Abstract: A system may include a processing device and a routing application included on the processing device. The routing application may be configured to receive a destination location for a vehicle; determine a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and determine a route for the vehicle from a current location to the destination location, the route being based on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, a fuel capacity of the vehicle, an amount of fuel remaining for the vehicle, and navigation information including the location of at least one charging station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining available providers is disclosed. One embodiment includes communicating with a plurality of third party data storage units, at least one of the plurality of third party data storage units comprising user preference data for a vehicle, retrieving the user preference data from a remote location, and facilitating storage of the user preference data. Some embodiments include utilizing the user preference data to predict a likely current destination and providing, by a vehicle computing device, data related to the likely current destination to a user.

Abstract: In a train information display system that displays an operation information on each train in a train, a ground system adds the information on the degree of influence on the passengers of each train to the operation information, and transmits the resultant operation information to a transmission-reception device. A content data server stores in advance, as normal-time display information, at least one of advertisement information and destination guidance information that are to be displayed during normal operations. Instruction output devices instruct content display units to display the operation information and normal-time display information in a display sequence corresponding to the influence information received by the transmission-reception device.

Abstract: A vehicle user interface system comprises a vehicle location determining component, a jurisdiction determining component, a user input component, and a controller. The vehicle location determining component is configured to determine a current location of the vehicle. The jurisdiction determining component is configured to determine a current jurisdiction based on the current location of the vehicle, and to select a policy setting based on the current jurisdiction. The user input component is configured to receive information used by the vehicle user interface system to perform system operations. The controller is configured to control availability of the system operations for performance by the vehicle user interface system based on the selected policy setting.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus mounted to a vehicle is provided. The driving assistance apparatus includes: an information acquisition component configured to acquire information on at least one of a route condition in a predetermined region of a future travel path of the vehicle, a present vehicle condition, and a past operation condition; a prediction component configured to predict, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition component, whether fuel efficiency of the vehicle is degraded in the future travel path; and a notification component configured to notify an operation for improvement of the fuel efficiency of the vehicle to an occupant of the vehicle in advance in cases where the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is predicted to be degraded in the future travel path.

Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a portable electronic device entails requesting map data that includes label data for at least one map label for a map feature known alternatively by a first name and a second name. The method further involves determining, based on a predetermined criterion, which of the first name and the second name is to be displayed on the portable electronic device. The predetermined criterion may be, for example, the current location of the device, a carrier identifier, or a personal identifier containing geographically relevant information from which a preferred map label may be inferred.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for flexibly adjusting a navigation path and a device thereof. The method is applied to a navigation device, and the navigation device may obtain current position information and speed information through a satellite positioning module, then access a map corresponding to the current position information from a map database, continuously the navigation device defines a specific scope adjacent to the vehicle thereof and accesses corresponding traffic sign messages as a changing time in the specific scope from a traffic sign database, then plans a plurality of paths, and respectively calculates the total travel time of each path according to the current speed information and sign features corresponding to traffic signs so as to choose a path with a shortest total travel time as a best navigation path and avoid a path with traffic lights or railroad crossing lights.

Abstract: A system for assisting the braking system of a vehicle includes a processor, a global position system receiver in communication with the processor, and an antenna for receiving global positioning system signals. The processor may be configured to determine the braking efficiency of the vehicle, collecting global positioning system information from the global position system receiver, determine a distance to an end of a grade of a road the vehicle is traveling based on the global positioning system information, determine if there is a possibility of failure of the braking system of the vehicle based on the braking efficiency of the vehicle and the distance to the end of the grade of the road the vehicle is traveling on, and execute a mitigating action to prevent braking failure.

Abstract: In a navigation device in accordance with the invention, user profiles may be stored and used to navigate a user who may be driving in a vehicle, on foot, or in other mode of transportation. Each user profile corresponds to one of the user's personae. For example, the user business profile corresponding to the user's business persona may be different from the user personal profile corresponding to the user's personal persona. For instance, the user business profile may include fine-dining type restaurants for business meetings while the user personal profile may instead include fast-food type restaurants for personal dining. The inventive navigation device provides the user with a navigated route, together with information concerning the favorite facilities and events surrounding the navigated route, which satisfy the preferences in a selected user profile. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, blockages may also be established using the device to avoid selected areas, e.g.

Abstract: In a hydraulic shovel positional guidance system, an optimal work position calculation unit is configured to calculate an optimal work position of a main vehicle body where a diggable range in which a target surface and an operability range overlap is largest. A display unit is configured to display a guidance picture showing the optimal work position.

