Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for generating accurate maps for autonomous vehicles. A map is stored at a computing device associated with a vehicle. The vehicle can be operated in a partially-autonomous mode, where the computing device can generate driving directions for manual execution along a route based on the map. The computing device can be configured to receive and store information related to features and a quality of driving along the route. The map can be updated and quality control statistics can be determined based on the stored information. The updated map can be promoted based on the quality control statistics. In response to promoting the updated map, the computing device can store the promoted map and enable the vehicle to operate in the autonomous-operation mode using the promoted map.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping an indoor environment. A client device may receive an indication of a starting point on a floor plan. The client device may prompt the user to travel in a particular direction and indicate when the user can no longer travel in that direction. As the user travels from the starting point in the designated direction, the client device may gather information about the indoor environment. For example, the client device may gather wireless signal strength data, cellular tower strength data, or video image data while the user travels in the designated direction. The client device may associate the gathered information with the path the user traveled from the starting point to the ending point. The client device may indicate the area for which valid location information is available based on the path the user traveled and the information the user collected.

Abstract: In a position registering apparatus, an acquiring unit acquires traveling state information indicating a traveling state of a mobile object and a position identifying unit specifies the current position of the mobile object, based on the traveling state information and map information. After the current position of the mobile object is identified to be on a road within a predetermined range from a destination set by a destination setting unit and is then identified to be at a place other than the road, if the parking determining unit determines that the mobile object is parked, a registering unit registers, into a storage unit, a deviation point from the road as an entrance point of a parking lot of the destination.

Abstract: A method and system for managing differences between geographic database versions is disclosed. A user registers his version of a geographic database with a map management application and thereafter enters a destination on a graphical user interface. The map management application checks to see if data representing the destination is located in the user's version of the geographic database and a more current version of the geographic database. If the data representing the destination is located in the more current version but not the user's version of the geographic database, the map management application provides the user with options, including upgrading to a more current version of the geographic database.

Abstract: Data in an update data format for performing an update of reference map data is formed by storing in each data frame divided for each data type, at least one of: a first group of one or more common map data records to be stored according to the data type of each data frame in a common map data frame after a conversion by a conversion unit; a second group of one or more first map data records to be stored according to the data type of each data frame in a first map data frame after a conversion by a conversion unit; and a third group of one or more second map data records to be stored according to the data type of each data frame in a second map data frame after a conversion by a conversion unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to quality control of survey data used to generate and or supplement map information. A device may be walked through an indoor space in order to collect survey data (accelerometer, gyroscope, wireless network identifiers, etc.). The survey data is then transmitted to a server for further processing to identify the path (or the various locations) of the device in the indoor space. The path may be determined by referring to a map of the indoor location and a localization algorithm, for example, a particle filter or least squares optimizer. The path may be compared to other survey data and paths from the same indoor space as well as the map in order to provide an estimate of the quality of the localization produced for the survey data. Low quality survey data may be flagged for further review or used to make changes to the map.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed. Previously stored images of one or more geographic areas may be viewed by online users. A new low-resolution image may be acquired and aspects of the new low-resolution image may be compared with a corresponding one of the previously stored images to determine an amount of change. A determination may be made regarding whether to acquire a new high-resolution image based on the determined amount of change and a freshness score associated with the one of the previously stored images. In another embodiment, a new image may be captured and corresponding location data may be obtained. A corresponding previously stored image may be obtained and compared with the new image to determine an amount of change. The new image may be uploaded to a remote computing device based on the determined amount of change and a freshness score of the previously stored image.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes connecting a navigation device to a server via a modem connection; receiving information from the server; determining whether or not criteria will be met for disconnecting the modem connection; and connecting the navigation device to the server via an alternative connection upon determining that criteria will be met for disconnecting the modem connection.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a request for a destination; establishing a predetermined time period based on the destination; calculating a user generated address associated with the destination and filtered with the predetermined time period; generating a comparison between a destination address of the destination and the user generated address; and generating a travel route to the user generated address for the destination with the comparison as the non-match for displaying on a device.

