Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the length of a path traveled by a vehicle using an onboard unit that generates a sequence of position readings and a related position quality index for each position reading. A set of consecutive position readings is extracted from the sequence. Position readings are discarded having position quality indices falling below a threshold. A set quality index is determined based on the number of position readings of the set or on the position quality indices. If the set quality index exceeds a threshold, the path length is determined based on mutual distances of consecutive position readings of the set. Otherwise, the path length is determined using a digital road map composed of road segments by associating the position readings of the set with at least one road segment, and determining the path length based on the segment length of the at least one road segment.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to localizing mobile devices. In one example, a first location method associated with a first accuracy value may be used to estimate a location of the mobile device. A confidence circle indicative of a level of confidence in the estimation of the location is calculated. The confidence circle may be displayed on a mobile device. When other location methods become available, the size of the displayed confidence circle may be expanded based on information from an accelerometer of the client device or the accuracy of the other available location methods. This may be especially useful when the mobile device is transitioning between areas which are associated with different location methods that may be more or less accurate.

Abstract: Provided is a method of performing time synchronization using a navigation device. The method includes: (a) performing time synchronization between a GPS satellite and a navigation device by receiving GPS signals by a navigation device from at least one GPS satellite; (b) establishing an interface between the navigation device and a time-using device; (c) setting conditions for transmitting time information to the navigation device; and (d) performing time synchronization between the navigation device and the time-using device by transmission of time information from the navigation device to the time-using device.

Abstract: A hybrid simulation method uses a simulator tool feeding kinematics commands to a movement simulator on which a moving body is mounted and to a target representative of an objective to be reached by the moving body, and on detection of an event representative of overshooting or changing a first designated objective for this moving body, the method includes a positioning stage associated with a second designated objective for the moving body, including comparing positions executed by the movement simulator in response to transition kinematics commands with a first predetermined setpoint position and activating a first marker if a position substantially the same as the first setpoint position is detected; comparing positions executed by the target in response to transition kinematics commands with a second predetermined setpoint position and activating a second marker if a position substantially the same as the second setpoint position is detected; when the first and second markers are activated, a step of eval

Abstract: A solution for estimating the pose of a platform, such as a vehicle, is provided. Data from a plurality of types of sensing devices located on the platform can be used to independently calculate a plurality of preliminary estimates corresponding to the pose. A plurality of estimates corresponding to the pose can be generated using the preliminary estimates and at least one covariance matrix. One or more entries in the covariance matrix are adjusted based on an uncertainty for the corresponding preliminary estimate. The uncertainty can vary based on time, distance, and/or velocity of the platform.

Abstract: A navigation device is provided that includes a processor configured to track a path of the navigation device based on a first signal received by the navigation device, and calculate a calculated position of the navigation device based on a second signal different from the first signal. The navigation device may further include a graphical user interface configured to display a calculated position graphical element representing the calculated position determined based on the second signal and display a tracked position graphical element representing the path of the navigation device determined based on the first signal, the tracked position graphical element and the calculated position graphical element being distinguishable in appearance.

Abstract: A method for calculating a navigation phase for a carrier, in a navigation system involving terrain correlation, includes determining a navigability map in which each point of interest of an onboard map is associated with a navigability score. The method is applicable to all terrain aided navigation techniques, and allows the consideration of the quality of the onboard maps and terrain sensors used.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a speed calculating section configured to calculates a traveling speed of a user based on a signal received from a positioning signal transmitter, a walking tempo acquiring section configured to acquire a walking tempo of the user, and an evaluating section configured to evaluate, based on the walking tempo and the traveling speed, reliability of information calculated by using the signal received from the positioning signal transmitter.

Abstract: A method for providing user interactive actual time networked surveying is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network connection is established between a survey instrument and a central computing device. In addition, a user session is established with the central computing device. Survey measurement data obtained with the survey instrument is transmitted to the central computing device. In addition, correction data from a virtual reference station (VRS) is received at the central computing device. The user session is allowed to direct the processing of the received survey measurement data including one or more real time kinematic calculations at the central computing device. The output of the processing of the received survey measurement data is provided to one or more authorized devices having a connection to the central computing device, the output provided in a concrete and tangible format.

