Abstract: Vehicle range projection is implemented by a host system having logic executable thereon. The logic identifies a starting location of a vehicle and identifies destination locations for the vehicle. The logic also builds routes from the starting location to the destination locations based on routing objectives and travel constraints. The logic further outputs at least a portion of at least one route and travel cost information associated with the at least a portion of at least one route.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable storage media are presented for directional scaling of inertial path data to satisfy ranging constraints. The presented techniques take into account scaling confidence information. In addition to bounding potential scale corrections based on the reliability of the inertial path and the magnetic heading confidence, the techniques bound potential scale parameters based on constraints and solve for directional scale parameters.

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

Abstract: A transit stop destination sign is provided that communicates wirelessly with a central transit system server over a wireless network, determines its GPS location and provides the same to the central transit system server, and provides both an updated visual destination sign display as well as an audio button for visually impaired that provides updated destination information in a natural language.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system disposed in a vehicle executes a route guidance function that calculates a first route by prioritizing a special lane over a normal lane as a route calculation condition and performs route guidance when a special lane use option is turned on. A determination unit determines whether the vehicle is traveling in a parallel route section in which the special lane and normal lane are in parallel. If the vehicle is traveling in the parallel route section, a second route calculation unit calculates a second route towards the destination based on an assumption that the vehicle is traveling in the normal lane. In addition, a second route guidance unit outputs a second guidance phrase at a second guidance point, such that the second guidance phrase includes a conditional phrase that conveys that the vehicle is not in the special lane.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to select a most typical pronunciation of a location name on a map from a plurality of user pronunciations. A server generates a reference speech model based on user pronunciations, compares the user pronunciations with the speech model and selects a pronunciation based on comparison. Alternatively, the server compares the distance between one the user pronunciations and every other user pronunciations and selects a pronunciation based on comparison. The server then annotates the map with the selected pronunciation and provides the audio output of the location name to a user device upon a user's request.

Abstract: A mobile computing implemented platform is provided that enables the generation, and delivery of highly relevant content to the mobile device of a driver. The content is filtered based on the current location and direction of the driver, and content is generated and filtered based a crowd sourced model where a plurality of users who are driving within a similar locations are linked to one another via the platform for improved discovery of traffic conditions, and improved determination of user interest based on collective interest of the plurality of users. Various intelligent features are enabled by the platform.

Abstract: A handle bar route extension mechanism for creating or modifying a flight route. The handle bar route extension mechanism can allow a user to create or modify a flight route using a destination point. The handle bar route extension mechanism can be automatically rendered in a display in response to a touch input. In some configurations, the handle bar route extension mechanism may be rendered in a display in various directions or various lengths based on different inputs. In further configurations, more than one handle bar route extension mechanism may be rendered in a display.

Abstract: A method and system for providing navigational support through corrective data includes monitoring a user's current position and travel pattern. A likelihood that the user is lost may be calculated based on the user's travel pattern and current position. If the likelihood exceeds a threshold value, the user may be provided with corrective data such as photographs or landmark information through visual or audio communication to assist the user in taking a corrective action or preventing getting lost.

Abstract: High resolution images are imprinted onto precise and consistent lawns and fields by use in combination of a global positioning system; a processor for generating a desired pattern which is translated into patterning instructions; and a patterning implement which is used for generating detailed patterns and for imprinting said patterns on any of natural or artificial lawns and fields, covered areas, and landscapes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for optimally recording or transmitting positional data and events of an object, said apparatus including input means to continuously provide positional data to a microprocessor and a memory device to store selected positional data wherein the microprocessor is programmed to compares new positional data from said input means to previously recorded log of positional data and creates a new log if the new positional data differs from the previously recorded log in accordance with pre-determined parameters.

