Abstract: Repairing GPS data is disclosed. Repairing GPS data includes repairing an effort, comprising determining that the effort includes inaccurate GPS data; and adjusting the effort using a repaired base map. Repairing GPs data includes repairing a segment, comprising determining an inaccurate shape data in the segment; and adjusting shape data for the segment based on a repaired base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and method for road guidance using a mobile terminal. The method for road guidance using a mobile terminal includes receiving a map image created by a users input, setting at least one user-designated location to the map image according to the users input, setting location information of the user-designated location to the user-designated location, comparing the location information of the user-designated location with current location information of the mobile terminal; and notifying of arrival at the user-designated location. A user may arrive at a desired destination according to the present invention without using map data provided by a map data service provider.

Abstract: When a user carries a mobile terminal with confidential information, such as customer information, stored therein, it is required to maintain information confidentiality and to prevent an unauthorized third party from accessing the confidential information even if the mobile terminal is stolen. According to the disclosed access control method, an encryption key is generated based on a planned route and the information is encrypted. When the user accesses the information, a decryption key is generated based on the actual movement route that is regularly acquired. The encrypted information can be decrypted if the planned route and the movement route match.

Abstract: A method and a system for dispatching vehicle are provided. The method for dispatching vehicle includes the following steps: A. obtaining the vehicle information, which includes vehicle numbers, vehicle states and relative positions; B. placing the vehicle icons corresponding to the vehicle numbers in the corresponding positions on the virtual line schedule map according to the vehicle states and the relative positions; C. displaying the virtual line schedule map refreshed via step B. The system for dispatching vehicle includes vehicle information obtaining unit, vehicle states judging and processing unit, displaying unit and dispatching unit. The system realize the visual vehicle dispatching method by utilizing the virtual line schedule map, so as to implement vehicle monitoring and dispatching.

Abstract: Systems, devices, features, and methods for routing to a fuel or gasoline station before returning a rental vehicle are disclosed. For example, one method comprises identifying a selected destination to be a rental service return location associated with a rental vehicle. An option to obtain gasoline before returning the rental vehicle to the rental service return location is offered. Upon selection of the option, a gasoline station along a route to the rental service return location is identified. Route guidance to the gasoline station is provided. Route guidance from the gasoline station to the rental service return location is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.

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: Maps are created that display representations of GPS data generated from a plurality of GPS devices. The GPS data received from the GPS devices is embodied as a representation having descriptive features that visually indicate the location, direction of travel, and speed of travel of the GPS device, and the representation is associated with a road segment on the map. The display of the GPS data from a plurality of GPS devices can be used for editing information about roads on maps and determining preferred routes.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a navigation system, a speed sensor, an audio, visual or haptic output system, and at least one controller. The controller may be configured to determine if a current speed of the vehicle exceeds a target speed of an upcoming road curvature based on information from the speed sensor and navigation system, to generate a first alert based on a selected driver type via the output system to prompt the driver to disengage the vehicle's accelerator pedal if the current speed of the vehicle exceeds the target speed of the upcoming road curvature, and to generate a second alert after the first alert based on the selected driver type via the output system to prompt the driver to engage the vehicle's brake pedal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for determining one or more possible destinations that may be reached using a hierarchy of maps. The system may be configured to receive search parameters indicating a starting point and an allotted cost and identify a set of nodes on a first level map that may be reached given the allotted cost. If further level maps in the hierarchy of maps are to be searched, the system may identify nodes in other level maps in the hierarchy of maps that may be reached given the remaining allotted cost and add the identified nodes to the set of nodes. Based on the set of nodes, the system may calculate the area that may be reached from the starting point given the allotted cost.

Abstract: A method for navigation of a movable platform is provided. The method includes the steps. First, a plurality of reflection devices is placed to mark a range. A coordinate location and a direction of the movable platform are received by a positioning system, At least one laser to measure relative positions and distances between the reflection devices and the movable platform are emitted by a laser range finder, respectively. Absolute locations of the reflection devices and the range are calculated by a processor according to the coordinate location and the direction of the movable platform, the relative positions and the distances between the reflection devices and the movable platform. The reflection devices are scanned and tracked by the processor, and the coordinate location and the direction of the movable platform and the absolute locations are calibrated by the processor to control the movable platform to move in the range.

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: In at least one embodiment a system and a method for tracking locations for one of a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a communication module configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to detect the presence of a memory map device that provides map data for one or more locations capable of being visited by the secondary driver and to receive a location signal having coordinate data that corresponds to one or more locations visited by the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to store the coordinate data when the memory map device is not detected so that the coordinate data is available for transmission with the map data when the memory map device is detected.