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

Abstract: The data exchange between two or more navigation devices allows a highly automated coordination of routes of navigation devices. The calculation of a route may be based on the GPS data and additionally on the positional data received from another navigation system to provide, for example, for a rendezvous function with a minimum activity from the users of the navigation devices.

Abstract: Two-way communication between a mobile device and a server is used to provide increased relevance of traffic information at lower bandwidth. The complexity, amount of storage and processing power required of the mobile navigation device are minimized, since the server performs much of the required computing. A transactional billing model can be used to bill the driver based on usage or consumption of traffic information. A driver selects a destination and routing preferences on a mobile device, and the local system generates a routing. The mobile device sends the planned route and preferences to a server. The server uses real-time traffic flow and incident information to determine an estimated driving time for the planned route. The server may also generate alternative routes, with an estimated time for each alternative route. The traffic and time information for the planned and alternative routes are then transmitted back to the mobile device.

Abstract: When a vehicle is located within the area of coverage of a radio station, a navigation system outputs audio guidance on the basis of traffic information received from the radio station, provided a predetermined audio output condition related to a congested area is satisfied or stores the traffic information in a storage section if the predetermined audio output condition is not satisfied. Then, when the vehicle is located outside of the area of coverage of the radio station, the navigation system outputs the stored traffic information as audio guidance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity warning message. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system for a flight vehicle includes a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the flight vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature. An interface device is coupled to the processor that is operable to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed.

Abstract: A system for estimating the most probable path followed by a vehicle on a road network, including a device for acquiring a data element for locating the vehicle on the road network; a map of the territory through which the road network passes, comprising data indicative of the corresponding designated use of a plurality of areas of territory associated with the sections of the road network; and a processing unit arranged to assign an improved travel probability to a road section as a function of the designated use of the area of territory associated with the aforesaid road section. The system calculates the most probable path for the vehicle according to the improved probabilities assigned to the consecutive road sections. A method for estimating the most probable path followed by a vehicle on a road network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A navigation device mounted in a vehicle determines a traffic condition when the vehicle travels in a road zone along a facility, and determines whether a payment terminal mounted in the vehicle has made a payment through communication with a facility terminal installed in the facility. If it is determined that a payment has been made through communication, then probe data is generated that associates the traffic condition in the road zone with a payment service of the facility.

Abstract: A route planning system comprises a receiver component that receives a request for directions between a beginning point and a destination point. An analysis component analyzes a traffic system representation that varies as context varies and outputs expected amounts of travel time between the beginning point and the destination point for multiple contexts based at least in part upon the analysis. A method is described herein that includes techniques for searching over routes and trip start times simultaneously so as to identity start times and routes associated with maximal expected value, or equivalently minimum expected cost, given preferences encoded about one or more of the leaving time, the travel time, and the arrival time.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a potential route from a current location to a destination; assigning a steady state change indicator to a route characteristic of the potential route for maintaining a steady state of a vehicle; calculating a total steady state change for the potential route based on the steady state change indicator; and determining a selected route based on the potential route with the total steady state change that is the lowest for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Disclosed is drive mode guide system for a vehicle provided with a plurality of drive modes. More specifically, a road information storage unit stores information related a road state. A real-time information storage unit receives and stores environmental information in real time. A vehicle information storage unit stores information related to the vehicle. A control unit then extracts a possible-traveling path and a drive mode and an outputs the possible-traveling path and a suggested drive mode received from the control unit based on the information stored in the road information storage unit, the real-time information storage unit, and the vehicle information storage unit.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: sending a meeting proposal to a participant calendar with the meeting proposal having a meeting location and a meeting start time; determining a prior location from the participant calendar; calculating a participant travel time for traversing between the prior location and the meeting location; and scheduling the meeting proposal on the participant calendar based on the participant travel time not exceeding the meeting start time for displaying on a device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing travel-related information associated with a calendar appointment is presented. The method comprises monitoring a calendar application for travel-related appointments. In response to identifying a travel-related appointment, the method retrieves travel-related information associated with a location of the travel-related appointment and provides the travel-related information to a user.

Abstract: A remote server receives traffic data from a plurality of probe vehicles traveling on roadways. The remote server stores the received traffic data in a regular lane database and/or a carpool lane database. The remote server differentiates the received traffic data for storage in the appropriate database based on the number of probe vehicles associated with each speed pattern observed within the received traffic data.