Abstract: A map information processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor for calculating a vehicle position; a data generation unit for generating traveling locus data on the basis of the calculated vehicle position when the vehicle position deviates from a road; a registration unit for registering the traveling locus data generated by the data generation unit in a temporarily registered road list as a temporarily registered road; an operation unit for selecting one of temporarily registered roads registered in the temporarily registered road list; and an official registration unit for registering the selected temporarily registered road in an officially registered road list as an officially registered road in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit, generating road data on the basis of traveling locus data relating to the temporarily registered road, and adding the generated road data to a map data stored in a map data storage unit.

Abstract: A map-updating-data creating apparatus performs, for each old map file, creating a map-updating file for rewriting the map file to a new map file, determining the serial number of each of the updated map files, creating a serial number management file in which marks are respectively written at positions corresponding to the serial numbers, and generating, as map-updating data, the map-updating file and the serial number management file. A navigation apparatus performs map-updating processing and determines, by referring to the serial number management file, whether a map file has already been updated. The navigation apparatus uses the map-updating file to execute navigation control if the map file has already been updated, and updates the map file and subsequently executes the navigation control if the map file has not been updated.

Abstract: A navigation device (a vehicle-mounted navigation device 1) is connected, via a mobile communication network 3, to a server 5 by way of a telephone 2 connected thereto via cable 1a or radio 1b, and includes a communication control unit 12 for communicating with the server 5 by using the telephone 2 to measure parameter information about a command support status of the telephone 2 or a communication connection environment, and a main control unit 10 for transmitting the parameter information measured by the communication control unit 12 to an external storage medium 21 or the server 5, and for controlling subsequent communications according to the parameter information transmitted to the external storage medium 21 or the server 5.

Abstract: A map distribution system that implements navigation using desired map data in which the degree of reliability of information about an object, such as a road or a facility, is taken into consideration is provided. A map distribution server 1a creates distribution data including difference map data and a reliance status showing the degree of reliability of the difference map data as a reply to edit request information about an edit request made by a user, and a map information terminal 3 receives the distribution data via a communication network 2 and performs navigation according to the reliance status included in the distribution data.

Abstract: A charge monitoring apparatus is mountable on or connectable to a vehicle which uses electrical power supplied from a battery on the vehicle for traveling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a navigation system comprising the following method steps: a) calculating a route from a point of departure to a destination, said route being composed of a succession of route segments and junctions between the route segments and being selected by means of a route calculation process from a database in which a geographical region is described by route segments and junctions; b) calculating at least one maneuvering instruction which contains instructions for the user to follow the route starting from the current position; c) optically and/or acoustically outputting the maneuvering instruction in an output device, wherein prior to and/or during the calculation and/or prior to and/or during the output of the maneuvering instruction, a configuration file is read and interpreted by an interpretation module, and wherein configuring preset data for calculating and/or outputting the maneuvering instruction are stored in the configuration file.

Abstract: A device and a method for operating a navigation system having a data receiving device and a memory, map data of a map being stored in the memory, and when updated map data are received, these are entered, the map data being hierarchically organized and information being assigned to the map data regarding the update version of the map data.

Abstract: The system comprises a track profile database stored in a memory that has data relative to the identity of one or more wayside devices for a track and data relative to a location associated with each of the one or more wayside devices on the track. A camera generates visible spectral data of the wayside equipment as the vehicle travels on the track. A data storage device is provided for storing the spectral data received from the camera and data relative to a location of the powered vehicle when the camera generates the spectral data of the wayside equipment wherein the location of the powered vehicle represents the location of the wayside equipment. A controller is configured to compare the location data of the wayside equipment in the database to the location data associated with the spectral data of the wayside equipment stored in the data storage device.

Abstract: A method for processing a first data stream specifying locations of a user at different times and a second data stream specifying values of a monitored attribute at a location of interest at different times includes: receiving a location-centric trigger specifying at least one spatial predicate condition relative to the location of interest and at least one non-spatial predicate condition relevant to the location of interest, calculating a safe region that includes locations whose probability of satisfying the spatial predicate condition falls below a first threshold, calculating a safe value container that includes values whose probability of satisfying the non-spatial predicate condition falls below a second threshold, and processing the first data stream and the second data stream against the location-centric trigger, by considering only those locations that are not contained within the safe region and only those values that are not contained within the safe value container.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system and method is provided whereby map-related requests from mobile devices are used to store and aggregate routes. The routes are then used to determine optimum directions in response to subsequent requests.