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

Abstract: The described method and system provide for utilizing portals during GPS navigation to avoid unnecessary off-route notifications and route recalculation in problem areas. The method and system are described in the context of a GPS unit that is part of a telematics unit in a vehicle. If the route calculated by the GPS unit includes certain problem areas such as tunnels and stacked bridges, the GPS unit may utilize portals to process GPS navigation through those areas. When a user enters a portal, normal GPS navigation is suspended and certain features are disabled. For example, the user will not longer receive Turn-by-Turn (TBT) directions, off-route notifications, error notifications, and route recalculation notifications, until the GPS unit determines that the user has arrived at a second portal or until the user manually re-enables those features. The portals should be preferably located at the inlets and outlets to the problem areas.

Abstract: A method of detecting errors in road characteristics in a transportation network database includes collecting sequential location measurements from probes traversing between two end points, fitting trace segments having a curved or linear shape between the sequential location measurements collected from the probes to form a probe trace, comparing a position of the probe traces with a position of a calculated path between the two end points, where the calculated path is formed from linked transportation network segments each of the linked transportation segments having a curved or linear shape, where the calculated path follows the road characteristics defined by the attributes associated with the linked transportation segments, and identifying a potential error in the attributes if a probe trace deviating in position from the calculated path is greater than a deviation threshold.

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

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a device that stores a novel navigation application. The application in some embodiments includes a user interface (UI) that has a display area for displaying a two-dimensional (2D) navigation presentation or a three-dimensional (3D) navigation presentation. The UI includes a selectable 3D control for directing the program to transition between the 2D and 3D presentations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smoother driving experience through the use of an advanced powertrain system for a vehicle. The powertrain system includes a transmission having a gear selection controller adapted to select one of a plurality of gear ratios, an electronic control unit, at least one information acquisition unit wherein the electronic control unit uses information from the information acquisition unit to determine if the vehicle is stationary and if the vehicle is on an expressway. If the electronic control unit determines the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle is on an expressway, then the electronic control unit sends a signal to the gear selection controller of the transmission to select a lower gear ratio that would normally be used to transition the vehicle from a stationary to a moving state.

Abstract: A schematic display for presenting vertical navigation (VNAV) data is disclosed. A planned route such as a flight plan is divided into a series of VNAV legs, and only a VNAV schematic that corresponds to the active VNAV leg is displayed. The VNAV schematic in accordance with the present disclosure is a profile-view schematic for the active VNAV leg, providing a visual representation indicating the locations of the upcoming Top of Climb (TOC) or Top of Descent (TOD). Additional VNAV data may also be presented to provide content context. Since the schematic display in accordance with the present disclosure only displays VNAV data relevant to the active VNAV leg at a given time, the complexities associated with displaying the VNAV schematic is reduced, making the VNAV data easy to read and understand.

Abstract: A navigating system with RFID function includes a GPS module for receiving a plurality of satellite signals for location, and an RFID reader for receiving an RFID signal. The navigating system performs navigation according to a first position information and the location function of the GPS module if the RFID signal includes the first position information.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed that provide for creating an accurate representation of a roadway network, such as for planning vehicle travel routes. Positioning data is obtained, such as GPS data points from a plurality of vehicles, which mark traces of vehicular travel. A location of a trace is clarified using adjustment forces that are related to the traces, for example, to form coherent groups of traces. From these groups of clarified traces, a graph line is created by merging the traces.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a vehicle using a GPS receiver (9) and a predefinable coordinate system, in particular a city map, a map, a nautical chart or the like, comprises the following method steps: determination of the GPS coordinates by means of a GPS receiver or some other suitable method, for example Gallileo, beacon, etc., projection of the determined coordinates onto the coordinate system and correction of the GPS coordinates or the projected coordinates in the sense of compound navigation. A corresponding device is specified.

