Abstract: A method for determining a path for a user of a mobile device for traveling from an origination location to a destination location, comprising receiving a request for a recommended path from the origination location to the destination location, wherein the request comprises a origination location, a destination location, and a network quality constraint, receiving network access point information for access points between the origination location and the destination location, and generating, with a processor, at least one recommended path from the origination location to the destination location based on the request and the network access point information, wherein the recommended path satisfies the network quality constraint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting hazardous gases.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using geographic location data of snowplows to update a snow depth associated with a section of a surface street. The route of the snowplow may be tracked continuously which allows the snow depth of the street to be reset in real-time. The updated snow depth may then be used to generate a cost of travelling on the street. The travelling cost may then be used to plan a route through the region. Alternatively, the cost may be graphically displayed on a map to permit a user to determine which surface streets to avoid. In another embodiment, the cost of travelling on a particular street may be changed by the attributes of the vehicle that will navigate the snow-covered roads, driver's experience, or the geographic terrain of a road. This new cost may then be used, for example, to plan a route or display roads to avoid.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing travel time information for a plurality of positions on an electronic map. The system provides map data including information on road segments, determines a plurality of road segment travel times based on the map data, selects a plurality of positions for which travel time information is to provided, determines a travel time for each of these positions in dependence on the road segment travel times, and displays an optical indicator for the travel times on an electronic map.

Abstract: Enabling dynamic routing or mapping information, or combinations thereof, based on one or more user specified tasks may include determining one or more locations where one or more user specified tasks can be accomplished and dynamically determining at least one of routing and mapping information from current location of a user to said one or more locations.

Abstract: A method and system for generating optimal itineraries based on network connectivity. A computer receives a first message from which a current position of a vehicle on a trip, destination, service(s) being provided to mobile device(s) in the vehicle, service provider(s) and network(s) are extracted. Optimal itineraries are generated by generating sets of optimal parameters that include paths for which connectivity measures satisfy predefined criteria and hops that indicate positions associated with connectivity changes. A response to the first message indicates the optimal itineraries and the associated sets of optimal parameters and is sent to a vehicle-based device. Sending the response results in the mobile device(s) making the connectivity changes when the vehicle is detected at the hops.

Abstract: Providing directions from point A to point B may be treated as an information retrieval problem. In one example, actual routes that are traveled by people are received, and are stored in a database. When a person requests directions from point A to point B, a system searches the database to determine whether a route from A to B exists. If the route does exist, then the route may be provided as directions in response to the request. If no such route exists, then the system looks in the database for routes that have some amount of overlap with each other, and attempts to construct a route from A to B by joining known routes that overlap with each other. Rules may govern the degree of overlap that routes are to have before they can be joined.

Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more of the map segments.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a processing unit electrically connected to a positioning unit and a communication unit. The positioning unit determines a current location of the navigation device and provides corresponding positioning information. The communication unit receives real-time information. The processing unit uses the real-time information and information about a waypoint as a basis to generate a safety speed range, and uses a navigation route and the positioning information as a basis to determine whether a distance between the navigation device and the waypoint is smaller than a preset distance range. If yes, the processing unit provides a speed limit message based on the safety speed range. A navigation device control method as well as a program-storing computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product enabling implementation of the control method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A traffic jam guide image showing traffic jam conditions of a plurality of road sections ahead of a current location of a vehicle is displayed together with a map image during a guidance of a guide route from the current location to a destination. Based on a user operation performed on a touch screen, an object road section in which a search condition is to be changed and the search condition in the object road section are set. A second guide route from the current location to the destination is searched for based on the search condition set for the object road section such that the user has only to perform a simple operation through a touch screen to automatically change the search condition and set the road section to which the changed search condition is applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is technology for providing guidance in a manner that facilitates travel along a guidance route when there is a road which has a carpool lane. A navigation device (100) is provided with: a current-location calculation means for calculating the current location of a moving body; a recommended route search means for searching for a recommended route to a destination; a guidance-point setting means for setting a guidance point in the recommended route; and a guidance information notification means for notifying predetermined guidance information when a moving body reaches a set guidance point. When predetermined conditions are fulfilled, the guidance-point setting means sets in a road which has a carpool lane a guidance point for notifying information for guidance from said road to a branch road, before the guidance point that would be set in a road that does not have a carpool lane.