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: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates generating a point of interest related to a map. An interface component can collect a portion of annotation data from two or more users, wherein the portion of annotation data is associated with a digital map and includes at least one of a map location and a user specific description of the map location. An annotation aggregator can evaluate annotation data corresponding to the map location on the digital map. The annotation aggregator can create a point of interest (POI) for the map location based upon the evaluation and populates the digital map with at least one of an identified location extracted from two or more users or a universal description extracted from two or more users.

Abstract: A road map data structure includes road network data Rn, representing roads by a connection relation of a plurality of links L, in a hierarchical structure of a plurality of levels, in which, as a link ID for each link L at a lowest level, consecutive serial IDs, according to a connection order of the links within a link line ML formed of a plurality of the consecutive links having a common attribute, are assigned to first links L1 which have a corresponding link existing at a higher level, and a permanent ID, irrelevant with the connection order of the links, is assigned to a second link L2 which does not have a corresponding link existing at a higher level.

Abstract: A map data providing method for providing map data to be used in a navigation system includes: dividing an area over which the map data are available into a plurality of blocks by using each of a plurality of division patterns set so that blocks resulting from divisions with the plurality of division patterns are not identical to one another; generating map data in correspondence to each of the blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns; and providing the map data corresponding to the individual blocks resulting from the divisions achieved with the plurality of division patterns to a user so as to allow the user to freely select map data corresponding to any block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a methodology for the collection, processing and distribution of traffic data and delivering more accurate routing in GPS-based Personal Navigation Assistants (PNAs). The methodology includes a) Data Collection Methodology (DCM), b) a Data Incorporation Methodology (DIM), and c) a Routing Methodology (RM). The DCM regards the collection of information related to the traffic flow in each road. The DIM includes a procedure executed at a central system (CS), outside the PNA, performing the incorporation of the “trace data” (i.e. user-submitted route-related information, including a list of periodically collected, time-stamped GPS samples, augmented with other parameter values defining the vehicle-type, weather-conditions, road-type, holiday-type), collected by the DCM.

Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus includes: a memory for storing a map data; a center communication element for obtaining a latest map data from a center; an inter-vehicle communication element for communicating with another in-vehicle apparatus; an input element for receiving an input signal of a specific area from an user; and a controller for setting the specific area as an initial main area. The inter-vehicle communication element receives another map data from another in-vehicle apparatus. The controller compares the map data with another map data. When another main area includes an area not included in the initial main area, the controller adds the area as a new main area, and updates the map data with another map data. The controller updates the map data corresponding to the initial main area with the latest map data.

Abstract: A map information processing apparatus includes a road matching means (143) for comparing the road data with current position data to carry out map matching, an input unit (130) for inputting both a specified detection start point and a specified detection end point, an unregistered road detection means (144) to which both the specified detection start point and the specified detection end point are inputted, for detecting, as an unregistered road, a section between a detection start point and a detection end point of the unregistered road which are acquired on the basis of either the map matching carried out by the road matching means or the result of comparison between running track data and the road data, and a road data generating means (145) for generating road data corresponding to the detected unregistered road and storing the road data in a map data storage means.

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: A method for providing and utilizing navigation data can include identifying a grid that includes a plurality of geographical regions. Each geographical region can have an associated navigation data set which includes street level mapping data. Linking references for each geographical region can be defined. Geographical navigation bundles can be identified that conform to an OSGi compliant framework. Each bundle can correspond to one of the geographical regions and can include a navigation data set and a manifest file. The manifest file can include a version, date, and the linking references. A GPS equipped device can dynamically install and activate the geographical navigation bundles. The GPS equipped device can perform at least one navigation process based upon the navigation data set. The GPS device can predict when new navigation data is needed and can automatically acquire suitable geographical navigation bundles in response to these predictions.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for displaying a procedure to an aircrew member of an aircraft. The system includes, but is not limited to, a moving map display, a position detecting unit, a flight management system, an electronic storage unit for storing navigation procedures associated with geographic locations, and a processor coupled with the moving map display, the position detecting unit, the flight management system, and the electronic storage unit. The processor is configured to receive a current location of the aircraft from the position determining unit and a flight path from the flight management system, to retrieve a navigation procedure from the electronic storage unit corresponding to the current location and the flight path of the aircraft, and to command the moving map display to display a graphic depiction of the flight path.

