Abstract: A method for searching data and a method for planning itinerary are provided. At least one contact is selected from a contact list so as to set a point of interest (POI) list associated with the at least one contact as a specific data source. A POI category is decided. A preset search range is obtained based on a reference location so as to search the specific data source for obtaining a search result conformed to the POI category and the preset search range, and the search result is displayed.

Abstract: To obtain point of interest information in a vicinity of a vehicle, the vehicle selects a reference point away from the current location of the vehicle. A region is formed, including the current location of the vehicle, based on the reference point. Points of interest falling within the region are communicated to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: selecting a search keyword; marking a point of interest as closed with the search keyword; and generating a notification with the point of interest marked as closed for displaying on a device.

Abstract: A navigation system for an electric vehicle may ascertain a selection of a charging station based on a user input, wherein a stored position of the charging station is an ultimate destination. The navigation system can ascertain a current position of the electric vehicle. In addition, the navigation system can ascertain a reachability of a target position that is separated from the current position and the stored position of the charging station. The ascertainment of reachability can be based on the current position of the electric vehicle, the stored position of the selected charging station, and the current state of charge of the energy storage device, so that the target position and subsequently the stored position of the selected charging station are reachable with the current state of charge of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems and methods for presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of presenting information originating from a mobile device on a vehicle navigation system display of a vehicle includes receiving, by a vehicle navigation system, application data from an application operating on the mobile device, wherein the application data from the application represents an entity in proximity to the vehicle. The method further includes displaying an icon representing the application data from the application on a map presented on the vehicle navigation system display. The icon is positioned on the map according to a geographic location of the entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching polygon objects defined by polygon data in the map database of a navigation system when such polygon objects are not associated with any POIs. The method includes the steps of creating a data table which arranges information on the polygon objects in the map database based on polygon names, creating a data table which arranges information on the polygon objects in the map database based on polygon locations, prompting a user to specify a desired polygon object through a screen of the navigation system either by a polygon name or a polygon location, retrieving candidate polygon objects from the corresponding data tables that match inputs specified by the user and displaying a list of the retrieved polygon objects in a predetermined order, and allowing the user to finalize selection of the desired polygon object.

Abstract: A storage device is configured such that a multiplicity of location information objects, which in each case represent a location, is stored, and that a distance information object, which in each case represents the distance by road from the location of a location information object to the freeway exit closest to the location, is stored in association with the location information objects in each case. A navigation system is provided with the storage device.

Abstract: A vehicular charging facility guidance device is provided. The guidance device includes a route setting unit that sets a route from a departure point of a vehicle to a destination, a map display unit that displays a map on a display device, and a route display unit that displays the route set by the route setting unit to be overlapped with the map displayed on the display device. The guidance device also includes a frame display unit that displays a frame to be overlapped with the route on the display device and a frame movement unit that moves a reference position of the frame displayed by the frame display unit along the route. The guidance devise further includes a charging facility guidance unit that provides information on a charging facility located within an area delimited by the frame on the map.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for wireless tower caching. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for wireless tower caching in a radio access network (RAN) can include receiving a response to a request from an end user device wirelessly coupled to a base station of the RAN, determining geographic positioning data for the response and identifying a most geographically wireless tower coupled to the RAN relative to the determined geographic positioning data (such as the closest wireless tower to the determined geographic positioning data). Thereafter, the response can be cached at a cache in a base station of the identified wireless tower. In this way, the cached content can remain relevant for a significant period of time in as much as the correlation between a likely position of the end user device and the content cached at the base station of the wireless tower at the time of use of the cached content is strong.

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

Abstract: Songs titles and song artists or other content received on an HD-radio are cross-referenced to one or more geographic locations where they were heard on the radio by identifying a song title or artist in the HD radio data stream and instructing a global positioning system navigation unit to contemporaneously determine its location. The determined location and song title and/or artist are cross-referenced to each other in a list or database. A touch-sensitive display device is configured to display the location or portion of a route where a listened-to song was heard. Song titles and/or artists can be determined by tactile selection of portions of a route displayed on the map.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for wireless tower caching. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for wireless tower caching in a radio access network (RAN) can include receiving a response to a request from an end user device wirelessly coupled to a base station of the RAN, determining geographic positioning data for the response and identifying a most geographically wireless tower coupled to the RAN relative to the determined geographic positioning data (such as the closest wireless tower to the determined geographic positioning data). Thereafter, the response can be cached at a cache in a base station of the identified wireless tower.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to generating a polygon representation of a plurality of points of interest (POIs) in a scene having a corresponding base level map of the scene, and creating a new level map including a reduced number of polygon representations of POIs on the basis of elimination of POIs having a lower than specified POI importance level. In another embodiment, a mobile device (e.g., the user device) can specify the specified POI importance level to trigger the generation and delivery of the new level map which conforms to the specified POI importance level so that the new level map can be displayed to a user of the mobile device (e.g., in conjunction with navigation instructions to one or more of the remaining POIs).