Abstract: A system for and method of establishing a communication link between mobile vehicles is presented. The method may include acquiring first information associated with a first mobile vehicle. The method may also include determining whether to update the first information associated with the first mobile vehicle. The method may further include transmitting, via a transceiver module, the first information associated with the first mobile vehicle based at least in part on the determination of not to update the first information associated with the first mobile vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a traffic information service using a mobile communication terminal are provided. A method of a mobile communication terminal for a traffic information service is provided. The method includes constructing a cluster with at least one neighboring Mobile Station (MS), receiving traffic information from the at least one neighboring MS comprised in the cluster, measuring traffic information using location information of the MS, and transmitting a traffic information message comprising the collected traffic information to a traffic information provision server.

Abstract: A visual positioning system for indoor locations with associated content is provided herein. The system has a map creator and a viewer. The map creator maps the indoor location by acquiring plans thereof, detects paths through the location and associates with the paths frames relating to objects and views of the paths. The viewer allows a user to orient in the indoor location by locating the user with respect to a path. The viewer enhances GPS/WIFI/3G data by matching user-captured images with the frames, and then interactively displaying the user data from the mapped paths with respect to user queries.

Abstract: A method of geography information recording method for a portable device includes providing the portable device having a processing unit embedded in the portable device, a transmission module coupled to the processing unit for wireless communication, a navigator module coupled to the processing unit for measure geography information, an electronic map module stored in the portable device or a remote server to provide geography map, a display and an image capture module coupled to the processing unit; and a recording module coupled to the processing unit. The initial step is to activate the recording module, followed by taking picture by the image capture module and fetching picture related geography information by the navigator module; the next step is to indicate and display the taken picture on the electronic map based on the picture related geography information to indicate a location of the taken picture on the electronic map.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and devices for generating one or more harsh or diminished radiofrequency environments relative to a planned route of a mobile device user. In one example, a mobile device user a be routed through a harsh or diminished radiofrequency environment based, at least in part, on a sensor suite of a mobile device and/or based on a user's preferences. Prior to entry into such an environment, various sensors may be activated in a manner that permits position estimation in an absence of SPS based positioning signals and/or TPS based positioning signals.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for managing an interface between a machine or work vehicle and a surface that the machine/work vehicle travels on in order to provide an optimum work performance level that balances fuel efficiency and surface adversity. Fleet management and reporting capabilities pertaining to such interface management are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an aircraft fix. A fix for an aircraft is identified, wherein the fix is a location of the aircraft. A fix identifier is displayed in a plan view display, wherein the fix identifier indicates a location of the fix on a map background in the plan view display. A fix formation identifier is displayed in the plan view display, wherein the fix formation identifier indicates a direction from a navigational aid to the fix.

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: The accuracy of a reverse geocode for a GPS fix in a mobile phone navigation device is improved significantly by considering together the user's last known location on an original route, the elapsed time between the last known location on the original route and the latest GPS fix, and the likelihood that the user could have travelled from the last known location on the original route to one of numerous candidate locations (generated from the reverse geocode) in the elapsed time. The navigation server relies only on a GPS fix, timestamps, and a back-end routing database to provide improved or superior accuracy of reverse geocoding a GPS fix (selection of a point on a road) when a relevant user has deviated from the intended route. The reverse geocoding allows for accurate and functional re-routing capabilities.

Abstract: Guiding a leading vehicle according to a desired trailing vehicle path includes generating one or more proceeding paths for one or more intermediate locations along an implement train between a trailing vehicle first location and a leading vehicle second location. The proceeding paths generated with a propagation and transformation algorithm that propagates a preceding path of one of the first location, such as the desired trailing vehicle path, or one of one or more intermediate locations to an immediately proceeding location, and transforms the preceding path according to dimensional characteristics of the implement train. A second guiding path is generated for the leading vehicle second location with the algorithm based on the immediately preceding path of the intermediate location closest to the second location. The method facilitates guidance of the trailing vehicle along the desired trailing vehicle path without navigation markers on the implement train except for the leading vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle having a hybrid powertrain includes monitoring vehicle navigation and traffic patterns associated with a predicted travel path. It extends the powertrain instantaneous controller into a predictive control framework, and utilizes previewed traffic and geographic information based on on-board sensing and navigation information. An impending road load is predicted from which a fuel cost factor is optimized under a model predictive control framework. A state-of-charge trajectory is predicted from the impending road load and operation of the hybrid powertrain system is controlled in response thereto.

