Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to exploring a geographic region that is displayed in computer user interfaces. In some embodiments, a method includes at an electronic device with a display and one or more input devices, displaying a map of a geographic region on the display and detecting a first user input to select a starting location on the map. After detecting the first user input, the method includes detecting a second user input to select a first direction of navigation from the starting location. In response to detecting the second user input, the method includes determining a path on the map that traverses in the first direction of navigation and connects the starting location to an ending location, and providing audio that includes traversal information about traversing along the path in the geographic region in the first direction of navigation and from the starting location to the ending location.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program tie physical events to virtual events by analyzing motion information from a computing device of a vehicle or analyzing contextual information from a computing device of a vehicle. Initiation of a virtual event with a display device is timed in response to detecting an impending change in center of mass motion of the user from analyzing the motion information or contextual information. A motion in the virtual event is dynamically associated with subsequent motion information.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to determine a navigation instruction execution location within a predefined distance from a vehicle location. The processor is also configured to communicate with a wireless transceiver to receive information identifying an intervening turn-option location, between the execution location and vehicle location. The processor is further configured to determine a distance between the vehicle location and turn-option location and display the determined distance on a navigation display, until the vehicle passes the turn-option location.

Abstract: A method determines a mobile communications network quality for downloading mobile communications data. Data which quantify the mobile communications network quality in a current location of a respective motor vehicle, is continually acquired using acquisition units provided in the motor vehicle. This data is transferred to a database in which it is stored. A route of a select motor vehicle is determined. A data record quantifying the mobile communications network quality along the route, is retrieved from the database. Mobile communications data is downloaded to a memory of the select motor vehicle taking the data record into consideration. A total data record quantifying the mobile communications network quality is determined at predetermined intervals by a data processing device, taking into consideration the data transferred to the database, and the data record quantifying the mobile communications network for the select motor vehicle is obtained from this total data record.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for monitoring vehicle movement changes by analyzing, by a computing system, projected movement changes of a first vehicle traveling along a path in response to (A) the first vehicle path being predetermined and stored in a data storage of the computing system, or (B) navigation of the first vehicle path corresponding to contemporaneous actions by a driver of the first vehicle. The computing system transmits a hologram map of the roadway ahead, indicating a next projected movement change of the first vehicle in response to the analyzed projected movement changes of the first vehicle.

Abstract: The terminal holding device includes an attaching unit to be attached to a vehicle, a holding unit which removably holds a terminal device in such a manner that a display unit of the terminal device is exposed and which includes a contact surface to be contact with the terminal device, an acceleration sensor which detects acceleration in a direction from a side of the contact surface to a side opposite to the contact surface, and a supplying unit which supplies a detection signal of the acceleration sensor to the terminal device.

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: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a system message along a route determining a priority value for the system message; sorting the system message based on the priority value and a message play time for the system message; calculating an available play time for the system message; and selecting the system message having the message play time not exceeding the available play time.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for distributing pre-rendering processing tasks includes: mapping data processing tasks in a real-time visualization to a visualization processing model, the real-time visualization involving data from a backend system to be rendered by a frontend system; receiving a processing cost model derived from processing-node information; determining, using the mapped data processing tasks and the models, an execution plan for the real-time visualization; and for each of the mapped data processing tasks, and according to the determined execution plan, assigning the backend system or the frontend system to perform the task.

Abstract: Route information for at least a first route and a second route is displayed using display indicators assigned to each route. The routes may be decomposed into discrete segments, some of which may be shared among the routes. Upon determining which segments are shared by routes, the shared segments may be displayed using an interleaved pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. The interleaved pattern may comprise an alternating pattern of the display indicators associated with the routes. Shared segments may also be displayed in a cycling pattern that includes the respective display indicators of the shared routes. Non-shared segments may be displayed with the respective display indicators for the routes that use that segment. The width of the patterns along the shared segments may be substantially the same as the width of the non-shared segments. In one embodiment, the routes may be fixed. Targets associated with each route may be displayed on the routes.

