Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for automatically creating stopping rates of vehicles at signal-equipped intersections. A signal-equipped intersection to be subjected to specifying of stopping rates at signal-equipped intersections is selected from a signal-equipped-intersection information storage unit as a target intersection, a pass-through-intersection extraction that extracts a signal-equipped intersection that was passed-through just before reaching the target intersection as a pass-through intersection is conducted according to a prescribed rule, driving-history data of a probe car is classified for each of the routes that start from the pass-through intersection and pass through the target intersection, and the rate at which the probe car stopped at the target intersection is specified as a stopping rate, for each of the classified routes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, computer software products, server and system for mapping road conditions, especially friction. In the method according to the invention the acceleration of the vehicle is measured by means of an acceleration sensor, the position of the vehicle is monitored by means of positioning means and the measured acceleration value is combined with the position data of the measurement location. The method compares whether the measured position-specific acceleration value exceeds the value on the server for the said area and in case the value is exceeded, a measured position-specific acceleration value is sent to the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to use a vehicle back-up camera as a cost-effective dead-reckoning sensor in satellite-based vehicle navigation systems. Since the back-up camera may already use a display of the navigation system for display, the data from the back-up camera may be easily obtained and integrated into the navigation system. The data from the camera is received by a navigation receiver wirelessly or through a wired connection. The image is processed to determine the speed, heading, turn-rate of the vehicle to aid the satellite-based navigation system if the satellite signals are inadequate. Thus, enhanced vehicle navigation- performance can be obtained without adding new sensors and/or connecting to a vehicle data bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating geographic information system are provided. Method includes receiving name and location of point of interest (POI). Method includes comparing name and location of received POI to names and locations of POIs stored in data repository. Method includes determining whether first POI in data repository has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI. Method includes increasing or maintaining maximum confidence value for first POI if first POI has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI. Method includes adding name and location of received POI to temporary set of points of interest if it is determined that no POI in data repository has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI.

Abstract: This disclosure provides techniques for the creation of maps of indoor spaces. In these techniques, an individual or a team with no mapping or cartography expertise can contribute to the creation of maps of buildings, campuses or cities. An indoor location system can track the location of contributors in the building. As they walk through indoor spaces, an application may automatically create a map based on data from motion sensors by both tracking the location of the contributors and also inferring building features such as hallways, stairways, and elevators based on the tracked contributors' motions as they move through a structure. With these techniques, the process of mapping buildings can be crowd sourced to a large number of contributors, making the indoor mapping process efficient and easy to scale up.

Abstract: When a navigation apparatus generates, in the course of learning a new road, shape points information of the new road as well as new road information and connecting road information which respectively specify a road name, road attributes and other features of the new road and connecting roads, the generated information regarding the new road is examined if a corresponding road that corresponds to the new road is registered in case that a map database used by the navigation apparatus is updated. If the corresponding road is found in the updated map database, the generated information of the new road such as the shape points information is deleted, thereby securely invalidating the generated information that became unnecessary due to the update of the map database.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus having a road learning function includes a detector, a memory, an identifying device, a determination device, and a guidance device. The detector creates a learned road link connecting exit and return points in an existing link. The memory stores road information representing that the existing link forms a continuous road at an end of the learned road link. The identifying device identifies an entrance link into the end of the learned road link and an exit link from the end of the learned road link in a route. The road determination device determines whether the entrance and exit links form the continuous road. The guidance device prohibits the guidance on a direction to go at the end of the learned road link when the road determination device determines that the entrance and exit links form the continuous road.

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 positioning system and method for determining a position of a machine on a worksite are disclosed. The method may store a map of the worksite which includes one or more known objects in the worksite. The method may determine whether a locating device associated with the machine is accurately providing the position of the machine. The method may also include detecting one or more objects in the worksite. The method may further determine an unmatched object from among the detected objects that does not match the one or more known objects stored in the map. The method may also store the unmatched object in the map as a known object of the worksite.

