Abstract: The route from a prescribed starting node to a prescribed destination node is determined on the basis of digital map data stored in a memory unit such that, for possible expansion of a respective current node, total costs are determined for the current node on the basis of a sum of edge costs for an optimum route from the starting node to the current node and a destination-node-related heuristic value for the current node and a prescribed destination-node-related correction value. The destination-node-related correction value is in this case representative of a mean value for cost ratios for respective nodes in a prescribed set, wherein the respective cost ratios are dependent on the edge costs of the connections that are situated between the current node and the respective node in the set and that represent an optimum route between the current node and this node in the set and on a heuristic value for the current node in relation to this node in the set.

Abstract: A navigation system featuring audio prompts including: a database including a plurality of beacon identifiers corresponding to physical beacons that are members of quadrants including one or more beacons, the database including navigation instructions between beacons in a quadrant and between beacons and adjacent quadrants; a controller adapted to: provide a first beacon and a destination beacon, determine a route from the first beacon to the destination beacon in a destination quadrant, provide, via the user interface, navigation instructions from the first beacon to a first quadrant of the route, for each quadrant along the route: receive, a newly encountered beacon identifier; and provide navigation instructions for the user to navigate from the newly encountered beacon to the next quadrant in the ordered list, and upon receiving a beacon identifier of a detected beacon in the destination quadrant, provide navigation instructions to navigate from the detected beacon to the destination beacon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for navigation of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a navigation system includes: a map database, and a navigation processor. The map database includes a map layer of autonomous road data, and at least one other layer of map data. The navigation processor is configured to determine a route for a vehicle to a destination preferring use of autonomous roads according to a setting for preferring use of autonomous roads and based on the map layer of autonomous road data and the at least other layer of map data; and display a display map for a vehicle through a navigation display unit including highlighting autonomous roads on the navigation display unit, based on the map layer of autonomous road data, together with the at least one other layer of map data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that receives a request for calculation of one or more routes between a user specified starting location and a destination location and retrieve restrictions in a list corresponding to one or more location restrictions imposed on an individual, with each restriction including a restriction area. The system receive calculated routes and restrictions and whether the segments of the routes intersect areas that define the restrictions in the list. The system issues an approval for each route where no segment of the route intersects any of the restriction areas. Also disclosed is tracking of a user according to approved routes.

Abstract: A cloud-based virtualization generation service collects industrial-automation-system-related data from multiple industrial automation systems of multiple industrial customers for storage and analysis on a cloud platform. A virtualization management component analyzes the data and generates a virtualized industrial automation system of the industrial automation system based on the analysis results. The virtualization management component updates the virtualized industrial automation system based on operation of, and user interactions with, the industrial automation system. The virtualization management component receives user interactions with the virtualized industrial automation system to facilitate remotely interacting with and/or controlling the industrial automation system and/or generates corresponding control signals that it sends to the industrial automation system to facilitate controlling operation of the industrial automation system.

Abstract: A navigation system featuring audio prompts including: a database including a plurality of beacon identifiers corresponding to physical beacons that are members of quadrants including one or more beacons, the database including navigation instructions between beacons in a quadrant and between beacons and adjacent quadrants; a controller adapted to: provide a first beacon and a destination beacon, determine a route from the first beacon to the destination beacon in a destination quadrant, announce, via the speaker, navigation instructions from the first beacon to a first quadrant of the route, for each quadrant along the route: receive, a newly encountered beacon identifier; and announce navigation instructions for the user to navigate from the newly encountered beacon to the next quadrant in the ordered list, and upon receiving a beacon identifier of a detected beacon in the destination quadrant, announce navigation instructions to navigate from the detected beacon to the destination beacon.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a destination; determining a target arrival time for traversing to the destination; generating a preferred route based on the target arrival time for arriving at the destination using the preferred route at or before the target arrival time; and communicating the preferred route for providing navigational guidance to the destination.

Abstract: Frequency-based direction guidance is disclosed. In some implementations, a navigation system leverages frequent location information to filter navigation directions that are presented to a user of a navigation device. If a destination is a frequent location, the navigation system filters the navigation directions so that navigation directions associated with the destination are not presented to the user. If a departure location is a frequent location, the navigation system filters the directions so that directions associated with the departure location are not presented to the user.