Abstract: Provided is a navigation technique for aiding a user to develop a plan for traveling around a plurality of destinations. The navigation device causes a display unit to display a first display area and a second display area. The first display area displays icon information for specifying a facility and positional information thereof. The second display area displays a time line of a predetermined period. When the user disposes a plurality of pieces of icon information on the time line, the navigation device retrieves a route for traveling around the disposed facilities in order. As to icon information of a facility at which the user cannot arrive at the time corresponding to a position where the icon information is disposed, the navigation device indicates that the icon information is inappropriate.

Abstract: A method is provided for outputting navigation instructions in a motor vehicle having a navigation system and a head-up display. Graphical navigation instructions are output in at least three instruction categories which differ substantially in terms of the graphical level of detail of the particular navigation instruction, the instruction category being selected based on the distance between the motor vehicle and an action point for the navigation maneuver. Navigation instructions in the category for short distances include a perspective lane-exact representation of a map section relevant to the navigation maneuver in the head-up display, a first driving line which is proposed by the navigation system is depicted in the map section in a lane-exact manner by way of a first graphical line object and an alternative second driving line is also depicted in a lane-exact manner by way of a second graphical line object differing from the first line object.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a navigation route; generating an initial recommendation related to a search keyword for a point of interest upcoming along the navigation route; calculating an acquisition cost for the initial recommendation; and generating a message with the acquisition cost for the initial recommendation related to the point of interest and for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to determining commute routes and clustering commute routes from a user's location history. Points in the user's location history may be clustered to find the user's home and work locations. Additionally, points along the user's commute may be identified to determine the user's typical commute. Similar commutes can be clustered together, and used to suggest various services to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for targeting content (e.g., a service or an advertisement) according to location-based information derived from a mobile wireless transceiver device. Position information as a function of time is used to calculate a rate of travel and a direction of travel. This information can be used to identify a likely mode of transportation. Geographical information can be used to further refine the mode of transportation. Thus, in addition to the position of the wireless transceiver devices, factors such as the rate of travel, the direction of travel and the likely mode of transportation are also considered to more precisely identify the appropriate service. Moreover, a potential destination can be predicted, allowing further refinement of the targeted service.

Abstract: An indoor area may be localized to provide end users with a mobile-accessible map to guide the end user in navigating the indoor area. A preliminary version of a map of the indoor area to be localized is processed to identify different navigable routes within the indoor area. A user may access the processed map and collect sensory data using the mobile device while moving along any of the navigable routes. The different sensory data that is collected at the same moment in time may be associated based on the location of the mobile device when the data is collected. The localized map is then generated with visual indications of the locations of the corresponding sensory data. The end user may then access the localized map on a mobile device to navigate the indoor area and to locate specific points of interest corresponding to the sensory data.

Abstract: A user, such as the driver of a vehicle, to retrieve information related to a point of interest (POI) near the vehicle by pointing at the POI or performing some other gesture to identify the POI. Gesture recognition is performed on the gesture to generate a target region that includes the POI that the user identified. After generating the target region, information about the POI can be retrieved by querying a server-based POI service with the target region or by searching in a micromap that is stored locally. The retrieved POI information can then be provided to the user via a display and/or speaker in the vehicle. This process beneficially allows a user to rapidly identify and retrieve information about a POI near the vehicle without having to navigate a user interface by manipulating a touchscreen or physical buttons.

Abstract: Data relating to points-of-interest for a geographical area are retrieved from, for example, a travel site. Geo-tagged data relating to the points-of-interest are retrieved, for example, images from an image sharing service. Travel times between the points-of-interest are determined, for example, using a mapping service. The data relating to the points of interest, the geo-tagged data and the travel times are used to create a travel graph for the geographical area, such that the geo-tagged data is used to determine time users spend at specific points of interest. If a user requests a travel itinerary for a beginning and ending location within the geographical area, the travel graph is used to create a travel itinerary that maximizes a prize score for the itinerary within a time constraint. The prize score can reflect the popularity, number of users and time spent by users at the points-of-interest in the itinerary.