Abstract: A positioning method in a positioning device includes: measuring a current position by receiving positioning signals transmitted from a plurality of positioning satellites and performing first positioning processing using a least square method; determining whether or not a result of the first positioning processing satisfies a positioning change condition set beforehand as a condition for change of positioning processing; and measuring the current position by receiving the positioning signals transmitted from the plurality of positioning satellites and performing second positioning processing using a Kalman filter after stopping the first positioning processing when it is determined that the result of the first positioning processing satisfies the positioning change condition.

Abstract: In a navigation method for tracking a second electronic device using a first electronic device, the first electronic device receives position information of the second electronic device. A position of the second electronic device is marked on a navigation map stored in the first electronic device. The first electronic device is directed to track the second electronic device according to the marked position on the navigation map.

Abstract: A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.

Abstract: Methods are provided for updating a digital road map in which road segments having segment lengths are stored. At least two vehicles are equipped with at least one respective onboard unit generating position readings. If a first set of position readings of a first onboard unit can be associated with a road segment, a first path length is determined based on the position readings of the first set. If a second set of position readings of a second onboard unit can be associated with the road segment, a second path length is determined based on the position readings of the second set. An average path length is calculated based on at least the first and second path lengths. If the average path length deviates from the stored segment length, the average path length is stored as an updated stored segment length of this road segment in the digital road map.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the length of a path traveled by a vehicle using an onboard unit that generates a sequence of position readings and a related position quality index for each position reading. A set of consecutive position readings is extracted from the sequence. Position readings are discarded having position quality indices falling below a threshold. A set quality index is determined based on the number of position readings of the set or on the position quality indices. If the set quality index exceeds a threshold, the path length is determined based on mutual distances of consecutive position readings of the set. Otherwise, the path length is determined using a digital road map composed of road segments by associating the position readings of the set with at least one road segment, and determining the path length based on the segment length of the at least one road segment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve content selection systems and methods using speech recognition. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a speech recognition method comprising receiving location parameters from a global positioning system, retrieving location data using the location parameters, and configuring one or more recognition sets of a speech recognizer using the location data.

Abstract: A routing system can be configured to determine a route based on availability and reliability of location reference devices to determine a most reliable route between a source and a destination. Visibility information that is indicative of availability of at least a threshold number of location reference devices along the route can be determined. For each of a plurality of routes between the source and the destination, a reliability rating associated with the route can be determined based on the visibility information associated with the route. The reliability rating is indicative of a reliability of the route and an ability of the routing system to maintain continuous connectivity to the at least the threshold number of location reference devices along the route. The reliability ratings of the plurality of routes are compared to identify and to present one of the plurality of routes with a highest reliability rating.

Abstract: A method for electronically generating driving directions. The method including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; indicating one or more preferences for the directions; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and one or more preferences; wherein at least one of the one or more preferences comprises one or more of an indication to use no roads of a certain type in the generated driving directions; an indication to generate driving directions that start from a nearest highway; an indication to generate driving directions that start from a named road or highway and/or an indication to generate driving directions that include a named road or highway.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to localizing mobile devices. In one example, a first location method associated with a first accuracy value may be used to estimate a location of the mobile device. A confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location is calculated. The confidence circle may be displayed on a mobile device. When other location methods become available, the size of the displayed confidence circle may be expanded based on information from an accelerometer of the client device or the accuracy of the other available location methods. This may be especially useful when the mobile device is transitioning between areas which are associated with different location methods that may be more or less accurate.

Abstract: A method of mapping a space using a combination of radar scanning and optical imaging. The method includes steps of providing a measurement vehicle having a radar system and an image acquisition system attached thereto; aligning a field of view of the radar system with a field of view of the image acquisition system; obtaining at least one radar scan of a space using the radar scanning system; obtaining at least one image of the space using the image acquisition system; and combining the at least one radar scan with the at least one image to construct a map of the space.

Abstract: An electronic system for providing personal navigation assistance to a user includes a first mobile electronic device having a first GPS module for generating first GPS data and an INS module for generating INS data, and a second mobile electronic device having a second GPS module for generating second GPS data. A wireless communication link allows for communication of data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. A processor combines the first GPS data, the second GPS data, and the INS data to produce calculated location data indicative of the location of a user at each of a plurality of times. An output component provides personal navigation assistance to a user based on the calculated location data, such as audio instructions.