Abstract: The disclosed architecture facilitates the capture of data associated with a specific geographic location, as captured by a mobile device of a user at the geographic location, for the purpose of guiding the user back to that specific geographic location. When applied to vehicles or other types of user mobility (e.g., walking) the architecture automatically detects that a user has controlled a means of transportation to a stationary (or parked) state, such as associated with a parked car. When the stationary state is reached, the location is detected (e.g., using user device sensing systems). Detection can include recording images, sounds, speech, geolocation data, etc., associated with the location and/or means of transportation. The user can configure a reminder to activate at the location to assist in the user recalling the location when returning to the means of transportation.

Abstract: A road information acquisition device includes: a surface elevation acquisition unit that obtains a surface elevation; a road information acquisition unit that calculates first road information relating to a travel route to be traveled by a host vehicle on the basis of the surface elevation; and a structure determination unit that determines whether or not a structure exists on the travel route, wherein, when the structure determination unit determines that the structure exists on the travel route, the road information acquisition unit obtains second road information, which is different from the first road information, relating to a point at which the structure exists on the travel route.

Abstract: Disclosed is a navigation system which creates “environment contribution information” in accordance with a deviation (?(k)) between the total cost (C1(k)) of a first route (RT1(k)) which is searched by using a traffic information indicating the amount of cost required to pass through each link and the total cost (C2(k)) of a second route (RT2(k)) which is searched without using the traffic information. The traffic information used in searching the first route (RT1(k)) to a target position (TP(k)) of a vehicle (2) is used in searching a route to a shared target position by a navigation device (200).

Abstract: When passage through a road pricing area where an exhaust gas emission vehicle is subjected to billing is predicted, an ECU calculates a stored energy quantity available for EV traveling based on the current SOC of a power storage device, and estimates a required energy quantity for passing through the road pricing area by EV traveling. The ECU further calculates a deficit of the stored energy quantity relative to the required energy, and if a deficit is found, executes vehicle control for preparing a vehicle condition for passage through the road pricing area corresponding to the energy deficit.

Abstract: A method of determining a status of a vehicle on a roadway, in one example, includes monitoring a then-current vehicle speed by an in-vehicle processor, and during the monitoring, determining that the speed has exceeded a pre-established threshold speed. When the speed exceeds the threshold speed, an algorithm is triggered. Upon triggering the algorithm, a sub-routine is initiated that determines if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam. Also disclosed herein is a method and system for communicating the vehicle status determination to an outside entity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, system and program product for monitoring the rate of deflation or inflation in vehicular tires to determine the time or distance it takes before the tire pressure of one or more tires enters an undesirable state. Under the present invention, tire specifications, environmental modifiers, vehicular modifiers, road and weather conditions, and current tire pressure for each tire are recorded as input to provide an alert with a route plan for a driver to bring a vehicle to a service station before tire pressure reaches an undesirable condition. In one embodiment, the system can inform the driver at what time in the future a tire will reach an undesirable condition. In another embodiment, the system can inform the driver at what distance (measured in miles, for example) a tire will reach an undesirable condition. In yet another embodiment, the system can modify a route in order to avoid an unsafe tire condition.

Abstract: A system for identifying a fastest possible travel route is disclosed. A traveler data processor collects traffic speed data and associates the traffic speed data with road segments. The road segments collectively represent one or more possible travel routes from a start point to an end point. A forecast engine determines a predicted travel time for each of the road segments based on, for example, the traffic speed data for each of the road segments. A routing engine determines the fastest possible travel route from the start point to the end point. The fastest possible travel route is the possible travel route from the one or more possible travel routes with the shortest predicted travel time.

Abstract: A mobile computer that can be borne in a vehicle and that can receive position information may adjust a maximum speed limit to account for unfavorable weather or road conditions and cause the vehicle to automatically reduce speed below the adjusted maximum limit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a navigation device which performs communication with an information-providing server device. The navigation device (3) includes a communication section (11) which transmits a message to the server device for a response confirmation, and receives a response message with respect to the message from the server device; a response value obtaining section (12) which determines a time duration from a time when the message is transmitted to another time when the response message is received, and obtains a response value indicating a communication state in relation to a communication time on the basis of the determined time duration; and a communication-parameter setting section (13) which determines an optimal communication parameter on the basis of the response value obtained by the response value obtaining device, and sets the optimal communication parameter in a communication parameter in relation to a communication disconnection condition used in the navigation device (3).