Abstract: A method of displaying an electronic map includes receiving map data associated with a plurality of objects that are disposed within a geographic area. The map data is analyzed to thereby determine a state or value of a metric associated with one of the objects. The associated object is rendered in a low density or high density within the map depending upon the state or value of the metric.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for GPS navigation utilizing variable route corridors. The method may be implemented at a GPS-capable device (e.g. a telematics unit in one implementation) or through a call center that provides navigation services to a telecommunications device (e.g. a telematics unit in another implementation). A user input corresponding to an intended destination is received and a route to the intended destination is calculated with a variable route corridor. The variable route corridor is calculated based on map features, such as other streets not on the route, the width of streets on the route, and map data inaccuracies. In preferred implementations, the system and method are implemented within the context of a GPS unit that is part of a telematics unit in a vehicle.

Abstract: The described method and system provide for GPS navigation utilizing a previously stored position as a starting port when current position information is not available. The method may be implemented at a GPS-capable device (e.g. a telematics unit in one implementation) or through a call center that provides navigation services to a telecommunications device (e.g. a telematics unit in another implementation). A user input corresponding to an intended destination is received, it is determined whether current position information of the user is available; and, if not available, a route to the intended destination is calculated based on a previously stored position of the user. It may further be determined whether current position information of the user subsequently becomes available, and, when available, it may further be determined whether the user is on the calculated route that was based on the previously stored position of the user.

Abstract: A map data processor includes: a road map database storing a road map data having a link data with setting information of the link and road network information with connection information between links; a communication element obtaining a new link data with connection object setting information of a connection object link and coordinate information of one end of the new link from an external device; and a controller. The controller extracts a link data of a link in a predetermined geographical area with a center of the one end of the new link. The controller determines that the new link is connected to an extracted link when the connection object setting information matches the setting information of the extracted link data. The controller registers the new link data and connection information between the new link and the connection object link in the road map data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a touch unit and a processing unit. The touch unit receives touches made thereon by a user with an object and correspondingly generates a plurality of touch points. The processing unit is electrically connected to the touch unit and uses a start location, a target location, the plurality of touch points, and an electronic map to generate a navigation route. A navigation device control method as well as a program-storing computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product enabling implementation of the control method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger and vehicle paring. Specifically, this invention relates to a system and method for aligning a particular passenger with a unique vehicle through the use of one or more scanners and unique identifiers placed at specific entrances to a facility. The system further relates to a system and method for identifying particular egress routes to align the particular passenger with the unique vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for user input of map corrections via voice controlled human machine interface (HMI). A navigation device (20) is voice control enabled to respond to a defined set of commands. The navigation device (20) further includes display screen shot functionality, together with a camera (28) for taking real-world snapshots and/or recording video segments. Using voice control, a driver can make map update corrections (32) which are associated with a screen shot (34) of the display screen (22) of the navigation device (20), together with the captured image (36) from the camera (28). This information, together with optional additional meta information, may be transmitted to a collection service or update center.

Abstract: A map update data supply apparatus includes: isolation detection means for detecting the presence and the absence of an isolated state in which some of the roads are isolated from other roads in a road network of target map data due to updating of one or more update target segments of the target map data based on update map data; extraction means for extracting, as update required segments, segments of the update map data, other than the update target segments, that have a road that connects to the isolated some of the roads when it is detected that there is the isolated state; and update data file generating means for generating update data files for the update target segments and the update required segments based on the update map data.