Abstract: Concurrent text and voice communications can be maintained with an emergency call taker. An application executing on a mobile communications device in conjunction with a network gateway provide voice communication as well as an interactive Short Messaging System (SMS) session with a public safety answering point (PSAP). The gateway correlates and manages SMS messages with the PSAP and the mobile device. As such, a virtual session is generated over a traffic channel, that provides the advantages of a voice call as well as allowing text based communications.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a positioning unit that determines a position of the information processing apparatus based on an external signal; a sensor unit that detects a change in position of the information processing apparatus; and a processing unit that measures, according to a change in position detected at the sensor unit, an amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus from a first time when the positioning unit starts to determine the position of the information processing apparatus to a second time when the positioning unit completes determining the position of the information processing apparatus; and identifies a position of the information processing apparatus at the first time by compensating the position of the information processing apparatus determined by the positioning unit at the second time with the amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are disclosed for track simplification and correction. In one aspect, a track data set having track points defining a course can be accessed and inaccurate track points and incorrect track points can be identified, wherein identifying inaccurate track points includes comparing, for one or more of the track points, a dilution of precision (DOP) value associated with the track point to a DOP threshold, and identifying incorrect track points includes performing an error correction process. Also, a corrected track can be generated by removing identified inaccurate track points and incorrect track points from the track data set. Further, identifying an inaccurate track point can include determining that the DOP value associated with the track point exceeds the DOP threshold. Additionally, the DOP threshold can be specified by user input.

Abstract: A positioning device for obtaining position data of a plurality of points on a movement route, including a positioning unit that can measure a present position; a movement measuring unit for measuring a relative positional change; a position calculating unit for calculating position data of the plurality of points on the movement route on the basis of position data of a first reference point and positional change data obtained through measurement of the movement measuring unit; and a correcting unit for correcting the position data of at least one of the plurality of points calculated by the position calculating unit on the basis of difference information representing difference between a position represented by the position data calculated by the position calculating unit and a position represented by a positioning result of the positioning unit with respect to any second reference point on the movement route.

Abstract: A current position detector for a vehicle includes: an angular speed sensor; a speed sensor; a GPS receiver; a traveling trajectory estimating element for estimating a relative trajectory based on an orientation change amount and a traveling distance, and for estimating a traveling trajectory based on the relative trajectory and a GPS signal; and an error estimating element for estimating and correcting each error of an angular speed signal, a speed signal and the GPS signal. The error estimating element estimates a gain error of the angular speed signal such that an attachment angle gain error attributed to an attachment angle of the angular speed sensor and an angular speed gain error attributed to a non-linear gain property of the angular speed sensor are independently estimated.

Abstract: Device for aiding the navigation and guidance of an aircraft, and system comprising such a device. The device (1) comprises at least three independent channels and it comprises at least one computer (2) which contains means (4) for storing and means (6, 7) for calculating positions and deviations.

Abstract: A GPS measuring unit receives a signal from a GPS satellite and outputs GPS measurement data including at least orientation of an object. An angular velocity sensor outputs angular velocity of the object. An offset value computing unit estimates a running condition of the object on the basis of the measurement data and the angular velocity. The offset value computing unit sequentially derives a temporary offset value of the angular velocity sensor in accordance with the estimated running condition of the object. The offset value computing unit derives an offset value of the angular velocity sensor by executing statistical process on the temporary offset value of the angular velocity sensor. A forgetting factor in the statistical process is changed according to the running condition of the object.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and programs provide vehicle navigation. A speculative heading error is acquired that corresponds to the reliability of the vehicle heading, which corresponds to an estimated vehicle position that was calculated using a previous vehicle position as a reference. A best candidate position or the estimated vehicle position is set as the vehicle position depending on whether a heading difference between the vehicle heading and a heading when the estimated point is corrected to the best candidate position falls within the speculative heading error. Therefore, false matching can be further reduced and prompt recovery is possible even if a false match occurs.

