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

Abstract: Navigation system and method comprising a server system with a navigation server (6) and a host server (7) connected to internet, having a first cartographic database (61) and a first routing engine, a mobile device (8) having geolocating means to determine a current location, having a second cartographic database (81) and a second routing engine, wherein the mobile device transmits a routing request to the remote server system, wherein the server system calculates a primary route (4) from the current location (3) to the destination point (2), said primary route comprising a list of maneuvering points each maneuvering point, wherein the server system calculates a list of waypoints located on the primary route, spaced away from the maneuvering points, the second routing engine establishing therefrom a secondary route (5), based on the waypoints and on the second cartographic database.

Abstract: A portable terminal having an audio pickup means that acquires sound, an absolute position detection unit that detects the absolute position of the portable terminal, a relative position detection unit that detects the relative position of the portable terminal, and a speech recognition and synthesis unit that recognizes the audio acquired by the audio pickup means as speech, is achieved with a simple configuration. A portable terminal (1) that exchanges data with a server (2) has disposed to the portable terminal an audio pickup means that acquires sound, an absolute position detection unit (1-1) that detects the absolute position of the portable terminal, a relative position detection unit (1-2) that detects the relative position of the portable terminal, and a speech recognition and synthesis unit (1-3) that recognizes the audio acquired by the audio pickup means as speech.

Abstract: A method for providing navigation information, a machine-readable storage medium, a mobile terminal and a server are provided. The method includes generating a preview image captured by a camera and location information of the mobile terminal; transmitting the preview image and location information to a server, receiving, from the server, route guide information generated based on the preview image and the location information, and displaying the route guide information to a user.

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

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

Abstract: A method for maintaining vehicle-resident map information may include, in a vehicle with at least one communications processor integrated within the vehicle, the at least one communications processor being operable to receive wireless transmissions including map information from a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle, obtaining GPS information relating to the vehicle. The map information received by the at least one communications processor may be downloaded from the remote location. A map corresponding to the map information, and an indication of the current vehicle location may be displayed within the map, based on the GPS information. The map information may correspond to the GPS information. Road information may be wirelessly transmitted to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

Abstract: A client navigation system establishes a wireless connection to a navigation server on a computer network. The client requests a route by uploading start and stop specifications. The server calculates an optimal route based on real-time data available on the network. A generic natural language description is used to specify the optimal route downloaded to the client. The natural language description is independent from the local mapping database software on the client and includes a plain text description for each link using pre-defined generic terms. The client interprets the route, interfaces with the local mapping database and reconstructs the optimal route using a mapping reconstruction algorithm. The route is displayed on the client navigation system using whatever mapping database is present.

Abstract: A method for distributed traffic navigation in a vehicular network is presented. At each vehicle entering the network, information associated with the vehicular network is acquired and stored, and destination addresses are broadcasted as route requests. At each vehicle in the network, the stored information is updated through vehicle to vehicle communication. At each junction, a header vehicle is selected for listening for broadcasts to determine the presence of a matrix. If the matrix is not present, the matrix is initialized based on the stored information of the header vehicle. The header vehicle further estimates travel time on the road segments based on the matrix, calculates a backlog indicator based on the segment travel time and the route requests. The header vehicle further updates the matrix and generates a route based on the matrix. The matrix is broadcasted from the header vehicle.

Abstract: A method and hold path computation system for automatically generating a hold path for an aircraft flying in a holding pattern, wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area are provided. The system includes a processor configured to receive a hold departure time indicating a time the aircraft is to leave the hold path to meet a required time of arrival (RTA) at a waypoint, determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern, and determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit. The processor is also configured such that if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than or equal to the hold departure time, maintain the aircraft flying in the holding pattern and determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time.

Abstract: A method of providing navigational information includes the step of processing destination information spoken by a user of a mobile processing system and transmitting the processed voice information via a wireless link to a remote data center. The processed voice information is analyzed with a voice recognition system at the remote data center to recognize components of the destination information spoken by the user. The remote data center generates a list of hypothetical recognized components of the destination information listed by confidence levels as calculated for each component of the destination information analyzed by the voice recognition system. The remote data center determines if a confidence score is below a recognition confidence value and, if the confidence score is below the recognition confidence value, transmits an automated request to have the user speak the destination information again.