Abstract: An electronic navigational chart updating system receives navigational chart information regarding navigation collected from mobile terminals of a plurality of information providers embarked in a plurality of vessels, and updates an electronic navigational chart by using the received navigational chart information.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping parameter data acquired by a robot mapping system is disclosed. Parameter data characterizing the environment is collected while the robot localizes itself within the environment using landmarks. Parameter data is recorded in a plurality of local grids, i.e., sub-maps associated with the robot position and orientation when the data was collected. The robot is configured to generate new grids or reuse existing grids depending on the robot's current pose, the pose associated with other grids, and the uncertainty of these relative pose estimates. The pose estimates associated with the grids are updated over time as the robot refines its estimates of the locations of landmarks from which determines its pose in the environment. Occupancy maps or other global parameter maps may be generated by rendering local grids into a comprehensive map indicating the parameter data in a global reference frame extending the dimensions of the environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods store information data in an information data frame, including retrieval keys, and store pertinent data specifying the information data in a pertinent data frame for each individual category specified by the retrieval keys. The systems and methods receive an updating file containing updating information data for updating information data subject to update. The systems and methods extract the information data subject to update from the information data frame and update the extracted information data with the updating information data contained in the received updating file. The systems and methods extract the pertinent data in a category specified by a retrieval key contained in the information data subject to update from the pertinent data frame and update the extracted pertinent data with the updating information data contained in the updating file.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is assistance, safety and navigation technology for vehicles. In particular, the disclosure relates to a vehicle system and a method for controlling the vehicle system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, an intersection without traffic signals and without a sufficient merge lane. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where roads meet without a traffic signal and without a sufficient merge lane. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the location of the insufficient merge lane. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a location of an insufficient merge lane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for generating a three dimensional terrain map of a geographic area. Mobile units are equipped with satellite receivers (e.g., GPS receivers) for generating location data. A map generator uses the location data to generate a three dimensional terrain map. In one embodiment, the mobile units have primary uses other than mapping, and are traversing the geographic area to be mapped in connection with their primary function. The map generation process may be performed iteratively over time, as additional location data becomes available. During a time period when location data is unavailable for a portion of the three dimensional terrain map, the map generator may estimate the missing portion of the map using the available data. The estimated portion may later be updated with actual data as that data becomes available. The map may also contain enhancements based on enhancement data received by the map generator.

Abstract: A method and system for refreshing location code data is disclosed. The system includes a location code change system that receives map change data and location code change data. The location code change system processes the map change data, finds affected location codes, and updates the location code's information by manipulating the location code data or performing a geocoding operation. The updated location code data is stored in a location code system. The location code change system receives the location code change data from the location code system and provides information regarding the location code changes to a map change system, which facilitates map updates based on the location code changes.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes an interface that connects to a charging apparatus and exchanges authentication information with a server via a network. The electronic device also includes a control unit that controls charging of a battery of the electronic device based on power received from the charging apparatus. Upon completion of the charging operation, the interface of the electronic device transmits information for calculating a tax based on the charging operation to the server.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an attribute of a point of interest 150 comprises associating a region 152 with the point of interest 150; and evaluating 148 the attribute according to a comparison of position data 154,156,158 of a plurality of users with position data defining the associated region.

Abstract: An update device for generating and updating a digital map in a vehicle is specified which resorts to position data from adjacent vehicles. The position data can be processed further within the update device in order to allow accurate and prompt updating of a subregion of the map without this requiring communication with the map manufacturer or service provider.

Abstract: A method of identifying a temporarily located road feature that engenders vehicular speed behavior change comprises a navigation apparatus monitoring speed thereof or a parameter associated therewith. The method also comprises the navigation apparatus generating a message in response to detection of a profile associated with speed of the navigation apparatus and that corresponds to a predetermined speed change profile associated with the presence of the temporarily located road feature.

Abstract: Map data are overlaid on satellite imagery. A road segment within the map data is identified, and the satellite imagery indicates that the road segment is at a different geographic position than a geographic position indicated by the map data. The endpoints of the road segment in the map data are aligned with the corresponding positions of the endpoints in the satellite imagery. A road template is applied at an endpoint of the road segment in the satellite imagery, and the angle of the road template that matches the angle of the road segment indicated by the satellite imagery is determined by optimizing a cost function. The road template is iteratively shifted along the road segment in the satellite imagery. The geographic position of the road segment within the map data is updated responsive to the positions and angles of the road template.

Abstract: Repairing GPS data is disclosed. Repairing GPS data includes repairing an effort, comprising determining that the effort includes inaccurate GPS data; and adjusting the effort using a repaired base map. Repairing GPs data includes repairing a segment, comprising determining an inaccurate shape data in the segment; and adjusting shape data for the segment based on a repaired base.

