Abstract: A method for determining a route from a starting point to a destination point in a navigation system for a motor vehicle, a factor which influences the energy consumption or the pollutant emissions while traveling the route being taken into account when determining the route. The factor describes the energy consumption or pollutant emissions during standstills of the motor vehicle while traveling the route and a navigation system for this purpose. A route calculation is improved with the goal of minimizing the energy consumption or pollutant emissions over the entire route and thereby contributes to environmental protection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sending and retrieving location relevant information to a user by selecting and designating a point of interest that is displayed on a graphical user interface and sending the location information associated with that point of interest to a receiver that is also selected using the graphical user interface. The location relevant information may also include mapped routes, waypoints, geo-fenced areas, moving vehicles etc. Updated location relevant information may also be continuously sent to the user while generating updated mapping information on the graphical user interface. The present invention may be practiced by using communication devices such as a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, in-vehicle navigation systems, or a mobile telephone.

Abstract: ZIP code connection matrices are created for use in insurance ratemaking by identifying common borders of geographically defined regions. ZIP codes and associated cartographic boundaries are read from a database. Pairs of coordinates for the boundaries are stored in a matrix and values are calculated that represent each pair of coordinates in the matrix. The calculated values are stored in an encoded coordinates matrix and used to determine common segments. A connection matrix is formed representing connections among ZIP codes. A neighborhood matrix is then calculated, which stores values that represent an indication of closeness of each ZIP code in the neighborhood matrix to a target ZIP code.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of another road user includes the following steps: determining the position of a road user with the aid of a position detection unit; estimating a distance of the road user to the other road user with the aid of a distance sensor; and determining the position of the other road user on the basis of the determined position of the road user, the estimated distance, and a road map, the other road user being assumed to be located in a road area predefined by the road map.

Abstract: Computerized methods and system of shortening representations of geographical coordinates (Latitude, Longitude) by replacing the leading significant latitude and longitude digits in a given locality with an optional and often user friendly context hint. The locality context can be indicated either explicitly by a human factors appropriate name, or implicitly by the center of a map or current location of the client computerized device. The invention also discloses a reverse method to recover these eliminated digits by using the approximate center of locality and proximity to provide the missing context information.

Abstract: In a course of updating old map data on a hard disk drive to new map data, a low-priority portion of the old map data that has less importance/necessity is deleted to create a vacant area, and a high-priority portion of the new map data is copied to the vacant area as an update of the map data. Then, the high-priority portion of the old map data is deleted to create another vacant area, and a low-priority portion of the new map data is copied to the vacant area. During the update of the map data, restrictions on the usage of the map data are avoided at all efforts by having the high-priority portion of at least one of the new map data and the old map data maintained on the hard disk drive, while maximizing the utilization of storage resources in a map data management apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for storing a route and sharing the route with other users. The system and method allow a user to record a particular route and share said route and comments with other users. The system is integrated with a navigation system having a display screen and interface to allow a user to easily record the route. Further, the system includes a communication module for uploading the route to devices maintained by other users or a subscription based website.

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 locator for determining a location of the navigation device, a processor, an audio output device and/or a display controllable by the processor, and a store for map data and historical data. The historical data includes historical information about a location and a location identifier identifying the location. The processor is arranged to control the audio output device and/or display to convey the historical information as an audio and/or visual output in response to the processor determining from the locator that the navigation device is in the vicinity of the location identified by the location identifier.

Abstract: An approach is provided for custom zooming of geographic representation. A custom zooming application determines an input specifying a level of zoom for rendering a geographic representation presented at a device, the geographic representation including a plurality of objects. The custom zooming application determines respective degrees of relevance of the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the device, a user of the device, related context information, or a combination thereof. The custom zooming application determines to render one or more of the plurality of objects with at least one different level of visibility with respect to other ones of the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the respective degrees of relevance, the level of zoom, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A portable terminal is configured to perform a method for feature recognition. The portable terminal includes a Global Positioning System (GPS), a camera, a sensor, an image geographic information part, an image processor, and a controller. The GPS provides a position of the portable terminal. The camera photographs an image of a feature. The sensor detects a direction of the camera. The image geographic information part stores an image of each feature and geographic information on each feature. The image processor extracts a characteristic of the image of the feature and compares the extracted characteristic with image information stored in the image geographic info illation part. If recognizing a specific feature through the image processor, the controller proportionally compares geographic information of the image geographic information part with size and direction data on a peripheral feature near the specific feature within an image, and recognizes the peripheral feature.