Abstract: Navigation systems and vehicles for providing traffic information pertaining to pre-defined locations of interest are provided. A navigation system or a vehicle may present a traffic location input control on a display of the navigation system or vehicle, detect a tactile input indicative of a selection of a traffic location icon shown on the display, and automatically provide traffic information pertaining to a location of interest associated with the selected traffic location icon. A navigation system or a vehicle may determine a route between a current position and the farther of a first pre-defined location of interest and a second pre-defined location of interest, provide traffic information pertaining to the determined route, and deactivate turn-by-turn navigation.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing a list of alternate diversion airports that is based on up-to-date and accurate information received electronically at the aircraft. The list of alternate diversion airports may be prioritized according to a normal mode when the aircraft is operating under normal flight conditions, or a non-normal mode when the aircraft is operating in an emergency situation. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system includes an alternate airport diversion planner program that generates the list of alternate diversion airports based on diversion planning information received at an aircraft. The alternate airport diversion planner program subsequently receives periodic updates of the diversion planning information, which is used to update the list of alternate diversion airports that is provided to a pilot of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining an ecological route attribute, in which at least one current energy consumption value is determined by a motor vehicle. A current measurement location is determined by the motor vehicle. An ecological location attribute, which includes the measurement location and the current energy consumption value, is formed by the motor vehicle and transmitted to a central processor. An ecological route attribute is determined by the central processor on the basis of a plurality of received ecological location attributes, which in each case includes a measurement location, which ecological route attribute describes an energy consumption on a route section which has a prescribed spatial relationship with the measurement locations.

Abstract: An electronic map device apparatus, and an associated method, creates a route between a route source and a route destination for display at the electronic map device. Locations, area, and features that a user does not desire to encounter during travel along the route are identified and form exclusion information. The exclusion information is entered by way of a user interface. The exclusion information is utilized in the formation of the selected route. A mapping that identifies the selected route is displayed at a display device of the user interface.

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

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

Abstract: A method for providing a notification includes receiving a notification request at a central location. The notification request includes an audible message, a notification time, and a destination. The audible message is stored at the central location and associated with the notification time and destination. A current time is determined and compared with the determined notification time. The method further includes connecting a telephone call to the destination based on the determination and transmitting the stored audible message to the destination during the telephone call based on the connection.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods of automated speech recognition (ASR) for voice destination entry (VDE) include open voice searching (natural language searching) of destinations. A first part uses a server-based automated speech recognizer. The second part is client-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) processing. Thus, techniques include a hybrid VDE solution that provides users with an accurate and flexible way to use speech recognition technologies. A server-based speech recognizer executes the open-search task, while a client-based recognizer refines the results from the server to deliver an optimized result. This system and method significantly improves recognition accuracy for dictation engine based POI search of Chinese Mandarin input and input from other languages. Moreover, the methods herein largely improve the user experience by allowing users to say a partial POI name, and abbreviation, or even say a POI name in a reversed word order.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for identifying a location of interest between a user and an identified endpoint and creating a user preference profile containing at least one location of interest to the user. A sampling bandwidth is designated based on current distance to the identified endpoint, wherein the navigation unit dynamically expands the sampling bandwidth as the user approaches within a predetermined distance of the endpoint. At least one user preference profile location of interest is selected that is within the sampling bandwidth that is between the user and the indentified endpoint. A sampling vector is computed for the at least one location of interest within the sampling bandwidth, and the user is alerted to the sampling vector for the at least one location of interest within the sampling bandwidth.

Abstract: A center apparatus stores, in an associated manner, a special link passed by a navigation apparatus and a recommended route that would otherwise be traveled by the navigation apparatus if the navigation apparatus did not travel along the special link. The center apparatus may also receive a route search request from the navigation apparatus. Based on a start point and a destination provided in the route search request, the center apparatus calculates, as a searched route, a route between the start point and the destination. When the searched route calculated matches a recommended route stored in the center apparatus, the center apparatus calculates, as a special route, a route that includes the special link that is associated with the recommended route matching with the searched route, and transmits the special route to the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: An information providing device, having a route acquisition unit that acquires a reference travel route between two points, a route finding unit that finds a fuel-saving travel route between the two points, a fuel cost calculating unit that calculates a difference in cost of fuel between the reference travel route and the fuel-saving travel route based on fuel consumption and a fee of fuel, a communication cost calculating unit that calculates a communication cost concerning the fuel-saving travel route, and a control unit that executes control for transmitting predetermined information to a terminal device based on the result of a comparison between the difference in cost of fuel and the communication cost.

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

Abstract: A method of providing navigational information includes processing destination information spoken by a mobile processing system user. The processed voice information is transmitted to a remote center wirelessly. The processed voice information is voice recognition analyzed to recognize components of the destination information spoken. The remote center generates a list of hypothetical recognized components of the destination information listed by confidence levels. The list of hypothetical recognized components is displayed with confidence levels at the remote center for selective checking by a human data center operator. A component set is selected based on the confidence levels and accuracy of the selected set is confirmed by interactive voice exchanges. A destination is determined from confirmed components of the destination information.