Abstract: A map update data delivery method includes: storing update unit data compiled in correspondence to each set of update data used to update map data in a specific version to map data in another version for a map element by incorporating update data for another map element that must also be updated in coordination with a change made for the map element; searching for base update data needed to update a map data for a map element designated as an update target in a map area specified at a terminal as a map data update target; searching for related update data with a relation to contents of update data included in the base update data searched; and transmitting the base update data and the related update data to the terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program and user interface wherein the method comprises: a controller configured to determine locations of interest within a predetermined distance of a first location; a display configured to simultaneously present a map, a first bounded area of the map and a list of the determined locations of interest within the first bounded area; a user input device configured to enable a user to make a user input, wherein; the controller is configured to detect a user input and, in response to the detection of the user input, control the display to present a second bounded area of the map and update the list of the determined locations of interest so that locations of interest within the second bounded area are presented in the list.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an attribute of a point of interest 150 comprises associating a region 152 with the point of interest 150; and evaluating 148 the attribute according to a comparison of position data 154,156,158 of a plurality of users with position data defining the associated region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system and a remote data analysis system for detecting an event and switching a data acquisition mode. Checking a state of a data acquisition mode. If the state is in a filtered data state and if an indicator value is at or above a threshold value, then switch the data acquisition mode to an unfiltered data state and acquire unfiltered data. If the data acquisition mode is in an unfiltered data state and if the indicator value is below the threshold value, switch the data acquisition mode to a filtered data state and acquire filtered data.

Abstract: At the first data access by a navigation unit to a recording medium that records updating right information necessary for updating map data in a rewritable data area in which map data are recorded, the updating right information is read from the data area and is deleted from the data area, and a map updating due date created based on the read updating right information is written in a memory of the navigation unit together with the medium identification information read from a non-rewritable management area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for navigating with the use of correlation within a select area are provided. One method includes, storing data required to reconstruct ranges and associated angles to objects along with statistical accuracy information while initially traversing throughout the select area. Measuring then current ranges and associated angles to the objects during a subsequent traversal throughout the select area. Correlating the then current ranges and associated angles to the objects to reconstructed ranges and associated angles to the objects from the stored data. Determining at least one of then current location and heading estimates within the select area based at least in part on the correlation and using the least one of the then current location and heading estimates for navigation.

Abstract: A map data utilization apparatus retrieves a version information of map data for a specific area when a current position of a vehicle is updated. Then, the version information of the map data of the specific area is compared with a version information of the map data of an identical area in a version list that is retrieved in advance for map data updating. When the version of the map data in the version list is different from the one of the map data of the specific area, an inquiry screen is displayed on a display unit for inquiring a user whether the map data is updated. When an update is instructed by the user, map data update data is acquired from an information center, and the map data of the specific area is updated by using the map data update data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for assigning parameters to a geographic area, wherein the parameters may be used to associate a speed limit with the geographic area. For example, in one embodiment, a geofenced area that comprises one or more street segments is identified. Additionally, speed data associated with one of more of the street segments is received. After receiving the speed data, a speed limit is determined for one or more of the street segments and associated with one or more of the street segments.

Abstract: In a vehicle drive support device 10a including an optical beacon communicator 11 that acquires exterior information on roads from an optical beacon communicator 100 on the roadside outside a subject vehicle, a navigation system 12 that acquires interior information on roads inside the subject vehicle and a vehicle drive support processing unit 24 that performs vehicle drive support of the subject vehicle using the exterior information acquired by the optical beacon communicator 11, the vehicle drive support processing unit 24 changes use aspects of the exterior information for the vehicle drive support in accordance with the interior information acquired by the navigation system 12. Accordingly, it becomes possible to perform the vehicle drive support by more efficiently using the information from outside of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: An approach is provided to selectively incorporate traveler feedback into a trip planning database. In the approach, a planned trip segment is retrieved with the planned trip segment including a planned start time, a planned start location, a planned mode of transportation, a planned destination location, and a predicted end time. Subsequently, actual trip segment data items are received. A validation routine checks whether the planned trip segment was actually traveled by comparing the retrieved planning trip segment with the actual trip segment data items. If the trip is successfully validated, then the trip planning database is updated using feedback received from the user. However, if validation was unsuccessful, then the trip planning database not updated with the user's travel feedback.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to an autonomous vehicle accessing portions of a map to localize itself within the map. More specifically, one or more convolution scores may be generated between a prior map and a current map. Convolution scores may be generated by applying a fast Fourier transform on both the prior and current maps, multiplying the results of the transforms, and taking the inverse fast Fourier transform of the product. Based on these convolution scores, an autonomous vehicle may determine the offset between the maps and localize itself relative to the prior map.