Abstract: Electronic map display information is generated. A map display comprising mapping data for a geographic region is generated. The mapping data is rendered on a map display. A plurality of concentric rings are overlaid on the map display. Each of the rings are indicative of a scaling factor for the mapping data. The scaling factor is adjusted based in a context of the map display.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing system including an acquisition section configured to acquire a movement direction and a movement purpose from each one of a plurality of terminal devices; and a guide information issuing section configured to issue a guide information which is generate based on the movement direction and the movement purpose of the a plurality of terminal devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing a vision-impaired user to a vehicle are disclosed. One embodiment of a system includes a vision-assist apparatus that includes an output device for communicating data that is perceptible by a vision-impaired user and a computing device that is coupled to the output device. The computing device may include a processor and memory that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the vision-assist apparatus to receive an indication that the vehicle has arrived at a predetermined location, receive, from the vehicle computing device, a specific real-time position of the vehicle in the predetermined location, and determine a route to direct the vision-impaired user to the specific real-time position. In some embodiments, the logic further causes the vision-assist apparatus to provide instructions to traverse the route to the specific real-time position for output by the output device.

Abstract: Provided are navigation technologies capable of preferentially guiding a vehicle to a route of a driving lane that can be available if given conditions are met. A navigation device is provided with a storage unit adapted to store lane information including the presence or absence of a driving lane that can be available if given conditions are met (hereinafter referred to as a conditional lane), a conditional-lane determining unit adapted to determine whether a vehicle equipped with the navigation device meets the conditions for driving in the conditional lane, and a route searching unit adapted to search a recommended route to a destination, wherein said route searching unit uses lane information to preferentially search for a route which utilizes a road including the conditional lane, when the conditional-lane determining unit determines that the aforementioned conditions are met.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the position of a mobile technology platform within a structure, wherein the mobile technology platform is equipped with a gyroscope, a magnetometer and at least one accelerometer. The method includes deploying a set of RF (radio frequency) beacons within the structure, wherein each RF beacon emits an RF signal; recording, at each of a set of sampling locations within the structure, the RF signature created by the RF signals received at the location; forming an RF fingerprint of the structure from the recorded RF signatures; and using the RF fingerprint, in conjunction with readings from the gyroscope, magnetometer and at least one accelerometer to determine the location of the device within the structure.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for suspending voice guidance during route navigation. A processor that executes a navigation system interface application can detect a deviation from a route between an origin and a destination. The processor can obtain contextual data including a geographic location and a vector. The processor can set a first value of a point-of-interest parameter that indicates whether the geographic location and the vector imply a visit to an expected stop, a second value of a road-type parameter that indicates a type of a current road segment associated with the geographic location, and a third value of a route-distance parameter based on a distance between the geographic location and a nearest point along the route. The processor can determine if voice guidance should be suspended based on the first value, the second value, and the third value.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a map area displayed on a portable electronic device includes displaying a map of a current location of the portable electronic device on a display of the portable electronic device, calculating a current speed of the portable electronic device, and adjusting data shown on the display by hiding menu information and increasing a size of the displayed map when the current speed of the portable electronic device is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: A navigation system featuring audio prompts including: a database including a plurality of beacon identifiers corresponding to physical beacons that are members of quadrants including one or more beacons, the database including navigation instructions between beacons in a quadrant and between beacons and adjacent quadrants; a controller adapted to: provide a first beacon and a destination beacon, determine a route from the first beacon to the destination beacon in a destination quadrant, announce, via the speaker, navigation instructions from the first beacon to a first quadrant of the route, for each quadrant along the route: receive, a newly encountered beacon identifier; and announce navigation instructions for the user to navigate from the newly encountered beacon to the next quadrant in the ordered list, and upon receiving a beacon identifier of a detected beacon in the destination quadrant, announce navigation instructions to navigate from the detected beacon to the destination beacon.

Abstract: A cloud-based virtualization generation service collects industrial data from multiple industrial automation systems of multiple industrial customers for storage and analysis on a cloud platform. A virtualization management component (VMC) generates a virtualized industrial automation system of an industrial automation system based on data analysis results. The VMC facilitates remotely controlling the industrial automation system based on user interactions with the virtualized industrial automation system, and updates the virtualized industrial automation system based on collected data relating to the industrial automation system. The VMC customizes a user's view of the virtualized industrial automation system based on a user's role, authorization, location, or preferences, wherein different views of the virtualized industrial automation system with different data overlays are presented on different communication devices of different users.