Abstract: A schematic display for presenting vertical navigation (VNAV) data is disclosed. A planned route such as a flight plan is divided into a series of VNAV legs, and only a VNAV schematic that corresponds to the active VNAV leg is displayed. The VNAV schematic in accordance with the present disclosure is a profile-view schematic for the active VNAV leg, providing a visual representation indicating the locations of the upcoming Top of Climb (TOC) or Top of Descent (TOD). Additional VNAV data may also be presented to provide content context. Since the schematic display in accordance with the present disclosure only displays VNAV data relevant to the active VNAV leg at a given time, the complexities associated with displaying the VNAV schematic is reduced, making the VNAV data easy to read and understand.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a device that stores a novel navigation application. The application in some embodiments includes a user interface (UI) that has a display area for displaying a two-dimensional (2D) navigation presentation or a three-dimensional (3D) navigation presentation. The UI includes a selectable 3D control for directing the program to transition between the 2D and 3D presentations.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for adaptable GPS navigation based on road and traffic conditions. A method includes: receiving input front a user designating a destination; determining a calculated route from a starting point to the destination; and presenting turn-by-turn (TBT) directions based on the route, wherein the presenting of the TBT directions includes presenting conditions information received from an external source. The conditions information can be used during route calculation and can be updated while the user is traveling on the calculated route.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a driving directions subsystem configured to provide data representative of driving directions to an access device communicatively coupled to the driving directions subsystem. The driving directions subsystem is further configured to provide at least one print tool including a plurality of selectable map views to the access device, the print tool enabling a user of the access device to select, from the selectable map views, at least one map view for inclusion in a printing of at least a subset of the driving directions. In certain embodiments, the driving directions include textual driving direction steps, and the driving direction subsystem is configured to scale a font size of at least a subset of the textual driving direction steps based on a number of the textual driving direction steps included in the driving directions.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for utilizing a navigation system to facilitate communications between a call center and a disabled individual who may have difficulty hearing or speaking. In one implementation, if TTY services are unavailable through a TIM or TTY device, a call center may communicate with occupants of a vehicle through a vehicle navigation unit, utilizing a display and input method associated with the navigation unit. In another implementation, the call center may communicate with occupants of a vehicle through the navigation unit in the first instance.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for display of a location of a navigation device; determining at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device; comparing the determined GPS location to stored map information and converting the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and displaying the text readable form of the determined GPS location on an integrated input and display of the navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to receive a request for display of a location of a navigation device, to determine at least one of a last known and a current GPS location of the navigation device, to compare the determined GPS location to stored map information and to convert the determined GPS location into a text readable form; and an integrated input and display device to display the text readable form of the determined GPS location.

Abstract: Route guidance apparatuses, methods, and programs determine a guidance intersection in front of a movable body in a direction of travel along a navigation route. The apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire a shape of the guidance intersection, determine an exit road on which the movable body leaves the guidance intersection, and determine whether the determined exit road is one of a plurality of roads connected to the guidance intersection that exist in an area extending in the same direction as the determined exit road. When the determined road is one of the plurality of roads that exist in the area extending in the same direction as the exit road, the apparatuses, methods, and programs associate each of the plurality of roads with an identification information item usable to identify a connecting relationship with the guidance intersection, and provide guidance using the identification information item associated with the exit road.

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

Abstract: A map display device that displays a map image around a vehicle position includes a display unit; a first storage unit storing map data including road data of a road and road-related information related to the road; a second storage unit storing adjustment data based on a relationship between display positions of the road data and the road-related information; and a map display control unit for calculating the display position of the road-related information based on the adjustment data for the individual road, and displaying the road-related information on a screen of the display unit. A road width to be displayed o the screen may be determined in accordance with the number of lanes and a road type. The adjustment data may be a distance between the display positions of the road and the road-related information, and may be determined in accordance with the road type and the road width.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of locating a vehicle, comprising: a) connecting a removable locator device to the vehicle, said locator device automatically noting when it has been connected to the vehicle and then using locating technology to retrieve, at regular intervals, location coordinates for the current location of said locator device, said location coordinates approximating the location of the vehicle; b) sensing a loss of connection between the locator device and the vehicle; c) automatically storing, as a waypoint on the locator device, the last location coordinates retrieved prior to sensing said loss of connection; and, d) removing the locator device from the vehicle to enable use of the locator device to return to the stored waypoint, wherein the stored waypoint represents the approximate location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is performed by a navigation system. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained in a native language from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. The parts-of-speech of the preferred name are identified and converted into a target language text providing the preferred name in a target language. A guidance message includes the target language text in the target language.

Abstract: Navigation-related information such as a road name or guidance is allowed to be dynamically displayed along a road on a map displayed on the display screen and the road displayed on the display screen, its road name, and the moving direction are also allowed to be made easy visual identification. A map display system for displaying the road name or the navigation-related information together with the road on a display means according to map data including data on the road and data on the road name comprises a display area determining means, a display direction determining means for determining the direction in which the display of a text displayed on a road image moves, a road-name extracting means, and a text data display control means. The road-name extracting means extracts the road and its road name which are to be displayed from the road data to display the road image in the display area determined by the display area determining means.