Abstract: At least some embodiments herein provide a navigation interface which provides notifications to a user regarding the impact a missed transit connection will have on the user's final arrival time. The navigation interface may also provide pre-calculated transit-based route alternatives. The missed connection notifications and pre-calculated alternatives may allow an individual to a make more informed decisions regarding the route he/she is travelling to his/her desired destination.

Abstract: Techniques for performing more accurate snap-to-road calculations using wireless access point data are disclosed. In one aspect, a corrected location corresponding to received location data is selected from a plurality of candidate map locations based on a correspondence between the access points visible to a device and the access points visible at the corrected map location. In another aspect, road vector data is augmented with access point data, and a corrected map location is selected based on a correspondence between the access points visible to the device, and the augmented road vector data.

Abstract: A GPS enabled relay controller that interfaces with an electronic device, such as a street light, barricade light, refrigerator, and other similar applications for turning off power to an electronic device for energy savings. The relay controller invokes quantification of refractive photon diffusion to switch between on and off an electronic device based upon refracted photons diffused at the surface of the earth at a particular location and based upon sampling at the Earth's surface from before civil twilight start until after sunrise and from before sunset until after civil twilight end.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for treatment of certain areas as neutral zones during GPS navigation to avoid unnecessary off-route notifications and route recalculation. A GPS unit determines whether the user has entered a geographic region designated as a neutral zone, and does not provide the user with off-route notifications while the user is within the neutral zone. Not providing off-route notifications may be implemented by the GPS device by considering the user to be within the calculated route while the user is within a neutral zone, or by disabling off-route notifications (and route recalculation) while the user is within the neutral zone. The neutral zone may be defined by a set of GPS coordinates. The neutral zone may further be polygonal, and the size of the neutral zone may be based on the accuracy of the GPS device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a navigation system to detect arrival to a new city and provide information on the city such as dining, lodging, popular sightseeing place, etc. to the user. In addition, it can also provide the user a list of his or her friends in the new city according to an address book or from social networking websites. The navigation includes a detecting unit communicatively coupled with a position measuring device and a map information memory to detect whether the user is entering a new city by determining whether the user is moving across the new city border line. Further, the detecting unit indicates the user is entering a new city when the user is moving a predetermined distance away from an airport. Further, the new city information may not be shown if the user has visited the city before within a predetermined period.

Abstract: A running condition detection device includes a GPS receiving unit configured to receive a GPS signal and output a current position, a geomagnetic sensor configured to detect geomagnetism, a direction determination unit configured to obtain a current moving direction based on current positional data and last positional data from the GPS receiving unit, a first bend determination unit configured to compare current moving direction data obtained by the direction determination unit and reference direction data to determine passage of a street corner, a second bend determination unit configured to compare geomagnetic data detected by the geomagnetic sensor and reference geomagnetic data to determine passage of a street corner, and a determination prohibition unit which prohibits the first and second bend determination units from determining passage of a street corner during a given period of time when passage of a street corner is determined by one of the first bend determination unit and the second bend deter

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting traffic congestion routing data to a community of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Community routing logic of a community routing system (CRS) receives a route request containing the current location and desired destination of a GPS device. The CRS may use the community routing logic to determine a path that the user of the GPS device should travel on to best minimize driving time and traffic conditions for a community of users of the CRS. The CRS considers road capacity, current traffic conditions, and historical traffic data for roads and alternate roads along a preferred route. The CRS also considers routes previously taken by the GPS device. Additionally, the CRS may receive information about routes taken by other GPS devices to further improve future routes of the community of GPS devices.