Abstract: For a device that runs a mapping application, a method for providing maneuver indicators along a route of a map. The maneuver indicators are arrows that identify the direction and orientation of a maneuver. A maneuver arrow may be selected and displayed differently from unselected maneuver arrows. Maneuver arrows may be selected automatically based on a user's current location. The mapping application transitions between maneuver arrows and provides an animation for the transition. Complex maneuvers may be indicated by multiple arrows, providing a more detailed guidance for a user of the mapping application.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an online directory service over a network. After receiving a request to view an online directory listing from a network-enabled user terminal, an online directory server may present to the user terminal a directory listing associated with an identifier of audiovisual content. In response to a selection by a user of the listing, the user terminal may provide the identifier associated with the selected directory listing to the directory server. Based on the identifier, the directory server may access the audiovisual content and provide it to the user terminal and may present it to the user in conjunction with the other information of the directory listing.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that determines a direction to browsed next as a guiding direction with a location of content displayed by a display of the information processing apparatus as a reference location; determines a perceptual strength of each of a plurality of active elements disposed in different locations on or within a casing of the information processing apparatus based on the guiding direction; and controls each of the plurality of active elements based on the perceptual strengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for selectively blending buildings to improve route visibility in a 3D navigation system. A method for displaying a 3D map may include: detecting whether or not an object to be displayed on a map screen intersects with a route guiding line on the map screen with the object intersecting the route guiding line being blended therewith.

Abstract: A mapping system is disclosed that provides route guidance in the form of a map and verbal or textual directions which includes reference to both landmarks and personal contacts. Landmarks and contacts can be rated for suitability in providing route guidance. Depending on the rating, guidance using landmarks or personal contacts can be preferentially used in place of or to supplement guidance based on the underlying road network.

Abstract: An in-vehicle input system includes: a display device for displaying screen images having selection items; a selection operation device for moving a cursor from a first selection item to a second selection item to select and input the second selection item; a first image switching device for switching from a current level screen image to a lower level screen image when the selected second selection item is input; a second image switching device for switching from the current level screen image to an upper level screen image when the selection operation device selects and inputs a level return item of the selected second selection item disposed on a nearest screen edge side of the selected second selection item; and a level return item display device for emphasizing a display of the level return item when the second selection item is selected.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus 100 includes a current position information acquisition unit (a self-position acquisition unit 42) that acquires current position information, and a travel direction determination unit (for example, a route search unit 44) that determines a travel direction based on the acquired current position information and destination position information. The navigation apparatus 100 further includes a sound unit that outputs a sound (for example, a parametric speaker 30), and a sound control unit 41 that controls the sound unit so that the sound can be heard to the user from the travel direction.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving data, where the data includes one or more elements, the data is associated with a first set of indices, and the first set of indices references the one or more elements. The method may further include folding a plurality of indices into a single index, where the single index references the one or more elements of the received data that were referenced by the plurality of indices, the folding generates a second set of indices, and the folding is performed when concurrent process threads are not generated based on the first set of indices. The method may further include determining whether concurrent process threads should be generated based on the second set of indices and generating the concurrent process threads for the second set of indices when the determining determines that the concurrent process threads should be generated based on the second set of indices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for determining the shortest path between two nodes in a network comprising a plurality of nodes. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provided that includes a plurality of instructions that, when executed by at least one electronic device, at least cause the at least one electronic device to determine the shortest path between two nodes in a network comprising a plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a travel road specification portion acquiring a current location of a vehicle and specifying a travel road actually traveled by the vehicle, a continuity determination portion determining an existence of a continuity between the travel road and a first road connected to an end point of the travel road, and an extension road designation portion. The end point of the travel road is defined as a reference end point, the travel road is defined as a reference road, and the first road is defined as a determination target road. The extension road designation portion designates the first road as a first extension road when the continuity determination portion determines that the continuity exists between the first road and the travel road.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a navigation application that presents road signs during a navigation presentation. In presenting the road signs, the application of some embodiments differentiates the appearance of road signs at junctions that require a change of direction from road signs at junctions that do not require a change of direction. The application may perform processes that ensure that it arranges the road signs on the map in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In addition, the navigation application of some embodiments does not display too many road signs along the navigated route so that the route is not by occluded by too many road signs.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for a distributed association engine, comprising searching, by a processor, for one or more objects of interest within a spatial bounded area, identifying, by the processor, the one or more objects of interest responsive to the search, and mapping, by the processor, one or more relationships between a user and the one or more objects of interest in a personal network.