Abstract: Provided is a device, method and program enabling high-speed map matching while maintaining a precision of an analysis based on a map matching result even when event data is transmitted from numerous vehicles. A grid is obtained by the division of a region in which a road network exists into a latitude direction and a longitude direction by equal spaces based on data stored in the road data storage unit. A grid ID is unitarily assigned to each set of grids whose sets of arcs which are roads are common and arc passing the grid. An event grid matching unit correlates event data collected from a vehicle and a grid. When the number of pieces of event data correlated with the grid is large, a data selecting unit selects a part of the data. An event road matching unit correlates the selected event data and a road in the grid.

Abstract: Provided is a video image data generation system including a database for storing a plurality of image data photographed in various directions in various locations, correlating the directions and the locations with the stored image data, and correlating and storing a photographed sub-region when the image data is acquired, a route view point specifying device which specifies various locations and eye level directions arranged on a view point route, an image search engine which searches an image of an eye level direction specified from a location of a view point route specified by the route view point specifying device and outputs video data, wherein the image search engine searches image data stored in a database and the image data including a sub-region located in an eye level direction in each of a plurality of locations on a view point route by referencing photography direction data correlated with the sub-region.

Abstract: In order to notify a user that a facility is present in the neighborhood of a route to a destination, a mobile phone includes a location obtaining portion to obtain a present location (S03, S09), a destination setting portion to set a point of destination (S02), a departure point setting portion to set a point of departure (S04), a facility extraction portion to extract facility information of a facility located in the neighborhood of a route from the point of departure to the destination from among facility information included in map information (S08), and a light emission control portion to give notification at a prescribed timing if at least one facility information is extracted by the facility extraction portion (S14).

Abstract: A method of receiving information for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes retrieving stored traffic information from a database and determining a communication period for receiving current traffic information from a service provider based on the stored traffic information. The method also includes receiving current traffic information simultaneously with other non-traffic information when the non-traffic information is being requested in order to limit the number of instances of communication with the service provider.

Abstract: An apparatus for map zooming includes instructions stored in a memory that when executed by a processor render a zoom bar. The zoom bar includes a plurality of map scale hash marks arranged along an axis of the zoom bar and indicative of a map scale range of a geographic map. The plurality of map scale hash marks include a first map scale hash mark representative of a first map scale, a second map scale hash mark offset along the zoom bar axis from the first map scale hash mark and representative of a second map scale, and a map transformation hash mark located between the first and second map scale hash marks and representative of a transformation of the geographic map from a first map data set defined with reference to the first map scale to a second map data set defined with reference to the second map scale.

Abstract: A method for providing route plans for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) includes: receiving a destination from a user of the PHEV; determining a route from a current location of the PHEV to the destination; determining locations of one or more external power sources that can provide power to recharge batteries of the PHEV and that are located along the route; forming, with a computing device, a travel plan that includes at least one of: planned recharging stops selected from the locations, modes of operation for the PHEV along the route, and an order in which power provided by the external sources is used by the PHEV.