Abstract: An HV-ECU performs a program including the steps of: determining whether or not the HV-ECU is in an auto-P execution state; determining whether or not a predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since an auto-P was requested; and permitting determination of the shifting operation if the HV-ECU is in the auto-P execution state and if it is determined that the predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since the auto-P was requested.

Abstract: A GPS sensor senses a current position of a vehicle. A map database stores map data. A controller obtains road information of a road ahead of the vehicle from the map data based on the sensed current position of the vehicle. Then, the controller measures a distance from the vehicle to a predetermined object, which serves as a sensing subject, on the road when the obtained road information is predetermined road information. Then, the controller outputs the measured distance as control information of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a system for generating and transmitting a telemetry formatted message containing raw Global Positioning System (GPS) information, processed Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) information corresponding to the position and attitude of a high speed vehicle in motion. This telemetry formatted message is received on the ground and used to improve Kalman filter operation. In particular, the telemetry formatted message is used as an input to a ground based Kalman filter that is set to track and predict the trajectory of the high speed vehicle. The telemetry formatted message content improves the overall operation of the Kalman filter by preventing Kalman filter resets that occur when a bit error is encountered in the IMU data and improves the time correlation of high data rate IMU information and low data rate GPS information, both necessary for accurate tracking of the high speed vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of and apparatus for determining inaccurate GPS samples in a set of GPS samples is disclosed, according to the following actions: a) obtaining GPS samples as taken by a global positioning system on board a vehicle when traveling along a trajectory; b) obtaining a first estimation of the trajectory based on the GPS samples; c) obtaining a second estimation of the trajectory at least based on measurements made by an inertial measurement unit on board vehicle when traveling along the trajectory; d) comparing the first and second estimations; e) establishing locations where the first estimation shows a variation compared with the second estimation above a predetermined threshold; f) if no such locations can be established continue with action j), otherwise continue with action g); g) removing GPS samples associated with the locations of high variation as being inaccurate GPS samples, thus forming a set of remaining GPS samples; h) calculating the first estimati

Abstract: The invention as disclosed is an autonomous magnetic measurement system for monitoring the background magnetic fields associated with power lines, electronic devices, electronic vehicles and the Earth's background magnetic field. The components of the autonomous magnetic measurement system include a series of three axis analog magnetic sensors, a fluxgate compass, and a programmable micro-controller. The micro-controller receives data from the sensor and compass and is programmed to autonomously detect magnetic signals having particular characteristics of interest.

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: A novel Parametric Systematic Error Correction (ParSEC) system is disclosed which provides improved system accuracy for image navigation and registration (INR). This system may be employed in any suitable imaging system and, more specifically, to all imaging systems that exhibit systematic distortion. The ParSEC system may be employed to any such system regardless of sensing type (remote or in situ) or imaging media (photon or charged particle) and is further applicable to corrected imaging of any celestial body currently detectable to remove distortion and systematic error from the imaging system employed. The ParSEC system of the instant invention comprises a software algorithm that generates at least about 12 correction coefficients for each of the INR system measurements such as stars, visible landmarks, infrared (IR) landmarks and earth edges.

