Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, system and apparatus for associating vendor data with keywords in a wireless mobile communication device are provided. The method comprises: receiving an auction request comprising a keyword identifying a required offering and one or more parameters associated with the keyword, each parameter defining a required attribute of the offering; retrieving a plurality of vendor bids, each bid comprising one or more vendor parameters associated with the keyword, each vendor parameter defining an attribute of a vendor offering corresponding to the required offering; determining whether each of the vendor bids satisfies the required attributes defined by the parameters; and when the determination is affirmative for at least one vendor bid, transmitting vendor data for a vendor associated with the at least one vendor bid to the mobile electronic device for storage at the mobile electronic device in association with the keyword.

Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus and a control method of an in-vehicle apparatus, which is applied to a multimedia terminal having, for example, a function of navigation equipment and a function of video playback so as to improve usability to a user in a case of accepting an operation through a touch panel and a remote commander. A touch panel menu screen suitable for an operation through a touch panel and a remote commander menu screen suitable for an operation through a remote commander are switched to be displayed so as to accept an operation by a user.

Abstract: An electronic device configured to detect arrival at a specified location, includes: a location information acquisition unit configured to acquire current location of the electronic device; a detection range setting unit configured to set detection ranges for detecting arrival of the electronic device at specified locations given the order; and a detection range control unit configured to change the detection ranges according to location status of the electronic device based on relationship between the current location and the specified locations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for improved visualization of geo-located features. Geo-located features may be displayed with respect to a perspective point, such that the size of an indicator of a geo-located feature is representative of a distance of the feature from the perspective point. The positioning of the geo-located feature is indicative of the direction of the geo-located feature relative to the perspective point. Thus, compact visualization of the geo-located features may be provided. Animated transitions may be provided such that indicators gradually move as the perspective point moves, so that a user may maintain perspective.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a travel context with a control unit for traveling through a geographic region; generating a mental model for the travel context; and determining a guidance landmark based on the mental model for providing a navigation guidance for presenting on a device.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications device for transmitting location information entails, from within a communication application executing on a processor of the wireless communications device, receiving input on a user interface of the wireless communications device, including location information comprising a current location of the wireless communications device obtained by the wireless communications device and path information delineating a recent path taken by the user, in a communication being generated from within the communication application, and transmitting the communication that includes the current location information. The path information is determined based on recent location fixes for the wireless communications device. Location information, such as maps can be sent directly from an instant messenger without having to separately launch a mapping application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for computerized travel services. One of the methods includes identifying points of interest or destinations associated with a travel location by querying a geographic data store that includes data mapping travel locations to points of interest or destinations; determining for each of the points of interest or destination: a count of travel related documents that refer to the point of interest or destination, a count of travel related queries that refer to the point of interest or destination, a count of photographs that are geographically related to the point of interest or destination, and a popularity score based at least in part on the count of travel documents, the count of travel queries, and the count of photographs; and selecting a selected point of interest or destination based at least in part on the respective popularity scores.

Abstract: This document describes a method and system for recommending items, such as beverages, that members of a group are likely to find appealing. When group members are identified, the system may identify one or more preference models for each member. Each preference model represents a pattern of dependency between characteristics of items that the member has rated and the member's ratings for those items. The system may develop a group preference profile by merging the patterns of dependency for each of the members into a group preference model. Then, when it receives a request for a recommendation for an item, the system uses the group preference profile to select, from a database, a candidate item having characteristics which are likely to appeal to many or all members of the group.

Abstract: A system and method generates and recommends a short and pleasant path between a source s and destination d in a geo-location such as a city or city center. The routes are not only short but emotionally pleasant, offering an engaging user experience, going beyond just showing paths on a map.

Abstract: A dataset is determined as a function of a specified navigation information, where the dataset includes a specified metadata structure which is suitable for textually characterizing the navigation information. The dataset is transmitted by way of a specified communication interface. As a function of the dataset received by way of the communication interface, pixel values are determined for at least a portion of pixels of a digital image and/or of a graphic element. Furthermore, a signalization signal is determined for signalizing the pixel values of the pixels by means of the optical display device.