Abstract: A route search system according to one embodiment includes a receiving unit, a first search unit, a determination unit, a second search unit, and an output unit. The receiving unit receives search criteria. The first search unit searches for a first route and time required based on the search criteria by referring to a storage unit that stores route information. The determination unit determines whether a difference between user's time and the time required is equal to or more than a specified value. When the difference is the specified value or more, the second search unit searches for a second route that takes a longer time than the first route. The output unit outputs the second route.

Abstract: Driving directions are presented where a maneuver in the driving directions includes a road symbol and an action symbol. A road symbol identifies the road involved in the particular maneuver, and an action symbol identifies an action to be performed to execute the particular maneuver. In one example, a road symbol, an action symbol and narrative text may be presented in displayed or printed driving directions. In another example, a road symbol and an action symbol may be used to describe a maneuver presented by an on-board or mobile navigation system when the vehicle in which the navigation system is present approaches the point at which the maneuver is to be taken. The road symbol and the action symbol may be presented with, or without, narrative driving directions.

Abstract: One or more sensors are disposed to sense user inputs in an active display area as well as user inputs in an extended area that is outside of the active display area. Data for user inputs, such as gestures, may include data from user inputs sensed in both the active display area and outside of the active display area. The user inputs can begin and/or end outside of the active display area.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for accessible chart navigation using object neighborhood are provided. An input is received to navigate a focus away in a direction from a first object, the first object being a member of a set of objects depicted in a graphical visual chart. A set of inputs is designed to access the chart without using a pointing device or requiring visual inspection of the chart and the set of objects. The set of inputs includes the input and a second input to allow return to a previous step in navigating the chart. A second object is identified to which to navigate responsive to the input, the second object being located within a neighborhood of the first object at a shortest neighborhood distance from the first object. Navigation is performed to the second object to keep the focus within the neighborhood.

Abstract: An estimation apparatus of an object appearance frequency is provided. The apparatus estimates an appearance frequency of objects, such as pedestrians, in a predetermined estimation area. The apparatus calculates a matrix FPFP by searching an appearance frequency data in the past. In detail, an estimated result that is an output of an estimating module is expressed as a vector. Objects to be estimated are classified into a total of 12 kinds, such as a “man, woman, child, bike, unknown, dog” and a “right, left”. Feature vector of appearance frequency of pedestrians, i.e., objective variables of estimation, is expressed by 12th dimension vector space. Moreover, status information is used as explaining variables, which explain the feature vectors when a feature vector occurs. The regression relationship of the feature vector with respect to the status information vector expressed in 28th dimension is solved by the linear least squares method.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces are provided to send a map search request including a start location and a search term to a map server, receive a number of routes, each of the routes describing a route from the start location to one of a number of potential destinations, receive a road style for rendering roads in a map extent encompassing the routes, and simultaneously display the routes based on a multiple route style.

Abstract: A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, that the route segment is an unfamiliar segment. The method includes determining an alternative route from the starting point to the destination point that includes a familiar road identified based on the user's travel history instead of the unfamiliar segment. The method further includes providing the computed route and the alternative route for presentation in a format that distinguishes the computed route from the alternative route.

Abstract: Methods and systems for serving at least one online resource item to a user based on a state of the user are provided. A host computing device in communication with a memory receives data representing a record of movements of a user device. A user device profile associates locations of the user device with points in time, and with a state of a user. Following receipt of a resource request from the user device, a state of the user is determined. After at least one candidate online resource item responsive to the resource request are received, at least one online resource item relevant to the state of the user is identified and served to the user device.

Abstract: Natural navigational guidance, provides enhanced guidance instructions that take advantage of unique geographic features along a navigated route to specify maneuver points. Guidance points are clearly visible, unambiguous, and locally unique features in the geography of the maneuver area that can be used to aid the user in discovering the place where the maneuver point is. Within a guidance point selection area, a specific guidance point type has a more strict area within which it can be used. A natural guidance point selection area for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is determined, and a unique geographic feature within the determined natural guidance point selection area is selected as a natural guidance point for navigation of the upcoming maneuver. A turn-type natural guidance point for an upcoming maneuver to be navigated is generated when the user device is within the natural guidance point selection area.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for allowing a user to fix errors in a user input is described. An original user input providing a destination address or a point of interest is received by an in-vehicle computing system. Upon receiving a user input indicating an error in interpreting the original user input, the user is presented with a new query requesting the user to enter a portion of or a category associated with the original input. Once the updated user input providing a portion of the original input is received, the user input is identified and executed based on the original user input entry and the updated user input.