Abstract: A control system controls a pair of vehicles in coordination to traverse a respective pair of trajectories. The control system is configured to specify a plurality of successive waypoints, a safe stopping interval and an intermediate interval greater than the safe stopping interval, and exchange waypoints between vehicles. The system controls each vehicle in coordination with the other, senses a rate of exchange of waypoint data between the vehicles, and determines the safe stopping interval. The control system updates positions with additional waypoints as the respective vehicles pass by waypoints of the forecasted trajectory, determines the length of the forecasted trajectory remaining and compares it with the intermediate interval and the safe stopping interval. The system generates a warning signal if distance is less than the intermediate interval, and if the distance is less than the safe stopping interval, stops within the safe stopping interval.

Abstract: A navigation server rapidly generating guide support information in view of a traffic state after occurrence of an accidental situation in a road section, and make a navigation device recognize the same. After occurrence of the accidental situation in a target road section, a changing pattern g2(t) of a cumulative traffic volume CQ of a second position x2 during a first period is estimated, on the basis of a value of a traffic volume Q1 of the target road section at the first time t1. Further, a primary guide support information during the first period is generated on the basis of a standard changing pattern g1(t) of the cumulative traffic volume CQ of the first position x1 and a changing pattern g2(t) of the cumulative traffic volume CQ of the second position x2 as the estimation result.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: selecting a user's destination; determining an actual parking condition of an unmetered street parking space; and determining a travel path based on the actual parking condition from a user's current position to the unmetered street parking space for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Georeferenced predictive information is provided by a backend server system to vehicles. Such provided predictive information may be specifically relevant to a provided planned or estimated route of the particular vehicle, and may be used by the vehicle to reconstruct a digital map specific to such planned or estimated route.

Abstract: A navigation device (100) has a position detection section (7), an interface (4), a touch panel (62), and a computer (1). The computer (1) has timekeeper means for clocking a current time, estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating the estimated time of arrival at a destination by using the touch panel (62), mail creation instruction means for causing, through the interface, (4) a portable telephone (200) to create mail containing text that informs arrival at the calculated estimated time of arrival, and mail transmission instruction means for causing the portable telephone (200) to transmit the created mail. The estimated time of arrival is transmitted to the other party without operation of a portable telephone by a driver.

Abstract: There is provided a method for displaying traffic information, a navigation system, and a program for displaying the traffic information. A data processing unit receives a specified time 1203, which is a future or current time, through an operation input unit, specifies an area of a map to be displayed, and then obtains map data of the specified area from a map data storage unit. The data processing unit obtains traffic information 1201 of the specified time from a traffic information storage unit, and then makes the display unit show links in association with the traffic information 1201. It is, therefore, possible to display the traffic information of an arrival time at each point on a route in a user-friendly manner.

Abstract: A dual-process system for the automatic generation of railway route-solution candidates and their concomitant movement authorities includes a central authority server that accepts dispatcher-provided start and end point data and time information and executes two different independent routing processes to provide two independently determined route-solution candidates. The two solutions are compared for consistency and, when consistent, the route with the minimum authority grants is selected as the solution for use by the locomotive or train.

Abstract: A real-time navigation electronic device based on determining current traffic rule information includes a positioning unit, a user interface, an information detecting-and-generating unit and a processing unit. The information detecting-and-generating unit detects and generates information for determining real-time traffic rule. The processing unit generates a navigation route according to the destination and the present position. The processing unit receives the information for determining real-time traffic rule. The processing unit determines if the information for determining real-time traffic rule conflicts with the navigation route or makes the navigation route not the best route. The processing unit re-generates the navigation route according to the destination, the present position and the information for determining real-time traffic rule when the information for determining real-time traffic rule conflicts with the navigation route or makes the navigation route not the best route.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking parking spot availability includes receiving, at a computer server system from a mobile computing device that is remote from the computer server system, a report of an open parking spot and parking data that indicates a geographic location of the open parking spot, the report being generated based at least in part on determined movement of the mobile computing device; starting a timer relating to the open parking spot; receiving, at the computer server system and from one or more mobile computing devices, one or more requests for reporting of open parking spots; determining whether a time relating to the open parking spot has expired; and based on determining that a time relating to the open parking spot has not expired, providing in response to the one or more requests, data for generating a graphical indication of the open parking spot on a map of an area around the open parking spot for display on the one or more computing devices.