Abstract: A system vitally determines a position of a train. The system includes a plurality of diverse sensors, such as tachometers and accelerometers, structured to repetitively sense at least change in position and acceleration of the train, a global positioning system sensor, which is diverse from each of the diverse sensors, structured to repetitively sense position of the train, and a track map including a plurality of track segments which may be occupied by the train. A processor cooperates with the diverse sensors, the global positioning system sensor and the track map. The processor includes a routine structured to provide measurement uncertainty for each of the diverse sensors and the global positioning system sensor. The routine cross-checks measurements for the diverse sensors, and cross-checks the global positioning system sensor against the track map. The routine provides the vitally determined position of the train and the uncertainty of the vitally determined position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a navigation apparatus, and which includes measuring, via a sensor, an environmental characteristic including at least one of an altitude of the navigation apparatus and an atmospheric pressure of an atmosphere the navigation apparatus is operating in; extracting, via a controller, a hearing characteristic including a degree of hearing impairment for a user operating the navigation apparatus from a memory based on the measured environmental characteristic; and compensating, via the controller, audio output by the navigation apparatus using the extracted degree of hearing impairment for the user operating the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: A navigation system is configured in which a driven distance calculating unit of an on-vehicle device calculates a first driven distance in a predetermined section based on vehicle speed calculated using vehicle speed pulses outputted from a vehicle and a vehicle speed calculation coefficient, a driven distance calculating unit of a portable terminal device calculates a second driven distance of the vehicle in the predetermined section based on GPS information provided from global navigation satellites, a learning unit corrects the vehicle speed calculation coefficient based on the result of comparing the first driven distance with the second driven distance, and a vehicle location predicting unit of the portable terminal device predicts a vehicle location based on the vehicle speed calculated using the vehicle speed pulses and the corrected vehicle speed calculation coefficient.

Abstract: A yaw angle error of a motion measurement system carried on an aircraft for navigation is estimated from Doppler radar images captured using the aircraft. At least two radar pulses aimed at respectively different physical locations in a targeted area are transmitted from a radar antenna carried on the aircraft. At least two Doppler radar images that respectively correspond to the at least two transmitted radar pulses are produced. These images are used to produce an estimate of the yaw angle error.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus and method are provided. The navigation apparatus includes an image acquiring part that acquires an image of a road feature from a vehicle camera. The apparatus also includes a correction distance table that stores a correction distance to correct a difference between a position of a vehicle when the feature disappears from an imaging area of the camera and a guidance output reference position that is a position of the vehicle when the feature disappears from a driver's view. Further, a judging part is included and judges, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring part and the correction distance stored in the correction distance table, whether the vehicle has arrived at the guidance output reference position. Lastly, the apparatus includes a guidance part that provides guidance regarding the traffic light at a predetermined position having the guidance output reference position as a reference.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are disclosed for track simplification and correction. In one aspect, a track data set having track points defining a course can be accessed and inaccurate track points and incorrect track points can be identified, wherein identifying inaccurate track points includes comparing, for one or more of the track points, a dilution of precision (DOP) value associated with the track point to a DOP threshold, and identifying incorrect track points includes performing an error correction process. Also, a corrected track can be generated by removing identified inaccurate track points and incorrect track points from the track data set. Further, identifying an inaccurate track point can include determining that the DOP value associated with the track point exceeds the DOP threshold. Additionally, the DOP threshold can be specified by user input.

Abstract: The present invention discloses highly accurate driving control of a vehicle using map data. A car information system for controlling a driving control unit group is located in a vehicle. The car information system includes a map database for storing map data, a support area management table in which each kind of attribute data of the map data is associated with information for identifying a field-researched area, and a control unit for estimating an area through which the vehicle travels. The control unit uses a support area management table to judge whether attribute data included in the estimated area is associated with the support area.

Abstract: A position determining unit has an assistance data processing and relaying module (software client) (1318) that obtains localised assistance data, such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) assistance data and/or non-GNSS (such as Wireless Positioning System) assistance data, from an assisting peer position determining unit and relays the localised assistance data to an assisted peer position determining unit. The relaying may be done via an assistance server. In a relaying GNSS position determining unit, such as a GPS receiver, the chip (1310) architecture has multi-frequency GNSS baseband (1311), GSM or UMTS baseband (1312) for long range communication and short range baseband (1313) such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or UWB. The assistance data generating module (1316) generates localised assistance data at the relaying GNSS unit from the GNSS R.F. front end and/or GNSS baseband and/or microcontroller running the GNSS solutions software portion.