Abstract: A method for increasing route accuracies, comprising receiving GPS waypoints associated position accuracy prediction (PAP) parameters, comparing the PAP parameters to corpus PAP parameters associated with corpus GPS waypoints, and updating the corpus PAP parameters and the corpus GPS waypoints based on the comparison of the PAP parameters to the corpus PAP parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for receiving route information associated with a route having an origination point and a destination point, determining a location of a reference point along the route, assigning a spatial identifier to the reference point, searching for points of interest (POIs) in a search area associated with the spatial identifier, ranking, using a processor, the POIs based on distances of POIs from the location of the reference point, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, wherein the POI information is associated with one or more POIs and selected based on the ranking of the POIs.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a route that is configured to travel through multiple points of interest includes receiving a query that includes an origin location, a destination location, and at least a first point of interest and a second point of interest. The method also includes identifying a perimeter that surrounds the received origin and destination locations in response to the query. The perimeter is then used to identify a set of locations for each of the first and second points of interest.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for providing map information to a user. The map information corresponds to a field of view. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes an input device to receive an input for selecting a desired destination and a display device to display map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level. The at least one icon represents an object within the field of view. In at least one embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing map information to a user via a navigation device and corresponding to a field of view is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving at least one of an input and selection representing a desired destination and displaying map information including a route to the desired destination, a ground level and at least one icon elevated above the ground level. The at least one icon represents an object within the field of view.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises an image sensor configured to capture at least one image. The at least one image may be output via an optical output device. A processing device is configured to retrieve geographic information associated with the at least one image, and to identify at least one contact included in a set of contacts of the portable electronic device, the at least one contact having captured at least one other image in a geographic area in which the at least one image was captured. An identifier for the at least one contact is displayed.

Abstract: A mobile application on a mobile device communicates with a head-unit of a navigation system. The mobile application may retrieve data such as map data, user input data, and other data and communicate the updates to the head unit. By retrieving map data through the mobile application, the head unit may be updated much easier than systems of the prior art. The data may be retrieved through cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks, or other networks which accessible to a user and compatible with the mobile device. Updates may be stored in the mobile device and automatically uploaded to the navigation system head unit when the user is in the vicinity of the head unit. The mobile application may establish a logical connection with one or more head units. The logical connection bounds the mobile application to the head unit and allows for data sharing and synchronization.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying points-of-interest. In one aspect, a method includes determining a location of a mobile device, and automatically identifying a point-of-interest (POI) located within a predetermined distance of the location. The method also includes providing, on a user interface of the mobile device, a rating control for allowing the user to rate the identified POI, and receiving the rating for the identified POI from the user, using the rating control.

Abstract: A method and system of navigating a vehicle is provided. The method includes activating a navigational system that provides guidance to a destination point of interest (“POI”). The method also includes providing a database that stores at least one familiar POI and a plurality of standard POIs. The standard POIs represent stock locations. The method includes receiving a signal indicating a current geographical position of the vehicle. The method also includes determining if the current geographical position of the vehicle requires a maneuver within a specified distance. The method also includes selecting a plurality of proximate POIs. The proximate POIs are a portion of the standard POIs located within a proximate distance to a location where the maneuver will occur. The method includes comparing the familiar POI with the proximate POIs. The method includes determining if the familiar POI matches one of the proximate POIs.

Abstract: Providing information includes identifying documents that are responsive to a query, some of the documents each being associated with a geographic feature, and providing a list of the documents in a sequence that is determined based on rank scores derived from one or more properties of the geographic features associated with the documents.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for determining the relevance of points of interest for a user are described. An application server receives information about a user's location, and velocity, as well as other user preferences, and adjusts a search space and filters points of interest identifying those that are relevant to the user. The relevance of the points of interest are based on the user's route, location and velocity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering an address for a navigation system allows a user to easily and quickly select a key indicating the next character of the address. At the start of operation, the navigation system shows a full alpha-numeric keyboard. Once the next candidate characters are narrowed down to a certain degree, the navigation system shows a simplified keyboard with a limited number of keys on the monitor screen and highlights the next candidate characters on the simplified keyboard. The navigation system displays both the simplified keyboard and a street name list on the same screen. Since the keys of the limited number are arranged within a small space such as in the three-by-three manner, the user can easily point a cursor or other pointing device to the desired key.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.

Abstract: A user proceeds from one location to another location inside of a building by traveling in a sequence of several hops in response to different visual cues. A portable handheld device may provide the visual cues to the user. The user reaches the destination through the sequence of hops using the portable handheld device.

Abstract: A map display control apparatus includes: an accepting section configured to accept a search character; a search section configured to search for a landmark on a map, wherein a name of the landmark at least partly matches the search character; a position adjusting section configured to adjust a display position of the map such that the searched landmark search results appear in the map; a search refining section configured to perform a new search for the landmark and refine the landmark search results whenever a new character is added to the search character; and a position movement section configured to move the display position of the map, depending on a number of the refined landmark search results or a position of the refined landmark search results.

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

Abstract: A method of creating an exercise route for a user of a personal navigation device includes receiving a selection of a length of an exercise route to be generated, and generating a first plurality of suggested exercise routes according to a current position of the personal navigation device and the selected length of the exercise route, where each of the first plurality of suggested exercise routes has a starting point and ending point substantially equal to one another and equal to the current position of the personal navigation device. The method further includes displaying the first plurality of suggested exercise routes to the user on a display of the personal navigation device, receiving, from the user, selection of a selected suggested exercise route from the first plurality of suggested exercise routes, and displaying routing instructions on the display of the personal navigation device for the selected suggested exercise route.