Abstract: Vehicle management systems and associated processes can consider energy consumption when selecting routes for fleet vehicles. Vehicle management systems and associated processes are described that, in certain embodiments, evaluate vehicle energy usage based on factors such as terrain or elevation, vehicle characteristics, driver characteristics, road conditions, traffic, speed limits, stop time, turn information, traffic information, and weather information, and the like. The features described herein may also be implemented for non-fleet vehicles, such as in personal vehicle navigation systems.

Abstract: An approach for providing mapping information and route information based on exception information received from various users travelling within a common area is described. A navigation system processes travel information associated with one or more devices for comparison against predetermined route information. The navigation system also determines one or more exceptions based, at least in part, on the comparison. The predetermined route information, mapping information, or a combination thereof it then caused to be updated based, at least in part, on the processing of the one or more exceptions.

Abstract: Enabling dynamic routing or mapping information, or combinations thereof, based on one or more user specified tasks may include determining one or more locations where one or more user specified tasks can be accomplished and dynamically determining at least one of routing and mapping information from current location of a user to said one or more locations.

Abstract: An input device for a mobile body allows for a safe input operation at the time of operating equipment, such as a car, regardless of whether the mobile body is traveling or stopped. The input device includes an input section for receiving inputs by hand and voice operations, a traveling state determination section for determining a traveling state of the mobile body, and an item executability determination section for determining, in the determined traveling state, whether each of the received inputs corresponds to an item executable by the hand and voice operations. The input device also includes a display content generation section for generating a display mode which distinguishably shows whether nor not the item is executable by the hand and voice operations in accordance with a determination by the item executability determination section, and a display section for displaying the generated display mode.

Abstract: A schedule management device includes a processing unit and a storage unit for storing schedule list recording events, each of which includes event content, event date and position information. The processing unit includes a position information acquiring module, a position information comparing module, a date information judging module and a display module. The position information acquiring module acquires position information of the event(s). The position information comparing module determines whether the position information of the event(s) and the schedule management device belong to a same area. The date information judging module judges whether the current date information is a predetermined date before the event date when the position information of the event(s) and the schedule management device don't belong to the same area. The display module displays the event content of the event(s) when the current date information is the predetermined date before the event date.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing dynamic information. Routing data for a vehicle is integrated with weather data for an area to generate contextual weather information. The contextual weather information is presented with respect to a predetermined route of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system determines one or more routes for a user from one location to another. The navigation system uses model data or information about weather, date, or time to determine an optimal route for a user. The navigation system may consider user preferences and dangerous or awkward conditions or criteria, and may perform a cost value analysis in determining the optimal route for a user.

Abstract: There is provided a driving assist system comprising: a road side apparatus which transmits the traffic circumstance information; and a vehicle-mounted apparatus including: an outputting part which outputs driving assist information for assisting a driving operation on the basis of output data on the basis of the at least one kind of the traffic circumstance information; and a controller for: generating the output data for outputting the driving assist information based on the traffic circumstance information; determining whether the output data is valid; and selecting one the output data which is determined as valid, on the basis of a predetermined standard validity, wherein the outputting part outputs the driving assist information using the selected output data.

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 navigation device includes a display, a recording medium, a navigation camera, a global positioning system (GPS), and a processor. The processor is operable to determine a current position for generating a navigation route to a destination. Based on a real-time traffic image received from the navigation camera, the processor adjusts a display scale and a display position of the navigation route, superimposes the navigation route on the real-time traffic image to generate a superimposed image, and outputs the superimposed image for viewing on the display and storage in the recording medium.

