view, satellite view, terrain view, etc., landmarks, photos taken from that particular address, local businesses, telephone numbers for that particular address, etc. Presentation of context information can assist a user in making a more informed decision as to which addresses from multiple presented possible addresses to select. Context information provide criteria to select and/or rule out a particular address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Regan Gill, Darrell Sano, Kevin Masao Tsurutome
  • Patent number: 8428870
    Abstract: A system and method of fabricating and assembling of large-sized modules remote from a heavy industrial hydrocarbon processing plant site, and overland transportation thereof to the plant site. The method may rely on a computer-based heavy-haul transportation logistics system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Allen L. Berry, Kenneth J. Luhan
  • Publication number: 20130096823
    Abstract: Provided is a configuration for helping a user achieve an objective (an errand) to be executed in a destination in a navigation device. Specifically provided is a navigation device for performing guidance using map information. Said navigation device acquires and stores information relevant to a destination, the information including an objective which a user intends to execute in the destination, and at the time of arrival at the destination or departure from the destination, outputs and notifies the user of the information relevant to the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akane Katou
  • Publication number: 20130096817
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for tracking a mobile device using sensors within the device and without using external signals to determine location, velocity, or heading. According to one embodiment, locating and tracking a mobile device can comprise reading sensor data from each of a plurality of sensors within the mobile device. The sensors can provide the sensor data without relying on a signal from a device external to the mobile device. For example, the plurality of sensors can comprise a compass, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer. Motion, velocity, and heading of the mobile device can be determined based on the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GEN-9, INC.
    Inventor: GEN-9, INC.
  • Patent number: 8423283
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods that find the quickest route between two locations on a graph with multi-edge constraints in a time and space efficient manner. In some embodiments, Dijkstra's algorithm is split into separate universes when a) a multiple-edge constraint is reached, and b) along each edge of a multi-edge constraint. In some embodiments, the split is performed for the purpose of finding the quickest (i.e. lowest weighted) route to the intersection(s) at the end of the constraints. These universes, in some embodiments, are merged or discarded when the intersection at the end of the constraint is found. Using these systems and methods, in some embodiments, the shortest path between two locations of a multi-edge constrained road network can be efficiently determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Telogis, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl David James Cerecke, David John Mitchell, Ralph James Mason
  • Patent number: 8423279
    Abstract: A drive assist apparatus includes: a road-information storage unit storing road information; a traffic-signal information storage unit to store information regarding a traffic-signal change timing; a receiving unit to receive other-vehicle information; an obtaining unit to obtain host-vehicle information; a determining unit to determine whether the other vehicle becomes an obstacle to the host vehicle; and a calculating unit to calculate a recommended speed based on the host-vehicle information, the road information, and information regarding the traffic-signal change timing, when the other vehicle is determined to not become an obstacle to the host vehicle, and calculate the recommended speed based on the host-vehicle information, the road information, the information regarding the traffic-signal change timing, and an arrival delay time for avoiding an obstacle caused by the other vehicle, when the other vehicle is determined to become the obstacle to the host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Eiji Kitagawa, Takuro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8423272
    Abstract: A method to generate a clearance request to deviate from a flight plan is provided. The method includes receiving at one or more processors in an airborne vehicle input from at least one automatic flight-plan-relevant source, at least one of the one or more processors independently determining a revised flight route based on the received input, at least one of the one or more processors independently generating a preconfigured clearance request message to deviate from the flight plan for a flight crew user based on the determining. The method further includes providing an audible prompt to the flight crew user for one of approval and rejection of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan. When an approval of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan is received from the flight crew user, the preconfigured clearance request message is downlinked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Judd, Ruy C. P. Brandao
  • Publication number: 20130090845
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus displays map display contents of a mobile phone terminal 2 on a liquid crystal monitor 14 of an onboard information system 1 in the same direction as the direction of map display of the mobile phone terminal 2 in accordance with information about the map display acquired from the mobile phone terminal 2 via a short-range radio communication unit 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruhiko Wakayanagi, Mitsuo Shimotani
  • Publication number: 20130090844
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to prescription-based travel route recommendation. In a typical embodiment, a prescription related to a medical condition of a patient is received (e.g., electronically in a computer memory medium or the like). Among other things, the prescription typically comprises a set of criteria (e.g., route specifics such as topography/incline, mode of travel such as walking, running, cycling, etc.) for a desired travel route for the patient. Then, using global positioning satellite (GPS) technology or the like, the system will access/receive information corresponding to a geographical area associated with the patient. Using this information, a set of possible travel routes between a starting point and a destination within the geographical area will be determined. Then, by comparing the set of criteria to the information, at least one travel route will be identified from the possible travel routes for treating the medical condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 8417452