Abstract: In an on-vehicle information providing device including an input device 1 for inputting information corresponding to operation, on-vehicle information equipment 2 for executing processing corresponding to the information input, an active safety system 3 for monitoring surrounding conditions of the vehicle and generating caution information, a liquid crystal display device 4 for displaying a processing result of the on-vehicle information equipment, and a head-up display (HUD) 5 for displaying the information delivered from the on-vehicle information equipment or from active safety system, the on-vehicle information equipment sends, if any display interrupt request is made from the active safety system during execution of the display processing onto the HUD, a display switching control request to the HUD by suspending the display processing, and the HUD switches from a state of displaying the information from the on-vehicle information equipment to a state of displaying the information from the active safety s

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 communicating navigational information to a telematics unit. The method comprises receiving route requirements; calculating a plurality of portions of a route, each portion calculated according to different sets of criteria, the criteria determined from the route requirements; and sending the plurality of portions to the telematics unit. The portions of the route can be provided to the telematics unit sequentially, with non-final portions including a trigger for indicating to the telematics unit when to request the next portion. The portions can also be provided to the telematics unit as a complete route comprising concatenated route portions.

Abstract: A representative point corresponding to geometry of the road on which the vehicle is traveling is calculated based on positional information on a stationary target detected by a radar, and based on positional information of the calculated representative points, left and right side corresponding straight lines that correspond to left and right side edges of the road are calculated. With one of the corresponding straight lines that has a most distal end more proximal to the vehicle than that of the other being set as a reference corresponding straight line, information on curving geometry of the road is detected based on positional information on a representative point within a process targeted area that is sandwiched between the left and the right side corresponding straight lines and extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle and is also distal to the most distal end of the reference corresponding straight line.

Abstract: A method of providing weather information for an aircraft trajectory to a flight management system (FMS) includes selecting a unique subset of temperature data points from weather data points along an aircraft trajectory and sending corresponding weather data points to the FMS.

Abstract: A rush hour modeling system that is configured for modifying existing travel time/distance data to reflect special traffic conditions, such as rush hour traffic conditions. The system is configured to receive information defining one or more time windows, geographic areas, and road segments in which special traffic conditions occur. The system is also configured to receive travel rules that reflect the special traffic conditions. The travel rules are used to modify a travel time/distance matrix to reflect the effect of the special traffic conditions on “normal” travel times and distances. Existing routing and scheduling systems can then use the modified travel matrix to plan and schedule routes for delivery vehicles more accurately. Additionally, the modified travel matrix can be used to model traffic conditions through a particular geographic area or on a particular road segment.

Abstract: A weather alert manager is used to provide real-time, site specific information to a user regarding weather and possibly other hazards. The weather alert manager compares meteorological data, a user profile including information on points of interest to the user, and geographical data to determine if weather will impact one or more of the user's points of interest. The user's points of interest include at least one mobile point of interest, which periodically transmits its location. The weather alert manager transmits a user alert message if one is needed, and a remote receiver notifies the user that a message has been received.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing missed approaches to runways. In one advantageous embodiment, an event requiring missing an approach to a runway by an aircraft is monitored for, while the movement of the aircraft along a route is being controlled by a flight management system. Responsive to detecting the event, a location of the aircraft is identified to form an identified location. The identified location of the aircraft is compared to a plurality of waypoints for a plurality of missed approach routes to identify an active waypoint in the plurality of waypoints closest to the aircraft to form an identified waypoint. A missed approach route from the plurality of missed approach routes associated with the identified waypoint is executed for the aircraft.

Abstract: Estimating a vehicle's driving range by combined processing of measured and calculated range data. A measured range it is adjusted to account for processes not included in the original measurements. These adjustments may include changes in road surface, terrain elevation, aerodynamic drag, or other losses. The resulting model is thus relative to the conditions used in quantifying vehicle range by calculating contributions that either penalize or enhance the measured range. This method is implemented in a software system that can also provide real-time display of the range for both a single trip or a contour that illustrates what the range is for all directions.

Abstract: A method of providing emergency route guidance to guide users away from a disaster includes receiving from a user a request for emergency route guidance through a user interface of a portable electronic device. The method further includes determining the current location of the portable electronic device with a position receiving device, presenting a list of possible disaster types to the user through the user interface of the portable electronic device, and receiving a selected disaster type from the user. At least one suggested route is generated for the user to follow using route software of the portable electronic device according to the selected disaster type and the current location of the portable electronic device. Navigation instructions are then provided for guiding the user on the suggested route in order to avoid the selected disaster type.

Abstract: Traffic management reports are created by providing vehicle sensor devices at different location in a region. Each device captures data of vehicles that pass the device. The vehicle data is communicated to a central computer database. At the central computer database, a user interface selects one or more criteria from a plurality of criteria for filtering the vehicle data. Traffic management reports are then automatically created from the filtered vehicle data using the selected criteria.