Abstract: A computer determines an optimal route to a destination. The computer identifies the present position of a navigation device with a user selecting a destination. The computer acquires current information comprising road, business hour, traffic congestion patterns, a plurality of conveyance modes, and time buffer information relative to the present position and the selected destination to store in the memory. A route identification unit identifies, from the acquired current information, an optimal route from the current position to the selected destination. The computer stores the acquired information in the memory of the navigation device and identifies an optimal route from the current position to the selected destination.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to vehicle navigation systems. More specifically, the disclosure relates to vehicle navigation systems that utilize fuel use and emissions criteria as a parameter to determine directions between two locations.

Abstract: A data store includes at least one adjustment factor. A server that is configured to: receive a request for a travel route, the request including an origin, a destination, and an estimated time of departure; determine the travel route; calculate a normal travel time; use at least one adjustment factor to the normal travel time to calculate an adjusted travel time; and calculate an estimated time of arrival based on the estimated time of departure and the adjusted travel time.

Abstract: An in-vehicle information processing device capable of efficiently processing information by extracting an event that exists outside of a travel route but can possibly reach the travel route. The in-vehicle information processing device includes a map database, a traffic information database, a vehicle position determination mechanism, a driving assist information extraction mechanism for extracting driving assist information, and a driving assist information database for storing the driving assist information. An aid information extraction mechanism includes a travel route determination mechanism for determining a vehicle travel route based on a vehicle position. The driving assist information extraction mechanism extracts the driving assist information from map information and traffic information on the travel route.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus that detects a position of a movable body includes map data storage means for storing map data; an autonomous sensor that detects information on behavior of the movable body; inertial position determination means for detecting an inertial position-determination position of the movable body, by accumulating the information detected by the autonomous sensor on a result of position determination performed using radio navigation; characteristic position detection means for detecting a characteristic position that is the inertial position-determination position at which the movable body has exhibited a characteristic behavior; correction amount detection means for extracting positional information on a road position corresponding to the characteristic position, by referring to the map data storage means; and position correction means for correcting the characteristic position using a Kalman filter based on a condition that the characteristic position is close to the road position.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for constructing a flight path used by an avionics system are disclosed. A processor receives flight plan data and object data associated with terrain and obstacles. Free cells are extracted above the objects using a recursive space decomposition technique, and a reference path is formed through traversable free space determined from the availability of free cells. In an additional embodiment, threat data associated with hostile military weaponry and significant meteorological conditions could affect the availability of free cells. A genetic algorithm applying genetic operators which include mutators is employed with aircraft kinematic constraints to refine the reference path used to form a population of best path candidates. When a best path is reached after cycling through a re-generation process of path candidates, flight path data representative of the best path is generated and provided to at least one avionics system.

Abstract: A rating is calculated that represents the traffic conditions of a specified driving route. A driving route is specified that includes a plurality of different roads. The traffic conditions for each of the different roads of the driving route are obtained. A rating is then calculated for the driving route that is based on the traffic conditions for each of the different roads of the driving route.

Abstract: An information-displaying system is provided for use with a vehicle head-up display including a liquid crystal panel for displaying drive information image, a backlight unit for irradiating light toward the liquid crystal panel, an optical system for enlarging or reducing the drive information image displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and a reflection mirror for reflecting the drive information image projected by the optical system toward a windshield of a motor vehicle. The information-displaying system includes a navigation information providing unit for providing navigation information on a current vehicle position, a road map and an optimum route to destination, a traffic information providing unit for providing traffic information on a real time basis, and a control unit for controlling the liquid crystal panel to display the navigation information and the traffic information provided by the navigation information providing unit and the traffic information providing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle communication system by which even when the number of other vehicles around a traffic line is increased, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a situation that there are located vehicles the number of which is larger than the capacity of a communicable network, and it is possible to secure communications with the other vehicles. Even when it is determined that a host vehicle enters in a traffic line and a plurality of other vehicles the number of which is larger than a threshold value are located in front and rear virtual regions of the host vehicle, a transmission power is reduced to the extent that communications between the host vehicle and one of the other vehicles that is located furthest in the virtual regions can be secured.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a method for target zone dynamic planning, the method including receiving metric data, collecting location data, determining a targeted energy expenditure zone for a time period, calculating potential plans based on location and the metric data and calculating an energy cost for different paths based on variables associated with the metric data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a navigation system and process for providing a second route to a user of the system when a first route determined by the system passes through an area that has a safety level that is less than a predefined and desired safety level.