Abstract: Directory service results responsive to a request for a desired good or service provider may be provided based on one or more user-selected locations. The user may seek a desired good or service provider that is proximate to a location from which the user may begin traveling to the point of interest, referred to as a source location, and satisfies a beneficial objective held by the user. The beneficial objective may relate to, for example, a directional travel preference, avoiding rush hour traffic or proximity to a specific location or another type of good or service provider that differs from the user's desired good or service provider that is the subject of the user's request. A sequence of geometrical representations, such as, for example, Delauney Triangles, may be generated to provide directory service results that satisfy the user's request.

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: The present invention discloses an electronic device with object guiding function and the method thereof. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a view window area, via which a user may watch a view. The electronic device may determine whether an object is located in the view window area when the user inputs the position of the object, and may further show an object indicating message or an object guiding message according to the determination result. Therefore, the electronic device is able to provide the user with short distance guiding function. In another embodiment, the electronic device may also show information related to the object located in the view window area, such as information about every mountain range, constellation, user's friends, or specific landmark that is located in the view window area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for triggering events based on user location with respect to zones of influence is described. One or more zones of influence each having a plurality of points of geolocational data are defined. One or more user events are associated with each of the zones of influence. A location of a wireless device is identified based on geolocational data obtained by the wireless device. The geolocational data of the wireless device is compared with the geolocational data for one or more of the zones of influence. The user events associated with one such zone of influence are triggered when the geolocational data of the wireless device correlates with at least one of the points of geolocational data for that zone of influence.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for delivering arrival guidance comprising of receiving inputs defining a destination point of interest (POI). The method includes determining whether the destination POI has a parent-child POI relationship with respect to a second POI. The method further includes outputting guidance at a predetermined distance from the destination POI, wherein the guidance comprises a notification concerning the parent-child relationship between the destination POI and the second POI.

Abstract: A navigation device includes an icon display unit for displaying icons representing predetermined display objects located on a predetermined road ahead of the current location in an elongated display area of a display unit in a linear fashion along a length direction of the display area preferentially in order of proximity to the current location and a predefined distance display unit for displaying an image indicating the predefined distance from the current location in the display area when the icons are displayed. The icon display unit stationarily displays the icons representing display objects located farther than the predefined distance from the current location and movably displays an icon representing a display object located within the predefined distance so that the icon moves towards the current location in accordance with the movement of the current location.

Abstract: A mobile phone (1) of the present invention includes a mobile phone storage section (8) configured to store both of (i) data including positional information and (ii) data including no positional information, a positional information extraction section (110) for identifying the data including the positional information from among the data stored in the mobile phone storage section (8) and extracting the positional information to be used as a standard for setting a predetermined area, a mobile phone determination section (111) for setting the predetermined area on a basis of the positional information extracted by the positional information extraction section (110), and a mobile phone notification section (112) notifying the user of the mobile phone when the current position of the mobile phone enters within the predetermined area set by the mobile phone determination section (111). Hence, the user can easily register the positional information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving at a computer server system, from a computing device that is remote from the server system, a string of text that comprises a search query. The method also includes identifying one or more search results that are responsive to the search query, parsing a document that is a target of one of the one or more results, identifying geographical address information from the parsing, generating a specific geographical indicator corresponding to the one search result, and transmitting for use by the computing device, data for automatically generating a navigational application having a destination at the specific geographical indicator.

Abstract: Map information is exchanged between communication devices. A map of a geographical area is received. The map includes embedded interactive links that graphically represent points of interest within the geographical area. An embedded interactive link that graphically represents at least one point of interest is highlighted within the map. Responsive to selection of another embedded interactive link within the map that graphically represents another point of interest within the geographical area, the other embedded link within the map is highlighted. The map is transmitted, with the other embedded interactive link that graphically represents the other point of interest highlighted.

Abstract: A map editing system for visually indicating the location of GPS devices on a map and identifying paths from the map. GPS data is received from a plurality of GPS devices. The data is filtered based parameters including the speed of the GPS devices. The filtered GPS data is displayed on a map using representations that visually indicate the location of the GPS devices that the data was received from. The representations can then be used for identifying and creating new paths on the map.

Abstract: A facility searching technique easier to operate and having high degree of freedom. A facility searching device is constructed from a database on map information, a database relating to various kinds of facilities and including positional information of the facilities, a display unit for displaying, based on the map information, a map of a predetermined area, a pointing device for inputting a position located on the displayed map, a voice input unit for inputting by voice an instruction relating to search for facilities, and unit (25, 29, 30, 31) for performing the search for facilities upon receiving the input of a position or the input of an instruction (steps 21-22, 24, 26, 27, 28), the search being based on the inputted position and the instruction.