Abstract: Improved designs of navigation devices or systems are disclosed. A navigation device presents a digital map resembling an ambient environment with a certain level of realism, where various objects resembling major structures or signs are presented or superimposed in the map. Depending on the time of the day or the weather condition of the time, the map or the objects therein is caused to be altered correspondingly in a tone that reflects the time or weather.

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: A method, medium, and system providing an updating traveling route to a user. The navigation system includes a route selecting unit to select an optimal route for an item to traverse based on calculated performance indexes of a plurality of alternative routes for the traversal, a performance index calculating unit to recalculate the performance indexes of the alternative routes during a current traversal of the selected optimal route based on received external information regarding sections of available traversals after a predetermined point in each alternative route beyond a current point of the current traversal, and a route changing unit to selectively update the optimal route during the current traversal based on the recalculated performance indexes.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a first heavy equipment to a target destination is provided. A location of the target destination is retrieved from a distributed objects database. The location of the target destination is at least partially determined by a position of a second heavy equipment. A position sensor identifies a current position and orientation of the first heavy equipment, and a path from the current position of the first heavy equipment to the location of the target destination is calculated. The calculated path is selected to avoid hazards. A progress of the first heavy equipment along the calculated path is monitored using the position sensor. When the first heavy equipment deviates from the calculated path, a message is outputted to an operator of at least one of the first heavy equipment and the second heavy equipment.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: detecting a light intensity; and selecting a route determined by the light intensity for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Mobile network services for a vehicle are provided via a computer processing device, and a digital communications module executable by the computer processing device. The digital communications module identifies a content channel selection for content presented on a device in the vehicle, continuously receives information indicating a location of the vehicle, and monitors signal strength of the content as the vehicle moves among location. Upon determining a threshold signal strength is reached, the digital communications module determines an action to be taken, and performs the action.

Abstract: A method of planning a vehicle route includes estimating fuel requirements of identified alternative routes or route segments using navigation, vehicle, and powertrain information. The method also includes displaying for a vehicle operator a list of alternate routes that features either absolute or relative values representative of such estimated fuel requirements. The method further includes adapting values used to estimate fuel requirements based upon current powertrain operating parameters, and alerting the vehicle operator when actual vehicle fuel economy along a selected route varies significantly from the estimated fuel requirement.

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: A navigation apparatus with three-dimensional gravity sensor and a navigation method thereof. The navigation apparatus comprises an input module, a three-dimensional gravity sensor module, a processing module and a storage module. The input module inputs an initial point, a destination and a special road section. The three-dimensional gravity sensor module senses a three-dimensional acceleration of the navigation apparatus. The processing module calculates road condition information according to the three-dimensional acceleration. The storage module stores the road condition information and map information.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for switching between location contexts on a mobile computing device. An estimated geographic location of the mobile computing device is determined by a mobile computing device. A user-identified location is received from an application program invoked on the mobile computing device. The estimated geographic location and the user-identified location are concurrently stored in computer-readable memory. One of the concurrently-stored locations is identified as a current location. A plurality of interface elements that each identify a venue that is geographically near the current location are presented on a display of the mobile computing device. User input that changes the current location from one to the other of the concurrently-stored locations is received at the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method of method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes is provided. A first group of users is identified based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification. A second group of users is identified based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification. The first user classification is different from the second user classification. A disutility value is calculated for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users. A bi-level problem solver is executed to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems and program products provide pictorial information relevant to a geographic location, through selecting characteristics relevant to geographic locations, searching pictorial image databases for images having an embedded tags associated with the characteristics, retrieving image files from databases having embedded tags correlated to characteristics and visually depicting a physical appearance or an attribute of a location, analyzing characteristics image files and responsively selecting preferred image data, formatting preferred image data for presentation to a user, associating formatted preferred data with geographic locations, and presenting associated formatted data to a user in association with geographic locations. Characteristic include global positioning satellite coordinates. Image data may be selected having preferred image resolutions or perspectives. Formatting pictorial information may comprise synthesizing photographs into a constructs.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is disclosed. A plurality of features visible from a road segment of the route is obtained from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. An importance rating for each of the identified features is determined. The guidance message references the identified feature having a highest determined importance rating. The importance rating considers a permanence or a seasonal dependency of the identified feature. The importance rating is adjusted to favor the identified feature closest to the lane in which the vehicle is currently located.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for monitoring traffic and roadway water conditions. Traffic flow and roadway flooding is monitored concurrently through a wireless sensor network. The apparatus and system comprises ultrasound rangefinders monitoring traffic flow, flood water conditions, or both. Routing information may be calculated from the traffic conditions, such that routes are calculated to avoid roadways that are impassable or are slow due to traffic conditions.