Abstract: A mobile phone terminal has a positional information acquisition unit acquiring present positional information indicating a present position, a destination information acquisition unit acquiring destination information specifying a destination (where to return, and where to go), a navigation unit navigating a route from a position specified by the present positional information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit to a destination specified by the destination information, upon activation, a distance acquisition unit acquiring a distance between a position specified by the present positional information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit and a destination specified by the destination information, and an activation control unit activating the navigation unit depending on a distance acquired by the distance acquisition unit.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein at least one SCR catalytic converter for the after-treatment of exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine is present. The method serves to assure that a sufficient quantity of reducing agent is supplied for the operation of the SCR catalytic converter. The motor vehicle has a fuel tank (10) with a fill level sensor A (11) and a reducing agent tank (12) with a fill level sensor B (13). Signals from the fill level sensor B (13) or signals from the fill level sensor A (11) and the fill level sensor B (13) are acquired and evaluated by a navigation unit (16).

Abstract: A user input is received on a wireless device specifying a starting location. The position of the wireless device is tracked from the starting location in response to the user input. A user input is received on the wireless device specifying an ending location, and a route is generated from the tracking of the wireless device from the starting location to the ending location. A first reference is associated with the route, wherein the route is retrievable by a selection of the first reference.

Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle navigation apparatus included in a vehicle, and which includes displaying road guidance information on a touch screen display of the vehicle navigation apparatus and including a set travel route from a current position of a vehicle to a destination, determining, via a controller, whether a particular road displayed on the road guidance information has been drawn on, said particular road corresponding to a road that is different than a road included in the set travel route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and setting, via the controller, a road matched to the particular road that has been drawn on as a detour.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve providing assistance data to a global position and navigation receiver, for example topographical data, such that the receiver can decide on a specific action depending on that data. The topographical data may include one or both of geographical data and architectural data. Geographical data may include information about natural formations, such as hills, valleys, forests, etc. Architectural data may include manmade formations, such as streets, buildings, bridges, etc. The receiver may then interpret and decide on a course of action for controlling the receiver base on the assistance data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing a network element in a satellite navigation data distribution system is described. In one example, a network element includes a processor for processing satellite navigation data. For example, a network element may be a reference station, a hub, or a server in the satellite navigation data distribution system. The network element includes a memory for maintaining status variables associated with the processing of the satellite navigation data. The status variables may relate to the integrity of the satellite navigation data. The network element further includes a management agent for monitoring states of the status variables and communicating with a network management system to exchange information related to the states of the status variables. In one example, the management agent is configured to communicate using a simple network management protocol (SNMP).

Abstract: A navigation system for motor vehicles includes a receiving unit for receiving traffic messages to which a location information object is in each case assigned. A display unit for displaying a digital road map and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the receiving unit and the display unit, and is operatively configured such that cutouts of a digital road map to which the traffic messages relate are successively displayed of the display.

Abstract: A GPS receiver includes an RF section and a digital section, the digital section including a correlator circuit for performing correlation with respect to a plurality of satellite channels. The GPS receiver is operated by cycling power to the RF section on and off according to a determined duty cycle having an ON portion and an OFF portion. During the ON portion, navigation related data received from the plurality of satellite channels is sampled by higher level software. Continuity of function may be achieved by resetting a state of at least a portion of the correlator circuit in correspondence to a transition from the OFF portion to the ON portion.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a map data storing unit configured to store map data; autonomous sensors configured to detect behavior information of a moving object; an inertial positioning unit configured to detect an estimated position of the moving object by applying the behavior information detected by the autonomous sensors to positioning results obtained by an electronic navigation positioning unit such as a GPS; a planimetric feature detecting unit configured to detect a planimetric feature located around a road; a planimetric feature position identifying unit configured to identify a position of the planimetric feature; a planimetric feature reference positioning unit configured to estimate a planimetric feature estimated position of the moving object by using the position of the planimetric feature as a reference; and a position estimating unit configured to estimate a position of the moving object by applying the estimated position and the planimetric feature estimated position to a Kalman filter.