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a system that provides information to an operator of a vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a call center that configured to provide the operator with route guidance to a location. The system also includes a plurality of internet websites. Each internet website relates to a vehicle lifecycle event and is configured to permit the operator to electronically transmit a location associated with the vehicle lifecycle event to the call center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Ross, Edward P. Chrumka
  • Patent number: 8417443
    Abstract: Vehicle speed identification information for identifying vehicle speed of a vehicle on a road is obtained for a plurality of vehicles. Based on a distribution of the vehicle speed identification information, the vehicle speed identification information is classified into groups corresponding to motions of the vehicle. An occurrence probability of a motion of the vehicle is obtained based on the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8417447
    Abstract: A method and system for visualizing shared route information are provided. The method includes receiving a route query from a user and retrieving multiple route results for the query for display as an overlay on a map. The method further includes processing the route results for display by dividing each route result into sub-routes, wherein a sub-route is a portion of a route between intersections with other routes and aggregating the sub-routes across the route results. Each sub-route in the route results is scored according to a defined scoring basis and represented in the display according to the relative score to other sub-routes. A user can select a displayed sub-route and the method filters the route results to remove any routes not including the selected sub-route and displays the narrowed results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gilad Barkai, Nadav Har'El, Haggai Roitman
  • Patent number: 8417448
    Abstract: An electronic direction system accesses navigation data describing at least one instance in which a direction was missed during provision of electronic navigation along a route and tracks instances in which directions have been missed based on the accessed navigation data. The electronic direction system accounts for the tracked instances in which directions have been missed in handling provision of future directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Jason Adam Denise
  • Publication number: 20130085665
    Abstract: A controlling method for making and keeping appointments includes: inputting information concerning an appointment; finding out urban lines according to the starting point and the destination of the appointment, and obtaining detailed information of each urban line found, wherein the detailed information of each urban line is used to create the steps of the total journey whereby the user should arrive at the destination from the starting point at a particular time; selecting an urban line from the urban lines found; calculating when the user should leave according to the selected urban line and the detailed information of the selected urban line; and informing the user accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HOU-HSIEN LEE, CHANG-JUNG LEE, CHIH-PING LO
  • Publication number: 20130080255
    Abstract: Step detection and step length estimation techniques include detecting salient points in sensor data of one or more sensors. A step frequency is estimated based on a time interval between the detected salient points. A step length of the step may then be computed based on a nonlinear combination of the estimated step frequency and a function of the sensor data, and/or a step model. Alternatively, the step length of the step may be computed based on a combination of a nonlinear function of the estimated step frequency and a (linear or nonlinear) function of the sensor data, and/or a step model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Fan Li, Chunshui Zhao, Feng Zhao
  • Patent number: 8406994
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: InfoGation Corporation
    Inventors: Kent Qing Pu, Ivan Angelov, David Thieme
  • Patent number: 8406997
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing improved generation of textual directions based on positional information. In an implementation, textual directions for traversing a path are generated based on positional information associated with the path. According to a method, positional information that specifies a longitude and latitude at a plurality of times is received and processed to generate a routing graph. The generated routing graph includes nodes and route links that connect the plurality of nodes. Textual directions are generated for traversing a path associated with the positional data, based in part on link information associated with the links of the generated routing graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: MapQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 8406987
    Abstract: A cellular-based live traffic service that does not require pre-deployment of infrastructure or GPS-enabled devices uses signals provided by cellular devices to determine course resolution localization and tracking information of the cellular devices. Specialized statistical analysis is performed on the course resolution data to infer the fine resolution positions of the cellular devices. In an example embodiment, the localization and tracking information is provided on a map, or the like, to show relative position and/or trajectory of cellular devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gustavo de los Reyes, Gang Xu
  • Patent number: 8401780
    Abstract: Locations having similar names are identified and placed in groups. The naming similarity includes how names or portions of names are spelled and/or pronounced. The names within the groups are then ranked by priority. The ranking is calculated using one or more attributes in a geographic database, such as the number of road segments associated with a named location, the population associated with a named location, distance to a named location, and administrative level of a named location. The ranking may be used during destination entry, when providing route guidance and/or maps, and when providing additional information to a user of a navigation system, such as demographic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Navteq B.V.