Abstract: A system provides a description of a road segment using location reference points. The system may receive traffic information about a road segment along a road. The system may determine two sets of location reference points based on the traffic information. The system may generate a description of the road segment based on the two determined sets of location reference points.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method of displaying a guidance symbol. The guidance symbol displaying system may include a distance difference calculator to calculate a distance difference between a user location and a guidance symbol location, and a symbol display controller to control display of the guidance symbol by calculating a size of the guidance symbol based on the distance difference.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation device for use on a vehicle includes a user interface that receives information on a first place and a destination, a GPS sensor that detects a position of the vehicle navigation device, and a memory that stores navigation rules information. The vehicle navigation device also includes circuitry that calculate a plurality of routes from the position of the vehicle to the destination, extracts different navigation rules, which are different from navigation rules of the first place, from navigation rules in the routes, categorizes the different navigation rules into at least two groups of first rules and second rules, determines a route from the plurality of routes, and controls the user interface to output information on the first rules before the vehicle starts driving, output navigation information on the route, and output information on the second rules when the vehicle is where the second rule is applicable.

Abstract: A method and system for providing navigational support through corrective data includes monitoring a user's current position and travel pattern. A likelihood that the user is lost may be calculated based on the user's travel pattern and current position. If the likelihood exceeds a threshold value, the user may be provided with corrective data such as photographs or landmark information through visual or audio communication to assist the user in taking a corrective action or preventing getting lost.

Abstract: To provide navigation directions in mapping applications, an indication of a geographic location and an indication of a map viewport that includes the geographic location are received. Several candidate starting points from which people are more likely to access the geographic location than from other locations within the map viewport are identified. A starting point is selected from among the several candidate starting points, and navigation directions for guiding a user of the user device from the starting point toward the geographic location are generated for display on the user device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object detection device includes an image capturing unit, an image conversion unit, a three-dimensional object detection unit, a three-dimensional object assessment unit and a control unit. The image conversion unit converts images obtained by the image capturing unit to create bird's-eye view images. The three-dimensional object detection unit detects a presence of a three-dimensional object within a detection area based on differential waveform information or edge information. The stationary three-dimensional object assessment unit assesses whether the detected three-dimensional object is a shadow of a tree along a road traveled by the host vehicle. The three-dimensional object assessment unit assesses whether the three-dimensional object detected is a vehicle within the detection area.

Abstract: Rendering a digital element is disclosed. An indication that a device is within a region associated with the digital element is received. It is determined that the digital element is to be rendered. A representation of the digital element is generated in a rendered view of the region. The digital element is provided upon receiving an indication that the digital element has been selected.

Abstract: A system for providing driving information of an electric includes a telematics terminal configured to collect driver information, internal state information, and external environment information, and transmitting the collected driver information, internal state information, and external environment information. A path information server is configured to transmit road information and traffic information to the outside. A telematics server is configured to accumulate information received from the telematics terminal and the path information server, calculate a driving pattern of a first driver based on the accumulated information, calculate one or more candidate paths based on the driving pattern, and transmit the calculated one or more candidate paths to the telematics terminal.

Abstract: An approach for generating one or more personalized travel routes based on recorded routes and calculated routes is disclosed. An apparatus and method determines to generate at least one intersection point between at least one calculated route and at least one recorded route, wherein the at least one calculated route and the at least one recorded route include one or more common endpoints, and cause a generation of at least one personalized route by causing a combination of one or more segments of the at least one recorded route with one or more other segments of the at least one calculated route based, at least in part, on the at least one intersection point. The apparatus and method to determine the personalized route can cause a filtering of the at least one recorded route based on at least one filtering criterion to determine one or more candidate recorded routes.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus may be implemented as a route navigator, which uses a route navigation method and a computer program product. A processing circuit is used to calculate respective passage frequencies of passageway segments in a passage history. The processing circuit then selects a navigation route to a destination, includes at least one passageway segment with a passage frequency that is a low or zero passage frequency.

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.