Abstract: A collaborative GPS navigation system and method enables nearby vehicles to share and compare planned route for improving navigation. While navigating along a planned route, a navigation device on a first vehicle may detect a specific, slower-moving second vehicle. The navigation device on the first vehicle may obtain the planned route of the second vehicle, compare the two planned routes to identify a shared route segment, and dynamically revise the planned route and route metrics according to the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically adjusting a three-dimensional navigation system are provided. A method for automatically adjusting a display viewpoint for a three-dimensional navigation system may include receiving a velocity of a vehicle and a look-ahead distance between the vehicle and a look-ahead point, determining a range distance between the vehicle and the display viewpoint, determining the first position of the display viewpoint, displaying a three-dimensional view of a navigation route for the vehicle from the first position, receiving a change in the look-ahead distance, determining a new range distance, determining a second position of the display viewpoint, and automatically moving the position of the display viewpoint to the second position on a curvilinear swoop path located above and behind the vehicle. A corresponding system may include a navigation information collector, a range determiner and a display viewpoint adjuster.

Abstract: A mobile device requests map information to locate an item in a store. If the item is available, map information is sent to the mobile device. The map information includes directions to the item. If the item is not available, alternative item information is sent to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method of identifying an intersection for a collision warning system is disclosed. The method includes steps of selecting an identified intersection where a driver intends to turn from a set of potential intersections. The collision warning system is then controlled according to the identified intersection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation systems and elements. A network element (M) includes a receiver (M.2.2) for forming assistance data relating to at least one navigation system. The network element (M) inserts indication of the navigation system and a selected mode into the assistance data and constructs the assistance data according to the selected mode. The network element (M) has a transmitting element (M.3.1) for transmitting the assistance data via a communications network (P) to a device (R). The device (R) includes a positioning receiver (R.3) for performing positioning on the basis of one or more signals of the at least one satellite navigation system; a receiver (R.2.2) for receiving the assistance data from the network element (M); and an examining element (R.1.1) adapted to examine the received assistance data. The assistance data is adapted to be used by the positioning receiver for performing positioning of the device (R).

Abstract: Provided are an augmented reality eyeglass communication device and a method for facilitating shopping using an augmented reality eyeglass communication device. The augmented reality eyeglass communication device may comprise a frame, and a right earpiece and a left earpiece connected to the frame. Furthermore, the eyeglass communication device may comprise a processor configured to receive one or more commands of a user, perform operations associated with the commands of the user, receive product information, and process the product information. The eyeglass communication device may comprise a display connected to the frame and configured to display data received from the processor. In addition to that, the eyeglass communication device may comprise a transceiver electrically connected to the processor and configured to receive and transmit data over a wireless network.

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: Promotional or informational materials are selected for presentation to mobile device users based at least in part on knowledge about where those users intend to go. If a user performs a points-of-interest search that evinces a particular intent, then the mobile device can select informational materials that are associated with that particular intent, and then display those informational materials. The informational materials selected can be limited to those that are mapped to a point of interest that the searching user selected from a list of points of interest that are relevant to the user's specified intent. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device might display only the informational materials that are mapped to a particular point of interest in response to detecting that the user has entered within a specified proximity of that particular point of interest, as determined through a global positioning system of the user's mobile device.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method capable of reducing a communication cost for tracking a location of construction equipment by controlling a transmission cycle of locational information of the construction equipment. To this end, the present disclosure provides a method for tracking a location of construction equipment by using a tracking vehicle, including: transmitting locational information from the construction equipment at a predetermined transmission cycle; calculating a distance between the construction equipment and the tracking vehicle based on the locational information received from the construction equipment; and if the calculated distance is less than a predetermined value, commanding that a transmission cycle of the locational information of the construction equipment be made shorter than a predetermined transmission cycle.

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

Abstract: An integrated map and navigation program is described. The program provides a first operational mode for browsing and searching a map. The program provides a second operational mode for providing a navigation presentation that provides a set of navigation directions along a navigated route by reference to the map.

Abstract: A system for determining a safe maximum speed of an vehicle has a processor and a global positioning system receiver in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to determine a grade and distance to an end of an upcoming or a current road segment the vehicle is traveling on based on the global positioning system information received from the global positioning system receiver. The processor is further configured to determine the safe maximum speed of the vehicle based on the distance to the end and pitch of the grade of the upcoming or current road segment the vehicle is traveling on and the braking efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation method includes steps of calculating a first coordinate of a first position; taking the first coordinate to be a center of a predetermined range and calculating a first map data within the predetermined range according to a zoom scale of a map scale; downloading the first map data from a map server; storing the first map data; using the first map data to render a first graphic user interface map corresponding to the first coordinate; and displaying the first graphic user interface map.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle navigation accurately calculates travel times between locations and serves a vehicle driver request for the shortest time route. A navigation server compiles data of common road segments between two locations that are contained in route requests and subsequently calculates travel time between the two locations. When subsequent route requests contain further information pertaining to the same locations, the navigation server updates the travel time. Consequently, the navigation server can calculate the travel times of different routes from the same source vehicle location and destination location. When a vehicle driver requests directions from the vehicle's current location to a destination, the navigation server then provides directions for the shortest time route to the vehicle driver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating position location of a mobile device.