    Inventor: Raimund Grün
  • Patent number: 8401786
    Abstract: A routing module identifies POIs that can be reached from a route with a cost less than distance m. A routing engine performs a reverse exploration on nodes in the planned route to locate POIs from which the route can be reached with a cost of less than a second cost n. POIs identified as being reachable from the route with a cost of less than m, and from which the route is reachable with a cost less than n are then further filtered to identify a subset of the POIs for which the sum of the time or distance from the route to the POI and the time or distance from the POI back to the route is less than a threshold time or distance, t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: deCarta Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Poppen, Weidong Tang
  • Publication number: 20130066548
    Abstract: A destination analysis module is described which estimates at least one destination of a user given a partial path taken by the user within a geographic area. The destination analysis module operates by detecting a mode of transportation that a user uses to traverse the path (e.g., automobile, public transportation, walking, etc.). The destination analysis module then loads a model associated with the mode of transportation into a destination prediction module and estimates at least one destination based on the path and the model. The model has various components that depend on the mode of transportation, such as routing network information and prior probability information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Gruen, John C. Krumm
  • Patent number: 8396666
    Abstract: Route planning methods for navigating an electronic device having a navigation system from a starting point to a destination are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. First, current position of the electronic device is acquired. Next, a decision point corresponding to the current position is obtained in a planned route in which the decision point has a dedicated moving direction which is planned by the planned route and a plurality of possible moving directions. Accordingly, pluralities of candidate routes, destined to the destination, corresponding to the possible moving directions are generated. Next, the electronic device is navigated to the destination using the planned route or one of the candidate routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Ai-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 8392113
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for determining navigation instructions within a pedestrian navigation environment. For example, a system and method are provided for determining an optimal path to a destination. An optimal path may be determined based at least in part on a measurement of similarity between one or more points of interest and one or more destinations. Such a measurement of similarity may be based at least in part on predefined criteria between the one or more destinations and one or more points of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajarshi Gupta, Saumitra Mohan Das, Min-Wook Jeong
  • Patent number: 8392111
    Abstract: A method, medium, and system providing an updating traveling route to a user. The navigation system includes a route selecting unit to select an optimal route for an item to traverse based on calculated performance indexes of a plurality of alternative routes for the traversal, a performance index calculating unit to recalculate the performance indexes of the alternative routes during a current traversal of the selected optimal route based on received external information regarding sections of available traversals after a predetermined point in each alternative route beyond a current point of the current traversal, and a route changing unit to selectively update the optimal route during the current traversal based on the recalculated performance indexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-seob Ryu, Jong-ho Lea, Yong-beom Lee
  • Publication number: 20130054131
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fast path planning navigation apparatus and a method thereof. The navigation apparatus comprises a map database, an input module, a positioning module and a processing module. The map database stores an expressway map and an urban road map. The input module inputs a destination. The positioning module calculates the current location of the navigation apparatus according to a global positioning system signal, the expressway map and the urban road map. The processing module calculates path information for a current location of the navigation apparatus to entrance ramp and exit ramp to the destination according to expressway information, the expressway map and the urban road map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Hua-En ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8385946
    Abstract: Adaptive route guidance can include analyzing route progressions associated with one or more routes based on multiple user preferences. The adaptive route guidance can provide one or more preferred routes based on the user preferences, which can be presented to a user for navigation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Gregory N. Christie, Robert E. Borchers, Kevin Tiene
  • Patent number: 8386169
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: detecting a light intensity; and selecting a route determined by the light intensity for displaying on a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventor: MinhHung Canh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8386166
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the manner in which a navigation device should produce sounds from data is described. One embodiment, includes a device for synthesizing sounds from digital sound files, and re-producing pre-recorded sounds from a database of text-based indicators. The invention can be further capable of repeatedly determining physical conditions, e.g. current GPS location, which are compared to reference values such that a positive comparison gives rise to an event requiring a sound to be produced. The method includes a user selection of what events or physical conditions trigger a sound, and the type of sound to be audibly delivered which can be digitally synthesize sounds or pre-recorded sounds stored on the device or a combination of the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