Abstract: A method of providing location information through a navigation device, the method including: obtaining location information from the Internet; and converting the obtained location information into data that can be used in the navigation device.

Abstract: A navigation system for exploring and/or monitoring unknown and/or difficult environments is provided that includes a mission control module, an unmanned vehicle operable for carrying out the exploration and/or monitoring mission, a primary node coupled to the mission control module that includes an ultra-wideband radio interface, and a plurality of secondary nodes for deployment in the unknown and/or difficult environment, each secondary node including an ultra-wideband radio interface. The primary node and secondary nodes are configured to form a hierarchical communication and localization network in which the primary node is associated with a primary hierarchical level and each secondary node is associated with a respective secondary hierarchical level lower than the primary hierarchical level.

Abstract: A road-vehicle communication system enabling resumption of the transmission/reception from the rest of data between the vehicle and the road if the transmission/reception is interrupted. Specifically, the road-vehicle communication system includes a roadside apparatus for distributing a content and a vehicle-mounted device which can play a distributed content, the roadside apparatus is connected communicatively with the vehicle-mounted device, and a series of contents are distributed from the roadside apparatus to the vehicle-mounted device. The roadside apparatus includes a control unit for determining a content which the roadside apparatus starts transmitting to the vehicle-mounted device, which is a communication party, from among the series of contents and distributing the other contents succeeding the determined transmission start content. Thus, if the transmission/reception of data between the road and vehicle is interrupted, the transmission/reception can be resumed.

Abstract: A map-centric service for creating, finding, and organizing social events is described. Social events may include gatherings, goods or services for sale or other types of events about which a group of people may wish to share information. The service provides a graphical indication of the location of a plurality of social events superimposed on a map, providing a geographic context to social events. The geographic context may be augmented with text graphical indications or information in other forms, further identifying characteristics of the social event. Information about social events may be made accessible to multiple users through a web service. A user may search for social events by specifying desired characteristics of the social event. The service can also generate an optimal route for user selected events.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a navigation system comprising the following method steps: a) calculating a route from a point of departure to a destination, said route being composed of a succession of route segments and junctions between the route segments and being selected by means of a route calculation process from a database in which a geographical region is described by route segments and junctions; b) calculating at least one maneuvering instruction which contains instructions for the user to follow the route starting from the current position; c) optically and/or acoustically outputting the maneuvering instruction in an output device, wherein prior to and/or during the calculation and/or prior to and/or during the output of the maneuvering instruction, a configuration file is read and interpreted by an interpretation module, and wherein configuring preset data for calculating and/or outputting the maneuvering instruction are stored in the configuration file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimation of roadway travel information based on historical travel data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for estimating travel conditions may comprise, for example, a communication network; an automobile navigation system communicatively coupled to the communication network, the automobile navigation system for specifying a future travel information for travel along the desired route on the desired date; and a processor communicatively coupled to the communication network, the processor estimating travel conditions associated with the desired route on the desired date, and the processor performing said estimation by correlating the future travel information with historical travel information.

Abstract: A method for providing wireless connection conditions to a mobile vehicle, including receiving navigation route information at a call center; determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received route; and transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions associated with the navigation route to the mobile vehicle. Another example provides a computer usable medium and program code, including program code for receiving navigation route information at a call center; program code for determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received route; and program code for transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions. Another example provides a system including means for receiving navigation route information at a call center, means for determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received navigation route, and means for transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus associates a tentative searching condition for searching for a tentative route with each of a plurality of server searching conditions which are used by a route distribution server to search for a server route from a departure point to a destination. The navigation apparatus includes a tentative route searcher which searches for the tentative route under the tentative searching condition that is associated with one of the server searching conditions which is sent to the route distribution server.

Abstract: Aiding preparation and management of aircraft missions includes receiving digital data including avionic type data and open-world type data and comparing the digital data with a set of stored data. When at least one item of the digital data differs from an equivalent item in the set of stored data, a change indicator is generated for at least one parameter of the aircraft. In response to a command accepting the change of the at least one parameter, item of digital data, that differs from the equivalent item in the set of stored data, is stored.

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.

Abstract: A system serving a remotely accessible page includes a server and the remotely accessible page operatively connected to the server. The remotely accessible page includes a first activation option for initiating a navigation function utilizing no starting point or a starting point entered by a user, and a second activation option for initiating a navigation function utilizing a starting point obtained by the system from a vehicle.