Abstract: A portable traffic signaling system includes a plurality of portable traffic signals, each of the portable traffic signals having a plurality of traffic lights and a stand having legs that fold for transport and unfold for deployment. A short range wireless traffic signal transceiver that communicates bidirectionally via a short range wireless communication link. A traffic signal processing module controls the operation of the plurality of traffic lights to at least: a stop condition, and a go condition based on control data, such as control data received from a remote control device via the short range wireless communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing the effect of road curvature on the travel time and the comfort level of a path determined by a ground based route planning system. The methods and systems identify a path and determine an allowable speed profile of the path, wherein the allowable speed profile satisfies a cross track acceleration constraint. Thereafter, the methods and systems determine an optimal speed profile of the path, wherein the optimal speed profile satisfies both an along track acceleration constraint and a speed constraint. Using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be factored into a determination of the traversal time of the path. Additionally, using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be used to derive a comfort level of the path. The optimal speed profile may be further used to provide driver assistance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for displaying an indication of off-screen content. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of providing an electronic map of a first geographic area that includes a first entity at a first geographic location for display on a user interface and receiving user input indicating an interest in a second entity at a second geographic location that is outside of the first geographic area. An electronic map of a second geographic area that includes the second geographic location of the second entity is provided, and a first indicator, indicating at least an approximate direction to the first geographic location, is provided for display on the electronic map of the second geographic area.

Abstract: Map data define a road in units of links, and a multilink as links connected consecutively with an identical attribute while containing: a road management information list storing fixed-length road management information elements, each indicating the number of links in each multilink; a lower level link information list storing fixed-length link information elements, each indicating the number of coordinate points in each link, in an order in which corresponding road management information elements are arrayed in the road management information list; a higher level link information list storing fixed-length link information elements, each indicating a multilink as a higher level link; and a higher level link ID list storing fixed-length information elements, each indicating a storage array position in the higher level link information list with respect to a multilink, in an order in which corresponding lower link information elements are arrayed in the lower level link information list.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.

Abstract: Stored executable logic causes a processor to operate so as to receive route parameter data, including a start location and end location for future travel, from various users. The processor generates route data based on the received route parameter data for each user. The generated route data for each user includes geographic coordinate data with imbedded strings of geographic coordinate identifiers corresponding to strings of geographic coordinates defining a travel path between the start and end locations included in that user's route parameter data. The processor stores, in a database, the generated route data for each user in association with an identifier of that user and contact information for contacting that user while in route.

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: Provided is a map matching device, method and program. The map matching device may comprise a road grid dividing unit and a grid road combining unit. The road grid dividing unit is for deriving a grid obtained by the division of a region where a road network exists in a latitude direction and a longitude direction by equal spaces and correlating the grid and an arc crossing the grid. The grid road combining unit is for assigning a common arc ID to a plurality of grids which are adjacent to each other and whose sets of arcs correlated are coincident and assigning an arc ID to a grid whose set of arcs correlated is different from a set of arcs of any of adjacent grids to generate information indicative of a relationship among a range of a grid, a grid ID and an arc passing the grid.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing a list of alternate diversion airports that is based on up-to-date and accurate information received electronically at the aircraft. The list of alternate diversion airports may be prioritized according to a normal mode when the aircraft is operating under normal flight conditions, or a non-normal mode when the aircraft is operating in an emergency situation. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system includes an alternate airport diversion planner program that generates the list of alternate diversion airports based on diversion planning information received at an aircraft. The alternate airport diversion planner program subsequently receives periodic updates of the diversion planning information, which is used to update the list of alternate diversion airports that is provided to a pilot of the aircraft.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying points-of-interest. In one aspect, a method includes identifying points-of-interest (POIs) associated with one or more of multiple, selected geographic areas, and determining, for each of the multiple geographic areas, a score associated with the identified POIs. The actions also include generating a combined score for each identified POI based on the determined scores associated with the respective POI, selecting a subset of the identified POIs based at least on the combined scores, and displaying a link to the POIs in the subset.

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: A method and apparatus for identifying a set of needed permissions for a vehicle. A travel plan is identified for the vehicle. Information is identified about the vehicle. The set of needed permissions is identified for the vehicle to travel using the travel plan.

Abstract: A method, navigation unit and map update server for updating navigation map data are disclosed. Navigation map update data is received from a navigation unit using mobile communications. The navigation map update data is obtained by detecting the position of a vehicle, calculating a route for the vehicle to a destination using the navigation map data and detecting when the calculated route to the destination is left. If so, the method begins storing position data until the vehicle is back on the calculated route, on a recalculated route to the destination from an actual position, or when it has reached the destination. Furthermore, the method comprises evaluating the stored position data to obtain navigation map update data. Navigation map update data is kept local for a geographically limited area corresponding to an area serviced by a network node in the cellular communication network.