    Inventors: Rory Jones, Sven Jurgens
  • Patent number: 8386110
    Abstract: A travel route generating method for an unmanned vehicle, which includes a condition input step of inputting a vehicle constraint condition including a vehicle width and a minimum turning radius of the unmanned vehicle, and a geometrical constraint condition including a travel route generation range in which the unmanned vehicle is to travel, an obstacle to avoid, and a position and a direction of an entrance point and an exit point; and a travel route generating step of generating a travel route such that the vehicle constraint condition and the geometrical constraint condition are satisfied, and such that a function value of a cost function having at least a magnitude of a curve and/or a rate of change in the curve as a cost element is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Yokohama National University
    Inventors: Takashi Maekawa, Tetsuya Noda, Shigefumi Tamura, Tomonori Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8386163
    Abstract: A GPS navigation code device that enables a driver to retrieve directions, without taking his eyes off the road. The user pre-programs the GPS navigation code device with a plurality of addressees or points of interest, and assigns unique navigation codes for each as keyboard entry and speech, all stored in local database within the GPS. While driving, the user presses a special address search mode key and inputs the unique navigation code by keyboard or speech pattern, views displayed address and accepts the same. When an unknown navigation code is entered, the GPS accesses a remote database through the Internet to recover the associated company name and business GPS coordinates. The remote database computes travel distance based on vehicle and business GPS coordinates, creating an ordered list that is presented to the GPS user, together with directions by map and speech on a turn-by-turn basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Severson
  • Patent number: 8380428
    Abstract: According to a navigation server (1) of the present invention, in a mileage matrix containing elements which denote a mileage and are defined by respective mileage factors, a first element of the elements in the mileage matrix which is defined by recognized mileage factors is determined on the basis of the mileage of the recognized mileage of a first vehicle. A second element of the elements in the mileage matrix which is defined by unrecognized mileage factors is determined on the basis of the first element. According thereto, even when the mileage factors of a second vehicle are used to define the second element but not the first element, the previous mileage of the second vehicle can be evaluated with high accuracy in consideration of a relationship between the mileage and the mileage factors of the first vehicle estimated according to the known relationship therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sengoku, Aiko Sugawara, Tadafumi Nogawa
  • Publication number: 20130041579
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for sensing a traveling state based on a speed. The method for sensing the traveling state based on the speed includes outputting a mean speed C for each link with respect to a number of total traversing times of a predetermined path, and updating a reference speed B with the outputted mean speed C, and measuring a speed A while traversing the predetermined path, and comparing the measured speed A with the updated reference speed B, thereby displaying the traveling state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Thinkware Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hong Kyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20130041582
    Abstract: A method for navigation of a vehicle using a navigation system with stored map data having road segments comprising determining a current road segment and a current position of the vehicle in the current road segment and receiving a user input command. The method determines a destination in the current road segment or in another road segment of a parallel lane of the current road segment, the determining being initiated by the input. A route from the current position to the destination is calculated in the absence of a turn-around maneuver within the current road segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Markus Radner
  • Patent number: 8374781
    Abstract: A method of planning a vehicle route includes estimating fuel requirements of identified alternative routes or route segments using navigation, vehicle, and powertrain information. The method also includes displaying for a vehicle operator a list of alternate routes that features either absolute or relative values representative of such estimated fuel requirements. The method further includes adapting values used to estimate fuel requirements based upon current powertrain operating parameters, and alerting the vehicle operator when actual vehicle fuel economy along a selected route varies significantly from the estimated fuel requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Peter G. Hartman
  • Patent number: 8374782
    Abstract: A method for providing map tiles associated to a route is described. Generally, a route comprising a number of route segments is received. Then, a respective route segment attribute for each of the route segments is determined. Next, associated map tiles for each of the route segments are determined, using said route segment attributes, and finally an indication of the determined map tiles are transmitted to a map tile fetcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vodafone Group Services Limited
    Inventors: Martin Santesson, Per Ola Ingvarsson
  • Patent number: 8370061