Abstract: It is inter alia disclosed methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs and computer-readable mediums for identifying a point of interest, for providing a point of interest, and for receiving a point of interest. According to one aspect of the invention, a respective position-related information collected by at least one device at a plurality of time points is obtained. One or more of the collected position-related information is represented as respective position-related points in a one- or multidimensional space. At least one point of interest is identified by detecting at least one accumulation zone from the position-related points in the space.

Abstract: A system includes a GPS module, user interface module, database and routing engine. To find nearby POIs in one embodiment the routing engine identifies POIs in the database located within a threshold distance from the planned route in Euclidean distance. The routing engine filters the results by exploring the road network to determine whether each of the POIs is within the threshold distance of the route in driving distance. The filtering may include exploring outward from the POI, until all roads within the threshold distance are explored or the route is reached; alternatively, distance to the POIs is checked by exploring outward from the route until all roads within the threshold distance of the route have been exposed. For those POIs reached in the exploration, the nearest point on the route and the distance to that point are known. Similar searches are performed based on driving time rather than distance.

Abstract: Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The object is associated with a URL string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the device, the device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. When the mapping application is not installed in the device, the device executes a web browser of the device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object.

Abstract: A Driver Risk Assessment System and Method Employing Selectively Automatic Event Scoring. The system and method provides robust and reliable event scoring and reporting, while also optimizing data transmission bandwidth. The system includes onboard vehicular driving event detectors that record data related to detected driving events, selectively store or transfer data related to said detected driving events. If elected, the onboard vehicular system will score a detected driving event, compare the local score to historical values previously stored within the onboard system, and upload selective data or data types to a remote server or user if the system concludes that a serious driving event has occurred. The system may further respond to independent user requests by transferring select data to said user at a variety of locations and formats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and using location information is provided to a user of a mobile device. The method involves obtaining and processing a location history of the mobile device to determine locations of significance; automatically generating potential location identifiers associated with the locations of significance; and prompting, at a determined appropriate time, for user input for refining the set of one or more potential location identifiers into a customized location identifier.

Abstract: A communication system includes: a first storage unit configured to receive relevant information by entering a region of interest; a first control unit, coupled to the first storage unit, configured to parse the relevant information; and a display, coupled to the first control unit, configured to display the relevant information, a target object, and a suggested path.

Abstract: Navigation assistance information for a mobile station is acquired based on a feature descriptor of an image of a visual beacon captured by the mobile station. The navigation assistance information includes locations of neighboring visual beacons, locations of wireless positioning resources; user environmental context information. The navigation assistance information may then be used to assist in navigating within the local environment. The visual beacon may be an artificial feature, such as a QR code or other type of matrix or bar code or a natural feature, such as a statute or architectural detail. The mobile station may request navigation assistance by transmitting the feature descriptor to a server. The server retrieves the navigation assistance information from a database based on the feature descriptor and optionally location information, which may also be provided in the navigation assistance request, and transmits the navigation assistance information to the mobile station.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile device includes position circuitry and routing algorithms for generating routing instructions from a current position of the mobile device to a destination. The destination is specified in a navigation request and may describe a point-of-interest. A database associates points-of-interest individually or by category with estimated parking durations. The mobile device accesses an estimated parking duration and selects a preferred parking location based on the estimated parking duration. Considerations for selecting the preferred parking location include cost, parking restrictions, and/or distance. For example, the preferred parking location may be the available parking spot that is the least expensive during the estimated parking duration and avoids no parking zones or other time constraints.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining whether given business listings are spam or are closed businesses. In one example, a system receives a business listing from a user. The business listing contains a geolocation and the name of a business. The system also receives one or more street level images related to a geographic object that is at or near the same geolocation as the business listing. The system determines if the business listing is spam or is closed based on the received street level images by determining if the geographic object is the business or by analyzing whether the business associated with the listing is shown in any of the street level images.