Abstract: A system for creating a digital representation of a status of one or more air vehicles and of sensed external objects includes one or more air vehicles, one or more sensors coupled to each of the one or more air vehicles, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine navigation information associated with travel of each of the one or more air vehicles, and capture data associated with the sensed external objects sensed by the one or more sensors. The processor is further configured to identify and track the sensed external objects in the captured data, geo-locate the identified sensed external objects via dynamic landmarking, and dynamically update a landmark database. The processor is further configured to utilize the landmark database to control at least one or more functions in a respective air vehicle of the one or more air vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating geographic information system are provided. Method includes receiving name and location of point of interest (POI). Method includes comparing name and location of received POI to names and locations of POIs stored in data repository. Method includes determining whether first POI in data repository has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI. Method includes increasing or maintaining maximum confidence value for first POI if first POI has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI. Method includes adding name and location of received POI to temporary set of points of interest if it is determined that no POI in data repository has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI.

Abstract: A method of establishing map data for a navigation device is disclosed. The navigation device includes a position device for receiving satellite signals to obtain coordinates of the navigation device, a user interface for receiving a command, a map database for storing map data, and a navigation processor coupled to the user interface, the position device and the map database for outputting a comparison result according to the command, the coordinates and the map data. The method includes recording the plurality of coordinates of the position device, comparing the plurality of coordinates with the map data to generate the comparison result, and determining whether to update or establish new map data according to the command.

Abstract: A system and method for a navigation system including a hazard avoidance feature is disclosed. The system and method allows for professionals, civilians, vehicles, robots and computer systems to collaborate and share information regarding hazards, defects, obstacles, flaws, and other abnormalities that exist in any environment. Routes may be planned that avoid these hazards reducing lost time or frustration. Moreover, the system and method is configured for participants to detect, catalog, and share information related to obstacles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for identifying points of interest are provided. The system may include an interface module, a route module, a search module, and a rank module. The interface module may be configured to receive a request to identify points of interest along a travel route, the request including a predetermined distance and a search term. The route module may be configured to obtain, from a database, a set of travel decision nodes along the travel route. The search module may be configured to perform, for each travel decision node in the set of travel decision nodes, a search for points of interest within the predetermined distance of the travel decision node based on the search term. The rank module may be configured to prioritize the points of interest identified by the search. After the points of interest are prioritized, the interface module may output the prioritized points of interest.

Abstract: A system for providing a tailored route to a mobile communications device over a wireless communications network. The system includes a map server including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to make the map server operable to prepare a basic route from a route origin to a route destination and obtain information regarding characteristics of the wireless communications network along the basic route. The processor is further made operable to prepare the tailored route using the basic route and the network characteristics information and provide the tailored route to the mobile communications device over the wireless communications network.

Abstract: A navigation method and apparatus of a mobile terminal capture an image of a road on which a driver is driving a vehicle if the road is a new road which has not been updated on map data, automatically generates guidance information of the captured road, and provide a user preference route in searching a route from a current location to a destination to thereby enhance user satisfaction. The navigation apparatus of a mobile terminal includes a storage unit configured to store map data, a display unit configured to display a route from a current location to a destination on the map data, and a controller configured to store locus information of a vehicle in real time when the vehicle gets off of the route and gives a weight value to a link corresponding to the locus information.