Abstract: A process for determining a route along more than two mutually consecutive preset path points with given connecting routes in-between. In this case, a plurality of connecting routes is given between at least one pair of two mutually consecutive path points. Respective costs and preferably also a respective time duration are assigned to each connecting route. In a first step of the process, a tree is generated which comprises edges and nodes connected by edges. Each node is assigned to a defined path point and each edge corresponds to a connecting route. The route is determined based on a selection of edges of the tree.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic determination of optimal route delivery receives a point of interest location, a current vehicle location, and a date of first set of route directions from a telematics unit over a wireless network by a software application running on a navigation server. The application accesses the first set of route directions and a second set of route directions from a database located on a telematics service provider premises. Both the first and second set of route directions are between the current vehicle location and the point of interest. If there is a traffic obstacle along a route between the current vehicle location and the point of interest location and the traffic obstacle was implemented after the first set of directions, a live advisor sends a notification to a user and provides the user with an alternate method of delivering route directions over the wireless network.

Abstract: Path-relevant information is provided by a backend server system to a vehicle without an input or request from the vehicle operator. Program applications, including a web browser application, records vehicle route data in a local memory during vehicle travel. Such vehicle route data may include current GPS coordinates, time of day, day of week, etc. The recorded vehicle route data may then be used to locally generate one or more route prediction models. A predicted vehicle route may be generated from the route prediction models. Once a vehicle route has been predicted, coordinate data corresponding to the predicted route may be transmitted to a backend server. Thereafter, path-relevant information, based on the transmitted coordinate data, may then be received from the backend server, and without the vehicle operator having to provide any input or request.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is performed by a navigation system. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained in a native language from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. The parts-of-speech of the preferred name are identified and converted into a target language text providing the preferred name in a target language. A guidance message includes the target language text in the target language.

Abstract: An in-vehicle navigation apparatus transmits a present position, a destination, and a version number of in-vehicle map data stored in an in-vehicle map storage portion to a map difference data distribution apparatus. The map difference data distribution apparatus calculates a route from the present position and destination received from the in-vehicle navigation apparatus, compares a version number of map data stored in a center map storage portion with the received version number of the in-vehicle map data to prepare map difference data of map elements contained in the route, and distributes the prepared map difference data to the in-vehicle navigation apparatus.

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.

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: An efficient route-defining method includes determining a route to a destination. The exemplary method also includes determining a wireless device to server connection type and assigning a tolerance in accordance with a connection type. The tolerance is usable to determine if a vehicle is off-route, and the tolerance is increased or decreased inversely corresponding to the speed of the connection type. According to the illustrative method, the assigned tolerance is used to determine points defining the route, such that the roads comprising the route are within a bounded area. The bounded area may be defined by the tolerance in conjunction with a plurality of lines connecting successive points along the route. Finally, the method includes delivering the determined points to a vehicle computing system in communication with the server.

Abstract: In a communication type navigation system, a center apparatus receives a present position and destination from an in-vehicle navigation apparatus and thereby calculates a route by searching map data, which is constantly updated. The in-vehicle navigation apparatus receives the calculated route with course information from the center apparatus. When approaching a passing point included in the route, the navigation apparatus displays the course information in the travel direction in superimposition on a forward image around the passing point. The route guide can be thus appropriately performed to follow an actual road state. The above configuration of the system helps prevent problems in costs and workloads resulting from an in-vehicle navigation apparatus holding map data therein.

Abstract: Provided is a method, wireless communication device and computer program product for generation and communication of a geographic route from a first device to a second device. The method involves presenting a reference map using the first device; receiving route input using the first device, said route input indicative of the geographic route relative to the reference map; processing said route input with respect to a reference coordinate system to generate processed route information indicative of the geographic route; and communicating said processed route information to the second device. The method may further involve receiving and processing processed route information, using the second device, the processing performed at least in part based on the reference coordinate system and an output reference map to generate route output indicative of the geographic route relative to the output reference map; and presenting said route output using the second device.

Abstract: An input apparatus which presents examples suitable to users, including an example storage module to store a plurality of example expressions; an edit storage module to store edits when a user edits the plurality of example expressions; a presentation example determining module to determine one or more presentation examples to be presented to the user from the plurality of example expressions stored in the example storage module; an edit adapting module to edit the presentation examples determined by the presentation example determining module based on the edits stored in the edit storage module; a display control module to present the presentation examples determined by the presentation example determining module to the user; and an entry accepting module to accept one of the presentation examples as a selected example when one of the presentation examples is selected by the user, or to receive edits from the user to one of the presentation examples and accept the edited presentation example as the selected

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: The described method and system for providing navigation assistance to a user of a mobile navigation system includes presenting a web interface to the user, the web interface having one or more user-selectable fields including a destination field. Through the interface, the user can identify a desired destination and download data associated with the destination to a database associated with a call center. Later, the user may download the data to their mobile navigation device, e.g., their vehicle telematics unit, for navigational assistance. In an implementation, such assistance is provided in the form of turn-by-turn directions.