    Abstract: A navigation device stores road data in a storage part. The road data includes a consecutive connection of a plurality of links as a link queue, the plurality of links acquired by sectioning a road length into a plurality of pieces. The navigation device includes a guidance part that performs route search and guidance to a destination using the road data. The link queue includes a standard link for which, based on a sectioned link of a specific road stored in the storage part, information relating to the sectioned link is stored as road-related information in the storage part, and an invariance link for which the road-related information is not stored in the storage part if there is no difference in the road-related information compared to an adjacent link in the link queue. A navigation road data creating device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyoji Hiyokawa
  • Patent number: 8370058
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a display device in a motor vehicle, the display device displays a geographic map having elements which are assigned geographic positions and which are displayed on the displayed map at the geographic positions they are assigned. The relevance of the elements displayable on the map for the user is evaluated and an automatic decision is made as a function of the result of the evaluation as to which elements are displayed at the geographic positions they are assigned. A display device in a motor vehicle includes a control device, a display connected to the control device, a memory or a plurality of memories for storing data for displaying a geographic map and for storing elements that are assigned geographic positions and which are displayable on the displayed map at the geographic positions they are assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Waeller, Andreas Ebert, Jens Fliegner, Yongmei Wu, Heino Wengelik
  • Publication number: 20130030691
    Abstract: Disclosed is navigation technology for providing guidance for HOV lanes in a more readily understandable manner. A navigation device is provided with: a storage unit adapted to store lane information including the set-up of lanes which can be used when a predetermined condition is fulfilled (hereafter referred to as conditional lanes); a route guidance unit adapted to provide guidance for a recommended route to a destination; and a guidance unit adapted to provide guidance for entrances and exits for conditional lanes. If travelling along a conditional lane makes it impossible to continue without deviating from the recommended route, the guidance unit provides guidance that the conditional lane should not be entered from an entrance to the conditional lane or inhibits guidance on the presence of an entrance to the conditional lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Sumizawa, Satoshi Kurihara, Hideo Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20130030692
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of resolving a location in a second digital map from an ordered list of location reference points determined from a first digital map. The method involves identifying candidate lines and nodes in the second digital map, and using curvature, height and gradient information associated with the location reference points to identify the most likely candidate nodes or lines in the second digital map corresponding to the nodes represented by the location reference points and to lines emanating from or incident at the node in the first digital map. The method involves carrying out a route search between the most likely identified candidate node or line identified for one location reference point, and the corresponding node or line associated with the next reference point in the list, and repeating this step for consecutive pairs of reference points until the final location reference point is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: James Edward Hagan
  • Publication number: 20130030693
    Abstract: A cellular-based live traffic service that does not require pre-deployment of infrastructure or GPS-enabled devices uses signals provided by cellular devices to determine course resolution localization and tracking information of the cellular devices. Specialized statistical analysis is performed on the course resolution data to infer the fine resolution positions of the cellular devices. In an example embodiment, the localization and tracking information is provided on a map, or the like, to show relative position and/or trajectory of cellular devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130030694
    Abstract: Location technologies are combined with other information systems to provide augmented information for individuals such as a traveler in an automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Edward H. Nortrup
  • Patent number: 8364389
    Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for interfacing an electronic device with a bicycle system. The electronic device can receive the output from sensors coupled to the bicycle and generate riding characteristics for display to the user. The electronic device can in addition receive communications from other electronic devices and provide the communications to the user. In some embodiments, the electronic device can be paired with the devices of one or more other cyclists so that the cyclists can share riding characteristics and other information. This can allow the cyclists to ride as a team and better assist each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse L. Dorogusker, Anthony Fadell, Andrew Hodge, Allen P. Haughay, Jr., Scott Krueger, James Eric Mason, Donald J. Novotney, Emily Clark Schubert, Policarpo Wood, Timothy Johnson
  • Patent number: 8364394