Abstract: When determining that a subject vehicle traveled a curve, a road shape learning apparatus amends an entrance coordinate, a middle coordinate, and an exit coordinate of the curve based on predetermined amendment values to thereby obtain a post-amendment entrance coordinate, a post-amendment middle coordinate, and a post-amendment exit coordinate. The road shape learning apparatus computes a radius of a circular arc which passes through the post-amendment entrance coordinate, the post-amendment middle coordinate, and the post-amendment exit coordinate and designates the computed radius as a curvature radius of the curve.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide approximations of latitude and longitude coordinates of objects, for example a business, in street level images. The images may be collected by a camera. An image of a business is collected along with GPS coordinates and direction of the camera. Depth maps of the images may be generated, for example, based on laser depth detection or displacement of the business between two images caused by a change in the position of the camera. After identifying a business in one or more images, the distance from the camera to a point or area relative to the business in the one or more images may be determined based on the depth maps. Using this distance and the direction of the camera which collected the one or more images and GPS coordinates of the camera, the approximate GPS coordinates of the business may be determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating position location of a mobile device.

Abstract: Provided is a navigation device which can automatically display on a map screen, an icon of a facility, information of which is not held in the navigation device. According to the navigation device (2), when it is judged that content information received from a roadside radio device (1) contains “object facility coordinate information” and “icon image information”, these information are written into a facility information table (252). When displaying a map screen and an existing facility icon on a display unit (22), it is judged whether the facility information table (252) contains facility icon information having coordinate information contained within a range indicated by the map screen. If YES, the corresponding facility icon is overlay-displayed on the map screen and the existing facility icon.

Abstract: The class of k Nearest Neighbor (k NN) queries in spatial networks has been studied in the literature. Existing approaches for k NN search in spatial networks assume that the weight of each edge in the spatial network is constant. However, real-world edge-weights are time-dependent and vary significantly in short durations, hence invalidating the existing solutions. The problem of k NN search in time-dependent spatial networks, where the weight of each edge is a function of time, is addressed herein. Two indexing schemes (Tight Network Index and Loose Network Index) are proposed to minimize the number of candidate nearest neighbor objects and reduce the invocation of the expensive fastest-path computation in time-dependent spatial networks. We demonstrate the efficiency of our proposed solution via experimental evaluations with real-world data-sets, including a variety of large spatial networks with real traffic-data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, deriving, and enhancing drivable road databases are provided. A baseline road in a road network is defined and position and/or trajectory data collected by vehicles traveling the baseline road are compiled and compared to a representation of the baseline road in an existing database. Identity and/or other property information about the road are assigned form the existing database to the new database.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging location content data in different data formats is disclosed. A third-party system makes a request to retrieve, add, modify, or delete location content. The request is made in a first data format. A data exchange system receives the request, converts the request to a second data format supported by a location reference system, and sends the request to the location reference system. The location reference system prepares a response to the request and sends the response to the data exchange system. The data exchange system converts the response to the first data format and sends the response to the third-party system.

Abstract: The present invention is a video production and control system that uses a touch screen display and user interface, managed by a controller, for video switching. The system is used to select Preview and Program video feeds from a set of video input feeds. The video source configuration for some of the feeds may have been selected using touch screen video source control technology. Over time, the user can use the touch screen controls to switch which feeds are then designated as the Preview and Program feeds. The evolving Program signal is sent to a Program output connection for consumers of the Program, possibly after some reformatting. The current Program feed may be promoted from the current Preview feed. User controls determine the type of transition, such as cut or crossfade, that will apply to a transition from Preview to Program.

Abstract: In map data having link information, each of the links has reference information regarding a start point node of the link, a next link in a series of links, and an upper link. Further, links are memorized in a form of link list, and the position of the link in the link list is not changed in the course of adding/deleting a link, thereby enabling a direct reference to each of the links in the link list by the position of the link. The link information organized in the above-described manner enables the ease of the update of the map data as well as the speed-up of the calculation of, for example, a navigation route.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product are disclosed for creating and displaying shortcuts and landmarks on a navigational map. The embodiments include storing context data in a mobile wireless device, the context data including at least one of travel class of a shortcut path, limits of a shortcut path, or restrictions of a shortcut path. The shortcuts may be categorized by their context in travel classes such as car, bike, pedestrian, pram, wheelchair, walker, blind pedestrian, disabled pedestrian, or the like. The embodiments register in the mobile wireless device a starting location for a shortcut path and record locations of the device as the device moves along the shortcut path. The embodiments receive signals describing a landmark at a landmark location along the shortcut path, including digital photographs, descriptive text and voice clips. The embodiments then form in a shortcut mapping file the recorded shortcut path, information about the landmark, and the context data.