Abstract: A device can include at least one processor, and a telemetry module operable by the at least one processor to receive remote sensor data transmitted by a broadcasting device, wherein the remote sensor data is captured by a sensor of the broadcasting device. The system additionally can include a local sensor operable to capture local sensor data, and a sensor analysis module automatically operable by the at least one processor to associate, based at least in part on analysis of the remote sensor data and the local sensor data, the remote sensor data with a user account associated with the computing device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium are capable of identifying information to display. The method includes identifying a location of a display device. The method includes identifying, in response to a user input, places within a predetermined distance of the location of the display device. The method includes identifying current information about items or services available at the identified places. The method includes displaying, on the display device, the current information about the items or services available at the identified places within the predetermined distance of the display device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing lane guidance to a driver of a vehicle. Based on the current location of the vehicle, the navigation system determines a route to travel from the current location of the vehicle to a destination provided by the driver. The navigation system obtains one or more of the following types of information which is used to determine whether the navigation system should recommend a lane change: past driving patterns of the driver, driver's lane preferences, past driving history of other drivers on the route, external conditions (e.g., weather) and features of the route. The recommendation may be presented to the driver via an audio instruction and/or on a display. In this manner, the navigation system instructs the driver as to which lane in a multi-lane road the user should drive on taking into consideration the user's driving habits and preferences.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a mapping application for rendering map portions. The mapping application includes a map receiver for receiving map tiles from a mapping service in response to a request for the map tiles needed for a particular map view. Each map tile includes vector data describing a map region. The mapping application includes a set of mesh building modules. Each mesh building module is for using the vector data in at least one map tile to build a mesh for a particular layer of the particular map view. The mapping application includes a mesh aggregation module for combining layers from several mesh builders into a renderable tile for the particular map view. The mapping application includes a rendering engine for rendering the particular map view.

Abstract: A proximity determination method includes: collecting a first concealed vector based on a linear combination of a row vector of a key matrix, first numerical information, and a first random number, the key matrix being generated by adding a random number vector as a last column to a matrix in which a threshold for determining a proximity range is a diagonal element; collecting a second concealed vector based on the linear combination, second numerical information, and a second random number; calculating a remainder vector, the remainder vector being a remainder obtained from a difference between the collected first concealed vector and the second concealed vector when the key matrix is used as a modulus; and determining whether the first numerical information and the second numerical information belong to the proximity range, based on the calculated remainder vector.

Abstract: Map interactivity for a visually-impaired user is provided. A map is displayed on a display module of a device and a grid is overlaid onto the displayed map using a rendering module. Each cell of the grill corresponds to a location on the map. Further, a user selection is received using the input module concerning a cell of the grid from the displayed map. Information associated with a selected cell is retrieved using the location module within the device and a speech segment relating to the information is output using an output module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs detect a current position of a movable body, identify a destination for the moveable body, and search for a going route from a departure point to the destination. The systems, methods, and programs search for a returning route from the destination to the departure point and select a landmark for a branch point along the returning route. While the current position is moving along the going route, the systems, methods, and programs provide returning-route guidance regarding the branch point using the selected landmark.

Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a device includes determining position information of a position on the map, displaying a graphical position indicator representing the position on the map, determining address information corresponding to the position on the map, and presenting the address information via a user interface of the device by displaying a street number on the map adjacent to the graphical position indicator.

Abstract: Image recognition is performed based on a surrounding image and a recognition template used for the image recognition of a marker object, and a recognition confidence level used for determining if the marker object can be recognized in the surrounding image is calculated. A determination is made if the recognition confidence level has increased as compared with the recognition confidence level calculated based on the surrounding image acquired at the guidance output point. If it is determined that the recognition confidence level has increased, the image of the marker object, generated based on the surrounding image acquired at the guidance output point, is stored as a new template to be used for the image recognition of the marker object. This increases the possibility to recognize the marker object based on the new template, thus increasing the recognition accuracy of the marker object.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods related to managing and programming directional wayfinding content associated with a map. Embodiments include a system for programming directionally based textual instructions describing navigating to and from map locations along path segments between the locations. The textual instructions can then be arranged as output to a user in an order corresponding to a travel route to provide customizable textual instructions to a remote location that vary depending on the direction of the paths traversed in the route. Also disclosed are various methods and devices for delivering the textual instructions to an end user.