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: The present invention is related to detecting location of a navigation device using sensor data analysis, where the sensor is coupled to the navigation device. A hierarchical algorithm is used for making a series of decisions regarding the location of the navigation device, with each decision corresponding to a class among a plurality of classes related to the possible motion modes and/or precise location of the device, including the location of the device with respect to a person's body. By accurately identifying the device location, the hierarchical algorithm facilitates in providing relevant contextual information, thereby enhancing situational awareness.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, system and/or computer program product confirm an orally entered address to a mobile navigation device. The mobile navigation device receives a global positioning system (GPS) root address component from a GPS. The GPS root address component is a text name of a root location at which a mobile navigation device is currently located. The mobile navigation device receives an orally entered address that comprises an oral root address component and an oral subunit component of the oral root address component. In response to the converted root address component matching the GPS root address component, the orally entered address is partitioned into the oral subunit component and the oral root address component, and any additional speech-to-text conversion of the orally entered address after the oral root address component is terminated.

Abstract: A setting section sets a determination region, which is a certain geography range around a destination in a map specified by map data. A generating section generates a new road, which is not registered in the map data, based on a moving track of a navigation device when a current position of the navigation device deviates from an existing road registered in the map data. A new road registering section registers the generated new road in a storing section when a determination section determines that the set determination region includes at least a part of the generated new road. The navigation device performs the routing assistance to the destination using both the existing road registered in the map data and the registered new road.

Abstract: A navigation device receives a differential map data from a map delivery server via a communication line. The map delivery server checks whether there is a new intersection on a navigation route searched by the navigation device after updating a map data. The navigation device acquires a differential map data containing the intersection from the map delivery server. Then, an update map data selection section determines whether the intersection can be updated in time. An update order determination section updates the differential map data which can be updated in time in ascending order of time required to reach the intersection.

Abstract: An update map data acquiring means 6 for acquiring update map data is disposed in a navigation system. Even when a navigation function is being used by a control means 5 which controls the functions of the whole navigation system using yet-to-be-updated map data stored in a map data storing means 2, the control means updates the map data by writing the update map data from the update map data acquiring means 6 in a free space on the map data storing means 2.

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 b 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: An apparatus and method for building a map are provided. According to the apparatus and method, a path is generated on the basis of the degrees of uncertainty of features extracted from an image obtained while a mobile robot explores unknown surroundings, and the mobile robot travels along the generated path. The path based on the degrees of uncertainty of the features is generated and this may increase the accuracy of a feature map of the mobile robot or accuracy in self localization.

Abstract: An autonomous moving apparatus arranged to travel autonomously in a surrounding environment preferably includes: a distance measuring sensor arranged to output detection waves, detect a distance between the apparatus and an object which has reflected the detection wave based on a reflection state of the detection wave, and acquire information about the distance between the apparatus and the object which exists in the surroundings of the apparatus; an inclination sensor arranged to detect an inclination of the distance measuring sensor; and a control unit arranged to estimate the self-position in the surrounding environment and generate the global map of the surrounding environment based on the distance information. When the distance measuring sensor is determined to be inclined based on a detection result of the inclination sensor, the control unit stops estimating the self-position based on the distance information and stops generating the global map based on the distance information.

Abstract: A method for improving and extending an existing road network and generating new networks from statistically relevant amounts of probe data recorded by GPS-enabled navigation devices. New probe data is matched to the existing digital vector map, then the data merged into the existing network using a weighted mean technique. When new roads are detected, appropriate junction points are made with the existing network elements. The updated network data is simplified to improve computing speed and reduce data storage requirements.

Abstract: A path search method of a mobile object in a grid map having a plurality of cells, each having an identical size, is provided. The path search method includes: generating a block map having a plurality of blocks by merging a specific number of cells in the grid map; obtaining a block path by finding a path from a starting position to a destination position in the block map; and obtaining a final path of the mobile object by performing a cell-based path search on cells in the blocks on the block path.

Abstract: Real time navigation assistance is provided on multi-level roadways using on-the-fly elevation determinations obtained by measuring the ambient air pressure. Absolute air pressure measurements adjusted to sea level (QNH) are obtained by on-the-fly wireless searches. A navigation device (10) calculates its current elevation above sea level as a function of the measured ambient actual pressure and a selected local QNH reading. This elevation is correlated to a digital map so that the navigation device (10) can be accurately located relative to a multi-level roadway. Elevation readings along any road segment (14) can be transmitted to a map update center for the purpose of updating and improving digital map data.