Abstract: A traction control system and methodology that utilize a phase-out and phase-in of maximum drive torque and/or a regenerative brake torque based on vehicle speed and road slope.

Abstract: The positioning terminal of the present invention includes a positioning unit 103 configured to perform positioning processing for acquiring position information which indicate a current position of the positioning terminal, a route storage unit 104 configured to store a registered route formed by concatenating location points indicated by position information previously acquired by the positioning unit 103, a route matching determining unit 106 configured to determine whether or not the positioning terminal 10 moves on the registered route, and a continuous positioning control unit 109 configured to change a positioning interval at which the positioning unit 103 performs positioning processing from a time interval TI1 to a time interval TI2 which is longer than the time interval TI1, when it is determined that the positioning terminal moves on the registered route.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for providing location-based services using a mobile device is provided. A first anchor is generated by sensing a location-identifying physical characteristic proximate to a mobile device present at a first location and generating a representation of the location-identifying physical characteristic; determining a descriptive identification of the first location; and combining the descriptive identification and the representation of the location-identifying physical characteristic. The first anchor is transmitted to a computer remote from the first location. A request is made to a remote computer for a chronotope retrieved from a database of previously generated anchors, the received chronotope indicating a logical distance between the first anchor and a second anchor, wherein the second anchor is associated with a second location distinct from the first location.

Abstract: A method, a system, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for browsing spot information, adapted to an electronic device, are provided. In the present method, a plurality of spot information are retrieved, in which each of the spot information at least comprises a picture and a location of a spot. Next, an electronic map is displayed and a spot marker is marked at the spot location of each spot information on the electronic map. Meanwhile, a spot browsing bar is displayed on a side of the electronic map and the spot pictures of the spot information are sequentially displayed in the spot browsing bar. When a select operation of a certain spot marker on the electronic map is received, the spot browsing bar is scrolled to show the spot picture corresponding to the selected spot marker.

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 system is disclosed for validating a correction to map data for a geographic location, the system including: a processing resource; and a navigation device. In at least one embodiment, the processing resource includes: a user request generator that is configured to generate a user request for transmission to the navigation device; a transmitter for transmitting the generated user request to the navigation device; and a receiver for receiving a user response from the navigation device; and the navigation device includes: a receiver for receiving the user request transmitted from the processing resource; a user request module configured to present the received user request to a user of the navigation device; a user response module for capturing a user response to the presented user request, and a transmitter for transmitting the captured user response to the processing resource.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product are provided for determining points of interest using intelligent agents and semantic data. The method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions operable for receiving a media data comprising a location data comprising where media was captured. The instructions are also operable for determining at least one point of interest based on the media data, tying the media data to the at least one point of interest, and providing the media data tied to the at least one point of interest to an end user.

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

Abstract: A real-time navigation electronic device based on determining current traffic rule information includes a positioning unit, a user interface, an information detecting-and-generating unit and a processing unit. The information detecting-and-generating unit detects and generates information for determining real-time traffic rule. The processing unit generates a navigation route according to the destination and the present position. The processing unit receives the information for determining real-time traffic rule. The processing unit determines if the information for determining real-time traffic rule conflicts with the navigation route or makes the navigation route not the quickest route. The processing unit re-generates the navigation route according to the destination, the present position and the information for determining real-time traffic rule when the information for determining real-time traffic rule conflicts with the navigation route or makes the navigation route not the quickest route.

Abstract: In map data, a road corresponds to a multilink defined as links connected consecutively with an identical attribute. The map data contains a road management information list, link information list, and coordinate information list of a real data list. In the road management information list, fixed-length road management information elements, each of which indicates the number of links in each multilink, are arrayed in an order. In the link information list, fixed-length link information elements, each of which indicates the number of coordinate points in each link, are arrayed in an order in which corresponding road management information elements are arrayed in the road management information list. In the coordinate information list, fixed-length coordinates information elements, each of which indicates coordinate points arranged in one link to illustrate a shape of the link, are arrayed in an order in which the coordinate points are arranged in the link.