Abstract: The mobile terminal includes a wireless communication unit configured to receive terminal position information and object related information of at least one object corresponding to the terminal position information; a display module configured to display at least one object indicator indicating the at least one object and display a storage target object indicator region on a background image corresponding to the terminal position information; a user input unit configured to receive a selection of an object indicator; a memory configured to store object related information; and a controller configured to control the components of the mobile terminal. The display module is further configured to display an identifier corresponding to the selected object indicator within the storage target object indicator region, and display an object item list including an object item corresponding to the stored object related information.

Abstract: A system for improving the operation of a GPS based navigator. Statistical and/or time of day information is used to select the best route between a current location and a desired location. The statistical information may take into account anomalies, and a user can select the amount of risk they which take. The system can be updated with more updated information. In addition, the selection of the desired location can be carried out by downloading information from a PDA.

Abstract: A method of determining an object in sight with an electronic apparatus, where the object being associated with a Point-Of-Interest, POI, item in a database is disclosed.

Abstract: Search criterion information, which indicates a search criterion is transmitted to a search server, destination point information on a destination point, which is a point found by the search server based on the search criterion, is obtained, a candidate point database that stores candidate point information on a candidate point connected to a road in association with the candidate point is searched, the candidate point associated with the candidate point information having a similarity to the destination point information, higher than or equal to a predetermined reference similarity, is identified as an arrival point, and first guidance information that indicates a first route to the arrival point is generated when the arrival point has been identified and second guidance information that indicates a second route to a point closest to the destination point among points on roads is generated when the arrival point has not been identified.

Abstract: Determination of a most efficient intermediate destination while traveling toward a primary destination is provided. With respect to its effect on the primary destination, the most efficient intermediate destination such as a fast-food restaurant, gas station, ATM, etc., may be determined. The navigation system may search in a user-defined radius for all intermediate destinations and present the deviation costs associated with each destination thereby allowing the user to choose the most efficient option. The deviation costs may be determined by the navigation system with respect to user preferences for minimizing time, minimizing distance, minimizing fuel consumption, restaurant preferences, and the like, and their impact on the primary destination arrival time.

Abstract: In some aspects, a processor may receive a starting point and an ending point from a runner. The processor may receive calorie information from the runner. The processor may receive pace information from the runner. The processor may receive a mile marker input from the runner. The processor may display a he route based on the starting point and the ending point. The processor may display the number of calories burned based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a pace of running the route based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a mile marker on the route in response to the first mile marker input.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas can be defined by connecting street networking connection points within the parking areas. In another embodiment, such defined travel paths can be merged with actual paths traveled by vehicles in the parking areas.

Abstract: A method and system for discovering locations of interesting photographs. The method includes receiving a geographic location and retrieving at least one portion of a map associated with the geographic location. The at least one portion of the map associated with the geographic location is displayed. A plurality of photographs tagged with the geographic location are asynchronously retrieved. The retrieved photographs are ranked based on interestingness of the retrieved photographs. The method further comprises dynamically propagating the at least one portion of the map with markers identifying locations of highest ranking photographs within the geographic location and indicating one or more photographic hotspots based on the propagated markers.