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

Abstract: A steering system for a work vehicle towing a towed implement is described. A steering control unit is coupled to a location signal generation arrangement on the vehicle, a steering actuator, a memory for storing desired path data of the implement and a slope sensor for detecting a lateral inclination of the work vehicle or the implement. The steering control unit calculates a lateral offset compensation value to steer the work vehicle such that the implement is moved on the desired path and a slope offset compensation value based upon a signal from the tilt sensor to compensate for slope forces pulling the implement down a lateral slope. A steering signal is sent to the steering actuator based upon the lateral offset compensation value and the slope offset compensation value.

Abstract: A method for measuring certain parameters of the impulse response of a propagation channel involving emitters and reflectors that are fixed or mobile, and for detecting and determining the parameters regarding the position and kinematics of the emitters and reflectors, or for auto-locating the reception system implementing the invention, in a system comprising N sensors receiving signals from the emitters or from the reflection on the reflectors. The method determines an ambiguity function which couples the spatial analysis and the delay-distance/Doppler-kinematic analysis, and determines at least one sufficient statistic ?(l,m,K) corresponding to the correlation between the known signal s(kTe) corresponding to the complex envelope of the signal emitted and the output of a filter w(l,m) where l corresponds to a temporal assumption and m corresponds to a frequency assumption.

Abstract: An indication method indicates position of an electronic device on an electronic map. The electronic device includes a global positioning system (GPS) and an e-compass. The method detects a position and an orientation of the electronic device using the GPS and the e-compass, indicates the detected position on an electronic map on a display screen of the electronic device, and marks the detected position and the detected orientation of the electronic device in the electronic map. Upon the condition that the detected direction is initialized, a default orientation of the electronic device is pointed North and the electronic map is initially oriented accordingly, the indication method then adjusts the electronic map as needed according to the detected orientation of the electronic device, and displays the adjusted electronic map on the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a static and dynamic contours. A method includes rendering a contour map including static contours and dynamic contours, and displaying the contour map on a device to a user. A Global Positioning System (GPS) device includes a processor coupled with an input device, memory, and the display, and the processor linked to a GPS receiver coupled with a GPS antenna, the memory including a vector source database, a parameter source database and a contour map process to render a topographic map comprising static contour lines and dynamic contour lines.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for driver performance assessment and improvement. The systems and methods may be: active for warning purposes only; passive for monitoring purposes only; and active and passive. Any of the foregoing system and methods may be cooperative as well.

Abstract: A method, navigation unit and map update server for updating navigation map data are disclosed. Navigation map update data is received from a navigation unit using mobile communications. The navigation map update data is obtained by detecting the position of a vehicle, calculating a route for the vehicle to a destination using the navigation map data and detecting when the calculated route to the destination is left. If so, the method begins storing position data until the vehicle is back on the calculated route, on a recalculated route to the destination from an actual position, or when it has reached the destination. Furthermore, the method comprises evaluating the stored position data to obtain navigation map update data. Navigation map update data is kept local for a geographically limited area corresponding to an area serviced by a network node in the cellular communication network.

Abstract: Navigational routing is generated incorporating an estimation of future traffic conditions. The future traffic conditions are estimated based on historical traffic data, e.g., obtained over a recent period of time. The system provides navigational routing based on historical traffic data incorporated into a calculated route of travel. The historical data is used to calculate a probability that given roads along the route will be problematic at a certain time of the day, i.e., at the time, day of week, and place that you would be expected to be traveling on that certain road. Accordingly, historical traffic data is used to help determine a best route based on the probability of certain roads being problematic at a certain time of day.

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: An information processing unit displays a pop-up window in a display area of a display unit when the own vehicle is in an area of a set distance or less away from an extracted intersection, when the own vehicle stops, when a brake switch is ON, and when a display request for an image of traffic conditions of vehicles at the intersection by the driver is recognized. If an accelerator operation is performed in a predetermined way after the pop-up window is displayed, the display of the pop-up window is finished.