    Abstract: A first convergent computation section 25 for deriving a running locus by a convergent computation such as to achieve a first constraint condition based on a target passing time ts and a road boundary of a road D and a running locus deriving section 26 for deriving a running locus by a convergent computation of an evaluation function J3 for preferring a predetermined driving condition in a state achieving the first constraint condition are provided, a running locus is convergently computed such as to satisfy the first constraint condition set according to the target passing time ts and the road boundary of the road D, and a running locus is derived by convergently computing an evaluation function J3 for preferring a predetermined driving condition in a state satisfying the first constraint condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8364395
    Abstract: An enhanced navigation system allowing navigation route and destination planning according to user-specified criteria for the emotion state of persons along the route, at the destination, or both. The enhancement is accomplished by receiving a set of human emotion metrics corresponding to one or more parts of a navigation plan; determining if the human emotion metrics meet one or more user-specified criteria; responsive to not meeting the criteria, determining an alternate navigation plan until the user-specified criteria are met; and responsive to the criteria being met, presenting the navigation plan to the user for laying into a navigation system, and optionally during execution of the navigation plan updating the received human emotion metrics; repeating the determination against the user-specified criteria; and repeating the steps of determining an alternate navigation plan and presentation to a user responsive to the updated human emotion metrics not meeting the user-specified criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. French, Eric Thiebaut-George, Niall Jude Lucey, Edith Helen Stern, Michael Truss
  • Patent number: 8364393
    Abstract: A computer system displays an image of a first geographic location by a computer system, receives a user selection of a portion of the image of the first geographic location, processes the user-selected image portion to identify a meaning for the user-selected image portion, computes a logical connection between the computer system identified meaning and a second geographic location, and directs the user to the second geographic location. Computing the logical connection may include finding a match between a significance of the second geographic location and the meaning identified for the user-selected image portion. Receiving a user selection of an image portion may include receiving a user selection identifying an ad within the image and wherein the processing to identify a meaning for the user-selected image portion includes identifying a meaning for the ad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat DeLuca, Travis M. Grigsby, Frank Lawrence Jania, Steven Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 8364387
    Abstract: A route search device includes: a parameter calculator for calculating a parameter of each section in a route; a driving repetition information obtaining element for obtaining driving repetition information in each section from an external server; a parameter changing element for increasing a parameter of first one of the sections when a driving repetition of the first one of the sections is smaller than a first parameter threshold; and a route search element for searching the route to minimize a total of parameters of the sections in the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Tomita
  • Publication number: 20130024249
    Abstract: A system and method for real time dispatching of vehicles taking into account multiple point to point transport requests and conditions including desired ride conditions, traffic, and infrastructure. Analysis of these factors is using suitable algorithms in order to determine optimal routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Zeev El Asher Adin Zohar, Yehonatan Aumann, Shay Shafranek
  • Publication number: 20130024105
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and computer program products or applications for location-based, mobile-to-mobile connection of employers and candidates, while providing employers and candidates the ability to search for matching profiles and coordinate with each other in real time while utilizing their mobile communication devices to meet each other immediately or at a later time. Search results also indicate a distance between current locations of employer and candidates as determined from location data of their mobile communication devices and/or a distance between a candidate's residence and job location. Such location data enables employers and candidates to assess the ability to meet now or at a later time given their current locations and the ability of a candidate to travel to a job location given the candidate's residence location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: INTUIT INC.
    Inventor: Mark A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8355853
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a control responsive to an indication of at least one of (a) a geographical location of the hybrid vehicle and (b) a programmed route of travel of the hybrid vehicle. The control, responsive to the indication, selects one of (a) electric-powered propulsion of the hybrid vehicle and (b) non-electric-powered propulsion of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Eugenie V. Uhlmann, Desmond J. O'Farrell, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20130013188
    Abstract: Methods and systems respectively provide for receiving a wireless signal coverage map request from a wireless device. A map is generated in accordance with the request and provided to the wireless device. The map includes symbology keyed to wireless signal services within a particular geographic area. Such symbology can be indicative of recommended areas and travel routes having particular types of wireless signal coverage, regions of poor or non-existent wireless signal service, areas presently experiencing heavy wireless signal usage, and so on. In this way, a wireless device user can seek to access specific wireless services and/or avoid suspect trouble regions within a geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Edgar Shrum, JR., Barrett Kreiner, Steven Wright