Abstract: A method of transporting inventory items includes receiving a route request from a mobile drive unit. The route request identifies a destination location within a workspace. The workspace includes at least one cell associated with a first cell attribute and at least one cell that is not associated with the first cell attribute. The method includes determining a state of the mobile drive unit. The method also includes generating a path to the destination location for the mobile drive unit that traverses cells associated with the first cell attribute, in response to determining that the mobile drive unit is associated with a first state. The method includes generating a path to the destination location for the mobile drive unit that does not traverse cells associated with the first cell attribute, in response to determining the mobile drive unit is not associated with the first state. The method further includes transmitting the path to the mobile drive unit.

Abstract: Techniques for provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a mobile device to allow for speech recognition based, at least in part, on context information associated with at least a portion of at least one navigational region, e.g., associated with a location of the mobile device. A speech recognition capability may, for example, be provided with a set of audible samples based, at least in part, on the context information. Such speech recognition capability may be provided by the mobile device and/or by one or more other devices coupled to the mobile device.

Abstract: An enhanced geocoding module may be used to determine various physical addresses located on the same street. The enhanced geocoding module may create a grid around a predetermined location and request the physical addresses of various coordinate points located on the grid. Additional features of the module may include a display that displays the grid with physical addresses located on the same street, various statistics related to a user of the enhanced geocoding module, and a color-coded scheme that indicates the status of individuals/groups located at the physical addresses.

Abstract: A map information processing device includes a map information storage unit 23 for storing map information, a sensor information input unit 22 for inputting sensor information used for calculation of a current position, a navigation processing unit 25 for calculating the current position by using the map information read from the map information storage unit, and the sensor information inputted from the sensor information input unit, and for, when determining that the above-mentioned calculated current position is in a tunnel shown by the read map information, and when this tunnel branches into tunnel sections at a forward position, calculating a distance to each of all tunnel end points to generate a map image about a map including this calculated distance, and an output control unit 26 for outputting the map image generated by the navigation processing unit.

Abstract: A method for simplifying a description of a travel route represented by a list of route points includes: reading in a travel route which is mapped by a list of route points represented by a plurality of route points, each route point representing a different subsegment of a travel route on a digital road map; altering the list of route points according to a predetermined algorithm, in order to obtain an altered list of route points that represents the travel route; and storing the altered list of route points in order to simplify the description of the travel route.

Abstract: A visual aid determination module (VADM) is described for presenting a visual aid that helps a user in interpreting a digital map. Namely, the visual aid helps the user in interpreting the relation of a currently-displayed map bounding region (MBR) to a center point of an inaccurate location region (ILR). The ILR, in turn, conveys a range of indeterminacy associated with a currently-assessed location of the user. In one case, the visual aid corresponds to a series of concentric circles. The curvature, placement, and spacing of the circles help the user determine his or her bearing with respect to the center point of the ILR.

Abstract: Assessing the accuracy of location estimation systems. A mobile computing device provides location information including a device location (e.g., via GPS) and one or more wireless network beacons accessible by the computing device at the device location. The wireless network beacons accessible by the computing device are compared to stored post information including a plurality of beacon lists. An estimated device location is determined based on the comparison. The estimated device location is compared to the known device location. A difference between the estimated device location and the received device location is determined based on the comparison. An analysis of the determined difference is performed to generate accuracy maps and other insight into the relationship between accuracy and geographic area for the location estimation systems.

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: A navigation system (NS) may include a processor that can retrieve geographic map data from a database, where the geographic map data includes polygonal chains. The processor can determine a straightness value, a length ratio, and/or an angle-to-length ratio for each of the polygonal chains based on segments and/or vertices of the polygonal chain. Also, a first class and a second class of the polygonal chains can be determined based on one or more of the three determined values for each of the polygonal chains. The first class may represent roads that are less winding than the second class, and such an attribute may be beneficial in selecting an optimal route.