Abstract: The invention discloses a data processing system and method for generating a guiding information. The data processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes an importing module, an editing module and a generating module. A producer imports a plurality of parameters relative to a plurality of positions through the importing module. The producer edits a plurality of introduction information of the plurality of positions through the editing module. The generating module generates the guiding information in accordance with the plurality of parameters relative to the plurality of positions and the plurality of introduction information of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that executes information display processing is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a display unit that executes information display; and a data processing unit that executes a control of the information display of the display unit and data processing based on a user input. The data processing unit displays an image browsing screen, which corresponds to image data stored in a storage unit, on the display unit and executes display of a map at the position, which corresponds to position information included in attribute information of a selected image, on the basis of a user's input of image selection information and map display request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing navigation information are discussed. To increase safety and convenience of use for vehicle navigation devices, a navigation system includes a plurality of displays for displaying related and distinct sets of navigation information in response to an intuitive user input such as a gesture. One such system can include a plurality of display devices, a location determining component for determining a location of a vehicle and other navigation information, and an input component for receiving user input.

Abstract: A method for displaying a marker in a map service is provided. In the method, a plurality of markers each representing information are displayed differentially in a propagation range set according to importance of a user in the map service, and when the plurality of markers are displayed overlapped, only a marker representing information of highest importance is displayed.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for tracking points of interest of a user of a mobile device are disclosed. One method includes determining points of interest of a user of a mobile device. The method includes obtaining user-related information, wherein the user-related information includes spatial information about the user, and determining at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information. Another embodiment includes an apparatus for determining points of interest of a user. For one embodiment, the apparatus is a mobile device. The mobile device is operative to obtain user-related information, wherein the user-related information comprising spatial information about the user, and the mobile device is operative to determine at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information.

Abstract: Techniques are described for visualizing a roadway transition along an ascertained route course for a navigation device. In an implementation, the navigation device may include a display and a data processing device to identify a roadway transition from a first road onto a second road along an ascertained route course and present navigation information in a first and second operating mode. The second operating mode may include roadway transition visualization generated by dynamically superpositioning a first visualization layer, which may include road characteristics and location information, and a second visualization layer, which may include the ascertained route course along the identified roadway transition.

Abstract: Device, system and method of landmark-based routing and guidance; for example, an apparatus including a route guidance information generator adapted to generate route guidance information including one or more road-based references and one or more landmark-based references.

Abstract: A location system for use in locating a vehicle or other object. The system may include displaying directional information on a mobile device, such as but not limited to a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), remote vehicle control device (fob, RKE, passive entry, etc.). The displayed directional information may indicate a direction of travel to the vehicle without requiring the mobile device to rely on GPS satellites to determine a position useful in orientating the user in a direction toward the vehicle.

Abstract: An outdoor-to-indoor (and vise versa) navigation system guides a traveler (30) to an interior point of interest (POI, 28) inside a three-dimensional structure (16) using a navigation device (10). When the traveler (30) reaches the destination (16) address, a 3D model of the destination object (16) is rendered on a display screen (12) and subsequent navigation assistance is rendered in relation to attributed features associated with the 3D model. Initial directional cues (33) associated with the 3D model guide the traveler (30) in relation to externally discernable POIs and toward an exterior portal POI (24). When the current position of the navigation device (10) generally coincides with the exterior portal POI (24), a set of final directional cues (35) are rendered which lead the traveler (30) in relation to internally discernable POIs to an interior feature POI (28). 3D navigation attributes may be associated with various POIs and used in the 3D portion of the navigation routing program.

Abstract: An augmented reality guiding system for delivery of location-oriented information, including a location server, a database coupled to the location server, and at least one mobile locating device. The database is configured to store target information relating to target points of interest. Each mobile locating device has a positioning module, an imaging module, a spatial orientation detection module, a display module, and at least one wireless communication module. Each mobile locating device is configured to receive target information relating to at least one target points of interest from the location server, and display the target information by visually augmenting at least one image on the display module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for delivering route information. One example method includes receiving a request from a user for a route from a starting point to a destination point, determining the route including route information defining the route, and classifying the route. Prior to the user embarking on the route, one or more content items are determined for presentation to the user based at least in part on the route information and the route classification, and the route information and the content items are delivered to the user responsive to the request.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: selecting a category of interest; receiving available information for the category of interest; and extrapolating a relative ranking based on the available information for displaying at a device.